SPICE OF LIFE: England’s bubble-gum pop sensations...

SPICE OF LIFE: England’s bubble-gum pop sensations the Spice Girls are burning up the radio and record stores with their hit debut, but few people are happier about the perky quintet’s U.S. arrival than the folks who run the adult entertainment cable TV channel named Spice.

Since the channel--which is available in 30 million U.S. homes on pay-per-view basis--went on the air nearly eight years ago, the voluptuous women who have represented the venture both on the tube and in public appearances have been informally known as, yup, the Spice Girls.

Now Spice (the channel) is hoping to capitalize on the success of its unwitting namesake with a national stripper competition to name its “official” Spice Girl.

Spice Networks President Steve Saril says that there was some discussion of doing a video with adult film stars lip-syncing the Spice Girls’ hit “Wannabe” as a channel promotion, but that might be inviting trouble regarding copyright infringement. He says, though, that he doesn’t fear any legal action over the name, since Spice has been on the air for much longer than the group has been together.

As for charges that the channel could damage the group’s sexy but wholesome image, Saril notes the recent demi-scandal in the U.K. in which photos from a nude session done several years ago by member Geri Halliwell were published in several tabloids. The group and its management did not respond to requests for comment.

Ironically, Saril is a little cautious about hitching the channel too tightly to the group, given the uncertainties of pop stardom.

“We’re taking advantage of a certain period of time in which they have a hit,” he says. “But they may not be popular for long.”