HAWKE
EYES
On a steamy day in August, famed actor, director, screenwriter and
author Ethan Hawke landed in Toronto. Ethan was here to promote
his second novel, Ash Wednesday. His day consisted of being whisked
from interview to interview, but before his sold-out event, which
was attended by over 450 star-struck women, the oh-so-cute Ethan
agreed to meet with local booksellers at an intimate cocktail party.
Wearing jeans and his favorite cowboy shirt, the charming Ethan
dazzled the group with his warmth and those piercing baby blue eyes.
Overheard at the casual gathering was Ethan exclaiming, “This was
the most effective 45 minutes of my entire day!” Could this be?
Forget the five-star treatment at the Four Seasons Hotel, the limousine
rides or the journalists’ endless praise, meeting the people responsible
for selling his books was what pleased the man the most!
RUSHDIE
RULES
There are probably few people who have not heard the name
Salman Rushdie, against whom a fatwa was declared for writing
the allegedly blasphemous novel, The Satanic Verses. With
the fatwa now behind him, Rushdie has resumed a more normal
life in the Big Apple. A frequent guest on New York’s celebrity
pages, Rushdie is a true literary powerhouse who draws a crowd
wherever he goes — whether that be |
Salman meeting booksellers |
| a
Tom Ford fashion show or a celebrity soiree. With a new collection
of essays, entitled Step Across This Line, Rushdie stopped
in Toronto, Victoria and Vancouver to promote his latest work.
At his sold-out event in Vancouver — there were 1,200 in attendance
— he wowed the audience with his intelligence and humour.
Following the event, Rushdie and his publicist made a bee-line
for Bishop’s, the famed Vancouver eatery. The Scoop has learned
that the kitchen stayed open after 10:30 p.m. just for Rushdie.
When learning of Rushdie’s presence in his establishment,
owner John Bishop rushed to the restaurant to say a special
hello. Does the man know how to draw attention or what? |
CELEBRITY
WATCH
Who can forget the fair-haired Chrissie Snow from the television
show Three’s Company? A successful actor and singer, and creator
of the Thigh Master and Butt Master, Suzanne Somers is also a bestselling
health and diet author. Her ‘Somersize’ book series has sold over
3 million copies. Having had the pleasure of working with the lovely
Ms. Somers, I can tell you that this woman is gorgeous! While doing
a photo shoot in Toronto’s Yorkville, a convertible sports car filled
with three young men began cat-calling Ms. Somers and professing
their undying lust for her. Suzanne was much amused. If you want
to meet the lovely Ms. Somers, she’ll be in Toronto in January to
promote her latest book, Suzanne Somers’ Fast and Easy.
GENE
THERAPY
Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS is one man who really gives
his all to his fans. While in Toronto to promote his bestselling
autobiography, Kiss and Make-Up, Gene greeted thousands of
screaming fans at a book signing. Even though we expected
a raucous crowd, neither the bookstore nor myself expected
the signing to turn into a live strip tease. Woman after woman
gladly stripped off their jeans or bared their |
Gene
with some of his publishing fans |
| breasts
to show their devotion.Gene gladly signed every naked body
part thrust into his face — even a man’s naked bottom. I had
never seen so many naked body parts in my life. |
DESIGN
DIVA
Decorating shows are all the rage. We just can’t get enough of them.
I for one am an addict! Canada’s most watched and most loved designer
has to be Montreal’s Debbie Travis. Travis has completed taping
her international hit show Debbie Travis’ Painted House, and is
now filming a new series for HGTV called Debbie Travis’ Facelift.
Described as The Osborne’s go decorating (without the swearing),
this new show will blow your mind. Watch for it on HGTV in January.
Debbie is also hard at work on two other television shows, her weekly
news-paper column and another new book, Debbie Travis’ Painted House
Bedrooms.
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