Irons talks Emmys, dogs

By LIZ SMITH

Irons

Blanchett

Minnelli

Hurley

IT'S ALWAYS better to win!," Jeremy Irons says about his Emmy nomination for HBO's "Elizabeth I." Oh, good, I'm so tired of, "It's an honor just to be nominated." (People who say this and lose are invariably found at the bar later on, bitching about the untalented cow who did take the award.) Jeremy also says that his dogs, Dottie and Dora were a "huge help and enormous source of encouragement" during the "Elizabeth" shoot. "They help in ways a director can't. You know, girlie things, hairdos and such. Dottie would wag when she liked Helen Mirren's wig, subtleties like that." If he wins, let's listen for Dora and Dottie getting a mention in his thank-you. ... On Sept. 5, part two of the "Commander in Chief" TV series arrives on DVD. Like so many good shows that wobble a little at first, Geena Davis' drama about the first female president of the United States deserved better treatment, a consistent timeslot, more network patience. Davis, whom I interviewed right before her show was axed, was full of enthusiasm about "Commander in Chief" and clearly didn't anticipate being out of the Oval Office anytime soon.

LIZA MINNELLI is back from Europe telling pals that she has worked herself out of debt since marrying and divorcing David Gest. She is in great form -- full-voiced and full of vigor. She plays Coney Island tonight. Liza is now in the record stores, competing (sort of) with her mom. The star's new CD, "Liza: The Complete Capitol Collection," compiles Minnelli's first solo albums -- 55 songs in all. Also on the shelves, "Great Day!," which contains numbers from Judy Garland's legendary TV series. (The jazz-tinged piano-accompanied "Poor Butterfly" is perhaps the disc standout.)

KATE WINSLET and Patrick Wilson are said to be "beyond sexy" in the upcoming feature film "Little Children." Winslet appears "like she never has before." The drama is being eagerly shopped to the festivals. ... IT'S ALWAYS a good idea for an actor to have something else to fall back on. Elizabeth Hurley, of all people, is developing her own range of organic foods on her 160-acre English estate. She must gain official status from the Soil Association. But even as that rigorous process proceeds, Elizabeth is buying "proper" sheep and chickens. Hurley has told friends that she sees a future in working the land rather than being an actress ... Cate Blanchett also has other interests, though not so earthy as Hurley's. Cate has long been an art enthusiast, having studied art history at Melbourne University before the acting bug bit. Now she has started a collection of her own. Her latest craving is to own a Francis Bacon. Blanchett will have to continue toiling in Hollywood to nab a Bacon. In 2002, three of his paintings sold for $4 million and prices on his work have climbed ever since.

LESLIE JORDAN exclaims "I've needed a cocktail since I was 3 years old!" in his new one-man show, "Like a Dog on Linoleum." (It's playing at Hollywood's Zephyr Theatre.) Jordan was Beverly Leslie, surreally "closeted" diminutive bete noir of "Will & Grace's" Karen, aka Megan Mullally in the NBC sitcom. Beverly and Karen traded vicious insults and sometimes slaps for many seasons. ... A lot of industry execs have caught the show, including Harry and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. There's talk of turning the 90-minute romp down memory lane into a TV special. There's also talk of Jordan teaming with Lily Tomlin for ... something. ... In London, Anna Maxwell Martin will play the role of Sally Bowles in a revival of "Cabaret" come October.

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