Nina’s Bday

Smart Bar-B-Q Trick

(We did our part!)

Last weekend, I had the fortune of attending Nina Clemente’s Birthday in the lovely home she grew up in. Currently she is living in Los Angeles jump-starting her career as a personal chef (with an upcoming show on Plum TV) — But she decided to come back to her roots in Manhattan for the big day. Upon walking into the home, the first thing one reads before consuming a drink is: “We Heart the Environment. Please Label Your Cup With A Name Tag. Lose Your Cup… NO MORE DRINKS FOR YOU !! Let’s make a difference People!!”

(First view when you walk into Nina’s home)

Aside from being eco-conscious, I noticed the stickers served as wonderful reminder of people’s names I always tend forget. It was very much a social lubricant of the day (and night). Clever AND Pragmatic.

(Nina Clemente setting up the “money shot” with her guests)

Thanks for having us over, lady. You are a wonderful cook too.
Happy Birthday!
J

Fiest + Sesame Street Remix

It’s impossible to be in a mad mood and watch this.

I’ve already seen it 3X. Makes me smile every time (and that’s considering I was burnt out on the song from that incessant Ipod commercial — not that I’m mad at her for getting a licensing check at all. Go girl.)

But c’mon, how can you resist lyrics like “1,2,3,4, Chickens Just Back From The Shore”?
This episode will air August 11th for the Season Premiere of Sesame Street.
J

Mad Men Rocks

You’ve got about 72 hours to catch up on the first season of Mad Men before the second season begins on Sunday night on AMC — from the Writer and Exec Producer Matthew Weiner of The Sopranos. Marshall Heyman interviews Starworks’ LA office, Allison Oleskey, about why she loves the critics darling. (She also converted the writer into a Mad watcher too).

Marshall Heyman: When did you start watching Mad Men?

Allison Oleskey (SW LA): Truthfully I started watching it after we got Jon Hamm for the cover of one of our magazine clients. It wasn’t on a lot of people’s radar, but it won the Golden Globe even though the awards show was downplayed this year. The show is a slow burn, but once you get past the first two episodes, it’s totally addictive. When I took a trip to London, I watched it on the plane and then one episode every night. It kept me going. Anyone who would ask me how I was, I would say “Watch Mad Men.” I’m trying to get everyone in this office to watch it. And to vote. Those are my two goals.

How was the Premiere on Monday Night?

They just showed the first episode, which takes place two years after the end of last season. Nothing has really been answered but people’s lives have changed and evolved. It reminds you of The Sopranos in that nothing is exactly as it seems. There are so many nuances. The party was at Musso & Frank on Hollywood Boulevard, which is an old school joint. Everyone there was very passionate about the show. People were drinking martinis, but I don’t drink martinis.

Did you meet Jon Hamm?

I didn’t, but I think he’s great. I didn’t meet anyone except for Christina Hendricks—who plays my favorite character on the show.

What does your mom think of Mad Men?

My mom watched the marathon over the weekend on AMC. She has the Hamm-er fever too.

( “Hamm-er time” )

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Marshall Heyman is a freelance writer. I remember him from working in the Fairchild offices whenever I strolled over to the W Magazine side of cubicle-land. He always had a good tale about whatever swanky event he attended the night before. He’s contributed to The New Yorker among several other magazines. Currently he is West Coast based and is still furiously writing pieces for all the big magazines out of his sunny home in LA.

Right now he’s obsessed with Mamma Mia, Wall-E, Tell No One, The Last Mistress, Mad Men, the new Carla Bruni album and his Amazon Kindle. You’ll be reading some of his writing on the Starworks blog on the random.

Welcome Marshall…and a big Happy Birthday to you today! (Jauretsi)

American Teen

(American Teen opens in theaters this Friday, July 25th)

You’re probably wondering why this poster resembles The Breakfast Club, right? Last December, we mentioned American Teen in our Sundance “Ones to Watch” review before the 2008 festival. Turns out it was acquired by Paramount Vantage (who created this cute movie poster), and they are releasing it this Friday, July 25th in theaters.

The doc follows the lives of four teenagers — a jock, the popular girl, the artsy girl, and the geek — in a small town in Indiana through Senior year in High School. Director Nanette Burstein (On The Ropes, The Kid Stays In The Picture) filmed them everyday for 10 months. It’s an honest look at an American high school and all the pressures surrounding a teen today.

The film is an A&E Indiefilms Presentation of a Firehouse Films and Quasiworld Entertainment production in association with 57th and Irving. Congrats to everyone on “the little doc that could” and for getting it out!
J

Graphic of the Day: Ken’s Dog

(Kenneth’s Doggie at a shoot)

Kenneth Cappello has been busy — Directed a new video for The Kills, Photographed the latest Quiksilver Womens ad campaign, shot Italian GQ Cover story, etc. If you want to see more, check out the Kenneth Cappello Blog.