Shelby's Social Diary
It's happening! Reality TV cameras roll in Houston under specter of $1 millionnon-disclosure contracts
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Photo by Herb Hochman
Oh, there was so much buzz last week that a reality TV series was so much closer to being, well, a reality for Houston. The emails, the phone calls, the gossipy whispers about who was in and who was out. Word was that a crew with a producer from LA would be filming at the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation's Kentucky Derby party at Mo's.
And then there was silence.
Each of the would-be Houston reality series players had to sign non-disclosure agreements with threat of a $1 million lawsuit if they spilled the beans — any beans. So suddenly, what was the talk of the town for 30 minutes became off-limits — at least publicly. To save those BFFs from catching the legal wrath of a cable network, we are not going to mention their names, even if we do know a handful of those who've had their screen tests for the casting call.
Each of the would-be Houston reality series players had to sign non-disclosure agreements with threat of a $1 million lawsuit if they spilled the beans — any beans.
The point is that after five years of false hopes and close calls, H-Town is closer than ever to making it into the reality TV spotlight. For better or worse.
Let's take a look at the party scene where the video cameras were rolling on Saturday. The fifth annual Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby party honored the memory of Holly Harwood Skolkin, who lost her long battle with breast cancer earlier this year. Holly's sister, Cindi Rose, runs the foundation gratis and plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose performs reconstructive surgery without charge.
That duo was centerfront at the party where chairs Lori Lemon-Geshay and Chyra Blackaller drew a crowd of 350 lovelies and gents, each eager to garner their 15 seconds in front of the roving cameras. Nicole Brende had her moment in the spotlight as event emcee.
This event annually features all manner of contests. Wining best hat designs were artist Azar Taleghany and Heather Hunt. Taking honors as "cutest couple" were Channel 2 KPRC's Courtney Zavala and husband Orlando. Representing Channel 11 KHOU was reporter Courtney Zubowski who along with producer Amy Ditta were finalists in the best hat competition. There were even prizes for best dressed gents — those honors went to Jeff Ball and Ben Harwood Rose, who happened to be head-to-toe in Festari For Men.
Making the party happen — underwriter Momentum Volvo represented by Diane Caplan, who filled the parking with hot cars; Miriam Habib of Lexis Florist, who provided oodles of red roses; and Mo's host Johnny Vassallo.
Making the scene were Dr. Mark Skolkin, Erica Rose, Carolyn Farb, Charles Ward, Julie Beeson, Michael Caplan, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Cynthia Sinatra, Sharon Brier, Carra Fleming, Becky Allen, Nancy Marcus Golden, Beth Muecke, Angelica and Edward Chapman and Kristine Garbo.
