SILENCE OF THE HAMS
A few weeks ago, we wondered if Ted Danson and Whoopi Goldberg would answer questions about their relationship
at the L.A. press junket for their comedy, Made in America, opening
May 28. When the duo finally appeared before reporters last week,
they cleverly sidestepped the issue. Danson responded to queries
about Goldberg by lifting a sign from his lap that read ''Personal.''
Which was Whoopi's cue to hold up a placard saying ''Next Question.'' — Melina Gerosa
REUNITED
Former sweethearts Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert
Downey Jr. may be getting back together, but only on screen. They're
both interested in starring in the film version of Stephen McCauley's
acclaimed 1987 novel, The Object of My Affection. The stars, who have
stayed friends since ending their seven-year relationship in 1991,
will portray the novel's unwed mother-to-be and her gay roommate, if
their schedules allow. Producer Laurence Mark (The Adventures of Huck
Finn), who has been nurturing the project since 1990, thinks it will
finally get off the ground: ''We've got a script by Wendy Wasserstein
and Paramount on our side. That just might do the trick.'' — Jess Cagle
IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
What's in a name? Legal problems, if
you're the rock parody group Green Jello. The L.A.-based band, whose Cereal Killer album is now a top 30 hit, has changed its name to
Green Jelly to appease the General Foods Corp., makers of Jell-O.
''It's so stupid,'' says lead singer Bill Manspeaker, a.k.a. the
Moronic Dictator. ''They think there will be confusion. When was the
last time you spent $14 for Jell-O?'' Still, Green Jelly is having the
last laugh in concert. Band members spell out their new name to the
tune of the Mickey Mouse Club song. ''When we get to Y, we shout,
'Why?' And the audience screams back, 'Because you got sued!'''
Manspeaker says. — Meredith Berkman
THE PLAY'S THE THING
Angels in America, the Pulitzer
Prize-winning play that opens on Broadway this week, is headed for
the silver screen. Robert Altman, who has become a Player again
thanks to that film's critical and box office success, has reportedly
been tapped to direct Tony Kushner's drama about AIDS, politics,
and lawyer Roy Cohn. With Altman now attached, sources say, Jodie
Foster has expressed interest in the pivotal role of the angel, while Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman are being mentioned for Cohn. — Ryan
Murphy
NEW YORK WOMAN
Julia Roberts is back among the living. After a
yearlong self-imposed exile, the actress is scheduled to film both The Pelican Brief and I Love Trouble this year. She also reportedly
has moved to Manhattan and is taking aerobics classes at a downtown
bodybuilders' gym. ''She didn't hang back at all,'' says one classmate
of Roberts. ''She took her place in the middle of the room, and she
had no problems keeping up.'' After her workout, the actress was
spotted strolling down an East Village street sans sunglasses or
bodyguards. Seen-it-all New Yorkers just let her walk on by. — Casey
Davidson
CHARLIE'S ANGLES
If the cast of Hot Shots! Part Deux looks leaner
and meaner, it's thanks to Charlie Sheen. To prepare for the
Twentieth Century Fox sequel (this time, a Rambo parody) due out May
21, the 27-year-old spent five weeks pumping iron in Maui. ''The first
day, Charlie took his shirt off and his body looked like Sylvester
Stallone's,'' says director Jim Abrahams. ''Everyone else in the
cast — Lloyd Bridges and Valeria Golino — took his lead, especially
Valeria, who really got herself into great shape.'' Golino doesn't
quite remember it that way. ''I did not get into great shape because
of Charlie,'' says the Italian-born actress. ''I did it because they
forced me to! I was five pounds heavier and they went 'Uh-uh!' And
for the first time in my life I had to work out, which for me is
hell.'' — MG
