The Reliable Source

Welcome to "The Reliable Source" with 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.

Reliable Source Columns

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: Good morning all. Not a bad news week for the distracted final days before Christmas. Last Wednesday, your rumblings about the latest news reports out of Argentina got us wondering, and so we finally pinned down the fact that Jenna Bush is NOT dating the Buenos Aires dude the tabs have linked her to and that she is still dating Henry Hager. Reese Witherspoon, Matt Damon and Robert DeNiro all made brief, quiet trips into our fair city. We learned that Prince Albert of Monaco also slipped into town to buy a historic mansion in Kalorama that will be his country's first embassy here. A D.C. lawyer came thisclose to winning the $1 million on "Survivor," but then didn't. We found that Jack Abramoff's tailored suits are still walking into the White House, except that he's not wearing them anymore. And in our Sunday column, we caught Steven Spielberg in a bit of a white lie, albeit a charming and entertaining one, about how he broke into the industry.

This is our last chat of 2006, though we'll be back early in the New Year, on Jan. 3, and sometime between then and now we hope to poll you on the best Washington gossip stories of 2006. (Details pending...)

Meanwhile, any year-ending thoughts on your mind? Bold-face resolutions for the New Year? Bring us your questions.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Regarding your catty coverage of Jessica Simpson's "breakdown" at the Kennedy Center Honors, I would like to help to set the record straight. I was part of a singing group that performed during the Honors. While we waited our turn to perform, we were watching the show on a monitor, and noticed Jessica Simpson apparently clutching herself with one hand while she held the microphone in the other. It soon became apparent to all of us in the room that she was having what these days is called a "wardrobe malfunction" and was trying to hold her dress up with her arm while she sang. It seems to me that under those circumstances, any of us would have trouble remembering the lyrics to the song we were singing, and would be very nervous and upset about the possibility of flashing a roomful of A-list celebrities and the President of the United States! Mind you, I am not a fan of Jessica's, personally, but please give the girl a break! Thank you.

Amy Argentine: Hey there Alexandria! Thanks so much for writing, but seriously -- where were you two weeks ago when we really could have used some more backstage witnesses to this mysterious event?

[For future reference, people: You see something interesting happening to a celebrity, you e-mail IMMEDIATELY to reliablesource@washpost.com, or even just call the Washington Post switchboard at 202-334-6000 and ask for us, rather than wait around a couple days or weeks, then send something uselessly anonymous and late into the web chat.]

"Wardrobe malfunction" was the immediate assumption of many of us who saw Jessica Simpson on-stage -- as we noted in our coverage, she was gripping her midsection with one arm during most of her performance.

And surely, that would seem to be a reasonable excuse/explanation for her distress. HOWEVER, when we specifically asked Simpson's rep about wardrobe problems, she denied it unconditionally. She, like the Kennedy Center folks, said this was a case of nerves and anxiety, triggered by her stupendous awe of Dolly Parton.

I'll add this: We have absolute sympathy for any entertainer who has to deal with a last-minute crisis before a live performance, be it a wardrobe malfunction, a case of the nerves, or forgetting the words to a song. But a real professional just keeps going and just keeps smiling, even after a horrible mistake. From my vantage point (nosebleed seats), Jessica Simpson turned in a perfectly adequate performance. We had no real idea that anyone was wrong until SHE called attention to it at the end, blurting out some weird apology to Dolly that made you think "what's she apologizing for?"

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Happy Holidays, ladies! I was in Old Town, Alexandria, yesterday, and saw a contingent of agents walking with a woman on King Street. Any idea which female VIP was doing some holiday shopping?

Roxanne Roberts: For a second there, I thought you said "contingent of ANGELS" and was very impressed. So seasonal. Seriously, we haven't heard from anyone else in Old Town yesterday. Anybody else there?

