MOVIES - Aug. 5, 1993

New Academy President: Arthur Hiller, the former president of the Directors Guild of America, has been elected as the 29th president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Hiller, a best director Academy Award nominee for 1970’s “Love Story,” succeeds film producer Robert Rehme as president. Hiller has served on the film academy’s board of governors since 1981.

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Snipes Arrested: “Rising Sun” star Wesley Snipes was arrested after he was allegedly carrying a concealed 9mm semiautomatic handgun during a minor motorcycle accident at Hollywood Boulevard and Cherokee Avenue, police said Wednesday. Snipes, 31, was cited on a misdemeanor offense of carrying a concealed weapon following the Tuesday morning incident in which he lost control of his motorcycle. Snipes was unhurt, but nearby officers who went to his aid were told by a passerby that a pistol could be seen under the actor’s jacket as the bike went down. Snipes was released shortly after being taken into custody. On Thursday, Snipes, whose gun is registered with the state of California, issued a statement saying, “The police were just doing their job. They were real cool.”

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On the Mend: Italian director Federico Fellini was in stable condition Wednesday, cracking jokes in his hospital bed a day after suffering a stroke that left him paralyzed on his left side. “He is in a good mood,” said Fellini’s personal physician, Dr. Gianfranco Turchetti. “He seemed calm. He told me to say that he was locked in a room with three nurses.”

Harlin’s Next Flick: “Cliffhanger” director Renny Harlin will once again team with executive producer Mario Kassar on “Cutthroat Island,” a pirate adventure written by Michael Beckner. Although few details were available, Harlin, who also produced “Die Hard 2” and “Nightmare on Elm Street IV,” called the film “a big event movie with epic qualities.”

TELEVISION

Will’s New Aunt: Daphne Maxwell Reid was signed Wednesday to replace Janet Hubert-Whitten as the character of Vivian Banks on NBC’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Hubert-Whitten, who’d played the wealthy matriarch for the first three seasons, departed last month, saying the producers wanted to cut her salary nearly in half. Reid previously starred in the CBS series “Frank’s Place.”

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Getting Their Due: Two canceled series, NBC’s “I’ll Fly Away” and CBS’ “Brooklyn Bridge,” were named the best quality drama and best quality comedy, respectively, and their lead actresses Regina Taylor and Marion Ross also took the top acting nods in the 1993 Viewers for Quality Television’s 9th Annual Quality Awards, announced Tuesday. Also from a canceled program was best drama actor Scott Bakula of NBC’s “Quantum Leap,” and the canceled ABC drama “Homefront” won the group’s special 1993 Founder’s Award. Jerry Seinfeld of NBC’s “Seinfeld” was named best comedy actor. The awards will be presented Oct. 2 in Hollywood.

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High Ratings: President Clinton’s nationally televised speech Tuesday night on the three major networks attracted 43% of the available viewers in 29 major cities where ratings were available Wednesday, the A.C. Nielsen Co. said. Because it was an unsponsored program, national figures won’t be available until next week. But if the 21.9 ratings average in those markets holds up, the speech is likely to be the most-watched program of the week. Last week’s top-rated show, ABC’s “Small Sacrifices,” drew a 14.8 rating, meaning it was seen in about 13.8 million homes.

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Comedy Awards: Whoopi Goldberg and Martin Lawrence were both double winners at the first “Soul Train Comedy Awards” Tuesday with Goldberg named best female stand-up comic and motion picture actress, and Lawrence named best TV actor and male stand-up comic. Fox’s “In Living Color” also took home two awards, with Damon Wayans and Kim Wayans named best sketch actor and actress. Arsenio Hall won the previously announced Richard Pryor Entertainer of the Year Award. The awards will be televised at 8 p.m. Aug. 18 on KTLA Channel 5.

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At the White House: Rita Braver, a 21-year CBS veteran, was named Wednesday as the network’s chief White House correspondent. She replaces Susan Spencer, who will become a correspondent for the “Eye on America” series on the “CBS Evening News.” Braver most recently was CBS’ law correspondent, covering the Supreme Court and Justice Department.