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

TELEVISION

Not Welcome on News Staff: Leonardo DiCaprio’s weekend interview of President Clinton has apparently ruffled some feathers among the ABC News staff, leading to differing explanations between the White House and the network of what went on. ABC said Tuesday that the “Titanic” star was merely supposed to take an on-camera tour with Clinton of the White House, highlighting some of its environmentally friendly features for an April 22 Earth Day special. Instead, the network said, Clinton unexpectedly offered DiCaprio, 25, a 15-minute sit-down interview on his environmental policies. The network even said that news chief David Westin e-mailed his staff after finding out about the interview, saying it would have been “stupid” for DiCaprio to be sent on a presidential interview and assuring that “all roles of journalist must be played by journalists.” The White House, however, insists that DiCaprio’s interview was requested back in February and his questions were submitted a day ahead. In addition, a White House spokesman said, ABC News indicated it was “Leonardo DiCaprio that would ask the questions.”

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CBS’ Diversity Chief: Josie Thomas, who currently serves as vice president of business affairs for CBS News, has been appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president of diversity for CBS Television. Thomas, who is African American, is assigned to improve the network’s record of diversity both within the organization and with outsiders such as vendors and advertisers, according to CBS President Leslie Moonves. The position is the result of an agreement between CBS and several minority groups seeking to improve diversity at the four major networks. Thomas will continue as senior advisor to CBS News President Andrew Hayward.

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Schlemiel, Schlewalkel: The first reunion of “Laverne and Shirley’s” core cast members Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, David L. Lander, Michael McKean and Eddie Mekka, plus series producer, director and occasional guest star Garry Marshall, will take place Sunday at the MS Walk 2000 at the Warner Bros. lot. Lander, who played Squiggy on the former ABC series, has multiple sclerosis and is hosting Sunday’s fund-raiser, which is expected to draw more than 10,000 walkers.

POP/ROCK

Mariah Carey Hospitalized: Grammy-winning singer Mariah Carey was in “fair” condition in a Boston hospital Tuesday after being admitted for complications from dehydration and food poisoning, a hospital spokeswoman said. Carey’s publicist said the singer became ill after eating raw oysters and checked into the Boston hospital Monday night, where she was being treated with intravenous fluids and was expected to remain for several days. A concert scheduled for Tuesday night in Boston was rescheduled for April 13. The fate of her next scheduled performance, Friday in Toronto, had not been determined by Tuesday afternoon.

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Not So Supreme: Yes, Diana Ross’ Supremes “reunion” tour will happen. But no, it won’t feature the two other most famous living Supremes, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong. Ross announced Tuesday that she will tour with Lynda Laurence and Scherrie Payne--who joined the Supremes in the 1970s, after Ross’ departure for a solo career. “This tour will really be dedicated to all the songs from the early days,” Ross said Tuesday, noting that she has “never considered it a reunion tour.” The Return to Love tour kicks off June 14 in Philadelphia, concluding Aug. 5 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand. An Aug. 3 stop at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim is included. Meanwhile, the new trio will give their first performance together--ever--in a sneak preview on today’s “Oprah.” They will also perform together at “VH1 Divas 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross,” airing on the cable channel April 11.

THE ARTS

Lots of Internships: The J. Paul Getty Trust and the L.A. County Arts Commission have partnered to form what is being billed as the nation’s largest arts internship program, with the organizations to jointly award more than $1 million for 301 visual, performing and literary arts internships this summer at 150 organizations throughout the county. Information on available internships is posted on the Web at https://www.getty.edu/grant/internships and https://www.lacountyarts.org/internops.html.

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More Taper, Too: The Mark Taper Forum is reviving its experimental Taper, Too wing--but at the Actors’ Gang in Hollywood instead of the series’ former home downstairs at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. The program will begin with a June 10-25 double bill: “Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pin~ata Woman and Other Superhero Girls Like Me”--created by Luis Alfaro and Lisa Peterson, based on work by East L.A. poets Alma Cervantes, Sandra C. Mun~oz and Marisela Norte--and Roy Conboy’s “Drive My Coche.” A late-night hip-hop poetry event, “Night of Griots,” is slated for June 23. Next is “The Square,” 16 short plays set in Chinatown over 120 years, conceived by Chay Yew and Peterson, July 1-17; and Lynn Manning’s solo play “Weights,” July 8-17.

QUICK TAKES

Ross Stretton, best known as a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, has been chosen to head London’s Royal Ballet when Anthony Dowell retires as artistic director in 2001. After leaving ABT, Stretton became artistic director of the Australian Ballet. . . . A new version of the top-rated kids show “Pokemon” and “Static Shock,” featuring an African American teenage superhero, will join the WB network’s Saturday morning animation lineup in the fall. The network also plans a new series based on the comic book heroes “X-Men,” the animated “Jackie Chan Adventures” and “Cardcaptors,” another example of Japanese anime in the “Pokemon” vein. . . . Court TV is getting into the Mafia craze surrounding HBO’s “Sopranos” and newcomers such as CBS’ “Falcone” by airing 13 episodes of its weekly documentary program, “Crime Stories,” focusing on organized crime. Called “Lords of the Mafia,” the organized crime series begins with tonight’s episode at 10.