MORNING REPORT - News from Aug. 3, 2000

TELEVISION

Here Comes the Judge: “Judge Judy,” the hit syndicated courtroom series starring Judge Judy Sheindlin, will jump from KCAL-TV to KCBS-TV on Aug. 28, a move that KCBS executives hope will boost the station’s struggling afternoon lineup. The series will air at 4 p.m., replacing “Woman 2 Woman,” the female-oriented newscast that has failed to attract viewers. A revamped “Woman 2 Woman” will premiere Sept. 5 at noon with a new half-hour format and more of what the station calls a fast-paced “lifestyle” approach. The show will replace KCBS’ current noon newscast.

Too Much Reality? “Survivor” cast-off Jenna Lewis, who was voted off the reality series last week, says she is considering an offer from Playboy to pose nude. “It would have to be a lot of money,” Lewis told the Toronto Star. “It may hinder some of my other career moves. But it would also take care of me and my daughters for many, many years to come.”

ART

Compensation Controversy: Kimbell Art Museum trustees Kay and Ben J. Fortson Jr. were paid $1.5 million in compensation to act as chief executive and chief investment officers of the museum’s controlling foundation, according to 1998 tax returns revealed by FW Weekly, a Fort Worth, Texas, news weekly. IRS regulations prohibit “self-dealing” or transactions between a private foundation and its managers. The Fortsons--whose uncle, grocery-store magnate Kay Kimbell, founded the highly regarded institution--have denied any wrongdoing and claimed a right to reasonable compensation. The fees cover work performed in 1996, 1997 and 1998, according to the tax returns. Wednesday’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Ted Pillsbury, director of the Kimbell until June 1998, disputed the claim that the Fortsons were full-time employees during his tenure.

THE ARTS

(Soap) Opera in Bayreuth: The offstage drama at this year’s Richard Wagner festival continues as departing diva Waltraud Meier said it would take a “miracle” to get her back. The popular soprano announced Monday that her 17th season at the world-famous festival would be her last. Meier complained that director Wolfgang Wagner, the composer’s grandson, refused to allow her to take another leading role in Munich at the same time as Bayreuth. Wolfgang Wagner described Meier’s charges as “factually wrong and completely absurd.” He said that the parallel performances would have meant “unacceptable” overlaps in rehearsals next year.

QUICK TAKES

Writer-producers Judd Apatow and Paul Feig of “Freaks and Geeks” will create a new half-hour comedy series for DreamWorks Television and Fox Broadcasting Co. Fox has ordered six episodes of the currently untitled production. . . . The History Channel is looking for contestants for “History IQ,” premiering Oct. 2 and billed as the “thinking man’s alternative” to “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Interested history buffs should call 1-877-55HISTORY. . . . NBC will repeat “Late Night With Conan O’Brien’s” send-off of sidekick Andy Richter tonight at 12:35 a.m. Richter left the late-night comedy series on May 26 but due to NBA Finals delays, the show aired an hour later than normal.