HORROR: Two of their sons were shot...

HORROR: Two of their sons were shot to death four years ago in a Van Nuys apartment. But that wasn’t the end of the nightmare for Awwad and Mariam Samarneh. On Thursday, another son, Mawan Awwad Samarneh, was convicted of killing his brothers (B4). . . . A trial will begin next week to determine whether he was legally sane at the time of the murders.

FIRST TIME: They’ve performed thousands of times, but never together. Until Sunday, that is. John Raitt and Ann Blyth will sing at the Academy Plaza Theatre in North Hollywood in “Show of the Month,” the series for older audiences (Valley Life! Page 3.) . . . Says Blyth about the show’s repertoire: “It’s hummable, whistleable--all those nice things that much of today’s music isn’t.”

APPLAUSE: TV sitcoms leave you in stitches? Heck, that’s nothing. For real laughs, go watch the actual taping of the shows at local studios. The ad-libbing is the best part . . . Many of the stars themselves, such as Will Smith (above) of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” spend time rapping with the audience before the taping begins. See Valley Life! Page 12.

DYNASTY: The McKeon family is big in Santa Clarita, and not just in politics and Western wear. Their other battleground is the football field, where the newest member in the spotlight is Hart High quarterback Steve McKeon, nephew of U.S. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (C8). . . . He has a chance to make history. None of his brothers beat Canyon, which he faces tonight.

BURNS ON FIRE: Former CSUN star golfer Bob Burns was on fire Thursday at the Texas Open. He shot a 65, and is just three shots off the first-round lead (C2). . . . Burns is having a strong rookie season. He’s made $142,293 to place 119th on the earnings list. If he finishes in the top 125, he’ll qualify for next year’s tour.