I hate going to the doctor! Luckily, I’m a pretty healthy dude (see also: vegan superhero) and have only been twice in the last 4 years. But still, the thought of sitting on a cold examining table and being not listened to for 3-5 minutes makes me shiver with frustration. Why oh why, I ask, can’t all doctors be like the rockstars at Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine?????!!!!!

You see, last night I had the chance to attend a benefit for PCRM at Peter and Mary Max’s lovely midtown studio and left actually wishing that I hung out with M.D’s more! 

The event was absolutely lovely with Morgan Spurlock, Moby, Dan Piraro, Dreama Walker and many more well-known figures in attendance. Of course we also hung out with some of our favorite regular do-gooders like Chloé Jo Berman, Joshua Katcher, Kris Carr and Victoria Moran. 

And how could we not spend some time with Dr. Neal Barnard – the founder of PCRM who recently sat down with Ecorazzi for an exclusive interview?

While munching on delicious chow from Bonobo’s, 4-Course Vegan and Candle 79, the PCRM crew spoke about their continued progress and optimistic outlook for the future. Does it really get any better than that?

If you don’t know all about PCRM’s important work, get thee to their website and learn how this special group of dedicated professionals is helping to change the world.

The Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary is teaming up Gotham Comedy Club for a one night only event that you won’t want to miss. 

Stars like Janeane Garofalo, Louis CK, Judy Gold, Dan Piraro, Gary Gulman and Judah Friedlander will be cracking you up to help raise money for the rescue organization that  has provided shelter to hundreds of animals from cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Last year, Ecorazzi brought news of Morgan Spurlock’s trip to the farm and Nellie McKay and Dan Piraro’s two person show, and now Ecorazzi is going to see for ourselves (yes, we’ll be at the event too) just what all the fuss is with these do-gooders upstate. 

The event will be held tomorrow, February 11th at 8 pm sharp at Gotham Comedy Club in NYC. Tickets to the event are $60 at the door or $50 if you scurry on over to the website and buy them in advance. Oh, and if you want to rock the VIP status, you can get special reserved seats for 100 smackers. Also, students tickets are available for those youngins out there who want a little komedy and karma in their lives.  So visit Woodstock FAS’s website today and join myself and the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary team for what I’m sure will be an awesome evening!!

Morgan Spurlock, of Super Size Me fame, is pictured here speaking at a Thanking The Monkey book signing party this past weekend at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. Last month, Ecorazzi spotlighted Thanking The Monkey’s author, Karen Dawn, and most recently chatted it up with Peter Singer at Dawn’s Birthday/World Vegetarian Day party in NYC! Don’t forget to check out Karen’s site along with 11 other favorites on the first edition of Ecorazzi’s Veg Blog Round-Up: News From Around Web!

What happens when a meat-eating, hunting aficionado goes to live with a protest planning PETA supporter? While you might think this combination sounds more like a boxing match than a television program,Morgan Spurlock (of Super Size Me fame) manages to produce the show with elegance and style as he pairs two opposites together in his hit documentary television program 30 Days. I won’t give anything away, but it’s a really great episode and if you have a little time make sure you check out the video below. We’ve posted the whole episode, so by “if you have a little time” I mean like a solid 40 minutes. Happy Viewing!! 

E: Tell us about The Hollywood Office of the Human Society of the United States.
HSUS: We originally started as the ArkTrust and merged with HSUS in 2002. We are devoted to raising public awareness of animal issues by encouraging and honoring the major news and entertainment media. We believe that media is an extremely influential forum to inform, provoke and compel individuals to think differently about a whole range of social issues and educate about animal cruelty.

E: Tell us about the Genesis Awards.
HSUS: Animal advocate and actress Gretchen Wyler started the Genesis Awards in 1986. She came up with the idea because she strongly believed in rewarding members of the media who spotlight animal issues, thus increasing public awareness and compassion toward animals. The first event took place as a luncheon at the Bel Age Hotel drawing only 140 attendees and quickly grew into a large gala at the Beverly Hills Hilton with over 800 people. Wyler wanted to really honor the animal activism that really started the trend of animal activism in the 60s from starlets of that time period including Doris Day and Brigitte Bardot. In fact, there are now two awards – the Doris Day Music Award and the Brigitte Bardot International Award that are both highlighted during the gala.

E: What role do the celebrities play in the Genesis Awards?
HSUS: The actual awards are given to members of major media who include animal issues and raise public understanding of animal issues. The celebrities actually present the awards, however we just announced a new award in honor of Gretchen Wyler which was created specifically to a celebrity. Paul McCartney received the first award in honor for the work he has done for raising awareness against the slaughter of seals in Canada and his full body of work in animal rights over the past forty years.

E: Not to name drop, BUT, who are some of your regulars that take part in the Genesis Awards?
HSUS: We are so fortunate to have a number of celebrities who continue to support the work we do and help to raise awareness around specific issues at infinite levels. Some of our friends include: Bill Maher, Wendy Malick, James Cromwell, Alicia Silverstone, Sean Astin, Amy Smart, Emily and Zooey Deschanel, Daryl Hannah and many more.

E: Tell us about the Animal Content in Entertainment Program (ACE).
HSUS: The goal of this program is to work with filmmakers, producers and distributors to develop and support the inclusion of animal topics in feature films, television programming and documentaries. This is where media truly has the power to change minds and influence behavior. We work with them at a creative level to assure that they accurately portray animal issues in principal or secondary dramatic or comedic story lines. We also offer a grant program called SilverDocs in partnership with AFI/Discovery Channel Film Festival, which we hope will encourage animal issues as a rich and growing source of narrative and factual material.

E: Any upcoming storylines we should be aware of?
HSUS: Morgan Spurlock of 30 days did an episode where he paired an animal activist with a non-animal activist and Emily Deschanel recently featured animal cruelty in an episode of Bones.

E: What are some recent campaigns you have taken part in?
HSUS: We recently launched Puppy Mill Awareness Week with support from Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nathan Lane, Patricia Arquette, and Molly Shannon. Our goal is to help educate people that there are different ways to find pets other than puppy mills which is actually where many of the puppies in pet stores come from.

Another big event is when Wolfgang Puck recently announcing his commitment to come up with mandates that would end animal cruelty including no caged crates for veal, no battery caged chickens, and amazingly NO FOIE GRAS. This will make a huge impact.

Russell Simmons also recently came out with an anti-dog fighting PSA.

All of these campaigns are raising awareness and helping people to make the anti-animal cruelty choice.

E: What do you feel are some of the most influential entertainment pieces that have helped to raise animal awareness?
HSUS: Bee Movie is an amazing recent example which really highlights factory farming but in a very light hearted way. Babe of course helped to put a face on pork for children and adults. Charlotte’s Web, Finding Nemo, Free Willy, and many documentaries narrated by celebrities like the PBS Nature Series have been very influential.

E: What are some ways that people can stay up to date on new shows or get involved?
HSUS: We have a “One To Watch” section of our website where people can sign–up and receive updates. And of course you will find multiple ways to get involved through donations, getting involved in campaigns, and writing letters to legislators through the Humane Society Website.

E: Lastly, we couldn’t help but notice that when Bob Barker (famed animal advocate) retired from The Price Is Right, that Drew Carey continued to pass along his message of “keep your animals spayed and neutered,” did you have any influence on that?
HSUS: (laughter) No we did not, but what a great tribute to Bob Barker and proof that the mass media have the power to spotlight animal issues to vast audiences—literally at the speed of light.