People

By Michele Orecklin

FEUD OF THE WEEK

NAME: Rush Limbaugh OCCUPATION: Radio talk-show blowhard BEST PUNCH: Read listener's e-mail on air that expressed the hope that Charles Grodin, Alan Dershowitz and Geraldo Rivera would have "simultaneous strokes" leaving them "without the gift of speech"

NAME: Charles Grodin OCCUPATION: TV talk-show blowhard BEST PUNCH: Claimed that by reading the e-mail on his show, Limbaugh was promoting "hate, anger and adversarial feelings." Added that talk radio is a "destructive element" in our culture

THE WINNER LIMBAUGH. HE'S RUTHLESS, NEWLY SVELTE AND HAS BETTER RATINGS

A PRETTY FACE FOR PEACE

In Israel a nice pair of legs has triumphed where years of meaningful debate have failed. The Miss Israel pageant last week sparked a spirit of camaraderie between the country's Jews and Arabs when 21-year-old RANA RASLAN became the first Arab woman in the pageant's 49-year history to win the title. A Muslim, Raslan is one of the 1 million Israeli Arabs living in the country of 6 million. Stressing that her crowning had nothing to do with politics, Raslan declared, "The judges picked me because they thought I was the most beautiful." Others saw deeper meaning. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Raslan's selection was a "manifestation of equality and cooperation between Jews and Arabs in Israel." Note to U.N. delegates: When all else fails, try an evening-wear competition.

NO MORE FIXING POTHOLES

Since being bounced from the Senate last fall, New York Republican AL D'AMATO has hardly slunk into oblivion. Instead, he's leading the rewarding life of pundit-about-town, with the requisite gig as a commentator (Fox News Channel) and rumored romance with a blond (Sex in the City author Candace Bushnell). Last week he announced his latest venture: "Dear Alfonse," a political advice column for George magazine, the publication edited by JOHN KENNEDY JR. Asked who could use some advice these days, D'Amato offers, "The House Republicans. I'd tell them not to let their emotions carry them away." Queried about Bushnell, D'Amato is more guarded, saying only the two are "very good friends." In other words, don't write Al for dating tips.

TWIN FATES (AND DATES) FOR BARBIE AND KATO

Last week perennially blond icon Barbie turned 40. On the very same day, perennially blond houseguest Kato Kaelin also turned 40. Eerily, the similarities do not end there

BARBIE KATO KAELIN BIRTHPLACE Wisconsin Wisconsin

TAKES UP RESIDENCE IN OTHER PEOPLE'S HOMES? Yes Yes

HAS HAD MANY CAREERS? Yes, including movie Yes, including actor, star, surgeon and talk-show host and astronaut chauffeur

MOSTLY PLASTIC? Yes Yes

STILL IN DEMAND? Yes, two Barbies are Yes, on low-rated, sold every second late-night cable talk shows