By Belinda Luscombe

ALEC BALDWIN, THE SWINGER

In years to come, when Ireland Eliesse Basinger-Baldwin grows up, her daddy will laugh when he tells the story of the day she was brought home from the hospital and he lost his temper with a free-lance videographer who was trying to capture the moment. But for now things are a little sour. Alan Zanger claims ALEC BALDWIN punched him in the face and knocked him over. Recounted Zanger: "He said, 'You got what you deserved.'" The police--not entirely trusting, perhaps, of this version of events--had Zanger put Baldwin under citizen's arrest before they would book the actor themselves. Baldwin later apologized for the incident but said, "Anyone with a shred of human decency would realize when you want your privacy." The day wasn't a total loss for Zanger. Instead of his tape, he himself ended up on Hard Copy.

SEEN & HEARD

George Clooney must look good in a mask too. The ER star's about to sign on to play the Green Hornet, grandnephew of the Lone Ranger, who also runs around fighting crime in disguise. Clooney will get $3 million for the role, according to Variety. Jason Scott Lee is in talks to play sidekick Kato (no relation).

Shirley Jones has left her husband of 17 years, comic Marty Ingels, and he seems to be using it as a source for material: "Whenever we go out, she says, 'Think David Niven.' I say, 'O.K.' She says, 'So why's it coming out Pee-wee Herman?'" The problem of disparate comic tastes was apparently exacerbated by Jones' children Shaun, Ryan and Patrick Cassidy and stepson David Cassidy, who were unable to get happy with Ingels. The couple still plan to work together.

DIRECTOR VS. DONUT MAN

The very rich have different problems from the rest of us. For instance, STEVEN SPIELBERG is suing a doughnut mogul for financial harassment. Back in 1968, Denis Hoffman, who now owns Designer Donuts in Los Angeles, invested $10,000 in Spielberg's debut film Amblin. As part of the deal, Spielberg agreed to direct a film for Hoffman within the next 10 years. According to Spielberg, the director bought out the contract in 1977. Hoffman sees it differently and last May told Spielberg to direct a film for him or pony up $33 million. So Spielberg sued. Hoffman, naturally, is countersuing.

CARAMBA! IT'S JULIO JUNIOR!

Just when it seemed safe to turn on the radio again, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, son of Julio, has released an album. In its second week on Billboard's Latin charts, the single Si Tu Te Vas is at No. 6, while the elder Iglesias' latest tune languishes at 17. Father and son share a certain musk-scented vocal quality, it's true, but Julio knew nothing of Enrique's interest in music until Enrique got a three-album deal with Fonovisa. "He was kind of shocked," says Iglesias Jr. Non-Latin lovers, despair not: he hopes to make an English album soon.