Hampton Habitués

Good News Gossip About Our Notable Friends And Neighbors

Ahh, summer in the Hamptons. There’s nothing like it.

It’s been a busy one so far, with events, benefits and all sorts of social activities running full speed ahead for the first time in a long time. With so much going on, it’s hard to believe that all this fanfare and fun takes place over the span of approximately a dozen weeks and what is ostensibly just a 40-mile stretch from east to west.  

We’ve already had some wild star turns out east this summer, including Paris Jackson showing up unexpectedly to belt out some songs at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett. That impromptu gig made headlines for Jackson being mistaken for that other Paris (Hilton) and because she informed the crowd that she “gave myself whiplash head banging” at a Cheap Trick concert.

Jackson was also seen making the rounds in Montauk with actress, producer, and entrepreneur Eva Longoria, who came out, seemingly everywhere and all at once to promote her tequila, Casa Del Sol. Other big names who came out to support Longoria and her “100-percent Mexican-owned” libation, included Questlove, who played a surprise set at Surf Lodge; New York Giant’s wide receiver Victor Cruz and Bachelor contender Tyler Cameron, who showed up at Bounce. Fun fact, the cocktail waitress uniforms at Bounce were designed by Nicole Miller.

Celebrity-owned tequila businesses seem to be all the rage right now, as Breaking Bad stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston have also launched their own label. The duo also came out to Montauk earlier this summer to promote their Dos Hombres Mezcal. Stops on their whirlwind tour included Montauk hotspots Bounce, the Memory Motel, Sandbar, Liar’s Saloon (now closed, sigh) and Coche Comedor in Amagansett.

Let’s not forget that George Clooney and Randy Gerber kind of kicked this whole thing off with their Casamigos brand, which they later sold to liquor giant Diageo for $1 billion back in 2017. That leads us to also remember the famous bros and their involvement with Discovery Land Company and its development of Dune Deck Beach Club in Westhampton Beach and planned golf resort, The Hills, in East Quogue. Wonder if we’ll be spotting either of them out here on the East Coast again anytime soon?

Many of us did get to catch more than a glimpse of Jason Alexander earlier this summer, when he directed the Bay Street Theater season opener, Windfall, in Sag Harbor. Of course, many know this talented actor and director for his portrayal of George Costanza on Seinfeld, but he has many other notable accomplishments, including winning a Best Actor in a Musical Tony as the Narrator in Jerome Robbin’s Broadway; starring theatrical turns in The Producers and The Odd Couple; roles in scores of films and television series; and even video games and music videos.

Alexander is currently making the most of it as blacklisted playwright Asher Friedman in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime and high school drama teacher Gene Lundy in Young Sheldon on CBS. Next up, he lends his voice to the documentary, The Gettysburg Address.

We absolutely ate up Isabella Rossellini’s juicy role in the delicious Julia Child origin story, Julia, on HBO Max. In it, the Bellport-based actress plays the French cookbook writer and Mastering the Art of French Cooking collaborator Simone “Simca” Beck.

Since we’re talking about food, let’s end on a tasty tribute to North Fork resident Tom Colicchio, who recently wrapped his 19th season as lead judge on Top Chef. Oh, the things we’ve learned over the years from this amazing chef, cookbook author, restaurateur, and multiple James Beard Award winner. Well done!

Back to the show. This year’s competition, which was held in Houston, Texas and Tucson Arizona, also included East End regulars Padma Lakshmi, as host, and chef Eric Ripert, as guest judge.

Hey Bravo, isn’t it time for an East End-based Top Chef? Just putting it out there.