Punch Up ABC and Grab the Popcorn

ABC might well call itself “The Movie Channel” in February, trying to boost its struggling prime-time lineup by running films four nights a week during the ratings sweeps. The Disney-owned network’s schedule this week includes three Paramount titles featuring big stars: “Clear and Present Danger” (Harrison Ford), “Beverly Hills Cop III” (Eddie Murphy) and “The Firm” (Tom Cruise). The strategy is a stop-gap measure, with ABC pitting action movies against NBC’s Thursday hits “Seinfeld” and “ER,” in addition to movies on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Movies can improve ratings temporarily (though the sci-fi film “Freejack” did dismally last Thursday), but even ABC acknowledges that it has to establish some new series, and soon. The network has announced a reality-based medical program, “Vital Signs,” for the hour before “ER” starting Feb. 27, and sources expect ABC to introduce series on Saturday again this spring. Shows planned are “Gun,” an anthology whose producers include director Robert Altman; and “Leaving L.A.,” a drama about investigators in L.A.’s coroner’s office. ABC has already set changes for next month affecting Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday--considerable turnover for viewers to absorb. “When you’re struggling to get back, churning doesn’t help,” sniped a rival network executive. All the networks will make some lineup changes in March and April.

Next: The Script Doctor Awards

This may be the flu season in the rest of the country, but awards fever is sweeping over Hollywood. Since the first of the year, nearly every week has seen the announcement of kudos by critics and entertainment organizations. Nominations for the last major trophies, the Writers Guild awards, will be announced Thursday and the front-runners are expected to be some of those who have received critics’ awards and Golden Globes. For original screenplay, front-runners include: Joel and Ethan Coen, “Fargo”; Mike Leigh, “Secrets & Lies”; Cameron Crowe, “Jerry Maguire”; Jan Sardi, “Shine”; and Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, “The People vs. Larry Flynt.” For adapted screenplay, expect to see Anthony Minghella, “The English Patient”; Kenneth Branagh, “Hamlet”; John Hodge, “Trainspotting”; Arthur Miller, “The Crucible”; and Doug McGrath for “Emma.” The Writers Guild nods, however, won’t influence the Academy Award nominations. Those ballots were due Friday.

Orange County: Center of the Rock Universe

This may be the week that Orange County-based No Doubt’s grip on the top of the pop charts is broken--by, ironically, another Orange County band . . . the Offspring. The latter’s major-label debut, “Ixnay on the Hombre,” will be released Tuesday by Columbia Records. “Smash,” the punk-accented group’s last album on grass-roots Epitaph Records, has sold nearly 5 million copies in the U.S. since its 1994 release. After relations with Epitaph soured last year, the group signed with Sony’s Columbia label, which offered lucrative advance bonuses and royalty rates. Among those who think Offspring will stop the No Doubt eight-week streak is No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal. “They’ll knock us out of No. 1,” he predicts. “They’re great songwriters and I wish them all the best.” Columbia will be anxiously awaiting next week’s sales figures to see if there is any backlash in the punk community over Offspring’s decision to leave Epitaph. Retailers, too, will be eager to see if the Offspring can revitalize sales in the rock field after disappointing sales last year from a string of bands--including Pearl Jam, Green Day and R.E.M.--raised concerns about rock’s commercial health. Even if the Offspring doesn’t dethrone No Doubt, some retailers feel that the fast-climbing “Evita” soundtrack may bring an end to the “Tragic Kingdom” reign. Last week, “Evita” sold 122,000 copies to pull within 22,000 of No Doubt.

Basta Con Los Adultos Contemporaneos!

It’s finally happening: Today is the last day on the air for adult contemporary station KSCA-FM (101.9). Our condolences to all you contemporary adults. The new owner, Heftel Inc.--which already owns the market’s top-rated station, Spanish-language KLVE-FM (107.5)--is switching KSCA to Espanol beginning Wednesday evening. Maria Nava, who has worked at KLVE for 12 years as music director and an on-air personality, has been named program director of KSCA, which will be playing “Mexican regional” programming. That’s a similar format to what’s played on KLAX-FM (97.9), which was rated 5th overall in the most recent Arbitron ratings. Looks like Heftel is going to play hardball. As for you contemporary adults, if you want to needle the new owners, call the request line and ask them to play something by Alanis Morissette.