NEWS & NOTES : GRODIN MULLS DITCHING CNBC FOR THE RIGHT SYNDICATION SLOT.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Charles Grodin, who has often been at odds with the brass at CNBC, is now squawking about leaving the ratings-challenged cable network to pursue a gig in the syndicated arena.

``Any interest I have in leaving has to do with the size of the venue,'' Grodin told online service GIST (www.GIST.Com). ``If this (CNBC) had the size of the venue of a network or syndication, I would never have a meeting with anyone.''

Grodin told GIST that he'd meet with a syndicator interested in a ``Regis & Kathie Lee''-like show, although he is concerned that for such a show he might have to give up talking about serious issues.

``Regis (Philbin) doesn't sit at home having a great desire to attack the country's social ills - that's the difference between us,'' Grodin said. ``It would be hard for me to not somehow find a way to incorporate that (serious side).''

`Dateline' dilemma: NBC, responding to the howls of its affiliates, has dropped the word ``Dateline'' from the recycled editions of its ``Dateline NBC'' editions on its cable net MSNBC.

The stations were upset, contending the repackaged, retitled ``Dateline This Week'' cable show violates their exclusive rights to network programming, since the cable show runs no more than a week after the network airing.

As of this past Saturday, the cable version was to be rechristened ``Weekend Magazine With Stone Phillips.'' The content stays the same, with co-anchors Phillips and Jane Pauley.

Hmmmm. Sure sounds like ``Dateline NBC.''

The cable shuffle has prompted at least two meetings between NBC and its affiliates, who may not be appeased by the name game.

Let the booking wars begin!: Hollywood bigwig agents and publicists to the stars are buzzing about a bonanza that is coming their way in the guise of three new late-night talk shows. And of course, all will be bending the knee to snag big-name guests. ``With these new shows, there will be more competition for name guests than ever in the history of television,'' one veteran late-night talk show producer said. ``We are at the forefront of a frenzy of competition for guests,'' added a top Hollywood publicist.

Joining Leno, Letterman and friends in the fray will be syndicated talk shows hosted by Magic Johnson, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Chris Spencer. Said the publicist: ``It's going to be vicious. Look to June for the fun to start.''

The Disney way: Synergy is a big thing at Disney, and they really know how to use it. Filming has just begun on a two-hour Halloween movie, ``Tower of Terror,'' to air on ``The Wonderful World of Disney,'' which returns to ABC on Sept. 28. The ``Terror'' story was ``inspired'' by the free-fall attraction, Tower of Terror, at Walt Disney World, and the sets are designed to duplicate the interior of that attraction. This is self-promotion the way the big boys do it. The movie stars Steve Guttenberg, Nia Peeples and Kirsten Dunst.

Buchman breakdown?: Helen Hunt has told friends she's going to leave ``Mad About You'' when her contract expires after next season, TV Guide reports. ...