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

TELEVISION

Sinbad on Board: Comedian-actor Sinbad has signed an overall production deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment that will have him starring in and producing television shows and movies for the studio, executives announced Monday. The deal also means that Sinbad, who currently hosts the late-night show “Vibe,” will continue as host into the show’s second season. Sinbad, who joined “Vibe” in October after the ouster of original host Chris Spencer, had not formerly committed to hosting “Vibe,” a syndicated show seen locally on KCOP-TV Channel 13, through the rest of the year and into next season. Under the agreement, Sinbad will also become an executive producer of “Vibe.”

No Laughing Matter: The co-creator and head writer of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” has left the series. Lizz Winstead reportedly feuded with host Craig Kilborn, who was briefly suspended after making derogatory comments about her and other female staffers in a magazine interview. Kilborn issued a statement last week saying, “We all say things we wish we could take back and I wish I could take back my comments in Esquire. I can only hope that Lizz will accept my deepest apology for my unfortunate comments.”

No Welcome Mat for Oprah: Next on “Oprah”: Hosting a talk show in unwelcome territory. Oprah Winfrey is moving her show from Chicago to Amarillo, Texas, while she defends herself against a defamation lawsuit brought by cattle ranchers. The president of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce indicated which side he’s on, despite the money and limelight that Winfrey’s show would bring. “We are not going to have any red-carpet roll-outs, key to the city, flowers . . . sent to her or her production company, and no chamber employees are to be at her show if she has them in Amarillo,” Gary Molberg wrote in a memo. The chamber will provide any information she requests, he wrote, “but the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce fully supports the cattle feeder industry because they are a vital part of Amarillo.” Alphonso Vaughn, president of the Amarillo chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People, said this week that Molberg’s memo tarnishes the city’s reputation. He said the memo was shortsighted, and that his group would welcome Winfrey to the city. Winfrey is expected to testify in the trial, which starts Jan. 20. Cattle ranchers claim her comments against eating beef during the mad cow disease scare helped sink cattle prices, costing them millions of dollars.

LEGAL FILE

Woman Sues for Kuralt Property: A woman who says she was Charles Kuralt’s travel companion for decades is suing to get a rural Montana property she claims he promised her. But the widow of the broadcaster known for his “On the Road” series says her husband intended to leave everything to her and their children. In a lawsuit filed last fall but first reported Saturday in the Helena Independent Record, Patricia Shannon seeks about 130 acres and a home Kuralt owned near Twin Bridges. A handwritten, notarized 1989 document and a 1997 handwritten modification of Kuralt’s will both state that she was to get the property, according to her lawsuit. Kuralt was 62 when he died July 4 in New York, where he was hospitalized with complications from lupus and heart disease on June 18. Shannon said the will modification was dated June 18. A lawyer for Kuralt’s widow, Suzanna “Petie” Baird Kuralt, declined to comment on the case. Documents filed in court say her husband had the opportunity to amend his will but did not, and the handwritten papers attributed to him are invalid.

POP/ROCK

Nike Ad ‘Bitter Sweet’: Nike has been known to delve into the pop vaults for soundtracks for its commercials (remember the controversy over using the Beatles’ “Revolution”?), and now it’s using songs that are on the charts. In a commercial that is currently airing, the Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony”--which was named single of the year by Rolling Stone--is featured in a new commercial for the athletic apparel company. The song sparked debate regarding sampling rights since it uses music originally recorded for an orchestral version of the Rolling Stones’ “The Last Time,” recorded in the ‘60s. The Stones successfully challenged the use of the sample and songwriters Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are sharing in the song’s royalties. According to Amco Music Inc. spokesman Allen Klein, who handles the Stones’ publishing rights, Nike made separate deals with his company and the Verve’s Virgin Records.

QUICK TAKES

Production is scheduled to begin Friday on Warner Bros.’ “Lethal Weapon 4.” Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci and Rene Russo will all return, along with new cast members Chris Rock and Chinese action star Jet Li. . . . Diana Ross will host a four-hour special commemorating the 40th anniversary of Motown Records. “Motown 40: The Music Is Forever” is scheduled to air Feb. 15 and 19 from 9-11 p.m. on ABC. . . . CBS will air “My Sergei,” a drama based on Olympic gold medal pairs skater Ekaterina Gordeeva’s book about life with her late husband and skating partner, Sergei Grinkov, on Feb. 4, two days before the opening ceremonies for the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Gordeeva, meanwhile, has been named as a special correspondent for CBS’ Olympics coverage. . . . Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, said to be sick from exhaustion after a U.S. tour, has canceled two sold-out concerts in England this week.