No deal yet for further 'Cagney' specs

GOOD MORNING: How're you going to win? Although "Cagney & Lacey: The Return" won the No. 6 spot in the week's ratings and topped all year's theatricals, Barney Rosenzweig can't get an answer from CBS for more shows beyond the upcoming "Cagney & Lacey: Together Again," probably set for February sweeps. The network still wants to check out last Sunday's demographics. "Maybe once they've fingerprinted the audience --, " says a frustrated Rosenzweig, who has the money to develop a third and fourth two-hour telepic. The troupe wants to do more. Wife Sharon Gless would like an hourly series. "She's happiest when she's working every day," says Barney. Tyne Daly, however, would be happier with the occasional "wheel" of two-hour movies. Daly's also been busy with the Rosenzweig/Ken Wales "Christy" series on CBS (a two-hour airs Thanksgiving and 11 segs are awaiting airdates). Rosenzweig's more than happy with the "C&L" ratings and reviews --"It reminds people I know what I'm doing." No need to worry -- he has projects in development at Fox TV, HBO and elsewhere ... Neil Simon would like Michael Caine and Maggie Smith to reprise their roles of Diana and Sidney from his 1978 "California Suite," when his upcoming legit "London Suite" makes it to the bigscreen. Today, Simon and producer Manny Azenberg are looking at six potential Off Broadway, 499-seat sites for the latest Simon play. The cast probably will repeat the successful Seattle break-in troupe. As noted Oct. 20 by Daily Variety's Jeremy Gerard, Simon and Azenberg shifted to Off Broadway because of Broadway's high costs. Simon admitted to me: "I was at a point where I was going to stop writing plays because it was becoming impossible to break even (on B'way). Now, I intend to continue writing." He added, "I won't miss those Broadway opening-night parties with 2,000 people you don't know who stand around asking, 'Have you heard anything yet?' (about the reviews). I'm lucky I've had most of my career on Broadway -- so I don't have any emotion about leaving (for Off Broadway). But for young playwrights who hope to get to Broadway -- it is going to be very difficult." He pointed to the latest honored plays that have posted closing notices -- among 'em "Angels in America."

IT WASN'T A PUBLICITY STUNT, the WB praisery assures us. Two ladies, one 18, the other 26, fainted during the preview of "Interview With the Vampire" at the Mann Village Tuesday night. Paramedics were called to assist one who said she was hypoglycemic. Fangs, but no fangs (sorry), said the other to the medics. She said she just hadn't eaten all day ... Jack Nicholson, teaching good citizenship to his two youngsters, took 'em with him as he voted Tuesday. "The Crossing Guard," in which he stars for director Sean Penn, is sneaked this week ... What more precarious investments are there than restaurants and Broadway, admits Jimmy Murphy of Jimmy's restaurant. Meanwhile he and Bill Gould have raised $500,000 to develop Broadway-bound "In the Limelight," a musical based on the life of Charlie Chaplin by Christopher Curtis (28). Lonnie Price will direct and it will soon be showcased in Gotham. Young Curtis started as lounge piano player at Jimmy's restaurant where his talents were noted by Murphy, Bob Newhart and Noel Pierson. Curtis excerpted his music and lyrics to a black-tie'd audience at Jimmy's Tuesday night when Moet & Chandon inducted Murphy into the Moet & Chandon Club des Sabreurs. He's the 18th international member and he demonstrated the (required) talent of opening a bottle of Moet with -- a saber, a tradition dating back to Napoleonic times. Moet's Robert Gourdin conducted the ceremony alongside a "champagne cascade" of 600 pyramided Baccarat champagne glasses. The evening raised $ 15,000 for the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Family members on hand included the Michael Waynes, Aissa Wayne and Joe Woodard, Toni La Cava.

THE MANY FACES OF ALAN KING: He's shaved his beard to play a union boss in Universal's "Casino," bicycling to the Family Channel's "Father's Day," plus taping commercials as spokesman for the Fort Lauderdale Wycliff Golf & Country Club. He's also writing his autobiog for Scribner's with Chris Chase and has completed a vidcassette retro for Consumer Video Marketing with Bernard Gurtman. And ah yes, King manages to do p.a.s on weekends -- with or without a beard ... Martina Navratilova gets a gala tribute Tuesday at Madison Square Garden where she winds her singles career. Next, a Nov. 20 "retirement party" at Industries. And after a European tour she talks to CBS about her sportscasting career ... Mark Morrison is appointed West Coast editor of In Style mag, joining bureau chief Annie Gilbar in L.A.