The Liz Smith Column | 10/16/2009 5:00 am

Liz Smith: Whoopi Goldberg's Super-Smart 'Head Games' (Video)

Also from Our Gossip Girl: Michael Bublé’s fans have ‘Crazy Love’ for him … Showbiz offers up its neck to vampires.

Whoopi Goldberg

"Money talks – the only conversation worth hearing when times are bad," said Fred Allen during the Great Depression.

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Nobody pushes Barbra Streisand around, but then there is Michael Bublé. (Pronounced boob-blay; for those few who might be new to his charms.)

His "Crazy Love" album just hit No. 1 on Billboard, beating out the greatest star by far, and also the legendary rock band KISS. (These latter guys are, incredibly, still making music that their fans find relevant.)

Tuesday night, Michael, his Warner Records press rep Liz Rosenberg, and a gaggle of Bublé media friends and fans gathered at the famous Italian eatery Patsy’s in Manhattan to sweat out the imminent news that Michael had hit the top spot. It was like the old days of waiting for the Broadway first night New York Times review at Sardi’s. Exciting!

Among the little throng – People magazine’s Deputy Managing Editor Peter Castro … KC Baker, who writes for the mag … NBC’s Marianne Haggerty and Aretha Marshall … CBS Sunday Morning’s Ramon Parkins … Clear Channel’s Zena Burns … Maxim magazine’s Joe Levy, Lite-FM NY’s program director Chris Conley. (Mr. Conley bears a strong resemblance to 007’s Daniel Craig!)

There was no assurance that Michael would prevail, so nail-biting tension accompanied the pasta, the meatballs, the mozzarella, tomatoes, the prosciutto, the chicken contadina, the shrimps wrapped in bacon, the stuffed artichokes. Even Michael, who has dieted himself down to a slender, well-toned shadow of his former huskier self, ate heartily and nervously. After all, would it be possible to usurp Miss Streisand from her place at the top of the chart?

When word came, via Ms. Rosenberg’s cell phone, Michael leapt to his feet and said, "Finally, I’m on top of Barbra!" Then he left the room to call his mother in Canada. When he came back, more than a little misty-eyed, he thanked all those present. Actually, he hugged all present, which was a hell of a maneuver in a confined space, the intimate upstairs backroom of Patsy’s. Not that anyone complained about being up close and huggy with Bublé.

I have always had a tender spot in my heart for Michael; he serenaded me at my 80th birthday, on the cusp of his great career.

Singing for octogenarians? It can’t hurt.

***

A nugget of gossip was picked up this night. Too bad it has to be blind. The talk of several tables was that the wealthy father of a young, now wildly successful singer, bought up about 80,000 copies of her first CD, putting it over the edge as a hit.

Daddy doesn’t have to do this anymore, but baby will always be grateful.

***

Oh, and what have been the big sellers for People magazine this year, so far? The death issues, alas – Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze. And even more alas, the Gosselins. The above-mentioned Peter Castro shrugged when this info caused a massive flinch at his table: "Hey, they sell!"

***

Reminder! The great TV guy Don Hewitt of "60 Minutes" fame will be memorialized at 11 AM, Monday, in the space of Jazz at Lincoln Center. The speakers should be fascinating because Don was quite a character.

27 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Whoopi is a dynamo and has many invaluable connections in the industry. Love her.

Head Games - what is the top prize? 200 clams for a correct answer? Hmmm … sounds a little bit stingy by today’s standards. I love the show Cash Cab which has similar prizes - but the hook there is that being a contestant requires no preparation or inconvenience at all. So what’s the potential top prize amount for a winner? I’ll be tuning in - like I said I love Whoopi (hoping to love her show!).

By E . on 10/16/2009 10:11 am

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This is Science Channel so budgets are thin, making prize money small. If you’re on a major network they can afford to offer a chance to win a million. If you’re "Jeopardy," a show with longevity, prize money will also grow. This is about bragging rights and that trophy is killer, however, in the end you actually could win over six grand, which isn’t too shabby. Hopefully, the show will succeed and we’ll be giving out bigger dollars. Thanks for asking. Whoopi

By Whoopi Goldberg on 10/16/2009 12:57 pm

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Wow Whoopi - you responded to me! Thank you so very much. You have no idea - you made my day, heck my whole week =) Love you doll.

