People in the News: Forget the hunks, Mischa liked the girl kiss

Saturday, January 29, 2005

A racy TV series just isn't a racy TV series these days without a lesbian love scene. A flash of bare tush just doesn't cut it anymore.

"The O.C." is about to become the latest show to climb aboard the lesbian love train, reports New York's Daily News. Star Mischa Barton (Marissa) will soon be locking lips with co-star Olivia Wilde (Alex) and is crowing about the ease of going over to the fem side after her succession of he-hunks.


	Barton

Proclaims the 19-year-old Barton: "Olivia's a cool girl and we had fun doing it. It's probably easier than it is most times with the boys that they bring on the show to be my love interest."

This isn't exactly a rave review for the up-close-and-way-personal talents of Chris Carmack, Benjamin McKenzie and Nicholas Gonzalez, who've all had their chance to romance Mischa's Marissa is previous "O.C." episodes. Perhaps it's time, guys, to enroll in Remedial Kissing 101.

It's no longer open season on Nicole Kidman, at least for two annoying photogs who have made the Aussie actress fear for her life.

World Entertainment News Network reports that an Australian court magistrate has OK'd a restraining order against lensmen Jamie Fawcett and Ben McDonald after a high-speed Nicole chase last weekend through the streets of Sydney. The duo reportedly pursued Kidman in an eerie Diana-esque fashion, not only giving chase with excessive speed but also ignoring stoplights and traffic direction.

The restraining order should give Nicole some Excedrin relief from such perilous escapades, but the 37-year-old's rep also told reporters, "Nicole would like to make it clear that she acknowledges she is a public figure and that reporters and photographers have a job to do and she respects that. However, these are specific actions against two individuals who, over a period of time, have caused her to feel threatened, intimidated and unable to leave her home without fearing for her safety."

Celeb pursuit, as the magistrate ruled, should indeed have its limits.

Sorry, bettors out there, it's too late to put down some pounds on the next James Bond.

This week's Academy Awards nominations tabbed Brit Clive Owen as a supporting actor finalist for "Closer" and prompted such a run of Clive bets to replace as 007 that London bookies have closed shop on the Bondian wagering, reports World Entertainment News Network.

Owen now stands as a 5-2 fave, trailed at 4-1 by Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor.

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A spokester for oddsmakers William Hill relates, "Owen's nomination sparked a betting frenzy from James Bond fans. They feel his heightened global recognition has done his chances of being the next Bond a world of good."

Besides "Closer," the 30-year-old rising stud starred in the 2004 deconstructionist version of "King Arthur" directed by Antoine Fuqua.

-- P-I reporter J.D. Marshall

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