Speakeasy

By: Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

"When Mayor Giuliani makes a decision about serving in public office, he will inform New Yorkers on his own."

-- Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella, in a statement on her boss' position on running for either governor of New York or U.S. Senate. New York newspapers have been speculating recently on the former mayor's political future.

More trouble: Sen. Lugar's wife gets hit with drunken-driving, hit-and-run charges

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

Proving that alcohol violations aren't just for politicians' kids, Sen. Richard Lugar's 76-year-old wife, Charlene, was charged Wednesday night with drunken driving and a hit-and-run, accused of smashing into a parked vehicle and driving away, the Associated Press reported.

She was driving alone and no one was in the car she hit.

"Thankfully, no one was injured," Sen. Lugar said in a statement released by his office. "We are deeply sorry and embarrassed that this accident has occurred." The incident took place in the Lugars' neighborhood in McLean. Charlene Lugar's day in court has been scheduled for January.

Sightings: Double Kornheisers spotted at Morton's

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

A patron at Morton's the Steakhouse in Georgetown was seeing double Wednesday as he sat at the bar with ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption" host Tony Kornheiser, one of our spies reports.

As the show was playing in the background, the patron noticed the real Kornheiser was wearing the same suit and tie as the Kornheiser on television. He then had to explain he had just finished taping the show to the gentleman, who kept looking back and forth between the two Kornheisers.

Also spotted walking on M Street toward the Four Seasons Hotel: Robin Williams in all black with three shopping bags in hand. Williams is performing two comedy shows this weekend at DAR Constitution Hall.

Political bad eggs of the decade

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

With Thursday's reports out of Hollywood that Sen. John Kerry's daughter Alexandra was arrested on suspicion of DUI, the senator's daughter joins the list of prominent politicians' kids who have gotten in trouble with the law. Yeas & Nays took a look over the past decade to bring you the most prominent political offspring who were cited, charged or arrested for bad behavior.

The least offensive on the list is Vice President Biden's daughter Ashley, who was arrested in 2002 at the age of 21 on a charge of obstructing a police officer outside a Chicago bar when her friend threw a soda can at the cop.

In 2001, President George W. Bush's twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, were arrested at 19 for dabbling with alcohol. Barbara Bush was charged with underage possession, and Jenna Bush was charged with using a fake ID to buy a drink.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter Noelle, then 24, was arrested in 2002 for calling in a fake prescription of Xanax at a Tallahassee Walgreens.

Robert Lugar, son of Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., was arrested in 2001 for marijuana possession in McCordsville. Lugar was pulled over for his expired plates, but once the sheriff caught a whiff of marijuana in the car, a plastic bag of weed was discovered under the Jeep's floor mat.

Few D.C. natives can forget the morning when Patrick Kennedy crashed his Ford Mustang into a Capitol Hill barricade in 2006. The...

Jill Biden, Pelosi pack care packages for female soldiers

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/19/09 9:00 PM

It was the lipstick that got Jill Biden excited, and for Nancy Pelosi, it was the puzzle books and the lip moisturizer.

For the first time ever, the United Service Organizations stuffed care packages exclusively for female soldiers, and the second lady and speaker of the House were on hand to help.

"Many of the women on the front line requested something a little more personal directed toward them, and here we are, answering their call," Pelosi said Wednesday on Capitol Hill, before shoving Cosmopolitan magazines, flowery-smelling deodorant and, yes, lip moisturizer into plastic bags.

"I want our female servicewomen to know my husband and the president and his team recognize the special circumstances that women in the military face and are working to meet these needs," Biden added, before aiding in the effort to create 2,000 care packages.

In addition, more than a dozen members of Congress stopped by the "stuffing party," including Reps. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Chet Edwards, D-Texas, who formerly represented Fort Hood.

First lady Michelle Obama also hosted a tea party Wednesday for women in the military.

One reporter's move to 'The Colbert Report'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

After traveling around the country with Republican candidates, including John McCain, as an embedded reporter for NBC News and the National Journal, D.C.-based journalist Adam Aigner-Treworgy found himself out of work and looking for his next opportunity in the news business.

That's when the fake news business came calling: Aigner-Treworgy was told of a position opening up at Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

"I sent in my resume that night, and two weeks later they offered me the job," he told Yeas & Nays while he was back in Washington sharing his campaign trail experiences.

Now the ex-reporter is using his knowledge of journalism and politics to smarten the show, hosted by faux-pundit Stephen Colbert.

In doing his research, Aigner-Treworgy has figured out who likes and doesn't like getting calls from "The Report."

