The Reliable Source

Gossip From Washington and Beyond

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.

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.

A transcript follows.

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Amy Argetsinger: Good morning all! This week, "A" was for Ahnold and Anna Nicole, "B" was for Boondocks and Butterstick and Betty Scripps, "C" was for -- ah, hell, I can't keep this up, not all the way to Omarosa and Rohrabacher. Not even to Latifah (who nearly eluded us) nor Larry Flynt (whose comped subscriptions of Hustler to the Senate cracked us up.) So just send us your questions -- please!

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College Park, Md.: I would like to know what's Stephen Francis doing these days. I heard a rumor that he has a new baby. Has he gotten married? How many kids does he have and with who? Where is he living now?

I remember him as a former TERP B-Baller at University of Maryland.

Need-To-Know in College Park

Amy Argetsinger: Steve Francis just got traded from the Orlando Magic to the New York Knicks, and our colleague Michael Lee caught up with him the other day. (Link to follow). The lede is priceless -- a heckler shouts to him "Where are you going next Steve?" and he says "To the bank."

And you are correct, he is a new first-time father to Shailyn Brooke, born August 12, and he's given interviews saying how much having a daughter has changed his life. Somehow none of these articles ever mention details like, say, who the mother is. (Sportswriters!) Whatever the homelife situation, he seems to be very involved -- missed his first practices with the Knicks this week because his little girl was sick back in Orland.

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washingtonpost.com: Francis Is an Unlikely Answer (Post, Feb. 26)

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Washington, D.C.: What happened to WHUR's Morning Show? Where can I complain to get them back on the air? I don't want to listen to Steve Harvey on my way to work.

Amy Argetsinger: The radio station has not offered any explanation for the change-up, our colleague Paul Farhi says. It could just be a money thing -- Steve Harvey's show is syndicated and they may have gotten it cheap. I guess you can complain to the radio station and/or to Howard University, but these decisions are generally rooted in money and ratings and personnel matters and all the petitions in the world won't make a difference. I used to listen to Steve Harvey on the radio during my year in L.A., and he was pretty entertaining. Until they yanked him off the air because his show was reportedly too expensive. Go figure.

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Capitol Hill: I read that Ana Marie Cox's book signing for her new book was sparsely attended to be generous. Any sales numbers available?

Roxanne Roberts: The only reportable number are dog-gone disappointing. The new issue of Washingtonian reports that the book only sold about 4,300 copies in the first month, despite spectacular pre-pub hype. Maybe the only people who REALLY care about political chick lit are too poor to buy a hardback. But she got a fat ol' advance for her next, non-fiction book on the sad state of youthful politics, so she's not going anywhere soon.

Amy Argetsinger: I think Capitol Hill is referring to one particular signing she had up at a NYC bookstore, which a gossip columnist up there mocked for having low attendance (tough business, folks!); I think her events down here were well-attended.

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Anna Nicole: Anyone have any fun stories from Anna Nicole celebrating Fat Tuesday in D.C? I'm sure she caused a scene somewhere!

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, anyone? We've been dismayed by the lack of sightings. We did hear that she got a facial at Bluemercury in Georgetown on Monday evening, but that's about it. Also, that she looked very weary checking into her hotel that night. Could be that she doesn't party like she used to.

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White Oak, Md.: Did u guys get to see Anna Nicole yesterday at the Supreme Court? I don't count her as a celebrity -- but still interesting.

Roxanne Roberts: Nah. You just knew she would be all, like, respectable. Dressed in a proper suit, no comment. What fun is THAT? It would have been great if she went in all skin and slurred soundbites, but what were the chances of that with $88 million on the line?

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Anonymous: How does an update about a cartoon qualify as interesting gossip? Come on ladies I know you can do better than that! It looks like you may have to head back to the donrockwell boards!

