One of Hollywood’s hottest parties during Golden Globe Awards weekend started at 9am.
SiriusXM hosted a morning banquet for podcast nominees at Max & Helen’s, a Los Angeles diner co-owned by “Everybody Loves Raymond” creator and foodie Phil Rosenthal. The diner has reportedly experienced eight-hour waits on weekends since it launched in November. (This is reportedly the longest wait for a table in LA history.)
But SiriusXM managed to book a spot for Saturday morning’s “Before The Buzz” event, with guests including “SmartLess” podcast host Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, “Call Her Daddy” mastermind Alex Cooper, Mel Robbins, Conan O’Brien, Ted Danson, and music moguls Irving Azoff and Dax Shepard.
Also in attendance at the party were comedian Sebastian Maniscalco, Pod Save America hosts Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett, Tig Notaro, Alex Edelman, Sway Calloway and Tom Papa.
Scott Greenstein, president and chief content officer of SiriusXM, even jumped behind the counter to help serve guests.
Saturday night was packed with noise, but sources said SiriusXM wasn’t looking to throw a big party, but rather to host stars and VIPs in “the hottest place in town, in a cool, easy-going atmosphere run by great people who make you want to mingle with and cheer on the stars.”
(It’s unclear whether Rosenthal and his Max & Helen partner, Nancy Silverton of Mozza fame, need the support. Rosenthal previously told The Hollywood Reporter about his 40-seat restaurant that even Steven Spielberg gave two days’ notice just to get a table for two.)
Other SiriusXM executives who attended the morning party included CEO Jennifer Witts;
Guests at the gala, which lasted until noon, sampled the restaurant’s signature menu items, including waffles with maple butter (big boom), New York breakfast sandwiches and Lily Rosenthal’s fiery Lily’s Hot Chocolate.
Josh Beckerman (aka Gourmet Magician) performed.
As the guests of honor exchanged toasts, O’Brien joked that he also wanted to thank them for driving from the Westside to the party.
This is the first year the Globes have selected podcasts in the best podcast category, and nominees include “Smartless,” “Call Her Daddy,” “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” Shepherd’s “Armchair Expert,” Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” and NPR’s “Up First.”
