Hello diva lovers! Many exciting items this week . . . enjoy! BETTY BUCKLEY
For an early Christmas present catch Betty Buckley's guest spot on the Christmas episode of AMC's "Remember Wenn," which will premiere this Saturday, December 21. The episode will be a one-hour special, rather than its usual 1/2-hour length. So, be sure to set your VCRS accordingly!
Buckley will debut two Christmas songs that The Mystery of Edwin Drood composer, Rupert Holmes, wrote specifically for Buckley's appearance. The titles of the songs are "Christmas Is Waiting" and "You Make It Christmas."
In the program, which is set in a Pittsburgh radio station (WENN) in 1939, Buckley portrays one of the station's biggest stockholders, a Scroogelike woman who demands all on-air references to the upcoming holiday be removed. Eventually, however, Buckley's character reverses her order, and joins in on the festivities.
"I like the idea of being in people's homes," Buckley recently told New York Daily News' Bill Bell. "I like the possibilities of television." About her role in "Remember WENN," BB said, "This is not just interesting. It's fun and friendly, and the great thing is, I get to sing. . .I may even turn into a recurring character."
Meanwhile, however, Betty can be found starring in the tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Music of the Night. I will be catching her performance in this revue of ALW tunes Friday night, and will write about the show next week.
Also, be sure to check Betty Buckley's website (at home on Playbill On-Line). This week, production shots from the cult-hit Carrie, in which Buckley portrayed Margaret White, were added to the site.

BERNADETTE PETERS
It's always great fun to speak with director Richard Jay-Alexander, who informed me this week that he will be the executive producer of BP's Carnegie Hall CD, scheduled for release on Angel Records some time in February. Jay-Alexander, who directed Bernadette's triumphant concert, will be joined by Jay Landers, who will act as producer of the live recording. Jay Landers, you may recall, produced Barbra Streisand's recent concert recording.
Peters' recording will be a one-CD release, featuring highlights from the wonderful evening at Carnegie Hall. Arthur Laurents (Gypsy), who was in attendance at the famed hall, will write the liner notes, and the CD will include photos from rehearsals and from the performance itself--i.e., BP in her two wonderful gowns (the first-act creation by Bob Mackie and the second act outfit by Donna Karan).
A portion of all the proceeds from the recording will benefit GMHC.
I also had the pleasure of speaking with BP's press agent, Judy Katz, who related that Bernadette will be flying to London after the first of the year to film The Odyssey, which will air on NBC in May. BP plays an enchantress in the adaptation of Homer's work...more details as they become available. . .And keep your eye out for Peters' delightfully "sultry" Ocean Spray commercials.
And, lastly, hope some of you caught Bernadette's surprise appearance on the "Today Show" Wednesday morning, singing "The Little Drummer Boy."

MAUREEN McGOVERN
Fans, new and old, of Maureen McGovern will be happy to hear that the statuesque singer with the thrilling pipes will release a new album in February. Tentatively titled The Music Never Ends, the album is a tribute to the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who are probably best known for the lyric to "The Way We Were." Other classic Bergman songs include "Where Do You Start," "It Might Be You," "The Windmills of Your Mind," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" and others. . . McGovern's CD will be released on Sterling Records.

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