The Reliable Source

Reliable Source columnists Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts were online Wednesday, Jan. 7, 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 column: The famous Shepard Fairey Obama collage heads to the National Portrait Gallery. Levi Johnston leaves his job. New White House china unveiled. A baby for Lara Logan, a new wife for Craig Ferguson, a divorce for Patricia Arquette

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A transcript follows.

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Amy Argetsinger: Good morning everyone. Welcome to the first Reliable Source online discussion of 2009. Sort of like the first day back to school, isn't it? Hope you've got your resolutions ready.

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Alexandria, Va.: Is there any way to get to see Oprah at the Kennedy Center? Wait list? Will she be there only one day? Jan 19? Thanks for any information.

Amy Argetsinger: Sorry, the Oprah tickets are all gone. They went fast. She'll be taping a couple shows there at the Kennedy Center on Jan. 19.

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Falls Church, Va.: Hi gals- On to 2009! Any scoop on what our favorite Redskins do in the off-season? I am a big fan of Clinton Portis; does he stay in town? Will Chris Cooley continue his blog? Any other good scoop on the guys in burgundy and gold?

Thanks!

Amy Argetsinger: Will try to find out an answer for you about Clinton Portis. Meanwhile, funny you should ask -- in tomorrow's column, we'll be telling you all about what Chris Cooley is doing in the off-season. It's good stuff.

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Cleveland Park, Washington, D.C.: Amy and Rox --

I was standing in line at the Giant the other day, scanning the magazine covers, when I saw Us Weekly with a headline saying something like, "Diet Secrets of the Stars." There were two women on the cover: an African-American woman with the name "Beyonce" and a Caucasian woman with the name "Britney." Except there was no way they were the Beyonce and the Britney that everyone knows. Which must mean that there are OTHER stars out there with the names Beyonce and Britney. So, I ask you: Who the heck are these people?

Amy Argetsinger: Huh. I just pulled that issue out of the stack, and you're right. They both look... not quite like themselves. What's going on there? It's like they got a photo of Ashanti where she happens to look a bit like Beyonce, and a pic of, I don't know, Taryn Manning, where she happens to look a bit like Britney. Cameras do funny things.

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Boston, Mass.: I find Leon Panetta intriguingly hot. Maybe it's the g-man thing, but he's not bad at all...

Amy Argetsinger: Hmm. Anyone else?

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Vienna, Va.: Hi ladies! Happy New Year! Hope you enjoyed the holidays. I check your blog every day and I must say, I've never seen so many responses as much as when Tripp was born... and now that Levi quit his job, looks like the Palins are still drawing interest.. And also, so sweet that Michelle O. and daughters got to bond a little before the school starts... Can't wait for more sightings of the family! Love you guys!

washingtonpost.com: Reliable Source Blog

Amy Argetsinger: Thanks so much! Yes, any story involving the Palin family is bound to get a lot of traffic. Some of the comments posted are pretty horrifying, but I'm sure none of those come from you all.... We were tickled by that sighting of Michelle and the girls catching a movie.

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Washington, D.C.: Soooo, any news on what Michelle Obama will wear to the balls on Inauguration Day?

Amy Argetsinger: No. Unless someone leaks something, we generally don't know what the first lady is going to wear until she shows up in it.

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Umm....: where is Roxanne? Not the best way to start the new year!

Amy Argetsinger: She's actually here -- and has been here upwards of 20 minutes already! -- but is having terrible computer problems...

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Feeling for John Travolta & Kelly Preston: You haven't devoted much to this, but how awful to hear about the death of Jett Travolta. And why is it that this is an opportunity to either defend or renounce Scientology? No parent should have to go through this....

Amy Argetsinger: It's very sad news, and while it's understandable that people would be curious about the circumstances of a young person's sudden death, I'm a little creeped out by the endless cable news analysis of this matter.

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Native Californian in exile: Boston, I find Leon Panetta hot too. A bit of the Tony Bennett thing, plus I find men of Mediterranean ancestry generally attractive. Also, he's widely reported to be a very nice guy.

