Tom Brokaw for president in 2004? The anchorman insists he's not interested, but media bigwigs Barry Diller and Howard Stringer and writers Nora Ephron and Kurt Andersen aren't taking no for an answer. Diller says, "He simply is the greatest draft choice you could ever possibly imagine. He's such a natural on so many levels." Ephron predicts that, should Brokaw change his mind, "$20 million would come pouring in in about a week." And Andersen opines, "I feel as though he'd have an excellent chance of being elected, if people were given the chance to vote for him." (N.Y. Observer)
Is anyone surprised? The first episode of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" snagged 1.64 million viewers Tuesday night, the biggest audience of any show in Bravo history. (N.Y. Post)
Money Quote
Country boy Toby Keith on his personal hygiene habits and distaste for tuftiness in the August issue of Blender: "I've trimmed everything close once or twice, except my legs. It's summertime and it's hot, you just take it all down. Chest, armpits, crotch, everything."
Best of the Rest
Page Six: Andrew Cuomo to hunt for apartments in Manhattan, said to be "a renter," not a buyer, due to money woes; Jennifer Lopez said to have had her derrière downsized on "Gigli" posters and billboards; Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie shoot show in Arkansas, "get a big laugh" out of being more fashionable than everyone in town; Porn queen Jenna Jameson tells Paper magazine that ex-lover Tommy Lee was "too affectionate," but that Marilyn Manson was "smart and interesting." Plus: Is Madonna really changing her name to Esther?
Rush and Molloy: Hepburn's friends say actress "would be appalled" by new biography, allege author A. Scott Berg never told her that his book was written, laugh at implication "that there might be anything sexual between Hepburn" and ABC News correspondent Cynthia McFadden; rumor has it that Lopez and Affleck have settled on a prenup protecting each in the case of divorce, plan to wed in early September; Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones want money for pain and suffering from Hello! magazine, claim its publication of unauthorized photos of their wedding caused them "real distress"; Monica Lewinsky said to be weighing TV deal, trying to shed pounds; Michelle Shocked files for divorce.
The Reliable Source: New Watergate scandal! Residents complain that new lobby carpet is too expensive; Ari Fleischer shares greatest mouthpiece moment with People mag: "I came in one day in March 2001 and there was a note on my desk that said, 'Ari, the president would like you to meet him on the South Lawn at 6 p.m. to play catch.' I mean, c'mon, playing catch with the president! We were like kids in the town park," adds, "When a request is from the president, you're not allowed to call it odd."
Liz Smith: Winona Ryder said to be "back" with two "Class-A projects on the stove" and a new boyfriend, musician/composer Page Hamilton. Says a friend, "It's all coming together. Her work, her love life."
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