Jane by Design Style Challenge #5

As New Year's Eve approaches, many of you may be wondering how you'll find the time to doll up for the evening after your busy day at the office. Well, you don't have to stress anymore about finding the time to change your clothes because you can spice up your work wardrobe with just a few changes in your accessories!

Style #1
Here's your wardrobe for a day at the office:



What's so exciting about working in the fashion industry is the creative freedom the staff has with their wardrobe. Which is why Jane can pull off these sparkly pants which help bring some personality to a typical work look. The belt on top of the shirt adds more style as opposed to just wearing a necklace and bracelet like most girls. So the belt and the choice of PANTS really make your office wardrobe stand out while still maintaining the level of professionalism throughout the day.

Style #2
Here's your wardrobe changed entirely for a cocktail party:



This is not your typical choice for a cocktail party but if you are bold enough to switch the gender boundaries and bring out the inner Diane Keaton in you, you can definitely pull off this look. You can keep the jacket on or leave it off, roll up the sleeves for s 3/4 look, add a flower to your shirt (or hair), change the style of the necklace as it best suits you, and roll up your shirt in the front & center (or even to the side) and make the prettiest flower wrap that you can, big or small. The pants are the same, but if you're really feeling adventurous, you can cut them and create a skirt. It all depends on preference and how comfortable you are rocking this bolder look.

A Closer Look at the Accessories:



There are two choices of earrings for the day and night and you can tuck in the strap to your purse and turn it into a clutch for the evening. As mentioned earlier, you can wear your necklace long for one style and double it for the other. The shoes are a classic black look that never go wrong and the flower always adds a sweet touch to any look.

So what are you waiting for? It's your turn! Share your day-to-night styling tips here and be sure to mention “Hollywood the Write Way!”

And in case you missed it, check out Challenge #1 here, Challenge #2 here, Challenge #3 here and Challenge #4 here!

Jane By Design premieres Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9pm/8c on ABC Family.

Jane by Design Style Challenge #4

It truly is the most wonderful time of year. Think about it. December is the one time of the year when everyone is thinking about the same thing... how to better themselves in the new year. It's a time for growth, a time for change, a time for reinvention. But before you go off and think about the inner, let's take a moment to be creative with the outer... more specifically, that dorky sweater that Grandma recently gave you and you have no idea what to do with it.

Before - Take a look at the sweater:



Take One - Here are the basic cut outs to my creation... holiday socks and slippers! I do like the plain black socks that for some reason, were the best gift in my stocking this year... but it's time to spruce it up! I hope Mom doesn't mind! And, we've all seen holiday socks, but how many of us have seen holiday slippers? Holiday slippers are going to be the trend next winter, so don't say I didn't tell you!



Take Two - Here are the scraps to my sweater, a slipper untouched and a slipper in its final stage of holiday cheer (goodbye balls!), as well as my lovely new holiday socks! What I learned during this stage... never underestimate what pins can do when sewing by hand becomes a hassle!





After - Take a look at my amazing new holiday socks and slippers!



Your turn! Share your own holiday inspired creations here and be sure to mention “Hollywood the Write Way!”

And in case you missed it, check out Challenge #1 here, Challenge #2 here and Challenge #3 here!

Jane By Design premieres Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9pm/8c on ABC Family.

Jane by Design Style Challenge #3

This entry is for all of the purse lovers out there. Growing up, I never understood people’s love for shoes but walking towards the purse section in malls, I was and still am a kid in a candy store. A purse is what stands out to me when I’m looking at other individuals, as I go throughout my day. Never underestimate the impact that a purse has because it represents an individual in ways that go beyond the designer’s name.



My purse above best represents me at the current stage in my life for many reasons. Ever since I was little girl, I have been fascinated with big bags. Why not carry my entire life around with me every where I go? But a few years ago, a loved one bought me a small purse for Christmas and I thanked her graciously but had so much anxiety over how I was going to fit my life into such a small purse. Using the purse was not a question, how long I was able to survive with it was the real question. I am proud to say that I used that purse for over a year... and then my rocky relationship ended with this particular purse so it came time to give it away or toss it as I do when each relationship ends. I don’t hold onto my purses because they represent a space in time for me and I will not hold onto that baggage. There is no nostalgia when it comes to my purses, only the agenda of moving forward.

Now, as a twenty something year old woman, I know that all of that extra baggage was weighing me down not only physically but mentally. Ever heard of that song, “Little Things” by India Arie? Well, let’s just say that the purse that my loved one gave to me was one of the best gifts that I have ever received. It helped me see that I don’t have to carry my world on my shoulder and I will still be just as content, if not, more. So today, I carry smaller bags like the one above... adjustable straps a plus!



With the Nine West purse above, I can place my iPhone, wallet, Kindle, keys, camera, voice recorder (for interviews), all natural lip balm, all natural hand lotion, gum/cough drops, pen, and mini note pad, all without a budge! The rest of my belongings are not necessary... or are in the trunk of my car if I really do need them. I can place this spunky purse on my shoulder, heading out for a girl’s night out or place it across my body for a walk around the village in New York. This purse is the ultimate chameleon that way. Stylish, simple, comfortable, and fit for every occasion. That’s what I look for in a purse and that’s what I’ve found here. What about you? Share the bag that best represents you here and be sure to mention “Hollywood the Write Way!”

And in case you missed it, check out Challenge #1 here and Challenge #2 here!

Jane By Design premieres Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9pm/8c on ABC Family.

Jane by Design Style Challenge #2

Who is your style icon? That is the question of the week as we end the year and think about how to best present ourselves in 2012. My style icon is Phoebe Halliwell from The WB series, Charmed. Phoebe Halliwell takes risks. She wakes up in the morning and dares to shine. That's what I've attempted to do in my design above, which I created from a plain white tee.



What’s so fascinating about Phoebe's style is that her choices are so clever and yet so effortless. For those who have followed her journey, you’ll remember that Phoebe’s style evolved from a young, unemployed, soon to be college student inspired by her stint in New York City to a successful advice columnist home in San Francisco who wore her heart on her sleeve. Her environment and her emotions brought out the best of her free and oh so lovable spirit. I wanted to bring out the color of love, if you will, in my design which is why I chose pink. This was quite a change since pink is not a color I generally take to. So round of applause for branching out!



