When she gave her statement, Barbra said that he could have it only if he agreed to print every single word she had to say. Of course, Babs doesn't talk to this column, so I didn't have to abide by her dicta. A few words were left out of her statement in the interest of space.

It's beside the point that I happen to agree with Barbra, and I hope Bill Maher and his politically incorrect show will prevail.

But what does that have to do with Letterman, "Nightline," etc? ABC has been thinking of dumping "Politically Incorrect" for months before that crisis-of-its-own-making arose. I think the network is afraid of Maher and wary of appearing unpatriotic by airing a First Amendment fulminator of the first order.

ABC should relax. By the Letterman threat, they got Ted Koppel to actually go back to work on a show that I think he had seriously neglected.

As for lip service to patriotism, even the Wall Street Journal, that bastion of conservatism, had a recent column by Albert R. Hunt, calling George W. Bush's administration "a presidency in disarray."

WHAT'S THIS about Drew Barrymore and Heather Graham kissing and carrying on at a private dinner in Leo DiCaprio's house? He reportedly kicked them out. Shades of Lana Turner and Ava Gardner and the filling station attendant, or the other famous apocryphal tale about how Frank Sinatra tossed both babes out on his Palm Springs lawn because he thought they were going at it.

The fact is, there's lots of publicity in this kind of behavior, and girls aren't above teasing the boys they like with such public displays.

WHO ARE the 34 "chicest women in America," and why are there only 34 of them? Harper's Bazaar seems to think it has the answer in its May issue, which lists Vogue's Polly Mellen and moviedom's Marisa Berenson, along with a new generation of younger stunners such as Aerin Lauder and Eliza Reed Bolen. The 34 names are supposedly derived from Eleanor Lambert's famous best-dressed list.

A few more included are Zoe Cassavetes, Renee Rockefeller and Jane Lauder of New York (all from recognizably distinguished families), and, in L.A., Lilly Tartikoff, Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Peggy Lipton.

AS CNN'S highly respected Judy Woodruff and I sat down to lunch in Le Cirque this week, the waiter handed her a card on which columnist Art Buchwald, across the room, had written: "We may not make as much as Katie Couric, but we still eat in the best restaurants." The petite Ms. Woodruff waved at him and said, "How do you know I don't make as much as Katie Couric?"

The anchor of "Inside Politics" is doing a series on potential Democratic "first couples." She showed off Joe and Hadassah Lieberman last night and also subbed for Aaron Brown on his late-night show. Tonight, she'll have North Carolina's John and Elizabeth Edwards. Tomorrow, Judy hits Orlando, where the important Florida State Democratic Convention gets under way with actor Alec Baldwin as keynote speaker. Lieberman and Edwards, plus Bob Kerrey, Chris Dodd and Al Gore are expected. Only Dick Gephardt seems to have a conflict and won't be there.

I asked Judy if former President Bill Clinton would be in Orlando? She mused, "I don't think so. They are looking to the future, I believe." Judy Woodruff is a terrific news reporter and, for my dough, she is one of CNN's real treasures.

AFTER PRINCE played Lincoln Center Tuesday night, a private party in the basement of the old Paramount in Times Square made music history. Newly minted superstar Alicia Keys took the stage. This year she had a hit with Prince's old song "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore." Prince, who had never met her, sat down at the keyboard and accompanied her. He refused to sing a duet, just grinning, shaking his head and playing.

Though it was the middle of the night, Ms. Keys sang deep-throated circles around every performer in the room. She was great!

DIANE SAWYER, who doesn't seem to need sleep, has agreed to host the first benefit concert for "Baby Buggy," founded by Jessica Seinfeld.

This happens at the Beacon Theater May 6 and is sponsored by Babies R Us, Amex and Old Navy. The stars are Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling and Colin Quinn. Needy kids get nice "used" baby gear. Call (212) 245-6570, ext. 20.