FIRST OFF . . .

Comedian George Carlin has canceled his coming show at Caesars Palace Circus Maximus in sympathy for the Las Vegas musicians’ strike. “It would create a very funny feeling in me,” to cross the picket line, Carlin said. “My sympathies are clearly with the musicians,” said Carlin of the members of the Musicians Local 369 who have been on strike 12 weeks over the issue of taped music in hotel shows. “I have to live with myself and I have to live and work with union people for the rest of my career and my life,” Carlin said. The comedian, who uses no music in his act, said the union had not asked him to cancel.