The Reliable Source

The Reliable Source is back, under the stewardship of Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts . Appearing in the Style section on Tuesdays through Fridays and Sundays, The Reliable Source brings you gossip from across the region and around the world -- candid looks at the lives and loves and hijinks of all your favorite bold-faced names, be they congressmen or millionaires, ballplayers or newsbabes, nightlife divas or master thespians, DJs or gadflies, has-beens or will-bes.

The Columns

Casting Color Snafu Has Parents Seeing Red (Reliable Source, Oct. 12)

Bride's Parents Vs. Ridgewells in a Kosher Food Fight (Reliable Source, Oct. 11)

Battle of the Rock Legends! (Reliable Source, Oct. 9)

Argetsinger and Roberts are online each Wednesday at Noon ET to discuss your favorite gossip, what you thought about their recent columns or who you want to see them writing about in future ones.

Argetsinger is a veteran of all leafy-green, protein-rich sections like Metro and National while Roberts brought you the champagne and bon-bons of Style's society beat.

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Amy Argetsinger: Hello everybody! Today I must pay homage to the wit, knowledge and terrifying power of our brilliant chatters. Last week, one of you gave *us* the news that Paris Hilton had taken up with a new Greek shipping magnate heir (Stavros Niarchos, as we now know). How did you know this first? Must be that Paris doesn't IM us much since her cellphone got hacked... either that or you get your US magazine in the mail before we get ours. On a sadder note, in this very forum last week a Gaithersburg chatter unwittingly unleashed the dark forces that led to the earthshaking TomKat announcement hours later. So bring us your questions -- but be careful!

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Alexandria, Va.: So TomKat is spawning! How utterly ridiculous and disgusting all at the same time ... Should we still think of the relationship as an elaborate hoax, or is this one maybe for real?

Roxanne Roberts: Let's see: Two crazy kids meet cute, fall in love at first sight, grin wildly, get engaged, get pregnant. Awwww.

Or: Two crazy actors in Hollywood concoct a weird publicity blitz that spins wildly and weirdly out of control. Ewwww.

Sanity being an overrated commodity in the movie biz, let's just say I hope we're not entering the Wacko Jacko Zone.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: That plastic water bottle in the publicity photo of the Murrow movie was a hoot. Do you know if that made it into the actual movie? And by the way, I spotted it instantly ... what do I win?

washingtonpost.com: Battle of the Rock Legends! (Reliable Source, Oct. 9)

Amy Argetsinger: Next time we see you, the Evian's on us!

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Bethesda, Md. :

Just wanted to tell you, I love your new column! It's much better than it has been in such a long time -- Much better gossip than the previous Reliable Source.

One thing that cracked me up was the Katie Couric story, especially since I'd seen it in the Enquirer when I was in line at the store. Was there anything to that or were they just standing next to each other outside the restaurant ?

washingtonpost.com: Battle of the Rock Legends! (Reliable Source, Oct.

Amy Argetsinger: Well, as it's important to remind all of you, there's no reason that two adults can't have a perfectly friendly and platonic meal together, and to even assume or raise an eyebrow... Oh, heck, I'll stop pretending: We're dying to know if they got to first base! But we don't know! They won't tell us! That's so mean of them, don't you think?

Roxanne Roberts: The great thing we learned from this is how many of our readers read the National Enquirer! Even if they never admit it! Good on 'ya! Keep those fab tips coming.

And note: Any guy who is photographed with America's ($13 million a year) Sweetheart cannot expect privacy. Period.

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Arlington, Va.: Sunday morning 14th Street was blocked off and it looked like they were shooting a movie set in the '50s or '60s. Do you know what that was all about?

Amy Argetsinger: Probably "The Good Shepherd" -- did you see Matt Damon or Robert DeNiro?

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Washington, D.C.: Saw the filming of "Good Shepherd" on East Capitol on Monday. Do we know if the stars (Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, etc.) are in town for this? And for how long?

