January 2009 Archives

by Markus Farhan, Access producer

 

I was at the March of Dimes photo shoot with our own Nancy O'Dell and while we had a small break, I went to the bathroom at the Smash Studios in Hollywood.

 

As I was finishing going number one, I came out of the stall to wash up and looked over at this tall, good-looking guy that I thought was a model but looked darn familiar.

 

As he proceeded to the sink where I was, I turned to him and said, "You know you look a lot like Tom Brady."

 

The gentlemen responded in a deep voice with, "I get that a lot".

 

I then said, "Wait a minute, you are Tom Brady!" and he responded with "I get that a lot too."

Deanna Pappas may not have found her happy ending on "The Bachelorette," after calling off her engagement to snowboarder Jesse Csincsak, but the show was not a complete loss. Of course, her number two choice, Jason Mesnick, is currently taking his spin on ABC's "The Bachelor," hoping to find his own happy ending. Even more interesting though is how Deanna's bachelor rejects have struck up a very close "bromance" since the show ended.

 

A group of the guys including Jesse, Jeremy Anderson (a lawyer from Dallas,TX), Richard Mathy (a science teacher from Binghamton, NY) and Brian Westendorf (a high school football coach from Ft. Worth, TX)  have become extremely close friends and recently hooked up for a ski reunion weekend in Jesse's hometown of Breckenridge, Colorado.

 

"As soon as we were legally allowed to talk to one another we were on the phone and email and MySpace and texting each other, talking about all the insanity that was our whirlwind 'Bachelorette' experience," Brian told me. 

 

Last night Tina Fey's three-year-old daughter, Alice, got a huge thank you in Tina's SAG Awards acceptance speech. Fey called her the, "funniest person in my family" and cited how her daughter will put on pretend makeup in the mirror and declare, "I look like Barack Obama."

 

She also told the audience inside the Shrine Auditorium about how Alice coins phrases for her mom's show like, "I want to go to there." Well, it turns out Alice might be able to collect some funds from the writers guild or at least get a consultant fee from her mom! Alice's newly coined phrase, "I want to go to there" made it into this week's episode of "30 Rock" - and it's not the first time the line's been used!

 

The phrase has become a regular Liz Lemon utterance, having been used by her in at least two previous episodes. In the high school reunion episode, when they offer Liz a gift card to Outback Steakhouse, she says, "I want to go to there."

By Jeremy Blacklow, AccessHollywood.com managing editor

 

All the action from the red carpet at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards...

 

3 PM - Thank goodness the weather is decent today! Last year for SAG, it was pouring rain, and then it became boiling hot. It's a beautiful LA day for an awards show.

 

The entire Access Hollywood team is getting read for the red carpet to begin!

 

3:15 PM - Nancy O'Dell looks gorgeous today in her one strap red Alberto Makali gown, matching the red carpet. AccessHollywood.com's Laura "Dish of Salt" Saltman is further down the carpet at our fashion position.

 

3:16 PM - The first stars are trickling in. The stars of "The Office" are all here. Phyllis looks great!

 

First interview is with "Doubt" star Viola Davis - stunning in bright yellow.

#10 -- "Congratulations. The baby's arm is sticking out. Why don't you high five it?"

-- ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

 

Tom Scavo to wife Lynette (during a flashback) who has just secured a new job over the phone while she is in labor and Tom is trying to get her to the hospital.

 

# 9 --  "When people are at war or their houses burn down, they might not be in the mood either. But it's my job as a 'journalist' to be insensitive for entertainment purposes."

-- NBC's "Kath and Kim"

 

Kim Day to her mom, Kath, outside a crime scene (while making an audition tape to become a local news reporter) about reporting negative news stories.

 

#8 --  "To put it into horse racing terms, imagine 22 horses and a donkey. You just wouldn't stand a chance."

-- FOX's "American Idol"

 

Simon Cowell to contestant (and terrible singer) Tiffany Shedd during auditions at the famous Churchill Downs horse-racing track, home of the Kentucky Derby.

Those of us who follow "American Idol" religiously each and every season remember when the name Carly Hennessy first came to light last year, prior to last season's audition shows.

