SATC: THE LEAKS BEGIN

Sex and the City’s Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall: ready for Part Deux 

Confession: we’re huge Sex and the City fans, more of the TV show than the movie, not that we would organize a boycott of the next big screen installment, due in the summer of 2010. Plot point rumors are already leaking out, that….surprise…Big (Chris Noth, who hasn’t even officially signed on yet) cheats on Carrie. Come on, Michael Patrick King, how predictable. You can do better than that. In last summer’s movie, Steve cheated on Miranda, goading her into making a bitter, cynical comment about marriage to Big on the eve of the his wedding, and because of this remark, we were supposed to believe, he backed out and left Carrie at the altar in her gorgeous Vivienne Westwood gown. That and the little girl putting Carrie’s cell phone in her purse so he couldn't reach her. All very hard to buy into. But Big cheating? Yawn. Is this all there is to the afterlife of one of the small screen’s most dramatic and thrilling serial love stories? Writers, get back to work. Oh, and bring back Gilles Marini (Samantha’s showering Malibu neighbor), now rocking hearts and minds on “Dancing With the Stars.”

BEAT BOY'S PLEA

Chris Brown pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assaulting Rihanna

He could have manned up and faced the music, but no.  Chris Brown, on the advice of high-powered attorney Mark Geragos, pleaded not guilty to two counts in the felony assault on his girlfriend Rihanna while driving through Hancock Park after Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party. At least he hasn't been seen partying it up lately, keeping a low profile after beeing pictured jet-skiing in South Florida shortly after the attack and having a heck of a good time.

One of the much publicized details of the brutal assault and how it started—Rihanna apparently freaked because of a “three-page” text on Chris’s phone.  

Speaking of messages, there’s this: “While Chris would like to speak to his fans directly about this and other issues, pending legal proceedings preclude his doing so at this time. Once the matter before him has been resolved, he intends to do so,” say his crisis control managers.

IT’S A SLUMDOG NIGHT—JAI HO!

From proverbial rags to Oscar riches: the “Slumdog” cast 

What is not to love about “Slumdog Millionaire”?  So, it was no surprise that the picture walked away with the vast majority of statuettes at the Oscars, and that the backlash that began rearing its ugly head a few weeks ago never gained traction. Can you say cute cast kids being transported from India to Hollywood? The score, the song(s), the charm of director Danny Boyle and stars Freida Pinto and Dev Patel (who made the rounds of all the awards events and got all the statues to show for it), the award-winning adapted screenplay, the cinematography, even the blazing color ads that evoke the swirling cacophony of story and emotion on screen—it all worked. Everyone loves a Cinderella story, but for conservative Academy members, not quite enough for Mickey Rourke, who went down for the count but rightfully took home the Independent Spirit Award for his comeback role in “The Wrestler” and cemented his image with an expletive-laden speech. That other bad boy, Sean Penn, gave his homie a shout-out from the stage of the Kodak, and used his Oscar soapbox to great effective to lobby for gay rights.

Heath Ledger’s win as The Joker in “The Dark Knight” was handled with dignity by his family, but we’re still sickened by that reporter and the tabloid paps that enticed and then taped him in a room at the Château Marmont after the SAG Awards a few years ago without his knowledge, and then sold the tape.

Best duet and favorite moment: Tina Fey and Steve Martin. “Don’t fall in love with me,” he told her in what looked like an unscripted bit during their on-point banter about writers.

Most awkward: (not counting the two dance numbers. Hugh, you tried. You really tried.) Jennifer Aniston having to present (with the verging-on-annoying Jack Black) right in front of ex-hubby Brad Pitt and the mother of his children, their gorgeousness shown in smiling cutaways.

Solo presenter: Will Smith, pointing out that action films have something many Oscar nominees don’t: fans

Somewhat amusing: Ben Stiller’s turn as a whacked Joaquin Phoenix to Natalie Portman’s straight woman: “You look like you work at a Hasidic meth lab.”

Fun and funnier: Judd Apatow’s short starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, continuing the couch-comedy tradition of Garth and Wayne/ Beavis and Butthead

New best actor/actress format: We’re among the fans of the “new” concept of having the past recipients present to the present. The only one who really botched it was Adrien Brody for Richard Jenkins

These two walked away empty-handed but got tons of on-cam face time

PARTYING, OSCAR 2009- STYLE

Sheryl Crow doesn’t conserve energy on stage at Global Green

With a lot of corporate sponsors tightening their belts and pulling out of planned events, the economy had a huge impact on the number of Oscar Week parties, leaving the ones that did go on even harder to get in—and ever-more crowded. At Global Green, which was the first party years ago to cement the trend of  celebrities arriving in hybrid cars, ticket buyers waited in long lines outside the Avalon to get their eco on, but once inside, were not disappointed by the high-energy (read that, surprised the fire marshal didn’t shut it down) vibe. The party had more food sponsors this year—chocolate everywhere you looked. Gavin Rossdale performed a well-received acoustic set before Sheryl Crow took the stage with her band in a set that covered many of her big hits. Every day is a winding road, indeed.  