Amy Argetsinger: Matt was in town and definitely spotted on the set, we've got hazier reports about our good friend Angie's presence in town this week. Am told by the film's publicists that it was a two-day shoot only and that they're now gone.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Whoever put a plastic water bottle on the newsroom desk for a PR shot of George Clooney's new 1950s-era movie should be reprimanded. Duh! Also, what is the deal with some people's odd addiction to, and obsession with, water bottles? It's like a version of a security blanket.

People: You DON'T need to always have a water bottle in your hand. You DON'T need to drink that much water. You don't need to always have a water bottle in your hand, anywhere, anytime -- even on a hike on a hot day. You can store it in a backpack. Whatever -- just don't use this water bottle thing as some psychological crutch! And the myth that says you need to drink eight glasses of water a day? It's just that: a big, fat myth. People need to get themselves off this weird water bottle thing. Now!

Amy Argetsinger: I'll drink to that!

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Philadelphia, Pa.: Just curious about the twins -- what's the latest with them? Where are they and what are they doing?

Amy Argetsinger: We've gone an entire week without a sighting of everybody's favorite charter-school teacher/yuppie barfly. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting the shakes. Can't someone help us?

Roxanne Roberts: May be they're down with a nasty touch of maturity. Don't worry----it's usually over in three days.

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Wesley Snipes: Nice job on the Wesley Snipes holier-than-thou paternity quote, although you missed the best part of the quote. From imdb.com celebrity news, right after he quoted the Golden Rule came this nugget:

The movie star plans to sue the woman next month over the false claims. His lawyer Robert Bernhoft says, "What we have here is factual vindication, legal vindication is still to come."

I must have missed the part of the Bible where Jesus talks about suing the pants off of people who bear false witness ...

Amy Argetsinger: That was in Monday's Names and Faces column, and credit goes to talented Style aide Ashby Strassburger for catching the latest Wesley news. (Though our names are basically the same, note that I have one extra syllable in my byline, and that's how you know we're not actually the same person.)

I met Wesley Snipes once. Shorter than you expect, but aren't all famous people?

Roxanne Roberts: Speaking of short...have we mentioned Tom Cruise yet?

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Old Town, Alexandria, Va.: Surprise, surprise! Nick and Jessica are denying the rumors of a divorce. Why would they go through all of this to deny it if it was true? Maybe they really are happily married. (Though I highly doubt it, the first two years of their marriage were spent on TV)

Roxanne Roberts: This is HOLLYWOOD, people. They're NOT just like us. If they were ever just like us, they're not now. Why would they deny it? Because, because, because....money, bad publicity, ddaddy made them, their agents told them, blah, blah, blah.

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Washington, D.C.: The new TV show Bones is very clearly set in D.C. (lots of shots of the city, etc.) but extraordinary measures have been taken to create a fake Smithsonian (CGI buildings, etc.). One of the characters is OBVIOUSLY meant to be a forensic anthropologist working out of S.I., but apparently S.I. didn't give permission to use the name. Any interesting backstory there?

Amy Argetsinger: So much D.C. on TV these days! What with West Wing and Commander-in-Chief and, I don't know, is there something else? Haven't caught this one yet but will tune in now that you've nudged me on it.

Roxanne Roberts: We'll dig something up on this.

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washingtonpost.com: NAMES & FACES (Post, Oct. 10)

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Potomac, Md.: Hey. Did you guys hear that, of all people, Katie Couric appears on the current, or a recent, cover of the AARP magazine? Although she is 48, she looks about 38, or 35, or something. Some folks feel that it's an odd move, regardless of her real age. Weird.

Roxanne Roberts: Look at this from the AARP perspective. She's ALMOST 50, and looks great----ergo, if you join AARP, you too will make multi-millions and have gossip columnists speculating about your sex life.

And yes, it's a little weird.

