Too much melodrama? Spelling stressed

GOOD MORNING: With seven shows working -- including shooting "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Melrose Place" segs two at a time to meet the 32 ordered by Fox -- and countless other projects in development, "stress" has taken its toll on Aaron Spelling. He's now taking Fridays off -- from the office. That isn't saying how many weekend hours he's putting in at home. He notes, "The day will soon come when I'll start doing other things." But he couldn't think what they might be! He's recently had some nasal surgery and the results are expected to be OK. It's ironic, he laughs, daughter Tori had seven stitches taken on her nose when her pet parrot, Charlie ("as big as a dog"), bit her nose. Tori, too, is OK. Meanwhile, Candy Spelling, who made her TV bow Sept. 18 with three hours on QVC with her Fantasy Dolls, makes a return -- four hours, Nov. 22-23. The charity that benefited is Centro de Ninos and Candy visited them last week, brought a check -- and also painted with the youngsters. "I was known as Tori Spelling's father," notes Aaron, "now, I'm Candy Spelling's husband. Pretty soon I'll have no identity at all." Sure ... With all the hefty production news, Aaron's still upset CBS put "Burke's Law" on hold till mid-season -- although they ordered six extra segs. "We never lost a timeslot," he reminds. CBS also placated Spelling by giving him an untitled Eric Roth family show for the future ..."Burke's Law" star Gene Barry was also baffled by the web's decision. At his and wife Betty's 50th wedding anni party at Brentwood Country Club, Barry said the show is tops in England and Australia and he's invited over to play club dates in London as a result of the TVer's strength. The guest list for the Barrys' black-tie anni party included family and longtime showbiz pals including Milton Berle, for whom Barry was straight man on the Texaco Star Theater. Celeb guests who stood to sing wishes to Betty and Gene included: Abigail Van Buren, Monty and Marilyn Hall, Jayne Meadows, Abbe Lane and Perry Leff, Cara Williams, Dom DeLuise, Barbara Eden, Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse, Shirley Jones, Florence Henderson, Toni Holt, Hal Linden, Peter Barton, Jack Carter, Morey Amsterdam, Dave Barry, Rosemarie and Bob Stack, Harry and Marilyn Lewis, Jess White, etc. Of course Gene sang -- and he and Betty danced the "Anniversary Waltz." This, too, is showbiz.

ANGELA LANSBURY, HER HIP 100% OK post-surgery, says she and her banner are busy looking for even more series ideas -- not for her to star in -- but for sons David and Antony and husband Peter Shaw to do. She's particularly pleased "Touched By an Angel" (CBS), in which they have "an interest," is a success and 13 more shows are ordered. "It was originally talked down as too soft," she reminds. She works on "Murder" through the end of April, when she'll start either of two telepix, "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris" or the Jerry Herman musical "Mrs. Santa Claus" scripted by Mark Saltzman. Yes, Virginia, there is a (Mr.) Santa Claus in the show -- but "he's only at the beginning and the end," says Angela. Lansbury wings to Chi Nov. 5 to head a "Family Rescue" fundraiser for shelters for battered women and children ... Lucie Arnaz is here Friday and Saturday at the Norris Theater in Palos Verdes with a concert -- not the Lucie show you see in Vegas or Atlantic City. "It's an intimate theatrical show," she says, "two acts, four musicians." She'll also behere Wednesday at the Zephyr for the opening of her musical director Ron Abel's musical, "Is This Your Life?" Desi Arnaz Jr. will be at his sister's show this weekend. And Lucie and her brother will also be at the Dec. 3 Palm Springs wedding of Gary Morton to golf pro Susie McAllister.

DAVID COPPERFIELD and fiancee Claudia Schiffer posed for Annie Liebovitz's lens for the December Vanity Fair cover -- with Claudia flying in Copperfield's arms -- atop the roof of the Paris Opera House! Copperfield bows his "Beyond Imagination" tour Nov. 3 in London's Earl's Court -- delving into the spirit world ... And "Siegfried and Roy, The Magic, The Mystery" airs Nov. 6 on ABC. Kenneth Feld and Bernie Yuman exec produced the one-hour show behind the scenes with the amazing duo. They have a fan following of celebs unmatched by most stars. Even Mick Jagger took time off from the Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge tour to catch 'em at the Mirage. And on Roy's 50th birthday greetings ranged from Muhammad Ali and Robin Williams to Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, George Bush and Bill Clinton ... Leslie Nielsen had to bow out of judging the Miss World contest in South Africa -- to star in Showtime's "Rent-a-Kid," in which he runs a troubled home for orphans -- and hits on the rental scheme ... APA's Andy Cohen set Alan Rachins to join Paul Verhoeven's "Showgirls"... Arnon Milchan is a shareholder in the upcoming Tel Aviv Planet Hollywood.