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

POP/ROCK

Starting the Comeback Trail?: Michael Jackson will reunite in concert with his brothers in the Jackson 5 for the first time since the 1980s during a Sept. 7 all-star Madison Square Garden show that will be taped for broadcast as a two-hour TV special. Jackson, who hasn’t performed live in the United States in 15 years, will perform solo, in duets with Whitney Houston and Britney Spears, and with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and Randy, producer David Gest said. In addition, Jackson and his brothers are expected to sing a Jackson 5 classic with pop group ‘N Sync. Mark Anthony, Jill Scott and Shaggy are also expected to sing in tribute to Jackson, his publicist said. The concert is to mark the debut of material from the self-proclaimed King of Pop’s new album, slated for release in the fall, which is seen as crucial to the success of his career, which has suffered due to his eccentricities and past allegations of child molestation. In a statement, Jackson, 42, said: “I am very excited to celebrate my 30th anniversary as a solo artist with such a distinguished array of talent, friends and fans. I look forward to performing live and reuniting with my brothers on this special night.”

TELEVISION

Strong ‘Link’: NBC’s “Weakest Link” got off to a solid start Monday, as the quiz show debut averaged nearly 15.1 million viewers and won its time slot. To get the show sampled, additional episodes were to air on Tuesday and tonight at 10. Meanwhile, NBC has scheduled a special edition of the rapid-fire game for May 10--a week after the “Survivor” finale--featuring contestants from the original “Survivor.” In other ratings news, ABC’s movie “When Billie Beat Bobby” lost its match, drawing a dismal 6.4 million viewers and finishing fourth in its time slot.

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Special Emmy: The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will give producer-director Joel Tator its 2001 Los Angeles Area Governors Award during the 53rd annual L.A.-area Emmy Awards on June 23. Tator, a multiple Emmy winner whose credits include “The KTLA Morning News,” “Two on the Town” and “The Tournament of Roses” parade, will be honored for his “contributions as producer, director and creator of local television in Los Angeles.”

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Full ‘Golden’ Cast: Actress Glenne Headly will take on the Jane Fonda role, joining Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in CBS’ April 29 live remake of “On Golden Pond.” The show will be performed on CBS’ Stage 46 at Los Angeles’ Television City and will air live on the East Coast. It will be tape-delayed on the West Coast.

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Cable Niches: Executives at Nickelodeon and its spinoff TV Land said Tuesday that the two nostalgia networks will soon be segregated by age. TV Land will seek to define itself as a comfortable home for aging baby boomers, adding “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to its schedule on Friday, “The Love Boat” on June 4 and bringing back “I Love Lucy” in October. Nickelodeon, meanwhile, will soon add reruns of Reagan-era sitcoms “Cheers” and “Family Ties” in an effort to appeal to younger parents whose children watch Nick’s daytime kid fare. “You’ll see more and more of a distinction” between the two networks, said Larry Jones, TV Land’s general manager. It’s all part of parent company Viacom’s “cradle to grave” philosophy of positioning networks to appeal to distinct age groups--including Nick for children, MTV for teenagers, VH1 for young adults and CBS for older folks. Meanwhile, TV Land will launch a separate West Coast feed on June 1.

QUICK TAKES

Rosie O’Donnell has told Nickelodeon that she will host Saturday’s “Kids’ Choice Awards” after all. O’Donnell, who is not expected back on her daily TV show until the end of the month, canceled the Nickelodeon gig when her doctor advised her not to fly as she recuperates from a hand injury and infection. But she apparently fought for the medical OK because of her “dedication to kids,” Nickelodeon said. . . . “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” star Sarah Michelle Gellar, 24, is engaged to marry actor Freddie Prinze Jr., 25, the actress’ publicist confirmed Tuesday. The couple star together in the upcoming film “Scooby Doo.” . . . Also engaged are actors Minnie Driver, 31, and Josh Brolin, 33, Driver’s publicist confirmed. Brolin is the son of actor James Brolin and the stepson of Barbra Streisand. . . . Four local stations carried continuous coverage of a high-speed chase at 11 p.m. on Monday, as almost 1.2 million homes--or nearly 22% of those in the viewing area--were tuned to the chase, with KTLA attracting the biggest audience. Still, KNBC, the only network-owned station to stick with its regular newscast, actually ranked second during that half-hour, attracting more than 340,000 homes. . . . Miramax is reuniting the team behind its multiple Oscar-nominee “The Cider House Rules.” Lasse Hallstrom will direct, and Richard Gladstein and Leslie Holleran will produce, an adaptation of author John Irving’s anticipated forthcoming novel, “The Fourth Hand,” which is due for release in July. . . . Producer Bernie Brillstein of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today. The 11:30 a.m. unveiling ceremony takes place at 7018 Hollywood Blvd. . . . Actor Gary Oldman’s third wife, Donya Fiorentino, has filed for divorce after four years of marriage. The couple have two children.