 

Carly (who it was later found out had gotten married and her married name was Smithson) was a contestant who it turned out had a prior record deal with MCA, where Randy Jackson was working when she was signed. She released an album, which failed and was later dropped by the label. Smithson was viciously criticized by "Idol" bloggers and fans for being a "plant" placed in the competition by the producers after the story broke on votefortheworst.com. This season, the message boards are once again lighting up about a contestant who is a "plant", discovered again by the sleuths at VFTW. However, this time her connection to the show runs much deeper, which has people crying foul.

 

Last night, during the Louisville, Kentucky, auditions we were introduced to a singer named, Joanna Pacitti, a 24-year-old from Philadelphia. When talking about her struggle to make it as an artist, Pacitti teared up, "I've lost a lot of confidence in the past year, but I'm just trying to really calm myself down and focus and go in there and just show them what I've got." What she's got (besides a great voice) is a very long history in the music industry.

 

 

"Twilight" fans pay attention!!

 

You see, a funny thing happened yesterday on the flight back from the Sundance Film Festival to Los Angeles.

 

There was a guy sitting in front of me in seat 5b who I thought looked familiar from behind. But who can make a definitive ID looking at the back of someone's melon, right? So, I thought I'd wait to see if he would get out of his seat and then I could take a peek and see if it was him.

by Mandi Norwood, author & guest Access blogger

 
Last week, you could have been forgiven for asking Jason Who? But this week, Jason Wu is a household name, thanks to Michelle Obama who chose to wear his design for last night's historic Inaugural Balls.
 
Now, with only a couple of weeks to go before New York Fashion Week, Jason Wu's show is the hot ticket. Every fashionista, socialite and celeb wants to get their hands on a Jason Wu runway pass. And who can blame them?
 

Hey there, just a lil' presidential perspective from here at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The largest crowd I have ever seen here at Sundance gathered on Main Street to witness the inauguration in 20-degree, yet sunny weather. Elevated flat screens lined the street as stereo speakers usually used for musical performances boomed audio that was indeed music to the ears of those gathered.

 

With the backdrop of the snowcapped mountains, brilliant blue sky and incredibly fresh air, I surveyed all those gathered down below my vantage point and then -- it hit me. Nearly every single person had a smile on their face. I kid you not. The warmth and love you could have bottled. Little kids in snowsuits on their parents shoulders, couples holding hands, strangers smiling and talking to strangers and then the occasional "whoop!" and a "cheer" as we moved closer to seeing the swearing in of our new president.

by Mandi Norwood, author & Access guest blogger

 

It was all white on the night. After months of frenzied speculation about who and what Michelle Obama would wear on the evening of her husband's inauguration, Mrs. O chose a white confection of beaded chiffon by fledgling designer, Jason Wu.

 
The full-skirted ball gown with a singular shoulder strap is even prettier and fluffier than Wu's 'playful socialite' signature, which has taken an edgier turn of late.

 

And it's strikingly more girlie than any outfit Mrs. Obama has worn to date. Known for her simple silhouettes, bold colors and jaw-dropping choice of accessories, Mrs. O's surprising deviation is more fairytale gown than femme fatale. Which, considering the story of her husband's journey to the White House, probably makes it quite fitting.
 

So, its week three of "The Bachelor" and after a never-ending recap of last week, host Chris Harrison visits the ladies to reveal Stephanie will get the first one-on-one date.

 

Jason takes her to the beach and she braves a bad hair day by the sea air. Jason surprises her with a visit from her daughter Sophia on her birthday. Doesn't this break the cardinal rule of single parenting? Don't introduce your child to someone you are dating until you are sure it is someone special? Sophia puts on the requisite party dress and they all head to Legoland. At this point, Jason sure seems like he has more chemistry with Sophia then Stephanie. During an interview, Jason tells the cameras about his son, "Ty and Sophia would be great together" I sense a "but" was edited out.

 

Jason gives her a rose but no kiss which doesn't bode well for their future considering in last week's episode his kiss count was 4 girls. Jason Kiss Count: 0

by Mandi Norwood, author & Access guest blogger

 

What can we say, but Wow, Wow and Wow!

