Two thousand dollars a plate just doesn't buy what it used to.
We hear that Ohio Republicans were stumped Thursday when they satdown for their Bush/Cheney '04 fundraiser in Columbus and found . . .plasticware. But the attendees were especially puzzled when theyreached for their forks. There weren't any.
'The lack of silverware was not the Hyatt Regency Columbus'sidea,' senior catering manager Theresa Mullins told us yesterday.'Apparently it's a trend in Republican fundraising.'
Perhaps it would make sense if plasticware were offered as asecurity precaution, but Mullins said that wasn't the case. 'It's inorder to prevent noise and clanging in the room. They [the Bush/Cheney '04 team] wanted to make sure that the room was very quiet.'
The good news is that to eat the food at these fundraisers(Thursday's luncheon, which raised $1.4 million, consisted of roastbeef sandwiches, a pickle wedge, fruit on toothpicks, chips andcookies), you don't need utensils.
'We were asked to design a menu that didn't need silverware,'Mullins explained. 'But we wanted to make sure people could spreadtheir condiments and that kind of thing,' hence the plastic knivesand spoons (for stirring).
But as one exasperated event-goer told us, 'So much for the highlife. . . . Limousine liberals in East Hampton and Malibu would neverstand for such a meager spread. No wonder Harvey Weinstein is sofat!'
It looks as though we won't be saying bye bye bye to JustinTimberlake anytime soon.
The 22-year-old singer with a multi-platinum solo recordingcareer, who recently signed on to headline a global ad campaign forMcDonald's, is now also a one-stop shop for ABC Sports. He willprovide music, star in promos and serve as a special sportscorrespondent for the network's NBA coverage. Not a bad deal for theformer Mouseketeer.
'This provides a unique integration of sports and entertainment,and Justin's interest and enthusiasm, not only in the NBA but in allsports, should help provide our broadcasts with a new, freshapproach,' said Michael Penn, senior vice president and executiveproducer of ABC Sports.
But that's not all for the pop star. He also has an NBC speciallined up, 'Justin Timberlake: Down Home in Memphis,' where he'llperform a few songs and provide his viewing audience with a tour ofhis home town. What with touring, guest-hosting 'Saturday NightLive,' etc., how ever does he find time to canoodle with hisgirlfriend, actress Cameron Diaz?
And the showdown begins: Who is to blame for the collapse ofRosie, the magazine? Rosie O'Donnell and her ex-publisher GrunerJahrUSA started their bitter courtroom battle Thursday.
After the magazine ceased publication in September 2002, GJslapped O'Donnell with a $100 million lawsuit. She countersued for$125 million. And based on the attorneys' opening statements, it'sgoing to get ugly.
'She went from being warm and fun-loving on TV to an 'uber-bitch,' ' GJ attorney Martin Hyman said.
O'Donnell's attorney, Lorna Schofield, didn't dispute reports thather client could be difficult to work with, saying, 'Rosie is notMother Teresa. She is loud, she has a temper and when provoked she isopinionated. She's gay and she is in a committed relationship and isthe mother of four. What you see is what you get.'
'Why don't they want me?'
-- Elizabeth Smart, asking her parents why CBS didn't want her toplay herself in the film about her kidnapping and rescue, accordingto an upcoming issue of TV Guide.
-- Compiled by Anne Schroeder
from staff and wire reports
