Culture Notes

In Brief

"Beware Bill Gates." That was the message of media mogul Barry Diller of Home Shopping Network, as he warned peers and colaborers in the cable television industry not to let the billionaire Microsoft chairman dominate interactive television in the way he has the computer industry. Time-Warner's Ted Turner seconded the motion. "Anytime you have too much power in one place ... it's not healthy for anybody," said Mr. Turner, the cable entrepreneur who in 1995 closed the deal on the largest media merger in history, between Time-Warner and Turner Broadcasting. Remembering Ronald Reagan. At its 25th anniversary gala, the Heritage Foundation last week offered a tribute to the conservative movement and, in particular, Ronald Reagan. There was a video narrated by Charlton Heston and a keynote address from former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who recalled some of her fondest memories of her association with Mr. Reagan. One incident in particular: When Mr. Reagan was governor of California, his limousine was surrounded by a mob of protesting students carrying placards reading, "We are the future." The future president scribbled a reply and held it up to the car window: "I'll sell my bonds." But don't sell your stock in Republic Pictures. NBC, according to The Washington Post, has inked a three-year extension of its exclusive right to the holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life. The network, which will carry the film again this Dec. 20, plans to air it through the year 2003.