TV Notes: David Spade Fined

July 23 -- Actor David Spade is getting a bad rep in the world of vacationers.

The Just Shoot Me actor has pleaded guilty in Peoria, Ariz., to charges of reckless jet skiing stemming from an incident in May.

"I'm here for the crime of the century," Spade told reporters at the courthouse. "It's just a good excuse to wear a suit when it's 117 degrees out."

The 36-year-old ran into trouble with the law while vacationing with his family this spring. He was jet skiing and received a citation for riding too close to the boat his brothers were driving.

He ignored the citation and ended up in court, where the judge issued a $175 fine, although Spade said he was hoping he might do some time. He joked the jail time would help improve his Emmy chances.

Stephen King's TV Kingdom

An upcoming hospital drama will be much creepier than what you see on ER, since it's being created by Stephen King.

The best-selling author is working on the ABC series The Kingdom, where a medical center is built on an old graveyard. This is King's first regular series, having previously saved his talents for minseries like The Stand.

The Kingdom is based on a Danish series of the same name, and is expected to debut in 2002.

Moreover

Game show host Pat Sajak will prove he can do more than help people solve puzzles. He'll play Felix Unger in a stage version of The Odd Couple in Hawaii at the end of September. … And The West Wing and The Sopranos tied for best drama at the Television Critics Association Awards, while Malcolm in the Middle was named outstanding comedy.

ABCNEWS Radio and ABCNEWS.com's Buck Wolf and Nancy Chandross contributed to this report.