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

Witness Backs Combs: A Times Square nightclub security guard testified Monday that she did not see Sean “Puffy” Combs with a gun the night shots were fired in the crowded club 14 months ago. But Sharise Myers said she did see the music mogul’s protege Jamal “Shyne” Barrow with a gun during the melee at Club New York in the early-morning hours of Dec. 27, 1999. “I saw him firing a gun,” Myers said of Barrow. “I went down to the floor. I fell on top of Mr. Combs, and other people fell on top of me. [Combs’] face looked shocked. His hands were on the floor like the rest of his body.” Three bystanders were wounded in the shooting, for which Barrow faces attempted murder charges. Combs is charged with gun possession and bribery (for allegedly offering his driver $50,000 to take the gun rap).

Grammy Controversy Turned Into Single?: The controversial Grammy Awards performance by Eminem and Elton John of Eminem’s hit “Stan” appears to be extending the life of the song. The TV version has been sent to radio by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences in conjunction with Eminem’s label, Interscope Records, and it may be released as a commercial single. The latter possibility is under discussion between the recording academy, Interscope and John’s representatives, following what an academy spokeswoman calls “a positive response” to the duet’s airing on various stations in Los Angeles and across the nation, which began Friday.

Live CD: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will release a double CD on April 3 with 19 songs recorded live at Madison Square Garden--including the politically charged “American Skin (41 Shots),” inspired by the shooting of an unarmed West African immigrant by New York City police officers. “Live in New York City,” billed as the “soundtrack” for Springsteen’s 13-song April 7 HBO concert special, will also include another previously unreleased song, “Land of Hope and Dreams.” The album was recorded last summer during the last two dates of Springsteen’s E Street Band reunion tour.

Retailers High on Steely Sales: Steely Dan didn’t pull off a Santana- or Lauryn Hill-magnitude Grammy Awards sweep last week, but the three statues the veteran duo took home are still translating into a significant sales boost for its “Two Against Nature,” which won album of the year. “It’s huge,” says Tower Records Southwest territory director Bob Feterl. “I bet it will move into the Top 20 for our chain.” The album, released early last year, had sold about 800,000 copies prior to the Grammys, but had dropped off the nation’s Top 200 sales list months ago. Says Musicland/Sam Goody marketing director Scott Levin: “We saw a substantial increase from the previous week, primarily on the current album” rather than the entire Steely Dan catalog. Sales figures for last week will be reported Wednesday by SoundScan.

Moving On, Still Happy: Bobby McFerrin’s seven-year stint as a leader of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra is to end with a sold-out concert in Minneapolis next weekend, orchestra officials said. McFerrin, known more for his jazz and pop singing than for his work on the podium, will step down to pursue other commitments, including choral and opera composing, vocal soloing and recording. He’ll also continue conducting, and is to make his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic next season.

Serious Warning: MTV has quietly changed the disclaimer that accompanies its controversial program “Jackass” and has begun broadcasting new episodes of the show an hour later, at 10 p.m. The changes came after Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) complained about the show in a letter to Mel Karmazin, president of MTV’s parent company, Viacom. New episodes--including one that aired Sunday--are now preceded by a more sober warning about the danger of mimicking stunts performed on the show. The previous disclaimer said that the show featured stunts performed by “professionals and/or total idiots.” The tone of the warning became an issue last month after a 13-year-old boy was badly burned while mimicking a stunt from the show.

Quick Takes: Oscar nominee “Gladiator” was named best film Sunday in Britain’s version of the Oscars, while Ang Lee was named best director for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” “Billy Elliot” star Jamie Bell won the best actor trophy, while Oscar favorite Julia Roberts (“Erin Brockovich”) won for best actress. . . . “Gladiator” and “Almost Famous” won the top film honors for the best edited drama and comedy/musical, respectively, at Sunday’s American Cinema Editors’ Eddie Awards. . . . CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond” won a leading three trophies at the TV Guide Awards on Saturday night, including best comedy series. NBC’s “The West Wing” was named best drama series, while CBS’ “C.S.I.” was named new series of the year. The awards air Wednesday on Fox. . . . CBS’ new Mary Stuart Masterson drama “Kate Brasher” did well in its premiere Saturday, winning its 9 p.m. time period with about 11.6 million viewers, according to preliminary ratings estimates.