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

TELEVISION

Big Bash: ABC estimates that 175 million people--or roughly two-thirds of all those who receive television in the U.S.--watched at least a portion of the network’s 24-hour millennium coverage. ABC was by far the top-rated network, exceeding the combined prime-time audience for NBC and CBS on New Year’s Eve. Not surprisingly, preliminary results indicate ABC’s national ratings peaked between 8:20 p.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific time, when the 2000 changeover occurred in the Eastern time zone.

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Coming Up Roses: KTLA-TV was once again the outlet of choice for Rose Parade viewers, as the station attracted about 2.8 million households--a 49% share of those watching TV at the time--for its live New Year’s Day coverage from 8 to 10:30 a.m. That easily beat the combined ratings for English-language competitors KABC, KNBC and KCBS.

MOVIES

No Candidacy: “I’m not running now.” So says Warren Beatty in the upcoming Vanity Fair, his first interview since speculation of a possible Beatty presidential run arose. Beatty--who says he advocates public financing of campaigns, Medicare for all, punishing exploitative labor practices and environmental pillage, and rebuilding the public-school infrastructure and raising teachers’ salaries--says he feared that a late entry into the race might lead to a poor showing and damage his agenda. However, he says: “I feel good about speaking up. It seems to me that the effect [of speculation about a Beatty campaign] has been positive, that I’ve not yet made too much of a fool of myself.” And he adds: “Can I be effective at another time? Whether that is in a year or two years, who knows?”

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Dame Elizabeth: Elizabeth Taylor was designated a dame, the female equivalent of a British knight, in Queen Elizabeth II’s annual New Year’s honors list. In a statement, Taylor responded: “Well, I’ve always been a ‘broad,’ now it’s a great honor to be a dame!” Among the queen’s other honorees were the new Sir Sean Connery and Dame Julie Andrews.

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Oscar Contenders: The movie academy has narrowed Oscar’s documentary feature field to 12 contenders: “Amargosa,” “American Movie,” “Beyond the Mat,” “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Genghis Blues,” “Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr.,” “On the Ropes,” “One Day in September,” “Pop & Me,” “Smoke and Mirrors: A History of Denial,” “The Source” and “Speaking in Strings.” The final nominees will be named Feb. 15.

POP/ROCK

Barred From Using Name: A federal judge has temporarily barred Beach Boys guitarist Al Jardine from using the name of the seminal Southern California band during performances, marking an initial victory for Mike Love, the group’s vocalist who also tours under the famed franchise. Monday’s injunction remains in effect until a lawsuit on the issue is resolved. It blocks Jardine from performing as “Beach Boys Family & Friends,” a group that debuted last year and includes himself, his two sons and fellow Beach Boy Brian Wilson’s two daughters.

RADIO

New Morning Team: KXTA-AM (“XTRA Sports” 1150) today will begin airing the syndicated “Bob & Tom Show,” a weekday comedy-based program featuring Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold, from 5 to 9 a.m. They replace sports talker Derrick Hall, who returned to an executive post with the Dodgers. Kevoian and Griswold, based in Indianapolis and heard in more than 90 markets nationwide, have the only radio show to win four coveted Marconi Awards from the National Assn. of Broadcasters. Also starting on the station today will be sports guy Arnie Spanier, known as “The Stinkin’ Genius,” who takes over the 3 to 7 p.m. shift. “We’re going to have a deeper commitment to sports in the afternoons, but more general interest [programming] in the mornings,” station general manager Roy Laughlin said of the changes.

QUICK TAKES

Cameron Diaz temporarily lost her passport and $7,000 in cash after passing through an X-ray machine at Los Angeles International Airport Thursday. Diaz soon noticed the items were missing, however, and a surveillance videotape showed a security guard taking them from the actress’ purse, an airport spokeswoman said. The items were recovered and the unnamed female guard was arrested. . . . The NAACP is expected to announce today whether any of the four major broadcast networks will be targeted for a boycott or demonstrations in light of the civil rights organization’s protest against the lack of diversity in prime-time television.