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

MOVIES

‘Potter’ Web Site Owner Lauded

A 16-year-old Virginia girl who launched a successful boycott of “Harry Potter” and Warner Bros. merchandise for its upcoming film has won a $2,500 Web design prize from software company ArsDigita Corp. Heather Lawver, who runs the Daily Prophet (https://www.dphrophet.com), a site for Potter fans, made headlines in March when she fought back against Warner Bros., distributors of the upcoming film. Concerned that sites might be run for commercial gain or expose fans to inaccurate information, the studio sent letters to fans with Harry Potter Web sites, warning against copyright infringement. Instead of rolling over, however, the young Web site owners banded together and organized a boycott. Though the studio later chalked it up to a misunderstanding, Lawver didn’t give in. “Their statements are hollow and, to us, that is not a truce; that’s not even an apology,” she told the Richmond Times Dispatch. Diane Nelson, senior vice president of family entertainment at Warner Bros., issued a statement to The Times: “While we respect Heather’s interest in looking out for the fans, Warner Bros. has repeatedly and publicly apologized for any confusion caused by standard business practices of protecting intellectual property rights. As soon as Warner Bros. realized that innocent fans were being caused distress, we changed our practices and have made every effort to find mutually agreeable solutions.”

Japan Climbs on ‘A.I.’ Bandwagon

Steven Spielberg’s science-fiction fantasy “A.I.” smashed box-office records in Japan last weekend, taking in $11.6 million on 524 screens--64% of the tickets sold during that stretch. In the Japanese market, it is now the best June entry (topping “The Mummy Returns”); the biggest Warner Bros. release (overtaking “The Matrix”); and the biggest opening ever for a nonsequel (edging out “Independence Day”). The 1,037,879 tickets sold were an all-time record, topping the mark set by “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.” Warner Bros. told The Times that the marketing campaign, initiated last Christmas, was specially designed for the female audience, which makes up the majority of Japanese moviegoers--a strategy that seems to have worked. Sixty-five percent of the “A.I.” audiences were women in their mid-20s to mid-30s. Spielberg himself had taped a TV greeting, inviting people to sample the experience.

TELEVISION

Cable News Competition Tightens

CNN remains the most-watched cable network but saw the gap between its audience and that for Fox News Channel narrow, based on ratings for second quarter 2001. CNN averaged an estimated 565,000 viewers in prime time during the three-month period ending Sunday, compared to 535,000 for Fox News, which is available in fewer homes. MSNBC, the third all-news network, remains behind both at 300,000 viewers. CNN’s “Moneyline,” meanwhile, has picked up some audience since the return of anchor Lou Dobbs, but it continues to trail CNBC’s “Business Center” in head-to-head competition.

THEATER

Bad News for ‘Producers’ Producers

Nathan Lane, the Tony-winning star of “The Producers,” has been out of Mel Brooks’ smash Broadway hit since Friday due to a tracheal infection. A spokesman for the show said Lane is expected to return on Thursday. Brad Oscar, who usually plays the Nazi playwright in the show, has been subbing for the ailing Lane as Max Bialystock. It is not clear whether Lane’s present malady is related to the vocal problems the star experienced last month, which also led to several missed performances just before the Tony Awards. Lane’s absence has created major headaches at the box office. Mobs of disappointed theatergoers seeking exchanges have been advised to see the show with the understudy since there are no orchestra seats available until next spring. (Lane’s contract runs until March.) Meanwhile, a discussion is underway for a touring production of “The Producers” with mention of Jason Alexander as Bialystock and Martin Short as Leo Bloom, a role currently held on Broadway by Matthew Broderick. “The Producers” won an unprecedented 12 Tony Awards this year, including best musical, while Lane won best actor.

POP/ROCK

A Second Show to Honor Jackson

Organizers of the festivities for Michael Jackson’s 30th anniversary concert have added another show. In addition to the original Sept. 7 date, a second concert will be held Sept. 10 at Madison Square Garden. The concerts will mark Jackson’s 30-year solo recording career and reunite the 42-year-old singer with his brothers for the first time in years. At both concerts, Jackson is scheduled to perform music from his upcoming album, “Invincible.” Organizers have tapped a “Who’s Who” of entertainers to pay tribute to Jackson, including ‘N Sync, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, Britney Spears and Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott. The show is scheduled to be broadcast on CBS at a later date.

QUICK TAKES

The Australian band 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, fronted by Russell Crowe, will play L.A.’s House of Blues on Aug. 26. Tickets are $25 and go on sale at noon on Thursday. . . . An Australian politician and the Australian Family Assn. are lobbying the government to bar rap artist Eminem from touring there later this month. “There is no way the Australian government should allow those who prey on the disenchanted and disillusioned youth of Australia to visit our country and promote a culture of drugs, violence and foul language,” lawmaker Peter Slipper said. Concert tickets have already gone on sale, but a spokesman for Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said the government had not yet received an entertainment visa application from the rapper. . . . American Movie Classics will show its first live “Internet-enabled” television auction July 12 at 6 p.m., featuring memorabilia that includes the Cowardly Lion costume from “The Wizard of Oz,” a “Raging Bull” poster signed by Martin Scorsese and Jake LaMotta, the original script from “Rebel Without a Cause,” and lunch for 10 guests aboard John Wayne’s former yacht. Bidders must log on to https://amctv.com to preregister. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Film Foundation, a movie preservation group.