Sideshow

FLASHING BACK TO LAST WEEK: More than usual over the previous seven days, we felt bombarded by news and views that dragged our thoughts back years, even decades, and jumbled them up to the point where we could swear the Partridge Family had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday.

Here's what we mean:

THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES: The week started with one big flashback fest, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York. Among the entrants was Jackson Browne, left, and he was inducted by Bruce Springsteen. Foxnews.com says Springsteen's speech included reminiscences of their days touring together in the early 1970s. Springsteen said those were tough times for him and his band: "(Browne) was a bona fide rock 'n' roll sex star. Being a little competitive, the E Street Band and I were sweating out our shows. And we were drawing rooms full of men. And not that great-looking men! Jackson was drawing more women than an Indigo Girls show!"

GUESS WHO: The biggest flashback moments at the rock hall ceremony were created by Dhani Harrison, there for the induction of the late George Harrison as a solo act. Harrrison, 25, is George's son and a carbon copy of short-haired Beatle George.

SCARY TIMES: Just in time for the official start of '90s nostalgia in this country - E!'s 101 Reasons the '90s Ruled kicks it off this month; in a few weeks VH1 debuts I Love the '90s - comes from Britain the annual rumor about a reunion of the Spice Girls (No. 18 on E!'s list).

It's still not happening, according to media reports. Sporty Spice is holding out this time. London's Daily Mirror reports that she thinks a reunion would hurt her career, an interesting concept considering she hasn't had a career since the group stopped recording.

That could be said of all five Spices, however, which brings us to this report from Playbill.com: Scary Spice makes her Broadway debut next month, as Mimi in Rent.

COME ON, GET HAPPY: One group definitely re-forming, London's Sun says: Spandau Ballet, to the joy of adult contemporary radio stations everywhere and the sorrow of those tortured by the refrain "This much is truu-UUUE, this much is truu-UUUUU-uuuue." . . . VH1 has pegged a fall start for its revamping of The Partridge Family, the Associated Press reports. It will have a competition over six months to cast people in a remake of the 1970s sitcom, then film new episodes with the people viewers select. . . . The Pink Panther is being remade, beginning in May, with Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau and Kevin Kline negotiating to play Chief Inspector Dreyfus, the Hollywood Reporter says.

- Sharon Fink can be reached at 727 893-8525 or fink@sptimes.com

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