"NRA will never call me back," he conceded. "Luckily, law professors and professors of things and think tanks will always answer the phone and will talk about it, and it's great cachet for parents who want to tell their kids that they are getting calls from 'The Colbert Report.' "

After this stint, he said he would consider coming back to the real news, especially to cover another presidential election, but now he understands the reality of both sides of the business.

Where in the world is Rod Blagojevich?

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

We hope nobody held their breath.

The greatly anticipated guest of the National Press Club's annual book fair, Rod Blagojevich, was a no-show.

The former Illinois governor was slated to promote his new book, "The Governor" on Tuesday.

Press Club manager William McCarren said he learned Blagojevich ditched the event early that morning from his publicist, Glenn Selig. Selig said Blagojevich never arrived in New York for a scheduled television project, so he would not make his Amtrak train to D.C.

Yeas & Nays asked Selig why Blagojevich didn't fly to D.C. instead.

"Everything was fallen into disarray at the last minute," Selig said. "It wasn't like the Press Club paid for him to come to the event."

Participating author Ann Coulter said she was "bitterly disappointed" Blagojevich canceled his appearance.

"Unlike Carrie Prejean or say Mark Foley or I don't know, a normal person, some people react to embarrassment by showing up on TV and trying to be more visible," she said.

Andrews in town to promote new book

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

Julie Andrews has already been spotted dining in Washington, but fans can catch The "Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" star Thursday at Politics and Prose. She'll sign copies of her new book, "Julie Andrews' Collection of Songs, Poems, and Lullabies," with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, from 4 to 6 p.m.

There are some strict guidelines for the event: one book signed per person, line begins at 3 p.m. and no photos -- but there is nothing that says one can't ask the actress to sing.

Coulter tells beauty queen to 'go forth and sin no more'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/18/09 6:00 PM

Well, at least someone's got her back.

The queen of controversy, Ann Coulter, and fallen beauty queen Carrie Prejean have been compared in recent months for their outspoken advocacy of conservative Christian values.

Coulter even came to Prejean's defense after her performance on "Larry King Live," saying the veteran anchorman was badgering her.

But now with word of multiple sex tapes and other bad behavior, Yeas & Nays sat down with Coulter to see whether she could still stand behind the beauty queen.

"I would say that she is a great gal," Coulter said. "I think she did some bad things unbecoming of a Christian ... the latest entry that she lied about the age she was [in the sex tape]. It was rather more recent and that there are more tapes, that makes it a little trickier."

Despite Prejean's "sins," Coulter said how she handles the tapes is critical.

"I just hope she clings to Christ and not to these pornographers who want to offer her a lot of money to market the tapes," Coulter said.

As for her reported bad behavior toward a CNN news assistant on the set of "Larry King Live," Coulter blamed Prejean's immaturity combined with broken promises by the media.

"Suddenly she is in the vortex of all of this hatred. And you have to say that it is directed at her for being a Christian -- that's a lot to take," Coulter ...

Feed America: Hatch says skip meals for the hungry

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

Several stomachs will be growling if anyone listens to Sen. Orrin Hatch's call to skip to two meals Thursday and donate the money that would have been spent on food to organizations that feed the hungry.

The Utah Republican sponsored the resolution to make Nov. 19 national "Feed America Day."

"During these economic times, nearly all of us have family, friends and neighbors who are in need," Hatch said. "Unfortunately, the resources on hand to meet those needs are too often in short supply."

Sightings: Powell, Dowd do lunch

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

That was New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd power lunching Monday with former Secretary of State Colin Powell. The two met at the Bombay Club in downtown Washington.

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

"The press that I spent every second with did everything they could do to get the story right, and they worked their tails off, and they weren't around their families and they never slept -- they drank a little bit."

-- Jamie Smith, former traveling press director for the Hillary Clinton for President campaign. Smith recounted her experiences as a "press handler" Monday night as part of the "All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Campaign Embeds Look Back a Year Later" event hosted by Campus Progress and George Washington University

Former Washington Times editorial chief: 'I was coerced to attend mass wedding'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

Former Washington Times editorial page editor Richard Miniter says he was "coerced" by company President Tom McDevitt into attending a mass wedding hosted by paper owner Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church in New York last December. Miniter said his shot at running the paper's editorial page would be in jeopardy if he skipped the event.

"Being forced to attend any religion's service against your will is always uncomfortable," Miniter told Yeas & Nays, describing himself as a "plain vanilla Christian." But it was even more uncomfortable with his boss, McDevitt, sitting next to him. "[He] was examining every microreaction of mine at the time."

