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THE SPARK HOT LIST: Who’s Making Sparks — May 7, 2026
Katie Couric, Christie Brinkley & Carl Bernstein Shine at Guild Hall Awards; Couric’s NYT Comment Goes Viral
Katie Couric and Christie Brinkley lit up the red carpet at the Rainbow Room at Top of the Rock in NYC recently at the Guild Hall Annual Arts Achievement Awards. Couric, along with Carl Bernstein, received Lifetime Achievement Awards in Media & Communications. Bernstein’s award was presented by Jann Wenner, while Couric’s was presented by Brinkley.
Couric Makes Sparks with her Threads Comment about the NYT
Couric also made sparks recently by going viral with a one-sentence comment, taking The New York Times to task for its “questionable” article about Lauren Sanchez Bezos, which turned many an eye. The published article, titled “Someone Has to Be Happy. Why Not Lauren Sanchez Bezos,” ran with the subhead: “As half of an unfathomably powerful couple, Mrs. Sanchez Bezos seems to have influenced the uber-rich to stop apologizing and start enjoying themselves.”
The piece sparked plenty of eye rolls, with readers asking, “Really? Do we care—and is this actually a news angle?”
Couric was tactful and on point, posting on Threads and tagging writer Amy Chozick. She wrote:
“Hi @amychozick Are you allowed to refuse assignments? This feels, um, off.”
And with that, Couric’s succinct comment went viral. Many thanked her for saying what they were thinking. One comment read: “NYT please stop giving these people the attention they crave and we might be getting somewhere.”
The Couric ‘Facelift’ 20 Years in the Making …
And if Couric hasn’t been in the press enough lately, an exclusive with PEOPLE revealed she plans to spend more time at her East Hampton home this summer.
At the Runway for Recovery event on April 20 in NYC, Couric told PEOPLE:
“I was able to renovate a house I bought, gosh, almost 20 years ago that needed a bit of a facelift.”
“I’m really looking forward to spending time out there, and we’re going to have a Couric family reunion in August, which we have dubbed ‘forced family fun.’ I’ll be able to see a lot of family members who are coming and play a lot of pickleball.” — Katie Couric
Don Lemon’s Digital Media Surge Continues With Webby Win and NAACP Honors
Kudos to Sag Harbor’s Don Lemon, whose independent media outlet, The Don Lemon Show, is tearing up social media and YouTube. Lemon just won a 2026 Webby Award for Best Video Podcast Host for The Don Lemon Show. The show also received the People’s Voice Award in the same category, meaning both the academy and public voting honored it.
Lemon’s social media presence has grown exponentially since leaving CNN. Between Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube, he reaches nearly 5 million followers and subscribers. He also recently won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information Series or Special — Individual or Ensemble for The Don Lemon Show.
The show picked up multiple honors during coverage of the 57th NAACP Image Awards (virtual and televised ceremonies). Lemon later said on YouTube that his platform won four NAACP Image Awards overall.
He was also honored this year with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 12th Annual Truth Awards, which recognize Black LGBTQ+ leaders and allies.
Keep it going, Don. We love seeing you on screen—and on Main Street in Sag.
Neil Patrick Harris & David Burtka to Be Honored at Family Equality Gala in NYC
Seeing Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka with their now-teenage twins is always a joy. The couple, who married in 2014 and live primarily in East Hampton, continue to make sparks—whether in acting, design, cooking, or crafting cocktails and mocktails.
On Monday, May 11, they will be honored at the Family Equality Night at the Pier Gala. The nonprofit is one of the largest national supporters of LGBTQ+ families, and Harris and Burtka have long advocated for LGBTQ+ unions and family rights.
Elton John and David Furnish will present the award. Full coverage to come on SparkHamptons.com.
East End Producers Score Big on Broadway as ‘The Lost Boys’ Leads Tony Nominations
East End theatrical producers are having a strong week. The Lost Boys, with East Hampton’s Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley on the producing team, received 12 Tony Award nominations, tying with Schmigadoon! for the most-nominated musical of the 2026 season.
Nominations include Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Direction of a Musical (Michael Arden), and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Shoshana Bean).
The show, adapted from the 1987 vampire cult film, has become one of Broadway’s breakout hits of the season. Seeing it at the newly renovated Palace Theatre on West 47th Street is an experience in itself—gorgeous, historic, and full of energy. Viva Broadway.
Off-Broadway’s ‘Gotta Dance!’ Earns Critics’ Choice Honor and Keeps Audiences Moving
Off-Broadway’s Gotta Dance! is pulling in crowds of all ages.
Produced by Water Mill’s Riki Kane Lariimer, the show is pure entertainment and is this year’s recipient of the Douglas and Ethel Watt Critics’ Choice Award.
The honor is presented by journalists on the Chita Rivera Awards Broadway judging committee, recognizing standout work that falls outside traditional award categories.
From Couture to Camera: Max Alexander Documentary Heads to Tribeca; Fern Mallis, Isaac Mizrahi & Sharon Stone Featured
Couture to the Max, a documentary produced and directed by Dori Berinstein about 10-year-old fashion prodigy Max Alexander, has been selected for the Tribeca Film Festival. The 35-minute short will premiere June 13 at 8:30 p.m. at Shorts Theater at Spring Studios and screen June 14 at 2 p.m. at Village East by Angelika.
The cast includes Fern Mallis, the “Godmother of Fashion” and one of Alexander’s mentors, along with Isaac Mizrahi, Bob Mackie, and Sharon Stone. Mallis even flew to Paris to attend Alexander’s runway show this spring.
Alexander is in experienced hands with Berinstein, whose Broadway and documentary credits include Legally Blonde, The Prom, A Man With Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, Unzipped, and Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story.
We’ve been following Alexander’s journey since meeting him in Southampton at Five Story last summer—and this is just the beginning.
Mickey Paraskevas Brings ‘Ferocious Beast’ to Costco Riverhead for Cohen Children’s Hospital Fundraiser
If you think you’ve seen it all at Costco, wait until you get a peek at The Ferocious Beast—a giant inflatable character created by artist and children’s book author Mickey Paraskevas.
The Hamptons-based illustrator is bringing the inflatable, along with books, sketchpads, and raffle tickets, to Costco in Riverhead this month to raise funds for Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Visitors can meet Mickey, the Beast, and even enter a raffle to win one of his paintings.
More on the story here.
