Cancer Research Wins at a Hands-On Exhibit

The scene: Masses of people strolling across unrelentingly green Astroturf and eating umpteen varieties of Louise’s pasta under a tent outside the UCLA Tennis Center Monday night. The event, presented by the Permanent Charities Committee of the Entertainment Industries, was the opening-night party for the Volvo Tennis/Los Angeles Tournament and benefited the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program.

Who was there: Jerry Seinfeld stood center court doing sports shtick, Kenny G. played the national anthem and Monica Seles proved to be a graceful hostess as she introduced the play. In the stands was event chairwoman Lilly Tartikoff (co-founder of the research program) with her husband, Brandon, chairman of Paramount Pictures; Marilyn Katzenberg and husband Jeffrey Katzenberg, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios; Paramount president of production John Goldwyn and Colleen Camp; Jim Wiatt, president of ICM, plus Grant Tinker, Johnny and Alex Carson.

Overheard: Rob Lowe standing at the buffet line asked a waiter, “Do you have forks?” Waiter: “Use your hands, it’s so much easier.”

Beyond the call of duty: After winning $5,000 in a special “shoot-out” exhibition, tennis champ Hank Pfister instantaneously turned the check over to Lilly Tartikoff. Why? Simply because he has three daughters and a wife, he said.

Tennis antics: Jimmy Connors, Pancho Gonzalez, Vijay Armitraj and John Lloyd played hysterical celebrity doubles. Connors returned a ball then hopped over the net while the ball was in play, leaving Gonzalez on his own.

Quoted: “Jimmy Connors auditioned for ‘Wheel of Fortune’ when Pat Sajak left. He didn’t get the job,” said Brandon Tartikoff. “I guess I can take credit for his incredible finish at the U.S. Open.”

Fashion statements we can live without: Monica Seles in black suede platform sandals as thick as a dictionary.