This incident and several others make up the discrimination charges that Miniter filed Tuesday with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He said he was discriminated against because of his religion, age and disability. He also maintained that the company's vice president of human resources started a series of investigations against him, causing him to work from home, in retribution for his refusal to sign a fraudulent document. In addition, he says, he signed a year-long contract with the paper in February when he was promoted to editorial page editor. "The Times backed me in a corner and it looked like the company was going to go under and not ... pay me," Miniter said.

Miniter's c...

Say what?: High rollers interested in the little guys

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 9:00 PM

The social gathering at the Hotel Monaco following the screening of "TEN9EIGHT: Shoot for the Moon," had a different tone than the typical Washington ballroom.

The big guys -- like chief executive officers, famous journalists and department heads -- were crowding around the little guys: Inner city students whose inspirational stories were featured in the documentary, which chronicles the race to the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship's annual business competition.

Seasoned business leaders were eager to talk to the young entrepreneurs about their business plans for products and services ranging from film production to scented body lotions.

Hilary Rosen, political strategist and cousin of the network's CEO Amy Rosen, said, "You look at a film like this and you see the kids and you have to ask yourself, am I doing enough?"

And Hilary Rosen brought in some major players for self-reflection, including Greta Van Susteren, who told Yeas & Nays she attended the event for Rosen. CNN’s Jessica Yellin also was in attendance.

“Friends inspire friends,” Rosen told Yeas & Nays.

Among the high rollers eager to meet finalist Rodney Walker and semifinalists Jamal Wills and William Mack were self-made millionaire and "Pursuit of Happyness" author Chris Gardner, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce Dennis F. Hightower, Chairman and C...

Washington Times editor alleges religious discrimination

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/17/09 6:11 PM

As if the struggling paper didn't have enough problems, Washington Times editorial page editor Richard Miniter has filed a discrimination report with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging the paper forced him to attend a Unification Church event in December 2008, among other grievances.

According to the complaint, Miniter "was coerced by President Tom McDevitt to attend a Unification Church event in New York City with him."

McDevitt was one of the three executives ousted in last week's shake-up at the Times. Miniter also alleges the paper discriminated against him based on his age, religion and disability.

Documentation of the complaint follows.





Discrimination Complaint Richard Miniter -



Larry Klayman -

Beyond the pantsuits: Vogue profiles Clinton's path to cabinet

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/16/09 9:00 PM

In the style world, she's mostly known for her zeal for pantsuits, but that doesn't mean Vogue readers necessarily hold that against Hillary Clinton.

The fashion bible features a lengthy profile of Clinton in its December issue that explores why candidate Clinton decided to become Secretary Clinton. According to Vogue's Jonathan Van Meter, when Clinton was offered the Cabinet position (an offer that completely "stunned" Obama's former rival) her aides split into two camps, with her closest female advisers urging her to say no and her male advisers -- Philippe Reines and Andrew Shapiro -- cheering her to go work for the new administration.

Reines and Shapiro apparently were so persistent about their boss accepting the gig that they lied to her, telling Clinton it was Joe Biden's birthday (it was -- the next day), so she would call him, and he could convince her becoming secretary of state was the best choice.

In the end it was Obama who really swayed her, but it came down to the eleventh hour. Reines revealed to Vogue there was a statement prepared explaining why she decided to turn down the president. Clearly, they never needed it.

The issue hits newsstands Nov. 24.

Party on: Washington Blade plans to regroup and reunite

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/16/09 9:00 PM

Although the nation's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender newspaper, the Washington Blade, was forced to close its doors Monday by parent company Window Media, the paper plans to regroup and party on.

A post on the Blade's Twitter feed say the newspaper will host its previously planned event at Hard Rock Cafe Wednesday night.

"We're approaching the event as a social hour to share happy memories. Plus, we want to have one last hurrah," the post reads.

Former Blade columnist James Kirchick told Yeas & Nays he hopes the paper revives.

"It would be such an incredible loss," Kirchick said. "It's the most substantive gay newspaper in the country."

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/16/09 9:00 PM

"Fox tends to be the worst, I mean from my experience. ... I've been on several times, and I feel like it's usually two on one because a lot of the times the host, as well as the Republican, are both pushing the point."

-- Political strategist Karen Finney on which cable news network books the most obnoxious pundits

Sightings: Wonder spotted; the stars were out at Art and Soul

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/16/09 9:00 PM

Stevie Wonder was spotted at the Fairfax Deluxe 14: Cinema De Lux Sunday night attending "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire."

The Sundance Award-winning film starring Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe, Paula Patton, Mo'Nique and Mariah Carey tells the story of a pregnant, illiterate black American teen living in Harlem who is given a second chance through enrollment in alternative education.

