The table discussed "The American Wife," the new novel by Curtis Sittenfeld, who lived here for a few years with her boyfriend. The book is a fictionalized tale of a first lady clearly based on Laura Bush.

Sawyer cracked up the table, says our spywitness, with a joke about the "racy" sex scenes in the book.

Nichols, whose films include "The Graduate," is quite stylish at 78, rocking in a leather jacket and sneakers.

Dr. Phil to end cheesesteak feud?

Although it doesn't air here until 5 p.m., "Dr. Phil" McGraw will tape his CBS 3 show at 9 tomorrow morning at Independence National Historical Park, and we've learned that the show will talk about the Eagles' controversial signing of Michael Vick, as well as try to broker peace between the long-feuding families behind Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks.

Gov. Rendell and NAACP chief J. Whyatt Mondesire will appear, as will Vick advocates and foes including Tom Hickey, Sr., founder of DogPac, an animal-rights group; Doris Lin, attorney and member of Animal Protection League; NOW 97.5's Joey Fortman; and Warren Eckstein of the syndicated radio program "The Pet Show." As we reported yesterday, Phil and his crew visited Pat's and Geno's over the weekend, and we've now learned that Joey Vento, of Geno's, and Frank Olivieri, Jr. are expected to taste each other's steaks on the show as part of Dr. Phil's mediation effort. McGraw tried a sandwich from each of the South Philly shops during his weekend visits.

Speaking of Vick . . .

In only three weeks the eight local Doggie Style pet-supply stores have sold nearly 1,000 copies of its Michael Vick Chew Toy. It's a white star-shaped chew toy bearing the Eagles quarterback's name.

Pols unwelcome at soap casting

CBS is holding an open casting call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Boscov's in the Neshaminy Mall for people to appear in an episode of "As the World Turns," taping in town next month. Applicants must be at least 18, and according to the casting call, "must not currently be a candidate for public office and must agree not to become one until after the initial broadcast." Auditions will be videotaped. Applicants must arrive with a completed application, available at cbs3.com, and photo ID.

Local girl on 'Guiding Light'

Local 4-year-old Ariana Fierman will be seen on CBS' "Guiding Light" tomorrow morning. Fierman, who has previously appeared in commercials for Wisk detergent and Stella Artois beer, plays the daughter of actress Beth Chamberlin in what is one of the final episodes of the long-running soap.

Club Pure closes; Voyeur to come

Pure (1221 St. James), the largest club in the Gayborhood, closed Sunday night and reopens Sept. 25 as Voyeur. The new club will feature two VIP lounges, offer bottle service and focus on special events, art exhibits, musical guests and assorted entertainment, marketed for gay and straight clientele. Club owners Michael and Billy Weiss, who also own Woody's, at 13th and Walnut, have been involved in Transit and a number of other clubs.

Voyeur's marketing director, Noel Zayas, says that the plan is to "create a new image and expectations for Philadelphia's social scene fit for the masses." Zayas has worked for Shampoo, Transit, Gasoline/8th Street Lounge, and Club Tru in A.C.

Stork report

Congratulations to Paige Wolf, local PR consultant, and husband Mike Bederka, editor of medical journal Advance for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine, who welcomed a son, Samuel Robert Bederka, early Wednesday morning. He weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces.

Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.