Judge Judy just bought Newport, RI’s the Bird House estate. Why? Because she can. Husband Judge Jerry Sheindlin: “Property’s a good investment.” Judge Judy: “Please, it’s wanderlust. I just wanted to.”
Calling $9 million (Rhode Island’s highest sale this year) a bargain rock-bottom price, Sotheby’s said it had belonged to the late granddaughter of the Campbell’s condensed soup process inventor, Dorrance Hamilton. The house’s nickname came from her love for birds.
In case Judge Judy doesn’t invite you, let me explain: There’s a soaring two-story entrance hall, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, ocean views, 3 ¹/₂-acre forestry, guest house, carriage house, guardhouse and who knows what other houses? Atop a high point, it’s 10,000 square feet.
The previous owner was a founder of Newport’s annual flower show, so there’s a nice little backyard with nice little grounds and nice little famous Blue Garden with monochromatic purple and blue flowering plants. So if you’re looking to congratulate Judy, do not send junky daisies.
Odds & ends
Dana Delany (two-time Emmy winner) and Chaunté Wayans (“Fifty Shades of Black”) practicing in Harlem’s Women’s World of Boxing for their Lucille Lortel Theatre “Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties.” Previews start Aug. 16 . . . Rush Limbaugh recalling his not-long-ago “memorable” evening in NYC: “It blew up with Susan Sarandon and the lovely Joy Behar screaming at me for daring to show up and asking how I even got in!” . . . Sept. 15. LA’s Women’s History Museum honors Gabrielle Union, Kathy Bates and Kristen Bell since “these high-profile ladies exemplify today’s womanhood. America’s greatest successes rest on women. This is to acknowledge roles our grandmothers, mothers, aunts, granddaughters, daughters and nieces played in our workplace, community and history.”
Please try to pay attention
Everybody’s doing something. Sept. 6, 6 p.m., East 50th’s Empire Steak House gets NYC’s former NYPD commissioner Bernard Kerik hyping his new espionage thriller “The Grave Above the Grave” . . . And Seinfeld at East Hampton’s Guild Hall creative series said: “Comedy is a self-correcting ecosystem. You must be willing to continuously accept failing and work from it.” I’m now failing because I can’t recall where he’s failed . . . Now Shaquille O’Neal. Producing the documentary “Killer Bees.” About Bridgehampton’s black basketball team in Lily Pond white Hamptons. Some wasp buzzed that his film might get an Oscar push. Shaq on the red carpet? A slam-dunk.
Popcorn pieces
Also two-time Tony winner Christian Borle (“Something Rotten” and “Peter and the Starcatcher”) makes a directorial debut. His “Popcorn Falls” opens in October at West 45th’s Davenport Theatre. It debuted at Marine City, Mich.’s Riverbank Theatre, if you know wherethehell that is. Two actors play 20 roles in 90 minutes — $75-to-$85 a seat, but with it comes $2 toward your parking fee. They say to bring your own popcorn.
Talk of justice
Plus — ta-da! — Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m., 92nd Street Y.
Three times I’ve been in Justice Ginsburg’s eyesight. Three times her minions flicked me away like I was lint — so I can’t say what she’s like In Person. Although wearing feathers and tulle at the opera make it seem she’s going showbizy.
Gender equality trailblazer, she’ll discuss the role of the Supreme Court plus the rule of law at a time of our land’s political tumult.
I invited a first-time gentleman visitor to my home. Upon arrival, my dog peed all over the floor and a screen door fell on the guy’s head.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.