TV & VIDEO - Nov. 17, 1988

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, the creator-writer of the CBS sitcom “Designing Women,” is working hard today to scotch rumors reported in supermarket tabloids that she told one of the show’s stars, Delta Burke, to lose weight or lose out. Bloodworth-Thomason said Burke did gain weight during the summer, but added that Burke herself is the one concerned about it. “The only reason I concern myself with it (is) we got a number of negative letters about it,” said Bloodworth-Thomason, who is actually more intrigued by the notion of a woman who regards herself as sexy and attractive and is overweight. “However, Delta said she would not be interested in playing that character,” Bloodworth-Thomason added.