LIFE OF REILLY: The public knows him...

LIFE OF REILLY: The public knows him as the zany comic from “The Match Game” and “Hollywood Squares.” But Charles Nelson Reilly, who teaches acting in North Hollywood, is also an accomplished director. His latest effort, “The Wives,” written by one of his students, opens Thursday in Studio City. . . . His first love, though, was opera, which he’s directed across the country. See Valley Life! Page 6.

RUN AND TRANSFER: Pierce quarterback Davis Delmatoff liked his teammates and coaches, and had a great season last year. So why did he transfer to Valley College? Simple, he prefers the run-and-shoot (C10). . . . That’s the system he knew in high school. “I just wanted to be back with an offense I was more comfortable with,” he says.

FUN COSTS: Nixon lost his office, and Ali regained his championship belt--1974 was quite a year. It was also a time when Valley families could be entertained for a modest fee. That day is long gone (Valley Life! Page 10.) . . . From swimming at a public pool to amusement at Magic Mountain (above), entertainment prices have soared. But consumers have learned how to save.

NEW SEASON: John Elway, Charles White, Anthony Davis--this region has served as a pretty good breeding ground for college football’s top programs. This season, which gets fully under way Saturday, should be no different. . . . Freshmen expected to make an immediate impact include UCLA’s Shaun Williams (Crespi), and two Notre Dame players--John McLaughlin (Hart), and Leon Blunt (San Fernando).

DOVES: Football isn’t the only male-bonding activity starting this week. At the Antelope Valley Sportsman’s Club, hunters arrived as early as 4 a.m. Thursday to open dove season. (B1) . . . “It’s a prehistoric ritual of guys getting together, watching the sunrise and enjoying nature,” said club owner Dave Whiteside.

TONIGHT: The Smothers Brothers perform at 7:30 at the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival, 155 E. Ave. I, Lancaster. Tickets are $12 to $20. Information: (805) 948-6060.

WEATHER: Mostly sunny with highs in the 80s and 90s. B10

* The Top of Today’s News is on A2