Times Square Gossip

**** Top-Rated Radio Host Enters Five-Year Contract ****  Elvis Duran Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, the leading media company in America with a greater reach in the U.S. than any other radio or television outlet, today announced an agreement with nationally syndicated radio personality Elvis Duran to renew and extend his relationship with the company, continuing as the star of the wildly successful “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” on New York’s Z100 and more than 40 other radio stations across the country. Under a new long-term agreement, Duran will continue his current role as host of the most-listened-to Top 40 morning show in the U.S., which is syndicated nationally by Premiere Networks, and expand his role with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Duran will work with Clear Channel on a variety of future endeavors including talent and programming development as well as events. He will also serve as a spokesperson for the company. “We are ...

    The 9/11 Truck   The New York City Police Department allowed the alleged 9/11 fraud truck to scam everyone in Times Square. Thomas J. Scalgione, 40, of Manahawkin and Mark Anthony Niemczyk, 66, of Tinton Falls were accused this week of promoting a bogus 9/11 victims' charity by driving around in a pickup truck painted with the names of first responders who perished. For months now, on a regular basis this truck has been parked in Times Square, collecting money and selling stuff. And the New York City Police Department allowed this, even after two complaints from me.  This truck would park in pedestrian walkways, the police would even take down the plastic barriers to let this truck park, right in the middle of Times Square. Twice I complained, because I could not get through the crowd and it was getting to be a bother everytime I went to the bank, this truck was there, blocking my access to move around quickly. First of all it is not r...

**** BABY CASE Takes home most awards at the 2012 New York Musical Theatre Festival including “ Best of the Fest ” **** Will Reynolds And Anika Larsen As the New York Musical Theatre Festival closes another year of new musicals, Baby Case by Michael Ogborn comes out on top with awards for his musical Baby Case, directed by Jeremy Dobrish and produced by Charlie Fink, Michael Ogborn, Robert Soslow, Juliana Schauerman, Dorothy Flynn, Caroline Castagno, Glenn Gunderson, Kathy Lou Leone, Diane Santillo, and Anne Makara. Among Baby Case’s awards are: “Best of Fest” Audience Prize:; Excellence in Direction for Jeremy Dobrish (Baby Case); Excellence in Writing – Lyrics: Michael Ogborn (Baby Case); Excellence in Writing – Music: Michael Ogborn (Baby Case) In 1927, publicity-shy Charles Lindbergh, Jr. makes the first non-stop, solo flight across the Atlantic and becomes a great American hero, the envy of millions… until his infant son is kidnapped, s...

 Mary Chapin Carpenter Mary Chapin Carpenter is among the most talented singer/songwriters in America. She has won 5 Grammys in Country Music categories, topped the country charts and sold over 12 million records without ever considering herself a country artist. Songstress Tift Merritt is a North Carolina native, who also plays guitar and piano. She has built a unique and critically acclaimed body of work of sonic short stories and poignant performances. Don't miss them live at bergenPAC, Wednesday, August 15th at 8PM. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or bergenPAC.org or by calling the box office at 201 227 1030. Mary Chapin Carpenter is a powerful singer whose songs have a searing ring of truth. She hits the mark with her intelligent lyrics both on fast paced country rock songs alternating with slow introspective ballads. The troubadour’s new Ashes and Roses album ranks as her most powerful in years, perhaps even her strongest ever. Ashes and Roses is a...

 Jean Shafiroff Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist, has many passions spanning from her charitable interests, to fashion and style. As an actively involved volunteer leader of a number of New York City and Southampton charitable causes, Jean continues to combine her love for fashion and philanthropy. Jean Shafiroff was the subject of Iké Udé’s photograph in a recent Hamptons showing and was featured by the Leila Heller Gallery of New York City. The portrait was displayed with additional featured works by artists including Rachel Lee Hovnanian, Ran Hwang, the collaborative team Kate Eric, Kezban Arca Batibeki, Khosrow Hassanzadeh, Kim Chun Hwan, Hadieh Shafir and Firooz Zahedi. Jean’s hands-on involvement with the multiple causes she supports is indisputable. She possesses a remarkable ability to connect different charitable groups with interested people and resources. Jean wears many hats as a board member, chairwoman, underwriter, and hostess of numerous charity event...