Amy Argetsinger: Huh. I kind of see the Tony Bennett thing.

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Jackson, N.J.: Is there a chance to determine the time frame for the Blair House reservation? Did Howard reserve before the Obama family's request?

Amy Argetsinger: Heads of state and former heads of state tend to have their travel rather formally planned out, though, no, I don't think we'll have many details on that. The official White House explanation has been, though, that it's not a matter of other guests, it's a matter of other long-scheduled events for the space -- parties, etc. For what it's worth, the new president doesn't usually come to town until less than a week before the inauguration, so not surprising that plans would have been made for the space. We can all continue to debate the logistics of possibly shifting those events -- we just don't know a whole lot about this stuff at the moment.

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Roxanne Roberts: For once I'm not late and I couldn't sign on to the chat. I hate computers.

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Fairfax, Va.: How do stars like Leo DiCaprio, who spoke perfect Arabic in Body of Lies, learn a foreign language so quickly?

Amy Argetsinger: I'm sure he didn't learn Arabic for the part. But as a gifted actor working with great dialect consultants, it's possible to learn the lines phonetically and deliver them convincingly.

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U Street: Re the Obama girls at the movies - I cannot wait to bump into them around town! This news is just insanely making my week.

Roxanne Roberts: You go to kids' movies? Oh wait---starting Jan. 20, they've got their OWN screening room in the White House. Don't think they'll be at the multiplex too often.

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Alexandria, Va.: Politicians cannot be hot. Washington is Hollywood for ugly people.

Roxanne Roberts: Hot is very subjective.

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Damascus, Md.: Hi there, just read the Christmas Eve edition of your online chat. Re: Sasha/Natasha connection, in Russian, Natasha itself is a nickname for Natalia, and there is no connection with either name to Sasha. Not that it matters; people can and will call their children whatever name they darn well please, but it is puzzling how Michelle and Barack derived Sasha from Natasha, when no Russian ever did. BTW, happy new year to all!

washingtonpost.com: Reliable Source Discussion (Dec. 24, 2008)

Roxanne Roberts: There's your answer! They're not Russian! But I still don't recall seeing a single time they called her "Natasha." Maybe the puppy will be Boris.

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Washngton, D.C.: Which member of Obama's cabinet are we going to have the most fun reading about in your column?

Amy Argetsinger: Well, definitely Bill Richardson -- oh, wait, never mind.

Does Sanjay Gupta count as a cabinet member? I guess not.

Roxanne Roberts: I'm counting him. Plus the uniform......

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Sarasota, Fla.: I know most of us are not doctors, but I still wonder about the Jett Travolta death. I have a brother who is both epileptic and bipolar. He takes the medicine that the family lawyers say Jett took briefly. Because I am my brother's power of attorney, I know for a fact that depikote is not the first drug used and is not a drug used for severe seizure disorder unless other drugs prove ineffective. Dilantin is generally the first choice. My brother has the mixed diagnosis, thus the choice of depikote. I just can't help but to wonder if Jett had a similar mixed diagnosis and the Travoltas were pressured to cease the use of depikote. And if yes, why didn't they try another medication? I've read over and over again that dilantin is usually very effective and well tolerated by most patients.

Amy Argetsinger: I think you were onto something when you said, "I know most of us are not doctors..." We don't really know anything about this poor kid's medical condition nor his treatment, and unless this a highly unlikely situation where we're dealing with criminal negligence or something, I'm not sure how much of this is our business.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Hi Rox! so - are you taking inaugural questions? My folks are coming in from California to attend an (unofficial) ball at the Corcoron. Per your excellent advice, I want to offer to be their hired car and driver (OK, I'll work for free). Will I be able to get close? Any word on road closures? My mom really can't walk all that far, so I want to help if at all possible. Thanks! Love you on Wait Wait!

