TELEVISION - Jan. 15, 1994

The Icewoman Cometh?: Interest in a television movie about the alleged conspiracy in the recent attack on national figure skating champion Nancy Kerrigan is heating up. Both NBC and CBS said they are mulling over several pitches from producers who want to do a film on Kerrigan, Olympic rival Tonya Harding and suspects who have been arrested in the incident. Spokespersons for both networks said Friday they have not made a firm decision as of yet to become involved with a Kerrigan-related film. However, executives at ABC said they “have no interest whatsoever” in doing a Kerrigan movie, according to a network spokesperson.

* Yes, Another Talk Show: Local radio personality Dennis Prager, whose talk show has been heard on KABC-AM (790) for the last 12 years, will launch a syndicated television talk show. Multimedia Entertainment Inc. is producing the issues-oriented show and proposing it for a late-night time slot.

Royal Courting: Fergie, a.k.a. the Duchess of York, jets into New York next month, where she hopes to convince American programmers to pick up a show starring her “Budgie the Little Helicopter” character. On Feb. 14, she’ll preview animated episodes of “Budgie,” which premiered on British TV this month. She’ll also bring along some Budgie merchandise, including toy helicopters, night lights, dinnerware, flashlights and banks.

* Fabio Alert!: Folks who can’t stay up late enough Sundays (11 p.m. KCOP) to see former romance-novel cover model Fabio cavort with Catherine Oxenberg in the syndicated “Acapulco H.E.A.T.” will be happy that the show is moving to prime time. Beginning Jan. 22, the show will air at 9 p.m. on KCAL.

POP/ROCK

She’s Gonna Play Sun City: The days of performers angrily singing the Little Steven-penned “(I ain’t gonna play) Sun City” may soon be a thing of the past. Grammy winner Natalie Cole will be the first African American to perform in her own show in Sun City, South Africa. She’ll perform at the resort for a five-day engagement, Feb. 4-6, 12 and 13. Other African American performers to recently visit Sun City include Lou Gossett Jr., Vanessa Williams and Grace Jones, who were judges at the Miss World Pageant held there, and George Benson, who sang at the pageant.

* Meaty Role Offered to Rocker: With his grandly theatrical, nine-minute long “Beauty and the Beast”-like video for “I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That),” it’s no surprise singer Meat Loaf was just offered the lead in Canada’s production of “Phantom of the Opera.” The singer, who once studied Shakespeare with Joseph Papp, turned down the role because his current tour is booked until 1995. More Meat Loaf mania: He guests on “Larry King Live” on Monday; is profiled on “The History of Meat Loaf” Jan. 26 on VH-1; and co-hosts the American Music Awards Feb. 7. His comeback album, “Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell,” has sold 10 million copies worldwide.

MOVIES

Film Festival: The first Santa Clarita Valley International Film Festival will hold its premiere screenings March 18-27 at the Plaza 3 Cinemas in Newhall. The 10-day celebration of 130 films and 17 filmmaking seminars will focus on family, Westerns, animation and cartoons that “express a fundamental respect for the positive values of life,” says festival director Chris Shoemaker. Isadore “Friz” Freleng--creator of Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester the Cat and Tweety--will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

QUICK TAKES

In his first interview since his Fox show was canceled, Chevy Chase acknowledged that he “should have stayed with pictures.” “I was stunned, just stunned that I was dropped,” he said Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” adding that once he “found I had very little to say,” he was “delighted and relieved.” “The Chevy Chase Show” was canceled after 5 1/2 weeks. . . . Woody Allen’s lawyer asked an appeals court to overturn a decision giving custody of the filmmaker’s three children to their mother, actress Mia Farrow. The attorney said that last year’s New York Supreme Court ruling was meant to “punish” Allen, 58, for his affair with Farrow’s adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, 22. . . . Emotive singer Michael Bolton has introduced a 900 number for his fans (900-407-Bolton, $1.99/minute). Fans who call in will get tour information, find out how to buy Bolton merchandise, hear a message from their idol and also get to leave one for him. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Michael Bolton Foundation, which supports women and children at risk. . . . The Buffalo Philharmonic has wagered that if their Bills football team loses to the Raiders today, they’ll send the Los Angeles Philharmonic “Buffalo Chicken Wings.” The local orchestra, in turn, will send each of their Buffalo colleagues a Wolfgang Puck pizza if the Bills win. . . . The Rhythm and Blues Foundation has announced its Fifth Annual Pioneer Awards. Little Richard will receive the Ray Charles Lifetime Achievement Award. Other honorees include Otis Blackwell, Jerry Butler, Clarence Carter, Don Covay, Bill Doggett, Mable John, Ben E. King, Johnny Otis, Earl Palmer, the Coasters/Robins, and the Shirelles. The ceremony, an official part of Grammy week events, will be held March 2 at the Roseland Ballroom in New York.