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By DENNIS DAILY, United Press International
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BROOKS COMING OUT OF EXILE

It would seem that Garth Brooks is having a hard time keeping to his self-imposed exile from music. He essentially retired two years ago, but noted at the time that he had a few projects left. Recently he emerged, meeting the press and talking about his new CD, "Scarecrow." As we mentioned in a previous report, this weekend he will begin to appear in a major series of TV and radio ads for Dr. Pepper. Some of them will have "Scarecrow" tie-ins. Now his publicist confirms that he will make a major concert appearance in Los Angeles on Nov. 14, the day after the full "Scarecrow" CD is released. It will be Brooks' first appearance in L.A. in over five years and the first time he has mounted a full concert since the fall of 1998.

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RIVERA TO BECOME WAR CORRESPONDENT

Controversial talk-show host Geraldo Rivera says he's leaving his seven-year stint on CNBC and will become a war correspondent for the Fox News Channel. Essentially, he's going over to the "enemy," at least in the TV ratings game. The 58-year-old journalist, famous for his probing reports and the championing of often-unpopular causes, says he was so moved by the recent world developments that he thought it was the proper course of action. In a statement released by Rivera's office he notes that he "can't stay anchored to this desk any longer."


JOHNNY CASH IN HOSPITAL ... AGAIN

Just days after a two-week stint in a Nashville hospital with a case of bronchitis, the news provider country.com says country icon Johnny Cash has been re-admitted. The 69-year-old "Man in Black" has a physical condition that makes him super-susceptible to all kinds of infections. During his last hospitalization, doctors noted that they preferred to have him under observation rather than fighting his infection at home. This time there are reports that he has bronchitis again. He is listed in stable condition and it is not thought that he will be kept in the hospital as long as last time.

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NYC'S BEST MEET IN MILD CONFRONTATION

It was a tough situation. On one side of the line hundreds of New York City firefighters, angered that the clean up of the World Trade Center disaster was being scaled back. On the other side of the line were hundreds of New York City police officers sent to hold back the firefighters. USA Today is reporting that there was a mild scuffle as tempers flared. One fireman carried a sign that read: "Mayor Giuliani, let us bring our brothers home." Finally, the firefighters left the scene and continued a march. At one point they paused for a moment to remember their comrades -- 343 firefighters and 23 police officers -- who died on Sept. 11.


WORLD CLIMATE IN THE BACK OF OUR MINDS

It's tough to do a network newscast. Not only do you have to present what's new that hour, intersperse it with pre-recorded or live reports from correspondents, but you have to "hit the windows." What is meant by that -- and most casual listeners never think about this -- is that you have to end certain stories and give cues exactly on time, often to the second. It's difficult to watch your script, watch your clock and keep your ducks in a row. That may be why veteran CBS Radio Network anchor Jim Chenevey recently talked about the "Microsoft anthrax case" rather than the "Microsoft antitrust case." Just goes to show you what he was juggling in his mind during one five-minute report.

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MUMBA ORDERED TO GET SOME REST

For the past two months buxom Euro singing star Samantha Mumba has been working flat out to prepare a new album and promote her single "Lately." Now, the London Sun says Mumba has been ordered to bed to take it easy for at least ten days, after collapsing from exhaustion. The meteoric 18-year-old artist has returned to her parents' home in Dublin. Her manager says she began to have dizzy spells while working in the recording studio. They got worse. Finally she fainted. Mumba, a striking beauty for her age, has parlayed the looks of a supermodel and her unique singing style into a real hit in Europe in the past year or so.


UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 195

This question is prompted by the recent loss of an important phone number from one of my many Rolodexes. Here goes: "How do you keep phone numbers and addresses? Rolodexes? Hand-written books? Computer files?" Put ADDRESS in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.


RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 190 (COMMENTS)

Last week we opened up the agenda to another round of topic-less comments. Here are some of the replies: Ironically, several wrote to say they were angered at the fact there is little if anything on TV for people over 45. Raeanne is mad that they took "Diagnosis: Murder" off the air. I could not agree more. Once I interviewed an advertising executive who emphatically told me that he did not care about anyone over 25. That's why TV and the movies are full of adolescent, bathroom, T-and-A humor. If I may get on my soapbox, it's partly our fault for never exerting our clout in dealing with the TV and movie studios. Friends laugh at me for my huge collection of old movies taped from AMC and a massive collection of old-time radio shows. I crawl under my rock and listen to that "safe" stuff. Lots of positive comments about Big Apple Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and the work in the wake of Sept. 11. Kathy thinks that too many in the media are overplaying the anthrax thing. (Notice I didn't call it a "scare" or anything like that? -- note the CBS newscaster in today's column). Lleeeeeggs hates people to spank their children in public. Finally, Lisa thinks it's wierd that people are blasting some for being TOO patriotic. Lisa, have you heard what's happening at Berkeley? I'll print more of your thoughts. Keep the cards and letters coming. GBA.

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