Roxanne Roberts: You sound like a doll, so here's my thoughts: The Corcoran is far enough away from the official balls (Convention Center, Armory, Washington Hilton) that some of the roads should be open by that night. That being said, allow at least an hour to get anywhere close, and you might end up having to drop them off a few blocks away and wait in the car somewhere in Foggy Bottom. Be flexible, and urge your mom to wear flats. Dress warm, bring a thermos of coffee. Good luck, sweetie.

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The Obama girls: Hi. I keep thinking how the girls are going to miss shopping the mall (the shopping mall). Have the other presidential daughters been able to go shop with girlfriends in the D.C. area?

Amy Argetsinger: Well, bearing in mind that Sasha and Malia are only 7 and 10 and not quite at the hanging-at-the-mall age... Jenna and Barbara and Chelsea all managed to get out quite a bit -- shopping, restaurants, etc.

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Alexandria, Va.: So do you still need me to ask questions about rappers, or are you back to your normal, pre-holiday question volume?

Amy Argetsinger: We always welcome questions about rappers.

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Washington, D.C.: Roxanne and Amy,

I recently moved to the D.C. area and wanted to know if there are any inaugural events for singles? I don't think I want to spend $200 to go to a ball by myself, how dull is that?

Any inside info would be appreciated -- thanks!

Amy Argetsinger: Well, seems like there are various "youth balls," which in this still-boomer-dominated era laughably includes folks up to age 35... I don't know, I think if there were a ball that were specifically geared to "singles," it would be kind of cheesy. Ask Roxanne about this, but my sense is that even going to these things as half of a couple can be kind of lame -- they're only fun if you have a pack of friends at the same event, and you can organize that just as well as a single.

Roxanne Roberts: Oh, save the bucks and head for a neighborhood bar. Bond with the locals, see a little TV coverage, giggle at the girls in the prom dresses and avoid all the traffic.

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I am so over Oprah: Am I the only one who finds all of her disclosures about her weight gain unnecessary? And now she has found a way to turn the subject into multiple TV shows -- I came across her trainer and Dr. Oz and one of her "spiritual advisers" on Larry King last night discussing it. Don't we have more important things to discuss?

Amy Argetsinger: I haven't read a single one of those stories. But the proliferation of them suggests that a lot of other people must find this fascinating. You and I can keep clicking the remote.

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So, what January TV premiere: are you looking forward to? Lost? Battlestar Gallactica? Burn Notice?

Amy Argetsinger: Lost, 24, American Idol... something else that I'm forgetting.

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That Russian 'expert' is no expert: Sasha is a nickname for Alexander in Russian culture.

Roxanne Roberts: Didn't we go over this last time?

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You go to kids' movies?: No, but I do go to Chinatown. Maybe I'll see them in the lobby? Or out at a restaurant? You know, the casual sightings from living in the same city. I'm still excited.

Roxanne Roberts: I think we'll see them out in the city, just not at the movies. And I'm glad you're excited. It's kind of fun, isn't it?

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Guilt About the Obama Girls: Argh! I am so conflicted, particularly with the first day of school coverage. Perhaps the reason that first kids have such a tough time is because they live in the fish bowl. But at the same time, those girls are so cute I can't not read the articles and look at the pictures. Is that crazy?

Amy Argetsinger: I think it's pretty normal right now, actually.

I was amused by some of the smug meta-coverage on this matter Monday -- especially from Keith Olbermann, who went on and on making fun of the press corps' detailed reporting on the girls' first day at school... which basically seemed like a big excuse for HIM to show some more clips of the girls going to school and to describe Sasha's backpack, etc. Really having it both ways.

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Puppy for the Obamas: Hey there! Just wanted to let you guys know that I went to the Newseum this past weekend, and they too are in on the whole "What puppy will the Obamas adopt?" There was even a thing where visitors could vote (by placing money into a jar!). On Sunday, a shelter dog won by far!

Amy Argetsinger: People cannot get enough of the dog story.

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Washington, D.C.: Leon doesn't do much for me. What is Gene Sperling up to? Is he married? His Gordon Gekko slicked back do when he went private was an episode best forgotten.

Amy Argetsinger: Sorry, ladies! The Council on Foreign Relations hottie is taken. Wife, kids, whole nine yards.

