Gawker Stalker: Lauren Ambrose Learns Not to Come Between a Hipster and His Karaoke
Sightings are sent in by readers, many of whom are legally blind. Send yours to tips@gawker.com.
In this edition: Lauren Ambrose, Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal, Mr. And Mrs. Matt Damon, another Luke Wilson/Spotted Pig sighting, Kristin Cavalleri, Lindsay Lohan, Fran Drescher, Julianne Moore, Eliza Dushku, Bruce Willis, Mary-Kate Olsen, Paris Hilton, Paul Newman, Jason Priestly, Edward Norton, Yoko Ono, Martha Stewart, Joy Behar, Paul Rudd, Richard Gere, Julianna Margulies, Amy Irving, Ed Bradley, Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova, Elizabeth Berkeley, Denis Leary, Ren e Fleming, Jesse Eisenberg, and Shalom Harlow.
Lauren Ambrose arrived at Winnie's on Saturday night to get her Karaoke on. At that same time, there was apparently a birthday celebration in progress. The birthday boy's increasingly lubricated state resulted in his hijacking of the microphone. Lauren waited patiently for her song to come up on the playlist, and when it finally did, she approached the tanked troubadour and asked if he was finished "monopolizing the microphone." His response? He kicked her! Looking at him, surprised, she asked, "Did you just KICK me?" He responded with a bold yes and stormed off stage, snarling at her during her cute performance of "Can't Get You Out of My Head." She looked good and performed well despite her battle wounds!
While jogging through the East Village on Sunday (1/22) I almost tripped over my feet when I saw Kirsten Dunst (who actually looked like she had showered) and Jake Gyllenhaal embracing on the corner of 1st and 1st, presumably post-prune-brunch. It was one of those extended "we've been through so much but I still care about you as a friend" kind of hugs; unsure whether it was also an "I still see you naked on occasion" hug. Later that night I was walking home when I got held up by the firemen in front of the collapsed synagogue on Rivington. I stared for a minute, then turned to look in the window of 'Inoteca and who should be staring at me but Mike Meyers (with scruffy blonde male companion). I smiled, he smiled back. I ll help you get over the ex, Mike; call me!
Just saw Matt Damon and the Mrs. at Chopt in union sq. They were the cutest couple he was wearing a Boston Red Sox jacket and looking devastatingly handsome. Best part everyone in the restaurant was smitten but kept NY vow of not approaching them (NY Mag was right!).
Early Sat night (around 6pm) Luke Wilson was dining alone at the new upstairs bar at the Spotted Pig. I had heard about a few Luke sightings at the Pig lately, and he did seem like a regular friendly and jokey with the staff, and seemed very comfortable hanging out alone drinking Red Stripe and reading what looked like to be a Sports Illustrated. He was hot in a regular guy sort of way, not at all chubby like some of the recent postings have said (though he ordered a hamburger and did not touch his fries). He seemed like someone I'd feel comfortable striking up a conversation with since I, too, was alone at the bar and sitting not 2 feet away from him. But I digress. I called a friend who lives across the street and told her to get her butt over to the Pig, and since I owe her big time for something I had to promise her that she had first dibs on Luke (though she did say that if Owen showed up he was all mine, which still doesn't seem like a fair cop to me). So even though I swear Luke kept sneaking shy peeks my way, and once even cast a smile in my direction like he was totally checking me out, I was true to my word and completely ignored his come hither glances. By the time my friend showed up though, he was gone.
Around 2AM, Kristin Cavalleri from Laguna Beach was at Duvet's gay party. She was with some short, bitchy, rude queeny guy who does not know how to operate a camera. I went up to her and said, "Are you that girl from that show?" She said, "Yes." Then I asked her if she was a fag. She laughed. She was sweet, and is hot in real life. She said she was here for work (her new show). Musto was also in attendance.
Around 1:30am: Lindsay Lohan was at the gay party at North Cabana of the Maritime Hotel. She was sitting at a table with some friends, but joined the dance floor when Madonna came on. She was sloshed and said something about going to Europe on Monday. Lindsay was skinny and sported jet-black hair, and wore leg warmers on her arms. She looked skinny and Goth, but cute. Then I saw Fran Drescher in the William Sonoma at the Time Warner Center. Would never have recognized her, (she is beautiful in person. Way younger and gentler looking than on TV) but then I heard her voice asking her personal WS shopper for a specific kind of pasta sauce and I recognized her. She looked way hotter and more put together than I would have imagined. She was wearing a beret, but she even pulled that off decently.
Went to Japonica to pick up some take-out. Ran into Julianne Moore with her kids and another woman (sister?) and HOT younger man (bf?). Looked completely stunning, despite lack of makeup. She's amazing. Later that night, saw Eliza Dushku at Marquee, dancing with a couple of friends at her table upstairs. She also looked amazing. Gorgeous bunch.
Saw Bruce Willis utterly shit-faced last night (Thursday) at Marquee. He was putting the moves on a tall, beautiful brunette but she slipped out when he left to go to the bathroom. Taye Diggs was also nearby, sweating profusely and dancing up a storm with any female with a pulse that crossed his way.
