"I called my source back and they talked to the other people who were at Big Fish that night and corrected themselves, saying it was Kornheiser's wife who was worried that he might be "too famous" for the place, meaning they wouldn't be able to have a civilized meal without being bothered. (They were celebrating Kornheiser's 60th birthday this past weekend.) At this point, who knows if it's even true that his wife felt like that.

"With that said, I no longer have any confidence that he said, "I want what I want when I want it." Maybe the people who saw this exchange were Kornheiser haters, who knows. Either way, I wasn't there so I can't help clear these muddy waters. And since I actually enjoy Kornheiser's work, I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt and not assume he was being a crabby jackass on his 60th birthday."

Then another, unnamed source e-mails us late Tuesday and tells this version of events:

Following up on your post yesterday, I spoke with someone who was in the Big Fish Grill when Kornheiser was there. It turns out, the real story is a little different than the Pulp Culture blog had it. According to my source, Kornheiser and his wife went to the restaurant and when he saw that the only available table was at the front of the establishment, right in the view of everyone, he decided to leave and come back another time. After walking out, they were followed to the street by a tall gentleman who offered the couple a table behind the host station. Kornheiser obliged, was still spotted and signed a few autographs after sitting down.

As for the, "I want what I want when I want it," my source told me that is patently untrue. Tony ordered a dish on the menu and after eating some of his salad, was told that the dish was unavailable. When his waitress offered a replacement, he turned it down, stating that his salad was big enough. The waitress took it upon herself to go next door and get the fish for the dish. I was told that Tony was very thankful for the waitress, including an autograph on the menu for her boyfriend and a very handsome tip.

If there are any other witnesses who would like to step forward, we of course would be happy to air your views. But keep in mind, of course, that you must be holding the conch before you are allowed to speak ...

Tony Kornhesier Is Very Fussy About His Shellfish [Deadspin]

From the Wilmington News Journal, which reports on a Kornhesier sighting at the Big Fish Grill in the Rehoboth Beach area:

While at the restaurant, Kornheiser didn't make too many friends, a source told me. After announcing that he was "too famous to be here," a staffer finally found him a corner table to keep him from, ahem, all his fans. Once there, the type of crabs he wanted weren't on the menu and he allegedly said, "I want what I want when I want it."

My source swore he said that, but I'd be surprised if anyone could be such an ass. Staffers had to go next door to the Big Fish Seafood Market to get Kornheiser his precious crabs.

Ha. Reminds me of the restaurant scene with Richard Crenna in the movie Summer Rental.

And I wonder if Tony used the "I'm too famous to be here" line when he quit the Washington Post. But really, there is nothing in the universe more baffling than the journalist-as-celebrity phenomenon; I can't fathom why anyone would give a fig about what a television commentator ate, or where he ate it. And to run off into the night to fetch crabs for Tony Kornheiser? These really are the end times.

Famous Faces At The Beach [Wilmington News Journal]
Tony Kornheiser's Head Finally Too Big [Deuce Of Davenport]