Celebrity worship belongs in L.A., should stay in L.A.

You knew it was coming, didn't you? The scene was set: the NBA playoffs, Jazz vs. Lakers, Games 1 and 2, live from Los Angeles. You knew the guys in the TV booth and their cameramen couldn't resist, just the same way you know they won't be able to resist during Game 3 Thursday in Salt Lake City. Here it comes again ...

Cutaway to crazy-eyed Jack Nicholson.

A tight shot of Dustin Hoffman.

Oh, and look, there's Kanye West, chatting it up with a pal. Or is he lip synching?

And over here is Dyan Cannon. Kids, you probably don't even know she was a movie star.

And there's Leo and Denzel — can we call them by their first names? — and Andy and Penny and the rest of them.

The NBA playoffs: Where Amazing Happens in the courtside seats...

OK, I admit, I am no fan of our celebrity culture/worship. I wouldn't walk across the street to meet someone just because he or she was a movie star. I was born without the fame bug. On the other hand, I know others suffer from this affliction, which creates a demand in the media for that sort of thing. But isn't that what Us magazine is for? And "Access Hollywood"? And Barbara Walters and Mary Hart?

Memo to networks: Please don't turn ballgames into "Entertainment Tonight." If we want to listen to talking heads fawning over celebs, we'll watch Fox News.

Does any real sports fan enjoy the blurring of the line between Hollywood and professional sports, whether it's the Oscar-night type production for the opening of "Monday Night Football" or the way-over-the-top Super Bowl halftime shows? It makes the sports event seem like one more Hollywood production; all of it seems too staged, the game included. That can't be good.

Is the game enough or isn't it? If I see Nicholson one more time, I'm going to go R.P. McMurphy on my TV.

The NBA not only goes along with this, it encourages it. The NBA's own Web site features a list of the Lakers' celebrity fans, complete with photos and quotes (shades of "Entertainment Tonight"). One feature is titled TOP 10 CELEBRITY LAKERS FANS.