Also spotted: Dining at Art and Soul at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel were Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan, David Foster, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Charlie White, Meryl Davis, David Archuleta and Olivia Newton-John. The stars, who were seen mingling among three tables, were in town for a performance at the "Kaleidoscope on Ice" event Monday night at the Verizon Center for women's cancer research.

Hairspray, please: Blagojevich in town to promote tome

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/16/09 9:00 PM

Rod Blagojevich, Barney Frank and Ann Coulter walk into a room.

No, that's not the beginning of a really, really bad joke.

The three are scheduled to sign books, greet fans and chat with reporters as part of the National Press Club's annual Book Fair, which brings together many of the city and country's top authors to raise funds for the club's Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library.

Tuesday night's event will feature more than 100 writers, including big names like Sen. Barbara Boxer, journalist Helen Thomas and pundit Coulter. And also "Top Chef" alumni Spike Mendelsohn and Carla Hall; Quinn Bradlee, son of Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn; and "Newshour" host Jim Lehrer.

But the appearance that's creating the most buzz is that of former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich, who came out with "The Governor" this fall while continuing to make headlines over his legal troubles.

"He wanted to be here," Press Club President Donna Leinwand told Yeas & Nays. "It's a really good place to promote your book," she added.

And he wouldn't know anything about self-promotion, would he?

Prejean threatened walkout before she stepped on set of 'Larry King Live'

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/16/09 12:16 PM

A huge "nay" for Carrie Prejean.

Upon entering CNN's Washington Bureau Wednesday night, the first words out of Former Miss California Carrie Prejean's mouth to CNN news assistant Christina McAusland were, "You tell Larry if he's not nice to me, I will get up and leave."

McAusland, who said she admired Prejean for her candor, was shocked by the beauty queen's tone and warned "Larry King Live" producer John Gilmore of her threat.

Beyond her on-air hissy fit, the beauty queen's behavior at the studio was classless.

She arrived with an entourage of five, (for cable news Green Room context, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., never arrives with a group that large) and barked at a studio operator for touching her hair while setting up her microphone.

After her appearance in which she dubbed King "inappropriate" and attempted to exit the set, Prejean accused the staffer of lying to her, saying King's producers promised no phone calls. She belittled McAusland saying, "Is the intern talking to me? Oh look at the little intern, look at the little intern trying to explain!"

"I've never been treated so poorly in my whole life," McAusland, who recently accepted an executive producer position at Newsy.com of Media Convergence Group, said.

Yeas & Nays has attempted to get comment from Prejean's camp about her "Larry King Live" ap...

Good Eats: Eatonville celebrates six months of eats

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/15/09 9:00 PM

Most restaurants aren't quite this literary.

U Street's Eatonville is inspired by author and playwright Zora Neale Hurston, who attended Howard University in the 1920s and founded the university's student newspaper before going on to write the well-know "Their Eyes Were Watching God."

Hurston biographer Valerie Boyd visited the Southern-style jazz joint Sunday night to sign copies of "Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston" and toast the restaurant's six-month mark in the District. Also in attendance was Eatonville, Fla., Mayor Bruce Mount and Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla.

Eatonville, named after the city where Hurston once resided, is owned by restaurateur Andy Shallah, also known for his popular Busboys & Poets franchises.

Powderpuff: Losing is more fun, Blondes say

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/15/09 9:00 PM

The saying goes like this: Blondes have more fun.

And that's the excuse the Blondes are giving for losing -- year after year -- in the annual Blondes vs. Brunettes Powderpuff football game, a popular charity event that benefits the Alzheimer's Association.

"Honestly, I think there's a difference in how the teams approach it. Many of the blondes in the past year have been about having fun, and the brunettes have been all about the win at the end," Ryan Triplette, 2009 chairwoman and co-creator of the event, told Yeas & Nays.

"This year, both of the teams are all about the win," she added.

Unfortunately for the Blondes, that didn't mean their team pulled through. They lost to Team Brunette, which consisted of 27 brown-haired, red-haired and dirty-blond-haired women, 13-0.

This is the fifth year that Washingtonian women -- including "Blonde Charity Mafia's" Katherine Kennedy and Krista Johnson -- have come out for the teams, with 120 trying out and only 54 making the cut. The selection process begins in August, and a mix of professionals and socialites raise cash and practice their skills until the November game.

Triplette said she was confident the girls met their fundraising goal of $100,000 for Alzheimer's.

In that case, everybody won.

Pitch perfect: Dowd, Schieffer sing praises to award-winner Friedman

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/15/09 9:00 PM

Though Maureen Dowd says he's "perfect," it was apparent there still was plenty to pick on with New York Times columnist Tom Friedman.