 

When Mrs. Obama appeared at Barack's side this inaugural morning, she was more than a breath of fresh air. She was a dazzling ray of sunshine in a gorgeous yellow, mirrored ensemble by Isabel Toledo.

 

Symbolizing optimism and confidence, the sheath dress and coat was a spectacular feat of glamour and artistry by the Cuban-born designer who was recently awarded the 2008 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion. Slightly retro, beautifully tailored and fashioned with cheerful daisies with mirrored centers, the shimmering two-piece reflected the magnitude of the occasion, yet the simple silhouette created the accessibility of shape we have come to love of Mrs. O. Ever the style pragmatist, Mrs. Obama incorporated a super-fine layer of cozy cashmere between the dress and coat, pinned at the neck (to stop unsightly flapping and fluttering) by a vintage inspired diamante brooch.

Faith Hill was so genuinely excited to be part of the festivities, it was refreshing. She was giddy.

 

It's 6 AM here and I'm heading to the Capitol for the swearing in ceremony.

 

Every street is blocked off with either an armored car or a bus.

 

Security is everywhere. This is the most exciting event I've ever been a part of in my life -- and nothing will probably ever compare.

Hollywood stylistas panned her choice of a golden gown at the Golden Globes last Sunday comparing it to a toga. But now, "Brothers and Sisters" star Rachel Griffiths is explaining her unusual dress by revealing she is pregnant with her third child.
 
"I know everybody was chattering at the Golden Globes about what I was hiding under that big gold tent," Griffiths joked to Access Hollywood at the G'Day USA gala, where she was presented with the Excellence in TV and Film award by her "Brothers and Sisters" co-stars Sally Field and Matthew Rhys.
 
Griffiths was glowing in a black one-shoulder gown as her husband, Andrew Taylor, playfully rubbed her belly while they posed for pictures.
 
"The bump has been released. I don't have to suck it anymore," a smilingly Griffiths added.
 

#10 -- "Tell me where the device is! So help me God, I will kill you and you will stay dead this time."

-- Fox's "24"
 

Jack Bauer to Tony Almeida who had been believed to be dead after he was killed in Season Five.

 

#9 -- "Welcome to Hollywood!"

-- FOX's "American Idol
 

The three little words every auditioner is praying to hear from the judges as "American Idol" launched its eighth season this week.

 

#8 -- "Afterwards, there was a fight over who would pay the lunch bill but eventually they all agreed that they would just leave it up to future generations."

-- NBC's "Saturday Night Live"
 

Seth Meyers on Weekend Update about the historic lunch meeting between President-elect Barack Obama and the living presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

Scott Bakula is one busy guy these days.
 
His mid-life crisis dramedy, "Men of a Certain Age," which co-stars Ray Romano and Andre Braugher, was just picked up for 10 episodes by TNT. He'll be reprising his role this spring playing new Christine's father, Jeff, on CBS's "The New Adventures Of Old Christine" and now I've learned from a source Bakula has signed on for a three episode stint on NBC's "Chuck" playing the dad of Zachary Levi's character Chuck Bartowski.

This will solve the long mystery of just who is Chuck's (and his sister Ellie's) father and why have they not seen him in years.

So far, all that has been revealed is that their dad is some kind of engineer.
 
Could he be working for the government or worse, for FULCRUM?

The consensus seems to be split over whether adding new fourth judge Kara DioGuardi was beneficial or unnecessary for Season 8 of "American Idol." A few critics have been praising her while others have been dissing her. On our Web site poll, 35 percent say you love her, 34 percent are not sure and 30 percent say no thanks. I'm reserving my judgment until we get to the live shows next month.

I spoke with Kara this week about her big wedding news  -- she recently got engaged to her school teacher-turned-general contractor boyfriend, Mike McCuddy  -- and how she feels about 30 million people knowing her name after this week's season premiere episodes:

 

By Jim Kiernan

Last night in NYC I was among the lucky invited to a Warner Bros. hosted presentation for their upcoming May 22 release of the latest entry in the Terminator series, "Terminator: Salvation." Director McG, best known for the quick cutting one-two punch of 'Charlie's Angels' and 'Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," was on hand to introduce never before seen selections from the film starring Christian Bale as John Conner, the man who leads humanity out of the nuclear ashes following Judgment Day (and previously portrayed by Eddie Furlong and Nick Stahl in T's 2 and 3, respectively).
 
