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

RADIO

Skating on Thin Ice?: Several Asian American advocacy groups have called for an on-air apology from KFI-AM (640) host Bill Handel, saying he made racist remarks about U.S. skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan. The March 26 comments came during a routine in which Handel was making fun of banished skater Tonya Harding’s wish to resume her skating career. Talking to a caller who said that Harding should be given another chance, Handel said that when he looks at a Wheaties box, “I don’t want eyes that are all slanted and like Oriental and almond shaped. I want to see American eyes looking at me!” Handel made several other remarks that he said in an interview Wednesday were “totally sarcastic and 100% hyperbole to make a point.” The Media Action Network for Asian Americans, the Asian American Legal Center and other organizations said they will meet with Handel and KFI management to discuss the issue and demand an apology. But both Handel and KFI General Manager Howard Neal said they won’t apologize. “There’s no real reason to do that,” Neal said. “Most people don’t understand the context of what Bill does.”

POP/ROCK

Beckoning the Beatles: The Beatles turned down a recent offer of $225 million to reunite for a 22-night world tour, but what about $500 million for a single concert? New York promoter Sid Bernstein, who staged the Beatles’ landmark Shea Stadium performances 30 years ago, confirmed Wednesday that he has offered half a billion dollars to the group to perform a reunion show at the same facility during a “Second British Invasion” festival in August. Bernstein said he’s received “no response yet, but I’m not giving up.” Perhaps he should. A spokesman for Paul McCartney said the Beatles aren’t interested. “Money’s not an issue,” he said. “We wouldn’t do it for twice as much. The answer is no.”

Apparently, Fame Hurt Him: M.C. Hammer, who rapped his way to what Forbes magazine estimated as gross earnings of more than $33 million after releasing his 1990 album, “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” now says he owes at least $10 million and is seeking protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Oakland. “It’s time to stop the bleeding and get on with my life,” the rapper said. Hammer, who had disappointing sales for his last album, “M.C. Hammer V Inside Out,” estimated that he had between 200 and 999 creditors, and a minimum of $1 million in assets.

Back on Top: Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” moved past the Beatles’ “Anthology 2” to regain the top spot on the national album sales chart, selling about 213,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan. “Anthology 2” fell to No. 2 after selling about 201,000 units. Meanwhile, the Stone Temple Pilots’ new album, “Tiny Music . . . Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop,” debuted at No. 4, selling about 163,000 copies, and Busta Rhymes’ “Coming” debuted at No. 6, selling about 124,000.

Handel KOs Hendrix: Rivalry between fans of two ground-breaking musicians who lived on the same London street was fueled Tuesday when a grant of British lottery funds favored famed classical composer George Frideric Handel over legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. The $763,000 Heritage Fund grant will go toward the planned creation of a museum in the German-born composer’s former home at 25 Brook St. Hendrix fans, meanwhile, had hoped to win funding for a blue plaque--used in Britain to commemorate the homes of distinguished people--for the guitarist’s home at number 23. “I detect a certain musical snobbery here,” said a Hendrix estate spokesman. Meanwhile, a Handel House Trust representative said “a plaque to Hendrix would be quite inappropriate.” The trust still needs $5 million to buy “The Messiah” composer’s house and set up the museum. Hendrix, who died of a drug overdose in 1970, lived on Brook Street from 1963 to 1969, Handel from 1712 until his death in 1759.

TELEVISION

‘Buddies’ Separated: ABC has pulled from the schedule its new Wednesday comedy “Buddies,” which premiered March 5. The 9:30 p.m. series ranked 67th in the ratings, and was losing about 25% from its lead-in “Grace Under Fire.” To fill the vacancy, ABC will bring back “The Drew Carey Show” on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., pushing Meredith Baxter’s “The Faculty” to 9:30 p.m. An ABC spokesman said the network will try to find a new time period for “Buddies” at a later date.

Canadian Ratings Advice: Canadian broadcast and cable TV representatives have told the American industry group creating TV ratings that their Canadian industries do not want the TV-ratings system currently being tested by the government in Canada. The Canadian system, which they say is too complicated, has several categories for sex, language and violence, with gradations for each category, and it has been cited by ratings advocates in America as a positive model. However, the Canadian industry leaders, meeting privately with their American counterparts, said they instead want a system based on the Motion Picture Assn. of America’s movie ratings. In other developments, sources said the American group is likely to adopt a system that gives a TV series one overall rating for its customary content, with different weekly ratings possible for an exceptional episode. The American committee has also decided to re-rate theatrical films that are edited for television.