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Julia Louis-Dreyfus CBS Photo Warwick Saint

“Douche” is just fine with Julia Louis-Dreyfus — and she doesn’t care who knows it.

The comedienne’s “The New Adventures of Old Christine” sitcom was cited in a recent New York Times page one article for its usage, 26 times this season, of the word that is unarguably offensive to some people.

Dreyfus is not one of those people. “I have to be honest. It makes me laugh,” she says of the word that, according to the Parents Television Council, has been used some 76 times this year on prime-time series. “I guess I’m crass. I don’t know, there’s something about the combination of vowels and consonants in the word I find inherently funny.” (As, apparently, does David Letterman, who mocked the Times’ story on his show this week.)

Julia, the mother of sons Henry and Charles, ages 17 and 12, respectively, adds, “I’m afraid I must admit I’ve heard the word in my house. I’ve tried to be stern about it, but just couldn’t keep a straight face.”

Julia says that, like her television alter ego who babies her son, she is finding it hard “to let go of my babies. It’s obvious they must grow up, but the whole separation thing is a bit of a bear.”

She refers to husband Brad Hall as “a wonderful man as involved in our children’s lives as I am. I’m fortunate that way. Also, being on a show with many working mothers makes everyone keenly aware that work is a juggling act, to get the job done and go home. The show is very well organized as a result.”

She can see the terrific “Christine” going on for some seasons yet, “but nothing lasts forever.” She does foresee Christine finally finding a love life, but says “There will definitely not be a happily-ever-after for her.” Why not? “Because it’s not funny,” says the very funny lady.

THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE…: “Grey’s Anatomy’s” Kevin McKidd admits to a certain degree of personal turmoil over the testing of his character, Owen’s, relationship with his beloved Cristina (Sandra Oh) — as Kim Raver’s heart surgeon character, Teddy, has appeared on the scene out of Owen’s past.

“I love Owen so much; he’s a really great character. And, I love Cristina very much. I find it hard, playing a character like this, I’m very attached to Owen’s happiness and contentment. I don’t want anything that disturbs that to happen, but the truth is, for it to be a drama, things have to happen,” acknowledges the actor. Expect the situation to intensify on tonight’s (11/19) episode.

MEANWHILE: The red-haired, Elgin, Scotland born and bred actor, who rose to fame in films including “Trainspotting,” addresses those internet reports that have him taking on the title character in a remake of the cult fave big-screen “The Highlander.”

“My agents are looking into this,” he says of the stories that have been cropping up for over a year. “There are a lot of rumors with my name being bandied around about it. It was a great film, it would be great if they’re remaking it.”

He can, for sure, be seen as the god Poseidon in “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” “Chris Columbus’ next big movie. It’s about a teenage boy in modern-day New York who discovers his actual father is the Greek god of the sea. It’s so different — a huge fantasy movie with big budget special effects — it was really a blast,” he says of the feature, scheduled for February 2010 release.

READY FOR HER CLOSEUP: Beautiful 20-year-old Katerina Graham, known to fans of the CW’s hit “Vampire Diaries” as the psychic novice witch Bonnie Bennett, certainly takes the responsibility of her role seriously.

“I’m constantly working on her, doing her back story,” says Graham, whose own back story is intriguing stuff (more on that later). “During the week, we were shooting the episode where she’s possessed, I was researching possession and people who’ve been said to be possessed — monks, gurus, priests — looking for any sort of religious findings to give myself a better perspective on how to go about playing it.”

She goes on, “Since my character’s ancestors were in the Salem witch trials, I read about those. I watched ‘The Crucible’ and ‘The Craft.’ I also watched ‘Dawson’s Creek’ to see how Kevin Williamson’s stories evolved, and ‘Kyle XY’ to see Julie Plec’s,” she says, referring to the “Vampire Diaries” co-creators’ past credits.

And, she’s viewed the previous work of “Vampire Diaries” director Marcos Siega, to understand him better, too. “There’s a lot of work that goes into playing a character,” she says.

Graham, whose grandfather was a UN Ambassador from Liberia, is the daughter of a Liberian father and a Russian Jewish mother. She was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and speaks four languages. With her father a music executive, Katerina has been around show business all her life and has been acting professionally since the age of six.

She has a long list of episodic credits including such shows as “The O.C.” and “Hannah Montana.” She’s also performed as a background dancer for names ranging from Lil’ Bow Wow to Missy Elliott and Jamie Foxx. Now, however, she’s focused completely on “Vampire Diaries,” which has a full 22-episode order from the network.

“I haven’t had a break in about two or three weeks. Thanksgiving I ‘m going to be with my family, cook, and have four days off. I’m definitely ready,” she says.

