Reliable Source columnists Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts were online Wednesday, May 9, at Noon ET to discuss your favorite gossip, what you think about their recent columns or who you want to see them writing about in future ones.

In today's Reliable Source: Who was who on the guest list for Queen Elizabeth's state dinner, and how the heck did they score an invite? Also: Paris Hilton rehires that publicist she fired for giving her bad legal advice, and Nick Cannon enlists a Time Square Jumbotron for a super-romantic proposal to his Victoria's Secret model-girlfriend.

Recently: Barbara Bush appears HBO pulls the plug on those of you who want to watch The Sopranos at your neighborhood bar Cate Edwards lands a sweet summer gig, Obama and Kerry dine strategically, and Norah O'Donnell is totally about to pop with those twins of hers

Finally, if you were disappointed by the D.C. Madam story, maybe you can console yourself with our review of the much hotter sex scandals from Washington's days gone by.

E-mail and bookmark us.

Reliable Source Columns

A transcript follows.

A transcript follows.

E-mail and bookmark us.

Reliable Source Columns

A transcript follows.

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Amy Argetsinger: Good morning everyone. I'm gratified to see all the questions this morning. Roxanne is "stuck in traffic" or "under the weather" or something like that and will hopefully be joining us later in the hour.

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Arlington, Va.: Why wasn't Jenna B. at the white-tie affair on Monday night? Is she still somewhere in South America?

Amy Argetsinger: Jenna Bush so far as we know is still in Panama, working on that book project of hers, due out in the fall.

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Washington: Ladies, is it me or does Jay Blount look like a young George W. Bush? Barbara hasn't done too poorly with this one. What's the story on Jenna and her love life? Great chat. Did either of you get to the big white-tie dinner? How was it up-close-and-personal? Do you think W, Condi, Cheney and Colin had a reunion chat? Enjoy the chat and the articles as well.

washingtonpost.com: A Royal Date for Jay Blount (Post, May 8)

Amy Argetsinger: I was thinking the exact same thing. The family resemblance is uncanny -- they could be cousins, don't you think? That's not really so unusual, though, is it? Guys always marry their mothers, girls always date guys like their fathers.

Meanwhile, Jenna so far as we know is still happily long-distance-dating Henry Hager, the son of a former lieutenant governor of Virginia who is currently at U-Va's Darden School.

Roxanne covered the white-tie dinner (which, alas, does not mean sitting down to the meal), so when/if she shows up, remember to ask her how it was.

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Wilton Manors, Fla.: What's the scoop about Liz Cheney not bringing her one-and-only wife to the Queen's dinner, instead bringing Phil Perry (her beard?!).

Amy Argetsinger: Ah, someone's a little confused here. Phil Perry is the husband of Liz Cheney, better known as "the straight one." I believe you're thinking of Mary Cheney, who actually brought her partner Heather Poe to a past state dinner or state-like dinner -- but who at the moment is so close to her due date I'm not surprised she was not in attendance.

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Chesapeake, Va.: Barry Gibb sounded like Darrell Hammond doing his Sean Connery impersonation on "American Idol" last night! Last night's performances were so so lackluster all around, but it seemed like Blake in particular just didn't want to be there anymore. Undecided if he actively tanked (the coronation songs seem like a very bad fit with his style) or if he's just lonely without his BFF.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh my god, I was thinking the same thing. That was weird. The Gibbs aren't Scottish, are they? (Hmmm -- they're from Isle of Man which... is close, anyway). That whole lateral "s" thing going on. Fascinating.

Blake needs to cool it with the beat-boxing. That whole "ehn-ehn ehn-ehn ehn-ehn" riff was distracting. A friend of mine has been trying to figure out what '80s singer ("Wham!-era" is how she put it) he sounds like. I think maybe it's Paul Young. Anyone else?

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Follow-up from last week: Hook: Just saw the article in the Food section and that picture of chef Barton Seaver. Do you know anything about him -- single, etc.? He's quite the looker! "Amy Argetsinger: He is smokin' hot, that's about all I know. And a very good chef -- I'm a fan of the food at St. Ex. and Pilar, where he used to work." He's a local boy (St. Albans Class of 1997) -- maybe worth being a bold-faced name in a future column?

washingtonpost.com: At the End of the Line (Post, May 2)

Amy Argetsinger: We'll do our best.

