HAMPTONS HABITUÉS

Living on the East End most definitely has its perks. Home to some of the most beautiful and prized land in the nation, it’s also a place where our friends and neighbors are among the most notable people in the world. Here’s what they’re up to right now. If there were such a position as President of the Hamptons, the honor would mostly likely be bestowed upon Amagansett resident Alec Baldwin. The ubiquitous actor and philanthropist has his fingerprints on everything from funding local arts and cultural organization to his own personal domination of the world’s small and large screens.

Most recently, Mr. Baldwin has commandeered the Big Three on TV. While he’s been most visibly lampooning American politics on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” for which he’s being considered for what would be his 17th career Emmy nomination, the busy entertainer is now in his second season manning the skinny mic made famous by Gene Rayburn in the 1970s as host of ABC’s “Match Game” reboot. Additionally, the star is now reportedly in talks with CBS as producer (and possible star) of the drama series “Crooked Brooklyn” based on the book of the same name written by Michael Vecchione, which is now in development.

Productivity runs in the family at Baldwin’s house. His wife, Hilaria Baldwin, just published her first book, “The Living Clearly Method: 5 Principles for a Fit Body, Healthy Mind & Joyful Life.” Previously, the Yoga Vida co-founder and popular Instagramer has been heretofore best known, in her own words, as “the woman married to Alec Baldwin who does yoga poses in unlikely places.” Speaking of famous South Fork spouses, East Hampton’s Jessica Seinfeld has another new book coming out. “Food Swings: 125+ Recipes to Enjoy Your Life of Virtue and Vice” will arrive on bookshelves in April. Her previous literary efforts include the New York Times bestsellers “The Food Swings: 125+ Recipes to Enjoy Your Life of Virtue and Vice,” “Double Delicious: Good, Simple Food for Busy, Complicated Lives” and “Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food.”

Not to be outdone, her husband, Jerry Seinfeld, has his own new career news. The wildly successful comic has driven his popular web series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” over to Netflix. The deal includes access to each of his previous nine seasons of the series, which had been streaming on Sony’s Crackle digital network, in addition to a new 10th season and two new standup specials.

For the serious reader, Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” is the best of the best of the past year, according to Amazon editors. The number-one New York Times bestseller, written by the MacArthur Fellowship winner and author of “Sag Harbor,” is a National Book Award winner.

Across the pond, the classically fashionable East Hampton resident/entrepreneur/philanthropist Ralph Lauren is making his own version of the next best seller by opening up Ralph’s Coffee & Bar in his eponymous Regent Street shoppe in London last month. The multi-talented designer, whose name is synonymous with all-America style, also has Ralph’s outposts in New York and Paris.

And whilst on the subject of British happenings, Sir Paul McCartney, who also has a home in Amagansett, is dropping the tenth release of his multi-Grammy album, “Flowers in the Dirt,” in March. Included in the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, the 1989 release gets a multi-format reissue, which is perfect for fan’s who can’t make it to Japan to catch the almost 75-year-old Beatles’ front man’s “One on One” tour dates in April. Can’t get enough of the Fab Four? Then be sure to check out “Eight Days a Week,” the documentary by Ron Howard about the touring years between 1962 and 1966, which has been nominated for a slew of awards across the universe. Music and art fans who frequent the city will be happily surprised to see the face of former Springs resident Lou Reed gracing the tiled walls of the brand-new Second Avenue Subway station at 86th Street, which opened on New Year’s Day. The 9-foot-tall mosaic portrait by Bridgehampton-based artist Chuck Close one of 10 in his “Subway Portraits” series in mosaic and ceramic tile. He was only one of four artists chosen by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to install on the recently extended line. The permanent works are part of the largest permanent public art installation in New York State history.

And lastly, cheers are in order for North Haven resident musician/author/restaurateur Jimmy Buffett, who will be serving up his “Escape to Margaritaville” on Broadway in spring 2018. The musical will feature old and new tunes by the king of the Parrotheads and is scheduled for its world premiere in May in La Jolla, California, followed by preview dates in New Orleans, Houston and Chicago.