My Publicist Note Book

In a weekday in March, less than two months before his three-year sentence in federal prison was set to begin, Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former personal lawyer, decided to spend one of his final afternoons of freedom having lunch with Joy Behar, the veteran co-host of ABC’s “The View.” The show had approached Cohen about giving her an exclusive TV interview before going to prison, and Cohen had suggested that they meet at Freds, the tony restaurant on the top floor of Barneys, where some of Manhattan’s wealthiest wives have standing reservations. “All the people were coming up to him saying, ‘Michael, keep strong, blah blah blah,’ ” Behar recalls. “It was like he was the pope.” She had heard that at least two other media personalities, Don Lemon and Donny Deutsch, were also trying to woo Cohen, and she made her pitch for why the daytime all-women panel show invented by Barbara Walters 22 years ago was the best place for him to go. “I said to him, ‘You’ve made this complete ro...

The leadership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences got an overhaul on Thursday. Hollywood's premier awards-dispensing organization revealed the results of its annual board of governors election, and no fewer than 10 of the board's 17 seats that were up for grabs this year were won by individuals who had not previously served on the board. While the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the results of this year’s Board of Governors election, Ten of the 17 seats that were up for grabs were won by individuals who have never previously served on the board; 21 of the board's 54 seats now will be held by women  including Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg (of the actors branch), who currently hosts ABC's The View; indie filmmaker Kimberly Peirce(directors), who is best known for 1999's Boys Don't Cry; and former Academy chief marketing officer Christina Kounelias (public relations), who now serves as Participant Media's executive  VP ...

Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg and Rachel Weisz to be recognized at April 24  Power of Women luncheon Variety’s Power of Women: New York will honor  Glenn Close ,  Lena Dunham ,  Whoopi Goldberg ,  Rachel Weisz  and  Kim Kardashian West  as Inspiration Impact Honorees at an April 24th luncheon. The event at Manhattan’s Cipriani Midtown will celebrate the entertainment industry’s most philanthropic women. Power of Women is now a biannual event in New York and Los Angeles, with 400 guests comprised of entertainment and media insiders who will pay tribute to  the philanthropic efforts of these women.  This year, the Entertainment Industry Foundation will match Variety’s donation to all the honorees’ charities at both events. Kim Kardashian Covers ‘Variety’s Power of Women Issue  “Variety’s Power of Women initiative has become a shining example of what is possible when committed women with a voice stand up...