New York’s a city that never sleeps. I report on it so I don’t. Just the last few days:
Crammed jammed Grand Ballroom. Waldorf. Ray Kelly‘s NYC Police Foundation dinner. Everyone black-tie — except honoree Ron Perelman in a cop’s jacket Kelly gave him. Also ad man Donny Deutsch who, freakily, sported an open-collar shirt.
Everyone there famous — except the waiters. Just at my table — besides the commish, wife Veronica, son Fox-TV’s Greg, son businessman Jim — Chevy Chase. I’d seen him that day on TV. He couldn’t remember doing a show. Better he shouldn’t forget his medication because he was on “The Doctors.” He finally remembered . . . Kyle MacLachlan posed, even tweeted, with swarms of young girls . . . Hearing “Buffett‘s here” I went hunting Warren. It was Jimmy . . . Through my chicken and risotto, Christine Quinn pushed me her Lab-mix dog Justin‘s picture. Lovely, gravy and all.
Charlie Rose told Universal president Ron Meyer: “A word like ‘honor’ gets its meaning back with Ray Kelly.” Michael Douglas told me: “I love Ray Kelly — also I’ve played NYPD detectives in the movies.” Steve Guttenberg said something, but I forgot to write it down. Dick Brown: “I’m celebrating 10 years as Queens DA.” And Bon Jovi: “Every kid growing up wants to be either a policeman or a rock star.” And the Jonas Brothers’ Kevin showed because he wanted to meet Bon Jovi.
The chair, Town and Country publisher Valerie Salembier, said the event made $2.3 mil.
A FEW minutes later same crammed jammed ballroom. Gristedes’ bil lionaire John and wife Margo Catsimatidis‘ 1,000-plus for daughter Andrea marrying Christopher Nixon Cox, who ran for congress last year, whose grampa’s Richard Nixon, mommy’s Tricia Nixon, daddy’s NY state Republican Party chief Ed Cox.
Besides Pennsylvania’s ex-Gov. Ed Rendell and former DA Morgenthau and the newest Morgenthau, Cy Vance, most pols there were maybe running for something. Pataki going for president? George just smiled. Libby just smiled. However, I saw his cufflinks. The presidential seal. Giuliani going for president? Rudy just smiled. Wife Judith just smiled. Maybe because they’re off to Paris. Ray Kelly, still shaking hands from his own dinner, going for mayor? Kelly just smiled. Wife Veronica just smiled.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, always running, also smiled. Chuck Schumer told me his daughter’s working for Facebook in San Francisco. He smiled, too. Curtis Sliwa, unsmiling, he ever remove that red beret? Answer? “No. Not even when I sleep.”
Supposedly Hillary Clinton was coming with close aide Huma Abedin, who is Mrs. Anthony Weiner. If so, it was after I left. I didn’t see them. I don’t think they’re smiling.
Nice little group.
HBO’s new show about our fashion in dustry — Stockard Channing, Téa Leoni, Hope Davis, Sigourney Weaver — is by “Sex and the City” producer John Melfi. Pilot shoots late June . . . Note to Anthony Weiner: Pal, you only had to make the excuse: “I’d made that famous hot dog photo for my wife, but accidentally the wrong button tweeted it.” . . . Note about Katie Couric‘s “news.” Not news. I’ve long known she’s onto Barbara, Diane, Cynthia McFadden, Elizabeth Vargas, Katie’s all-girls network. ABC — soon to be called Always Buy Cuties.
LONDON. The races. Her Majesty was present, although her horses haven’t won in 39 years. The royal mumble is Princess Duchess Catherine Kate Mrs. William Windsor, or however she’s called has become daring now that she nailed HRH. Remember the official engagement portrait? Skirt grazed the bottom of her kneecap? Now, not. She wore nude colored stylish shoes. But, pish-and-tush, her hemline was short. Very short. Seriously major real short. An emergency privy council meeting may have to be called.
DR. JACK Kevorkian, who just left us, was seriously thin and shaky when we spoke a few months back. He needed to sit. He said: “I’m grateful for the good people who’ve helped me. I’m appreciative of all who’ve given me housing, food and clothing. I needed their assistance. I had no money left after my jail time.” He loved Al Pacino playing him in the movie about his life. So, would he have done it again if he had it to do over again? His answer? “Yes.”
TONIGHT the mayor’s Made in New York Awards at Gracie Mansion honors Matt Damon. Forget the mayor was in his “The Adjustment Bureau.” Forget he campaigned for Mike. Forget he’s now a New Yorker. Forget he films here. Forget he has a recurring “30 Rock” role. Forget he directs a so-far-untitled movie in town this fall.
Also cast members from “Memphis,” last year’s Tony winner, will perform. And crowd warmer-upper John Leguizamo presents a Sidney Lumet tribute to Sidney’s daughter Jenny. Two weeks after learning of Bloomy’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, Sidney passed on. Memorial service will be June 27, noon, Alice Tully Hall.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.