Friar John takes five – finally
John Roland’s dream has finally come true. No, not having an early night (that may happen soon enough), but becoming a bona fide Friar, which will happen tonight when he’s officially inducted with “the secret handshake” (followed by pigs-in-the-blanket – a Friars tradition).
Roland’s schedule co-anchoring Ch. 5’s 10 p.m. newscast has precluded him from participating in many of the Friars’ nighttime activities. Now that Roland appears to be headed for Ch. 5’s afternoon newscast(s) – if, indeed, that becomes a reality – he’ll have the time to schmooze with his fellow Friars. Roland was nominated for membership into the elite group by his old pal, Marvin Scott (Ch. 11).
Other TV personalities who are Friars include Ch. 4’s Sue Simmons and Chuck Scarborough, Karen Scott (Ch. 11), Bill Beutel (Ch. 7) and Fox News Channel’s Geraldo Rivera.
Roland, by the way, will emcee tomorrow’s retirement party for (fellow Friar) Bernard Kerik, who was police commissioner in the Giuliani administration.
Elsewhere in town, Deborah Roberts (ABC), Jane Hanson (Ch. 4), Summer Sanders (NBC) and Perri Peltz (now with Giraffe Media, formerly with Ch. 4) were dining with Self editor-in-chief Lucy Danziger and publisher/VP Beth Brenner at Michael’s on Tuesday night.
‘View’ gals get the skinny on fitness
“The View” co-host Joy Behar knows that it’s bathing suit season again – and this year, she’s doing something about it.
Behar, along with “View” co-creator/executive producer Bill Geddie, producer Jakki Taylor and some other “View” personnel, are on an eight-week “get fit” plan under the supervision of New York diet doc Dr. Howard Shapiro (“Picture Perfect Weight Loss 30 Day Plan”).
On today’s show (11 a.m./Ch. 7), Behar et al. will get initial physicals and a lesson on diet diaries.
This just in . . .
* Elvis Costello performs tomorrow at noon outside the CBS studio on Fifth and 59th. The live concert will air on “The Saturday Early Show” on April 27 (9-11 a.m./Ch. 2).
* Caroline Rhea fans at Zocalo think Rhea should make her mom a regular weekly phone-in guest when “The Caroline Rhea Show” kicks off this fall. Rhea, who guest-hosts for Rosie O’Donnell again tomorrow (10 a.m./Ch. 7), called her mom recently on the air. Mom offered some dating tips.
* Ch. 7’s weather team (Sam Champion, Bill Evans, Lee Goldberg) co-host their latest weather special, “Eyewitness to the Drought of 2002,” this Saturday (7-7:30 p.m.).