SOTH 11/1

Legendary chef Martha Stewart didn’t mince words when addressing claims of a falling-out with East Hampton’s own Ina Garten. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Oct. 20, Stewart debunked Garten’s assertion that their friendship soured due to their geographic separation. When host and Amagansett resident Andy Cohen inquired about whether she had read Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, Stewart replied that she had read the “parts” about her.

Garten had claimed the friendship drifted apart after she moved to Connecticut, while Stewart stayed in Bedford, New York. “That’s not true,” Stewart said flatly. Seated beside Stewart was longtime friend Snoop Dogg, who chimed in, “Martha don’t fall out with people.” Stewart hinted that their relationship took a turn after her 2004 incarceration, to which Snoop quipped, “That’s when I stepped in.” Cohen nodded knowingly, adding, “When one friend goes out the door, another friend comes in the door.” While the drama lingers in public, Stewart’s publicist told outlets, “There’s no feud.”

Alec Baldwin made a notable comeback on Saturday Night Live on Oct. 19, stepping into the role of Fox News anchor Bret Baier. It marked Baldwin’s first appearance on the iconic show since the dismissal of his involuntary manslaughter charge in July, following the tragic shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. 

Though best known on SNL for his Emmy-winning portrayal of former President Donald Trump, Baldwin took a different route this time, embodying the hard-hitting Baier in a parody of Baier’s recent interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. The skit, featuring Maya Rudolph as Harris, set the stage for a sharp political satire, riffing on Baier’s interview style and Harris’s attempts to hold her ground. 

Baldwin’s Baier opened the segment by firing loaded questions at Harris and dismissing her responses with, “I can’t listen, because I’m talking.” The skit also drew laughs when clips of President Joe Biden (played by Dana Carvey) were hilariously taken out of context—leading to Biden being mistaken for criticizing Harris when, in fact, he was praising Lady Gaga in Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker sequel.

Hamptonites were in attendance when Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour made history once again on Oct. 19 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, setting a new attendance record that eclipsed the previous mark held by Billy Joel and Elton John’s 1995 Face to Face tour. Over two nights, Swift’s shows brought in over 122,000 fans, cementing her place as one of the biggest acts in the venue’s history.

Ever the class act, East Hampton resident Joel — who recently listed his jaw-dropping Oyster Bay estate for $50 million — attended Saturday night’s performance with his wife Alexis Roderick and their daughters Della Rose and Remy Anne, joining Swift and her mother Andrea Swift backstage for photos. He posted on Instagram: “Celebrating someone’s success does not negate your own. Onward and upward, #Swifties.” 

On the same night and just a few seats away from the “Piano Man” hitmaker was Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, who found himself at the center of his own memorable encounter during the show. Austin Swift, the singer’s brother, approached Portnoy in the VIP section, delivering a handwritten note from the superstar herself. The letter, sealed with Swift’s signature turquoise “13” wax stamp, included a personal message thanking Portnoy for his loyalty and support. “I’m so happy to have you here tonight!” she wrote. “Thank you for always having my back when others didn’t.” The gesture struck a chord with Portnoy, who admitted that it was an emotional moment for him. “It was surreal,” he said in a video recap posted to Instagram, describing the encounter as one of his “core memories.” Though some Swifties recently criticized Portnoy, accusing him of being a “fake fan” and using the Swift bandwagon for clout, the controversial personality pushed back, “Let’s just practice love.”

The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony celebrated the life and legacy of Jimmy Buffett with heartfelt performances from Kenny Chesney, James Taylor, and Dave Matthews. The late singer-songwriter — who made the East End his second home and famously spent his final days at his serene spot in Sag Harbor — was posthumously awarded the Musical Excellence Award, and the tribute was a moving highlight of the event. Matthews kicked off the tribute with a soulful rendition of “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” followed by Chesney and Taylor joining Mac McAnally for “Come Monday.” Taylor reflected on their friendship, saying, “We miss him dearly.”

We Hear…

The Playwrights’ Theatre of East Hampton will host All Mankind Has Lost Its Reason, a concert reading by Mark Singer, on Nov. 2 at LTV Studios. This new play explores the cultural and political shifts in Weimar, Germany through the intertwined lives of three friends navigating turbulent times.

Southampton philanthropist Jean Shafiroff was honored at the 15th Annual Children in Bloom Luncheon, supporting Old Westbury Gardens’ education and environmental programs. The luncheon, hosted at the historic estate, raised awareness for initiatives benefiting over 3,000 students annually.

Sightings…

East Hampton resident Katie Couric joined former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the 92nd Street Y in New York City for a candid conversation about Pelosi’s memoir, The Art of Power.

Andy Cohen of Amagansett was spotted getting coffee on the streets of Manhattan on Oct. 20 wearing a grey Sag Harbor Cinema sweatshirt.

Ramona Singer, Pamela Morgan, and Jean Shafiroff were among guests at a luncheon hosted by Bridgehampton’s Maria Fishel at The Doubles Club in New York City on Oct. 22, where guests admired a stunning collection of hats by Jane Taylor.

Amy Schumer did a reading at the Roundabout Theatre in New York City, calling it “so fun to do” on social media on Oct. 22.

Southampton resident Bethenny Frankel recently raved about her “amazing experience” at Rao’s, the legendary Italian restaurant in New York City, famous for its exclusivity and nearly impossible-to-book tables.