Kathie Lee Gifford is really leaving the fourth hour of Today with Hoda. No more chuggin’ back the wine at 10am.
It’s not unusual to run into Kathie Lee in New York’s media lunch hot spot, Michael’s, on West 55th St. But yesterday, KLG commanded the whole front bay window table with a group of ladies who were toasting her.
Turns out they were Kathie Lee super-fans. They’d entered a contest, and the winners were all flown in to hang out with their favorite TV presenter.
After they met Kathie Lee at the NBC studios, someone mentioned lunch. Kathie Lee put in a call to Michael’s a half hour before the restaurant opened. Us regular types would get a hearty laugh on a Wednesday, which is Michael’s peak dining day.
But KLG is a beloved regular. So Michael’s cleared the front table. Not only did all the ladies come, but also a film crew. Maybe we’ll see the results today at 10am.
Michael’s was hopping. Discovery channel chief Henry Schleiff was having lunch with famed “SNL” writer Alan Zweibel. Disney Theatrical boss and wizard Tom Schumacher was eating with Peter Brown, the famed PR man who worked with the Beatles and also Robert Stigwood on “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease.” Tom Cruise’s publicist Amanda Lundberg was entertaining Ross Ellis, whose anti-bullying organization will honor director Paul Feig this month. Former NYPD commish Ray Kelly (who should be mayor, please) was chowing down with former NYC Council prez Andy Stein. “Sharknado” impresario David Garber was in town to see some Broadway shows. NY Social Diary commander David Patrick Columbia was busy taking it all in. And I was lunching with ex CNN reporter Jill Brooke, who’s just launched FlowerPowerwithJill!
Great photo courtesy of super fan Sheila Menge. c2019
