Lafayette, I have arrived.

 Lafayette, as you all know, is the name of my tattoo artist who I see every time I return to Los Angeles. (I’m wondering if he can find room on my back to etch “Borgnine”). I’m here as one of the members of the TV Critics Assocation, who I lovingly refer to as the Island of Misfit Toys, and while our conference doesn’t start until this Wednesday morning (King Lear himself, Ian McKellan, will address the troops), I got in some work a day early. I even hesitate to call it work since I had the company of two genuine talents and human beings, an almost impossible combination in this town.

The afternoon started with cocktails and smokes (more than I care to admit) with Diablo Cody at one of my fave LA pubs, the Cat and the Fiddle. I’ll share all the details with you next Sunday in a profile that coincides with the premiere of her new TV series, “The Adventures of Tara.” Suffice it it say that Diablo hasn’t lost her Midwest mettle as we sat outside in 65 degree temperature for two hours. That may sound heavenly to you, but in LA, it’s the akin of eating a juicy steak. It’s just not done. Anyone anticipating a sophomore slump is in for a disappointment.

After that, I walked (stumbled?) seven blocks - another rarity in LA - to the set of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” hung out in the green room with my partner in crime, Hartford Courant scribe Roger Catlin, and then saw the show’s first new episode of the year with Kathy Griffin explaining her CNN outburst. Immediately after the show, Jimmy invited us up to his office, where we sipped some beer with various drop-by guests. Sorry, the chitchat on everything from Jay Leno to the Super Bowl was off the record, but on the plus side, I feel at least two IQ points sharper now, and I’ll pass that gift on you, dear readers, when I review “American Idol.”

 I had watched a report in the airport that morning that claimed scientists believe talk-show hosts have one of the most stressful jobs in America. You wouldn’t know it by talking to Jimmy. While most people in his position pretty much isolate themselves from the world when they’re not performing, Jimmy seems to be constantly entertaining, whether it’s drinks in his office after a show or hosting football-viewing BBQs at his house on weekends. He even went out of his way to drive Roger and I back to our hotel. The best news: He only charged us $20.Â

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