Henrik hangs up his skates
Bigtime NY Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist just quit. I reported he once told me: “I’ve gotten hurt a few times. I get sore. I’ve had problems. I sometimes must ice my knees.
“My jaw was broken at a practice session. I am not very flexible. Stepping onto the ice, I see my body getting stiff. Before I go out I visualize hockey situations in my head. I use superstitions. I hit a certain post with my stick.
“When I no longer can play? Maybe open a restaurant. Maybe go out. I love New York. I only don’t love Central Park’s Wollman Rink. Their skates are terrible. Thick. Dull. Ours are like steak knives. Cut yourself, you bleed. Except for Central Park ice skates, New York’s got everything.”
More sports. Sept. 7 Netflix airs “Untold: Breaking Point.” It’s Mardy Fish’s foray into tennis and competition with Andy Roddick. He then quit a 2012 US Open match against Roger Federer. No. 1 ranked American male tennis player, he was then diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Fish disappeared from the public and stayed home months at a time. Anxiety swelled. He fought a mental battle, but an encroaching sense of dread and anguish worsened. He disappeared. Sought professional help. Endured struggles to destigmatize his anxiety. The daily battle has now been televised.
Welcome to N.J.
Cardi B bought a $6 million house in Tenafly, N.J. Brand new, complete with about 15 bedrooms, movie theater, swimming pool, tennis court. She is spending a further $1 million on “improvements” before moving in. Tenaflyswatters are thrilled. Their nice little town has 15,000 people — not including her manicurist and hairdresser.
I’m doing great
I’ve downloaded Esquire’s flattering, gracious Kate Storey story on me. I’m grateful. This and yesterday’s two full NY Post pages on Madam Adams is because of Showtime’s four-part documentary on me. Thanks to whoever might’ve watched yesterday’s first episode. For anyone not already sick of me, this continues on the following three Sundays. And also it’s streaming — or whatever it’s doing.
Sad day for the Scottos
AS I write this, we’re getting news that my forever friend Anthony Scotto left us today. Rosanna called to tell me: “My father was misdiagnosed. We didn’t know it was COVID. He’d just helped my mother Marion reopen our family’s Fresco by Scotto restaurant. The hospital, not recognizing that it was this disease’s new variant, misdiagnosed him and treated him for something else. Had we known what the situation was, we could have saved him . . . He loved you.” Yes. And I loved him. Rosanna’s off her morning TV program until Sept. 7. I’m a guest on her Fox 5 “Good Day New York” Sept. 9.
Pay day’s when?
Alleged growls exist relative to Amy Schumer’s new Hulu comedy series. Growler Steve Grillo, who also left being a regular on Howard Stern’s candy store due to a money issue, says: “I was an extra on her new movie ‘Life & Beth,’ which she’s directed and written. I’ve not gotten paid . . . They were supposed to pay us within five days. We worked in June . . . This project has Amy’s name on it. She should know everything that’s going on . . . I’m going to make this an issue. I’m in a long list of actors that are being f - - ked over.”
True story. This fashionista — accustomed to Bergdorf sales reps bowing and curtsying — likes a blouse in a Southampton dress shop. Requests it in a “small” size. The clerk, in shorts, boots and a bored look, replies: “You kidding? You couldn’t even fit into one of our large sizes.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.