COMEDIES MAY HAVE THE LAST LAUGH COME OSCAR NIGHT.

Byline: Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

In show business circles, 1996 became known as the Year of the Independent Picture - with such non-Hollywood dramas as ``The English Patient,'' ``Sling Blade,'' ``Shine,'' ``Secrets and Lies'' and ``Fargo'' dominating the Oscar race.

But 1997 could go down as a big year for comedy - some romantic, most sophisticated and smart.

With the starting gate clogged with prestigious productions going into at least limited release by Dec. 31, Jim Brooks' ``As Good as It Gets'' is coming off as the industry darling, followed closely by ``Wag the Dog'' and ``In & Out.''

``In & Out'' was the recent sleeper hit in which Kevin Kline plays a high school teacher who finds himself outed by a former student. ``Wag the Dog'' has Robert De Niro portraying a presidential spin doctor and Dustin Hoffman a Hollywood producer who together manufacture a war to divert voter attention from a presidential sex scandal.

``As Good as It Gets'' stars Jack Nicholson as an acid-tongued romance novelist with an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Industry reaction not only has the tom toms beating Oscar for Jack but is generating Academy Award talk for his co-stars Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Not so terrific is the reception greeting some dramas that were expected to be leaders in the Oscar race. Clint Eastwood's ``Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'' hit a sour note with many critics and has been ignored by much of the public. And then there's Steven Spielberg's ``Amistad.'' He's been quoted as saying it might be the best work he's ever done, but not all screening audiences seem to agree.

Of course, there are dramas like ``Donnie Brasco'' and ``L.A. Confidential,'' which are being given big pushes. There's also ``Good Will Hunting,'' directed by the acclaimed Gus Van Sant. It has those hot young actors Matt Damon and Ben Affeck, who co-wrote the script, playing best buddies (as indeed they are) in working-class south Boston, with Minnie Driver the Harvard student who becomes the romantic interest in Matt's life. As indeed she has become off screen, too.

And, of course, there is ``Titanic,'' which is as spectacular in visual effects as one would expect for a film that cost $200 million-plus. Some of the dialogue comes off as just plain corny - but there's no denying that it is the giant to slay in the battle for Best Picture of 1997.

The celebrity scene

Production of the picture ``Bruno,'' which Shirley MacLaine was supposed to start directing in November, has been delayed until next month as she awaits the availability of an actor she wants to co-star in the feature with young Alex Linz. As it stands now, Shirley won't be having her traditional family Christmas at her Malibu home. That home is for sale - a deal is nearly closed - and Shirley expects to spend the holiday at the city that's become her primary residence: Santa Fe., N.M. She will continue to have a place in this city - terms of the Malibu sale specify that she retain the apartment that is part of the beach compound.

Inside track

Singer/songwriter Oleta Adams has begun work on her Mercury Records CD that's due out in the spring. However, Adams, who released her first gospel disc, ``Come Walk With Me'' in July, says, ``It's been kind of difficult to get back into doing a secular album - my whole heart was in that gospel album.''

The daughter of a Baptist preacher, she grew up singing in the church. The gospel album, she says, ``came together so quickly because the subject matter was so easy for me. With the secular thing, you have a lot more pressure trying to figure out what kind of sound you want to put out, what is the current trend, what is radio playing these days?''

Adams, who married her band's drummer, John Cushon, in 1994, says she wants to explore relationship issues between men and women for the new CD. ``But it's hard for me to write about those things because I'm so happily married. I told my husband, `You're not giving me any good material here.' How many times can you say `I love you' and `Everything is wonderful'? When you're miserable, you write some really good stuff.''

Love letters in the sand

Marian Ross and her fellow Broadway actor Paul Michael, are spending the holidays at her home at Cardiff by the Sea near San Diego. House-guesting will be the owners of the Kansas City Playhouse, where the former ``Happy Days'' mama spends considerable time. In January, Marian and Paul, who've been playing ``Love Letters'' around the country, bring the two-person play to the Southland.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) Shirley MacLaine

Malibu home sold

(2) Oleta Adams

Follow-up album tougher