People

By Michele Orecklin

EVERYONE SMILE AND SAY "YODA"

That face in the upper left-hand corner may look a lot homelier than those Vanity Fair normally features on its cover, but you can bet your Tatooine the magazine recognized his undeniable appeal to stalwart Star Wars fans everywhere. On its new issue, due early this month, Vanity Fair features this cover photograph by Annie Leibovitz, who was granted exclusive access to the superfluously secretive Tunisian set of the Star Wars prequel The Phantom Menace. From left, LIAM NEESON as Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn; the ugly guy (known as Jar Jar); NATALIE PORTMAN as Queen Amidala, mother of Luke and Leia; EWAN MCGREGOR as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi; R2-D2; director GEORGE LUCAS; C-3PO; and JAKE LLOYD, here as the still angelic Anakin Skywalker, but better known as the future Darth Vader.

WHAT THE DILLY?

The arrest of hyperfrenetic rapper BUSTA RHYMES in New York City last week fueled the imagination of pun-happy journalists, who showcased their wit with such headlines as BUSTA BUSTED, BUSTA CRIMES and BUSTED RHYMES. Police had observed the singer driving erratically in Manhattan, pulled him over and found a loaded, unregistered pistol in the back seat as well as a small amount of marijuana in the pocket of Busta's manager and passenger, Gerald Odom. Both men were charged with possession of a weapon; Odom was also charged with possession of marijuana. Released on their own recognizance, the two will return to court later this month; meanwhile city headline writers are left once again searching for something to rhyme with Giuliani.

KIDS, CAN YOU SPELL G-U-N?

MISTER ROGERS has finally found a neighbor he'd like to run out of town. Gadzooks, Inc., a Texas-based company, has been selling T shirts of the preternaturally placid TV host packing heat and daring neighbors to enter his "hood." As Fred Rogers is loath to suggest that he has ever strapped on a holster beneath his well-worn cardigan, his company, Family Communications, Inc., is suing Gadzooks, alleging that the T shirts violate Rogers' privacy and wrongly benefit from his image. Plus, says his lawyer, "it's bad for the kids." A spokesperson for Gadzooks says the offending apparel has already been cleared from the shelves. Let's hope the whole thing blows over before Captain Kangaroo goes postal.

NFL SETS NEW SACK RECORD

Not even Quentin Tarantino produces this many corpses. Monday-morning quarterbacking gave way to Monday-morning desk clearing last week when five NFL head coaches were fired even before the regular season ended, setting one of the league's more inglorious records. The Seattle Seahawks' DENNIS ERICKSON, the Philadelphia Eagles' RAY RHODES, the Baltimore Ravens' TED MARCHIBRODA, the Chicago Bears' DAVE WANNSTEDT and the Carolina Panthers' DOM CAPERS were all unemployed by Monday night. With heads rolling like loose balls, an expansion team set to debut and more coaches on shaky ground, 11 positions may need filling for next season. Say, those NBA coaches haven't been doing much lately...