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

Susan Boyle, Meredith Vieira - NBC News photo

Quite some fuss being made over the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” clip currently getting lots of play on YouTube, in which Meredith Vieira refers to herself as a “horny old woman” as she blatantly flirts with a Naval officer contestant.

It’s no big deal, assures Meredith. The clip might seem new, she notes, but the fact is it came from an episode of the game show that shot some seven years ago, and has now, she figures, been rerun on The Game Show Network.

She’s hardly upset about the clip flap, figuring, “I’m flattered that some people evidently think I still look as I did seven years ago. I’m going to be 56 years old on December 30.”

She’s also glad the clip has brought added attention to “Millionaire.” “If it means getting more people in the tent, that’s great. Let’s face it, it’s hard to stay alive in syndication,” she adds, referring to the show that begins its “Million Dollar Tournament of Ten” Monday (11/9). “Though I still get my paycheck and as far as I know, things are fine.”

Meredith’s contract as co-host of “Today” expires next year and “Millionaire” the year after that. Thus far, she’s given little thought to renewal.

“I don’t tend to look far ahead, it makes me anxious,” she says. “I use the time to reflect on what I’m doing currently.”

That includes such ‘Today’ plans as the Nov. 18-20 guestings of “Twilight” and “New Moon” stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Also, the Thanksgiving week performances by Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys and, in her first live TV concert, “Britain’s Got Talent” sensation Susan Boyle.

“I don’t think I could get better than ‘Today,’” she says, “and I love ‘Millionaire.”

TWINKLE LITTLE STAR: Not only will viewers of Lifetime’s “Too Late to Say Goodbye” movie tomorrow (11/7) see Lauren Holly take on Rob Lowe in the true crime murder-mystery thriller drawn from Ann Rule’s best-selling book of the same title, they’ll also get a glimpse of possible future actor Henry Greco, age 5 — a.k.a. Lauren’s youngest son.

“He had a little part in it as one of my children, and it’s started a little career for him,” reports the actress, who now lives in Canada with her investment banker spouse, Francis Greco, and their three adopted boys.

Henry is rarin’ to go as an actor, she acknowledges, but notes with a laugh, “He’s also rarin’ to go to be an NHL star. As long as he loves acting, sure, he can try it. He goes to auditions. He feels really grown up, like it’s something we have in common. He was so good on the set and such a little professional.

“He’s grown up around sets. He was a fixture on ‘NCIS,’” recalls Holly, who informs that Henry’s done local commercials and talk show appearances. “He understands that it’s work and everyone has a job to do. In fact, he was quick to point out that a couple of the other kids maybe weren’t behaving the way they should have.”

Holly, who plays a woman adamant that her late sister would not have killed herself despite what the authorities say, hadn’t worked with Lowe before “Goodbye,” nor did she get a chance to get to know him before shooting began. “I met him the first day of production, but that was okay, because my character is suspicious of his.”

Lowe plays the brother-in-law who may not be quite the upstanding sort he wants people to believe. Interesting role for Rob.

THE VIDEOLAND VIEW: VH1′s pop culture recap show, “Best Week Ever,” has been put on a long hiatus, which has left fans wondering if the show is coming back. Host Paul F. Tompkins tells us he’s definitely out of a job, but he isn’t sure about the future of the show.

“My version of the show with me hosting is not coming back,” says Tompkins. “I had heard rumors that they may be bringing back the old format, but I haven’t heard an official word on that.”

When asked if he would go back to being one of the many on-air contributors if the show returned to its original style, he responds with a big fat NO! “I wouldn’t do it. I’m really proud of the show I did. I can’t go back after having hosted that show to just being one of many people. It would feel like a huge step back.”

However, the stand-up comedian says that won’t be the end of his TV days. “I’d love to get a steady gig hosting a television show again and that’s what I’m working on right now.”

In the meantime, Tompkins is hosting an episode of “Live at Gotham,” airing tonight (11/6) on Comedy Central. The show will feature the stand-up comedy of up and comers Nick Kroll, Eric Krug, Kent Haines, Thai Rivera, Daniel Kilpatrick, and Kumail Nanjiani.

“It was just a ball. It really took me back to the days I started out in standup when I would host the open mics,” he says. “All the comics were great. Nick Kroll is a buddy of mine who is really funny. Thai, who is this young, openly gay comic on there was really polished. You’re definitely going to be hearing from him. This is a great way for these younger comics to get that TV exposure to help bring them to a wider audience.”

CASTING CORNER: Casting is underway for the actress who’ll play intrepid surfer Bethany Hamilton in the movie biography “Soul Surfer,” which is set to roll in January. You’ll recall the story of the young surfing champ who made a remarkable comeback after losing her arm in a near-fatal 2003 shark attack.

