Mr. Hugs

State Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks) is such a friendly fellow that he’s earned the nickname “Hugsberg” up in Sacramento. We shared a table with him at Sunday night’s Governors Ball, where Hertzberg kneaded our aching back and shoulders, then took us with him to work the room.

Just a few steps away, we encountered Oscar-winning Marcia Gay Harden (“Pollock”). Before the speaker could lay a hug on the best supporting actress, she was fussing over him. Harden said she sure hoped he fixes the energy crisis soon, adding, “Right now you need someone to solve the crisis of your necktie.” She made a few adjustments before sending Hertzberg on his way.

Harden, who gushed onstage over her “Pollock” director and co-star, Ed Harris, said she wished she’d had more time for thank-yous during her acceptance speech. “They only give you 45 seconds. I would have said thank you to my teachers if I’d had more time.” And she predicted a lasting side effect should Hollywood hit the picket line this summer: “It’ll be interesting to see what kind of baby boom comes out of the strike.” Harden was last seen at 3 a.m., exiting Morton’s and joyously shouting, “I closed the Vanity Fair party!”