A new look at the Kennedys

Director Robert Kline knows the Kennedys have been covered rather thoroughly, but he's hoping his documentary "The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings," based on the book by Thomas Maier, brings something new to the discussion. "In the back of my mind, I always wanted to pay homage to the Kennedys," said Kline, the cofounder of Lifetime and former VP at Fox, who grew up in Ogunquit, Maine. John F. Kennedy was the first president he voted for, and he worked on Robert Kennedy's Oregon campaign, just before RFK was assassinated, Kline said. The documentary, which had its world premiere at Boston College last night, focuses on little-seen private and political footage - some of JFK reassuring voters about his religion - and also gives deeper treatment to the Kennedy women: Eunice and Maria Shriver, Jean Kennedy Smith, and Caroline Kennedy. His wife and producing partner Stephanie Heredia is responsible for that, Kline said. "She said, 'We've got to do the women,' " he said, laughing. The film, which traces the Kennedys' path from Ireland to America's most powerful offices, will be distributed with a new high-def edition of Oliver Stone's "JFK," starting today. "It's not just good footage, it's great footage," Kline promised.

Patriots make a controversial choice

If there's anything the Patriots like less than losing, it's a public-relations problem. Witness what happened after those poor-taste pictures of Pats cheerleader Caitlin Davis surfaced showing the pompom girl posed with a passed-out dude whose neck, face, and arms were covered in crude words and pictures, including a swastika. Davis was promptly shown the door. So it raised some eyebrows last week when the team chose to honor Marblehead High School football coach Doug Chernovetz as its coach of the week. Yes, the Marblehead Magicians have clinched their first winning season since 1992. But the coach is also the subject of a lawsuit filed by former player Tim Morris, who claims Chernovetz assaulted and berated him. The suit, alleging emotional distress, contends Chernovetz was abusive to Morris and many of his teammates. He's accused of telling an African-American player: "Go back to the 'hood and sell drugs." And to a Jewish player who left practice early during Yom Kippur, the coach is alleged to have said: "Go home and choke on your matzo balls." Chernovetz's attorney, Samuel Perkins, said yesterday his client is the victim of a "smear campaign" intended to get him fired. "The coach has done a great job and enjoys tremendous support within the school," said Perkins. The suit, filed last spring, is pending in Essex County Superior Court. Pats spokesman Stacey James told us the team was unaware of the lawsuit when it honored Chernovetz. "The award doesn't come with that type of detailed vetting," said James. "It's more looking at the performance of the team and the coaching staff in overcoming obstacles or celebrating big wins or upsets." In the future, James said, the team will look more closely at the nominated coaches.

Legal weapon

Why was Mel Gibson brandishing a Glock outside the Cathedral of the Holy Cross the other night? That's his job. In "Edge of Darkness," the Aussie actor plays a Boston homicide detective, and that means he's packing. We're told this scene, at the corner of Washington and Waltham streets, attracted a few gawkers.

Holiday lights

R&B girl group Jada will join Mayor Tom Menino, Ernie Boch Jr., and ballerinas from "The Nutcracker" in switching on the 15,000 white lights on the 70-foot Faneuil Hall Marketplace Christmas tree on Nov. 22. The Douglas Fir will be installed by tree guru John Egan Thursday.

Drink up

Tom Brady was at the Liberty Hotel over the weekend glad-handing a group of Glaceau execs and sales reps. Why? Our hobbled hero shills for Smartwater, which happens to be a Glaceau product. No word on whether No. 12 was drinking the distilled water with added electrolytes or something a little stronger.

The bald truth

Evan Handler - best known as Charlotte's hubby in "Sex and the City" - will be in Boston Sunday to promote his new book, "It's Only Temporary: The Good News and the Bad News of Being Alive." His stop at the 2008 Boston Jewish Book Fair, at the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center in Newton, is just one of 18 he'll make in a 22-day whirlwind tour. The "Californication" star says he almost feels like a presidential candidate. "I give these talks from a podium and people ask questions," he said. "It's like a debate without an opponent." As he did in his first book, "Time on Fire," Handler writes about surviving an almost incurable leukemia. After losing his hair and wearing a wig for roles, he embraced his baldness after a friend's girlfriend told him it was hot. "I said, OK, a woman said it was sexy," he said. By the way, in real life, Handler can roam around the house naked. Unlike Charlotte, his wife's no prude. "We have a clothing-optional home," he joked.

The Tao of partying

Everett's own Ellen Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery were among several celebs who toasted the third anniversary of Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas over the weekend. The "Grey's Anatomy" star was with a crowd that included "Private Practice" star Kate Walsh, Denise Richards, Amanda Bynes, Jenna Fischer, Taye Diggs, "The Wrestler" director Darren Aronofsky, Robin Thicke, and Stacy Keibler. . . . Hip-hopper LL Cool J was at the InterContinental Hotel the other night. . . . We're told Aerosmith's Brad Whitford was enjoying Angus Young's antics at the AC/DC show Sunday.

Helping out in song

Tony Bennett crooned to a crowd of high rollers at the Boston Public Library Foundation fund-raiser at the Mandarin Oriental Sunday night. The soiree was honorary hosted by hotel developers Robin Brown and Stephen Weiner, along with their wives, Marcia and Roberta, respectively.

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