What starts with z, ends with z, and will be worn by Republicans?

Comedian Lizz Winstead's brother, Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead, has become comic fodder by modeling Zubaz.

At the MSP 2008 Host Committee's recent MOA fashion show, Hizzoner reportedly vogued down a runway wearing Zubaz, one of the items among the official merchandise of the Republic National Convention in St. Paul in September.

Upon learning that "the Republicans had a fashion show of their swag, I recoiled in horror," said Lizz, who was laughing too hard to sound truly frightened. "Not that I don't think he's really handsome but because he was modeling Zubaz. The fact that they chose Zubaz, a 20-year-old idea, as their fashion speaks volumes about their 20-year-old ideas in general."

Lizz, the co-creator of Comedy Central's "Daily Show," is coming to the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis to do three nights of what she promises will be "scathing satire," directed at Republicans during the convention.

"It's counterprogramming for those who do not believe the Republicans have done a FANTASTIC job," Lizz said. "It's fun. We're coming with the whole brood -- 23 of us," she said of her Shoot the Messenger troupe, which produces a weekly satirical show in NYC called "Wake Up World."

Can't wait to see button-down types like Newt Gingrich, Pat Buchanan and presidential candidate John McCain strutting around Kellogg Boulevard in Zubaz.

Keith and Lizz? I keep trying to sell Lizz Winstead on the idea that MSNBC's "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann may be the perfect man for her.

They are cerebral, political, age appropriate, sardonic, attractive, and they love to play with the language.

"I adore him. Together we would never stop thinking; we'd be too intense," she said. "Who would say, Let's do something easy. Let's watch 'Flavor of Love.' Let's watch 'Top Chef'?"

Wasn't her previous resistance to this romantic suggestion related to the former ESPN anchor's sports background? "He has a sports side that I never really seek out, but I like to golf," Lizz said.

That made me laugh; I don't think of her as athletic.

"My dad forced me to take golf lessons and I'm very bad at it," Lizz said.

If Olbermann's relationship with TV reporter Katy Tur doesn't work out, and he comes to the metro for the RNC, he and Lizz should play a little golf.

Together again Friday, for the first time in nearly 20 years, John Hines and Bob Berglund are going to be on the radio together.

The old WLOL "Hines & Berglund" are subbing for Bob Davis on AM1500 from 9 a.m. to noon. Hines would appreciate listeners not turning this into old-home week.

And then in walks O.J. The Forum of Fargo, N.D., reports that O.J. Simpson drew a crowd at JT Cigarro, a Fargo bar, on Tuesday night.

"Oh, no, it was him," Cigarro employee Melanie told me Wednesday when asked whether it was possibly some guy who looked like Simpson. She did not see him but said three co-workers said it was Simpson.

The Forum reported that O.J. was there with Minnesotan Christie Prody, his on-again, off-again girlfriend who now lives in Florida.

An apology The Rev. Efrem Smith received a priestly apology from the Rev. Michael O'Connell.

The men of the cloth were among religious leaders being photographed for the Greater Twin Cities United Way's new campaign, "Live United," when O'Connell did something naughty. The Basilica of St. Mary rector displayed his pinky and thumb behind the head of Smith, senior pastor of the Sanctuary Covenant Church. Participants at the photo sessions were encouraged to assume amusing poses and this gesture, whether interpreted as rabbit ears, donkey ears or devil horns, certainly met that criteria.

Mary Lower, owner of Sterling Cross Communications, told me that O'Connell called up to say he didn't intend anything untoward. O'Connell is known as a prankster, but the two had never met so the gesture caught Smith off guard.

As someone known as the hip-hop pastor Smith -- also author of "The Hip-Hop Church" -- has probably seen much less holy hand-signs in the hood.

However, he's feeling on top of the world these days because on Aug. 7 Smith will speak to more than 100,000 people when he makes a presentation at the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Church in Illinois. It's being simulcast across North America.

C.J. is at 612.332.TIPS or cj@startribune.com. E-mailers, please state a subject -- "Hello" doesn't count.