People

DIANE VS. BARBARA

According to a report in TV Guide, the rift between ABC News stars Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters is continuing despite network assurances that the two have called a truce. The latest dust-up has to do with Sawyer's big "get" -- network-ese for landing a hotly pursued interview subject. Sawyer snagged a sit-down with Rosie O'Donnell for her show, "Primetime Thursday," but Walters seemed unwilling to give up easily. O'Donnell is such a prize because she reveals in her upcoming autobiography, "Find Me," that she is a lesbian. O'Donnell taped her interview with Sawyer on Valentine's Day. On the same day, on her ABC daytime show "The View," Walters told viewers about a phone call she had with O'Donnell in which Rosie talked about her decision to come out as a homosexual and expressed concern that her decision might preclude her from being able to adopt a foster child in Florida. State law forbids gay men and women from adopting.

WHAT ABOUT BOB?

Amid all the talk about ABC snagging John Madden from Fox and talking with David Letterman about jumping over from CBS, now there is a report that the Disney-owned alphabet network has its eye on NBC's main sports man, Bob Costas. Costas -- who anchored the Peacock network's Winter Olympics coverage last month -- is under contract to NBC through June. Speculation about his future NBC is fueled largely by the network's recent decision to de-emphasize sports programming. NBC Sports already dumped Major League Baseball and the National Football League and soon will end its long-running relationship with the National Basketball Association.

ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC?

There wasn't as much politics-as-usual in evidence on the Grammy Awards Wednesday night, but U2 frontman Bono managed to bring up a political point or two when he talked with reporters backstage. In a switch from his usual critical stance about world problems, the singer was singing the praises of the United States. "We've always liked coming here," he said. "But this year, I've rediscovered my love of America -- the great idea, as opposed to just the great country. It is a great idea. It's worth defending. It's also worth taking this idea around the world." Bono said the biggest shock of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack wasn't "just watching the twin towers turn to dust -- it was the aftershock of watching people jumping up and down in Pakistan, celebrating. You think, 'How did this happen? What is going on that the country that liberated Europe should be seen like this?' I don't believe that's a deserved position, but the United States is really (bad) at public relations." He said it seems "the idea of America has gone away in the last while ... I'm really encouraged that that idea might catch on in the wake of this tragedy." Bono said if that happens it would be "a fitting memorial for the people who lost their lives on Sept. 11." He finished the tract by apologizing for going on that way. "Sorry about the lecture," he said. "You win a few Grammys, you think you're very interesting." U2 won four Grammys.

TONY CURTIS READY TO GO INTO HIS DANCE

According to gossip columnist Liz Smith, Tony Curtis is taking tap dancing lessons -- two hours a day -- to prepare for his role in the upcoming musical comedy version of his classic movie "Some Like It Hot." Curtis and the late Jack Lemmon starred with Marilyn Monroe in writer-director Billy Wilder's 1959 comedy about two musicians who pretend to be women as they hide from gangsters who want to kill them. Curtis will not be reprising his movie role. Rather, he will play the millionaire -- Osgood Fielding III as played in the movie by Joe E. Brown -- who falls in love with the character that Lemmon played.

MORE CHANGES AT 'ATC'

National Public Radio has announced that Noah Adams will leave the afternoon news and information show "All Things Considered" for a year to write a book about the Wright brothers and their historic 12-second flight on Dec. 17, 1903. Adams said he needs to take leave from the show now to have the book ready for publication in time for the 100th anniversary of man's first flight. When Adams goes back to work at "ATC" it won't be as co-host. He said it wouldn't be fair to ask NPR to hold his chair for him until he gets back. Adams is the second main anchor to leave the show in recent times. Linda Wertheimer was reassigned in January to become a correspondent for the show. Adams has written four previous books. His most recent effort, "Far Appalachia," examines the New River Valley in Appalachia.

UPI DAILY SURVEY QUESTION NO. 280

Recently a friend and I were talking about past apartments and living conditions. He noted that he once lived in an apartment where, even though he had a private bedroom with a lockable door, it was necessary for everyone to walk through his room to get to the apartment's single bathroom. So, here's today's question: "What is the worst living arrangement you can remember?" Put BATHROOM in the subject line and send to [email protected] via the Internet.

RESULTS OF QUESTION NO. 275 (INDIGESTION)

Last week, based on a story I came across about how many people have an upset stomach or indigestion all the time, I asked about your stomach's health. Here is a sampling of the replies: First of all, Melba is a lucky lady. She reports that she never had indigestion nor has ever had to use antacids. She says her secret is that she knows when to stop eating. She also loves iced tea and say it's a real stomach soother. On the other hand, the majority of respondents told horror stories about their need for antacids. A few, like myself, have found that good old baking soda works well in extreme cases, but be prepared to belch your head off. Peggy says that she is in the once-a-month category and is "blessed" for that reason. IMTU has antacid tablets all over the place, even in his glove compartment and wallet. Finally, several of you noted that you have begun to use some of the generic over-the-counter acid-reducing pills. Taking them religiously, half an hour before eating, has cleared up the problem for many people. MONDAY, a look at the changing weather in your area and later we'll get your views on the just-passed Winter Games. GBA.