ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

TELEVISION

Humbug for NBC: Having its powerhouse Thursday lineup fall on Christmas Eve didn’t provide much cheer for NBC, as the network wound up in third place in prime time last week, based on results issued Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research. NBC’s audience was off 20% compared to the same week a year ago, as the network’s Thursday rating--with viewing levels down dramatically due to the holiday--slumped to a record low. CBS weathered the holiday chill best, drawing the most viewers for the sixth time in seven weeks. (The ratings list be will published in Thursday’s Calendar Weekend.)

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Ringing Out the News Year: “NBC Nightly News” has finished out the 1998 calendar year as the top-ranked evening newscast, averaging 10.5 million viewers. “ABC World News Tonight” and “The CBS Evening News” averaged 10.1 million and 9.9 million viewers, respectively.

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Designated ‘Foe-Paws’: The animal protection group Ark Trust has cited five TV shows that it believes conveyed “anti-animal messages” in 1998. Making the group’s annual “Foe-Paw Report” are ABC’s “Drew Carey Show” for an episode that allegedly “makes fun of animal-rights activists” and “finds humor in electrocuting animals for their fur”; the WB sitcom “Unhappily Ever After” for an episode in which “cat deaths are played for laughs”; and the syndicated “Maury Povich,” which featured a circus act with elephants “at a time when an enlightened public is protesting against elephants in circuses.” Also cited were CNN’s “NewsStand: CNN & Time” for a report that “seems to equate those concerned with the humane treatment of animals with animal terrorists,” and TBS’ “Wild! Live Adventures,” which the group said “strongly supports the trophy hunting of African elephants.”

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Buckle Up Before Phoning Home: Steven Spielberg’s lovable alien character E.T. is poised to make his comeback, as a safety ambassador in a “Buckle-Up America” campaign that will include a TV ad to be broadcast during the Super Bowl Jan. 31. Director Spielberg noted that the character “holds a special place in so many hearts,” adding: “I’m extremely pleased that the values symbolized by E.T. will be used to aid and address the issues of safe driving.” “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” released in 1982, is the third largest-grossing movie of all time.

MOVIES

Scripter Nominees: Steven Zaillian’s adaptation of Jonathan Harr’s book for “A Civil Action,” Elaine May’s adaptation of Joe “Anonymous” Klein’s tome “Primary Colors” and Terrence Malick’s adaptation of James Jones’ “The Thin Red Line” are among the nominees for USC’s 11th annual Scripter Award honoring the year’s best realization of a book on film. Other nominees for the award--the winner of which will be announced Jan. 11--are Bill Condon’s adaptation of Christopher Bram’s book for “Gods and Monsters” and Scott B. Smith’s adaptation of his own work for “A Simple Plan.” Previous Scripter Award winners include “The English Patient,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Schindler’s List.”

DANCE

Gift by the Bay: The San Francisco Ballet has received a $1.5-million gift from philanthropist Phyllis C. Wattis for the creation of a New Works Fund bearing her name. It marks the company’s largest single gift by an individual outside its board. Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson said the gift will allow the company to “create and acquire a number of new works for our repertory.”

QUICK TAKES

The Fred Savage comedy “Working” will rejoin NBC’s lineup on Jan. 11, airing at 9:30 p.m. Mondays after “Mad About You.” NBC has yanked its new sitcom “Conrad Bloom,” which was in that time slot. . . . Rapper Busta Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor Smith, was arrested for possession of a weapon Sunday after New York police pulled over his Mercedes for alleged erratic driving. Smith’s business manager, Gerald Odom, was also charged with weapons possession and possession of a small quantity of marijuana. Their attorney declined to comment.