LAUGHING OUT LOUD
Nanu! Nanu! It started out a few years back as a small dinner gathering with Robin Williams at the helm at Lowe’s hotel in Santa Monica. But “Hot Night, Cool Comedy” has become so hot, the gang had to branch out into the vast, though sadly less-intimate, confines of the Regent Beverly Wilshire.
Nonetheless, it was an evening to remember with Lilly Tomlin, Dana Carvey and Bob Saget joining Williams for a stellar night of stand-up and great gourmet grub. The big-name bash benefits the Scleroderma Research Foundation, which recently suffered the loss of its founder, Sharon Monsky. Still, the gala went on just as Sharon would have wanted-a moving mix of enlightenment and a lot of laughs.
FOR A SONG
It was a glorious celebration of legendary lyricists from years past as the Music Center’s Blue Ribbon group celebrated “The Writer, The Singer, The Song” at the Director’s Guild. Hal David and Charlie Fox shared the spotlight, along with David Gates, Albert Hammond, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
Paul Williams introduced David, who shared stories about the joys of penmanship before delighting the crowd with a version of the “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” classic, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.”
Also on hand to help fete these music-makers were Patti Austin, Leo Sayer, Sally Kellerman, James Ingram and Jackie DeShannon. Kellerman performed Bread’s biggie, “Make It With You,” Austin opted for “Killing Me Softly,” while honorees Fox, Hammond and Mann followed with “Ready to Take a Chance Again,” “It Never Rains in Southern California” and “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.” Ahhh… the ’70s may be gone, but they’re not forgotten.
SECRET AGENT MAN
Move over Austin Powers, Bond’s back in town. Pierce Brosnan is sure to shake things up in “Die Another Day” as the 20th 007 release gets ready to hit the big screen.
Since 1995, Mr. B has starred in a spate of Bond flicks including “Golden Eye,” “The World is Not Enough” and “Tomorrow Never Dies.” Even so, this sly spy has a long way to go toward breaking Sean Connery’s impressive record. Super-cool Connery appeared in seven 007 films before hanging up his Derringer in 1983.
So what is it that keeps the Bond man sexy from one generation to the next? According to Brosnan, it’s a guy thing. “It appeals to every male aspect,” he says. “The girls. The sex. The drinking. The guns. Cool clothes. A great car.”
Well, works for me. “Die Another Day” screeches into theaters on Friday.