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Hall of Shame: I can't remember her name, but that Hill intern whose steamy blogs got published everywhere, her supervisor was basically pimping her out -- shouldn't she be included? She is/was not much of anybody, but she implicated all kinds of higher-ups ... shouldn't she at least get an honorable mention?

Amy Argetsinger: Our chatter is referring to our Sunday column, which provided a review of the really hot D.C. sex scandals from the good-ol' days, all of which make the Madam story look like -- well, like the Jessica Cutler/Washingtonienne saga, which was entertaining at the time but didn't really add up to much. There were no big names, no illegal doings -- just a kind of indiscreet girl who happened to work on the Hill who wrote about her lively "dating" life on her blog.

I don't remember the bit about her supervisor "pimping her out." If there's something wrong with your boss trying to fix you up -- well, I need to have a talk with some folks around here.

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Washington: The Big House changes a person -- Paris will learn how to pick locks, make a shiv from a fork and make phony IDs. Still, I can see a whole series of softcore films coming out of this: "They put her behind bars ... but no one could chain her desires!" Is doing time a positive career move for Paris?

Amy Argetsinger: Yes. This is the best thing that could ever happen to Paris. She goes from being famous for being famous -- a kind of fame with a looming expiration date -- to being the girl who's famous for being famous who went to jail.

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Washington, D.C.: I hope Paris goes to jail for all 45 days. Teach 'er some humility.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, I don't know. Once she's out she's going to lord it over everyone -- "Man, it was tough being in the joint, you don't know the things I've seen...." She'll be acting all Johnny Cash-like.

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Washington: Barton Seaver: Looks like Chris Noth after two straight days without sleep.

Amy Argetsinger: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

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Roxanne: Showing my journalistic ignorance here, but if "covering the dinner" doesn't mean "sitting down to eat," what does one do? Man the coat-check?

Roxanne Roberts: Hi, all. Forgive the delay---Fairfax police bike squad decided today was a great time to train on Route 50. Sigh.

Covering a state dinner means getting up close but not being a guest. Press are allowed to interview guests as they arrive, watch the queen make her entrance, witness the toasts and entertainment. There's usually a preview earlier in the day of menu, table settings, etc.

This, however, is unusual---at most events we cover, we are invited to sit with the grown-ups.

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Pittsburgh: From the "I can't believe they are related files" -- I just discovered that my new fav R&B singer, Robin Thicke, is the son of Alan Thicke (the father on "Growing Pains") and Gloria Loring (who used to be on a soap, if I recall). ... He was on Oprah recently, and I 'bout fell out of my chair when I learned this.

Amy Argetsinger: How could you not have known that? He looks exactly like Alan Thicke and has the same Canadian accent and peculiarly dweeby manner about him? And yet, he has an insanely hot wife and a huge hit record. I am completely baffled and fascinated by the Robin Thicke phenomenon. I actually really like that song, but don't you think it's kind of a studio fraud? He sounded terrible singing it live on American Idol last week.

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Michael J. Fox: I know this wasn't local, but I saw Michael J. Fox on the street in Boston this weekend! It was my first celebrity sighting ever. I think I handled myself well as I just hit my sister and said "I think that's Michael J. Fox!" as he walked toward us. He walked by and smiled. It was him and he looked good. Just wanted to brag...!

Roxanne Roberts: Brag away. He's always been a pretty nice guy, from all reports.

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New York: Jay Blount doesn't look like George -- he looks like Jeb. It's "Blame It on Rio" all over again.

Amy Argetsinger: I thought "Blame It On Rio" was a best-friend's-daughter thing, not a niece thing.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Re: Nick Cannon's engagement -- I read that he gave his fiance a 12 carat diamond ring. That means that her ring has to be one of the largest stones out there because the rings of most stars -- i.e. Whitney Houston -- are 10 carats at the most. Twelve was a bit over the top, ya think? Love your chat, by the way!

