Inmates cheered for Amanda Knox

The Knox verdict . . .

Hmmm. Wonder why this wasn’t reported in the Italian press?

Amanda Knox, the American who was freed Monday from an Italian prison, was apparently so popular among prison mates, a loud cheer was heard emanating from Capanne prison shortly after she arrived at the jail to pack her bags. She was reportedly singing hymns in the prison earlier Monday morning and feeling confident she’d be released.

Rahm ’em . . .

What a difference a Rahm makes.

â—† Fact: He carried his own suitcase. He did not come with an entourage of buddies. He did not travel with a bodyguard. He did not stay at the most expensive hotel.

â—† Translation: Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s trip this weekend to Little Rock, Ark., to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bill Clinton’s presidential bid, was duly noted by airline personnel and bystanders for what it wasn’t.

â—† The chat: “Everyone was talking about how polite Mayor Emanuel was and how he didn’t expect to be catered to in five-star fashion,” said an observer. “He was totally by himself and flew down with the rest of John Q. Public on an American Eagle flight. The way he handled himself was compared to former Mayor Daley, who always traveled in first-class fashion with his pals.”

The Quinn bin . . .

Please note: Gov. Pat Quinn refused to be upgraded to first class on his flight back from his recent trip to China and Japan.

$$$$$ . . .

No wonder Lyric Opera’s opening night chairman Trisha Rooney Alden is smiling: Their gala ball raised $875,000 Saturday night.

The Perry file . . .

Ambush ’em? Former President George Herbert Walker Bush, former first lady Nancy Reagan and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger have reportedly urged New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to jump in the presidential race. But former President George “Dubya” Bush is keeping mum.

â—† To wit: It’s felt Dubya’s endorsement would be the kiss of death.

La la Liz . . .

The late Elizabeth Taylor’s auction at Christie’s in New York in mid-December has already got the swell set swooning. Included in the mega-memorabilia of the star is a collection of jewelry from her seven husbands – and a gift from Michael Jackson.

â—† Sprint for the glitz: Amongst the notable treasures are gowns and the colossal gem once known as the Krupp Diamond, which is now listed under Liz’s name and was given to her by the man she called the love of her life, actor Richard Burton. The auction is expected to bring in excess of $30 million.

A soldier’s saga . . .

Warble garble: Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, our nation’s new military chief who was just confirmed as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is an Irish tenor who apparently likes to sing Frank Sinatra tunes. There ya go.

Rooney tunes . . .

Retiring TV essayist Andy Rooney, who obviously doesn’t want to leave his “60 Minutes” TV perch, may have told his audience he didn’t like being famous because of sidewalk encounters, but he is now trying to say “Thank You” when it happens.

I spy . . .

Actor Henry “The Fonz” Winkler spotted at Lou Mitchell’s restaurant on Jackson Boulevard Friday . . . Former Ravens coach Brian Billick and ESPN talking head Mike Greenberg spotted at Hugo’s Frog Bar Friday.

Sneedlings . . .

Today’s birthdays: Alicia Silverstone, 35; Susan Sarandon, 65; Ken Babe, ageless, and Mary Laney, priceless.