People

By Lev Grossman Sunday, June 01, 2003
    • Turner's Turn
    Smoky-voiced siren KATHLEEN TURNER is getting radio active: she's the host of a new political radio show called American Dialogue. "We were sitting around, you know, basically bitching about how frustrated we are that the country doesn't seem to be asking questions," Turner explains. "We decided that if we really felt this way, we should do something about it." The show will air mostly on NPR affiliates, and each episode will pair a single guest and a single issue — say, the head of the A.C.L.U. on civil liberties. And if you think that sounds boring, you've never heard Jessica Rabbit talk about civil liberties. "Everybody seems to sort of have agreed to this conspiracy of don't-rock-the-boat or something," says Turner. "And you know, that's just not my nature." In other words, she's not radical, she's just drawn that way.

    Bob Dole on a Roll
    It's no state secret that the debates between BILL CLINTON and BOB DOLE on 60 Minutes are pretty dull. But don't blame Dole: he tried to punch them up with a script that was a little edgier. Clinton nixed it, but here's a brief excerpt: "Mr. President," Dole began, "tonight I'd like to talk about the danger of unemployment ... for me and you! CBS is considering pulling the plug. And I'll tell ya, no matter how big the Bush tax cut, I need the work. With your legal bills, I know you can use the cash too." Boo-yah! The hits keep coming. "I know, before when you had a crisis, you just bombed Saddam Hussein or let Newt Gingrich get near a reporter. But they're both retired ... How about this? Use the next 45 seconds to do something totally new. Admit you made even one mistake in office. If you have time left over, just plug Hillary's book." Ouch. Where's the Secret Service when you need it?


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    Q&A; WITH HUGH JACKMAN
    HUGH JACKMAN will be the host of the Tony Awards on Sunday, June 8, at 8 p.m. on CBS.

    A lot of people think of you as a movie guy, but you're in a Broadway show this fall.

    I'm going to go to Broadway with The Boy from Oz, which is the first Australian musical to make it there. I'm really excited. I can't wait.

    That's the Steve Allen musical.

    Peter Allen.

    Right. Sorry. That's going to be quite a departure from Wolverine.

    I'm still frightened that a few fans are going to come in expecting to see slicing and dicing — and they're not going to get a lot of it. They'll get maracas and high kicks. And I'll be kissing my boyfriend, which I think happens about 25 minutes into the play.

    How do you get to be host of the Tonys?

    I don't know! Maybe 35 people dropped out? Maybe I'm Australian — it makes me slightly cheaper? I don't know.

    Soooo ... the hair.

    The hair is long. Apparently once the camera rolls, I look quite manly.

    Is that all you?

    It's extensions. I haven't been out of work that long.

    Bloody Hell, I'M in a Sand Trap
    Britain's dreamy PRINCE WILLIAM will turn 21 this month, and like any other healthy young man coming of age, he celebrated by giving an interview to Britain's Press Association. His Royal Flyness, who seems to have answered questions while playing golf on a beach, is finishing up his second year at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he is captain of the water polo team. "People here just treat me like everyone else," he says. "I'm able to live a near normal life." William is majoring in art history but considering a switch to geography (apparently still a cutting-edge discipline in Britain), and he's teaching himself Swahili. He confesses that he was initially unhappy at St. Andrews and considered dropping out. "I was a little uneasy," he says. "I don't think I was homesick; I was more daunted." He also confesses to trying the local custom of wearing a kilt. His verdict? "It's a bit drafty." Gotta protect those crown jewels.