Media-Whore D'Oeuvres

"April 28, 1971. During a discussion with Haldeman and Kissinger about an annual youth conference, the subject turned to homosexuality and society. Nixon: Let me say something before we get off the gay thing. I don’t want my views misunderstood. I am the most tolerant person on that of anybody in this shop. They have a problem. They’re born that way. You know that. That’s all. I think they are. Anyway, my point is, though, when I say they’re born that way, the tendency is there. [But] my point is that Boy Scout leaders, YMCA leaders, and others bring them in that direction, and teachers. And if you look over the history of societies, you will find, of course, that some of the highly intelligent people . . . Oscar Wilde, Aristotle, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, were all homosexuals. Nero, of course, was, in a public way, in with a boy in Rome. Haldeman: There’s a whole bunch of Roman emperors. . . .Nixon: But the point is, look at that, once a society moves in that direction, the vitality goes out of that society. Now, isn’t that right, Henry? Kissinger: Well— Nixon: Do you see any other change, anywhere where it doesn’t fit? Kissinger: That’s certainly been the case in antiquity. The Romans were notorious— Haldeman: The Greeks. Kissinger: —homosexuals. . . . Nixon: The Greeks. And they had plenty of it. . . . By God, I am not going to have a situation where we pass along a law indicating, 'Well, now, kids, just go out and be gay.' They can do it. Just leave them alone. That’s a lifestyle I don't want to touch. . . . Kissinger: It’s one thing for people to, you know, like some people we know, who would do it discreetly, but to make that a national policy . . .The subject soon turned to swearing in public. Nixon: I mean, you’ve got to stop at a certain point. Why is it that the girls don’t swear? Because a man, when he swears, people can’t tolerate a girl who is a— Haldeman: Girls do swear. Nixon: Huh? Haldeman: They do now. Nixon: Oh, they do now? But, nevertheless, it removes something from them. They don’t even realize it. A man drunk, and a man who swears, people will tolerate and say that’s a sign of masculinity or some other damn thing. We all do it. We all swear. But you show me a girl that swears and I’ll show you an awful unattractive person. . . . I mean, all femininity is gone. And none of the smart girls do swear, incidentally." (Vanity Fair)

"I remember one afternoon sitting between Govenator Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone at my Beverly Hills colorist Jeffrey Serra's booth at Giuseppe Franco. Arnold was getting his 'weekly' caramelizing touch-up (he started to resemble former NY talk show host Joe Franklin's bizarre brass 'copperhead'). Meanwhile, Stallone was getting his usual shoe polish black applied to his plugged and receding hairline. They both left arm and arm happy to be dyed-in-the-wool pals. It was a sight to see — but I am not sure of what!" (NYSD)

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell

"One of the South's most prestigious white tie galas, the 52nd Annual Swan Ball was held on June 7th, 2014 at Cheekwood in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ball defined chic sophistication in an elegant Southern garden's setting. More than 730 guests attended the main Ball with an additional 270 at The Late Party, held for the younger Swan set. Under the leadership of The Swan Ball 2014 Co Chairmen Mrs. Randall Loftin Kinnard (Peggy) and Mrs. Toby Stack Wilt, Jr. (Betsy), local ball designer Gavin Duke, along with event planner Jenny Richter Corts and floral designers extraordinaire Mark O'Bryan and Jane Sloan, created a decadent and chic garden affair with all the accoutrements and gracefulness of a magical yet classical evening. The Ball netted more than $1 million for Cheekwood. This year's Swan Award was presented to the internationally-renowned designer Bunny Williams of New York City. Ms. Williams has many connections with the Nashville crowd, including her long-time support of Cheekwood and its annual Antiques & Gardens Show. The event's special headline entertainment, always a favorite, was Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell. Yes, the same 'wild and crazy guy' who is also one of the country's leading Americana genre musicians. The Swan Ball 2014 brought back Verdura, one of Ball's most beloved jewelers, with a very special and exclusive 75th anniversary showing. Immediately following dinner, five select lots were sold in a live auction led by Sotheby's own Jamie Niven." (NYSD)