Is there an untold chapter of the Eason Jordan story? The Buzz hears that the recently departed CNN executive returned from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, quite high on himself.
This wasn’t due to his controversial remarks, in which he alleged that American forces in Iraq had intentionally killed journalists. Rather, Jordan, 43, we’re told, hooked up with Sharon Stone, who was in the Alpine village to talk about AIDS research.
Apparently, Stone has an eye for newsmen: She and SF Chronicle Editor Phil Bronstein were recently divorced. And this isn’t the first time that Jordan’s personal romances have gotten in the way of his professional responsibilities.
He had a much-publicized affair with the wife of beheaded Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Jordan’s marriage broke up over that one, and Mariane Pearl dumped him as well. CNN, we hear, feared the airing of dirty laundry (or sheets) in the tabloids would overshadow their coverage of serious news. The real question: Will Jordan still rock Stone’s world without the CNN logo?
Still buzzing about Williams In this column tuesday, I broke the story of composer Paul Williams’ private wedding ceremony, Monday evening, but here are the details: Williams, 64, wore a black shirt and suit he bought in Japan. “In Japan, I’m a medium” the 5-foot-2 Williams told me at The Mansion on O (off Dupont Circle). His bride, Mariana Hastings, surprised him when she appeared in a white beaded wedding gown. Williams, backed by Chris Caswell on keyboard, sang love songs to Mariana with her joining in when he forgot lyrics. “Hey, listen,” he justified, “I got an Oscar … I can screw up once in awhile.” Other guests included blues guitarist and former Washingtonian Joe Bonamassa and Grammy nominee Buddy Miller.
The newlyweds credit their meeting with Paul’s sobriety. Here’s the way Marianne, a psychologist, pianist, vocalist, and entertainment booker, tells the story: She called Williams to sign him for an engagement. Although, he wasn’t available, in the course of conversation she told him about her handyman’s drinking problem. Williams, a recovering alcoholic, offered to talk to him so she called the handyman down from the roof to take the phone.
The composer invited him to a recovery meeting where Williams would be speaking. Marianne couldn’t get her handyman to go. She herself did not have a drinking problem, but since Williams was so committed to the cause, she went instead. That led to coffee and learning they had much in common, including kids about the same ages … and here they are.
The affects of alcohol/drugs
Williams talked to me about his drinking days: “Sometimes drink led to unplanned nudity,” he said. “I had the disease. Alcohol made me feel big enough to deal with the rest of the world, and cocaine made me feel I could shoot basketballs.” He said he called his doctor one day 15 years ago during a blackout. “When he called back the next day, I didn’t remember and said, ‘Someone is using my body again.'”
“When I was newly sober, I was disconnected. I turned into a Gandhi-meets-Jiminy Cricket character. The early years of sobriety were really uncomfortable.” Sipping bottled water, he told me he celebrates 15 years of sobriety next month.
Williams’ current projects
After his wedding night in D.C., he flew back to L.A. where he’s at work writing the musical “Happy Days,” with the TV show’s producer Garry Marshall, as well as another musical based on the best seller, “Chicken Soup For The Soul.”