Variety On the Town

Spielberg's Support

Steven Spielberg took on the role of supportive dad as he arrived for a book party celebrating the launch of his son-in-law, Christopher Gavigan's new book "Healthy Child Healthy World" on Wednesday night at Lucques in L.A. Spielberg held court in one of the restaurant's back booths with Kate Capshaw while step-daughter Jessica Capshaw and Gavigan were busy greeting guests such as Jessica Alba and Amy Smart at the People sponsored bash. Gavigan says the birth of his son Luke in September was a big inspirations for the book, which focuses on creating an eco-friendly environment for kids. "This is a book that gives people solutions to prevent things that are known to hurt kids," Gavigan told On the Town. And while the book features contributions from several stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, Gavigan says Spielberg's contribution was providing encouragement. "The only input he gave is inspiration. I live in a very creative family and a family that is constantly talking and challenging each other. They certainly lead by example."  (Photo: Kate Capshaw, Steven Spielberg, Jessica Capshaw and Christopher Gavigan/ BEImages)

McMullan's Glamour Girls

Celebrity photographer Patrick McMullan wasn't quite sure what side of the camera to be on Tuesday as he celebrated the launch on his new book "Glamour Girls" at the Sunset Tower Hotel. While McMullan spent half his time jumping in front of the camera to pose with guests like Kathy and Tom Freston he never put his camera down and was busy snapping his own shots of the soiree. Leviev diamonds sponsored the event, which would explain the many models mingling with guests while dripping in diamonds. "I have a million dollars on my wrist alone," one said. McMullan praised the socialites who fill the pages of his book saying, "without you all there would be no style here in L.A." (M. McNiece)

New Line's Literary Lunch

As multiplexes start bulging with holiday blockbuster hopefuls, New Line sought to highlight the literary pedigree of its entrant in the B.O. derby, "The Golden Compass," at a lunch Monday at Gotham's Four Seasons Restaurant.

Charlie Rose and Nora Ephron hosted the Peggy Segal-curated event, which honored Philip Pullman for his series of "His Dark Materials" books, which New Line is hoping will succeed "Lord of the Rings" in the franchise annals.  New Line co-topper Michael Lynne knew he was addressing a savvy crowd heavy with film and book biz notables, so his welcoming remarks acknowledged that the project is attracting both good and not-so-good buzz.  "But no one has seen the movie yet," he said, "so it's all projection at this point."

"Well, I have seen the movie, and it is really good," gently corrected Bob Shaye, Lynne's partner. "We hope we have done honor to your work, Philip." (D. Hayes)

Moore, Aniston Help in "Crisis"

It was clear Tuesday night that Demi Moore has another career she can fall back on... book publicist. The thesp was on hand for the launch of good friend Laura Day's latest work "Welcome to Your Crisis," and spoke passionately to On the Town about the book's message. "When we are in crisis or in a difficult moment it just feels only that, which is oppressive. But we can step back and see how the crisis was really leading us to something greater," she explained. And, like a good publicist, she didn't stop there. "Laura is one of my oldest friends. I have known her for 20 years. We have shared such a long journey of each of our lives and I relate to her as my friend and I respect her enormously as an author."

Also at the chic soiree at ONE Sunset in West Hollywood was Jennifer Aniston who called Day, "A fantastic woman who I have known for years," as well as hosts producer Ryan Kavanaugh and agent Kevin Huvane.                                                                    - posted by Mia Sulpor

Warren Zevon Rocks On

The late LA-based singer-songwriter Warren Zevon would have liked last week's book and album release party in Gotham. Then again, in his cowboy days, there weren't many parties he didn't like. But this was almost a family affair celebrating his gritty biography "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead," by ex-wife Crystal Zevon, and an album of previously unreleased recordings by son Jordan Zevon. For most of the night, Jordan held court at one end of a townhouse while Crystal took the other side. A book editor explained there might be tension between the two because Jordan did not want Crystal to publish Zevon's sordid tales. But Zevon made her promise to tell the whole ugly truth. "Warren created these scenes and dramas so he could live them and write about them," she said of Zevon, who died of cancer in 2003. "Writing this book was cathartic." At evening's end, Jordan finally walked over to Crystal and whispered something. She kissed him and touched his face before both said goodbye. "Did you see that?" asked HarperCollins editor David Hirshey, who worked on Zevon's book and CIA director George Tenet's controversial tell-all. "That was a moment. They must have made up." He then added, "I am sure wherever Warren is — and given the life he lived, I trust the weather is warm — he's probably waving a fifth of vodka in Crystal's honor, turning those speakers up full blast and playing all night long."  (J. Clarke Jr.)

Gotham welcomes 'The Tourists'

L.A. packed into Gotham hotspot, The Box, Monday night to celebrate Jeff Hobbs’ frosh novel “The Tourists.”  Aaron Eckhart strafed the darkened bordello-style club as the crushed crowd sipped Leblon Capirinhas, a rum drink most agreed was just shy of paint thinner. Piper Perabo supposedly swept through (sadly, not performing any bar top “Coyote Ugly” moves). Brass from New Line, HBO and Miramax were all well represented, as was the seemingly full roster of Gersh agents. Hobbs and producer wife Rebecca of Cattle Productions, who live in L.A., soaked up the scene along with lit hipster Jonathon Franzen. We asked Hobbs about having Bret Easton Ellis act as quasi editor on his book. “He sort of treated it as any editor would,” Hobbs said. “I tend to overwrite everything so he trimmed it down. He’s about as sharp as they come and I was lucky to work with him.” (J. Clarke Jr.)

