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

TELEVISION

Upholding Privacy: A federal judge has barred an “Inside Edition” crew from following and invading the privacy of two HMO officers, saying that the 1st Amendment doesn’t protect the news media from “torts and crimes committed in the pursuit of a story.” In a case pitting the rights of a free press against personal privacy, the judge ruled that “the use of sophisticated video and recording equipment by TV journalists has increased the threat that a person’s right to privacy may be violated.” While preparing a story on U.S. Healthcare salaries, the syndicated show’s crew surreptitiously followed Nancy and Richard Wolfson, Philadelphia-based officers of the HMO, recording them when possible with cameras hidden inside vans, the opinion said. The couple had earlier refused an interview.

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New Kids’ Fare: Fox Children’s Network will revise its top-rated Saturday morning and weekday schedules beginning April 20. The new Saturday schedule will include the debut of a new “Power Rangers” show, “Zeo” (9-9:30 a.m.), the return of “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” (9:30-10 a.m.) and a special three-week broadcast of the animated miniseries “Red Planet,” based on the popular book by Robert A. Heinlein (11:30 a.m.-noon, beginning May 4). “Power Rangers Zeo” will also join the weekday schedule (Monday-Thursday, 4:30-5 p.m.), and “Jim Henson’s Animal Show,” formerly a segment of “Fox Clubhouse,” will join the schedule as a full half-hour program (Monday-Friday, 8-8:30 a.m.).

MOVIES

Still in the Game: Gregory Peck, stealing a page from author Mark Twain, says through his spokesman that “reports of my retirement are somewhat exaggerated.” Peck said he was kidding when he told the Associated Press last week that after 50 years of filmmaking he didn’t want to wear out his welcome. In fact, Peck, 80, resumes his one-man show, “A Conversation With Gregory Peck,” in Calgary, Canada, on May 12, with other May stops in Anchorage; Hartford, Conn.; and Atlanta. Nine additional U.S. and Canadian dates are scheduled in the fall. Peck admits that he doesn’t have an overwhelming urge to step before the camera, but his spokesman said he still receives numerous script submissions and could very well opt to do one if the part were right.

MUSIC & DANCE

Elvis, the Ballet: Opening at the Cleveland Playhouse Square Theatre on May 29, an 80-minute program called “Blue Suede Shoes” is billed as the first professional, full-length ballet set to the music of Elvis Presley. Danced by the 20-year-old Cleveland-San Jose Ballet to 36 Presley recordings from the RCA catalog, the production features choreography by company artistic director Dennis Nahat, sets and costumes by Bob Mackie and additional music by William Ross. The San Jose premiere is scheduled for April 1997.

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Opera Staff Change: Christopher Hahn, director of the San Francisco Opera Center since 1993, has been named the L.A. Opera’s new artistic administrator. Hahn, born in South Africa, will assist in season planning, repertory choice and casting, while budgeting and negotiating all performance contracts and supervising auditions. He replaces Robin Thompson, who becomes director of artistic administration at the New York City Opera.

POP/ROCK

‘Pill’ Still No. 1: Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” held its position at the top of the national album chart, selling about 254,000 copies last week, according to SoundScan. The Beatles’ “Anthology 2” dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 with sales of about 158,000. The week’s strongest debut was the Geto Boys’ “The Resurrection,” which entered the chart at No. 6 with sales of about 124,000.

QUICK TAKES

A Los Angeles judge has dismissed actress Melissa Gilbert’s claims against the National Enquirer and her ex-husband, Bo Brinkman, of libel, invasion of privacy and conspiracy in conjunction with an Enquirer interview with Brinkman that referred to her as “a deadbeat mother.” But the judge, while ruling that Gilbert was a public figure, will allow the former “Little House on the Prairie” star to proceed with one claim--misappropriation of her likeness. . . . Now that his critically praised series, “TV Nation,” is canceled, filmmaker Michael Moore (“Roger & Me”) is working on a book for Random House’s Crown Publishers, tentatively titled “Downsize This! Random Threats From an Unarmed American.” In it, he rants, raves and ruminates on subjects including the job market, free trade, corporate crime, O.J. Simpson and abortion rights. . . . NBC will attempt to capitalize on its new hit “3rd Rock From the Sun” by moving it up a half hour to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, starting April 23. The John Lithgow comedy will trade places with “Wings.” . . . NBC’s “In the House,” starring Debbie Allen and LL Cool J, will return to its original Monday 8:30 p.m. time slot on April 22, replacing the canceled “Brotherly Love.”