Amy Argetsinger: I was kind of wondering that myself. Can a 12-carat ring actually fit on someone's finger without causing some serious carpal tunnel? Sounds more like something that should have been sitting in Elizabeth Taylor's cleavage or on Elizabeth Windsor's tiara.

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White Tie: What exactly is a "white tie" and why has it taken so long for the Bush administration to host one?

Roxanne Roberts: White tie is the fanciest of formal dress, and very rare. It consists of a white cotton shirt, tie and vest under a jacket with tails (tuxes---black tie---was invented to be the casual alternative.)Women wear long gowns at white-tie occasions.

Guests may also wear decorations---i.e. medals and honors they have received, usually from governments. Most parties in Washington are black-tie because very few men today own the white-tie getup and have to rent it.

The president doesn't like formal dinners, and had to be talked into the extra step of White Tie for this one.

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Famous graduates: Did you ever get a list of famous kids graduating from area colleges/universities?

Amy Argetsinger: Haven't heard of any good ones this year, alas...

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Arlington, Va.: I heard that George W. winked at the queen. Isn't that terribly inappropriate?

washingtonpost.com: The President Learns It's Good to Be the King (Post, May 8)

Amy Argetsinger: I don't know. I mean, if the leader of the free world can't wink at the British monarch, who can? Isn't this what World War II was all about?

Roxanne Roberts: I'm guessing life gets pretty boring as queen, and she DOES have a sense of humor-----so yes, the rare wink is probably okay.

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Arlington, Va.: It looks like the racist, homophobic and elitist comments from Paris Hilton only have made her more popular among teens. This is the future of our country. I'm depressed.

washingtonpost.com: This Just in... (Post, May 9)

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, seriously -- I don't think she has actual "fans," does she? Just people interesting in rubbernecking at her life and tsk-tsking.

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Washington: What about a feature on the Congressional sisters Sanchez? Linda ran a heck of a hearing last week with Deputy Attorney General Comey.

Amy Argetsinger: Roxanne actually did a big story some years ago about the Sanchez sisters... we're pulling up a link to that, and also to an item from last fall about Loretta Sanchez's stand-up comedy at.

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Winchester, Va.: This past weekend was the 80th Apple Blossom Festival in lovely Winchester. We had Grand Marshall Wayne Newton -- don't know which was more surprising, his nuclear glow, jet-black hair or the fact that he has a five-year-old daughter. By the way, taller than I expected, but as much bling as I anticipated!

Amy Argetsinger: Huh. According to Wikipedia (my source of all information on Mr. Wayne Newton), he does indeed have a 5-year-old daughter. How strange.

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Jenna B.: I didn't know she was working on a book (haven't been keeping up on my gossip) ... any news on what kind of book? Novel, historical non-fiction, trashy tell-all?

Amy Argetsinger: She's working on a non-fiction book about a young impoverished single mother in Panama who is suffering from HIV. Seriously! We're attaching the link to our story from March about this.

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washingtonpost.com: Jenna's Next Venture: A Book and a Tour

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Alexandria, Va.: I was pretty disappointed to see that the majority of the guest list for the state dinner consisted of the President's campaign supporters. Then again, no surprise. Not a single writer, poet or painter was there. Doesn't protocol for state dinners require some sort of "food chain" or pyramid of what types of people/talents need to represented?

Roxanne Roberts: One writer: British historian Martin Gilbert. And, no, there's nothing that demands the president invite anyone aside from the official delegation---so the White House picked the president's pals. But it would have been nice to showcase a few of America's cultural giants, especially since the first lady is such a fan of literature.

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Eligible Athletes: Who are the most eligible male and female athletes in the D.C. area? Please explain why.

Amy Argetsinger: That's a good question -- anyone else have any thoughts about this?

I guess the most eligible male athlete would have to be Ryan Zimmerman of the Nats. It seems like all the Wizards are married or paired up. There are also some cute D.C. United guys, but they may also have girlfriends.

Anyway, we're certainly open to hearing some nominations.

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Washington: Why all the athletes at the QE2 dinner? It just didn't seem like a white tie guest list to me.

Roxanne Roberts: It's the president's idea of White Tie. What yours?

