Celebritology Live: Tabloid Scoops; Roseanne vs. Angelina; Hoffspace

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.

A transcript follows.

In her pre-celeb obsessed days (as if!), Liz ran washingtonpost.com's Discussions section, where she enjoyed talking to really interesting people -- sometimes even Post reporters -- on the phone. She still produces Pulitzer-prize winner Gene Weingarten's weekly Chatological Humor discussion.

Celebritology Live Archive

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Liz Kelly: I'm not sure what I've done to anger the Gods, but for the past few hours Cyndi Lauper's "She Bop" has been stuck on a continuous loop inside my head. It is painful and I'm considering taking to drink in the hopes of forever numbing the brain cells that had the misfortune to store that song in my head. Not that I'm a Cyndi hater. Just not a big fan of that particular song.

In other mundane news, there's been some kind of disturbance in the unshakeable force that compels men to love Scarlett Johannson. I just received this proud missive from erstwhile Celebritology Live producer Paul:

I want it on the record that my new celebrity crush is Lolo Jones. Poor, sad Lolo.

Duly noted. We'll inform Woody Allen as soon as we're able to get in touch with his people. Poor, hard-working ScarJo.

Let's get started. Frankly, it's probably a good time for me to take an hour's break from HoffSpace anyway.

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Washington, D.C.: A reality show in D.C.? Blonde Charity Mafia? Is this for real?

Liz Kelly: Didn't we talk about this last week? The Capitol Hill version of "The Hills." When last we checked, our intrepid producers were having a little difficulty finding guys to round out the cast.

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"Mattycakes" fallout?: SJP and Broderick (always Ferris to me) seem to have weathered the storm of the redhead who claimed to be having an affair with MB. Was there any actual truth to that story?

The Couple That Wears Cardigans Together, Stays Together (Defamer)

Liz Kelly: Your guess is as good as mine. The story, I believe, originated in Star magazine, so bear that in mind.

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Washington, D.C.: Hey Liz, isn't John Kelly supposed to be back from the U.K. already? (I'm assuming you Kellys keep up with each other.) Thanks!

Liz Kelly: He is indeed back from the U.K. and, I think, gearing up to launch a blog on the site shortly in addition to returning to his weekly chat schedule. Stay tuned.

Liz Kelly: Actually, word is he'll kick both off in September.

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Surrogate City, Utah: With Ricky Martin and Clay Aiken going along the same in-vitro path as Michael Jackson, which do you think with dangle their progeny off a balcony first?

Liz Kelly: You said "dangle."

Liz Kelly: Seriously, I don't figure either of these two guys as danglers. But I do think both are brave and should be commended for finding creative ways to start families outside the traditional construct. And until one or the other turns up with a missing nose, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on the whole parenting thing.

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Conn. Ave., D.C. - Chris Kattan breakup?!: Well I guess a super fun wedding doesn't guarantee a happy union. 8 weeks of marriage and a split? I'm sad for all involved.

Liz Kelly: Yes, poor Chris Kattan. I have to say I was actually surprised to see these two kids break up so quickly. They'd actually been dating for at least a couple of years. So it isn't as if they'd Pam Anderson'd into the whole thing.

Luckily, Chris has his robust career to fall back on and take his mind off his broken heart.

(cough cough)

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Colin Hanks: Hey! He was pretty good on Mad Men -- the chat gave me the heads up. Any idea what happens with him and Peggy in the coming weeks?

Liz Kelly: Sorry man, I'm still on season 1. Actually, Mr. Liz and I have three more season 1 episodes to go, then we'll get up to speed with Season 2 via On Demand.

I'd also like to point out that I am a huge nerd. I've been admiring Betty Draper's casual dishware for a while now. Last night a little Googling revealed to me the pattern and maker and I now have several pieces of it headed to my house. I won't share that maker and pattern here because I don't want you buying my gravy boat.

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Tampa, Fla.: Are you saying Star magazine is not as trustworthy as say the National Enquirer? I seem to recall a recent story from that very rag -- I mean publication -- that scooped all the MSM by a mile...

Liz Kelly: I can't believe I'm saying this, but yes -- there is actually a degree of difference between Star and the Enquirer. The Enquirer -- while still salacious and gossipy -- manages to base many of their scoops on actual facts. They just happen to have a freer hand with buying information and anonymous sourcing than most mainstream media outlets, so it sometimes takes the rest of us a little while to play catch up with them. The John Edward story is a good example of that.