BATTLE OF THE BUBBLY

Chandon’s Twenty Year Cuvée celebrates DKNY’s 20 years in business

Even in these challenging times, there is always something to celebrate and prestige labels always clamor to sponsor top-line events. For the second year, Perrier-Jouett champagne flowed like high-priced water from wait staff armed with magnums at the exclusive Women in Film nominees party. At the Governors Ball, Moet Chandon was the exclusive purveyor of the bubbly for all the celebrants, having wrestled the rights away from Laurent Perrier. Attendees also imbibed in two stellar wines from Sterling Vineyards, Red Carpet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and Gold Standard Reserve Chardonnay, the drink of choice for Simon Beaufoy, Anne Hathaway and Ron Howard.

Chandon also just launched a boutique sparkling wine for designer Donna Karan, incorporated library wines spanning two decades. Bottled and corked DKNY is described as "modern, savvy and full of attitude with a solid structure and soft texture."  Hear, hear.

750 ml bottle, $50, $12.50 for187 ml split at www.chandon.com

LOVE-LY V- DAY/SUITE TREATS

The pretty party scene at the Valentine Romance & 'Sneak Peek' Oscar Suite

Awards time is also the time for gifting suites that pop up like wildflowers after a rain.  Whether you want to pick them or not is another story.  This year, the quantity and quality went down like the stocks of Citibank and AIG. One such early event stood out for its interesting take on the whole gifting angle, with a seasonal Valentines Day theme. Held at the Tuscan-inspired Café La Boheme in WeHo, it attracted celebs including William Shatner, Melanie Griffith, Esai Morales and Neal McDonough for goods and services provided by purveyors including Ryn Footwear, The Clara Kasavina Collection, Jewelry by Colette, Aquamantra, Armies Wear, Aglow Candles, Camille Flawless Haute Couture, Mignon Chocolate, EJ Diamonds, Lip-Ink Semi-Permanent Cosmetics, Shiekh Shoes, Seacret Spa, The Tom James Company, BLO & GO, Sedona Rouge Hotel & Spa, The Golden Door, Mon Ami, Hai Elite, Kama Sutra, Electric Body, True Religion Fragrance for Women,  Pavonia Skin Care For Men, Honey Pacifica and for real-size people, Lane Bryant.

GOING GRAMMY

With the Grammys overshadowed by Chris Brown’s arrest for the pummeling of (let’s hope former) girlfriend Rihanna, all that’s left to talk about are the performances (Jennifer Hudson’s emotional “comeback,” Robert Plant and Grammy magnet Alison Krauss’s sweep,  Katy Perry’s ubiquitous girl-kiss ditty, Coldplay + Jay-Z, Kanye West and Estelle, and that early 60s flashback: Sir Paul, looking very Beatle-esque—with Dave Grohl and his great hair on drums--doing “I Saw Her Standing There”)…..and the parties.

David Johansen and the New York Dolls rock the Rhino Records/LA Magazine party

Aside from the storied Clive Davis bash which is now at the Bev Hilton, the place to be pre-Grammy was at the Avalon, where Rhino Records with Los Angeles Magazine rocked the venue in a benefit for L.A. Works, an org that creates and implements hands-on community service and volunteer projects throughout Southern California.  The more of those, the better. After plentiful appetizers and cocktails dispensed from well-run bars, it was like CBGB in the 70s as the New York Dolls played a lengthy and energetic set.

 

HOT SPOT PREVIEW: THE SHANGRI-LA

For all you Westsiders tired of and dreading driving to Hollywood, yet again, you are not far away from what soon promises to be one of THE places to be. Built in the 1930s in Art Deco Streamline Moderne style, perfect for its perch overlooking the Pacific from Ocean Avenue and Arizona, the Shangri-La will definitely be on the map of fine diners and fashionable poolside cabana cocktail drinkers.  The restaurant, called simply The Dining Room, is expected to open next month, and what looks to be a gorgeous pool and adjoining bar area should be open by the time warmer weather hits. Also on tap, an exclusive rooftop bar. The rooms and suites have already been redone in the multi-million $ makeover.

Hotel Shangri-La, 1301 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica (310) 394-8586, www.shangrila-hotel.com