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Not too early for the Oscars: The Oscars always have a tribute to the Hollywood-types who had died in the past year. Who gets the coveted last spot this year, reserved for the biggest star who passed -- Paul Newman or Charlton Heston?

Amy Argetsinger: Oh, clearly Paul Newman, don't you think? Charlton Heston will be second from last.

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why is it that this is an opportunity to either defend or renounce Scientology?: Because Scientology discourages the use of doctors, medical science and medication -- and favors counseling to cure medical ailments.

Amy Argetsinger: Yes -- and there's plenty of opportunities to debate Scientology. It's a little morbid to hang it all on the death of a celebrity's kid.

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Rockville, Md.: I didnt get the Oprah tickets, but I got a call yesterday for tickets to the Gayle King XM show. Is this worth it? Will anyone of interest be there? Will we get freebies?

Amy Argetsinger: You're going to have to go and report back for us.

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Washington, D.C.: Ehh...I'm finding my eyes starting to glaze over at all the Obama coverage. Not only do I read about his transition, picks, economic plans, etc., not to mention how I won't be able to stretch during the inauguration without hitting someone, I see commemorative plates, coins, special DVDs, pictures in the Enquirer of his pecs and the latest annoyance was that on my first day back to work I walk in to see an "artsy" photo of him on our wall in the lobby. I understand how historic his election is (I voted for him!) but it's getting to be overkill. Can we get back to talking about Brad and Angie or Blago's horrible hair?

Amy Argetsinger: Brad and Angie -- they're so pretty.

Blagojevich -- his hair is so terrible!

I don't know, is there maybe a fourth option? Those three topics are all running their course.

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Leon Panetta: Even in his glory days in the 70s, Leon Panetta was not hot. Avuncular, yes. Hot, no.

Amy Argetsinger: This has been a surprisingly fertile topic of discussion.

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Creepy: "Maybe I'll see them in the lobby? Or out at a restaurant?" We're talking about little girls here. Far from kinda fun, it's kind of creepy, isn't it?

Roxanne Roberts: It's not creepy----it's celebrity gawking. Don't make it something it's not.

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Atlanta, Ga.: What about Medium? My all time fave right now...

Amy Argetsinger: I never really got into it, but Patricia Arquette is weirdly riveting, isn't she? A real presence. You all see the news that she and her real-life husband are splitting...

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Exburbs: Wow, you nailed it with Olbermann. He wants butter on both sides of his toast. "I'm going to criticize the media coverage of the Obama girls by covering the Obama girls". Thank-you for saying what I was thinking.

Roxanne Roberts: He gets to criticize everyone, but no one is allowed to criticize him. Doesn't seem fair, does it?

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Sasha and the Russia expert: Isn't Mikhail Baryshnikov also called Sasha? I say, who cares what people call their children. I mean, how do people get "Jack" as a nickname for "John"? It's not like it's shorter or easier to say.

Amy Argetsinger: Let's also have a moment of silence for the late White House cat India, who for reasons only known to her nearest and dearest also picked up the nickname "Willie." She was a good-looking cat. More low-profile than Barney and Miss Beazley, but that's a cat for you.

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Landale, Pa.: RE: Amy Argetsinger: I think you were onto something when you said, "I know most of us are not doctors..." We don't really know anything about this poor kid's medical condition nor his treatment, and unless this a highly unlikely situation where we're dealing with criminal negligence or something, I'm not sure how much of this is our business.

Bravo! Thanks for respecting some boundaries. I wish more members of the press would start to follow your example.

Amy Argetsinger: You're welcome.

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Ken Cen Honors: I watched (yes, I did) the Ken Cen Honors and thought poor Caroline Kennedy looked like a bored high school being forced to read from "Silas Marner" out loud. What is she going to do as senator? Whip the Senate into a good nap?

Roxanne Roberts: She's not, shall we say, the most dynamic speaker. She always does a dreadful job at hosting the Honors. I think she's much better at face-to-face conversations that speeches, which is still a problem for if she wants to be a senator.

