Forward Spin

By Janice Castro

GAVEL RATINGS

Court TV is in clover with the Tyson and Dahmer trials running simultaneously, but get set for the encore: Charles Manson's parole hearings begin in about two weeks, along with opening testimony in the Rodney King case. In April, Court TV hopes to cover the trials of the Soviet coupsters.

STABLE THINKING

Bag Balm, a salve for milk cows with, ah, dry skin, has become a popular hand cream. Recently a blacksmith and a chemist on New York's Long Island discovered that Dry Hoof Solution, a horse medication, strengthens nails. & Coming soon as an outlet for such products: Barn-Mart.

AGING AMERICA BLUES

Couples in wedding announcements are getting older. Now an academic study reports dispassionately that Playboy centerfolds are slowly aging (from 20.3 years in 1954 to 22.3 in 1989). Don't ask about college grads.

HOLLYWOOD LOGIC

Dances with Wolves (running time: three hours, 10 minutes) won seven Oscars, so naturally everyone started making longer movies: JFK (three hours, eight minutes), Bugsy (2:15), Grand Canyon (2:15) and Hook (2:11). Next: Malcolm X (3+). Go for the giant popcorn and jumbo soft drinks.

PRODUCT CORNER

Toymakers are selling nostalgia and reality themes -- sometimes together. Hasbro is bringing back the original foot-high G.I. Joe. Today he speaks Chinese and Arabic and wears Desert Storm fatigues. Watch for a Saddam doll that won't quit.

ELECTION CALENDAR

In 1988 Gary Hart went aground on the Monkey Business. In 1992, just when voters are hoping there are no more Gennifers out there, Chinese New Year brings the Year of the Monkey. Coincidence? Think again.

With reporting by Wendy Cole