FIRST OFF . . .

Dr. C. Everett Koop, the outspoken former surgeon general, will host a series of one-hour specials about health care for NBC starting in May. The specials are not being made by the network’s news division. They were set by the William Morris Agency, were announced by Brandon Tartikoff, president, NBC Entertainment, and Rick Ludwin, vice president, specials and variety programs, and will be from MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. In a statement released Thursday by NBC, Koop, 71, said his plan with the programs is “to give an honest appraisal of the nation’s health concerns and to help Americans promote their good health, prevent disease and find reasonable health care at reasonable cost.” Subjects will include the complexities of health care as medical costs skyrocket, malpractice, AIDS and care for the aged.