_______________________

Potomac, Md.: Is the local girl from "Survivor" single? Doe she have a boyfriend or husband? What non-profit did she work for? What field does she work in? You left a few questions unanswered!

Amy Argetsinger: Becky Lee is single. Don't know if she has a boyfriend at this exact moment. She recently worked as a lawyer for the Battered Women's Justice Project. (Those things were all in the first story we did on her, back at the season's start in September.... sorry, we were running short on space this time!)

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: It seems like U-2's Bono spends quite a bit of time here. Where does he hang out or stay, when he's not on Capitol Hill?

Amy Argetsinger: He keeps a VERY low profile when he's not on Capitol Hill. No idea where he stays. Last time he was here, a source told me he would be gathering with friends at some undisclosed location -- maybe a private home? I vaguely recall a sighting of him at some swank place in Georgetown months ago, but when you're that stupendously famous it's hard to just drop in at, say, Fuddrucker's. Or even Milano.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Is there really gossip value in knowing that a famous woman was holiday shopping? Wouldn't it be more interesting to know which famous woman is a grinch and isn't shopping for anyone?

Roxanne Roberts: Actually, I always think it gives insight into someone's character to know where they shop. Karen Hughes was just spotted in Kate Spade---and I wouldn't have picked her as a Kate kind of girl. Beside, how would know someone wasn't shopping? They could be doing it online, like the first lady.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: A Remorseful Queen Plays the Trump Card ( Post, Dec. 20)

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: I am a little confused about why Tara O'Connor, the Miss USA, had to be rehabilitated. She's beautiful, likes to drink, and there are "rumors of sexual exploits" according to Katie Couric on a lead- in to the evening news last night. Doesn't O'Connor sound like every guy's fantasy for a weekend date?

Roxanne Roberts: Fantasy date, yes. But not The Donald's fantasy of Miss USA---although this is the best thing that has happened to the contest in years. Beauty queens are not supposed to be low-level drunken sluts. Hign-level, we assume, is still okay.

Amy Argetsinger: It's a tricky line they walk with Miss USA. Unlike Miss America -- who is supposed to be poised and talented and tends to be a kind of anodyne pretty rather than sexy -- Miss USA is all about being the hottest of the hot chicks. The winner has to LOOK like she's totally game to throw down. Apparently, though, in Trumpland, she's not actually supposed to.

_______________________

New York, N.Y.: I can't feel too much pity for a "wardrobe malfunction." Your dress doesn't just fall off unless it was barely clinging to you in the first place. If they'd stop dressing like hootchies, than maybe their boobs wouldn't be falling out left and right.

Roxanne Roberts: Would they fall out right AND left? Just trying to imagine the physics of it all. And yes, her dress was strapless and probably not the best choice.

_______________________

Kensington, Md.: Um, can Marion Barry sing?

washingtonpost.com: The Reliable Source ( Post, Dec. 20)

Roxanne Roberts: Yeah, according to the playwright Gloria Hightower, who says he's in tune and has good timing. Honestly, I just want to see the pictures of him in the white suit.

_______________________

Chicago, Ill.: What were your three favorite gossip bits of 2006?

Amy Argetsinger: Ah, so glad you asked, Chicago... Just last night I was sitting down trying to come up with a list, and I could barely narrow it down from 20. There were so many good stories... Certainly, Mary Cheney would rank high, as would anything having to do with Jenna Bush, or TomKat's sweep through D.C. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart, though, for the day that Allen Iverson came to D.C. to give deposition in a lawsuit from a guy who claims the NBA star beat him up in a nightclub -- and his Rolls got ticketed for being double-parked outside the lawyer's office.

Happily, we're going to let YOU help us make that choice. In the next few days, our friends at washingtonpost.com will put up a poll to let you vote on what you think were the best gossip stories of 2006.