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Maybe I should just rent the movie instead: Liz, Where did the summer go? I still have "Prince Caspian" to read and time's running out.

Liz Kelly: Well, fear not -- Caspian is a quick read. And is that movie not out on DVD yet?

Seriously, though, it is starting to feel as though the lazy days of summer are winding down. Me, I plan to wring every moment of fair weather goodness out of it. That's why I'm chatting from my back porch this afternoon. The unseasonably dry August weather is also a big incentive for getting outside right now.

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New England: Do you have a white hot competition with your Reliable Source colleagues for celebrity gossip in the D.C. area?

Liz Kelly: Of course not! We're all on the same team.

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Flat Front Pants, MI: I bought your gravy boat. (I drink your milkshake.)

Liz Kelly: Tee hee. Hey, anyone in flat fronts -- like Don Draper, say -- can is welcome to my gravy boat.

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Osteph: Hey Liz,

Do you think maybe you could put a disclaimer in your blog...? There have been a lot of rants lately in the comment section along the lines of "why should we care what these celebrities think, yadda yadda, more important news in the world, yadda yadda." I mean, don't they realize what this is??? It's a CELEBRITY BLOG! We DO care, even if it's only to snark!

That said, thanks for the wonderful blog! It takes me away from the, a-hem, "real news".

Liz Kelly: I would have thought that the huge "Celebritology" banner and the blog description in which we state, "The must- bookmark blog for your daily dose of celeb- centric news, irreverent analysis and the best celeb-tracking community on the Web" would have been a big clue as to the tone of the blog.

If there are still some hard-headed folks out there who feel moved enough to add their grumpy two cents to chastise us for talking about this stuff, well, let's hope it makes them feel superior and continue our snarking.

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Blog comments: Liz -- I know you tried to address this before, but can you do something about the "lizard island" and "tiki bar" posts in the comments section on the daily blog? Really it gets tiresome when all you read are "who wants drinks at the tiki bar." In addition, some of the regular posters start acting all high school-ish and blast people who wish to comment anonymously and/or don't agree with their comments. Please step in before this blog turns into what's left of the OP blog.

Liz Kelly: Again -- again because I not only addressed this here last week, but also in Monday's main blog post -- there is room enough for everyone. And knowing the Celebritology regulars like I do, I can't imagine that they'd knowingly create a hostile posting environment. If that has been a by product of a little fun with insider jokes, I'm sure they'll take that into account in the future.

Seriously, there's room for everyone in the Celebritology tent.

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L' Enfant Plaza, D.C.: NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERD!

Sorry, had to be said. You're in good company though.

Is there any chance at all of getting some kind of registration software on the blog comments, maybe tied into the user's SN for the WaPo site? The "Anon" people are getting rediculous.

Liz Kelly: I believe registration for blog commenting is actually coming down the pike this fall, so stay tuned.

And hey -- at least my nerdiness helps me to nattily appoint my home. It's not like I'm really hanging on HoffSpace.

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The blog: What's OP? And the tiki bar? And ponies? And lizard island? Let us all in!

Liz Kelly: There is a glossary. I posted the latest version of it a couple of weeks ago in the blog.

Liz Kelly: The Glossary, you need to scroll down a bit.

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Celebritology blogs regular: Is it sanctimonious to ask you to remove those copy 'n' paste jobs from other blogs which shall not be named? Pretty please?

Liz Kelly: It is not sanctimonious. I'll take a look and see if it's something I can handle on my own.

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NoVa Lady: Liz, O fellow cat lover (adore LOL cat) and veg-head, do you or your WP cronies know of any good vegan or raw food restaurants around town?

P.S. Who do you think is the current Olympic star most likely to turn media disaster?

Liz Kelly: Sunflower Vegetarian -- in Vienna and Annandale.

And, if you're up for a drive, Maryland's Great Sage.

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Can we get back to the gossip please?: Enough with the complaining about the blog! Let's move on with the chat!

Liz Kelly: Okay. But first an Andy detour...

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Anonymous: Is Andy the cat allowed on the porch ?

Liz Kelly: Yep, he's out here with me right now -- so is Page the dog.

Here's a recent Andy pic.

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"She Bop" Cure: Try a little dose of "Mamma Mia."

You're welcome.

Liz Kelly: That's just not nice.

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Narnia: Prince Caspian gets the DVD treatment on December 2. It was not nearly as good as the first movie. I wonder if more will get made. What up with pushing the next H. Potter movie until NEXT summer? - I don't think I can wait that long...

