Side show

By SHARON FINK

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 10, 2001

THE BUTLER DID IT: One of the most unlikely '80s pop culture icons was a stocky British stage and film actor in his 60s who played the title role in a sitcom about the butler for an American sportswriter and his family. (The writer was played by retired baseball player-announcer Bob Uecker, who should have had his own sitcom, but that's another story).

Christopher Hewett was Mr. Belvedere from 1985-90 on ABC. The show was never a ratings splash, but it had a niche audience on Friday nights. It also got recognition from groups for responsible television and the like.

Mr. Belvedere wormed its way into the American consciousness enough that references have popped up in various forums over the decade-plus since its end. Hewett even played the character in an episode of the short-lived Fox show Ned and Stacey titled "Saved by Belvedere."

Hard-core fans (and there are some) had been hoping for a reunion show, but they'll have to do without. Hewitt, who had been ill for a while, died Aug. 3 at 80. A memorial service is scheduled for today in California.

WHO SAID THE MILITARY IS GETTING WEAKER?: Pfc. Gomer Pyle has been promoted. Seriously.

Gen. James Jones, commandant of the Marine Corps, made the TV character a lance corporal Thursday at a private ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith on Oahu.

Jim Nabors, who played Pyle in the 1960s TV show, said Jones got the idea when the two met this year.

Jones "was laughing about it and said, "You never even made it past the rank of private!' " said Nabors, who's 71 and lives in Honolulu. "He said, "We should really do something about this.' "

Marine spokesman Chuck Little said the bumbling yet good-hearted Pyle presented the Marines in a positive light.

"Even though Gomer wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer, he maintained all the attributes that a Marine is supposed to have," Little said. "He was honest, trustworthy and always gave 100 percent."

Conspicuously absent was comment on Sgt. Carter. I suspect the Marlon Brando character in Apocalypse Now was based on him.

CUE NANCY SINATRA: The shoe for fall, if you're a woman, is a boot. Ankle, thigh high, midcalf, to the knee, doesn't matter. If you don't have at least one pair, your feet will not be hip, chic or trendy.

(I have at least six pairs among my 70 pairs of shoes; I'm prepared for any occasion.)

If you feel panic rising and have no idea how to remedy your boot problem, one of the quickest and relatively inexpensive ways is to get Victoria's Secret Fall Look Book No. 1. It has 36 pairs of boots of varying heights and styles. Any one of them will bump you up to at least hip.

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