Category Archives: Celebrity Happenings

Emmys Review: Winners, Losers, and What They Wore

Posted on September 23, 2012 | 7 comments


I know I’m a TV nerd but I was excited for the Emmys Sunday night. I ignored my family once red carpet arrivals began, explaining to them that it was like my Super Bowl:  no channel changing or superfluous talking.  Here are my impressions….

What they wore:                                                                              

Fashion home runs (check out photos here and here):

My favorite look of the night was Amy Poehler. Kick ass fab, sexy, sleek, hip and loved the loose, old Hollywood hair and red lipstick.  Take that Will Arnett!

Tina Fey- Great style, color, shape. But she looks too skinny! Eat a donut Tina!

Kerry Washington– To die for. Sparkly, elegant, modern, sexy, perfect fit.

Padma Lakshmi- Dazzling! Not many can pull off orange but she rocked it.

Sofia Vergara – High expectations met. A divine, sexy mermaid. Hermosa!

Christine Baranski-  Amazing in her sequined minidress. Bold!

Maria Menounos – Beautiful, rich blue, leggy split, hot shoes. “Extra” points!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus- Amazing color, style, detail, fit. Perfect hair. Loved.

Sarah Hyland- Beautifully detailed, romantic, age appropriate. Nice work!

Looks that made me say Yikes!

January Jones– Too severe, Jane Jetson-esque and see-through.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson – What was up with the PeeWee Herman suit blazer?

Elizabeth Moss– Channelled a Flemenco dancer and hair was a washout.
Glenn Close– Love her, hate the dress.  Unflattering hostage straps. Too busy!

Julianna Margulies–Surprising miss. Did she swallow grandma’s curtains?!

Ashley Judd- What up with the Conehead hair? B-52’s audition tomorrow?

Phoebe Price?- Who is she? Took a wrong turn from Hollywood Boulevard. Horrible dress and tacky shoes.

Too much yellow! Stylish dressers like Claire Danes, Julianne Moore, and even Julie Bowen chose a shocking canary that washed them out more than flattered.

Other random thoughts….

Giuliana Rancic, you’ve gotten so much better at red carpet banter and you ask smart, interesting questions that seem researched…..but please eat a sandwich.

Real boobs! Kudos to actresses who don’t need implants to be a star. I’m talking to you Amy Poehler, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amanda Peet and many self-respecting others.

My favorite celebrity couple at the Emmys? Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann. I’d love to spend a Saturday night playing Taboo with them and a bunch of friends on the deck of their Hollywood mansion as their delightful daughters make popcorn in the kitchen. I hope they’re as cool, funny and authentic as they appear. If you guys ever get sick of hanging with Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd, call me!

The show:

It was funny! It was refreshing and energetic, filled with many laughs, especially the pre-shot videos between awards. I liked the behind-the-scenes shots bumping in and out of commercials. Some candid moments of makeup and awkwardness are always entertaining. Jimmy Kimmel was amusing and not egocentric or patronizing like many award show hosts.

The opening number with the nominated actresses in bathrobes and Jimmy Kimmel with the botox face was LOL hilarious. Loved Lena Dunham’s brazen nudity and Ellen providing pants at the end. Set a great tone.

So happy for Eric Stonestreet with a classy smart, inspirational speech for best supporting actor in a comedy win.

Louie CK won two comedy awards and all I keep hearing is how great his show is so now I’ll give it a whirl.

Julie Bowen is such a class act. She seems so real and normal, besides talented and gorgeous. Her speech after winning best supporting comedy actress was smart and humble. Claire would be proud.

I love “The Daily Show” and I know they’ve won a lot of Emmy’s but Jon Stewart could have been a bit more gracious in his acceptance speech. I guess they’ve run out of funny things to say about winning.

I was surprised at how many awards “Homeland” received. Claire Danes for best actress, Damian Lewis for best actor, writing, and best drama.  I watched the show and liked the concept and performances but don’t think it’s as consistently gripping and well written as “Mad Men” and everyone says “Breaking Bad” is the best show on TV. We’re suckers for terror I guess.

Gotta love the standing O for Michael J. Fox at the end. I had a picture of him wearing his “Back to the Future” puffy vest on the back of my door all through high school. I’ll always love Alex P. Keaton.

