About Town: Rambling Reporter

Kavanaugh’s Microsoft Slip of the Lip
Relativity Media CEO Ryan Kavanaugh was a popular guy at the Golden Globes, with his movie The Fighter grabbing both supporting actor awards. But the night before, at the Art of Elysium benefit at L.A.’s California Science Center, he came off a like a much more good-hearted Ricky Gervais — though for a good cause. Kavanaugh is board chair of the charity, which helps seriously ill children. During this year’s event — sponsored by Relativity, Vogue, Mercedes and Microsoft — Devo performed, and supporters including James Franco and Eva Mendes showed up. But after many guests paid at least $5,000 a ticket, some felt strong-armed when Kavanaugh took to the stage and pronounced, “No one is leaving here without giving more money!” Out marched a fleet of ladies with devices to swipe credit cards — devices Kavanaugh called “iPads.” He quickly amended that: “I mean, Microsoft tablets.” Apparently, the Microsoft team wasn’t too happy; its sponsorship buy-in, says a source, was in the six figures. But everyone was undoubtedly happy with the $1.4 million raised during the evening.