MOVIESHey, Hey, It’s the ‘Monkeys’: Universal’s “12...

MOVIES

Hey, Hey, It’s the ‘Monkeys’: Universal’s “12 Monkeys” held on to the No. 1 spot at the box office during the weekend. The futuristic film starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt took in $9.8 million, according to early industry estimates. Miramax’s “Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood” proved to be a menace at the box office its first weekend in release, grossing $7.8 million for second place. The spoof on inner-city dramas stars Wayans brothers Marlan and Shawn. Paramount’s new release, “Eye for an Eye” starring Sally Field, was close behind in third place with $7.3 million. Warner Bros.’ “Grumpier Old Men” took fourth with $6.8 million. Disney’s “Toy Story” continued its march to $200 million, coming in fifth with $6.1 million to bring its total to date to $168.4 million.

TELEVISION

What’s Donahue to Do?: Phil Donahue is deciding whether he wants to continue his daily talk show next season, and sources say he is leaning toward calling it quits after 29 years, although his interest in covering the presidential campaign may persuade him to continue. A decision has to be made before next week’s annual TV syndication convention, where Multimedia Entertainment would have to convince stations to retain the show. “Donahue’s” ratings have slipped in recent years, it doesn’t have an outlet in New York and is being dropped in a few months by KNBC-TV Channel 4 in Los Angeles. If Donahue does end his daily show, sources said, he may go on to do specials.

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Take That, CBS: In 1988, CBS pulled the plug on “Cagney & Lacey,” the series starring Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly as detectives. Now, the “Cagney & Lacey” franchise, which has been airing on the network as a series of TV movies inspired by the show, is canceling CBS. The last installment of the TV movies, “True Convictions,” will air on CBS Jan. 29. “Cagney & Lacey” producer Barney Rosenzweig explained that he just wanted some respect for the movies, which drew strong ratings: “Our position was that we felt we were an important asset. . . . We wanted to be treated as such.” When it became clear that the network would decide on the movies on a year-to-year basis, “we decided to do what I presume Dan Rather [another CBS asset] would do in such a circumstance, and take our act elsewhere,” said Rosenzweig in a release. According to CBS Entertainment President Leslie Moonves, Rosenzweig demanded a commitment to 10 “Cagney & Lacey” TV movies. Moonves would not make such a commitment. But “Cagney & Lacey” may have yet another life--Rosenzweig, who didn’t specify his next outlet, is considering bringing the duo to the big screen.

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Sipowicz’s Language: Get ready for some classic Steven Bochco controversial content in Tuesday’s episode of “NYPD Blue.” The “N-word” will get a thorough airing on the show, and producer Bochco is standing behind it. He said that head-on is the only way to deal with life’s complexities--even if that means that a popular character like “NYPD’s” Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) throws a black suspect up against the wall and issues racial epithets. “That is the character, and it has been the character really from the onset of this series,” Bochco said, noting that he and his producers took heat for “softening” Sipowicz’s rage and rough edges in the series’ second season. “I would never apologize for the character or for the character’s use of the language in question.” Sipowicz is challenged Tuesday by his superior officer, Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel), who is black.

ART

Chagall Stolen: The Marc Chagall painting “Jacob’s Ladder” has been stolen from a Tel Aviv art gallery. The owner of the Gordon Gallery said Sunday the painting was displayed prominently when the gallery opened Friday morning. But when a visitor asked employees where the Chagall was 20 minutes later, all that was left was a bent nail on the column where it had hung. Gallery owner Shaya Yariv said the 16-by-18-inch framed painting was valued at about $140,000. Yariv speculated that it could have been smuggled out under a raincoat or cape. Chagall painted the work in the late 1950s; it was scheduled to be auctioned Sunday.

QUICK TAKES

You may recognize those famous pipes narrating the beginning of each episode of NBC’s series “3rd Rock From the Sun” starting Tuesday. Actor James Earl Jones, whose voice is used on CNN and was featured as King Mufasa in “The Lion King,” will lend his voice to the new sitcom. . . . PBS President Ervin S. Duggan holds a live chat on America Online’s “Center Stage” area Tuesday at 5 p.m. He’ll answer questions about the future of public broadcasting, upcoming PBS programs, new media, new technology and educational activities. . . . Conductor Andre Previn, 66, is scheduled to undergo surgery at an undisclosed hospital today for intestinal inflammation.