February 2009 Archives

"Women are like crock pots. They heat up very slowly to get to a simmer. Men are microwaves. A to Z. Boom!"

-- Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker"

Matchmaker Patti Stanger to the cameras when one of her male clients tries to move to fast on a first date.

#9 - "Everything's gone cocoa for koo koo poops. Is that right?"

-- NBC's "30 Rock"

Elisa (Salma Hayek) mangling the famous line "koo koo for Cocoa Puffs" to Jack Donaghy (Alex Baldwin) while everyone is trying to leave the city due to the economic crisis.

See the rest of the top 10 inside!

So, if you haven't heard about all Jason Mesnick's "The Bachelor" drama and the big, shocking scandal over Melissa and Molly and the switcheroo then stop reading.
 
Spoilers galore are all over this posting!
 
I have a feeling anyone reading this already knows and has been discussing it for days. First, I want to say that I knew about the whole thing almost a month ago. The information came to me through a "Bachelor" source and I chose not to leak it. I think other magazines (in fact,I know one for sure) knew about it as well and they too chose to keep the information to themselves. Why? For me it was out of respect for the fans who dedicate a couple of months of their life to this show. Sure it's cheesy and most of the time the couples break up a few months after the finale but there is something so delightfully fun about trying to figure out who he picks. I just didn't want to ruin that for anyone. Now that it's out there in all the magazines this week, I'm coming forward with what I know. 

It's week two of the Top 36 performances. Let's break down the performances.

 

Well, first let's again start with the clothes. Ryan Seacrest looks like he should be teaching English at West Beverly High School, not hosting a national TV show seen by 25 million-plus viewers. Paula Abdul is rocking some cleavage tonight but the gray does mesh well with Simon Cowell's drab colored and super thin T-shirt. He's worried about the lighting on the set but not about wearing a sloppy looking shirt? I wonder what sport Randy Jackson lettered in for that sweater? I have no idea what Kara DioGuardi is wearing. All I see is hair.

 

Jasmine Murray - I zoned out. I hate that song. The radio overplayed it and Jasmine's less than stellar singing tonight made me like it even less.

 

Matt Giraud - Did we ever see this kid before tonight? I think if you had lack of airtime you should just put it right out there in the taped piece so I know. Is it just me or does this kid look just like Justin Timberlake? Maybe he should have chosen "Cry Me A River" instead of a Coldplay song.

Last week when they unveiled the new "American Idol Experience" at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida all seven "American Idol" winners were there. It was the first time all the winners had been on a stage together and "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller had a huge surprise for them. He and host Ryan Seacrest presented them with a newly designed silver trophy, shaped like a microphone, which from now on all Idol winners will receive at the show's finale as they are announced the winner.  

 

I caught up with season six champ Jordin Sparks at the premiere of the Jonas Brothers new 3D concert film where she was still overjoyed about the experience of meeting up with all the Idols.

 

"I had a blast," she told me, "I could not even believe that all the winners were there together. Because I watched the show since it started and they all influenced me to audition. So being up there I was like 'oh my gosh, I can't believe this is happening!'"

 

After working last night's unsettling Oscar assignment, I arrived home and reminisced back to an awards show that I now love:  The Independent Spirit Awards which were Saturday on the beach in Santa Monica, California. What a difference it makes to be able to hang backstage in a cool, comfortable environment where celebrities leave their pretensions at home. The dress is chic and casual and no one really frets about what they are going to wear. In fact, I was probably a little overdressed in my little black dress. Of course, I didn't mind that I was looking cute when Jon Hamm walked into the official presenters' gift lounge where I was camped out for the day. Just for coming inside Palm was making a donation on behalf of each celebrity to Project: Involve. Hamm was with his long-time girlfriend, Jennifer Westfeldt. Darn! Just kidding. She's sweet. She grabbed some B Tempted lingerie by Wacoal, which made Jon very happy (but not me!)

 

I mostly spent the day checking out the cool stuff the celebrities were being gifted and observing all the action. Alec Baldwin popped in and stopped at each and every station. He grabbed some Blue Notch Denim and a Carlos Falchi purse for his daughter Ireland. After each stop he would take a picture with all the ladies by linking arms. I just had to call him out on this. We had a very funny exchange where I told him it looked like he was about to walk me down the aisle!  His response? "That's right I am too old for you!"  I told him he wasn't so instead we did a "Prom" pose, which Alec decided, made it look like we were getting married. He said "I Do." I said "I Do Too!"