  The Rockets The Rockets, a band formed over 40 years ago by Great Neck High School students, recently staged a reunion to raise funds for ovarian cancer research at Flower Hill Park in Manhasset, NY. The event was arranged by Liz Oppo, whose 19-year-old daughter, Katie Oppo of Manhasset, a pre-med student at Johns Hopkins University, died of the disease last year. Following their high school days, the band members entered careers in a variety of non-musical professions. Organ/keyboard player Barry Douglas is a plastic surgeon at Garden City-based Long Island Plastic Surgical Group; Eric Kraus, on bass guitar, is an attorney in Manhattan; lead guitarist Ken Applebaum is an assistant district attorney in Queens; guitarist and vocalist Corey Bergman is retired but flew in from Florida for the show; percussionist/vocals Alan Pomerantz works with the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens; and drummer Daniel Pincus became a cantor in New York City. The Roc...

Russell Simmons With Mariah Carey Malcolm Smith With A-Rod Jet Setting New York State Senator Malcolm Smith was snapped chatting with New York Yankee's Slugger A-Rod at Southampton's hot spot 75 Main Street, with Publicist Todd Shapiro. Afterwards, the jet setters  went to Russell Simmon's star packed Annual Art For Life Gala, which featured Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon along with Salt and Pepper. Art for Life assists local inner city children with programs dedicated to art. Tyler Perry, donated $100,000, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Patrice Motsepe with $150,000, Ron Pearlman and Alan Patricoff. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Congressman Greg Meeks, Gov. David Paterson and NY State Senator Malcolm Smith were also generous with their donations.

 Henry Rollins Critically-acclaimed actor, spoken word artist and activist Henry Rollins has joined the cast of the new action packed thriller, "DARK PROPHET." Rollins will be playing the role of General Adam Luther, the mastermind behind Black Box. "DARK PROPHET" is an original web and TV series which follows Dai Shepherd, an extraordinarily gifted, yet rebellious music student with time-traveling abilities who discovers that government intelligence agency, Black Box, has a catastrophic secret embedded in song patterns--Dai is the key to saving the world as we know it. "DARK PROPHET" is the brainchild of multi-hyphenate, Evette Vargas. “Henry is an exceptional talent and embodies the role. We're thrilled to have him on board!” she states. The pilot episode is scheduled to begin shooting this summer in Los Angeles. Henry Rollins will star alongside a stellar cast, featuring Josh Meyers ("That ‘70s Show," "MADtv...

**** THE HAMPTONS GOSSIP **** Beth Ostrosky Stern  Kelly Rippa And QVC Red Carpet Host Jeannie Mai Lara Spencer The Stars Came Out to Support QVC Presents Super Saturday LIVE, benefitting Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in Water Mill, NY on Saturday. Kelly Ripa hosted the event once again and Jeanne Mai, Beth Ostrosky, Lara Spencer, George Kotsiopoulos, Mark Feuerstein, and Isaac Mizrahi were among the celebrities who took part in the annual shopping event. Celebrating its 15th year, Super Saturday is OCRF’s fun-filled, family-oriented daylong fundraiser, complete with a one-of-a-kind designer garage sale, kids’ carnival and activities, a luxury raffle and gourmet treats. Once dubbed “the Rolls Royce of garage sales,” the most anticipated element of Super Saturday is the fashion garage sale, which includes merchandise from over 200 prominent designers including Donna Karan, Theory, alice + olivia, Robert Rodriguez, Diane von Furstenberg, Helmut Lang, AllSain...

