The Governor Cops a Role on 'The Wire'

Bob Ehrlich hasn't said yet what he'll do after he leaves the Maryland governor's mansion next month -- but we hear he looks hot in a state trooper's uniform.

See for yourself. Tonight, HBO will air an episode of the gritty Baltimore-based crime-and-politics drama "The Wire" with a mind-bending scene in which Ehrlich cameos as -- stay with us, here -- a trooper on security detail for the show's fictional governor of Maryland.

Even trippier: The scene -- filmed this summer, months before Ehrlich's reelection loss -- portrays the (fictional) suave young Democratic mayor of Baltimore, Tommy Carcetti, coming to Annapolis to beg for more school funding from the Republican governor whose job he hopes to steal one day. Sound familiar? Carcetti (played by Aiden Gillen) is kept waiting for hours until finally Trooper Ehrlich tells him the governor "will see you now."

When producers called offering a speaking role, Ehrlich jumped at the chance. "He's a huge fan of the show," said spokeswoman Shareese DeLeaver.

Producer David Simon notes that he offered Ehrlich challenger Martin O'Malley an equal-time cameo, though the episodes were slated to run well after the election. But the Baltimore mayor declined. Whether that had anything to do with the assumption of many local fans that Carcetti is a stand-in for O'Malley -- well, Simon will entertain no such notions. "Carcetti is not O'Malley; I can't say it enough. Story editor Bill Zorzi covered politics in Maryland [for the Baltimore Sun] for 20 years. There are elements of lots of people in Carcetti."

Several other prominent folks have had parts in the series -- former mayor Kurt Schmoke as a city health commissioner, singer Steve Earle as an addiction counselor, convicted drug kingpin Melvin Williams as a church deacon -- a trick that Simon says enhances the distance between truth and fiction.

"Once you have Ehrlich play a state trooper on the security detail, then he is not the [show's] governor. Therefore, the governor is a fictional character."

Brit, the Experts Won't Let You Skirt This Issue

Okay, stars need exposure, but never this much. The explicit shots burning up the Web of Britney Spears's nether regions definitely fall in the Too Much Information category. The Reliable Source's Department of Good Taste offers these expert reminders for maintaining your dignity.

· Washington stylist Alison Lukes:"It's just obvious! Don't wear a skirt that short. Or look in the mirror before you go out." She recommends short shorts and tights as a sexy alternative to miniskirts, or that one take a cue from the costumes on "Dancing With the Stars" -- the women are half-naked and doing splits, but their sophisticated undergarments keep everything in place. Even Britney's stage costumes have been sexy but tasteful. "Obviously she's mastered the art of illusion before," says Lukes. "The more I think about it, [the flashing] had to have been intentional."

· Aesthetician Jacqueline Boucher: When you wear micro-minis, slip on a little something lacey -- scrupulous grooming is no excuse to expose everything, says Boucher, who has an extensive waxing clientele at Celadon Spa. "Put your panties on, girl. Use the good sense your mama gave you."

· Etiquette expert Carole Randolph: If you insist on going commando in a mini, always keep the knees together. When getting out of a car, "slide over to the edge of the seat," she says. "With your legs together, reach one foot out of the car, and then push up from the seat and bring the other foot around." At no time can you bend in a short skirt; you have to kneel. And sitting? "Again, knees together. And it's important when you're getting up from a chair to straighten up. No leaning."

Got that? Brit, Paris, Lindsay-- call us. We're here to help.

Sorry, You're Not on the List

One in an occasional series of dispatches from parties you should have crashed.

Guests of honor: D.C.'s outgoing mayor, Tony Williams, and his wife, Diane.

Hosts: Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem al-Sabah and his wife, Rima.

A-listers: Gen. Peter Pace, Justice Sam Alito, John Negroponte , Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Georgette Mosbacher and Deborah Norville mingled at the Kuwaiti residence Wednesday night with diplomats, pols and millionaires.

Most sucked-up to: Mayor-elect Adrian Fenty.

Mood: Generous. Williams, after lots of good-natured teasing -- he called January's inauguration the "transfer-of-complaint ceremony" -- asked everyone give their full support to his successor.

Most inspirational mayoral quote:"I'm most proud of raising the expectations of our city. We've come a hell of a long way."

Most honest mayoral quote:"I'm not going to miss all the crap."

Surprise: Jazz diva Denise Thimes , a favorite of the city's first lady, who flew in from St. Louis to sing "Unforgettable" to Williams.

Best unscripted moment: In honor of Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff's birthday, Thimes sang "It Had to Be You," the first song at his wedding. Chertoff rose from his seat, swept his wife, Meryl Justin, into his arms, and they slow-danced through the entire number.

Sign of success: Instead of rushing for the door, guests lingered over coffee. Valets were still fetching cars at 11:30 p.m. On a weeknight, no less.

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Listen to Roxanne Roberts in the 7 a.m. hour on weekdays and Amy Argetsinger in the 5 p.m. hour on weekdays. Web chat is at noon Wednesdays. Got a tip? Send it to reliablesource@washpost.com.