Phoebe's environment and her emotions also brought out not just color to the passing eye but also to the one looking deeper, the ability to acknowledge the dreamer in them. No matter how much money is in Phoebe’s pocket and her resources, no matter the most unbelievable spells she is under in her magical world, Phoebe manages to bring all eyes on her and challenges those eyes to see the world in all its beauty. This simple but funky creation above was inspired by that beauty and hopes to pass it on as well.

The way that Phoebe mixes and matches, which is not an easy thing to do, has encouraged me to take some risks of my own when layering. And whether a goddess of love or just another writer at the office, Phoebe knows how to dress for the occasion and still stand out. Because she is such a risk taker, there is trial and error at some point in time or another but that’s how you learn and grow and Phoebe has done so much of that over the years. To be able to inspire people to be confident and comfortable in their own skin, especially as a woman, and their choices is a gift that some people have and Phoebe Halliwell has got that gift.



It’s not just about the wardrobe though. Phoebe has the whole package. Her makeup always blends naturally and smoothly with her clothing of the day and her hair is a character of its own. Phoebe’s pixie cut was my absolute favorite look of hers. There are not many women willing to cut off all of their hair but Phoebe did it, rocked it, and rocked every stage of hair growth until it returned back to its shoulder length from earlier days. At times, Phoebe will accent her hair with a red flower, clip, or another accessory we often tend to forget are out there. Let’s face it, how many people can truly pull off wearing a hair net when not working around food? While we stopped following Phoebe’s weekly adventures four years ago, Phoebe will always be a top fashion icon in my look book.

As Lennon said, "You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one." So now it’s your turn to tell me about your style icons here and be sute to mention “Hollywood the Write Way” when you do!

And in case you missed Challenge #1, be sure to check it out here!

Jane By Design premieres Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9pm/8c on ABC Family.

Jane by Design - Donovan Decker Interview

I am beyond thrilled to share the news that Hollywood the Write Way is a proud participant in the Jane By Design Style Challenge!

This game is a three week fashion challenge for bloggers, which is inspired by the new ABC Family original series, Jane By Design premiering Tuesday, January 3 at 9pm/8c.

The challenge takes me into the fictional world of the high-fashion design house Donovan Decker. How cool is that? I will be “applying” for a job as the official Donovan Decker blogger and if I make it through all of the assignments, I'll be one happy lady! You will be too, as there's room for you trendsetters to win here as well! If I win, you win! Keep that in mind as the challenges roll in! In fact, continue reading to find out how you can help me on my first challenge!

As an entertainment blogger, this is a wonderful opportunity for me to share my fashion sense so I am very excited to be able to participate! Especially since the game involves a trunk full of necessities needed to complete each challenge. Stay tuned to find out what's in the trunk. In the meantime, take a look below at my first completed challenge below... discover as many fabulous finds as you can with $50. Afterwards, head on over here to share your very own haul videos and be sure to mention "Hollywood the Write Way" in your video!



Jane By Design premieres Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9pm/8c on ABC Family.

A Handful of Holiday Gift Ideas

Since seven is my favorite number, I want to share with you all seven gift ideas for the holiday season. If you've ever wondered where you can shop for everyday clothes that were made in America, check out All American Clothing Co. and for your athletic individuals out there, Darn Tough Vermont.

I haven't forgotten about my favorite part of an outfit... the handbags! Sally Spicer Bags has a number of cute handbags and accessories worth checking out. That's not what you'll be picking up on your way out for a good workout, so instead, check out the Ultimate Running Belt to hold your water bottle, keys, ipod, phone, etc... It's definitely on my wish list!

Art Credit: Lucas De Alcantara


For ambiance, I'd recommend a good old Yankee Candle. For inspiration, try Society 6 where artists from all over the world upload their designs and sell them as prints, canvases, t-shirts, iPhone cases, and more. The Children's Art Project is also worth looking into as artwork by patients from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is sold and all of the profits go directly to the pediatric programs!

So I hope these gift ideas find you well and at least one of these are a great addition to your gifts this year. Happy Holidays!

Scottie Thompson Talks TNT's DECK THE HALLS

Mystery Movie Night on TNT is raising the bar with next Tuesday's premiere of the holiday mystery movie, Deck the Halls, starring Scottie Thompson (NCIS). And just in time for the holiday mystery movie, I had the opportunity to speak with Thompson about the film, staying healthy throughout the holidays, and more. Check it out:



Deck the Halls is Based on the first book in Mary Higgins Clark and daughter Carol Higgins Clark’s serbes of holiday mystery novels, this warm-hearted story brings together two of the authors’ most popular characters: Cleaning-woman-turned-private-eye Alvirah Meegan, played by Kathy Najimy (Sister Act,Franklin & Bash) and Detective Regan Reilly, played by Scottie Thompson (Star Trek, Skyline). The women investigate the kidnapping of Regan’s father and a young female driver just before the holidays. The race is on to rescue the pair and get them home in time for Christmas. Two-time Emmy winner Jane Alexander (Testament, Warm Springs) plays Regan’s mother, famed mystery writer Nora Regan Reilly. Larry Miller (10 Things I Hate about You, The Nutty Professor) plays Willy Meehan, Alvirah’s husband.

Had you read the first novel in the series from which Deck the Halls is based on prior to be cast or afterwards?
No, I read it after I got the offer. Even though I already read the script and knew what was going to happen, I am a big reader. It was a pretty quick read since it is so suspenseful.

So what was your favorite element of the script, and did it differ in the book?
From an acting standpoint, playing the detective and someone personally involved in the case was the most exciting part of it. It's not like she's solving any case, this directly affects someone she loves. So I thought that was my favorite aspect of the script and it is the same for the book as well.

What did you learn from the director, Ron Underwood (Santa Baby 2, Holiday in Handcuffs) while on the set
How to move at an incredibly fast pace and still get as many moments in as possible. He is an incredibly calm human being. We were filming at such a quick pace and he was calm throughout the entire process. It was an 18 day shoot.

