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

MOVIES

A Time to Release: There’s a new Sandra Bullock movie coming out early next year, but it was made seven years ago, before Bullock became such a big star. Roger Corman, whose Concorde-New Horizons produced the low-budget “Lost Paradise,” said he’s been holding the film for maximum effect. “It was tempting to release it right after ‘Speed,’ but I felt she would get bigger and bigger,” Corman said. Bullock is currently in the John Grisham thriller “A Time to Kill.” “Lost Paradise” is about the murder of an Indian activist--not unlike the 1988 slaying of Chico Mendes, who worked to protect the Amazon rain forest.

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Snipes Sued: A London woman has sued Wesley Snipes for assault and battery, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress, alleging the actor broke her leg during an April confrontation on the bike path at Santa Monica beach. Victoria Osholake contends in her Santa Monica Superior Court suit filed last week that Snipes used his martial arts training to “wreak devastating bodily harm,” punching, kicking and choking her. She also alleges that Snipes held her down and “caused her to be arrested and taken to jail without the benefit of medical care for her injuries.” Snipes is currently starring with Robert De Niro in “The Fan.” His spokesman called the suit “a typical case of someone attempting to profit off of the celebrity of another individual. This is a totally frivolous case.”

TELEVISION

New Role for Burnett: Television and stage star Carol Burnett is about to tackle a new role: She’ll play Jamie Buchman’s mother in an upcoming episode of NBC’s Tuesday night hit “Mad About You.” Burnett is a five-time Emmy winner, as well as recipient of numerous other honors. Jamie Buchman is played by current Emmy nominee Helen Hunt while Paul Reiser, also an Emmy nominee, co-stars. The episode will be filmed next month.

MUSIC

Barrier Falling: The Vienna Philharmonic--previously a males-only company--will soon open its doors to women because there are apparently not enough qualified men. In an Austrian television interview, Philharmonic President Werner Resel said the change is necessary because some 65% of music school students are female. However, the organization, founded in 1842 and famous for its annual New Year’s concert, has faced increasing political pressure to admit women to its ranks, and culture minister Rudolf Scholten had even threatened to cut state subsidies if the celebrated orchestra refused to do so.

POP/ROCK

Stork for Singer: Singer Melissa Etheridge and her life partner Julie Cypher announced Monday they are expecting a child in the new year. Cypher is due to give birth in January. Etheridge, who has just begun the U.S. leg of her tour for her new album, “Your Little Secret,” says: “Both Julie and I have been planning this for a long time and we couldn’t be happier.” No other details were disclosed.

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No, Thanks: A New York domestic violence shelter refused to accept money from a Monday night benefit concert featuring James Brown because of accusations the singer beat his late wife. Brown was scheduled to perform at the “Back to the Ranch Concert,” which has raised about $2 million for many charities since it began six years ago. Officials with Retreat Inc. on Long Island cited Brown’s arrest record in refusing the funds. Brown’s wife, Adrienne, had accused him of assault at least three times during their 12-year marriage. The charges were withdrawn or dismissed each time. Mrs. Brown died Jan. 6 of a combination of drug use and heart disease.

QUICK TAKES

Jason Bonham and alternative rock groups Bang Tango, Soma and Rude Awakening are among those expected to perform tonight at the Palace in a benefit memorial concert honoring Thin Lizzy’s founder and lead singer, Philip Lynott, who died of a drug overdose at the age of 36. Today would have been his 47th birthday. Among beneficiaries of the concert is the anti-drug program MusiCares. . . . Comedian Drew Carey (ABC’s “The Drew Carey Show”) will perform at Igby’s Comedy Cabaret in West Los Angeles on Friday at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. . . . “Fergie,” the Duchess of York, will give her first interview since leaving the Royal Family to ABC News’ Diane Sawyer. The exclusive chat with Sarah Ferguson will air on “PrimeTime Live” Nov. 13. . . . A Superior Court judge Monday extended the restraining order actor Scott Bakula got earlier this month against a Thousand Oaks woman, who Bakula claims accused him, in phone calls to his publicist and about a dozen letters, of betraying his fans by leaving his wife. Tina Marie Ledbetter was ordered to stay at least 100 yards from the 41-year-old actor, his ex-wife, his girlfriend and three children. . . . Director Arthur Hiller (“Love Story”) has been reelected for a fourth term as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. . . . Beth Fox has been appointed executive director of Arts Inc., a non-profit group that provides assistance to the Los Angeles arts community.