“Modern Family’s” win is well-deserved. Love that show. But I am sad for Lena Dunham and the gang from “Girls.” Such a groundbreaking, risky, funny, tender show. Four nominations and no awards, but there’s always next year!

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Celebrity Couple Scoop is a Myth

Posted on August 17, 2012 | 1 comment

I’m a pop culture fan and fascinated by celebrities, so I love gossip magazines and entertainment shows as much as the next gal (or guy who’s willing to admit it.) But the recent furor over personal details of celebrity couples’ relationships  is getting out of hand.

First, there was Tom and Katie.

Yes, it was huge news. The speed with which the divorce was handled (less than a month?!) and his strict Scientology faith made the story intriguing.  We’d all like to know what goes on in the Cruise home but getting that story would be mission impossible. Somehow Tom has put a tight lid on all those close to him so the public doesn’t know the answers to a myriad of questions we have about his personal life.

Yet there are all the tabloids, week after week– touting “insider details” of the split. I’m sure there’s some non-disclosure clause that Katie signed that guarantees her a pile of dough if she keeps mum. I don’t think we’ll ever know that whole story, and maybe we can’t handle the truth.

from telegraph.co.uk

Actress Kristen Stewart apparently cheated on Robert Pattinson with her older, married director, dashing the hopes of millions of “Twilight” fans pulling for a real life happy ending. It’s scandalous and sad for Twi-hards who follow their every move.

This week Twitter was blowing up and show producers were salivating over Robert’s first media interview since the epic split.  Pattinson appeared on “the Daily Show,” where Jon Stewart set the tone by offering him a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia and some girl talk to help him through the breakup.

As Stewart pointed out– although his show has hosted rockers, movie stars, and presidents– it had never before had the enormous crowd of screaming fans and rows of overweight paparazzi camped outside that night, all waiting for a glimpse of the jilted lover.

Pattinson– who, in the interest of privacy,  had barely acknowledged the couple was dating for the last several years–  briefly referenced the break up and moved on to promoting his new movie. Those vampire lips are sealed and any tidbit the relentless media gets on that relationship will be suspect.

This headline says it all. In the same week that Jennifer Aniston and boyfriend Justin Thereaux got engaged, Star magazine proclaimed the relationship done in a cover story clearly filled with false information.

I’m a fan of Jen’s style and comedic talent and have wanted her to be happy since Brad broke her heart and then John Mayer stomped all over it. I was glad to hear she’s engaged, but I’m ready to move on with my life.

I don’t need the play-by-play of the proposal, which family members and friends she told first, or whether the news was timed to coincide with Brangelina’s much anticipated wedding. Ick! Leave the gal alone and let her enjoy her moment.

Our celebrity-obsessed society has made chasing these stories an Olympic sport.   I’m not sure who is fueling the interest. My favorite part of the lifestyle mags is the photos in the first few pages to see who’s with who, where they’re going, and what they’re wearing. I like People because it still has some journalistic integrity and doesn’t seem to make up gossip as much as the others.

But there must me millions out there who regularly visit the gossip well and drink the KoolAid because the celebrity magazines and websites keep dishing it out, regardless of whether it’s true. How can any self-respecting person continue to read Star after such a blatant error?

We’ll never know what really happened in these celebrity relationships and I’m ok with that. It’s none of our business.

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My Fantasy Celebrity Tell-All Books

Posted on August 9, 2012 | 3 comments

I read an article this week marking the 20th anniversary of the Woody Allen Soon-Yi Previn scandal. Can’t believe it’s been two decades since 56-year-old Woody fell hard for the adopted 21-year-old daughter of his longtime girlfriend, Mia Farrow.  It was smeared all over the New York papers and an ugly custody battle ensued, with a furious Farrow claiming Woody had sexually abused her other children. That was never proven but his relationships with his kids was never the same.

Woody’s lack of restraint seems a little twisted and extremely selfish but he and Soon-Yi  have been married for 15 years and have two kids of their own now so I guess it really is love.