McG was excited to talk up the footage and the film at length in as much detail as he could in a spoiler free forum. He was down to earth, personable, and very honest about things like both his own and James Cameron's initial unfavorable response to making another Terminator pic, how much he wanted to make a gritty war film that was loyal to the established mythology, and working with the incredibly intense Christian Bale, whom he considers one of the greatest actors of his generation (and, of course, he demanded extensive script re-writes before he'd sign on to the project). 
 
The script draws predominantly from James Cameron's first two films, acknowledges T3 somewhat, and leaves FOXs 'Sarah Conner Chronicles' out in the cold.  He said the first film was about saving Sarah Conner, and the second one was about saving John Conner, this one is about saving Kyle Reese. He called it the Holy Trinity of Terminator.
 
McG promises a character driven film with an elliptical and challenging ending that will piss off a lot of people (and clarified that everything rumored on the Internet regarding the ending has been wrong).
 
They showed a high octane chase sequence in the desert that heavily evoked "Road Warrior" meets "Matrix" meets "Transformers" with some temp FX, but it is definitely gritty, fast, and loud. The deafening sound design was all there and it was fun to see actors being vaulted and thrown about on wires that will be digitally removed later.

Yesterday I weighed in on the Brad and Angelina red carpet snub for Seacrest.

In short, if you're any good, "it happens." Ryan is and thus it can happen. Most red carpet mic holders are so safe and buttery that they make the whole "arrivals" thing fodder for haters.

But apparently it's Seacrest's turn in the barrel right now.

Tuesday night he high-fived a blind guy... Hey, it happens. Realizing it quickly, Ryan made up for it by telling the guy and taking his hand to complete the universal sign of approval. Scott McIntyre, the contestant, didn't care... Why should anyone else?

It's not easy getting Michael J. Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, to say "yes" to many acting gigs. His good friend Denis Leary, however, was able to lure him back to television for a five episode stint on F/X's "Rescue Me" beginning in April. 

 

According to Leary, Fox has always been a big fan of the show ever since Leary sent him the pilot, "He called back and he said, this is really good television. So, I've asked him other questions about casting and stuff over the years."

 

Leary says he had also been asking Michael for years to come on the show but Fox always told him he was to busy with work and his kids.

 

"We wrote this role without thinking of Michael and we got done with it and we said, Peter Tolan ["Rescue Me's" Executive Producer] said, 'Let's call Michael.' So, it started as a lark. I think he liked it because it wasn't just funny, it was also dramatic."

After a never ending recap of last week's episode we come back from commercial to see Jason shipping his son Tyler back home so he can go on his woman hunt alone. Cut to the remaining 15 bachelorettes arriving at the mansion where they will be living, and seeing it for the first time. Cue the blood curdling screams. Turns out they might be spending more time than they think in the house as host Chris Harrison reveals not all the girls will get to go on a date each week with Jason. So, let's see. They left their homes, friends and jobs to spend several weeks with 14 other hot women? 

 

Jason arrives for an "impromptu" pool party, which gives ABC plenty of time to show the women in bikinis. They do know that the main audience for this show is women and we really don't enjoy the bikini shots? Fortunately, some equal opportunity time is given as Jason takes his shirt off and gets ogled by the girls. The whole gang gets into some chicken fights in the pool and then Jason has another truly sparkling ketchup and mustard conversation with Jillian. Shannon gives her creepy "I'm here for you and I know everything I know about you" speech while she rubs suntan lotion on Jason's tanned, toned, muscular shoulders. Sorry, lost my train of thought for a second. Jason, who clearly is just not that into her, tells Shannon, "Continue being your goofy self."  -- i.e. let's just be friends. 

What better way to have started off my Golden Globes weekend than a trip to Access Hollywood's 3rd annual "Stuff You Must" lounge. For every celebrity that stopped by the lounge a donation was made by CVS pharmacy to Best Buddies and the Lollipop Theater Network. So, just showing up was a bonus, besides the opportunity to check out some very cool new products. Of course, I was like a kid in a candy store -- not because of all the goodies -- but because I was in serious TV heaven with some of my favorite stars in attendance.