Amy Argetsinger: Aaron McGruder is a local guy who's turned into an interesting and highly controversial cartoonist of national stature, arguably the Gary Trudeau of his generation. Or so I'm told -- not much of a comics reader these days. Suffice it to say, even if you weren't interseted, a lot of other people were. Believe me, when Doonesbury took its sabbatical back in the '80s, that was like front-page news. So we think this is worth the 100 words or whatever we spilled on it.

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Washington, D.C.: I heard that West Wing is casting extras in D.C. and Baltimore for this weekend (March 3-5). Any idea where they're filming?

Roxanne Roberts: They're scheduled for Cleveland Park Saturday, but we're guessing they'll be all over town. It's the last Washington shoot before they go to the big presidential house in the sky.

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Panda Cam: Tai's mom just woke up, rolled over, yawned, and went back to sleep. Pretty exciting stuff!

Roxanne Roberts: Still obsessed with Pandacam, huh? How many of you read Sunday's column featuring His Adorableness? How many of you call him Butterstick?

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Lunch: If you were to have a sandwich made in your honor, what would it contain?

Amy Argetsinger: Grilled meatloaf. Peanut butter. Roasted brussel sprouts. Pulled pork. But not together.

Roxanne Roberts: George Clooney, Tom Stoppard and me.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: This chat certainly lacks substance. It's as boring as George Bush's wisdom.

Roxanne Roberts: Okay: What do YOU your to talk about?

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washingtonpost.com: Male-Off Airs (Mediabistro)

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washingtonpost.com: Media Females (Mediabistro)

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Alexandria, Va.: If you were putting together a list of Washington's best looking media types, who are the three Posties that would make the list?

Amy Argetsinger: Grrrrr -- this is you fishbowldc folks AGAIN, isn't it, trying to drum up more traffic to your site! As we've said before, we would be fools to answer this question and therefore are going to have to refer you to the web polls on this topic from last summer which -- wouldn't you know? -- had a grand total of three Post names on them. Two of them coincidentally showed up this month on Washingtonian's "25 beautiful people" list: A round of applause, please, for Ben Bradlee and Michael Robinson-Chavez! And Ylan Q. Mui? You were so robbed.

Roxanne Roberts: Len Downie and Phil Bennett are HOT. And we're not just saying that because they're our executive and managing editors.

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Washington, D.C.: Is it possible I'm the only one who absolutely loathes the name Butterstick?

Amy Argetsinger: No. We got a very angry e-mail from a reader this week accusing us of being barflies in collusion with bloggers for even so much as writing about it. Tried to tell him that we've got no panda in this fight, but he was really quite irate about it.

Roxanne Roberts: Actually, I really like "Butterstick." So sue me.

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Roxanne!: Naughty, naughty! And who would be the middle layer, pray tell?

Roxanne Roberts: Ladies never sandwich and tell.

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Southern Maryland: How do local yokels find out about casting calls anyway? I always hear about movies or TV shows filmed in D.C., but rarely do I see the calls for extras (until it's too late, of course).

Amy Argetsinger: The D.C. film office occasionally puts out casting calls for extras -- you can check out the press releases on the "newsroom" part of its website, link below -- but we haven't seen an open call since "The Visiting" last fall.

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Speaking of Clooney ...: these rumors about he and Teri Hatcher crack me up. Esp. the one about her asking about their 'future' after one dinner.

Everyone knows the only woman he wants is me.

Silly Teri Hatcher.

Roxanne Roberts: Very silly.

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washingtonpost.com: Motion Picture and TV Development (District of Columbia Site)

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Silver Spring, Md.: Re: West wing casting. How do you become an extra? Can you sign up somewhere, or do you have to belong to a casting agency?

Amy Argetsinger: Really don't know. Have never heard of any public calls, and I do know that there are a couple of local casting agencies around here that provide extras to films/TV shows that shoot around here. Any professional extras out there?

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Gaithersburg, Md.: "What do YOU your to talk about?" Can you translate that?

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, simmer down. Clearly a typo. We're still waiting to hear what substance you came here looking for.

