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

TELEVISION

‘The Osbournes’: Biggest MTV Hit

“The Osbournes,” the reality show about rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his colorful family life, is officially the biggest hit series in MTV’s 21-year history. And, according to Nielsen Media Research, the series has pushed aside professional wrestling as cable’s most-watched show.

More than 6.2 million people watched last Tuesday’s episode, up from 6 million the week before--surpassing the number who tuned in to MTV’s “Beavis & Butt-head” and “Real World.”

Trying to take advantage of the hit, MTV is playing episodes 15 times a week. Three more original episodes are due to air before the end of the season, and the network may try to use existing footage to create up to three additional new ones.

Negotiations are underway with the family about filming another season’s worth of shows. The Osbournes are reportedly concerned about an influx of tourists at their California home and may ask that some of the filming take place at their second home in England.

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MOVIES

Swastika Poster Nixed for Costa-Gavras Film

Mikado Film, the distributor of Costa-Gavras’ “Amen,” is pulling down posters for the political drama in Italy--heading off a move by right-wing politicians to ban them.

The posters, designed by Oliviero Toscani, feature a red swastika designed to resemble a Latin cross. The film tells the story of Pope Pius XII’s purported silence during World War II in the face of Nazi war crimes against Jews--a theme likely to incur the wrath of the Vatican. The film opened Friday.

“I am surprised [at Mikado’s move] because the distributor radically changed the promotion plan for the film without warning us,” Costa-Gavras told the Hollywood Reporter. “It seems he is embarrassed or wants to apologize for its content.”

Mikado chalked up its decision to international strife. “Given the current tensions in the Middle East, we thought the posters could lend themselves to misunderstandings,” said the company’s co-chief, Roberto Cicutto.

No matter, Costa-Gavras maintained. Retreating from the statement made by the poster sets a bad precedent, he said. “This is a movie about history, which ... as always, repeats itself. Silence is never a solution.”

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LEGAL FILES

Former Maid Slaps Brando With Lawsuit

Maria Cristina Ruiz, reported to be a former maid of Marlon Brando, filed a lawsuit against the actor in Los Angeles Superior Court, charging him with breach of contract. She claimed that the famous actor fathered three children--now aged 8, 10 and 13--with her during a nearly 14-year relationship that ended last year.

Ruiz, 43, seeks $100 million in damages as well as monthly payments for support and maintenance. Her lawsuit maintains that they lived together and that Brando, 78, supported her until December, after which he only paid child support. He promised that his property would be divided between her and the children if the relationship ended, Ruiz said.

No one from Brando’s camp, contacted by the Associated Press, chose to comment.

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Settlement Reached in Tammy Wynette Case

A settlement has been reached in the case in which Tammy Wynette’s four daughters charged that Dr. Wallis Marsh contributed to the death of the country music star. Details were not released. The matter had been scheduled to go to trial May 7.

Best known for her hit “Stand by Your Man,” Wynette died in 1998 of heart failure caused by chronic blood clots. She suffered for years with painful stomach ailments and was treated for addiction to painkillers. Marsh, a Pittsburgh physician, prescribed the drug Versed to the singer.

The daughters--Tina Jones, Jackie Daly, Georgette Smith and Gwen Nicholas--were seeking $50 million, claiming that he mismanaged her case.

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QUICK TAKES

The 1965 musical “Man of La Mancha” is being revived on Broadway next season with Brian Stokes Mitchell (“Ragtime,” “Kiss Me, Kate”) in the lead....Peter O’Toole will make a rare appearance on episodic TV, starring in the season finale of CBS’ “The Education of Max Bickford” on May 12....The E! channel has moved up its “True Hollywood Story” on Robert Blake from April 28 to Monday. TV Land, meanwhile, won’t be screening episodes of Blake’s “Baretta” series--the rights lapsed last year....Talk Miramax Books has bought world publishing rights to “Kill Bill,” the first novel by director Quentin Tarantino (“Pulp Fiction”). Tarantino wrote a screenplay from the book and will direct it for Miramax in mid-June, according to Variety. The film, the story of a bride who seeks revenge against the people who shot her at her wedding, will star David Carradine, Uma Thurman, Daryl Hannah and Lucy Liu....Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard will be honored for career achievement at the 50th annual BMI Pop Awards on May 14 in Los Angeles....Paramount Pictures is embarking on a remake of the 1966 romantic comedy “Alfie,” to be directed by Charles Shyer.

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Elaine Dutka