Ukee Washington talks 'The Talk' with Alan Cumming

CBS3's Ukee Washington returns to "The Talk," the national chat show, at 2 p.m. today on CBS, interviewing actor Alan Cumming ("The Good Wife").

Washington is the rare male to be on female-centric "Talk," and this is his second time on the show. ("It's all women and I'm the guy in between!" Washington told me after the Monday taping.) So, does he have a secret feminine side we don't know about? Washington laughed, replying that no, he was just happy to be asked back.

The last time Washington was on "The Talk," producers from the CBS series "The Crazy Ones" saw Washington and asked him to cameo on the Robin Williams-starring show.

"It was amazing," Washington said about working with the dearly departed actor. "I felt like I knew him so well when I was talking to him [on the set]. It was late at night and he was very tired. I asked him [about] the difference between a movie and television show, and he said [TV] was more of a grind, but he said he had great backup from the cast and crew. But when those cameras came on he was the Robin Williams we all knew and love."

Cheesesteak impresario and reality-show judge Tony Luke Jr. defeated former Eagle Hollis "The Tank" Thomas in a wing-eating contest Monday night at Flat Iron Philly (26 E. Oregon Ave.). Tony Bruno, the former 97.5 the Fanatic talker who is starting his own podcast, hosted.

Luke ate 53 wings in eight minutes, while Thomas took down just 38. Luke had some kind words for his competitor, saying that Thomas, who ended his career at 306 pounds, wasn't there to win, but for charity. Cash was donated for Luke's efforts to the Michael Strange Foundation, supporting the families of fallen soldiers.

Luke, on the other hand, was there to dominate, knowing that he'd secure a spot in the 2015 Wing Bowl if he could eat 45 wings in his allotted time, as promised by Angelo Cataldi and the WIP morning crew. Luke even researched the size of the wings so that they fit Wing Bowl specifications (10 to 12 wings per pound, just like the official P.J. Whelihan's cluckers) so that no one could cry fowl (er, I mean foul) on his victory.

"I don't have a shot to win. I'm not a pro, but I'm a fast eater," Luke said about his upcoming Wing Bowl appearance.

But there is a downside to downing wings. Luke told me he gained about 30 pounds while shooting "Frankenfood," his Spike TV food-competition show. "I've been struggling to get it off," he said. "The wing thing didn't help any."

To assist him in getting back on track, Luke told me that he's eating only cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli for the next 10 days. But that will all be for naught when he gets into beast mode leading up to the big event Jan. 30. "I will train like a maniac," he said.

Mo'ne Davis may get most of the attention, but the Taney Dragons, Philly's Little League World Series competitors, have a roster full of talent off the field, including pitcher Erik "Lippy" Lipson, who released music on his website (elipsthesinger.com). His tune, "I Love What I Do (And I Do What I Love)," has a bit of an early Justin Bieber vibe.

Foodies may have seen a South African camera crew filming around Philly last weekend, catching segments for "Girl Eat World," a show hosted by Kamini Pather, the winner of the South African version of "MasterChef." The show features Pather gallivanting around one town per country she visits and Philly's her U.S. spot.

By her side? Why, that would be the Daily News' own Drew Lazor, serving as her Philadelphia ambassador.

Where'd the show go? I hear they shot scenes at the Italian Market (checking in at Di Bruno's, Cappuccio's, Tortilleria San Roman, among others), City Tavern (138 S. 2nd St.), Kraftwork (541 E. Girard Ave), Twisted Tail (509 S. 2nd St.) and DiNic's at the Reading Terminal Market (1136 Arch St.). Pather also headed to the Fishtown RiverCity Festival and Fork (306 Market St.) with chef Eli Kulp for some more local flavor.

* Former 76er Jerry Stackhouse, who now resides in Atlanta, grabbed a drink at the Boyler Room (328 South St.) last week, posing for pictures with fans and, I hear, leaving quite the tip. Stackhouse told fans he was looking to enroll in some entrepreneurship classes at the University of Pennsylvania geared toward people looking to make a career change.

* While in town for their Nick & Knight Tour at the Trocadero recently, former Backstreet Boy Nick Carter and erstwhile New Kid on the Block Jordan Knight stayed at the Hotel Monaco (433 Chestnut St.), enjoying the luxe corner king spa rooms. Major teen swoons all around.

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