FIRST OFF . . .

Hollywood’s corridors of power have been abuzz with rumors concerning which executives would be asked to join the new Columbia Pictures Entertainment conglomerate, but one upper-level manager denied that he would be joining the new Coca-Cola show business unit. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. TV president Jonathan Dolgen denied a report Thursday that he was on the road to Columbia. “I’ve heard the rumors (about joining Columbia) for weeks. At first, it was flattering. Then it became amusing. I’m beginning to find it painful,” said Dolgen, who joined Fox in 1985 after leaving the old Columbia. Dolgen also scotched rumors that Fox Inc. chairman Barry Diller was trying to block the executive from leaving the company. Diller--asked whether Dolgen had discussed leaving Fox for Columbia--said only: “Not with us, and I don’t think with them.”