Since you are a big reader, what are you currently reading?
I am currently reading Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. My next books in line are Judi Dench's Autobiography and... my favorite author ever (Haruki Murakami) just had a book release in October, 1Q84. I am looking forward to reading that.

How long have you been practicing yoga?
About ten years. I spent a long time dancing, professional ballet before I started acting and yoga is a nice way to stay in touch with that.

Can you give advice to those looking to get fit and maintain throughout the holidays, into the new year, and so on?
I say, moderation is the best rule. You want to have fun and enjoy yourself but keep it in moderation and don't forget to exercise.

Finally, what are your upcoming projects?
I just finished a film called Lake and we're waiting to see what will happen with that. I also have a few other projects in the works, so stay tuned.

Holiday Tid Bits:
Scottie's Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving. It's the simplest of the holidays. It's just about family and food... there's no presents or commercialization.

Scottie's Favorite Holiday Theatre Experience:
I grew up doing The Nutcracker and as many times as I've listened to the music, been in the ballet, and seen the ballet... I still love The Nutcracker. It's a great family story.

Be sure to follow Scottie Thompson on Twitter here.

DECK THE HALLS premieres Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 9pm ET/PT only on TNT.

Twitter Interview with Nat & Alex Wolff

Formerly of Nickelodeon’s The Naked Brothers Band, indie rock singer-songwriters/actors and brothers, Nat & Alex Wolff, released their debut album, Black Sheep this past October. To celebrate their success at the close of the year, I was thrilled to be able to speak to them in quite a unique way. In case you missed my Twitter Interview with the duo, take a look below for the latest! Click each image to enlarge.





Black Sheep is available in stores and on iTunes now.

DVD Review - SWITCHED AT BIRTH: VOLUME 1

Release Date: December 13, 2011
Rating: TV-14 DLS
Running Time: Approximately 430 minutes

From the studio that brought you “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” comes a groundbreaking new drama about the upheaval that two teen girls experience when they discover that they were accidentally switched at birth.

Bay Kennish, a talented graffiti artist with an edgy streak, grew up in a wealthy family with happily married parents and an older brother. Daphne Vasquez, an athletic teenager who lost her hearing at an early age, grew up with a single mother in a working class neighborhood. When the girls’ worlds collide, family bonds are tested, new romances are sparked, and they start to learn that it’s who they are inside that matters, not where they grew up. Relive the girls’ journey and catch up before the premiere with “Switched At Birth: Volume 1.” Including all 10 episodes plus exclusive collectible iPod skins, this two-disc set is a must-own for every fan!

Switched At Birth is one of my favorite new original dramas of the television season. I fell in love with the show even before it premiered and was ecstatic about its premiere. Switched At Birth is easily my favorite ABC Family original drama in a long time... probably ever. It's a journey of self discovery and discovering that there's a family you were born with and the family you choose after you find out that the family you were born with is not the one you were raised in.

It's about love, loss, and what happens when that lost loved is found. Relationships are tested. Lines are drawn. Lines are crossed. This circumstance is so rare that figuring everything out along the way with the characters makes the first ten episodes of the season the most fascinating episodes you'll watch this TV season. I am impressed with how well the character development is crafted as are the twists which are very much grounded in reality, which is not as easy as it seems to write for! The writers really put their heart and soul into this project as have the cast and the rest of the crew and it shows.

Best of all, this series will reel in not only you but your entire family. It reminds me of the days when my family would sit around for 7th Heaven. Hopefully it has just as healthy of a television life too. There aren't many wholesome shows on television today that can gather an entire family together but this one has. And I want to push how important it is to watch with your family because this show gives such an eye-opening understanding to hearing people about deaf culture and that needs to be seen by everyone. Marlee Matlin (“West Wing,” “The L Word”) also guest stars but the way that things play out, she mine as well have a recurring role. Simply put, Switched At Birth is my favorite summer show of 2011 and going into 2012, is going to continue to be one of my favorite shows ever. It's a gem.



Unfortunately, there are no bonus features on this DVD. Hopefully this will be re-considered when the Volume II DVD is released. There are Switched at Birth iPod skins included in this DVD if that accounts for anything.

Own Switched At Birth: Volume 1 on DVD today.

Blu-ray Review: The Hangover Part II

Release Date: December 6, 2011
Rating: R
Running Time: 102 minutes

Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan (Zach Galifianakis) and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu's wedding. What could go wrong? Director Todd Phillips' explosively funny follow-up to his award-winning smash hit demonstrates that though what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, what happens in Bangkok can hardly be imagined!

When it was announced that The Hangover was getting a Part II, fans of the first film, myself included, were thrilled with the news but also questioned how anything afterwards could be as good or better than the first. Simply put, it can't. But The Hangover Part II was a good attempt. What's great about the film is that whether or not you found it to be entertaining, it is clear that everyone involved had a great time working on this project. Where the film goes wrong is that the foundation is the same as the first film. A wedding takes them to their next city of destruction. Alan is to blame for what transpires. Stu once again damages his pretty face. Doug, once again is not involved in the day after festivities of figuring out what happened the night before. And there's a photo montage at the end of the film detailing all that happened. I had hoped we would find out more about what they did along the way the second time around. But no luck.

It's all too recycled to call this a great sequel. A good remake, maybe. There are simply far too many throwbacks to see this film as good on its own. That's not to say that this film doesn't have its laugh out loud moments. But it's all too rehashed that the funnier bits are moreso in the offhand comments. It must be pointed out though the wonderful jobs on the directing, cinematography, locations, music. Still, if there's the option to watch The Hangover or The Hangover II, I choose The Hangover. But if your expectations weren't very high and you enjoyed The Hangover II, you'll really enjoy the the Blu-ray edition!



Bonus Features:
Unauthorized Documentary (25:26 minutes) - Call it a parody or mockumentary. Call it what you want but don't call it a documentary. "Documentarian Filmmaker," Miles Davis-Davidson is on a mission to find footage that exposes what really happened in Bangkok. Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are deemed the bad guys. Bradley Cooper's true appearance is questioned. Ken Jeong is the paranoid one, not willing to be the snitch...and Justin Bartha is just grateful for the attention. It's quite a funny little extra though it could have definitely been cut in half length wise and still been just has, perhaps even more hysterical.

Appearing in this Feature:
Documentary Filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock
Director, JJ Abrams (Super 8, Star Trek)
Cast Members, Gillian Vigman, Sasha Barrese, Matt Walsh, Jamie Chung, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Bryan Callen, Zach Galifianakis
VP & Editorial Director of Variety, Peter Bart
Producer, Todd Black (A Knight's Tale)
Behind the Scenes Filmmaker, Stefan LaFrontier
Production Spokesperson, Tom Glaylock
Zach's Stand In, Ethan Drulay
Jimmy's Au's For Men 5'8' and Under, Alan Au
Production Assistant, Jerome Sussman
Expert Lab Technician, Dr. Jay Solnit
Talent Liaison, Lori Ruggiero
Crystal's Trainer, Tom Gunderson
Production Chef, Wm. Diego
Director/Writer/Producer, Todd Phillips

The Comedy Rhythm of Todd Phillips (6:59 minutes) - This is a great feature on director, Todd Phillips even though it only just begins to cover the surface of how great of a director and collaborator he is. Todd's directing style, sense of humor, openness to improvisation and more are touched upon in this feature. It's a great feature worth watching and getting a feel for what it's like working with one of the most collaborative directors out there today.

Not Your Everyday Monkey (2:41 minutes) - If you like monkeys, animal actors, or witnessing Bradley Cooper's love for animals, this short feature is just for you. This feature did not really do anything for me other than continue to be amazed at how well animals take direction (on scree)n. Also appearing in this feature are Crystal's Trainer, Tom Gunderson and Director/Writer/Producer, Todd Phillips.

Bangkok Tour with Chow (3:03 minutes) - Ken Jeong takes viewers on a tour of Bangkok in character. I use the word "tour" loosely as you're really just following him as he rides through the town, getting glances of the town here and there. Even though Chow at times is actually quite annoying to me, I actually found this feature to be more hilarious than the "documentary."

* Gag Reel (4:53 minutes)
* Action Mash-Up - (46 seconds)

Own The Hangover Part II on Blu-Ray and DVD today.

Broadway Tour Review: Jersey Boys

JERSEY BOYS is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sound and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty.


Photo: Joan Marcus

Directed by two-time Tony® Award-winner Des McAnuff, JERSEY BOYS won the 2006 Tony® Award for Best Musical, the 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album, the 2009 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, the 2010 Helpmann Award for Best Musical (Australia), and continues to break box office records on Broadway and across North America. JERSEY BOYS worldwide has been seen by approximately 13 million people (as of July 17, 2011). JERSEY BOYS is written by Academy Award® -winner Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.

JERSEY BOYS opened at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway to critical acclaim on November 6, 2005. The JERSEY BOYS National Tour opened to rave reviews in San Francisco on December 1, 2006, played a record-breaking run in Los Angeles and is still breaking house records in cities across North America. When the Philadelphia return engagement launches in December, there will be six worldwide productions of JERSEY BOYS: New York, London, Las Vegas, Sydney, Australia, and two US National tours.

Boy, was I in for a magnificent music history lesson last night as Jersey Boys settled into the Forrest Theatre for its Philadelphia tour run. It was a night of firsts for me. Last night accounted for the first time I made my way to the Forrest Theatre which is significantly smaller than, more intimate than the Academy of Music which I loved. And while I have owned the original Broadway recording of this musical for years, it was the first time seeing Jersey Boys on stage... as well as the original Franki Valli & The Four Seasons who so kindly came out at curtain call! Only at home! Oh what a night!

The cast was led by Philadelphia-area native Brandon Andrus (Nick Massi), Colby Foytik (Tommy DeVito), Jason Kappus (Bob Gaudio) and Brad Weinstock (Frankie Valli) as The Four Seasons, with Barry Anderson and Thomas Fiscella. I was particularly fond of Jason Kappus. His voice made me melt! What a talent. Not only that but he played Bob Gaudio who I actually found to be more intriguing than Frankie Valli because he seemed to be the mastermind, the hit maker. I wanted to get inside Bob's head. While I have owned the Broadway recording for years, I have only listened to the recording a handful of times so as not to become too invested before seeing the show. So when the music came back to me, I did not realize just how many hits The Four Seasons were responsible for. Talk about Jersey pride! This group's musical achievements alone make me proud to be from here. And the harmonies. Bravo! The crowd was cheering during "Sherry," rocking to "Big Girls Don't Cry," and clapping along to "Oh, What a Night" while I connected to "My Eyes Adored You." These boys may have been making hits awhile before I arrived on this earth but their music, these lyrics are timeless. "My Eyes Adored You" won me over. The group choreography from the late 50s and on also reeled me in. These guys have the full package! Had I been an early teenager when The Four Seasons took America by storm or were at their peak, I would have had their poster on my wall.

Because Jersey Boys is home right now on their tour run, the Jersey jokes are especially appreciated and hysterical. The camaraderie in the theatre was like no other. The story was equally as moving. Watching the group come together, have their Destiny's Child moments going from a foursome to threesome and twosome and back to foursome... I don't even know if I got it right, but you get the point... from dealing with the gravity of fame whether it tie to family, finances, or being friends within the group... so much was touched on in Jersey Boys. It's a great testament to the life of a member in a group, no matter what decade. The loyalty. Frankie being indebted to Tommy. There was so much beauty and tragedy to take in. Watching the journey, it was a real treat. I learned a lot and was able to fall in love with The Four Seasons decades after their first hit. It's no wonder Jersey Boys on Broadway was awarded 4 Tony Awards, 2 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Drama League Awards. The cast and crew have put together a magnificent show here which I am sure is just as wonderful as the current Broadway run. So when Jersey Boys comes to a town near you, don't hesitate to buy your tickets!

Fun Facts:
Jersey Boys company needs four men to play Frankie Valli: one, six times a week; another, twice weekly; and two understudies.

There are 10 musicians (including the Conductor) in the touring company, many of them appearing on stage.

Jersey Boys in Philadelphia, PA broke the Forrest Theatre's box office record that was previously held by The Phantom of the Opera and went on to break its own record seven more times.

Jersey Boys runs at the Academy of Music December 6, 2011 - January 14, 2011. The show runs at approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including intermission. Tickets begin at $52.50 and can be purchased by telephone (800-447-7400 ), at the Forrest Theatre box office (1114 Walnut St), or online. There will be no performances on Saturday, Dec. 24, Sunday, Dec. 25 and Sunday, Jan 1, 2012.

Blu-Ray Review: The Help

Release Date: December 6, 2011
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: Approximately 146 minutes

The #1 New York Times bestseller by Kathryn Stockett comes to vivid life through the powerful performances of a phenomenal ensemble cast. The Help is an inspirational, courageous and empowering story about very different, extraordinary women in the 1960s South who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project — one that breaks society‟s rules and puts them all at risk. Filled with poignancy, humor and hope — and complete with compelling, never-before-seen bonus features — The Help is a timeless, universal and triumphant story about the ability to create change.

The Help stars Emma Stone as the courageous Eugenia „Skeeter‟ Phelan, who goes against the beliefs of her family and friends to find her own voice. The critically praised, emotional performance of Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, a woman who secretly dreams of one day having more than she has been given, offers a deep emotional storyline. The breakthrough performance of Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, whose sass and tough exterior disguise the pain and fear she faces every day, brings both drama and humor to the film. Bryce Dallas Howard breathes life into the catty Jackson socialite Hilly Holbrook and Jessica Chastain brings charm and humor as Celia Foote, a kind housewife living outside of town who longs to fit in. Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney and Ahna O‟Reilly also provide vivacious performances that round out this all-star female ensemble.

The Help had been on my "To Read" list for quite some time but it wasn't until right before the film came out that I made sure to read every word of the most talked about novel of the year. Fresh in my head, I had so many hopes for this film and my hopes were exceeded. This was the perfect adaptation and it wasn't until I watched the "Making Of" feature that I really understood why it came out the way that it did. This film has so much heart and passion driving it and that is what really brought this film to life. The screenplay is outstanding. The directing and the cinematography are beautiful. What a colorful film. So rich and bright all throughout even though the story is so heartbreaking at first. Wonderful contrast. And the casting could not have been any better. Jackpot with the casting. Everyone captured the characters that Stockett created in just the right way and you can tell that they all wanted to because this is a period piece that will live on and they wanted to do it justice. Job well done.

For someone who has not read the novel, the film will move you. It will make you very angry. I was prepared for what I would see and yet at times, I was still very upset. Bryce Dallas Howard really brought her character to life. She played that part to the core. What a fantastic job. But as time goes on, the anger settles as this race of women rise up and make their voices known. Plus, there are some comedic moments thrown in to bring light to such a heavy time and at times, uncomfortable tone. If you are hesitant about trekking back to this time, don't be. Watch The Help and let it settle in your heart right where it needs to be. I think that everyone should watch The Help at least once a year to not just put us all in check but inspire us to be heard and maybe even be the voice that saves another. There are so many lessons in this film, in this book. It translates perfectly, but I must say that I also would love for The Help to be required reading in schools as well. Author, Kathryn Stockett is going to be remembered long after she is gone for this piece of work. It's so genuine. Simply magnificent. So be sure to pick up your copy of The Help as it will be one of the greatest helps to yourself and those around you.

Bonus Features:
The Making of “The Help:” From Friendship To Film - What a fascinating feature this is! Photos from on location as well as a tour of the houses, church, etc... led by Taylor is intertwined with the interviews in this features seamlessly. Author, Kathryn Stockett and Writer/Director, Tate Taylor (also born and raised in Mississippi), and cast member, Octavia Spencer lead this feature, detailing the making of The Help. These three individuals have quite a history which I did not know about, nor did I know that Spencer inspired the character of Minnie... so there's definitely plenty to learn here about how exactly the cast and crew connected and worked together on this film. It was also reaffirming to see and hear Spencer say that she was put off at first by the dialect in the book. But she pushed through, I did, and millions of other readers did and boy was it worth it! This is the perfect "Making Of" featurette because it starts at the beginning and doesn't miss a step in the process... Stockett gets the idea for the book, Stockett gets rejected over 60 times before getting an agent who believed in her project, the director and screenwriters are chosen, the cast is chosen, history is recreated on location, and close friends succeeded in bringing their love letter to life. If you though the film made you cry, discovering Stockett and Taylor's journey will have you in tears too. What a beautiful piece.

Also Appearing in this Feature:
Cast Members, Allison Janney, Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sissy Spacek
Producer, Brunson Green
Executive Producer, Chris Columbus
Production Designer, Mark Ricker

In Their Own Words: A Tribute To The Maids Of Mississippi - Actress, Octavia Spencer and Writer/Director Tate Taylor interview a small circle of former maids (and their daughters), including Taylor's childhood maid. One of the real life maids shared that she became a maid at thirteen years old. It's truly mind blowing to see a handful of woman who inspired the book/film. To put a true face to this history, words cannot express. The former maids and their daughters were treated to a beautiful lunch with all of the good food that you could imagine from Mississippi and footage of the luncheon was intertwined well with the interview. This is a sweet tribute and one of the greatest history lessons from the mouths of those who lived it. It doesn't get any better than that.

Deleted Scenes - There are five deleted scenes with introductions by Director, Tate Taylor. "Humiliated" was without a doubt my favorite scene though I am glad that this was cut for the reasons that Taylor explained. "Keep On Walkin" is also quite a special scene for those who read the books. All of the scenes are worth checking out, so go ahead and press "Play All."

* “The Living Proof” Music Video by Mary J. Blige

Own The Help on Blu-Ray and DVD today.

DVD Review: The Office Collection Special Edition

Release Date: November 22, 2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: 450 minutes

Written and created by Golden Globe winners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the DVD special edition features the complete, original UK series plus all new bonus features. BBC AMERICA first introduced U.S. audiences to the comedy genius of Ricky and Stephen when it premiered the show in 2003. At its launch The New York Times called it pretty much the funniest show ever while Newsweek declared it the best comedy on television. It went on to win two Golden Globes, inspire the U.S. version on NBC and continues to influence the tone and look of everything from television comedy and movies to commercials and pop culture at large.

The Office Collection Special Edition is the must have Christmas gift for any fan of The Office. What better a way to spend the holidays than with the 10th Anniversary of the original BBC series? It's a refreshing change from the Christmas classics that will invade your television screens shortly and will surely bring equal amounts, if not greater amounts of laughter and smiles for everyone. But the best part isn't even the laughs from the entire series. Because this is a special edition, there is obviously more to the DVD collection than series one, two, and the Christmas specials. The extra footage with the creators goes beyond the typical episode introduction. The way that the very interviews from the creators, cast, and celebrity fans (including Matthew Perry, Ben Stiller, and Hugh Jackman), bloopers, etc... are intertwined with all of the episodes of the series is brilliant. It's like video commentary with a twist! I wouldn't want to watch the episodes any other way now. And the episodes are just as hysterical as they were when each of them first aired. The Office is truly timeless. Because no matter where you work or who you interact with, there's something to relate to here and the parody of it all makes it engaging to watch all easier to handle in real life.

As someone who did not previously own the original DVD collections, there is an outstanding amount of bonus features on this collection which really is quite an overwhelming amount of insight into what went behind making one of the greatest comedies in television history along with outtakes, a music video, and other fun extras. Just to be clear, the extras from the original collections and an entire slew of new extras are included. The only downside to the extras is that there is no "Play All" option for web videos, deleted scenes, etc... but aside from this one flaw, it is worth watching every single moment of the bonus features. I especially enjoyed it since I was not on board with this phenomenon as it happened. I got into the American version of The Office early on but it's not the same as watching the original series play out in all its glory. So I can't even say to make sure watch a certain bonus feature, because it's best if you watch them all... especially the original Pilot. You'll have an even greater appreciation for the people who brought you this series and fall in love with The Office all over again. The Office Collection Special Edition is a gem. Get it while you can!



Bonus Features:
*Full Pilot (19:24 minutes)
*Comedy Connections: The Office (38:43 minutes)
*Web Videos - The Beginning, The Style, Comedy, Staff Training, Impact (41:52 minutes)
*Exclusive Documentary: How I Made The Office (39:16 minutes)
* Outtakes with an introduction by Ricky Gervais (7:43 minutes)
* Deleted Scenes with an introduction by Ricky Gervais
* Video Diary (20:10 minutes)
* The Office: Closed for Business Documentary (22:35 minutes)
* Golden Globes Featurette (5:46 minutes)
* "If You DOn't Know Me By Now" Music Video
* Full Band Version of “Freelove Freeway”
* Director’s Commentary (The Office Special Part 2)

Own The Office Collection Special Edition on DVD today.

Uma Thurman Set To Appear on Smash

I'm really excited about the news that Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill) will have a five-episode guest-starring arc on NBC’s new musical drama, Smash as I am played out my copy of The Producers and I am dying to see her back in the musical world in any way that I can!



Thurman will play a famous and somewhat difficult movie star who flirts with the idea of starring in “Marilyn,” the musical within the musical. Sounds wonderful to me! I cannot wait for this show to premiere and for Thurman's arc to begin!

“Smash” is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire – to be a “smash.” The series centers on the process of creating a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe – written by the successful songwriting duo of Tom (Tony Award nominee Christian Borle, “Legally Blonde: The Musical”) and Julia (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, “Will & Grace”). Julia recently began the process of adopting a child with her husband Frank (Tony Award nominee Brian d’Arcy James, “Shrek The Musical”).

A rivalry soon forms for the lead role between a youthful, inexperienced Midwestern beauty Karen (Katharine McPhee, “American Idol”) – who is trying to find fame in the big city against all odds – and stage veteran Ivy Bell (Megan Hilty, “9 to 5: The Musical”), who's determined to leave the chorus line and finally get her big break. A tenacious producer Eileen (Oscar winner, Anjelica Huston, “Prizzi's Honor”) discovers the “Marilyn” project and jumps on board with a brilliant director, Derek (Jack Davenport, “Pirates of the Caribbean” films) – whose talent is matched by his cunning and egocentric amorality. Jaime Cepero (“Porgy and Bess”) stars as Ellis, and Raza Jaffrey (“Sex and the City 2,” “MI-5”) stars as Dev.

The series stemmed from an idea of executive producer and multiple Emmy and Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (“ER,” “Schindler's List”). The pilot was written by acclaimed playwright/screenwriter Theresa Rebeck (“Mauritius,” “NYPD Blue”). David Marshall Grant (“Brothers and Sisters”), Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Oscar-winning “Chicago,” “Hairspray”) and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey (“United States of Tara,” “The Borgias”) also serve as executive producers. Original songs are written by Tony and Grammy Award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray,” “Catch Me If You Can”), who serve as executive producers as well. The pilot was directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (“Spring Awakening,” “American Idiot”).

Smash will debut on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10pm ET only on NBC.

The Voice: What You Haven't Heard

Even before The Voice premiered on NBC earlier this year, I knew that it would become my favorite singing competition on television period. So you can imagine how ecstatic I am about the upcoming second season, especially with Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green all coming back as coaches. Until then, catch up with the coaches, Season 1 winner Javier Colon and finalists in this new video below!



The Voice Season 2 premieres right after the Super Bowl on 2/5/12 only on NBC.

Must Watch Tonight: EXTREME CHRISTMAS TREES on TLC

From the breath-taking decadence of the largest Tree Installation on the Vegas Strip to a fragrant fir adorned with over $200,000 worth of carefully collected ornaments, this special will take you into the obsessed visions, the intense pressures and ultimately exhilarating rewards of installing a Christmas tree.

This one-hour special is more than a simple survey of unusual trees, it's an adventurous journey into the opulent excesses, dangerous pursuits and stunning installations of Christmas Trees that are so over the top -- they're Extreme!



Watch Extreme Christmas Trees TONIGHT at 9/8c on TLC.

