SPELLING LESSON; `ALL-STAR PARTY' PAYS HOMAGE TO DEAN OF TV ENTERTAINMENT.

Byline: Keith Marder Daily News Television Writer

You would think that after producing 3,500 hours of entertainment, 17 million feet of film, employing more than 25,000 actors and being enshrined in the ``Guinness Book of World Records'' as the most successful TV producer of all time, Aaron Spelling would be immune to nerves.

But Spelling, who takes setbacks for each of his series extremely hard, is feeling even more pressure tonight. ABC will present ``An All-Star Party for Aaron Spelling'' at 8 p.m. to celebrate the producer's storied career.

But there will be no big celebration around the Spelling mansion. It will only be Spelling, his two children, Tori and Randy, and his wife, Candy, who will be there to watch the show.

``I'm really nervous,'' Spelling said. ``It'll probably get a 6-share,'' referring to a poor Nielsen rating.

The hourlong program, which is set up like an awards show with Spelling getting all the prizes, shows just how influential the native Texan has been in the field of programming.

He invented the idea of structuring series to focus on guest stars with shows such as ``Burke's Law,'' ``The Love Boat,'' ``Fantasy Island'' and ``Hotel.'' He brought us the first team of women action heroes in ``Charlie's Angels.'' His shows, including ``The Mod Squad'' and ``Starsky and Hutch,'' fueled ABC for many years, and ``Beverly Hills, 90210'' helped put the fledgling Fox network on the map. And he hasn't been averse to tackling serious topics such as AIDs with the Emmy-winning HBO movie ``And the Band Played On.''

More than 40 actors from Spelling productions spanning four decades, including the first reunion of the three original ``Angels'' - Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith - in more than 20 years, were there to salute the man who helped make them stars. The old and the beautiful, from Ricardo Montalban to Jason Priestley, Peggy Lipton to Heather Locklear, John Forsythe to Stephen Collins, appear on the special to pay homage.

``I was very touched,'' he said. ``They didn't tell me all the guest stars who were going to be on it.''

And with the memories came floods of emotions for Spelling. He was especially touched when old friends who have remained throughout the years, such as Billy Dee Williams and Ricardo Montalban, spoke. And, of course, he was choked up when Tori and Randy stepped up near the end of the show.

``It was a very fun, touching kind of thing,'' he said. ``When ABC asked me to do it I was very, very leery because they were calling it a tribute. Tributes are for people who have passed away.''

Spelling, who is listed as being 74, is far from retiring. He has four prime-time and one daytime program in production, and pilots in the works at four of the six broadcast networks.

His work apparently holds up well throughout the years. Two of Spelling's '70s shows, ``The Love Boat'' and ``Fantasy Island,'' are being updated later this year.

Success does not seem to have changed Spelling. Sure, he lives in a house big enough to hold a bowling alley (in fact, it does) and has a gourmet cook at his office so he does not have to go out for his power lunches.

But he still finds amusement in the little things. The cook usually makes things such as hamburgers, hot dogs and steak sandwiches for the dean of entertainment. Oh, and a milkshake with lunch, and one as a snack in the afternoon.

He has been known to hop aboard tour buses to meet American viewers and invite wanna-be actresses he and his wife meet during a walk in the park to read for his casting people.

He is not an imposing-looking man. Lean and avuncular are probably the most accurate descriptions. But he is someone who rose from poverty as a child to become one of the most powerful men in Hollywood.

But, when it comes to his business, he is far from self-absorbed and seems to realize it isn't about him, it's about the great-looking men and women he employs to read the lines written by him and his staff.

Some young actors he gave early work to include John Travolta, James Woods, Richard Gere, Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Hatcher, Clarence Williams III, Tom Selleck, Kim Basinger, Liam Neeson, Melanie Griffith, Michael J. Fox, Sharon Stone and Tim Robbins.

As actor after actor took the stage, and images of others flashed on a big screen in the sound stage where the special was taped, the memories led to more tears, not only from the man of the hour, but from his wife, Candy.

``My lovely wife,'' Spelling joked, ``cries at jai alai games and Lakers games.''

But, if tonight's show does poorly in the ratings, Spelling may cry for real. He is known to shut down for a week when one of his shows gets the ax. Even though he doesn't have to worry about renewal of the special, a poor showing could earn him some bed rest.

``I won't be talking for a week,'' he said. ``I'll be home with a cold, the same thing that happens when a show is canceled. I get the flu. I think it's self-induced.''

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4 Photos

PHOTO (1) Aaron Spelling: ``When ABC asked me to do it I was very, very leery because they were calling it a tribute. Tributes are for people who have passed away.''

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News

(2) Spelling brought us the first team of women action heroes in ``Charlie's Angels,'' who, through the special, will salute the man who helped make them stars.

(3) The old and the beautiful appear: ``Dynasty'' alums John Forsythe and Heather Locklear.

(4) Spelling projects such as ``Beverly Hills, 90210'' helped put the fledgling Fox network on the map.