People: May 15, 2000

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NO PITCHING

When movie, TV and radio actors went on strike last week over the issue of residuals for commercials, it was hard to rustle up public concern. After all, these are the unions' worker ants, those who make about $475 a day minimum and can't hold up hit prime-time shows with demands for million-dollar raises. So it helped when TIGER WOODS, golf superstar, Nike spokesman--and Screen Actors Guild member--refused to cross the picket line to shoot a Nike commercial at the Isleworth Country Club in Orlando, Fla., his home course. Nike hopes to reschedule; Woods says he won't budge. Two days later, Boston Red Sox star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra canceled a Dunkin' Donuts shoot at Fenway, his home ballpark. And director John Waters would not cross the line in Brooklyn to appear in a commercial for Internet site More.com Now maybe they're all sharing a beer with the guys from the "Whassup?" ads.

GOING FOR THE GLAMOUR VOTE

Don't hate her because she's beautiful. Model LAUREN BUSH has already appeared in Vogue, Texas Monthly, George and W--which is appropriate since she's George W.'s niece. The daughter of the Republican candidate's brother Neil, she is "a classic beauty, with an athletic build--and what a face!" says her booker at the Elite modeling agency. The 5-ft. 6 1/2-in. stunner, who lives near Houston, tells reporters that she may someday try acting, but that politics--other than campaigning against animal cruelty and possibly dancing at Uncle George's Inaugural Ball--holds little interest. Her mother Sharon isn't so sure. "If you grow up around politics, it's a part of you," she says. But Lauren has time. She's only 15. O.K., now you can hate her.

CHOICE MORSELS FROM THE CHEF

Feeling besieged by all those low-fat, low-carb best sellers? Picking virtuously at salads when you crave a steak seared in butter and oil? The grande dame of American cookery is here to help. In June's Esquire, JULIA CHILD shares 25 truths she has learned in her 87 years. On food, she offers soothing words--"Fat gives things flavor"--and announces bluntly, "There is nothing worse than grilled vegetables." But she also offers pronouncements on such wide-ranging subjects as golfing with men (Don't; "[they] can throw off your stroke"), marriage, world leaders and diva attitude: "You have to come on with a bang. You never want to go out with a whimper. Everything has drama if it's done right. Even a pancake." Flambe flapjacks aside, Child has her reflective moments, as well as a couple of unsettling ones. "Always remember," she says, "if you're alone in the kitchen and you drop the lamb, you can always just pick it up. Who's going to know?" Hmmm. Maybe we should look at some of those French Chef tapes again.

FEUD OF THE WEEK

NAME: Patrick Stewart OCCUPATION: Actor and former Star Trek cult icon PUNCH: After performances of Arthur Miller's The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, denounces Broadway producers from the stage for anemic promotion of play

NAME: Shubert Organization OCCUPATION: Producer, theater owner and Broadway powerhouse COUNTERPUNCH: Files complaint with Actors Equity citing Stewart's unprofessional conduct; asks union to oust him

WINNER: Shubert. A little red in the face but gets lots of free publicity before Tony nominations