Celebritology Live

Get the Scoop on the Latest Gossip Making Waves on the Web

When stars shave their heads, couch-jump, spend countless minutes in jail, commit a fashion faux pas and/or other random acts of ego-inspired inanity, washingtonpost.com Celebritology blogger Liz Kelly is on the job. Every weekday, Liz shares the buzz, offers perspective and provides crucial links to juicy alternate news sources and, of course, takes your reaction in her daily blog.

Join Liz LIVE every Thursday at 2 p.m. ET to gab about the latest celebrity pairings (and splittings), rising stars (and falling ones), and get the scoop on the latest gossip making waves across the Web.

In her pre-celeb obsessed days, Liz ran washingtonpost.com's Discussions section, where she enjoyed talking to really interesting people -- including some Post reporters, Busta Rhymes and Elmo (as in "Tickle Me") -- on the phone. She still produces both Carolyn Hax's advice discussion and Gene Weingarten's Chatological Humor.

Celebritology Live Archive

Liz Kelly: Afternoon from snowy Arlington. I'm chatting live from the post.com offices today, so you can assume a couple things: I am wearing actual clothes (instead of my usual sweats combo) and I will be easily distracted by my noisy co-workers. Also, I'm told the chat software was on the fritz big time during the last hour, so if I suddenly seem to evaporate, you'll know why.

The year of the celebrity DUI continues with Vivica Fox reporting today to be booked on her drunken driving charges. Somebody needs to investigate why so many celebs have fallen into the DUI trap this year. Perhaps this is a case for the new Investigative Team blog?

So, again, owing to the server troubles in the one o'clock hour I wasn't able to sift through questions ahead of time, so cut me some slack for being a little slow off the mark today.

Let's get started...

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Boston, Mass.: I saw a headline about Brad Pitt quiting the movie business which got me thinking: who is the most famous person to ever voluntarily give up being a celebrity? You don't have to convert religions and disappear like Cat Stevens but you do have to shun the public eye.

Liz Kelly: Hmmm, good question. Does it have to be someone who formally declared an intention to retire?

If so, I'd go with Johnny Carson. When he stepped down from "The Tonight Show" boy was he gone.

If not, then I think I might go with Elizabeth Taylor -- who is still out there minimally, but hasn't really worked in decades.

Who else?

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GG: So, did you watch Gossip Girl yet? What do you think?

Liz Kelly: No. Because I suck out loud.

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MGC: Has there been anything more in the is she / isn't she Britney Spears preggers stories? I'm highly disturbed by this possible turn of events and also curious to know how this will effect her court case.

Liz Kelly: Everyone is asking me about this story. I understand -- I mean this would be THE story of the year if true, but unless and until I see Britney sporting big-time baby bump I'm not buying it.

Maybe it's a question of the tabs crying wolf, but two weeks ago we had the "Britney's Adopting Chinese Twins" headline. Nope. Then it was "Britney's Preg by J.R. Rotem." Apparently not. Now it's "Britney Makes Baby with Back Up Dancer." While the back-up dancer part is believable (it's her type after all), I just find it hard to believe that Brit would let this happen again. She hardly seems interested in parenting the two kids she does have, so why would she be careless enough to risk having more?

Of course we are talking about a woman who dropped trou in a porn store and shaved off her own hair.

As ever, we'll be watching...

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Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. Liz -- As an animal enthusiast and celebritologist, where do you come down on dogs wearing clothes? My husband is vehemently against. But while I was walking our lab this morning, his paw pads were sticking to the ice and he was quite unhappy. Can I buy him some dog booties from LLBean without being accused of becoming a Paris-ite?

Liz Kelly: I'm not categorically against dog clothes. I have a lab, too, and it takes arctic cold for me to break down and strap on her coat (she has a subdued brown parka looking number). But I have a pal with a chihuahua who tips the scales at 7 pounds and she says sweaters and whatnot are a necessity. He just doens't have enough body mass or fat to keep himself warm.

