One solid punch led to this made-for-TV platinum wedding

A blind phone call landed Sara Hlavka and Deepak Nath's unbelievably lavish wedding on WE TV.

"Most women who get engaged go out and buy every wedding magazine that's on the shelf and start TiVOing every wedding show that's on TV," Nath told me Tuesday. "My wife, Sara, happened to see the show 'Platinum Weddings' and she just called the number: We're getting married; would you like to feature our wedding?"

Little details like the fact that their wedding had an East-West theme and was taking place in Las Vegas before 650 people made this irresistible TV. See a clip at www.wetv.com/video/1586321716/cultural-fusion.

Of course, a question is begged: Does Nath even have 650 friends? "I don't personally have 650 friends," he said with a laugh. "Nor does Sara. But my parents [Mahendra and Asha Nath], Sara's parents [Randy and Jenny Hlavka] and [I] together have that many."

Nath and Hlavka met at a 2006 Halloween party when she christened the boat he was wearing as a costume with a punch. "[She] busted up my costume. She can't remember why, but I'm glad she did."

Nath owns Envy Nightclub with his sister, Shalini Nath Walia, who planned the wedding, and her husband, Dave Walia, and now Sara.

After I started interviews for this item, a PR chum of mine called to say she had stumbled upon a Twin Cities couple's wedding on WE TV. You can see it on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Check the website for other times.

Despite the opulence, Brosseau PR guy James Rutherford said: "They did not make it about the money. They were wanting to have a great celebration. Despite the grandness of the wedding, Deepak is the kind of guy who has Midwestern values and sends text messages about a charitable fundraiser. On June 13, Envy is hosting a Charitable Happy Hour for Operation Dignity, a Generation Y relief event for Ghana, Africa."

An Obama tush-touch? As I watched on TV from my couch, I did not see Barack Obama pat wife Michelle's derriere at St. Paul's X.

However, some listeners to FM107's Margery and Ian Punnett show claimed to have seen this PDA when Obama was here Tuesday to claim the Democratic nomination for president.

Jeff Orcutt, a producer of the "FOX 9 Morning News," checked the FOX feed and said Barack's hand did not touch Michelle there, but up higher. This video clip will be slo-mo'd and exhaustively analyzed by me on the show at 8:15 a.m.

If Obama did pat her on the tush, all I can say is: much better him than Bill.

"Barack wins the values equation and Hillary wins the issues equation," Andrew said. "Values trump issues in electoral politics, ever since Ronald Reagan, so Obama becomes a bit more viable than she is. He would be extremely formidable if he got the nomination."

When called Wednesday so the political mover and shaker could gloat, Andrew, prez of GreenMark marketing agency, was asked for new speculation. "It's over. Good night, Irene," Andrew said, predicting the U.S.A. will elect its first known biracial president. "He has smashed the color barrier, he now wins on both values and issues. The only chance the Republicans have is a massive smear campaign, and it's not going to play. Unless there is some completely unforeseen circumstance, Obama's going to win."

Should Barack pick Hillary (and Bill)? "Probably not," Andrew said. "There are two reasons. Number 1, the selection of a running mate is intensely personal."

To quote Herself in the May 12 issue of People magazine: "The important thing is you find a person you can work with." Sorry, but HRC's Tuesday campaign road behavior was not gracious, concessionary or workable.

"That part is over," said Andrew said. "And Number 2, because the Clinton people are overplaying their hand and putting pressure on Barack, he cannot appear to be caving to pressure. Even if he wanted to make her his running mate and even if that was the dream team, the more public pressure that's put on him, the less likely he can select her."

Little KARE package KARE11 reported that on Monday weekend anchor Amy Hockert and her husband, Chris, had a baby girl, Elise. Congrats.