TV Talk

The Summer TV Press Tour: Notes & Stuff

You know I'm getting old.

Ten years ago, if a cable network was hosting a sexy-as-all-get-out Dirty Dancing event, I would've been doing my best sweaty Patrick Swayze impression on the dance floor. But I'm almost 44 years old, I'm working 17 hour days and am waaaaaaay too tired to bust a move even if the band is rockin' old school jams like no one's business.

Plus, and my editor will love this, I had a column to write and a deadline to meet.

But I could watch. That doesn't take much effort. And watch I did with a few other critic buddies as I sipped a vodka martini that I made sure was shaken and not stirred. WE tv (the WE stands for Women's Entertainment) hired a bunch of professional dancers to drag us left-footed writers on the floor to hustle, salsa, merengue and samba. And why did WE truck in a bunch of leggy and hunky dancers for the night?

Well, to promote its new original series called -- can you guess? -- Dirty Dancing. The new series, which premieres in December, will be hosted by Cris Judd, or as he's more widely known, J. Lo's ex.

*****

Spike Lee needs to go on one of those fashion makeover shows.

Listen up, Spikey, Mr. Howell from Gilligan's Island called and wants his wardrobe back. The diminutive director had the nerve to step out in a garish blue blazer that sported hideous white trim and the most unsightly breast pocket patch you'll ever see. I wasn't sure if Spikey raided Mr. Howell's closet or Michael Jackson's.

Oh, I can't forget Spikey's orange and blue sneakers. I know Spike didn't chose those by accident. Blue and orange just happen to be the same colors the Knicks wear.

I could overlook Spikey's numerous fashion faux pas because he was in the house to talk about such an important project. Lee directed When the Leeves Broke, a four-hour HBO documentary about the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The film premieres Aug. 21.

****

To celebrate its recent purchase of the touching film March of the Penguins, Hallmark Channel turned the Ritz-Carlton pool area into a winter wonderland. Yeah, the network even flew in two cute penguins for the occasion. Funny thing is, those in attendance seemed more interested in the penguins than than they did in such stars as Dick Van Dyke, Marion Ross and Steve Guttenberg.