William Devane

* The actor appeared in the films "Hollow Man" and "Space Cowboys" and is a regular on the NBC sitcom "The Michael Richards Show," which debuted Tuesday. Desert Days: If I am [in Los Angeles] working, I'll drive to the desert on Friday night. I live in a little farming community called Thermal--it's east of Palm Springs in the country. I'll get there at midnight, and then I get up in the morning and have breakfast and come back to the farm and start doing farm chores. Polo Anyone?

The executive producer of Fox's thrill ride of a series, "24," knew exactly who he wanted to play the stalwart and no-nonsense U.S. secretary of Defense -- veteran character actor William Devane. "He is almost an American archetype," said Joel Surnow. "The serious, tough, silver fox guy that you can see really in charge and in command." Devane's performances in two seminal TV movies of the 1970s -- "The Missiles of October" and "Fear on Trial," in just those sorts of roles -- earned him Emmy nominations.

The executive producer of Fox's thrill ride of a series, "24," knew exactly who he wanted to play the stalwart and no-nonsense U.S. secretary of Defense -- veteran character actor William Devane. "He is almost an American archetype," said Joel Surnow. "The serious, tough, silver fox guy that you can see really in charge and in command." Devane's performances in two seminal TV movies of the 1970s -- "The Missiles of October" and "Fear on Trial," in just those sorts of roles -- earned him Emmy nominations.

* The actor appeared in the films "Hollow Man" and "Space Cowboys" and is a regular on the NBC sitcom "The Michael Richards Show," which debuted Tuesday. Desert Days: If I am [in Los Angeles] working, I'll drive to the desert on Friday night. I live in a little farming community called Thermal--it's east of Palm Springs in the country. I'll get there at midnight, and then I get up in the morning and have breakfast and come back to the farm and start doing farm chores. Polo Anyone?

Rio Mesa's time of 10:15.70 in the boys distance medley relay at last Saturday's Arcadia Invitational track meet was the fastest high school clocking in the nation this season. The team is composed of Ed Trotter (3:09.5 for 1,200 meters), Tom Barboza (50.5 for 400), Travis Cooksey (1:53.4 for 800) and Ramon Perez (4:22.3 for 1,600). Marcus Allen and Howie Long are two of the players who will represent the Raiders in a benefit basketball game against a celebrity team next Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Guess who's coming to Knots Landing? On Jan. 7, a black family will move into the "Knots Landing" cul-de-sac--the first black regulars on the prime-time soap, now in its ninth season. Lynne Moody, with a long list of TV shows, will play bank teller Patricia Williams, mother of a young daughter (Kent Masters-King) and wife of a salesman (Larry Riley) who'll lose his job, causing plenty of stress.

It is a scene without words and lasting but a moment, yet it sets the stage for "Turks," a new drama series on CBS debuting Thursday night at 9 about a family of Chicago cops: In the golden glow of morning, Sgt. Joseph Turk, played by William Devane, reaches out to his wife in bed. He slides the spaghetti strap of her nightgown down and kisses her neck and shoulder. She turns away, as if asleep. Resigned, he gets up, scratches the dog and leaves the room.

"Knots Landing" is one of the best shows on television. William Devane should write more scripts for the show because his are particularly excellent. Cecilia Benson, Los Angeles

A celebrity arena polo match, featuring actors William Devane, Steve Bond and Alex Cord, will inaugurate the 1992 Polo America Challenge Cup Saturday night at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. The Challenge Cup is a five-game tournament series matching players from Argentina, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Canada, Pakistan and the United States.

I enjoyed your article on the making of "Thirteen Days" about the Cuban missile crisis, and am glad a film studio is tackling the difficult subject ("A Test of Wills, Take 2," by Patrick Goldstein, Jan. 30). It should be noted, as well, that this isn't the first time Hollywood has dealt with the event: That would be "The Missiles of October," an acclaimed 1974 TV production that starred William Devane, Martin Sheen, Ralph Bellamy and Howard DaSilva--based in part on the book "Thirteen Days" by Robert Kennedy.

It is a scene without words and lasting but a moment, yet it sets the stage for "Turks," a new drama series on CBS debuting Thursday night at 9 about a family of Chicago cops: In the golden glow of morning, Sgt. Joseph Turk, played by William Devane, reaches out to his wife in bed. He slides the spaghetti strap of her nightgown down and kisses her neck and shoulder. She turns away, as if asleep. Resigned, he gets up, scratches the dog and leaves the room.

Guess who's coming to Knots Landing? On Jan. 7, a black family will move into the "Knots Landing" cul-de-sac--the first black regulars on the prime-time soap, now in its ninth season. Lynne Moody, with a long list of TV shows, will play bank teller Patricia Williams, mother of a young daughter (Kent Masters-King) and wife of a salesman (Larry Riley) who'll lose his job, causing plenty of stress.

Rio Mesa's time of 10:15.70 in the boys distance medley relay at last Saturday's Arcadia Invitational track meet was the fastest high school clocking in the nation this season. The team is composed of Ed Trotter (3:09.5 for 1,200 meters), Tom Barboza (50.5 for 400), Travis Cooksey (1:53.4 for 800) and Ramon Perez (4:22.3 for 1,600). Marcus Allen and Howie Long are two of the players who will represent the Raiders in a benefit basketball game against a celebrity team next Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Actors Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Costner, Sean Connery and William Devane, along with athletes Roger Clemens and Ken Griffey Jr., will tee-up for the 1998 Lexus Challenge, Wednesday through Dec. 19 at La Quinta Resort & Club, 50-503 Mandarina, La Quinta. The amateurs will pair off with such pro golfers as Raymond Floyd, Hale Irwin and Lee Trevino. Spectators pay $20 per day, or $40 for the tournament; ages 16 and younger are free. Information: (877) 453-9872.

Jane Seymour will get a chance to get out of her "Dr. Quinn" garb and into contemporary clothes when she stars in "The Absolute Truth," a TV movie scheduled to air April 16 on CBS. In the film, Seymour plays a television news producer who has a chance to break a story about sexual harassment allegations against a presidential candidate--if she is willing to betray a friend. William Devane, Linda Purl and Bruce Greenwood also star.