 

My first stop was at the Bertolli Living Room where I got a chance to dish with the stars as they were treated to Bertolli Oven Bake Meals. "High School Musical" songstress Vanessa Hudgens ate not one but two plates of lasagna despite being on an almond diet. "Wizards of Waverly Place" star Selena Gomez picked up some special treats for her family, "Yes, I have my food for the next six weeks and I can pop dinner in the oven and cook for my family!"

 

Despite having a bit of a cold, I shared a taste test with Cloris Leachman of some extremely yummy Bertolli ravioli. Fortunately, she let me have the first bite… but if I start sniffling I'll know who to blame. Then again, how many people can say they shared a meal with Cloris!

Everybody's asking me about Brad and Angie stopping for me and not Seacrest.

It happens, especially with the big stars that arrive late, that sometimes you get them, sometimes you don't.

Then, someone showed me this from an Us Magazine posting today:

"Jolie and Pitt did stop for NBC's Billy Bush, but Seacrest said, 'there's an NBC deal there. NBC hosted the Globes, and they have a deal to talk to the people who come to the Globes.

"Here's what I realized when I went down there,' Seacrest went on. 'I realized quickly that it's against the rules to walk down onto the carpet from the platform."

Ryan must be assuming I was doing the official NBC pre-show whose producers, like all those running official live telecasts, try as hard as they can to set up commitments from stars in advance.

By Tony Potts & Adam Jordan

1. They need to redeem themselves for a widely panned Day Six. Jack Bauer's dad and brother helping the terrorists? C'mon!
 

2.  Because of last year's writer's strike, Day 7 was sidelined and the show hasn't been on the air since May 2007!
 

3. Kiefer Sutherland thinks the strike may have actually got the creative juices flowing for Day

 

4. Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) returns and he might just be a bad guy now. Bernard says, "Okay bad is such a relative term. Let's call him morally challenged at the present time."
 

5. Jack and Tony face off in an ass kicking fight!

#10 -- "It's the most romantic season ever!"

-- ABC's "The Bachelor"

 

The first of many annoying "most ever" assertions by host Chris Harrison heard every single season on the show (but never really true).

 

#9 -- "Oh, its a cross between beautiful and gross. I want to cry and vomit!"

-- NBC's Kath and Kim

 

Craig Baker (Mikey Day) on witnessing the miracle of puppy birth.

 

#8 -- "I would like to say I miss you French fries. I miss you so much. I'm sorry! It's over between us."

-- Lifetime's "Diet Tribe"

 

Contestant Megan Stewart to the cameras about the new diet regime she is following.

 

OK, I know he is going to kill me for this one, but it made me laugh so I just had to throw it out there for all my fans of "The Bachelor" -- before he became America's most eligible bachelor, Jason Mesnick used to be a male nanny.

 

According to him, it was something he did in college.

 

"Yeah, that was my job. I always knew I wanted to work with kids. I was studying child psychology and I knew I was going to work somehow in that field," Jason said.

 

Yep, he was a manny!

 

.

"The Biggest Loser" season seven premiered last night just in time to help motivate us to get off the couch and lose the holiday cookie, cake and cocktail pounds we packed on. I loved on Monday when the nurse at my doctor's office chuckled at me for gaining four pounds in the two weeks since I had last been (just before Christmas day). Clearly, I had one too many brownies.

 

But I digress... So, this season's "Losers" are the heaviest contestants yet and the show offered up the biggest twist yet. Nine of the eleven couples were forced to send a team member home in the first week (each team, except for the team that won the weigh in and the team with immunity, had to nix one player). The catch is that if the remaining players at the ranch do no get eliminated after 30 days, then their partner can return and continue to compete. This means the players who were sent home would have to lose the weight on their own, at home, without the use of Bob or Jillian or any of the other ranch perks (like a tricked out gym.)

