Dame Helen Mirren Photo: Matt Sayles Brett Favre Photo: Jeff Wheeler

Helen Mirren, who is running just ahead of Megan Fox in Esquire's 'sexiest woman alive" poll (that might have something to do with the average age of Esquire readers, but I say not), said she was "gobsmacked" by her frontrunner status. She told Esquire "Sometimes the veterans have a way of surprising you - think Brett Favre."

When she was asked if it was her free-throw percentage that had gotten her this far, she said, "It is more the fouls that I have gotten away with."

Oh, Dame Helen. We just might change your title to Grande Dame Helen.

Mirren + Favre = old and at the top of their games.