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Woodbridge, Va.: This topic has passed its expiration date, but I wonder how Carey Lowell reacted to the dustup regarding husband Gere's mooching all over that Indian actress? The way he was going at it, you would never know he had a wife.

Amy Argetsinger: Haven't heard any reaction from her, but honestly it just looked like hamming-it-up to me. Okay, I mean, a little excessive. But anyone married to a Hollywood star is used to seeing his/her spouse macking on other people in the movies.

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washingtonpost.com: Loretta and Linda Sanchez Are Congress's First Sister Act. They Work Well Together. The Question Is, Can They Live Together? (Post, Dec. 12, 2002)

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Arlington, Va.: Your reference to Mrs. Annenberg failed to note that she is the widow of Walter Annenberg, who was once our Ambassador to the Court of St. James.

Roxanne Roberts: True 'nuf. We mentioned that in Sunday's column, but not today. She's also the woman who created a flap in 1981 when she curtsied to Prince Charles here in Washington.

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For my daughter: My daughter begins a job with a D.C. law firm on June 4th. Where is the best place for her to hang out in the off hours?

Amy Argetsinger: Why does this sound like the set-up for a bad joke?

I guess it depends on where her office is... Any young lawyers out there have any suggestions? Come on, I know you spend a lot of your billable hours on web chats.

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Shelton, Wash.: Uh, no, Amy, WWII was about introducing the British to Spam. Apparently they are very fond of it, particularly fried.

Amy Argetsinger: I stand corrected.

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Purcellville, Va.: What were the topics of conversation at the queen's table?

Roxanne Roberts: Wish we knew. I'm guessing small talk---she spent an hour at the British Embassy garden party saying, "Wonderful" and "Lovely." Everyone who talked to her was thrilled.

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Niles, Mich.: Any developments or announced Book Signing schedule for debut author Jenna Bush and her forthcoming book on Central American poverty?Thanks for answering!

Amy Argetsinger: I think it's too soon for that -- book's not due out until the fall, at least.

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Washington:"It seems like all the Wizards are married or paired up. There are also some cute D.C. United guys, but they may also have girlfriends."

C'mon, they're professinal athletes. Does it matter? Of course they're still available.

Amy Argetsinger: So cynical!

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Alexandria, Va.: I saw the Queen and BOY IS SHE TINY! She sounds so royal, too. I wasn't really into the visit until I heard her speak!

Amy Argetsinger: Shorter than you expected, huh? Yeah, you got to hand it to QE2 -- she really rocks it old-school.

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Pittsburgh:"Re: Nick Cannon's engagement -- I read that he gave his fiance a 12-carat diamond ring. That means that her ring has to be one of the largest stones out there..."

There was a photo of the ring on the TMZ Web site. While it's some serious bling, the 12 carats might refer to total weight, not the main stone, as there are small diamonds circling the entire setting. So maybe the center stone is not 12. But if the center stone is indeed 12 carats, then the total carats of the ring is way beyond 12. All I can say is, he dropped some serious change for it, no doubt.

Amy Argetsinger: He must really really like her.

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Alexandria, Va.: Where can I learn more about Blair House? There doesn't seem to be much written about it and I think readers would love a tour. It would be great for Discovery, or a network like it, to do a profile on Blair House!

Roxanne Roberts: No time right now to check, but I bet there's one already out there. Check the White House Historical Association site---I'll bet you'll find a DVD or book.

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Re: Wayne Newton: So he's an old (age 65) dad with a 5-year-old; when will these old men get it that having a child at that age doesn't seem fair to the child? Of course she'll have lots of money (like Paris), but she won't have a father around because by the time she's 20 he'll be dead. Ugh!

Amy Argetsinger: Just putting this out there. Anyone else?

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Potomac, Md.: Whatever happened to that missing Tim Tate sculpture? Has it been found? It was a great photo with the two holes on the wall!

Amy Argetsinger: So far as we know it hasn't been recovered but if anyone has an update let us know -- reliablesource@washpost.com. No questions asked! Oh, and a link to the story about the missing sculpture follows... .

