Reliable Source columnists Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts was online Wednesday, Sept. 5, 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: Love secrets of Alan Greenspan! Kanye defends Britney. And which D.C. lady is carrying the $52,000 Louis Vuitton bag?

In recent days: Connie Mack and Mary Bono -- a love story; Ridley Scott's campaign of terror across our region; James Gandolfini and Tyra Banks and Nikki Sixx in town the same day-- why couldn't we get them together?; and Ted Kennedy sings!

Also: Don't miss when The Reliable Source goes Behind the Music with The Singing Senators.

Or we can always just talk about Britney.

The transcript follows.

E-mail and bookmark us.

Reliable Source Columns

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Will Roxanne be on time?: I bet someone that Roxanne will log onto the chat later than 12:05 p.m. -- do I win or not?

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, you might be surprised. She's been up and at 'em for upwards of 10 minutes now, getting ready for your questions.

Which we are anxiously looking forward to. Good morning everyone. What's on your mind?

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Roxanne Roberts: It's Rox and I'm in the house! Hope you're losing vast sums!

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Crowe and DiCaprio: I've noticed lots of sightings of these two, but none together -- why?

Amy Argetsinger: Actually I haven't heard of any DiCaprio sightings yet -- except for some cases of mistaken identity on Day One of local shooting for "Body of Lies," when they were filming that car bomb at Eastern Market. Some folks thought they saw Leo, but by all accounts he wasn't actually in town yet. May be here by now, though. But Russell Crowe got here fairly promptly, and he's been all over -- walking down 24th Street, dining at Blue Duck Tavern, browsing a bike shop in Georgetown, digging into a plate of ribs at Old Glory... yes, we keep a log of these things...

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Reliable Source "Behind the Music": A "Behind the Music" feature indicates that an artist/group achieved some level of fame in popular culture. Are you sure the Singing Senators meet the criteria? I don't remember seeing them at a Grammy party or the VMAs...

washingtonpost.com: Behind the Music: The Singing Senators (Post, Sept. 10)

Roxanne Roberts: On, come on. They were huge on the Republican fundraiser tour, and big draws on the charity circuit. Makes you wonder what would have been if they'd donned black-beaded bikinis. Picture that, friends.

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Amy Argetsinger: Confidential to the chatter who spotted the celebrity at City Tavern -- that's good enough for the column, so why don't you contact us at reliablesource@washpost.com?

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Must-see movie?: In "Eastern Promises," I understand that Viggo Mortensen does an eight-minute fight scene completely nude. True? Can you get an advanced copy? The director claims that his willingness to do this marks the difference between an "actor" and a "star." Thoughts?

Amy Argetsinger: My colleague Desson Thomson, sitting at the next desk says it's true: "But that the slight of hand of the camera is such that..."

"That you don't see Viggo's penis?" I asked -- assuming, of course, that that's what you, dear chatter, was hoping to find out.

"No, not really," he says.

So ... does that make him an actor? Or does that make him a star?

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Washington: Separated at birth: Michael Chertoff and John Waters.

Amy Argetsinger: Which one do you think is going to be more offended by that?

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Britney: I won't be available to participate in the chat live, but I imagine there will be a lot of talk about her today on this chat. I feel really sorry for her now. All the other bad behaviors noted, I mean, how low can one go? She seemed lost and confused and out of place on that stage. I also have to say her body looked pretty good considering what we saw until just recently. Here is my plea -- Kevin Federline, please help her! For the sake of your two sons, if not for the sake of the rest of the world.

Amy Argetsinger: You're right -- lots of people have comments on this today. Will start in on those in a second...

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Britney Spears: So I finally saw Brit's VMA performance last night, and I have to say I am shocked -- not at her performance, but at people's responses! While she no longer is built like a 15-year old girl (and maybe she shouldn't have worn a tiny bikini), she was not by any means "fat" as I have seen her described. And while she seemed to have mailed in the performance, is that really the first time a star has done that? I realize that it was supposed to be her big return, and that it was underwhelming overall. But it was far from the train wreck that people have been describing it as. I think folks just want to pile on some more.

washingtonpost.com: Britney Draws More Than 9 Million Rubberneckers (Post, Sept. 12)

Amy Argetsinger: I agree with you and I disagree with you. First, on the fitness issue: A lot of people are, rather cruelly, missing the point. Britney looked pretty good for a woman who's given birth to two babies in the past two years, and let's face it, she was way more fit than millions of 25-year-old women who confidently are wearing equally small bikinis on beaches across the U.S., but not only does she no longer have the body that made her famous, she basically wasn't quite fit enough to strut in a bikini like that one on national TV.

