Kentucky newspaper calls on Judd for fan’s viewpoint

New York — March Madness has led Ashley Judd to a new role — guest newspaper columnist.

The 36-year-old actress — and rabid University of Kentucky fan — is writing a column for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., during the NCAA tournament.

“She knows the game,” Mike Johnson, deputy managing editor of the Herald-Leader, said Thursday. “Everybody knows or understands that she’s a big Kentucky fan.”

Judd’s first story appeared Thursday, while she was in South Africa visiting Nelson Mandela. (The Wildcats survived a scare Thursday afternoon from Eastern Kentucky University, winning 72-64.)

Of UK’s chances of winning the tournament, Judd wrote: “I am an optimist, however, and I always believe,” then listed the keys to the Wildcats’ play to “take us out of the first round and on to the round of 16. By then, I will be back from praying a blessing on Mandela’s noble head to watch my Cats.”

NBC gives ‘West Wing’ another term

Los Angeles — “The West Wing” has been re-elected to a seventh term by NBC.

The White House drama will return for the 2005-06 season, NBC programming chief Kevin Reilly said this week. Dramas “Crossing Jordan” and “Las Vegas” and the sitcom “Joey” also will be back.

The medical drama “ER,” now in its 11th season, received a two-year pickup which, added to its current contract, will keep it on the air through the 2007-08 season, Reilly announced.

“Joey,” the “Friends” spinoff starring Matt LeBlanc, will return for its second season despite lackluster ratings.

NBC is suffering overall, posting an unprecedented fourth-place finish in the February “sweep,” a key ratings measurement period.

The big unknown for “The West Wing”: who will follow President Josiah “Jeb” Bartlet (Martin Sheen) when his second term ends next season? Among the contenders: Republican Sen. Arnold Vinick, played by Alan Alda, and Rep. Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) and Vice President Robert Russell (Gary Cole), both Democrats.

‘Buffy’ director to lead ‘Wonder Woman’ movie effort

New York — Joss Whedon, creator of the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” TV series, has been signed by Silver Pictures to write and direct the “Wonder Woman” movie, based on the DC Comics character.

Whedon described Wonder Woman as “the most iconic female heroine of our time.”

“But in a way, no one has met her yet,” he said. “What I love most about icons is finding out what’s behind them, exploring the price of their power.”

Whedon also created the “Buffy” spin-off series, “Angel.” He is completing post-production on “Serenity,” which he wrote and directed based on his TV series “Firefly.”

Swank appeals fruit penalty

Wellington, New Zealand — A New Zealand court ruled on Hilary Swank’s appeal of a $150 fine for bringing fruit into the country and the decision was sent to the actress in a letter, a court spokeswoman said.

Swank was fined Jan. 15 after she failed to declare an apple and an orange in her handbag when she arrived at Auckland International Airport.

A court reviewed Swank’s case in private Friday after she wrote a letter defending her actions and appealing the fine. The court spokeswoman said it wouldn’t be fair to publicize the decision before Swank had received it.

Thousands of visitors arriving in New Zealand are slapped with on-the-spot fines each year for not declaring agricultural products such as fruit. Few contest the fines.

New Zealand is largely free of insect pests that cause billions of dollars in damage to crops and livestock in other parts of the world. The country has strict quarantine guidelines to keep such pests from entering the country.

Birthdays

Actor Bruce Willis is 50. Former White House national security adviser Brent Scowcroft is 80. Actress Ursula Andress is 69. Actress Glenn Close is 58. Actor Craig Lamar Traylor (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 16.