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New York: In an article on the BBC site by Matt Frei, he writes: "To my knowledge no reigning Queen of England had ever been winked at."

Roxanne Roberts: About time, if you ask me.

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washingtonpost.com: At Artomatic, a Rocket Ship Blasts Off; That's the Breaks (Post, April 26)

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St. Louis: Would love to know about the dress Nancy Pelosi wore to the White House Dinner. Hillary could take fashion points from Nancy -- Mrs. Pelosi's attire is always elegant and appropriate. Also, who was Condi's "date"?

Amy Argetsinger: Condi was escorted by her friend Gene Washington, an NFL official and former player who often does escorting-Condi duties at these kinds of things.

Pelosi wore a two-piece clay-colored jersey suit with a long skirt, according to Rox, who's guessing it was an Armani.

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Washington: I saw Daniel Craig wandering around K Street because all the hotel rooms are booked. I would have recommended your crib, but instead pointed him to the hostel on 11th Street.

Amy Argetsinger: You are such a tease.

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Leesburg, Va.: So, was Nancy Reagan really stewed by having to wait for the Kentucky Derby jockey to finish his interviews in the press line?

Roxanne Roberts: She really was. I watched her arrive at the entrance where the press was gathered. She came just after the Kentucky Derby winning jockey, Calvin Borel, who was invited to the White House at the last minute. The reporters were getting quotes from him while Nancy waited, waited and waited some more----and she got a very annoyed look on her face. She finally walked slowly past the jockey, and looked a tad peeved that the attention was still on him.

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Re: Paris: So, you think she'll shoot a man just to watch him die?

Amy Argetsinger: Paris? Absolutely.

Let it be noted that if she actually has to serve this sentence then she'll have spent way more time in the slammer than Johnny Cash, who I think only ever did one overnight. She and Merle Haggard will have a lot to talk about.

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Washington: Blair House Web site.

Amy Argetsinger: Someone was looking for this?

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Arlington, Va.: Blake on "American Idol" sounds exactly like '80s pop icon Morrissey (lead singer of The Smiths), doncha think?

Amy Argetsinger: Hmmm, not really. Missing that tremulous, throaty passionate quality of Moz's.

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Fairfax, Va.: A question of etiquette -- I noticed that Queen Elizabeth wore her tons of diamond bracelets over her gloves at the state dinner. I'd always heard it was cheap to wear jewelry over one's gloves. Am I wrong or is it a case of "the Queen can wear her bracelets anywhere she wants"? Thanks for your chat and column!

washingtonpost.com: White Tie and Tiara (Post, May 8)

Roxanne Roberts: Honestly, I don't know, although I think bracelets are allowed but no rings. The only rule I remember is that you take gloves off when you eat.

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Washington: What happened to the four Cs? Does 12 carat really mean much if it looks like a piece of broken glass with multiple inclusions, no clarity, and not clear?

Amy Argetsinger: What, are you casting aspersions on Nick Cannon's dazzling symbol of his love and fidelity? Don't be silly -- all that matters is how much it cost.

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Washington: Nice Sanchez article, Roxanne but so five years ago -- literally. That Linda could show Henry Waxman a thing or two about running a hearing, as her members were deferring to her and the others were simpering in fear.

Roxanne Roberts: Thanks. Maybe it's time for an update.

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washingtonpost.com: Nick Cannon Proposes -- for Real This Time! (TMZ, May 8)

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Merle: That has to be the first reference to Merle in a Reliable Source chat ever! Of course, didn't Merle only do juvie? I think it was Johnny Paycheck who actually shot a man.

Amy Argetsinger: Hmmm, maybe you're right, maybe it was just juvie -- as he sang, "I turned 21 in prison..." -- but he did some serious time there. I'm sorry I don't talk about Merle more. Back in the day he was smoldering hot.

You're right about Johnny Paycheck. He did shoot a guy, and did time for it. He's dead now, though.

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Eligible athletes: Are you all unaware that Washington has an NHL team composed of many hot, young, single guys? Ladies, I invite you to check out Ben Clymer and Brooks Laich.

Amy Argetsinger: Okay, thanks. And Ovechkin is still technically single too, even if he's dating Russian Barbie.

