RADIOSnyder’s Live Simulcast: For those who can’t...

RADIO

Snyder’s Live Simulcast: For those who can’t stay awake to catch CBS’ “Late Late Show With Tom Snyder” when it premieres on Monday in the post-David Letterman 12:35 a.m. time slot, Los Angeles radio station KGRB-AM (900) will carry the CBS Radio Network’s daily live simulcast of the program, which broadcasts from CBS Television City in Los Angeles at 9:37 p.m. (The TV show will be televised live in the East Coast but will air tape delayed here.) CBS Radio has made Snyder’s hourlong simulcast the centerpiece of an 8-11 p.m., live radio block called “The Late Late Radio Show With Tom Snyder and Elliott Forrest.” The additional two hours of programming, hosted by broadcaster Forrest, will feature regular participation by Snyder.

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Everything Old Is New: Classic rock station KLSX-FM (97.1) is changing its lineup. Starting Monday, veteran rock deejay Bob Coburn--recently dismissed from KLOS-FM (95.5) after 14 years there--will take over the afternoon-drive (3-8 p.m.) slot, replacing Steve Downes, who has left the station. Joe Benson, another veteran deejay and former KLOS jock, will join KLSX on Sunday nights starting Jan. 15 with “The Show Formerly Known as the Seventh Day,” a reprise of his KLOS feature, offering albums in their entirety and rock ‘n’ roll history. Benson will also fill in when other personalities are on vacation. In addition, former KLSX midday personality Shana will return for a weekend shift, although her start date has yet to be named. KLSX last week began a new Sunday 8-10 a.m. feature called “KLSX Unplugged,” featuring acoustic classic rock.

TELEVISION

On-Line Sci-Fi Talk: “Star Trek” star William Shatner goes on-line today to promote “TekWar,” a cable series based on the actor’s best-selling science-fiction novels. Shatner, the executive producer of “TekWar,” will chat with Prodigy members from 4 to 5 p.m. (The lines open at 3:30 p.m. for question submission--jump to prodigy’s “Chat” area and follow instructions to reach Shatner.) Prodigy members will also be able to access “TekWar” video clips, photos, episode synopses and other information. “TekWar” premieres on the USA Network on Saturday at 4 p.m., then moves next week to its regular time slot at 7-8 p.m. Mondays.

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PBS Battle: Speaking Tuesday on ABC’s “Nightline,” Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.) pledged to introduce a bill to privatize the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps fund public television and radio, over a three-year period. Pressler, the new chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the corporation, also said he would hold hearings to point up what he charged was CPB’s waste and bloat. PBS President Ervin S. Duggan disputed that assertion, saying public TV is “so frugal.” Duggan said the federal contribution ($285.6 million this year) to public television represents only 14% of the system’s income but added that it’s a “vital 14%”--”like the money the farmer spends on seed. If you destroy the seed, the planting can’t be done.”

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In Memoriam: A memorial service for KTTV/Fox 11 senior correspondent Chris Harris, who died last week after an apparent heart attack, will be held Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the Fox Television Center at 5746 Sunset Blvd. . . . Radio station KCRW-FM (89.9) will repeat a 1994 interview and live performance by the late Los Angeles singer Ted Hawkins, today at 11:15 a.m. on “Morning Becomes Eclectic.” A memorial service for Hawkins, who died New Year’s Day after suffering a stroke, will be held at 7 tonight at the Harrison Ross Funeral Home, 4601 S. Crenshaw Blvd.

POP/ROCK

Commitment Lineup: Garth Brooks, Don Henley, George Michael, Tammy Wynette, Melissa Etheridge and Joni Mitchell are among the performers lined up for the Jan. 19 Commitment to Life VIII event at the Universal Amphitheatre honoring musician Elton John, actor Tom Hanks and Creative Artists’ Agency’s Ron Meyer. Other performers scheduled for this year’s event, an annual benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles, include Julie Andrews, Sheryl Crow, Boy George, Terence Trent D’Arby, Kiki Dee, Marianne Faithful, Nona Hendryx, Little Richard, RuPaul and Salt N Pepa. Honoree John is also scheduled to perform, and tickets ($50 and $100) are available through Ticketmaster and the Universal box office.

QUICK TAKES

R.E.M. will announce its upcoming U.S. tour dates live at 7 tonight on MTV’s “MTV News.” The acclaimed rock group, which hasn’t toured in five years, will make the announcement from Los Angeles International Airport, where band members will leave for Australia, the first stop on a worldwide tour. . . . Paramount Pictures will pull “Forrest Gump” from theaters Jan. 12 but bring it back Feb. 17. The move is timed to coincide with the Feb. 14 announcement of Oscar nominations, in which “Gump” is expected to figure prominently. . . . Meanwhile, a total of 248 feature-length films, one more than last year, meet the general eligibility requirements for 1994 Oscar consideration, academy President Arthur Hiller announced Wednesday.