Flashes: May 16, 1997

HANGING ON THE TELEPHONE When we say John Travolta controls every aspect of his career, we mean everything — even the music heard by callers who are put on hold when trying to get through to his L.A.-based production company, J.T.P. Films. ''He's very particular,'' says the company's executive director, Susan Such. After Christmas, Travolta and Such decided to replace Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett tunes with the soundtracks from Travolta's own films, including Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Phenomenon, and Michael. There was one notable exception: The Pulp Fiction soundtrack was not included because its dialogue clips contain foul language. ''We agreed it wouldn't be professional,'' says Such. But apparently, even Travolta has grown tired of himself. The hold-button limbo has just turned jazzier with the likes of Harry Connick Jr. and David Sanborn. ''His mood goes with the music,'' says Such. ''He changed it when he went on holiday in March.''