Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

TELEVISION

Testing the Waters: CBS has finalized its Wednesday night schedule for the new year. “Matt Waters,” a one-hour drama starring talk-show host Montel Williams as a New Jersey high school teacher, will air at 9 p.m. starting Jan. 3. It will be followed at 10 p.m. by “American Gothic,” the Gary Cole serial moving over from Fridays, where it fared poorly in the ratings. “Waters” and “Gothic” replace “Central Park West,” which is in line for a new time slot, and the canceled “Courthouse.” Meanwhile, the network also announced it has ordered additional episodes of the Monday night comedy “High Society,” bringing the total to 13.

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Goodby, O’Grady: Gail O’Grady, who plays Donna Abandando on “NYPD Blue,” is leaving the ABC drama at the end of the season to pursue other projects, reportedly a sitcom for Fox-TV. A statement from Steven Bochco Productions said the company was releasing the actress from her series obligations in “consideration of [her] career opportunities, coupled with the self-limiting nature of her role.”

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Kids’ Stuff: Comedy, mystery and animated shows will join the Nickelodeon cable channel next season. “Space Cases,” a lighthearted adventure with Bill Mumy (“Lost in Space”) and comic-book writer Peter David, concerns five kids stranded on the other side of the galaxy with two adults. “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo” is a play-along show that challenges viewers to crack each case before its protagonist can. “Angry Beavers” is an animated entry from Mitch Schauer, co-creator of “Bobby’s World.”

POP MUSIC

‘Bird’ Play: The Beatles’ new “Anthology 1” album has jumped to the top of the charts, but “Free as a Bird,” the group’s first “new” song in 25 years, doesn’t seem to be keeping pace on radio. It enters the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart this week at No. 62, a strong but far from unprecedented showing. “Some [programmers] are less than pleased with the song,” says Mike Kinosian, an editor at the Radio & Records trade publication. “The anticipation was that it was going to be along the lines of a ‘Penny Lane’ or a ‘Michelle’--a real classic . . . [but] they feel that it’s not in that league.” Among those less than thrilled: KOST-FM music director Johnny Chiang, who says flatly, “It doesn’t knock my socks off.” But Phil Costello, senior vice president of promotion at Capitol Records, says the company is pleased with the initial radio response, noting that the song is being played on a wide variety of formats.

PEOPLE WATCH

Human Rights Campaign: A benefit at the House of Blues will anchor the Dec. 10 kickoff for the three-year campaign leading to the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. The $100-per-person brunch will feature music by Francis Dunnery and talks by Human Rights Action Center founder Jack Healey, Ford Roosevelt (grandson of Franklin and Eleanor) and Rolling Stones bassist Darryl Jones. Healey, a former priest who as director of Amnesty International spearheaded the ‘80s “Human Rights Now” and “Conspiracy of Hope” tours with such artists as U2, Sting and Bruce Springsteen, plans to culminate the celebration with a global music telecast on Dec. 10, 1998.

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Guilty Pleas: Three Massachusetts men pleaded guilty to manslaughter and drug charges in the heroin overdose death of the 23-year-old son of actor Tony Curtis. The three, who were accused of supplying the drugs, entered their pleas in Barnstable Superior Court on Thursday and received jail terms. Nicholas Curtis died in July, 1994, at a Provincetown cottage rented to a friend. Wayne Peters, 26, was sentenced to two years in jail and four years of probation. John Denaro, 26, and Joshua Laven, 23, were sentenced to three months in jail and five years of probation.

ART

Expansion Plans: The Newport Harbor Art Museum is proceeding with its long-sought expansion, which will more than double its gallery space. The museum has acquired the deed to the former Newport Beach Public Library, next door to the museum at Newport Center, and has lined up a total of $2 million in cash and pledges toward a $6-million, five-year capital campaign to pay for expansion into the library building. The plans, first announced two years ago, call for the museum’s administrative offices to be moved into the library, leaving space in the 17-year-old museum building for 18,000 to 19,000 square feet of galleries. The enhanced exhibition space would finally provide room for the museum to present temporary shows simultaneously with art from the permanent collection.

QUICK TAKES

“Showgirls,” the randy MGM film will not be carried in its NC-17 or unrated version by Blockbuster Entertainment. However, the chain could stock an R-rated version if one is made by the studio. Blockbuster does not carry NC-17 films, per corporate policy. . . . George Takei, Amy Hill and Lauren Tom are among the celebrities expected at the third annual Media Action Network for Asian Americans Achievement Awards dinner Sunday at Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown. The organization will honor “Picture Bride” director Kayo Hatta, “Woman Warrior” producer Martin Rosen and the East West Players Theatre Company.