_______________________

Lancaster, Pa.: Hi, Ladies:

The other day I caught the end of Rep. Dennis Kucinich's announcement that he was running for president. Suddenly a woman with long red hair and Amazonian height (although I guess anyone would look Amazonian next to him) seemed to take over, comforting a woman who was against the war and then grabbing his hand and leading him away. Who the heck was that?

Roxanne Roberts: That's his wife, Elizabeth. Dennis was a bachelor forever, then finally found love and married in August of last year. Korin wrote this up at the time:

"Third time's the charm, right? Twice-divorced Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) tied the knot Sunday outside Cleveland City Hall, where he once served as mayor.

The famous former bachelor and Elizabeth Harper, a Briton who works for a monetary policy think tank in Chicago, married in front of 250 guests, including longtime Kucinich pal Shirley MacLaine, 2004 presidential campaign supporter Sean Penn and a slew of politicians.

"It was a lovely ceremony and the congressman really wanted to do this in the heart of Cleveland," said Kucinich spokesman Doug Gordon.

The rep won't reveal details about Harper, such as her age, how she met the 58-year-old congressman or how long they have been together -- to "protect her privacy" -- but added that the couple are "just thrilled to be married and are looking forward to a long and happy life together."

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hello ladies -- I imagine that the day a journalist is hired by The Washington Post is one of the best days in their career. Then the day comes when the editor says, 'We want you to write the gossip column.' I don't imagine one ever considers that possibility on the day they're hired. So the question is, who did you have to p_ _ _ off to get stuck with this gig?

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks for writing, Washington. Ah, but you have a rich imagination... The Reliable Source column (soon to celebrate its 15th anniversary) is a hilariously fun if extremely challenging job that has attracted a surprising amount of high-profile competition whenever it's come open. Speaking personally, I know we're both thrilled to have the job.... I'm picking up a certain in your voice. Are you angry about something you maybe haven't articulated here? We're all ears.

_______________________

Gossip hits of 2006: Too bad the gossip about Mark Foley didn't surface earlier -- like early 2005.

Amy Argetsinger: Yeah, I know a lot of Republicans probaby now feel that way....

_______________________

Boston, Mass.: I'm writing to voice my support for Miss Universe, done wrong by the big fat ego of the Donald. It's disgusting that she's being put through a very public tour of rehab; under Trump's Rules most everyone in college should be in rehab. What a jerk he is and isn't it terrible how he treats women?

Amy Argetsinger: Miss USA, you mean... Yeah, the whole thing has seemed kind of stinky to me. I went back through the clips, and honestly there had been barely a tabloid whisper about Tara Conner's behavior until late last week, when suddenly there was a drumbeat of rumor that the pageant folks were about to evict her. Now, where do you suppose the tabs were getting a hold of THOSE rumors? Point being, there are a lot of skeptics who feel that Trump could have handled this very quickly and quietly. But if he had done that, would any of us be talking about Tara Conner or the Miss USA pageant today?

_______________________

Clifton, Va.: Ladies, which one of you wants the $1000 gift certificate for La Perla and which wants the $1000 gift certificate for Agent Provocateur?

And yes you will have to post pixs

Roxanne Roberts: Look what you started! Amy and I are fighting over the Agent Provocateur in very moment, although La Perla a close second.

And yes, we'd be happy to post pictures of the lingerie. Not while we're wearing it, of course, but surely you weren't going THERE.

_______________________

Anonymous: Fox News played the Miss USA story as THE news story yesterday. Commentaries included lots of praise for Trump doing the 'right' thing. He seems very tight with Fox (e.g., they used him as an expert commentator commenting on proposed cost savings at the U.N.-- don¿t think he suggested filing for bankruptcy, though some of his casinos have apparently gone belly-up). Does the Miss USA pageant have the popularity of Miss America? I am soooo glad that the queen gets to keep her crown. Wonder if she confers regularly with Queen Elizabeth.

Amy Argetsinger: Miss America was historically the bigger cultural icon. But her ratings took a tumble over the past decade, and now she's not even on network TV anymore, whereas Miss USA (an upstart rival pageant started in the '50s, I think, by a swimsuit company) still has a berth on NBC.