I'm not familiar with the bootie thing, but having his paws stick to the ice sounds like a bad scene. If he'll wear them, I say go for it. Just make your husband take him for the snow walks. Barefoot.

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Glaring omission from the "15 Minutes" list: I know; there are probably dozens, but I expected to see Heidi and Spencer near the top!

And re the "Dumbest" list, how the hell does Shia LeBeouf rate higher (lower?) than Britney?

Liz Kelly: Ya, I'm not sure who is compiling these so-called "lists," but clearly not Celebritology readers who know that in 2007 there was no one who even approached Britney's level of dumb.

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Alexandria, Va.: You have such a sweet gig -- working from home, only going in to the office when you have to! How did you get such a great job? What's your background? Sorry for being nosy, just curious.

Liz Kelly: I think I've been through this before, but in a nut shell, I was the test tube love child of Walter Winchell and Rona Barrett, raised by coyotes and deposited at the door of The National Enquirer as just a bitty baby.

After running away with River Phoenix in the mid-80s, I buckled down and honed my craft by watching "Sunset Blvd." 12 hours a day for about three months.

After working my way through the Oceania celeb circuit, I landed here at washingtonpost.com where I and a team of underlings produce Celebritology each day.

Okay, so maybe I made that up.

Seriously, I'm just really lucky.

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Who is the most famous person to ever voluntarily give up being a celebrity?: I guess this doesn't count: Grace Kelly gave up being the biggest movie star to marry a King (okay, the marrying the king part sorta makes up for giving up the movie star part). But it was a big change from being independant and free to make choices and move as she liked to being pretty isolated (albeit in a wealth country)

Liz Kelly: True, tho she was still a celebrity... jsut for a different reason.

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Where's Johnny?: Using Carson as an example of someone who dropped off the radar screen isn't the best example because from what I've read, that's what he wanted to do. He was always very private and relished dropping off the face of the planet.

You mentioned somebody last week, Julian Sands. Still around, still working although for the life of me, I don't see how these people can make a living given what little you dig up on the Internet.

Liz Kelly: Well the original questioner specified voluntarily giving up celebrity, so I think Carson does count. We're looking for the abdicators, here, not the slow, painful deaths of careers like that of Julian Sands.

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Los Angeles, Calif.: Liz, I'm fascinated by the seeming crackdown on celebrity drunk driving. What role do you think tabloids, blogs, and paparazzi may be playing in this? I'm wondering if greater publicity of these crimes is leading the legal system to be more strict in sentencing -- if judges feel that we all see the news about such events every day, and therefore it's really obvious if celebs are getting away with drunk driving.

Liz Kelly: Good question. A big role, actually. Kiefer Sutherland reportedly vowed to stop giving fans autographs after his DUI arrest because he partly blamed the paparazzi for his bust and, he extrapolated, the paparazzi wouldn't be tailing him if we weren't so interested.

Footage from TMZ.com was also admitted as evidence in the Britney/K-Fed custody debate. The footage showed Spears running a red light with her two kids in the car and could have a bearing on the ultimate outcome of the commissioner's custody decision.

And with the insatiable 24-hour news cycle for celeb news, we're no longer living in an era where a traffic stop can be hushed up by a savvy publicist. There is just too big of an army of paparazzi out there to keep anything under wraps.

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D.C.: Dog Booties: Not sure these are the answer. Our lab cut her paw pad on the ice a few years ago so we invested in a pair -- er...4 for her. She used them exactly once and it was the most pathetic thing. She basically thought her feet were broken and tried to get them off the whole time. If you would like to try them for free, I would be happy to send them to you. (be sure to grab your video camera for the ensuing comedy).

Liz Kelly: What about duct tape? Maybe just duct tape on the bottom of her paws?

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Celebrity DUIs: I don't get it. These people can afford personal drivers or at least take a hired luxury cab. How about someone in the entourage being designated driver? There's just no reason for it.

