It's a Hit - School for Scoundrels opens 9/29 in NYC

Guests at the premier of School for Scoundrels were still laughing as they left the theater recounting the scenes they had just seen on the screen at the Loews Theatre Lincoln Center. It's not always easy finding these screenings; occassionally they are listed in the gossip columns, or in the entertainment sections, but for the most part I rely on one of my connections to pass me a tip. For this particular screening I was surprised that only the guy who gave me the tip, and myself and my friend from Lee Ann visiting from Philly, were there to greet the celebs as they left. Here the actors, producers, and friends exit the screening. It always surprises me how easy it is to get the celebs photos as long as you know where to go. For the most part, it is low key and they are accomadating. First to leave was Billy Bob Thorton. It seems like just yesterday he was in Sling Back or was carrying around Angelina Jolie's blood around his neck.Sarah Silverman Sassy, sharp tongued actress / comedian / writer from Beford, New Hampshire girlfriend of comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Michael Clarke Duncan, used to be a bodyguard for Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, and Notorious B.I.G.; he let a friend take over for him the night Notorious B.I.G. got shot, which prompted him to quit that line of work. After coming down the escalator, they exit the theater to their waiting SUV's to whisk them off to the Afterparty or AP. Which was at the Mandarian at the Time Warner Center. Lee Ann and I were off to another movie icon place with the same name as a John Cusack movie - ok it was Serendipity on 59th near madison.

I finally got my last major player from Sex in The City - Chris Noth

Earlier this month Chris Noth hosted a fundraiser for the Rainforest Action Network at his Chelsea club Plumm, located on 14th Street near 8th Ave. You may have heard about it before it is where Axl Rose and Tommy Hilfiger got into a fight a few months back, and drinks and fists were thrown. Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Noth Sherri Saum (Rescue Me, Law & Order, One Life to Live) Julianne Nicholson (conviction, Ally McBeal) and Chris Noth

The NYC Premiere of Scorsese's The Departed

"The Departed" premiere was as star-studded as they get last night, as the long-anticipated Martin Scorsese flick about cops and the mob premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre. Among those flocking to the famed movie palace on West 54th Street were Jack Nicholson, who plays a ruthless Mafioso in the film, and pretty-boy co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, who take on roles as cops in gritty South Boston. Nicholson, 69, sported his trademark black sunglasses - and devilish grin - as he posed for the cameras with his date, 22-year-old Manhattan actress Paz de la Huerta. Martin Scorsese - signed for the dealers at the After Party. His signature is rare.Leonardo DiCaprio Matt Damon Ron Wood and Wife (Mick ran out, but I got a shot of the back of his head) Kevin Connelly and EmanuelleBono. I was excited to capture him since I had skipped the "sure thing" event a few weeks ago because I was tired.Billy Joel Jack Nicholson being very generous and spending a good 10 minutes signing for the dealers, who as you know will turn around and sell the "graphed" photos to the fans. More pictures to come and commentary (it's late, 3AM and I have to go to work in 5 hrs ...)

Oprah is a Media Genius

I took my 2 Color Purple Poster that I bought yesterday at the Broadway Cares Flea Market to the press conference where Oprah was going to announce her new radio program on XM. The new channel, titled Oprah and Friends, is part of the XM Satellite Radio network and extends the former journalist's reach beyond her syndicated talk show and her bestselling O, The Oprah Magazine.I wish this place didn't have double paned windows because of the glare. I also thought no one could see out, but Oprah waved to the crowds surrounding me. As the crowd got larger I was afraid I wasm't going to get the posters signed. After the press conference Oprah and Bob Greene emerged. I surged forward, even deflecting her bodyguards arm which strongly pushed me back. Gail saw me first, and pointed out the posters to Oprah. (if you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I think Gail is the softer side of Oprah.) Oprah stopped moving forward, took the sharpie I had and signed both posters. I told her I loved the play and was going to see it again, which I am. She thanked me, as the bodyguard pushed me aside. It was awesome, and I was in my glory. I don't know why Oprah has that effect on me. If you are a long time reader of my blog, you know I try not to see a celebrity twice, but Oprah I have seen at least a several times. 3 times in Philly, here in NYC at the Color Purple premiere, at her hotel once, at the Legends Ball DVD Premiere, David Letterman, ok thats it several times. I've seen Gail a few more times than that, all those events plus Usher's premiere on Broadway (which I never had a chance to write about), the Vanity Fair party when she told me she was driving back to Conn., and on GMA. I will try and give them a rest for now on. Gail says she is not going to the view, but will concentrate on her XM talk show. I wish I had my Bob Green book that I have at home. Oprah signed it when she came to Philly a bit back. Hmmm I certainly am having a stalker moment with Oprah.A few days later a celeb photographer Luis, gave me this shot of Oprah signing the posters. A shot like increases the value of the posters. Someday when I am ready, I will donate one of them to a charity for an auction. Nate Burkus. I have seen him 3 times too. Still as cute as a button. This photo is not so hot as my fuji camera often overexposes people unless I set the ISO to something decent like 200.Then the legend of all legends - Maya Angelou. I was in heaven. Last mother's day I bought her new book - Mother - for my mom and for Mike's Mom. She was looking at me because I was gushing over her book. God I heard that Maya Angelou voice, it really was soothing. It was worth being 30 minutes late to work to see Dr. Angelou. I first heard of her when she read the Inaguaration poem for Bill Clinton in 1992.

20th Annual Broadway Flea Market And Grand Auction

20th Annual BroadwayFlea Market And Grand Auction Sunday, September 24, 200610AM To 7PMShubert Alley and West 44th Street - The weather looked iffy, the weather forecast seemed to be even more dire. So I checked the website http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/auction.cfm and if they were a go, then I was a go too, they were and off I went. This year I went early and stayed late. (unlike last year where I went late because I then went to the Katrina Benefit with Liza and friends. I arrived about Noon, and it seemed like I beat the crowd. I headed straight to the photo booth and celebrity table. I was especially curious about where it would be located this year since the very busy Juniors opened and would surely be enjoying another busy lunchtime crowd. I was completely surprised, and heartened that Juniors had donated their outside area for use. EAT AT JUNIORS http://www.juniorscheesecake.com/ Edie Falco and Rollyee - a bigtime fan that I see around town all the time. Being in a wheelchair doesn't hold him back from meeting and greeting the stars. He's an inspiration. In the window you can see people enjoying lunch at www.juniorscheesecake.com Richard Griffiths who had just finished the Celebrity Table John Lloyd Young from Jersey Boys. Won a Tony as Frankie Valli. http://www.jeffbransononline.com/ Jeff notices the deluge of rain falling on our heads.The auction items were covered quickly. I think a lot of the crowd left at this point. I held out, it wasn't a big deal as I only live about 20 blocks away. I went out onto 44th Street. The crowd was thin, I thought this is a great time to go to the "Win Tickets Free Wheel" as the line would be short. I was wrong, people had umbrellas and were patient. I had neither and hung out under the NY Times overhang.To my surprise the rain stopped after about 20 Mins and the SUN CAME OUT!!! I went back to my favorite spot, THE CELEBRITY SIGHTING spot. I mean I have to keep up my "Celebrity A Day" goal, and today was day 427 since I moved to NYC and I needn't disappoint my addiction. Here's John Tartaglia waving to the crowd. He had a fairly long line, but the winner of the day had to be Edie Falco. About 30 people waited in line for her. Although I left at 4PM so I don't know how Harvey Firestein did.I took several table pictures, but I like how the Spelling Bee table turned out the best. Plus I bought the board the guy is holding in his hand. They weren't a big seller as you see there are a lot left on the table. I thought they were clever and were surprised they weren't bigger sellers. At 4 PM, I was out of money and it was time to go. This was the last shot I took, and there was still a decent crowd there.Here is some of my loot.

Posh Spice is in the House

Last week I caught Victoria Beckem leaving the Marc Jacobs Fashion show in a cute little pants number. An hour later she arrived at the After Party, held at the "Top Secret" location of the new Ian Shrager Gramercy Park Hotel, a cute little white skirt. On the right are two "Fans" that are trying to get "Pictures with". I on the otherhand am satisfied with "Pictures Of" and am rarely disapointed.

One Life To Live - Did you know its taped in NYC and you can make an unofficial visit to see the stars

I am actually a huge All My Children fan having been addicted to it for about 20 years, but about 3 years ago, you know the time, when the shows began showing a minute or two into the next hour, so for me to see the next days AMC previews I would have to extend my TIVO recording a few more minutes. Then I got interested in OLTL because of all the two minute clips I would see about their show. Both shows tape in NYC, and I found out that you can visit thier studios and talk to the actors. A few weeks back I visited the OLTL studio and had a nice chat with many of the actors. They were just begining to film the scene where John is critically hurt in a car accident (in reality the guy who plays John was in contract talks, he's signed so he lives - opps those scenes haven't aired yet) This is the storyline that got me hooked... A new major storyline involved Mitch kidnapping sisters, Natalie and Jessica, to figure out which one's heart was a match for their grandfather. Victor had been faking his death. Dorian then showed up as Mitch's new bride, and she became immeshed in a storyline involving a jewel hunt as well as a "curse" which blinded Mitch. Mitch was later killed by Jessica. Pictured here is Bree Williamson who plays Jessica, (born December 28, 1981) is a Canadian actress. I had just seen her at an event the night before and I told her how cute she looked and showed her a photo I had taken of her. She was probably a bit frightened and I wouldn't blame her - LOL Actually she was very sweet. I gave her tips on how to get her pictures taken and published while on the Red Carpet, like Levan Rambin from AMC who I see at many events. Bree on the Red Carpet at the Illutionist premiere the evening before I took the photo above. Hillary Bailey Smith (born May 25, 1957) is an American actress best known for playing Nora Hanen Gannon Buchanan on "One Life to Live". (1994) Daytime Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She plays a prosecuter on the show, and I think her costume communicates that well. She was so sweet. Asking me a million questions about what it was like to be on a business trip to NYC for an entire year. (not too bad on some days, but miss the boyfriend and family everyday)I was going to say can you believe this women just discovered that Hugh Hughes is the son she gave up for adoption 25 years ago, but now that I looked up her bio I have to say, WOW she looks damn good for 51. Alexandra Neil (born April 7, 1955 in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American actress. Previously portraying the role of Jeannie Johnson in the 1980s, Neil returned to the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live in the role of Dr. Paige Miller since January 2006. Spencer (Vickers) Truman (May 25th, 2005 to present) didn't want to pose alone, so he grabbed some strangers. Paul Satterfield orginated the role of Spencer Truman on One Life to Live beginning May 25, 2005. Mr. Truman arrived in Llanview with an agenda and will make trouble for a few citizens in town with whom he shares a past. On this particular day it was about 3 days before his birthday, and he said he was excited to return to California that afternoon, to visit his family and celebrate.Hugh Hughes, Hugh came to Llanview as the new Assistant District Attorney, working closely with both the district attorney's office and the police. Not long after he arrived, Hugh was out with one of the many leggy models he often had on his arm when he ran into Marcie Walsh, who was being ridiculed by other writers after The Killing Club debacle, and gave up his evening to take the drunken Marcie home, where she then threw up on his shoes. This began an unusual friendship between the playboy Hugh and writer Marcie, much to the annoyance of her ex-boyfriend Michael. John Casaubon is currently known for his role as Assistant District Attorney Hugh Hughes on the ABC soap opera, One Life to Live, a role he has portrayed since June 2005 and will leave the soap after only one year. He will last air in the fall of 2006. I spoke with him shortly after it was announced he was leaving. He wasn't very happy, as most of the fans I know. We are all perplexed as he just found out that Paige and Spencer are his natural parents. Behind him is David Fumero who is best known for his portrayal of Cristian Vega. He was incredibly nice, he lives nearby and at lunch went to get his dog to walk in Central Park. The always wild and crazy Roxanne "Roxy" Balsom played by Ilene Kristen and her daughter Natalie Buchanan played by Melissa Archer. Melissa is wearing an dog ass ugly bathrobe over her costume. She spent the most of the time practicing her lines where she basically talks to the comatose John, patiently waiting to see if he will re-sign his contract or not. By the afternoon the ink was dry, and John was expected on the set the following week. This weekend you can attend the Broadway Cares Flea Market where many of the OLTL Soap Stars will be there signing autographs, including Illene Kristen, Robin Strasser and David Fuermo. http://www.broadwaycares.org/events/CelebrityTable2006.pdf More fans find the soap stars. After talking to these folks, I found out they were from Maryland and every few months they come to NYC to catch a show, and visit their favorite soap stars.Nathaniel Marston joined the cast of One Life to Life in December 2001, originally in the role of Al Holden. After a brush with death, Al received another chance at life in the body of Michael McBain ; Nathaniel was a complete shock to meet. When I first began watching OLTL my favorite character was Michael McBain who appeared to be completely Metrosexual to me, sensitive and G-Rated. Then he became Al, a little edgier and angry. When I went to the "stage door" and met him I was completely shocked because he is really a little edgier, spitting, cursing smoking, a real man's man. He deserves an Emmy, he is a great actor, as he was completely different than I imagined him. After this interaction I decided one visit to OLTL would be enough I am unable to handle this dichotomy.

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) Premiere

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) premiere was held tonight in my neighborhood of Chelsea NYC. I love when they are close by and I can pop on over there. It's the gayberhood so the star of A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints can just go clubbing when he is finished with the Red Carpet. The movie is a coming-of-age drama about a boy growing up in Astoria, N.Y., during the 1980s. As his friends end up dead, on drugs or in prison, he comes to believe he has been saved from their fate by various so-called saints. Dianne Wiest not the star, but someone I have always loved.To me it seems that Sting is looking back at his years as a sex symbol and the baton has now passed. Although some would definetly disagree. Sting and Trudy produced the film Starring Channing Tatum, who is shown here being good to his fans. Channing baby couldn't you have at least looked up once with those baby blues?There are others in the movie, but tonight is dedicated to Channing Tatum!!