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

MOVIES

‘Diva’ for Diana: Actress/pop star Diana Ross will return to the big screen for the first time in 18 years in a new version of the French film “Diva,” under a deal announced Monday between TriStar Pictures and Ross’ Anaid Film Productions. “Diva,” released in 1982, is a story of intrigue involving an internationally acclaimed singer, gangsters, politicians and smuggling. A winner of many pop music awards since her days with the Supremes, Ross was nominated for a best actress Oscar for playing Billie Holiday in “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972). Her last film was “The Wiz” in 1978.

Fishburne Loses Appeal: Actor Laurence Fishburne was turned away by the U.S. Supreme Court Monday in his fight to maintain the privacy of a diary he keeps for his psychotherapist. The high court, without comment, refused to consider Fishburne’s argument against having to produce the diary in connection with a lawsuit against Cinergi Pictures Entertainment Inc. Fishburne charged that Cinergi broke a contract for him to co-star with Bruce Willis in the hit movie “Die Hard With a Vengeance,” instead signing Samuel L. Jackson for less money. The Los Angeles Superior Court ordered Fishburne to produce his diary to see if it contains entries relevant to the dispute. Lawyers for Cinergi argued that the actor has already turned over the diary for in-chambers examination by a court official.

POP/ROCK

Garcia’s Ashes Strewn: Most of the remains of Grateful Dead founder Jerry Garcia were strewn on the waters of the Golden Gate Bridge Monday by the guitarist’s family and friends. A small portion of Garcia’s ashes reportedly were deposited in India’s Ganges River on April 4 by Garcia’s widow, Deborah Koons Garcia, and band member Bob Weir, who also attended Monday’s observance. Family members were irked at being left out of the earlier ceremony, but joined in Monday. Garcia died Aug. 9 at a drug rehabilitation clinic in Marin County at the age of 53.

TELEVISION

‘Muppets’ Hung Up: ABC Entertainment continues to fine-tune its faltering lineup in preparation for the May ratings sweeps, which gets underway on April 25. The network announced it is pulling “Muppets Tonight!” after this week’s broadcast for an indefinite rest pending a return in a new time period “to be announced shortly.” After Friday, the Muppets will be replaced in the 8:30 p.m. time slot by “Boy Meets World,” which “Muppets” had displaced on March 8. Although the Muppets gang got great reviews from family entertainment-starved critics, it averaged only a 7.9 rating and a 14% audience share in its first five outings, compared to the 10.5/18 that “Boy Meets World” had averaged.

‘Live’ Thrives: “Saturday Night Live” out-rated the premiere of Roseanne’s highly publicized sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Special,” according to overnight major market ratings. “SNL” earned a 6.4 rating, 17 share; “Saturday Night Special,” on the Fox network, got a 5.2 rating, 11 share. NBC’s performance was in line with its season-to-date average, while Roseanne improved Fox’s ratings for the time period by 8% and a full share point. A rating point equals 531,000 TV homes, or 1% percent of the estimated 53.1 million big-city households estimated by Nielsen Media Research.

STAGE

‘Sisterella’ Special: All regular tickets for the hit musical “Sisterella” at the Pasadena Playhouse have been sold, but admission to a special benefit performance April 24 is still available, with prices starting at $150, including a reception and cast party. Beneficiaries are the United Negro College Fund and the Heal the World Foundation. Contact the foundation at (310) 312-6817. The Pasadena run closes April 28, but talks are underway about a move to either the Doolittle or Wilshire theaters, said the show’s creator Larry Hart.

QUICK TAKES

Actor Christian Slater and his girlfriend jumped through a bedroom window to escape a fire at her home in the Mount Olympus area early Sunday, Fire Department officials said. An electrical short on a wooden deck outside the house started the blaze, which caused about $90,000 in damage, said Los Angeles City Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells. The woman was not identified. . . . Frances Coppola has been signed by Douglas/Reuther Productions to direct John Grisham’s best-selling novel “The Rainmaker,” it was announced Monday by the film’s producers Michael Douglas and Steven Reuther. . . . Monday brought 1 million Asian TV households their first chance to get to know Jay Leno and “As the World Turns.” Leno’s show and the soap opera are part of daily fare NBC began airing via cable in China, Taiwan, Thailand and the Philippines.