Liz Kelly: This is the big question that keeps coming up over and over again. There is really no answer.

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Former celebs: How about Shirley Temple? She became a very respectable grownup after leaving acting (becoming an ambassador at one point, I believe). Quite the opposite of LiLo.

Liz Kelly: Yep. And Audrey Hepburn to some extent -- she became a Goodwill Ambassador and an advocate of gardening.

So, do we believe Brad Pitt when he says acting is a "young man's" game and that he may give it up someday?

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Most famous person to ever voluntarily give up being a celebrity?: Dolores Hart, who starred in at least one Elvis film as well as other movies in her ingenue years, chucked Hollywood in the early '60s to join a convent. In recent years she's come out of her cloistered life from time to time in order to testify before Congress re the need for more care for the medical condition (I forget what it's called) which afflicts some number of Americans, including herself.

Liz Kelly: I'll trust you on this one.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Liz --

First let me say how much I enjoy reading your column, as well as your comments in Gene's chat -- you both keep me in stitches!

In yesterday's Reliable Source chat, a poster made a comment about Ellen Barkin being sued by her ex -- what do you know about this?

Liz Kelly: Ron Perelmen is indeed suing Ellen and her brother for embezzling money from a film production company Perelman says he put up the money for while he and Barkin were still married.

Barkin, however, calls the claim frivolous and says he's just trying to get out of forking over a promised $3 million to the production company.

My favorite bit of this particular divorce was Ellen's auction of the high priced jewelry Perelman gave her in better days. Way to score and twist the knife at the same time.

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Retired Celebrities: Sly Stone, Brian Wilson and one that Gene would know: Bill Watterson!

Liz Kelly: Well, he wasn't exactly a public figure. If we're gonna go there, we may as well add Aaron McGruder, Gary Larson and Dave Barry to the list.

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Union Station, D.C.: Duct tape? How would you get it off the fur?

Does Axl Rose count as dropping out of celebrity? I know he did the big tour last year, at it was a heck of a show, but he's mostly just been very, very quiet since he dumped the original, and not so original, GnR lineup.

Liz Kelly: There's not a lot of fur on the bottom of the paws.

I don't know that Axl would agree that he ever stopped being a celebrity.

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Alexandria, Va.: Dolores Hart is an ideal suggestion. She was in "Where the Boys Are" and a couple of other popular movies. At the peak of her success, she was engaged to be married, but joined the convent instead. (Her fiance never married.)

Liz Kelly: "Where the Boys Are"... Connie Francis, right? Rocci?

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Washington, D.C.: Do you ever think that Will Smith is like the black Tom Hanks? I mean, there isn't a role in Hollywood that he can't handle. Plus, he comes across as a legitimately good guy.

Liz Kelly: No. I think Will Smith is.... Will Smith.

Comparisons to Hanks are everywhere these days. In its People of the Year issue, EW dubbed him one of the Valedictorians and described his stature as "Hanksian." But I think defining him in terms of Tom Hanks's success is a disservice to Will, who has cleared his own path through Hollywood and not by copying anyone else's career trajectory.

Anyone else catch his Sunday interview on "60 Minutes?" I overheard a bit of it and, as someone who was in Will's target demographic in the late '80s/early '90s and remembers his early rap success and "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," well it is truly heartening to see him continually surpass himself and grow as a multi-talented artist.

And, despite the fact that he has taken serious turns in both "Ali" and "Pursuit of Happyness," he's also not afraid to cross back into box office hits and comedy -- ie "Hitch." The same can't necessarily be said for Tom Hanks, who was a really funny guy, but now seems to consider comedies unworthy material for an Oscar winner.

So obviously I'm agreeing with you here. He's a great guy. Is there a role he can't handle? Well, I think "Yentl 2" is probably out of the question.

