Los Angeles is one of the most diverse cities in the world. So, it is difficult for me to believe the hype when it comes to the show “The Hills.”

 

As I watched the season finale, I couldn’t help but think about the fact that every season I look for (and never find) people of color in any storylines. The only reoccurring black role is Spencer’s 645 BMW.

 

Yes I still watch, it’s a guilty pleasure, but who’s to blame?

As many of the gentlemen out there know, it's a major dilemma when you want to watch hours of sports on television and the wife, girlfriend, shorty, little lady, significant other, or special friend (didn't want to leave anyone out) is not going to have it. Well, here is a little gem I tripped upon while watching a fight last year. After talking her into watching it, I started pointing out the celebrities in the audience and making comments about them. It had the effect of a good jab, it doesn't really hurt your opponent, but it does set up the rest of your punches. Since celebrities are my business, I was able to watch the fight and keep an ongoing conversation about each person at the fight.

 

Before you knew it, the twelve rounds were up Money Mayweather has his hand up in victory and then sambas his way to “Dancing With The Stars.” What a victory. For me. All I had to do was do what she loves to do anyway - gossip about celebrities. GENIUS! This worked so well for me that I have not missed a fight all year and my wife watched the Oscar De La Hoya vs. Steve Forbes fight without me and reported all the ringside details. She didn't record the fight for me, but sports watching etiquette comes later on in the lesson plan.
 
Now, of course I had to try this theory out on every sport I watch. And surprisingly it works. Some sports came really easy. Thank you, Gisele Bundchen and Jessica Simpson. You made last year’s football season one of the best ever. Please continue your work on behalf of the league (at least my fantasy football league), you’re truly helping to bring families together. Sorry, Cowboys fans, I'm a Dolphins fan, someone else had to feel our pain. Thank you, Jason Taylor, for your work on the field and on the dance floor. I can hear myself on the couch now, "Look, dear, Jason Taylor just got another sack, pass me the chips."

Well it was another great race at the 134th Running Of The Kentucky Derby. Big Brown showed his superiority on the track and the celebrities jockeyed for position just outside of him. As we all now know “The Derby” is an event that brings out the who’s who in sports, entertainment, politics, and business. There is a section at Churchill Downs called Millionaire’s Row that will soon need to be changed to Billionaire’s row, because a million might not be enough anymore.

 

Rohena Miller and Junior Bridgeman of The Grand Gala asked me to come out and enjoy the festivities again this year, so of course I did not hesitate to accept the invitation. The Grand Gala is an event that benefits the 828 Foundation which, in turn, donates to other local youth organizations in Louisville.

 

The Grand Gala is the premiere event during the derby and the best part about it is a black event. Black tie with Black people, it’s a beautiful thing. Celebrities and athletes like Michael Jordan, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Michael Strahan, Nicole Murphy, Gabrielle Union, Tichina Arnold, Lynn Whitfield, Tracy Edmonds, Dwyane Wade, Vince Young, Byron Leftwich and Dwight Freeney all came out to have a good time and support the 828 Foundation.

By Kathy Suarez,
Access Field Producer

When I was in high school and for part of college, I considered myself a bit "boy crazy" -- at least, that's what my friends would tell me. I would do the usual "OMG! OMG! OMG! He's looking at me! OMG he's so hot! I'm in love!" thing, regularly.

But when I settled down and got married, I locked up that "boy-crazy teenager part of me" in a box and hid her in the back of my sock drawer, never to come out again.
Well, it appears that since working at Access Hollywood, that crazy teenager has escaped several times from her hiding spot. I am sure some of you might remember my NKOTB incident last month. And, oh, one of my other favorites, the night I interviewed Justin Timberlake for the first time. I literally rushed home after work and changed into the sexiest top I had so he would notice me (I got more stares from construction workers and dog walkers that night though).

Regardless, my body collapsed when I saw him. My heart literally pounded so hard the whole neighborhood could hear, and my palms sweated profusely to the point that I formed a sweat puddle around me. Needless to say, I could barely remember any of questions when Justin approached. All I could do is look into those baby blues and fantasize about me being the girl in the "Senorita" video. And ever since, he's been my celebrity crush.

Click Here To Watch Video Of Wednesday Night's 'Prince Caspian' Premiere

Now, fast forward to last night. I'm standing at the Ziegfeld Theater for the premiere of "Prince Caspian" and all everyone keeps buzzing about is how devastatingly gorgeous Ben Barnes is (he  plays Prince Caspian). That's just impossible. No one is as hot as Justin Timberlake in my book. Suddenly the flashes go off like mad, and this image of total hotness appears before me. He's like a perfectly sculptured Greek god. My mouth literally dropped.

by the Access Hollywood News Desk

Access has a behind-the-scenes story of Britney's appearance in court on Tuesday...
 
   
SURROUNDED:  In a dress you could almost call demure, Britney was escorted by 5 LASD deputies and an entourage that included parents Jamie and Lynn. Brit (wearing a serious expression) was holding onto her mother's hand.  Also there, two power attorneys; Blair Berk (who is handling the conservatorship) and Stacey Phillips (who is handling custody issues) along with teams of Lesser Attorneys from both their offices. Our reporter Selin Dark says Britney was under a tight rein, with parents and attorneys huddled closely around her. But Selin notes they treat Britney like she's "delicate." When she entered there was absolute silence.  She and her ex did not make eye contact at all.

