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

TV & MOVIES

Sad ‘Bud’: The slam-dunking doggy star of Disney’s new movie “Air Bud” has lost his right leg to cancer. Buddy, a 7-year-old golden retriever who has also done some TV work, began limping toward the end of filming “Air Bud” in December. The leg was amputated after a veterinarian diagnosed the pooch with cancer. However, a Disney spokeswoman said the dog has recovered and “is able to still shoot baskets.” Although Disney wants to tell the dog’s “heroic” story, the spokeswoman said, no sequel to “Air Bud” is planned.

*

No ‘Late Show’ Olympics: “The Late Show With David Letterman” has decided not to broadcast from Japan during next February’s Winter Olympics as had been previously announced. Executive producer Rob Burnett said Wednesday that the decision was creative, not financial. “The money was green-lighted, but there were potential logistical problems, and I decided it’s funnier to have Dave be an outsider on the event. We’ll have our own correspondents there, and Dave will do interviews with athletes via satellite.” No word yet on whether Letterman’s 76-year-old mom will reprise her 1992 Olympic correspondent role.

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Disney Hall Details: As expected, Walt Disney Concert Hall officials confirmed Wednesday that funds from the Disney family will be used to pay architect Frank O. Gehry to spend six weeks to complete working drawings for the hall, with builder M.A. Mortenson to work alongside Gehry’s firm. Meanwhile, businessman Eli Broad, formerly the hall’s ad-hoc fund-raising chief, and Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Disney Miller, will become chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of a new Disney Hall oversight board.

QUICK TAKES

Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, the Wallflowers and Jamiroquai have been set to perform Sept. 4 on the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. . . . Faye Dunaway performed “Master Class” in Portland Tuesday night, despite her earlier threats to quit the tour because of an ongoing lawsuit over the play’s film rights. She had reportedly feared a separate breach of contract suit would be filed against her if she failed to perform. . . . R&B; sensation Erykah Badu will guest star on ABC’s “One Life to Live” on Sept. 4 and 5, playing herself. She’ll sing two songs. . . . “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star Jonathan Frakes will chat online tonight at 6:30 at https://startrek.msn.com. . . . Radio station KLOS-FM (95.5) holds its 16th annual blood drive today through Saturday at seven Southern California locations. To schedule donor appointments, call (800) 955-KLOS.