Charlotte, NC

Yeah, I know the pic shows Pamela Anderson, too — and that’s comin’ up in just a minute. But first …

A lotta readers around the world are writin’ in, wonderin’ if the news they heard is true: That country superstar Dolly Parton has died of congestive heart failure (this was reported by a number of online newsgroups, and a couple of hard-copy news orgs as well!).
Well, stop lookin’ so sad, ’cause it isn’t true at all! In fact, Dolly played a show at her theme park (Dollywood) just a week ago! She’s actually just takin’ a coupla months off before she gets on the road again on Oct. 18.
The reason for this “report” (it’s actually a bogus one that’s been reported twice over the past two years)? The lady’s lost quite a few pounds — and, of course, the tabs and ‘razzis take that and say it’s because “she’s dying,” or “has an incurable disease” or something.
Trust me — she’s doin’ fine at this writing.

Now … about Pamela Anderson. Since her “career” seems to be stagnant right now, she went lookin’ for a decent manager. So who came to the rescue? A fellow that Courtney Love recommended: A guy named … Peter Asher! (That’s right … the one of “______ and Gordon” fame.)
And why not?? I mean, sure, Courtney Love isn’t exactly on top of the charts, but Pete did produce legends like James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and others! Who knows what he’ll do for Pamela? Just give it a little time, and we’ll find out. (incidentally, P & G are still performing! Ya just can’t beat quality!)

The word on the Wire is that recently non-retired superdiva Cher is in talks to become the new Catwoman in the next Batman movie! She’s not sayin’ yes or no, but — hey, anything’s possible, right?
Suuuuure … we all remember Catwoman bein’ played so well (on the TV Batman) by Eartha Kitt. And, yes, Cher does have a slim, sorta sexy figure after all these years.
But does that give the producers a right to trade Kitt for her kaboodle? Ahhhh, well …

HEY! Here’s some interesting news: GQ Magazine has just named Tony Bennett as one of their famous “Men Of The Year”!. He’s gonna be honored on September 3 at a tribute to him in London. (Listen, Tony deserves it! This crooner/artist is one of the nicest and most sincere of the “pop” bunch!) So CONGRATS, Tony on a prop well-deserved.

THE “GROUPLY” SCAM

Well, The Relic said he’d get to the bottom of this unusual scam, and he has! Seems that there is a “Bob Steed” aka “Bob Postie”, and, according to him, someone had stolen his identity.
He apologizes to everyone who fell prey to this scheme!
I know that can happen, so apology accepted, Bob! As soon as we can find out who this thief is, we oughtta barbecue his as I said a coupla posts ago, be sure to change your password if you’ve sent it out to this “Grouply” thing. That’ll stop him dead-in-his-tracks!