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Stephanopoulos to replace Sawyer on 'GMA'

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- ABC News's chief Washington correspondent, George Stephanopoulos, has been hired to replace Diane Sawyer as co-anchor of "Good Morning America."

The Washington Post reported Stephanopoulos, a former Clinton White House aide, is to start his new job Monday alongside current co-anchor Robin Roberts. He is expected to focus more on hard news than features, the Post said.

ABC journalist JuJu Chang is also to take over Chris Cuomo's position as "GMA" news anchor, the newspaper said Wednesday

Cuomo, who was passed over as a possible replacement for Sawyer in favor of Stephanopoulos, reportedly is in talks to co-anchor "20/20."

Sawyer announced this week that Friday will be her last day as co-anchor of "GMA."

She is to start her new job as "World News Tonight" anchor Dec. 21. Current anchor Charles Gibson is retiring and his last day will be Dec. 18.

Rocker Johnny Hallyday hospitalized

PARIS, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- French rock star Johnny Hallyday has been hospitalized in Los Angeles for a post-operative infection he sustained after back surgery, his spokesman said.

The BBC said Hallyday, 66, underwent surgery in Paris two weeks ago for a slipped disc.

His publicist told the BBC the recording artist, who is estimated to have sold more than 100 million records, is in stable condition and expected to be released from the hospital in the next week.

Mavis Spencer named Miss Golden Globe

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Hollywood Foreign Press Association says it has chosen Mavis Spencer to serve as Miss Golden Globe for "The 67th annual Golden Globe Awards."

The ceremony honoring 2009's best in television and film is to be telecast live on NBC Jan. 17.

HFPA President Philip Berk made the announcement at the Second annual Golden Globes Party Saluting Young Hollywood, which took place at Nobu West Hollywood Tuesday.

Traditionally, Miss Golden Globe, who assists in the Golden Globes ceremony, is the daughter of a well-known celebrity.

Spencer, 18, is the daughter of Golden Globe winner Alfre Woodard and writer/producer Roderick Spencer.

"We are delighted that Mavis will join us on Jan. 17 to celebrate the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards," Berk said in making the announcement. "She's a lovely, multi-talented and very poised young lady."

"It means a lot to me as a young person to be a part of something with such a rich history," said Spencer. "I know how my mom feels when she brings home a statue. And to hand someone a token of their accomplishments when they're elated will just be really cool. I have memories of my mom traipsing off to the Globes, but this year she's with me! And we're going to have so much fun."

Soon to be a college freshman at Columbia University in New York, Spencer, a model and aspiring actress, has appeared in Teen Vogue and InStyle Magazine.

'Dream' remains No. 1 on U.S. album chart

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Susan Boyle's "I Dreamed a Dream" is No. 1 on the U.S. album chart for a second week, Billboard.com reported Wednesday.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 is Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas," followed by Taylor Swift's "Fearless" at No. 3, R. Kelly's "Untitled" at No. 4 and Lady Gaga's "The Fame" at No. 5.

Rounding out the top tier are Carrie Underwood's "Play On" at No. 6, Norah Jones's "The Fall" at No. 7, Michael Jackson's "This is It" at No. 8, the soundtrack to "New Moon" at No. 9 and Michael Buble's "Crazy Love" at No. 10.