Larry King

SEATTLE -- Researchers have located the general area of a gene believed to cause an inherited form of prostate cancer and which may be implicated in brain cancer.Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and the University of Washington have mapped the gene to a specific area of chromosome 1 but have not pinpointed the precise location.It is the fourth mapping of a prostate cancer gene. The findings could lead to new treatments and diagnostic tests for inherited prostate cancer, which accounts for about 10 percent of all cases of the disease.

The two candidates for governor traded charges yesterday over which side had ducked debates, as Republican Ellen R. Sauerbrey canceled -- and then abruptly agreed to -- an appearance with Gov. Parris N. Glendening on a national cable television talk show.Both candidates had been scheduled to appear on "Larry King Live" last night, but Sauerbrey pulled out yesterday morning, noting a scheduling conflict. She said she wanted to honor a previously scheduled visit to Yeshivat Rambam, an Orthodox Jewish school in Baltimore.

Celebrities have long endorsed sodas, breakfast cereal and clothes, so is it surprising that they are weighing in on angioplasty?Increasingly, celebrities are lending their names to hospitals and medical programs, often as an expression of gratitude for helping them through a personal medical crisis.Present and past Orioles Eric Davis and Boog Powell have urged self-testing for colon cancer in a promotional campaign sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Center, WJZ-TV Channel 13 and Giant Pharmacies.

IF YOU'RE LIKE millions of Americans, the first person you'd turn to for advice about life insurance and providing for your family in the event of a tragedy is, right, Tom Bosley.At least that appears to be the thinking of a company called Select Quote, which actually has Tom Bosley pitching life insurance in one of its commercials.I came upon this commercial late one night, with a couple of beers in me.At first I wasn't sure if it was some violent hallucination brought on by the alcohol and fatigue.

The oddest of odd couples sits down for a chat with Larry King tonight."Mad About You" (6: 30 p.m.-7 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- Paul invests in a virtual reality system after trying it out and getting a back rub from Christie Brinkley. Hard to believe, but this doesn't sit real well with Jamie. A classic."State Circle" (7: 30 p.m.-8 p.m., MPT, Channels 22 and 67) -- Just as the swallows return to San Capistrano every year, so, too, do the Maryland legislators return to Annapolis which means it's time for the return of this weekly round-up of things political.

THE MARYLAND SPCA's first March for the Animals attracted more than 400 animal lovers with their four-legged friends. I'm told it was a real hoot to watch instructors from the Downtown Athletic Club get things warmed up with Doggie Stretches.Among the walkers who helped raise more than $30,000 for the SPCA were WMAR's Sandra Pinckney and her dog, "Morley"; MIX 106 radio deejay Julie DeHarty and her dog, "Charley"; Pokey Brown and her dog, "Hannibal," who walked with pals Anne and Tom Bailliere and their dog, "Pokey"; SPCA board member Ann Clapp and her husband, Harvey, walking with their pooches, "Paul" and "George," while son David Clapp and Trini Edson from the Barclay School brought their dogs "Jake" and "Refi"; Patrice Malloy, SPCA board member and MTA marketing director, arrived with "Reggie" and "Phoebe"; and Dr. Murray Sarubin and his wife, Susan, were strutting with doggies "Kimba" and "Max."

America's fascination with the O. J. Simpson trial continues, as Christopher Darden (who's also scheduled to appear later this week on "Geraldo!") takes the case for the prosecution to CNN. With so many legal experts questioning the prosecution's strategy in recent months, it could be interesting to hear what he has to say."The Sentinel" (8 p.m.-9 p.m., WNUV, Channel 54) Lots of things go boom (to great effect) in this series about a Washington-state police officer with heightened senses that make him one mean crime-fighting machine.

The networks are relying mostly on reruns this week, giving you a second chance to watch some of the year's highlights. But tonight's real gem is that rarity of rarities -- an awards show for people who really deserve awards.* "Kennedy Center Honors" (9 p.m.-11 p.m., WJZ, Channel 13) -- The best thing about this annual salute to the arts is that it introduces us to genres we're probably not familiar with. You may know all about Sidney Poitier and Neil Simon and B. B. King, but what about diva Marilyn Horne and ballet legend Jacques D'Amboise?

For reasons known only to TV programmers, today seems to be President's Day on television. In the morning, C-Span continues a weeklong visit to the state that has produced more presidents than anywhere else but Virginia, while MPT spends an evening with two of the greatest men ever to inhabit the Oval Office.* "Seinfeld" (7:30 p.m.-8 p.m., WBFF, Channel 45) -- The only thing Jerry can remember about his date's name is that it rhymes with a woman's body part. And no, it's not Meg.* "Abraham Lincoln: A New Birth of Freedom" (8 p.m.-9 p.m.)

WHEN LARRY King gives a party, there are few regrets. He's expecting more than 400 people to attend "An Evening With Larry King and Friends" this evening at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington.The party is a benefit for the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, established by King in 1988 to provide money for people, who, due to limited means and insurance, would be otherwise unable to receive a heart transplant.Last year's gala raised more than $120,000, which was earmarked for Baltimore teacher Larry Wineke.