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Montclair, Va.: Can we get Blagojevich and the Donald to have a "hair-off?" If Blago wins, the Donald has to hire him. If the Donald wins, Blago has to go to jail and shut up.

Roxanne Roberts: Blago wins by a landslide. Much more hair, and not dyed.

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Politicians can't be hot"?: Did you not see that bathing-beauty picture of President-elect Obama in Joel Achenbach's and Gene Weingarten's blogs?!

washingtonpost.com: Achenblog (Scroll Way Down)

Amy Argetsinger: Did anyone not see that photo?

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Dog money: What's the Newseum doing with the money they raise? Giving it to newspapers to help their desperate attempts to stay alive? Sounds like a worthwhile endeavor to me.

Roxanne Roberts: Probably something noble like giving to a shelter instead of giving it to reporters who write about the dog....like us.

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Obama movie outing: I can't find any reference to any Michelle-Obama-and-kids movie sighting. Details please -- when? where? what movie? snacks? Inquiring minds want to know.

Amy Argetsinger: Damnit, I thought we had a link at the top of the chat. Looks like we don't. Link to follow, but Michelle Obama took the girls to see the 1:45 showing of "Bedtime Stories" at Gallery Place on Sunday.

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Speaking of Brad and Ange...: Why don't they all just stop answering questions about the whole situation? Seriously. When you have achieved the type of fame they have, wouldn't it be totally fine for them to say -- even to a publication like "W" -- "Sorry, not talking about it. Next question."?

It definitely gets them more press for the movies Brad and Jen are flacking right now, but c'mon. Start drawing what thin line you can around your personal life.

Roxanne Roberts: Hah! They have no line. Or they can't help stepping over it.

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D.C.: Whatever happened to the Janis Joplin biopics that were to star Renee Zellweger and Pink?

Amy Argetsinger: Nothing, it seems.

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Sarasota, Fla.: Wow, Amy eulogizing First Cat India. I thought that was more Rox's turf.

Roxanne Roberts: I'm Inaugural 24-7. I'm saving my grief for later, and will collapse into my LOL cat book for comfort.

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I'd leave my wife for Patricia Arquette: Riveting, yes. I think it's because she's one of the few women on TV who looks real (a few extra pounds, weird teeth), yet she's still hot. She shows you don't have to play the Hollywood starvation game to be beautiful. Though the fact she would marry Nicolas Cage, even for a short time, is a cause for concern.

Amy Argetsinger: I think that's it. We're at a point where airbrushed perfection is so prevalent in celebrity land that it's the person who looks "normal" who really turns heads.

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washingtonpost.com: This Just In: India the White House Cat Dies at 18

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washingtonpost.com: Hey, Isn't That...?l (Reliable Source Blog, Jan. 6)

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Last minute inaugural conniving: I live in New York and having endured past inaugurals, was delighted not to be anywhere near this one. Then my cousin, who lives in D.C., writes that through a European connection, a glamorous former major European politician needs a place to stay for the inaugural, and is staying in cuz's (fairly large) house in the D.C. 'burbs. Suddenly, coming to D.C. to babysit (cuz that's what I'd be good for, in this scenario) is really appealing. How can I weasel my way into staying with them, after all these months of saying how happy I am not to be going, and in fact, talking others out of coming to D.C. for the weekend?

Roxanne Roberts: By offering to "help." It's a sacrifice, but you're willing to come down and lend a hand to help out---as long as you can stay safely tucked at the house and watch on television. By a new robe so you don't look ratty at breakfast.

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Sarasota, Fla. (formerly of Kensington, Md.): My New Year's resolution is to leave cold, wet, icy, sleety Maryland and move somewhere warm and sunny near the beach. Oh wait, I already did that. Uh, I guess lose 5 pounds and take better care of my car.

Amy Argetsinger: My resolution always used to be What Would Beyonce Do, and that was a very useful guide for many years, but then last year, only one of us could marry Jay-Z, so I went surfing instead. And I think Beyonce has reached a point where none of us can keep up with her anymore. So this year my resolution is to prevent my place from looking like a crack house/frathouse.

