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

TELEVISION

Whoopi Joins ‘ET’ Boycott: Add Whoopi Goldberg to the list of celebrities who say they’ll boycott “Entertainment Tonight” in response to video “stalkerazzi” tactics employed by “ET’s” sister magazine “Hard Copy.” “As much as I love you guys, I don’t think I will be doing any more interviews with ‘ET’ until someone does something about ‘Hard Copy,’ ” the actress said in a letter to the show’s producer. Meanwhile, “ET” featured the star who began the flap, George Clooney, in a segment Thursday that touched on his upcoming movie with Michelle Pfeiffer, “One Fine Day.” The footage had been shot before the actor stated he’d no longer do interviews with the program. “ET” will also run a piece next week on “ER” that was taped before the show’s cast--as well as “Lois & Clark’s” Dean Cain--joined in Clooney’s protest. Paramount Television--which produces both “ET” and “Hard Copy”--so far continues to remain mum on the matter. Adding to Paramount’s troubles, talk-show host Rosie O’Donnell, who is said to be upset about “ET’s” coverage of friend Madonna and her baby, also canceled an interview with the show Friday.

Holiday Wishes: “3rd Rock From the Sun” star John Lithgow will be honored as the Starlight Foundation of California’s Humanitarian of the Year during the group’s 13th annual fund-raising gala tonight at the Century Plaza Hotel. As evidence of those humanitarian efforts, Lithgow has designed this holiday card as a fund-raiser for the charity, which aids sick children. Other celebrity card designers: “Frasier’s” Kelsey Grammer (his depicts a traditional Christmas tree and snowman) and “Star Trek: Voyager’s” Kate Mulgrew (she drew a trio of earthlings looking toward the stars). To order the cards, call: (800) 890-2460.

PERFORMING ARTS

Gottesman to Leave Cerritos Center: The head of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is leaving his post. Victor Gottesman, 47, said Friday he has resigned, effective Dec. 1, to become president of the U.S. subsidiary of a multinational, London-based firm, Theatre Projects Consultants. “The only reason I’m leaving is that it’s a professional boost for me,” said Gottesman, the center’s executive director since 1991. “I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments we’ve achieved here.” The $60-million Cerritos Center, which opened in 1993 and claims to be California’s highest-grossing arts center (sub-3,000 seats), was designed by the London consulting firm. Among other major venues, Theatre Projects also originated design concepts for London’s Barbican Theatre (home to the Royal Shakespeare Company) and Escondido’s California Center for the Arts. Gottesman will be based in Richfield, Conn. Cerritos will begin the search for his replacement “immediately,” he said.

Bolshoi Tally: The Bolshoi Ballet’s troubled $2.5-million, two-city tour, which began in Las Vegas Oct. 8 and ended Thursday at the Shrine Auditorium, sold only an estimated 20,000 tickets in both cities combined, with a “few thousand” additional tickets given out free in L.A. through special offers, tour officials said Friday. Audiences for most performances averaged fewer than 1,000 at both Las Vegas’ 7,000-seat Aladdin Theatre and the 6,300-seat Shrine, although figures did improve slightly for the last several performances here. Despite the disappointing box office, mostly positive critical reviews spurred talks with local dance impresario James Doolittle, as well as the Orange County Performing Arts Center, about a possible return to the area with a co-sponsored tour in Orange County and L.A.’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Brad Haines, the Vegas-L.A. tour’s primary investor, has also expressed interest in backing another Bolshoi visit.

ART

Art Notes: The Union Rescue Mission will unveil its recently acquired collection of paintings, sculpture and photographs Sunday afternoon at the Art Bank Gallery in the mid-Wilshire district. Launched in 1995 with an anonymous gift of Jules Breton’s 1889 painting “La Fille du Mineur,” and the subsequent donation of Great Western Bank’s entire art holdings, the collection--on view through Nov. 27--is the visual centerpiece of the downtown mission’s new arts program, designed to raise funds and provide access to art for the homeless. . . . Karen Boccolero, founder of East Los Angeles’ Self Help Graphics artists’ workshop; Anne Bray, founder of the LA Freewaves video art program; and L.A. City Councilman and arts advocate Joel Wachs will receive this year’s Artists Nominated Awards during ceremonies Sunday at Beverly Hills’ Peninsula Hotel. About 3,000 artists voted in the program, which honors supporters of artists.

QUICK TAKES

Ruben Blades has been cast as the lead in a new Paul Simon musical, “The Capeman,” based on the story of Salvador Agron, who became a writer while serving prison time for two New York City murders. Mark Morris is choreographing the musical, with a book by Simon and Derek Walcott. It’s scheduled to debut in Chicago in the spring followed by a New York opening next September. . . . “Frasier” star Kelsey Grammer will guest on NBC’s “Tonight Show With Jay Leno” Friday, in his first talk-show appearance since checking into the Betty Ford Center last month. . . . “Clueless” star Alicia Silverstone was driving a Ford Bronco that struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk Tuesday night, Los Angeles police said. Bruce Broadmax, 64, was not badly hurt, and Silverstone, 20, was not cited.