MOVIES’Toy’ to the World: Disney’s “Toy Story”...
MOVIES
‘Toy’ to the World: Disney’s “Toy Story” is still the story at the box office. The computer-animated movie featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen took in $13.5 million and held onto first place for the third weekend in a row, according to early industry estimates. Disney’s Touchstone Pictures mother-daughter pregnancy comedy, “Father of the Bride Part II,” starring Steve Martin, opened in second place with a respectable $11.4 million. MGM/UA’s “GoldenEye” was third with $5.2 million and Universal’s “Casino” was fourth with $3.7 million. There was a tie at No. 5: Columbia’s “Money Train” and Warner Bros.’ “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls” took in $3.3 million apiece.
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Helping Harriet: Rosie O’Donnell is playing the mentor to a fearless sixth-grade spy in “Harriet the Spy,” an upcoming family movie based on Louise Fitzhugh’s beloved 1964 youth novel. The film, with 11-year-old Michelle Trachtenberg (known for Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete”) in the title role, is the first collaboration between Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies. The movie, which will feature Eartha Kitt in a cameo role, finishes principal photography this month. A summer release is planned.
PEOPLE WATCH
Hot From the Jackson Hotline: Michael Jackson’s condition is improving, according to a hotline at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. The hospital started the hotline to handle the numerous calls about the pop singer’s status after his collapse last week due to a viral infection. Here’s what the hotline reported Sunday afternoon: “Following examination this morning by his medical team, Mr. Jackson’s status has been upgraded to stable and improving. His medical team is seriously considering moving him to a private room so that he can better ambulate. Mr. Jackson’s gastroenteritis is under control and his diet has been enhanced to include solid food. His heart status is completely normal.” For updates, call (212) 420-2057.
TELEVISION
Miller Time’s Over: “The Stephanie Miller Show” is on the way out. The talk show hosted by Stephanie Miller, which premiered in September, was canceled Friday due to poor ratings in the competitive late-night arena. Tonight’s episode will be a repeat. Four more shows will be taped with yet-to-be announced guest-hosts to air Tuesday through Friday. Repeats will then air through Jan. 20 when the show goes off the air.
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New ‘Good Morning’ Producer: Marc Burstein has been named the new executive producer for ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Burstein joined the morning show in May after serving as senior producer for the network’s “PrimeTime Live” since that show’s beginning in 1989. He succeeds Bob Reichblum.
ART
Mapplethorpe Controversy: A controversial exhibition featuring erotic pictures by the late American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe drew protests at its New Zealand opening. Members and supporters of the conservative Christian Heritage Party sang, prayed and made protest speeches at a demonstration Friday. Exhibition curator Germano Celant said that despite taking the exhibition around the world for years, he has seldom seen public demonstrations. It was the same exhibition that led to the much-publicized arrest of a gallery director in Cincinnati, Ohio. In Wellington, New Zealand, a censor has rated the show suitable for people only over the age of 18. Mapplethorpe died of AIDS complications in 1989.
QUICK TAKES
The WB Television network will launch its first dramatic series, “Savannah,” with a two-hour movie on Jan. 21. The show about the lives and loves of three contemporary Southern women, from producer Aaron Spelling, will take its regular Sunday at 9 p.m. time slot on Feb. 4. . . . Los Angeles Classical Ballet’s principal dancers Marat Daukaev and Oksana Konobeyeva will perform a segment from the company’s “The Nutcracker” on tonight’s edition of “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on NBC. . . . CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman” will mark its 500th episode tonight with appearances by actor Bob Hoskins, home guru Martha Stewart and singer Al Green.
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