 

And there you have it. Sorry Zach Levi. Sorry Rob Pattinson. I've got a new guy. Well maybe not because that evening Alec was spotted at the movies with another girl! I wonder who she was because he did tell the gals at SakRoots, right before I interviewed him, that he didn't have anyone special in his life. Well, you do now! Alec, call me hubby! 

10:56 PM -- This party seems to be a major bust. Right now I just might be the most famous person in the room! Oh wait... no, there is celebrity stylist Philip Bloch. He ranks a notch above me. That's what we call a bust-o-rama! I think its time to wrap it up and head home.

10:00 PM -- Annoyed again with Samantha Ronson. She mixes in and out of songs too fast. Just when it's getting good she goes to another song. Play the darn song! She did the same thing at the ESPN party at the Super Bowl.

9:55 PM -- Kevin McKidd from "Grey's Anatomy," with his pretty wife, gets a drink next to me at the bar. I think he recognizes from when I interviewed him for "Journeyman." We lock eyes in the mirror behind the bar.

9:00 PM -- Lindsay Lohan arrives in a horrible creme colored mini dress with six inch black heels at the Mercedes Benz party. She's unbelievable skinny. Her girlfriend Samantha Ronson, who is very very skinny herself, is DJ'ing the party. So far the music sucks. She gets paid $3,000 an hour for this?! I'd give them my iPod party shuffle for free and it would be way better than this!

8:30 PM -- Paris Hilton's pop Rick is here with her mom Kathy. Paris is nowhere to be seen. It's way to early for her to even think about going out. She's probably still sleeping!

6:30 PM -- arrive to the Mercedes Benz party. I'm told Michael Bolton and Padma Laksmi (sp) are the only celebs inside. I go in anyway. I gotta watch the show!

4:55 PM -- Alicia Keys is the last celebrity to arrive on the carpet. I'm off to the parties now!

SMoore, 9:07 PM -- Mad rush to leave...

Jen Aniston and John Mayer are lost... arm-in-arm looking for exit from the Kodak.

MJ Farhan (at the Elton John party), 8:03 PM --
Standing in the line outside the event and Kiefer Sutherland and Kate Beckinsale are in line to use the private port-a-potties... didn't even ask...

Later Kiefer and I are outside talking about one of my favorite movies ever, "Young Guns." He was very pleased and told me that he was 20 when they made that movie and they were all kids when they filmed it! He wishes he could have enjoyed that time more cause they all took it for granted! He also said that Emilio Estevez is the nicest and funniest person you will ever meet and if I ever do please tell him Kiefer said so.

MovieMantz, 8 PM -- I haven't eaten since 1:30, but I'm so excited to be here that I didn't think about my stomach! My hunger finally got the best of me, so I decided to wait in line for a turkey sandwich.

It took forever to get to the front of the line, but when I got there, I turned around to see Oscar nominee Michael Shannon standing in the very back.

So I went back, asked what he was drinking and bought him a Champaign and a gin-and-tonic, so he didn't have to wait!

He was very nice and said, "thank you," and what do I get for my good deed? They were all out of turkey sandwiches!

Damn. I'm hungry!

Tony Potts (at the "Slumdog" party), 7:58 PM -- Place erupts... going crazy for A.R. Rahman... and another "Slumdog" win.

SMoore, 7:45 PM -- Angie and Brad hold hands to 1st Floor Bar... they cut, but it's OK... we all forgive...

SMoore, 7:32 PM -- Anne Hathaway beelines it to Powder Room. Moms are awesome... helps with gown... complicated, very complicated and they chat about how lovely Viola Davis is...

MovieMantz, 7:10 PM -- Marisa Tomei getting cozy with her date (boyfriend?) in the corner of the exclusive bar. She doesn't care who's looking at her, but then she stops to answer her cell phone.

After the call, she goes back to being cozy again.

Everyone stops everything and gets really quiet to watch Heath Ledger win Supporting Actor - and see/hear who will accept on his behalf.

Even Marisa Tomei walked to the front of the TV to watch this momentous moment. But she's laughing at Christopher Walken's weird hairdo!

Comeback star Mickey Rourke won Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday for his role in "The Wrestler" -- his speech was funny, moving and outrageous as usual (filled with profanity and sex jokes)!

