The Cher watch

By Michael Klein
Inquirer Columnist

Entertainment Tonight was all over Saturday's Cher show at the First Union Center. When ET cameras went backstage to tour Cher's wig room, reporter Mark Steines got the idea to wear a blond one to surprise Cher during the interview. It didn't fit right, so producers nixed the idea. (Like a bad wig would ever stop a TV reporter.)

Cher's opening act, Cyndi Lauper, marked her 49th birthday by bringing son Declyn, 41/2, on stage. With cameras following, Cher snuck out of her dressing room to catch Lauper's act from the side of the stage. Whereupon a fan started screaming for Cher, who gave a quick wave of acknowledgment and then shushed her.

Lauper ended up raving to ET about her Philadelphia ties, including her early work with Robert Hazard and The Hooters' braintrust, Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman. (See the ET report at 7 p.m. today on Channel 3.) Lauper later joined a birthday party with 19 friends at Alma de Cuba (1623 Walnut St.).