MORNING REPORT - News from June 10, 2000

TELEVISION

Top 10 Tips for Avoiding Jury Duty: Following weeks of civic-minded jokes, David Letterman reported for jury duty Friday at a Stamford, Conn., Superior Court, only to be turned away. One alternate was needed to complete the jury in a car accident case, and one was chosen before Letterman could be questioned. Following the proceedings, he said he was disappointed he was not picked, but that didn’t stop him from joking. “Maybe I should commit a crime and go to jail and see how this works on the other end,” he said. While Lettermen thought that he would make a good juror, the lawyer representing the plaintiff wasn’t so sure. “You want people paying attention to the witnesses, not a fellow juror,” said attorney Philip French. “You don’t take a distraction like that and throw it into the case.” Judge William Hickey recognized the comedian immediately, and not just from TV. “I had him once in here for speeding,” Hickey said. “He’s a very nice man.”

“Clerks” Is History: After just two airings, ABC has pulled the plug on the irreverent animated series “Clerks,” based on director Kevin Smith’s 1994 feature about a pair of New Jersey slackers. The producers were already unhappy with ABC for delaying the show until the spring, indicating the network was just burning off the episodes. Repeats of “Spin City” will slide into the 9:30 p.m. Tuesday slot starting next week.

THE ARTS

A Washington Opera Sans Soap: In votes this week, the House and Senate designated Washington Opera, headed by artistic director Placido Domingo, as the national opera. The Washington, D.C., opera’s board of trustees is now considering whether to officially change its name or make some other use of the designation, says Walter Arnheim, the opera’s chief operating officer. The 44-year-old company, which performs at the Kennedy Center, requested the designation as a way to boost its prestige, which could, in turn, increase ticket sales and improve fund-raising. The measure awaits President Clinton’s signature. Beginning in July, Domingo also takes over as artistic director of Los Angeles Opera, where he has been a continual presence since its launch in 1986.

POP/ROCK

New Grammy Categories: Native American recordings will be eligible for their own Grammy Awards. Expanding the categories to 100, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has added best Native American music album in the folk field and best pop instrumental album in the pop field. Previously, Native American recordings competed in the folk, world or New Age categories.

ENTERTAINMENT

Out of Site, Out of Mind: A new Internet site, https://www.parentalguide.org, has been established to direct parents to advisory guidelines about content in movies, television, music and computer/video games. Designed as a one-stop site for information about the advisory systems developed by the Motion Picture Assn. of America, the National Cable Television Assn., the National Assn. of Broadcasters, the Recording Industry Assn. of America and the Interactive Digital Software Assn., the site provides users with links to the descriptions of industry guidelines, answers to frequently asked questions about the advisory systems, and links to other resources and industry sites.

QUICK TAKES

Singer Celine Dion announced Friday she is expecting a baby next March. “We just found out,” she said in a statement, adding that she and husband-manager Rene Angelil were “completely, totally happy.” She had been undergoing fertility treatment in New York. . . . The new musical version of “The Full Monty,” extended through July 9 at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre, has secured the Eugene O’Neill Theater for its Broadway debut, scheduled for Oct. 26. . . . KRLA-AM (1100) talk show veteran Michael Jackson snagged an interview with New York Senate hopeful Hillary Clinton. The segment, which aired Friday, will be rebroadcast today at the top of the “Best of Michael Jackson” show that runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. . . . Pianist Mack McCray will join the St. Petersburg String Quartet at Sunday’s opening Brunch Classics concert at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Originally scheduled pianist Justin Blasdale is ill. . . . Marvin Hamlisch on Friday was named the main conductor of popular music for Washington’s National Symphony Orchestra.