DVD Review: The Art of Getting By

Release Date: November 29, 2011
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Get caught up in the story of an aspiring young artist and a “popular” girl who find themselves in a charming yet unconventional high school romance. A Sundance Film Festival favorite, THE ART OF GETTING BY is a delightful coming-of-age film set against the backdrop of New York City. Experience the beauty and emotional depth of THE ART OF GETTING BY on Blu-ray and DVD November 29th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

George (Freddie Highmore, Golden Compass, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), a lonely and fatalistic teen who’s made it all the way to his senior year without ever having done a real day of work, is befriended by Sally (Emma Roberts, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, What’s Wrong with Virginia), a popular but complicated girl who recognizes in him a kindred spirit.

THE ART OF GETTING BY features stellar performances by an all-star supporting cast, including Michael Angarano (Almost Famous), Rita Wilson (Jingle All the Way), Sam Robards (American Beauty), Alicia Silverstone (Clueless), Elizabeth Reaser (Twilight: Breaking Dawn), and Blair Underwood (“Dirty Sexy Money”).

When it comes to a coming of age film and even a romance rolled into one starring Emma Roberts, I'd choose It’s Kind of a Funny Story over The Art of Getting By. I can respect Craig's reasonings in Funny Story more than George's here. There's so much more depth there than here and perhaps because I watched the films back to back, I have such strong feelings about this. George is a very intelligent boy but he's lazy, scared, and intimidated by the world... so he doesn't even try to be successful at life. That's what bugs me about this character. I can't root for him, even when he does cross paths with the charming and oh so lovable Sally, who encourages him to embrace life.

"I'm going through something." - George
"That's pathetic. - Dad
"At least it's the truth." - George
"What's that supposed to mean?" - Dad
George looks up and away with a slight roll of the eyes.

What I love about this moment above in the film is that it captures what I think of it all quite well. Yes, George is going through something but everybody is so his truth is not enough to reel me in. It's just pathetic. George's father may be denying the truth but his truth is more captivating because it comes across at more genuine and heartbreaking. George's story doesn't touch my heart. It's as simple as that.

The film is slower than I imagined it to be, predictable, and yet it does not have as much depth and insight as I anticipated. As mentioned before, not being able to connect with the main character also made this a challenge to completely enjoy. I'd say this film is worth watching at least once among the younger crowd so that you can decide on your own how you feel about it. Once you hit the early twenties, your entire perspective changes on the world (the first of many times that it will), and because of that perspective, it's a great challenge to enjoy this film as an older audience viewer with this different perspective. George is so closed off to the world, for reasons that seem so silly to anyone who has already overcome... and even many who haven't but aren't acting out in the way that he is. He's far too immature to want to care about. The film has good intentions but the execution is simply not as good. Honestly, what kept me engaged for the entire film was the beautiful cinematography and visuals of New York. New York was its own character in this film and it in fact as the most captivating one. So just consider renting the film before adding it permanently to your collection.



DVD Bonus Features:
New York Slice of Life (2:34 minutes) - There's nothing more satisfying than a film based in New York being shot in New York. It really doesn't get any more authentic than that. But wait, it does when New Yorkers are behind the camera. In this feature, as behind the scenes footage is shown of filming on location, Writer/Director, Gavin Wiesen talks about shooting the film in NY... shooting parts of New York that are often overlooked as well as his process of capturing the look for this film. This film is a love letter to New York so it was only right to have a bonus feature acknowledging that point. Also featured here are Cast Members, Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts as well as Producer, P. Jennifer Dana.

On Young Love (2:49 minutes) - Cast Members, Freddie Highmore and Emma Roberts as well as Writer/Director, Gavin Wiesen touch upon the romance that drives the film and Emma Roberts couldn't have said it better. As Roberts said, "I think it's great that you kind of enter into the movie before they've really connected, but when you leave, you know there's so much ahead of them and I think that that's really sweet." Roberts has proven herself to be a talent to be reckoned with... an actress who really connects to the story and character at hand. And she is so very well spoken, it's so wonderful to see her maturing in her work and life. Bright girl. This is only the beginning.

Commentary - The commentary is conducted by Director, Gavin Wiesen. Wiesen is a very simple and direct commentator who provides a lot of depth to the making of the film, thus giving us a bigger appreciation for this film... but he lacks life. He's very dull. So if you don't mind this factor, I would definitely recommend viewing the film with the commentary on. Wiesen talks about everything including the development of the idea for this movie, writing the screenplay, casting, following geography of NY, post-production, interesting fun facts behind shooting some of the scenes, and more. It's worth watching.

Blu-ray Bonus Features:
DVD Bonus Features plus...
* Fox Movie Channel Presents – In Character with Freddie Highmore
* HBO First Look - The Making of The Art Of Getting By

Own The Art of Getting By on Blu-Ray and DVD today.

Amy Smart Talks 12 Dates of Christmas

ABC Family’s New Original Movie, 12 Dates of Christmas airs this Sunday night and anyone who knows me knows that I adore ABC Family original movies, especially the Christmas movies! Best of all, Amy Smart and Mark-Paul Gosselaar are the leading stars here and both took some time out to talk about the upcoming film!

12 Dates of Christmas, starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell, Franklin & Bash, NYPD Blue) and Amy Smart (Just Friends, The Butterfly Effect), follows a young woman who re-lives the same first date on Christmas Eve over and over again until she learns to open up her world to new things and stop living in the past.

12 Dates of Christmas in Amy's Own Words:
It’s incredibly humbling and enlightening and fun, and a journey everyone takes where you think you know what you want and then something in your life makes you fall on your … and you can see clearer about what life is really about and what really matters.

Getting Involved:
I actually got offered this role. I read the script and I really, really loved it and wanted to do it. Then, I was so happy that Mark-Paul signed on to do it afterwards because I think he’s so talented. Everyone’s a huge Zack Morris fan...

It was the first film that I’ve ever done where I was in every single scene. I really poured my heart and soul into this film. Honestly, I loved the script. I thought all the characters were so three dimensional and they all have their own voice. I like any story that starts one place and really takes a huge journey to a whole new place; that people in their life want to take that journey. They want to be able to find things in their life that aren’t working and work through them to a new place of change.

