MORNING REPORT - News from June 8, 2000

ENTERTAINMENT

Elian Overkill?: The Elian Gonzalez story has received more network news coverage than any nonelection story since the O.J. Simpson trial, according to a study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs in Washington. The study recorded 363 stories about the Cuban boy, compared to 431 about the Simpson case during a comparable period in 1994, and 336 regarding the Oklahoma City federal building bombing in ’95. ABC provided the most coverage of Gonzalez, followed by CBS, then NBC.

History for Sale: Life preservers from “Titanic,” an umbrella phone from “Get Smart,” a gladiator helmet from “Spartacus.” These are among the props for sale beginning today as Ellis Props and Graphics, Hollywood’s oldest prop house (est. 1908), liquidates its inventory. Through the years, Ellis acquired items being shed by the studios, as well as many items that are now antiques. The auction takes place daily through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Universal Hilton, Universal City. The public can bid live or through https://www.livebid.amazon.com. Information: (888) 345-SOLD or https://www.remarketingassociates.com.

Big Picture: DreamWorks’ big-screen release of the animated “Shrek” will move on to the big-big screen at Imax theaters. The feature, about a no-nonsense swamp ogre, will be released conventionally in May 2001, then be converted to 3-D, with an enhanced ending, for Imax release in December 2001, at the same time as the home video release.

THE ARTS

Even Fuller: Facing a sold-out pre-Broadway run of the new musical version of “The Full Monty,” the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego has added eight performances of the Terrence McNally/David Yazbek show directed by Old Globe artistic director Jack O’Brien. New performances are July 5 at 2 and 8 p.m.; July 6 at 8 p.m.; July 7 at 8 p.m.; July 8 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and July 9 at 2 and 7 p.m. Call (619) 239-2255. Meanwhile, the producers have yet to confirm the New York theater where the show will run, but an Oct. 26 opening date is already set.

Added in La Jolla: A new play by Lee Blessing, “Going to St. Ives,” about an English eye surgeon and the mother of an African dictator, has been added to La Jolla Playhouse’s 2000 season, Sept. 17-Oct. 15. The new musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” has been moved back two weeks, to Oct. 15-Nov. 12.

QUICK TAKES

Mahfouz Doss, a correspondent for Egypt’s Watani magazine, has been elected president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., the group that presents the Golden Globes. . . . At commencement ceremonies today in Los Angeles, the American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies will award honorary doctor of fine arts degrees to actor Karl Malden, film editor Thelma Schoonmaker and producer Saul Zaentz.