A political furor continues over Rich Little's selection as the featured entertainer of the White House press corps' annual dinner.
At the center of the debate is my interview with Little, which ran in Wednesday's column.
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Little told The Washington Post on Sunday that he disavows comments I attributed to him that seemed to suggest he had been told by the press group to go easy on President Bush.
"No one ever put restrictions on what I can do or say," Little told the Post.
Let's go to the replay.
Early in the interview, Little said, "I won't even mention the word 'Iraq.' It's not appropriate. You just want to be entertaining. ... I won't do anything close to over the line."
He added, "They said, from ...," he paused, without finishing the sentence. "They thought my approach was more appropriate for their kind of thing. They don't want Bill Maher or a comedian who's going to be biting and perhaps knock the president in any way.
"They want to stay away from Dennis Miller, Maher and Mark Russell, who make a point of knocking the president."
Later in the interview, Little said he has not backed away from being politically edgy in the past.
"When I used to do (President) Nixon over Watergate, a Republican asked me, 'Why would you do that?'"
Little said his response was: "Because that's the news."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Pure Management Group is opening a new venue in March: Lucky Strike Lanes is going into the Rio in the space formerly occupied by Bikinis. It will offer 10 lanes of bowling for all ages and a full-service restaurant and bar. At 9 p.m., it becomes a 21-and-over nightspot.
SIGHTINGS
At the Penn & Teller show (Rio) on Saturday: "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, hosts of the hit Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters," as well as author Christopher Hitchens. ... Three-time Grammy winner Jon Secada, surprising his wife, Maritere, by joining the Chippendales dancers (Rio) on Saturday. It was part of the Secadas' 10th anniversary weekend. ... At the Hard Rock Hotel: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who has been dating Carrie Underwood, at Body English with a gaggle of gal pals. Also there: Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson and Randy Couture; talk-show host Montel Williams at Nobu and Chris Noth and Chris Masterson at Simon Kitchen & Bar. ... At Tryst (Wynn): Jim Edmonds of the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, hanging with a handful of NHL players, including Chris Pronger, and their wives during the NHL All-Star break. Also there: Wyclef Jean, music producer and artist Timbaland, who collaborated with Justin Timberlake on his hit "Sexy Back," and UFC stars Chuck Liddell and Ortiz, with Jameson. ... Steve-O hosting the "Jackass 2" DVD release party at Pure (Caesars Palace) on Saturday. Also there: actor Nick Stahl, NFLer Junior Seau and boxer Sergio Mora, together at a table; Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth of "The Apprentice" and "The Surreal Life"; and Enrique Iglesias and Jai Rodriguez of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." ... At Social House (Treasure Island): Steve-O. ... Kevin Federline, back at Tao (Venetian) for the third night in a row, with a party of 15. Also there: Timberlake's mother, Lynn, celebrating her birthday with friends. ... At StripSteak (Mandalay Bay): San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. Mexican pop superstar Paulina Rubio, at "Zumanity" (New York-New York) with her fiancé, Nicolas Vallejo-Najera. ... Baseball slugger Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas, dining at Fix (Bellagio) last night. ... R&B singer Ray J, Brandy's little brother), making a grand entrance at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday. He was wearing a white fur jacket and a reported half million in diamonds. Also there: Joey Porter of the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending bottle after bottle of $900-a-bottle champagne to the ladies. ... Comedian Judy Tenuta, taking in "Thunder From Down Under" (Excalibur) Friday night. ... Rodriguez, at Krave (Aladdin/Planet Hollywood) at one table; Palms Springs Mayor Ron Oden at another. ... At Tangerine (Treasure Island): Germany's Playmate of the Year, Janine Habeck. ... Actor Tommy Lee Jones, playing $5 blackjack at South Point until 6 a.m. He was taking a break from filming "In the Valley of Elah" near Bakersfield, Calif. He played some golf at Rio Secco.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0264 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