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Menomonie, Wisc.: Well, it turns out that the Blair House is vacant despite the Bushes telling the Obamas it is full.

I hope President-elect Obama gives the Bushes what-for this deception at the power lunch today (and I'd love to be a fly on the wall, there).

Roxanne Roberts: Not vacant, but has only one overnight guest---former Aussie PM John Howard, plus a bunch of receptions. Truth is, the Bushes could have cleared the decks if they wanted to.

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Obamas: Any word on if they liked Bedtime Stories? Has anyone liked Bedtime Stories?

Amy Argetsinger: Good question. Our critic said the movie had "genial tolerability" and that "it's hard to complain too stridently about a movie that makes Guy Pearce sing and dance."

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In Memoriam: I'd think that Paul Newman would get his own appreciation. I think Brando got his own video tribute.

The In Memoriam would probably end with Heston, with probably Ledger just before him.

Amy Argetsinger: Ah, but Ledger died before last year's Oscars, and was recognized at the end of that show's tribute. He'll be getting plenty of tribute anyway when he wins a posthumous best supporting actor.

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Brad Covers: What's with all the mega close up covers of Mr. Pitt, anyway? (W, Rolling Stone, etc.) Did the photogs decide that the public needed to see his pores or what?

Amy Argetsinger: It's the artsy effect du jour. They're doing that to everyone now.

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Kenne, DE: Caroline has two motives for wanting to be senator. (1) Uphold the family honor, and (2) perform public service. Both of these were ingrained in all the Kennedys long before Caroline came along.

Roxanne Roberts: Oh, I think she might be a little bored these days, too, and wants to be part of the scene.

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More re Ken Cen Honors: If you thought Caroline Kennedy seemed bored, what about honoree Twyla Tharp? She looked as though she'd been sucking a lemon. She didn't seem to be enjoying herself at all.

Amy Argetsinger: I know! But apparently she generally looks like that.

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Russian nicknames: Mikhail Baryshnikov's nickname is Mischa. Not Sasha.

Amy Argetsinger: Right you are.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: Yes, politicians can be hot! Years ago, I wanted Al Gore sooo bad. He has a very sexy nose and his lips just screamed for my attention.

Roxanne Roberts: You've recovered, I hope?

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It's not weird to want to look at the Obama girls: Kids are cute, and these girls are well-behaved. They make one smile. Just imagine what they'll be like when they get their dog. BTW, I adopted a shelter dog last month, and she is the greatest! At first my husband thought she wasn't "manly" enough because of her small size, but he just loves her.

Roxanne Roberts: Awwww. That's it. Just awwwww.

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Patricia "weird teeth" Arquette: is annoying. She uses the David Caruso weird stares method of acting. Not as pretty as her crossdressing brother.

Amy Argetsinger: Okay, a dissenting vote.

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Fairfax, Va.: Does anyone know Violet's new sister's name?

Amy Argetsinger: The new Affleck baby -- no name yet...

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Burris v Frankin: Who are you more looking forward to covering?

Amy Argetsinger: With all due respect to the talented Mr. Franken, Burris has proven himself to be a world-class entertainer.

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Buy a new robe: This person is so glamorous I think I'd have to appear at breakfast in Chanel or Armani and full makeup.

Roxanne Roberts: No, no, no----bet you this person sees that ALL the time. Go charmingly natural---not much make-up, nothing too fussy. Think about it: Now many people get to have breakfast with said person?

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The Blair House Brew-ha-ha: I figured this was a moot point, since Sen. Obama must have had some place to stay prior to becoming President-elect Obama. Was he crashing on someone's couch since being sworn into the Senate? Or were there security reasons why his place was not good to use prior to the inauguration?

Amy Argetsinger: He had a rental unit in D.C. -- no idea what the size or security situation was there, and for all I know, he may have let go of that a while ago.

