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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A rose-colored glasses ‘View’?

Barbara Walters (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

So you think the ladies of “The View” don’t get along?

Things have never been more cordial, says Barbara Walters, co-creator and co-host of the weekday ABC talk show.

The program has her and Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd debating “hot topics.”

“I don’t know of any five women who get along as well as we do,” Walters says.

“We see each other off-camera. Whoopi is having a big Christmas party for everybody. Last week, Whoopi, Joy and I had dinner together.”

Only illness kept Hasselbeck and Shepherd away from the latter event, she says.

The conservative Hasselbeck and liberal Behar “love sparring,” with never any hard feelings, says Walters.

There was speculation Hasselbeck was headed to Fox News following a particularly pointed argument over Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s vice-presidential qualifications.

Walters points to the show’s robust ratings.

“We’re happy,” she says, “and the show’s success reflects that.”

Laughing in her stars?

Brooke Burke wants to follow her “Dancing With the Stars” triumph with a sitcom.

Burke, who hosted E!’s “Wild On,” has had bit parts on “Monk,” “Less Than Perfect,” “The Bernie Mac Show” and “Las Vegas.”

“I’d love to do a sitcom!” she tells E! Online. “I just want to make sure that I’m really passionate about the next thing I do, because I poured my heart and soul into (‘Dancing’).”

New ‘Idol’ curiosity

The next installment of “American Idol” might feature a few semi-celebrities.

The 200 wannabes at a recent “Idol Boot Camp” reportedly included one of Donny and Marie Osmond’s nephews; Miss New York USA Danielle Roundtree; Anna Kaelin, daughter of Dean Kaelin, “Idol” runner-up David Archuleta’s vocal coach; and one of “Idol” finalist Jason Castro’s younger brothers.

Houston, we have a denial

Whitney Houston’s publicist says rumors of a reunion with Bobby Brown are “a complete fabrication.”

Houston and Brown divorced in 2007 after 14 tumultous, drug-addled years of marriage.

Shaking, or stirring, it up

Roger Moore says Daniel Craig is “marvelous” as James Bond because he brings a fresh dimension to the character.

Moore, 81, praised Craig’s acting in “Casino Royale” on Thursday, though he said he hasn’t yet seen “Quantum of Solace.”

In his new autobiography, Moore wrote that when asked about recent Bond films, he always says, “Sorry, I’ve never seen them,” adding: “That saves lying!”

The birthday bunch

Bluesman John Mayall is 75. Actress Diane Ladd is 73. Comedian Garry Shandling is 59. Director Joel Coen is 54. Actor-comedian Howie Mandel is 53. Actress Kim Delaney (“NYPD Blue”) is 47. Actor Tom Sizemore is 47. Actor Andrew McCarthy is 46. Actor Don Cheadle is 44. Singer Jonathan Knight (New Kids on the Block) is 40. Actress Gena Lee Nolin is 37. Actress Anna Faris is 32. Rapper The Game is 29. Actor Lucas Black is 26.