Salma Hayek knighted in France; Controversy and comedy follow

If one of Salma Hayek's New Year's resolutions was to get knighted, she can knock this item off her list. On Jan. 1, the actress was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

This completely strange news doesn't come without a bit of controversy either. Hayek's husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, is the billionaire CEO of PPR, the French company that owns Gucci and Yves St. Laurent. According to The Telegraph, some believe that Sarkozy is knighting Hayek for political reasons.

Napoleon Bonaparte created the merit award in 1802 to honor military and civilian service in France. The actual knighting ceremony won't be until later this year.

Hayek's award is certainly going to be fodder for the late night talk show circuit. But even in advance of that, comics are already weighing in.

Kathy Griffin writes on Twitter, "Just heard Salma Hayek will get a knighthood from France. Not sure if it's going 2 her left breast or right breast."

Other actors who have received the honor include Marlene Dietrich, Clint Eastwood, Jerry Lewis and Robert Redford.