May 2009 Archives

This was by far my favorite season of "American Idol" yet. After covering it for eight years, I would have thought the novelty of it all would have worn off by now, but I still enjoy every single minute of it. Sitting in the finale on Wednesday I looked around and thought to myself, 'How incredible that while 27 million people are watching this at home, I was sitting right there in the audience?' I think I enjoyed Idol more so this year because the contestants were an incredible group. They were some really special and really talented people in this bunch.

 

This is something I have never done in any season until this year, but I made it very clear I was an Adam Lambert fan from the start. I normally try and stay objective, but Adam and I just bonded instantly when we met. Seeing him perform with KISS was such a rush. I'm disappointed he didn't win, but I'm not surprised. America just wasn't ready for someone so outside the box.

 

In the end, I think it's better he didn't become the American Idol. Kris Allen didn't ooze star quality like Adam and I think he needed the title to succeed in the limelight. Adam will be successful no matter what and I think it's better for him not to be tied down to a long contract (like I'm sure that the winner signs).

 

Here is a look back at some of my favorite moments with the contestants and the judges:

 

Meeting Adam for the first time. He just walked in and owned the room and I was blown away by how sweet and kind he was. I could not believe when I asked him if he Googled himself (to see what people were saying about him) that he admitted he did!

By Darius Pirnazar

As a member of the production team here at Access Hollywood, I was a part of our "Farrah Week" last week, in which we celebrated and dug deep into Farrah Fawcett's personal life and career. But even though this "special" is meant for celebration of all that is Farrah, I can't stop myself from feeling incredibly guilty.
 
I'm not sad just because of the fact that she's going through a bitter fight with cancer, because let's face it... she's had a wonderful life as a sex symbol and as a successful actress in Hollywood (and I'm saying this even though it might be a little harsh). I have lost three members of my immediate family to cancer and none lived a very glamorous life when they were healthy, so having cancer and losing the battle is not something new to me (or to anyone to that matter). I can guarantee that almost every person that reads this blog will definitely know at least one person that has had cancer or is currently battling it.
 
What bothers me is that I wasn't born when she was at the height of her career and I don't remember much about her when she was "it."  What I do remember is growing up seeing tabloid headlines taking swings at her and her family. And late night comedy shows and stand-up comics using her as the butt of their jokes.
 

So, I just had a chance to watch some clips of the first episode of "The Bachelorette." I have to admit I was a little concerned when they picked Jillian Harris for the spot. I mean... really, they should have picked me.

 

Totally kidding. I'm way too old. I'm closer to "The Cougar" than "The Bachelorette" demographic. Though dating 23-year-olds is not my thing, so please don't call me Vivica Fox or TV Land. Besides I'm more of a puma (like Jennifer Aniston).

 

Anyway, for some reason I wasn't convinced Jillian was the right choice, as she didn't stand out that much to me during "The Bachelor" except for that steam-fest make out session in Canada [more on that below]. Having watched these clips, I now think she is the perfect person for this season. She comes across as adorable, likeable, fun loving and most of all - real.

A bout with food poisoning nearly kept me from my favorite night of the year, "The Biggest Loser" finale. I rallied back even though I knew I would not be going on stage after the show to interview the winners (as I have the past few seasons). Someone else who works at our show got that honor. They apparently had a friend who is involved with the show who asked them to do it. So, I was bummed but there was no way I was going to miss the show.

 

Of course, I had no idea it was a three hour-long event!  I have to say it went by fairly fast though thank goodness. They even had snacks for the audience this year; in case you just couldn't hold out for three hours. You would think with all those miraculous weight loss makeovers I could skip the snack food. I didn't. I ran out about four times during the commercial breaks. Maybe that's why it went by so fast!

 We've known for a while that Jillian Harris is the new "Bachelorette." We now know who her 30 bachelors are. What we don't know is how Jillian is handling being at the helm of ABC's flagship dating show.

 

That is until now.

 

Last month I had a chance to speak to Jillian during one of her group dates about her journey to find love on a reality show. 

 

DOS: OK, let's just start out by asking the question everybody wants to know. Did you do the hotdog test? (Jillian's famous theory that you can tell a lot about a man by the condiments he uses on his hot dog)

 

Jillian: Actually, the hot dog thing really hasn't come into play yet. I love my hot dog theory. Problem is that I thought I wanted a mustard, but I don't know what I want now. So yeah, there's a few ketchups in the house, a few mustards, a few sauerkrauts, even an onion or two.

 

DOS: How has it been being on the other side?

 

Jillian: I'm having a lot of fun. I really thought that I would be a little like, 'anxiety and awkward,' but there's something about this group of guys that just allows me to be myself. 

 

DOS: Is there anybody that you've kissed yet?

 

Jillian: Oh, you have to wait and see! Maybe, maybe not.

 So "Star Trek" is the best-reviewed movie of the year, and it knocked "Wolverine" off the top of the box office with more than $72 million. A big start, but it's still logical to assume that most of the moviegoers who boldly went to see "Star Trek" over the weekend never even saw a full episode before in their lives.

 

Since the new movie is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, might I suggest going back to the original series to see what made it so great in the first place?  Start here - easily the greatest "Star Trek" episodes of all time.

5) "Where No Man Has Gone Before"   

Written by:  Samuel A. Peeples

Original Airdate:  September 22, 1966

Course Plotted:  At the edge of the galaxy, a mysterious force of energy penetrates the Enterprise and transforms two crewmembers into godlike creatures.

