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Show channels BY JOEYSASSO CONFIDENTIAL REPORT: 'The Waltons' father Ralph Walte suffered through five years of pain and drudgery to overcome his alcoholism and learn to cope proudly with life. "I was a wild man," Waite confesses of his first Walton season. "It had taken me many years to progress from the stage I like to consider a 'happy drunk to the state of acute alcoholism. By the time I started on the show, I was at a point that there was no such thing as lunch period without two, three or more martinis." Waite now feels only good things about the show and what it did for him. In addition to providing professional status, the show "gave me a chance to become a new man, to force me to cope with life." Surprisingly, 'The Waltons' producers never mentioned Waite's problem and he took it upon himself to solve it. "I suppose as the saying goes, I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired. More than that, though, it was the show that had a profound effect on me." . . . Eighteen-year-old Valerie Bertlnelll, co-star of 'One Day at a Time,' has overcome her childish shyness but finds she must still battle her jealousy and possessiveness. "There were times that I was so afraid to open my mouth I would try and hide," the cute brunette confides. "I was extremely shy. It was even difficult for me to say 'hello' to anyone that I didn't know. I guess I inherited that from my mother but luckily I'm outgrowing it." Thanks to her role as Barbie Cooper, Valerie has become an energetic, outgoing teenager. "I know one thing," she admits. "Little by little my shyness is leaving and if nothing else ever happens to me, I at least accomplished that. You have to realize that was a tremendous feat for me." INSIDE THE TUBE: Suzanne Somert is tough about making her sexy body a "business" with her 'Three's Company' success but she can't stand it when her son's teachers make nasty comments to him and he comes home crying! She's ready to storm the school . . . 'Hardy Boys' Parker Stevenson and Shaun Catsldy haven't come to blows yet but they don't talk much. Parker resents all the publicity Shaun gets. Maybe Parker should lead a more exciting, interesting life if he wants the attention! He could try Shaun's latest antics, getting fined $1,000 for staying out too late and showing up on the set with bloodshot eyes. Shaun can afford it, though. He has offered $1 million for any house that can be hidden from his fans. Shaun may rake in more loot than expected. Since John Travolta is so busy, Shaun along with Rick Nelson and Andy Glbb is being considered for a sequel to the popular rock-and-roll film 'Grease.' Shooting begins in August . . . Spanish sex kitten Charo, who went to court to nave her age officially changed to 26, finally divorced 70-year-old bandleader Xavler Cugat and is dating an 18-year-old casino worker in Las Vegas, one of her favorite spots. She confesses she like to gamble. TV INSIDERS: Clorli Leachman couldn't be happier now that she's getting rid of longtime spouse George Englund. She confesses he was terribly demanding, restrictive and possessive. She celebrated by installing an all-glass bathroom including walls and ceilings in her house. He had never allowed it. And George is making such a fuss, Cloris has to fly from Chicago, where s she's starring in a play, every single week to California to meet with lawyers! . . . That Girl' Mario Thomas and talk show host Phil Donahue were seen sipping Hennessey VSOP at the Playboy Club the other night. J |