STAGENo Tony, According to Jackie: Comedian Jackie...

STAGE

No Tony, According to Jackie: Comedian Jackie Mason is returning his 1987 Tony for “The World According to Me!” because he wasn’t invited to appear on this year’s awards show. In a sidewalk news conference held Tuesday in front of the New York theater where he stars in “Jackie Mason--Politically Incorrect,” the comedian said his decision to give back the prize was made not only for himself but for “all the hard-working Broadway performers and artists who are not as fortunate as I am to have a hit show, a big mouth and the ability to do what is politically incorrect.” The award was to be returned to the office of the League of American Theaters and Producers, which presents the Tonys along with the American Theater Wing. Tony spokesman Keith Sherman said the show’s producer had to be selective despite intense pressure from Mason to appear on Sunday’s show. “There were a lot of stars who asked to be on the show,” Sherman said, adding jokingly: “Our biggest worry is that Jackie’s gesture will cause an avalanche of returned Tonys.”

TELEVISION

‘Maverick’ Blackout: If the release of the film “Maverick” has made anyone consider looking for the original TV series on home video, they’ll be disappointed with the limited selection. Warner Bros., which produced the 1957-1960 Western for ABC, is not releasing anything beyond the two episodes that came out on video in 1992. James Garner, who starred as Bret Maverick on ABC and plays lawman Zane Cooper in the motion picture, said his understanding was that Mel Gibson insisted on the video blackout so as not to dilute demand for the film version and any possible sequels. A Warner Bros. spokesman confirmed the embargo but disputed that it was at Gibson’s behest.

*Bye-Bye, Berry: Twentieth Television has pulled the plug on its syndicated program “The Bertice Berry Show,” which aired locally on KTTV Channel 11. One of several syndicated talk shows that debuted last year, the program had suffered from low ratings and last week ranked 58th among nationally syndicated shows.

MOVIES

Wilder’s German Honors: Director Billy Wilder on Monday received the Goethe Medaille, an annual award from Los Angeles’ Goethe Institut honoring individuals living outside of Germany. Wilder, an Austrian immigrant, was recognized for his artistic contributions in his career, which began in Germany and later took him to Hollywood. Noting that he was a screenwriter before becoming a director, Wilder commented that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Germany’s famed poet for whom the institute and award are named, would have made a “wonderful screenwriter” for an entity called “18th Century Fox.” “His first hit would have been ‘Faust,’ ” Wilder continued, “and the studio would have been asking him, ‘How about ‘Faust II’ ?”

LEGAL FILE

Parkinson’s Suit: Longtime “Price Is Right” model Dian Parkinson made good Monday on her threats to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against the show’s host, Bob Barker. Two weeks ago, the 70-year-old Barker waged a preemptive strike against Parkinson’s charges, holding a press conference to say that he did have intermittent sex with her but that it was consensual. He said Parkinson threatened an $8-million lawsuit when she left the show after 18 years, reportedly because of friction with other models. Parkinson’s suit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges Barker made sex a condition of her employment, in exchange for helping patch things up with those other models.

*Quitting Time: Former Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick pleaded guilty Monday to pointing a shotgun at police officers in March during a drunk rage at her Northern California home and promised a judge she’ll give up alcohol. Under a plea bargain, the 54-year-old singer agreed to attend three months of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, perform 200 hours of community service, submit to random drug testing and abstain from alcohol.

QUICK TAKES

Singer Reba McEntire is bringing her guns-for-tickets trade to Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheatre. Now through June 24, those who turn in a gun to any Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Station will be given vouchers for a free ticket to McEntire’s July 3 concert. . . . Kids can give their dads an early Father’s Day sneak preview of MGM’s new comedy “Getting Even With Dad.” MGM will give free admission on Sunday afternoon to all dads attending the Macaulay Culkin/Ted Danson film with a paid child. The promotion applies at about 20 local theaters in which the movie opens June 17. . . . Moby Disc Records, BAM Magazine and radio station KROQ-FM (106.7) have united for a food drive for the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. Through June 19, Moby Disc’s seven Southern California stores will give discounts of up to $5 per item purchased for those donating canned food. . . . The Shubert Theater is taking $5 off ticket prices for Faye Dunaway and Rex Smith’s July 5-26 “preview” performances of “Sunset Boulevard.”