"I’m free, white and 21, and I have plenty of money. I’m just fine! In fact, I’m as happy as a clam."

That was publishing’s most volatile (and politically incorrect) female, Judith Regan, at the brand-new Juliet’s club on West 21st Street Thursday night. She was taking in a performance by the young singer Sliimy (pronounced Slim-e). Of all places in Manhattan one might think they’d encounter Ms. Regan, this seemed an odd spot, but Judith looked fabulous, not a day over 30, fresh in dark pants and a crisp white blouse. Compared to the vague "kink" of various musical industry types wandering around, Judith looked like a Catholic schoolgirl!

She didn’t refer in any way to the dramatic events that led to her dismissal from HarperCollins or the lawsuit she filed against NewsCorp that was eventually settled in a "confidential and equitable" manner. Nope, she was simply full of prideful news about the recent marriage of her "gorgeous" son, Patrick, and how her "beautiful" daughter, Lara, gave the greatest toast at her brother’s wedding. Just normal proud mom stuff.

Although Regan gained a reputation over the decades as something of a dragon lady, a shorter-tempered (and sexier) version of Anna Wintour, there is another side to Judith, this down-to-earth, common-sense family woman, full of pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps advice. She is very appealing. But by no means has Judith gone all gooey. In her presence one still feels the dynamic edge that made her a legend in the publishing world. Running into her in a dark room full of manuscripts would still be daunting. And I have a feeling she hasn’t finished with the world of books yet.

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And what of Sliimy (pronounced Slim-e)? He is all of 21, and very slim indeed ("I swear I don’t bite even if I look hungry")! He’s French, has a wonderful voice and a delicious, off-the-wall naïve/sexy stage presence. He is not at all the typical pop star. This child is already a big deal in Paree. His album, "Paint Your Face," was reviewed as being so musically yummy, "it should be served in a cone." And, lucky Sliimy, he is being repped by the queen of Warner Records PR, Liz Rosenberg. Even after a hundred years of promoting Madonna and a dozen other great stars, Liz retains her enthusiasm. She jumped around like a teenybopper as Sliimy performed; no artist could have a greater fan, or a harder worker than Liz R.

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Talk about a blast from the past! The other noon I sat down in the El Rio Grande café with an old friend named Gary Pudney. In his heyday in New York, I always called this guy GP-VP because he was invariably hired somewhere with a big "vice president" by his name. He nicknamed me "The Old Maid," ignoring my long, tempestuous marital history.

When I began gulping down my vitamins at the table while waiting for beef tacos, Gary leapt upon my Centrum Silver tablet, saying: "A dead giveaway. Never be seen taking a Centrum. In fact, it would be a good thing if that company put out colored vitamins so nobody could hone in on exactly what one is taking!" He scribbled a note to himself.

Gary is writing a book about his life as entertainment entrepreneur, producer and escort to the stars from way back when the 60s were young. His co-writer is Richard Hack, a former Hollywood Reporter scribe and the bio will be titled Talent.

"I figure I have 4,000 famous names I’ll be dealing with," says Gary, which should put the fear of God into some of our largest living VIPs. I remember in the days Gary worked as an actual VP for ABC, he met every plane and produced limousines and escorted every big star we’ve ever heard of hither and fro.