 

ABC sent out a preview this morning of what will happen on next week's episode, and I've got your sneak peak. Two women will go one one-on-one dates:  A private performance by singer-songwriter Robin Thicke at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and a panoramic ride over Los Angeles in the Goodyear Blimp. In yet another "Bachelor" twist the women are totally blindsided by an announcement that some of them won't have a date at all before Jason has his next rose ceremony. Oh the drama (insert sarcasm here)! One woman even decides to leave the show before the rose ceremony.
 
Jason pays an unannounced visit to the ladies' villa, attempting to catch the women off guard in order to find the right one to complete his family. Cue the bikinis. A pool party "breaks out" (ABC's words... Not mine) and the fun starts, as one woman after another seeks to lure Jason away for a few precious minutes. 
 

So, after a devastating loss by my Ohio State Buckeyes last night in the Fiesta Bowl, I tried to drown my sorrows in a little "Bachelor" nonsense.

 

I thought with Jason being a single dad, the girls might be a little bit more respectable. Not so much. In case you missed it (or just want to get a chuckle at my take on it) here is what went down in the season opening episode...

 

Of course, we have to start with a little refresher course of how DeAnna broke Jason's heart, which only serves to give DeAnna more airtime for herself. This girl never met a camera she didn't love. Then, Jason explains why he decided to put himself through another round of the show. I can't really tell you what he said because after they showed a shot of him shirtless doing pull-ups I stopped paying attention to anything he actually said. Clearly one of the producers is a chick. Smart girl in my opinion because we all know that bikini shots of the "ladies" (and I use that term loosely) will be strewn all over this show soon.

 

 

Did anyone happen to catch "Superstars of Dance" last night on NBC?

 

Don't worry you did not miss anything.

 

Now, I'm a big fan of dance as most of you know. I love "Dancing With the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance" and watch them religiously each season. I love all sorts of dance from ballet to hip hop even country line dancing (I actually hosted a pilot for a line dance show!).

 

So, I was looking forward to seeing what Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe had in store for us. Needless to say I was disappointed from the first 10 seconds when host Michael Flatley very flatly delivered his opening lines. He's a fantastic dancer, terrible host. Then it came time to meet the judges, a real cast of characters from different countries. Unfortunately, this motley crew had about as much personality as Michael's dance shoes.

I can't tell you the countless number of times I have sat down to write this blog. But every time, I either start tearing up or I feel I won't be able to come up with words good enough.
 
The holidays bring out so many emotions and feelings. I was recently asked by my hometown newspaper, the Sun News in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to tell them about my most memorable Christmas for an article they were doing. I chose last year. Here is what I wrote:
 
"Being with my family during the holidays has always been my first priority. We've had many wonderful Christmases throughout the years, but last year was especially poignant. It was the first Christmas with my beautiful baby girl, Ashby, and the last Christmas with my wonderful mother. It made me realize just how much those times and memories with your family should always be treasured and should never be taken for granted. Last Christmas, my mom had recently been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). So while it was a very tough Christmas for all of us, the time I spent with her was truly precious and memorable. And as it was Ashby's first Christmas, I was so grateful that my mom got to meet her and they got to spend time together as grandmother and granddaughter during the Christmas season. My mom passed away this June, but she already gave me the biggest gift for which anyone could hope... she showed me how to be a great mother. If I can be just half the mother my mom was to me, I will be a great one. And I know she will be watching over us this year as a Christmas angel."
 
I tried to keep in mind this Christmas what I had written about times and memories always being treasured and never taken for granted. I knew I would have to draw upon those words during this holiday season, as it would be an emotional one for us being the first one without my mom.
 
So there we were Christmas Day having dinner when "Ave Maria" started playing on our CD player. That was one of my mom's favorite songs. I had to excuse myself from the dinner table because the song made me think of Mom and how I miss her so very much... and the tears started coming. My husband followed me into the living room to comfort me. I told him how it just didn't feel right to not have Mom there... that there was such a void and loneliness to the air.

I always love starting the New Year at a wonderful, inspirational church service.

 

For me, it is the best way to give thanks for all the blessings that I have received, to reflect on what I want to accomplish in the coming year and to remind myself to live a life of service and to be a blessing to others.

 

Last night, my dad and I rang in the New Year at Faithful Central Bible Church at the Great Western Forum with a crowd of about 10,000 and it was simply magnificent!