Just got caught in the revolving door with Mary-Kate Olsen. It was like US Weekly come to life. MKO: tiny. Hair: Scraggly. Hat, Sunglasses, Starbucks: oversized. Unidentified white male three paces behind her: check. Tried to think whom she was visiting in my building. Bill Blass? Badgley Mischka? Donna Karan? cause she certainly wasn't there for a Mavi jeans fitting.
On 28th street between Park and Madison, during regular business hours, Paris Hilton was walking out of a car and into some office building, wearing baby blue UGG boots, sunglasses, and jeans. Who wears baby blue UGGS? I guess the answer to that is Paris Hilton! She looked like she just rolled out of bed.
My friend saw Paul Newman at the Westport Library in Westport, CT, at the talk that Victor Navasky from "The Nation" gave on Sunday.
Friday 11pm I had finished dinner at Industria Argentina and who is sitting at the bar with small group of friends, none of whom were Donna, Brenda, Dylan or Kelly, was none other than Brandon Walsh himself, Jason Priestly. He is super short and, apparently, back on the sauce. Had this sighting happened 14 years ago, I would have been the most popular girl in my high school class.
I was part of the less than glamorous set catering a wedding on Saturday night at the Angel Orensanz building in the East Village. Not that a good sighting would make up for having to work on a Saturday night but Edward Norton was a guest. Too bad he is no longer dating Salma Hayek; that may have tipped the scales.
I saw Yoko Ono at the Winter Antiques Show at the Armory on Saturday. She was with some dude and was aggressively charging around the place, wearing a beret (duh), big dark sunglasses, navy blue pants and black old-lady shoes.
Not sure if any of these people are "cool" enough for Gawker but I saw Martha Stewart and The View s Joy Behar at the Antique pier show this weekend. Martha looks like she's had a face-lift (or at least her eyes done) and Joy looked so awful without the professional makeup and lights that I had to hear her voice to be sure it was her.
Saturday afternoon: came eye-to-eye with a hot (but diminutive) Paul Rudd walking along Bleecker St. I'm 5'7 with heels, and I'm guessing he's about the same.
Was hoofing down Waverly and West 10th last night when I saw Richard Gere approaching from the other way. He looked in desperate need of a cigarette and a sturdier brand of hair gel, although not necessarily in that order. Ironically I was on my way to the pet store, although, alas, I was picking up special urinary tract food for my kitty and not a hamster.
I was at Atlantic Theatre Company last night to see the two Pinter one-acts (The Room and Celebration), and spotted Julianna Margulies and Amy Irving in the audience. Both are radiant in their own ways, but not overly celeb-like. Julianna sat right near me, and seemed to enjoy the show. Couldn't see Amy's reactions, but she was chattering away in the lobby as I left...
Saw a hunched over, elderly looking man emerge from a cab and go into a fancy building on CPW and 88th St. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the old man was sporting a major piece of left ear bling and realized it was Ed Bradley. He was with a stunning woman, maybe his wife? I always thought he was gay but I guess the earring and that weird way he leans in during interviews must have thrown me off.
Ric Ocasek and Paulina Porizkova at L'Express on Park Ave. South Saturday 1/21. He is very handsome in person and has intensely blue eyes. She is obviously supermodel gorgeous. Seemed very nice and very normal. They must have the longest running rockstar/model marriage in history gotta be almost 20 years now, right? She ate eggs benedict and practically licked the plate lucky skinny bitch.
While dining with at SoHo institution Jerry's on Friday night, who trots in around 9:30pm but Jessie Spano herself — Elizabeth Berkley. She might the tallest woman in the world. Dressed in skintight jeans, knee-high boots, and a cropped jacket, she seemed to tower over her male-companion (who in reality was probably pretty close to her in height). Her infamous mane of curls seemed longer and lighter than in her Saved by the Bell days, her (fake?) tan darker. However, she seems to have gone gaunt since Showgirls her face looked sallow and hollow, her cheekbones protruding with such force that, as one of my dinner-mates commented, they "could be used as weapons...or at least used to cut her steak frites." She and her male friend were seated towards the back of the restaurant (conveniently by the restroom), where the two kept their voices and heads down for most of the evening. Sadly, no bars of "I'm so excited / I'm so excited / I'm so...scared" were heard being hummed from her table.
On 49th and Lex this Thursday night at around 9pm I saw Denis Leary headed south on Lexington. He looked good, he had an incredible head of hair perhaps he washes it in the blood of virgins but it was so shiny and smooth, if defies description.
Saw opera star Ren e Fleming having a nice, normal, mom-and-kids breakfast at an Upper West Side coffee shop. She's very pretty, and can apply lipstick flawlessly without a mirror.
So I saw Jesse Eisenberg, who was recently seen playing the older son in The Squid and the Whale opposite Laura Linney, at Doma on Perry Street this past weekend. He looked not-very-West Village in a red fleece, khaki pants and cross trainers. He was reading a script and then met up with some tall, gay-looking fellow in animal skin boots. At least someone was dressed appropriately.
Friday Night: imagine my surprise when I am at a lecture at the Open Center and Shalom Harlow appears. She is SO tall. If she reads this she will know it was me who wrote in because Shalom, myself and her male companion were the only people under age 55 in attendance.