TELEVISIONOn the Caruso Watch: When “NYPD Blue”...

TELEVISION

On the Caruso Watch: When “NYPD Blue” begins filming its second season today, David Caruso will be on the set to portray Detective John Kelly--but it’s anybody’s guess how long he’ll stay. “Steven Bochco Productions and David Caruso have settled their differences, and David Caruso will be back to work on Tuesday,” ABC said in a statement Monday, responding to reports that the redheaded star is leaving the show that was recently nominated for a record-setting 26 Emmys to pursue a feature film career. But other sources insist that Caruso has reached an agreement with series creators Bochco and David Milch to leave shortly after production resumes. One described the problems between Caruso and the producers as “a thicket” that is not just about Caruso’s desire for a bigger salary, as has been reported. The TV producers apparently have little leverage to keep Caruso--who reportedly earned $1 million to star in Fox’s upcoming film “Kiss of Death.” If Caruso were to break his multiyear “NYPD Blue” deal, he contractually could not work on any other TV shows, but he could still work in feature films.

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Dunaway to Sing Sondheim: Actress Faye Dunaway may not be singing Andrew Lloyd Webber tunes in “Sunset Boulevard” but she plans to sing a Stephen Sondheim song on Fox-TV’s “The Simpsons,” the actress told The Times. Her friend James Brooks, “Simpsons” executive producer, asked her to sing on the show, she says, and the song she hopes to sing is “Loving You,” from Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony-winning new musical, “Passion.” The TV segment, in which she will play a torch singer, tapes at the end of the month. Dunaway, who was abruptly fired in late June from the Los Angeles production of “Sunset” before her performances in the show began, said she is also seriously considering two offers to sing in Broadway shows.

MOVIES

Celebrating Diversity: Director Oliver Stone will receive the Pacesetter Award and singer-actress Diahann Carroll will get the Lifetime Achievement Award during the Multicultural Motion Picture Assn.’s second annual Diversity Awards, to be held Sept. 20 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Other awards will go to actors Rosie Perez, Marlee Matlin, Bill Duke, Andy Garcia, Joan Chen, Wes Studi, Lou Gossett Jr. and Sonia Braga. Aretha Franklin, Taylor Dayne and jazz artist Stanley Clark will perform.

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Roaring About Similarities: Dozens of Japanese cartoonists have joined those citing similarities between Disney’s blockbuster “The Lion King” and a 1960s Japanese cartoon series. About 50 cartoonists and 150 others from related fields have signed a letter to Disney officials seeking credit for the cartoon’s creator, citing what they think is more than a passing resemblance between “The Lion King’s” Simba, and Kimba, the hero of a popular Japanese series inspired by the late Osamu Tezuka’s comic book, “The Jungle Emperor.” Meanwhile, the president of Tezuka Productions Co., which owns the rights to the Kimba series, says the company is rethinking its original stand that any similarities were merely a form of flattery. “Now we will reconsider what position would be most appropriate,” Takayuki Matsutani said without elaborating.

POP/ROCK

Michael Appeals: Attorneys for pop star George Michael on Monday asked London’s Court of Appeal to overturn a June ruling upholding a $12-million, multiyear contract the singer signed with Sony Music Entertainment in 1988. Michael, who claimed during a 74-day high court hearing that Sony refused to back his change of direction from sex symbol to serious musician, has called the contract “professional slavery.” His appeal is based on the grounds that his Sony contract amounts to restraint of trade and violates the European Union Treaty.

QUICK TAKES

Actor Christopher Plummer has been voted a Primetime Emmy in the outstanding voice-over performance category for his work as narrator of the Family Channel’s cable series “Madeline.” . . . Hot off her performance in the summer hit “Speed,” Sandra Bullock will star in and co-produce “Kate and Leopold” for Miramax. Screenwriter Steven Rogers wrote the romantic comedy with Bullock in mind. . . . Bob Hope has signed with NBC for an unprecedented 56th year of new entertainment specials. Included will be an upcoming retrospective program marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II as seen by Hope. . . . A Los Angeles court on Monday extended to three years a court order barring an allegedly obsessed fan, Todd Lawrence, from going near pop star Madonna, her home or her office.