Newseater - Adult Edition

— DIANE CLEHANE

What recession? The usual power quotient found on any given Wednesday at Michael’s went into overdrive today as the gals at the front desk had so many media moguls, magazine mavens and talking heads lining up to dine and dish today, they had to shoehorn in extra tables all over the dining room. Luckily, I scored some prime real estate for my lunch with my old pal Jeffrey Slonim and new-found friend Bettina Zilkha. Jeffrey and I have stood side by side on many a red carpet over the years and have bonded over the histrionics that goes with covering A-list events. These days Jeffrey is busier than ever as Interview’s society editor (a prestigious gig once held by Truman Capote!) and Allure’s special correspondent where he fearlessly asks all those publicity shy celebs questions we all really want to ask (bedtime rituals, what they really eat after parties — that sort of thing). It was nice to see him out in daylight. Bettina was recently named Special Projects Editor for Elle Decor and has a fascinating profile of designer Dennis Basso in this month’s Avenue. We had a lively lunch trading stories about Gotham’s gadflys we all know and love (all off the record, sorry to say). I can’t wait until to our next get together.

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. Crooner Steve Tyrellwith Frank and Jamie McCord (owners of the LA Dodgers, in case you were wondering), James McBride (the GM of The Carlyle where Steve is performing through New Year’s Eve) and my good pal Amy Rosenblum.

2. Peter Brown

3. Jim Abernathy and Dawn Bridges

4. Barry Diller and the Financial Times‘ Chrystia Freeland who was warding off today’s chill with a killer fur hat. Fab!

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

Original post by Lux Alptraum

— DIANE CLEHANE

What a difference a day makes. Had we kept our weekly Wednesday lunch date, we’d have missed running into Elton John and his partner David Furnish at Michael’s today. The two gents couldn’t have been more sporting as they gave us a big hello right before they rushed to air kiss Barbara Walters, who was joining ‘Mayor’ Joe Armstrong and a whole host of luminaries at Table One to celebrate tonight’s Broadway opening of Billy Elliot. The tireless Elton wrote the score (in two weeks!) and is “excited and thrilled” to bring the show to New York City. Now getting back to Ms. Walters — so determined was she to get to the lovefest that she hoofed it over to 55th on foot after her town car got a flat tire. Quelle horreur! “I haven’t seen you in so long,” cooed Elton to the TV News grand dame. Seems Babs missed seeing Elton the other night because she was detained on the Intrepid (don’t get the wrong idea — she was on the board and had to attend the fancy relaunch soiree). “I’m probably the only one who could say I couldn’t see you because I was on the Intrepid,” she joked. Yup.

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. ‘Mayor’ Joe Armstrong with pals Elton John (the two go back to Joe’s days as publisher of Rolling Stone), David Furnish, Barbara Walters and Gayle King. Stephen Daldry (who directed the the film version of Billy Elliot), Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor rounded out the star-studded table.

2. Wayne Kabak and two distinguished gents

3. Martha Stewart Omnimedia honcho Charles Koppelman and public relations maven Susan Blond

4. Ron Myers and an attractive gal we didn’t recognize

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

Original post by DCypher

— DIANE CLEHANE

The Michael’s crowd was in full party mode today as television titans, media mavens and talking heads mingled gleefully with politicos who were celebrating Barack Obama’s historic victory. “Finally, some good news!” exclaimed one of the regulars as he made his way into the jam-packed dining room. It seemed more than a bit poetic that on the eve of Camelot 2.0 Caroline Kennedy quietly made her way to table one, avoiding all the table-hopping and glad-handing that was going on around her. If there were any disappointed John McCain supporters in the room, they were keeping a low profile. Okay, Mary Matalin made the scene with hubby James Carville but she didn’t exactly look like she was celebrating. Everyone agreed Obama’s speech last night was stirring, but one observer offered this insight to chew on: “Sure it’s exciting, but it’s going to be pretty much impossible to live up to all this hype. The guy’s gotta be feeling some pressure.” If he is, he sure is wearing it well.

