Rogers' Contract Is Bought Out
Neil Rogers' eight-year stint at WIOD (610-AM) is over, 18 weeks ahead of schedule. Rogers' attorney Norm Kent said on Wednesday that Paxson Communications has bought out the rest of the talk personality's contract, which expires on Sept. 30.
The cost to Paxson is about $ 190,000, roughly one-third of Rogers'
annual pay. Last month, Rogers signed a five-year, $ 5 million deal to move to all-sports WQAM (560-AM) on Jan. 1. Since the deal was announced Rogers has been relentless in his criticism of Paxson while marking the days until his contract with WIOD was to expire.
''I know from (Paxson's) direct comments to me that they were upset with Neil bashing them repeatedly on the air,'' Kent said. ''Ever since the determination was made by us to go to WQAM, Paxson has engaged in what I would say is damage control.''
Rogers flew to Italy on Wednesday and was unavailable for comment.
He is due to return on June 1.
Attempts to reach Paxson management were unsuccessful. It's not yet known what or who will fill Rogers' 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. slot at WIOD.
A non-compete clause will keep Rogers off the air until Jan. 1. Kent said Rogers is fielding offers to do a TV talk show, and may do a show for WQAM's Internet site beginning Oct. 1. _ JEFF RUSNAK R. Clinton asked for more money
The mother of a 6-year-old girl who is receiving $ 500 a month in child support from President Clinton's brother, Roger, wants him to give the child his name, personal attention and more money.
Martha Spivey of Gainesboro, Tenn., says she had a brief affair with Roger Clinton in 1990 when he was single and she was separated from her husband. Clinton does not dispute that he is almost certainly the father, based on genetic testing.
''Roger Clinton has acted responsibly,'' his attorney, Ted Carey, told the New York Post.
Carey said Clinton has been paying $ 500 a month since December, an amount he said is ''substantial in view of his modest means.''
Clinton, an aspiring singer, lives in California with his wife, Molly, and son, Tyler, 2.
Spivey, who went public with her complaint three weeks ago, said she did so because Roger Clinton refused to increase the monthly payment to $ 1,100, an amount her lawyer says is required by state law. She also says Clinton won't meet the girl and is stalling efforts to legally change the child's last name to Clinton, according to the Post. Mum's the word (and
marriage)
Matthew Broderick prepared for his wedding with Sarah Jessica Parker by putting on a straight face and telling a tabloid reporter he had no plans to marry.
The next night, the former co-stars of the Broadway hit How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying brought down the curtain on their long engagement with a private wedding.
The couple had a public relations firm in Los Angeles announce the wedding with no details.
The New York Daily News said the wedding was held on Monday at a synagogue on New York's Lower East Side. Syndicated columnist Liz Smith said a dance followed, and more than 40 people serenaded the newlyweds as Peter Duchin's orchestra played.
Broderick, 35, is starring in a remake of Godzilla being filmed in New York. Parker, 32, is the star of Broadway's Once Upon a Mattress. Will Brokaw break with NBC?
NBC's Tom Brokaw has been offered $ 7 million a year to become the ''on-air leader'' of CNN, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
Unidentified executives familiar with the negotiations told the newspaper that CNN has offered the NBC Nightly News anchor an hourlong prime news slot, as well as a commitment for several special news programs.
Brokaw, 57, has been NBC's chief anchor since 1983. His current four-year contract expires on Aug. 30. While his current salary is not known, the lead anchors for the three major networks are believed to earn $
4 million to $ 5 million a year, the Times said.
Brokaw won't comment on contract talks, NBC said. CNN also had no comment.
An NBC official said Brokaw told an affiliates convention in Phoenix on Monday that he looked forward to spending the rest of his career at NBC and NBC Nightly News.
''The fact that he has an offer on the table is not news,'' said Julia Moffett, NBC News spokeswoman. ''NBC and Brokaw have a successful partnership that has lasted over 30 years, which was reaffirmed on Monday.''
Brokaw and CNN founder Ted Turner are friends and neighbors in Montana, where they have ranches.
NBC Nightly News has been the ratings leader in 19 of the past 21 weeks. Bushes' dog Millie dies
Former ''first dog'' Millie, officially credited with penning a dog's-eye view of the presidency, has died, a spokeswoman for former President Bush said Tuesday.
The springer spaniel died on Monday at age 12 after taking ill with stomach problems at George and Barbara Bush's oceanside summer estate in Kennebunkport, Maine, a family spokeswoman said. ''They are very sad,'' Jean Becker said.
Millie's Book, with pictures of the dog posing with the political high and mighty, raised $ 900,000 for the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.
Millie splashed into the headlines in March 1990, when she gave birth to four puppies at the White House. The family kept one of the offspring, Ranger, who died in 1993.
Millie was named after Mildred Kerr, a longtime friend and neighbor of the Bush family in Houston. ALMANAC
It's the 142nd day of the year; 223 days are left in 1997. On this
day: * In 1939, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini signed a ''Pact of Steel''
committing Germany and Italy to a military alliance.
In 1969 tje ;imdar ,pdi;e pf A(p;;p 10 separated from the command module and flew to within nine miles of the moon's surface in a dress rehearsal for the first lunar landing. Thought for today:
''One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.'' _ British editor Walter Bagehot (1826-77)