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Dog Booties: Yeah, dog booties created a whole crapload of hilarity when I purchased them for my golden retriever mix (little snowballs collect on the hair in between her toes). She walks straight-legged with her front legs, and then gives a little shake of the back legs for each step. I pull them out occasionally for yuks at a party, but I was seriously considering resurrecting them last night as I watched her limp along during our walk.

Liz Kelly: I might have to try this just for the CuteOverload.com factor. I could go an extra step and pair the booties with some of those ridiculous dog sunglasses. They sell them at Target now. Actually, they sell a whole range of silly dog apparel at Target now. They even had a bunch of dog Halloween costumes this year.

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Young man's game: "So, do we believe Brad Pitt when he says acting is a "young man's" game and that he may give it up someday?"

I do. At least, it's a young man's game for him. Think how different his career is from, say, George Clooney's. Clooney is hitting his stride right now as a fully developed, dapper man. Pitt hit his stride as a wacky, spastic, captivating young man. That doesn't mean Pitt couldn't transform into a older actor type, but it's not in line with what he's done or how he's made a name for himself. I don't blame him for wanting to quit while on top of his game rather than starting an entirely new game.

Liz Kelly: Enh. I dunno. I don't see Brad Pitt as over the hill just yet.

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Midlothian, Va.: Most famous person to give it up? It has to be Greta Garbo. Seventy years later and people are still quoting "I want to be alone!"

Liz Kelly: I vant to be alone!

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Pitt: I think acting probably is a young man's game -- fit for those who are chasing the glamour and whatnot of fame. Once you're settled, it's probably harder to be invested in that lifestyle (after you've made lots of money already, that is). And let's be honest, while Brad Pitt can probably still get lots of gigs, plenty of other aging actors have a lot harder time. Humans age and this is just not a good think in Hollywood, sadly.

Liz Kelly: Well, traditionally, aging hasn't been a huge problem for men in Hollywood. Look at Robert Redford, Sean Connery, Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones -- all of these guys have had robust later-in-life careers.

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River Pheonix: I too ran away with him! It's nice to have a name for the other woman.

It's nice we don't have to be jealous in our fictitious life.

Liz Kelly: It is. In my fictitious life, I'm magnanimous like that.

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Will Smith: Isn't he a Scientologist? Is Jada too?

Liz Kelly: Nope. He's not. He says he dabbled, but doesn't commit to any one particular religion.

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Most Famous gave up celebrity: Would Harper Lee count?

Liz Kelly: Well, she's not really a celebrity so much as a "renowned author." Like J.D. Salinger.

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RE: some of those ridiculous dog sunglasses: The most ridiculous pet product out right now is .... wigs for cats!

Liz Kelly: You have got to be chitting me.

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Liz Kelly: Rocci the producer says Little Richard dropped out of rock 'n' roll at the peak of his success to become a minister.

But, thanks to Geico and "Celebrity Duets," we all know Little Richard ended that self-imposed exile at some point.

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Brad Pitt retiring? : Perhaps he means that we're all tired of him? Seriously, other than the Oceans ensemble movies, what was his last box office success? I say the same about Angelina Jolie -- their recent movies have been bad and the acting "eh." I mean -- TROY, seriously? A Mighty Heart --c'mon.

Liz Kelly: I didn't see "Mighty Heart," but wasn't her performance in that met with universal acclaim? She's also got "Beowulf" set to hit theaters, which looks to be a holiday season blockbuster.

As for Brad, hello, "Babel."

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I'd like to see Tom Hanks: play Muhammad Ali. That would be something.

This question reminds me of when Fred Smoot (Redskins) was told he was the next Deion Sanders. He said, "No, I'm the FIRST Fred Smoot."

Liz Kelly: Right on Fred Smoot.

Tom Hanks as Muhammed Ali... that would be something to behold. It may just top his cross-dressing on "Bosom Buddies."

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More on drunk driving: I think that blaming fans for your drunk driving arrest suggests that the celebrity in question may have a serious problem. After all, the fans didn't hold him down, pour booze down his throat, and then force him into the car at gunpoint. And statistically, people who get caught for DUI are likely to have been driving under the influence on multiple occasions before being pulled over.

