Entourage is Back!!

(Premiere Ticket Last Night)

Fortunately for me, pal Perrey Reeves (Mrs. Ari) invited me to attend the NY premiere of Entourage last night at the Zeigfeld Theater. I was blown away by how organized the check-in was despite the masses of people, so I got in and got a great seat in no time. Perrey looked like a goddess in her putty-colored Monique Lhuillier gown (loaned by Starworks, of course).

I was really pleasantly surprised by the first two episodes…I was starting to feel like Entourage was losing its essence a little by recycling the same themes over and over last season. But I have to say, these episodes were a fantastic opening to what promises to be an exciting and hilarious season…and they were a real testament to what’s made this show such a success — the writing is simply irrefutably brilliant. I did notice that the show seems to be really playing to its demographic in a more gratuitous way than ever before (“CALLING ALL MALES 14-32”). I was a little stunned by some of the graphic sex scenes and references to women and their body parts which were much more in-your-face than in seasons past. But I have to say, even though I had my moments where I questioned that direction, the writing was so damn solid that any of my little gripes dissipated within moments.

Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) seems to have a more meaty role this season and his acting was the best I’ve seen since the show began. Kevin Dillon (Johnny Drama) is just peaking here and truly manages to steal the show time and time again. Even when you didn’t think it was possible, the writing for Jeremy Piven (Ari Gold) has reached new heights and is seamlessly delivered, which I suppose was to be expected. Adrian was also very good and has a little more to do now. Rex Lee (Lloyd) is ever-present and nailing every line and stealing every scene.

I rode down to the afterparty with Perrey and her entire family — possibly some of the nicest and most hilarious people you will ever meet, piled like teenagers into a stretch limo that I didn’t realize the automobile industry still manufactured. It was like something out of Boogie Nights (imagine lights changing colors every 30 seconds). The afterparty at Mansion was fun but not the insane madhouse one would expect. It was quite civilized and I was thrilled because I am getting too old for this —- as we all know. I chatted with Rex Lee who is now sporting a Mohawk and rocking that look. My friend Scott introduced me to Adrian Grenier who seemed lovely but horribly overwhelmed by the throngs of women begging him to take pictures with them. I also want to add that Leighton Meester makes a comeback this season and she looked positively adorable last night.

All in all, be prepared for great TV this season — if the rest of the season is anything like it’s start. I walked away not being able to wait for the third episode to air and I expect to be pretty hooked in till the season ends.

Nicely done, HBO. Hug it out, bitch.
–Sharon

Dominos! Hollywood Style.

If you remember, we worked on a really fun event for charity a few months ago for Hollywood Domino. It’s a new twist on Dominos that alot of Hollywood folk like Ashton, Demi, Penelope, Charlize, and Javier began to play in their homes.

(The Domino chips. The cute “monopoly-ish” character pieces)

Hasbro has officially developed the game for anyone to buy now. The objective is slightly different that the usual Domino game. Hollywood Dominos allows players to become a Director of their own film. They choose their genre and start competing to create a “movie reel” before their competitors. With unique elements including “Blockbusters”, Sequels”, “Trilogies”, and of course, “Oscar”, it seems only the shrewdest of players can master the Hollywood politics. It’s no surprise smart cookie Charlize made it to the top of the mountain and beat everyone in the house that night (all in the name of charity!). Post + Pics are here.

Watch for the big New York event to occur November 6, 2008 (with the charitable partner being Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation). Other cities that will premiere the game with celebrity tournaments are Los Angeles and London.

To purchase the game directly, go to: HollywoodDomino.com.

It’s Not a Monster, Montauk!

Montauk Monster Mystery is a Wrap!
By Sharon Ainsberg

(Washed Up on Montauk Shore Last Week)

Last Thursday, I was inundated with pictures of some kind of bald, sunburned “monster” found on the beach in Montauk, NY, otherwise known as “Sharon’s home away from home” to almost anyone who knows me. All of the East Deck/Ditch Plains regulars set off a massive email frenzy trying to identify this creature. I was practically in tears myself. This poor hairless thing looked like part bird, part shell-less turtle, part gremlin, part alien; It didn’t look too happy, and my vivid imagination led me to believe it died a horrible death. The pictures were being posted all over generating an insane buzz..begging the question:

Should I add “MONTAUK MONSTER” to my list of SHARON’S IRRATIONAL FEAR OF SEA CREATURES — i.e. SHARKS (Bulls, Tigers and Whites), EELS, JELLIES, PIRANHAS, etc???

My friend Gwen was certain it was an old turtle whose shell had cracked off. I agreed with her. Goddamn good guess, I’d say. My friend Jennilee was too freaked out by its tail to even take a shot at guessing…and Andrew simply replied “What?????”. Enter my friend Kirk, who made my most favorite determination: “Maybe it’s the spawn of a turtle and a dog? You never know …. love’s a crazy thing!”

