People

By Josh Tyrangiel

THANK GOD NO ONE THREW A THONG

"This is a great change for me," said a Regis-less KATHIE LEE GIFFORD, subbing last week for David Letterman. "I get to sit in for a cranky overpaid prima donna instead of sitting next to one." But seriously. Gifford's patter was interrupted by a lingerie-throwing heckler who instructed the free-and-easy Gifford to "put on a bra!" She did, retorting, "Put on a jockstrap, guy!"

SHE'S MELLOWED

She don't need no stinkin' Gillooly! Former ice princess TONYA HARDING, 29, was arrested last week after allegedly beating the pulp out of live-in boyfriend Darren Silver--and she didn't need a crowbar or an accomplice to do the job. According to Silver, the couple had just returned from an excursion to a video-poker arcade when Harding attacked, "hooking me like Mike Tyson." Silver attempted to flee on his motorcycle, only to run face first into a hubcap Harding had hurled, Frisbee-style, in his direction. Police on the scene reported that both Harding and Silver were intoxicated. No surprise there. Harding was released and has pleaded innocent to all charges. A judge ordered her to stay away from alcohol. Silver has since moved out of the couple's home.

EL TACO BULL

Since testifying against former employer and Mob boss John Gotti, SALVATORE (Sammy the Bull) GRAVANO has been organized crime's No. 1 pariah. But turning state's evidence looks like petty theft when compared with the sins Gravano may have committed against Mafia style. Last week the former hit man, 54, was arrested with his wife, 24-year-old son and 27-year-old daughter and charged with financing an interstate drug ring that specialized in selling tabs of the rave drug Ecstasy to teenagers. Teenagers! Even worse, Gravano's alleged pushers were members of a white-supremacist youth gang called the Devil Dogs that hung out at the local Taco Bell. Taco Bell! Somewhere John Gotti is laughing hysterically. And Vito Corleone is spinning in his grave.

THE SHOES AREN'T BAD, EITHER

They gave out awards at last week's Grammy celebration, but really, who cares? Ten minutes into the show, JENNIFER LOPEZ took the stage wearing a Versace palm-print silk chiffon dress, and the seen-it-all industry crowd at Los Angeles' Staples Center audibly gasped. All that stood between her front and a nationwide television audience was a shell brooch and a touch of cosmetic glue. Said blushing co-presenter David Duchovny: "This is the first time in five years I am sure nobody is looking at me." After Lopez left the stage, unusually tart hostess Rosie O'Donnell snarled, "It's nice to see Jennifer in a classy little understated number like that. And she wonders why people make fun of her body." Who's making fun?