 Brandy Glanville Brandi Glanville hosted the 3rd annual luau at TAO Beach on Saturday with Hpnotiq Harmonie. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star brought along her “mommy friends” and they all left their men and kids at home while they escaped to Vegas for the party. She toasted her friends with Hpnotiq Harmonie and cheered pool goers on as they competed in a limbo contest at the hot spot. A handsome male model was on hand to feed her cupcakes and she danced around soaking in the sun. The reality star shared that this season of the show will be the craziest season of any in the history of the franchise. Saturday night Glanville and friends dined at LAVO and then hit the club for Stereo Saturdays, which featured the return of UK songstress and Jay-Z protégé Rita Ora, fresh off the success of her new U.K. single "RIP" and U.S. single "How We Do", which just landed atop the Billboard Dance chart this week. The gorgeous singer wowed in a floor l...

 Larry Stevens One of music’s best-kept secrets has been LARRY STEVENS. Over the course of three, now four, CDs, Stevens has successfully maneuvered between rock, pop, folk and country and created a crowd pleasing, radio-friendly sound that’s been continually embraced by the music community. On his latest release, Mercer Street, he’s joined by some of the best musicians around, including keyboardist George Small (who worked on John & Yoko’s Double Fantasy album) and drummer, Liberty Devito, who made his mark with his extensive work with Billy Joel. Says Stevens, “It’s definitely the best work I've done; working with musicians of that caliber brought everything to a nice level; they made me work harder and the results speak for themselves. We named the record for the studio we recorded the album at … Mercer Street.” Stevens has also played at such diverse clubs as Iridium, the Blue Bird Café, the Bitter End, and, NJ Pac, where this Friday he'll open for the legen...

**** WALTER MCBRIDE ON BROADWAY **** Catherine Porter With Brenda Braxton And Babs Winn Playwright Donna Moore Director Lynne Taylor-Corbett Catherine Porter Babs Winn Danny Bernardy Brenda Braxton With Babs Winn And Catherine Porter There was a special presentation of 'Cougar The Musical' at the Ripley-Grier Studios in New York City the other day. Photos By: Walter McBride / WM Photography / Retna Ltd.

**** TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP OFF BROADWAY ****  Gaspare Diblasi THEATER FOR THE NEW CITY is pleased to announce the world premiere production of Gaspare Diblasi’s 50 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FRANK, directed by Jesse Marchese (assistant to the Artistic Director of Off-Broadway’s award-winning Mint Theater Company). 50 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FRANK will play a limited engagement at Theater for the New City , 155 1st Avenue (Between 9th and 10th Streets). New York, New York, 10003. Performances begin Saturday, September 1 and continue through Wednesday, September 5. Frank Stampoli can't catch a break: between business class, dance callbacks and coming out... Freshman year is tough. When he tells his family he has a boyfriend, his mother blames it on the fact that he hasn't found the right Italian girl. His father doesn't know what to say. And then there's Anthony... and those 50 things he loves about Frank. In the great tradition of Patti LuPone and Neil Simon...

Howard Stern The feud between 83-year old comic PAT COOPER and HOWARD STERN shows no signs of diminishing. On BRETT WINTERBLE'S Sirius/XM talk show (who is tub-thumping his book How Dare You Say How Dare Me! - Square One Publishers), the comedian continued to savage Stern, talking about everything from America's Got Talent to the recent passing of his dog. Cooper said he can't believe Stern is on Americas Got Talent: “He doesn't know talent … because he doesn't have any talent!” He also had choice words for Hillary and Bill Clinton, President Obama and Mitt Romney. He said Mitt’s biggest problem is that “He’s surrounded by his money.” Photo By: RD/Leon/Retna

 Leilani Münter Leilani Münter, professional race car driver and environmental activist, has announced her support for the Code REDD Campaign and its mission to make forests more valuable alive than dead through the Voluntary Carbon Market. Münter, a biology graduate who has long been known as ‘The Carbon Free Girl,’ will offset her unavoidable emissions from racing through Wildlife Works Carbon LLC, one of the approved REDD+ projects in the Code REDD Campaign that generates high quality Verified Emissions Reductions (VERs), or carbon credits.  “We are in a race against deforestation” Leilani affirmed, adding that “in the time it takes me to finish one race, 7,500 acres of forest will be lost to deforestation” Since 2007, Münter has adopted an acre of rainforest for every race she runs, and with this new effort she hopes to bring greater awareness to the public about Code REDD, a radical new campaign that is using the power of the marketplace to stop deforestat...

