Gridiron Club dinner turns tables on powerful politicians

Washington — John Kerry’s wife sang about how happy she is that he wasn’t elected. Karl Rove revealed his successful strategy for winning President Bush a second term. Wannabe presidential candidates pressed for advantage in the 2008 race.

It was as close to “Saturday Night Live” as Washington gets, as journalists assumed the personas of politicians at the Gridiron Club’s 120th annual dinner.

It’s a journalistic tradition in which, for one night, members of the Fourth Estate turn the tables on the powerful people they report and write about daily. The Gridiron Club’s motto is to “singe, but never burn.”

In a nod to 2008, they parodied the White House aspirations of Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, featured speakers at the white-tie dinner.

Richardson compared the Bush’s administration’s treatment of U.S. allies over the Iraq war to the NCAA basketball tournament.

“Sixty-four teams start and they’re whittled down to just one,” Richardson said in prepared remarks. “Kind of reminds me of what we’ve done with our allies.”

Following another close presidential election, the show poked fun at despondent Democrats and smug Republicans.

Prison-striped Democratic leaders were seen trying to figure a way out of “Gitmo,” the U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where the government is holding suspected terrorists.

One sketch had Massachusetts Sen. Kerry singing a lament about “why, oh why, oh why did I ever lose Ohio?” while in the next scene wife Teresa Heinz Kerry appeared positively giddy over her husband’s loss to Bush.

“Thank heaven, he lost the race,” her character sang to the tune of “Thank Heaven for Little Girls.” “Now I can tell the press just how and when and where to go, and I’m allowed my wine and escargots.”

Other 2008-themed skits portrayed Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York singing about how she’ll “turn those red states blue” and Senate newcomer Barack Obama of Illinois, prancing around in a gold outfit and halo, urging the party to “go with a guy who walks on water.”

Founded in 1885, the Gridiron Club is made up of Washington news bureau chiefs, columnists, reporters, cartoonists and editors. It exists only for the annual dinner and political roast.

Princely polo match raises money for tsunami victims

Birdlip, England — Princes William and Harry took to the polo field Saturday to raise money for victims of the Asian tsunami.

The princes, who organized the charity match, led opposing teams onto the field at the Longdole Polo Club in western England. Afterward, players and guests were invited to join William, 22, and Harry, 20, for tea.

The sons of Prince Charles and Princess Diana said they were moved by the plight of victims of the Dec. 26 natural disaster that killed more than 170,000 people.

Ticket sales for the match raised about $50,000 for the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal. Both princes have made private donations for relief efforts.

‘Sideways’ couple going separate ways after 5 years

New York — Director Alexander Payne and wife Sandra Oh have gone from “Sideways” to parting ways, a spokeswoman told People magazine on Saturday.

The Hollywood couple “have mutually decided to separate,” the spokeswoman said. “They will remain friends.”

The couple met five years ago and married in 2003.

Payne wrote and directed “Sideways,” the comedy about two friends on a wine-tasting road trip through California.

The film was nominated for five Oscars, and he shared the Academy Award with his writing partner for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Oh, a former co-star on the HBO series “Arli$$,” was one of the stars of the film.

Stewart proposes at top of Eiffel Tower in Paris

London — Rod Stewart has proposed to his longtime girlfriend at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Stewart’s record company said Saturday.

Record label BMG said Stewart, 60, went down on one knee and proposed to 33-year-old Penny Lancaster at the French landmark on Wednesday. She accepted.

BMG said the couple, who have dated for more than five years, plan to marry later this year.

Lancaster’s agent, Nicholas Young, said the couple would make wedding plans once Stewart’s divorce from model Rachel Hunter is finalized.

The raspy-voiced rock star was previously married to Alana Stewart.

Fur in JLo’s fashion line draws PETA’s attention

New York — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants Jennifer Lopez to “Get Right” when it comes to fur.

Lopez introduced her Sweetface fashion collection during New York Fashion Week last month.

“Please don’t support Jennifer Lopez or her bloody business,” says a Web site — http://www.jlodown.com — that the animal rights group has devoted to Lopez. “Many hot designers, including Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Todd Oldham, Marc Bouwer, and others have … created synthetic alternatives that are hip, humane, and easily available and don’t turn animals into fashion victims.”

Calls to Lopez’s publicist weren’t immediately returned Friday.