The Buzzz!
A twice-weekly recap of entertainment industry news compiled by the Daily Trojan staff
ACTRESS SUES SPELLING FOR
PREGNANCY DISCRIMINATION -- Hunter Tylo is suing Spelling Television for
pregnancy discrimination, breach of contract and wrongful termination. A
Los Angeles jury watched scenes from Melrose Place, featuring a
pregnant Heather Locklear, during court on Monday.
Lawyers for Tylo argue that
Locklear was treated differently when she was pregnant, trying to make a
case that Tylo was wrongfully fired.
Former soap opera star Tylo
was fired when show producers discovered she was pregnant. The show's
executive producer Frank South, who testified that he took measures to hide
Locklear's pregnancy during the taping of the show, said he and the other
producers thought Tylo would gain too much weight to play the role of a
seductress.
***
BARBIE GETS A
MAKEOVER -- Barbie is now being redone to become a cooler, hipper
version of the glamorous and eye-boggling proportioned doll. Mattel said
the new Barbie will include smaller breasts, a larger waist and smaller
hips. The new face will include less makeup and will sport a softer
hairstyle.
But fans for the classic
doll won't lose out altogether. Out of 24 Barbies being introduced next
year, six will have the new face and only one will have the new body.
***
APPLE PROTESTS
TURKEYS -- Rocker Fiona Apple is protesting America's tradition of
having turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. According to the New York Daily
News, the 20-year-old has now teamed up with People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals (PETA) and will record a protest via phone against the
Butterball company.
"Please join me in calling
Butterball, to tell them there is no proper way to kill and cook these
beautiful birds," Apple said. "Millions of people are learning that a
vegetarian diet is the healthy choice for themselves, the earth and
animals. And, incidentally, they taste a lot better."
***
WOODY DEBUTS ON
SITCOM -- Woody Allen stunned producers of the NBC comedy Just Shoot
Me by agreeing to take the part of a Woody-esque character.
The real Woody Allen will
be heard talking on the phone in the episode. The producers of the show
sent Allen a script with no expectations, but were happily surprised when
he agreed.
"He did it in three takes,
each one progressively more Woody-ish," said executive producer Steve
Levitan. "That he did it and was saying the names of our characters...was
unbelievable."
Copyright 1997 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 132, No. 58 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997), on page 7.