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Falls Church, Va.: Love the chats! Are any shows that supposedly take place in D.C., going to be filming episodes "on location"? More specifically, is there any chance that David Boreanez is going to be in town filming new episodes of Bones now that it has been picked up for the rest of the season?

Amy Argetsinger: Now that we know of your interest, we promise to OWN the David Boreanaz-if-and-when-he-comes-to-DC beat.

Am I spelling his name right? Are you? No idea.

Roxanne Roberts: I'm behind on my copycat television shows. Isn't Bones another CSI ripoff?

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Washington, D.C.: Who are the prettiest congresswomen? Any single?

Amy Argetsinger: Well, Mary Bono is single again, and she's a babe.... Otherwise, no time right now to thumb through my 1,906-page volume of The Almanac of American Politics. Maybe our other guests have some suggestions?

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Rockville, Md.: Do people think that Paul McCartney really did have a facelift, as a reviewer suggested this week? What about the Stones? What do any plastic surgery experts think? Also, it's been widely suggested for years that, well, neither Mick's hair nor Keith's hair nor Ron's hair is 100 percent natural.

Roxanne Roberts: I think Paul had a facelift. I also think Robert Redford had a facelift. I personally would pay to see the Stones getting hair extensions. I believe vanity trumps good sense 99 percent of the time.

Amy Argetsinger: You mean, you don't think Keef comes by his youthful good looks naturally?

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L.A.: Never forget that Tom Cruise is well over six feet tall when standing up on a couch. Anyone who thinks he's only 5' 7" is very unclear.

Roxanne Roberts: So true. He's READ everything about height. He KNOWS. Take that, Brooke Shields, who only THINKS she's taller.

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Bethesda, Md.: Has Nicholas Cage lost his mind? I hope his child grows up, changes his name, and becomes estranged from his weird father -- in a good way, of course.

Amy Argetsinger: Bethesda is referring of course to newborn Kal-el Coppola Cage, who has been blessed with Superman's Kryptonite name. That's an interesting question you've raised. How have other crazy-named Hollywood spawn turned out, especially in regards to their relationships with their parents? I think Moon Unit and Dweezil Zappa were on good terms with dad Frank, right? But Chastity Bono's had a rocky relationship with Cher. You never hear about Zowie Bowie these days -- did he change his name?

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Arlington, Va.: Any discussion of hottie congresswomen begins and ends with Stephanie Herseth. Maria Cantwell is pretty easy on the eyes, too.

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks! any others?

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Bethesda, Md: No question or comment, just a BIG compliment. I love the new Reliable Source! The Post is a much more fun paper now!

Roxanne Roberts: Thanks, mom.

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks Mr. Leiby!

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Washington, D.C.: I heard something about Katie Holmes saying she would be a virgin until marriage. I never heard it before the pregnancy but now it's all over the place.

And what's up with Hollywood not knowing the meaning of birth control? Everybody's getting knocked up these days.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, I had read that same thing on many occasions, well before she shacked up with Mr. Cruise even. Can't vouch for it, of course, but it's just one of the many reasons that this entire affair has been so completely unnerving.

Here's my definition of birth control: Timing conception in such a highly-calibrated fashion that you're guaranteed to have your first child JUST in time for your next big movie premiere!

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Amy Argetsinger: I'm told the spelling is Boreanz. We've all learned something today!

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Washington, D.C.: How is it that Cruise went through two marriages without having a kid, yet with Katie Holmes, he can't even wait until the vows are exchanged?

I wonder which enterprising gossip columnist will be the first to obtain and compare DNA samples from Cruise and Cruise Jr. Something for you guys to consider next time you're out in L.A.?

Roxanne Roberts: Yes, that thought occurred to us and about 100 million others who heard the news. Trust us: There's a lab assistant somewhere in Los Angeles who's already fielding offers about this very subject.