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Richmond, Va.: Bee Gees may have been born in England, but grew up in Australia.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, duh. I knew that.

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Rings...: Melania's ring is 12 carats, if I recall correctly!

Amy Argetsinger: Class, all the way!

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Paris: No, no -- you got the lyrics wrong: "I shot a man in Reno, because that's hot."

Amy Argetsinger: This is the funniest thing anyone's said in this chat so far today.

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Austin, Texas: Speaking of cultural giants, did the Clintons or Stephen Colbert get invited to the white tie dinner? Too bad Colbert wasn't asked to entertain again. That would have spiced up the night, huh? The pics I saw showed George and Laura both looking none too jovial. Too much starch?

Amy Argetsinger: Uh, I'm pretty sure the Clintons and Colbert did not get invited.

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Washington: Did Bono sell out Ireland by accepting the Irish version of knighthood from England's queen?

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, I don't know. He's a pretty savvy political operator, Bono is. Did anyone else see it that way? Note that the Irish thing means that we don't call him "Sir."

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Tiara: What is the etiquette for tiara-wearing? Obviously not to the 7-11, but only at white-tie functions? Black tie, too? Ship christenings? Boxing Day? Seems like the Queen had a much larger, grander headpiece at her coronation, so it must be for events below that level.

Roxanne Roberts: There's a coronation crown, which I think she only wears once a year. She owns a number of other tiaras, which she wears at both white and black tie events. Honestly, I don't know royal etiquette well enough to know who gets to wear tiaras when.

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Bethesda, Md.: Is Tessa on "The Bachelor" the one who used to live in the D.C. area? Do you think she has a chance of winning?

Amy Argetsinger: She's the one -- went to Georgetown Day School, class of '99, and this week we watched as her parents, sister and best friend met with The Bachelor in what appeared to be a Cleveland Park rowhouse.

She's perceived to be the favorite in some quarters, though in my limited viewing of this season I'm picking up on a certain vibe that may doom her. Anyone else notice this vibe? A kind of "I secretly loathe this guy" kind of vibe? In my experience that doesn't bode well for a relationship.

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Washington: Ben Clymer and Brooks Laich. Did you guys preview this first? Eh. Nothing special. And they look just like each other.

Amy Argetsinger: No, didn't preview first. But hey, each to their own.

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Washington: What did you think Tim Hassellbeck said when Elizabeth asked him how she looked as they got dressed for the white house dinner?

Amy Argetsinger: Huh. What would YOU have said?

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Re: Daughter starting at a D.C. law firm: Uh, Mom, she won't have any off-hours. Most first-year associates are supposed to bill around 3,000 hours, so her off-hours will be spent cabbing it back to her abode, sleeping about five hours and Peapodding groceries to sit outside her door.

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks for the insight.

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Richmond, Va.: Merle haggard? He did hard time, San Quinten, I think. Robbery. Not just juvie. It's sorta where he really started writing songs.

Amy Argetsinger: Very good. Just dug this up off the Internet. As you'll remember, Johnny Cash did a show at the prison, and several years later, Haggard came up to Johnny and told him "I certainly enjoyed your show at San Quentin." Cash said "Merle, I don't remember you bein' in that show." Merle Haggard said, "Johnny, I wasn't in that show, I was in the audience."

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St. Louis: It wasn't Anne Armstrong's ranch at which Cheney shot the guy. It was Katharine Armstrong. Anne Armstrong was a key player in the Ford Era and was almost chosen for veep over Bob Dole in 1976. Otherwise, love the column and love when Roxanne is on "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me."

Roxanne Roberts: The ranch is the Armstrong family property, which is owned by Anne. Katharine is her daughter.

And thanks about "Wait Wait."

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Enough Already: This may come off really mean-spirited, but seriously, am I the only one who has a hard time even looking at Meg Ryan anymore? I find her lips so disturbing I can't even watch commercials for her new movie. What's going on here? Can someone stage an intervention?

Amy Argetsinger: It's an epidemic throughout Hollywood...

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Washington: Does Bono wish he lived in Mars? Otherwise I can't figure out why some 50-year-old would want to wear orange wrap-around goggles.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, you're so judgmental.

