Mr. Redcarpet's Dirt

Man about town on the inside track to HOLLYWOOD!

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Creative Arts Emmys

Last Saturday I was at the taping of the Creative Arts Emmys. It airs this Saturday on E (Aug. 26^th, 8 pm PDT; check your local listings). Penn & Teller did a great job as the hosts. They revealed a secret to an old magician standard and it’s not pulling a rabbit out of the hat.

Have you seen The Evolution of Dance? It's the most downloaded stream on the Net and was performed live by comedian Judson Laipply at the Creatives.

I walked right by James Woods. He’s a little taller than I expected but, man, does he have a big head! I mean that literally. Maybe he just has big hair, I don’t know. His head is out of proportion with the rest of his body which is very trim.

Only a few more days to the Prime Time Emmys!

Mr. Redcarpet

[ 03:42 ] [ August 23, 2006 ] [ 0 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]

Oscar Party Report -- At Last!

OK, the Oscars are over and badda bing badda boom I'm in the Governors Ball and drinking a cocktail! I didn't have a ticket but with the help of two colleagues, we discovered a secret entryway. That secret will go with me to the grave or until it doesn’t work any more. We’ll see what happens in 2007.

Not having had anything to eat for about 8 hours, I was pretty hungry. The Governors Ball is NOT buffet style. We…uh…didn’t think it would be a good idea to grab an empty seat at a table and wait for dinner to be served. The only thing available was hors d'oeuvres being passed around. Since it was almost time for dinner to be served, if I were going to get some food it had to be quick. The only thing I could get was salmon pizza (gourmet pizza is a Wolfgang Puck specialty–see photos). It was positively awful! I was still hungry but ready for a second drink and to move out into the main ballroom.

People mingled in the center of the ballroom. It seemed there were more guests there than seated at tables. There was a dining area on each side of the dance floor. The band was elevated about ten feet above and to the side (somewhat decipherable in the photos of George Clooney that are attached). The first person of note I ran into was the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa. I introduced myself, told him I voted for him, and that it was an honor to meet him. He said, “No, it is an honor to meet YOU.” Ah, the power of the constituent. After I spoke to the Mayor, I noticed George Clooney a chairs in, talking on his cell phone. A few moments later he was off the phone and standing alone. I couldn’t believe that no one was at his table….not even Oscar (he had just won it for Supporting Actor in Syriana – he was only paid $350,000 for the film). I figured I would never get an opportunity like this so I ceased the moment. I walked up and introduced myself and he started talking to me like we were old friends. What a sweetheart of a guy. We both lived in Cincinnati at the same time albeit he was just starting elementary school and I was in college so we had some things in common, the main one being his Dad, Nick. I knew his Dad as a news anchor and local TV personality. He talked about his Dad with me as if I knew him personally. George told me that’s who he was talking to just a few minutes ago. People were starting to gather around us yearning for George’s attention so I graciously made my exit. WOW! I could not believe that I, Mr. Hollywood, just had a drink and a one on one conversation with Academy Award winning actor George Clooney like we were at a friend’s house party! When he was talking to me, looking me straight in the eyes, I was thinking what millions of people, especially women, would give to be standing in my shoes right now.

Everything at the Governors Ball was anti climactic after that. I wandered by Steven Spielberg a few moments later and thought…ha!...old news. After hooking up with my friends, we made our way to the exit. We passed Laren Bacall…ha!...VERY old news. My friend, who is a big fan, asked for her autograph. She said bluntly that she couldn’t be bothered. There was a food server holding a tray of Chocolate Oscars on the way out (see photo, but the guy in photo was definitely NOT our server). Finally, some food!

Since I teased this in my last report (remember way back in March?), I should tell you about the actress who appeared in The Show who I once kissed. The kiss was no big deal…just a goodbye kiss when I saw her at the Oscar rehearsal. I know her professionally outside of her career as an actress. Her name is Jane Finstrom. She was onstage for one of the production numbers toward the end of the show. I remember Tom Hanks was in it but that’s all! If I can’t remember, chances are you could care less.

We attempted to get into one more party at the Pacific Design Center (lovingly known as the Blue Whale) but security was pretty tight and we were very tired. The spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. It was time to pack up the tux until the Emmys.

Photos of the Chocolate Oscar, George Clooney, and canned photos of the Governors Ball are attached.

Mr. Redcarpet

[ 02:56 ] [ August 23, 2006 ] [ 3 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]

Jacqueline Bisset at the Academy

Two weeks ago I went to the Great to be Nominated series at the Academy to see Airport (the original; 1970). There were about five actors present who appeared in the film but the most notable was Jacqueline Bisset. Gentlemen, she still looks great. Unfortunately, the lame photos I have of her don’t do her justice but that’s what you’re up against when you’re a discreet paparazzi taking pictures where no photography is allowed.

All the actors spoke highly of Dean Martin and what fun he was on the set. Jacqueline Bisset said he always had a cocktail glass filled with apple juice on the rocks in his hand.

The director, George Seaton, gave strict orders not to drink alcoholic beverages at lunch time. Jacqueline Bisset’s hair dresser talked her into having a margarita on the day they were to shoot the scene where she hits Helen Hayes. (You might recall Helen Hayes’ character was in on this ruse in an effort to grab the bomb from the unstable passenger). Jacqueline considered this her most difficult scene in the movie. Anyway, the first margarita was so good that she had another…and another. She was totally blitzed when she did what was considered her best acted scene in the film. Try to find this out somewhere else on the Internet.

