Tom gets fresh

The marketing team at Stetson Cologne has picked a prime time to unveil another provocative picture of its spokesmodel Tom Brady. Released to "Entertainment Tonight," People magazine, and, of course, the Globe, the picture shows the bare-chested QB standing in some water with a winsome young blonde languidly wrapped around him. Citing his "rugged sophistication" and "masculine spirit," Stetson signed Gisele Bundchen's boyfriend to a two-year endorsement deal last fall. The new cologne - Stetson Fresh - won't be available until March, but since all eyes are on Brady as the Pats prepare for the Super Bowl, Stetson decided now is as good a time as any to flog their fragrance.

NFL Hall of Famer John Hannah likes the Patriots' chances against the Giants in the Super Bowl - um, no surprise there. But the former offensive lineman, who played his whole career with the Pats, doesn't think it'll be easy. "It's going to be a tough ballgame," Hannah said yesterday. "I'd like to see the Patriots force Eli Manning to get out and really have to carry that team." Hannah added quickly that Bill Belichick and company don't need his help - not that he wouldn't offer if he could. "If I had healthy knees," he said, "I'd still be out on that field."

John Irving was at Walnut Hill School this week, where the celebrated "Cider House Rules" author talked about writing. Now in its second year, Walnut Hill's celebrity series gives students an opportunity to meet masters of their craft, including Irving, poet Derek Walcott, dancer Ethan Stiefel, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, dancer Donna McKechnie, and photographer Chuck Close.

Whatever you think of Mitt Romney as a politician, give the guy credit for having kids with a sense of humor. The Republican presidential candidate got punk'd by his boy Matt on the eve of the Michigan primary, and the entertaining video's now posted on the campaign's Five Brothers blog. In the vid - fivebrothers.mittromney.com/blog/comments/376 - Romney's eating when he's told that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is on the phone. Romney takes the call, and asks what he can do for the governator. "First, I would just like to get to know you," says Schwarzenegger. Looking a little puzzled, Romney replies: "Well, we've had the chance to - ," but Schwarzenegger interrupts him. "I want to ask you a bunch of questions and I want to have them answered immediately," he says. If that sounds like a line from one of Arnold's films, it is. Mischievous Matt Romney is sitting at a computer and playing movie clips into the phone. The candidate finally catches on when Schwarzenegger asks: "Who's your daddy and what does he do?" At that, former Massachusetts governor smirks and hangs up.

The housing slump isn't affecting Hollywood types. Ben Affleck and his wife, Jennifer Garner, were out house-hunting in LA yesterday, and they perused a prospective new pad that's on the market for $22.5 million. Even for a mansion in Bel Air, that seems pricey. Brookline's own Conan O'Brien last week bought a six-bedroom spread in Brentwood for a mere $10.5 million.

Mark Wahlberg is sure not hurting for work. The Oscar nominee will play the lead in director Peter Berg's film about international drug dealer Jon Roberts. (Roberts's story was previously told in the documentary "Cocaine Cowboys.") But before he becomes a coke dealer, Wahlberg's got a few other movies to make. The Dorchester-bred actor, who's currently shooting "The Lovely Bones" with director Peter Jackson, is slated to play "Irish" Micky Ward in a biopic about the boxing legend from Lowell, and he's also on the hook for "The Brazilian Job," a sequel of sorts to "The Italian Job." . . . In other movies news, LA producer David Hoberman has two movies about to start shooting in Boston, so he's moving his whole family here. Hoberman is producing "The Surrogates," which stars Bruce Willis, and "The Proposal," whose cast includes Sandra Bullock and Scarlett Johansson's boyfriend Ryan Reynolds.

Filmmaker Rob Meyer is having a surreal few days. The Newton native's short film "Aquarium" is screening at the Sundance Film Festival. He sat on a panel for young filmmakers with actor-director Dennis Hopper and filmmaker Morgan Spurlock. Not to mention brunching with Quentin Tarantino. "People have been responding well to the film," Meyer told us. "That's most important." Before heading off to film school, Meyer worked as a producer for "Nova" at WGBH for four years. "Aquarium" was filmed here - including two nights at the New England Aquarium - and was Meyer's thesis project. "They don't give letter grades, but it was well received," Meyer said. "It got me here."

Jam'n 94.5 DJ Maverik has crafted an inspired reworking of the hip-hop hit "Low," turning it into a Pats fight song you can dance to. The remix of the track by Flo Rida replaces lyrics about a girl and her Apple Bottoms jeans with lines like: "Since we got Randy, he stole the show, coming down with anything Tom Brady throw." Another rhyme goes: "18 and 0, 18 and 0. One more to go. Super Bo-o-o-wl." OK, listen for yourselves. The minute-and-a-half remix, which Maverik unveiled yesterday on the morning show with Ramiro and Pebbles, can be heard at boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extras/01_11_2008_pats_song/

Patriots receiver Wes Welker likes the oysters and the chowder at the Union Oyster House. Owner Joe Milano, who's heading to Arizona for the Super Bowl, reports that No. 83 made a return trip yesterday to chow down.

Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.