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.

Recent Columns:

No Deep Discount Here: Haft House Goes for Record $$$ (Post, March 29)

Patti LaBelle, Up in Washington and Down in Florida (Post. March 28)

The Men Behind the Goofy Masks (Post, March 26)

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.

____________________

Amy Argetsinger: Okay, time to get started... Campaign hotel riders, and expensive houses, and Wire stars and LaBelle meltdowns and other stuff I already forget, but you all seem to remember judging by our surplus of excellent questions today. Welcome! And thanks for joining us.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I wonder how often you get out. Noon seems an inconvenient time to chat, how do you get good gossip if you don't get out to lunch with people?

Amy Argetsinger: Indeed, Wednesdays are a bad day for source lunching, because of the chat. But happily/sadly we only do these chats once a week...

_______________________

Wheaton, MD: Sean Penn has an Ann Coulter voodoo doll? I can't decide if this is really funny or really disturbing.

Penn Has Torture Doll (Contactmusic.com)

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, just read that in the new issue of The New Yorker, which arrived yesterday. Sounded rather juvenile, don't you think?

_______________________

Watergate Salon: Condi walked past me and upstairs while I was getting shampooed! She looked hurried, but smiled.

Amy Argetsinger: Tell us more! reliablesource@washpost.com

_______________________

Bowie, Md.: Laddie mags' reader "polls": Are those things for real? I saw Scarlett Jo. was FHM's sexiest woman. Do these mags really survey readers or do the editors toss out the results and pick the girls based on who'll pose nearly naked for them to "promote" their new films? I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but ...

Amy Argetsinger: That's a good question, we were just wondering the same thing yesterday. Clearly, a lot of this title-conferring depends on which young ladies are willing to pose in scanties for them -- I mean, what do you do if your readers declare Angelina Jolie the hottest woman in the world and she can't/won't pose, on account of being all knocked-up and humanitarian-like these days?

Similarly, we were taken aback at how Esquire's "Sexiest Woman Alive," first conferred on Angelina in 2004, went the following year to.... Jessica Biel. I mean, whatever.

_______________________

The Supreme Sicilian: I don't know how well versed you are in Sicilian gestures. Obviously, the Supreme Court spokesman is not.

But flicking your hand under your chin is as bad as, if not a worse insult, than extending the middle finger.

Roxanne Roberts: There's conflicting reports on the gesture: Some say it's merely insulting; others say middle-finger territory. Any Italian non-verbal experts in the house?

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My friend visiting from L.A. was walking on M Street in Georgetown on Monday before noon and saw Claire Danes walking around in jeans and a red sweater. Incredulous, she didn't totally believe it was Claire until she heard the voice of Angela from "My So-Called Life" coming out of her body. She was with an unidentified man. In other celebrity sightings on M Street, I saw Anderson Cooper walking alone while on a cell phone in Georgetown two Friday nights ago. He was much shorter than I thought ... and as cute as he is on TV, he was much cuter in person.

Amy Argetsinger: Hey, Washington, why didn't you tell us about this sooner? Here's the rule with celebrity sightings: Tell us about them immediately -- at reliablesource@washpost.com -- so we can check out their validity [note to readers: we cannot at the moment vouch for the validity of the Claire Danes or Anderson Cooper sightings] and hopefully put them in the paper the next day. As much as we love your company here on the chats, do NOT wait for the chats! You see, we could check this one out, but by the time we got it in the dead-tree version it would be three days late and kind of pointless...

Okay, then, moving on: Nice work on the clothing details! Was the unidentified man possibly her hunky boyfriend Billy Crudup? (do a GoogleImages)...

_______________________

Bethesda, Md. : Loved the item about the Haft sale. Haven't heard much good dish on them lately. I do hope Mrs. Haft got a bundle after all she put up with from that old lech.

What's going on with the Haft kids these days ? What's Robert doing?

Roxanne Roberts: Mrs. Haft received the house as part of the $50 million estate upon the death of the dearly departed Herbie. Personally, I miss the hair. No one else in Washington had a head of hair like Herbie.

Robert is keeping a low profile these days. He's chair of a healthcare investment firm, although I see him out at a few charity events with his very sweet wife, Mary.

