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

THE ARTS

Genaux Steps Up: Vivica Genaux, the American mezzo-soprano who has appeared in recent seasons as Rossini heroines at both Opera Pacific and the San Diego Opera, was scheduled to make her Metropolitan Opera debut on extremely short notice Wednesday night in the role of Rosina in “Il Barbiere di Siviglia.” She will repeat the role on Saturday on the live national radio broadcast, which can be heard locally at 10:30 a.m. on KUSC-FM (91.5). Genaux replaces Bulgarian mezzo Vasselina Kasarova, who cited severe laryngitis in canceling her performance. Genaux, who sang Rosina at Opera Pacific in 1996, will also take that role at San Diego Opera starting Jan. 24.

TELEVISION

Pledge Drive Successful: KCET-TV Channel 28 reported Wednesday that its 16-day on-air fund-raising drive had nearly met its $1-million goal. The public-TV station has received $988,000 in pledges so far, and by the time straggling pledges come in, the station expects to have exceeded its goal. Last December, KCET raised $990,000 as its final total; preliminarily it drew $928,220.

KOCE Wins Award: KOCE-TV Channel 50 in Huntington Beach has won an IRIS Award from the National Assn. of Television Production Executives for its series of public service announcements about the dangers of cigarette smoking. Competition for the 31st annual awards was open to broadcast and cable stations around the world.

QUICK TAKES

Entertainers Jim Carrey and Rosie O’Donnell will be honored along with Joe Roth, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and businessman Ron Burkle during AIDS Project Los Angeles’ 10th annual “Commitment to Life” fund-raising gala Feb. 12 at the Universal Amphitheatre. . . . Tuesday’s episode of NBC’s “Mad About You”--which aired virtually without commercial interruptions--attracted an audience of nearly 18 million, the program’s biggest since the season premiere, when the Buchmans named their baby. The program’s closest competition, ABC’s “Grace Under Fire,” attracted about 10 million viewers. . . . The Presidents of the United States of America, a Seattle rock band, have split up. . . . The Odessa restaurant-club in Laguna Beach is sponsoring a holiday toy drive to benefit Childhelp USA, which assists abused and battered youths. Unwrapped toys valued at $5 or more and appropriate for children 3 to 12 may be delivered through Saturday to Odessa, 680 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. Call (714) 376-8792 for drop-off hours.