I’d give up a regular table at Elaine’s to hear Soon-Yi’s version of that saga. That got me thinking about other celebrity memoirs I would love to read, if only they’d have the chutzpa to write them.

from schmoesknow.com

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Me (But Were Afraid To Ask)….  by Soon-Yi Previn  

What was it like to have a wrinkly, genius filmmaker wooing you behind your actress-mother’s back? Were there clandestine meetings in the pantry of their Manhattan co-op where Woody pleaded for kisses…or did he win her by making her laugh? What’s the attraction for them and how do they keep the spark when he’s now 76 and she’s 42? What’s it like to live with him? What kind of father is he? What’s her relationship with her mother like now? Soon-Yi we hardly knew ye. Give us a glimpse into life with Woody.

from zimbio.com

I’m the Boss….by Patti Scialfa.                                                               

We know very little about Patti and the family keeps a low profile, despite Bruce’s huge fanbase and touring schedule. What’s going on in that gingy’s mind? Tell me what it was like to fall in love with the Boss. Did he sing ” Fire” to you in bed? Is he as smart, sexy, deep, spiritual, and intense as he seems or does he have typical annoying habits that drive her crazy? When was their first kiss and how long did their affair go on before Bruce’s wife at the time — actress Julianne Philips–  find out? What kind of father is he? What kind of identity issues do you have when you’re a singer-songwriter living with one of the most popular and successful rockers of all time?  Are the rumors true about his cheating? Which songs does she love most and which make her skin crawl?  She seems like a creative, smart lady who probably has a lot to say. C’mon publishers– let’s make a deal!

Witness to History….. by Caroline Kennedy                                   

There’s been so much written about President John F. Kennedy’s family but wouldn’t it be fascinating to hear the last word from the last Kennedy left? Caroline Kennedy has managed to have a career and family, and use her political clout wisely, while staying under the radar.   The only time we see her is when she’s stumping for a cause she believes in, as she’s been doing for Obama this summer.  We don’t know her husband or her kids, or where she vacations or shops. That’s all by design. It seems her mother taught her all the best tricks to leading as normal a life as possible with one of the most famous names in the world. Caroline has written several best-selling books on history, poetry, and even one on the right to privacy.  She has the literary background and sensitive wisdom to tell a compelling tale about her take on historical events and the iconic people that touched her life.

These are just a few of the autobiographies I’d like to read. Which celeb books would pique your interest?  Tell me in the comments.

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Joan Rivers’ New Book: She’s into Hard Core Scorn

Posted on June 8, 2012 | 2 comments

I reviewed Joan Rivers’ new humor book, “I Hate Everyone… Starting with Me” for the Associated Press this week. I’ve always been fond of Joan and find her self-deprecating, bitchy humor amusing. But in this book she goes too far with the negativity and 242 pages of insults and mocking was too much. You can read my review here.

The piece was on several sites but I chose the Yahoo version because I want you to scroll down to the comments following the review. Most criticized Joan with cheap shots about her age, comedic abilities, and plastic surgery. Others accused her of causing her husband’s suicide and being a greedy Jew.

Really? That’s the level of discourse we’re at?

Perhaps I’m naive because I don’t spend much time making or reading many comments online besides my blog, but people always shock me with their levels of spite. Of course it’s easy to say nasty things when you’re sitting alone with a keyboard. I wonder how many of those hostile cowards would make similar comments in a crowded room.

The last paragraph of my review suggests that if you look at almost any online story these days, you can usually find hateful, angry comments so perhaps that’s the crowd Joan is addressing with this book. Ironically, I bet none of the haters who commented even read the review (or the book)  before making their judgments. If they had, they might have realized their own folly.

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I Went Skinnydipping

Posted on May 6, 2012 | 1 comment

Hi kids, hope you all had a nice weekend. We were juggling no less than 8 sporting events, a bat mitzvah and a birthday party, so now all I want to do is watch bad TV for two days and sip seltzer through a straw so I don’t have to move my head.

But I don’t want to let you down so please allow me a shameless plug post today. When I’m not blogging, I write freelance pieces for various websites. Last week, I reviewed Bethenny Frankel’s  novel, “Skinnydipping” for the Associated Press.  Now when you Google “skinnydipping,” my name comes up. Good or bad? Hmmmmm.

Regardless, you can read the review here.

I enjoy Bethenny’s reality show on Bravo and find her brand-building inspiring. She has listened to women and created products they want– from cocktails to cleanses. The haters (and there are many) say she is self-absorbed, vapid, and has not earned her success. I say she is devoted to her fans, always honest, and often very funny about her struggles. Just because someone has made a pile of money for being famous doesn’t mean they haven’t worked for it.  She’s a natural entrepreneur and a marketing genius.

