controversial showing of "Bermuda Grace'' on local and US TV.

And new figures are out which reveal just how the show measured up in the US networks' battle for viewers.

In the week "Bermuda Grace'' was shown, January 3-9, "Home Improvement'' was the most-watched show in America.

Almost 22 million were tuned in to the hit comedy.

"Bermuda Grace'', NBC's "Friday Night Mystery'', was 74th on the list -- sharing the place with "Cops'' on Fox.

The show was watched in about 7.7 million homes, giving it an audience of about 11 million.

Its rating, as NBC points out, was "not great, but not horrendous''. The action-packed cop movie, which showed off much of the Island's scenery, got a bigger audience than NBC's home-grown detective series "Missing Persons''.

It also attracted more viewers than heavily-promoted shows like "Second Chances'', "Mommies'' or "Saved by the Bell''.

For what it's worth, it also wiped the floor with "America's Most Wanted''.

*** Wednesday's Telecommunications Commission hearings saw some interesting culture clashes, as new phone firms argued why they should be given a chance to operate.

Thrusting businessman in snappy suits came up against skeptical commission member Mr. Charles Collis, and the less abrasive humour of chairman the Hon.

John Stubbs.

Representing the old school of business was Telco general manager Mr. Ernest Pacheco.

He gave a spirited defence of the present system, carved up between his company and Cable & Wireless.

He also brought laughter to the dry, often technical proceedings, when he addressed allegations that Telco was part of a monopoly.

Maybe it was some form of mental block, or maybe it was righteous anger. But try as he might, Mr. Pacheco could not say the word "monopolistic''. After two attempts to pronounce it, he gave up. "Excuse me, but it's not a familiar word,'' he said.

*** Progressive Labour Party Press officer, Ms Paula Cox, is well-known for having the patience of a saint.

Ms Cox endured many calls from the Press during the election and dealt with them all in a patient and kind manner. Just like a saint.

And in her latest Press release she appears to have achieved that high office, naming St. Paula A.M.E. Centennial Hall as the venue for a commemoration of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King.

*** Peace has settled over preparations for this year's Speaker's Dinner which will be attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

An unseemly tug-of-war erupted between host Speaker, the Hon. Ernest DeCouto, and Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan over invitations.

The Opposition raised it on the floor of the House in December, accusing the Premier of muscling in on an event traditionally hosted by the Speaker. But yesterday, all seemed calm.

"It's the Speaker's dinner,'' House clerk Mr. James Smith asserted. "They're working together.'' Planners have more than doubled the invitation list for the annual dinner which normally sees about 250 people attending.

For Royal visits, practice holds the list be increased to include spouses, former Parliamentarians and, in this case, businessmen from the local and international business sectors.

The dinner will take place on March 9 at the Southampton Princess Hotel.

Despite more than 500 invites, organisers are expecting snooty letters and sharp telephone calls from those who feel snubbed.