 

SHARP DRESSED MAN:  In contrast with his ex, Kevin Federline (who arrived first) looked cocky and in control of the situation and himself. Head shaven, he wore a cream-colored striped suit and matching shoes. To Selin he looked "like he was walking a red carpet.” Interesting to note that reporters asked both "who are you wearing" but got no answer.

 

by Scott Mantz

You may not know who WALL-E is now, but you sure will come June 27.

 

That’s when the next computer-animated bonanza from Disney-Pixar (“Finding Nemo,” “Toy Story”) hits theaters, and considering how well the first 8 have done – collectively grossing more than $4.3 billion worldwide – the ninth is bound to keep that cinematic gravy train chugging along just fine.

 

And for good reason – I got to meet WALL-E up close and personal when he dropped by the “Access Hollywood” offices, and what a cutie!  At first, he looked a little like the robot from “Short Circuit,” but then I realized he looked more like a cross between R2-D2 and E.T.

by Dan Gomez, Access assistant research director

 

With the writers strike over, many in the TV industry are hoping that all those viewers they lost would flock to their TV sets now that there are new episodes of their favorite shows. Well keep hoping, networks. Things are down all over.

 

For example, last night's number one show "CSI" was seen by almost 18 million viewers. The crime drama is up from last week by 800,000 people. This is a good number and most shows would kill to get it but “CSI” used to be TV’s number one show and would bring at least 24 million a week.

 

"Grey's Anatomy", the night's number two show, finished with 15 million viewers. The medical soap opera is down from last week by just over 1 million. Maybe it’s the overexposure of the show’s stars, either in the news or on the big screen but “Grey’s” like “CSI” is down significantly. In fact, “Grey’s” and  “CSI” would often compete for the week’s top spot.

By Lisa Day

So we had to wait through a long strike, but "The Office" is finally back in full force.

After last week's limited cast Dinner Party episode, it was great to see ALL the characters that we love.

And how much do we love Kevin and Phyllis now?

While he usually plays aloof, Kevin revealed his sensitive side was suffering after a recent breakup. And how sweet was his triumph after "winning one" for the team by getting control of the parking lot?

Meanwhile, Phyllis may have one line, but it stole the show as she told Andy to, "make sure you call when you get there, so we know you're OK," after he realized he left his cell phone in his car parked on the street.

And although some fans are finding Jim and Pam's love now stale and static, Jim's engagement ring reveal, and the near proposal, sure changed that!

So thank goodness everyone is back at work, and maybe as the season unfolds we can hear more from the minor players (Stanley… come back!) as we wonder what exactly Creed is going to do with that third office chair?

by Kathy Suarez, Access producer

 

Breathe. One...two...three...breathe.

 

Okay.

 

Today, April 4, 2008 is a new milestone in my life. This was bigger than my wedding day (I still love you Coco). Yes, that’s a bold statement, but it’s true! 

 
My stomach fluttered, my heart raced and I could barely breathe. My hair was perfectly blow dried for the BIG occasion. My New Kids on the Block shirt was so fresh and so clean. Someone, who just a day before the big interview, bragged about how composed she would be. So as Nomi (my friend and colleague at Access Hollywood) and I wait to meet the guys, I remember my 9-year-old self -- I am wearing my New Kids on the Block pajamas with all their faces on me, looking into Joey McIntyre’s eyes as he looks at me from the poster hanging behind my wall and me kissing him before going to bed, going to the record store and buying my NKOTB pins, and then there was that horrible memory of me crying hysterically when my mom told me that I could not go to their Miami concert because I was too young. A memory I prefer to block out because it hurts just thinking about. I was devastated. My world would never be the same. Life was not worth living if I could not see NKOTB up close and personal from the nosebleed section singing “Step by Step” and “The Right Stuff!” What parent would do that to a child?

But little did I know that life had a surprise waiting for me...

 

Fast Forward 15 years later and I am standing in the “Today” show green room waiting for them to walk in. There are platters of food everywhere -- food that they have touched! I wonder, "What if I took some and sold it on EBay?" "Which carrot or Polio-O cheese did Joey bite into?"

 

Then the door opens and in comes Joey first (my fave!) and he tells me "I love your shirt!" and I say "And I love you."

 

Did I just tell him that I loved him?! I did! And it felt good! 

by Nomi Pincus, Access production assistant

 

The time, 1990. The place, my living room in New Jersey. There I was, a young 12-year-old girl dancing along to my favorite VHS tape of the New Kids on the Block compilation videos.

 

I would dance and sing along, fantasizing that maybe I would be able to go to one of their concerts...just to see them in person. I didn't care if I was in the last row, just to be in the same room with them would mean the world to me. They were my life, my everything, I was officially obsessed.

 

From wall to wall posters, to their pillow cases and pajama sets, my world was all about NKOTB! I would dream about meeting them and then wake up with disappointment as reality hit. And as life sometimes offers us disappointments, my mother said I was too young to go their concert, and so along with many of my crazy, young dreams, that one was laid to rest and life moved on...without NKOTB!