POP MUSICMJ’s ‘Scream’: Michael Jackson’s double-sided single...

POP MUSIC

MJ’s ‘Scream’: Michael Jackson’s double-sided single “Scream” / “Childhood” (theme from “Free Willy 2”) has entered the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 5, becoming the highest debut in the chart’s 37-year history. (The singles chart reflects radio airplay and sales.) The Jackson single surpasses the previous record for highest debut established by the Beatles in March, 1970, when “Let It Be” entered the chart at No. 6. . . . In other record news, Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Cracked Rear View” held on to the No. 1 spot in top album sales, followed by Live’s “Throwing Copper.” The soundtrack to Walt Disney’s latest animated film, “Pocahontas,” entered the charts at No. 4.

MOVIES

Holy Batmania!: Warner Bros. unfurls its highly anticipated “Batman Forever” flick Friday with a stellar world premiere at the Mann’s Village and Bruin theaters in Westwood. Arrivals start at 6 p.m. and the screening is at 7 p.m. The film’s stars, including Val Kilmer, Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Chris O’Donnell, Drew Barrymore and Debi Mazar are set to attend, as well as Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Tom Cruise, Geena Davis, Leonard DiCaprio, Hugh Grant, Janet Jackson, Wesley Snipes and Keanu Reeves. The film opens nationwide June 16. . . . In related news, the large “Batman Forever” billboard near Tower Records on the Sunset Strip informs drivers where to tune in to the “Bat” station on the AM dial. Excerpts from the movie soundtrack as well as comedy sketches and tidbits of information are transmitted from the mini-radio station--a 100-milliwatt transmitter with a half-mile range that is located on the billboard itself.

ART

Latino Art Museum: The longstanding effort to establish the Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture in downtown Los Angeles is proceeding with a fund-raiser Saturday at the site the group is trying to purchase--a former Bank of America building at 112 S. Main St. The museum recently received $600,000 from the city and county of Los Angeles for the effort. “La Noche Latina,” including a buffet dinner, live music and a silent auction of art, crafts and jewelry, will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. and is open to the public ($45 per person in advance, $55 at the door); reservations are required. Information: (213) 629-4419.

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Mmm Mmm, Good: An 11-year-old California boy won $16,000 and 15 minutes of fame Wednesday as he defeated more than 10,000 entrants in a contest to find the next Andy Warhol. Thirty-three years ago the late artist turned the Campbell Soup Co.’s trademark red and white soup can into pop art. The company so loved the idea of being a symbol of postwar American art, it sponsored the “Art of Soup” contest. Matthew Balestrieri of San Juan Bautista won for his Egyptian-style painting from the tomb of “Isip Soop” showing slaves bearing cans of Campbell soup to a pharaoh.

TELEVISION

‘L’ Is for Layoffs: The Children’s Television Workshop, which produces the long-running PBS children’s series “Sesame Street,” laid off 47 people on Tuesday. The layoffs constitute 12% of a staff of almost 400 people working for the independent, nonprofit production company. An executive who requested anonymity said that an operating deficit of $2.5 million in a $110-million budget was expected for the budget year starting July 1. The Children’s Television Workshop also publishes books and magazines, makes home videos and educational software and licenses merchandise based on its programs’ characters.

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San Diego Marks the Spot: Fox’s cult series “The X-Files” will have its first convention Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at the San Diego Concourse, 202 C St. in San Diego. Guest speakers include creator/executive producer Chris Carter, UFO expert Don Ecker and vampirologist Hal Bodner. Information: (818) 409-0960.

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The Critics’ Choices: “Frasier,” “Friends,” “Seinfeld,” “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “ER” and “The X-Files” are among the best comedy and drama series nominees for the Television Critics Assn.’s TCA Awards. Winners will be announced July 21 during the 11th annual awards presentation at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pasadena. Awards will be given out in eight categories. CNN’s coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial is up for best news/information series.

QUICK TAKES

Disney Interactive has released the Macintosh version of its chart-topping CD-ROM, “Disney’s Animated StoryBook: The Lion King,” which is designed for children ages 3-9. The “StoryBook” has been the No. 1 children’s CD-ROM since Christmas. . . . An additional performance of the Royal Ballet’s production of Anthony Dowell’s “Swan Lake” has been added to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion engagement July 9 at 7:30 p.m. . . . Barbara Walters talks to Fred and Kim Goldman, the father and sister of Ronald Goldman, Friday at 10 p.m. on ABC’s “20/20.” Monday will mark the first anniversary of the murder of Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson.

--SUSAN KING