But novelist seemed like a stretch. Yet somehow, she pulls it off. If you like her, you’ll probably like the book. Take a look at the review and let me know in the comments what you think and whether you would consider reading it.

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Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!

Posted on May 3, 2012 | 3 comments

The Boss Rocks the Rock 5/2/12

Last night, Wilson and I and some friends went to see Bruce Springsteen play at The Rock/Prudential Center in Newark. Few things make me as happy as seeing Bruce live.  As I went about my day yesterday–writing and shuttling kids around– I had butterflies and a perma-grin every time I thought about going to the concert.

I’ve been a Boss fan since the first time I listened to “Thunder Road. ” It was a cassette of the album in my friend Andy Florsheim’s new blue Sony Walkman (remember that first Walkman with the big fuzzy orange headphone pads?)  circa 1980. I was in seventh grade and it was the first music I remember listening to that I had discovered on my own, without parental influence.  I’ve been devoted to his music ever since, and have probably seen him more than 15 times in concert.

My first show was in 1985 on the “Born in the USA” tour where I had a general admission standing spot on the floor at Soldier Field in Chicago.  I was 17 and some random drunk guy put me up on his shoulders during “Born to Run” and I thought I would burst from the adrenalin rush.  All my Bruce concert experiences since have been similar to a rollercoaster: a thrilling, screaming ride.

There’s something about his music that stirs memories and makes me feel young and somehow invincible. The stadium is packed, everyone’s belting out the words and dancing, while remembering different moments in their lives when Bruce’s music provided comfort and joy.  When you have that many people in one space putting out positive energy, it’s an electrifying high.

Bruce gets down and dirty with his fans

He knows the fans won’t let him down

Bruce and Stevie mugging for the cameras

His latest album, “Wrecking Ball” is about the sad state of our country when it comes to taking care of the poor and middle class, many of whom have lost jobs  and homes in recent years, while the rich keep getting richer.  I love that Bruce makes me think about the bigger picture by singing from his heart about things that matter. The music would be enough, but he takes it to another level with his powerful message of understanding, redemption, hope and peace.

He plays preacher in the church of Rock and Roll and gets his faithful followers  up on their feet as he bangs his guitar and shakes that famous denimed ass. The guy is 62 and runs around on stage like a teenager for three hours, night after night. That alone is worth the ticket price.

Every woman in the stadium wanted to be this girl plucked from the crowd for “Dancing in the Dark”

Highlights for me at last night’s show were opening with “No Surrender,” hearing “Candy’s Room” into “She’s the One” and “Waitin’ on a Sunny Day.” He picked a sign out of the audience asking for a song by Levon Helm of The Band, to honor his death last month. Bruce reflected on Helm’s talent before playing a great version of “The Weight.” (For the full set list look here )

The encore didn’t disappoint, starting with “Born to Run” into “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Rosalita.”  They closed the show with a long and crazy “10th Avenue Freeze Out,” which paid homage to Big Man Clarence Clemons, who died almost a year ago. Clarence’s  nephew, Jake Clemons, has joined the E Street Band and held his own on sax and stage presence.

The Big Man

…..honored

during 10th Ave Freeze-Out

I wore my “Born in the USA” concert shirt from 1985 proudly last night. Bruce and the band will be back in the swamps of Jersey in September. I don’t have tickets yet but I know if I show a little faith, there’ll be magic in the night.

After last night, I’ve got to be there for the next show, with my 27-year-old t-shirt and my dancing shoes…. feeling like I’m 17 again.

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Rock a Bye Maxi!

Posted on May 1, 2012 | 2 comments

We waited. We watched. We clucked our tongues in sympathy.

But after months of red carpet muumuu moments and too many personal pregnancy details, it finally happened kids. Jessica Simpson’s baby has arrived.

Photo from Elle Magazine

It seemed like that squirt was never gonna come out, but today Simpson gave birth to her first child: a daughter named Maxwell Drew Johnson.

If you’re planning to send a gift, skip the newborn size because Maxwell weighed in at 9 pounds, 13 ounces. OUCH! I hope she had an epidural.

I’m not going to say anything about the name. It’s classic Hollywood to try to out-crazy one’s peers with an avant-garde name. Except now unconventional names for kids of stars are so….. conventional. Calling her Maxi could be cute, though.

