FROM THE NEWS DESK: Reaction To Falwell (May 15, 2007)

“Dr. Falwell was a man of distinguished accomplishment who devoted his life to serving his faith and country.” – Sen. John McCain.

“Over the years we became friends; sometimes we had polar opposite points of view. … I have many fond memories of him…” – The Rev. Jesse Jackson. “Jerry Falwell politicized religion and failed to understand the genius of our Constitution, but there is no denying his impact on American political life” -The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church andState.

And perhaps the most interesting point of view came from Larry Flynt, who fought very public battles with Falwell.

“My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face-to-face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. … I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.” – Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt. I GUESS HE FORGOT: Late Monday the Sheriff of Maricopa County Arizona, Joe Arpaio, had his people send out a News Release saying he called L.A. County Sheriff Lee Bacca and offered to take Paris Hilton off Bacca’s hands. So The Heiress could serve her Whole 45 Days in the sweltering heat of Arpaio’s notorious Tent City jail. What his people forgot to mention in the so-called News Release is that Bacca turned him down.

ONE-LINERS: It’s now official; Denise Richards and Richie Sambora have broken up (sigh.) Today his people wouldn’t talk but her people tried to tell us it happened months ago. That’s another way of trying to turn it into a non-story. Six Degrees; What’s the connection between Legendary TV Mafioso Tony Soprano and Legendary Dead Rocker Buddy Holly: Tony’s TV daughter Drea de Matteo is having a baby with boyfriend Shooter Jennings.. Shooter is the son of Good Old Boy Waylon Jennings.. Jennings played in Buddy Holly’s band and was supposed to be on the Death Plane with Holly.

MOST POWERFUL?: Are Fame and Power one and the same? The New York Post apparently thinks so. Their list of Most Powerful Women In New York has Hilary Clinton at #1, Diane Sawyer at #2. So far so good. But the list also has Beyonce and Rachael Ray in the top 10 (Rachael Ray?!) Other celebrities who made the Top 50 list include Scarlett Johansson at #12, Heidi Klum #17. Then the list really careens out of control; The Donald’s daughter, Ivanka, is ranked 23rd, Oprah’s special friend Gayle King is #25. And Kate Winslet is #26. Kate just Moved To The City Last Year!

That makes us hungry for real news.. send it to McGeorge.news@nbcuni.com.