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Nancy Pelosi's wardrobe: Our Speaker definitely is one of the best-dressed women anywhere. I understand her husband picks out her clothes -- do you think he'd do this for me?

Amy Argetsinger: Wonder how much he'd charge to be a personal shopper.

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Laurel, Md.: Do you think it was political suicide for Harry Reid to turn down the "white tie" invitation? And what were his reasons behind it?

Amy Argetsinger: We don't know why he turned it down...

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First Lady's dress: Why no comments about this dress? I wasn't sure -- maybe it didn't photograph well? Looked better in person?

Roxanne Roberts: Looked better on paper. The color and fabric were gorgeous---matched Laura's amazing eyes---but the first lady is busty and short-waisted, and the cut and bolero emphasized her hips instead of the neckline.

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Washington: What happened to Ryan Seacrest's cohost from the earlier episodes? I'm sure he feels like Andrew Ridgely, or Tom Hank's sidekick from "Bosom Buddies."

Amy Argetsinger: You know, it took me quite a bit of Googling to recall his name. Brian Dunkleman. Apparently he's doing a lot of stand-up comedy in L.A.

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I heard that George W. winked at the queen. Isn't that terribly inappropriate?: What do you expect from the man who tried to give a congratulatory back rub to the new female German Chancellor>? The man has no concept of civil behavior.

Amy Argetsinger: Wait -- isn't THAT what World War II was all about?

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Brooklyn, N.Y.: I'm no fan of Bushie, but it's pretty ridiculous that Time Magazine didn't think he's one of the 100 most influential people. I mean come on, if you're trying to get a table at an exclusive restaurant -- would you rather be George Bush or Tina Fey? Though if we're talking about getting North Korea to sit down for nuclear disarmament talks, it's probably a toss up.

Amy Argetsinger: You know why TIME magazine didn't include President Bush on their list of 100 most influential people?

You know why?

So that we'd all be talking about TIME magazine's list of 100 most influential people. That's why.

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Law firms: Oh, whatever to the 3,000 hours comment. Associates bill in the neighborhood of 2,000, so she will have free time. And also, why is Mom asking? Isn't the daughter/lawyer an adult?

Amy Argetsinger: I was waiting for this one...

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White Tie: So with a party like this, with so many of the Bush's close friends, are formal invitations sent out, or does W also pick up the phone? It would've been cool for him to invite a few more nonpartisan, culturally significant representatives of the country. (The Queen's here and he invites a high-dollar interior designer from L.A.?!) Maybe keep "current" celebrities out, but what about those classy enough to receive Kennedy Center awards? But it's his party and he can do what he wants, I guess.

Roxanne Roberts: Every guests gets a formal, engraved invite---although I suppose the president could have made "save the date" calls to his pals.

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Washington: Re: Nancy Pelosi -- it's easy to be well dressed if your personal fortune is about $20 million.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, true that...

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Steubenville, Ohio: Jackie Kennedy wore bracelets over gloves. She even had bracelets that could be shortened to wear when she was not wearing gloves. There are old file photos of her wearing bracelets over gloves. This custom has kind of gone by the wayside in our casual society.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, okay then -- if SHE did it...

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Washington: George "fear of commitment" Clooney might hit 65 and still not be ready to commit to pass his genes on. Too bad you two ladies will be past your prime by then.

Amy Argetsinger: You mean... we're not past our prime now?

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Washington, D.C.: I'm curious about the guest list for the recent state dinner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Specifically, (1) why were the so many sports figures in attendance, and (2) why was the ambassador of Canada not invited (or, for that matter, ambassadors of other Commonwealth countries)?

Thanks!

Amy Argetsinger: We were all struck by the preponderance of sports figures on the list. No news on why the Canadian ambassador wasn't there.

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Washington: How short is George Stephanopoulus?

Amy Argetsinger: He's said to be 5-7. But honestly he looks shorter, possibly because he's very slim.

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Washington:"So that we'd all be talking about TIME magazine's list of 100 most influential people. That's why." I don't think one comment means we're all talking about it.

