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

TELEVISION / Part 2 of ‘The X-Files’ Season Opener Routed

The second half of a two-part “The X-Files” season opener on Sunday was trounced in its 9 p.m. time slot, finishing fourth with about 9.4 million viewers. It was the lowest-rated installment since the Fox drama moved from Fridays to Sundays in 1996.

The first part of the season opener, which aired the week before, attracted about 10.4 million viewers, down about a third from last year’s audience. The series, in its ninth season, stars Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish.

‘Victoria’s Secret’ Special Ruffles Some Feathers

In response to dozens of complaints against the airing of ABC’s G-string-laced “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” last week, a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission is asking the agency’s enforcement bureau to investigate whether the program violated indecency regulations.

FCC commissioner Michael Copps told reporters he had received 50 e-mails from across the country--including one from his 27-year-old daughter, a new mother. A strong advocate of enforcing indecency rules, he said that promotions for the program also came under fire from viewers.

ABC pointed out that the program, which aired at 9 p.m. Thursday, was rated inappropriate for children under the age of 14. “This special was approved by our Broadcast Standards and Practices department and aired with a TV-14 parental label,” the network said in a statement. “As with any other program, viewers have a choice to tune in or not.”

MOVIES / ‘Potter’s’ Purported Dark Side Targeted

About 100 students from Agassiz Middle School in Fargo, N.D., were slated to get an early look at “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” during a field trip on Friday. But their hopes were dashed when a few concerned parents and one local radio personality raised objections about the movie’s depiction of witchcraft, forcing the outing to be canceled.

That some consider witchcraft a religion, the protesters said, meant the trip violated the separation of church and state and could result in legal action. “It’s a little bizarre,” conceded Fargo School Supt. David Flowers, who supported the right of the students, aged 12 to 15, to see the film. “We believe we were on firm ground. But [the school] made the decision ... that they would just as soon not be embroiled in a controversy.”

Some theatergoers in Canada, meanwhile, found fliers denouncing the film on their car windshields. “Potter” has “dangerous implications,” said the letter, claiming that more than 14 million children belong to the Church of Satan “thanks largely to the unassuming boy wizard from 4 Privet Drive.”

Local Rescued Canine a ‘Benji’ Contender

A Los Angeles dog, found at L.A. County’s Carson Animal Shelter in Gardena, is one of three finalists to become the lead in “Benji Returns--The Promise of Christmas,” scheduled for release next December.

Joe Camp, the movie’s creator-producer, formally began his search of animal shelters in August. He evaluated this pup in October and plans to adopt it this morning.

The trio of finalists will enter what Camp’s wife describes as “Benji Boot Camp,” in which they’ll be trained and evaluated. On Wednesday, they’re appearing on “Good Morning America,” and the winner will be announced on “Prime Time Live” before Christmas.

51 Countries Vie for Foreign-Language Oscar

Fifty-one countries have submitted films to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar consideration as best foreign-language film of 2001. That’s the largest number who’ve ever competed for the prize, beating last year’s record by five.

Countries submit their best film of the year, based on a jury of native filmmakers. Only one movie, which doesn’t have to have been released in Los Angeles, is accepted from each nation. This year, features from Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania and Uruguay qualified for the first time.

Nominations will be announced on Feb. 12, with the winner to be unveiled on March 24.

Michael Jackson May Step Behind Camera

Michael Jackson, it seems, is broadening his horizons. RollingStone.com reports that the onetime King of Pop plans to co-direct a movie with his friend Bryan Michael Stoller. Shooting is expected to begin in May in Stoller’s native Canada

Stoller describes the plot as a cross between “Stand by Me” and “Oliver,” about an 8-year-old boy who has been in and out of orphanages, trying to learn to trust. Jackson also plans to help score the movie.

Though the duo has yet to line up a studio, they’re in discussions now. “When you say ‘a Michael Jackson film,”’ said Stoller, “there tends to be a lot of interest and curiosity.”

QUICK TAKES

Singer-actor Kris Kristofferson (“A Star Is Born,” “Lone Star”) was given a lifetime achievement award by the Multicultural Motion Picture Assn., which held its ninth annual gala Saturday night. Director Kasi Lemmons received the Visionary Award for her work on such films as “Eve’s Bayou” and “The Caveman’s Valentine”.... Comedian Rodney Dangerfield is finally getting some respect. He’ll be saluted by “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno and in taped birthday greetings from actors and fellow comics on the NBC late-night show Wednesday.... The life and career of Walt Disney will be celebrated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Dec. 5--what would have been his 100th birthday.... Women in Film is honoring Robert Altman with a 2001 mentor award, to be presented at the Los Angles premiere of his latest film, “Gosford Park,” at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Dec. 7.