FIRST OFF . . .

Priscilla Presley says that recent TV and newspaper reports suggesting that ex-husband Elvis never died in 1977 and is living in seclusion are “ridiculous fabrications.” She told a reporter that those stories--in particular KABC-TV’s four-part “Is Elvis Alive?” ratings sweeps series--were harmful to herself and her 20-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie, Elvis’ only child. Priscilla Presley was married to Elvis from 1967 to 1972. (The report by newsman Harold Greene referred to Gail Giorgio’s “The Most Incredible Elvis Presley Story Ever Told,” which purports that Presley may still be alive). “We all know Elvis is dead,” said Priscilla Presley. “It infuriates me that certain journalists would stoop to such lows to exploit Elvis Presley’s death, merely for the sake of newspaper sales and higher ratings during the sweeps period.” Terry Crofoot, news director of KABC-TV, has denied that the Elvis series was another sensational sweeps story. “Everything I put on the air year-round is designed to get ratings,” Crofoot said. The news director maintained that--in or out of a sweeps period--KABC will do whatever it must to lure viewers and boost ratings. His rationale for airing the Elvis series: “There are two books out on this subject. It isn’t KABC’s claim that Elvis is alive. It would be ludicrous for us to say that.”