The fellows who operate the muppets seem to pretty happy about their jobs. In particular, the Kermit operator Steve Whitmire struck me as the happiest guy on the planet. In an enviable way, not a silly way.

Here’s a shot from a different appearance from a few years ago. That grin pretty much tells the story of his job.

Katie Chonacas

Thora Birch

It turns out the story wasn’t so simple. Her people, or perhaps the Tomb Raider herself, had set up a similar opportunity behind her hotel. Police, barricades, security, even a limo. So a lot of people set up there. She, of course, runs out the front into a downscale Lincoln Town Car. Not the kind of ride you would expect.

After dissing fans and photographers at the hotel, she decides to come in the front at the auditorium. For reasons known only to her, instead of repeating her hotel move, she arrives at the front door. (A backdoor was available.) She waved once or twice, fast, and spent most of her time outside signing for fans. By the timestamps on my pictures, she was outside the auditorium for exactly two minutes. But she wasn’t very generous with the photo op though. It only takes maybe fifteen seconds to do a good one, but of course, who has the time?

He’s also about seven feet tall in person. A full length photo of him is tough to get sometimes.

She said her husband, William H. Macy, picked out her outfit.

Her publicists have been many and ambitious over the last few weeks. At most events, the publicists really don’t want to know you that much. However, for the last couple of weeks, Mariah’s publicists have been working the press lines, introducing themselves, getting cards, etc. Clearly someone’s decided to pull out all the stops for this album.

She’s wearing Ralph Lauren.

Party guests included Jermaine Dupri, Sean Combs, Jay Z, Kanye West, and Robin Williams.

To me though, it seems like a move that anyone in a similar position might attempt. Hurley is quite a sharp and elegant woman, so I expect that she will go as far as she wants with it.

As part of this transformation, she appeared at Saks today with models in tow to launch “beach,” her new line of swimwear. To me, the name “beach” sounds like that episode of Seinfeld when Kramer launches his cologne of the same name. Life imitating art.

Leonard Lauder, the elderly billionaire CEO of Estee Lauder, hovered off stage out of sight, so it appears she’s got the financial backing she needs to succeed. The suits look great, especially if you already look like Elizabeth Hurley.