ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

TELEVISION

Dirty Pictures?: With the controversy over an exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum of Art still boiling, Showtime announced Monday that it has lined up James Woods to star in “Dirty Pictures,” a TV movie about a similar conflict in 1990. The film, to be shown next spring, casts Woods (“The General’s Daughter,” “Ghosts of Mississippi,” “Nixon”) as Dennis Barrie, museum director of the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, who was indicted, along with the museum, for exhibiting some controversial photographs of Robert Mapplethorpe that graphically depicted homosexuality and sadomasochism. Both Barrie and the museum were acquitted. In making the announcement, Jerry Offsay, president of programming for Showtime, noted that while the Mapplethorpe photos stirred controversy 10 years ago, “the debate over freedom of expression continues to be challenged, as evidenced by the current controversy of the ‘Sensation’ exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.” Hank Cohen, president of MGM Television Entertainment, which will produce the movie for the pay-TV outlet, said “Dirty Pictures” will take a balanced look “at both sides of this issue as well as what role a museum should play.” Woods said that he opposes “censorship in any form,” adding: “In an age of self-entitlement, however, I do wish more people had a sense of responsibility commensurate with their 1st Amendment rights.” A Showtime spokeswoman said that the Brooklyn Museum furor did not spur “Dirty Pictures”: It was in development since 1994.

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Wrong Picture: Did you tune in to “Mobil Masterpiece Theatre’s” production of “Aristocrats” on KCET-TV Sunday night and get confused? As if you were in the middle of the story? You were. According to station vice president Barbara Goen, KCET converted from an analog broadcast signal to digital over the weekend and, in the process, the wrong satellite was accessed. Goen said that about six minutes into the broadcast, the situation was corrected, and the first hour was picked up in progress. But KCET intends to right its picture. Next Sunday, at 7:30 p.m., it will replay the full Part 1, leading in to the already scheduled Part 2 at 9.

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TV Favorites: TV Guide’s Oct. 16 issue names what the editors have deemed to be “TV’s 50 Greatest Characters Ever.” The Top 10 are: Louie De Palma, “Taxi”; Ed Norton, “The Honeymooners”; Lucy Ricardo, “I Love Lucy”; Fonzie, “Happy Days”; Archie Bunker, “All in the Family”; Mr. Spock, “Star Trek”; Lt. Columbo, “Columbo”; Emma Peel, “The Avengers”; Barney Fife, “The Andy Griffith Show”; and George Costanza, “Seinfeld.”

MOVIES

Latino Films: Recognizing the wave of talent sweeping Latin American film, the American Film Institute has included a Latin Cinema series as part of its international film festival, which begins Oct. 21. The festival, which will be held at the Egyptian, El Capitan and Vogue theaters in Hollywood, will feature 50 films from throughout the world. This is the first year the festival will include a special Latin cinema series, said festival director Jon Fitzgerald, including films from Mexico, Cuba, Argentina and Brazil. “Latin American countries and Spain have produced a great number of quality filmmakers in the last few years,” Fitzgerald said. “We are seeing an explosion of talent from these countries and we wanted to give these voices an opportunity.”

COMEDY

Next Year in Aspen: The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, to be held Feb. 9-13 in Aspen, Colo., will feature a Smothers Brothers reunion to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their show being forced off the air. Though CBS ostensibly canceled “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1969 because the brothers failed to deliver a tape on time, it’s well accepted that the show’s politically liberal humor angered the network. The festival will also honor Jerry Lewis with a moderated discussion identifying his contributions to and influence on the current generation in television.

LEGAL FILE

Trouble in Muppet-ville?: The Jim Henson Co. has been sued for $250 million by a couple who claim the Muppet makers stole their ideas and used them in a number of best-selling children’s books. The copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit claims that the books “Good Night, Ernie” and “Good Night, Elmo,” released last year by Random House and Henson Co., reflected the ideas of Wanda and Christopher Cavalier. In addition, it claims the Simon & Schuster book “Bear in the Big Blue House,” released in May, features a character identical to one they had created. The suit names the Henson company and its Children’s Television Workshop and CTW publishing arms; Random House; Simon & Schuster and its parent, Viacom Inc. None of the companies commented on the suit.

QUICK TAKES

“The Practice” delivered a record audience Sunday, attracting nearly 18 million viewers, according to preliminary ratings estimates. The episode--which resolved a subplot involving accused murderer George Vogelman--drew slightly more viewers than the ABC drama’s season premiere. . . . Actor Rob Reiner will be honored with the 2,146th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today at 11:30 a.m. at 6421 Hollywood Blvd. near Cahuenga. The star will be next to that of his father, Carl Reiner.