Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

MOVIES

Scripter Nominees: The writers of “Donnie Brasco,” “L.A. Confidential,” “John Grisham’s The Rainmaker,” “The Sweet Hereafter” and “The Wings of the Dove” were nominated Tuesday for USC’s 10th annual Scripter Award, which honors the best realization of a book as a film. The award is given to both the author of the book on which the winning film is based and to the screenwriter who adapted the book for the screen. The winning film will be announced Jan. 7. Previously honored films have included “The English Patient,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Schindler’s List.”

VITAL STATS

What’s in a Name?: Former “Baywatch” star Pamela Lee gave birth to her second child--6-pound, 14-ounce Dylan Jagger Lee--at her home in Malibu Monday morning. The natural childbirth was attended by two midwives and Lee’s husband, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. The couple have another son, 1 1/2-year-old Brandon.

TELEVISION

Kids’ Viewing Habits: Children ages 2 to 11 watch an average of 312 1/2 hours of kids’ programs each year, the vast majority on cable networks like Nickelodeon, according to a new study from BJK&E; Media Group, a New York-based media buying firm. That number increased from an average of 295 1/2 hours the previous year. The annual report does not measure the amount of adult-oriented television children watch. Among the study’s additional findings: Boys watch an average of 53 hours more per year than girls; most kids’ programming is viewed on weeknights and weekday afternoons, not during the usual network haven of Saturday mornings; and more than 40% of children ages 6 to 11 have TV sets in their bedroom. The study also found that adults watch an average of 41 hours of children’s programs a year, though it was not specified if those hours were spent mainly for guilty pleasure or by parents viewing with their offspring.

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Bad as Viewers Want?: ABC will air “Bad as I Wanna Be: The Dennis Rodman Story,” its TV movie adaptation of the outrageous basketball star’s best-selling book, on Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. The two-hour film will be introduced by Rodman himself, who appears on camera throughout the movie, commenting on “key events” in his life; newcomer Dwayne Adway (“Gun,” “Second Noah”) portrays Rodman in the movie. Says Rodman: “I’ve shocked a lot of people in my time, but viewers [of the TV movie] are going to get a lot more than they expect. . . .”

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Sticking Point: Actor Richard Karn, who plays Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement” sidekick Al, says that Allen is holding out on his ABC contract to renew the Tuesday night show for next year. “He either wants the show moved to 8 p.m. [it’s on at 9 p.m.] or to have stronger shows around us,” Karn told TV Guide. In November, Allen had said at a TV academy event that he might be unwilling to return for the 1998 season without assurances that the network would fortify the Tuesday night lineup. ABC referred a call on the matter to “Home Improvement’s” production company, Walt Disney Television, which ABC said was handling all negotiations. Disney’s spokeswoman, meanwhile, declined to comment.

POP/ROCK

It’s Official, Sir: Singer Elton John was among 25 people named “Sir” Tuesday by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in a New Year’s honors list for knights. John, 50, who was recognized by Queen Elizabeth for services to music and to charities, was listed under his full stage name of Elton Hercules John. He told Britain’s Press Assn. news agency: “My joy at now receiving this great new honor is immeasurable.” Among other new knights named: composer Richard Rodney Bennett, veteran science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, actor Michael Gambon, painter Terry Frost and architect Sandy Wilson.

RADIO

KIBB Lineup: Radio station KIBB-FM (100.3), which altered its format on Nov. 19 to feature oldies-based adult contemporary music aimed mainly at female listeners, will introduce a new on-air talent lineup Monday. Joe “Boomer” Servantez and Gilbert Esquivel, both of whom were heard on the station under its previous incarnation as “B-100,” will team up for the 6 to 10 a.m. weekday morning drive, and Xavier “the X-Man” Soriano will handle the 6 to 10 p.m. evening shift, followed by Evan Luck from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Daytime and overnight hosts have not yet been announced. Meanwhile, the station has a new moniker, “Mega 100 FM,” which was selected from more than 8,000 listener-submitted suggestions. Margaret Aleman, 44, of El Monte, who came up with the winning name, received a $25,000 prize.

QUICK TAKES

Viewers of cable’s VH1 have voted singer Mariah Carey as VH1’s 1997 Artist of the Year. Runners-up included the Wallflowers, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac and Jewel. . . . The public will be invited into the Playboy Mansion’s annual New Year’s Eve party for the first time this year--through their computers. The Webcast will run from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at https://www.playboy.com