Aside from that, though, her performance really was a train wreck, don't you think? She had a glazed look on her face, she had absolutely no energy or confidence, she barely could execute the most basic dance steps. But I'm not going to trash her -- she's clearly going through a very hard time, and there should have been someone in her life to say "Britney, you're not ready to do this."

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Crofton, Md.: Regarding "Behind the Music" from Monday, you forgot to mention that with Sen. Craig, the group has now branched out into Broadway show tunes.

Roxanne Roberts: Dinner party game: What musical revival should they star in? "Rest Room Story"?

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Navy Yard, D.C.: Good afternoon to you both! Is there any hope for poor Britney Spears? What were your opinions of her performance and the fallout afterwards? Was it just me or was it really classless of MTV to let their host (Sarah Silverman) insult the opening act (Britney)?

Amy Argetsinger: The Sarah Silverman thing was painful. That was some harsh stuff to say about someone who had been on the same stage seconds before, which is roughly equivalent to saying it to someone's face.

But let's face it, this (both the Britney routine and the Silverman shtick) was exactly what MTV wanted -- something that would shock, something that everyone would be talking about the next day. Or three days later, as we are right now.

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Washington: Has Russell Crowe reformed? He used to be a big boozin', phone-throwin' kind of guy, but now he's chatting in bike shops, eating in Old Glory and -- according to reports in the Baltimore paper -- being a cordial, matey sort to anyone who recognizes him. What gives?

Amy Argetsinger: He's gotten married and had some kids, and who knows, maybe some counseling. ... And maybe he's just been lucky enough not to run into any desk clerks who irritate him yet.

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Leesburg, Va.: Loved your Kanye West quote in the column! Now that they are reporting that she wasn't prepared, why would MTV insist on having the train wreck that is Britney perform? Of course, I didn't watch specifically because she was performing...

Roxanne Roberts: Of course not -- no one did. Not sure that MTV "insisted" -- but honestly, if you were a network exec, would you turn down a chance to get the entire gossip universe watching?

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Arlington, Va.: Do not insult John Waters like that! Chertoff would never go on "The Simpsons."

Amy Argetsinger: Okay...

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Anonymous: I don't see the Chertoff/Waters thing at all ... there's no way you could ever characterize the former as "natty" ... (no, not nasty).

Amy Argetsinger: The Waters fans have spoken.

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Baltimore: Loved the "Behind the Music" treatment of the Singing Senators. The only thing missing were the over-the-top metaphors, such as those "The Simpsons" used when they did a faux "Behind the Music" of Springfield's first family: "Would the fragile blooms of love that had formed be torn apart by woodpeckers of mistrust?"

Amy Argetsinger: That's good! We should have just plagiarized that...

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Washington: Hi ladies. No celebrity sightings here, but just wanted to share a quick story I'm in a new relationship with a wonderful guy. We initially bonded over our shared love of all things sports and literature, but it didn't take long for him to catch on to my penchant for celebrity gossip. I tried to keep it on the hush initially, but of course when I reach for the Style section first everyday, he began to notice. The other day when we were cooking dinner, we were talking about the upcoming NFL kickoff games when suddenly after a lull in conversation, he says: "Did you read the reliable source today about Clinton Portis's birthday party? And yeah, Halle Berry is pregnant..." I almost cried tears of joy. You have helped me convert my near-perfect boyfriend to soul mate status. Ha!

Amy Argetsinger: What's his name? I might have to steal him.

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Boston: Does Rosie accept any responsibility for causing Barbara to be so "tired"?

washingtonpost.com: Rosie Who?Babs Turns Back on Crazy Co-Host Friends (New York Post, Sept. 11)

Roxanne Roberts: Is anything bad Rosie's fault? Not according to Rosie. Let's just say this is a pretty rude thing to say after Barbara supported her through all the trials of last year.

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Amy Argetsinger: Ladies and gentlemen, Roxanne Roberts has left the building. She had a super-swank luncheon party to go to -- but I said, no, I'm sticking with my crew.

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Britney fat?: I'm worried about how many young women will see the public eviscerate Britney for being fat and think to themselves: "Guess I'll have to stick my finger down my throat a few more times each day. God help me if I ever look like that." And we wonder why girls and women have bad body images...

Amy Argetsinger: Good point.

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"Behind the Music": Another criteria for "Behind the Music" is some sort of scandal or fall from grace. Oh, we have that!