The best-selling author was roasted Friday night in Washington by his colleague Dowd and friends including "Face the Nation" host Bob Schieffer and Golf Digest's Jerry Tarde, upon winning the National Press Club's Fourth Estate Award, a distinction past given to Walter Cronkite and Bob Novak.

Friedman was teased about his love of golf, daiquiris, metaphors, black turtlenecks and his solar-powered house, "which looms so big on Google Earth that Sarah Palin mistook it for a continent," Dowd said.

He also was given a special musical treat by Schieffer and Diana Quinn, who paid homage to the columnist using honky tonk.

"He's on a crusade and spreadin' it wide and far," Schieffer sang, accompanied on the guitar by Quinn, who plays in Schieffer's band, Honky Tonk Confidential. "He won't be happy till we're drivin' windmill cars," they continued, before transitioning into the chorus of "It's Hot, Flat and Crowded."

Schieffer later told Yeas & Nays the song took several days for him to write.

After the performance, Friedman expressed appreciation to his friends, former teachers and the Gray Lady herself.

"It is still the most fun you can have legally," he said of his heralded career.

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/15/09 9:00 PM

"If Franken can get in, I can."

- "Seinfeld" cast member Jason Alexander joking about a run for Congress. Alexander was in Washington on Friday chatting with Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., about Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Going latte?: Secretary of state would gladly share a cup of brew with Palin

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/15/09 9:00 PM

Could this be coming to your neighborhood Starbucks in the near future?

On NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday morning, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told host David Gregory she'd "absolutely look forward to having coffee" with former Alaska Governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

"I've never met her, and I think it would be very interesting to sit down and talk with her. Maybe I can make a case on some of the issues that we disagree on," Clinton said.

Palin's new book, "Going Rogue," touches on a possible meet-up with Clinton, saying the pair would "fundamentally disagree" on a lot of topics, but she did salute the former New York senator for her hard work during the campaign.

Wonder who buys?

Speakeasy

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/12/09 9:00 PM

"I think you are being extremely inappropriate right now and I'm about to leave your show."

-- Carrie Prejean's hissyfit on Wednesday's "Larry King Live." The following day, the former pageant winner ditched an appearance at the Republicans-only Capitol Hill Club here in Washington and various interviews with local reporters.

Rock on: 9:30 Club gets love from Billboard

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/12/09 9:00 PM

A local favorite has taken home the distinction of "top club" as part of Billboard's 2009 Touring Awards.

Washington's very own 9:30 Club won the distinction, meaning it's not only the most well-attended club in the United States, but in the world too.

Spokesperson Audrey Schaefer attributed the prize, in part, to the rocking new sound system.

"[Guests] are treated well, the music's great and the food is really good," she said. "We have got quite a treasure here in D.C."

Helping hand: Singer kicks off 'Holiday Mail for Heroes' program

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/12/09 9:00 PM

Christian pop star Amy Grant braved Washington's miserable rain and cold Wednesday to help kick off "Holiday Mail for Heroes," a program through the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes that sends cards to service members.

"I was the best they could get for free to sing outside on a cold day," Grant joked before belting out "Silver Bells" on Veterans Day.

Last year the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes collected and sent more than 1.4 million cards to service members, veterans and their families in the states and abroad.

Not again: Pretend pundit eyes reality show

By: Nikki Schwab and Tara Palmeri
11/12/09 9:00 PM

He's been described as Stephen Colbert on the loose.

Meet Martin Eisenstadt, a faux pundit created by Dan Mirvish and Eitan Gorlin, to show how gullible the mainstream media can be. During the 2008 election, the duo created the Eisenstadt character and had him pose as a Harding Institute fellow (a think tank that doesn't exist) and a top McCain adviser.

Through the fictionalized accounts on his blog, Eisenstadt spread disinformation -- like that vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin thought Africa was a country -- which was picked up by Fox News, MSNBC and the Los Angeles Times.

Now with a book released that chronicles the fake life of the McCain adviser, "I am Martin Eisenstadt," creators Mirvish and Gorlin are ready to take on even bigger things.

Producer Joel Westbrook of Interface Media Group told Yeas & Nays he has shopped a pilot of a sur-reality show called "The Pundit" based on the Eisenstadt character to HBO and Comedy Central. But Eisenstadt, who in person is played by Gorlin, said of the cable news networks out here, he envisioned his show on Fox.

"There's something silly about Fox," Eisenstadt said. "It's a little more absurd than the other channels."

The show would depict the character's life in Washington at the fictional Harding Institute and his attempts at interacting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, spoofing those who wo...