Roger Friedman works hard for the money

So the Film Society of Lincoln Center reprised the Cultural Crusade to Fellate David Cronenberg last night, bringing A History of Violence to the Walter Reade along with the director and his stars. But Fox fluffer Roger Friedman had a fixation of his own, which he recounted in some of the evening's more reprintable highlights this morning:

Before the screening, the actors and director were feted at a small dinner at the fabulous Abbocato on West 55th St. ... But mostly, all the women wanted to sit near Viggo [Mortenson], even the female publicists. He’s a popular boy, square jawed, elusive Viggo. When he’s up for a Golden Globe in mid January (he’s going to be in every awards race), Viggo will be even more on the radar with an art show at Track 16 Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica.

"Even the female publicists" wanted to be near "elusive Viggo"? Whoa. And just when you think Friedman would need to take a breath, he amazingly dribbles segues into some strenuous mid-autumn Oscar talk:

When I told him he reminded me of Richard Widmark in History, he said: “I studied him, but I also studied Lee Marvin in Point Blank. It’s a great movie.”

Everyone at dinner did agree that it’s criminal Widmark has not gotten an honorary Oscar for his extraordinary work. Academy governor Tom Hanks, are you listening? This should be the year for Widmark and for Robert Altman. Please tell the other Academy governors that Widmark will be 91 on December 16th. If patience is a virtue, then, goodness, this man is virtuous beyond all expectations!

And he tastes great! Incidentally, my BFF Cindy Adams does not yet have Widmark or "elusive Viggo" on her own Oscar scorecard, which she updated today:

ALREADY thumped for Best Actor Oscar nominees: Philip Seymour Hoffman for Capote, Joaquin Phoenix for Walk the Line, David Strathairn for Good Night, and Good Luck, and, ready? Jake Gyllenhaal for Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain, which I didn't yet see so I don't yet know. Just letting you hear what's being said . . .

Well, hey--at least she is honest. And she did not have to even fix her lipstick!