He dedicated his award to his late dog Loki (almost cried), and he went on about how Eric Roberts should be given the second chance that he got!

And he gave a shout-out to Marisa Tomei, who played a stripper in "The Wrestler."

"Not many girls can climb the pole," he said of his co-star. "She climbed the pole, and she did it well."

If he wins Best Actor tonight, those sensors at ABC better be on 5-second delay!

Usually when I'm going to do an interview, after the first live results show, it's with the first four contestants eliminated from the show. With the new top 36 format in place on "American Idol" though, this time I actually got to meet three of our Top 12 contestants - Michael Sarver, Alexis Grace and Danny Gokey. Sweet, sweet and super sweet. That was my first impression of the trio. No egos, no sense of entitlement just three genuine people ecstatic to be living out their dreams.

 

Normally by this time, I have researched every nook and cranny of these people's lives! Since my job has kept me super busy the last couple of months, I haven't been able to be as sleuthy as I have in the past seasons.

 

So, this is where I got the chance to learn a little bit about each of the contestants. This is stuff some Idol fans may already know but it's new to me:

 

Last night "American Idol" returned with its first live show. Rather than recap what happened, this season I've decided I'm going to channel my inner Simon Cowell and just break it down as I see and hear it. Within three seconds of the show starting I'm already annoyed with Tatiana Del Toro. What is up with the head shaking during Ryan Seacrest's intro? I'm also distracted by everyone's wardrobe. Apparently, the wardrobe stylist has decided to forgo the suit and put Ryan in some type of cross between a Cosby and a Mr. Rogers sweater ensemble. Ryan mentions it's Kara's DioGuardi's first live show. I think she and Randy must have called each other so they could wear matching ridiculous black and white outfits. Paula needs to lose the bangs and the back combed hair. As for Simon, well at least he is consistent.

 

Jackie Tohn is up first wearing an outfit clearly inspired by Olivia Newton-John at the end of "Grease" when she's all, "You better wake up... cause I need a man" to John Travolta. She should have gone for the Olivia spiked heels and not those bizarre sneakers. She sings "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis Presley. I like the raspy vocals, hate the dancing. 

I recently interviewed Bono and The Edge... nicest, most humble guys in rock 'n' roll.

 

Over 30 years together and not one rocker cliche applies -- nobody's ever quit, nobody's punched a photog (although it's documented Edge punched Bono right in the kisser!), no overdose...

 

Bono and Edge's two sons are close friends and are making music together on Garage Band... Bono said, "If we get this U2 thing right, we might have a franchise!" Must be tough for those boys to play their beats for their dads, where the toughest critics also love you more than any men alive.

For the first time ever in "American Idol" history all seven winners gathered together in one place - the happiest place on earth! Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook all gathered together on stage at the opening of the "American Idol Experience" at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Earlier in the day the winners (minus Kelly) and several other past finalists made their grand entrance on Disney's Hollywood Boulevard via convertibles. Fans inside the park lined the street for a glimpse of their Idol favorites and I was right in the center of it as host of the blue carpet arrivals.

 

Teaming up with one of the "American Idol's Experience's" hosts, I had the honor of introducing each Idol as they made their way down the carpet and then interviewing them for the crowd inside the park. Besides the winners, several runner-ups attended the event including Justin Guarini, now a host on TV Guide Channel, Diana DeGarmo, Bo Bice and last season's popular favorite David Archuleta. It would have been nice to see Clay Aiken, Katherine McPhee and Blake Lewis at the event but I guess they chose not to make it or had conflicting schedules. Too bad for them because it was a blast! 

Yesterday, I attended the Grand Opening of Disney's new theme park attraction at their Hollywood Studios, The American Idol Experience.  

If you have ever wanted to know what it's like to audition for the show, then this is the place to go first. I got a sneak peek at the attraction, which opens tomorrow officially to the public. I arrived and was told that I would need to choose a 30 second song, anything I wanted, which I would then sing for a Disney casting director. I made it through that and then was ushered in to sing for the producer.