Liz Kelly: Agreed. I think he probably spoke out of frustration. And, let us not forget, this was his second DUI conviction.

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Glitch on Safari: Hi Liz,

Celebritology and a few other sites, including some of the comics linked to during Gene's chats, have not been visible in Safari for the past month or so. I can see them on Firefox. On Safari, the page says it has loaded fully but is completely blank.

Liz Kelly: Hmm, I'll have our tech folks take a lookie.

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Hanks: Liz, I normally agree with you, but I think we differ in our assumption regarding Tom Hanks no longer in comedies. I don't necessarily think that he is turning down comedic roles b/c of their nature. I think it is b/c the roles are not very good. There was some movie a few years ago where he played a leader in a robber gang or something, that was widely panned. If an adult version of Superbad came along, I think that Hanks may be willing. Although, with his focus on producing, directing and his involvement with WWII veterans, he may just be cutting out acting roles altogether. Who knows?

Liz Kelly: Righto. That movie -- in which he did an awful impression of Col. Sanders -- was HORRIBLE. What was it called? I've blocked it out. I do recall it was a remake.

But you can't say the roles aren't good -- it's him who is making the bad choices.

And, I'd just like to go on record now as saying I'm mighty skeptical of "Charlie Wilson's War." Since Charlie was an acquaintance of my pop's I read the book when it first came out. Fabulous read. The trailer gave me every possible warning that Hollywood has taken what was an exciting story full of intrigue, excitement and meat and turned it into yet another vehicle in which Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts can wear bad hair and deliver one-liners. I glare in its general direction.

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For the record: Tom Hank's new movie looks pretty funny (even if the topic is highly disturbing).

Liz Kelly: See above to be disabused of this assumption.

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Nope, no joking about the cat wigs: Cat Wigs

Liz Kelly: Oh mah gawd. That's just wrong.

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Fairfax, Va.: Re: Retired Celebrity -- don't know if he qualifies as a "celebrity" -- but the guy who played Jake in "Sixteen Candles." He probably could have been huge in the teen movie genre, but apparently, walked away from movies after doing that one, because he did not like the Hollywood lifestyle, or acting, all that much. He became a carpenter and lives a quiet life somewhere.

Liz Kelly: Good point. Whatever happened to Michael Schoeffling? According to IMDB he stopped acting in 1991.

On the flip side, there's someone like Jackie Earle Haley, who found success as a child star, then couldn't cross over into adult roles, so moved on only to be "re-discovered" in the past few year and turn in an Oscar-nominated performance in "Little Children."

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Helio Castroneves: Will he return to Indy racing, or retire in order to become a full-time celebrity now that he's won "Dancing with the Stars"?

Liz Kelly: Choose your own answer:

a. I'm sure he'll return to racing.

b. He'll slowly fade back into the obscurity from whence he came and sometimes surface at events like the White House Correspondents Dinner.

c. Who cares?

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Baltimore, Md.: Celebrity dropouts: Someone mentioned Grace Kelly, so I wanted to add her successor to the list (successor as a Hitchcock blonde, that is): Tippi Hedren. She hit the big time with The Birds, but soon after that left the business to marry and give birth to Melanie Griffith.

And another blonde from the same era, Kim Novak, packed it in at the height of her va va voomness.

Liz Kelly: Re: Tippi Hedren, she was able to live vicariously through daughter Melanie Griffith as she charted her own bumpy course through celebrity. Oh, and of course earlier this week one of Tippi's lions mauled a keeper.

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Obsessed: I have noticed that many of your Celebritology posters are obsessed with ponies. Can you tell me the origin of the obsession? Why ponies?

Liz Kelly: If you have to ask, you just don't get it.

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Drumaville: I think your point about Hanks and comedies is off. True, he seems to be looking for quality material, but how many decent pure comedies are there in Hollywood for actors in their late 40s and older (as opposed to lighthearted films like The Terminal and You've Got Mail)? Wouldn't he look stupid doing "Old School"?

