Nice Work If You Can Get It

Tomorrow, I'll have my first taste of celebrity reporting when I'm assigned my four square inches of a spot along the red carpet at Radio City Music Hall, to watch the stars arrive for this year's Tony Awards. I'm slightly dreading it, as I'm useless at the "Ralph! Julia! Will from Will & Grace! Er..David Wilmot! Over here!" style of journalism, preferring to sit with my subjects for hours on end and have long, rambling conversations that don't sound anything like an interview when I play back the tapes, provoking much last-minute panic, but actually lend themselves nicely enough to the writing-up process in the end.

So anyway. I'm not really relishing the prospect. Then again, Martin McDonagh will be there. In a tuxedo. Hmmm.

But before they let me near the red carpet tomorrow, I have to witness what sounds like a pretty crass phenomenon - the Celebrity Presenter Gift Lounge. The Swagbag room, in other words, where the famous names who'll be presenting awards on the night will be invited to "customize" (ugh) their own "gift bags" from the array of freebies donated by companies eager to get a bit of celebrity cachet. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing Ralph Fiennes trying to maintain his signature elegant-and-aloof look while stuffing a goodie bag with Gucci sunglasses and UGG shoes. Not forgetting his spray tan and tooth whitening gift certs.

Down under, the full range of "gifts". $35,000's worth. (Or is that per gift bag? Hang on, I think it is. Ok, I have to lie down now.)

THE OFFICIAL PRESENTER GIFT LOUNGE COLLECTION:

Stars will roll away with Kipling’s Coast Tote & Las Vegas Trolley filled with over $35,000 of goodies! Highlights include:

Solstice Sunglass Boutique offers stars a choice of the season’s hottest designer sunglasses
from Gucci, Dior, Juicy Couture, Marc Jacobs, Girogio Armani and more;

Jabra JX10 state-of-the-art Bluetooth® headset
where style is the operative word - the perfect fusion of function and form;

Salt Works latest denim collection for men and women;

Chantelle Lingerie Essensia T-shirt Bra & Tanga embellished with Swarovski Crystals;

Essenza Automatic Espresso Machine & two month supply of coffee...from Nespresso
for the ultimate coffee experience;

UGG Australia’s Women’s Classic MINI – new for Fall 2006 – and Men’s Classic Ascot Driving Shoe;

Invicta Watches newest Anatomic Collection
featuring individually molded links of translucent ultra light thermo polymer -- in colors like Mango, Ocean Glass and Sun Ray;

Tahitian Noni International Luxury Bath & Body Gift Set..your ticket to pure pampering;

Stunning Details Handcrafted Semi-Precious Gemstone Jewelry;

Kumi Kookoon Silk Filled Travel Pillow and Silk Pillow Case with Silk Travel Slippers...
experience pure indulgence;

Keep a sharp eye out for the paparazzi, with perfect vision courtesy of
LASIK Surgery from Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley;

Flash those pearly whites...courtesy of a beautiful
new permantly white smile from Lumineers;

Get in shape for next year’s award show season
with a 1-year Passport Membership to Crunch Fitness Nationwide;

Get revved up for the big night, with a private 2-day, 4-wheel drive training adventure
with legendary Bill Burke of Bill Burke’s 4-Wheeling America;

“Love on Broadway” by Eric Waugh - an 18” x 24” Broadway-themed Limited Edition Print on Canvas,
individually hand-painted by one of the most innovative and collected artists of fine art today;


PLUS more of the hottest merchandise trends including:

Spiegel Catalog Norma Kamali Timeless Convertible Tie-Waist Skirt, M.A.C Cosmetics Colour Box & Skin Care Box,

New York City Opera One-Year Associate Patron Membership, Saitek Industries A-250 Wireless Speaker System, Chronicle Books “A Must See”,

Am Rieys Industries American Chang Men’s Blazer, Dior Bois d’argent – an exclusive men’s cologne, Mario Russo 7 Wonders of the Hair World,

Left Field American Made Hand Appliquéd Tees, Coty Prestige Marc Jacobs Pretty Blush Holiday Gift Set, The Tao of Movement Private Pilates Session,

Kashwere Blanket & FurrMe.com Spa Products for your pampered pet, Archipelago Botanicals Signature Series Home Spray,

KangaROOS Sneakers, C-IN2 Industries Men’s Loungewear, FlipFlopTrunkShow.com Dressing Room Flip Flops,

Infinity Sun Spray Tan Gift Certificate, TIGI Hardcore Professional Flatiron, Peanut Butter & Co., Nature’s Gate Advanced Skincare Gift Set,

and gifts from Dr. Fresh, SweatLeaf Stevia, Herban Essentials, Silenze Beauty, Watersall, Pocket Books, Mary Green, Altoids & more!