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

TV & MOVIES

Branching Out: Chris Carter is developing a new TV series for Fox and will continue “The X-Files” into the millennium. Under a new deal with 20th Century Fox Television, series creator Carter will continue his “X-Files” investigations through both this season and next. Stars Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny’s contracts also call for them to continue through 1999-2000, which will mark the show’s seventh season. Meanwhile, though no details are available on the new series, it is planned to premiere in the fall of 1999. Carter’s deal also includes a first-look agreement for feature film projects and calls for him to continue executive-producing “Millennium” at least through this season.

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Pointing Fingers: Nearly 235,000 members of the worldwide entertainment community have received a recent mailing from a Church of Scientology-based group that directly blames psychiatric and psychologic practices for contributing to the deaths of such artistic legends as Ernest Hemingway, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Vivien Leigh, Janis Joplin and John Lennon. Accompanied by a letter signed by 14 Hollywood types, including actors Jenna Elfman, Anne Archer, Juliette Lewis, Nancy Cartwright, Jason Lee and Jason Beghe, the publication, “Harming Artists: Psychiatry Manipulating Creativity,” alleges that several Hollywood tragedies came about because of the “betrayal” of psychiatry or psychology, described as “an influence that left these artists dreadfully damaged, their foundations of strength and certainty torn away.” The 52-page publication, produced by Scientology’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, includes essays on such topics as “Marilyn Monroe: Killed by Psychiatric Drugs” and “Kurt Cobain: Ritalin Harms ‘Teen Spirit.’ ” The accompanying letter notes that the “family” of actors, producers and directors has been “repeatedly ravaged” recently, noting the deaths of actors Phil Hartman and Chris Farley, producer Don Simpson and musician Michael Hutchence.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

They Like Us, They (Mostly) Like Us: Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Philharmonic are just back from introducing abroad (in five cities on an 11-city tour) their hometown homage “LA Variations,” written by music director Salonen. So how did it play across the pond? “Impressively,” said the London Times. “Pure musical joy,” wrote Le Soir of Brussels. “Full of wit and scintillating colors,” said the Sunday Times. Two Zurich papers were positive, calling the work “virtuosic” and a “listening safari,” while a third groused that it was “limited.” The Germans, last to hear it, were also divided: “Creative . . . but not very original” said one Frankfurt critic, while that city’s largest daily, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, called it “energy-filled, accessible music.”

POP/ROCK

Rapper Arrests: Two rappers have been arrested in separate incidents--Grammy winner Coolio on weapons and drug charges in Lawndale, and Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard for allegedly threatening to kill security guards at a West Hollywood club, police said Thursday. ODB was taken into custody early Thursday after an incident at the House of Blues; police said he threatened to return to “shoot and kill” security guards who ordered him out of the club because he was “drunk, disorderly and annoying other patrons.” Coolio, meanwhile, was arrested in Lawndale Tuesday on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and possessing marijuana. Police allegedly found the items after pulling over the rapper for driving on the wrong side of a street.

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Singing for Animal Rights: Paul McCartney said in New York on Thursday that he and Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde are organizing a series of concerts next year to continue his late wife Linda’s crusade for animal rights. No dates or sites have been set, but McCartney said he is talking with Elvis Costello, the B-52’s, the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, Blur, Lenny Kravitz and Natalie Imbruglia about participating.

QUICK TAKES

The Smashing Pumpkins have been added as “special guests” for KISS’ Halloween night concert at Dodger Stadium, which is expected to be televised by the Fox network. Tickets go on sale Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. . . . Country singer Reba McEntire gets her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during 11:30 a.m. ceremonies today at 7018 Hollywood Blvd. . . . Frank Sinatra Jr. will headline this year’s Frank Sinatra Celebrity Golf Tournament gala on Feb. 20 in Palm Springs. Meanwhile, Liza Minnelli will present Barbara Sinatra with the National Italian American Foundation’s Hope for Children Award during an Oct. 17 gala in Washington.