Bill and Rudy share a ‘shake

New York — Former President Clinton and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani shared a backstage handshake at a charity luncheon.

That wouldn’t be news ordinarily, but a New York Post columnist reported Wednesday that organizers of Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope luncheon had labored to keep the Republican ex-mayor and the Democratic former president apart because they “can’t stand each other.”

Giuliani arrived Wednesday at Cipriani’s restaurant after Clinton had left the podium but met him backstage and offered his hand. Later, he told the crowd: “I want to make it clear that on the way in I shook hands with President Clinton.”

As the crowd tittered, he added, “And I don’t want you to read anything into this but I also — just in order to prove that any allegation to the contrary is untrue — I gave him a little hug. Don’t read anything into that. We don’t need any more rumors.”

Scott weathers alcoholism

New York — Willard Scott is talking about his battles with alcohol abuse in hopes of helping other people get sober.

The longtime weatherman on NBC’s “Today” show said he attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting two months after his wife, Mary, died of cancer in October 2002.

“I didn’t fall down to the gutter but I had my problems,” Scott, 69, said in an interview for C-SPAN’s “Booknotes,” where he was discussing his book “The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune.” The interview airs at 7 p.m. July 13.

“I think I drank pretty good. And Mary used to always keep me in line,” he said. “I drank three or four drinks every night. I mean I was up to about 12 ounces of scotch seven nights a week. Loved it, loved it, loved it. And then after she died, there was nobody to keep me straight.”

Another wedding on the rocks?

New York — Things are not looking good in Kid Rock’s world.

The 32-year-old rap rocker got engaged to Tommy Lee’s ex, Pamela Anderson, last April. But rumors are flying that the couple are in trouble.

Last week Anderson was spotted at a promotional appearance for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Florida sans engagement ring.

“The word that best describes me now is ‘free,'” the 35-year-old, Canadian-born former star of “Baywatch” told People magazine.

She also showed up at a June 10 party at the Playboy mansion without Rock. When Us Weekly magazine asked about their nuptials, she said “Assume what you want about a wedding … I’m here with family and friends. That might be a hint.”