Hampton Habitues

Renee Zellweger is back baby, in a big way! After a self-imposed vacation from the public eye, the former East Hampton resident is all over the small screen and soon to be gracing the big ones as well. 

Now up in “What/If” on Netflix, she stars as Anne McDonald, the ultimate puppet master in a noir thriller morality tale. The juicy miniseries explores “the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things.” 

Next up, she takes on the titular role in the film “Judy,” a much-anticipated biopic about the life and times of Judy Garland. Headed to theaters on September 27, the film focuses on the legendary performer’s final year. Set in 1968, the film will feature Zellweger (actually) singing some of Garland’s most memorable songs during her last concerts, including the iconic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Can. Not. Wait. To. See. This. One! 

The Beatles are also getting the big-picture deal. Again. This time it’s in the romantic comedy “Yesterday.” 

Briefly, it’s about a young English rocker who plays Fab Four covers in the local pub who wakes up one day after a freak global accident to discover that The Beatles never existed. As a result, Jack Malik becomes the famous father of songs that only he knows were penned and performed by our beloved Paul, John, George and Ringo. The romantic comedy by Danny Boyle and Richard Curtis stars Himesh Patel, Lily James, Ed Sheeran and Kate McKinnon. Sounds interesting. 

On to more literal rock-and-roll progeny Jesse Bongiovi, son of Jon Bon Jovi and co-founder of Hampton Water wine, has another yummy creation under his belt. It’s fittingly called “The Hampton Burger” and it’s a special menu item at all Umami Burger’s nationwide, through July 14. 

According to Bongiovi, the double wagyu beef patty-based sandwich features pickled beets, roasted tomatoes, feta cheese, shredded lettuce and miso mustard. It’s a definite handful. 

“This is a burger that reminds me of growing up in the Hamptons, going out there,” he says. “You’re going out to the beach, you’re grilling up. We wanted to come up with something that really felt like that.” 

Priced at $13 each, every sale sends $1 to the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which has served more than 90,000 people in need, according to East Hampton resident and rocker Bon Jovi. Want to learn more? Check out the non-profit’s website at www.jonbonjovisoulfoundation.org. 

Drew Barrymore is also buzzing with new ideas. Her latest: Flower Home for Walmart. The new line of home décor, accessories and furniture features more than 200 items, from decorative throw pillows and vases to bed headboards and sofas, and starts at $18. The East Ender adds this to her brimming bouquet, including Flower Beauty, Flower Eyewear, Flower Press and Flower Films. 

It seems fitting that we flit right along to Steven Spielberg, who gave Ms. Barrymore her big start in “E.T.” The prolific producer and director has kept himself super busy as well. Among his newest projects:“Men In Black: International,” a blockbuster reboot, which stars Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in a new adventure tackling global threats of the alien and Earth resident varieties. 

Lastly, congrats to recently engaged Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost, of Amagansett and Montauk. Hearty applause are also in order for Halley Feiffer (daughter of Shelter Island’s Jules Feiffer), who slayed on off-Broadway in “The Pain of My Belligerence,” which she wrote and starred in. And encores galore for Tony nominees “Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus,” starring East Hampton’s Nathan Lane, and “Torch Song,” starring a scene-stealing Mercedes Ruehl, who makes her home in Sag Harbor.