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

PEOPLE

Heston’s Rehab Confirmed: Citing overwork and a heavy travel schedule, Charlton Heston’s publicist confirmed Monday that the actor and National Rifle Assn. president spent three weeks in an alcohol rehabilitation program last spring after his social drinking got out of hand. “He thought he needed to take care of something that could possibly become a huge problem,” publicist Lisa DeMatteo said. “He’s actually back at work, taking care of himself and feeling great.” Heston checked himself into a facility in Utah from late May to mid-June, DeMatteo said. “I think it was overwork. He keeps a horrendous travel schedule, and he’s 76 years old,” DeMatteo said. “He’s speaking, he’s campaigning, he works for the NRA, he’s been doing all this stuff.” Heston declined a request from Associated Press for an interview.

TELEVISION

Bye-Bye, Kathie Lee: Ratings surged for Friday’s “Live With Regis & Kathie Lee,” which featured the farewell appearance of Kathie Lee Gifford. The program attracted more than 10% of all homes in 50 major cities monitored by Nielsen Media Research, more than 2 1/2 times its average rating during the May sweeps. In Los Angeles, the show was seen in an estimated 12.7% of households--or about 660,000 homes--in the viewing area. Now known as “Live With Regis,” the syndicated talk show will feature guest hosts until a permanent replacement is named; Roseanne is scheduled for today.

STAGE

Joyce Heir Attempts to Halt ‘Molly Bloom’: The BBC News reported Sunday that the grandson of James Joyce has called for a ban on a musical adaptation of the writer’s legendary work “Ulysses.” Stephen Joyce, who oversees the writer’s estate, has threatened legal action over the production of “Molly Bloom, a Musical Dream,” which is scheduled to premiere Aug. 2 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In a letter to the Fringe director, Paul Gudgin, Joyce said the work was contrary to the wishes of the author and demanded that the show be canceled. Joyce said: “‘If such performances are to go ahead during the Edinburgh Fringe the estate of James Joyce will consider that such action constitutes flagrant breach of my grandfather’s copyright and . . . take all necessary steps to defend these rights.” The show’s promoters said the copyright has expired and the show would go on. A musical version of James Joyce’s “The Dead,” originally produced by Playwrights Horizons, is currently being staged at the Ahmanson Theatre.

FILM

Venice Film Fest Shuns Hollywood: This year’s Venice Film Festival is an international affair featuring 18 films in competition from India, Iran, France, South Korea, Hong Kong, Portugal, France, Britain, Italy, Australia and Spain. And two American movies. Both are independently produced and will be vying for prizes at this year’s edition of the world’s oldest film festival, said festival director Alberto Barbera. The festival, running Aug. 30-Sept. 9 in Italy’s picturesque city on the water, will include the American films “Dr. T and the Women” by Robert Altman and “Before Night Falls” by Julian Schnabel (“Basquiat”). The festival will begin with a tribute to Clint Eastwood, who will be honored with the Golden Lion career achievement award at opening night on the Lido.

ENTERTAINMENT

Adam Sandler Scores Web Deal: Adam Sandler and Jack Giarraputo have announced the formation of a new online entertainment venture known as Shnorff.com. Shnorff will partner with the online entertainment company MediaTrip.com in an exclusive long-term partnership to create original content for Internet distribution. This includes episodic shows, animation, film shorts and games with a focus on user interactivity. Under the terms of the deal, Shnorff will be a separate entity, and the site will be co-branded with MediaTrip.com. In addition, the two sites will complement each other by providing direct links for users, and various other cross-pollination efforts including promotions, games, contests and other interactive content. MediaTrip.com’s strategic studio partner, Joe Roth’s Revolution Studios, will receive a first-look deal on all properties developed by the online endeavor.

QUICK TAKES

Barbra Streisand’s two concerts at Madison Square Garden on Sept. 27 and 28 sold out quickly on Monday, according to Ticketmaster. Tickets for the singer’s Sept. 20 and 21 farewell concerts at Staples Center, however, are still available. Ticketmaster reports 75% of the tickets for her Staples show were sold on Sunday. Tickets range from $150 to $2,500. . . . Steven Bochco veteran James McDaniel, who plays Lt. Arthur Fancy on Bochco’s “NYPD Blue,” will leave the drama next season after the first 13 episodes. McDaniel, who was one of the original cast members of “NYPD Blue” when it premiered in 1993, wants to concentrate on feature film roles.