Los Angeles: June 30, 2012: The David Lynch Foundation hosted its first annual “Night of Comedy” to honor legendary manager and producer (and 30-year meditator) George Shapiro. Proceeds went to support TMprograms for at-risk youth, veterans with PTSD, and women and girls who have been victims of violence and abuse. Headliners included Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Russell Brand, Garry Shandling and Sarah Silverman. Over 500 people attended. Thanks to all who participated and attended! Here is a quick edit of a fun 15-minute highlight reel from that very blissful evening. – Bob Roth, executive director, David Lynch Foundation.
Watch this great interview of George Shapiro posted on Emmy TV Legends in the Archive of American Television. He shares great stories of comics he represented, including Andy Kaufman and Jerry Seinfeld. http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/george-shapiro
Some of world’s greatest comedians showed up at the David Lynch Foundation fundraising event to honor legendary talent manager and producer George Shapiro. The event, held at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on Saturday, June 30th, created a major media buzz. George Shapiro received the Lifetime of Bliss Award, and the audience was entertained by Russell Brand, Sarah Silverman, Garry Shandling, and surprise guests Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld.
The night of comedy benefited veterans and at-risk youth making it possible for them to learn Transcendental Meditation to overcome traumatic stress and get a new start on life.
Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Russell Brand at The David Lynch Foundation’s Night of Comedy Published on Jul 1, 2012 by wowcelebritytv
Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, George Shapiro, Russell Brand arrive at The David Lynch Foundation’s Night of Comedy on June 30, 2012 at The Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States.
David Lynch on Honoring George Shapiro at his Night of Comedy Benefit Published on Jul 5, 2012 by starcamcelebrities
David Lynch talks with StarCam’s Jennifer Tapiero at his foundation’s Night of Comedy Benefit about why he’s honoring George Shapiro, what they are raising money for, and what Transcendental Meditation is all about.
Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno on Loving George Shapiro, Joking about Meditation
Published on Jul 5, 2012 by starcamcelebrities
Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno joke with StarCam’s Jennifer Tapiero at the David Lynch Foundation Benefit about how Jerry represents Jay in meditation, how comedy is therapeutic, and why they love George Shapiro. Jerry answers this question: “You guys meditate? Are you big into meditation?” from :34-:55
Media Pack Red Carpet EXTRACTS Jerry, Jay, George
Uploaded by DavidLynchFoundation on Jul 11, 2012
Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld interviewed at The David Lynch foundation’s night of comedy
Published on Jul 1, 2012 by wowcelebritytv
Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld interviewed at The David Lynch Foundation’s night of comedy on June 30, 2012 at The Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States. Jerry talks about meditation at 1:37-1:51. It’s a very good healthy thing….good for all kinds of people….stressed people, hard-working people…it’s just good for people…good for people.
Celebrities Endorse Bliss Transcendental Meditation The David Lynch Foundation Published on Jul 14, 2012 by ComicBible
At The David Lynch Foundation Lifetime of Bliss Award, Celebrities and supporters praise Transcendental Meditation and the work of The David Lynch Foundation. Hosts Tamara Henry and Sabrina Hunter-Morales interview Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul) & Crystal Hansen (wife, Pure Thoughts for Pure Results), Kat Kramer, and Mom Karen, Ashley Kirshner, Stephen Collins, David Faustino, Serinda Swan, Thomas Jane, Chris D’Elia, Connie Stevens and Joely Fisher, Max Worthington, Vincent Spano, Felicia Tamazo, LA Yoga Magazine, Roland Kickenger, David Lynch, George Shapiro, Kevin Nealon, Jay Leno, John Roberts, Jeff Ross.
David Lynch at the Night of Comedy Benefiting his Foundation Published on Jul 11, 2012 by ComicBible
David Lynch talks to Comic Bible TV Tamara Henry and Sabrina Morales about meditation, the event, his foundation and shares advice for comedians at The David Lynch Foundation Lifetime of Bliss Award Night of Comedy.
