In 2012, Steve Guttenberg discussed filming “Affluenza.” In 2014, Steve Guttenberg’s out with this “Affluenza.” Every two years I talk to Steve Guttenberg.
“Nicola Peltz, Nelson’s daughter, is in this serious movie, which combines adult hypocrisy with teenage sarcasm. Like adults living it up on borrowed money, caught in the crash, not existing by rules they preach. It affects the children.
“New big money’s a disease. An affliction. I play a blown-up stockbroker whose skin is stretched. My wife, having an affair with our neighbor, which I figure I can deal with, spends $7,500 a month in Prada. My spoiled daughter’s always on the phone. The privilege stretches down to the college kid.
“Our system collapsed, and we can’t jail all financial managers because then who’ll run the country?
“We filmed in Great Neck. The movie’s inspired by ‘The Great Gatsby.’ See, the standard value of today’s society in suburbia ranks importance according to disgusting over-the-top spending with nothing rattling your cage. I say things like, ‘Character is ridiculous,’ then tell my half-rich brother I’m better off than he.”
So what happens?
“I get hurt financially. I go underwater.”
OK. So now I’ll talk to Steve Guttenberg again in 2016.
A tidbit from memory lane
Sunday’s story on singer Rick James’ outlandish lifestyle prompted Robert Shanley, a 1980s manager at CPW’s Mayflower Hotel, to recall:
“Privacy-loving Robert De Niro was heading to our restaurant. Known for bizarre behavior, Rick James, hanging out in the lobby with an African-American pal, shouts to De Niro: ‘Bobby baby, meet your soul-brother twin. Your look-alike.’ Bobby baby smiled painfully. His friend Joe Pesci whispered to me: ‘Handle this.’ In my gatekeeper role, I blocked Rick James from entering the restaurant.”
Blouse gag
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney addressed media unaware her aqua blouse kept opening to reveal uncongressy cleavage. Photographer Bettina Cirone saw p.r. rep Kathy Lynn walk over and paste the neckline together with Scotch tape. Whatthehell, it’s an interesting way to grab votes.
Grub hub
RAISED on Italian food, Frankie Valli was at East 60th’s Canaletto. Ditto NBC’s Brian Williams, who wasn’t raised on Italian food . . . TENDER toughies: Jack Armstrong, former “Wildman” wrestling champ, at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, Calif., when, inside a hoodie, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who’s “Hercules” in the new movie, smothered him in a bear hug . . . WOR radio offered $500,000 to someone for its daily 6 to 10 a.m. slot??? It’s what I’m hearing.
Kard fever
Southhampton grrr-ing. Calling itself “Kardashian City”. . . THIS week I read five best sellers: David Baldacci’s “The Target,” Robert Galbraith’s (a k a J.K. Rowling) “The Silkworm,” Daniel Silva’s “The Heist,” Linda Fairstein’s “Terminal City,” Dan Brown’s “Inferno.” Best head cold in bed I ever had . . . NEW news that the Alfonse D’Amatos are taking a marriage break? I reported that old news loooong back . . . BONNIE Englebardt, widow of NJ’s Sen. Frank Lautenberg, exhibits this week at Bridgehampton art fair. Her Library of Congress photos in “How They Changed Our Lives: Senators as Working People” now stretch popward to Miley, Gaga, Bieber and a showbizzy collection. Chicago’s Jean Albano Gallery is the rep.
Richie Ornstein reports this Rockville Centre luncheonette sign: “If you don’t eat here, we both starve.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.