Category Archives: Television

Sweets for the sweet

Posted on May 18, 2012 | 1 Comment

I had big dreams as a kid — live in New York City, be on TV, write a book.  Well, I have a new one to add to that list:

Be immortalized in cake.

Betty White was.

We’re talking a 5’2″ life-size vanilla cake with buttercream, covered in modeling chocolate.  It was created by Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro and his team.

And you thought Betty couldn’t get any sweeter.

The cake was served at Wednesday night at Betty’s roast at the Friars Club here in New York City…hence their motto at the base (where Betty’s feet should be).

Funny thing — being roasted?

Not on my list.

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Posted in Celebrities, Comedy, Cooking, Entertainment, Food, Foods, Humor, Life, Television, TV

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Dance, dance baby

Posted on May 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

I love a good documentary on a Saturday morning.

And First Position, which is currently in theatres and available OnDemand, is great.

The feature film documents the journey of six young ballet dancers as they attempt to qualify and compete in the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City, the most prestigious youth ballet competition in the world. 

This contest isn’t just about trophies or medals; it’s serious business.  The winning dancers receive full scholarships to top ballet schools and contracts to the most prestigious ballet companies in the world — jobs that are few and far between.

The filmmakers have amazing access to the dancers at home, in the rehearsal studio, and in the wings before, during and after their competition performances.  It’s pretty incredible…and no small wonder the documentary was named the audience choice’s first runner up for Best Documentary at the Toronto Film Festival where it premiered.

See?  Told you it was great.

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Posted in Commentary, dancing, Entertainment, Life, Movies, Television, TV

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Ad-versity

Posted on May 3, 2012 | 1 Comment

Can you see me?

Me either.

A few weeks ago, I was an extra in this White Castle commercial.  I know I was.  I was there.  And I saw the ad for the first time during tonight’s episode of  Community. 

I recognize the locations, that red convertible, the principal actors.  I saw my scenes.

But I’m not there.

It was those poppin’ White Castle heads.  They reduced me to a blurry smudge.

What a coincidence — that’s how I feel when I eat White Castles.

Truth in advertising — who’d have thunk it?!

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Posted in Advertising, Entertainment, Food, Foods, Humor, Life, Restaurants, Television, TV

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Chris crossed

Posted on May 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

While catching up on my late night programming this morning, I saw that actor Chris Evans – the guy in the Star Trek remake — was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

I could watch that.

But when I did, it wasn’t Captain Kirk at all.  It was Captain America from the new Avengers movie.

I had my superheroes — and my Chrises — all mixed up.

Chris Evans

Chris Pine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my defense, the two do look a lot a like.  They’re even the same age (well, Chris Pine is one year older).  And they’ve both been seen on the big screen in a series of lighthearted romantic comedies before they buffed up for their bigger-than-life, save-the-planet roles.

Chris Evans was in The Nanny Diaries with his current Avengers co-star Scarlett Johansson (shown at left), and in What’s Your Number? with funny lady Anna Faris.

In his early days, Chris Pine romanced Anne Hathaway in Princess Diaries 2 and Lindsay Lohan in Just My Luck.

There’s a title for ya.

But seriously — would you have known the difference if I hadn’t given you a primer?  I mean, would you?  Really?

(Say no.  I need reassurance that my synapses are firing correctly.)

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Posted in Celebrities, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies, Television, TV

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Let’s make a deal

Posted on April 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

I finished reading a great book today on the plane — a non-fiction, history book even.

I know, right?

“To Marry an English Lord” is the book that inspired Julian Fellowes to create the award-winning series Downton Abbey on PBS.

It tells the true story of the more than 100 American heiresses who traded money for marriage –  and a nifty title in Britain — around the turn of the century.

Sound just like Lady Grantham, doesn’t it?

The real life stories, as told by Gail MacColl and Carol Wallace, are no less entertaining and compelling.  Perhaps that’s why it doesn’t feel one bit like a high school history class.

I was even inspired to order The Glitter and the Gold, a first-hand account of American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt, who married the ninth Duke of Marlborough in 1895.  It’s considered to be one of the best accounts of the ‘aristocratic life.’

Sign me up.