_______________________

Centreville, Va.: I was in Atlanta and attended the the NCAA Men's Basketball Regional last Thurs.-Sat., I saw James Carville (the "Ragin' Cajun" himself) at the LSU/Duke game on Thurs. Certainly not to be unexpected as he is an LSU alum, as am I! He looked quite dignified in his sport coat/tie, jeans and sneakers!

Nice to see how he always supports LSU.

GEAUX TIGERS!

Roxanne Roberts: He IS the Ragin' Cajun, after all. But Centreville---Why aren't you going crazy for George Mason, like the rest of us Johnny Come Latelies?

_______________________

Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.: What's this about Lulu's closing?! I'm not so much outraged but surprised. Okay maybe a little outrage ...

Amy Argetsinger: Well, I'll be damned. Just went to Lulu's Web site, and it appears to be true, the Foggy Bottom institution is closing after Friday the 31st. Don't have any answers but we'll try to find out more before the hour is up. I'll bet you anything it's a rising-rent thing or a redevelopment thing -- like what happened with Stoney's.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Lulu's

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I went to an Italian Catholic grammar school and you got in worse trouble for doing the "under-chin hand flick" move than you did for using English curse words or extending your middle finger. It's a super nasty gesture.

Roxanne Roberts: Well, then.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Any stars going to be at the TV and Radio Correspondents dinner thing tonight?

Amy Argetsinger: Not really many that we've heard of. Depends on your definition of stars -- Ronnie Mervis? The mayor of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi? Iraq and Afghanistan veterans? I think it's really the White House Correspondent's Dinner that brings out the big Hollywood types; at the Radio and TV Correspondents dinner, the correspondents themselves tend to provide the firepower.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Is Jack Evans still squiring around that delicious looking blonde?

Roxanne Roberts: Jack is JUST FRIENDS with gallery owner Marsha Ralls. Remember? Although I do have to say they are looking more like just friends than ever. They were at the Best Friends gala earlier this month and I didn't see a single google-eye, lovestruck glance pass between them.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: So did you ever find out what was filming on F street by the Willard last week?

Amy Argetsinger: Dawgs, you gotta start reading our dead-tree version! We provided the answer to that question in our column last Thursday, just as we promised in the chat the day before.

Will give you the link, but short version is that it's a pilot for a TV show called "Capitol Law" about -- what else? -- idealistic young lawyers in D.C. Based on a book written by Penn law prof Kermit Roosevelt (great-grandson of Teddy, and kind of a cutie if you GoogleImages him), and it stars Joshua Jackson of Dawson's Creek and Frank Langella. It's got a "CSI" producer, and they're filming it for CBS though we won't find out for a month or so if it gets picked up.

_______________________

Your Laureate: Hi ... I'm home with the flu today and don't know if I'll stay around for the chat ... but since it's such a nice day out ...

It's springtime and the cherry blossoms are alive and in bloom,

The time when a man's (and woman's) thoughts of love resume.

But when are we going to have a scandal that's big and risque?

One that would give you material every single day!

Something along the lines of a sighting so rare,

Perhaps of a senator with something to bare!

Or maybe a congressman, tidal-swimming as in yore,

Who could forget ol' Wilber and his girlfriend of lore!

(fooled ya!)

Amy Argetsinger: Ah, thanks Vince. Cherry blossom season down at the Tidal Basin always makes me think of Wilbur Mills and Fanne Foxe. Good times.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: Music, Soothing the Savage Political Breast (Post, March 23)

_______________________

Kensington, Md.: Hey ladies. I missed last week's chat. Had to go to Cozumel. We didn't run into Ivanka, but she was in town. Anyhoots, I was reading The Sun online this morning and they had a great pic of huge posters being delivered to Casa Del TomKat reminding Katie of the rules for a silent birth. I particularly enjoyed one of the reader posts that suggested every household could use such signs saying things like "The bath tub isn't going to clean itself." I would suggest for my home "Playing Madden for four hours straight does not count as quality time at home with your spouse." I could have fun with this idea! You two could have reminders like, "Do not look (insert celeb name) in the eyes. It makes him/her twitch."

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks!

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Hi ladies,

We can find out who bought the Haft House after the deal settles, right? It should be a matter of public record once it's sold. Any speculation as to who the mystery buyer is? I know ... Brad and Angelina! They were looking at real estate in D.C. not too long ago ...

