The power of 'The Shield'

When he first read the script for "The Shield," Michael Chiklis had his doubts. "I never thought it'd get produced, to tell you the truth," says the Andover-bred actor who plays the show's anti-hero, Detective Vic Mackey. "It was something I'd like to watch, but not necessarily something the studio would want." Fast-forward six years, one Emmy, and a Golden Globe later. "It's not too bold to say that we changed the face of basic cable and TV in general," Chiklis told us yesterday. "A lot of people in [Hollywood] took a look at us and said, 'Holy [expletive], what are they doing over there?" Last night, the groundbreaking FX drama commenced its seventh and final season, and Chiklis said fans of the show will be rewarded with one last wild ride. Suffice it to say there'll be no "Sopranos"-like finale. "We didn't want any blackouts," he said, chuckling. "There'll be no confusion about the ending." Next up for the BU grad is "Eagle Eye," a film costarring Shia LaBeouf, and perhaps a producing gig on a Boston-based TV series. "I've put my agents on high alert that if there's anything great going on in Boston, I want to do it," he said.

It's partially for selfish reasons that Tom Perrotta (inset) is taking part in an effort to save the Mark Twain House and Museum. The best-selling author from Belmont has never been to the historic Hartford home where Huck, Tom, and Jim were born, and he'd like to go. The "Little Children" author is among several writers who've agreed to take part in a Sept. 23 benefit for Samuel Clemens's former crib. "It's a little bit shocking that Twain's house would fall into disrepair," said Perrotta, noting that the residences of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott in Concord are well-maintained. "As Hemingway said, 'All modern American literature comes from "Huckleberry Finn." ' " Organized by Jon Clinch, author of "Finn," the benefit will also include readings by Tasha Alexander, Philip Beard, Andrew Carroll, David Gates, Robert Hicks, Phillip Lopate, Amy MacKinnon, Stewart O'Nan, and Arthur Phillips. Perrotta's book, "The Abstinence Teacher," comes out in paperback this week, and he said the hubbub over Sarah Palin's pregnant daughter could be good for business. "Everyone's talking about abstinence," he said. "It's like free advertising."

Expect to see even more of Gisele Bundchen in the new year. Tom Brady's supermodel sweetheart has replaced Carmen Electra as the new face of Max Factor. The cosmetics brand is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009, and who better to celebrate it than the Brazilian beauty? (The omnipresent Aphrodite is on the cover of the new issue of Arena magazine.) Ads for Gisele's Max Factor campaign - her ColorGenius Face Collection - won't start showing up in fashion mags until next month, but we scored a sneak peek. In other Bundchen business, we're told her Ipanema sandals have sold more than 25 million pairs, making them the No. 1 sandal in the world, usurping the top spot from Havaianas.

Dressed in jeans, sandals, and a T-shirt, Natalie Portman showed up at the Venice Film Festival yesterday looking more like the Harvard undergrad she used to be than the Hollywood starlet she is. The 27-year-old actress is at the festival to present her directorial debut, a short film called "Eve," which stars Lauren Bacall. Portman also received a humanitarian award for her social and environmental activism. (She donated her $50,000 prize to the Jane Goodall Institute in Tanzania.) Asked about directing, she said: "I was always interested in trying to write and direct. We have so much time off between filming as actors that we tend to get restless and we want a creative outlet. There is not always acting work that fulfills that need."

You can have your Youk and eat it, too. Phillips Candy House has created a candy bar inspired by Sox first/third baseman Kevin Youkilis, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the signature bar will benefit his charity Hits for Kids. The milk chocolate bar, called "Yoouukk!", will be on sale outside Fenway this afternoon, and is also available online at www.phillipschocolate.com. Meanwhile, Youkilis's new energy drink, called "Youk's Signature SlumpBuster," has finally shipped and is available at Walgreens stores throughout New England.

Sean "Diddy" Combs (inset) doesn't need an excuse to party. But he always seems to have one. Friday, the hip-hop impresario will host an "end-of-summer extravaganza" at Shrine, Ed Kane's club at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. This is Diddy's second shindig at Shrine since it opened in May. Tickets to this one cost a mere $100, or $250 if you want a sample the buffet in the VIP lounge.

The Beachside Bistro, one of the Summer House properties owned on Nantucket by Danielle deBenedictis and her husband, Peter Karlson, was hopping over the Labor Day weekend. Corporate kahuna Jack Welch and wife Suzy were in for dinner, as was former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe and wife Dorothy, and also AOL cofounder Jim Kimsey.

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