LOS ANGELES -- CBS/Showtime threw the first major bash of this summer's TV critics press tour -- in a Beverly Hills parking lot, no less -- giving me the chance to chat with Emmy winner Laura Linney, former "Roseanne" runt Sara Gilbert, "Precious" star Gabourey Sidibe, a slimmed-down Drew Carey, action-film star Maggie Q, "King of Queens" royal Leah Remini, Jim Belushi, "Big Brother" momma Julie Chen, "Big Banger" Kunal Nayyar, "NCIS" regular Rocky Carroll and former KARE-11 anchor Paul Magers, who's now a staple on the local L.A. airwaves.
One 'King' to rule them all in Hollywood
But the hugest star I've come face to face with so far is King Kong, the hairy hero of a brand-new attraction at Universal Studios. To make contact, visitors climbed on a tram, which crept into a covered bridge. Once inside, dinosaurs attacked, the tram shook and lizard saliva flew in our faces.
Actually, the monsters are part of a 3-D film created, in part, by "Lord of the Rings" lord Peter Jackson. Kong eventually came to the rescue, but not before scaring young "Parenthood" star Savannah Paige Rae, who sat in front of me and spent most of the ride with her eyes covered.
I can't blame her. If I'd had the choice, I would have been having another cocktail with Maggie Q.
njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431
Kids can learn how to program robots, play chess, speak Chinese or dance hip-hop style, among other enrichment options.