When some reporters come face to face with A-list celebrities, their brains turn to mush.

Take this morning’s press conference at the Venice film festival. George Clooney and Brad Pitt were among the stars taking questions following the first screening of their latest movie “Burn After Reading”, directed by the Coen brothers.

Inevitably, the questions were personal as well as professional.

“I have a question, it’s very important,” said one male reporter from Brazil: “What do you think it’s (sic) better … to win an Oscar or to fall in love with a beautiful woman here in Venice?”

“Brad, don’t answer that,” Clooney said, trying to maintain a happy atmosphere despite the generally dire standard of questions.

Then came a female reporter from a Hong Kong TV channel: “I want to know how the twins are doing — are they looking more and more like you and Angie?” She was, of course, referring to Pitt’s newborn twins with Angelina Jolie.

Clooney again tried to come to the rescue: “The twins are fine.”

A British journalist enters the fray, asking Pitt: ”I’m just wondering whether you have plans for any more (children) and how many is enough?” and to Clooney: ”Any plans to settle down and have children yourself, if that’s not too personal a question?”

Clooney replied: “I am so surprised to hear that question. That is honestly the first time I’ve been asked that question. I am getting married and having children today. Brad?”

Pitt: ”And until then I’ll be sharing mine with him. I’ll have two more by next year.”

And finally, and it was really painful to watch, came a female reporter from Spain (and excuse the English):

“This is a question for Brad. Can I get closer? I am wearing like this because I want to sign up for your gym. What do I have to do to sign up for your gym like in the film, Brad? And if I sign up, would you be running after me? Both of you.”

Pitt: ”It’s a movie and I have no answer.”

Question: “If I sign up will you be running after me, George?”

Clooney: “I’m afraid, from the looks of it, we might be running from you.”

Hear, hear, George.