Amy Argetsinger: It's your classic rock 'n' roll trajectory, really.

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Expectant Aguilera: I saw where "E!" reported that Paris Hilton stated publicly Christina is pregnant, and this caused a bit of a stir. Apparently the parents-to-be had not made a statement yet. Didn't we already all know this?

Amy Argetsinger: You mean we're not allowed to cite Paris Hilton as a definitive source on Christina Aguilera's obstetrical records? What's the world coming to? For the record, Xtina has not confirmed this widely-rumored pregnancy. I guess we'll know in six or seven months, though, huh?

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Musical Revival for the Singing Senators: "Where the Boys Are"

Amy Argetsinger: Ha ha ha!

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Speaking of Nude...: Doesn't Vanessa Hudgens need to learn that, as a young starlet, if she's going to shoot nude photos of herself, she needs to mow her own lawn if she's going to generate anything more than passing attention? Where's her agent? Her publicist? They need to buy the girl a razor.

Amy Argetsinger: I don't think this is an appropriate topic of discussion in a family-oriented Web chat like this.

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TMZ: Any opinions on the new TMZ TV? It seems to me that the sarcasm that works well on its Web site just seems childish on television. Harvey Levin also comes across as a major skeeve, although I'm sure that doesn't bother him at all.

Amy Argetsinger: Haven't seen it -- isn't it on at some ridiculously inconvenient hour? Anyone else?

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Washington: I know we don't normally cover "The Hills," but, well ... I have a pressing question. I just read a brief blurb on a friend's blog about Jason being engaged. I'm assuming not to Lauren ... truth? Or do you both just generally shy away from this awful guilty pleasure of mine?

Amy Argetsinger: Don't got cable, so all this "The Hills" business that is slowly taking over my once beloved US Weekly is all Greek to me. According to People, though, this Jason you speak of is engaged to college tennis player Katja Decker-Sadowski. Jason Wahler, who is 20, proposed to the 19-year-old USC freshman Saturday in front of a group of friends -- including his ex-girlfriend Lauren Conrad -- during a housewarming party in their Los Angeles home, the mag reports.

Wait -- 19? 20? What are these kids thinking? And would they honestly be getting engaged, playing house and otherwise acting out if it weren't for the fact that it makes a more compelling story line for reality TV and US Weekly?

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Washington: Now come on with all this PC stuff about whether or not Britney is fat. Britney's talent was her body; she can't sing and she can't dance. Britney's body would look great on the housewife next door if your fantasies tend that way, but on TV it's just not up to standard.

Amy Argetsinger: Where to even start with the Britney comments? I'm going to just put a whole bunch of these out there...

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Kanye re: Britney: For once, I agree with Kanye. Britney clearly wasn't ready and somebody should have seen that. No, she's not fat like some are saying. Did she look good, though? Not in those glitter panties. Plus she really looked like she was on something. I was afraid for her. I thought she might stumble and fall over.

Amy Argetsinger: I agree with Kanye too. Of course, he and I see eye to eye on a lot of things.

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Family-oriented web chat: You already broadcast the word "penis" today.

Amy Argetsinger: Whoops.

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Arlington, Va.: I don't feel sorry for Britney. She's a waste. She acts like she is above everything and can do whatever she wants, whenever she wants and however she wants without a care in the world -- sort of like Paris. Although, to Britney's credit, she never got called out on national television for not remembering her favorite passage of the Bible (even though she loves the Bible). So, she's got that going for her -- which is nice.

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks for sharing.

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Kensington, Md.: I know you guys are going to try oh-so-hard to avoid making this an all-Britney chat, but since this pertains to today's Reliable Source, here goes: I have to agree with Kanye West. The only reason I watched the intro to the VMAs was to watch the disaster. I even created a list of propositions for friends to wager on. S.H. of Maine won with one answer so perfect out of the 14 props that she had to take the prize (pick a charity and participants send a check): When asked if Brit would have a melt-down on stage she answered "no -- her handlers will have her completely doped on meds, she'll hardly know she's there."

Amy Argetsinger: Exactly. That's the only reason I watched too, so I guess we're all culpable here.

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Britney will not get my sympathy!: Here's the thing: Britney was allowed to be as big of a screwup as she wanted until she had kids, but now she's a mom and the crap she's pulling is out of line. Those kids were doomed from the start, seeing as how they were 50 percent K-Fed (and I'm still not buying his "I'm a great parent" routine because I think it's for cash and not out of love/concern) but Britney's not doing them any favors.

