K Street is a new HBO series built around a fictitious lobbying firm.

The cast will include a "mix of actors and professional lobbyists and consultants," but producers George Clooney and Steven Soderbergh also plan scenes, "using actual members of Congress," says the San Francisco Chronicle here.

That's probably because many of them already perform for Hollywood on a regular basis.

George & Co won't be allowed in the Capitol or Capitol office complex controlled by the Senate but, "It's really not a problem to us," Stuart Stevens, "a Republican consultant who is co-producing the show" is quoted as saying.

"We're interested in people, not where we shoot them."

Shoot them anywhere, right?

Anyhow - guess what's the hottest ticket in town tonight? - 'town' being Washington, of course.

"The lights will be shining bright tonight as the Who's Who of Washington and Hollywood stroll the red carpet (yes, an actual red carpet) into the Palm restaurant for the premiere of HBO's K Street," gushes the Washington Post on its September 12 NAMES & FACES page.

Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, even MSNBC's Bill Press - whose show, Buchanan and Press, is the only program granted permission to air live from the red carpet - "odd but true" - will, "stand in line, mics in hand, ready to cajole the 250 guests," says the piece.

HBO is being 'hush-hush' about the guest list - as well it might.

BUT --- Clinton aide James Carville, former Cheney aide Mary Matalin and Reagan aide Michael Deaver will be among them, as will be octogenerian MPAA president Jack Valenti AND (wait for it) Hilary Rosen, former president of the Recording Industry Association of America.

Just like real life.