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Kensington, Md.: Hey ladies! Great columns last week. Sunday's was a lifesaver. My in-laws were in town and it was my little respite before it was off to breakfast. Anyhoots, I had to decline an invite to a semiformal Oscar party where, as the resident gossip jinkie, I was to report on the latest dish as celebs did the carpet. I'm passing dish off to the other two regular readers of Us Weekly as I find it, but can you recommend anything beyond Talk Entertainment, The Awful Truth and The Fix to help them prepare?

PS. A friend, who is now a local but grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, is totally dressing "Brokeback". Should be too much fun. Can't believe I'll miss it!

Amy Argetsinger: I'm a huge fan of Gawker and Defamer, the NYC and L.A. cousins to Wonkette.

Oh, hey, speaking of which, the new lads editing Wonkette, David Lat and Alex Pareene, will be chatting online here at 3 p.m. So please join them!

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Ashburn, Va.: How come they never film movies or TV shows out here in the burbs? What could be better -- perfectly manicured lawns, streets with wide lanes and nary a pothole, exotic chain restaurants ....

(Sigh) I miss living in the city.

Amy Argetsinger: Isn't that what that Desperate Housewives show is all about? I've never actually seen an episode all the way through. I don't really watch any TV shows that don't involve reality competitions or torture, though.

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Hughesville, Md.: Anna Nicole, Have you heard anything on how she plans, to get her hands on her late husband's money, now that they have gone to the Supreme Court.

Roxanne Roberts: If her former step-son has his way, it wll be over his dead, cold body. He's determined she won't get a dime even if the Supremes rule in her favor.

Amy Argetsinger: I was glad to see the Supremes seemed to be leaning her way. She deserves every penny she's asking for, if you ask me.

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washingtonpost.com: Gawker

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washingtonpost.com: Wonkette Discussion (Live Online)

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Another panda cam devotee here: Watching him is a lot more fun than my job! I try and check on him a couple minutes every day.

And I often refer to him as Butterstick -- I think it's cute.

Roxanne Roberts: You and thousands others....

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Butterstick: Am I the only one who remembers Last Tango in Paris? Hate to ruin it for you.

(Not that you could ruin that little panda for me. He is just too darn cute. Almost as cute as that Kelly Pickler on American Idol.)

Roxanne Roberts: Nah, I remember it. Lots of people play with their food. Doesn't ruin "Butterstick" for me.

Amy Argetsinger: Okay, what do we think about Kellie Pickler? Is there any way that America could pick two Carrie Underwood types in a row? (Even those Kellie has way more personality). I'm also concerned that her voice may be a little thin when you get right down to it.

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SillyList: The Washingtonian 25 Beautiful People list was a joke. We should just get rid of those things. It makes us look like we protest too much. See we do have gorgeous people ...

Esp. the fellow who said he was asked to be on the Bachelor. Hahaha. Average looking at best. Being a girl, he wouldn't have turned any heads when I went to Universtiy of Miami for undergrad.

Amy Argetsinger: Huh, that's funny -- missed that part in my checkout-line perusal.

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Annapolis, Md.: Hi Sourcers!

Any news on Jenna and Barbara these days? Are they still inside the velvet ropes at Smith Point all of the time, or is gossip about them leaking out?

Roxanne Roberts: The twins are behaving like angels, at least in public. Jenna is busy teaching, and Babs just got back from Turin, where was busy ignoring Italian guys who tried to hit on her. Nothing to report.

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D.C. 'Burbs in TV: Actually, on Fox's "Bones" they frequently head into suburban Maryland and Virginia (at least in their storylines). I've seen Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Arlington get screen time. Now granted, it's usually some L.A.-area approximation of Bethesda, etc., but at least they're 'trying' on the names, plus they always have nice beauty shots of downtown D.C.

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, my understanding is that "Bones" never really shoots here.

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Washington, D.C.: I think it is time for Tai Shan to move up the butter chain. He looks more like the size of a butterball, than a butterstick.

