OUTTAKES DEAREST

Outtakes will undertake to answer perplexing questions you might have (like the one below that a friend asked us) on entertainment matters. Send yours to Outtakes Dearest, Calendar, The Times, Times Mirror Square, L.A. 90053.

Why are there no Latinos in the Taco Bell commercials?

Taco Bell is running two TV commercials in L.A. and neither uses Latino actors. Nor does the company advertise to the Spanish-language community, said a company marketing exec at the company HQ in Irvine.

“We don’t include or exclude Latinos from our commercials,” he said. “We try to get a good blend of talent and ethnic background. I would hope the portrayal would be favorable in light of reality.”

He said that ads for Taco Bell franchises (200 of the 2,000 nationwide are in L.A.) are aimed at adults 18 to 49 regardless of ethnicity. (A 1982 survey by the company indicated it needed to “Americanize” its image.) But Taco Bell is considering bilingual commercials--”English language with Spanish subtitles or Spanish language with English subtitles.”