On 'Grey's,'the doctor is out

Lois Smith has known for a while something most "Grey's Anatomy" fans only learned yesterday: The gay character of Dr. Erica Hahn has been axed from the popular ABC show, and tomorrow will be her last appearance. Smith, a former Hollywood publicist who lives on Plum Island, was in the know because her daughter Brooke Smith plays Dr. Hahn. "It's too bad because Erica was a good character - a strong, independent female fighting the old-boy network," Smith told us yesterday. Entertainment Weekly speculated that ABC execs ordered the change because they were uncomfortable with the gay-themed storyline. (Hahn has been getting cozy this season with Dr. Callie Torres, who's played by Sara Ramirez.) "Grey's" producer Shonda Rhimes denies Brooke's dismissal had anything to do with the lesbian storyline, but Lois isn't buying it. "Who knows what they heard from their sponsors?" said Smith. "It's just a shame." Brooke, by the way, will be in town for Christmas with her husband, cinematographer Steven Lubensky, and their daughters Fanny and Lucy.

Does anyone else think a British singer headlining an American election party is a little . . . mavericky? CBS Scene, the sports bar/restaurant at Patriot Place, and Mix 98.5 held a big election bash and live broadcast last night, featuring Dido. Fans checked out the incoming election returns, listened to the live broadcast, and ate "left and right" chicken wings.

The American Ireland Fund will honor former US Senator George Mitchell at its 27th annual Boston gala at the Westin tomorrow. The event promotes peace and reconciliation worldwide, and also raises funds for local organizations. Mitchell is being recognized for his role in the Northern Ireland peace process and the historic Good Friday Agreement. On the guest list: chair James Connolly, president of Citizens Financial Group, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Congressman Bill Delahunt, Bob Kraft, and former Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and her husband, Sean.

At last, it looks like Peter and Bobby Farrelly can forge ahead on a "Three Stooges" film. According to the Hollywood Reporter, MGM is acquiring the film rights from Warner Bros., and the studio hopes to fast-track a screenplay written by the brothers Farrelly. Earlier this year, Peter, who'd share the producing and directing credits with his brother, told us he hoped to make the Moe, Larry, and Curly movie in his native Rhode Island. Word is MGM is aiming for a November 2009 release.

Paula Meijerink has a fascinating obsession: the ugliness of asphalt. The Harvard professor and landscape architect is currently writing a self-published book on rethinking the tar-like surfaces that surround us, and she's enlisted her students to come up with creative solutions for beautifying our roads and parking lots. "We have an appreciation for asphalt, but the spaces it leaves behind are unengaged . . . and ugly," Meijerink said. Saturday, Meijerink and her students will showcase their industrial talents in the GTI parking lot at 530 Harrison Ave. by creating posters on tar paper using silver ink and an actual steamroller. The posters, conceived of by local graphic designer Rick Rawlins and illustrated by California artist Rik Olson, will be included in the multimedia book.

Everyone's upset that the Sox didn't get to the World Series, but especially the folks who took part in Jordan's Furniture's "Monster Sweep 2008" promotion. The store promised customers who bought sofas, sectionals, and other items that they'd get the stuff for free if the Old Towne Team swept the World Series. (More than 24,000 customers took part in a comparable deal in '07 and received a fat rebate when the Sox won it all.) This year, patrons weren't so lucky. Gisela Levin, who lives in Marblehead, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the furniture store claiming she did her part, buying $4,660 worth of furniture, but the Sox didn't do theirs. "This is a lottery, and lotteries are illegal in Massachusetts," says Levin's attorney John Yasi. "If you decide you need to purchase furniture, the state would prefer you do that on the basis of value and service, not because you're gambling on a chance you'll get your money back." A judge dismissed a similar lawsuit last year, but Yasi thinks this time might be different. "It was hard to argue last year because everyone got paid back," he said. Jordan's CEO Eliot Tatelman did not return calls this week.

WEEI's John Dennis and Gerry Callahan were rebuked by Secretary of State Bill Galvin yesterday after the morning hosts told listeners the presidential election had been postponed and Democrats should vote today instead. Callahan and Dennis, both outspoken Republicans, were told to "knock it off," according to Galvin's spokesman Brian McNiff, and reminded that state law makes it illegal to interfere in elections. 'EEI exec Jason Wolfe said the comment was an attempt at humor. "Dennis and Callahan were obviously joking about a story that has received significant media coverage," he said, adding that hosts later in the day encouraged listeners to go to the polls and vote.

April Scott (above) looks like the classic "Maxim" hottie, but she's a woman with a lot on her mind. She's an actress, model, party host, even author. Scott - who'll host the Little Black Dress party at Estate tonight and at Shrine at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods tomorrow - has already published "Behind the Briefcase," a book about her experiences as model No. 14 on "Deal, or No Deal." (We haven't perused it yet, but we're sure it's hard-hitting.) Now she's working on a book about breaking into modeling. "Before I came out to LA, I knew nothing, I was totally clueless," she said. "It usually takes a few years to figure it out. I'd like to save other people that trouble." So, what'll she wear tonight? A perfect little black frock. "I'm just going to bring them all," she said. "They're all short and black."

Not a huge surprise - Janet Jackson has officially canceled her TD Banknorth Garden concert, originally scheduled for Oct. 1. Jackson first said she would reschedule, but now fans have to comfort themselves with a refund. The new culprit: scheduling conflicts.

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