Her pluck won her recognition including a Teen Choice Award and an ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete of the Year. Obviously, it’s a role that will require some serious physicality.

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

Amy Poehler NBC photo Mitchell Haaseth

Things could not be much busier for Amy Poehler, but if she’s feeling stressed, it certainly isn’t hurting her sense of humor.

We caught up with the blond dynamo, who’s enjoying the kudos that have been heaped on her “Parks and Recreation” series in this, its second season — and the fact that the zany show has been given a full-season pickup by NBC.

As much as “Parks” is occupying her attention, however, she does have other projects going, not to mention her and husband Will Arnett’s one-year-old son at home.

“We are working on ‘Lunch Lady,’” she says of the big-screen movie in which she’s to play a hairnet-wearing cafeteria worker who doubles as a heroic crime fighter. “Lots of good things are happening. We are expanding my web series ‘Smart Girls At the Party’ and continuing work on ‘The Mighty B” — the Nickelodeon show she co-created and produces, and for which she provides the title voice.

And, as if all that weren’t enough, she adds, none-too-seriously, “And I’m writing, starring, directing and producing the next in the ‘Oceans’ series, ‘Oceans 14.’”

Um-hm.

How about return visits to “Saturday Night Live?” When might she pop up in her old stomping grounds?

“I hope soon. I can’t wait to sit under the bleachers with Lorne and watch the show,” she responds, referring, of course, to producer Lorne Michaels.

And, one more thing. Outside of when the Secretary of State appeared on “SNL,” has Amy communicated with the political icon she’s often imitated, Hillary Rodham Clinton?

“Only telepathically.”

WHAT’S IMPORTANT: News last week that Dennis Hopper is battling prostate cancer made his comments to this column a few weeks ago — about being grateful for his health — particularly poignant.

“I’ve got a wonderful life — and that’s a miracle,” said the actor and 60′s icon. “After so many years of drug and alcohol abuse, I should be dead.”

Hopper is being treated through a program at USC.

BIG HAIRY DEAL: If you think Gordon Ramsay is a tough cookie in the kitchen, then you haven’t seen Tabatha Coffey’s sassy style in a salon. The outspoken Aussie has hairdressers running for cover as she’s back for a second season of “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover,” premiering tonight (11/3) on Bravo.

Tabatha tells us despite what people think of her less-than-friendly tactics, it all comes from a place of wanting to help.

“I understand that it’s really hard for them because I guess I am outspoken. I like to think that I’m just really honest,” she notes. “I really want to help them and it doesn’t do any good to pussyfoot around and not tell them the truth. I’ve got to tell them what needs to change to make their business better.

“To some people, that’s really hard to hear. It takes time over the week that I’m with them for them to kind of realize where I’m coming from, and it is actually coming from a good place. It’s coming from a place of trying to help them.”

While getting these salons to change their bad habits isn’t easy, Tabatha claims the rewards are far greater than the stress.

“That’s probably the thing that gets me going more than anything. They really do need help and sometimes, the people in the salon don’t want to change or the owner does. It becomes really, really frustrating,” she says. “With this season, there are some really interesting stories, but as always, there’s drama.

“For me, though, the most rewarding part is when I can see that people get it and they are working hard to change their business. It’s nice when I get e-mails from the salons or the stylists who will reach out to me and tell me that I’ve really made a difference.”

ALL FIGURED OUT:  Eleven-year-old “Zeke and Luther” co-star Ryan Newman is a math-loving girl — who’s in an advanced math program she manages to fit in daily in addition to her regular on-the-set schooling and camera calls. “I’m transitioning from pre-algebra to algebra,” reports Ryan. She loves working with numbers, she says, “because there’s a right answer.”

Ryan Newman Disney XD photo Jaimie Trueblood

 Newman is also into fashion and music and has other interests. She’s hoping that she can inspire young female fans to not hesitate to use their brains.

“My advice is to be as smart as you can be, to try your hardest in whatever you’re doing. Yeah, I’m kind of a nerd, but I’m not nerdy,” notes the very hip young lady, who also got her gal pal next door to join the math program. “I feel that being smart and well spoken is a very important thing — well, besides being a good person.”

Newman wants to continue her acting career (it started when she was three) when she grows up. For now, she loves “Zeke and Luther” and goofing around with her cast mates, Hutch Dano and Adam Hicks. They had a Silly String fight shortly before our chat, in fact.

Ahead for her on the skateboard-centric show, her character Ginger is going to do some skateboarding. “I’m very excited about that happening,” she says. “I’m not that great at it. I can push and balance, but I can’t do any tricks.”

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster