TELEVISION - Nov. 13, 1993

Taking ‘Chances’: “Second Chances,” a new CBS serial from the producers of “Homefront” and “Knots Landing,” will open with a two-hour episode Dec. 2. The ensemble drama stars Connie Sellecca as one of the characters affected by a murder in a fictional California town. Created by the team of Lynn Marie Latham and Bernard Lechowick, “Second Chances” fills a void on the network’s schedule left by last month’s cancellation of “Angel Falls.” Following its premiere, the Thursday night series will move to its regular 10 p.m. time slot Dec. 9.

*

Alive and Punching: “George” has not been knocked out. The Times incorrectly reported Friday that ABC’s new sitcom, starring heavyweight boxer George Foreman, had been canceled after low ratings for its second outing last week. ABC spokeswoman Sherrie Berger said Friday that “George” remains on the schedule Saturdays at 8 p.m. No decision as to the show’s future has been made beyond the current order of 12 episodes, which are still in production.

*

Asner’s New Role: Ed Asner will star in “Thunder Alley,” a new ABC midseason series from “Home Improvement” producer Matt Williams. The Emmy Award-winning actor will play a widowed stock-car racer whose divorced daughter (Felicity Huffman) moves back in with her three children.

*

Pledging Their All: KCET kicks off its winter pledge drive Dec. 1 with a variety of specials. Among the highlights are new programs featuring Benny Goodman, Joe Cocker, Barry Manilow, Andy Williams, the Rolling Stones, the Doors and Chicago. In addition, there’s a “Nature” special titled “Great African Moments” and a “Cooking With Master Chefs” marathon.

*

‘Clarissa’ Goes Network: Cable TV character Clarissa (Melissa Joan Hart) is growing up, so her “Clarissa Explains It All” will leave Nickelodeon after this season and move to CBS. Viacom Entertainment is producing a pilot for the network called “Clarissa” in which the character takes a job as a newspaper intern before going to college.

ART

Shop Talk: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will open a new art workshop today. Designed by Franklin D. Israel Design Associates Inc. and located on the lower level of the Anderson Building, the multi-purpose facility will be used for the museum’s art classes and the 45,000 schoolchildren who tour LACMA each year. The new workshop, funded by a grant from the Boone Family Foundation, is equipped with work tables for 27 students, audiovisual equipment and areas for art storage and display.

THEATER

Lights Out for ‘Twilight’: The Broadway production of “Twilight of the Golds,” the Jonathan Tolins play that premiered in February at the Pasadena Playhouse, will close after the Sunday matinee. Creamed by the New York critics, it will close after 15 previews and 29 performances. The play asks what would happen if prospective parents knew, through genetic testing, that their child would probably be gay.

*

The King’s Court: Alan Mandell will appear as King Lear for Shakespeare Orange County in Orange next summer. He had been scheduled to do the role last summer at GroveShakespeare, but the Garden Grove company collapsed financially and canceled its entire season on the eve of the production.

MOVIES

A ‘Star’ Is Back: The Directors Guild and Fox Video will salute the 25th anniversary of the film musical “Star” at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a reception and screening at guild headquarters to be attended by director Robert Wise and cast members Julie Andrews and Richard Crenna. The biography of stage actress Gertrude Lawrence was nominated for seven Oscars, but was not considered a box-office success, coming on the heels of the international hit film “The Sound of Music,” which Andrews starred in and Wise directed.

PEOPLE WATCH

Singing Her Praises: The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences will honor pop star Gloria Estefan as the MusiCares 1994 Person of the Year for her philanthropic work. The honor will be bestowed Feb. 27 in New York as part of a weeklong series of special events leading up to the Grammy Awards on March 1. MusiCares offers financial assistance to musicians in need.

QUICK TAKES

Scott Simon returns today as host of National Public Radio’s “Weekend Edition,” which airs from 6 to 10 a.m. on KCRW-FM (89.9). . . . The eighth annual Food Bank Radiothon, a fund-raising effort on behalf of jobless people and those affected by the recent fires in Southern California, continues today and Sunday on KLOS-FM (95.5).