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

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Time Apart’ for Jane, Ted: Power couple Ted Turner and Jane Fonda are separating. The pair--who marked their eighth anniversary on Dec. 21--issued a statement Tuesday saying: “While we continue to be committed to the long-term success of our marriage, we find ourselves at a juncture where we must each take some personal time for ourselves. Therefore, we have mutually decided to spend some time apart. We ask that you respect this decision.” No further details were given. The marriage is the third for both Fonda, 62, and Turner, 61.

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‘Blair Witch’ Times Three: Artisan Entertainment and Haxan Films are planning two more installments of last summer’s hit “The Blair Witch Project.” However, while the scrappy original was shot for less than $100,000, the follow-ups will reportedly cost $7 million to $10 million each. “Blair Witch 2,” to be directed by documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger (“Outrageous Taxi Stories,” “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills”), will take the shape of a sequel, while a third installment will be a prequel to the original. The original’s writers, directors, producers and editors will executive produce and act as hands-on consultants on the sequel, distributor Artisan said, while the prequel will be written, directed and produced by producer Haxan’s Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. Plans call for “Blair Witch 2” to come out this fall, with “Blair Witch 3” due in the summer of 2001.

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Clooney Goes Live, Again: CBS has scheduled “Fail-Safe,” a live TV movie starring and executive produced by George Clooney--for April 9. The production--a remake of the 1964 feature film, which is Clooney’s favorite movie--will actually air tape-delayed here, but its East Coast broadcast is to be the first live movie broadcast since CBS’ “Playhouse 90,” which ran from 1956 to 1960. Walter Bernstein, who wrote the original screenplay based on the classic Harvey Wheeler-Eugene Burdick novel, returns to write the screenplay for the live broadcast. Clooney, meanwhile, previously performed live on 1997’s season-opener of NBC’s “ER.”

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Another Day, Another Ceremony?: No, it doesn’t just seem like there’s a different awards ceremony taking place in Hollywood every day. According to a tally by show-biz trade Daily Variety, there were 3,182 entertainment awards trophies handed out in 1999 in 332 different ceremonies--nearly one event per day, or an average of nine prizes per day. Though comparable figures were not given for 1998, Daily Variety noted that in 1997, there were only 3,138 trophies given out at 252 events.

QUICK TAKES

ABC has activated a new toll-free number, (800) 433-8321, for potential “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” contestants. The line is operational from 3 to 11 p.m. daily through Jan. 16. Ten finalists will qualify for each January show; applicants may make only one call per day. . . . “Nash Bridges” stars Don Johnson and Cheech Marin have been named hosts of the 26th annual People’s Choice Awards, airing Sunday at 9 p.m. on CBS. The public can vote online (at https://www.cbs.com) until 7 p.m. Sunday for two of the TV series awards: favorite new drama and new comedy. . . . ‘N Sync, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Creed, Savage Garden, Dr. Dre, Brooks & Dunn and the reunited Eurythmics are the scheduled performers for the 27th annual American Music Awards, airing Jan. 17 on ABC. . . . New York-based choreographer Paul Taylor, the subject of tonight’s “Dancemaker” documentary on PBS (see review, F13), received the Legion of Honor from the French Government in Paris Tuesday night. The award, France’s highest honor, was given for Taylor’s “exceptional contributions to French culture.” His Paul Taylor Dance Company has had 20 engagements in France since its debut there in 1962. . . . Mel G, a.k.a. Scary Spice, has announced her split from her husband of 14 months, dancer Jimmy Gulzar. The couple has a 10-month-old daughter.