FIRST OFF . . .

TV evangelist Jim Bakker has been replaced by Jerry Falwell as chairman of the PTL Club, United Press International reported late Thursday. Officials of Charlotte, N.C.-based PTL declined comment except to say that Bakker asked Falwell to take over the religious broadcasting group. On March 9, Bakker’s wife and TV co-host Tammey Faye Bakker said she would leave the show for at least a year while being treated for drug dependency. Richard Dortch will serve as president of the PTL Club, the news service said, and will take over from Bakker as host of the television program.