Moynahan's work keeps her in the East

By Carol Beggy & Mark Shanahan, Globe Staff  |  July 19, 2006

Bridget Moynahan's new starring role on the J.J. Abrams's ABC drama ``Six Degrees" is not going to interfere with her spending time with Pats QB Tom Brady, she said yesterday at the Television Critics Association summer conference in Pasadena, Calif. The show, it turns out, is shot in New York. ``I think the schedule is going to be five days a week. We'll still have weekends free," she said. ``What's nice about it is there are six main characters so the schedule is going to be flexible." Moynahan's character is a successful advertising executive with a handsome but noncommittal boyfriend. In the pilot episode, she will ask this man to marry her but he will refuse. Moynahan's reaction? ``I like the idea. I just didn't like the idea of him saying `no.' What is that about?"

Smith says he and Affleck are still tight

Kevin Smith's not angry at Ben Affleck. Appearing yesterday on ``Live With Regis and Kelly," the ``Clerks II" director said he and Ben are still good buddies -- contrary to what you may have read. Smith told Kelly Ripa that a certain Boston newspaper (hint: it ain't us) was all wrong when it reported he was upset because Ben didn't cast him in ``Gone, Baby, Gone." Smith said he even addressed it on his blog. Smith sums up his feeling this way: ``Lesson learned: if you do press in Boston, and somebody asks you about Ben, just refuse to comment or say anything about the man. Don't joke about him. Don't even say the word `Ben.' Because when you do, this kinda [expletive] happens." . . . Haverhill's Jeff ``Hell Raza" Fraza, who was bounced from the boxing reality show ``The Contender" after coming down with the chickenpox last year, returned to the show for last night's premiere on ESPN. Fraza was one of the 16 finalists when the show debuted (on NBC) in the fall of 2004. He came down with the contagious disease early in the taping and was sent back to Massachusetts. Also making a run for the top boxing spot is Gary ``Tiger" Balletto, who calls Johnston, R.I., home.

Justice Breyer stays the day at Fenway

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer made a day of it yesterday at Fenway Park. The Harvard alum and former Harvard law professor spoke on his book ``Active Liberty: Interpreting Our Democratic Constitution" at a lunch that was part of the Fenway Park Writers Series. And last night, he took in the game at the EMC Club while a few of his law clerks watched from the State Street Pavilion .

Will Ferrell spent yesterday at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common promoting the movie ``Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," which he wrote and stars in. . . . A day after leaving thegame because of a back injury, Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield joined Bernie & Phyl's Furniture's Bernie Rubin at the Home for Little Wanderers' Boston Early Intervention program in Brighton.

Designer Joseph Abboud said he can only wish his colleague Diane von Furstenberg, queen of the wrap dress, well on her election as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. ``Some people tried to position us against each other or that this was more dramatic; it wasn't. She'll do a great job," said the Boston native, who was also on the ballot. Elected at a private meeting of the 26-member board, von Furstenberg is the first new president of the 280-member organization in 16 years. But it won't mean Abboud, who sold his company in 2005, has a load of free time on his hands. The former Louis Boston salesman has about a year left on his ``non-compete" clause with the company that bears his name. He's also finishing up a novel, teaches at Fordham, and has a TV pilot already in the can. And then there's his love of baseball. ``Yes, the Red Sox take priority," Abboud said. ``It doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's the truth."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and his family dined at Orla and Michael Lascola's American Seasons restaurant on Nantucket the other night. But the Secret Service types who came with the senator from Tennessee didn't seem to throw restaurant staffers off their routines. We guess that's old hat to the American Seasons crew because the eatery is a fave of Senator John Kerry and his wife, Teresa, who are island regulars. .content>

Suzanne C. Ryan of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.