Ben Stiller is riding high with his #1 box-office hit Madagascar 2, but he’s still just dad to daughter Ella, 6, and son Quinlin 3, with wife Christine Taylor.  

“They’re incredible,” the actor, 42, says. “They’re ridiculously cute at six and three, and every moment is a joy and a wonderful challenge that people who have kids can only understand. It’s the best.”

Christine doesn’t let a simple time change get in the way of keeping up with her kids. While in New York, the 37-year-old mom says, “I keep my watch set to L.A. time so I know where they’re at at every moment.”

Her mother-in-law, Anne Meara, has high praise. “She’s the best mother in the world.”

Still, two kids are just right for the couple who wed in 2000. “I’m happy where we’re at right now,” Ben says. “Two is a handful. I feel very fortunate and blessed.” Christine seconds, “Two is enough for now. Three’s off.”

One playmate the youngsters cherish is Suri Cruise, daughter of Tom and Katie.

“We don’t really set up those playdates,” Christine tells me. “If it happens, it’s wonderful and nice, but they’re all kids and they have no idea. They’re all happy. They’re all just little. They just want to do their thing. Play dolls and have snacks and take a nap.”

For Christine, the best thing about motherhood is giving back.

“It’s the most selfless thing ever, and it takes me out of all the craziness in my own head,” she says. “I can put it on my children, and hopefully not put the crazy in them.”

And, the best thing about being married to Christine?

“Just being able to hang out with that person [points to Christine] all the time,” Ben says. “You should say as he motions to his beautiful wife.”

“It’s nice you asked the question,” Christine adds. “He’s the best husband in the world.”

Madagascar 2 is in theaters now.

Last night I stopped by STK for an event David Arquette hosted for Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest. I’ve interviewed David about the cause in the past and either it’s good to get an actor involved in a cause because they can rattle off all the stats like they really mean it – or David’s sincerely devoted to the cause. I’m going with the latter, especially because I’m told that in addition to hosting awareness raising events, helping to recruit friends like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Nick Lachey to the board and making appearances at local food bank functions, David regularly calls with his own ideas on awareness-raising initiatives and various ways to how to help.

Next stop on my tour de Hollywood cocktail parties was the Alberta Ferretti store opening on Melrose. The thing about parties in a boutique is that the grocery store-esque bright lighting is what Alicia Silverstone must have been referring to when she said, “Did I stumble into bad lighting,” in Clueless. Although masking none of the flaws of the fashion set, the bright lights do make it easier to admire the clothes – and observe the celebs. For example, it was easy to see that the frowns on the faces of Nicky Hilton and her longtime boyfriend David Katzenberg were so deep I was sure Nicky could well up in full-on waterworks at any moment and if David looked any angrier he’d simply burst. Why does this couple always look so terribly unhappy? While Nicky quite obviously led David around the room Joel Madden held his girlfriend Nicole Richie’s hand as she let him lead her around the venue. The strikingly happier couple seemed much more in sync and spent much of their time contently speaking among themselves. I did notice them stop to say hi to Nicole’s former stylist and later frenemy Rachel Zoe – but I didn’t see them speak to Nicky , sister of Nicole’s one-time BFF Paris Hilton. Maybe they did, maybe I missed it.

 

Elsewhere in the room Heroe’s Ali Larter was decked out and looked lovely (she looked equally beautiful with no makeup on when I sat next to her at lunch today at Newsroom Café) and I had a nice chat with Amy Smart ,who I learned used to be roommates with Ali Larter…And, I was home catching the end of The Country Music Awards by 8:30pm! I was never much of a country music fan until I made my first trip to Nashville a few months ago, and now I definitely have the genre in the tolerate category – a big step for me. I was so happy when my friend’s boyfriend’s band Lady Antebellum won Best New Artist. They’re on my ipod, they’re great, and so happy they won ;) xo

Fashionistas make their way to NYC’s Cipriani 42nd Street for the ACE Awards, sponsored by the Accessories Council.

Helena Christensen and Stella McCartney swan in, and here’s Chloe Sevigny, who gives her tips for looking good at parties.

“Being confident,” she tells me. “Wearing a nice heel that you’re going to be comfortable in.”

Hey Chrissie Hynde, what do you think now when you go back to Ohio? After all, the Akron native is known for the line “I went back to Ohio but my city was gone” from her 1982 ditty My City Was Gone. “What does that have to do with this?” she fumes. Um, I’m writing a story about the event? “Oh, I don’t know what you mean,” she says, clearly flustered, as she walks away.

Whew! I’m from Ohio – Akron even – and I would say I’m upset that they closed the Ponderosa where I waitressed and buffeted during high school and college. Also holidays aren’t the same since they took away Archie The Snowman from Chapel Hill Mall, where I elfed during high school and college.

Not Chrissie.

Onto the next one! Desperate Housewives star Dana Delany tells me earrings make or break an outfit. “I never leave the house without earrings. I feel naked without my earrings. I like simple. I tend to wear the same earrings for years, so right now I’ve been wearing a pair of Cathy Waterman earrings for probably about ten years.”

And how does Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks look five pounds slimmer?

“Well, I cut my hair,” she tells me. “That definitely helps. I think it’s all about wearing things that compliment your body, and it’s always about a great heel. A great heel, a great shoe extends the leg and makes you seem longer and leaner. Or a belt. You cinch the waist. It’s all about that.”

And how does Tina Knowles, mom of Beyonce, dress up an outfit?

“Great accessories – some nice, sparkly earrings, beautiful bracelet,” she tells me. “Just accessories I would say, and your basic black dress that you can dress up with beautiful accessories.” She gives a shoutout to Lorraine Schwartz, whom she is  presenting an award tonight. “She is the most amazing jewelry designer. It’s so unique. Every piece is made with so much artistry. I mean, it’s like art.”

Jason Priestly is back on TV!

Sorry, he’s only returning to direct that show. But the 90210 alum will be causing onscreen headaches for one of the Hickey brothers on My Name is Earl.

“I play Earl’s cousin, Blake, who is a professional backpack model,” Jason says, explaining, “You’ve seen him in all the top outdoor catalogs. I know it’s a little bit of a niche, but a very profitable niche, if done correctly.”

Jason does get to go back to his glory days. “It’s a flashback to 2000 and Earl throws an engagement party for Joy and of course, it all goes horribly wrong,” Jason teases.

Earl does get a bit of a break in the episode, since he doesn’t have to pay back karma. “He didn’t do anything wrong to me,” Jason says, adding that Blake may owe Earl the apology.

“Blake and Joy had a  sexual liaison at a certain time. Once Earl finds out about that, it really sends him off.”

Roadhouse fight! But Jason promises the fallout is thoroughly worth it.

“Watching two grown men competing like that is very funny,” he declares. “Jason [Lee] is such a funny actor, and Earl is such a funny character, it was a pleasure for me to go over there work with him, be in presence of comedic greatness.”

On the subject of karma, Jason says there’s one thing he wouldn’t mind doing over.

“The mullet I had in the '80s, I’d like to take that back,” he laughs.

Don’t worry Jason. We forgive you!

Catch My Name is Earl on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. on NBC.