Liz Kelly: But Tom's early comedies weren't on the level of "Old School." I'm sure there are interesting scripts floating around out there. Tom's problem is he goes for the home-run big splash (no pun intended) every time now. He should try a few smaller films and give big stinkers like "The DaVinci Code" a rest.

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I pick : c. Who cares?

Goodbye Helio. Perhaps he will be mentioned in a "whatever happened to..." chat 10 years from now.

Liz Kelly: Amen.

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Arlington, Va.: "Of course we are talking about a woman who dropped trou in a porn store and shaved off her own hair."

We're talking about TWO separate incidents here, right?

Liz Kelly: Yes. So far.

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Dupont, Washington, D.C.: Hey Liz,

How's the Krav Maga going? Kickin' butt yet?

Liz Kelly: Well, some big burly dude stepped on my bare foot the other night while we were hazing each other in some kind of gang initiation ritual type thing. I spent yesterday with my foot on ice and today it's not half as purple.

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The Ladykillers: It was a remake. But I enjoyed it. Hanks giggling at himself made me laugh. But it was very edgy, even for a Coen Brothers flick.

Liz Kelly: Yes, the Ladykillers.

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Jackie Earle Haley: He has the best name.

Liz Kelly: Yep. And he was in "Breaking Away." Which rocked.

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More Hanks: Was his role in "Forrest Gump" comedic? This may make for an interesting discussion on the blog, as I can give many reasons for both sides of the argument.

Liz Kelly: I think it was a comedy with heart. Or a "dramady" if you will.

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post.com: Where are you sitting in our humble offices?

Liz Kelly: Who wants to know?

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Mens Wear Dept, Tysons Corner, Va.: With regard to celebrities who voluntarily retire from the glare of the kleig lights: would such a definition include someone who from a career in front of the camera to a career behind the camera as a producer/director?

In a larger sense, to what degree do/can celebrities control their public exposure (figuratively, that is)? And to what extent are they stalked by paparazzi?

Liz Kelly: I think celebrities actually have more control over their (over)exposure than they let on. It isn't necessarily easy, but I think some celebs make conscious choices to avoid a life lived solely in the spotlight. They don't frequent clubs and restaurants staked out by the paps and take steps to keep other moves out of the public eye. This can range from something as simple as Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale not broadcasting their every move to stars like Jessica Lange who actually moved away from the business to raise her family.

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Atlanta, Ga.: All this talk of celebs who packed it in early made my mind wander in the direction of those delightful Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies and I wondered, what are the chances that a major movie star, on the order of a Rock Hudson, could keep his sexual preferences covered up for so long? I mean, am I the only one who was surprised to learn that Rock Hudson was gay when he came out, albeit due to AIDS?

Liz Kelly: Well, I think that still goes on to some extent. There are some pretty big names out there who are generally believed to be hiding their true sexuality. It's sad. It shouldn't matter to studios and the viewing public but on some level I'm sure it would still affect their careers so I, for one, can't fault someone for not wanting to open that can of worms.

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Dog booties: Liz is right that there isn't a lot of fur on the bottom of paws, but some dogs have fur that sticks out between the pads. Our does. Her fur is slightly kinked and hangs on to snow like velcro, and if she's out without boots the snow packs between her toes, turns to ice, then rips out and bleeds. Not a pretty sight, bloody paw prints in the snow....

So she wears Muttluks for snowy walks. Getting them on is a production and she hates them, but once we're outside she forgets about them and is the happiest dog on the planet.

And definitely get Muttluks, not the cheap imitations -- those go flying off in 2 seconds of running and then you have to buy the good ones anyway.

Liz Kelly: Another option on the dog paws.

If my dad were privy to this conversation he'd be yelling about letting a GD dog be a GD dog.

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Occupation: What is Jessica Simpson's profession, other than serial dating feckless young men?

