GEORGE CLOONEY - OSCARS POKE FUN AT CHENEY

Oscar-nominee GEORGE CLOONEY and awards host JON STEWART have publicly mocked US Vice President DICK CHENEY during a star-studded Academy Awards lunch.

Clooney, renowned for his opposition to the BUSH administration, joked that Cheney had initially invited him to the hunting trip, at which he accidentally shot a colleague.

And he told the Beverly Hills audience on Monday (13FEB06) that he planned to return Cheney's generosity by bringing him along to the Academy Awards next month (05MAR06)

He says, "I'm bringing Dick Cheney as my date.

"It's so nice - he called me up and wanted me to go hunting so I invited him to be my (Oscars) date.

"I don't know if that's overly political."

Oscars producer GIL CATES also promised the 116 nominees attending the lunch that the show's host, Jon Stewart, would mention the shooting incident again during the ceremony.

He said, "Jon told me that part of the show that night will have him talking about how Cheney stands by the shooting and he would do it again, and that the guy was wrong, he obviously shouldn't have been there."

Clooney has been named in three Academy Award categories, including Best Director for his efforts with the politically-charged GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.