Watch this great interview of George Shapiro posted on Emmy TV Legends in the Archive of American Television. He tells some great stories about comics including Andy Kaufman and Jerry Seinfeld. http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/george-shapiro
Peter Debruge Variety
11:45 p.m. CDT, July 3, 2012
Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld surprised comedy manager-producer George Shapiro by delivering impromptu standup sets at the Beverly Wilshire on Saturday night. Shapiro, who received the David Lynch Foundation’s inaugural Lifetime of Bliss award, told the audience that former client Andy Kaufman had introduced him to two things: “One was transcendental meditation … and the other was ‘Eraserhead.’ It was Andy’s very favorite movie.” Lynch discovered TM 35 years ago while making “Eraserhead,” later forming the org to offer the technique to high-stress populations, including at-risk youth and veterans suffering from PTSD. As the evening’s hot-blooded emcee, Russell Brand suggested other stress-relieving techniques: “I, for instance, enjoy fellatio, but the bliss is more transitory.” Sarah Silverman pushed the envelope even further, joking about rape and terminally ill babies, which got big laughs from fellow performer Garry Shandling. Surveying the crowd, Silverman quipped: “There’s pockets of judgment. That’s not what transcendental meditation is about.” Shapiro has long evaded career-celebrating awards, so accepting Lynch’s honor gave four generations of comedy talent incentive to attend, with guests ranging from Michael Cera to Carl Reiner, plus a healthy contingent of old William Morris colleagues. Leno stepped onstage to tell the room how Shapiro had encouraged him from the outset. “Meditation is a wonderful thing, but kindness beats all of it,” Leno said. Finally, Seinfeld closed out the evening with personal stories about the “Seinfeld” producer, kidding that most people “have to die to get this. This is what a nice George Shapiro funeral should be.”
Watch this great interview of George Shapiro posted on Emmy TV Legends in the Archive of American Television. He tells some great stories about comics including Andy Kaufman and Jerry Seinfeld. http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/george-shapiro
For Russell Brand, meditation puts life in perspective
Jay Leno, left, Jerry Seinfeld, George Shapiro, Russell Brand and David Lynch arrive at the David Lynch Foundation’s Night of Comedy honoring George Shapiro at the Beverly Wilshire hotel Saturday. (John Shearer / Invision / June 30, 2012)
“I meditate often,” he told the Ministry of Gossip on Saturday. “It connects you to a source of energy that’s more powerful than the material world in which we primarily dwell. It helps you relax and unwind.”
That’s something clearly needed by the comic and actor, who has been percolating on a publicity tour for “Rock of Ages,” shooting his FX comedy show “Brand X” and navigating a media firestorm linked to his divorce from Katy Perry, whose new documentary “Part of Me” includes personal footage from their marriage.
Hardly relaxing stuff. On the other hand …
“If you spend a lot of time meditating, you start to think of the stuff that is happening in your actual life as being secondary. It doesn’t feel so important,” he said before emceeing a David LynchFoundation fundraiser in honor of manager George Shapiro’s lengthy career and love of Transcendental Meditation.
From the Beverly Wilshire auditorium stage later that night, Brand entertained high profile guests including Shapiro client Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Garry Shandling and Sarah Silverman (all of whom also performed), plus Shapiro himself, who received the Lifetime of Bliss Award from Lynch.
Proceeds from the fundraiser went to “meditation training” scholarships for impoverished kids and veterans. Brand said the practice saved him from a agonizing, drug-riddled decline — though onstage he jokingly referred to Lynch’s organization as a “cult.”
Celebrities, meditation-championing, tickets starting at $1,000 a seat — a Beverly Hills evening, indeed.
Watch this great interview of George Shapiro posted on Emmy TV Legends in the Archive of American Television. He tells some great stories about comics including Andy Kaufman and Jerry Seinfeld. http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/george-shapiro
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