Roxanne Roberts: We'll know the exact price of the sale---realtors doubt the house sold for the full $20 million, probably in the $15-18 mil range---after it goes to closing. The buyer, however, could remain unknown if the sale is registered under a trust like "BIGBUCKSDIGS, Ltd." All we know right now is that the buyer is an out-of-towner, but we'll keep our eyes peeled once the new owner moves in.

Hate to crush your celeb sightings fantasy, but we don't think it's Brangelina.

_______________________

Italian here: I agree with Scilian. The gesture from under the chin may not be as well known as the the finger but it is just as insulting.

Roxanne Roberts: I think we have a majority opinion now.

_______________________

Georgetown, Washington, D.C. : The owner of Lulus died last Spring and the family sold the place for a fortune. I guess you don't read The Hoya anymore now that you're off the higher ed beat, eh?

Georgetown's Hottest Parties Near Their End (Hoyablog, March 28)

Amy Argetsinger: Well, not as regularly as I used to. Thanks for this -- actually, if only I had remembered that Lulu's was part of the Blackie's House of Beef empire I would have remembered that the family was selling everything. Still, just because they're selling (which the Post reported last fall) doesn't mean a place is closing, and that was indeed news to me. Thanks for the link!

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: Enuff with the "Good times" already. That's so 20th century ...

Amy Argetsinger: Enough with "enuff" -- that's so 1980s.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Any chance that "Capitol Law" show was filming on California Street, NW last night? It was blocked off for parking until about midnight and there were a couple of movie type lights (I'm guessing) sitting around. I didn't notice a whole lot of people around.

Amy Argetsinger: No -- that was a different show, which we'll fill you in about in tomorrow's newspaper column, so remember to read it!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Why did you pick such limited things from John Kerry's Hotel Request to mock? You mention the meatloaf, but not the filet mignon? No Boost Weight Maintenance Shakes? Mrs. Cheney might like Perrier, but bottled water through a reverse osmosis filter? Keeping a ready supply of Flax Bread? I think David Wade might want to rethink how the public would view this ...

washingtonpost.com: Patti LaBelle, Up in Washington and Down in Florida (Post. March 28)

Roxanne Roberts: We do not mock, we report. True, Kerry's menu requests were more extensive than Cheney's, and the document itself combined hotel preferences with green room, vans and other stops along the way---but meatloaf and cookies were more surprising than filet. And it was unclear if the osmosis filter was a request from Mrs. Kerry, so we left it off his list.

Could someone bring me a venti latte? One sugar, sprinkle of chocolate on top?

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I have actually never even seen your column in the dead tree version and would have no clue where to look to find it. I get the paper everyday but just toss it onto a pile that grows until it is too tall to keep, then send it to the recycle bin.

I usually just end up opening the ads on Saturday and reading Best Buy and Circuit City and that's it ... and occasionally Gene's Below the Beltway in the magazine.

I read everything on the Web and just kind of assume my paying for the dead tree is equivalent to me reading way too much on here.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, please check out the newspaper version sometime -- the column looks so much better in there, thanks to our witty and inventive page layout designers. It's on page 3 of the Style section. Still, I'm touched that you're still subscribing even if you don't read it... on behalf of all of us here at the Post, I thank you!

_______________________

Bad Nino: I am as WASP as they come, and even 'I' knew that under the chin flick is SUPER DUPER insulting, crude, and basically, coarse. I love that this is allegedly a highfalutin leader of men and he is using a street thug gesture that would get his palm whacked with a ruler in school.

Roxanne Roberts: Well, at least in a Catholic school. Do they still whack kids with rulers?

_______________________

Bad Nino: I am as WASP as they come, and even 'I' knew that under the chin flick is SUPER DUPER insulting, crude, and basically, coarse. I love that this is allegedly a highfalutin leader of men and he is using a street thug gesture that would get his palm whacked with a ruler in school.

Roxanne Roberts: Well, at least in a Catholic school. Do they still whack kids with rulers?

_______________________

Arizona Bay, Ariz.: Why as a society do we find the need to gossip? Why do we put celebrities on a pedestal like they're better than us? Unfortunately some people at my work LOVE to gossip and it can be rather annoying to have to listen to it?

Amy Argetsinger: Uh, I dunno... hey, is there really a place called Arizona Bay, Ariz.? I had no idea. But I just MapQuested you, and actually I know your very part of the country -- I did a story last year out there, in White Hills and Dolan Springs, stayed over at Sheps Miners Lodge in Chloride -- do you know that place? No phones or TVs, but live music every night -- it was pretty awesome.

