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

TELEVISION

Post-Turkey Viewing: An estimated 30.5 million people watched nurse Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) deliver twin girls on “ER” Thursday, part of a gamble by NBC--offering an all-new night of “Must-See TV” series on Thanksgiving--that paid off only in part. Preliminary viewing estimates show that about 19 million people finished their turkey in time for “Friends”--far fewer than usual--and the subsequent episode of “Just Shoot Me” (15.4 million) proved the night’s weak link. On the plus side, “Will & Grace” drew more than 19 million viewers--an all-time best for that series--following “Frasier” (20.5 million) and leading into “ER’s” latest milestone, which exceeded the series’ average tune-in. The night’s other highlights included CBS’ Shania Twain music special (more than 18 million viewers) and ABC’s telecast of “Forrest Gump” (13.9 million). Unlike recent years, the current weekend falls within a ratings sweeps period, which doesn’t officially conclude until Wednesday.

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Prescient Timing: NBC’s “Law & Order” has become famous for its ripped-from-the-headlines stories and, in a case of fortuitous timing, next Wednesday’s episode seems related to a news-making legal settlement reached this week. The episode--produced about a month ago--deals with the murder of an insurance salesman who had sold Holocaust-era life insurance policies to Jews, knowing that the company wouldn’t pay out on the policies since a death certificate (which the Nazis didn’t issue) was required to collect. Coincidentally, on Monday, the heirs of a wealthy Czech winemaker killed in the Holocaust, along with three of his sons, settled a $135-million suit against an Italian insurer, one of several companies accused of not paying Holocaust-era claims.

ART

Picasso, Renoir Go Online: A French Internet company on Friday launched what it says is the biggest ever online auction of major art works, including a Picasso drawing, a Renoir painting and works by Man Ray and Raoul Dufy. Many of the works put on sale at https://www.nart.com/auctions were unveiled at a Paris exhibition Friday, but bidders from around the world can view them in the online catalog. The sale, called “French Eye on Art,” runs until Dec. 6, when results will be announced at Nart Inc.’s New York headquarters. The entire collection, ranging from 16th century works to contemporary objects, is said to be valued at about $1.2 million. Nart is handling the sale through its New York subsidiary because it expects most buyers to come from the United States, and the company wants to avoid strict French auction regulations.

MOVIES

Latino Showcase: The Hollywood Film Festival has established a Hollywood Latin Cinema Committee chaired by producer Moctesuma Esparza (“Selena”) to put together a significant Latin component as part of the annual festival. In addition, the group has launched a Web site, https://www.latinfilmfestival.com, to help promote Spanish-language film projects and, in January, will begin educational and mentor programs for Latino filmmakers and a monthly screening showcase for Latino-themed films.

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Demolition Planned for ‘Blair Witch’ House: The ramshackle house featured in “The Blair Witch Project” is to be razed, angering neighbors who say the Maryland building’s significance extends beyond the hit movie. The Maryland Historical Trust put the 19th century Griggs House in Patapsco State Park near Baltimore on its list of potentially historic properties 20 years ago, noting its architectural style. But trust officials didn’t object when the state Department of Natural Resources this week ordered the two-story, gabled Griggs House destroyed, saying it’s a nuisance and a hazard.

MUSIC & DANCE

No Shanghai Exit Visas: The Shanghai Kunqu Opera, the same troupe that Chinese customs authorities prohibited from performing at the Lincoln Center Festival’s “The Peony Pavilion” in 1998, has again been unable to obtain permission from Shanghai authorities to leave China and tour the United States. Thus, the troupe, which was to have performed Jan. 14 and 15 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre and Feb. 25 at the El Camino College Center for the Arts, has been replaced by the Beijing Kun Opera Theater. The Beijing troupe will perform the same programs that had been announced for the Shanghai company, including “Walking in the Garden” from “The Peony Pavilion.”

QUICK TAKES

Mickey Rooney, 79, underwent emergency surgery for a perforated colon in Sydney, Australia, on Friday and has called off the remaining two shows on his Australian tour, Australian officials said. Rooney’s hospital stay was expected to be brief. . . . Universal Pictures will launch a new Web site on Monday that will track the studio’s box-office figures as soon as they become available. The Web site, at https://www.universal-boxoffice.com, will post the studio’s final domestic weekend grosses every Monday at 12:30 p.m., and plans call for an eventual archive listing grosses on past Universal releases as well as international numbers and home video figures. . . . Musician Roger Clinton, the president’s half-brother, will perform at a concert in North Korea’s capital next month, organizers said Friday. He’ll join South Korean teen-age pop stars in a 2,000-seat concert hall in Pyongyang on Dec. 5. Several North Korean singers are scheduled to join the event, dubbed “The 2000 Peace and Friendship Concert.” Roger Clinton, who will perform for free, has performed twice in South Korea to promote U.S.-South Korean relations.