I'm then ushered into the "red room" which is similar to what they have at Idol. This is where you sit with an iPod and can choose from over 100 songs to sing. I chose to sing "Achy Breaky Heart" because I figured I could never be as bad as William Hung! You chill for a while and learn your song and then it's time to sing for the producers. The good thing here is that words are on a karaoke style screen so you don't need to remember them! Despite my lack of vocal skills I made it through and would be singing on stage! I was handed a yellow ticket (actually a credential that said "Vote For Me") and just for the heck of it... Oh OK, who am I kidding just because our cameras were there I screamed those famous words, "I'm going to Hollywood!"

Next, I was brought into a hair and makeup room to get stage ready. Then a vocal coach worked with me on my song and gave me tips on performance, how to move and how to work the camera. Finally, it was my big moment. I was rushed to the stage for my big performance. A stage manager led me to my mark. I stood out and looked at the crowd of tens.

Where was the thousand member audience?! Well, this was just a press day so no audience was there, which I'm thankful for now that I watched the footage back! I belted out my best "Achey Breaky," danced a little, even pretended to sing to Simon who, of course, was not there!  Again the words were up on a huge screen karaoke style. I wish I had learned the lyrics though because it really was just like doing karaoke on a huge stage. Then as fast as it started it was over. My 90 seconds of glory were up. Sure, I can't sing -- but I headed the advice given to me along the way, "Just have fun." And boy did I ever have fun!  

For more information on the attraction, Click Here!

Later that night I got to see an example "finale show" and how it will look when it all comes together. This was a special version though for press with Ryan Seacrest, Paula Abdul and all seven Idol winners but we did get a good glimpse of the process. The stage is literally an exact replica of Idol's set last seen in season six. The show will have a host, a la Ryan, and three judges. There is no band, just a backing track like they used in season one which Kelly Clarkson always jokingly likes to call "Ghetto Idol" (She said that to me again last night when I interviewed her!).

By AJ

Billy Joel was the very first concert I ever saw as a teen. All these years later it is still cool to go to a concert where you know and love almost every song - and added bonus; you can understand the musician (and sing along). You can also look around at the concert and see how many fans also know every word. BJ is also the concert I have seen most. The act doesn't change all that much over the years - and it doesn't matter either.

Before tonight, I saw him most recently at Madison Square Garden when they were recording for his next CD. So, of course, I then added "Live from MSG" to my Billy Joel CD collection. Actually, I had that CD in my car radio last month when it had an electrical issue and the mechanic replaced the radio and my CD was gone - but that is a whole other blog.
Luckily I have at least 35 of BJ's greatest safe on multiple iPods. Thanks Steve Jobs.

Back to BJ on tour - up until tonight my most intimate and unique concert of his that I also shared with my wife and fellow Billy fan was the total and complete opposite of a box at Madison Square Garden. It was in Hawaii at an outdoor casual venue.

I was with my fam on annual vacation and I see a little sign by the concierge desk that said "Tuesday night Billy Joel Live in concert." So odd for us as we think of him with such a NY state of mind (Had to. Too easy. I know).

By Jim Kiernan, Access staffer

 

While fielding questions from both the press and fans at New York Comic-Con on Saturday, "Terminator Salvation" director McG was asked if Arnold Schwarzenegger would appear in the latest chapter of the franchise that made him famous for the line "I'll be back."

"We're trying to create a visual effect and write code that's never been written before to address this very question," said McG.

However, he was clear on one thing.

"I don't want today's Arnold Schwarzenegger," McG added.

I was hoping for so much more out of this season of "The Bachelor." It's down to the final four and I could not be more disappointed in this show. A single dad looking for love?! I really thought ABC would take the high road this season but it's become evident that they are taking the typical low road and Jason seems to be going along for the bumpy ride. I was out last week at the Super Bowl and didn't get to vent on this topic. But I digress. On to the recap.

 

This week it was the hometown dates. First up Jason went to British Columbia to meet Jillian's parents. In a moment of TMI, Jillian reveals that her mom suffered through depression and once tried to commit suicide (which I'm sure she will be thrilled to have aired on national television). Jillian's dad greets Jason by draping a Canadian flag around him. At dinner Jillian's mom reads a lovely little poem to her and the waterworks flow. She then pulls Jason aside for a private chat where she tells him, "I just have a couple questions for you," then pulls out a long scroll of paper that drops down to the floor which makes Jason laugh. Mom then reveals her battle with depression and Jason asks how a marriage lasts through the ups and downs. At this point I'm thinking mom is digging him. Jillian's grandmother shows up at the end and proclaims Jason to be a "gorgeous guy" and this might put off her plan to take Jillian up to northern Canada and marry her off to a Ukrainian. She might want to keep that plan in her hip pocket, as I don't think Jillian will be standing alongside Jason in the end. 