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: Amy Argetsinger, you have my 2nd favorite name of anyone involved with Washington news -- #1 is, of course, Lydia Postalweight ...

Amy Argetsinger: Is Lydia Postalweight a real person? Sorry to say Google's calling your bluff which means that I'M your #1 favorite!!!

Anyone else miss Jennifer 8. Lee?

_______________________

Re: Arizona Bay: If that is your real name. Why the heck are you reading a gossip chat if you find gossip distasteful? Choose your favorite hand gesture and leave!

Amy Argetsinger: Hey, Arizona, sorry, apparently the chatters make the rules here...

_______________________

Baltimore, Md.: RE the Sicilian gesture: Okay, okay, we get the idea that it's more insulting than some of our domestic gestures, but what does it mean?!? (e.g., the "horns" sign -- with the little and index fingers extended and all other fingers closed -- is telling a man he's a cuckold.) What does Scalia's gesture mean?

Roxanne Roberts: I've been digging round the Web trying to find an exact definition for you and can't find one. Any more Italians in da house?

_______________________

Falls Church, Va.: Re: lydiaI spelled it wrong ... Lydia Postlewaite (WTOP)

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, she totally has a better name than me.. .

_______________________

Jenny 8 Lee: Kind of a nonentity, writing-wise, wasn't she? Anyway, I much prefer Gina Kolata. Someone's parents have a twisted sense of humor!

Amy Argetsinger: Do you like Gina Kolata, and getting caught in the rain?

_______________________

Skeev-O-Rama: The one time I went to Lulu's my shoes stuck to the floor and there were at least two girls stereo-barfing in the bathroom. Not pretty.

I hope the new owners have stock in Clorox.

Amy Argetsinger: Stereo-barfing!

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Did you see the story that Jessica Simpson is set to adopt? Am I the only one who thinks she is taking the whole emulation of Angelina Jolie a bit too far??

Publicist: Jessica Simpson wants to adopt (AP, March 29)

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, Brad Pitt better watch out...

_______________________

Ithaca, N.Y.: Well duh, of course we have to gossip -- because it's fun for us, and if we didn't, how else could Arizona Bay feel so morally superior?

Amy Argetsinger: Heck, not much else to do in northwestern Arizona except to gossip...

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: As a follow-up to your answer from last week's chat, unfortunately I do not have a posh home on Lake Como, so what might a gentleman say to entice your interest for a first date?

Amy Argetsinger: I'm running out of snappy comebacks. Roxanne?

Roxanne Roberts: Actually, we're not allowed to date sources, and since everyone is a source for the column, we've taken a vow of chastity for the duration of our tenure. I swear we're saints.

_______________________

Winchester, Va.: So, we now know what Dick Cheney & John Kerry need in their hotel rooms. What does that really tell us? What I want to know is what does George Clooney request and how can I get on the delivery list?

Amy Argetsinger: I think he just requests that you go dutch on dinner and stop pestering him with all those phone calls later.

_______________________

Virginia: Lydia is real:

(Lydia Postlewaite, WTOP)

Roxanne Roberts: We know, but her name sounds like a character in a Peter Devries novel.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: "The gesture from under the chin may not be as well known as the the finger but it is just as insulting. "

Yeah yeah yeah. But this is America. Heck, we have "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." We all know what "shagged" means in England. But it doesn't mean that here. When in Rome, you know.

Amy Argetsinger: another viewpoint.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Touche, but on the day that you forever give up being a gossip column, a first date filled with fun, mystery, and class awaits.

Amy Argetsinger: I don't get it -- is he asking BOTH of us out together? Ew.

_______________________

Columbia: We are missing the point. It is not what it means but what the justice meant to mean. I do not think he thought it out or he would not have gestured. Especially since his office came back and tried to convince us that it was not an insult.

Amy Argetsinger: Good point...

_______________________

Roxanne Roberts: We've just received a late report that the gesture means "Go (AWAY.) You are not worth the hair on my chin."

WELL, then. That would be a major insult, but probably only for a man. It would look a little weird coming from a woman, no?

And with that, dear chatters, we are leaving the world of non-verbal insults for the loftier heights of gossip. Please keep your eyes open for all the A-listers doing their best to keep us in business and tell us at reliablesource@washpost.com. Cheers.

_______________________

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. washingtonpost.com is not responsible for any content posted by third parties.