www.hamptons.com/Out-And-About/LifeNite/7965/On-The-Radar-Book-Parties-And-New-Films.html
	Updated: July 8, 2009, 2:04 pm « life@nite « out and about

Nina Cooper, Frank Cooper, Bethenny Frankel, and Jason Poppy at the taping of MTV's "The City." Photo courtesy of Simon Huck

Paula Froelich and guest at her book party.

Gigi Levangie Grazer Book Party
The rain didn't deter fashion designer Elie Tahari, author Lucy Sykes, CNN correspondent Alina Cho, Members Only CEO Kelli Delaney and PageSix honcho Richard Johnson from attending Gigi Levangie Grazer's book party for her novel "Queen Takes King" on June 13 at the Southampton estate of Rita Schrager. Huddled under the back porch canopy, guests munched on delicious tuna sashimi, foie gras and mini kobe burgers prepared by Schrager's beau chef Andrew Buffalino.

"I'm terrified of the Hamptons, it's my first time here" said Gigi. "I'm scared of rich people in general. I grew up on the east side of Hollywood and we had no money at all and my dad always said 'Never get off the bus in Beverly Hills, you'll get arrested.' And it just stuck."

The Los Angeles based novelist and screenwriter's much-publicized split from Hollywood mega producer Brian Grazer ("DaVinci Code," "Frost/Nixon," "A Beautiful Mind") was finalized in May and she pocketed a cool $13 million, officially ending an 11-year marriage.

Richard Johnson and wife at Gigi Levangie Grazer's book party

Grazer's previous novel "The Starter Wife" was adapted for an Emmy Award-winning USA Network miniseries in 2007 starring Debra Messing as a recently divorced wife of a Hollywood studio executive. Her follow-up "Maneater" was turned into a Lifetime miniseries in May 2009.

"My new novel 'Queen Takes King' is about how you can be married to someone for 25 years and not know them at all. I got the idea from a friend of mine who was going through a nasty split and he said 'we need to find someone to date my wife,' and I thought 'that's an idea.'" said Gigi. "It took me about two years to write it. During that time Brian and I were living on Sullivan Street in SoHo. He was producing 'American Gangster' and I was writing all day."

"The City" Filming In The Hamptons
MTV's cameras were rolling in East Hampton on June 13 filming a fresh episode of sophomore reality show "The City" with Whitney Port at a private East Hampton estate. The hush-hush dinner party with guests "Today Show" anchor Jill Martin, socialite Laura Kratzenberg, New York Housewife reality show star Bethenny Frankel and beau Jason Poppy and power couple Frank and Nina Cooper featured two of Whitney's new friends/party gals Samantha and Roxy (who MTV describes as 'vixens') who will have recurring roles on "The City" when it airs later this year on MTV.

Whitney and her entourage later partied at Lily Pond and danced until the wee hours sipping Pepsi Natural (a new cola made with all natural sugar) and munching on Pepsi Natural cupcakes.

Gigi Levangie Grazer with her new book.

The "Hills" spin-off revolves around Whitney Port's move from Los Angeles to New York City to work for powerhouse designer Diane Von Furstenburg.

Paula Froelich Book Party
Real life gossip girl Paula Froelich celebrated the publication of her smart and sassy freshman novel "Mercury in Retrograde" with a gaggle of friends including best-selling author Larry Sloman and long-time Hamptons scenester Samantha Stein at Georgica Restaurant & Lounge on June 12.

"I told a friend of mine that I've had a really crappy two years and he said 'it's because mercury is in retrograde'," the PageSix scribe said. "It took me about four months to finish the book, since I had a full-time job when I was writing it. I'd wake up every morning at 6 a.m. and put in a few hours before going to the office."

Guests slurped tri-color gazpacho and munched on crab cakes, heirloom tomato salad and scallop wrapped bacon at the intimate soiree.

In case you're wondering what the best part of writing Page Six is, Paula was quick to answer. "I meet some extremely interesting people."

Radar Blips...
Martha Stewart and fashion stylist Rachel Zoe were spotted at the Blue Parrot in East Hampton this past weekend. While Martha sipped 'Dirty Bird Margaritas,' Rachel enjoyed a casual date with her hubby Rodger Berman.

Following her Father's Day performance (Billy Joel was a no show) on June 20 at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett, Alexa Ray Joel, celebrated with mom, supermodel Christie Brinkley at the Blue Parrot in East Hampton. The duo was seen talking and laughing over the Tex Mex fare with a group of close friends.

Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos, Stella Keitel, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Jessica Hart and the cast of "Trophy Kids" (a generation Y film) grooved to the tunes of Dee Jay Steve Akoi at Axe Lounge last weekend.

Paula Froelich book party guests, from left Samantha Stein, Larry Ratso Sloman and Jacquelyn Powers enjoy the evening.