Billy’s Blog: ‘High School Musical’: April 3, 2006

Don’t even bother throwing your hat in the ring for Cool Father of the Year, because it doesn’t exist and, if it did, I’d win.

Yesterday, I took my 7 and 5 year old daughters to meet the four main cast members of Disney Channel’s “High School Musical.”  If you have a child between 5 and 15, then you know what I’m talking about. 

Given that 34 million unduplicated people have watched this film, it was imperative that we set up a big shoot.  We invited all Access Employees and friends with fanatic fans under their watch.

I felt like a nervous dad meeting my son-in-law for the first time when Zac Efron, the very attractive young stud in the lead role of HSM, entered the room.  My daughters blushed, their hearts were racing, I almost cried.  And thankfully, he was a prince – nice, polite, charming, reached out to them and made them feel special. If he’ll wait for one of them, this dad approves. (Gotta wait 20 years though).

After my interviews where I confirmed none are dating each other (my daughters made me…oy) the cast members – Zac, Vanessa, Ashley and Lucas- taught the children the ‘Wildcat Dance.’ My 7-year-old daughter, in a moment of utter courage, launched into a freestyle break dance.  I was nervous for her, in case the other children found it to be too aggressive, but sure enough Zac saw it, loved it, and joined her in a duet.  She felt SO COOL…and she was!

Last night, after an hour’s rest, I shot off to Hollywood to emcee Comedy For a Cure.  What a night!  The auction was a huge success, thanks in large part to Teri Hatcher’s full-contact bid solicitations.  Nearly $250,000 was raised – a huge success! Sarah Silverman employed “shock and awe” humor tactics on stage to entertain. 

Teri and I discussed a little of her latest – the date and smooch with Seacrest.  Suffice it to say, she is not “going out with him,” is still available and… well, just a little tired of her life as an unauthorized documentary.  Great gal, and boy – she lays it out there for people in need.  She was a massive boon to the TS Alliance.

 Julianne Moore was honored for her years of support. Looking really slim and smokin’ as a brunette, Julianne hopped up on stage and showed what compassion is all about. She stood shoulder to shoulder with Tom Lindsey, a Staten Island dad who stopped her on the street in 2003 and begged her to help.  She hasn’t stopped since, including lobbying Congress for increased funding.

What a night! 

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