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. The Early Show: Saturday Night Live scribe James Signorelli; Second shift: Caroline Kennedy, Jimmy Buffett and his wife Jeannie

2. Producer Jon Hart, Doug Steiner and another gent we didn’t get to meet…

3. ‘Mayor’ Joe Armstrong, producer Susan Strohman (Young Frankenstein), uber-agent Ed Victor and his gorgeous wife Carol. A little birdie told me the ‘Mayor’ will be hosting one of his legendary lunches next week. We can’t wait!

4. Gerald Schoenfeld with an unidentified gent

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

Original post by Lux Alptraum

— DIANE CLEHANE

It’s always those random celebrity sightings at Michael’s that make my weekly Wednesday visits much more fun. Today certainly didn’t disappoint. When a little birdie told me Jerry Seinfeld would be holding court on table one today, I knew I was in for it. When he strolled in sporting a baseball cap and jeans, it seemed he was trying to keep a low profile, but as soon as he opened his mouth, every head in the vicinity swiveled in his direction. He pretended not to notice and took a quick look around the dining room before settling in at table one with Trident Media’s Dan Strone. I’m thinking Jerry’s got another book in the offing. If not, he might have gotten an idea for one by the time lunch was over — every time I glanced his way, I got the distinct impression he was gathering material. He looked more than a little amused at the scene as the rest of the crowd strained to check him out on the sly. Across the room, Jane Fonda (who made her second appearance of the week) also opted for a low profile, hiding behind her shades for much of her lunch with Pat Mitchell — then the gals ducked out early. But not before my pal Beverly Camhe got a chance to chat with Jane about a possible appearance at the Center for Peace in Berlin. Then, the tireless Bev joined me at the bar and gave me the scoop on the hit of the Hamptons Film Festival (she’s on the advisory board) — the new documentary from two Australian filmmakers on Dominick Dunne. Bev reports that Dominick flew in just for the premiere and was “very moved” by the film. “He was thrilled,” says Bev. “He was nervous beforehand because it was an act of faith since he didn’t know these guys. It turned out great and everyone loved it.” We’re thrilled for Nick. Congrats!

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. Jerry Seinfeld and Trident Media’s Dan Strone

2. Peter Brown, Frank Bowling and pals

3. ‘Mayor’ Joe Armstrong and Sotheby’s Jamie Niven

4. Arnold Scaasi (who felt compelled to prune the bountiful fall arrangement behind his table before sitting down), Parker Ladd and a gal named ‘Judy’, so we’re told …

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

Original post by Lux Alptraum

— DIANE CLEHANE

The scene at Michael’s today was a bit more subdued than usual, with the power lunch crowd more focused on their own conversations than table-hopping. Overheard in the ladies room: “I know he’s worried about losing his job, but if he does, he’ll just write a book about this disaster.” Small comfort, I know, but even media machers are having some sleepless nights. I did notice there was more wine flowing than usual. One staffer told me, “Everyone is nervous, so they’re drinking more.” But not everything was oh-so-serious: I spotted Heather Mills (in a strapless dress!) laughing and enjoying herself with Richard Johnson at Table One. The ex-Mrs. Paul McCartney has 50 million reasons to yuk it up. A few us thought about sending our checks over to her — what’s a few bucks between diners? Maybe next time…

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. Heather Mills with Page Six’s Richard Johnson and a dark-haired unidentified gent

2. Toni Goodell and Amanda ‘Binky’ Urban

3. Three power blondes and a fellow named ‘Sam,’ so we’re told…

4. Hallmark Channel honcho Henry Schleiff with Dan Wasser. Henry was thrilled to tell me Ladies of the House scored record ratings last week (a 1.9!) and was his network’s highest-rated original non-holiday movie. Congrats! Hardworking Henry had himself quite a week last week. On Wednesday, after dining with TV icon Donna Mills, he left Michael’s and drove out to the Hamptons Film Festival to squire around Jacqueline Bissett that very same evening. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media

Original post by Lux Alptraum