Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

Kermit the Frog was surprised — and pleased — to learn about the viral Internet photo spread comparing him to actor Christian Bale. He tells us, "I had absolutely no idea. But now that I look at the internet, there sure are a lot of similarities between us."

Notes the veteran superstar, "Christian and I haven't met, but I'm really looking forward to talking to him about this. As for the rumors that we're related: well, it's pretty unlikely, but since I'm one of 2,353 brothers and sisters, anything is a possibility."

With Paul Williams in the Primetime Emmy Awards running for his "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" music, Kermit was kind enough to hop online with us to discuss the awards (the Muppets also got a Daytime Emmy music nom, for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade song "I Believe" by Wesley Whatley and William Schermerhorn) — as well as Muppet news and more.

The frog was quick to tell us how pleased he is for Williams: "Not only is he a great talent and a wonderful person, but he's even taking Miss Piggy to the Emmys. He doesn't know it yet...but he will once he reads this."

Kermit didn't have much to say about the new Muppet feature that's in the works. ("We're still in the middle of figuring out how to print out the script.") However, with "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" coming out on DVD the end of September, he was eager to let us know: "We're excited, cause there's great extra footage in there that we didn't have time to include when it aired on television."

Considering his amazing record of success and vast international popularity, we can't help wondering how Kermit stays so grounded, and what's his philosophy of life.

"How have I stayed grounded? Well, it helps to be only about 13 inches tall, and have your feet firmly stuck in the mud," he responds. "I believe that every day is like a gift that you should unwrap with as much excitement and anticipation as you can.

And no matter what gift is inside, you always smile and say thanks."

Hey, Kermit — thanks.

ONE TOO MANY HATS: Brooke Hogan, who has her hands full as a singer and reality TV star, tells us she has no plans to get into scripted projects.

That is, unless, of course, the right role comes along. "My agent keeps trying to get me into acting. I personally don't think I'm the best actor, but I have fun doing it. I get calls for it, so I might try it at some point," she finally admits. "I really want to stay true to the music. I don't want to be one of those people who flies around and does all kind of stuff, but it kind of comes with the territory."

Of late, Hogan's focus has been on her second album, "The Redemption." "I got to collaborate with my love interest, Stack$, who is also on the label. It was definitely a turn on to see somebody's talent and to be able to do it together. When you have a real relationship, the fact that we both love what we do and we got to do it together — it just came out so organically," says Hogan. She's very proud of the finished product. "I made music that I enjoy listening to, and I put my heart and soul into it. I just want people to be moved by it."

NOT SO BAD: West Coast Choppers owner Jesse James, who rose to fame with "Monster Garage," has always been considered a bad boy, but he tells us he thinks it comes more from his passion than it does any bad behavior. "I think because I do things my way and I'm not afraid to tell people to f-off or fight for what I believe in," says James, who is married to America's sweetheart Sandra Bullock.

If anything, James tells us he doesn't have time to get into trouble. "I think in today's day and age where people just go with the flow or punch a clock or settle for just whatever, I've always saw stuff I wanted or stuff I wanted to do and I worked hard to do it. There's plenty to keep me busy, but mostly I'm just thinking about the next bike I'm building for customers."

FOREIGN FLAVOR: With production under way on the Sam Raimi-produced post-apocalyptic horror thriller "Priest," casting is under way for a street scene that's obviously quite international, with notices calling for actors to fill the roles of vendors — one fluent in Mandarin Chinese, one in Farsi and one in Hindi, in addition to English. The film, being directed by Scott Stewart, stars Paul Bettany, Cam Gigandet, Maggie Q and "Star Trek's" Karl Urban — mixing it up in a world ravaged by a man versus vampire war.

With reports by Emily-Fortune Feimster

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2009 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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