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

POP/ROCK

Giggling in Court: In testimony interspersed with giggles and laughter, pop star Michael Jackson told a jury at the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday that he only agreed to appear--but not perform--at the “Jackson Family Honors.” The ill-fated 1994 television special triggered a lawsuit by its producers, who claim that Jackson’s failure to perform caused the charity event to lose money. Jackson--who popped bubble gum, played with a coin and vanished behind the witness stand during a court break--testified that he had agreed to appear on the show as a favor to his family. Wearing a bright red shirt, black pants and full makeup, he seemed amused by the proceedings, with such minor incidents as an attorney showing an enlargement of a letter signed by Jackson sending him into laughter. Though Jackson’s testimony ended Tuesday, the trial continues, with production company Smith-Hemion claiming that the Jackson family is liable for its losses, alleging breach of contract.

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Speaking of Jackson . . . : Promoters of Jackson’s “HIStory” world tour are planning to mark the tour’s start in Prague next month by erecting a 33-foot-tall statue of the self-proclaimed King of Pop in a spot once occupied by a massive monument to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Prague promoter Serge Grimaux, who is negotiating with Prague officials for permission to erect Jackson’s likeness, said he hoped to put flames on each side of the Jackson statue--echoing the accompaniment of the former Stalin monument. Grimaux said the Jackson statue was not intended to make any political statement and would be taken down following the Sept. 7 concert, which is expected to draw 130,000. The Stalin monument was destroyed soon after Stalin’s death in 1953.

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Oasis Update: Although he cited acute laryngitis as causing him to miss an “MTV Unplugged” taping in London and the start of a U.S. concert tour in Chicago Tuesday, Oasis lead singer Liam Gallagher really stayed home to go house hunting, the British press has reported. “The house has just been sold and I’m having moving problems,” British newspapers quoted Gallagher, 23, as saying Monday of the home he shares with actress Patsy Kensit in the plush St. John’s Wood district of London. “We have got to be out by the weekend. I am not going around touring in the U.S. when I’ve got nowhere to live.” However, Gallagher, who has been temporarily replaced on vocal duties by his brother, guitarist Noel Gallagher, also told British reporters that he might join the U.S. tour later. A spokesman for Oasis’ record company, Creation Records, said Gallagher had no intention of quitting the band.

TELEVISION

But Where’s Vera?: Another “Cheers” alumnus will be bellying up to the prime-time bar during the coming season. NBC confirmed that George Wendt will join “The Naked Truth,” playing a magazine publisher. The comedy, starring Tea Leoni, is getting an overhaul after airing on ABC last season. After “Cheers” Wendt briefly starred in “The George Wendt Show.” In addition to Kelsey Grammer in NBC’s “Frasier,” other “Cheers” regulars in prime-time comedies this season will include Rhea Perlman in “Pearl” and Ted Danson in “Ink,” both on CBS. NBC also has a deal with Kirstie Alley on a new series for 1997.

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Life After ‘Extra:’ Ever wonder what happened to the former hosts of TV’s “Extra,” who were fired during a revamping of the show in June? Well they’ve both landed new jobs: Arthel Neville has been signed to co-host a new weekday talk/variety program launching in 1997 for syndicator All American Television, while Dave Nemeth began work Monday as co-host of the daily morning show “Club AM,” on cable’s Game Show Network.

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UPN, WB Ratings Results: The UPN and WB Networks introduced several new programs on Monday, with the former getting the better of that skirmish. Led by the new sitcom “Malcolm & Eddie,” UPN averaged a 10% share of available viewing homes in early ratings from 31 major markets. The WB, which premiered “7th Heaven” and the second season of “Savannah,” drew a 7% share in 21 of those markets. In Los Angeles, WB (Channel 5) and UPN (Channel 13) both averaged 11% of the prime-time audience.

QUICK TAKES

KISS, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and LL Cool J have been added to the list of scheduled performers for “The MTV 1996 Video Music Awards,” airing on the cable channel Wednesday from New York’s Radio City Music Hall. . . . Speaking of MTV, “Singled Out” hosts Jenny McCarthy and Chris Hardwick will offer advice on how to “simplify the mating game” in “MTV’s ‘Singled Out’ Guide to Dating,” a new book based on the TV show, due to hit stores on Oct. 15 (retail price: $15). . . . Former “Knots Landing” star Donna Mills is the latest addition to the cast of “Melrose Place.” She will appear on the Fox series for four episodes beginning in December, playing a “classy woman with a checkered past.” . . . Rapper-producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Records have filed a joint suit against Triple X Entertainment to stop sales and distribution of “Dr. Dre--First Round Knockout,” an album featuring previously recorded material by Dre that the artist claims was released without his prior knowledge or consent.