 Playing With Fire The team that brought you 2010’s heralded site-specific production of Hedda Gabler will present a multi-media version of Strindberg’s Playing with Fire, directed by John Gould Rubin, co-conceived by Shane Bly Killoran and adapted by Royston Coppenger, beginning Friday, August 17 at an exclusive location at 189 Chrystie Street. The Private Theatre’s fiery production will run through Friday, August 24. In keeping with the mission for free theatre access, there will be a limited number of FREE LOTTERY TICKETS distributed for each performance. For more information about the lottery and other details about the production, please visit: www.theprivatetheatre.org . To guarantee your entry to this exciting theatrical event, tickets for purchase are available and begin at $25, with special VIP tickets ranging in price from $65 - $175, and a “Private All Access VIP Ticket” for $500. Playing with Fire is a play about sexual frenzy, illicit coveting, exhibiti...

**** TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP TELEVISION   A NEW EPISODE OF “THE SOUL MAN” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1st AT 10:00 PM ET/PT ****  The Soul Man Boyce (Cedric the Entertainer) is put to the test by the Council of United Leaders of Faith – “made men” who can either "make it or break it" for Boyce and his church. Lolli’s (Niecy Nash) tea party for the church ladies heats up when Boyce’s cousin Nikki (Sherri Shepherd) spikes the punch.  Guest stars: Sherri Shepherd Photo Courtesy Of: TV Land

**** East Hampton Studio Showcases the First Annual St. Barth in the Hamptons Sponsored by Social Life Magazine & Rand Luxury July Launch Featuring Cover Stars Kevin Jonas of The Jonas Brothers & Danielle Jonas ****  Justin Mitchell And Devorah Rose Tamara Barney East Hampton Studio, the premiere event space in the Hamptons hosted St. Barth in the Hamptons, sponsored by Social Life Magazine and Rand Luxury. Showcasing the event space’s 31,000 square foot studio, the annual gala celebrated the spirit of St. Barth, the exclusive, French Caribbean playground, with guests including Bravo’s Real Housewives Teresa Giudice, Tamra Barney, and Eddie Judge, along with 30 Rock star Grizz Chapman; The Chew’s Jason Roberts; celebrity stylist Lauren Rae Levy: lead singer of Every Empire, Carly Blair; Recording Artist Jared Evan; Celebrity DJ John Hamilton; Michael Wudyka owner, East Hampton Studio; Eddie Shapiro, Founder & CEO, Nest Seekers; Bradf...

**** TWILIGHT DRAMA **** Kristen Stewart Robert Pattinson This weeks exclusive cover story from the new issue of Us Weekly , is about Kristen Stewart cheating on Robert Pattinson with director Rupert Sanders. Robert Pattinson's biggest fear has been realized. On July 17th, the 26-year-old actor's girlfriend and Twilight costar, Kristen Stewart, 22, was caught in a series of steamy rendezvous with her Snow White and the Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, 41 -- and only Us Weekly has the photographic evidence. Sanders -- married to British Vogue model Liberty Ross, 33 -- has two children, ages 7 and 5. During his marathon makeout session with Stewart, "it seemed like they couldn't get enough," according to one photographer. Reps for both Stewart and Sanders had no comment. Also included are the details about Bachelorette Emily Maynard’s secret night with runner-up Arie Luyendyk days before accepting a proposal from Jef Holm. Despi...

Chad Everett Medical Center star, Chad Everett, who played Dr. Joe Gannon on the hit television show in the 1970s, died yesterday at his home in Los Angeles, California. He was 75 years old. Anyone that grew up in the swinging 70's, remembers his famed role as the passionate and caring doctor. The cause was lung cancer, his daughter Kate Thorp said.  Photo By: Sara de Boer/Retna

  Jake Gyllenhaal With Michelle Gomez, Annie Funk And Brian F. O'Byrne Jake Gyllenhaal along with Michelle Gomez, Annie Funk and Brian F. O'Byrne attended the Meet & Greet for the Roundabout Theatre Company Production of 'If There Is I Haven't Found it Yet' at their rehearsal studios in New York City today.  Photo By: Walter McBride / WM Photography / Retna Ltd.

