Monday, Feb. 27, 1995

By Jesse Birnbaum

Bullets over Fifth Avenue

Two-and-a-half years after the headlines, the public is just starting to forget that child-custody battle between Mia Farrow and Woody Allen. But the Fox network will dredge it all up again next week in Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story, a two-part, four-hour rehash of Farrow's career and marriages and, of course, her nasty dustup with Allen. PATSY KENSIT (Lethal Weapon 2), as Mia, and DENNIS BOUTSIKARIS (Boys on the Side), as Woody, at least look the parts. Boutsikaris says he was "panicked" at the prospect of portraying a living person but finally decided, "If you think you can play Woody Allen-you can."

Press 1 If You Believe O.J.

Ex-football player and O.J. Simpson traveling pal AL COWLINGS is finally on record about the case-a 900 phone-line recording, that is. For $2.99 a minute, callers can hear Cowlings reminisce about his friendship with O.J., or weigh in with their opinions about Simpson's guilt or innocence. Cowlings will keep all profits from the venture. That may explain why, as the meter clicks away, he speaks v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.

SEEN & HEARD

ROSEANNE is married...with child. Husband No. 3, her former bodyguard, Ben Thomas, got the bride pregnant through in-vitro fertilization. Their lively Nevada wedding last week was witnessed by 150 guests, who wore identifying wristbands instead of lapel stickers. To the relief of many, Roseanne did not sing Close to You.

DEMI MOORE, who went demi-bare in Disclosure, will reportedly get as much as $12 million on her next movie for taking it all off-or as much as the censors will allow. The film is Striptease, the heartwarming story of a mother who takes up stripping to earn money for a custody battle.

Fore Play

In golf, U.S. Presidents seem to lack that certain something-the word skill comes to mind. This was evident at the Indian Wells Country Club in California, scene of the annual Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, featuring pros and celebrity amateurs. GEORGE BUSH and GERALD FORD did their customary best-driving balls into the gallery. Bush set a new record, striking two onlookers (one of whom needed stitches). Ford, a bit off his game, hit only one bystander. BILL CLINTON managed to avoid felling any constituents, a sign that the Democrats' fortunes may at last be turning around.