FIRST OFF . . .

The Jewish Defense League says it will monitor a taping of the new Jackie Mason sitcom to make sure the comedian doesn’t promote “negative stereotyping of Jews.” The JDL said its members had obtained numerous tickets for an upcoming taping of “Chicken Soup,” which debuts on ABC Sept. 12. “We are sick and tired of Jewish American Princess stereotypes being used to demean Jewish women and we are just as sick of Jewish nebishes being portrayed on television,” the JDL said in a statement. Replied Bernie Orenstein, an executive producer of “Chicken Soup”: “We welcome everyone to come and see the show because we’re totally confident the show is a truthful, funny comedy. We can’t imagine any Jewish or Gentile people being offended by it.” “Chicken Soup” stars former rabbi Mason as Jackie Fisher, a retired pajama salesman sharing an apartment with his mother, who doesn’t approve of his dating a non-Jewish woman.