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

MOVIES

Stone’s Recuperation Capped by Oscar Twirl

Sharon Stone says it may have been a variety of factors, over time, that led to her being hospitalized last year for bleeding caused by a tear in an artery at the base of her skull.

“We think it’s possible that it was an injury from a horseback riding accident, made worse by chiropractic adjustments,” the actress told USA Today. “And we think [the 1998 sci-fi movie] ‘Sphere’--when I wore that heavy diving gear--really agitated things.”

Though Stone, 44, still gets headaches, doctors have given her a clean bill of health. Dancing with John Travolta at last month’s Oscar ceremony, she says, was a perfect chance to demonstrate the distance she’s traveled.

“A lot of people didn’t know if I could walk or talk, let alone dance,” she said. “So to let the Emperor Travolta twirl me was perfect. People were, ‘Hey, she walks, she talks, she twirls.’ It was a sweet, lovely way to come back.”

POP/ROCK

Foul Play Not Suspected in Singer Staley’s Death

Heroin paraphernalia was found next to the body of Layne Staley, the singer of the grunge rock group Alice in Chains, Seattle police said. Foul play is not suspected in his death and there will be no criminal investigation, authorities said.

Staley, 34, lay dead in his north Seattle apartment for two weeks before a relative discovered him. An autopsy was conducted but the cause of death won’t be confirmed for weeks because toxin tests are being conducted.

“There was nothing suspicious about the death. It appears to be overdose or possibly a natural death,” police spokesman Duane Fish said.

Alice in Chains was in limbo by 1995 as Staley fell deeper into addiction. He spoke of making a comeback, but the band never again launched a major tour.

Some 100 friends and fans held a candlelight vigil at the Seattle Center on Saturday. And his band issued a statement:

“Yesterday, we all managed to come together in Seattle; it’s good to be with friends and family as we struggle to deal with this immense loss ... and try to celebrate this immense life. We are looking for all the usual things: comfort, purpose, answers, something to hold on to, a way to let him go in peace.”

TELEVISION

Oxygen Breathing Despite Anemic Ratings

The female-focused cable TV network Oxygen got its first ratings feedback Monday, and the news wasn’t good.

According to Nielsen Media Research data from March, the 2-year-old network drew an average of only about 63,000 people during prime time in March. In contrast, its main competitor, Lifetime, pulled in 2.4 million during the same time period.

After a rocky start with carriers, Oxygen is now available in 40 million of the country’s 100 million households. Executives say the network is proceeding full-speed ahead, despite Monday’s Nielsen report.

Rukeyser, on CNBC, Loses to Old PBS Show

Even without longtime host Louis Rukeyser, PBS’ “Wall Street Week” drew more viewers Friday than Rukeyser’s new show on cable’s CNBC.

The two went head to head Friday for the first time since Rukeyser was fired from his PBS program for on-air complaints about plans to diminish his role.

PBS drew an average 935,700 viewers Friday versus 609,000 who watched Rukeyser on the first airing on CNBC (the program was repeated later that night). Still, that was substantially less than the 1.74 million people who tuned in on average to PBS this season. CNBC, for its part, almost tripled its numbers.

THE ARTS

AIDS Memorial Moves Closer to Reality

After a year-long redesign to address layout and design concerns, “The Wall--Las Memorias Project,” has won unanimous approval from the Los Angeles City Cultural Affairs Commission.

In a public hearing last week, Eddie Martinez, associate director of the project, said he’d received more than 1,500 letters of support from the Lincoln Park community in northeast Los Angeles, the site of the proposed AIDS memorial.

The monument is shaped in the likeness of Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent that is the Aztec God of Hope. It will contain eight wall panels, six with painted murals and two containing names of people who have died of AIDS.

The next step: seeking approval from the Recreation and Parks Commission, which must approve the location before construction can begin.

QUICK TAKES

FX has ordered 13 more episodes of its cop series “The Shield,” which has generated controversy for its grittiness and harsh language.... A memorial for Peter Hemmings, founding general director of Los Angeles Opera, will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena on May 3 at 6:30 p.m..... Phylicia Rashad will reprise her role in the West Coast premiere of the New York hit comedy “Blue” at the Pasadena Playhouse Aug. 30-Oct. 13. Also at the theater: Bruno Kirby will direct Kenneth Lonergan’s “The Waverly Gallery” June 28 through Aug. 11.