The Museum of Moving Image was a who’s who of NY’s elite as they honored Philippe Daiman, CEO of Viacom, Randy Falco, President of Univision and George Kaufman, Chairman of Kaufman Astoria Studios, at New York City’s St Regis Hotel.
After the happy cocktail hour NY society men and women of all ages clinked glasses and dined on a delicious brie salad, silky sea bass and divine chocolate dessert as these accomplished businessmen were feted.
BET’s Debra Lee would present first to her big boss Philippe Dauman, and praise his efforts of putting out “quality content” as “head of the biggest film, TV and visual media company in the world.”
Dauman’s gorgeous and friendly wife Deborah in a red slinky gown with a mermaid finish, who along with her hubby “has a great love for New York and fine dining and all the great NY restaurants,” would smile profusely throughout the evening. Debra Lee would mention she once asked her boss what kept him up at night? “Nothing” said the media mogul. “I sleep very soundly at night.” I have to learn that trick.
Dauman would then accept and make reference to his favorite new mom-to-be “Snooki” to a laughing crowd. No wonder he sleeps well, Viacom owned MTV’s Jersey Shore is top rated and making big bucks.
Legendary crooner Tony Bennett toasted George Kaufman of Kaufman Astoria Studios and made sure to mention that’s it’s great to make a lot of money but just as great “to give back.”
The Today Show’s cool as a cucumber Executive Producer Jim Bell who runs the Matt, Ann, Al and Natalie show celebrated Univision’s Randy Falco by sharing his personal story of passing up law school after graduating Harvard, to accept his first gig at NBC of pushing around his then boss in a wheelchair after an Achilles heel accident. Falco then commented “I think it all worked out.”
British comic John Oliver best known from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart entertained with some funny shtick and even Mayor Mike Bloomberg stopped by quickly to give a shout out to Board of Trustees Herb Schlosser, and express his happiness over the success of film and TV production in New York and it’s employment of over 100,000 New Yorkers, as well as the over 50 million tourists that visited the city last year.
Names making the scene: society gal Tinsley Mortimer with Prince Lorenzo Borghese who did a stint as ‘The Bachelor,’ Coralie Charriol Paul and Dennis Paul, Reality TV judges Nina Garcia and Nigel Barker, Matthew Reeve, son of the late actor Christopher, and designer Rebecca Minkoff.
Pictured: Honoree Philippe Dauman and wife Deborah flank the Jersey Shore gals.