Six grand would make quite a clambake for my crew. I live just a hop, skip and NJ Transit ride fom Manhattan in Philly so if I ever got the shot I’d be there with my game face on. I saw the app process. I know that your work is based in NYC but please consider a project in the Philly area (we’re very film industry friendly) Amtrak is simple & would have you here in no time! Look me up next time you’re in town ;)

Ms. Whoopi G - It looks like the astrologer on The View may well have been right on. I wish you good fortune with this show and in everything else you’ve got in the works. You make a lot of sense and fun out of this path we’re all on. Thanks again.

Take good care. Wishing you peace and true love, E

By E . on 10/16/2009 1:38 pm

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What I like about the wowOWow is everyone not only shares their "celebrity wit and wisdom" but actually reads the comments and occasionally then comment on the comments.

By Baby Snooks on 10/16/2009 4:05 pm

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Whoopi, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, "You’ve made me laugh, cry, and most important of all is think", I’ve seen and own most of your movies, and I watch them time and time again. Jumpin Jack Flash is my favorite followed by both Sister Acts, and less we forget Ghost (can’t watch it right now, to many memories and tears).

Everything you touch turns to Gold, you’ve got a great support group within your family and from what I’ve seen (pictures on the view) and heard, you’ve been blessed.

No one can ever take your place in my heart as one of the Greatest Gifts God has given this planet. You care, and you show it, not just to those you know but those you reach out to through your actions.

God Bless you Whoopi and thank you for all you’ve done.

A Fan for Life, Deni

By Deniseann Taylor on 10/17/2009 10:21 am

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After watching The View, I see it’s a show about knowledge not just science, and that rocks.

…You are one of the fortunate ones with a golden touch…and that is what sustains your longevity and relevance because you have no fear in exploring your truths and putting them out there… I have a great respect of you and all you do.

I also have a great deal of Ms. Smith and her writing about the lives of celebrities with integrity and respect. Her article was about so much more…and it shows me a lot about how much our world has changed….and where peoples minds focus…

Thank you for having the courage to share Whoopi Goldberg with the world…our world would be much dimmer without the light you inspire us to see.

Amy, PennDragon Studios

simpletownUSA.com

By Amy Stewart Hale on 10/18/2009 8:08 am

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Whoopi: Sorry, that show is as lame as a duck. You have a gay host (he just should be gay), and have questions about submerging an egg in vinegar. Wow, how exciting. I love when the egg was squeezed. Did the embryo turn to rubber as well?

As far as awarding a $6K prize, that’s how much the show spends on catering every month. I’m sure the winners can’t wait to brag about that killer trophy. Stop being so cheap. People want money, not bragging rights.

Come on Whoopi, its not about set design, its about substance. That show has nada. You have to wait for the show to grow before the prize money can be increased? Thats lame.

This show will fail, thats OK. Here’s a tip, your next game show should have something to do with dating, relationships, and or marriage. People are enthralled with this. You’ll have to figure out the format.

By Frank Somsel on 10/18/2009 11:49 am

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That’s awesome :)

a game show about science. …and I got the question right :)

Thanks Whoopi you rock!!

Thank you for sharing Ms. Smith,

I love how you put us right there in the moment with you where ever you are, and with class and integrity.

Enjoy today,

Amy, PennDragon Studios

PennDragonStudios.com

By Amy Stewart Hale on 10/16/2009 10:18 am

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"Finally, I’m on top of Barbra!"

_____________________

A double-entendre if ever there was one.

By Baby Snooks on 10/16/2009 10:39 am

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Whoopi, you rock. A science channel had no idea and with Head games more things to learn. I love it. I’d be happy with the trophy. I’ve grown up with you and enjoyed learning from you and others where true happiness lies. Never miss the view and thanks so much for sharing wow with us there. I love all the different subjects we share our thoughts about. I admire you for speaking out and showing us we have the right to voice our opinions. Agree/disagree our thoughts count in this life. Keep on keeping on Whoopi. For Micheal Buble glad your on top wonderful voice and charm.

By Bonnie Schuster on 10/16/2009 1:51 pm

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For what it’s worth, if you google "is Taylor Swift’s dad rich?" you will find this on the net —

Taylor dad paid 2 million dollars for Big Machine records to make Taylor a music star.

By Eleanor Jones on 10/16/2009 2:35 pm

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So much for that blind item…

By Baby Snooks on 10/16/2009 4:42 pm

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Congratulations to Michael Buble, Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Streisand; all are a credit to their vocations.

By Patricia Sprofera on 10/16/2009 3:15 pm

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I saw the piece on the View this morning and love it! I love science and anything that challenges the intellect. Only you could have pulled this off, with your diversity and knowledge! Awesome! Living in the midwest I probably would have no chance of being a contestant but watching is always second best! Good luck.

By Linda Myers on 10/16/2009 3:26 pm