A Bit of Motherly Advice

Two years ago Donna Rosenstein, casting director, had an “aha moment” when trying to order 25 burgers for her child’s classroom at a fast-food drive in. She begged, pleaded and cried to get her bulk order placed as she watched others walk in, pick up large orders and walk out. The “other mothers” knew the secret: order the day before and the burgers will be ready and waiting. At that moment Rosenstein decided to write her first book “What the Other Mothers Know.”

Tuesday night, Rosenstein along with co-authors Michele Gendelman and Ilene Graff, hosted a launch party for their new book at Spago in BevHills. All three mothers gathered information from friends, colleagues and focus groups to come up with the 320-page humorous guide to parenting. And the trio agreed, there was plenty of advice for a sequel. (K. Wilder)

Book Bash for Gore Vidal

New York literary heavyweights came out to honor Gore Vidal with the Inaugural Pen/Borders Literary Service Award at the American Museum of Natural History Monday night. Surrounded by well-wishers both young and old, (but mostly old) Mr. Vidal held both court and his wine glass while sitting in a wheelchair in the middle of the room. Surrounded by kneeling well-wishers for the entire reception, it was virtually impossible to get either near him, or around him. Drinking and mingling about were: Paul Auster, Kurt Anderson, Harold Evans and Tina Brown and many others both downtown and mid-list. The Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda cleared quickly as they announced that dinner would be served. Lingering behind though and the very last person into that dinner was publishing legend Gay Talese who used the moment to lament about what he felt going forward would be tough times for comedians and humorists in light of Don Imus' recent and probable career-ending racial slur. But maybe as if to show he hasn't lost his sense of humor, Mr. Talese, before walking off, looked up at the the 40 foot Barosaurus Dinosaur in the middle of the room and quipped, "Hey, look, Tommy Tune is here."  (R.Schwartz)

Vachon's Visit to L.A.

Former Wall Streeter turned NY lit darling Dana Vachon made his very first trip to Los Angeles not only celebrate the launch of his debut novel, "Mergers and Acquisitions," but his first film deal (Anonymous Content optioned his book). So far, he's quite taken with L.A. and his new producer Steve Golin. "I was expecting a sequined jacket and a day-glow pocket square," Vachon said, recalling his first meeting with the Anonymous topper. Alas, party host Golin was a no-show — stuck in an editing room — but Vachon had plenty of company at Bar Marmont. The intimate-but-packed soiree included Oliver Stone, Kyle MacLachlan, Bret Easton Ellis, Ann Magnuson, producers Eric Feig and Sebastian Dungan, and, of course, Anonymous staffers galore: Michael Sugar, Joy Gorman, Matt DeRoss and the very pregnant Shawn Simon, who's producing Vachon's pic along with Golin and DeRoss. (S. Swart)

Praisers Get Praise

The leading lights of the praisery biz whooped it up Thursday night to honor great work in the darkest of media arts.

Under a frigid, but well-lit tent at Gotham's Tavern on the Green, the industry trade PR Week handed out awards for the year's best work, the PR-man's Oscars, if you will.

“I think all of us would rather be at the Oscars getting an award,” said the dean of the group, Richard Edelman, prexy/CEO of the eponymous PR monolith. “But we’ve gone so far beyond being flacks and hacks—some of this is really important.”

Given annually, the awards honor many an aspiring Edward Bernays, like Raymond Buse III, who took the coveted "PR Professional of the Year" for his 15-year effort to promote Cincinati “as a dynamic, progressive, and vibrant place to both live in and visit.”

I’m calling my travel agent.

The irony of the awards is that the best PR, of course, is never acknowledged as such. But there were those who used their persuasive powers for good, and want to get credit for it.

Take Fleischman-Hillard’s campaign to stop a syphilis outbreak in Kansas City. That’s “syPHILis” and “Did you take Phil home last night?” NewsMarket took “Best Use of Broadcast” for its campaign to promote George Clooney’s work in Sudan’s Darfur region. I wonder, did the broadcasters who were “used” get an award?

“More money is moving from advertising into PR,” said Edelman, before running out of the big tent. “The dispersion of media means PR is more important. There is a general distrust of institutions; things that are peer to peer conversations are more valuable than ever.”

It sounds good. But is it just good PR?  (M. Learmonth)

Celebrating Freedom

Funnymen Ben Stiller and Robin Williams came out to support a serious book on Monday night in Culver City.  Despite, the many celebrities that turned out for the event, author Kerry Max Cook was the man of the hour as he celebrated the launch of his book, “Chasing Justice.” The book is the chronicle of a small town murder that became one of the worst cases of prosecutorial misconduct in American history. Cook spent twenty-two years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. At the party, Cook enjoyed his book launch and freedom alongside familiar faces such as Richard Dreyfuss, Chad Lowe, Cary Elwes and Christine Taylor.

Love in the Air

Cosmopolitan threw an early Valentine's Day soiree Monday night for Felicity Huffman's "Practical Handbook for the Boyfriend."

Huffman and co-author Patricia Wolff chatted up guests as well wishers sipped Belvedere Vodka creations like "Love Hurts" and "Boy Meets Girl." Huffman's co-stars Brenda Strong, Eva Longoria and Andrea Bowen walked the red carpet - yes, there was a red carpet for this - in support as did "Studio 60's" Sarah Paulson.

Trendy Iconology boutique's entrance was ensconced in red velvet, giving the intimate gathering a feminine backstage burlesque feel. But in keeping with the book's male-friendly attitude, mini-manly grub (French fries, pigs in a blanket and grilled cheese) were served. (L. Repstad)