National Enquirer 2/1/2000 JAG Beauty Takes Australia By Storm

SEXY "JAG" star Catherine Bell stole the show - onscreen and off- in the hit series' 100th episode, shot in the land Down Under. Australian fans were hootin' and hollerin' as they watched the stunning 5-ft. 10-in, brunette - who plays Lt. Col. Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie - frolic on the beach in her itsy-bitsy blue bikini. "All the men were cheering and fighting for better position," a set insider told The ENQUIRER. David James Elliott, who plays Lt. Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb Jr., drew some screams from female fans. "But 99 percent of the attention was for Catherine," continued the insider Everyone watched breathlessly as the talented and curvy actress shot a sultry scene with Trevor Goddard, who plays Lt. Cmdr. Mic Brumby. "Mic takes Mac to a topless beach and tries to persuade her to join in the I topless fun," disclosed the insider And, as these exclusive photos reveal, Mic came daringly close to baring Mac's eye-popping assets. "There isn't any nudity, but 'JAG' fans will see a side of Mac they have been waiting five seasons for," added the insider. The episode will air on February 8. After the shoot, cast and crew celebrated with cake and champagne. The riveting drama, now in its fifth season, owes its survival largely to Catherine, who has played not one but two characters on the show. NBC first cast Catherine as Lt. Harm Rabb Jr.'s girlfriend Lt. Diane Schonke - but, in a shocking twist, killed her off to end the first season. Then, NBC pulled the plug on the show, and CBS picked it up. The new producers recast Catherine right away as Mac. Said the insider, "Ratings shot through the roof once Catherine came back on board. She has male and female fans alike, and the show is more popular than ever thanks to her." At the 100th episode end-of-production party, gracious Catherine thanked every member of the cast and crew individually for all their help with the show. Declared the insider, "It's no wonder this gracious beauty breathed new life in 'JAG.'"