I’m sure we’ll be seeing her decked out in Bon Pointe cashmere and Louboutin booties soon enough. And I can’t wait for the photo spread in OK of her designer nursery and closet full of clothes worth more than my minivan.

Stars aren’t really just like us… except at 3AM when their baby’s crying. That baby joy is the same for everyone.

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RIP Dick Clark

Posted on April 20, 2012 | 1 comment

This is how I’ll remember Dick Clark

I was sorry to hear about Dick Clark’s death this week and wasn’t surprised by the outpouring of sympathy and respect that followed.  Dick was as big a part of my Saturday morning routine as pancakes and bacon. I remember lazy days, lounging around in my Holly Hobbie nightgown, watching “American Bandstand” with my brother while my dad read the paper and my mom cleaned the kitchen.

I loved seeing the kids dancing with their fancy disco clothes and toothy TV smiles.  I was listening to Donna Summer and Bee Gees LP’s on our stereo and making up dance moves to “Grease” back then so “American Bandstand” had everything  a preteen girl could want.

And who didn’t watch Dick every New Year’s Rockin Eve? There was something comforting about seeing the ball drop with him, whether I was stuck home with my parents, making a fool of myself after too many cocktails in my 20’s, or– in recent years– gathered with a bunch of friends and our kids in front of the TV.

He was a pop culture icon that I might have taken for granted, especially in the post stroke years when I wondered why he still chose to be on TV.  Now that he’s gone, I realize that his enduring presence in music and TV was the backdrop and soundtrack for many memories, all of them fond.

I love Ryan Seacrest, but there was only one Dick Clark. I’ll miss him.

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Idol Predictions for Top 10

Posted on March 19, 2012 | 1 comment

Ok kids, time for my “Idol” predictions.  Some say this season has been boring but I say, “Quit your whining!” “Idol” is one of the few shows I can watch with my boys and for that alone I love it.

After ten years, I find “Idol“ comforting– like eating a big bowl of mac and cheese– although maybe you have a little bit of the same regret afterwards.  Plus, I can’t take my eyes off JLo. I was never a huge fan—she seemed like a diva who craved the spotlight and made questionable personal life decisions.

But then she got married for real, had kids, and a bunch of her rom-com movies tanked and she was humbled. Now she seems to have a new appreciation for all the attention she’s getting, which makes me like her more. She seems comfortable in her own skin and has a lot of heart. And how can you deny that she’s impossibly gorgeous? I can’t wait to see what she’ll do with her hair, makeup, and wardrobe. I might not always share her taste, but she makes it work. She makes 40+ look good. And unlike other judges—like Kara and even Randy at times– she seems to really enjoy her role in the show and watching the kids bloom.

Getty

This season I had some favorites early on. I told my kids that Phil Phillips was going to make it to the Top 10 after that crazy cool version of “Thriller” he offered up during his audition.  I have never purchased an “Idol” album or song on iTunes, but I just may buy his take on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” He is amazingly talented and completely unaffected.  He must be frustrating the wardrobe staff, but I love how he performs in jeans and a long-underwear shirt every week and no one notices or cares. (It’ll be funny to see what style guru Tommy Hilfiger does with him.)

I also love me some Skylar Laine. I’m not a huge country fan but she has spunk and pipes and her performances are never boring.  Despite some talent, forgettable contestants include Deandre Brackensick  (the curls and falsetto don’t impress me,) Erika Van Pelt (meh,) and Elise Testone, who has a rich voice but always looks like her cat just died. Have some fun up there girl!

Michael Becker/FOX

Completely themselves and fun to watch:  Colton Dixon and Heejun Han.  I don’t really care if every note is right if they are great performers, whether jumping on pianos or making me laugh.

As for pure musical talent, voices that stir me inside and give me the “goosies” as JLo says, I look to Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh, and Joshua Ledet.  None of them look like they could open their mouths and have such power and grace come out, but all three have been pretty consistent each week.

My Idol predictions:  In the next few weeks we’ll lose Elise, Erika, and hopefully Deandre…soon to be followed by Heejun. Then it will get dicey and anyone could go but I’m going to say Phil, Colton, Jessica, and Joshua will be in the top four.  A great finale would be Phil vs. Jessica but I’ll have to weigh in again on the finale after a few more weeks.  And you know I will!

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