For Gibson, some politics is local

Politics is very much on Charlie Gibson's mind these days. The ABC "World News" anchor broadcast from Boston last night while examining the governor's race. Gibson told us he's also intrigued by the prospect of US Senator Barack Obama running for president in '08. "If he declares, George [ Stephanopoulos] thinks he becomes the immediate front - runner," said Gibson, referring to the network's political guru. "I never thought in my lifetime that we'd seriously be talking about a black American having a chance to be president. It's an extraordinary event." Gibson, 63, took the reins of "World News" in May, and plans to continue in that role for "as long as my wife and ABC will let me." Eventually, however, he'd like to turn the job back over to Bob Woodruff, the previous co-anchor who was injured by a roadside bomb while on assignment in Iraq. Woodruff is scheduled to return to the network next spring and Gibson promised no awkwardness. "Bob and I have had long talks about this. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to turn the desk over to Bob sometime."

Pinkett Smith strikes again

The next time she's invited to speak at Harvard, maybe Jada Pinkett Smith should just decline. A year ago, the actress angered gay and lesbian students, who deemed her comments on the role of women as "heteronormative." (Will Smith's wife said at the '05 Cultural Rhythms show: "Women, you can have it all a loving man, devoted husband, loving children, a fabulous career. ... We are a new generation of women.") She returned to Harvard over the weekend, and the result was about the same. Invited to speak on "Empowering Women," the "Collateral" costar apparently rehashed her earlier talk. "Much of her discussion centered on how 'women should train our men,"' Joshua Smith, cochair of the Harvard Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, and Supporters Alliance told us. "We find it troubling that after the controversy following her last visit, Mrs. Pinkett Smith still refused to acknowledge how queer women play into her vision of uniting 'all' women." Though bothered, the BGLTSA said it would not demand an apology.

Brady doesn’t pass on poverty fight

Asked about his politics, Tom Brady usually punts. But the Pats QB is for ending poverty. No. 12 is among a slew of celebs, including Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, and Julia Roberts, appearing in a TV spot supporting ONE: the Campaign to Make Poverty History. The public service announcement started airing Monday on MTV, and will also run on Fox, Comedy Central, and Spike TV, as well as MySpace.com and YouTube.com. "This is a first step in a long-term effort to start making the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty part of the election conversation, and Americans can be part of that by joining ONE.org ," Damon says in the ad, which will run through Election Day. "Saving lives in the world's poorest countries. Winning the fight against global AIDS and extreme poverty," Damon goes on to say. "There aren't two sides to these issues. There is only one. Please vote. ONE.org."

Comic actress Caroline Rhea hosted the annual "Funny Women ... Serious Business" lunch for some 1,200 people yesterday to raise money for Rosie's Place. Rhea, host of the NBC reality show "The Biggest Loser," was joined on the stage at the Hynes Convention Center by several women from local TV.

Ben Affleck picked up another accolade for his work in "Hollywoodland," winning best supporting actor at Monday's Hollywood Awards in LA. (The Cambridge-bred actor's turn as TV Superman George Reeves earlier earned him a best actor award at the Venice Film Festival.) Ben's better half, Jennifer Garner, was in the audience and looked as lovely as ever.

Football scenes at Gillette Stadium dominated filming yesterday for the Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson movie "The Game Plan." Hundreds of locals filled the seats as screaming Boston Rebels fans. Today is the last scheduled day of filming for the Disney movie at the Pats' home stadium in Foxborough. ... The "Queer Eye" guys are expanding the franchise. Boston's David Collins and Michael Williams and their Scout Productions have been tapped by the Sundance Channel to do "Change Agents," a 13-part series "that will feature the innovators and innovations on the cutting edge of the environmental revolution." The show, debuting early next year, will anchor a new block of "green programming," focusing on environmental topics.

Suzanne C. Ryan of the Globe staff contributed. Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.