Liz Kelly: I liked the "Caspian" movie. But that could've been because I went with my 10-year-old nephew who was so excited about it, he sat on the edge of his seat the whole time and constantly whispered "Cool" to himself when something neat happened on screen. I believe I recall him also bouncing up and down in anticipation at the climactic moment of the movie. That made the whole experience super fun for me.

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Porter St., D.C. -- John Mayer: Why does this guy feel the need to disclose EVERYTHING he thinks about his failed relationships. Whatever happened to being a gentleman about one's romances?

Liz Kelly: I'm not sure why it is that John Mayer feels a need to share so many of his intimate thoughts with us about the whys and wherefores of his love life. But then, I'm also not sure what it is about this guy that women find attractive in the first place. He's kind of Summer's Eve-ish, as we've said here before.

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M Street, Washington, D.C.: Yes, I also now have a huge crush on Lolo Jones. My heart broke for her when she caught that last hurdle. Then I read her life story. I just want to give her a hug.

Liz Kelly: Oh, a hug. Sure.

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Dog Lover: Can we have equal picture time for Page the dog? (For those of us separated from our pups for the work day.)

Liz Kelly: I'm glad you asked. I have a Page pic right here. That's her bed on the back porch. She has a bed in basically every room of the house.

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Anonymous: Liz, I hope this doesn't upset you but as much as I trust your fashion sense, I'm going with Brooks: Brooks Brothers Chinos

Liz Kelly: Fine by me as long as you go with the FLAT FRONT Hudson or Clark models.

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Fantasy draft: The NFL chat just finished and I thought maybe you should have your own draft. What male celebrity would you draft for a movie date? Lunch date? Weekend at the beach?

Liz Kelly: Billy Crudup.
John Hamm.
Billy Crudup.

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Washington, D.C.: You do know what "she bop" is about don't you??? It's not dancing.

Liz Kelly: Sadly, Rocci the producer did inform me about "She Bop's" subtext. So, for the past 31 minutes I've been a little worried about why that song is stuck in my head.

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Roseanne vs. Angelina: I was never a big fan of AJ but recently have come to think of her as someone I'd share playground stories with about my kids. That being said, Roseanne was way out of line, and I think some of your blog commenters were too. To actually dislike someone because they adopt foreign children, donate to charity, partner with someone insanely hot, and star in action flicks, is actually kind of dumb. One of the commenters actually faulted her for saying she adopted Pax so that Maddox would have someone who looked like him. Okay, and? That just means that he'll have someone from his neck of the woods to chill with. It's estimated that the Jolie-Pitts make about $40 mil a year and give $3 mil of that to charity...ummm, that's almost 10 pearcent of their income. How much does that particular commenter donate? Come on, give it a rest. You don't have to like her as an actress, but as a person, she's what many others should aspire to be. Not many folks are out here giving birth to their own kids AND adopting. Yo fatty, carm down!

Liz Kelly: I don't want to fan the AJ-hater flames, but I generally agree with what you're saying here. Why someone would get their panties in a bunch because of a comment Angelina Jolie made during an interview when asked about her adoption of Pax is a mystery to me. I really doubt Brad and Angie are keeping a tally of skin tones or continents of origin on these kids. At the end of the day, they're a family -- a close-knit team of individuals, not the Asian one or the African one or the biological one.

And I do think Angie and Brad are genuine when it comes to their desire to do humanitarian work. They've both put their money where their mouths are, so I don't know that Roseanne or anyone else has any credibility when it comes to dissing them for how they live their lives.

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"Maryland's Great Sage": Is that a vegetarian restaurant, or just your pet name for Michael Phelps? (In which event, does that mean you're predicting that he'll become the biggest media disaster out of this Olympics?).

Liz Kelly: Har. It's a vegetarian restaurant. And I'd be more apt to call John Water's Maryland's "Great Sage."

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Dog Lover again: Okay, I know this isn't a dog chat, but that is a totally cute dog collar (and bed!). Care to give up your source?

Liz Kelly: I think the bed was from Orvis -- it's indoor/outdoor. Doesn't mildew or hold water. The collar is from Arlington's fabulous AKA Spot.

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Nashville: I had no idea beach volleyball was such a popular sport. NBC isn't just putting this in prime time because of the bathing suits and boobs is it?

Liz Kelly: Hey, the Olympics are about bringing nations together -- be it in a pool or on a beach. The "shoes" are just incidental.

