QUICK TAKES - Feb. 29, 1996

The “Roseanne” turmoil continues. The temperamental television star has dumped three of her show’s writers--Matt Berry, David Raether and Ed Yeager--for what she apparently considers treason. The comedy writers recently spent two weeks helping Roseanne’s ex, Tom Arnold, polish his upcoming movie, “McHale’s Navy.” . . . . Rapper Coolio will follow up his Wednesday night Grammy win for best solo rap performance by stepping onto the set of Fox’s “Space: Above and Beyond” today to film a guest-starring role as the enigmatic owner of a resort-like spaceship. The episode is scheduled to air in April. . . . Rapper and TV star Queen Latifah, who was arrested Feb. 3 after being stopped for speeding on the Santa Monica Freeway, was charged Wednesday with carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and driving without a license, both misdemeanors. Arraignment is set for Friday. Although police allegedly found marijuana in the rapper’s car, prosecutors did not file any drug charges, citing “insufficient evidence.” . . . Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art is one of 24 nationwide recipients of 1996 National Endowment for the Arts Challenge grants--the final year for the NEA program, which has been restructured because of the NEA’s 40% budget cut. The $125,000 grant will go toward the museum’s general exhibition endowment.