People

JACKIE O's FAVE POETRY SELLS WELL

A new book by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg -- in which she talks about the poetry that her late mother, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, loved best -- is now on the national best-seller list. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution's Teresa Weaver says "The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis" made a surprising entry into the list because volumes of poetry usually don't do well in today's book-buying world. She says the Kennedy family's passion for poetry runs deep, and it continues in the soul of the last remaining member of Camelot. The book began as an offshoot of a very popular exhibition of Onassis' designer clothing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last spring. The display is now being shown in Boston and will move to Washington early next year. By the way, the first poem in the book is "America the Beautiful."

ROCK GUITARIST FACES 'AIR RAGE' CHARGES

The guitarist for the rock band R.E.M. has been ordered to stand trial in London on charges relating to an alleged air rage incident. The Guardian is reporting that Peter Buck has been ordered to appear in a British court on Nov. 12. He is charged with being drunk on an airplane and with criminal damage, using threatening words and assaulting two British Airways employees. The indictment against Buck said the incident occurred on a nonstop British Airways flight between Seattle and London in April. Buck was apparently on his way to the British capital to participate in a major concert there on South African Freedom Day.

FORMER 'ROLLER' WANTS BETTER MUSIC

During the disco era, Les McKeown's baby face was everywhere. He was the front man for the '70s pop group the Bay City Rollers. He's still "pushing out the hits" but not as a singer. Today he's a London-based radio DJ. Now, at age 46, McKeown says it's about time the current crop of "boy groups" grows up. Since pop music, by its very nature, appeals to kids, then the content has got to be something that kids can not only appreciate but learn from. The Sun of London says that the DJ thinks that today's groups should strive to record music that is more meaningful, particularly in this changing and dangerous world. The publication says McKeown is also critical of Britney Spears, whom some think is sending a far-too-adult message to her barely pubescent fans.

REBA'S FUNNY SITCOM GETS EXTENDED LEASE

The folks at Warner Bros. Television have told versatile singer-actress Reba McEntire that she can produce more episodes of her popular sitcom, "Reba." The order to produce the full 22 episodes effectively clears the way for the show to run a full season -- by modern TV standards. An executive for the network says McEntire's show is the company's first real "breakout" hit of the new season. During the past two years McEntire has risen from the ranks of country singer to the status of cross-over star, doing TV and also starring as Annie Oakley for a time on Broadway in "Annie, Get Your Gun." Her Great White Way stint drew her much praise from some of New York's most critical reviewers. "Reba" is airing on Friday nights on the WB network.

JACKSON HELPING CHART RIVAL

Enigmatic music maker Michael Jackson apparently isn't thrilled that Euro sensation Kylie Minogue has been beating him in his recent battle for the No. 1 spot on worldwide charts. But, according to published reports, that's not preventing the pop king from taking the time to write some songs for her. There are reports that Jackson is keen on helping the young singer expand to the States. He has penned two songs -- "I'll Try Anything Once" and "Time Bomb" for her upcoming American CD debut. It was Kylie's single "Can't Get You Out of My Head" that stayed at No. 1 and refused to be bumped by Jackson's "You Rock My World." He had hoped for instant chart success with the single, his own "breakout" song after years of near-exile from the music world.

RUDEL ANNOUNCES JUILLIARD OPERA SEASON

Conductor Julius Rudel is preparing to open the opera season at the fabled Juilliard School in New York City. Rudel says composer Carlisle Floyd's "Susannah" will be the premier work this time around. He conducted the opera at its premiere in 1956 at the New York City Opera. "Susannah" is a musical adaptation of the biblical-era story of a young girl who resists the seduction of her elders. Rudel is seen as a champion of modern-day composers. During his 22-year association with the New York City Opera, he presented more than 50 works by contemporary composers. He keeps an active schedule and has been tapped to conduct performances of "Tosca" at the Met and will also do extensive European touring. He also plans to take "Susannah" to Chicago to open the Lyric Opera's 2002-03 season.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 192

Recently we talked about changing tastes in soft drinks and got a flood (no pun intended) of replies, about which more, later. So, here goes: "What food or other products that you once liked do you now feel either don't taste the same or work as well as they used to?" Put TASTE in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 187 (SALESMAN)

Last week we asked about your experiences in dealing with telephone solicitors and salespeople. Here are some of the more interesting replies: Ali H is among many who was called by someone who would not take "NO" for an answer. It's a common complaint. In Ali's case, "I was not sure if the guy was deaf." The point at issue was signing up for a deal with a book company that Ali had earlier dumped and didn't like anyway. Windy W says she has been reduced to tears by abusive sales people. "Hey, this is MY phone," she notes. Deb got a call from a "travel" company offering air flights to Orlando or Las Vegas. This was just after Sept. 11, and she found the concept of flying out of the question. Lleeeegs once, after telling a newspaper salesperson that she was at a low income point at that moment, got the retort: "You mean you can't even afford $1.29?" A ton of you, among them keke, were sick and fed up with the increasing number of pitches sent via e-mail. I could not agree more. I have set up the filters in my incoming mail to delete mail from most of the better-known culprits. Finally, CMor says, "The minute I sit down to dinner, the phone rings!" GBA.