DAN'S HARD-HITTING NEWS
One of the freakiest mysteries in the history of celebrity stalking may have been solved. Back in 1986, DAN RATHER told of an attack by a man who kept asking, "Kenneth, what's the frequency?" Some doubted it. Others thought his stalker was a KGB agent. Still others, notably the band R.E.M., which had a hit with What's the Frequency, Kenneth?, saw the incident as a cry of alienation. The New York Daily News, working on a tip from a psychiatrist, suggested that the assailant was William Tager, a disturbed man who believed the media were beaming messages at him. If so, Rather has reason to be thankful. Tager is in prison for a 1994 shooting of an NBC stagehand.
COSBY WOULD RATHER TALK
Can it be only a year ago that BILL COSBY's primary public persona was as a pitchman for Jell-O? Revelations that would have been shocking then have come to seem sadly irrelevant. While still grieving over the murder of his only son, Cosby had to deal with an alleged extortion attempt by a woman who claims to be his daughter and wanted $24 million to keep quiet. She was arrested and then released on bail, but the episode seemed to provoke Cosby to talk. He called Dan Rather. During their 2 1/2-hour interview Cosby said he felt that his slain son Ennis wanted him to return to work. "His spirit from there wouldn't allow us to walk off and be anything other than he wants," said Cosby. He conceded that he'd had an affair with the woman whose daughter was trying to blackmail him, but said he didn't think he was the father.
PETTINESS OR PIRACY?
In its day, Carolco Pictures was the producer of such juggernauts as Basic Instinct and a brace of Rambos. Now it's scrounging around for old props. After the huge, expensive stinkball Cutthroat Island was wrapped, some items weremissing. Oddly enough, a cannon, some maps, a peg leg and one of GEENA DAVIS' outfits turned up in Planet Hollywood Helsinki, co-owned by the movie's director and Davis' spouse RENNY HARLIN (the one with longer hair than MATTHEW MODINE's). Carolco says they were removed from the set without permission. Harlin's people say the props were given to the director because they were damaged and Carolco knows it. Gentlemen, draw your swords.
SEEN & HEARD
A yard sale on the grounds of Kensington Palace was pretty much out of the question, so Christie's is auctioning off, for charity, 65 frocks from Princess Diana's H.R.H. days. Perfect for those who liked British fashion in the '80s. Her wedding dress will not be among the items up for sale. She's giving that little confection to a museum.
Speaking of clotheshorses, Arnold Scaasi is getting a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Winners pick their presenters, and Scaasi chose that well-known fashion icon Barbara Bush. "The two are old friends," says Bush's spokeswoman. "Mrs. Bush is very excited about it."
THE TOMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN'