Tribeca Film Festival Film Review: Handsome Harry

Handsome Harry is a feature-length narrative that recently played at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. I enjoyed the film and would like to share my full thoughts.

(Stay tuned for my interview with Jamey Sheridan)



The film starts out somewhat lighthearted but the tone gradually changes. Do not let the title fool you. Harry (Jamey Sheridan) gets a call from his best friend from the Navy, Tom Kelly (Steve Buscemi) who is dying on the weekend of Harry's birthday. This forces Harry's son, who came to surprise Harry to go back home while Harry visits Kelly. When Harry visits, Kelly tells him that he needs forgiveness for what the two and 3 other Navy buddies did in the past (almost killed their Navy mate, Kagain). Shortly after this, Kelly passes away and Harry cannot bring himself to tell Kelly's wife what they did in the Navy. Harry then revisits his past...his Navy buddies to share the news of Kelly's death. First, he visits Peter. It doesn't take long for Peter's unhappy wife to come onto Harry when Peter slips out of the house for a moment. Harry doesn't fall for it then but he does after a dinner table argument. Next, Harry visits William who has become a Professor trying to deny his past. In their 20 minute reunion, we find out from William what he remembers of that disturbing night when they all almost killed Kagan. I found it very funny when William invited Harry to his home and Harry said, no, 20 minutes was enough. He didn't want déjà vu. Next, Harry visits the last Navy buddy that helped beat up Kagan. After that visit, a very surprising flashback is seen that brings everything that happened up to that point come together and it says a lot about Harry. The flashback made me think, no wonder Harry and his wife got a divorce. Other than whatever marital issues the two had, did his wife see what was in him before he could come to terms with his sexuality? Did he ever come to terms? Did Harry think not only about the betrayal of a himself, his true colors but of a friend that night or was he just worried about the pain he caused to another human being? In the end, I just do not believe that Harry still knows what kind of relationship he wants. I also do not believe that he ever cared for his Navy buddies the same way again after that night because his visits to the men felt so cold, in the sense that, had Kelly not died then there would be no story. There would have been no reason for Harry to dig up his past and try to find a way to come to terms with the past. Anyway, Harry's last visit is to see Kagan although he is not home, so Harry leaves a note. Back home, Harry throws away his Navy memories, and tries to move on with the waitress that he had chemistry with in the very beginning of the film. Unfortunately, that does not work out but Kagan gets Harry's note and meets up with Harry. This leaves the last 15 minutes of the film in the battle of forgiveness. Throughout the film, there are few scenes/flashbacks of young Harry and his young Navy buddies, which I found very helpful to the story. Each flashback showed a little bit more, each had meaning. Though I enjoyed the flashbacks, which really helped move the story along, and the story moved along, something about the whole film itself seemed slow and long. Although I did enjoy the film and hope that anyone who has seen it has enjoyed it, taken something out of it.

Credits:
In Memory of Lewis Cole May
Primary Cast: Jamey Sheridan, Steve Buscemi, Mariann Mayberry, Aidan Quinn, John Savage, Campbell Scott, Titus Welliver, Karen Young
Director: Bette Gordon
Screenwriter: Nicholas T. Proferes
Producer: Jamin O'Brien, Marilyn Haft, Eric Goldman, Jamey Sheridan
Director of Photography: Nigel Bluck
Executive Producers: Fred Berner, Elizabeth Kling
Editor: Keiko Deguchi
Composer: Anton Sanko
Sound Mixer: Skip Lievsay

Tribeca Film Festival Film Review: Playground

Playground is a feature-length documentary that recently played at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. Director, Producer, and Writer Libby Spears created a documentary about the dangers and effects of sexual exploitation among our youth. Spears founded the Nest Foundation in 2004 to create a platform for local and global awareness regarding sexual exploitation. The documentary is dedicated to Jan Hindman and I definitely recommend that everyone see this.



The documentary shows that sex trafficking is not just in Cambodia, South Korea, Thailand, India, and the Philippines. It is right here in North America as well. Straight from the sex offender's mouth, the viewer learns that the doing is not always about sexual freedom but yes, sexual exploitation. So it is safe to say that you may hear what you do not want to hear...but that is the problem. Too many people have turned away from the problem instead of facing the truth and becoming aware of reality. As said in the documentary, "We take better care at looking for our missing cars" than missing children. It was heartbreaking to hear one of the victims in the documentary say that being raped more than once was not a big deal because it is something that she is used to. It was even more disturbing to see the reality that some mothers and daughters are in this sexual exploitation together and some victims of human trafficking end up recruiting people that they know. Some of those victims doing the recruiting are young enough to be in elementary school.

There are many victims that we meet in this documentary. Primarily though, we follow the story of Michelle, whose first encounter with sexual abuse began at the age of five. Around that time, Michelle ran away from a foster care system that left her very vulnerable to get into the wrong hands. It didn't take long for her to get into those wrong hands, but fortunately, Michelle was found in late teens. Due to her unfortunate lifestyle, Michelle birthed a child but Michelle was arrested in 2008 for a short time for endangering her child (who was allegedly molested). We also meet Roasabella from Portland, Oregon who found herself raped by her step brother and ended up going in prostitution. She ended up becoming paralyzed from the waist down due to being shot by one of the men she was with. There are 4 other girls whose stories we see and hear about everywhere from Canada to Georgia. To say that I learned a lot in this documentary would be an understatement.

Throughout the documentary, there were many interesting facts displayed on screen that I would like to share with you. For more facts, visit NCMEC.
- US citizens account for 25% of child sex tourists worldwide and as much as 80% in Latin America.
- The number one destination for Americans seeking sex with a child is the USA.
- 300,000 American children are at risk of being forced into sex trade. In the US alone, child sex trafficking is a multi-million dollar industry.
- 1 in 5 girls, and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized before the age of 18.
- Over 630,000 registered sex offenders. There are over 112,000 in CA and over 26,000 in NY alone.
- Of the 5,930,615 pornographic pictures children online that have been reported, 874 children have been identified.
- The FBI ranks Atlanta as #13 in the world for child sex tourism.
- The U.S. Department of Justice claims that the commercial sexual exploitation of children is the world’s fastest growing form of organized crime. Within the next decade, the prostitution of children worldwide will net profits greater than those from the sale of illegal drugs.

There is no doubt that is documentary is a must see.

Credits:
Director: Libby Spears
Original Artwork: Yoshitomo Nara
Executive Producers: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Steven Soderbergh, Abigail Disney, Gayle Embrey, Lauren Embrey
Associate Producer: Julia Ormond

9 To 5 Musical Now on Broadway

9 To 5 Musical Opens Today on Broadway!

I interviewed the lead actor, Marc Kudisch 2 weeks before previews began in NYC. You can check that interview out here.

Make sure to buy your tickets today!

Youtube Video of the Week

Everlife EP Out Today

Today, Everlife has released their new EP, At the Love Library which is available here.



Check out my interview with Everlife here. These girls were my first interview for Hollywood the Write Way.

Gabrielle Miller Talks Corner Gas After Series Finale and More

Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to speak with Canadian Actress, Gabrielle Miller about Corner Gas and so much more. As the Series Finale of Corner Gas aired on April 13, 2009 after 6 Seasons, I definitely wanted to take it back to the very beginning with Gabrielle...starting with the very first episode.



Photo Credit: Erich Saide

Do you remember shooting the first episode of Corner Gas?
I do, yes. What I remember the most is flying in and having our first read through. It was the first time the cast came together and met each other. It was the first time I heard the script out loud. It really came alive for me. There was a certain voice that everybody had right off the bat, which I thought was really cool.

What has been your favorite episode or storyline this season?
I really enjoyed all of them. There are certain things that stick out in my memory. I remember the Christmas episode, I loved the hockey episode, and all of the episodes the characters got to get outside of Corner Gas and do something different was fun.

How would you say that you changed from when Corner Gas first began to now?
It's been six years so I have naturally grown up a bit. I do think that I am calmer.

Okay. So what has been your most challenging film to work on?
I think that everything I have done has been challenging in its own way. If you are working on something that has a small budget, you really want to make sure you get everything done that you need to get done. It can also be challenging because the role itself can take a lot out of you. Comedy and drama are both challenging but for different reasons. No job in particular stands out.

What role have you had that has been the least like you?
Lacey (Corner Gas) or Bobbi (Robson Arms). Yeah, Bobbi I would say is least like me. You know what, that is a tough one. I am not sure.

What’s next? Do you have anything in the works since Corner Gas has ended? Any films or TV shows you are attached to?
No, not yet. I just want to spend time with my family and take some time to do things that I haven't been able to do since I have been so busy. I want to be very thoughtful about what I want to do next. I really enjoyed the experience of working on the show for so long with that character but I am really ready for a change. I want to find something that will be a change and challenging.

What actors would you like to work with in the future?
I don't know. I think Cate Blanchett is amazing but I definitely want to find a script and director that is amazing. I really want to work with actors that I can connect with too.

Tell me about the organizations that you support.
I am the spokesperson for Vela Microboard. I have been involved with them for many, many years. My sister, Shanti was the first person in British Columbia to have a microboard. She has cerebral palsy. This is a non profit organization that helps people living with disabilities. They are they to support a small group of people in assuring that the person who has the microboard is able to realize their dream and plan the way that they want their life to be. It has been a major part of our lives and has been an amazing organization for my family.

What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
I love being home here in Canada. The landscape is incredible. We are near a lake. I love being in nature. I love having my extended family over for dinner, that is great.

Speaking of food, you are vegetarian, but what are your favorite things to eat?
I really love pizza. I love Indian food. When we were growing up, my mom made Indian food a lot so I really enjoy that. I just got a 20 minute vegetarian cookbook and everything from there is delicious.

What would you say to someone who wants to become a vegetarian?
Really do your research on the different supplements and how to balance food properly because you have to be careful making sure you get the things that you need. You have to make sure you get everything your body needs. I have been a vegetarian my whole life. I really like it but I do not push it on anybody.

What is your favorite way to stay fit and healthy?
I love pilates. I have been boxing on and off for quite a few years. Last summer I started doing kettle belts. I have inserted a sauna in my other home that I love sitting in and relaxing in.

As far as fashion goes, do you like high end designers or are you a simple person?
I really do love fine clothing. Designer clothes are amazing. I love fashion but in my day to day life, I am a pretty simple person.

What accessory can you not live without?
I am not a huge accessory girl honestly. Of course my wedding ring is my favorite. I also like delicate jewelry, a simple chain, and earrings.

Where is your favorite place to shop anywhere in the world?
I love shopping in Vancouver. We have some amazing shops here. I also love Paris, France. It is so beautiful. I definitely want to go back, it was incredible.

Are there any other places you would like to travel?
There are so many places, especially in Europe that I want to explore. I think Ireland is incredibly beautiful. I have never been to Scotland, and I definitely want to go there. I also want to spend more time in Africa.

I read that you are into gardening.
Now we have an organic vegetable garden. This year will be the first year I try to do something with that since we just got this house in October so that will be interesting. City life in Vancouver is very urban so I don't have that there but I love it.

What are some of your favorite childhood memories?
My mother used to pack up all of the kids and we would go to the family park, walk around the trails, and go to the beach. That was amazing. I started acting classes when I was 8 years old and that was huge for me. That was when I caught the acting bug. I also love reading. My father writes a lot of poetry and he used to read us children stories at night or make them up.

What are you watching on TV?
We are watching The Wire, Brotherhood, Big Love, and Brothers & Sisters.

Save Chuck! Go to Subway!

Tonight at 8pm is the Season 2 Finale of Chuck (NBC) and today Chuck fans across the globe having been going to Subway and buying $5 footlongs to show NBC/Universal their dedicated to Chuck through one of the show's key sponsors.

I did my part and bought a $5 foot long as well to support Chuck. Click the photos below to enlarge. I was also listening to ChuckCast Podcast while getting ready to eat my sub. If you have not subscribed to ChuckCast, make sure you do that right now.





Also, check out my interview with one of the actors on Chuck, Scott Krinsky here.

Make sure you go out to Subway today and support our campaign. Thanks so much!

Most importantly, watch Chuck tonight on NBC at 8pm!
Most importantly, watch Chuck tonight on NBC at 8pm!
Most importantly, watch Chuck tonight on NBC at 8pm!

Dove Fresh Giveaway (Ended May 4, 2009)

I love the Dove Fresh products so much, that I would like to have a giveaway so that you can enjoy these products as much as I am!

What You Will Win:
ONE lucky person will receive One 24 oz size bottle of Dove Burst and Six Dove Burst Beauty Bars!

How To Win:
First, visit the Dove Fresh Website and read the bios of the 4 Characters in the new Series.

Then, comment below or email win@hollywoodthewriteway.com with a detailed description of who you think your favorite character is going to be. Be sure to include your full name and email if you comment below and full name and address if you send an email.

A winner will be chosen at random.



Rules:
You are allowed only one entry per person.
This contest is open to residents 18 years or older of the United States only.

Deadline:
All entries must be sent in by Monday, May 4th, 2009. The winner will be notified Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Once notified, the winner has 72 hours to reply or an alternate winner will be chosen.

EDIT: Congratulations Kelly Ann for winning the Dove Fresh products.

Z100’s Zootopia 2009

It’s that time again! For those of you in the Tri State area, I hope you have your tickets to Z100’s Zootopia 2009! This year, Zootopia will rock the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 7:30pm. Every year, Z100, New York’s Hit Music Station hosts Zootopia and every year, the lineup is amazing.

The All-Star Lineup Includes: Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, THE All-American Rejects, Ciara, Soulja Boy, Jesse McCartney, and Flo Rida.



Tickets went on sale to Z100’s ZVIP members via Ticketmaster on Monday, April 13, 2009 and to the general public, the very next day. You can still get your tickets today! Just keep in mind that there is an eight-ticket limit per order.

This year there are bargain-priced $27 tickets in the “Worst Seats in the House.” Also this year, $1 of every ticket sold will go to City Harvest, the non-profit food rescue organization that is the official charity of Z100’s Zootopia ‘09.

Get your tickets today! May 16th is right around the corner!




To become a ZVIP member, log onto Z100 (Keyword: ZVIP).

For more information, listen to Z100 or log on to Z100 (Keyword: Zootopia).

Movie Monday

A Look Ahead:

My Life in Ruins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 06/05/2009 Limited Release
Cast: Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, María Ádanez, Sheila Bernette, María Botto, Rachel Dratch, Alexis Georgoulis, Ralph Nossek, Bernice Stegers, Harland Williams



Just Released:

In Theaters

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Trailer
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 05/01/2009
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas



On DVD

Bride Wars
Rating: PG
Release Date: 04/28/2009
Cast: Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Bryan Greenberg, Chris Pratt, Steve Howey, Candice Bergen



A Look Back:

Made of Honor
Rating: PG 13
Release Date: 05/02/2008
Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd



*******
Fun Link: Read Julia Child's memoir, My Life In France to get you pumped for the August 7, 2009 film, Julie & Julia.

BBOP Music Update

The band, Billy Boy on Poison will be performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on May 21, 2009 so mark your calendars!

Check out my interview with the band from this past February, here.

You can also follow the band on Twitter.

TV Week In Review

*Reviews May Contain Spoilers*

Desperate Housewives - Look Into Their Eyes and You See What They Know

Edie: I’m not up to anything, you redheaded ice cube.



I really enjoyed this episode. The walk down memory lane was written, acted, and directed very well. To find out that Edie warned Susan about her ex so early on in their neighbor “friendship” was interesting to find out. Lynette’s memory was classic Edie in the sense of what a friend should be. I loved that memory. In the present, I was wondering where the flat tire would lead the ladies. It was a segway into Bree’s memory. Her memory of Edie also showed how great of a person Edie was and that she was not afraid to tell people what they need to do to be better off themselves. Gabby’s memory of Edie started off fun and ended interesting. Edie seems like the type of person that would have that mindset at such a young age of her knowing that she would die young. Although the way that it was portrayed made it seem like just another explanation for her death. Not surprising that Edie’s son reacted the way that he did to the news of his mother’s death. Thankfully, Mrs. McCluskey’s memory somewhat helped him realize that Edie really did love her son. Come time for the show to end, the outro was just right and I will definitely miss Edie Britt.

Chuck - Chuck vs. the Colonel

Chuck: I need you to be Awesome. Can you be Awesome?



While it was expected that Casey would be promoted, I was not expecting Casey to put his hand on his gun in case he had to shoot Awesome and/or Ellie. Was he going to just shoot them or shoot to kill? I was so worried that Sarah would get caught by Fulcrum by trying to save Casey and of course it happened. The action that took place in order to save Sarah was great! I do not remember the first time Sarah called Casey by his first name. The tension between Casey and Sarah was so strong it was uncomfortable. I could not believe that Casey was so caught up in his work that he would not be willing to do the right thing as a human being. Thankfully, he came around later on in the episode. I was so surprised that Jeff and Lester shut down the majority of Burbank. That was just hysterical. Thankfully, their prank helped Sarah and Chuck escape Casey’s capture just in time to save Awesome from getting knocked out by Casey. I think that was the first time I heard Chuck call Awesome by his first name. Wow! Awesome found out about Chuck first! I was hoping it would be him or Morgan first. That was so exciting! That was quite funny how Ellie was talking to Awesome about bringing his A-game and getting over his wedding jitters. The action that took place after this with Chuck, Sarah, Casey, and Chuck’s father was incredible. I was ecstatic when Chuck’s father took the intersect out of Chuck’s head. How incredible was it when Casey lied to the General and helped get Sarah a promotion and let Chuck go. Back at the Buy More, it was a great step Morgan took by quitting. I wonder how much he will be in a possible season 3 of Chuck. I have said it before and I will say it again that I love how Morgan’s lines connect to Chuck’s circumstances. Going back to Chuck, Casey and Sarah joining him to go to Ellie’s wedding was so heartwarming to see. I was not thrilled with the ending hint of a disaster wedding. This episode goes down as one of my favorites in both Season 1 and 2. I am so pumped for the Season Finale next!

Gossip Girl - Seder Anything

Dan: I love Serena. No matter what crazy things she does.



Blair’s dream as the introduction was fun to see. I am wondering if Blair is going to get her way when it comes to Yale. She sure did when it came to the wedding. Unfortunately for Blair, even if Blair gets into Yale, it looks like Nate won’t be going with her. It was really much more simple to tell the truth. Nate’s speech was something else! I did not expect that! When William grabbed Blair and threatened her due to what just came out in Nate‘s speech and their Nate deal, he made it seem like Blair working under Blair’s mother was a bad thing. If I didn’t get accepted into my dream school and things weren’t going as planned, I would be more than happy to work for her mother’s fashion company. If you ask me, as soon as William made the deal with Blair, she should have gone to Nate and they should have discussed everything. Blair needs to figure out not only what she really wants but how she is going to get it without hurting herself and other people she cares about. As far as the Seder goes, I was wondering why Serena and Dan did not just tell Lily and Rufus the truth about why they were there. It was incredibly hilarious how Serena and Dan were acting like they were together, completely confusing Lily and Rufus. Of course Dan would be the one to unintentionally get a job under Blair’s mother as a server. Also, when Dan found out that Serena was “married,” I felt terrible for him. Thankfully the marriage was a misunderstanding. I was waiting for the moment for when Serena’s “husband,” Gabriel would show up. The look on Dan’s face as he was saying his quote that is posted above, was hilarious. Serena need not get more involved with Gabriel. Gabriel was good looking but he seemed too old to be in the high school crowd. Although since he hangs out with Poppy, I can see why he is in the crowd that he is in. I wonder why Poppy is backstabbing Serena now. I never did like Poppy so hopefully that storyline won’t be a long one. Mentioning the other two really quickly, Jenny told Chuck off and that was an eye opener for Chuck. I was glad that Chuck apologized to Jenny but there is more to what he said about not being there it seems. We’ll see. Next week looks like it is going to be a blast with Georgina returning!

Heroes - I Am Sylar

Ando: I understand. This has always been your “me time.”



The power that was introduced to Sylar, which he ending up taking was incredible. Sylar getting his “mother‘s” belongings was totally unexpected. Sylar turning into her in order to get a message from her, that was incredible. It was a bit confusing but it was also fantastic to see someone messing with his head. His discussion with his mother about when things went wrong was just full of so much emotion. Later on, I was hoping that Sylar would not kill Micah. At first, I was so broken over the fact that the guards were chasing Micah, but just as quickly as I realized that the “Micah” being chased was Sylar, did they show it. Sylar does not have it in him to kill a child, even if his powers did not have an excess. What puzzled me the most was how Sylar was able to get up after being killed in the one spot that is supposed to kill him. I cannot wait until next week! Getting to Hiro and Ando…It was hilarious that Hiro told Ando that he was bait right as they were going through with the plan. I love Ando’s alias as the Crimson Arc. It only made sense that since Hiro touched Ando, Ando’s powers would make it so that he would not freeze. Then when Hiro mentioned that baby Matt did not freeze, even though baby Matt’s power allotted for that as well it maybe that Hiro’s power is advancing. But getting to Hiro and Ando, their tiff in this episode and Ando’s talk comparing the two to superheroes was the open door to Ando turning on Hiro. I was not at all happy when Hiro’s head hurt and he started bleeding when Hiro and Ando were about to go into Building 26. I wonder how this will play out. Now if Matt and his wife are going to be making it work as a family, I wonder if this means that Elizabeth Lackey will play a bigger role in Season 4. Would Janice be required to get a power in order to keep up and stay alive? Only time will tell and I am looking forward to so much more.

One Tree Hill - I Would For You

Jack: She’s uh not my -
Sam: Yes, I am. Sam.
Jack: This is my girlfriend.



The introduction was funny when Sam said, “She frightens me” to Brooke about Victoria. Speaking of Sam, it was great that Jack got a foster home but it tore Sam up so bad. I really hope that Jack keeps in touch with Sam. On a side note, I also agree with Jack that the Burger King guy is creepy. Getting back to Sam...Victoria made a terrible first impression and introduction when meeting Sam. It looks like their relationship will change for the positive but wow, what an introduction. Regarding Victoria's comment about if Sam would rather want a mother who left her or stayed around and was bad at it...she didn't exactly stick around when Brooke was in high school so I have no idea what she is talking about. I wish Brooke made a way for herself to join the company and get it back as hers and fire her ridiculous mother. When it comes to the Brooke and Sam argument, I can see both sides but I agree with Brooke more and yes, Sam's mention of Victoria was a cheap shot. Now I believe I have said it before but I need to say it again that I am so tired of Nathan’s basketball storyline where team mates and players think that they are better than him, etc… This is so played out, literally. Getting to Nathan's mini me...I was so proud of Jamie when he was an interest to a gifted and talented school. Jamie looked uncomfortable visiting the gifted and talented school. He maintained his cool though. As soon as the administrator said that the school did not allow sports, I shook my head no. I am not a sports person myself and I know that is wrong. That is just plain wrong to deprive children of sports. As for Peyton ... she does not have good luck when it comes to cars so even if the car accident wasn't shown in the promo last week, I wouldn't have been surprised. Mouth and Millie are great together, so I am so glad to see them together. I loved the shout out to "In The Heights." When it comes to Skills, I was hoping that he was not going to create a relationship with Jamie’s teacher. I think that about covers it. I am interested to see how Victoria will work her way into Sam and Brooke's lives and of course how Lucas and Peyton are going to be written out of the show. There are only a few episodes left until this season is over so time will tell.


90210 - Between A Sign and a Hard Place

Navid: I could go to baby swim classes. I mean, you are looking for a couple that communicates right, laughs, and respects one another. That’s us right?



Annie and Naomi trying to becoming friends won’t be as much of a conflict since Ethan will not be back next season. Naomi trying to get Ethan not to cut with Liam was hysterical. Naomi has become such a fun character to watch. Hopefully even though her father is being sued for sexual harassment, she will still have a fun spirit to her. I do not want to say that I doubt it but if she has to live with her father again, there is nothing fun about that. Navid and Adrianna are just adorable together. I am so glad that Adrianna came to a realization that she can raise her baby happily with Navid. Knowing that the two are going to get married makes me so excited for what is to come. I might just have to tune in for Season 2. As for Silver, it is definitely better for her to go to another school at this time so the questions are…will she be going there permanently or until she can get over the people at her old school? Kelly and Donna’s storyline was not all that entertaining. I am trying to figure out what else can really be done with those two. Well, this episode was decent. Naomi was very entertaining and I loved seeing Ad and Navid.

The Office - Broke

Ryan: I never went to Thailand. I went to Ft. Lauderdale.



The intro was incredibly funny! I do not understand why Charles has such a negative attitude towards Jim. He never tried to have a positive relationship with Jim or anyone else for that matter. To see Charles kissing up to David was something else. I love Jim’s ring tone for Dwight. I also really loved Pam, Michael, and Ryan’s confession circle. It was hysterical to see Michael so overjoyed about Jim telling the three about David’s offer. I loved how Michael said, “Well, well, well…how the turntables.” Michael’s demands for David Wallace I felt were really genuine. When they got his demands and Michael closed the blinds to celebrate, that was awesome. I really enjoyed this episode. It will be sad to see the Michael Scott Paper Company come to an end, however things are still going to be very interesting with Pam being in sales at Dunder Mifflin. I wonder where Pam will be sitting. This was a great episode! I am looking forward to the next episode.

Pushing Daisies: Window Dressed To Kill Review

The final 3 episodes of Pushing Daisies will begin to air Saturday, May 30th at 10/9c over three consecutive Saturdays and today I will be reviewing the first of the three episodes.

*Review May Contain Spoilers*



Favorite Quotes:
Ned: Who needs a Superman? You’re my hero.
Emerson: This ain’t my milk and I ain’t dipping my paw in it.

There were so many special guests in this episode, some of which included, David Arquette, Constance Zimmer, George Segal, Willie Garson, and Wayne Wilderson. As usual, the pies displayed in the episode all looked scrumptious. I wonder if anyone in the cast is addicted to pies. Anyway, the introduction started out with Young Olive. This was an entertaining back story to the two men (thieves) from Olive’s past who ended up paying a visit to the Pie Hole. This storyline eventually leads Olive, the two thieves, and Ned to Vivian and Lily's. It was so exciting to see everyone together! Speaking of being together, Ned ends up declaring his "love" for Olive due to a certain situation that takes place prior to, then Olive debunks the situation, and yet near the end of episode, Ned is jealous of Olive when she touches David Arquette's character. So the real question is, who does Ned want to spend the rest of his life with? Can he handle not being able to touch Chuck for the rest of his and her life? Will we get the answer in the final 2 episodes or will it play out in the comic books? Getting to Chuck...she teams up with Emerson as they solve a mysterious death. Ned eventually tags along, once he gets over his identity issues. I wish there had more of a focus on his identity issues in past episodes. I feel like that could have really been a nice full storyline. I do not want to say anymore, but I definitely enjoyed this episode. It seemed like there was more drama than comedy, however I still very much enjoyed every bit of this episode. The set design was on point. Kristin Chenoweth gave a wonderful performance, a nice ballad to be exact. You will not be disappointed come May 30th.

Pushing Daisies The Complete Second Season will be available on DVD July 21, 2009.

Getting to Know Eric Martinez

I recently spoke with actor, model, and musician, Eric Martinez, who is also the CEO of Down Latino Magazine and Powermoves Entertainment. There was so much that I learned about Eric, so I hope that you all enjoy the interview. Eric recently landed a role as a Federal Officer in an upcoming episode of In Plain Sight (USA) so be on the lookout for Eric!



As newly appointed CEO of The Source Latino, what plans do you have for the future of this magazine?
Well, we have changed the name to Down Latino Magazine. The former CEO of The Source, Jeremy Miller is the owner of a magazine called, Down and since he has left The Source, we decided to partner up. This magazine is not going to be about race but it is going to be about good music, good fashion, culture, a lot of different elements.

Can we say the same for Powermoves Entertainment as well?
Yeah, we work with a lot of different artists. We are dabbling into more diversity. You recognize talent when you see it, you know?

What inspired you to create the record label?
I started out in an R&B group myself many years ago. I have always been interested in the entertainment business as a whole. Being from Albuquerque, New Mexico, the film and TV business was not as big as it is out here today, so back then it was really all about music. A friend of mine encouraged me to start my own label and since then I have managed the careers at least 15 different artists. I have made friends in the industry where normally I would have never had the opportunity to meet or even talk with those in the industry. I love the music industry.

How did teaming up with Coke to feature all of Powermoves artists come about?
When I first started Powermoves, we did not have a lot of money for promotion. So I had a proposal to team up with a brand. I knew that Coca Cola was coming out with Sprite Remix and were trying to campaign it to the youth. I went to the local marketing director in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my proposal. We sat down and came up with the idea for a Sprite Remix CD and it was a win win on both sides. It got our music out and it got their brand out. They really took a chance on us so I will always be grateful for that. All the music on the CD was fan friendly, there was no cussing, it was nice mixture of R&B and hip hop, and it turned out to be a great project.

What do you have to say about the state of R&B and Hip Hop today?
It changes so frequently. I must say that R&B is definitely making a comeback. With the artists, J. Holiday, Dream, Avant, Trey Songz, etc... it has been a lot easier to get our artist, Jmar's music out. Jmar is having his album release party soon. Hip hop is getting more and more electronic. It shows that it is okay to think outside of the box and come up with good music.

Tell me about your role in the Urban Convergence Festival and what the event represents to you.
That was supposed to help educate our country on child obesity. It was supposed to happen in Colorado but the event was moved to Philadelphia, PA. There were very big goals for that and there were many people lined up to support it. The plans have been put to a halt due to how big of a project it is, although I am definitely going to give my support once it gets off the ground.

As an active speaker at local schools and organizations, what is the most important part of your message to the audience?
It depends on the audience but I do not like to be preachy. I like to speak from the heart and I like to convey the most to just believe in yourself. Also, there is an opportunity for you to do good for people everyday. In life, eventually you are going to get out of it what you put into it.

Do you feel that people today, no matter what their age have more or less will to succeed, especially in this recession?
There are few people who will really sacrifice anything to succeed. Then, there are the people who are quick to give up or if something doesn't go their way they will quit. You have to be headstrong. You have to want it more than anyone around you and work harder than anyone around you. Nobody in this business is going to hand you anything. You have to have people who believe in you and support you. Sometimes though the only person you have is you and you know what they say, you have to fake it till you make it.

What advice can you give to entrepreneurs of what not to do to get into the industry and what to expect?
Expect it to be hard. It is a lot of work. Once you make it into the industry, if you know how to utilize your network, at that point things will come easier. Although you have to do this because you love it. If you are doing this for money or fame, you are doing it for all of the wrong reasons. This industry will eat you up and spit you out quickly. You can't suffice talent for hard work. There are any different elements you need to maintain your career. Also, do not listen to those who tell you that you cannot make it. Keep faith and work hard everyday.

You really do a lot in the entertainment business, how do you find the time to do it all? What is an average day like for you?
Right now, I am really trying to build up my acting resume. Jon Chavez is the VP of Powermoves and he handles most of the day to day operations of the company for the label and the magazine. I take a lot of meetings, phone calls, and emails. The film industry is becoming big here in Albuquerque, New Mexico so I am really trying to spread my wings. I want to be taken seriously though because people know that I own the label but I am dwelling into acting as well. Very few people have been able to get away with that, like Will Smith and Diddy who were rappers turned actors. I love the music business but I really want to be a good actor.

Did you take any film or acting classes in high school?
No, I actually didn't. I take acting classes now though. I try to do as much as I can because you have to practice your skill.

What are your upcoming projects?
I am getting signed on for an independent film where I play a mafia leader. I am also promoting a web reality series, A Label Is Born. I will be speaking in Puerto Rico in July. Down Latino Magazine's official website will be launched within the next month. I will be attending more award shows this year. I just read for a role for the TV show, In Plain Sight. I have a lot going on.

Yes you do! With that, thank you for your time!
Thank you.

Be sure to check out Eric on Myspace.

Youtube Video of the Week

Watch The Youtube Video below, then watch the Funny or Die Parody of it, also below.

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

Hollywood the Write Way Podcast

Make sure to tune in to Hollywood the Write Way Show live on Blog Talk Radio today at 3pm PT/ 6pm ET.

Today, we will be discussing everything in TV, Film, Music, & Pop Culture with special guest: Blogger, Brian Laesch.

Also, Hollywood the Write Way Show is now a Podcast on i-Tunes, so make sure that you Subscribe.

If the link above does not work, you can go into iTunes and Power Search "Hollywood the Write Way" or look on the right hand column of this website for the "Blog Talk Radio" widget and click the i-Tunes button.

See you there!

Getting to Know Katie Barberi

Awhile ago, I had a wonderful talk with Actress, Katie Barberi about a lot more than just her career. I was able to talk to Katie after a long day of shooting in Colombia . Katie has most recently been seen on the Telemundo series, Doña Bárbara. She is hard at work, and information on her work and more is below.



Before reaching the age of ten, you lived and attended school in a lot of places. So what I am going to do is go through some cities that you have lived in and I want you to tell me what you can remember from living there.

Mexico City, Tijuana, & CanCun, Mexico
Those are 3 very different, very distinct moments of my life. Cancun is where many of my relatives live on my father's side. My father was a developer and general manager for one of the first hotels built there. There were very few hotels there at the time and now there are so many hotels there! In Tijuana, I remember crossing the border every morning at 6:30am to go to school. Tijuana is very much a border town. I lived in Mexico City for 9 years. My career really grew there in the Latin market so I am very grateful for that.

Las Vegas & Reno, Nevada
My mother was a singer and actress there and I was just stunned with how big and wonderful the shows were there. I do remember my school there and my childhood.

San Diego & Baja, CA
My father had a hotel chain that he was supervising in Baja, CA. That is where I would go to school and go shopping.

Before you relocated with your mother to Los Angeles, California, was NY ever an option to move to?
New York is always an option. I think NY is one of the most fabulous cities in the world.

What were the advantage and disadvantages of living in so many different cities?
You get very homesick and then you don't even know what you are homesick for because I have a home in Florida but I am outside of the city, and possibly outside of the country most times of the year. I have been working nonstop now in Colombia for 2 years and I continue to say that I don't live in Colombia but the fact is that I have for the past 2 years. The good side is that you get the opportunity to understand different cultures and points of view about life. It gives you a greater understanding of human nature to be able to talk to so many different walks of life.

Despite all of the schools that you attended, you remained a straight “A” student. How did you do that?
It drives my co stars nuts that I actually have a photographic memory. So I look at something once and I know it. So it really helped me in school and it really helps me as an actress. Sometimes we shoot 25-35 scenes a day. I read the scripts when they come in, leave it in my locker at the studio, come in and read it the day of the shoot, and as we are blocking, I learn it. The thing is, it is short term. Once I finish a scene, don't ask me what I shot 20 days ago because I couldn't tell you. Now in school, there were a few subjects that I was very interested in. History and literature were the subjects that I actually retained the information.

Explain the process of learning how to neutralize your American accent for different roles.
You have to be able to dominate several different accents in both languages to be cast in the roles that you are interested in. I can do a pretty good English accent, a NY accent, and Southern accent on a very generic level. In Spanish, I was cast to do a Telenovela in English in Mexico. They decided to shoot 3 Telenovelas in English using the same sets and locations, and scripts - just translated. They brought down a cast of actors from Los Angeles, CA to act in English. I was cast in the 2nd one, Acapulco Bay. I had been acting professionally for about 10 years by that time. The head of casting for the studio found out about my extensive career and learned that some of my Disney movies from my childhood were available for rent inside the studio store. So he asked me for a meeting. I spoke about 80% Spanish and had an American accent. He asked me to explore the possibility of doing Telenovela in Spanish. I told him that I did not speak very good Spanish and he told me that I would get a diction coach. That coach was none other than Actress, Adriana Barraza. Several years later, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in the film, Babel. I took 6 days a week for 6 months, 2 hours a day. By the time I was done, I sounded like I was born and raised in Mexico. It was a very intensive course. She did an amazing job. She is an amazing teacher and actress.

When did your mother, a professional singer give you voice lessons?
The lessons were predominately in opera and I was 10 years old. I love musical Theatre. I am a huge Barbara Streisand fan.

Explain shooting a Latin soap and shooting an American soap.
I have not yet had an opportunity to work on an American soap opera. My favorite American soap opera is General Hospital. I think the biggest difference is that Telenovela has a beginning, middle, and an end over the course of a few months. In America, if you get on daytime and find yourself the right role, you can work for years on end. For Telenovela, we air as prime time, not daytime.

How soon after you shoot an episode does it air?
We film out of sequence, like it is a movie. We film according to location. Some episodes will come out 10 days after they are shot and others will come out 30-40 days after they are shot.

What are you watching on television?
I just started watching Gossip Girl. I just finished Weeds. I know every line of Sex & the City and I know all of the commentary. I love Entourage.

Tell me about what you are working on now and any upcoming projects.
I got a movie with a lovely producer, Chris McIntyre called 21 and A Wake-Up. It broke my heart because 2 of my favorite actors are in the film, one of which is Faye Dunaway. I had an amazing role of a Latina singer but by the time that film was ready to shoot, I was already in Colombia shooting. So there are a couple of ideas for other projects. Some are here in Colombia and I have some meetings in Los Angeles, CA. I am not the type of person to do 2 projects at once, because of the stress. We will see what comes next.

Movie Monday

A Look Ahead:

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D
Rating: TBA
Release Date: 07/04/2009
Cast: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah



Just Released:

In Theaters

The Soloist
Trailer
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 04/24/2009
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Jr., Catherine Keener



On DVD

Frost Nixon
Rating: R
Release Date: 04/21/2009
Cast: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Ron Howard, Brian Grazer



A Look Back:

Baby Mama
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 04/25/2008
Cast: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Greg Kinnear, Dax Shepard



*******
Fun Link: Follow Jon Favreau, Director of Iron Man 2 on Twitter.

Interview with The Urgency

I recently had the chance to interview the band, The Urgency who will actually be playing at Bamboozle in 2 weeks. The band is signed with Island Records and will kick off their tour overseas on May 15th in Dublin, Ireland. Their debut album, which is self titled, releases on April 21, 2009. So make sure you buy it on iTunes. Enjoy!



Did you guys always know that you wanted your debut album to be self titled or was there discussion of other titles?
Yeah, this was our first full-length release and we wanted to keep it simple.

How long did it take to record your debut album and where did you record the album?
We spent about 6 months at the House of Loud in New Jersey, where we spent every day writing songs and tracking ideas, from which we culled 13 tracks that we recorded in late 2007 through early '08.

What was it like at SXSW?
SXSW was insane! Thousands of people partying all day and night, bands in every venue in Austin, it was pretty overwhelming. Our showcase was a lot of fun, there was a great energy in the crowd and caught a lot of great artists on our stage, including Evaline, and Amberlin.

How did the UK tour with The Blackout, Hollywood Undead, and Silverstein come together?
We first toured the UK in January with We Are The Ocean, and we had such an amazing time over there we were lucky enough to get another amazing UK tour through our agency. We're really looking forward to it!

Where is your favorite venue to play at?
Higher Ground in our hometown of Burlington, VT is always a great time... Also, the Colchester Arts Centre, in Colchester, England was a very memorable show for us. It's in this giant, ancient church, and it's where we recorded our video for Revolution. You can check it out here.

Do you find the energy in the crowds to be different in different states/countries?
The U.S. is so big that it's only natural to perform for lots of different crowds. We've played with a lot of different bands, on a wide variety of tours, both in genre and venue size, which has really given us the experience to interact a crowd, no matter if there shy, or excited, or wasted, or whatever. Our experience with the U.K. so far has been incredible, everyone is just so pumped to be at a concert, it's great. Plus the girls over there are extremely aggressive.

What was it like working with producer, David Bendeth before ever even signing a record deal?
It was pretty cool. He found our music online and really took a liking to the band. He gave us full reign of the studio, and he also gave us a lot of insight into the record industry and making an album. It was an eye-opening experience, and it was a lot of fun to record the album.

Was there any song that was challenging to record in the studio?
There are some pretty high notes on "Move You" and I can be a perfectionist when it comes to my vocals (laughs), but it's the challenges that really make it fun for me. We love to push ourselves physically through our music.

Any songs that you really wish would have made it on the album but did not make the cut?
There's a song called "Tunnel Vision" I'd like to come back to. I think there's a video or two of it out there online somewhere. Generally speaking however we're always trying to outdo ourselves and focus on new material.

What do you do about writer’s block and what gives you the most inspiration?
I make it a point to write every day, which is a great exercise for overcoming writer's block. Whatever comes up off the top of my head, whether it's poetry or free form over a guitar idea Ryan or Ian has sent me. Anything and everything is inspiring. I write whatever I feel in the moment. It's really the mood of the instrumentation that ultimately allows me to focus on what it is I'm going to sing about it.

What are some musical artists that you guys like that people would be surprised to know that you like?
Ian loves Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.

Follow The Urgency on Twitter.

Olivia Waldriff of Grey Gardens Talks to HTWW

I recently had the chance to talk to Olivia Waldriff who plays a young Jackie Kennedy in the new HBO film, Grey Gardens which premieres tonight at 8pm. She talked a little bit about Grey Gardens, her new projects, and her past project, MVP.



Tell me about the audition process for Grey Gardens.
I went there 5 times for call backs.

What did you learn the most from your co-star, Drew Barrymore?
She is really sweet. She taught me a lot about writing and directing.

How much research did you do for your role as young Jackie Kennedy?
I read a few books and magazine articles on Jackie Kennedy. I read a lot about her husband as well.

Had you seen the 1975 Grey Gardens documentary prior to being attached to the film?
I have seen parts of it, yes.

When did you start your company, Just A Kid Productions?
Actually, I started that not too long ago.

When did you become interested in acting, producing, and writing?
I became interested when I met Drew. She inspired me to make a movie. So I made my own movie. I wrote the screenplay myself, am in it, and I am also directing it.

Tell me about your job for the new TV show, “The Totally Cool Travel Show.”
I host the travel show and I find cool places for kids to go. My sister, Riley, and my friend Jake are great actors and were fun to work with.

So far, the pilot was filmed in Las Vegas which I find interesting because as soon as I think of Vegas I think of gambling which 9 year olds can’t do. So I want to know what you found in Las Vegas for kids to do.
They can race go karts, sky dive, go to Madam Trousseau's Wax Museum, the bakery, and the Springs Preserve. It took a week to shoot but we are going back to re-shoot it. My favorite part was the Wax Museum.

Do you like to visit places for fun or for the historical background?
Actually, I kind of like both. I like visiting places for fun and I also like to learn about the history. On the show, we don’t go to the obvious places that people would expect. We visit places where people would never imagine to go.

I know you are from Canada so suppose the show was in Canada. What places do you think would be on the show?
There are a lot of fun places. I really like Fun World. If you have kids and ever visit Canada, you should go there.

Aside from the show, where have you been in America so far?
Aside from Las Vegas, Nevada and California, I have traveled to Florida and New York.

Now, what are your favorite things to do in LA?
I like going to the movies, parks, libraries and I like going to Mr. Chow.



What are you reading right now?
I am reading Superfudge by Judy Blume.

What was it like playing Grace Morris on “MVP” (Currently airs on Soapnet.)
That was so much fun! I loved playing my characters. I got to meet a bunch of new people and I loved working with everyone on the set. There was actually a young boy my age and we are friends.

Explain to everyone what Blessings in a Backpack is and what you do to contribute.
We go to schools for kids who cannot afford food on the weekends. We give kids backpacks full of food so they can build their strength for when they come back to school after the weekend. It is run by Stan Curtis, he is the funniest man I have ever met. Hilary Duff is also volunteering for Blessings in a Backpack. It was really cool, she is very sweet. She loves animals, she has the sweetest dogs. Her dogs are Lola, Cocoa, and Jack and I really love Jack.

Would you like to do a movie with Hilary Duff?
Yes, that would be very fun.

Now, what are your favorite subjects in school and are you thinking about college?
I like art, science, and grammar. I want to go to Princeton University.

You seem very buy, what is your schedule like?
My work schedule is pretty busy. I have weekends off and I do not work every day. Sometimes my work schedule can be really, really busy and other times I will get a break. When I am working, I love table reads. I also want to have my own clothing line.

Do you have a favorite designer?
I would probably say Betsey Johnson.

Who would you like to work with in the future?
I would like to work with Ellen Page in the future. I would also like to work with Adam Sandler, Robin Williams, and Oprah Winfrey.

TV Week In Review

*Reviews May Contain Spoilers*

Chuck - Chuck vs. the First Kill

Casey: I’m not going to cheat. You’re kidding right?
Chuck: I’m not kidding.



It was so encouraging to see Chuck so determined to find his father. He can take a backseat on all of the other missions, but definitely not this one. He was desperate enough that he would go back to Jill. I was not surprised that a friend of the family introduced Jill to Fulcrum. It was either that or an immediate family member. “Uncle Bernie” chasing Chuck and Jill was quite humorous for some reason that I cannot explain. No one had to save the day thanks to Bernie having a heart attack. Although thanks to Bernie trying to kill Chuck, that did not help Jill’s case. She tried to do damage control by helping the three out at the Fulcrum Testing Building. As funny as it was that Chuck and Casey ended up having to take the auditing Fulcrum test, it was disappointing that they had to waste that time doing it, which led them to be found out by Fulcrum. The “Are you wearing a wire” was funny both times it was asked to Chuck. I loved when Chuck told the fulcrum security that he was not going to try to escape. Casey’s entrance to save Chuck was probably my favorite entrance of his all season! Also one of the best moments was when Sarah told Chuck to take off his watch! Sarah to the rescue big time! That moment definitely made for a fine shift in the storyline. I cannot wait to see how this turns out. Back at Buy More, the staff was going crazy. I loved Lester’s quote about people asking employees if they work at a store when they are clearly wearing the store uniform…but then he barely had clothes on. That was great. I love how Morgan always has issues when unbeknownst to him, his overall conflict is the same as Chuck’s. Now I cannot believe that Emmett set up Big Mike up so that he could become manager. Even worse, Big Mike thought that Morgan was responsible. What a sticky situation. Overall, this was a phenomenal episode. Kudos on the subway advertising. I am a Subway addict. The music was perfect in this episode! Everything was perfect. I look forward to more Chuck!

House - Saviors

Cameron: I told you I never wanted to dump Chase.
House: Absolutely. You want him to dump you. That’s totally different.



The introduction was one of a kind. I really enjoyed it. It was very interesting to see this patient and the doctors try to figure out what was wrong with him. How incredible that all of the patient’s symptoms were because of roses. Unfortunately roses was not enough to keep him and his wife together. You can’t win them all. There was so much focus on Cameron and Chase in this episode, which I enjoyed because they do not get enough screen time if you ask me, especially Cameron. Although the circumstances were tricky because Chase thought that Cameron wanted Kutner’s place because he thought that she wanted to be closer to House. In reality, Cameron found Chase’s engagement ring to her and assumed that he just recently bought the ring. When Chase came to Cameron 2 days after she said she needed time, Cameron should have told Chase what she found. I am glad that she got it off her chest though, in time for Chase to still want her back. Now that the two are engaged, I am expecting some sarcasm and jokes about that from House. Speaking of House, he played his heart out at the end of this episode…only to find Amber watching him. Amber! It was good to see her come back for an episode. I wonder if he will see Amber in his (day) dreams more now that Kutner is gone or if that was a one time thing. Only time will tell.

Heroes - 1961

Nathan: I’ll go back to Washington, take ownership of my mistakes, talk to the President.



So this episode did absolutely nothing to forward any stories although it was great back story for Angela’s life. Young Angela, Alexa Nikolas was perfect. I really enjoyed getting to know more of Angela’s background and who her sister is. I was so incredibly taken aback that Suresh dismissed what young Angela said about him killing everyone. It was even more disturbing when the guard shot Angela and Alice’s father in front of Alice. Why did present day Alice look so incredibly aged? I guess because the storms she created over the years must have gotten to her. I wonder if we will see more of Alice in future episodes. That was insane how Sylar took Nathan’s form. That was a great ending and set up for next week. By the looks of it, there is going to be some major drama! This episode was directed very well. I can’t believe next week is the last episode before the finale. This year went by so quick. I feel like there should be more! Must savor the moment!

90210 - Okaeri, Donna!

Naomi: Don't mention me at all, expect of course, only to find out if he likes me.



The way that Kelly was treating Silver was ridiculous. It was understandable because many people do not know how to handle people who have bi polar disorder, or any disorder for that matter. It was equally irritating as it was humorous to see Kelly struggle with what to do. Why does Silver have to go to bed so early like a 10 year old? That part I really do not understand. Now, it was great to see Donna back, although it felt so routine and not genuine at all. Another special guest, Diablo Cody was also on the show and she looked great! I liked the stripper reference. Although her scenes, especially the red carpet scene was way too forced. I actually found the most entertainment out of Naomi in this episode. It was great of Ethan to volunteer of Habitat for Humanity but it was even better seeing Naomi on cloud 9 and asking Ethan to find out if Liam liked her. I do not know if Liam will ever seriously go out with Naomi but it is not worth it if Naomi has to chase after him. As for Annie and Dixon… The road trip was light and fun up until Dixon had to tell Annie the true meaning of the road trip. I enjoyed the shout out to Rent by the way. I think that Dixon should have told Annie his true intentions for the road trip. I cannot figure out if he did not tell her beforehand because that brother-sister connection is not strong enough for him to trust her with something like that or if he thought it was in her personality to automatically tell their parents. It was great to see April Parker-Jones, who I loved from her days on Jericho. Seeing her character and Annie bond was a touching scene. Overall, this episode fell totally flat with the Silver, Kelly, and Donna, but was very entertaining when it came to Naomi, and was decent when it came to Annie and Dixon.

Samantha Who? - The Debt

Regina: It’s like when I used to help you with your math homework and finally I just stopped trying push that rock up a hill. And I said, “She’s not going to need this math, she’s pretty.”



The introduction was one of the funniest I have seen in weeks. It was so simple and yet extremely hilarious to me. I was wondering how long it would take Sam to realize the negative side of leaving her stable job. The trip to Las Vegas did not help Sam in any way. Before they got to Vegas though, Sam’s line about Bette Midler made me realize that Sam has to watch all of those amazing movies and classics over again! Apparently Sam’s memory loss did not take away her desire to do certain things like gambling. Sam learned how to play her own game with Funk and soon Todd. I always love to see the spark between Sam and Todd. Now Andrea and Dena were hysterical in this episode. Their chemistry is amazing! The storyline was equally entertaining. This entire episode was amazingly written. I loved it and I can’t wait for next week.

The Office - Heavy Competition

Dwight: So how is your gay son?



The cold open was so clever and funny….I wonder how long it took the three of them to get it right. Their morning cheer was hilarious. Andy is truly ridiculous if he thinks he and his acapella group are worth $9,000. Jim and Andy were quite funny but it was really all about Dwight and Michael. It was so incredibly entertaining to see Dwight out of his element, so uncomfortable and angry with Charles and then suddenly be fine with Charles and sell Michael out. I loved it, I loved the tension between Dwight and Michael. I cannot believe Michael is smart enough to use a simile the right way. Michael’s “Hello traitor” call to Dwight was hysterical. This episode was just full of laughs. Dwight stripping down, Michael calling Dwight “Dwightlicious” I believe it was, and Dwight sabotaging Michael were all extremely memorable moments. Michael letting Dwight hear him sell to Dwight’s biggest client was the smartest thing Michael quite possibly has ever done. I enjoyed this week so much. This episode definitely stands out among this season.

Dove Fresh Presents...Gossip Girl: Real NYC Stories Revealed

Just a short few hours ago, I attended the “Dove Fresh Presents… Gossip Girl: Real NYC Stories Revealed” event at the wonderful Gramercy Park Hotel Rooftop in NYC. The event aimed to preview the new series of the same title, that will soon air on Monday nights during Gossip Girl (The CW).



The series, introduced by Gossip Girl star, Jessica Szohr follows 4 real Upper East Side gossip worthy ladies who are on their way to making it to the top in their fields. From left to right, there is Lara, the Ivy League Graduate aka Blair, Dani, the It Girl aka Serena (the crowd cheers), Faythallegra, the filmmaker aka Vanessa, and Chrissie, the fashion designer aka Jenny.



Chrissie, Faythallegra, and Dani were in attendance for the event and I ended up getting to talk with both Chrissie and Faythallegra. I was given a booklet showcasing Chrissie’s Sophomore Line and I found out that Faythallegra will soon be in pre production of her very first feature film this fall. Photos from the event are below. There were also these really good mini burgers that I wish I had taken a photo of. They were so good! Although a fellow blogger that I met, Nitrolicious has the photos of all of the food on her blog. I also met bloggers, A Novelista, Beauty Blogging Junkie, and Makeup Loves Me who can be seen somewhat in the third photo below.



















As the event was hosted by Dove, a new product line was previewed for the Dove Fresh line. The photo below shows what product samples I walked away with for the night. “Burst” has a very strong nectarine and white ginger scent and I can honestly say that this is my favorite scent from the entire line. It definitely wakes up your senses, that is for sure! I have always been a fan of Dove. I grew up on using Dove products so I was more than thrilled to be able to bring home these new products and I cannot wait to use them!



I had a very good time at the event and it could not have happened without Victoria Taylor and Andrea Urioste both from RocketXL and Juli Freeman from Edelman, so thank you very much!