Grrr! Star No. 2,280

I bet you're wondering what the heck "Star No. 2,280" is.

Let me enlighten you.

In what can only be described as a head-scratching, Grrring, you've-got-to-be-kidding-me kind of moment on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, (search) it's the spot where sportscaster Jim Gray now has a star.

"What's that?" you say. Jim Gray has a star on the Walk of Fame?

Yup, you heard me right. ABC Sports' Gray, the notorious ambush artist best known for irking Pete Rose at a baseball game a few years ago, and the guy most recently banned by Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban from interviewing any Mavs players or coaches after a live broadcast last week — is now among the great actors and entertainers who line Hollywood Boulevard — a list that includes the likes of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe.

Cuban has demanded an apology from Gray on his http://www.blogmaverick.com Weblog, feeling that Gray was trying to set up Maverick player Dirk Nowitzki with a question on live television about former teammate Steve Nash — misquoting Cuban in the process.

When I asked Cuban about Gray getting his own star, he said: "Who cares?"

Appropriately, Gray's star number 2,280 lies across the street from the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum (search).

According to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Web site, the criteria for being nominated for a star are threefold: 1. Professional achievement, 2. Longevity of five years in the field of entertainment and 3. Contributions to the community.

Oh yeah, the recipient must also agree to attend the unveiling of the star ceremony.

Based on those terms, even Seacrest Out is qualified for his own star. Oh wait, has it been five years of Ryan Seacrest yet? It sure feels like a lifetime (let me qualify a bit — now that "AI" is in its live format, Seacrest is good).

Ah, but it can't be that easy to get your star, so here comes the rub. There is a sponsorship fee of $15,000 (made payable to the Hollywood Historic Trust) before anyone can receive a star.

Which makes one wonder ... who put up the 15 Gs for Gray?

Look, we all have egos, but fortunately for most of us, we have people in our lives (spouses, agents, bosses) who do well to keep our egos in check.

As far as other sports broadcasters go, Vin Scully (an L.A. legend), Chick Hearn (another L.A. legend), Dick Enberg (a legend period) and Al Michaels (who has at least appeared in films like "Jerry Maguire") also have stars on the Walk of Fame.

They deserve those spots, particularly the local L.A. guys.

But Jim Gray? He should have a star on the Walk of Fame as much as I should get one for this column.

See the comic by Toby Dials

Stupid Lit'l Dreamer

This week's SLD goes out to the actors, producers and writers on the FOX show "24," (search) who have the guts to portray a politically incorrect storyline of Muslim extremists plotting to destroy our country.

I'm not surprised there's been an outcry by some groups, claiming "24" is racist, but I stick by the show on this one.

"24" is one of the best, on-the-edge-of-your-seat dramas on television today. It's well-acted, it's well-written and too bad if some of you don't like it.

It's just a TV show.

Just like Howard Stern, if you don't like it, don't tune in.

Now for Your Grrrs

Theresa in Cyber-Space: Mike, since you're so critical of Paula Abdul and Ryan Seacrest, working for FOX, I'd think they'd have tapped you to host "American Idol" or star in "Johnny Zero" by now. What's that all about. Don't they believe in promoting from within?

—Theresa, the closest I've ever been to the FOX casting people here was when they yelled at me for kicking the martial arts heavy bag too hard in the Newscorp gym during pilot season. "You're shaking the wall during auditions!"

Click Here for More Your Grrrs

Respond to Mike Straka

Mike Straka is the director of operations and special projects for FOXNews.com, and contributes as a features reporter on "FOX Magazine," and occasionally as a news cut-ins anchor on FOX News Channel. Read Mike's Bio.