I knew from the first time my dad took me as a little girl to visit the TV station inside the building that he worked at, KDKA in Pittsburgh, that I wanted to be a TV reporter. Never, ever did I dream of being an actress or of winning an Oscar one day. Besides my tiny role in "The Music Man" in high school and my appearance once, when I was a model in Philadelphia, in a fitness commercial, I have not acted. So, when "General Hospital" called to offer a walk-on role I was excited but terrified all at the same time. Then someone said to me, "but Laura you act like you like celebrities every day. You'll be a great actress."

 

Well, that's true. Or at least, it's true about certain less-than-pleasant celebrities who shall remain nameless. Most of them I actually do like. This time I was going to have to memorize and read lines. I was back to being terrified.

 

The day before my big appearance they sent me over the script with my two lines. "Doctor, where are they taking us?" and "I need to get in touch with my family." I drove all over town that day reciting the lines in my car and once I finally got home, script in hand I stood in front of my mirror and rehearsed the lines. I tried every different inflection I could to see what sounded right. Once I found what I thought sounded good, I stuck with that. The next morning I must have recited those lines on the car ride to the studio one hundred times. I'm sure this was absolutely the worst thing to do but hey, I'm a newbie.

 

I've just returned from one of the best weeks ever down in Tampa, Florida - capped off by my first Super Bowl ever! I've been in other cities during Super Bowl week (Houston, San Diego) covering parties for work but never have gotten to attend the actual game. However, I knew as soon as the Steelers won the AFC title, this had to be the year I would get to go to the Super Bowl. I'm from Pittsburgh. NBC, the network I work for, was carrying the game and I used to live in Tampa. I was determined.

 

It turned out this whole trip was meant to be too. As fate would have it my good friends who run a non-profit organization called Pros vs. G.I. Joes was having an event at the Madden Bowl (one of the Super Bowl parties) and needed an extra hand. In another twist of fate, one of my co-workers could not attend the game on Sunday. So, I was able to use their credential in order to write this very blog! My flight was taken care of through Pros vs. G.I. Joes, I found a hotel and I was off! 

 

Tuesday, 12 AM - Arrived in Tampa amidst a sea of yellow and gold jerseys. A very good sign that Pittsburghians were going to be out in full force.

Justin Long owes me an apology and Ellen owes Justin Long an apology. Neither needs to be a long apology. Ha ha!

 

Yesterday on "Ellen," Justin shared a story about being on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Break-Up" starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston, the film that brought them together as a couple.

 

Justin said that I had asked him about his worst break-up on the red carpet.

 

At that moment, his current breakup, unbeknownst to the public, was fresh... the day before. So he began to tell me. He said I was looking over his shoulder at Jennifer Aniston because she had just arrived - i.e. that I was blowing him off.

 

What kind of vacuous superficial guy would do that?

 

Apparently me!

 

Not so!

By Eric Anderson, AccessHollywood.com Senior Editor

 

It's not everyday one gets a chance to go to the Super Bowl. In fact, even the luckiest of sports fans gets to do this at most once a year. So you can imagine my sheer state of bliss when I woke up on Sunday, February 1, 2009,  and knew I was headed to watch the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers square off in Super Bowl XLIII live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.
 

Before we dive into the day's events, I should note I did not have a ticket for the game. Rather, I was part of the crew covering the event for Access Hollywood - which meant although I did not have a seat in the stands, I most definitely would be on the field during warm-ups, pre-game and the national anthem, as well as for the final two minutes of the first half (which turned out to be quite monumental...more on that in a bit) and during Bruce Springsteen's halftime performance.
 

So with that, I offer an account of a sports fan's first ever Super Bowl...
 
 
9AM - You know it's a big day if I'm up before my alarm goes off. But on this day, I am wide awake, wide-eyed and ready to go!
 

It's time to get ready... I'm headed to my first Super Bowl.
 

10:30AM - Pounded down an omelet, coffee and OJ. A true breakfast of champions. Dare I say, Super Bowl champions?
 

12:20PM - We are officially en route to Raymond James Stadium. I have to be honest, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning right now.