Liz Kelly: Her current career? Good question. One can hardly call her a TV star or recording artist anymore.

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byool, IN: "But Tom's early comedies weren't on the level of "Old School.""

Two words: Bachelor Party.

(No ponies, though.)

Liz Kelly: Okay, you have a point. Tawny Kitaen was definitely low rent.

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Was his role in "Forrest Gump" comedic? This may make for an interesting discussion on the blog, as I can give many reasons for both sides of the argument.: Great, someone's written a thesis about this issue.

Liz Kelly: Of course.

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Jake Ryan!: He's a carpenter in Pennsylvania. And still hot.

Liz Kelly: Hmmm, I happen to be in need of some built in bookshelves...

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Hanks: Col. Sanders imitation was in "The Ladykillers."

Also, I think I've participated in 90 percent of Celebritology chats and I don't know what this "ponies" thing is... what did I miss?

Liz Kelly: The pony action is unfolding in the blog comments on a daily basis. I can't remember exactly how it started, but someone said something a few weeks back about wanting a pony for Christmas and it just took off from there.

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Voluntary Celebrity Retirement: Paul Newman retired this year, but he's already really old. Gregory Peck and Cary Grant both retired while still quite young enough to keep going.

Edward Norton hasn't retired as an actor but he refuses the spotlight.

Not exactly Hollywood but J.D. Salinger should be on that list. And Thomas Pynchon as someone who still produces but is a total recluse.

Liz Kelly: Good point re: Paul Newman. Though I feel like he's still everywhere. Probably because he stares back at me from salad dressing, cookies, popcorns, etc. at the grocery store.

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Need a holiday pick-me-up: Heard any buzz on "The Golden Compass"? I have plans to see it Christmas day, and boy oh boy will I need the pick me up...we're spending the holidays with my older sister's family only here's the kicker: she and her husband of 20 years are divorcing b/c he just found out she's been having an affair for 10 years with her former boss. Not that he's any better, having had numerous dalliances himself, including their nanny. Ho, Ho, Ho.

So, please tell me the movie is good or that my movie-husband Daniel Craig looks so darn hot in it that I won't care. Please?

Liz Kelly: Just the expected religious objections so far. I'm v. excited, but trying not to get too hyped up so as to avoid any let-down disappointment.

Good luck over the holidays. Sounds like you might need to tune in for a little Hax help tomorrow.

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Violet: Brian Wilson a retired celeb? Don't you even! He's coming out with a new album soon, and he has a posse. Me, Elton John and J. Freedom DuLac are going to throw down.

I also heart the Winehouse red bra pics. Amy, Amy, Amy...

Liz Kelly: Amy just grabbed six Grammy nominations. Not bad for a dirty rotten junkie.

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Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.: Whoa, whoa, whoa! I come in late to the chat and someone already took over my handle? Animal Enthusiast Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C., there are plenty of other neighborhoods to choose from!

P.S. Liz, thanks for the haircut ideas a few weeks back. I need to send you some before and after pics!

Liz Kelly: Ooh, please do! liz.kelly@washingtonpost.com

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Tom Hanks: I like his kid better than I like him. Whatever happened to that kid? He did Orange County, and then -- poof!-

Liz Kelly: Back to school? Hanging out with Ron Howard's daughter?

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The Land of the Unemployed: Knowing cats as I do, I'm trying to figure out what drug they gave those kitty models to make them put up with wigs on their heads long enough for pictures to be taken.

Liz Kelly: Seriously. My cat would not stand (or sit) for any wigging. I'd have been ripped to shreds the first time I tried to fasten anything on his noggin.

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Disappearing actors.: The young woman who played Liesl in the movie of "The Sound of Music" quit show biz after that, then in recent years wrote an autobiography.

Liz Kelly: Right you are. How can I have forgotten this MASSIVE STAR?

I kid.

That's it for me today. See you here next week and tomorrow in the blog.

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