Barbara Taylor Bradford shocked a black-tie audience into silence at the American Cancer Society gala at the St. Regis. The formidable best-selling author yelled into the mike, “Shut up. You are the rudest audience I’ve ever seen. I’m a drill sergeant, I’m the second Margaret Thatcher.” It worked, and she introduced honorees Geoffrey Bradfield and Nate Berkus. Co-chairs included Margaret Russell, Gigi and Harry Benson and Jean and Martin Shafiroff.