PEOPLE WATCH

Making History: Bill Cosby and Cicely Tyson are working with Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder to build a slave museum. The two entertainers, historian John Hope Franklin, and publishers Lerone Bennett Jr. of Ebony magazine and Earl Graves of Black Enterprise magazine have met with Wilder to discuss plans for the museum in Jamestown. The state’s secretary of administration, Ruby Martin, said the group agreed to help launch the museum through a private, nonprofit organization. Some believe that Jamestown is where a Dutch ship bringing the first slaves to America landed in 1619.

TELEVISION

Leno’s Live Feeds: Expect round-by-round reports direct from the Las Vegas’ MGM Grand on New Year’s Eve when fitness guru Richard Simmons turns special correspondent for NBC’s “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.” Simmons will cover one of the hottest tickets of this year or next: Barbra Streisand in a rare live appearance. Leno will count down to 1994 with a live telecast in New York (tape delayed in the West).

* Soapy Awards: Soap Opera Digest magazine has announced the nominees for its 10th annual awards show, which will air on NBC Feb. 4. In the running for favorite show: “Days of Our Lives” (NBC), “Guiding Light” (CBS) and “The Young and the Restless” (CBS). Peter Bergman of “The Young and the Restless,” Robert Kelker-Kelly of “Days of Our Lives” and Peter Simon of “Guiding Light” will compete for outstanding lead actor. Elizabeth Hubbard of “As the World Turns,” Jess Walton of “The Young and the Restless” and Sharon Wyatt of “General Hospital” are nominated for outstanding lead actress. Nominees are chosen by the magazine’s readers.

* Nick Loves ‘Lucy’: It will be a love-in for Lucy when cable’s Nick at Nite begins airing “I Love Lucy” on Valentine’s Day. The network has announced that as part of its commitment to air classic TV shows, it will include the show starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on its nightly schedule. The reruns will start with a marathon from Feb. 14-Feb. 18; the show takes its regular 9 p.m. weekday time slot Feb. 21.

STAGE

Two Roles Changed in ‘Cole’: Two additional cast changes have occurred in “Cole,” the Cole Porter revue that resumes performances Tuesday at the Henry Fonda Theatre after a holiday hiatus. Riette Burdick has replaced Nancy Ringham and Gwen Arment is in for Wanda Richert-Preston.

* ABC Becomes an Angel for UCLA: ABC Entertainment will contribute $50,000 to the UCLA production of a new play, “A Life of Crime,” by professor Mel Shapiro, Jan. 19-30, at Macgowan Hall Little Theater on the campus. Two professionals--Laura San Giacomo and James Shanta--will star as two Los Angeles cops, with three student actors playing minor roles. “We’re excited about testing this new arena for developing dramatic material,” said ABC Entertainment President Ted Harbert.

ART

Not Your Average Yule Tree: The Tate Gallery in London has revived a debate about modern art by putting an upside-down Christmas tree on display. The leading British gallery, whose previous exhibits include a pile of bricks and a roomful of rice, has chosen to mark the festive season by commissioning an Iranian artist to arrange a 22-foot fir tree that hangs upside down from the lobby ceiling with its tip touching the floor. The gallery described Shirazeh Houshiary’s work as “a tree floating in air with the roots free from their earthly constraints.” Brian Sewell, the art critic of London’s Evening Standard newspaper, called it a “silly and offensive” exhibit. “It is a miserable Christmas tree, with no lights and presents,” he said.

QUICK TAKES

KTLA reporter and weekend anchor Larry McCormick has signed a four-year contract that extends his 22-year relationship with the station. . . . Ballerina Gelsey Kirkland pirouettes into an episode of NBC’s “L.A. Law” Feb. 10 for her first TV role. . . . Ken Bode, who left NBC News in 1989 to become director of the Center for Contemporary Media at DePauw University, will replace Paul Duke as moderator of TV’s “Washington Week in Review.” . . . Faye Dunaway and Tim Curry will host the 51st annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 22 at the Beverly Hilton. Alex Martin, daughter of Whoopi Goldberg, has been selected the 1994 Miss Golden Globe by the sponsoring Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. She’ll assist in the festivities. . . . Former Rolling Stone music editor James Henke will be chief curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. The $84-million museum is scheduled to open in mid-1995.