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Alexandria, Va.: Not sure if this has been asked before, but the N.Y. papers are famous for "blind items" that hint at scandal without naming names. Such an item launched the Gary Bauer "I'm not having an affair" saga in 2000, I believe. Are such items taboo in D.C.? Is our town too "small" for something like that?

Roxanne Roberts: The Washington Post doesn't do blind items because the lawyers really, really hate all the paperwork in lawsuits. We print what we can verify on the record, which means that two alliterative gossip columns were not spotted canoddling in Cabo. Damn.

Amy Argetsinger: Canoddling? Is that what the kids are calling it these days, Rox?

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Washington, D.C.: "Dad Frank" is unfortunately deceased. They may still be on good terms with him, however.

Amy Argetsinger: Hey, I did say "WERE on good terms." I know my Zappa.

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McLean, Va.: So is Bush cracking under the pressure? Is he back on the sauce? Something stronger? Would you report it if he was?

Roxanne Roberts: Example of blind item: Which president of a major world power is off the wagon?

That's why we don't do blind items. There's no evidence, no witnesses, just some anonymous person asserting it's true. We'll write about it if we have on-the-record sources and some pretty compelling evidence, although I suspect A-1 may steal it from us. If and until then, we hope it's not.

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah -- what she said!

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Downtown: Any new info on the "magazine wars" in town? As a recipient of both "DC" and "Cap File," I must say they are both very different in their approach. Cap File seems celebrity-obsessed (this is D.C. folks, not L.A.), while "D.C." is a bit more refined and subdued. I'd put my money on the later lasting longer ... what's your take?

Amy Argetsinger: Hmmm, now where do you suppose DC magazine has its offices. Could it be... Downtown?

Aw, just kidding. That's a worthwhile opinion, I'm afraid I don't have one yet. Roxanne?

Roxanne Roberts: I figure Washingtonian and Washington Life have longtime relationships and fans in this town, and any new magazine has to generate enough advertising and buzz to survive. I'm waiting for things to shake out, but I'm not optimistic. If John Kennedy Jr. and his collection of pals couldn't keep "George" thriving, then it will be hard for relative unknowns to suddenly come to Washington and take the place by storm. We'll have a better idea by next summer.

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Riverdale, Md.: I beg to differ -- Cute kids meet, fall in love, etc. Cute, yes, kids? Katie maybe. She's 26. Tom can't see "kid" in his rear-view mirror. He's 43 years, old for Pete's sake! I'm not saying he's too old for young Katie, only that he's no kid by any stretch.

Amy Argetsinger: Hey, Roxanne -- looks like your attempts at dry sarcasm flop almost as badly as my own in the live chats!

Roxanne Roberts: Tom is 43-going-on-26. Speaking of which, I wonder if HE'S had work done yet.

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Bethesda, Md.: How have other crazy-named Hollywood spawn turned out, especially in regards to their relationships with their parents? . . . You never hear about Zowie Bowie these days -- did he change his name?

He's not estranged, but I read somewhere that he does go by a more ordinary name (which I don't remember). Also, Grace Slick's daughter's name, one of the nuttiest ever -- god (with a small g) -- was later changed, I think to China.

Amy Argetsinger: Forgot about China! Though that doesn't sound as weird as it must have 30 years ago. Same with Jade Jagger -- kind of lost its exotic edge.

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Bones and the Smithsonian: I know two forensic anthropologists, one who works for the FBI, the other for the Smithsonian, and apparently the S.I. is ANGRY over the show's inaccuracies and want it to be pulled.

Roxanne Roberts: Clearly, we have to check this out.

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Washington, D.C.: Did PARIS HILTON really steal Greek gazillionaire STAVROS NIARCHOS III from MARY-KATE OLSEN?

