— DIANE CLEHANE

'Tis the season for some serious celeb spotting at 55th & Fifth. After a few less than stellar weeks, the joint was jumping today as a few A-list actors mixed and mingled with the positively giddy regulars who all seemed more than eager to start their holiday vacations early. We've come to act a bit jaded when we met up with Natasha Richardson at the coat check but all bets were off when her hubby — none other than Liam Neeson — lumbered into the dining room. I spotted some usually blasé bold-faced names gawking on some well-timed trips to the loo. It was SRO at the bar where I finally got to meet producer and all-round good guy John Hart. While he waited for his table we chatted about the current crop of movies gearing up their PR campaigns for the upcoming awards season. When I told John that Atonement seemed like this year's English Patient, he confided he's been hearing about a backlash brewing against the film since its marketing campaign seems so hell-bent on touting its statue-grabbing potential. We both agreed that the animation in Beowulf is amazing (Even with a tail Angelina's still a stunner!) and that Tilda Swinton's performance as evil incarnate in Michael Clayton is the one to beat for Best Supporting Actress. What a fun chat!

On the way out, I caught up with my longtime pal Carol Brodie who once toiled as Harry Winston's publicity maven. During her glorious reign, it was Carol who made sure everyone who was anyone was dripping in Winston diamonds on Oscar night. These days she's the chief luxury officer of Bespoke Branding. She introduced me to the dashing Emmanuel Perrin, Van Cleef & Arpels' president and CEO. Charmed, I'm sure. Diamonds really are a girls best friend ...

Here's the rundown on today's crowd:

1. How much would you pay to have lunch with Joan Rivers? How about $15,000? That's what some folks plunked down for the privilege after being the highest bidders at a recent Barnard College auction that raised money for the school's scholarship fund. Today, my good pal Joan (a Barnard alum) and her courtly assistant Matt Stewart dined and dished with the lucky winners. As usual, Joan was bedecked in some fabulous jewels. She stopped at the bar for a brief chat. Before joining her party, she whipped out a shiny black box from a shopping bag she was toting filled with trinkets from QVC line. One of the most generous celebs around, Joan never goes anywhere without handing out little gifts. The earrings are fab. Thanks!

2. Liam Neeson and casting director Bonnie Timmerman deep in conversation over some red wine. The Oscar nominee was nice enough to chat with a few folks at table one (especially one gal who acted as if they were good pals. Perhaps they are ...). Nice to see you Liam. Natasha (Richardson, the wife) is a regular so perhaps one day we can all have a drink at the bar. Here's hoping ...

3. Crime stopper-turned-crime novelist Linda Fairstein with three real-life SVU gals.

4. Barry Diller — who arrived swathed in a grey pashmina over his power suit.

5. Matt Blank and David Carey.

6. Charles Osgood (Who doesn't love CBS Sunday Morning?) and Sam Cohen. Mr. Osgood seemed a bit bashful when introducing himself to Blythe Danner who gave him a warm hug and a "Happy holidays!" greeting as if they were old pals ...

7. Peter Slatin, so we're told ...

8. New York Social Diary's David Patrick Columbia who introduced me to the lovely Francine LeFrak, award-winning producer, philanthropist and all-round entrepreneurial powerhouse. Nice to meet you! We were coveting those fabulous earring (just a little pricier than the ones Joan gave me, I'm guessing) all throughout lunch ...

9. Jonathan Wald.

10. Maria "Watch the Gap!" Bartiromo .

11. Kim McCarty (Michael's wife) and Blythe Danner (who graciously chatted with me while we powdered our noses together. Apple and Moses' grandma is quite a gal!)

12. First shift: Steve Rubenstein. Second shift: Henry Schleiff.

14. We couldn't see ...

15. Jaqui Lividini with the co-designers of Vena Cava — Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock. The fledgling fashionistas are finalists for the coveted Vogue Fashion Fund Award. Good luck!

16. Becca Cason Thrash and Kip Forbes.

17. Kathie Lee Gifford looking like a ski bunny in black leggings and adorable flat boots. Kathie Lee told me her choice of footwear was one of function over fashion. "I just had surgery on my feet five weeks ago. I have 80-year-old feet after 40 years of show business. I got these long ago on a trip to Aspen." Could have fooled me — I thought they were from the new Gucci collection. By the way, Kathie Lee will be returning tomorrow with the charming producer and star of Bella, Eduardo Verastegui. He made quite a splash on his last visit.

18. John Jacobsonand Bob Smith.

19. Evan Harrison of Sirius Satellite Radio.

20. Lynn Goldberg.

21. Proud papa Barry Frey enjoying a father-daughter lunch Gabrielle just home for the holidays from Tulane.

22. Publicity maven Sandi Mendelson.

23. Gerry Byrne.

24. Micky Attea.

25. Men's Healthhoncho Dave Zinczenko — whose new book Eat This, Not That is selling like those high fat hotcakes he never eats — toasting the season with Cosmo gal Kate White and a earnest looking young fellow who wants to break into the magazine biz, so we're told ...

26. Time Warner's Ed Adler

27. Walter Sabo with Reese Schoenfeld.

28. Sandy Hill.

29. Pamela Keogh sporting a chic mini and Roger Vivier shoes with the satorially splendid Tom Lampson.

Happy holidays to all! Like most Gothamites, we'll be getting out of town next week. Attention all you diehards: Michael's is closed for the week so make alternate lunch plans. See you next year!

Please send comments and corrections to DianeClehane AT mediabistro Dot com and lunch at mediabistro DOT com.