FIRST OFF . . .

New World Television has filed a $25-million suit against Bridget and Jerry Dobson, creators of the NBC-TV daytime soap “Santa Barbara.” New World alleges that the husband-and-wife writing team did not honor their contract and are interfering in the show’s production. New World TV President Ed Gradinger said that the suit, filed in Superior Court in Santa Monica, was intended to “heal the divisions that the Dobsons had caused in the show.” New World’s suit alleges that the Dobsons fought with New World and NBC over the appointment (and retention) of Ann Howard Bailey as head writer for the show after the Dobsons relinquished that responsibility. After Aug. 20, the suit continues, the Dobsons “disrupted and confused” members of the “Santa Barbara” production staff and sought to discredit Bailey. As a result, Bridget Dobson was fired as the show’s executive producer, the suit says. “All of this dissatisfaction and trouble were a complete surprise to us,” Gradinger said. “The show was more successful than ever.” The Dobsons did not return phone calls from The Times.