HOLLYWOOD — A roaring comeback it was not. But at least Sunday's Oscars stemmed the viewer flight of recent years and managed better in the ratings than last year's all-time low.

An average of 36.3 million total viewers watched ABC's 81st Academy Awards with first-time host Hugh Jackman, according to early figures yesterday from Nielsen Media Research. That was up 13 percent compared with last year's ill-fated telecast with host Jon Stewart, which came just days after the resolution of the three-month writers strike.

The network estimated that overall, 67.6 million viewers caught at least six minutes of Sunday's ceremony.

ABC pointed out that this year's show was the top-rated entertainment telecast so far this season.

JUDGE EXTENDS SPEARS-CASE TRO

LOS ANGELES — A restraining order against Britney Spears' former manager and an ex-boyfriend has been temporarily extended to give a Los Angeles judge more time to hear arguments in the case.

Judge Aviva K. Bobb extended a temporary restraining order against Sam Lutfi and paparazzo Adnan Ghalib until tomorrow morning. The singer's father, Jamie Spears, will be allowed to testify earlier to accommodate his travel schedule.

Bobb cited a technicality and busy court calendar for delaying the hearing.

Jamie Spears and various attorneys are seeking a lengthy restraining order against Lutfi, Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley. They claim the trio have tried to sabotage a court-ordered conservatorship that granted Jamie Spears control over his 27-year-old daughter's personal and financial affairs a year ago.

RAPPER HELD IN FATBURGER FRACAS

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Rapper N.O.R.E. was arrested following a fight with a customer at a Miami Beach hamburger restaurant, police said.

The 31-year-old rapper, whose real name is Victor Santiago, was arrested early Sunday after police said he caused a disruption at a Fatburger by yelling at another customer, ripping up a bouquet of flowers and throwing a drink at a customer.

Authorities said Santiago, of New York, punched a man in the face, and yelled "Do you know who I am?"

Santiago was charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct. He was taken to the Miami-Dade county jail and released.

FALK'S DAUGHTER ALLOWED TO VISIT

LOS ANGELES — A judge says Peter Falk's daughter can meet with her ailing father.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva K. Bobb yesterday granted Catherine Falk a 30-minute supervised meeting with her father within 30 days.

Catherine Falk's attorney says she has not seen the former "Columbo" actor in approximately six months. She filed in December to establish a conservatorship for her father, who she stated has Alzheimer's disease.

According to an E! online report Friday, Falk's wife Shera has said in court documents that Catherine Falk was estranged from her father for years and is trying to make a play for his money.

Attorneys for Shera Falk declined to comment yesterday.