Dan Gross | Producer leaves Maury

D

ONNA BENNER

, longtime producer of

Maury Povich

's syndicated talk show, has left "Maury," where she has worked for 10 years.

The Society Hill resident was named last April in a $100 million lawsuit filed by Bianca Nardi, a 28-year-old "Maury" producer, who alleged that she was subjected to a sexually charged atmosphere at the show, fostered by "an intimate and sexual relationship" between Povich and Benner, who are each married to other people.

Povich is married to TV newswoman Connie Chung, and Benner, a Temple grad, is married to local periodontist Jeffrey Ingber, who lovingly defended his wife to the press last year. Reached on her cell phone yesterday, Benner confirmed she's no longer with the show. "I resigned; I departed on good terms. It was time to move on, and time to be closer to home," she said.

Asked if her departure was in any way related to the lawsuit, Benner said she was not allowed to discuss the suit. She also said she could not reveal proprietary information about the show, when we asked whether the doctor who performs the ever-frequent paternity tests on the show keeps a desk at "Maury" offices.

Benner worked alongside Povich at Channel 3 in the early '80s and also served time with WPVI and WCAU TV. She later worked for Sally Jessy Raphael and Tempestt Bledsoe's talk shows.

Philly pilots

Overbrook's Will Smith and wife Jada

Pinkett Smith will serve as executive producers of a new TV pilot "M.I.L.F. and Cookies," for the CW. The half-hour show's about young, single moms who hang out together.

Variety reports that Randi Mayem Singer wrote the pilot and will executive-produce the show along with Overbrook Entertainment's James Lassiter.

We're just glad to finally be able to use the word M.I.L.F in the column. If you don't know what it means, there's always Google.

Make sure the kids aren't there.

* Fox is developing a pilot called "Philadelphia General," about the work and sex lives of nurses at a big-city hospital. Think "Grey's Anatomy," with nurses instead of doctors and hopefully without an annoying lead character. The show's slated to air in June.

Partying like in the past

Brian Adoff, frontman of legendary rock outfit Renegade, shows his softer, more dignified side Saturday night during "A Night at the Monkey Bar," at Bridget Foy's (2nd & South).

The actor/singer is hoping to re-create the vibe and atmosphere of a 1940s-era haunt like the Stork Club in New York, with live jazz, dancing showgirls, and vintage cocktails. A camera girl will take souvenir photos for all guests.

Evening attire is encouraged.

Tickets are $20, and can be purchased online at bridgetfoys.com or by calling 347-423-3560.

Al Bundy's fantasy girl to Oasis

Veteran porn starlet Teri Weigel will be the feature dancer at the Oasis Gentlemen's Club (6800 Essington) for its fourth anniversary party tomorrow, and also appears at the club through Saturday. "Married with Children" viewers may remember Weigel as the Al Bundy customer who would come into his shoe store and get the former Polk High football star all worked up. There's a $10 cover each night and Weigel's shows are at 10 p.m. with added late sets on Friday and Saturday nights.

From Utah to South Philly

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and his family dined at Ralph's (760 S. 9th) Friday night with three members of Huntsman's security detail seated nearby. NBC-10 sports director Vai Sikahema, a friend of the family, as well as a Mormon and Brigham Young grad, stopped by the Italian spot to say hello to the Huntsman party, who mainly ate pasta. *

If you have something you'd like to share with Dan, call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com.