TV hall of fame expands

Los Angeles – William Shatner, Tom Brokaw and Regis Philbin are joining the Academy of Television Art & Sciences Hall of Fame.

Director James Burrows (“Will & Grace,” “Cheers”) and former network executive and producer Leonard Goldberg (“Brian’s Song,” “Hart to Hart”) also are among those who will be honored, academy Chairman Dick Askin announced this week.

More than 100 people are in the Hall of Fame, founded in 1984, including Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson and Walter Cronkite. The TV academy administers the annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

The induction ceremony has yet to be scheduled.

Spelling suffers mild stroke

Los Angeles – Aaron Spelling, producer of TV’s “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Charlie’s Angels,” suffered a stroke at his Holmby Hills estate over the weekend and was being treated at home, his publicist said Wednesday.

“He had a stroke Sunday at home,” said spokesman Kevin Sasaki. “I don’t know the extent of it. But if it had been some incredible degree, he would have been taken to the hospital.”

Spelling, 83, was conscious and resting comfortably, Sasaki said. Spelling’s wife, Candy, has been at his side.

Sasaki said he wasn’t aware of any paralysis.

Spelling also produced “Dynasty,” Love Boat,” “Melrose Place,” “Fantasy Island,” “Burke’s Law,” “The Mod Squad,” “Starsky & Hutch,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Hart to Hart” and “Hotel.”

He has also produced more than 140 TV movies, including 1974’s “Death Sentence,” starring Nick Nolte, and 1976’s “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble,” starring John Travolta.

Gore film wins special prize

Los Angeles – The Al Gore documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” will receive a rare recognition from the Humanitas Prize, which honors screenwriting that helps “liberate, enrich and unify society.”

“An Inconvenient Truth,” which chronicles Gore’s quest to draw attention to global warming, will receive the organization’s first Special Award in over 10 years, president Frank Desiderio announced Wednesday.

“It’s a very important film,” he said in a statement. “We want to shine a light on it.”

Since 1974, the Humanitas Prize has presented awards and grants to TV and film writers whose fictional work reflects “the positive values of life.” Documentaries are occasionally recognized with Special Awards. The last such honors went to Bill Moyers and Judith Davidson Moyers in 1995 for their documentary “What Can We Do About Violence.”