David Paterson (Getty Images)
Former Gov. David Paterson continued to hit the town this week in the wake of his separation from wife Michelle, and he was the life of the party at the Rev. Al Sharpton’s 58th birthday, making jokes at his own expense.
The WOR host was spotted Thursday at Upper East Side restaurant Philippe Chow, where he had the crowd — including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Wyclef Jean, former Universal Motown head Sylvia Rhone and BET host TJ Holmes — in stitches recalling his support of Sharpton after the reverend was stabbed in the chest more than 20 years ago.
Paterson recounted that right after Sharpton was attacked in Bensonhurst (before a 1991 demonstration over the murder of teenager Yusuf Hawkins), Rev. Al planned a march across the Brooklyn Bridge a week later — though he was confined to a wheelchair after nearly being assassinated.
Paterson, who is legally blind, said at Thursday’s dinner that he was the one pushing Sharpton’s wheelchair across the bridge. When Sharpton turned around and saw it was Paterson guiding the way, Sharpton exclaimed, “What are you all trying to do, kill me?”
BET CEO Debra Lee had a zinger of her own. While toasting Sharpton, who hosts MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation,” Lee quipped, “Though I wish it were BET.” MSNBC President Phil Griffin then chimed in from the crowd, “Too late!”
Other guests at the event organized by Sharpton’s daughters Dominique and Ashley included former Motown exec Kedar Massenburg and p.r. titan Ken Sunshine.
The party was held in an upstairs private room and wrapped just before Stevie Wonder arrived fresh from playing Radio City Music Hall with a group of 20, including his daughter, Aisha.
Rapper Machine Gun Kelly sat nearby, and spies said he was “stunned” by his proximity to the R&B legend. The Bad Boy Records artist posted on Twitter from his table: “Stevie Wonder is eating 10 feet away from us!!! The whole table just silently freaked the [bleep] out.”