People: Dec. 16, 1996

SPIKE’S NEWEST JOINT

Some people see a job in advertising as a good way to break into film. Then there’s SPIKE LEE, whose film career has helped him break into advertising. Lee, who has been making commercials on the side since 1988, now has half his own advertising agency, Spike/DDB, a joint venture with DDB Needham. He’s going after the urban market, black and white. “I like to tell stories,” says the director. “In commercials I have 30 seconds. In music videos I have four minutes, and in movies like Malcolm X I have three hours and 15 minutes.” Lee’s brain will also be tapped for product ideas. When he talked fondly over breakfast about the old “Rock ’em Sock ’em” toy robot, DDB chairman and ceo Keith Reinhard took notes. (Hasbro’s a client.)

ADVISING DIANA: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT

What issue could bring eight of the biggest-selling female writers in the U.S. together under one roof? What subject is so vital that BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD and TAMA JANOWITZ both want to hold forth on it? The future of Diana, Princess of Wales, naturally. Romance Classics, a new TV channel, gathered (clockwise from top left) JACKIE COLLINS, Bradford, ERICA JONG, JOAN RIVERS, NANCY FRIDAY, Janowitz, OLIVIA GOLDSMITH and RONA JAFFE to plot a sequel to the sensational epic that has been Diana’s first marriage. Suggestions included Diana’s having her own talk show (“A listening show,” said Goldsmith, who would also like to see Diana in a follow-up to The First Wives Club–she wrote the book), ruling the Internet, taking a lesbian lover or finding a Mongol prince and farming yaks. And as if all this weren’t tasteful enough, there were a few suggestions for the last-ever headline about her. The winners: DI DIES and BYE-BYE, DI.

WHEW! THAT WAS QUICK

It was a happy week for rockers who are married to blond bombshells. After just two weeks of separation, PAMELA and TOMMY LEE are back together, perhaps inspired by their transatlantic cousins Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, who have also reportedly reunited. “All the ridiculous speculations on our marriage are false,” says Lee, ignoring the fact that his wife’s divorce petition was what caused the speculation in the first place. “I’m in recovery for alcohol abuse, and my wife is supporting me through a very tough time.”

SEEN & HEARD

Burt Reynolds won’t be doing any credit-card commercials. He has filed for bankruptcy protection, claiming more than $10 million in debts and slightly less than that in assets. The bankruptcy filing is to enable him to “continue his illustrious career,” says his attorney, while meeting his obligations, such as the child-support payments to ex-wife Loni Anderson.

Speaking of leathery-skinned tough guys, Jack Palance has published his first book. The Forest of Love, one long story in verse, is illustrated with his paintings. (What next, embroidery?) And now that he has a taste for writing, he’s not stopping. He has one novel finished and more under way. “I write all the time now,” says Palance. “I don’t particularly care if I ever act again.”