`Dateline' Is Once Again In The Midst Of Controversy

WASHINGTON - NBC's "Dateline" series is in a jam again.

A spokeswoman for the network said yesterday that NBC News management may address the controversy on tonight's edition of the newsmagazine (KING-TV, 10 p.m.).

Here's how NBC explained the problem in a statement issued late Friday, after the Bakersfield Californian and the Kern County (Calif.) district attorney challenged the Wednesday broadcast's accuracy in a report on the 1991 murder of 17-year-old Maria Madera Rodriguez. The story aired two days before a hearing in Bakersfield on an appeal by the convicted killer to overturn his conviction.

"On Feb. 15, `Dateline NBC' broadcast a story about the controversy over the guilt or innocence of Offord Rollins, a California man serving time for murder. The story reviewed a wide range of evidence for and against Rollins.

"The story included a claim by Esther Jean Smith that she had been with the victim two hours after Rollins was alleged to have committed the murder. We reported that Ms. Smith is a convicted criminal and we included a statement by prosecutor Lisa Green that after 2 1/2 years a witness who told such a story `. . . could be lying. She could make a mistake.'

"Since our report, court records have come to light that indicated that Ms. Smith was in jail on the date she claims she was with the victim. We are examining this information."

District Attorney Ed Jagels told the New York Post's Michelle Greppi that Bakersfield Municipal Court records proved Smith could not have seen the victim because Smith was in jail. At the time "Dateline" reporter Elizabeth Vargas interviewed Smith, she was in another jail for auto theft. Jagels told the Post that "Dateline" was guilty of "agenda-oriented and sloppy journalism." He also accused the "Dateline" producer and an NBC lawyer of withholding information about Smith's whereabouts.

"Dateline" admitted in 1993 that it had staged an explosion for a report on the safety of certain GM trucks. The series was later sued by an eye clinic that claimed it had been unfairly represented in a story about unnecessary surgery.

`Blossom' won't be back

NBC is not renewing "Blossom" for next fall, and the show's final episode, called "Goodbye," will be seen during the May ratings sweeps.

The 8:30 Monday series stars Mayim Bialik and Joey Lawrence. There will be 113 episodes for syndication when it's wrapped up after five seasons. It's tied for 54th among all series this season.

Variety points out that with UPN's "Star Trek: Voyager" joining ABC's "Coach" and Fox's "Melrose Place" in the slot, the Monday 8-to-9 p.m. period is one of the most competitive hours on TV. . . .

NBC will test a sitcom starring Debbie Allen and rapper L.L. Cool J in the 8:30 slot in April. . . .

The addition of Channel 50 to the WB Television Network last week raises the total of WB affiliates to 55 around the country. . . .

Advertising Age says Cable News Network, whose O.J. Simpson murder trial ratings are up eightfold, could command $100,000-plus for a 30-second ad following the announcement of a verdict. That price would be a cable record (only NFL football on ESPN and TNT have approached it, says Ad Age). . . .

This week a House Appropriations subcommittee will mark up legislation to rescind funds - 15 to 30 percent is the guess - already appropriated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Hope C-SPAN gets to cover that mark-up session! Speaker Newt Gingrich continues to oppose any appropriation for CPB.