Southampton - Boy those folks at NBC really blew it this time. Not only did they cut away from the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to premiere a new show but the show got panned by the critics almost universally. In case you missed it, the show was "The Marriage Ref" a trip into reality TV involving feuding couples which Jerry Seinfeld created.

With talent like Alec Baldwin, Kelly Ripa and Seinfeld himself involved for the first episode, NBC was certain it had a winner on its hands but the critics (who had not been provided with advance screeners which should have been a signal something was wrong) held their noses while writing reviews that almost universally panned the show. "Unfunny" and a "blight" on Seinfeld's rep were just a few of the kinder comments. The Twittering world was absolutely vicious reported the not-so-staid-any-longer Wall Street Journal.

Good news for Michelle Isabel Stark and her hard working team in Steve Levy's Suffolk County Film Commission Office who work so hard to lure film and television productions to Suffolk County. Drew Barrymore and her partner in Flower Films are producing the film version of the best selling Melissa de la Cruz novel "Au Pairs" which follow three teenage girls from different socio-economic backgrounds who work as nannies during the summer for wealthy Hamptonites. The novel chronicles how the girls balance their child care responsibilities with their suddenly interesting social lives.

Sally Quinn with husband Ben Bradlee.

Directing the film is R.J. Cutler who helmed the profile on Vogue and its uber-editrix Anna Wintour, "The September Issue." Cutler reportedly will ditch New York for the Hamptons summer social season and film in East Hampton this summer. I am sure some residents will be hardly thrilled but, hey folks, with all of our towns so cash strapped and empty storefronts all over Main Street and Newtown Lane, East Hampton, could certainly use the financial boost that film crews bring – and not just to the hotels and restaurants but to numerous trades like the lumber businesses and hardware stores.

de la Cruz has another hot property in play "Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys," the book she co-authored with Tom Dolby's coming to TV this summer. The Sundance Channel is producing a reality series inspired by the book's theme - women and their gay best friends. The show, pitched as "The real life 'Will & Grace,'" is currently filming around Manhattan for an August premiere, but Sundance is keeping the cast a secret.

In a veritable sea of sober black, Sarah Jessica Parker literally popped like a flower in the desert wearing a chic coral-colored Victoria Beckham frock at The National Arts and Humanities Medal Ceremony during which President Barack Obama bestowed honors on actor and director Clint Eastwood, folk singer Bob Dylan and opera's grand diva Jessye Norman, among others with the prestigious art awards at the White House. The President termed Dylan to be an "Icon of youthful rebellion and poetic sensitivity." Eastwood's films he said were "Essays in individuality, hard truths and the essence of what it means to be American."

Drew Barrymore heads to The Hamptons.

Following that was Maya Lin recently featured in The Nature Conservancy exhibition "Design for a Living World" who earned herself a medal for her achievements in architecture, among other accomplishments, including her design of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Author and social activist Elie Wiesel received an award for his works aiming at educating the country about the Holocaust.

Washington society is positively reeling at the news that the reigning doyenne of the social scene Sally Quinn had her premiere column "The Party" on entertaining pulled from the print edition of the Washington Post. Quinn, who with husband Ben Bradlee owns the fabled "Grey Gardens" has long been considered one of the consummate hostesses on the East Coast. Last week, the writer came under fire for reportedly using the column to combat gossip about her family. Unfortunately for Quinn, the complaints reached all the way to the top, and the column is now only online and is returning to its "original focus on faith, family and entertaining" said Washington Post editor Marcus Brauchli in an interview with Washington City Paper.

Now that folks have returned from their mid-winter stays in Palm Beach, St. Barth's and Aspen, the season is in high gear once again and the jewels, floor sweeping gowns and sumptuous furs are omnipresent. Bare shoulders and plunging décolletage with fish tail gowns were the norm at the School of American Ballet's annual Winter Ball on the Promenade of the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

One of my favorite New York couples Deborah Roberts and Al Roker emceed the evening which made a record breaking $800,000 for The School. As the song from "A Chorus Line" says 'Everything is Beautiful at the Ballet' and was it ever with the glam gals out in full force and finery. Alexandra Lebenthal was in green with black lace overlay; Corallie Charriol opted for a slinky one shouldered goddess gown, Julia Koch looked divine in strapless black crepe and Pamela Joyner rocked in strapless baby pink satin and a huge emerald necklace that once belonged to the Aga Khan.

Jessye Norman honored.

In the main foyer, models showing off Van Cleef & Arpels jewels lined the main staircase adding an extra sparkle to an already dazzling celebration.

Downtown those Cinema Society guys Andrew Saffir and Daniel Benedict with Screenvision hosted one of their mega wattage screenings of Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" for the select at the Crosby Street Hotel. Maestro DOBEL Diamond Tequila was the evening's sponsor. As always Andrew and Daniel mixed up their extensive network of society pals, fashionistas and arty friends with Hollywood A-listers. Among the glittering crowd were Pierce Brosnan, Ewan McGregor, U2's The Edge, Brooke Shields, Piper Perabo, Carol Alt, Rachel Zoe, Julian Schnabel, Duncan Sheik and Carmen Marc Valvo mixing it up with Bettina Zilkha, Tiffany Dubin, Debbie Bancroft, Adelina Wong Ettelson, Nicole Miller and Carlos Souza and others. At the after party.

Good news for fans of acclaimed artist Dora Frost, a favorite of the Palm Beach-Hamptons-New York social axis will show her latest collection of exquisitely, lush floral pastels and nature inspired abstracts at the 2/20 Gallery on West 16th Street in Chelsea. This is a rare treat as she usually shows in the best galleries in Southampton and Palm Beach and has not exhibited in New York for some time where her legion of admirers include Mario Buatta, Joanne DiGuardiola and writer William Norwich. Dora's list of clients reads like the Blue Book with friends like Grace and Christopher Meigher, Jan Cowles, Ann Pyne and Charles Stevenson. Expect the opening on April 20 to be a swell-egant affair.

All you closet "Dancing with the Stars" fanatics (and I know you're out there) wait 'til you here the doozy of a line-up of contestants for the new season. It's positively mind-boggling and will sure draw more than a few guffaws around the water cooler this week.

ABC has revealed the 11 contestants for the 10th season of "Dancing With The Stars," and here's the line-up: former Baywatch babe and Playboy centerfold Pam Anderson, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, NFL star Chad Ochocinco, Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Evan Lysacek and TLC reality star Kate Gosselin. Wait - it gets better – there is also drama queen Shannon Doherty of "Beverly Hills 90210 infamy; hunky soap opera stud Aiden Turner, "Reno 911" actress Niecy Nash, "Pussycat Doll" Nicole Scherzinger and "The Bachelor" star Jake Pavelka. Saving the best for last we have peeping tom victim ESPN reporter Erin Andrews who made all the headlines last summer. Circle March 22 on your calendar for the season kick-off.

Congrats to TV reporter Elisa DiStefano of Channel 12 for her two New York EMMY Award nominations. Elisa received the first nod for On-Camera Talent Features Reporter, and the second for her fascinating behind-the-scenes- look at the world of the fabled Rockettes for Entertainment Program Feature. Now all the lovely and talented Elisa has to do is find the right dress! Better be smashing 'cause we know she'll be picking up those awards on stage at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square on April 18.