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

TV & MOVIES

‘New’ Sullivan Show: Taking a page from recent commercials, the UPN network will feature the late Ed Sullivan “hosting” a prime-time special in May. Through computer technology, Sullivan’s likeness will introduce contemporary acts on “The New Ed Sullivan Show.” The fledgling network also confirmed plans for a series revival of “The Love Boat” to premiere in April, with casting still to be determined.

Kids’ Fare Changes: CBS, the lowest-rated network in the Saturday morning race, will dump its entire Saturday kids’ lineup next fall, ordering six new animated programs. Five of the series--”The Dumb Bunnies,” “Guardians of the Legend,” “Franklin,” “Anatole” and “From the Files of the Flying Rhinoceros”--are based on popular children’s books. The sixth is “Birdz.” CBS said the shows will all meet FCC educational guidelines.

Film Explosion: Three crew members were injured, two critically, when a truck loaded with explosives caught fire Tuesday during the filming in Wilmington, N.C., of Universal Studios’ “Black Dog.” The film’s stars--Patrick Swayze, Meat Loaf and Randy Travis--were not present when the explosion occurred about 2 p.m. Filming was halted while authorities investigated the blast.

ART

Lost ‘Mermaid’ Head: Danish police had few clues after the beheading Tuesday of Edvard Eriksen’s 1913 bronze sculpture “The Little Mermaid.” The Copenhagen sculpture lost its head once before in 1964; the latest attack appeared to be caused by a saw or grinding machine, police said. Police believe the beheading may have been done by the same person who sawed off a 19th century galleon figurehead at a Copenhagen naval base before Christmas; that severed part was found Tuesday.

QUICK TAKES

“L.A. Confidential” added to its accolades Wednesday when it nabbed USC’s 10th annual Scripter Award, honoring the year’s best realization of a book as a film. . . . “Hercules” star Kevin Sorbo wed actress Sam Jenkins on Monday in a private ceremony in Pacific Palisades. . . . Cable’s CNN will revamp its programming lineup next week with changes including 4 1/2 additional hours of live news broadcasts on weekends; a new host, Wolf Blitzer, for its 9 a.m. Sunday program “Late Edition”; a new Sunday 5 p.m. documentary series; and a revamped West Coast-based “Newsnight,” airing weeknights at 9, hosted by Jim Moret. . . . The Rolling Stones canceled a concert in Syracuse, N.Y., on Wednesday night after singer Mick Jagger came down with laryngitis.