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

ART

Huntington Plans: San Marino philanthropists George and MaryLou Boone have presented the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens with a gift of $3 million to renovate a historic building and provide new exhibition space. The donation--one of the largest ever received by the 78-year-old institution--will create a gallery in the 1911 Carriage House, in an area of the grounds that hasn’t been open to the public. The two-story, 7,200-square-foot structure was designed as a garage for the Huntington family’s cars and as living quarters for the staff. The renovation project is expected to be completed in 1999, launching a new venue for traveling shows of American and English art, rare books and manuscripts.

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MOCA’s Dime Lunch: The Museum of Contemporary Art will offer 10-cent admission between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays in November, although to get the offer, visitors must make a minimum $5 purchase in either the MOCA store or Patinette restaurant. The “Dime Time” discount is valid at both MOCA’s California Plaza galleries and at the Geffen Contemporary facility on Central Avenue. Regular museum admission is $6 for adults; $4 for seniors and students and free for children under 12.

TELEVISION

Whitney’s No-Show: A tribute to ABC’s production of “Cinderella” on Thursday’s “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” was anything but a fairy tale when Whitney Houston, who stars in and executive produced the movie, called in sick only about 10 minutes before air time. Sources said producers of O’Donnell’s show were extremely upset by Houston’s late notice, and even members of Houston’s entourage at the studio--including her publicist, agent and manager--were caught off-guard. The hourlong show went on with other “Cinderella” cast members, including Brandy and Bernadette Peters. However, O’Donnell teasingly chided Houston throughout the show, saying, “Whitney, you really better be sick.”

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‘Vibe,’ KCAL News Ratings: Comedian Sinbad has apparently brought new life to the struggling late-night talk show “Vibe.” Columbia TriStar Television Distribution said the program’s nationwide ratings increased an average of 65% and audience share rose 57% during Sinbad’s first four nights as the program’s host. Sinbad took over from comedian Chris Spencer, who was removed when producers decided he was not attracting enough viewers. . . . The revamped, faster-paced KCAL-TV Channel 9 prime-time news block did not result in new viewers during its first four nights this week. In fact, the audience share for the revamped 8 to 11 p.m. news attracted only 4% of the available audience, compared to a 6% share of viewers last week.

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‘Salt of the Earth’: TNT will pay tribute Nov. 27 to Paul Jarrico, the 82-year-old blacklisted screenwriter who died in an auto accident Tuesday after being belatedly honored Monday night by Hollywood’s talent guilds. The cable channel will air “Salt of the Earth”--made by an independent group of blacklisted men organized by Jarrico--at 5 p.m. The movie, a 1954 documentary about a Mexican mine workers’ strike, was originally boycotted and long suppressed but is now recognized as a classic.

POP/ROCK

The Fourth Bee Gee: Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb--better known as the Bee Gees--say they will fulfill a promise made to their late brother, Andy Gibb, by performing with him--or at least his recorded image and voice--during the group’s Nov. 14 concert at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. The elder Gibbs say they had long promised Andy that he would become a Bee Gees member “when he grew up,” but the promise never came to fruition because he died of a heart ailment in 1988, at age 30. So using the same video and sound techniques that Natalie Cole used to perform with her late father, Nat King Cole, all four brothers will perform together during the Vegas concert on Andy’s 1978 hit “(Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away.”

QUICK TAKES

The producers have canceled tonight’s performance of “Danny U’s Tribute to Elvis,” scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Veterans Wadsworth Theater. Refunds will be processed at the point of purchase. No reason was given. . . . Disney’s Hollywood Pictures and Parachute Entertainment have announced plans to turn “Goosebumps” author R.L. Stine’s young adult book series, “Fear Street,” into a feature film franchise. . . . “Bogey Man,” a previously unreleased recording featuring the late Who drummer Keith Moon, will be heard on Sunday’s episode of the syndicated kids’ series “Van-Pires,” airing at 11:30 a.m. on KCOP-TV Channel 13. Who bassist John Entwistle is co-musical director of the series. . . . Noted modern dance choreographer Mark Morris will hold an online chat today at 2 p.m. at https://www.voiceofdance.org . . . The New York Philharmonic will make its Orange County debut on Jan. 8, 1999, in an exclusive Southland concert under music director Kurt Masur at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The orchestra last visited Southern California in 1986, at UCLA’s Royce Hall, under the direction of Leonard Bernstein. . . . Cable’s E! Entertainment Television will air “Versace: The E! True Hollywood Story,” focusing on designer Gianni Versace’s life and murder, on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. . . . Stephanie Zimbalist has joined the cast of “Wonderful Town,” the Reprise! production at the Freud Playhouse, Nov. 19 to 23.