She has some serious problems and she needs help -- I know she can't get it until she wants it, but at the same time, don't we have some sort of responsibility to stop covering her/letting her perform/stalking her with cameras? Maybe the lack of attention will make her realize all that's wrong with her.

Amy Argetsinger: Are you suggesting we boycott her -- for her own good? Actually, market forces may have the same effect, when her new album comes out in November.

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Brit Brit Brit: Okay I'll bite -- you know this is but one of many Britney comments today. ... So, ladies ... were you as happy as I was that she flopped? I know that's a bit harsh, but geez "who does she think she is?" Okay, she's Britney. My real question: How can she possibly have a lot of money to "burn" when she has not been successful in any type of comeback in a long time?

Amy Argetsinger: Don't know. I'm always fascinated by the issue of how much money various entertainers earn, and how long that kind of money can last...

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What's up with Pamela Anderson?: Is she back with Tommy Lee, or was she was just sitting on his lap for no reason?

washingtonpost.com: Kid Rock Knuckles Up Tommy Lee at VMAs (AP, Sept. 10)

Amy Argetsinger: That is a very charming photo. I like how he's pawing his ex-wife's breast.

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TMZ TV and other stuff: It's on at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 5. The Singing Senators ... "Urinetown." And Britney isn't "fat." She's not quite the hard body that she used to be, but I think she looks fine physically. Her hair on the other hand was a disaster zone, and she looked zonked on Xanax or Oxycodone.

Amy Argetsinger: People and US Weekly are reporting that Britney's hairstylist walked out just before the VMAs -- some kind of professional dispute. And did it ever show!

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Waiting for "Refresh" to Finish: So here I am, waiting for "refresh" to update the chat, and I notice that the Web site claims that people who view your chat also view "Ask Tom." How does that make you feel?

Amy Argetsinger: Well, I'm happy if our crew is checking in on the Sietsema chat -- that way we'll know if his crew is planning to rumble.

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Ugliest Purse Ever: Okay, who bought the stupid purse?

Amy Argetsinger: Yes, exactly -- who in the District bought the $52,000 Louis Vuitton bag? If you've got any credible intel, or reasonable theories, please send them to reliablesource@washpost.com. We've received some provocative tips but no answer yet.

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Roxanne leaving: So, she does swanky lunches at an NPR show -- why does it appear she's the show-horse of the duo and Amy the work-horse?

Amy Argetsinger: Makes you wonder, doesn't it? What do you think, are we the Diana Ross/Mary Wilson of gossip? Or is it more like the Robert Plant/Jimmy Page dichotomy?

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One of Britney's Problems: Is that she is surrounding herself with people who don't care about her. People start doing that when loved ones tell them things they don't want to hear. I'll bet she's got plenty of fake friends telling her she looks great and is doing a great job.

Amy Argetsinger: Absolutely, what you said.

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Re: Craig Dinner Party Game: I respectfully submit: "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."

Amy Argetsinger: Having fun with this, huh?

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Washington: I look a little like Russell Crowe. I've been stopped three times now for an autograph. How do I know these sightings aren't really me? Also, should I start going around throwing telephones at people, just to keep the image up?

Amy Argetsinger: Would you please? I mean, if Actual Russell Crowe persists in behaving nicely in local restaurants, we're gonna have to stop writing about him.

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Columbia Heights, D.C.: Last night on Jon Stewart, Jodie Foster: Holy facelift and eye-job, Batman!

washingtonpost.com: Jodie Foster interview (The Daily Show, Sept. 11)

Amy Argetsinger: You think? If she's had work, I don't think it's anything extreme. But maybe I'm just too jaded from looking at too many Hollywood faces.

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Raleigh, N.C.: I saw the Ted Kennedy video -- granted, it wasn't great, but who wouldn't look like a fool singing "We are The World"? The links from other Internet sites said he was drunk and stumbling, but that didn't look like that was the case on the video. Was he warbling under the influence?

Amy Argetsinger: That's absolutely not true. Where's anyone getting that? He looked no more ridiculous singing "We are the World" than you or I singing "We are the World." Okay, maybe a little more ridiculous, but not much.

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Washington: I read Tom's chat. It's pretty mellow ... though I'm convinced if he ever wants to "rumble" we easily can subdue him with a bottle of fine wine.

Side note: Can we refer to it as TomChat from now on ... a la TomKat? It's always easier ... and more fun.

Amy Argetsinger: TomChat -- I like. But why does he get a nickname and we don't? It's always Tom Tom Tom with you people, isn't it?

