PASADENA, Calif. — Most shows bolster sagging ratings with a baby or a wedding. Producers of quirky Ally McBeal hope to rebuild audience interest with a 10-year-old child and a rockin' boyfriend, Jon Bon Jovi.

        The rock star joins the cast for nine episodes, starting today (9 p.m., Channels 19, 45), as the handyman in Ally's (Calista Flockhart) apartment building.

        In two weeks, Ally will learn she has a 10-year-old daughter from some eggs she had frozen years ago, according to tabloid magazine reports confirmed by Fox Broadcasting officials.

        Jill Clayburgh corroborated the report during the NBC portion of the Television Critics Association press tour. The actress, who plays Ally's mother on the one-hour Fox comedy, told reporters, “I'm going to be a granny” on Ally McBeal.

        Pressed for more details by TV critics, Ms. Clayburgh realized she had spilled the beans and refused to elaborate.

        “I don't really know the story line. I just read my scene. But anyway, something about a granny,” says Ms. Clayburgh, who co-stars on NBC's new Leap of Faith, from Sex and the City writer Jenny Bicks. It premieres at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 (Channels 5, 22).

        Mr. Bon Jovi made a brief appearance at the press tour to promote tonight's show.

        “I've done a number of movies over the last 10 years. I enjoy (acting) very much, and as an artist, I find it creative as an outlet for me,” he says.

        But he has no plans to quit music for movies or TV. “Not until it pays as well,” he says.

        Fox also announced to TV critics Friday that Christina Ricci has been signed for five Ally episodes. Her role was not specified.

        And here's a warning for Ally fans: The show will be knocked off the air for six weeks, starting March 11, for Fox's new The American Embassy drama set in London starring Arija Bareikis (Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo.)

        Enquirering Mind: This Enquirering mind wants to know: Why was WKRC-TV, Cincinnati's No. 1 news station for 2 1/2 years, the only local TV station that didn't carry President Bush's speech live last Tuesday from Hamilton High School?

        “I underestimated some viewers' desires to watch the visit live,” says Elbert Tucker, Channel 12 news director. “I got 10 e-mails from viewers who wished we'd carried the speech live. That will factor into future decisions.”

        Channel 5 news: Scott Hollowell, vice president for news at WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Ala., has been named news director at WLWT-TV (Channel 5). The West Virginia native, and 1982 Ohio University graduate, replaces Ken Jobe, who left in November to become a Detroit TV news director.

        Mr. Hollowell, 42, also has worked for CNN Headline News, ESPN and TV stations in West Palm Beach, Miami and Dallas.

        His first job will be filling reporter and producer vacancies, says A. Rabun Matthews, Channel 5 general manager. But he won't be filling the noon and evening anchor position resigned by Courtis Fuller last June to run for mayor, Mr. Matthews says.

        “We're not going to replace the Courtis position right now,” he says.

        On Friday, Mr. Fuller was hired as 10 a.m. weekday talk host on WCIN-AM (1480). He had been talking to Mr. Matthews about returning to Channel 5, but they disagreed on the position. Mr. Fuller wanted to anchor; Mr. Matthews said he could only report. “My feeling is still the same. He can't anchor (here),” Mr. Matthews said.

        Channel 9 news: Anchor Stacy Case says she's looking for a new home, not a new job.

        She has put her Batesville, Ind., home for sale because her husband has a new job, as sports director for a TV station in Raleigh-Durham, N.C. They bought in Batesville because it was half-way between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, where her husband was a TV sports reporter. She plans to move to Cincinnati, and commute to see her husband on weekends.

        “I love my job, and I'm not leaving,” she says. “I recently started the new "problem solver' segments and ... that's my top priority.”

        Kiese-watching: Did you hear Survivor: Africa winner Ethan Zohn's contribution on David Letterman's “Top 10 List of Complaints of Survivor 3 Castaways?”

        The curly-haired bearded pro soccer player said: “You get off the plane after not showering for 39 days, and everyone thinks you're the American Taliban dude.”

        Mr. Zohn will visit Mr. Letterman's Late Show today (11:35 p.m. CHannels 12, 7).

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