'Jeopardy!' host Trebek wrecks after falling asleep

'Jeopardy!' host Trebekwrecks after falling asleep
TEMPLETON, Calif. -- "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek escaped injury when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel of his pickup truck, sideswiped a string of mailboxes and sailed over an embankment into a ditch, authorities said.
Trebek, 63, was driving alone on a rural road Friday and his truck was airborne for about 40 feet, California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Koolman said.
Trebek owns and manages Creston Farms, a horse breeding and training farm about 10 miles southeast of Templeton on the central coast.
A message left after business hours for "Jeopardy!" senior producer Rocky Schmidt was not immediately returned.
The Canadian-born Trebek has been host of the popular quiz show "Jeopardy!" since 1984. He also hosts the annual National Geographic Bee.
Shoulder injury meanssurgery for actor Crowe
LOS ANGELES -- Russell Crowe dislocated his shoulder in Sydney, Australia, while training for a boxing scene in his upcoming film "Cinderella Man," Universal Pictures said Friday.
He'll immediately undergo arthroscopic repair surgery followed by physical therapy, the studio added. That should delay the start of filming by about one month, from early March to April.
The movie, about Depression-era boxer and folk hero Jim Braddock, co-stars Renee Zellweger and will be directed by Ron Howard, who previously collaborated with Crowe on the Oscar-winning "A Beautiful Mind."
"I've never known any actor who dedicates himself to a part with more intensity than Russell," stated Brian Grazer, producer of "Cinderella Man." "Russell has been training with some of the foremost boxing instructors in the world, and that commitment is what led to the injury to his shoulder."
On Broadway, Kattanwill join 'Frogs' musical
NEW YORK -- Chris Kattan is going from television's "Saturday Night Live" to Lincoln Center's "The Frogs."
Kattan, who was a regular on the NBC late-night comedy series for seven years, will join Nathan Lane in "The Frogs," the Stephen Sondheim musical opening July 15 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.
The musical, freely adapted from Aristophanes' comedy by Burt Shevelove, has been further rewritten by Lane, who will star as the Greek god Dionysos. The plot concerns a frog-infested journey by Dionysos, accompanied by his slave Xanthias (played by Kattan), to Hades. The twosome are in search of a famous writer who will help them save the world from destruction. Preview performances begin June 17.
Pop's Atomic Kittendecides to take a break
LONDON -- Atomic Kitten is taking a catnap.
The Liverpool group, known for its bouncy, energetic pop tunes, is taking some time off after it wraps up a planned British tour in early March.
Natasha Hamilton wants to spend more time with her son, Josh, Atomic Kitten said Friday in a statement on its Web site.
The hiatus will begin after a March 11 show in Hull, in northeastern England. Bandmates Liz McLarnon and Jenny Frost will consider solo work and other offers, they said.
"There is no doubt that lots of people will be saying that the girls have split up for good, but the truth is that's not the plan," the statement said. "Take it from us -- this is not the end."
Today's birthdays
Actress Elaine Stritch is 79. Actor Robert Mandan is 72. Comedian Tom Smothers is 67. Rock singer-guitarist Graham Nash is 62. Actor Bo Hopkins is 62. Television executive Barry Diller is 62. Country singer Howard Bellamy (The Bellamy Brothers) is 58. Actress Farrah Fawcett is 57. Actor Brent Spiner is 55. Rock musician Ross Valory (Journey) is 55. Model Christie Brinkley is 50. Actor Michael Talbott is 49. Actress Kim Zimmer is 49. Rock musician Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) is 38. Rock musician Ben Mize (Counting Crows) is 33. Rapper T-Mo is 32. Singer Shakira is 27.