Overheard at Lunch: DC Gossip Girl


Dave Roots for Caps
Former late-night host David Letterman showed up in the front row at game one of the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup playoff series, April 27 at the Verizon Center, looking like a skinny Santa with a long, bushy beard (many called it an epic playoff beard). A security guard repeatedly waved away fans, but Letterman seemed to tell him not to worry, posing for photos with eager Washingtonians. Some speculated whether Letterman was in town for events surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, but on Friday morning, April 28, he met on Capitol Hill with activists involved in the following day’s Climate March instead.

Celebs Sweat Just Like We Do
Among the celebrities who took part in “The People’s Climate March” down Pennsylvania Avenue on an uncharacteristically sweltering Saturday afternoon April 29 were Leonardo DiCaprio, a well-known environmental activist, and British businessman Richard Branson. Al Gore was also spotted marching with the sign-carrying crowd.

Haddad Hosts Kinder, Gentler Garden Brunch
Tammy Haddad and company’s annual Garden Brunch has been known as a celebrity magnet in recent years. Perhaps in keeping with the overall feel of the weekend, the brunch, which benefited the Democracy Fund and Dog Tag Bakery, seemed more like a gathering of friends. A move to a smaller venue (Connie Milstein’s house on R Street) helped give the event a more intimate vibe. Many attendees chose not to speak to the press and opted to head straight into the home, which boasted a large “doughnut wall.”

Bee’s After-Party Is Star-Studded
There were multiple celebrity sightings at the after-party Samantha Bee held at the W Hotel (complete with a set from Elvis Costello and his band) following her show’s taping. Ana Gasteyer of “SNL” and her husband Charlie McKittrick snapped photos with fans. Retta of “Parks and Rec” was sitting with friends in the cooler part of the oppressively hot rooftop. Will Ferrell opted for privacy and chose a roped-off section with wife Viveca Paulin and friends, flanked by a security guard. Is Ferrell this generation’s Chevy Chase — notoriously not that nice a guy? Perhaps Ferrell could take a cue from his characters Buddy the Elf and Ricky Bobby and not take himself so seriously.

Alyssa MilanoAlyssa Says Nice Things About Ivanka
During the Creative Coalition’s April 28 #RighttoBearArts gala and advocacy day, actress Alyssa Milano told reporters on the red carpet that she met first daughter Ivanka Trump when Trump was a guest judge on “Project Runway: All Stars,” the reality show Milano hosted in 2015. Calling Trump lovely and smart, Milano seemed to have nothing but good things to say about Kalorama’s newest resident. However, she apparently made it clear that their politics don’t match up.

Lessons from Actor-Tweeter Denis O’Hare
Actor Denis O’Hare seems to have a knack for picking shows that end up popular with the American public: “True Blood,” “American Horror Story” and “This is Us,” to name a few. At the Creative Coalition’s #RighttoBearArts event, the 55-year-old actor talked social media to Overheard at Lunch. The avid Twitter user said he at first questioned what right he had to “spout his opinions,” but realized he is educating others on things he is passionate about. Like many of us, in his political posts he tries to find humor when he can. He said he is always willing to listen and engage in a reasonable argument. As for those who are rude to him, he chooses not to block them and instead just ignores them, so as to not censor anyone. Perhaps we could all learn a little something from Mr. O’Hare …

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