Morning Report - News from July 2, 2002

TELEVISION

ABC Specials to Report on Reeve’s Progress

Christopher Reeve has agreed to appear in a trio of specials for ABC that will document his efforts to walk again, with the first of the programs to air in the fall and the subsequent two to monitor his progress over the next two years.

Reeve, 49, who starred in the “Superman” films, was paralyzed from the neck down after suffering a spinal-cord injury in 1995. He has since become an activist on the issue and has continued working, directing a pay-TV movie and starring in a remake of “Rear Window,” also for ABC.

The specials will be directed by the actor’s son, Matthew Reeve. An airdate for the first has yet to be determined.

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MUSIC

Group Gets More Time to Buy Rare Instruments

A philanthropist has given the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra more time to raise money to purchase a rare collection of Italian string instruments.

The collection, which includes 17th century Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesu violins, is valued at $50 million. Herbert Axelrod and his wife, Evelyn, have offered them to the orchestra for half-price.

The orchestra originally had a June 30 deadline, but Axelrod agreed to lift it, orchestra spokesman Phil Leininger said. The orchestra hopes to complete the purchase this fall but no longer has a specific deadline.

If the sale is completed, the orchestra expects to have the largest inventory of Stradivarius and Guarneri instruments.

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MOVIES

‘Like Mike’ Warning on Shoes, Power Lines

California’s largest utility company is warning that watching 20th Century Fox’s family film “Like Mike” could be harmful to children.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. says a scene in the PG-rated film, which opens Wednesday, depicts an action that is extremely dangerous: The lead character, played by Bow Wow, retrieves a pair of shoes from a power line in the middle of a rainstorm.

The utility also says that throwing shoes on a power line is illegal and could cause a small explosion in the transformer, causing power lines to fall.

“These are high-voltage power lines ... and a little kid doesn’t stand a chance,” PB&E; spokesman Jason Alderman said. “We emphasize to them that this is a fantasy and we ask parents to please tell their children not to throw their shoes up there and try to retrieve them. It is very dangerous.”

Fox spokeswoman Flo Grace read a prepared statement in response: “ ‘Like Mike’ is a fantasy about magic shoes. The scene is clearly not meant to be real or present behavior to be emulated by youngsters. The film in no way advocates taking dangerous risks of any kind, including touching power lines.”

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LEGAL BRIEFS

A ‘Sopranos’ Suit Dropped in Illinois

A lawsuit that accused the makers of the television series “The Sopranos” of offending Italian Americans by depicting them as mobsters has been dropped after a second adverse ruling.

The Italian-American Defense Assn. had filed the action against Time Warner Entertainment Co. under the “individual dignity” clause of the Illinois state constitution. The group didn’t seek a financial settlement or the HBO show’s cancellation, but rather a declaration from a jury that the show offends the dignity of Italian Americans, association attorneys said.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Richard Siebel dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice in September, ruling that the clause in the state’s constitution was merely advisory. The Illinois Appellate Court upheld that ruling on Friday.

Elle Macpherson Robbed in London

Elle Macpherson has become the latest star to fall victim to robbers in the fashionable Notting Hill part of London.

Burglars managed to get past an elaborate security system at the expensive home the model shares with Swiss banker Arpad Busson and their 4-year-old son, Flynn, in northwest London.

In March, ex-Spice girl Geri Halliwell was robbed of jewelry and other possessions. Tara Newley, daughter of actress Joan Collins, was mugged for her Cartier watch in Notting Hill last year. Two years ago, thieves broke into Madonna’s Notting Hill home and stole her then-fiance’s car after finding its keys. But police say so far they are not linking the robberies.

Harrelson Will Not Face Charges

Woody Harrelson, accused of damaging a London taxi in a fit of rage, will not face criminal charges, London police said. The driver of the cab has withdrawn his allegation, Scotland Yard said Monday.

Harrelson, star of the upcoming film “Anger Management,” was arrested June 6 on suspicion of criminal damage after an incident outside a London nightclub. Taxi driver Les Dartnell said Harrelson kicked his cab, smashing a door lock and ashtray before running off.

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QUICK TAKES

Singer Jerry Jeff Walker has canceled July 20 and 23 engagements at the House of Blues in West Hollywood and Anaheim after aggravating a back injury he suffered earlier this year. He was hospitalized over the weekend. Refunds are available at point of purchase.... Today through July 15, producers and talent scouts for cable network WE: Women’s Entertainment will be visiting L.A. hotspots seeking unmarried women to cast in their reality television show “Single in Los Angeles.” The series will film later this summer for showing next year.