People

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLKS AT TV LAND

Yesterday we noted this week's 50th anniversary of the first episode of "I Love Lucy," on CBS (10/15/1951). We forgot to mention that the people at the TV Land cable channel had not only gotten rights to air all of the shows that Lucy and Desi filmed but that the original episode that opened the ground-breaking sitcom's run was earmarked for broadcast Monday night, 50 years to the minute after it ran initially. Additionally, that network will air nothing but "Lucy" during "marathon" chunks of programming in the coming days. Included among the shows will be the side-splitting episode in which Lucy drinks a food supplement, over and over again during rehearsals for a live TV commercial; she soon discovers the product is nearly one-third alcohol. ("Hello, friends. I'm your Vitameatavegemin girl! Are you tired? Run down? Listless? Do you pop out at parties? Are you unpopular?") Also to be aired is the "fight in the grape-crushing tank" episode. Thanks, TV Land. A nice touch.

MICKEY AND FRIENDS STILL A DELIGHT

In spite of the fact that some say that Disneyland and Disney Worlds are prime targets for possible terrorist attacks, President Bush has called on all of us to try to keep a "business as normal" attitude about America, including visiting major attractions, such as the Magic Kingdom. Gossip columnist Liz Smith could not agree more. In her latest article she describes a recent trip to Disney World in Orlando. Smith says when she was there the park looked as though it had nearly a full house. She had a three-year-old in tow, she reports, who was thrilled with many of the animals and sights. On the other side of the coin, Smith's glowing account of Disney World differs from the reports you'll get if you talk to some of the employees of the Anaheim, Calif., park. There have been problems with many of the rides in the new California Adventure park, and a constantly heard wish from many employees is: "If only Walt were still alive."

COUNTRY GREAT ON 'MILLIONAIRE'

In order to bolster sagging ratings, ABC has added celebrity contestants to its "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" program, hosted by Regis Philbin. Now the news provider country.com says that some of the best performers from that genre of music will be taping episodes this week. Among them is Martina McBride. The outlet says she may have a "million-dollar" voice, but can she measure up when the questions start? She's guaranteed to win at least $32,000, all of which will go to charity. The air date for the episode will be announced later. McBride, by the way, is just one of more than two dozen top country performers who will take part in CMT's "Country Freedom Concert," now set for the evening of Oct. 21. Earlier in the day, performers from other fields of music will entertain at RFK Stadium in Washington. Both concerts will benefit Sept. 11 relief funds.

ALI PUSHES FOR RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

The man who used to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee," former heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali, is lashing out against international terrorism. But, at the same time, he's asking people to try to understand religious diversity. The New York Post says that Ali, a devout Muslim, launched a blistering attack on the terrorists targeting America, and says, "God is not behind the assassins." Ali's remarks were carried in Britain's Sunday People newspaper. In the article he told readers that he wanted to express his "deep sadness and anguish at the tremendous loss of life that occurred. I cannot sit by," he noted, "and let the world think that Islam is a killing religion."

MADONNA SONG TO BE MICROSOFT MELODY

There are indications that Madonna, as if she didn't need the money, will be paid more than $25 million for the use of one of her songs in an upcoming TV ad campaign. Published reports indicate that the music icon's song "Ray of Light" will be used by Bill Gates to hype his new Windows XP software in television ads. The official launch of the new software will be a week from Thursday in the Big Apple. Madonna will apparently be there to perform the song. The use of a rock star by the company to introduce new products is not new. About six years ago Microsoft spent $20 million to get the Rolling Stones to allow it to use the song "Start Me Up" for a previous product roll out.

SINGERS LAUNCH INTO STAR-SPANGLED LANDING

Members of a Las Vegas Sweet Adelines musical group did all they could this week to inspire patriotism as their plane was landing at McCarran International Airport (LAS). The group of female barbershop singers was on a Southwest Airlines flight, returning from an international Sweet Adelines convention in Portland, Ore. As their plane was about to land in Las Vegas, members of the local Celebrity City Chorus suddenly started singing the national anthem. The moment was "electric." The plane made a sweeping arc across the city just as the setting sun produced a magnificent "red, white and blue" desert landscape out the windows. They ended the "Star-Spangled Banner" just moments before plane touched down. Passengers cheered. It was a unique experience for those of us on board. One fellow passenger noted that it was great to hear the anthem sung "correctly," for a change.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 182

In light of the story about the on-board anthem, here is today's question: "What do you think of the way some people and groups perform the national anthem?" I would be anxious to see what some readers in other countries feel about their anthem and hearing the way we sing ours. Put ANTHEM in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 177 (TRANSMISSION)

Last week we asked you whether your had a standard transmission or were shiftless. First of all, the replies we canvassed were three-to-one "automatic." Here are some specific answers: Bev says she "went through too many fuel pumps and brakes on a past car that was a standard." Now she owns an automatic. Amanda, our high school standout in Texas, says she doesn't have a car yet, but when she gets one she wants it to be a Pontiac Firebird. But, Amanda, you'll find out -- as you get older -- that a hot car, such as the Firebird, is more fun when you can jam the gears. Alison suggests that automatics would be the most popular kind in her native Australia. Karen, from Maryland, notes that she has an automatic, OF COURSE. She says it's too much work to pay attention to other drivers AND shift at the same time. Ah, but Karen, shifting becomes second nature after a while. On the "standard" side are many, including Sherry R. She reports that she learned to shift on her uncle's old Rambler. Sherry, was it a black Rambler wagon, by chance? Debra has a car that is a hybrid. It's called "auto shift." She says it's the "yuppie version of the stick shift." She also wonders what I drive. A 2000, basic vermilion Saturn. Standard transmission and no power steering. Though I get 42 mpg on the highway, it steers like a truck. I need the main street in Salt Lake City to make a U-turn. GBA.