Amy Argetsinger: Hello, Washington, and thanks for getting all bold-faced with this. Heck, we don't know, but I'm glad you brought it up! This is a very important development, the reemergence in world gossip of the name Stavros Niarchos. We may know him as the gangly kid smooching Mary-Kate (are you sure it wasn't Ashley?) on a trampoline in countless paparazzi shots this summer. But our parents and grandparents are more familiar with his legendary grandfather of the same name, the Greek shipping magnate who spent much of his career in a crazed rivalry with Aristotle Onassis -- so much so that after Niarchos, at 56, married the 24-year-old automobile heiress Charlotte Ford, Onassis had no choice but to come back at him by marrying Jackie Kennedy! Exciting times they were, folks... So you can see that young Stavros comes by his mad paparazzi-magnet skillz naturally...

Roxanne Roberts: God, this is like choosing between a Slim Jim or Pork Rinds. Both revolting, even if you're starving, Stavros.

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Zowie Bowie: Didn't he change his name to Joey? Like that's any better ...

Amy Argetsinger: You've just hurt the feelings of Matt LeBlanc, Katie Holmes, AND young Zowie...

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Zowie Bowie: If Zowie Bowie is David Bowie's son from his first wife, then yes, he uses the name Duncan Jones (remember, David Bowie's real name is David Jones).

Amy Argetsinger: We're taking your word for it.

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Washington, D.C.: A week has passed without Jenna Bush gossip. I thought you promised to own this beat. Should I just move to Glover Park as your "embedded" correspondent?

Amy Argetsinger: Would you please? It's already Wednesday, and we haven't spotted her yet this week. Maybe parent-teacher conferences are coming up or something...

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Re: Prettiest Congresswoman: Blah, blah, blah [insert Barbara Mikulski joke here]. But how about a Cokie Roberts-Wendy Rieger face-off? I could get behind that.

Amy Argetsinger: Is that you, FOB Kalsu Iraq? Still pining for Wendy Rieger?

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The Pitch: Next up for Katie Holmes: A remake of "Rosemary's Baby."

Roxanne Roberts: That's so twisted. I love it.

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Columbia, Md.: Tom Cruise vs. Brooke Shields in an all out street fight. Who wins?

Amy Argetsinger: Brooke Shields, no question. She's got at least five inches of height on him! Then again, Tom does have bigger teeth...

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D.C. shows: Let's not forget NCIS!

Pauley Perrette (who plays Abby, the goth lab chick) keeps coming to our HQ building every few months (most recently with an E.T. camera crew) and I keep missing her! Argh!

Amy Argetsinger: NCIS! I knew there was another one. Also, E-Ring.

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Washington, D.C.: High-powered lobbyist/lawyer types trying to rip off a wedding contractor? What's next, people not wanting to drink enough water?

Roxanne Roberts: Babies in Washington first words: "Mama." "Dada." "Sue."

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Eastern Market, Washington, D.C.: Re: Virgins until marriage. This may be more a question for Hank Stuever's "Question Celebrity" column, but how many self-proclaimed celebrity "virgins until marriage" have wound up becoming major sexpots or gotten pregnant out of wedlock? It seems like if a starlet makes such a declaration, she's pretty much sealed her fate. And, can you imagine ANY guy from Hollywood making such a statement?

Amy Argetsinger: Good point. The problem with any young celebrity making a big deal about being a virgin is when she (or he -- though you're right, never happens that way) suddenly, er, STOPS being a virgin, the rest of us feel like it's our business to know all the details of her sex life. So kids? Just keep it to yourself.

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New England: Have you given any thought to changing the name of the column to "The Reliable SourceS" to reflect the fact that there are now two of you?

Amy Argetsinger: Nope. The name has a great tradition here at the Post. Also, it's not the first time it's had dual authorship -- Ann Gerhart and Annie Groer shared the honor from '95 to '99.

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Recovering Buffy Fan: The Bones star in question's name spelled David Boreanaz. He's known for giving goofy interviews about how much he likes his socks.

