Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Jennings denies bashingTrebek of 'Jeopardy!'
NEW YORK -- "Jeopardy!" ace Ken Jennings says recent comments he posted on his Web site about the long-running game show and host Alex Trebek weren't "bashing."
"I know, I know, the old folks love him," Jennings said of Trebek in a July 19 letter titled, "Dear Jeopardy!" Trebek, 66, has hosted the show since 1984.
Jennings, a software engineer from Salt Lake City, won $2.5 million during his 74-game winning streak on "Jeopardy!" in 2004.
He also took aim at what he said were the show's "effete, left-coast" categories and "same-old" format.
"You're like the Dorian Gray of syndication," he wrote. "You seem to think change means replacing a blue polyethylene backdrop with a slightly different shade of blue polyethylene backdrop every presidential election or so."
After reports of his comments appeared in the media Tuesday, Jennings countered on his Web site that his letter was meant to be "a humor piece."
Christie Brinkley's hubbieapologizes for his affair
NEW YORK -- Christie Brinkley's estranged husband has been silent about recent reports that he had an affair with an 18-year-old employee while married to the supermodel. Now his reportedly desperate apology is receiving a very public airing.
"This is an aberration," Peter Cook, 47, said through a lawyer, according to a column by Cindy Adams published Tuesday in the New York Post. "I'm sorry. I'm contrite. I'm stupid. Foolish. No excuse."
Adams wrote that Cook's words were provided to her by his attorney, Norman Sheresky.
"I love my wife. ... For a lifetime I've tried to prove how much I love her," Cook said, according to the article.
Sheresky said Cook, the model's fourth husband, is hoping for a reconciliation with Brinkley, 52. He defended Cook as a "man who loves his wife and who loves his children."
The couple, who were married in 1996, have an 8-year-old daughter, Sailor. Cook adopted Brinkley's son, Jack, now 11, from her marriage to Richard Taubman.
Brinkley's publicist, Elliot Mintz, told The Associated Press early Tuesday that he didn't believe she would issue a response.
The couple's separation exploded in scandal earlier this month when Diana Bianchi, now 19, claimed Cook had seduced her shortly after hiring her to work at his architecture firm.
Her lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, described the relationship as consensual, but claimed Cook's role as employer and his gifts of a car, money and jewelry could possibly constitute sexual harassment.
Jordache features Hurleyin newest ad campaign
NEW YORK -- Elizabeth Hurley stars in new print ads for Jordache, the company that became famous during the 1970s designer-label jeans craze.
The ads, shot by Michael Thompson, show the 41-year-old model-actress wearing the Jordache Vintage line, sold in high-end retail stores, and the new Jordache Legacy line, launching exclusively at Macy's stores across the country this fall.
Jordache said the first ad will run in national publications beginning in September and will continue through the holiday season.
In one ad, Hurley is shown with the signature Jordache horse. Another shows her with riding gear.
"With success as an actress, model, businesswoman and mother, Liz represents everything the Jordache brand is about," said Liz Berlinger, president of Jordache Enterprises, in a recent statement. "We chose her because she is the true modern woman."
Today's Birthdays
Movie director Blake Edwards is 84. Actor James Best is 80. Singer Dobie Gray is 66. Actress-singer Darlene Love is 65. Singer Brenton Wood is 65. Rock star Mick Jagger is 63. Movie director Peter Hyams is 63. Actress Helen Mirren is 61. Rock musician Roger Taylor (Queen) is 57. Actress Susan George is 56. Actor Kevin Spacey is 47. Rock singer Gary Cherone is 45. Actress Sandra Bullock is 42. Actor Jeremy Piven is 41. Rapper-reggae singer Wayne Wonder is 40. Actress Kate Beckinsale is 33. Gospel/Contemporary Christian singer Rebecca St. James is 29.
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