CARSON TAKES EARLY LATE-NIGHT LEAD

Joan Rivers consistently drew lower ratings than Johnny Carson during the first week of their talk-show war, the A.C. Nielsen Co. reported Friday.

Carson’s “Tonight Show” on NBC attracted about three viewers for every two watching “The Late Show” with Rivers on the Fox Broadcasting Co.

The ratings were from 12 large cities where both programs are playing. Figures for the entire nation are not yet available.

Since its Oct. 9 debut, Rivers’ show has averaged a 5.4 rating and 13% of the viewing audience, while Carson’s has averaged an 8 rating and 22% of the viewers watching TV during the late-night hours.

Rivers’ biggest ratings came on the first night, when the show averaged a 7.7 rating in the 12 cities. The figure dropped to 6.2 the following night and then varied between 4.6 and 5 this week.

ABC’S PLANS: The Beach Boys and James Bond will celebrate their 25th anniversaries in one-hour specials for ABC this season, the network said.

The Beach Boys will note their anniversary with a concert to be taped in Hawaii, while the fictional Bond’s will be observed with clips from the 14 films about him. Roger Moore, who played British spy 007 in seven of those movies, will host the program.

Air dates have not yet been set.

ABC also said that it has signed Robert Altman, the director of such films as “MASH,” “Nashville” and “McCabe and Mrs. Miller,” to produce and direct two hourlong dramas for the network. Details about the subjects of the programs were not disclosed.

FESTIVAL: Dramatizations of such classics as “Anne of Green Gables” and “Pippi Longstocking” will be shown at the 15th annual Children’s Film & Television Festival, which opens Sunday at USC.

The festival, which runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 25, also will feature movies and shorts from China, Sweden, Britain, Australia and Canada, plus live entertainment including mimes, clowns and storytellers.

Adult tickets are $7, children $5. Information: (213) 743-8632.