Holiday spec aims to help foster kids

GOOD MORNING: Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, Rene Russo, Candice Bergen, Rhea Perlman, Ray Liotta, LeAnn Rimes, 'N Sync and more to come will be in front of the CBS cameras Nov. 6, taping a Dec. 23 special, "A Home for the Holidays." The goal of the special is to find adoptive homes for the thousands of children in foster care. The numbers are staggering: There are more than 110,000 children and young adults across the nation in Foster Care waiting to be adopted. There will be an 800 number that viewers can call if they are interested in giving one of these children a home. The special is exec produced by Karen Mack and Stu Scheinberger at Triage Ent. plus Goldsmith Entertainment. Jacqui Adler is producer, Glenn Weiss director. Sponsors include Wendy's Dave Thomas Foundation (he was adopted and gives bonuses to all his employees who adopt children) and Children's Action Network, whose exec director is Jennifer Perry. CAN was started by Spielberg, Capshaw, Nancy Daly Riordan and other celebs and it's a moving force behind the special ... Stories of compassion and commitment told through the personal trials and tribulations of five American families will be part of the event. Subjects include interracial adoptions, single adoptions, "instant families," yes, teenage adoptions as well. Child advocate Russo and adoptive parents Spielberg and Capshaw will introduce these stories. On Nov. 5, Capshaw and Spielberg are hosting the $10,000-a-couple fundraiser for Hillary Clinton ("New York 2000") at Morton's.

BOB DALY AND LONGTIME FRIEND (and fellow former CBS exec) Howard Stringer lunched Wednesday at the Grill. Stringer had made the date last week and was going to tell Daly of his agreement to accept chairmanship of the board of trustees of the AFI. But it was Daly who sprung the news as he told his friend of his agreement with the Dodgers. "He was not sitting down in his seat," said Stringer, "he was levitating." Also at the Grill, same time, was Terry Semel, lunching with CAA's Richard Lovett. But Terry's still sitting in the dugout ... Daly's wife, Carole Bayer Sager, is as excited as Bob is about donning Dodger Blue, as are their respective children and grandchildren. I told Carole she should write a Dodger theme song; she agreed it's a good idea! Bayer enthused, "The Dodgers got lucky -- and he got lucky. He's a loyal Dodger fan, and the ultimate businessman -- as well as being a traditionalist" ... Yankees fan Jack Nicholson headed to Elaine's after the fourth and final World Series game. He met up with Anita Waxman and "Markers" author Sid Zion. Waxman would like Jack to play the Godfather lead. Nicholson didn't linger in N.Y.; he's home to take his children trick or treat'ing. With neighbor Warren Beatty and his kiddies? ... Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) has re-pacted for Knotts' " Halloween Haunt" for the year 2000, her 14th with 'em ... "Karloff and Lugosi," a dual biopic of the horror mega-stars, will be directed by John Putch for Woodlake Ent. Jeff Yagher scripted. It's aimed to preem, Halloween 2000 ... The mysterious, unnamed winning Christie's auction bidder ($662,500) for Marilyn Monroe's white piano was reportedly Mariah Carey. The piano had been Marilyn's as a child, but her mom sold it to make ends meet. Years later, a successful MM hired a detective to track down the piano's owner and bought it back ... Monica Lewinsky and her mother dined at Westwood's Sisley Italian eatery. Monica, who didn't shy away from exposure on "SNL" and talkshows, requested inconspicuousness and dined behind one of the restaurant's trees.

A GLAMOR PREVIEW OF SUNDAY'S QVC four-hour "Live From Beverly Hills" was presented around the pool of the glamorous Beverly Hills hotel Wednesday night. Items from the city's classiest stores will be offered during the four-hour show Sunday and their reps were on hand for an early showing in the historic pool's cabanas. Joan Collins and Linda Evans look-alikes tussled poolside, a la "Dynasty's" Krystal and Alexis -- with one of 'em, in a $10,000 beaded gown, knocked into the pool! Even the pool's spa was decked with glamorous ladies for products from the Greenhouse Spa, Among proud participants with their fare were Tova Borgnine (Tova), John Carroll (Carroll & Co.) Nolan Miller (his jewelry line grossed $18 million), Jessica McClintock, the Museum of TV & Radio, Teuscher's Chocolates, Vidal Sassoon, Fleur de Lis, Geary's, Giorgio, Counter Spy ... Life is a B script: Plane crash victim Payne Stewart has a comedy role in "We Married Margo," which was skedded to screen for an invited audience Tuesday night. The producers decided to show it, but introduced with a tribute to Stewart ... Betty Garrett fractured a foot backstage at Theatre West, but is going on with Jim Bailey in "Tallulah & Tennessee" ... Courtney Cox-Arquette presents Wes Craven ("Music of the Heart") with the Young Musicians' Foundation Magic Baton award tonight at the BevWilshire where Carl Reiner m.c.'s for the 18th year. Maureen McGovern entertains ... Environmental activist Alexandra Paul ("Baywatch," "Melrose Place") receives the Global Green USA Millennium award tonight at Loews Santa Monica ... Don Rickles signed a two-year extension on his pact with the Desert Inn, where his next gig will be Dec. 29-31 to bring in the millennium. The hotel is creating special $25 commemorative chips featuring Rickles' picture, which you can use as valid gambling tokens -- or, of course, as hockey pucks.