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

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POP/ROCK

Rosa Red: Latin American songwriter Robi Rosa, who co-wrote and produced the Ricky Martin hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca,” is upset that his song “The Cup of Life/La Copa de la Vida” was used at last week’s Republican National Convention in what he views as an attempt to attract Latino voters. “It is perverse that the Republicans are trying to forge a connection to the Latin community with the use of my song and by parading famous Latinos on stage. Seventy-five percent of the delegates to the Republican convention earn more than $1 million a year--I don’t see the connection at all. I can’t wait to see what famous Puerto Rican they are going to pull out of their closet when they campaign in New York City,” Rosa said in a statement. “The Cup of Life” aired immediately following George W. Bush’s speech accepting the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday. A message left with Bush’s campaign office Monday seeking comment was not returned.

For the record:

12:00 a.m. Aug. 10, 2000 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday August 10, 2000 Home Edition Calendar Part F Page 70 Entertainment Desk 1 inches; 25 words Type of Material: Correction
Wrong identification--Songwriter Robi Rosa was misidentified as Latin American in a Morning Report item in Tuesday’s Calendar. Rosa was born and raised in the United States.

TELEVISION

Anchors Away: KCBS Channel 2 will be instituting several changes in its news anchor lineup as the station prepares to revamp its afternoon schedule with the addition of the syndicated hit “Judge Judy” at 4 p.m. on Aug. 28. Ann Martin, KCBS’ best-known anchor, will exit the station’s 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts to helm the retooled lifestyle series “Woman 2 Woman” and the 5 p.m. newscast, where she will be joined by Mark Coogan. Jonathan Elias and Gretchen Carr, who had been anchors of the 5 p.m. news, will anchor the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. The late afternoon and evening changes are effective Aug. 28, while “Woman 2 Woman” will air at noon starting Sept. 5. Also, Sophia Choi and Catherine Anaya have been named as the anchor team for KCBS’ 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. newscasts starting Sept. 5. The future role of John Overall, the current morning co-anchor with Choi, has not yet been determined, executives said. . . . Meanwhile, former KABC Channel 7 anchor Ana Garcia and KNBC Channel 4 reporter David Cruz have been named to anchor the KNBC “Mid Day Report” at 11 a.m. and “The Channel 4 News” at 11:30 a.m, replacing interim anchors Kent Shocknek and Kathy Vara.

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Quality Television: NBC’s “The West Wing” and CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond” were named best drama and comedy, respectively, in the 16th annual Viewers for Quality Television Awards, announced Monday by the nonprofit organization. “Everybody Loves Raymond” received the most awards with four, followed by “The West Wing” with three. The WB’s “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” was the recipient of VQT’s annual Founder’s Award, which is given to an individual or series that has made a significant contribution to quality television without receiving due recognition.

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THE ARTS

On the Town: A statue of Frank Sinatra, proposed and commissioned by Sinatra’s daughter Nancy, will be erected in New York’s Times Square, the New York Times reported. The statue would stand on the triangular traffic island at the south end of Times Square, bounded by Broadway, Seventh Avenue and West 44th Street. While the statue was reported to have the backing of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the Times said there is some opposition to erecting another tourist attraction in a spot that currently enjoys no shortage of pedestrian traffic. Plans are already far advanced, however, with sculptor Neil Estern tapped to execute the likeness. The Times also said there is talk of making the statue interactive, crooning on command.

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Ahmanson Power Returns: All computer systems were back to normal at the Ahmanson Theatre on Sunday, a spokesman there said. A Saturday power surge affected the theater’s sound system and box office, and forced the cancellation of the evening performance of “James Joyce’s The Dead.” Ticket exchanges or refunds for Saturday night’s performance are available at point of purchase; call (213) 628-2772 for information.

QUICK TAKES

“Home Alone” star Macaulay Culkin, 19, and his actress wife of two years, Rachel Miner, 20, have temporarily separated. “It is very amicable, and they remain the best of friends,” the actor’s publicist, Paul Bloch, said Sunday. . . . Ryan O’Neal will guest star as a father struggling with alcoholism who hopes to reconcile with his family on “Bull,” a new drama series premiering Aug. 15 on TNT. . . . The Los Angeles choir Angel City Chorale will perform Aug. 15-17 at the Democratic National Convention at Staples Center. . . . Actor John de Lancie will replace Gregory Harrison as Heavenly Friend in the Hollywood Bowl’s semi-staged performance of “Carousel” on Aug. 13. . . . Christina Aguilera, LeAnn Rimes, Seal and other artists will join golfing star Tiger Woods at “Tiger Jam III” at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 7. Tickets for the concert, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation, will go on sale Aug. 12 through Ticketmaster.

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