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Sasha/Natasha -- let's call the whole thing off: The first poster is wrong and the second poster is correct. Sasha 'is' a diminutive of Alexander in Russian. However, it has become a girl's name in English-speaking countries, and frankly, given the rhyme, it's easy to see how you could make Sasha a diminutive of Natasha. How did "Ted" ever become a nickname for "Edward"? Or "Ann" for "Nancy"? Usage, people! Common usage!

Roxanne Roberts: Like one of the chatters said, parents get to call their kids pretty much anything they want. So Sasha it is and will stay, until she goes into a teenager snit about it.

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Washington, D.C.: Bromance. I saw a few minutes of this even though I have no idea who the guy is. Can someone explain how anyone on that show can talk with a straight face. It's just so bizarre. If they were gay, it would make sense. But they're not, so it doesn't.

Amy Argetsinger: I forgot to watch this week, but I saw the premiere and found it surprisingly entertaining in its utter weirdness -- the hour just flew by. I've never seen so many men with waxed brows. The guys all talked like the girls on "The Bachelor," about how they really want to get to know Brody and prove that they're really there for them. I also liked the guy who said that Brody Jenner is the Austin Powers of his generation, like that's a compliment!

Contrast this to the show that spawned Brody, "The Hills," which is state-of-the-art boring, an almost Zen level of nothing-happening. And yet, the gay guy left "Bromance" because he was disappointed it wasn't more like "The Hills." Do not understand kids today.

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Oscars: Well, if Ledger was shown in 2008, maybe they could make up for it in 2009 by including Brad Renfro this time.

Amy Argetsinger: Aw, poor Brad Renfro.

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The Kennedys: Let's face it: With the possible exception of Maria Shriver, it seems to be a family where the men seem to get all the looks and charisma.

Roxanne Roberts: Not counting Jackie.

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Richmond, Va.: Is Rose Byrne of "Damages" Gabriel Byrne's daughter? She looks like him.

Amy Argetsinger: No relation, apparently. Should I watch that show?

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Washington, D.C.: A cat named India? Really? I had a (fabulous) cat named India when I was growing up. And my mom inexplicably nicknamed her Berniece.

Amy Argetsinger: You see? There are no rules when it comes to nicknames.

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of course politicians can be hot: one word: John-John (yes it's one word cuz it's hyphenated)

Amy Argetsinger: He was a magazine publisher -- never entered politics.

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Speaking of Brad Pitt, Little Girls, and Creepy...: Yes.

I know it was just a movie and yes, I know the premise of the movie, "Benjamin Button" but I still found it creepy when Brad Pitt in old-man make-up was hiding under a bed with a 12-year old girl...

Amy Argetsinger: I have a feeling I'm not going to like this movie. Seems awfully Gumpish.

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Family Tradition: I have a family tradition to uphold, too. Does that mean I can call up someone and be a senator? Really, I'm surprised at the level of animosity I, a woman near Kennedy's age and with a professional background but who grew up poor, currently has towards her and this whole Senate debacle.

Roxanne Roberts: Interesting, isn't it? Maybe because most of the women her age have worked their butts off for years, and it looks like she's just waltzing in?

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Name of the new Affleck baby: My money is on "Rose." I was thinking they might use "Pansy", and then Rebecca Romijn and Jerry Connelly took "Tulip," so I'm staying with "Rose"!

Roxanne Roberts: I think Rose is too normal for movie stars.

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Obama's Senatorial apartment: Apparently it was so basic and tiny that his staff had better apartments.

Roxanne Roberts: That's not unusual for senators and reps whose families stay in their home states.

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Brad Pitt: When was the last time he made a decent movie? I saw the Benjamin Button movie the other day, and it was dreadful. I have the Jesse James one sitting on top of my TV, as I have been dragging my feet to watch it. Is he now a movie star for the sake of being a movie star, or is his celebrity tied in any way to actual acting talent?

Amy Argetsinger: I've often thought this -- for a super-famous movie star, he's got a weirdly undistinguished oeuvre. I sometimes find myself asking, "What's he famous for again?" And someone invariably responds, "Well, duh, 'Thelma and Louse,'" and I'm like, that was 17 years ago.

