At the Cinema Society “Need for Speed” screening, everyone fussed over Aaron Paul. Hovering, breathing heavy lest help’s needed, his p.r. monitor. In “Breaking Bad,” the guy played a “douchebag” meth addict. In this newie, he’s a street dude out of the can seeking revenge, dodging cops, evading a dangerous enemy. He needs protection from me?!
So now a hotshot, is he breaking bad in real life, too?
“You mean, cheating and living a loose life? No. I’m a good guy. I wish more people knew me. I’m in love. Happily married. My wonderful lady’s Lauren Parsekian. I don’t deserve her. We were friends before. We’ve been together five years. I’ll be faithful. I’m happy to be here and with her.”
Now I needed the p.r. rep to protect me. Idaho minister’s son Aaron was going to be boring.
“This film’s big with car racing. I did 3 ¹/₂ months training. Sunrise to sunset. In racetracks north of LA. I tore up tires. Drank car oil. I wasn’t scared. I was excited. Did all myself. No doubles. Nothing added post-filming. No fake stuff or green screen filled in with computer graphics. Me in the car with nerves jangling at triple-digit speeds.
“Just for one big upturn action jumping over traffic, they put in a stuntman.”
And what’s next?
“I just wrapped the biblical film ‘Exodus.’ About Moses coming back.”
Right. Must be whiz-bang chariot racing scenes.
Taking credit
Thursday, WCBS-TV anchor Kristine Johnson said, “Only in New York.” Gave me no credit. Sunday, NY Post’s Phil Mushnick used it. Gave me credit. Thanks . . . Charles Cohen, whose media group’s repping “On My Way,” Catherine Deneuve’s new Francais film, getting the National Order of Merit from President François Hollande, whose assorted lovers confirm he definitely knows from merit.
Odds & ends
Kelly Killoren Bensimon launching her “In the Spirit Of” fragrance . . . WHAT Charlie Rangel’s recent fund-raiser served, I don’t know. I know right afterwards Mayor David Dinkins vacuumed up angel-hair pasta at Third Avenue’s Due restaurant . . . EASTER. Memory time’s new books: “Jack Kerouac: The Haunted Life”; Bill Madden’s “1954: The Year Willie Mays and the First Generation of Black Superstars Changed Major League Baseball Forever.”
Kidman’s wagering wisdom
Nicole Kidman: “I fight a gambling addiction. If I hit, say, $100, even in two minutes, I walk away. If it takes two days, it’s walk away. When I gamble, I’m like an old lady. Glasses on, talk to nobody, watch the play. I’m no fun. But I love those cosmopolitans and apple martinis they bring around.” . . . QUESTION: What are most used words before a man proposes marriage?
Answer: “You’re what?!”
Bits & misses
Forget skuzzy Woody marrying his lover’s adopted daughter is scurvy, but previewers report “Bullets Over Broadway” is loooonnngg. Too much singing and dancing . . . BOB Moore, renamed Ahmad Rashad when he went Muslim, is romancing Obama aide Valerie Jarrett. She did nothing in Chicago, she’s done nothing now. Sportscaster Rashad, who dumped fourth wife, rich ex Mrs. Woody Johnson, thinks he’s trading up.
Humor lives on
My David Brennerisms: “We dropped tons of bombs and killed two Iraqis. We need a moustache-seeking missile.” And: “The army dropped its high school requirement. Now it’s guys with fingers on the trigger just because 7-Eleven wasn’t hiring.” After a lady praised his routine about cleaning up an airport john before using it, he told me: “Nice to be remembered just for cleaning a toilet.”
Major lawyer Allen Grubman (handles Barbara, Diane, Charlie Rose) has a major waistline. Opening night, curtain time for “Rocky,” bodies cramming the Winter Garden, he alone heads out. Hungry. Sighed his wife, Deborah: “So what else is new?” Exactly as the show began, he returns. Where’d he go? “I needed a nosh.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.