ENTERTAINMENT

* “This is the first time something like this has happened to me, so the whole thing is very flattering,” said A Martinez, about being offered his new role as criminal attorney Daniel Morales in “L.A. Law” without auditioning. For eight years, Martinez starred as heartthrob Cruz Castillo on the recently canceled soap opera “Santa Barbara.” Martinez, whose first initial--with no period--stands for Adolph, was 12 when he made his professional singing debut at the Hollywood Bowl, where he won a talent competition. While attending UCLA, he earned his film credits in several movies and TV programs, which led to his role with the original “Santa Barbara” cast in 1984. Martinez lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. The Mexican-American actor, who won a 1990 Daytime Emmy Award, calls his new gig in “L.A. Law” a dream come true.

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Once again juggling a successful Spanish-language musical career and a Hollywood acting career, Maria Conchita Alonso will travel to Portugal in January, where she will appear with Meryl Streep and Glenn Close in “House of Spirits.” Based on Isabel Allende’s best-selling novel, the movie is a dramatic family saga set in Chile. Alonso regularly jets between her home in Los Angeles and Mexico City, where she hosts the popular weekly variety show “Picante.” She recently finished a Sony Mexico album, “Imaginame,” and before traveling to Europe plans to give a concert tour in Mexico and her native Venezuela. A U.S. concert tour is planned for 1993.

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Emilio Estevez, who is in “The Mighty Ducks,” will reportedly receive $3 million to star in the action drama “Judgment Night,” which began filming last month in Chicago. His credits include “Young Guns,” “Young Guns II,” and “Men at Work,” which he directed.

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“Saved by the Bell--Hawaiian Style,” a two-hour TV movie featuring teen-age idol Mario Lopez and the other cast members of the top-ranked Saturday morning comedy series, airs Nov. 27 from 8 to 10 p.m. on NBC. The special was filmed in Los Angeles and Hawaii. Lopez was 10 when he was discovered by a Hollywood agent at a talent competition. Soon after he landed his first TV role as the younger brother in the series “A. K. A. Pablo.” Lopez, 19, who speaks fluent Spanish, was a high school wrestler in San Diego, winning several championships.