Super Mario
One sector of the population knows Mario Cantone from Sex and the City; another, very different demographic knows him from his appearances on The Howard Stern Show. A third and unlikely sector congregates once a year for a large luncheon in the ballroom of The Waldorf-Astoria: Cosmetic Executive Women (C.E.W.), an association that is precisely what it purports to be, women who are cosmetic executives. Mario Cantone officiates at C.E.W.'s Beauty Awards, and he adds the perfect measure of humor and gentle derision (all people at all awards ceremonies take themselves too seriously).
I like to think that I am one of very few who have enjoyed the work of Mr. Cantone in all three contexts; my favorite is Howard Stern. Perhaps that's because I am alone in my car when listening to Howard Stern, and at the C.E.W. lunch, while I am in a room full of much-beloved colleagues, I am tense about getting back to work, and I am eating chilled, less-than-tender chicken. "Sit down, everybody!" he yelled as we were all milling about. "Your chicken's going to get cold!"
My favorite product that won is the Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy powder from Bare Escentuals, which both covers and treats breakouts. It is so powerful and non-makeupy (despite the fact that it very effectively covers breakouts) that you're supposed to use it at night as well. True innovation, justly rewarded—and we got to hear Mario Cantone sing, very loudly, several times, into the microphone: "THE BEAUTY AWARDS! FOR THE BEAUTY IN YOU!"
I left the awards feeling doubly satisfied, having multi-tasked in much the way the Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy powder does: I laughed, I networked, and though I may not have loved how it tasted, I had had lunch.
—Jean Godfrey-June, beauty director
I know and love Mario Cantone from Steampipe Alley. One of my favorite shows as a kid. How I begged to be taken to the studios so I could play the games and get good humor ice cream novelty treats.