HOLLYWOOD - Top Story: Givens Hits Pedestrian
While at a busy intersection in Miami, Fla. Wednesday, actress Robin Givens struck an 89-year-old woman trying to cross the street, critically injuring her, The Associated Press reports. Givens, star of the '80s TV comedy Head of the Class, hit Maria Antonia Alcover as she was about to step onto the sidewalk, Miami police spokesman Delrish Moss told AP. The actress, who was stopped, turned the corner when the light turned green and swiped Alcover with her SUV, knocking her backward. The back wheel of the vehicle drove over Alcover's right leg, Moss said. Her leg and foot were damaged, and she suffered internal injuries. Doctors, however, were able to save Alcover's foot and she is improving, according to AP. Givens received a ticket for failing to use due care when a pedestrian was in the crosswalk, which carries a fine of less than $70, Moss said. He also added it was unlikely there would be any further charges against the 39-year-old former wife of Mike Tyson.
Get Ready for Dwarf Dating
Perhaps pushing the boundaries of reality television a little too far, Fox is planning to air a dwarf-dating contest called The Littlest Groom, in which average-sized females will vie for the affections of a 4-foot-5-inch bachelor, Reuters reports. Yet, the advocacy group Little People of America is supporting the show. President Matt Roloff said the Fox show might even benefit people of short stature by depicting them as regular folks "just being themselves." "Yes, the radio jocks will have a field day," Roloff told Reuters in a telephone interview. "(But) hiding us behind closed doors or in funny costumes will never give us the exposure needed to desensitize society to us."
Randall Down With Pneumonia
Tony Randall is recovering from a bout of pneumonia following bypass surgery in December, AP reports. Randall, 83, underwent the "extremely successful" surgery at an undisclosed hospital but then developed pneumonia. Randall's doctors felt it would be better if the actor recuperated at a hospital rather than at home, where he has two small children, ages 4 and 6.
Divorce in Works for Marc Anthony
Singer Marc Anthony's estranged wife, former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, has filed for divorce, according to AP. Torres filed a petition for dissolution of marriage with children on Jan. 20. The couple, who was married in Las Vegas in 2000, briefly separated in 2002, then renewed their vows in Puerto Rico in December of that year. They have two children, Christian, 2, and Ryan, who was born in August.
Rapper Turk Charged in Shooting
New Orleans-based rapper Turk was charged with shooting two deputies while they were searching an apartment for heroin Monday afternoon in New Orleans, AP reports. The rapper, whose real name is Tab Virgil Jr., was one of three people inside the apartment who opened fire on the authorities when they came in. One of the deputies is in critical condition; the other suffered a flesh wound. Virgil, who has been wanted in New Orleans on a probation violation since March, is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Garner To Handle Hosting Duties
Alias spy chick Jennifer Garner will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Scientific and Technical Awards Feb. 14 in Pasadena, Calif., AP reports. The ceremony hands out awards for devices, methods, formulas, discoveries or inventions of special and outstanding value to the arts and sciences of motion pictures. Previous hosts have included actresses Kate Hudson and Charlize Theron, who this year is nominated for Best Actress for Monster.
Vegas, Dreams Get Picked Up
NBC has ordered full 22-episode seasons of their dramas Las Vegas and American Dreams for next fall, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Las Vegas has averaged 12.3 million viewers, ranking as the highest-rated new drama this season in the key demographic, while American Dreams has averaged 8.6 million viewers.
Role Call: Cast Assemble for Sender
Connie Nielsen (One Hour Photo), Tim Daly (TV's Storm of the Century) and Aidan Quinn (Songcatcher) are set to star in the indie drama Return to Sender. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the project centers on a woman on death row (Nielsen), with Quinn starring as a down-on-his-luck lawyer who befriends the incarcerated woman by mail. Kelly Preston also stars as a lawyer fighting to exonerate Nielsen's character.