Arts and Entertainment Reports from The Times, News Services and the Nation’s Press

TELEVISION

Summer Vacation Fuels Speculatio

Is Tom Brokaw testing out retirement? The “NBC Nightly News” anchor, in the job since 1983, signed off June 22, wishing viewers a good summer. He asked for, and received, an extra month off in addition to his normal August vacation, NBC said, and--unless some major story breaks--isn’t expected back until Sept. 4. Brokaw has been hinting for more than a year at the possibility that he will step down from the anchor chair when his contract expires next year, devoting himself instead to more books and NBC news specials. Still, insiders insist that he has made no decision and might decide to continue for another contract cycle. “It’s his call,” said one NBC News executive. The newscast, which has been on top for the past several years, has recently seen its viewership ratings bounce around; last week the program was in second place behind ABC’s “World News Tonight.”

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‘Fear Factor’ Caught Fudging

Producers have again been caught trying to improve on “reality.” There was a bit of creative splicing in the June 25 episode of NBC’s “Fear Factor.” Because a certain stunt was missed by the camera, producers inserted a different, mismatched shot taped during a different time of day. An NBC spokeswoman said the editing was done solely to make the scene more telegenic and pointed out that the episodes carry a disclaimer saying they “may involve changes that have no bearing on the outcome” of the contest. The admission is similar to that made by “Survivor” producer Mark Burnett regarding an episode in the second season in which a swimming scene was re-shot using body doubles so cameras wouldn’t be visible.

MOVIES

‘Tortoise’ Back to Drawing Board

Aardman Animation, which partnered with DreamWorks Pictures on “Chicken Run,” has put their next joint project, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” on a six-month hiatus to resolve what it terms “creative problems.” Though the shoot--featuring the company’s trademark clay animation--began late last year, only a few minutes are in the can. Six weeks ago, Aardman co-founder and creative director Peter Lord called DreamWorks’ Jeffrey Katzenberg, asking for more time. “One of the biggest criticisms launched at British film is that it’s underdeveloped,” Aardman spokesman Arthur Sheriff told The Times on the phone from England. “ ‘Chicken Run’ was in development 2 1/2 years and this film slightly over one. We want this film to be even better than the other, but the script wasn’t allowing the characters to be what we want. Unfortunately, that means laying off 90 of the 172-person crew--which is a big worry for us. They’re the best at what they do and, especially the model-makers, very sought after. Keeping them on, however, would eat away at the money that we want to put on the screen.” Katzenberg, Sheriff adds, went along with the decision. (DreamWorks deferred to Aardman on a Times request for comment.) The movie, reportedly budgeted at $40 million and featuring voices by Brenda Blethyn (“Secrets & Lies”), Bob Hoskins (“Who Framed Roger Rabbit”) and Orlando Jones (“Evolution”), is now scheduled for delivery in late 2003 instead of the previous spring/summer.

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Head to Head with Congress

Creative Coalition head William Baldwin has written a letter to President Bush urging him to fight legislation written by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.). The senator wants to give the Federal Trade Commission authority to pursue charges of deceptive advertising if an entertainment company peddles age-restricted content to children and teens. However well intended, Baldwin said in a letter quoted in Daily Variety, the quest violates the 1st Amendment. By getting involved in marketing, the government would have “enormous and inappropriate clout on the kind of entertainment that’s produced.” Lieberman has argued that his bill only ensures that the entertainment industries abide by their own voluntary guidelines.

POP / ROCK

What a Wonderful Airport

Not to be outdone by Liverpool, which is naming its airport after John Lennon, New Orleans will soon be welcoming visitors to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The City Council on Thursday unanimously approved the name change proposed by Mayor Marc Morial, which takes effect on Aug. 2--two days before the late jazz great’s 100th birthday. Jazz buffs have complained for years that the city has never adequately recognized Armstrong, who died at age 69 in July 1971. Council member Marlin Gusman said that at one time, musicians were the only black Americans to grab national attention. “The power of his genius, combined with his loving manner, forced whites to rethink their racism whether they knew it or not, and whether they wanted to or not,” she said. Added council member Oliver Thomas: “This is something that should have been done a long time ago.”

QUICK TAKES

Comedian Paula Poundstone, facing charges of lewd acts against a minor and child endangerment, has indefinitely postponed a scheduled July 27 concert date at the Sun Theater in Anaheim. Poundstone, who at the time of her arrest had three adopted children and two foster kids in her care, pleaded not guilty to the charges in Santa Monica Superior Court Tuesday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 30. . . . The postponed wedding of Carson Daly, host of MTV’s “Total Request Live,” and actress Tara Reid, a star of “Josie and the Pussycats,” has now been called off. Reid, 25, and Daly, 27, were to be married in May. The event was postponed, in part, because Reid wanted to make one more movie before the potential actors strike, the couple said. Reversing denials that the relationship was in trouble, Reid confirmed to the New York Daily News this week that the two had split up. . . . The Venice Film Festival announced Friday that its coveted Golden Lion career award this year will go to 81-year-old French filmmaker Eric Rohmer. The award ceremony is set for Sept. 7. . . . CBS’ “Big Brother 2” premiered to only modest tune-in Thursday with an estimated 8.2 million viewers, trailing “Friends” and “Spy TV” on NBC. That audience represents less than half the number who watched the debut of the first edition, which benefited from following “Survivor”. . . . After a yearlong search, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles has named Arkansas native Bruce Mayhall its new artistic director. He will be succeeding Jon Bailey. . . . Janet Jackson begins her world tour tonight in Portland, Ore. “Janet Jackson: Opening Night Live,” including three songs she’s performing, can be seen on VH1 at 10 p.m.