PARIS HILTON IS OUT OF JAIL!

At 12:15 this morning, Paris Hilton was released from jail. She didn't say anything to the many photographers, but she did one of the four things we know she knows how to do. Smile. The others are; go to parties, obey laws that are convenient for her to obey and cry for her mother.

Paris Hilton has managed to live her life of leisure very publicly. So publicly, that recently, a lot of people, like NBC's Matt Lauer have wondered why we care or feel we should care about her. I mean, we're talking about someone who's pretty much a spoiled brat who's been enabled by (among others) her mother, which is where that crying to her mother when she was hauled back to jail comes from.

Here's why I think people have cared about Paris Hilton. Because she seemed to be bulletproof.

Who among us wouldn't like to do whatever we wanted to do, whenever we wanted to do it, consequences be damned.

Life allows a little of that, but if you overplay your hand, it catches up to you.

And when it catches up to you, you gotta "take the hit". You swaggered before you had to experience a "reality check", so when that happens, continue to swagger, but do it respectfully. Accept your punishment and come back out a little wiser, but with your swagger intact.

When Paris Hilton cried for her mother, that was an understandable action for most folks. But when your bulletproof image is at stake and image is the only thing you have, crying for mom can be lethal.

This might be wishful thinking on my part, but I believe that unless Paris Hilton does something really dramatic to turn her life around, the Paris Hilton thing is over. I mean, she better put on one hell of a performance when she's on with Larry King tomorrow night.

FRED THOMPSON AND HIS INTERESTING ENDORSERS:

Unannounced Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson continues to climb in the polls and if his ex-wife and former girlfriends are a good barometer, Mr. Thompson (if he runs) might be some kind of catnip vote getter as far as women voters are concerned.

Examples: Thompson's 26-year marriage to Sarah Knestrick ended in 1984. She plans to campaign for him. Country singer Lorrie Morgan dated Thompson for quite a while and she told London's Sunday Times, "I think he has a great chance of capturing the women's vote. He's majestic. He's a soft, safe place to be and that could be Fred's ticket. Women love a soft place to lay and a strong pair of hands to hold us."

Short Commentary: Whoa! Attention every guy who's reading this! Do any of you have ex-flames who say stuff like Lorrie Morgan said about her ex-Fred?!?

There's more. Another old girlfriend is Republican fund-raiser Georgette Mosbacher who said Thompson would defeat Hillary Clinton because of his appeal to "traditional women who will like the Southern gentleman in him."

In 2002, Thompson married Jeri Kehn, who is 24 years younger than he is. Shoot, that'll help with the men's vote, won't it?

OTHER CELEBRITY NEWS:

Rosie O'Donnell says she's had her meeting with "Price Is Right" producers and that she won't be the new host of that show.

80+ years old Hugh Hefner has approved a movie that will be made about his life. Brett Ratner is on board to direct. Question: Who the heck will play Hugh Hefner? One assumes that he would have choices based on vanity, but Hef is not a particularly handsome man. If you were casting the part, who would you recommend for the role of Hugh Hefner? Please tell me at scottstjames@sbcglobal.net Who would be my choice? I don't have a clue.

THREE TELEVISION SHOWS:

Yesterday, I saw the 3rd episode of "John from Cincinnati", the 2nd episode of "Meadowlands" and the 2nd episode of the new season of "Entourage".

I thought (and wrote) that the first episode of "John from Cincinnati" was well acted stupidity. I thought the second episode was well acted, but a little weird. The 3rd episode? I'm totally confused. Is the "John" character some kind of alien from outer space? What's up with this miracle bird that seems to have healing powers? Why does series creator David Milch have actors doing dialogue that reminds us of "Deadwood"? I have more questions, but I'll watch episode 4 and hope I get some answers. Know this; "John from Cincinnati" is either brilliant or the dumbest thing that's ever been on television.

"Meadowlands'" second episode was creepy. I will watch the 3rd episode, but if it doesn't lighten up the "creepy" aspect, I might switch to that show about Army wives that's making a lot of noise.

The new season's 2nd episode of "Entourage" was fun to watch television. I mean, don't they load that show up with just some of the most likeable bunch of characters you're ever gonna watch?

KOBE BRYANT'S POWER PLAY:

Are the Lakers going to get Kevin Garnett? If so, that will be because of Kobe poppin' off about wanting "out of here". Wouldn't it be something if the Lakers do get Garnett and Kobe says he still wants to be traded?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you read this before pictures have been added, come back! Pictures will be up soon. A new blog is written every morning, Monday through Friday and is posted between 7 and 7:15, Pacific Time. Sometimes earlier. Questions and comments can be sent to scottstjames@sbcglobal.net I do write back.

TOMORROW: New traffic laws for us to consider on the 1st of July, the health insurance problem that has resulted in a frightening number of Americans who don't have health insurance and some more celebrity news.