Hampton Habitués

Good News Gossip About Our Notable Friends And Neighbors

Family Feud
Who doesn’t love a good fish-out-of-water story, especially when it involves pointing out uncomfortably inappropriate class and social distinctions? 

It gets even better when such a tale comes wrapped up in a bow with a couple of familiar East End faces in primary roles. Get ready to laugh all the way through the show with Montauk’s two-time Academy Award-winning Robert DeNiro and Kim Cattrall, formerly of East Hampton, in About My Father. 

The feature-length comedy, written by and starring hot comic Sebastian Maniscalco, is roughly based on his own real-life father, a larger-than-life character who came to America to find more opportunities for his family.  The film also stars Leslie Bibb and David Rasche (gotta love him in Succession!), who come to the party to play and slay! 

Food Fight
Representing all things good and tasty, Iron Chef and Bridgehampton resident Alex Guarnaschelli has been sharpening her knives yet again to take on the culinary world in Alex Vs America.

Now in its third season on The Food Network, this tasty treat stars Guarnaschelli, who will attempt to best 15 more talented chefs as they take on a multitude of ingredients and cuisines. Hosted by chef Top Chef alum Eric Adjepong, this season’s competition will encompass themes such as Game Day, Bacon, Pastry, James Beard Winners, Hawaii, and more. Participating judges throughout the 10-episode season will include: Antonia Lofaso, Chris Cosentino, Stephanie Izard, Kwame Onwauchi, Roy Yamaguchi and Sheldon Simeon, Brooke Williamson, and Jet Tila, among others. 

One for the Ages
Montauk’s Rufus Wainwright is such a fan of “The End” that he’s throwing a monster 50th birthday celebration concert there to benefit the Montauk Historical Society. Planned for July 13 at the Montauk Lighthouse, the b-day bash will include special guest performances by Jimmy Fallon, Tig Notaro, Laurie Anderson, Loudon Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, GE Smith, Wainwright’s husband Jorn Weisbrodt, and more. Even the host committee for the event is cool — Julianne Moore, Isabella Rossellini, Cindy Sherman, Paul Simon, and Liev Schreiber are all part of it. Get your tickets now if they aren’t already sold out!

More Drama Mama
Looks like Water Mill’s Jennifer Lopez is definitely on the action-adventure train by the looks of her latest work. Recently starring in Shotgun Wedding with Josh Duhamel, she’s currently headlining The Mother.

In this feature-length film, Lopez plays a military-trained assassin who comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she’s never met from ruthless criminals gunning for revenge. The Netflix streamer also stars Joseph Fiennes, Gael García Bernal, and Edie Falco. 

Name Drop
The Hamptons are so hot that even songs seek a connection to this place. Case in point, the Jonas Brothers just dropped the single Summer in The Hamptons this past month on their fifth studio album, The Album. Lyrics to the simple two-minute ditty include: “Champagne ocean, raw emotion, sky wide open. Sex like summer in the Hamptons.”

Of course, there are also the requisite literary references. Author Emma Cline puts the South Fork front and center, if not by name, then by implication, in her new novel The Guest. This riveting story touches on every home-owning East Ender’s nightmare: the guest who refuses to leave. Yikes!

And lastly, I just have to share about my little ol’ book, East End Fun & Games. The puzzle and activity book for kids is all about our special little place here on the edge of Long Island. Published by East End Press, the puzzles and activities are by Dawn Watson and the super cute illustrations are by John Dempsey. Check it out at local bookstores, toy stores, souvenir-type shops and more. Happy summer!