Jules goes ‘Live’

Jules Asner will host A&E’s “Live By Request” for the first time this Saturday, when Kenny Chesney performs from Nashville (10 p.m.)

Mark McEwen has been hosting “LBR” for a while, but the network says it’s now selecting its “LBR” hosts “on a show-by-show basis” i.e. whoever seems to be a good fit with the given artist. That doesn’t preclude McEwen from returning for a future “LBR” segment. And expect to see a “surprise” band appearing live on Saturday’s show to sing two songs with Chesney.

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Betwwts.com, the online betting people, figure that Johnny Sack (Vince Curatola) will be the first biggie whacked on this season of “The Sopranos,” which kicks off Sunday on HBO. They’ve got Johnny at 3-1 odds, followed by Little Carmine (7-2) and Adriana (4-1). The odds on Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini)? 60-1.

Curatola laughed yesterday when I told him about his odds-on status.

“There’s a lot of tension between Johnny and Tony that hinges on their friendship and respect, but business is business,” Curatola said, carefully. “Tony gets back into the business of the street this season, and we’re both dealing with people that maybe shouldn’t be in that [mob] life and that’s a big bone of contention between us – it puts a big strain on our relationship and our friendship and our past together.”

Curatola, by the way, has a recurring role on NBC’s “Third Watch” as Anthony’s (Jason Wiles) estranged dad.

Last, but not least:

* Ch. 7’s Diana Williams emcees the New York Junior League’s Winter Ball Saturday at Cipriani.

* Oxygen’s premiere of the Oscar-nominated “Whale Rider” averaged 690,000 viewers in its TV debut Monday – a new Oxygen record.

* Toasted: WPLJ’s “Scott & Todd” breakfast with Jessica Simpson this morning (95.5 FM) – along with 10 ‘PLJ listeners. Chicken of the Sea will not be served.

* Sink your teeth into this: The entire, 2 1/2-minute trailer for Brad Pitt’s new movie, “Troy,” airs tonight on “AH” (7:30/Ch. 4).

* Snared squared: Drummers Carmine Appice and his brother, Vinny Appice, at MJI Radio Syndication today.