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Britney's Hairdresser: He's definitely Kevin Paves of Jessica Simpson's best-friend fame. Isn't it kind of ironic that early in Jessica Simpson's career they were calling her a wannabe Britney ... and now it seems Britney wasn't even lucky enough to perform with JSimp-branded hair extensions because he simply walked away? Ha ... how time changes things.

Amy Argetsinger: Ken Paves, but yeah.

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Washington: When do you expect details of a Bush White House wedding?

Amy Argetsinger: I don't think Jenna's going to get married at the White House -- I'd lay money on Texas or Maine -- but then I also didn't think she'd get engaged while her dad was still president, so I guess you now know how much she shares with me.

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Washington: I'm curious (and too young) to know, did Madonna ever have any awful performances? I know the immediate comparison isn't there ... as in, she didn't go completely crazy as it appears Britney has. But I read a case study on her in business school detailing her constant reinvention of herself, which consequently led to her sustained success. I was just wondering if she ever faltered along the way, given that Brit always has cited her as a major influence on her career...

Amy Argetsinger: That's a good question. Some people clearly have psyches that are better equipped than others to deal with the pressures of international celebrity -- but I think one is more likely to suffer when fame descends in adolescence or the late teens, when one still is trying to develop a sense of self.

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Amy Argetsinger: Confidential to our Vienna purse tipster -- I like the way you think. E-mail any other thoughts you may have on that suspect to reliablesource@washpost.com. Confidentiality guaranteed.

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Alan Greenspan: I worked at the Fed in the early '90s, and can vouch for the fact that even though Greenspan appears to be a complete wonk, he definitely notices and appreciates women. Not that he was ever inappropriate. Male staffers, including some fairly senior people, used to complain that the entire Board of Governors knew the names of junior female staffers (we were mostly in our 30s) but barely recognized even senior male staffers, with whom they interacted on official Fed business frequently. Greenspan was among those. It was nice and not creepy -- there is something quietly charming about him. I am not surprised that he wooed Andrea Mitchell with a discussion of the Sherman Act. Coming from him, it might actually be interesting or pleasant. (By the way, I am a proud feminist.)

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks for writing. To our other chatters, if you haven't read today's column yet, go back and read our item on how Alan Greenspan got Andrea Mitchell to go back to his place on their first date in 1984...

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Maybe the lack of attention will make her realize all that's wrong with her.: Yes, I think she's enjoying whatever attention she can get. Negative, positive, anything. Maybe she fears being irrelevant more than anything else.

Amy Argetsinger: That's possible -- and sad if true.

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Boston: Re: Jodie Foster -- I've been really conflicted lately whether she is hot (for her age). Help...

Amy Argetsinger: Anyone?

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The air up there: Seriously, who's done more with less (so to speak)? Britney, Pam Anderson, Anna Nicole or Paris? I'm limiting it to dumb blondes to keep the list manageable.

Amy Argetsinger: Well, Britney had some basic talent and charisma, Paris has ridiculous sums of money, so ... I guess it depends on what you think Pam Anderson brings to the table, versus Anna Nicole.

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Amy Argetsinger: Thanks to all the purse tipsters. You're awesome. We are going to solve this thing together!

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Washington: Did Capitol File Magazine get sold?

Amy Argetsinger: Don't think so, but its owner, Niche Media, entered some kind of "strategic partnership" with another glossy mag publisher earlier this summer.

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TomChat threat: I have no doubt that Reliable Source chatters could obliterate the TomChat folks -- we have much more vitriol, and some of us send out some very barbed statements. We've got your back, Amy (but not Roxanne's, 'cause she left).

Amy Argetsinger: Thank you. And we've got your back.

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Richmond, Va.: One of many differences between Madonna and Britney is that Madonna took control of her own career very early on -- she did not want to be handled by a team of puppeteers, she did not want a troop of men making decisions for her or telling her what to do. I don't care about her music one way or the other, but I've always admired her self-sufficient attitude.

Amy Argetsinger: Good point.

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Re: Madonna...: I do not know about any poor performances but she created quite a stir on a May 23, 2006 concert when she did this. A picture is the only way to describe the controversy that she created...

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks for the memories -- had forgotten that one. She pretty reliably creates a stir about every 18 months or so.

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Nickname: RoxAm sounds too much like Roxanne and ArgRob sounds like an agribusiness, so I suggest AmRox.

Amy Argetsinger: It's got a ring to it.