Amy Argetsinger: Well, that's what they WANTED you to do, anyway.

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Washington: I finally got home in time to catch Katie Couric on the evening news. I haven't actually watched her in a few years. Has she had surgery on her eyes? She's getting that stretched, scary look.

Roxanne Roberts: Roger that. No official confirmation, of course, but the eyes have that tilted, slighty annoyed look---all the tell-all signs of nips and tucks.

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Washington: Heard reports that Muhammed Ali is now has to use a wheelchair because of his Parkinson's.

Roxanne Roberts: He's been using one for years. He stands for special events.

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Best places to hang out in Washington after work...: Tell the daughter to check out the Going Out Guru's chat on Thursdays. Everything she needs to know is there.

Amy Argetsinger: That you, Fritz?

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River City: Yeah, watch an old movie: the Jet Set crowd always wore jewelry over gloves. contrary to what the poster said, it's the preferred way, rather than jewels under the glove looking all lumpy. This is because women were supposed to keep the gloves on all evening, not just as outerwear in the winter.

Amy Argetsinger: Good point.

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Washington: I saw George S. at the Palm a few years ago and I swear there was more meat in my Porterhouse than on his bones.

Amy Argetsinger: This is kind of creepy.

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New York: Isn't serving Dover Sole to the queen akin to making Bratwurst for a German? Did they think that she couldn't stomach anything that wasn't British? Most people can't stomach any food that is.

Roxanne Roberts: Bet she likes it. I doubt they'd serve up anything that wasn't on a list of approved foods. Sole is right up her alley---she doesn't like spicy foods.

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Washington: Re: Brian Dunklemann -- sucks for him. He's doing stand-up while Ryan bought Kevin Costner's $11 million home last year.

Amy Argetsinger: It's like Pete Best, you know?

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If it's easy to be well-dressed with $20 mil...: Then why do so many super-rich schlumps get it so wrong? Paris Hilton, white courtesy phone...

Amy Argetsinger: Paris makes her choices...

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Newport Beach, Calif.: How does the composition of the guest list at this state dinner compare with previous ones hosted by recent presidents?

Roxanne Roberts: This one had a greater concentration of Bush donors. There are always a few on any state dinner guest list, but this one was top-heavy with Texas oil money.

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If George is 5' 7": How tall is Alexandra Wentworth? I've seen her at a couple of functions and she definitely looks taller than that. Maybe it's the 4-inch heels. Seriously, the woman was in 4-inch heels at an event a few years ago where she looked about four minutes away from giving birth. I was impressed.

Amy Argetsinger: She's very pretty in real life, despite the frumpy look she presents in that new cable show of hers where she plays a shrink.

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law firms: I guess it depends on the firm. My girlfriend was a paralegal for 12 months and almost never saw the sunshine. My boyfriend worked for a smaller firm and worked respectable 50-55 hour weeks usually.

Amy Argetsinger: Lifestyle choices, very important.

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Rosslyn, Va,: You didn't read Page Six this morning? Tessa spilled the beans after a few drinks. She's the winner.

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, thanks for pointing that out.

Tessa, run for the hills!

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Charlottesville, Va.: So did you see the picture where Bush is giving the "Hook 'em Horns" sign standing next to the Queen? Classy!

Amy Argetsinger: I haven't seen this but am assured it's amusing.

Amy Argetsinger: Though our chat hosts argues it looks more like the Oklahoma State University sign, whatever that is

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Ashburn, Va.: Blake sounds like the lead singer from Duran Duran.

Amy Argetsinger: Hardly.

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"Gilmore Girls" Fan: Was just watching Lauren Graham on "Ellen" (go YouTube), and realized we don't hear much about her life. She seems pretty cool. Any info?

Amy Argetsinger: She's from here -- went to Langley High School -- and is single these days.

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Roxanne Roberts: And so we conclude our royal chat. It's been SO lovely having you here today, but our tiaras are borrowed and due back at the jewelers by 2 p.m. Be nice to your mothers on Sunday and tell us which VIPs took mom out for brunch (reliablesource@washpost.com.) Tally-ho.(Whoops---Can you get fired for saying "tally-ho?")

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