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Lauer to replace 'Jeopardy!' host Trebek?

CHICAGO, March 16 (UPI) -- Matt Lauer and Anderson Cooper are among the names in contention to replace Alex Trebek as host of "Jeopardy!" when he retires, the New York Post reported.

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Trebek's current three-year contract expires in 2016 when he'll be 76, meaning his time as host of "Jeopardy!" is likely coming to an end, the Chicago Tribune said.

Lauer, host of the "Today" show, could take the opportunity to reinvent himself after recent less-than favorable reports about his position at NBC, the Post said.

In addition to Cooper, a CNN anchor, "NBC Nightly News" host Brian Williams and NBC Sports' Dan Patrick are under consideration to succeed Trebek, the entertainment news website Deadline reported.

Trebek has been the host of "Jeopardy!" since 1984.

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Lil Wayne on Twitter after seizure report

LOS ANGELES, March 16 (UPI) -- Rapper Lil Wayne assured fans he's "good" after press reports said he was hospitalized in critical condition in Los Angeles following a seizure.

TMZ.com had reported the Grammy winning hip-hop star was in critical condition and comatose, but Wayne's record label denied his condition was quite so dire.

Young Money/Cash Money tweeted an official statement would be forthcoming and that Lil Wayne, who has a new album coming out this month, was "alive and well."

A tweet later rolled across Lil Wayne's own Twitter account saying: "I'm good everybody. Thx (sic) for the love and prayers."

TMZ said Saturday Cedars-Sinai Hospital stuck to its policy and declined to confirm Lil Wayne, 30, was a patient.

TMZ said Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., had been to Cedars Tuesday after being stricken with similar multiple seizures and was discharged the following day.


Morrissey cancels remainder of U.S. tour

LAWRENCE, Kan., March 16 (UPI) -- British musician Morrissey announced the cancellation of the remainder of his U.S. tour due to illness.

The former Smiths frontman was discharged in late January from Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., where he was treated for a bleeding ulcer. He has also recently suffered from double pneumonia and Barrett's esophagus, the BBC reported.

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The musician apologized to fans in February for canceling 21 gigs earlier in the year due to his poor health and said he was "on the road to recovery."

His publicist, Lauren Papapietro, announced Saturday said that despite Morrissey's best efforts, he has "taken a hiatus and will not be able to continue on for the rest of the tour."

Morrissey, 53, has canceled 23 U.S. shows, including one scheduled for Monday at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kan., the BBC said.

"Morrissey thanks all of his fans for their well-wishes and thoughts. Refunds for the remaining shows are available at point of purchase," Papapietro said.


Judge Judy settles, returns pricey china

NEW YORK, March 16 (UPI) -- Judge Judy has settled with the ex-wife of her producer, who sued the New York judge over her purchase of the former couple's expensive china, TMZ reported.

Patric Jones -- the television judge's one-time producer and ex-wife of current executive producer Randy Douthit -- filed a lawsuit this month saying Judge Judy, Judith Sheindlin, fraudulently bought her set of china and flatware for a bargain-basement price of $50,000.

Jones said the china, which she estimated has a replacement value of $500,000, was community property in her divorce from Douthit -- and Sheindlin, as a judge, should have known she needed both spouses' consent for the purchase, ABC News reported.

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Jones sued to have the china returned and sought $500,000 in punitive damages.

After initially admitting no fault in her purchase of the items, Sheindlin agreed to return the china and will not have to pay any damages in a settlement, TMZ reported.

Jones will have possession of the property and she will have to give Douthit $12,500 to buy him out, TMZ said.

Whether Sheindlin will ever see a return of the $50,000 she paid for the items was not reported.


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