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

TELEVISION

Lots More Late Nights: Jay Leno has signed to continue hosting NBC’s “Tonight Show” through the end of 2005. The deal means that Leno’s guaranteed term of office is longer than that of his most frequent comedy target, George W. Bush, whose first term as president will end in January 2005. “I love this job,” said Leno, chosen over David Letterman as Johnny Carson’s successor in 1993. “The negotiations took 20 minutes. . . . I said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it. Tack on as many years as you want.’ ” Leno called NBC’s offer “generous,” but did not disclose the financial terms, other than to say that his contract, unlike Carson’s, does not include an ownership stake in the show. Leno has been a dependable performer for NBC, routinely beating CBS’ Letterman in the late-night ratings.

Her Own Dancing Baby: Calista Flockhart, whose character on “Ally McBeal” used to see images of dancing babies in an indication of her ever-ticking biological clock, announced Thursday that she has adopted a baby boy. “I have always wanted to adopt a child, and I am overjoyed that I have been blessed with a beautiful and healthy son,” said Flockhart, 36. “I’m completely enchanted and awe-struck.” Flockhart, who is unmarried, said she still hopes to give birth someday and may also adopt another child.

Writers Guild Nominations: Three different episodes of NBC’s “West Wing” and two editions of HBO’s “Sopranos” were nominated by the Writers Guild of America Thursday along with one installment of ABCs “Once and Again” for the best-written episodic drama program aired in 2000. In the episodic comedy category, dual installments of NBC’s “Frasier” and HBO’s “Sex and the City” were nominated along with a single edition of NBC’s “Will & Grace.” In the movie/miniseries categories, Lifetime’s “If You Believe” and “The Truth About Jane” will vie against TNT’s “Freedom Song” and CBS’ “Sally Hemings: An American Scandal” for original long-form project, while FX’s “Deliberate Intent,” Showtime’s “A House Divided,” HBO’s “RKO 281” and ABC’s “Tuesdays With Morrie” are up for best adapted long-form program. Among other Writers Guild nominees, PBS’ “Frontline” took three of the four nods for current events documentaries (with the fourth going to Bravo’s Michael Moore program “The Awful Truth”). Winners will be announced March 4.

‘Jazz’ Numbers: In its first three nights on the air, PBS’ big event, 18-hour series “Jazz,” by filmmaker Ken Burns, is drawing about 4.1% of available viewers in the 48 cities where Nielsen provides overnight ratings. That’s double what PBS normally averages and a good showing for a subject that doesn’t usually draw big PBS numbers, but far below ratings for the opening installments of Burns’ 1990 “Civil War” and slightly off his 1994 “Baseball.” An estimated 12.6 million viewers tuned in Monday, with the next two nights drawing about 11.6 million viewers each. Some 15.4 million viewers had tuned in to the first night of “Civil War.” Viewers who watched the late-night “Jazz” reruns airing in some cities are not included in the Nielsen numbers.

MOVIES

Oscar Watch: In yet another volley in the pre-Oscar race, USC on Thursday nominated the films “All the Pretty Horses,” “Chocolat,” “High Fidelity,” “The House of Mirth” and “Wonder Boys” for the university’s annual Scripter Award honoring the best film adaptation of a book. The winners of the award, which goes to the screenwriter and original author, will be announced Jan. 22. . . . Meanwhile, the New York-based Anti-Defamation League on Thursday gave its backing to Miramax’s “Chocolat,” issuing a statement urging “all Americans” to see the film, which it praised for “addressing the issues of prejudice and intolerance . . . in a sensitive and entertaining manner.”

POP/ROCK

Enrique Iglesias Sued: Enrique Iglesias’ former manager, Fernan Martinez, has filed suit against the singer, charging that Iglesias owes him more than $4.5 million in unpaid commissions. Martinez, who managed Iglesias since 1994, claims in his Florida suit that he “made Iglesias a household name” and that his efforts were directly responsible for landing Iglesias a $40-million recording contract and $12-million signing bonus with Universal/Interscope Records in 1999. However, the suit claims, Iglesias dismissed Martinez in March of 2000 and refused to pay Martinez an agreed-upon 15% in commissions due him from the Universal/Interscope deal. Iglesias’ publicist, who is based at Universal/Interscope, could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and the label said nobody else there could comment on the suit.

Sedaka Recuperating: Singer Neil Sedaka was resting at home Thursday after undergoing a successful angioplasty surgery, his publicist said. Sedaka, 61, underwent the procedure at New York Presbyterian Hospital after leaving a Tennessee hospital where he had been treated since canceling a weekend performance in Knoxville. The singer plans to be recuperated in time for a Jan. 25 performance in Wilmington, Del., the publicist said.

QUICK TAKES

Ricky Martin has been set to headline a George W. Bush pre-inauguration gala on Jan. 18. Andrew Lloyd Webber is also among those expected to take part. . . . In addition to the previously reported April 23 show at Anaheim’s Arrowhead Pond, the upcoming U2 tour will include an April 17 stop at the San Diego Sports Arena. . . . Actresses Robin Givens, Lea Thompson and JoBeth Williams will take over as cast members in “The Vagina Monologues” at the Canon Theater, from Jan. 23 to Feb. 11. They follow Swoosie Kurtz, Jenifer Lewis and Brooke Shields, who continue through Jan. 21. . . . Comedienne Phyllis Diller will be honored by the Friars Club of California tonight when she becomes the first woman to have her portrait placed on the Beverly Hills’ Friars Club’s “Wall of Fame.” Comedian Norm Crosby will host Diller’s induction tribute. . . . Premium cable outlet Showtime offers free previews of all its channels today through Monday.