Maria Shriver gets testy in lobby of Four Seasons

Maria Shriver, wife of California GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, got snappy in the lobby of the Four Seasons on Tuesday while talking extensively with actor Ashton Kutcher. Shriver, talking with Kutcher about the “passion” of the day, grew angry after she noticed ITK to her right waiting to talk with Kutcher.

“This is a private conversation,” Shriver snapped, as Kutcher remained calm and silent. “What are you writing?”

In actuality, ITK was writing down their names and the color of Kutcher’s sneakers (blue with white shoelaces), nothing more. Still, Shriver wouldn’t accept it. “Then what are you writing? What are you writing?”

Shriver, first lady of California, was formerly a broadcast journalist. She was a contributing anchor for “Dateline NBC” until 2003.

McDermott gives Sting Inauguration tickets

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) called President Obama’s Inauguration “the biggest day of my political life,” but the night before may have been the most memorable.

On Monday night, he found himself at The Huffington Post party face to face with Sting.

A few days before Inauguration, the congressman was asked if he had any Inauguration tickets.

McDermott did, as some people had canceled plans to attend.

Who wanted the tickets?

Sting, he was told.

Sure thing, he said.

But there was one condition: He would give to Sting directly. No courier.

So they met at the Huffington Post party Monday night.

Unfortunately, the camera didn’t work.

“We borrowed a camera from back home, and when we tried to take a picture, it didn’t work,” McDermott said. “He said, ‘That’s OK. When I’m in Washington, get in touch and maybe we can work something out.’ ”

Oprah tapes show live from The Liaison Capitol Hill

Some 60 Friends of Oprah (FOOs) were expected to attend a private live taping of her show at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Art and Soul restaurant at The Liaison Capitol Hill hotel. Those there to view the show were given tickets ahead of time. Guests included actor Forest Whitaker and singer Jon Bon Jovi.

Oprah and her staff have the restaurant space to themselves all day long. Oprah’s longtime chef, Art Smith, runs the place.

“The staff at Art and Soul and Affinia’s Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel are so excited to welcome Ms. Oprah Winfrey and her staff for their very special post-Inauguration show — what a great way for all of us to wrap up this fantastic four days of Inauguration celebration,” said General Manager Dani Elhachem. “Chef Art Smith will also be cooking up his famous cinnamon rolls for the show.”

Overheard: Female staffer getting on Rayburn subway

A female staffer with a large bag of gear was getting onto the subway in the basement of the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday morning.

“I was drying my hair and thought to myself, ‘Every second you’re drying your hair another car is getting in ahead of you, so I packed my hairdryer and got in the car.’ “

‘Friday Night Lights’ star impressed by Capitol

Connie Britton, looking glamorous in a long, sleeveless, copper-hued gown as she made her way into the Creative Coalition’s 2009 ball, expressed how enamored she is of the Capitol dome.

“It’s always just so great to go to the Capitol,” said Britton, who, on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights,” plays a high school guidance counselor and football coach’s wife. “I’m always amazed by the beauty and grandeur of it.”

Stars galore in lobby of Four Seasons

Ashton. Demi. Samuel L. Aretha.

The lobby of the Four Seasons in Georgetown was a parade of stargazing Tuesday afternoon after President Obama’s Inauguration speech. As regular hotel guests flooded in from the Mall, stars convened in the lobby. Guests did not approach them for autographs, but did speak of them in hushed tones.

Ashton Kutcher was bundled in a dark hat, dark wool coat, striped pants and blue sneakers.

Kutcher’s wife, Demi Moore, was standing nearby.

Next to pass through the lobby was Aretha Franklin, who sang “My Country ’Tis of Thee” before Joe Biden was sworn in as vice president. Franklin, wearing a sparkly gray hat, strode into the hotel alongside Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, Latanya Richardson.

Aretha’s nephew says Inauguration was ‘breathtaking’

Aretha Franklin’s nephew, Vaughn Franklin, was very taken by the day and Obama’s speech.

“It was great, it was fabulous,” he told ITK. “As far as the eye could see there were people supporting the new president. Looking around me, people were crying.”

Vaughn spent much of Tuesday afternoon in the lobby of the Four Seasons, where he and his aunt were staying.

He traveled to Washington this week from Knoxville, Tenn., and said he and his aunt planned to attend the Legends Ball on Tuesday night. He said Aretha would not perform, but would attend as a guest.

While Vaughn was proud that his aunt had performed at Inauguration, he said he doesn’t get awestruck by her. “I look at her as an aunt, instead of the Queen of Soul,” he said, smiling.

As for Obama being president: “It’s really hard to put into words, to be honest with you,” he said. “Just seeing him on stage representing all races — it’s an occasion you’ll never forget.”

While staying at the hotel, Vaughn said he had ridden in the elevator with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. He had seen Cher. On Monday night, he spent time talking with Samuel L. Jackson in the hallway.

“Everyone is just excited,” he said of the stars staying in his midst. “The country is ready for change.”

Makeup artist waits on Denzel’s wife

With a black Obama button pinned to her lapel, Kendall Green, a Baltimore makeup artist, said she wasn’t able to trek down to the Mall for President Obama’s speech.

She had no problem, however, making the cold walk from Dupont Circle to the Four Seasons on Tuesday afternoon to be on call to do makeup for Pauletta Washington, wife of Denzel Washington, for a ball that evening.

By 2 p.m., Green was awaiting a call from the Washingtons as to when she should come up to their room.

Pauletta Washington had booked Green for the entire day. Green charges between $500 and $2,000, depending on time and travel.

She was excited at the prospect of doing Pauletta’s makeup and said she knew what she was going to do, having looked up pictures of her online to study.

But even more exciting was the prospect of running into Denzel. “If I see him, I’m really going to be excited,” Green said, barely able to contain herself at the thought.

Green trained at MAC and has been freelancing and working at MAC for three years.