Jeff Zucker to replace Bob Wright as CEO of NBC

Los Angeles – Jeff Zucker, who made his mark as executive producer of NBC’s “Today” show, is expected to be named chief executive officer of NBC Universal this week, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Zucker, 41, will succeed Bob Wright, who has headed the network for 21 years, company sources told the Los Angeles Times.

An NBC spokesman did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press on Sunday.

The transition comes as NBC Universal angles itself to compete against online forces such as Google, YouTube and MySpace.

Wright, 63, had planned to stay on as CEO at least until the end of the year. But Jeffrey Immelt, chairman of General Electric Co., the owner of NBC Universal, insisted the change come immediately, according to the company sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the switch hadn’t been announced.

The casual, creative Zucker is seen as a contrast to the more cerebral and buttoned-down Wright. He has been Wright’s second in command since December 2005 and has long been considered the favorite to succeed his boss.

American Cancer Society names Mother of the Year

Washington – Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, becomes the American Cancer Society’s Mother of the Year this week.

Ferguson, 47, is the mother of two teenage girls, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. She says cancer prevention begins by being a good role model.

“They see that I go running, I get on my bicycle, I do yoga, pilates, whatever else I do,” Ferguson told George Stephan-opolous in an appearance Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” “Do you know what they do? Get up off the sofa, turn the television off, walk to work, walk around the block, more vegetables, more fruits at school, less soda pops, less fast food.”

When she was asked whether she would like to receive the award, Ferguson said she first talked to her children. Their response was, “‘Mom, of course,'” she said.

“I can safely say one of the best things I’ve done is be a good mother,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson and Britain’s Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, divorced in 1996.

Actor Ryan O’Neal accused of assaulting adult son

Malibu, Calif. – Authorities have accused Oscar-nominated actor Ryan O’Neal of assaulting his adult son at the actor’s home over the weekend.

Deputies and paramedics were called to O’Neal’s home at 12:30 a.m. Saturday “regarding a battery that had occurred,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Benedict said Sunday.

“Deputies determined … Griffin O’Neal, his son, had been assaulted by his father,” Benedict said.

The elder O’Neal, 65, was arrested and accused of assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm. He was released on a $50,000 bond.

It was unclear what started the dispute, but O’Neal’s manager, Neil Hassman, claimed the actor was defending himself after his son began “wildly swinging a fireplace poker.” Griffin O’Neal’s pregnant girlfriend was slightly injured in the incident, and was treated at a hospital and released, Hassman said. He maintained that her injuries were caused by the younger O’Neal, 42.

Ryan O’Neal also is father to actress Tatum O’Neal.