Sylvia & Anton: A Night To Remember

Honest to god, it started out as a work night. Billboard No. 1 dance artist and friend Sylvia Tosun and her production and life partner Anton Bass invited me to their beautiful highrise West Side digs for dinner and an interview to update the web site for their indie label Sea To Sun.

We started with plentiful wine, animated conversation and dinner... and just as we were ready to settle down to business... the doorbell rings. It was Sylvia's pal Countess Luann de Lesseps, one of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York, whom I had met at events for Sylvia and parties with Liz Derringer in the Hamptons. She's a doll, a blast and a true socialite... classy lady.

The doorbell rings again. It's another friend named Cat. And then again. I can't even remember who the third spontaneous guest of the night was, but the wine kept flowing and before I knew it, I was heading home after 2 a.m.

Nope, we never started the interview, which is actually just fine... It means I'll have to go back for more mayhem. New York at its finest.

'A List New York': (Awfully) Guilty Pleasure

Logo's new gay reality series "The A List: New York" makes similar shows like "The Real Housewives of New York" look like milquetoast in comparison to its catty, clawing, queeny antics. Two episodes in, I am embarrassed to admit I'm hooked.

Among its "A-list" personalities are Reichen Lehmkuhl, "The Amazing Race" winner & former Lance Bass squeeze; his dimwitted, Broken English-speaking but lusciously handsome Brazilian model boyfriend Rodiney Santiago; celebrity photog Mike Ruiz—who seems the most grounded of the crew—and three lesser characters, one of whom is so bitchy that I wish they'd strip him of his gay card.

I hope anyone who watches recognizes that these boys—like their Housewives counterparts—represent extremes. Your everyday gay-next-door is hardly so contemptuous. All the same, Logo is quickly defining these characters with juicy story lines, plenty of competition and clashes, and enough eight-pack abs and glam to make me long for my own NYC red carpet days of old.Above: Reichen with boyfriend Rodiney; Reichen, and right, Mike. Below: model Rodiney in all his glory.

Penthouse Paradise

Tuesday evening, June 22, New York magazine launched its Summer 2010 issue with a glorious soire at the Kimberly Hotel's new "Upstairs" rooftop. The 3,000-square-foot space, designed by Sylvia Tosen, offers old Hollywood-style glamour, with 360 degree views of midtown Manhattan, retractable glass ceilings and heated floors.

In attendance: Liz Derringer, Sylvia Tosen, Anton Bass, Caroline Lieberman, Mira Sorvino, Countess LuAnn de Lessep...

Jill Zarin Book Launch Parteee

Last evening, Liz D. and I attended a book launch party for "Real Housewives of New York" star Jill Zarin's "Secrets of a Jewish Mother," written with her mammer and sister. The locale: Zarin Fabrics on Manhattan's Lower East Side. In attendance were fellow "Housewives" Ramona Singer, LuAnn de Lesseps, Kelly Bensimone and Bravo's handsome Andy Cohen, along with several hundred NYC fashionistas and social elite. One hell of a pretty crowd.Liz D. and meese with Jill Zarin.With my new boyfriend Andy Cohen. Love the teeth!The "Housewives," et al.The scene. What I observed:
* Plastic surgery is alive and thriving in New York. I have not seen so much stretched facial skin in one place since I visited Sea World's seal exhibit as a kid. I met one broad whom, I swear, smiled back at me, but her face remained locked in inertia. Botox overload.
* Chest hair makes a return! At last the gays seem to have stopped waxing their entire bodies. The 20-somethings in attendance are allowing a little chest hair to peak out of their shirt tops again. It's about time. However, many of the queens seemed to be wearing as much make-up as the ladies. Just say no.Zarin is interviewed for NBC's "New York LX."LuAnn de Lesseps and dreamy Andy Cohen (Getty Images)
(PHOTOS: THE SMOKING NUN)

Sunday: Grand Slam Winners Tennis Exhibition @ Ross School In East Hampton

On Sunday, Liz D. and I attended the Grand Slam Winners Tennis Exhibition Match at the Ross School Tennis Center in East Hampton, which featured a celebrity pro-match with Alec Baldwin, Christie Brinkley, and "Real Housewives of New York" LuAnn De Lesseps and Ramona Singer. In addition, Andre Agassi was honored with a portrait that was presented to the tennis great by Liz's client, Tony Capparellia. All proceeds from the $500-a-ticket event, which also included a silent auction, benefited Ross School scholarships and programs. (All photos by The Smoking Nun)Tony Capparellia's stunning portrait of Agassi.Liz D., Christie Brinkley, meese.Tony Capparellia, Alec Baldwin, Liz D., meese.Liz D., Ramona Singer, meese.Presentation of Tony's portrait to Andre Agassi.Liz D. and Andre chatola.Andre, Christie and Alec cajole at the photogs' screen.Liz D. and publicist Lizzie Grubman.Rufus Wainwright with his delicious boyfriend Jorn Weisbrodt."Real Housewives" Countess LuAnn De Lesseps and Ramona Singer.Alec Baldwin, two friends, and chaos.The ageless, so-very-pleasant Christie Brinkley.Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day with two admirers.Poodleicious! With Sports Illustrated model Jessica Gomes and friend.Inside the lobby of the Ross School, where the silent auction was hosted.The action outside on the tennis court.Alec Baldwin greets Christie Brinkley.Author Larry "Ratso" Sloman.Christy Brinkley participated in the celebrity pro-match......As did Countess LuAnn De Lesseps, with pro tennis player Vince Van Patton.It's all in the shoes, dude.