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

TELEVISION

Choosing Family and Cure Over Series: Michael J. Fox, who announced in late 1998 that he has the degenerative neurological disorder Parkinson’s disease, announced Tuesday that he plans to quit his ABC series, “Spin City,” at the conclusion of this season, the show’s fourth. “I could not be more proud of the show . . . yet I feel that right now my time and energy would be better spent with my family and working toward a cure for Parkinson’s disease,” Fox, 38, said in a statement. “This does not mean I am retiring from acting, producing or directing, only that I want to relieve the strain of producing and performing a weekly network series.” Meanwhile, DreamWorks Television, which produces the popular ABC series, said it would be announcing upcoming projects with Fox “in the near future.”

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Flexing His Funny Bone: Former presidential candidate Bob Dole is joining cable’s Comedy Central, as part of the “Indecision 2000” team covering the presidential election. Dole--who wrote a best-selling book called “Great Political Wit . . . Laughing Almost All the Way to the White House”--will be a commentator on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” providing analysis from key points during the campaign, during the Republican National Convention and on election night. Meanwhile “Win Ben Stein’s Money” star Ben Stein, a former Nixon speech writer, will also be part of “The Daily Show’s” political team.

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New Millionaire in Town: Dan Blonsky, a 34-year-old commercial and employment litigation attorney from Miami, became the second winner Tuesday of the top prize on ABC’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Though he had to use his phone-a-friend lifeline for the $500,000 question (Q: Which celebrity appeared on People magazine’s first cover? A: Mia Farrow), Blonsky answered the final $1-million question solo, choosing 93 million miles when asked the Earth’s approximate distance from the sun. Meanwhile, for those who want to match their wits against the contestants, ABC has relaunched its online version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (at https://www.abc.com). When the game was on the Web site in November, nearly 6 million people played, with 500,000 of those reaching the final winner’s page.

POP/ROCK

Kobe’s New Career: Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant is following the large footsteps of teammate Shaquille O’Neal by launching a side career in music. The 21-year-old all-star guard will unveil his debut single, “K-O-B-E,” on a Feb. 12 NBA TV special honoring teens for community volunteerism. Bryant, who says he has been singing for two years, will perform the song with model Tyra Banks at the NBA’s “TeamUp Celebration 2000,” which will air on NBC, TNT, Nickelodeon and BET. Bryant is shooting for a March 28 release for his first album, “Visions,” on Columbia Records. “I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t serious,” Bryant said.

QUICK TAKES

Gov. Gray Davis’ proposed 2000-2001 budget includes an additional $10 million to be added to the California Arts Council’s existing $20-million annual budget, with the extra funds designated specifically for arts education for kindergarten through 12th-graders. . . . Time Warner Vice Chairman Ted Turner will be live on CNN’s “Moneyline” today from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. to discuss Time Warner’s merger with America Online. However, he’s not expected to discuss his other recent headline-making move--his split from wife Jane Fonda. . . . In a bid to pull the “CBS Evening News With Dan Rather” out of third place, CBS News has promoted Jim Murphy, currently the show’s No. 2 producer, to executive producer. Murphy says he can’t affect one of the show’s problems, low ratings for its programming lead-ins, but he hopes to make the newscast “appointment viewing,” through increased “tough” investigative reporting. Murphy replaces Al Ortiz, who will now handle CBS News’ special events coverage, including this year’s political campaigns.