DECEMBER 1990

I’m counting down the days to the end of 1990. I start early. Why wait till the last minute if you can begin looking forward to the next 365, when everything seems possible? I had the greatest hopes last year at this time: Eastern Europe was unfolding, the Wall came down, the Soviets became our friends, Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and my partner, Anne Beatts, and I had finished dour second comedy script for pilot season. The 80’s couldn’t have ended better! I’ll admit I was concerned that this newfound freedom might not be enough for nations who were getting a chance to shop till they dropped for the first time in several decades. And I wasn’t 100% about how our scripts would be received. You never know whit world events or show business. Still, this time last year everything seemed possible. Now there’s a recession and we’re waiting to find out if we’re going to war before or after Christmas. I suppose war has certain romance for some, even in this atomic age, but somehow the Gulf Crisis doesn’t seem very romantic. There isn’t even a place for our soldiers to mingle or fall in love! Out in the desert, young Americans are watching long-robed men blast rock ‘n roll in their expensive cars as women walk by in veils and the price of oil soars.

Here in Los Angeles I’m sussing out the impact of this drama and the recession on our nightlife. This is not a political or social study; it’s just a way to reflect on some ideas while I tell you about how I spent the last month all about town. Having heard that the club and restaurant business was down, I went out with my friend Peter Lepore who is about to open a great new blues supper-club, Fleetwoods (yes, of Fleetwood Mac fame). He’s been researching eateries even though he and his brother Ernest already have a great kitchen at their boutique Italian place, Bravo, in Santa Monica. We went to some of LA’s best known and finest restaurants: L’Orangerie, Chay Brasserie, Eureka, Gaylords, City, and Tommy Tang’s. They were all doing fabulous business. I tried the vegetable plate in each place; I must say they’re all hip to the fact that people are eating less and less meat. Nowadays, everyone serves vegetarian gourmet dishes!

You couldn’t tell by the crowds in these places that there was a problem with the economy. And fast-food joints are doing better than ever; the dining decline seems to be hitting the mid-range places. Good old middle income gets hit again! We are losing the center of our lives and may wind up living in the extreme. Very rich or very poor. Just like the Depression. Whoops! I wasn’t supposed to say that. It’s not official, but neither was the recession two months ago.

I went to photographer Herb Snitzer’s opening of Jazz & The Movement II at Verve Gallery. His art captures jazz greats and political images. Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, as well as Jesse Helms and the American flag are among his subjects. Snitzer’s work makes a strong statement about the impact of jazz and the fragile nature of our freedom today. The event itself was laced with live jazz on the mezzanine. Verve’s owner, Bill Goldberg has been successful in integrating art and music at his gallery. The crowd which poured out onto Melrose Avenue included members of Manhattan Transfer, Lionel Richie, David Sanborn, Horace Silver, Jamal Wilkes, Hubert Laws and Maxine Wilden. This powerful show runs till the end of the year.

Last month I reported on my aborted attempt to get into the VIP room at Roxbury. I was asked to try again. Who could resist? It’s still the hottest club in town. As Bobby, the security guy, said to me, “Who doesn’t come here?” This time I was led in and treated very well. I met several owners and spent time talking to Elie, who told me about his previous success running parties at Helena’s and his expensive real estate ventures. No sign of an economic setback here. As I entered the VIP room, heads turned to see if I was somebody. Everybody turned back around. I guess I don’t mean very much in a room of this sort, but when Arsenio Hall came in with his crowd, everybody froze for a split second. My friend Tony Bamin, who used to help with Poetry in Motion when it was at Helena’s, is in charge of the room. He’s excellent at this sort of mix and mingle sport. I’m impressed when someone can remember who’s who and be so consistently nice while keeping the scene cool. Lately, Sylvester Stallone has been coming by. So has Prince, Kiefer Sutherland with Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Sean Penn, Tia Carerre, Chad McQueen, Paris Vaughn and Joel Silver. Sting and Don Henley dropped by, but left after a few minutes. After the fight, Buster Douglas came in and bought $5,000 worth of champagne. Roseanne Barr was there with her love, tom Arnold and remarked, “You charge $18 for three drinks!”

Stephen Bishop’s birthday party was a blast. I got to see friends, play pool and eat some great Mexican food. Stephen put together the best tape of music to entertain his guests who included John Lovitz, Terry Garr, Tracey Reiner, Barry Josephson, his brother Dennis and other friends and fellow songwriters. Stephen had a mariachi band come by, who sang his hit, On and On, mariachi-style. The party was a mutually heartfelt experience. Getting together with friends and family is still the best way to spend time. It will endure as it always has in spite of whatever we have to face in the future.

Till 1991, Happy Holidays!