Having said that, I do want to watch The Assassination of Jesse James, which has also been sitting on top of my TV for months -- wait, do you live there too? Or did I submit this question myself?

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Blair House: I have to disagree with you about "disinviting" John Howard. He is a former head of state of a major U.S. ally, and protocol does not allow the government to withdraw the already-accepted invitation for him and his party to stay at Blair House, where he is entitled to stay as a former head of state. Howard could have graciously made other arrangements, since he and his embassy were no doubt aware of the Obama request, but the White House (State Department, really) could not have withdrawn the invitation. Just not done.

Roxanne Roberts: Oh please-----it could have been handled gracefully with no hurt feelings. Heck, he could have stayed at the White House itself for the night. I'm all for protocol, but not as a smokescreen.

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Jackie Married Into the Kennedys: And helped them produce a fabulously handsome and charismatic male - John Jr.

Amy Argetsinger: Who always looked more Bouvier than Kennedy.

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1:45 showing of "Bedtime Stories" : Michelle's Mother Halo just slipped a little. Surely there are better things to do with your kids than take them to Adam Sandler movies...

Amy Argetsinger: Hey, it's rated PG.

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Brooklyn, N.Y.: I like Panetta. His haircut reminds me of Javier Bardem's in No Country for Old Men. They kind of look alike too. That's who I want running the CIA.

Amy Argetsinger: Is that a compliment?

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ZZZ, USA: Kind of agree with I am so over Oprah, although Oprah is OK, just the fatigue of her hangers on, like Dr. Phil, and now her trainer, pullleezee give me a break.

Roxanne Roberts: Well, nothing gets back to normal until after the inauguration---then we can ignore Oprah if you want.

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More KenCen Honors questions: 1. Was Beyonce Lip Synching? Is that fair? 2. What is wrong with Streisand's neck? She didn't seem to be able to turn.

Amy Argetsinger: Believe it or not, I was sitting next to the sound guy, so no, I don't think she was lip-synching, but what do I know.

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John-John: was an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.

Amy Argetsinger: Yes, before he did the magazine thing, but that's an appointment, not a political job.

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Annapolis, Md.: The Kidman-Urbans and the O'Connells both used Rose as middle names (Sunday and Dolly Rebecca).

Amy Argetsinger: It's a pretty old-fashioned name, actually -- nothing new or Hollywood-exotic about it.

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Congrats to the Style Section on its 40th: Are you gals planning anything to celebrate? Perhaps a retrospective of the various "gossip" columns?

washingtonpost.com: Us, 40? We're Trying to Recall . . . (Post, Jan. 67)

Amy Argetsinger: We here in the section found our own special way to celebrate on deadline last night. Thanks for your congratulations...

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Alexandria, Va.: As a huge fan of Scream film star Neve Campbell, I am curious where she has disappeared to?

Amy Argetsinger: Low profile lately, isn't she? It's hard for any actress, I think, especially those who start out in teen roles, to keep finding the good ones as they get older.

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Brad Pitt: he was awesome in Burn After Reading.

Amy Argetsinger: Was he? I heard mixed things.

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East Cleveland, Ohio: Do you have a good Ralph Nader story you'd care to share?

Amy Argetsinger: Ralph Nader, international man of mystery... we are due to check in with him again, now that the inauguration is almost upon us.

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Houston, Tex.: Can there be any truth to the George Clooney/Paris Hilton romance? Is this the end-time?

Roxanne Roberts: Oh, now you're just messin' with me. Really, I would actually take George off my dreamboat list if he starts dating her. La-la-la-la. Can't HEAR you.

Anyway, duty calls. Columns and stories to write. Send all your tips and sightings to reliablesource@washpost.com. Same time, next week.

Amy Argetsinger: So much pent-up demand after the holidays! Thanks for all your good questions -- way more than we could get to. Be in touch, and talk to you next week.

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Ken Cen Lip Sync: They don't lip sync. Remember Jessica Simpson? Beyonce is just that good.

Amy Argetsinger: Word.

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