Trends for February 4, 2002

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, Feb. 4, 2002 | 11:55 a.m.

Say cheese

Ah, the Olympic Games: the artistry. The pageantry. The athleticism. The patriotism.

The cheese.

The folks at the Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada hope this year you'll include cheesy delights with your Olympic spirit (or do they mean spirits?).

The Games, in case you hadn't heard, start Friday. And nothing says four-man bobsledding like fondue.

The council is offering a couple of tips for creating a medal-worthy fondue experience:

Remember that ceramic-coated or earthenware pots are best for serving cheese fondues. Prevent guests from double-dipping in the pot (gross!) by supplying having plenty of extra forks, knives and napkins on hand.

In the international spirit of the Games, the Dairy Council also recommends serving fondue as is customary in the Swiss Alps: "Men who drop their dippers into the fondue must either buy the host a bottle of wine or give the next fondue party, while women who make the fondue faux pas must kiss all the men present."

Granted, it won't be as nerve-wracking as watching the curling finals, but it'll do.

And still more cheese

Just in time for Valentine's Day, trashy novel publisher Harlequin has released its annual Romance Report.

The compendium of goofy polls and romantic tips also includes "expert" picks from lifestyle editors at newspapers throughout North America (Ha! Whadda we know?) for the 10 "most sensuous celebrity couples."

Topping the list is -- surprise! -- "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston and her uberhunk hubby Brad Pitt who, according to the poll, "starred in the wedding of the millennium." Puh-lez.

Tom Cruise and whoever "he finally chooses as his post-Nicole (Kidman) partner" (could Penelope Cruz be on the way out?) followed in the No. 2 spot. Country couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are third; "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker and Broadway baby Matthew Broderick are fourth; and odd couple Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton round out the top five.

The King's daughter (and former Mrs. Michael Jackson) Lisa Marie Presley and her beau, actor Nicolas Cage, top the bottom half of the list in sixth place. Las Vegas' own Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi ranked seventh, followed by two sets of co-stars -- "Ali's" Will and Jada Pinkett Smith (No. 8), and "Dark Angel" fiances Jessica Alba and Michael Weatherly. The Material Mom, Madonna, and her filmmaker man, Guy Ritchie, complete the list.

In other stupid celebrity poll results, songstress Alicia Keys was named by 100 radio disc jockeys on the continent as today's top torch singer, followed by Celine Dion, county queen Hill, Diana Krall, Tori Amos, Jill Scott, Nelly Furtado (huh?), Jennifer Lopez (again, huh?) Erica Badu and Mary J. Blige.