LIKE KNOX-ING ON WOOD.

Ever wonder how those synchronized swimmers keep their hair in place?

The secret to perfectly slicked hair for spinning upside-down in the Summer Olympics is unflavored gelatin, and the preferred brand is Knox.

About a half-hour before the competition, synchro swimmers mix the gelatin with hot water. (Most come prepared with a hot pot in their swim bags.)

Before the gelatin cools, they slather on the goop. In about 15 minutes, the gelatin hardens into an impenetrable crust - making it preferable to ordinary hair-styling products.

The only downside to using gelatin is it begins to return to its liquid state in warm pool water. While waiting for their scores, synchronized swimmers have to grin and bear it as the slimy liquid oozes down their necks.

When the competition is over, it's straight to the showers. The gelatin washes out with very warm water and shampoo.

SOURCE: - Jenifer Hanrahan

More than a `Nutty' brick in the wall

He's played a smarmy college dean, an obnoxious doorman, a haughty Rodeo Drive storekeeper and an odious real estate agent.

Comic Larry Miller is a jerk specialist.

But in real life, Miller, who currently co-stars with Eddie Murphy in the hit comedy ``The Nutty Professor,'' seems about as pleasant a fellow as one could ask for.

Apologizing profusely for the ringing fax machine in his San Fernando Valley home office, Miller appears considerate and well-adjusted - so happy it apparently surprises even himself.

``Am I riding up on a cloud where every experience is a volume up on the joy level?'' he asks, after gushing mushily first about his 6-month-old son, Ethan, and later about his next movie venture, ``Chairman of the Board,'' a star vehicle for popular prop comic Carrot Top.

``I really feel I'm clicking on all cylinders.''

That clicking has sent his career into high gear. Already recognized on the streets for roles such as the surly doorman on ``Seinfeld'' and the snotty salesman in ``Pretty Woman,'' Miller is destined to become even more familiar with ``Life's Work,'' an ABC sitcom debuting this fall that stars stand-up comic Lisa Ann Walter as an assistant district attorney.

Miller plays her boss, the district attorney. Once again, Miller plays the foil.

``My character is like Lou Grant on the old `Mary Tyler Moore Show,' '' says Miller. ``He brooks no nonsense. He's a Jesuit in terms of clarity of purpose.''

Miller has a sitcom of his own in his ``back pocket,'' a little something he's written on his word processor that he hopes will become his own star vehicle. But for now, he's happy playing the guy everyone loves to hate.

``I'm very pleased and proud that over the last chunk of years I seem to be on a pretty steady grade in the right direction. My theory is that you're putting bricks in a wall and somebody is going to drive by one day and say, `Hey! Look at that wall.' ''

Of ``The Nutty Professor's'' smashing box-office success, Miller says: ``If at this point ``Nutty Professor'' acts as 10 bricks in my wall instead of one, that would be very nice.''

SOURCE: - Janet Weeks

up & coming

Saxophonist Garner B. Thomas, who can blow a note and hold it for two minutes and even play two saxes at one time, is headlining with his all-star r&b-jazz band from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. today at the Moonlight Tango Cafe, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Cover charge: $7. Call [phone].

Marina del Rey is combining the Sylk Music Festival and the Marina Chamber's Food and Wine Festival into one four-day event featuring Great Expectations Singles Night, KLON-FM radio (88.1)/House of Blues Jazz Night, Date Night, Senior Highlights Magazine Day, Mercedes Big Band Brunch, Symphony by the Sea and gourmet food and wine, from 5 to 11 p.m. today and Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Marina del Rey harbor, intersection of Bali and Admiralty ways. Cost: $7 general, $3 seniors, free for children under 12. For more information, call [phone].

``Blithe Spirit,'' a fantasy by Noel Coward about a man who inadvertently brings back the spirit of his first wife, thereby creating the most unique of complications for his second marriage, 8 p.m. today, Aug. 9, 14, 18, 24 at Occidental College Hillside Amphitheater, 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock. Admission: $14 general, $18 reserved seating. Discount of $4 for students and seniors. Call [phone].

The All-Valley Country Dance Festival will feature dance competitions of both beginning and advanced-level dancing, as well as workshops at all levels and types of dance including waltz, line dancing, West Coast and East Coast Swing, two-step, cha-cha, polka and more. Also included will be ``Jack & Jill'' dance contests and a charity dinner sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundayat the Student Union at California State University, Northridge. For information on registration or prices, call Mike's Country Dancing at [phone].

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is sponsoring a guided sunset hike in the Simi Hills from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Meet leader Jim Laing at Sage Ranch, Woolsey Canyon and Black Canyon roads, Simi Valley. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Binoculars and cameras are optional. Rain cancels the walk. For directions, call Nancy at [phone], Ext. 126.

SOURCE: - Ana Young

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) The U.S. synchronized swimming team has a sec ret ingredient when it comes to underwater hair care.

Associated Press

(2) In ``The Nutty Professor'' with Eddie Murphy, left, Larry Miller plays a college dean to Murphy's title character. ``I really feel I'm clicking on all cylinders,'' says Miller, slated for another feature film and a sitcom.