Why it's great:  The second pilot is also the first episode to feature James T. Kirk, and William Shatner proves that he had the Captain down from the beginning. It's also filled with high tension, as Kirk is forced to maroon an old friend on a barren planet before he takes over the Enterprise.

Where to Find it:  "Star Trek: The Original Series - Season One" (on DVD and Blu-ray)

And here it is -- the list of the bachelors hoping to woo "The Bachelorette" Jillian Harris, this summer! Now, I sort of feel bad for these guys, especially the ones who make it pretty far because I've learned from past bachelor guys that women will do just about anything to track them down. So they best prepare themselves for an onslaught of admirers.

I've seen some of the e-mails that have been sent from girls who are certain they are someone's soul mate on the show. You can't hide from the Internet! And with the onset of MySpace and Facebook, it's apparently become easier than ever to track someone down. Why they do it... I don't know. It's never a good idea.

The funny thing is that it only ever happens during "The Bachelorette." None of the women who have been part of "The Bachelor" have ever told me that some guy tried to hunt them down to profess their undying love.

It's one of two things - Either women are just more willing to make fools of themselves or men don't watch this show - so why would they track these girls down? It's probably a combination of both. 
 
This list of guys after the jump....

By Darius Pirnazar
 
I'm so tired of people who voice their opinions without the full knowledge of the topic they're speaking about. 

Take Miss California for example; I don't have any issues with her voicing her opinion in regards to gay marriage. What bugs me so much is that she has now become the flag bearer for all of those who champion mindless rhetoric and oppose "CHANGE" in our society, without really knowing anything about the subject. 

I know... I know... we've heard the word "CHANGE" many a time during this past election season. But let's face it, "CHANGE" is what was needed in this country from The President on down.

Let's say, for example, Carrie Prejean (Miss California) was in this same pageant 60 years ago and she was asked if she believes that inter-racial marriages should be allowed.  Now, if she took the same approach as when she answered the question on gay marriage, how would we view her and her comments?

So I have to admit I really did not like Paula Abdul's last single, "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow." It just wasn't my "cup of tea" as Simon Cowell might say. I'm absolutely loving her brand new single though, "[I'm Just] Here For The Music." It's trapped in my head right now so I feel bad for the people in the hallways who keep having to listen to me hum.
 
Myself and a bunch of other reporters got the chance to watch Paula rehearse for her performance on Wednesday night's results show. While I can't give away the specifics of the fun and sassy choreography, I think the audience and even Simon will get a kick out of it. If you watch closely you may even recognize some signature Paula moves from her 20-year-old music videos. Here's a hint from Paula on what to keep an eye out for, "I did a version of a jump that won me an Emmy."
 
Paula was in great form when she arrived for the rehearsal, although she was running late as usual. You just come to expect that with her.

ABC has sent out the first details about the new season of 'The Bachelorette.' Jillian Harris gets to take the helm and this time she has 30 men to choose from instead of 25. Here are the deets from ABC. This is from their press release. I've paraphrased some it. You know how ABC likes to over romanticize everything!

 

The first man out of the limousine blows Jillian away with his good looks and quiet charm; one man literally sweeps her off her feet and yet another becomes quite tongue-tied in her presence. The party kicks into high gear as Jillian starts to look for the bachelor who will receive the night's only first impression rose. One tall, dark and handsome guy attempts to woo her with his Latin style, a country crooner charms Jillian with a song - and then two bachelors duke it out on the floor, battling in a dance-off!

 

But in a stunning, first-ever twist; five strikingly handsome late arrivals crash the party. Jillian will be the first person in the history of "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" to have 30 suitors to select from. The original group of 25 men quietly seethes as the additional guests get their time with the Bachelorette. One bachelor reveals that he is secretly obsessed with Jillian's feet, while a wealthy businessman impresses her with his laid-back confidence. In the end, Jillian presents her "first impression" rose to the man who managed to stand out in the crowd of eligible contenders. 

Access Hollywood movie critic Scott Mantz is in Rome, Italy, to cover the junket for "Angels & Demons." Read his first blog on his foreign adventures here.

Today was supposed to be the easy day.  Just three interviews with "Angels & Demons" director Ron Howard and supporting actors Ayelet Zurer and Pierfrancesco Favino.  Get to the Sony Hospitality Suite at 3 PM, start
interviews at 3:30 PM, be done by 4:30 PM.  Piece of cake.  Or so we thought.

The interviews were supposed to take place on the roof, which makes
sense -- if you're gonna be in Rome, make it look like Rome.  Otherwise,
what's the point of flying thousands of miles when you can just drive a
few miles to to get to the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills?

I'll never forget when I was asked the question...

"Mantz, did you read 'Angels & Demons?'"

Little did I realize where this was leading: to Rome, where the junket for the film version of "A&D" was going to take place.  Makes perfect sense, since most of it was filmed there.  But since I was never there before, I was both excited and nervous about the prospect of traveling halfway around there world to a country where they literally didn't speak my language.

Turns out that getting there was the hardest part.  Catch a flight to
Chicago, then run down three gates to catch my connection to Rome (with
just 20 minutes to spare -- fun!).  Between the length of both flights
and the time change, I was gonna hit some serious jet lag.  And as for
sleeping on the plane...well, fuggedaboudit.

By the time I landed, grabbed my bags and got to my hotel -- the Boscolo
Exedra in the heart of Rome -- I was way too excited to to take a nap (I
mean, really?).  I also had just a couple hours to check in, get my
computer up and running and, of course, see the movie.