RADIOCelebrity Fables: “Rabbit Ears Radio,” a new...

RADIO

Celebrity Fables: “Rabbit Ears Radio,” a new weekly children’s series hosted by actor Mel Gibson and featuring celebrity readings of classic fables like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Pinocchio,” premieres Wednesday with Robin Williams’ rendition of “Pecos Bill,” accompanied by guitarist Ry Cooder’s music. The half-hour programs will be heard locally at 7:30 p.m., on KUSC-FM (91.5), KCPB-FM (91.1), KFAC-FM (88.7) and KPSC-FM (88.5). The actor-storytellers featured in early episodes include Jack Nicholson, Jeremy Irons, Danny Glover, the late John Candy, Meg Ryan, Glenn Close, Holly Hunter, Denzel Washington, Anjelica Huston, Meryl Streep, Michael Keaton and Graham Green. Each tale will be accompanied by music from such performers as Elvis Costello, Bobby McFerrin, Los Lobos, UB40, Yo-Yo Ma, B.B. King, Branford Marsalis, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ravi Shankar. Gibson, the father of six children, will offer insights on each tale’s lessons.

TELEVISION

Barker Denies Allegations: Game show host Bob Barker, 70, on Thursday denied allegations that he sexually harassed a model from “The Price Is Right,” but acknowledged he did have intermittent consensual sex with her after his wife died. Barker called the conference as a pre-emptive strike to what he said is a threatened lawsuit by Dian Parkinson, who has reportedly claimed he coerced her into having sex, and requested an $8-million settlement. Game show producer Jonathan Goodson said he also is to be named in the threatened suit. Goodson called the move “an $8-million shakedown” and said he has “complete confidence in (Barker’s) character, judgment and truthfulness.”

*Sullivan’s Travels: Former “CBS This Morning” anchor Kathleen Sullivan returns to network TV after a four-year-hiatus to host “After the Headlines . . .,” an NBC special that focuses on how headline-making moments changed the lives of such figures as imprisoned Billionaire Boys Club member Reza Eslaminia. The hourlong special airs June 14 at 8 p.m.

POP/ROCK

Got the Blues: Musician B.B. King has started construction on B.B. King’s Blues Club & Restaurant/Hollywood, which he plans to open in July at Universal CityWalk. King’s partner, Thomas Peters, said the club and restaurant will be “like taking a trip to Memphis,” where the duo have a similar venture. The two-structure, three-level restaurant/club will also feature a shop called Lucille’s, named after King’s Gibson guitar.

*A Beastie Charity: The Beastie Boys will headline concerts in New York and Washington this weekend to benefit Artists for Tibet, a non-profit group that is sponsoring appearances by Tibet’s Ganden Jangtse Monks on this summer’s “Lollapalooza” tour. The concerts are presented by the Milarepa Fund, a non-profit group established by the band last month. They are timed to coincide with President Clinton’s decision on extending China’s Most Favored Nation trade status, in the hopes of heightening awareness of the situation in Tibet, which was invaded by China in 1949. Royalties from “Shambala” and “Bodhisattva Vow,” two song’s on the Beastie Boys’ latest album, will also be donated to Tibetan causes.

MOVIES

‘Cop’ Starts Big Weekend: Eddie Murphy’s “Beverly Hills Cop III,” which had a cool reception from critics, opened nationwide Wednesday to solid, but unspectacular box-office business. Hollywood sources on Thursday could not predict what the film’s $1.84-million gross (from 2,475 prints) would bode for the important upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, since the opening was neither spectacular nor disappointing. “Cop’s” expected competition over the usually big holiday moviegoing weekend: “The Flintstones,” which opens today, and last weekend’s opener, “Maverick,” which on Wednesday did $1.4 million in ticket sales, second only to “Cop.” . . . Meanwhile, Murphy fans will want to turn to cable’s Comedy Central this weekend for the “Eddie Murphy Experience,” a 78-hour marathon of the comedian’s “Saturday Night Live” episodes. Murphy hosts, starting tonight at 10.

QUICK TAKES

Composer Henry Mancini appears on ABC News’ “20/20” tonight to discuss his music, family and recently diagnosed inoperable cancer. “I feel very, very much at peace for some reason.” Mancini says. “And I’m not gonna fight it.” . . . Via satellite, President Bill Clinton will present director Steven Spielberg on Tuesday with the first Aish HaTorah Award recognizing how an individual can change the world. Emilie Schindler, the widow of “Schindler’s List” subject Oskar Schindler, will also receive an award. . . . Sharon Percy Rockefeller, the wife of Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.), has resigned unexpectedly from her post as president and CEO of Washington’s public broadcasting station WETA, citing poor health following a May, 1993, car accident. . . . Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” (which became a No. 1 hit for Whitney Houston in 1993) was named Song of the Year in New York Wednesday night at the 43rd annual Pop Awards Dinner presented by the performing rights organization BMI. . . . Director-producer Sydney Pollack (“The Firm,” “Out of Africa”) and his company Mirage Enterprises, have signed a two-year, non-exclusive, first-look production deal with Paramount Pictures.