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Better cure for She-Bop: Love Shack

Had that one plaguing me last week for no good reason.

Liz Kelly: I prefer "Roam."

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Seattle, Wash.: Wait...what is "She-Bop" about?

Liz Kelly: I'm not telling. You'll have satisfy your curiosity yourself by looking it up on Wikipedia.

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McLean, Va.: For the record, I wish to point out that the host of today's fantasy Football discussion is named Gene Wang.

Liz Kelly: I believe -- and I'm not kidding -- that Gene's last name is actually pronounced "wong."

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Billy Crudup?!: I'm sorry. Total cad. Left Mary-Louise Parker while she was 8 months pregnant for Claire Danes. Classy.

Liz Kelly: Yes, but he's a hot cad. I'm not looking for a life partner here, just fantasy material. You think Producer Paul is investigating Lolo's relationship behavior history to make sure she's not some kind of jilt?

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44west: During last week's chat, you posted a link to a New York magazine article about the new facelift. I read it with fascination. Then I compulsively sought out photos of the 20-year-old me to compare to the current (40-something) me in the mirror. Not that I usually obsess about my personal appearance or am suddenly considering having "work" done, but I could see what they meant about the toll nature takes over time.

Still, the whole thing kind of gave me the creeps -- while better than the old style facelifts, I still think the results look a bit unnatural and less attractive than the same starlet at age 20. Also, isn't anyone wondering about how the new style facelifts might stand the test of time? I guess the Madonna or Demi "brand" is so important you take the risk now and worry about the consequences later. Oh well, if it goes badly, I guess it gives us something to blog about years into the future.

Anyway, thanks for that link.

Liz Kelly: You're welcome -- and I'm glad you read it because it really was an eye-opening (hehe) article. I believe the core components of the new facelift are 1) fillers and, 2) lifting from deep within the muscle, rather than just the skin. That avoids giving one that stretched out look one now associates with folks like Joan Rivers. How will the new face stand the test of time? I guess we'll have to wait and see.

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Even better cure for She-Bop: B52s: Monster.

Liz Kelly: I think I'm just going to trump all of the songs with "Ace of Spades."

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Bawlmer: The question we're all hungering to have answered: Does HoffSpace have Scrabulous, and is it Baywatch-themed?

Liz Kelly: No Scrabulous, though it does have exclusive online-only home movies from the Hoff himself.

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Arlington Gay: Does Andy have his own Facebook page? I want to be a fan!

Liz Kelly: Nope. But I'll make him (and Page) one by next Thursday.

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Liz Kelly: Personal to Nosy Parker: Got your question and it's so good, I'd like to save it to answer in Monday's Comment Box. I'd rather give myself more than a few minutes to think about it. Just didn't want you to think I was ignoring your insightful query to answer a question about Chris Kattan.

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Withdraw, AL: Liz, please help! Where is Weingarten?! We have not been properly briefed on his chat absences! I promise to be on your side in the next of the Liz-Gene Disputations if you share!

Liz Kelly: He's around -- just taking a much needed August break while he continues his work on the column, feature stories and The Gene Pool, among other things.

He'll be back at it on Sept. 2.

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Fantasy Celebrity: I've been reading about people who do a fantasy celebrity tournament and I'm wondering if you know anywhere I don't have to do all the calculating myself. It's something like 10 points if someone on your team is on the cover of Us Weekly, 5 points if they're in best dressed, minus 5 in worst dressed, etc., etc. I can imagine more minus points if you're on the cover of Star or Nat'l Enquirer. Can the WaPo make this for us? That would be amazing

Liz Kelly: You should check out Fafarazzi.com. They do a great job of hosting celebrity fantasy leagues.

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Jennifer Love Hewlitt: What kind of bimb...errr.. ACTRESS says that she wishes she had done more nude stuff? Maybe the type that feels the need to get back into the news at any cosy. Sheesh. Have a little class..

Liz Kelly: Or any cost, even.

I think the other J.Lo was just trying to say that she feels like she took her youthful body for granted and wishes she'd flaunted it a bit more.

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Boulder, Colo.: Okay, enough with pets (I'm not a hater -- swear) and pleats. Back to gossip... Is it me or has Gwen Stefani been pregnant for the past year or so? Honestly when is she going to pop?

Liz Kelly: Closer to nine months -- she's actually due this month, so look for the newest addition to the family to make his (or her) debut at any moment.

