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.
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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.
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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."
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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.