By Belinda Luscombe

BUT WHAT TOOK THEM SO LONG?

MICHAEL JACKSON, never one to disappoint fans, is finally about to do what the public has been anticipating for 19 months: become a divorce. LISA MARIE PRESLEY filed for divorce last Thursday, citing irreconcilable differences, quite credibly in this case. The two separated on Dec. 10, but news of the schism came as a surprise to Jackson spokesman Lee Solters, who said he "knew nothing about it" when first contacted by reporters. "This is not going to be an ugly Hollywood divorce," says Presley's lawyer John P. Coale, adding that the split should be legal by July. Presley, who is worth $100 million, wants Jackson, who's worth even more, to meet court costs. The question of why she married him remains unanswered.

JOHN GOES IT ALONE

Like crafting comedy, making a magazine isn't pretty. Last week JOHN F. KENNEDY JR., editor in chief of George, fired editor Eric Etheridge after just three issues (the latest with CHARLES BARKLEY on the cover). "It was a difficult decision to make, both professionally and personally, but we had basic creative differences that made it necessary," said Kennedy. What was wrong? "Eric's a wonderful editor," says co-founder Michael Berman. "But there's a mix we're trying to hit, and John's closer to the pulse of what that is." Not to mention that this way, he'll still have the option of putting himself on the cover.

NOT YOUR KID'S SNOW WHITE

Don't say the word Disney near anyone involved in Snow White in the Black Forest, which just wrapped in Prague. This is no fairy tale. Dopey and Sneezy have been replaced by Pock and Scar. The evil stepmother is actually just "confused," and her mirror is more like her id than magic. At least that's how SIGOURNEY WEAVER sees her role. "The whole thing for me was not about looks, it was about the father. Snow White wants to be first in her father's heart, and so does his wife," Weaver says. As the stepmother suffers a series of misfortunes, she becomes overwrought and turns on Lily (Snow's new name). "It's a psychological thriller," explains Weaver, who won't be letting her five-year-old daughter Charlotte see it. It's hard when Mom is the bad guy.