Well, we can finally put the monster to rest.

Alice Houseknecht, owner of the famous East Deck Motel at Ditch Plains Beach (and where I have spent every summer for the past eight years) finally put our minds at ease. Here’s what she had to say:

“I know, I know…..I’m getting emails about the Montauk Monster from as far away as France! It’s all over the blogs. The picture is creepy I must admit. Turns out it’s been identified as a raccoon, despite the fact that’s it looks more like a giant shell less turtle or a horse. I like the idea of a Montauk Monster however! Sorry that you feel like crying Sharon……I’m an animal lover too. Love from East Deck”

(What “It” Looked Like Before)

Needless to say, I feel much better. Not for the raccoon, but for myself. At least I can stick to my original, irrational list.
-Shaz

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” )

——————————————————————–

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)

Self Service + LA

SELF SERVICE MAGAZINE VENTURES TO LA FOR STARS AND STYLES PICS
By Sharon Ainsberg

(Nicole Ritchie for Self Service shoot at Chateau Marmont)

I felt so privileged to be in LA to help cover the Ezra Petronio shoot for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2008 issue of SELF SERVICE. Ezra is the notable, lovable and dynamic force behind the Paris-based creative agency, Work in Progress and Self Service Magazine. He is responsible for directing some of the most memorable campaigns in the business (Miu Miu, YSL, Chloe, to name a few). I had the pleasure of watching him work with the vast array of LA-based talent selected for the portfolio, about 22 or more participants– brilliantly booked by Starworks’ own Greg Krelenstein.

(Rory, Starworks’ Sharon, Elizabeth Sulcer, Christian, Nicole, and Zelda Williams)

Ezra has become famous for his ongoing Polaroid portraits series, which harkens back to a time when this medium of photography was popularized by the masses— I remember not being able to wait for those pictures to develop…waiving them around (which I understand does nothing but I’d do it anyway) and capturing a moment.

In Self Service Magazine, Ezra celebrates the spirit of the Polaroid by photographing subjects around the world who are part of our cultural fabric…from fashion to art to music to film to any entrepreneur or inventor…his subjects are all creative people with interesting stories who do interesting things. Ezra told me he collects vintage Polaroid cameras from all over the world. He also finds vintage detachable flash bulbs that seem to cast the most gorgeous hue on his subjects. It was really a pleasure to watch him work…and I loved how he insisted along the way “I’m really not a photographer.” He could have had anyone fooled.

(Ezra shooting Rose McGowan)

We were joined at the Chateau Marmont Hotel over a two day period by everyone from China Chow to Bijou Phillips to Nicole Ritchie (whose pics rendered us all speechless, they are so beautiful); Fashion designers such as Jeremy Scott and Stefano Pilati (sporting a vintage Club Med tee shirt and his signature smile); Filmmaker Spike Jonze took a few great shots with his tousled shaggy hair thrust into his face, which sort of made me melt with love and admiration; Rose McGowan was looking drop-dead gorgeous with her fiery red hair, and the ever-stunning Leelee Sobieski is STILL a lot taller than me, no, sorry, let me rephrase: TOWERS over me, no matter how high my heels may be on any given day; On another note, I was blown over by the angel-like face and grace of young actress Zelda Williams (Robin Williams’ daughter) who may as well have the words STAR QUALITY embedded across her forehead.

(China Chow with Nicole Perna and Joel Madden)

The shoot was beautifully styled by Elizabeth Sulcer (also the Fashion Director of Blackbook Magazine) who pulled looks from designers from Chanel to Azzaro to Burberry. She was assisted by the psychotically funny Nicole Vitagliano, and Christian Brylle, who also acted as photo assistant to Ezra on a bunch of setups. The days were filled with a lot of laughter, despite the tight schedule and long hours…Ezra was always smiling and not one person left without commenting on how much fun they had. Spirits were great and I think we all had a high moment meeting Mr. Chow himself, whose little round glasses I will never forget. I considered asking him for reservations for that very night, but then had a vision of the word “INAPPROPRIATE” all lit up in neon, and opted not to.

(Leelee Sobieski, Ezra, Bijou Phillips, and Matt Davis)

I am eternally impressed with Ezra and his whole Self Service team…Rory Satran worked so tirelessly to pull it all together and did so seamlessly. It’s always a special experience to be able to work with those who have a passion for what they do, and who continue to stretch their boundaries of expression by always creating, reinventing or reinterpreting art in one way or another. And when that is being done by a Brooklyn-boy-turned-Parisian-creative director, well, you’ve really gotta love that.

(Left to Right: Friend, Hairstylist Luigi Moreno, YSL’s Stefano Pilati, and Ezra)

Self Service Fall/Winter 2008 will be available this coming Fall.