Amy Argetsinger: hey, you may be right. IMDB says "Boreanaz." I think we got some bad information from our trusty squadron of assistants. OR maybe I'm getting bad information now. Anyway, at least I know what to ask David if I ever spot him in D.C.!

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Washington, D.C.: Ladies: Why don't you cover more D.C. area gossip and celebrity sightings?

Roxanne Roberts: God knows we're trying....unless you're holding out on us? Something big we missed?

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Lincoln Park, Washington, D.C.: Channel 4's Liz Crenshaw and Louisiana's Mary Landrieu-- separated at birth?

Amy Argetsinger: yeah, you're kind of right. Thanks, Google Images!

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D.C. shows: But why has there never been a D.C. Real World? That is a travesty.

Amy Argetsinger: A complete outrage, if you ask me. What do you think -- if they ever do have a Real World DC, are we too old to be cast on it?

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Arlington, Va.: Ladies

We need you to fully explore Harriet Mier's "friendship" with that Texas judge they cart out as her character witness lately. There are always hints that the friendship had a romantic element or something. What does that mean? Is he (a) a beard or (b) a friend with privileges?

Roxanne Roberts: Pictures, people. I need pictures. Until then, they're just friends.

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Washington, D.C.: Don't you think at this point the world would wholeheartedly support Katie Holmes if she just left Tom Cruise and raised this kid on her own? It seems like the better choice, no?

Amy Argetsinger: Remember, at the end of Rosemary's Baby, Mia Farrow stayed with the satanic cult. (I just saw it last week, believe it or not!)

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The Heartland: Bones is an awful, awful show, and given the incredible inaccuracies in their portrayal of D.C., I would guess that no one from the set has ever once set foot in your fair city, much less filmed on location there.

(The premiere had a burial on the National Mall. Ooh-rah.)

Amy Argetsinger: A burial on the Mall? I want one of those!

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California: Any news on the plaster casters?

Amy Argetsinger: Not lately, I don't think. I hope they haven't gone into retirement, now that our nation needs them more than ever.

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The teaching twin: I thought that never happened after she found out that you need a teaching certificate even for a charter school? Did she go out and get one?

Roxanne Roberts: What high-profile parents are notoriously tip-lipped about their W-mints? We heard that too, and we're on it.

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Washington, D.C.: Tomkat's and Rosemary's Baby reference: Twisted, yes, and stolen from "The Fix" on Salon.com. We all read the same liberal feeds, people!

Amy Argetsinger: Or maybe brilliant, gossip-obsessed minds with too little else to do just think alike.

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Silver Spring, Md.: So, is Weingarten still boozing?

Roxanne Roberts: Gene, quit using this chat to enhance your reputation.

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Re: Stavros: Here is a Meta Six Degrees from Kevin Bacon trivia fact for you:

On episode #162 of Full House ("Kissing Cousins") Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) brings his cousin back from Greece -- his name was Stavros. Now I find out Mary-Kate or Ashley has been dating some Greek shipping guy named Stavros. Do you think, like TomKat, the Olsen twins had this planned out 17 years ago as some publicity stunt? Conspiracy theorists want to know!

Amy Argetsinger: Whoa. And here I thought I was the crazed trivia geek, busting out all my knowledge on grandpa Stavros... Please tell me you're making this up!

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Virginia: Matt Perry and Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls mom). . . is it true?

Amy Argetsinger: Haven't seen that anywhere (and I've actually spent the past few minutes on Nexis trying to find it!) -- but I know she's from here -- maybe you've got some hometown scoop?

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Arlingtonienne: Here's some tidbits for you to play with -- Britney is hiring Kevin's ex as their nanny and Sienna and Jude are done -- she's traded him in for new Bond Boy Daniel Craig -- one of Jude's close friends from what I understand.

Roxanne Roberts: The Jude-Sienna update is in....um, in today's column. Check it out. But we love you anyway.

The guards are waiting to return us to the cell. Thanks for a swell chat and we'll talk next week.

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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.