OSCAR ON TRIAL

More proof that the O.J. Simpson trial is out of control: Judge Lance Ito and the jury are caught up in the Oscar race. It started when Samuel Goldwyn sent a copy of Oscar-nominated The Madness of King George to Ito's office. He responded with a phone call and then a letter admitting the difficulties of coming up with ''leisure time activities'' for a sequestered jury. Ito then offered his own critique of the movie, noting he was ''delighted to see (nominee) Helen Mirren is getting the recognition her talents command.'' Now other companies have followed Goldwyn's lead. Miramax is sending Bullets Over Broadway, though not Pulp Fiction. Paramount had not submitted Forrest Gump, but, mused a publicist, ''it's not a bad idea.'' Despite this Oscar fervor, the jury may not see the live Oscar telecast. ''We'll probably tape the show in case we have to edit,'' says deputy Judith Romero, ''and then show it later.'' No word yet on the judge's Oscar-night plans.