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

MOVIES

Seeking the Real Asteroids: Two private space organizations have put out pleas to the producers of the asteroids-careening-toward-Earth movies “Armageddon” and “Deep Impact” to help fund real-life research into the threats of “killer” asteroids and comets. The Space Frontier Foundation and the Foundation for the Non-Governmental Development of Space issued a $50,000 challenge grant to the studios this week to jump-start a project called the Watch that will search for so-called Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and assemble a council of top experts in the field. “The film industry has done an excellent job educating people about the very real threat NEOs pose to our civilization,” said Rick N. Tumlinson, president of the Space Frontier Foundation. “Meanwhile, there is very little money going to support the handful of heroic people doing the actual work of finding and tracking these potential Earth killers. . . . Hollywood is making a lot of money playing off of the fear--now it’s time for them to ante up.” There was no immediate response from either Disney or DreamWorks, the studios behind “Armageddon” and “Deep Impact,” respectively.

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The Underdog’s Helper: The Latino organization Nosotros will present its top award, the Golden Eagle, to the late Frank Sinatra during ceremonies July 31 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. “Frank Sinatra was ahead of his time in opening doors for minority artists,” said actor Ricardo Montalban, a Nosotros founder. “He was always there for the underdog. . . . Frank was one of our first supporters and gave Nosotros the wings to fly.” Sinatra’s widow, Barbara Sinatra, will accept the award on his behalf.

TELEVISION

‘Frugal Gourmet’ Settlement: In an apparent attempt to head off a public trial, TV’s “Frugal Gourmet,” Jeff Smith, has agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to seven grown men who accused Smith of sexually abusing them when they were teenagers. Smith--whose popular public television series was once watched by an estimated 15 million people a week--declined comment, but the plaintiffs’ attorney called the deal “a very attractive settlement.” The civil case for damages had been scheduled to go to trial in Seattle next week. Smith has not been charged with any crime, and the statute of limitations on the alleged offenses has long run out. The deal apparently did not include an apology or admission of wrongdoing, a matter that has caused at least two of the plaintiffs to publicly express dismay. There was no word on whether Smith planned to resume his culinary career, which has been on hold since the lawsuits were filed last year.

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Diana Files: Fox’s new summer newsmagazine, “Fox Files,” will premiere on July 16 (in the Thursday, 9-10 p.m. time slot) with an interview with Earl Charles Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana. Anchored by Catherine Crier, the segment will also include what is being billed as the first interview since Diana’s death given by her mother, Frances Shand Kydd.

Kids’ Hour: Cable’s Nickelodeon will launch “The Nickel-O-Zone,” a new hourlong kids’ block, from 8 to 9 p.m. nightly (except Saturdays) beginning Aug. 31. Hosted by the animated character O, the block will feature three new series, returning Nickelodeon hits, plus riddles, games and references to online activities.

QUICK TAKES

“Titanic” star Gloria Stuart will receive the 1998 Legend Award from the Video Software Dealers Assn. on July 11 during the group’s annual convention in Las Vegas. Other VSDA honorees include “Lost in Space” stars Matt LeBlanc and Heather Graham, who will receive Rising Star Awards. . . . The late singers Elvis Presley and Tammy Wynette are among those scheduled to be inducted Sept. 23 into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Presley is already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. . . . Supermodel Christie Brinkley, 43, gave birth Thursday to her third child, a girl named Sailor Lee Brinkley Cook. The father is architect Peter Cook. Brinkley also has a 3-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter from her previous marriages. . . . Warner Bros. Home Video is releasing a digitally restored, 25th anniversary edition of the Oscar-winning 1973 horror movie “The Exorcist.” Due in stores Aug. 25, the tape will include new footage, interviews, a 30-minute “making of” documentary and a remixed stereo soundtrack.