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

TELEVISION

Alleged Rapists Blame ‘Springer’: Two Florida teens charged in the repeated raping of their 8-year-old half-sister reportedly have told police they did it after seeing a “Jerry Springer Show” episode about incest. The 15- and 13-year-old brothers showed no emotion or regret during interrogation as the older boy told detectives that they sexually abused their half-sister at least 10 times, said Hollywood, Fla., detective Curt Navarro. “When I asked, ‘Where did you learn this?’ there was no pause, no eyes rolling back, no thinking, ‘How do I get out of this?’ ” Navarro said. “[The older boy] said, ‘I learned it on “The Jerry Springer Show.” ’ “ A show publicist said that Springer--whose controversial syndicated series centers on dysfunctional guests who frequently come to blows on camera--was aware of the Florida case but maintained: “We’ve never had a show that is remotely close to this situation and, unfortunately, there are situations in this world for which we are blamed.”

*

Yup, It’s Bad: ABC’s troubled “Good Morning America”--which earlier this week announced that Diane Sawyer and Charles Gibson would take over for anchors Lisa McRee and Kevin Newman on Jan. 18 in an effort to shore up sinking ratings--finished a lowly third in the morning news race last week. It was the first time in more than 20 years that the CBS newscast--now called “This Morning”--beat the ABC broadcast. Meanwhile, NBC’s “Today” kept its lead in the ratings race.

POP/ROCK

Rat Pack Live: A recording of a 1962 Chicago-area show by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. will be released March 2 on the Sinatra family’s new Artanis Entertainment label. Called “The Summit”--the name preferred by the performers over the popular Rat Pack term--the release features the trio both singing and hamming it up on stage. . . . Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board will be recognized posthumously for his work “as a tireless crusader for civil rights” during the annual Trumpet Awards for African American achievers on Monday in Atlanta. Barbara Sinatra will accept on her late husband’s behalf. Other recipients include Jessye Norman, Smokey Robinson and Bryant Gumbel.

*

Manson Bodyguard Flees Country: New York police said Wednesday that one of two bodyguards for shock rocker Marilyn Manson who were accused of assault by the editor of Spin Magazine had fled to Germany and was wanted by authorities. In both criminal and civil complaints, Spin Editor Craig Marks, 37, has alleged that Manson had the two bodyguards attack him at a Manhattan club in November after a proposed Spin cover featuring Manson was pulled. No criminal charges have been filed, but police called the investigation “active” and “ongoing.”

*

Garth’s Charity: Country music star and baseball fan Garth Brooks announced the formation of a new charity Thursday intended to funnel money directly to children’s charities. Named Touch ‘Em All: Teammates for Kids (a reference to rounding the bases in a home run), the charity will collect pledges from various Major League Baseball players (such as to donate a certain amount every time they hit a home run or steal a base) and sign up partner celebrities and corporate sponsors to match those donations. A spokeswoman said that given the high number of baseball stats accumulated in a season, the charity hoped to rake in “millions.” Players already signed up include San Diego Padres Greg Vaughn, Wally Joyner and Tony Gywnn; Detroit Tiger Brian Hunter; Pittsburgh Pirate Jason Kendall; and L.A. Dodger Kevin Brown.

QUICK TAKES

Speaking of Garth Brooks, he and Elton John (in a duet with LeAnn Rimes) are the scheduled performers for Sunday’s People’s Choice Awards, airing at 9 p.m. on CBS. . . . ABC ran promos over the weekend telling viewers to tune in for the final episodes of “Home Improvement.” However, a final decision on whether the program will return next season has yet to be made, resting in the hands of stars Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson. The ads were quickly pulled, and while the network declined comment, sources said ABC would obviously welcome the popular comedy back for a ninth year. . . . Singer Rod Stewart and model Rachel Hunter have announced their separation after eight years of marriage. In a statement, the couple asked that the media respect the privacy of their two children, Liam, 4 and Renee, 6. . . . Heavy metal band Metallica’s unusual collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony is scheduled for the Berkeley Community Theater on April 21-22, when about 100 orchestra members will back the band and composer Michael Kamen for two performances.