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

MOVIES

Mission Accomplished: “M:I-2,” starring Tom Cruise and directed by John Woo, got off to a slightly better start than the original “Mission: Impossible,” which also debuted the Wednesday before the Memorial Day weekend in 1996. On a whopping 3,653 screens, “M:I-2” brought in an estimated $12.51 million on its opening day, slightly ahead of the $11.7 million the original captured (which included Tuesday night previews). The sequel’s start is the fourth-best midweek debut ever and the second-best in May behind “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace,” which holds the record with $28.5 million, according to Exhibitor Relations. “M:I-2” seems to be on a trajectory similar to the first film, which grossed just under $75 million in its first six days in 3,012 theaters and eventually grossed $181 million in North America (and $284 million overseas).

TELEVISION

Out-Foxed: Michael J. Fox’s farewell yielded a highest-ever rating for “Spin City,” which drew an estimated 32.8 million viewers Wednesday--ABC’s biggest audience in that time slot since “Ellen’s” coming-out episode in 1997. In the show, Fox’s character was forced to resign from the mayor’s office, becoming an environmental lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Charlie Sheen will replace him next season, though Fox is scheduled to make occasional appearances on the program. With “Spin” as its lead-in, “20/20” attracted 19.2 million viewers, the biggest audience for a newsmagazine this year. Despite that competition, NBC’s “Law & Order” closed the season on a high note with an audience of 19.5 million, the show’s best results of the 1999-2000 campaign.

*

Stealing ‘Raymond’: A truck containing 9,600 Emmy-consideration tapes for the CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” was stolen Wednesday night outside a mailing house in Hollywood. Other vehicles in the lot where the truck was parked were vandalized, according to a spokeswoman for the production company. Producers are reduplicating the tapes and hope to send them out next week, still well in advance of June 5, when ballots will be mailed to Emmy voters. “I just hope the thieves were the young demographic that we’re going for,” quipped “Raymond” executive producer Phil Rosenthal.

*

Denying Perry Rumor: Representatives for “Friends” star Matthew Perry are denying reports he needs a liver transplant, which have been running like wildfire through the London papers and New York tabloids in recent days. A statement released Thursday by his publicist at Wolf, Kasteler & Associates said: “Contrary to what is being reported as fact in regard to Matthew Perry’s health, it is completely untrue that he needs a liver transplant. He has been out of the hospital for a number of days and is feeling much better.” The 30-year-old Perry, who acknowledged fighting an addiction to painkillers in 1997, was recently admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital with severe flu and stomach pains. Perry was released from the hospital Saturday, according to his spokeswoman. Later that day Perry wrecked his Porsche when he swerved to avoid a car on the narrow streets of the Hollywood Hills, according to police, who said at the time there were no injuries reported and no evidence of wrongdoing. The six “Friends” cast members recently signed a two-year extension to continue with the series worth more than $40 million each.

MUSIC

New Chorale Master: The Los Angeles Master Chorale has named its new music director: Grant Gershon, who takes over the position July 1, 2001, when its current leader, Paul Salamunovich, retires. Gershon, 39, a pianist as well as a conductor, was born and raised in Alhambra, educated at USC and served as assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1994 to 1997, where he led the orchestra during its regular subscription season, at the Hollywood Bowl and in community concerts. Salamunovich, 71, has headed the 120-voice Master Chorale since 1991. The chorale, founded by Roger Wagner in 1962, is one of the resident companies of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County and will present six subscription concerts next season.

RADIO

Of Music and Gas: As expected, KROQ-FM’s (106.7) annual Weenie Roast concert will be held June 17 at Edison International Field in Anaheim. The lineup, announced by the station Thursday: Limp Bizkit, Korn, Eminem, Moby, the Offspring, No Doubt, Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Stone Temple Pilots, Cypress Hill, Creed, Godsmack, Incubus and Lit. . . . In observance of the late Miles Davis’ birthday today, KJAZ-AM (1260) will feature the jazz great’s music from noon to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. . . . To start the Memorial Day weekend, KIIS-FM (102.7) host Sean Valentine will broadcast live from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Union 76 gas station at 17300 Vanowen St. (at Louise Avenue), Van Nuys. The station will provide each vehicle that shows up with up to $10 worth of free gas.