She's losing her religion

Julia Sweeney isn't one of those celebs who ridicules religion. In fact, the former "SNL" star was raised Roman Catholic, and even as an adult regularly attended Mass. Then she looked a little closer. In Sweeney's new one-woman show, which she'll perform tonight at Harvard's Sanders Theatre, the comedian gives a gripping and occasionally gut-busting account of her journey from devotee to doubter. "Letting Go of God" is a follow-up of sorts to Sweeney's earlier show "God Said, Ha!," which Quentin Tarantino turned into a film. "I vowed I'd never do another monologue," said Sweeney, who hilariously played the androgynous "Pat" on "SNL." "This experience was just so profound, I wanted to talk about it." Needless to say, her parents were not thrilled to learn their daughter was a Humanist and philosophical naturalist. "They disowned me," she said. "But only for a few weeks."

Judge Lopez rules out reporter’s role

Former jurist-turned-TV-adjudicator Maria Lopez showed up in the Stan Lee comic "The Amazing Spider-Man" yesterday. In the strip published in the Globe's Sidekick section, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson approaches a TV reporter and, thinking he'll impress her, says: "You're Maria Lopez! I've seen your news show." (To her credit, the reporter shoots him down with a simple "That's nice.") Reached yesterday in Dallas, where she was promoting her syndicated TV court show, Lopez said she wouldn't be caught dead being a reporter, even in a comic strip. "You know what I think of reporters? Voyeurs!" said the Newton resident. "You've got to report on other people's lives? Why don't you live your own?"

‘Borat’ is a winner with Sox brass

Ever since Sox owner Tom Werner saw a screening of "Borat," and pronounced it the funniest film he's seen in 15 years, the Bosox brass have been big fans of the Kazakh TV talking head played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Last night, several members of the front-office family went to see a screening of "Borat" at the Regal Fenway, including CEO Larry Lucchino, COO Mike Dee, director of baseball ops Brian O'Halloran, assistant GM Jed Hoyer, marketing man Sam Kennedy, flacks Charles Steinberg and Doug Bailey, and ticketing types Rich Beaton and Ron Bumgarner.

R.I. wants to rescue ‘Waterfront’

Rhode Island's film bureau is appealing to CBS to save the TV drama "Waterfront," which network execs canceled before a single episode aired. Starring "Sopranos" costar Joe Pantoliano as an ethically challenged mayor, the show was partially shot in the Providence area. Film bureau boss Steve Feinberg is asking residents and others to contact CBS and insist that the suits reinstate the show. "We firmly believe that 'Waterfront' would be a serious ratings contender were the public allowed to see it," said Feinberg.

Carell filming in Providence

Acton's own Steve Carell was back in the area yesterday filming scenes for "Dan in Real Life." We spied "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and actress Brittany Robertson outside the Seven Stars Bakery in Providence. The Disney flick stars Carell as a dad who falls for a woman who just happens to be his brother's girlfriend, and costars Arlington native Dane Cook, Juliette Binoche, Dianne Wiest, and John Mahoney.

"Akeelah and the Bee" star Keke Palmer posed with Girls Scouts at yesterday's Leading Women Awards in Southie.

Raising money's good, clean fun for Medford maiden Maria Menounos. The "Access Hollywood" hottie has partnered with Tide to sell cleverly titled T-shirts, and proceeds benefit Menounos's charity, Take Action Hollywood!

Doug Flutie made a surprise appearance at City Sports on Boylston Street the other day, joining Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and bluesman James Montgomery, who were doing an in-store concert to promote next month's Red, White & Blue Award event. Flutie, who's this year's Red, White & Blue Award honoree, will be honored at Symphony Hall Nov. 13, with proceeds benefiting the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. . . . The pride of Foxborough, Joanna "JoJo" Levesque, was on Ellen DeGeneres's TV show yesterday, promoting her new hit "Too Little Too Late."

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