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

TELEVISION

Fire Interrupts NBC Programming: An electrical fire broke out at NBC’s New York headquarters early Thursday, halting much of the network’s New York-based programming. But while some series, such as “The Rosie O’Donnell Show,” broadcast previously taped episodes, the network’s “Today Show” aired unscathed because it is based across the street from Rockefeller Plaza. And at press time Thursday, “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” planned to broadcast from the street outside its smoke-filled studio. The fire began about 4 a.m. Eastern Time in a storeroom on the 10th floor of the 70-story General Electric Co. building, officials said. The building was evacuated and--320 firefighters and five hours later--the fire was under control, a Fire Department spokesman said. Damage was still being assessed Thursday.

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Butler Undergoing Treatment: “Grace Under Fire” star Brett Butler disclosed Thursday that she is seeking out-patient treatment for dependency on painkillers. The 38-year-old actress, who has a bad back, said production on her ABC series will not be interrupted. Butler’s revelation comes about two weeks after “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer checked himself into the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse following an auto accident.

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Programming Notes: One of TV’s most critically hailed comedies, HBO’s Emmy-winning “Larry Sanders Show,” starring Garry Shandling, returns to the schedule on Nov. 13 with new episodes. And HBO has renewed its Robert Wuhl sports comedy, “ARLI$$,” for a second season, with 13 new episodes scheduled to return in the summer of 1997. . . . “Speed,” the 1994 Keanu Reeves box-office hit that made Sandra Bullock a household name, gets its broadcast television premiere Nov. 19, on Fox. . . . Over at VH1, the new weekly talk show, “The RuPaul Show,” premieres on the cable station Saturday at 11 p.m, with guest Dennis Rodman.

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More ‘Cybill’ Shuffles: Bob Myer, who has some experience dealing with temperamental stars, is expected to be named the new executive producer/head writer on CBS’ “Cybill.” Myer oversaw the writers on “Roseanne” before leaving to create and produce the ABC comedies “Joe’s Life” and “Me and the Boys.” Like “Roseanne,” “Cybill” has undergone frequent behind-the-scenes changes, often due to reported creative differences between producers and the show’s star, Cybill Shepherd. Howard Gould is the latest to leave, following the exit of “Cybill” creator Chuck Lorre and producer Jay Daniel, another “Roseanne” alumnus.

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Pennant Fever: For Ted Turner, there’s news, and then there’s baseball. The Turner Broadcasting System Inc. chairman was scheduled to appear at the Radio-Television News Directors Assn. gathering Saturday at the L.A. Convention Center to introduce CNN anchor Bernard Shaw, who is receiving the Paul White Award for lifetime contributions to broadcast journalism. But with Turner’s Atlanta Braves battling for the National League crown, Turner has decided to stand by his team instead.

VIDEO

Blowing Through Rental Shelves: Warner Home Video’s “Twister” took in more than $8.4 million at rental outlets last week, to make it the best debut among video rentals this year, according to the Video Software Dealers’ Assn.’s VidTrac. The previous best first-week rentals were posted in March by “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” which generated nearly $6.5 million. Interestingly, the Software Dealers’ figure conflicts with the national Billboard Video Rental chart, which surveys fewer dealers, and ranks “Twister” at No. 18 for the week.

RADIO

KKBT Skit Protested: About 50 people, including 30 members of the Fruit of Islam security force, gathered at the front gates of radio station KKBT-FM (92.3) in Hollywood Thursday morning to protest “Little Crackhead,” a skit that airs on the station’s popular morning program, “John London and the House Party.” Led by the Brotherhood Crusade’s Danny Bakewell and Compton Mayor Omar Bradley, the group demanded a meeting with station general manager Craig Wilbraham, and asked that the station pull the skit and make apologies to the African American community, whose members make up a significant portion of the station’s listeners. Wilbraham did not meet with the protesters Thursday, but told The Times: “We’re interested in sitting down with the community . . . I hope as soon as next week.” However, Kenneth Collins, vice president of the Brotherhood Crusade, said the group had been asking for a meeting unsuccessfully since Oct. 2.

POP/ROCK

‘Pill’ Still Going Strong: As expected, the Recording Industry Assn. of America has officially dubbed Canadian rocker Alanis Morissette the best-selling female vocalist of all time. Morissette’s debut album, “Jagged Little Pill,” was certified Wednesday at 13 million copies sold, the association said, topping Whitney Houston’s self-titled 1984 album, which stands at 12 million copies. That 13-million figure also puts Morissette’s “Pill” in a third-place tie with Guns ‘N Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction” among best-selling debut albums. The No. 1 and 2 spots are held by Boston’s “Boston,” with 15 million copies sold, and Hootie & the Blowfish’s “Cracked Rear View,” with 14 million in U.S. sales.