People in the news for Oct. 30, 1996

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

George Clooney is throwing off the yoke of paparazzi oppression, trying to start a rebellion among overexposed celebrities against their tabloid TV overlords. And this revolution definitely won't be televised on "Entertainment Tonight." Angry about a video of him and his girlfriend that aired recently on Paramount's "Hard Copy," Clooney says he will no longer give interviews to "ET," another Paramount show. He claims the "Hard Copy" segment broke a deal he had with Paramount -- keep him off "Hard Copy" in exchange for plenty of soft copy on "ET." "At some point, you've got to say, 'What are you in control of?"' Clooney says. He wants other celebs to follow his lead. America trembles: No more gripping footage of George burbling superlatives about the latest movie? No more pulse-quickening segments on how George spends his hiatuses from "ER"? Paramount wouldn't comment, but others did. "Madonna was extremely interested. I think she'll try to get in touch with (Clooney)," her spokeswoman says. A publicist who was with Jodie Foster during a paparazzi ambush in LA this week opined, "If there was no money in it for them, they wouldn't be there." Wow, really? That certainly sets them apart from big-name actors -- didn't Foster do "Silence of the Lambs" for free, as a community service? Meanwhile, back at "ET," they're no doubt anticipating the publicity blitz for the next "Batman" film -- for which Clooney has donned the Bat codpiece. Then you'll come slinking back to us, pretty boy!

Make up your mind!

While it's not as engaging as George Clooney vs. "Entertainment Tonight," the upcoming election has almost as much at stake. But, er, what exactly? Is it merely Democrat vs. Republican? Young vs. old? Tax and spend vs. tax cut and spend? An election primer culled from Al Gore's speeches: "That's what the election is all about in 1996: whether wages continue to grow or stagnate," (Feb. 19). "That's what this election is really all about: the 21st century," (March 6). "Is this presidential election about truth and character? You bet it is," (June 17). "This election is about you, your future, your prospects," (Oct. 21). "What this election is all about is the children you spend so much time with," (Oct. 24). So ... how's that again? It's about the truth of your children in the 21st century? The character of the wages you spend so much time with? Oh, nevermind. What channel is "ET" on?

Compiled by Scott Dickensheets