TV & RADIO

Shepherd Joins Reiser as Scribe: “Cybill” star Cybill Shepherd is joining the list of TV-stars-turned-authors. A spokeswoman for Shepherd said that the actress promises “a no-holds-barred memoir” chronicling “the ups and downs of a true Hollywood survivor.” Publication is planned for May 1997 by Avon Books; the artist will receive a reported $1.25 million for the tale. . . . Meanwhile, “Mad About you” star Paul Reiser, whose humorous first tome, “Couplehood,” has sold more than 2.5 million copies, has received a reported $5 million for his second book, an ode to his son Ezra Samuel and first-time fatherhood. A spring 1997 release is planned on William Morrow’s new Rob Weisbach Books banner (Weisbach edited “Couplehood”).

Fox Official Resigns: Joe Peyronnin, president of Fox News, announced Thursday that he is leaving the network. The resignation came only a few weeks after the appointment of Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, who became Peyronnin’s superior. “After nearly a year as president of Fox News, I have decided to move on,” Peyronnin said in a statement to his staff. Peyronnin gave no reason for his departure, but there was speculation after Ailes’ appointment that Peyronnin’s days were numbered.

Witness to the Execution: KFI-AM (640) morning show host Bill Handel was selected as one of the official media witnesses to today’s scheduled 12:01 a.m. execution of serial killer William Bonin. If the execution has taken place, Handel will broadcast live from San Quentin today from 5-9 a.m. Some relatives of Bonin’s victims and various state officials have agreed to comment during the broadcast.

Press to Enter ‘Crossfire’: California Democratic Party Chairman Bill Press, who has hosted a weekend talk show on KFI-AM (640) since 1991, is leaving the station to join former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro as alternating co-host on the left on CNN’s “Crossfire.” The two will champion liberal causes against conservative stalwarts John Sununu and Robert Novak. Press, who will also resign his California Democratic Party slot immediately, begins on “Crossfire” on Monday.