Spider flicks snag Church

New York — Thomas Haden Church’s re-emergence with “Sideways” has already led to the plum role of the villain in “Spider-Man 3,” but the actor is also lending his voice to a new star-studded adaptation of E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.”

Church, who received an Oscar nomination for “Sideways,” will voice Brooks, one of two dimwitted crows, with Andre Benjamin (Outkast’s Andre 3000) as the other. Julia Roberts will voice Charlotte with a cast that also includes Robert Redford, Oprah Winfrey and John Cleese.

“I really enjoyed the script,” Church says in the April issue of Texas Monthly magazine. “With a kids’ film, you’re always like, ‘Is this gonna to be “Iron Giant,” or is it going to be “Princess Diaries 2″?'”

The live action and computer graphic-animated film is currently shooting in Australia. While the other stars will be voicing animated characters, Dakota Fanning will appear in person playing Fern. It is being produced by Jordan Kerner, who produced both “George of Jungle” movies, which co-starred Church.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Church will play the villain in “Spider-Man 3,” though it was not said which nemesis he would be bringing to life. It is scheduled to begin filming next year and be released in May 2007.

‘Fear’ factors into driver’s underwater escape

Riverside, Calif. — A prison guard who escaped a car that sank in a flooded creek credits an episode of the TV reality show “Fear Factor” with saving her life.

Debra Swaim’s car was swept off the road into Cucamonga Creek during a flash flood late Tuesday. As her car sank, Swaim said she remembered a rerun episode of NBC’s “Fear Factor” in which contestants had to escape from a car in the water.

Swaim said because of the show, she knew to quickly roll down her automatic windows because she wouldn’t be able to open her doors underwater.

“I knew I’ve got to go through my window,” she said. “That has everything to do with me watching ‘Fear Factor.'”

Swaim, who called 911 twice before her cell phone was swept away, then swam to the surface and spent nearly an hour clinging to a tree above a 30 mph current before she was rescued.

“My feet were numb and my hands were extremely cold,” said Swaim, a 19-year veteran of the state Department of Corrections. “God and I talked for a while.”

Bow Wow plans to feature biggest fan on new DVD

New York — Young rapper Bow Wow is holding a contest to see who’s best in show.

Bow Wow will choose 10 fans in a “Wanted: Bow Wow’s Biggest Fan” contest, and include them on the DVD portion of his new album. Contestants are urged to submit a 30-second video proving why they are his biggest fan.

The 10 most original clips will be put on the DVD disc that accompanies his next album, “Wanted,” due out June 28.

Bow Wow, whose real name is Shad Ross, is now 18 years old and has dropped “Lil”‘ from his name. The rapper, whose career started when he was 3, is known for rhyming. He released his first album, “Beware of the Dog,” when he was 13.

Ironically, contestants must be 13 or older to enter. Contest details can be found at www.BowWowWanted.com.

CBS daytime will continue to be ‘Bold and Beautiful’

New York — As of Wednesday, CBS’ daytime soap “The Bold and the Beautiful” was old enough to vote, buy lottery tickets and be drafted into the army. If CBS has its way, “Bold” will stick around at least until it’s old enough to drink.

On Thursday, CBS extended the broadcast rights to “The Bold and the Beautiful” for an additional five years. The move came the day after the drama, set in the high-fashion world of Los Angeles, celebrated its 18th birthday.

“‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ is synonymous with glamour, fashion, fun and the extraordinary lives of the wealthy and misbehaved,” says Barbara Bloom, senior vice president of daytime programs at CBS.

Created by William and Lee Phillip Bell, “Bold” averages 3.93 million viewers per day and was nominated for outstanding daytime drama series at the 2004 Daytime Emmys.