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

TELEVISION

Migraines or Money Behind Standoff?

A spokesman for “Malcolm in the Middle” star Jane Kaczmarek on Monday denied reports that the actress is involved in a salary dispute that prompted her to walk off the set of the Fox comedy two weeks ago.

A USA Today story said that the actress has been involved in a standoff with Fox and Regency Television, which produces the hit series, and that the show had scrapped plans to film the season’s remaining two episodes.

Not so, said a spokeswoman for Kaczmarek, who chalked up the absence to “short-term” health problems.

“Jane Kaczmarek has been medically diagnosed as suffering from severe migraine headaches and that they are extremely painful,” she said in a statement. “There is no connection between her health issues and any contractual matters. The physician from Fox Studios has examined Jane as well and has confirmed this diagnosis.”

Though executives from Regency and Fox declined comment, insiders indicated that recent salary discussions have taken place between the studios and representatives for the actress.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service on ‘Survivor’

CBS’ fourth installment of the “Survivor” series--shot on Nuku Hiva, a distant neighbor of Tahiti in the South Pacific--will, for the first time, not provide the 16 contestants with food or water.

“We removed giving them any rice or anything,” said the show’s executive producer, Mark Burnett. “We always wanted to do that, but the other [locations] didn’t allow us. Here, there were plenty of fish in the ocean, there were fruits in the trees and even vegetables, if you went far enough. They have to forage to eat anything, therefore it becomes more of a meritocracy.”

The first episode of “Survivor: Marquesas” airs Thursday at 8 p.m.

POP MUSIC

Premature Reports of Her Retirement

Celine Dion’s “retirement” from the concert stage officially comes to an end after two years with a Sunday show at the Kodak Theatre.

Dion will sing tracks from “A New Day Has Come,” her album scheduled for April release, and Destiny’s Child will perform as special guests. Though the performance is for an upcoming CBS special, a limited number of $20 seats will be made available beginning today by phone from Ticketmaster.

The Canadian singer, one of the most successful commercial forces in music in the past decade, stepped away from her touring career to devote time to family, but soon returns in a major way: She recently agreed to perform five nights a week for three years at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, beginning next year--a pact that reportedly will earn her $100 million.

MOVIES

Tolkien Film ‘Rings’ True at British Awards

Epic fantasy reigned supreme at the British Academy Film Awards on Sunday as “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” won five awards, including best film and best director (Peter Jackson). The prizes are regarded as the British equivalent of the Oscars.

Best actor and actress awards went, respectively, to Russell Crowe, who plays a schizophrenic scientist in “A Beautiful Mind,” and Judi Dench, who plays a celebrated novelist afflicted with Alzheimer’s in “Iris.”

Supporting actor prizes went to Jim Broadbent (“Moulin Rouge”) and Jennifer Connelly (“A Beautiful Mind”).

The Academy Fellowship--BAFTA’s highest honor--went to Warren Beatty.

Editors, Art Directors Honor Their Own

“Moulin Rouge,” edited by Jill Bilcock, was named best feature film in the musical/comedy category and “Black Hawk Down,” edited by Pietro Scalia, best picture in the drama category at the 52nd Annual Eddie Awards, given out by the American Cinema Editors at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday.

Meanwhile, “Moulin Rouge’s” Catherine Martin--real-life partner of director Baz Luhrmann--won for excellence in production design for a period/fantasy feature at the Art Directors Guild’s sixth annual awards, held in the same venue Saturday night. Aline Bonetto (“Amelie”) took the honors in the contemporary film category.

QUICK TAKES

Film critic Roger Ebert, 59, was in good condition Monday after undergoing surgery Friday to remove a cancerous growth in his thyroid gland. Though they removed his entire thyroid gland and selected lymph nodes in his neck, Ebert’s vocal cord function appears normal, said his surgeon Dr. Harold Pelzer. He is expected to make a full recovery....”Mulholland Drive” won three top prizes Monday in the 14th annual Chicago Film Critics Awards, including best picture, best director (David Lynch) and best actress (Naomi Watts).... Paul McCartney dedicated an a cappella rendition of “Yesterday” to former bandmate George Harrison during a Liverpool tribute and benefit concert marking the late Beatle’s 59th birthday.