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Homer, Alaska: How is Elizabeth Taylor doing? I know you mentioned she is home from hospital but wondering about her recovery.

Liz Kelly: I don't know much beyond what was included in yesterday's Morning Mix. Liz is apparently home and doing well after several weeks of hospitalization for, well, we don't know what for.

Friends say she's back to her old self and already planning some overseas vacations.

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You think Producer Paul is investigating Lolo's relationship behavior history to make sure she's not some kind of jilt?: No. I think Producer Paul is investigating Lolo Jones to determine if John Mayer has already been there. Maybe it's time for a 3 degrees of John Meyer game. He gets around so much that we can dispense with 3 degrees.

Liz Kelly: OOOH. That is a fabulous idea. I see a widget!

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h3: While we're talking about our blog pet peeves, the ones I really hate are the ones where some celebrity is quoted saying something about something, and the comment is "Why are you telling us what you think about -topic), -name of celebrity)! Nobody cares!" So here's my thing: most of the time, it's because they were asked about it in an interview. What are they supposed to do, refuse to answer a question because they're not the world's foremost authority on it? If someone's interviewing me, and they ask me my opinion about something, I'll tell them. It's not my dang fault if that becomes the big pull quote.

Rant over. As you were.

Liz Kelly: Right -- thanks for bringing that up. I see that a lot in many of the stories I pass over for inclusion in the Morning Mix each day. I'll get all hepped up about a headline like "Lily Allen Won't Stop Doing Drugs" only to click through and find that, in answer to a question about whether or not she'd ever do drugs again, Lily Allen said something like "I shouldn't do drugs, but it's hard to say never. You just don't know what life will bring."

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Seattle, Wash.: How cute are Ellen and Portia? Just want to add that to the mix. I love that Calif. will allow ALL of our celebrities to now marry!

Liz Kelly: They are pretty adorable. And I loved Portia's wedding dress. Next up, George Takei, I believe.

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Mel Gibson Drunkeness??: So there is a Mel Gibson/Robert De Niro movie shooting on my block in South Boston! I told my sister that I'm heading straight to all of the Southie bars the night of the shooting because Mel will definitely be out and about with all of the lovely young ladies of Boston. She thinks that's encouraging his alcoholism (I believe enabler was the word...) and I think it's just plain old fun, he'd drink with or without me there. Who wins here?

Liz Kelly: I'm not sure who wins, but definitely keep me informed about your Mel sightings. Oh, and make sure to take along a good digital camera. One that's also able to shoot video.

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Washington, D.C.: 'Afternoon, Liz!

Was Selma Blair born female, or was there a sex change involved? She has one of the most "mannish" looking faces I've ever seen.

Enquiring minds want to know.

Liz Kelly: Man, I think Selma Blair is beautiful. She's got good bone structure, perfect skin and I'm perpetually jealous of her hair. Eye of the beholder, I guess...

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Washington, D.C.: Guess as to what Gwen Stefani will name Baby #2? I love the name Kingston.

Liz Kelly: Marley, perhaps?

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K Street - Demise of real people on MTV: There is a list of "defining personalities" who made Mtv but wouldn't be telegenic -- or skanky -- enough to be on the channel today. From Pedro Zemora to Daria Morgendorfer to Tabitha Soren. It's intersting and it makes you feel old.

washingtonpost.com: Not Allowed on MTV Anymore (Defamer)

Liz Kelly: Thanks for sharing. I'm not sure I'd call Tabitha Soren a "defining personality," tho.

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Ames, Iowa: Liz: The Matthew Broderick cheated on SJP story went away pretty quickly. Do they have an "open" marriage or are they lawyering up for future fireworks?

Liz Kelly: Open marriage? I'm afraid you're confusing the Broderick-Parker household with the Smith-Pinketts.

I would guess the story died down for one of a few reasons:

-- It's not true and both Star and its source were properly spooked by Broderick's legal representation.

Liz Kelly: Sorry about that -- tech glitch. More possibilities:

-- Someone has been silenced. How, we don't know.

-- Cameron's dad's rare, expensive car flew out of the glass garage and into the woods. Oh wait...

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Gwen Had Her Baby: according to InTouch. Just passing the rumor like a good citizen...

Liz Kelly: Wow -- this literally happened while we were chatting. Talk about synergy.

Congrats to Gwen, Gavin and big brother Kingston.

On that note, I'm out of here. See you here next week and, as usual, in the blog tomorrow morning.

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