Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation’s press.

MOVIES

Brando’s Star Vandalized: A black swastika was plastered on Marlon Brando’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame early Monday after the actor came under fire for saying on CNN’s “Larry King Live” Friday night that Hollywood is “run by Jews” who allow stereotypes of other minority groups to be portrayed on film. A spokeswoman for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which places the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, said the swastika had been removed, but had no further comment on the incident. Los Angeles police said they had received no complaint so were not investigating. In a letter to the 72-year-old “Godfather” star Sunday, the Jewish Defense League vowed to make Brando’s life “a living hell” in punishment for his comments. And on Monday, Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, said that Brando should repudiate his comments and apologize for perpetuating ethnic stereotypes. “Mr. Brando should know that what he said is utterly false, extremely offensive and plays into the hands of anti-Semites and bigots,” Foxman said. Meanwhile, Hollywood columnist Army Archerd wrote in Monday’s Variety that Brando’s use of the word “kike” on the broadcast was found deplorable by even many of his long-term friends including powerhouses Lew Wasserman and Jay Kanter. But both also offered Brando support, noting that the actor had complained about the lack of African Americans involved in his 1964 movie “Bedtime Story.” Said Kanter, Brando’s longtime agent and producer: “If [the JDL] is looking to find an anti-Semite in Marlon, they’ve got the wrong guy.”

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Second ‘Batmobile’ Suit: Collector Michael Eisenberg filed a counter-suit Monday against magician David Copperfield, who on Friday had sued Eisenberg and Butterfield & Butterfield auctioneers for $1 million, claiming that a “Batmobile” he bought at auction was built for publicity purposes and had not been used in Warner Bros.’ “Batman” movie, as he believed. Eisenberg, however, claims that Copperfield “purchased an original Warner Bros. licensed Batmobile and no sleight of hand” can change Copperfield’s owing him $189,500 for it. Eisenberg’s attorney said Copperfield knew the vehicle was one of five built for the “Batman” film when he bought it in February, but backed out of the deal after Warner Bros. refused to let him use the car in his show. Copperfield’s spokeswoman, however, said that the magician had planned to exhibit the car in his private Nevada entertainment museum, and had no plans to use it in his performances.

TV & RADIO

Celebrating ‘Picket Fences’: “Picket Fences” creator David E. Kelley and series stars Tom Skerritt and Kathy Baker will join other cast and creative team members on Monday for “Inside . . . Picket Fences,” a farewell discussion and tribute to the multiple Emmy-winning series that concludes its CBS run this season. Others scheduled to participate in the 7:30 p.m. event at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood include actors Ray Walston, Lauren Holly, Costas Mandylor, Holly Marie Combs and Marlee Matlin. Tickets are $15.

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Arts Programming: Ovation, a new cable network dedicated exclusively to the visual and performing arts, is scheduled to launch on April 21. Initial programming includes performances by the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and the Paris Opera Ballet; profiles on cellist Yo-Yo Ma, theater director Peter Sellers and painter Pablo Picasso; documentaries on the Bauhaus movement and Impressionism; jazz performances by Stephanie Grappelli and Nina Simone; and Luciano Pavarotti’s performance in London’s Hyde Park. The network, overseen by Chairman J. Carter Brown, director emeritus of Washington’s National Gallery of Art, will air daily from 10 a.m. to 6 a.m.on the Hughes Galaxy 7 satellite. Ovation is still negotiating for local cable distribution.

NEW MEDIA

Next ‘Trek’ Voyage: William Shatner, Patrick Stewart and Malcolm McDowell will return to their “Star Trek” roles for an upcoming CD-ROM based on the hit Paramount Pictures movie “Star Trek Generations.” The CD-ROM will also incorporate the voices of “Star Trek” crew members including Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Data (Brent Spiner) and Worf (Michael Dorn). Release is planned for late fall.

QUICK TAKES

Tickets go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. for Gloria Estefan concerts Aug. 8 at the Forum and Aug. 13 at the Pond of Anaheim. . . . Pulitzer Prize-winning “Doonesbury” creator Garry Trudeau has joined Time magazine as a regular contributor. His first contribution will be an essay on yuppie buying sprees in the April 15 issue. . . . The Academy of Country Music has once again named Santa Ana’s Crazy Horse Steak House & Saloon as country nightclub of the year, an honor the venue previously won from 1987 through 1992. . . . “The Price Is Right” host Bob Barker goes online for the first time tonight when he holds a 7-10 p.m. chat on Microsoft Network’s Television Forum (go word: Bob Barker).