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

MOVIES

Spielberg’s List: Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg has shored up his next two projects. “A.I.,” for Warner Bros. and DreamWorks Pictures, will be his first feature since 1998’s “Saving Private Ryan.” Spielberg will write and direct the sci-fi epic, which will start production on July 10. The film about artificial intelligence had been a pet project of Spielberg’s friend, the late director Stanley Kubrick. And after several delays, Spielberg and Tom Cruise will finally team up for the sci-fi thriller “Minority Report,” which is scheduled to start in April 2001.

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Even More Awards: “The Straight Story” and “Toy Story 2” were named best films of 1999--for mature audiences and family audiences, respectively--at the eighth annual Movieguide Awards, which were to be announced Wednesday evening at the Hilton Universal Hotel. The awards, sponsored by Movieguide magazine, honor feature film, TV and acting accomplishments that depict Judeo-Christian values, virtue and themes of redemption. “The Winslow Boy” took home the Epiphany Prize for film and CBS’ “JAG” won the Epiphany Prize for television. Richard Farnsworth won the Grace Prize for film for his performance in “The Straight Story,” and Chuck Norris took home the TV Grace Prize for CBS’ “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

TELEVISION

Hellish Ratings: NBC’s “God, the Devil and Bob” posted dismal ratings in the animated comedy’s Tuesday night debut, attracting just 6.5 million viewers and losing more than 20% of the audience that watched “3rd Rock From the Sun.” About 14 million people saw a preview episode last Thursday. Meanwhile, more NBC affiliates have refused to carry the satire because of concern it will offend viewers. The preemptions weren’t enough to significantly impact the ratings, since the stations involved--including Salt Lake City and Paducah, Ky.--reach only about 4% of U.S. homes.

QUICK TAKES

Former Beatle Paul McCartney confirmed Wednesday he’s involved with a former swimwear model and activist for the disabled, Heather Mills. ‘Yes, we’re very good friends. She’s a very impressive woman. We are an item,” he said in a statement. McCartney’s wife, Linda, died of breast cancer in 1998. . . . Former LAPD Det. Mark Fuhrman has signed on to be a regularly featured guest on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” . . . Joanne Kozberg, who served as a member of the board of directors of Center Theatre Group, has been named president of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County. . . . David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos,” has agreed to stay with the HBO series at least two more years. Production recently wrapped on the second season of the program, which continues to deliver stellar ratings by the pay channel’s standards. . . . Tam Farrow, 19, one of Mia Farrow’s children, died in Connecticut last weekend of an apparent heart ailment. She’d been discharged from a hospital March 7. A native of Vietnam, Tam was adopted by Farrow after the actress’ 1992 breakup with Woody Allen.