Seems the friendly and very funny octogenarian who called the Ellen show last week was the brainchild of an Austin, Texas, radio station.

Gladys Hardy had America in stitches with one line: I love Jesus, but I drink a little.

Alas, Ellen's been had. Either way, darned funny -- and it could bear funny fruit should DeGeneres decide to get comic revenge.

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Also, TMZ.com is reporting that Rachel Ray revealed her true colors after several glasses of red wine after a recent Houston dinner party, possibly exposing the Food Network darling as a racist.

I find it hard to believe; however, I had also hoped she'd leave her husband and move to Oklahoma. Doubt that's happening.

Unfortunately for Ray, where there's smoke, there is often fire, and disparaging Oprah in public -- for somebody whose career is owed quite a bit to the queen -- is a mega no-no. A career killer if true.

I mean, Oprah had James Frey ready to kill himself just a year ago ...

Don't mess with the Big O.