QUIBBLES & BITS

. . . Costa Mesa’s Performing Arts Center--capacity 3,000--is claiming in ads for its upcoming Pavarotti concert: “This is the first time that West Coast audiences will enjoy this legendary voice in an intimate concert hall.” Pavarotti has sung in UCLA’s Royce Hall, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ambassador Auditorium and Pasadena Civic--except for the Pavilion, all more intimate than the Orange County hall. Plus some San Francisco dates.

. . . And ads are also boasting that the trendy Mark Morris Dance Co. will make its “Los Angeles debut!” at UCLA Oct. 22. Funny, but we saw ‘em at Cal State Long Beach just last year.

. . . Did anyone else notice the continuity goof on last week’s “Kate and Allie”? Jane Curtin (Allie) had her watch stolen in one scene but was wearing it in the next--and it disappeared again in the subsequent shot.

. . . The Hollywood Reporter’s Martin Grove managed to write an entire column on the difficulties of marketing and reaching a mainstream audience with Merchant Ivory’s “Maurice” without once mentioning why--the film deals with homosexual love.

. . . We’re pleased to inform you that, with 150 days or so left to the 60th Academy Awards, the race is on. First out of the chute: Skouras’ “My Life as a Dog.” Its ads affirm that “Academy members, your card will admit you and guest to any performance.”

. . . Eugene Williams, who co-stars as a survival-team expert in CBS’ upcoming Robert Conrad series, “High Mountain Rangers,” was rescued by fishermen last week after 45 minutes afloat in chilly Lake Tahoe waters. Williams sank a rented speedboat during a day off from production.