Television Archives

New York, June 16, 2008 – The Peabody Awards ceremony was unique this year.  The prestigious awards are for excellence in radio and television journalism, and news journalists normally dominate the luncheon, but this time entertainment personalities took precedence.   Heidi Klum was the center of attention for her work on Project Runway, leaving hardcore newsies like Kimberly Dozier and Bob Woodruff, both of whom were critically injured by bombs in Iraq, cooling their heels. 

Stephen Colbert found the mirrored back of his award statuette perfect for grooming, and smoothed his hair, checked his teeth and squeezed pimples while gazing at his reflection.  He thinks the Peabody award is better than an Emmy – mainly because he hasn’t won an Emmy.  Colbert said his dream guest to snag for his Comedy Central show is John McCain, because he’s “not exciting”.  (Is he gunning for V.P.?  Remember, Colbert ran for president once.)

There were no formal tributes, but people talked privately of NBC newsman Tim Russert’s sudden death the previous Friday. 

New York, June 15, 2008 – Once again, we spent a very long but very exciting Sunday with Broadway’s greats at the 62nd annual Tony Awards, from early morning backstage at Radio City Music Hall during rehearsals until the wee hours, sipping champagne at the big gala after party outdoors at Rockefeller Plaza. 

We hung out in the gift suite backstage, where we chatted with Liza Minnelli – she was with Ron Lewis, who choreographed her newest show, which she said is grueling.  “God, I never stop moving!” Liza told us.  Stopping for a caffeine fix at the very cool Nespresso machine, Weeds star Mary-Louise Parker said she’s thrilled to be back in New York.  “I could just get down and kiss the ground on Broadway”, she said.  Lily Tomlin told us she’s excited about the upcoming musical stage version of her movie 9 to 5, with songs by Dolly Parton.  “My friend Allison Janney is coming back to Broadway in my role in 9 to 5”, Tomlin said.  “I’m just hoping it’ll be a really big hit”, she added while checking out Carlos Falchi bags.  Brooke Shields was into the comfy Uggs shoes – she’s recovering from foot surgery.  Tony show host Whoopi Goldberg hit the gift suite early, and snapped up yellow Ziamond earrings and a necklace by Anne Koplik that she wore on the live telecast. 

Everyone reconvened later on the red carpet, where Kristin Chenoweth showed off her new boyfriend, Charlie McDowell.  How did they meet?  “His mom and I did a film together”, Chenoweth told us.  “His mom is Mary Steenburgen, and that’s how we met.  He’s a director and writer”, she said, introducing him.  They’ve been together for three months now.  (Sorry, readers, we did not get a photo of McDowell.) 

Laura Linney, Glenn Close, Gina Gershon, Alec Baldwin, Laurence Fishburne and Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon Dursley) all took part in Broadway’s big night.

New York, June 11, 2008 – Disney tried to keep the premiere of the Jonas Brothers’ movie Camp Rock under wraps with a weekday afternoon time slot, but the pop group’s rabid fans would not be deterred, and hundreds of screaming girls filled 54th Street in front of Manhattan’s Ziegfeld Theater.  But the studio complied by not enclosing the red carpet, giving swooning fans a full view of the Jonas boys.

The brothers swept into New York from a European tour specially to promote Camp Rock, which airs on June 20, just when  kids around the country will be heading off to summer camp.

New York, May 27, 2008 – After so much hype, the Sex and the City movie finally arrived in New York City, and the big, splashy premiere turned out to be a lot of fun.  It truly brought home to us how beloved the former HBO series was when screaming fans lined the streets at Radio City Music Hall – in the rain - to catch a glimpse of their heroes Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte, also known as Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis.  The ladies waved and thanked the fans as they trod the pink Swarovski-crystal laden carpet. 

Inside the theater, the stars were greeted with standing ovations, catcalls and whistles – before the movie started.  All four stars stood onstage, and SJP told the audience, “I wish I could express to you how thrilling it is for all of us to be here tonight with all of you, and…finally, at last, turn it over to its rightful owners, New York City.”  Standing ovations again as the stars made their way to their seats. 

Afterward, the Museum of Modern Art was awash in pink lighting and more Swarovski crystals at the official after party.  Guests including Mary J. Blige, Ashley Olsen, Katie Couric, Fergie and Bette Midler grazed at the “Mr. Big carving station”, nibbled bite-sized Magnolia cupcakes and sipped Skyy Vodka cosmos named for each of the Sex stars Sweet.