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Posted in Books, Commentary, Entertainment, History, Humor, Life, Television, TV

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Limitless

Posted on April 22, 2012 | 3 Comments

Dear Time Warner Cable:  Two is not enough.

(As in the number of HD shows I can record concurrently per DVR.)

I have always been aware of this restriction.  But there will come a night — like tonight, Sunday night — when I have three shows in one given time slot that I want to watch and/or record.

And I’m forced to make Sophie’s Choice.

Yes, I know some or all of these programs may be available online. But call me old-fashioned — I like watching my favorite shows on my big ol’ LCD TV.

Not on my laptop or iPad.  Unless forced.

And this ‘two program limit per DVR’ is forcing me to not watch television in the comfort of my own living room.

Harumph.

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Posted in Business, Entertainment, Humor, Internet, Life, Philosophy, Technology, Television

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Looney tunes

Posted on April 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

We all know that B-list celebrities do reality shows to boast their sagging careers.  But to reveal their mental instabilities?

That’s just a viewer bonus.

I decided to watch this season of Celebrity Apprentice because Adam Corolla was in the cast.  I had seen him on Dancing with the Stars , and he was one of my favorites — self-effacing, witty, and yet really trying to win.

I like that.

Tragically, Adam was fired quite early on Apprentice. But Lisa Lampanelli, a comedienne I’ve never heard of until now, has provided more than ample entertainment.

It’s not that she’s that funny.  She’s mean.  Really mean.  And she has a tremendous ego.  (She is the smartest and most important person in the room and in every challenge, don’t you know.)

In the boardroom, where Donald Trump fires folks each week, she hurls verbal and mental abuse and F-bombs…and cries as a last resort.

She’s a fricking looney.

I don’t know if Lisa will win Celebrity Apprentice, but I doubt she is winning over any new fans in this endeavor.

Except perhaps a long line of psychiatrists, just chomping at the bit for her business.

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Posted in Celebrities, Comedy, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Television, TV

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6:30am

Posted on April 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Where were you at the crack of dawn?

image

I was in Times Square, shooting a commercial.  Now I’m in a van headed to our second location.

Did I mention who is directing the spot? The same guy who directed “Thriller” for Michael Jackson.

Whackadoodle doo.

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Posted in Advertising, Business, Celebrities, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Television, TV

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Going green

Posted on April 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

Last Saturday night, when college basketball fans like me were knee-deep in the Final Four, a host of Hollywood celebs were collecting more hardware at the Kids’ Choice Awards.

It takes all kinds, I suppose.

Now, this is one of the few awards show I don’t frequent (since I don’t have a kid).  But I do so enjoy perusing photos and video clips from the broadcast because of one wonderful tradition:

SLIME

You know…the green stuff?

Presenters and winners alike are always at risk of being slimed — and they never know when and where it will be coming.  Here we see Chris Colfer, who plays Kurt on Glee, getting a surprise shot in the chin while announcing an award.

And poor Halle Berry wasn’t even safe in the audience.  Some guy poured a bucket ‘o the green stuff over her unsuspecting head.

It’s a good thing she dressed down for the festivities.  Try explaining green goo when you return your just-out-on-loan gown to the designer.

Awkward.

The slime hasn’t changed my viewing plans for next year’s awards…but it does make we wonder:

Wouldn’t tonight’s NCAA Championship Finals be even more fun with a bit of surprise slime for the winners?

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Posted in Basketball, Celebrities, Entertainment, Humor, Life, March Madness, Sports, Television, TV

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Got game?

Posted on March 28, 2012 | 3 Comments

There are celebrities…

…and there are Kentucky celebrities.

Josh Hutcherson, who portrays Peeta in the blockbuster film The Hunger Games, hails from Union, Kentucky.  And like all good Kentuckians, Josh is a diehard UK fan.

He’s also a face painter.

He shared this pic last night during his appearance on Conan. And he revealed that co-star Jennifer Lawrence, also a Kentucky native, is a Louisville Cardinal fan.

Really.

Well, I definitely know who I’m backing in The Hunger Games now.

GO CATS!

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Posted in Basketball, Celebrities, Entertainment, Humor, March Madness, Movies, Sports, Television, TV

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