People talk 6/20/03

Prince William samples ale at agricultural fair

LONDON -- Prince William got a taste of local spirits during a tour of a Welsh agricultural fair.

William, who turns 21 on Saturday, sipped locally produced liqueurs and real ale as he attended the Welsh Food Fair Thursday with his father, Prince Charles.

"I don't normally do real ale, I like cider, but this is good," said William as he sampled a beer called Amnesia.

The prince revealed in an interview with Britain's Press Association news agency last month that his favorite tipple is alcoholic cider rather than beer.

Britain's drinking age is 18.

Pamela Anderson likely split from love Kid Rock

NEW YORK -- It looks like Pamela Anderson's romance with Kid Rock is on the rocks.

The actress and the rock star got engaged in the Las Vegas desert in April 2002, but never set a wedding date.

Anderson wasn't wearing her engagement ring last week during a promotional appearance for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Florida.

"The word that best describes me now is 'free,"' the 35-year-old told People magazine for its June 30 issue. "That's all I will say. I'm a mom, and that's where my life is at."

She also showed up at a June 10 party at the Playboy mansion without Rock, whose real name is Bob Ritchie. When Us Weekly magazine asked about future nuptials, she said: "Assume what you want about a wedding. ... I'm here with family and friends. That might be a hint."

Calls placed to representatives for Anderson and Rock weren't immediately returned Wednesday.

Comedian cancels show to rest from surgery

LAS VEGAS -- Rodney Dangerfield will not perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena next month as planned.

Dangerfield, 81, needs more time to rest after recent surgery, said Kevin Sasaki, the comic's Los Angeles-based publicist.

Sasaki said Dangerfield's doctor decided the July 19 show would have been too demanding and advised rescheduling it later this year.

"Rodney is in pretty good health," Sasaki said. "The doctor just feels that Rodney needs more time to recover before undertaking a big concert."

Dangerfield was released from the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Center on April 21, nearly two weeks after undergoing surgery meant to improve his blood flow for an upcoming heart valve replacement.

The bug-eyed comic is best known for his self-mocking line, "I don't get no respect," and for his roles in the films "Ladybugs," "Back to School" and "Caddyshack."

Willard Scott discusses battle with alcoholism

NEW YORK -- Willard Scott is talking about his battles with alcohol abuse in hopes of helping other people get sober.

The longtime weatherman on NBC's "Today" show said he attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting two months after his wife, Mary, died of cancer in October 2002.

"I didn't fall down to the gutter but I had my problems," Scott, 69, said in an interview for C-SPAN's "Booknotes," where he was discussing his book "The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune." The interview airs at 7 p.m. July 13.

"I think I drank pretty good. And Mary used to always keep me in line," he said. "I drank three or four drinks every night. I mean I was up to about 12 ounces of scotch seven nights a week. Loved it, loved it, loved it. And then after she died, there was nobody to keep me straight."

Scott, who's based in Washington, says he enjoys going to AA meetings in other cities.

"You show up. It's all between you and God. You don't owe these brothers and sisters anything," he said. "I don't think I've ever had more peace and more confidence and just plain love in my life than I have received from this, Alcoholics Anonymous. It's just fantastic."

-- From wire reports