THE BUZZ.

Byline: - Staff and Wire Services

HEAVENS TO BECKHAMS!: Leaders of several Christian denominations are speaking out against the nativity scene at London's famed Madame Tussaud's wax museum. The tableau has soccer star David Beckham as Joseph, his wife, Victoria (aka Posh Spice) as Mary, and Tony Blair, George W. Bush and Britain's Prince Philip as the three wise men. Actors Samuel L. Jackson and Hugh Grant are posed as shepherds, and pop star Kylie Minogue hovers over the scene as an angel. The infant Jesus is played by a nondescript plastic doll. The Vatican is not too pleased, nor is the Presbyterian Church. A spokesman for the Archbishop of Canterbury, leader of the Anglican Church, told Reuters, ``There is a tradition of each generation trying to reinterpret the nativity, but, oh dear ...'' The Beckhams were not aware of the museum's holiday plans for their likenesses. A representative of Madame Tussaud's apologized for offending anyone with a display that was intended to be an amusement.

BOYLE'S FAN CLUB: Lara Flynn Boyle has a meaty recurring guest role in the new Showtime series ``Huff,'' playing Melody Coatar, one of the wackier patients of the title psychiatrist played by Hank Azaria. But crew members want her back, and ``They wrote her a letter about how much they missed her show-business swagger,'' series creator Bob Lowry said. Boyle said she would love to come back, and the parties worked it out. Boyle's latest ``Huff'' episode plays at 10 p.m. Sunday. For those not yet caught up, the first five installments will be played Saturday in a marathon beginning at 8 p.m.

LET THE RIVERS RUN: Joan and Melissa Rivers are returning to red-carpet duty for the TV Guide Channel starting with next month's Golden Globes, a job they were shut out of during this year's Emmy Awards because of a contractual tangle. The mother-daughter duo say they are more than ready to dish it out to the stars. ``I think it will be notched up just because the energy is going to be so amazing,'' Joan Rivers said. She missed covering this year's Emmy Awards when she and her daughter jumped from E! Entertainment Television to TV Guide Channel. Will Hollywood's stars be more carefully dressed knowing they'll again be facing the sharp-tongued Rivers women? ``They better be,'' Melissa Rivers said.

GOLD STANDARD: Oldies DJ Brian Beirne - known for decades as Mr. Rock 'n' Roll - will spin his last dusty disc Dec. 15 on KRTH-FM (101.1). Beirne caps a 29-year run on the oldies station where he handled middays. For his final day on air, he'll appear on ``Gary Bryan in the Morning'' for a celebration of his long career. KRTH program director Jay Coffey takes Beirne's shift Dec. 16 for the time being. ``There are only a few radio personalities who ever achieve legendary status ... it's been an honor working with Mr. Rock 'n' Roll,'' Coffey said. For Beirne's last stint behind the mike, he'll take listener requests and comments and will spin ``Wear My Ring Around Your Neck'' by Elvis Presley, the first song he ever played on KRTH.

HANUKKAH HOOPLA: A 15-foot menorah weighing more than 1,000 pounds will light up Universal CityWalk from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday for the third annual Chabad Hanukkah festival featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, and a ceremonial kindling. Helping to celebrate the Festival of Lights will be leaders from the Jewish community, representatives from Los Angeles fire and police departments, special guest Gabe Kapler of the Boston Red Sox and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host Dennis Prager. For more information, call [phone] on go to www.citywalkhollywood.com.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) A nativity scene at Madame Tussaud's famed wax museum in London features a unique cast of characters, including President George W. Bush, far right, as one of the three wise men. The Vatican is not particularly amused.

Jennifer Graylock/Associated Press

(2) BOYLE

Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com