October 24, 2007: Los Angeles was on fire in more ways than one when the glitterati arrived on an unseasonably warm night to fete (and be feted) at the 17th annual Environmental Media Awards, an event giving props to the TV shows, films and musicians who use their art to showcase eco issues.
The smoky skies and occasional helicopter fly-by (presumably to continue water drop efforts on the city’s multiple, still uncontained fires) underscored what the night was all about: out-of-control global warming and the devastation it is causing, even on Hollywood’s doorstep.
Trudie Styler
It’s likely that the fires forced Malibu residents Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey to be no-shows, but Tuscany resident Trudie Styler was there (sans Sting) to claim her Lifetime Achievement Award. Styler told us she’s off to Ecuador where, over the years, Chevron’s rainforest oil operations led to the company’s dumping 18 billion gallons of toxic waste in places where six indigenous tribes live, one of which is now extinct.
Green moms to be Constance Zimmer and Soleil Moon Frye
Doing her part to help our young tribes is former child actress and EMA board member Soleil Moon Frye, who operates an eco-friendly baby store called the little seed. Preggers again (daughter Poet is two), Frye wanted a place parents could find non-toxic yet hip baby products. (Award attendee and former “Boston Legal” cast member Constance Zimmer, sporting her own baby bump, will probably want to check out the organic clothes and bedding.)
Amber Tamblyn
Frye, along with guests Emily Deschanel, Blythe Danner, Zachary Quinto, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Kathryn Morris and Amber Tamblyn, pulled up to valet signs marked “hybrids only.” Stars complied, including Ed Begley, Jr. , whose show “Living with Ed” took home the reality show award. “Live simply,” Ed insisted. “Do whatever it takes to save energy.” Begley came armed with so many green mantras that he managed to entertain (and educate) the entire receiving line of reporters.
Kathryn Morris and guest
Children’s Live Action TV nominee “Cake” actresses Christa B. Allen and Emily Rose Everhard were especially proud of their show’s recognition, even though “Bindi the Jungle Girl” went home with the prize. Allen called Leonardo DiCaprio her eco hero (sorry, Bindi) for “using his celebrity to do all the good things he does.”
Heard about but not seen on the green carpet was “The Honorable” Al Gore -- scheduled to receive an Outstanding Achievement Award. Guess winning that Nobel Prize was pretty outstanding. Also AWOL, at least on the green carpet, was “Factory Girl” Sienna Miller, invited to pick up a Futures Award (and no, she does not own a crystal ball). Incubus band members did show to claim their Missions in Music Award for awesome green creds, including using biodiesel and recycling while touring.
Wendie Malick
Former “Just Shoot Me” star and longtime activist Wendie Malick shared with us the joy of composting while admitting her eco sin is “every now and then getting coffee from one of those places where they use disposable cups.” At the Malick home, however, each family member has a personalized mug to use -- and reuse -- so there’s no excuse for disposables.
In the mood for eco confessing, “House” beauty Lisa Edelstein revealed she uses plastic bags to scoop her pet’s poop. Thankfully a helpful bystander informed Edelstein about biodegradable poop scooper bags she swears she’ll try.
Later, various cast and creators for award winners “My Name is Earl” (TV episodic, comedy), “NUMB3RS” (TV episodic, drama), “Happy Feet” (feature film) and “Big Ideas for a Small Planet” (documentary) feasted at the after party on organic Bonterra wine, rainforest brownie bites, and other savory yummies courtesy of celeb chefs like Mark Peel, Mary Sue Milliken, Sue Feniger and Ben Ford (Harrison’s son).
The EMA’s will be aired Wednesday, November 7 on E!.
THE “G” LIST
Green thumbs up to...
George Clooney (yup, him again), star of “Michael Clayton,” joined the board of a Swiss energy company that will develop environmentally friendly technology for car engines and other devices.
Brown thumbs down to...
Jimmy Kimmel, as reported in the NY Daily News, is burning through major air miles by commuting every day for a week, guest hosting “Live with Regis and Kelly” in NYC in the mornings and returning to the west coast to host his Los Angeles-based evening show. Call us crazy, but isn’t there something called satellite hookup?Photo Credits: Wireimage.com
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