 Susan Louise O'Connor Rachel Reiner Productions presents the World Premiere of GETTING THE BUSINESS written by Victor L. Cahn and directed by Adam Fitzgerald. GETTING THE BUSINESS will begin performances on Friday, August 10 and will open Monday, August 13 running through September 1, 2012 at Theatre Row’s Clurman Theatre. Men, women, and office politics, GETTING THE BUSINESS is a farce noir which follows an executive (Cahn) with more than work on his mind and his new “enthusiastic” assistant (O’Connor) who gradually reveals an agenda of her own. GETTING THE BUSINESS stars Victor L. Cahn and Award –winning actress Susan Louise O’Connor. WHO’s WHO VICTOR L. CAHN has written numerous plays, including several produced Off-Broadway as well as regionally: Roses in December; Embraceable Me; Fit to Kill (all published by Samuel French); Dally with the Devil; Sheepskin/Bottom of the Ninth; and Sherlock Solo, a one-man show that he performs. He has also ...

 Jenni Farley Jenni 'JWoWW' Farley was at GNC yesterday at the Beverly Center in LA , showing off Ab Cuts Sleek & Lean, her must-have accessory for keeping slim and trim for the 6th season of hit MTV show, The Jersey Shore. JWoWW has used Ab Cuts Sleek & lean to maintain her beach body physique, and as you can see it has paid off!

**** THE LEGEND PLAYS A LEGEND ****   Tony Lo Bianco In The Little Flower “The Little Flower” is an educational, inspirational and at times comedic one-man show set in the office of Fiorello H. La Guardia, during his last day as three-term Mayor of New York City in 1945. The show stars Tony Lo Bianco. “The Little Flower” presents a historic look into the life and career of Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia - a courageous and flamboyant personality, who read comics to the children during a newspaper strike, fought against corruption and cleaned up city politics setting a new standard for mayors and politicians in America. He was a great statesman and champion of the poor and under privileged, and a father figure to millions of Americans living through the hard times of the 1930’s and 1940’s. La Guardia was a man of integrity with outstanding principles, morals and values whose voice resonated throughout America. He was steadfast in standing up for his beliefs...

Jennifer Lewis  Marc Shaiman With Jennifer Lewis Jennifer Lewis with Marc Shaiman at Piano performed at a press preview at 54 Below in New York City the other day. Photos By: Walter McBride / WM Photography / Retna Ltd.

Tony Vincent Rebecca Naomi Jones With Tony Vincent And Theo Stockman  Theo Stockman Theo Stockman along with Rebecca Naomi Jones visited Tony Vincent and band performing on the main stage, promoting his new EP 'In My Head' at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. Photos By: Walter McBride / WM Photography / Retna Ltd.

Matthew McConaughey With Gina Gershon And William Friekin  Sherry Lansing Sherry Lansing along with Matthew McConaughey and William Friekin, were snapped backstage at the 'TimesTalks: Stage To Screen' with David Carr in New York City yeaterday. Photos By: Walter McBride / WM Photography / Retna Ltd.

**** TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP TELEVISION ****  Melissa Rycroft GSN (formerly Game Show Network) announced the cast lineup for its new original series BEAT THE CHEFS, in which amateur home cooks pit their recipes and their cooking skills against professional chefs. BEAT THE CHEFS will premiere Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on GSN. BEAT THE CHEFS is an hour-long show, in which everyday people who love to cook set out to prove that their family recipes are worth prize money and bragging rights. Each week, the show pits homegrown talents against three professional chefs as they cook the same dish—from firehouse chili to Grandma’s famous chicken and dumplings—with one question in mind: Whose tastes the best? A panel of critics will judge and decide if the amateurs can “beat the chefs.” Hosted by American Idol finalist Matt Rogers (“Coming Home,”) BEAT THE CHEFS is produced by RelativityREAL, with Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) and...