LA.COMFIDENTIAL > CELEBS.

Is there a doctor in the 'House'?

He may only play a doctor on TV, but "House" star Hugh Laurie was still the star attraction Wednesday night at the annual fundraiser for the Valley Community Clinic -- an event that also attracted Lily Tomlin, James Denton, Beau Bridges, Greg Grunberg and several members of the cast of Laurie's hit Fox show.

Laurie was presented the clinic's visionary award for the way that "House" brings healthcare issues to the forefront each week.

"I really am incredibly moved by this. Of course I feel a complete fool standing here before you," Laurie told the crowd at the Sheraton Universal Hotel. "I pretend to be a doctor to pretend patients with pretend illnesses. Here I am being honored by doctors. That seems to me to be ... backward. This feeling of fakeness is all the more acute because I am the son of a doctor."

Laurie, who is British, talked about Britain's national healthcare system, which he said is far from perfect, but he added, "When you are at your weakest, there is someone there to take care of you. It is something. This whole business of healthcare from cradle to grave is so embedded in my bones."

The clinic sees more than 60,000 patients each year and opened nearly four decades ago. Many of the remarks made by various speakers were pointed at the Bush administration.

Tomlin took no prisoners in a comedy routine in which she slipped into her classic Ernestine character, now working in the claims department of a medical insurance company. She took calls and said such things to patients as: "That's not covered. Being blind is a pre-existing condition. You should have read your fine print," and "It's not our fault you had two heart attacks. You should have stopped at one! ... Next time, learn from Dick Cheney -- don't have a heart," and "Remember, an apple a day helps keep the doctor away -- and so does being poor!

>GREG HERNANDEZ/LA.COM 

Monique's boutique

Some of the prettiest gals on the planet converged at the corner of Melrose Place and La Cienega on Wednesday night, all decked out in their favorite Monique Lhuillier cocktail dresses in honor of the petite designer's latest boutique opening. So why did the bevy of beauties -- including Emilie De Ravin and Maggie Grace of "Lost" fame, "Veronica Mars" star Kristen Bell, Melissa Sagemiller from the new series "Life," and first lady of California Maria Shriver -- make the trip to the bridal- and evening-

gown-filled salon? Let fan dancer and fetish model Dita Von Teese explain.

"I'm a big fan of hers," said the ultra-pale brunette stunner. "I love the details of her dresses. They are the sort of thing that are reminiscent of the past, yet modernized. And I love the fabrics, all the brocades and the embroidery, they are really rich and wonderful."

As the packed gray-walled space filled up with beautiful people sipping Veuve Cliquot champagne and munching on tiny canapes, gorgeous Kate Mara (we loved her in "Shooter") clung to her tall, handsome date, "Charlie's Angels" director McG. She checked out the wall filled with voluminous wedding dresses. Maybe an announcement from them will be forthcoming?

Already married to a hunk ("Grey's Anatomy" Eric Dane, "Dr. McSteamy"), actress Rebecca Gayheart browsed the dinnerware on display in the front foyer, while Shiva Rose, whose split with Dylan McDermott was just made public, avoided those wedding dresses like the plague.

As Lhuillier worked the room, other famous galpals like Michelle Trachtenberg, Maria Menounos, "Ugly Betty's" Becki Newton and long-suffering "Entourage" wife Perrey Reeves lined up to give her congratulatory kisses and rave over the new space.

So why do so many women clamor to wear her designs?

"I think I'm here to make people shine and look their best, and so they come to me for those moments," Lhuillier pondered. "So tonight everyone is showing their support. It's wonderful, isn't it?"

>JENNY PETERS/SPYWITNESS

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) HUGH LAURIE

(2 -- color) DITA VON TEESE