I was thrilled to be invited to the 20th annual Environmental Media Awards for the third year in a row. The awards ceremony, which honors environmentally conscious programming and themes in films and television productions, took place on Saturday night, October 16 at Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank. As thrilled as I was to be there, I was even more excited at the prospect of meeting Glee’s Jessalyn Gilsig, a fellow Jew Mama (Jewish on her father’s side). I met a lot of great people involved in greening Hollywood and celebrities, but was still waiting for Jessalyn.
I have admitted before that I am, in fact, a Gleek and not afraid to admit it. I also mentioned in previous posts that I have almost met the entire cast of Glee in one way or another (no stalking involved or paparazzi-like strategies). I could not wait to meet Jessalyn to talk about Jewish mommyhood and, of course, Glee.
I arrived just as the guests walked down the green carpet. First to arrive was CNN founder and environmental activist Ted Turner, who was being honored for his efforts and contributions toward environmental issues. I met Mr. Turner and his ex-wife, Jane Fonda (who was there in support of her ex-husband and presenting him with the honorary award) as they arrived. I think I was a little over-enthusiastic when I met Jane Fonda, maybe even plain hyper, recalling dancing to her aerobic videos (yes, videos) in a leotard, shiny tights and leg warmers as a child. (Why I had to wear that getup in my own home while I aerobicized, I have no idea.)
Other stars began arriving as I waited for a fellow Jew Mama. They included Lance Bass, Wilmer Valderrema, Eva Mendes, Rosario Dawson, James Cameron, and Ed Begley, Jr., as well as Natalie Portman, who was there to present entrepreneur Jeff Skoll with an honorary award as well.
Finally, there she was: Jessalyn. She was stunning. (“Beautiful” does not cover it.) I waited as she made her way down the carpet and toward the reception area. And then…I lost her. I entered the reception area and continued my search. I couldn’t see over the heads of the guests. Cheryl Tiegs’s supermodel height was first in blocking my way. (She was still stunning and beautiful; once a supermodel, always a supermodel.) Maybe I should have brought a step stool, I thought.
This was my third year attending the EMAs and it seemed that the turnout this year was much larger compared to the previous years, which made it even more difficult to locate Jessalyn. I still kept a lookout for her, however. After much mingling and searching, I gave up.
Needless to say, I did not find Jessalyn. I was just waiting and waiting for
Godot
Jessalyn, but enjoyed myself nonetheless. Perhaps I will bump into her one way or another. After all, we are both Jew Mamas.