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Same Age!: I am a guy and exactly the same age as Jodie Foster! I think she's hot!

Amy Argetsinger: Well there you go, then.

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Re: Jodie Foster: She's hotter these days than she has been in the past! I just told my wife that, when we saw a commercial for here new flick. The guys lost out on that one!

Amy Argetsinger: We've reached a consensus.

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Madonna: Madonna's movies have all been terrible, been savaged by the critics, and have done poorly at the box office. People have written dissertations on how she keeps getting film offers. I don't think her musical efforts have failed, although some albums have sold less well than others or than expected. Also, "Sex" was something of an embarrassment (it also was savaged critically at the time). She has been a much more savvy businesswoman than Britney, and has invested wisely. She is not known for going on multiple-tens-of-thousands-of-dollars spending sprees. It helps that she did not spend her adolescence in the spotlight, but had to claw her way up (sleeping with half of the New York music scene) during her 20s.

Amy Argetsinger: Very thoughtful dissertation on Madge, thanks.

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Madonna Meltdown: She looked like a raging dictator-slash-prima donna in the "Truth or Dare" movie. Her show was totally dependent on the wireless mics and other techno treats, but she didn't want to understand a single thing about them.

Amy Argetsinger: Yes, but don't you suppose that "Truth or Dare" showed her exactly as she wanted to be shown?

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Some Chat History: Back when you asked about what Washington couples we'd want to know more about, my chat comment was for the Greenspans. What took so long?

Amy Argetsinger: Well, we had to wait for Greenspan to write a book that he would then need to promote by dishing out anecdotes from his personal love life. It's an ugly business, but that's how it works. Angelina Jolie does the same thing when she's got a new movie.

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Amy Argetsinger: Confidential to the real-estate tipster. Was this recently? Tell us more at reliablesource@washpost.com

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Silver Spring, Md.: I'm no fan of any of these young women making the "news" these days, but perhaps there ought to be some sort of ban on vicious gossip for sport on 20- to 25-year-olds. It's great to have people we don't know make us momentarily feel superior, but I know I would have looked a lot worse if the spotlight had been put on me doing some of the stupid things I did when I was 24. By the way, Britney's single is doing very well on radio. Unfortunately, people who've sold 31 million records in the U.S. alone aren't really in the comeback bracket.

Amy Argetsinger: Once again, it's market forces. If the American public decides it no longer wants to sully itself by reading/watching news of train-wreck starlets, then the media business will stop providing it.

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TomChat: I'm a neutral party as a reader of both chats, but I think you guys would have an edge. The TomChatters are too sluggish from a satisfying multicourse meal, and sedated with a nice wine. But if you make them mad, they may demand to see the manager, or at least tip less than 20 percent. (Just comp them an appetizer and they'll pipe down.)

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, snap! Now you go on back to Sietsemaland and tell him that.

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San Diego: Can you explain how the Madeleine McCann story managed to get so much celebrity involvement (Rowling, Beckham et al)? The whole thing sounded odd from the outset with the parents having left three children age four and under by themselves in a hotel room, and while it is undeniably sad for a child to go missing, nothing about this story seemed to merit extra attention.

washingtonpost.com: Missing Girl Case Goes to Prosecutor (AP, Sept. 11)

Amy Argetsinger: The whole story is just mind-boggling isn't it?

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Brit vs. Posh: Britney should have bought some Spanks and worn a form fitting dress. Everyone would have marveled at how good she looks after having two kids. By the way, Victoria Beckham looks great regardless of the three kids.

Amy Argetsinger: Well said. She should hire you as her stylist. You're absolutely, absolutely right.

And thanks for bringing up Beckham. I am midway through reading "Learning to Fly," the 512-page autobiography of Posh Spice, and it is fantastic. Really! Everyone go out and buy it, or order it online from England. Did they even ever publish it here? I'm wondering, because it's so full of that crazy British language we don't understand here. There should be footnotes. But it is awesome.

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Alan Greenspan: In the early '90s, a friend was invited to a small party where Alan Greenspan was present. Andrea Mitchell started to complain about D.C. parking and getting parking tickets. Greenspan looked confused and asked a series of clueless questions about driving around until you found a spot, or something like that. Mitchell said "spoken like a man with a driver."

Amy Argetsinger: Cannot at all vouch for this item. It could be completely apocryphal, the kind of story that gets told about every power couple -- but it's cute, so I share it with you anyway by way of saying farewell, and 'til next week, and all that. Keep in touch all week long at reliablesource@washpost.com.

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