Roxanne Roberts: "Butterball." Also very cute, although not seasonal. That reminds me: Anyone giving up the Pandacam for Lent?

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Your Poet Laureate: Whoa! There's someone out there who's humor is defunct,

Ripping on Roxanne and Amy in such a tacky way.

Can't we all just get along,

and dish some gossip today!

What with Anna Nicole Smith appearing before the Supremes,

Who wouldn't love to know what Scalia thought of during HIS dreams!

So let's try spotting some celebs and reporting back post-haste,

and loving every minute laying their egos to waste!

Amy Argetsinger: Thank you Vince -- you're our hero!

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Re: West wing casting: I got to be an extra in the episode where Zoe graduates from Georgetown. I got to do it because a good friend of mine from high school worked for a local casting agency, so maybe try looking one some up in the phone book and calling them? Most of the extras I met there were "professional" types who are trying to make it in television/stage/movies. I think some actual Georgetown students were also invited to do it since we were on campus.

It was really fun and I got to meet Martin Sheen!

Amy Argetsinger: hey, thanks for writing!

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Santa Monica, Calif.: What do you make of George Michael's recent drug-induced meltdown? Doyou think it had something to do with Andrew Ridgely? Or was he justwaiting for someone to wake him up so he could go go?

Amy Argetsinger: Ha! We haven't had enough George Michael questions lately.

Or, as the folks on NBC-4, emphasized about five times as they reported on the incident the other day, "the SINGER George Michael... George Michael the SINGER." Just in case you all might get confused...

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I Need People to Blame...:

A Washington Post story says that only 25% of Americans can identify the rights contained in the First Amendment but 90% of Americans can name ALL the characters in "The Simpsons!"

Can I blame you two gossip-mongerers for this? BTW...will Homer ever divorce Marge and finally give Mo his dream?

washingtonpost.com: Study: Few Americans Know 1st Amendment (Post, March 1)

Amy Argetsinger: Well, considering we've kind of fallen down on the Homer Simpson beat lately, I don't think it's us.

Now wait -- it's freedom of speech, religion, press, ringtones, pizza toppings and basic cable offerings, right?

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Ummmm ...: Who's Tom Stoppard?

Amy Argetsinger: A craggy-faced British playwright. Rox met him once and said he was dreamy. But then she likes "smart guys" -- go figure.

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Please more detail on West Wing: How can we find out more about the D.C. location shots? I think my husband and I are among the few remaining fans and I'd love to see it.

Amy Argetsinger: Apparently they're shooting exterior shots at the White House over the weekend, according to the show's publicist.

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Britney: Is Britney Spears pregnant again? I caught a bit of an interview with her on ET last night, and as she sat down, it sure looked like there was another bun in the oven. Horrifying to think that she and KFed are procreating again!

Amy Argetsinger: Alls we know is that the tabloids are spending a lot of time examining her waistline. Haven't gotten a shower announcement yet ourselves.

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Scoop?: Any inside scoop on what Britney's "big announcement" about her "career" is supposed to be? I read that 'Access Hollywood' is supposed to break it sometime this week?

Amy Argetsinger: Ooh! Well, we'll look forward to that!

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Re: Pickler: Kellie Pickler blows. She can't sing, and I'm sick of her "Gee whiz, they have INDOOR OUTHOUSES here!" routine.

Amy Argetsinger: I was kind of wondering during her whole "calamari" soliloquy last night if maybe she isn't just a very gifted improv actress from New York.

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Cable Rights?: Yes, you have basic cable rights. But you have the right to pay the ever-increasing bill!

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, man, free country my a--.

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Amy Argetsinger: Okay, Roxanne's webchat link crashed, which is why I've been talking behind her back like this for the past few minutes. We're done now. Thanks for coming through with your questions and comments and inspirational verse. We'll chat with you next week, but in the meantime we'll be expecting to hear from you at reliablesource@washpost.com.

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Amy Argetsinger: hey, confidential to the folks with the Taylor Hicks tip -- thanks! will look into it! Now we're really gone...

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