MOVIES* Box-Office Values: It was a valuable...

MOVIES

* Box-Office Values: It was a valuable weekend for Paramount’s “Addams Family Values,” which opened in the No. 1 spot at the box office. The sequel about the nutty Addams clan was far ahead of the pack with an impressive $14.5-million gross, according to early industry estimates. There was a major drop-off to second place--Disney’s “The Three Musketeers” took in $8.2 million. In third was Universal’s “Carlito’s Way,” starring Al Pacino, with $6 million. Next, the tear-jerker from Columbia, “My Life,” with $5.4 million. The surprise in fifth place, New Line’s “Man’s Best Friend,” about an out-of-control dog, took in $4 million. Maybe not so surprising was “The Piano’s” strong opening in limited release. The much-anticipated film from Jane Campion starring Holly Hunter and Harvey Keitel took in $1.5 million on only 99 screens for the No. 10 spot. That translates into a very high $15,000 per-screen for the Miramax release.

* ‘Dark Blood’ Goes Dark: “Dark Blood,” the movie actor River Phoenix was shooting at the time of his death late last month, will not complete production. Producer Joanne Sellar and executive producer Nik Powell said in a statement that after exploring ways to finish the film with the use of doubles and reshoots, they decided to abandon the project. The movie was to have starred Phoenix as a roaming loner who gets involved with an estranged couple, to be played by Judy Davis and Jonathan Pryce.

TELEVISION

* Jacksons Plan Ahead: The “Jackson Family Honors” has a new date. The NBC special featuring the Jacksons, postponed indefinitely last week due to the family’s desire to have the entire clan participate, has been rescheduled for Feb. 5 in Las Vegas. In light of brother Michael Jackson’s recent problems, which include allegations of child abuse and an addiction to prescription drugs, the family decided to delay the event as a show of support. Executive producer Jermaine Jackson explained in a statement that since the event was designed to convey “the family’s joy in coming together in unity and harmony . . . additional time should be allowed for Michael to fully recuperate.” The show was originally planned to tape in Atlantic City on Dec. 11, but scheduling conflicts led to the change of venue. NBC said a new airdate will be announced soon.

* Super Car: If a family drama isn’t getting ratings, why not replace it with an action show about a high-tech, crime-fighting car? That’s what NBC plans to do in January, when “Viper” will take over for “Against the Grain” on Fridays at 8 p.m. The new series stars Dorian Harewood, James McCaffrey and Joe Nipote--and what the network describes as “a revolutionary sportscar that transforms from cruiser to steel-armored pursuit vehicle.” The initial batch of “Against the Grain” episodes runs out Dec. 24, although NBC says it has not ruled out the possibility of renewal.

* The Skinny on Oprah: Can anyone forget the publicity of Oprah Winfrey in her Size 10 Calvin Klein jeans in 1988? Winfrey reveals on her show today that just two days later, she was unable to fit into those jeans due to the unhealthy way she had treated her body during a liquid diet fast. Winfrey will talk about her new health and fitness plan on the show today and Tuesday. She reads from her personal journal on the show, sharing her emotional and physical struggle with the weight, and what finally set her free from it.

* Don’t Cook Tonight: The Television Food Network will celebrate restaurants in America with its new show, “Eating Out,” which begins on the cable network Tuesday. David Rosengarten will host the nightly series, which will visit three eating establishments per episode, ranging from the nation’s top-rated restaurants to neighborhood diners and even college dining halls.

MUSIC AND THE ARTS

* From Erie to L.A.: Conductor Eiji Oue, music director of the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic, will replace Sian Edwards in four performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Dec. 1-4 in the Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. According to the Philharmonic Assn., Edwards, music director of English National Opera in London, has asked to be released from her contract because of the threat of reductions in government funding to that opera.

* New on 18th Street: The 18th Street Arts Complex in Santa Monica, which includes Highways Performance Space, has a new executive director. Julia Salazar, who has worked at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Services Center, will head the complex, which dedicates itself to innovative art forms and cultural diversity.

LEGAL FILE

* Authorship Claimed: Billy Ray Cyrus couldn’t have written “She’s Not Crying Anymore” the way he said he did, a lawsuit claims. Danny Mote, an insurance salesman, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Cyrus, claiming the song was derived from one he wrote in 1973. He said he sent unsolicited copies to Cyrus’ label, Mercury. At a pretrial hearing last week in Nashville, a judge listened to a short tape of what sounded like Cyrus composing the song. Mote’s lawyer said he couldn’t have written it so quickly. But Cyrus’ lawyers says the singer repeatedly paused while writing the song, which took about two hours.