Calista Flockhart backed out of a long-scheduled
                             interview with NBC's "Today" show when its
                             producers refused a request not to talk about her
                             weight. The ultrathin star of Fox's "Ally McBeal"
                             has denied rumors that she has an eating disorder.

                             "We never agree to restrictions on interviews,"
                             said "Today" spokeswoman Allison Gollust.

                             Flockhart had been booked to appear Monday to
                             promote her new movie, "William Shakespeare's
                             A Midsummer Night's Dream" (See "Briefly"
                             item). She also has appearances planned for next
                             week on CBS's "Late Show" with David
                             Letterman and on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show,"
                             both of which have agreed to avoid dietary talk.