I'm excited, though, to see how CMT (Country Music Television) revamps Miss America next month -- they're spreading it out as more of a reality-series competition. Hopefully will restore the pageant to its former glory.

I, too, would like to see a summit between our two nation's queens. Miss USA could tell Queen Elizabeth all about how to walk in stilettos and a bathing suit; QEII would tell Miss USA all about corgis.

_______________________

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: According to Daily News Babs had her birthday at some club along Ave C. It claimed that the joint was packed at 11 p.m. What do you think?

Amy Argetsinger: I'm bummed I didn't get the Evite!

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Can I go back too and comment on all the drinking and AA stuff with LiLo? I am an alcoholic and it has never been a rule to not drink in AA. The only requirements for membership is to "have a desire" to stop drinking. Took me almost three years to "get it" after my rehab stint. Of course, I am also not a celebrity and don't have press all over me but I give her credit for at least making the effort whether she's sober now or not. Just my $.02 and please have a grand new year gossipistas!

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks for weighing in on that. Happy New Year!

_______________________

Seattle, Wash.: Hello ladies,

Roxanne, love you on Wait Wait.

Anyways, what can you tell us about Mary Cheney's pregnancy? How are the conservatives taking it?

Thanks

Roxanne Roberts: Thanks for the "Wait Wait" shout out. (I'll be on this weekend's show, which I hope will be highly festive.)

Re Mary: Tricky for conservatives, because it's hard to directly attack the Veep's daughter even if they are opposed to gay rights. The president was asked about it again in this morning's press conference and said he thought she would be a good mother. In general, conservative groups have been dismayed at the news.

_______________________

Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C.: What's the real story on the Red Sage having to close down? Why did the building owner raise the rent so much that one of downtown's more popular restaurants has to move, or close down? That's crazy. Is the Red Sage going to re-locate to another location?

Amy Argetsinger: So far as we know that IS the real story. Obviously, the owner figured they could squeeze more money out of another restaurant or business.... Just asked Tom Sietsema, and he says that owner Dan Mesches has no plans to relaunch Red Sage

_______________________

Burke, Va.: I see Hillary was appearing on The View today. How did that go?

Amy Argetsinger: Darn, I forgot to watch -- actually got into the office somewhat early. Like, 11:30. Just scanned the wires and the web, don't see anything on this yet, so if anyone else saw it let us know.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: The other day, a full motorcade closed down 11th Street to pick up a young man at ESPN Zone. Do you know who this was or what was happening? (I've been waiting all week to ask you!)

Amy Argetsinger: Good question -- so we called the ESPN Zone just now and asked. They tell us it was a boy here with the Make A Wish Foundation. He got a tour of the city with a motorcade-like escort -- five motorcycles and a dozen SUVs and town cars, apparently, topped off by lunch at ESPN Zone.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Well, what's your take on NY Daily News reports on Barb Bush?

Roxanne Roberts: My take is that she should be partying here in Washington, so we could crash the bash and see if any of the rumors are true.

_______________________

Californ, IA: I'm crushed, crushed, that Tara gets to keep the Miss USA crown. I've met Tamiko (runner-up who would have ascended) and she's just a doll, as well as being gorgeous and, well, not a druggie. Much better representative, imho.

Roxanne Roberts: Probably BUT-----Tara's bad girl tale is like printing money for Trump. Got to admire the man. He's just a genius at this sort of display.

_______________________

San Francisco, Calif.: Any real estate agent leaks about the new Congresspersons' house shopping? It's always fun to read about the sticker shock when new folks come to DeeCee; have I missed the articles lamenting the price/schools/commute by those newly elected?

Amy Argetsinger: That is indeed a good story for someone here at the Post to be working on... I don't think the immediate post-election period is a big time for folks to move, though. A lot of them will keep their houses back home and simply rent a D.C. crashpad.