Angelenos, I can’t urge you enough to get over to the Academy on Monday nights for this series. It’s only five bucks! Check out the upcoming films. http://www.oscars.org/events/great_to_be_nominated/august.htm This Monday, it’s the Exorcist and Linda Blair is expected to be there. Last week Michael York was there for Cabaret. He looked great. His hair looked the same as it did in the film 35 years ago. Damn that guy!

I already have my invite to the EMMYS. Look for those reports in a couple of weeks.

Mr. Redcarpet

[ 04:10 ] [ August 7, 2006 ] [ 1 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]

Mr. Redcarpet and an Original King of Comedy

Mr. Redcarpet will be very busy with the Emmys coming in just a couple of weeks. Here's what I've been up to lately...

About a month ago, I was at Cedric the Entertainer’s house. He had a

birthday party for his daughter’s grandmother. The party was at a brand new

home and he obviously just moved in because there were open boxes spread about

the house, bare walls, and not much furniture. The house sat on a nice size

piece of property. There was a pool and a garden in the back and a Rolls Royce

in the front! It was located in a gated community in the very far northwest end

of Chatsworth. Chatsworth is in the very far northwest end of Los Angeles in

the very HOT San Fernando Valley.

This was just like a party you'd throw for your family and friends. Ok,

maybe you wouldn't have a casino, or a caterer, or an AIR CONDITIONED tent in

the backyard to accommodate 150 guests. But except for that…! For music,

Cedric hooked up his Ipod to some speakers. Now, don't tell me you'd hire a DJ

before you would try this! There was one other celebrity at the party and that

was former NBA star John Salley. He and I left at the same time. Since the NBA

playoffs were going on at the time, I asked him if he were sneaking out to watch

the game. He said, “No. I've seen enough games.” I laughed and I certainly

understood what he was saying. Would you want to spend your retirement watching

people perform your old job?

I promise... the George Clooney story very SOON. Also, look for EMMY reports coming in the next couple of weeks.

Mr. Redcarpet

[ 04:00 ] [ August 7, 2006 ] [ 1 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]

Oscar ReCap Coming Soon!

To pique your interest I have 4 words:

Governor's Ball

George Clooney

[ 11:43 ] [ March 8, 2006 ] [ 2 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]

The Oscar Rehearsal

Today I was at the Kodak for the final rehearsal. There were only a few celebrity sightings today:

                        Nicole Kidman – She’s very blond, still tall, and still beautiful.

                        Dolly Parton– She’s very blond, still small, and still…er…well, you
                                               know. Actually, I had no idea how skinny she is (except for
                                               her hair and…er…well, you know)

                         Jon Stewart– He’s very funny.

On the way out of the house I passed Jon and told him, “Nice job.” He was holding a rolled up piece of paper. He tapped my arm with it and said, “Thank you.”

Photo Notes:

The top photo is the set designer’s miniature model of the set. Then Tom Hanks’ dressing room door. Then:
1. The set with BIG Oscar. The seats in the foreground have cards depicting pictures, names, and categories in which nominated. These are mostly for the benefit of the camera crew during rehearsal.
2. Specialty item produced for the Governor’s Ball. They were available for us at the crew/guest dinner on Saturday.
3. Another set configuration
4. The set configuration during breaks….I think only the theater audience sees this one.
5. The manifestation of the miniature model shown at the top
6. A view from the stage looking out to the audience
7. In front of the Kodak on the Red Carpet. These giant Oscars are placed at various locations along the Red Carpet.

The Program is just incredible. It’s embossed black; legal pad length; and has a texture like suede. An inside view will come later.

There’s nothing left to do except get a good night’s rest, put on my top hat, get in my limo, and go to THE SHOW!

P.S. Make sure to watch the performance of "In the Deep" from Crash- it's incredible!

[ 11:20 ] [ March 4, 2006 ] [ 1 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]

Pre Oscar Hoopla!

        What a weekend for Mr. Redcarpet!

        Friday, I was at a party where Buzz Aldrin and Phyllis Diller were among the guests. No, they weren't together, but they were both in the same room at the L.A. Country Club. I was playing the role of pit boss (this was a casino party) while standing at Buzz's blackjack table. He was documenting the results of his plays on a napkin. I joked around with him and told him we don't want any card counters at our casino and to take his action to the Bel Air Country Club (a rival snooty club). How often do you get a chance to make a guy laugh who's been on the moon? By the way, he concluded that he made a profit but lost more hands than he won. I think he was just keeping track of his wins. He wasn't counting cards.

        Saturday, I did the George Lopez Show 100th episode celebration party. George and the cast were there as well as other faces you'd recognize but whose names even Mr. Redcarpet doesn't know! I did recognize comedy writer, Steve Robinson. (Buy his book at this link: http://tidyurl.com/g05 )
        Oh, did I mention that Executive Producer (of the George Lopez Show) Sandra Bullock was there with her husband Jesse James???!!! http://tidyurl.com/qpw Wow! And this isn't even Oscar weekend! They both were playing craps at my end of the table. Sandra really didn't know what she was doing but Jesse did. I tried to help her but she just wanted to lose quickly so they could go to dinner. They were both very nice. Sandy (that's what we call her) is taller than I thought and Jesse has tattoos. I might see Sandy at the Oscars this week because she was in CRASH, a film nominated for best picture.
         Music at the party was provided by War. They did their hits including Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, and Slippin' Into Darkness. I must tell you one thing about the Friar's Club. There's a pool room on the third floor in which the entire floor is covered by sand. What’s with that? Was it a giant ashtray or are they trying to start a new sport..Beach Billiards? (I save the "A" material for the Oscar Reports.)

[ 09:39 ] [ March 4, 2006 ] [ 2 Comments ] [ Post Comment ] [ Link ]