Jason Alexander

Tony Shalhoub has spent so much time in Monk's head that the obsessive-compulsive detective has gotten into the actor's head. "I never had a problem shaking hands," Shalhoub said. "Now I do." As the USA series enters its fourth season, it hasn't quite gotten to the stage where Shalhoub whips out a tissue to wipe his hands after shaking someone else's, Shalhoub said. "But I do have the ugly thoughts." Monk's ugly thoughts, a product of every conceivable phobia, make for some of the most beautifully unconventional detective work this side of Columbo.

The joy of being a joker is a rare and special calling.And for Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the lone girl in the boys' club that is NBC's slyly wacko "Seinfeld" ensemble, the goofy life has always been the good life."

CollegesBowie State -- Announced that G/F Yolanda Matthews (Milford Mill) has given an oral commitment to play basketball at the school.Rhode Island -- Suspended G Jason Alexander from the basketball team indefinitely for violation of team rules.BasketballNew Jersey Nets -- Signed F Bernard King, formerly with the Washington Bullets, for the rest of the season. Placed C Dwayne Schintzius on the injured list.

On April 24, 2004, PAUL R. HOGUE, of Woodbine; beloved husband of Charlotte H. Hogue; father of cherished children, Elizabeth H. Goethe and husband Dr. Frederick M. Goethe and Robert L. Hogue and wife Barbara J. Hogue; loving grandfather of Robert Jason Hogue, Elizabeth Anne Goethe Cannon, Jonathan David Goethe and Kirsten Leslie Hogue; dear great-grandfather of Jason Alexander Hogue. Services from the ELINE FUNERAL HOME, 11824 Reisterstown Rd. (at Franklin Blvd) on Tuesday at 11 A.M. Interment Wiseburg Cemetery, White Hall Md. Friends may call Monday, 2 to 5 P.M.

The year's big dramatic gambling hit, 21, is all plot, no personality; The Grand, a comedy that follows six contenders into the finals of a poker tournament, is all personality, no plot. I'll take personality. The director and co-writer, Zak Penn, must have decided to indulge in moviemaking by address book. For this improvisational extravaganza, he's managed to corral the likes of Ray Romano, Michael McKean, and Estelle Harris into supporting roles and Jason Alexander, Hank Azaria and director Brett Ratner into even smaller ones.

Michael Phelps is playing some serious poker in the Bahamas with the likes of Jason Alexander. But cards, shmards. At least one reporter is more interested in nominating the swimmer/golfer/card shark/retiree for the next episode of "What Not to Wear. " Chris Chase of USA Today offered quite the post-game analysis of Phelps' wardrobe  in a Thursday blog post: "Let's analyze the look Phelps is sporting in the Caribbean," he writes. "It's a style that screams, 'I'm retired and the only time I'm setting foot in a pool is if there's a swim-up bar attached to it.'" It actually also seems to scream, "I'm comfortable and wearing a lot of stuff I probably got for free.

Sports and repeats. This is a recording.* "Wimbledon tennis." (1-5 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- Live coverage of the women's semifinal will show Martina Navratilova competing in the Wimbledon semis for the 17th time. NBC.* "Seinfeld." (9-9:30 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- In a rerun, George (Jason Alexander) ponders changing religions to win a woman. NBC.Cable* "World Cup Soccer: Argentina vs. Bulgaria." (7:25 p.m.-conclusion, ESPN) -- Today's games involve Group D. Argentina has clinched a second-round spot.

It's all coming back now-- Undergoing hypnotherapy after disastrous fall in yesterday's 500 meters, coupled with two falls in '88 Games and medal shutout in '92, speed skater Dan Jansen now blames apparent curse on an incident in elementary school when he tripped a nun.Some assembly required -- Spare, elevated wooden desk used by CBS host Greg Gumbel was originally purchased at IKEA in White Marsh for $49.95.Network execs are said to be "extremely hurt" after BetteHomes and Gardens noted the set has all the ambience of the Hertz counter at most major airports.

WE'RE INTO another cycle, a small but good one, the romantic film. It may have begun with ''When Harry Met Sally.'' It continued with ''Pretty Woman'' and ''Ghost.''It is certainly continuing with ''White Palace,'' and if the cycle continues to produce titles as good as this one, let it move along.''White Palace'' plays like a '30s romantic comedy, save for the language and the sex. The '30s movies were never this obvious, never this frank, but then a lot of comedy has passed under that bridge.

Minister and TV actor to speak at fall Eisenhower Symposium The 2006 Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium is planning two speakers this week as part of its fall series. The Rev. James Forbes will speak Thursday at the university's Interfaith Center on "A Partnership of Faith: Spirituality and the Youth." The next night, television star Jason Alexander will give a talk titled "America's Youth: The Best of Times, the Worst of Times, " in Shriver Hall at the Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus.