Monday, December 30, 2019

THE BEST AND WORST OF 2019









First of all, let's thank Barbara Walters for teaching the world how to correctly pronounce--twen-tee twen-tee. I've noticed how all the ABC correspondents and people at THE VIEW are doing it.

In my opinion, I had a fantastic year of happiness and joy.

The best:

1. My beloved friends on the desert and Los Angeles. Each and every one of you has been by my side because you are kind, gentle, intelligent, funny people who lift me up. I hope I do the same for you.

2. I love going to live shows all over. Live entertainment is the hardest thing for someone to do and it's magical--from Broadway to concerts-to nightclubs.

3. I love putting every week.

4. I love waking up every morning to sunshine, mountains, trees, sometimes snow-capped mountains, and the velvet sea of greens  of the golf courses.

5. I loved going to Japan for three weeks.

6. I loved hanging out with LuAnn De Lesseps at her house in the Hamptons (and NYC) this summer.

7. I love that I have fallen in love with Cheryl Tiegs' dog. Yes, it's true. 

8. The kindness of the Sunset Marquis when I'm in LA, although I prefer cuddling with Cheryl's dog.

9. The fast escalation of the stardom of Billie Lourd. She reminds me so much of Debbie.

When Billie first started working regularly she went to Debbie and asked, "Do you have any advice for me?" Debbie answered, "Get an act."



The Worst:

1. Losing Valerie Harper


1 a. Really personally touching me...
Ron Leibman



Allee Willis





2. The continued loss of Debbie, Carrie, and Joan Rivers

3. The impossible traffic in Los Angeles I practically get a break-down every time I go.

4. People fighting in an ugly way over politics and dropping friends over it. STOP IT. Be kind. I refuse to enter into political discussions.


I might add to this if my mind things of other things.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Monday, December 23, 2019

SO MUCH FOR BIDEN LOYALTY





OBAMA TALKS UP WARREN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

A CONVERSATION WITH TERESA GIUDICE



YES, IT'S THAT TERESA FROM REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY





Don't ask me what I was doing at the Morongo Casino, but when I was going up an escalator, I noticed the woman ahead of me---huge hair skin- tight pants, cool black fur boots, and a fake fur jacket. As soon as I heard her speak, my suspicions were confirmed. Her voice was instantly recognizable. There was no way she was getting far from me.

I love some of the REAL HOUSEWIVES franchises. I realize they demean women and show them as screaming banshees with questionable taste, but it a joyous escape from the real world. LuAnn DeLesseps, Kyle Richards, and Bethenny Frankel have good taste; many do not.

Each time I put it on I am highly entertained. To me, the real star of the JERSEY franchise is Teresa. Her fracturing of the English language alone is a reason to tape it. I hate her (now divorcing husband, Joe) for just putting papers under her nose and asking her to sign knowing they were fraudulent. He's the reason she went to jail. In their marriage, and considering who they are, it's not unusual for her to trust him and sign without reading. Shame on him. I'm so glad she's divorcing him now.

"The most important thing to me is my family," said Teresa. "My girls, my brother, and my father are everything. Whatever choices I make, I put them first. I realize why I went to jail, and that's a resentment and anger that I can live with, but never forget. I wish Joe the best, and my girls can go see him any time they want."

Teresa continued. "I work really hard for everything. I support my family, and have done so since Joe went to jail. It all fell on me. I'm proud that I can do it. I'm proud that I'm loyal to friends who are loyal to me. I want things to be peaceful now. I try to stay out of arguing unless I'm provoked. My kids are happy. I'm good."

Namaste, Teresa, and Merry Christmas




Sunday, December 22, 2019

KIM NOVAK'S PRIVATE ART SHOW IN PALM SPRINGS


KIM NOVAK'S PRIVATE ART SHOW 
AT GALLERY 500

John Monahan of the 500 Building and Kim Novak

Legendary actress Kim Novak never wanted to be a movie star. She'd been given two scholarships to the Art Institute of Chicago by the time she graduated high school, and fully intended to go there. On summer tour as a model, she went to Hollywood with a friend who had a meeting with an agent. Instead, Kim was discovered by a talent scout from Columbia Picture and became the Number 1 Box Office Star in the World for three years in a row. 

Her performance in VERTIGO, continues to garner extraordinary reviews, and VERTIGO has been voted as the Best Movie Ever Made by the British Film Institute, unseating CITIZEN KANE. VERTIGO  was also the first movie announced to be preserved by the U.S. Library of Congress.

But Kim chose to walk away from Hollywood in 1966  to paint.  Her legend has only grown because of the mystery of her choosing to leave. Her art was just honored at the 100th Anniversary of the Butler Museum of American Art. Thirteen of her 70 paintings were sent by the Butler to Palm Springs. She has also been honored by the the National Museum of Prague, and the San Francisco Historical Society Museum with art exhibitions.

John Monahan and I invited a few friends for a private showing only. Kim explained a few of her paintings to the rapt audience. "What you first see, is not necessarily the story," said Kim. "I always put hidden objects in my painting and and you need to look at them for a long time to get the messages. My art is everything to me. I've never chosen to sell any of my originals. They are my children." (Giclees are available on KimNovakArtist.com)

After the exhibition, a few friends went to Le Vallauris to honor Kim and continue the celebration. It was a very special evening.






         Kim, me, John




Some of the gang--Carol Fragen, John, Michael Childers, Lucie Arnaz, Don Amendolia, Phyllis Bart, Kim, Barbara Fromm, Bernie Fromm, Peter Bart, Debbie Miller, Me, Doug Miller, Chuck Yates

Kim and Michael enthusiastically discuss a painting

Chuck, Doug, Debbie


Barbara, Carol, and Kim

Barbara, Bernie and Michael

Gay Aguilera and Don

Joking around--George Rider, Michael, Don, Lucie Arnaz


John with Bonnie and Alan Cashman and their dog, Molly

The Hatchers with Carol Egan

Don, Carol, and Chuck


Kim and former Editor-in-Chief of DAILY VARIETY Peter Bart talk about Hollywood

Lucie and Phyllis Bart

Debbie Miller, Dick Taylor (thank you for the dinner at Le Vallauiis!) and me

George Rider and Francoise Rhodes



With adorable Randy Doney









Lucie really wants to know about this painting


Debbie and Doug

Paul and Lori Siegel



Bobbie Eakes

Steve Rose


Bobbie Eakes


With Jim Egan

Lenny Eber and Diane Rubin


Diane Rubin


Bobbie, Kim, and Katrina Leffler

Tim Minter and Roswitha Swale


Kim and The Egans

John with Alice Rosenblatt


We had a GREAT TIME!




PHOTOS BY LANI GARFIELD