FIRST OFF . . .

Valerie Harper sent handwritten notes to the media announcing a Tuesday press conference in which she plans to tell her side of the ongoing drama involving the actress and her ex-series, “Valerie.” Harper, who was released recently from the show and replaced by Sandy Duncan following a salary dispute, said in the note, “For some time now I have wanted to tell you and others in the press the truth about the recent controversy surrounding my show.” She added that her attorney had advised her not to comment on the ousting.