Liam Neeson told Good Morning America's Diane Sawyer yesterday that he and his two sons, Daniel, 13, and Michael, 12, are "taking each day as it comes" since wife and mom, acclaimed actress Natasha Richardson, died in March of a brain injury sustained in a skiing accident. Neeson, 57, who is publicizing Five Minutes of Heaven, his new film about the troubles in Northern Ireland, said he's grateful to his American fans. "I'm still getting extraordinary condolence letters from American people," said the Taken star. "I've been living here for 20 years and America's been very, very good to me. I'm still a proud Irishman, of course, but I've become an American citizen." Neeson added that he was deeply impressed by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died Tuesday of brain cancer at 77. "I met him a couple of times over the years, and he wrote my family a very, very beautiful, touching condolence letter when Natasha died earlier this year."

Bob Dylan in a Santa suit . . .

Talk about a disturbing image.

Legendary troubadour Bob Dylan is embracing the holidays with his first-ever Christmas CD, Christmas in the Heart, which is due out on Oct. 13, just months after the release of Dylan's critically acclaimed new CD Together Through Life.

Dylan's record label yesterday said the album, which will feature traditional favorites including "Winter Wonderland" and "Little Drummer Boy," will help a good cause: All U.S. royalties will go to Feeding America (feedingamerica.org). In a statement, Dylan said he hoped the donation would bring "food security to people in need."

Fall Out Boy boy falls

Patrick Stump, front man for musical troupe Fall Out Boy, was arrested late Tuesday on a two-year-old warrant for driving without a valid license. Sheriff's rep Steve Whitmore said Stump, 25, was nabbed during a traffic stop by Los Angeles police. He was booked and released early yesterday after posting $15,000 bail. Stump's rep has yet to comment.

No cat flick for foxy Fox

Sorry, boys, but you can put away your matching Catman costumes. Megan Fox, the most beautiful woman ever featured in a film about robots who can change into cars, has not been cast as the infamous Catwoman for director Christopher Nolan's next Batman flick. "It's rumor. It's not true," a studio rep tells People. Catwoman previously has been personified by Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry.

Billing Hef for $5.2 mil

Kimberly Conrad wants $5.2 mil in her divorce from her estranged husband, Playboy king Hugh Hefner.

TMZ says the suit, which was filed in L.A. County Superior Court, claims Hef is trying to kick KC out of the house she has occupied for 10 years with the couple's two kids. The house, next door to the Playboy mansion, was recently put up for sale. Hef, 83 going on 13, married KC in '89 and separated after nine years.

"I was surprised and saddened to learn of press reports that Kimberly Hefner, from whom I have been separated over 10 years, has apparently filed suit claiming that I owe her $5 million," Hefner told TMZ. He said he's always taken care of Kim's financial needs.

Cibrian files for divorce

In other divorce news, Invasion and CSI: Miami star Eddie Cibrian, 36, has filed for divorce from his wife of eight years, Brandi Glanville. Cibrian, who recently went public with his affair with married singer LeAnn Rimes, won't face any resistance, says Glanville. "[Eddie] filed yesterday, and I accepted it," she tells E! News. In court papers, Cibrian cites irreconcilable differences and seeks shared custody of sons Mason, 6, and Jake, 2.

Liev in touch with his feminine side

Liev Schreiber, 41, who delivered a kicking performance as Hugh "Wolverine" Jackman's more evil and more hirsute bro in Wolverine, has shed the facial hair to become all woman for Ang Lee's comedy, Taking Woodstock, in which he plays an ex-Marine transvestite.

"It was exhilaratingly humiliating," Liev tells People about performing in women's finery.

The clothes, he says, make the man - and the attitude. "Vanity quickly set in, and I thought to myself, 'I wish my belly was flatter,' " he says of the effect of women's clothing on his selfhood and his soul.

"Let's face it, I don't look great in a dress, but it's nice to hear I have nice legs."

Billboard honors Beyoncé

Billboard has named Beyoncé its Woman of the Year, an honor bestowed upon the female recording artist who has "inspired the music business with her success, leadership and new ideas." The diva will pick up her prize at the 2009 Billboard Women in Music Event Oct. 2 in the Big Apple.

Beyoncé, who last year toured in support of her album I Am . . . Sasha Fierce, was cited for her charity work. During her tour, she gave away 2,500 tickets to families hurt by the auto industry crisis. And she helped Feeding America deliver 3.5 million meals to food banks.

So lonely, so lonely, so lonely . . .

Kate Gosselin further cemented her new image as model mom and world-class martyr Tuesday night on Larry King's CNN show. Asked by AvuncuLarry if she feels single, Kate was all prim 'n' proper. "I am not yet divorced officially," she said. It's a subtle reminder that her estranged hub, Jon, has reportedly dated at least two hotties since leaving Kate. Larry kept after her like a bulldog reporter: Is she dating, he wondered? Kate said she's "too busy" to date. But she's not made of stone. "I'm lonely," she admitted, "but I'm very busy."

And getting busier: ABC said yesterday that it's adding Kate to its list of guest cohosts for The View. Kate will be subbing for regular cohost Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Sept. 14 and 15. Hasselbeck is on maternity leave after giving birth to her third child, Isaiah, earlier this month. ABC had previously announced Meghan McCain, E.D. Hill and LaToya Jackson as guest cohosts for the daytime talk show.

Reba McEntire conquers the charts

Speaking of Billboard, country chanteuse Reba McEntire has nabbed her second No. 1 on the album charts with Keep on Loving You, which has debuted on the Billboard 200 at No. 1, selling 96,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. She previously scored with 2007's Reba Duets. George Strait's Twang drops down a rung to No. 2, with 61,000 units sold. Third Eye Blind had its first top 10 album ever with Ursa Major, which debuted at No. 3.

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Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com. This column contains information from Inquirer wire services.