_______________________

Miss Ameri, CA: Ooo! Ooo! I'm going to Vegas next month for my bachelorette party, timed to go to the pageant! Any suggestions for secret codes we can use so that the families of the contestants don't realize we're being catty?

Amy Argetsinger: Hey, I'm going there then too! It is gonna ROCK. Should be a lot more fun than going to Atlantic City.... Basically, you just have to watch your mouth the entire time you're there because you don't know who's sitting behind you. The only way you know is if they're wearing t-shirts or buttons with their contestant's picture on them and -- well, a lot of them do that.... It's a whole lot more interesting, frankly, to kiss up to contestants' relatives so you can hear their assessment of the rest of the field.

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: Jessica Simpson ... wardrobe malfunction? She pays how much for a designer dress and the thing doesn't stay on? Please ... she always sings like that, along with making some of the ugliest facial expressions I have ever seen.

Amy Argetsinger: Word.

_______________________

Chicago, Ill.: Hi Amy,

Hi Roxanne,

I know that you both are aware of all the hype surrounding 'Dreamgirls.' Jennifer Hudson was nominated for a Golden Globe, Eddie Murphy just might have found his comeback. Every magazine you pick up these days shows a picture of Beyonce. I can't wait to see the movie but don't you think that we do these young ladies more harm than good by pushing them to the forefront so quickly? They are very young and the first major roles they have had. What happened to the days of "paying dues"?

As for Eddie Murphy, until I hear the results of his paternity test with Scary Spice I don't wish him any good thing.

You ladies be good over the holidays!

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, I don't know. Both Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson are 25 years old, which is not stupendously young in the entertainment business. Beyonce has been a worldwide superstar since she was about 18, and in showbiz for years before that; Jennifer Hudson was on the top-rated show in America two and a half years ago, and she had been paying her dues as a cruise-ship entertainer, etc., for a couple years before that. And it's pretty typical for the Hollywood marketing complex to seize upon fresh faces, such as they are, to promote the heck out of when there's an expensive new movie at stake..... BTW, I saw the movie the other week-- it's deeply, deeply flawed, and I loved loved loved almost every minute of it.

Be good over the holidays? Nothin' but coal in my stocking this year.

Roxanne Roberts: Look, this is the best thing that ever happened to Jennifer Hudson, and will change her life forever---especially if she wins a supporting actress Oscar for the movie. She needs a smart manager to chart her career from now on, but she'd be a fool not to ride this wave.

The only thing Beyonce needs to worry about are the not-so-great reviews of her performance. Acting doesn't seem to be her real talent, although she can sing like crazy and looks amazing.

_______________________

Amy Argetsinger: Confidential to the tipster with dirt on congressional digs -- cool! Write to us with more details at reliablesource@washpost.com and we'll see if we can check it out.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What are some of the gossip items that you are following as we move into 2007?

Amy Argetsinger: What, and tip off the competition?

All we can say is that it will be a very happy 2007 if we have a lot of Jenna news.

_______________________

Georgetown, Washington, D.C.: When is Barbara Bush getting married? If so, who may he be?

Amy Argetsinger: When she finds the right guy, I guess. Same as the rest of us.

_______________________

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, in my intro I totally forgot to call your attention to today's story about Kevin Federline making a surprise professional wrestling appearance at Verizon Center the other night. Completely fascinating. Check it out in our column today.

_______________________

Roxanne Roberts: Who's been naughty and nice? That, dear readers, is for you to decide. Look for our poll of the Best Gossip of 2006, discuss it at your Christmas dinner table when Uncle George starts in about Hillary, and then vote for your favorites.

We're off next week, so we leave you until the New Year with best wishes for a very merry whatever. Cheers to all.

_______________________

washingtonpost.com: The Reliable Source ( Post, Dec. 20)

_______________________

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.