AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: What are...

AND NOW HERE’S THE NEWS: What are Billy Joel and Bette Midler doing together--a duet perhaps? Not quite. The unlikely pop duo have teamed up to provide the voices for a pair of dogs in an upcoming Disney animated version of Charles Dickens’ “Oliver Twist.” (The film features the crafty Fagin, with street dogs, instead of urchins, in his employ.) Midler plays what she has described as a “snooty, Park Avenue-type” French poodle named Georgette, while Joel handles the Artful Dodger, who is portrayed in the film by a crafty terrier. . . . Speaking of duets--have Belinda Carlisle and Diane Keaton been talking about doing a music video together? . . . And speaking of Belinda, she and Deborah Harry will co-host an upcoming pop starlet TV special titled “Cinemax Sessions: The Legendary Ladies.” The all-star event, scheduled to debut on the cable channel in late summer, will feature performances by such old girl-group flames as Ronnie Spector, Martha Reeves, Lesley Gore, Darlene Love (of the Crystals) and Shirley Alston (of the Shirelles). Also on hand, lending musical support, will be E. Street Band sax player Clarence (Big Man) Clemons. . . .