I think what’s endearing about this film is two people keep missing each other, who are meant to fall in love, but things keep going awry. It’s like this funny tale about two people wanting to connect and they always keep missing each other.

Amy on Her Character, Kate:
I really liked Kate because she is such a three-dimensional character. She’s still hopelessly in love with her ex-boyfriend and wants him back so badly. She’s stubborn. She’s work-driven and stubborn. She just wants what she wants. She kind of has that tunnel vision and doesn’t see past that. What I liked about this project is that I liked that Kate has to go through this transformational journey where she is pushed to her limits and has to keep reliving Christmas Eve over and over and over again until she can start to expand her horizons and see that maybe what she thinks she needs is not really what she’s going after. She’s given this chance to explore other possibilities that are better for her and her life that open her up and humble her...

There were definitely parallels in my life during this film because I’d gotten out of a long-term relationship and fell in love with a new man who I married. So, I could relate to her on that place of spending so much time trying to make something work that wasn’t meant to work.

What was it like working with James Hayman?
He was wonderful to work with. He really has such a great sense of comedy. That helped me tremendously. I trusted him so much because what I like about this film is it is a romantic comedy. You want to laugh and you want to play and enjoy. He just has such a great way of giving notes and expressing himself, and an eye for comedy. So, it was fun taking it to all these different levels. He helped to push me farther and farther. So, I hope I can work with him again.

In the movie, your character relives Christmas Eve until she gets it right. If you could do over any one day in your life, which day would you choose?
It's funny, because in hindsight, we have so much fear and anxiety about our future, the next day, or what’s happening in our lives. When you have that 20/20 hindsight that everything was going to be fine, you’re going to be okay, I don’t know of one specific day, but just trusting more in life and your journey. I know that sounds airy-fairy, but really just knowing if I could go back and know everything was going to be okay in certain circumstances; not to stress out about it. I think if anything, the best gift we can have is living in the present moment and really enjoying it for what it is; and, not being in our heads and getting sidetracked.

Have you ever been on a date that you wish you could relive?
That’s funny—not really. There’s dates that I would have liked to pass on.

What’s one of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love baking little Mexican wedding ball cookies. I love cooking during Christmas, all smells like the hot apple cider, the hot spiced wine.

This is your first married Christmas. So, I was wondering maybe what are you looking forward to that going to be different from previous years?
I’m really looking forward to just enjoying the Christmas spirit, not about being materialistic, just about the celebration of friends and family and cooking and singing and enjoying each other; just using this time to really enjoy our new marriage. That’s pretty much what I’m looking forward to.

Can you talk about your upcoming projects?
I actually just finished working on a horror film that the Japanese director, Takashi Shimizu directed. We did The Grudge. It was with Leslie Bibb and Ryan Kwanten and a bunch of other great actors. It all takes place in an airplane. That comes out next August, I think. Then, I have a recurring role on the second season of Shameless. That’s really fun to work on.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Surprise Guest Caller): This is Miles Meyer from ABC Family. Can you elaborate further on how talented and handsome your co-star, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, was?

Amy Smart: Mark-Paul is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He is such a generous actor, so caring. He definitely is a male. He’s not a boy. He’s a man.

Mark-Paul: Oh, really? He’s a man. Yes. Oooh, that sounds so sexy. I mean the man has the nicest butt in Hollywood. Did you ever get a look at it?

Amy Smart: No. I did not. I’m sorry.

Mark-Paul: Was he wearing snow pants?

Amy Smart: No. He wore jeans most of the time.

Mark-Paul: Does he have nice feet?

Amy Smart: Honestly, I did not check out his feet.

Mark-Paul: Yes, he’s got great hair, too. He’s just the perfect man.

ABC Family: Amy, we have a mystery guest. The previous caller was actually complimenting himself.

Amy Smart: Are you serious?! No way! I was like who is this crazy guy who wants to be Mark-Paul?

Mark-Paul: I love how you didn’t want to take it at all. You’re like, “I have the feeling that you’re trying to get me to say really risqué stuff.” I was like, yes, I am. Oh, man.

Amy Smart: Oh, well, if it’s you.

Mark-Paul: What do I call this? It’s like a photo-bomb, but it’s like an interview bomb.

Mark-Paul, what was your favorite part about filming this movie?
Well, it was a pleasure working with Amy. My co-star that I’m currently working with now worked with her and always spoke very highly of her. Working with her was a pleasure. So, the reason I came on board with this film was because she was attached to it. So, for her to follow-through with all the high praise that she’s gotten from so many people that I know was something that I appreciated. Yes, I think it shows on the film, too, that we enjoyed each other. We had a great working chemistry.

What has been the best date that you’ve ever had?
I don’t know. I haven’t dated a lot. I can’t really answer that question, but I would say that the date that my fiancée went on was pretty damn good and that’s why we’re still together now. Yes. I would say the date that I had with her.

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
Usually decorating the tree after Thanksgiving. We just did that with the kids. I love the way the house smells during the holidays. We try to light as many scented Christmas-y candles as possible, the pine cones. We’ll put on the stove cinnamon and cloves and heat those up. I like the music, too. I just like the atmosphere of Christmas.

How do you deal with a bad date?
I don’t like confrontation. I’ve been on a few bad dates, but nothing horrible, but knowing there was no chemistry there. I have such a hard time letting that person know that this is not going to work, unlike your character in the movie who was very honest and said this isn’t going to happen. I tend to just put my head into the sand and hope it goes away, which sometimes makes it even worse. It elongates the issue. But, I tend to just turn my back and hope that the scary thing goes away.

12 Dates of Christmas airs Sunday, December 11th at 8/7c on ABC Family.

Jon Bauer Set To Release US Debut

Award-winning Canadian worship artist and songwriter, Jon Bauer is set to release his fourth worship album, Forevermore, in the U.S. this January!

Forevermore originally released in Canada this past May and made its debut on iTunes' New and Noteworthy section of the Christian homepage this past October. His single, “Chasing After Me,” hit No. 1 on the Canadian Christian Charts and Bauer has already had much success sharing his new music on his recent tour through Europe, Canada and the States. Bauer also recently released his second children’s album, Come And Save Us Kids Worship: Volume 2 on November 15th. It has been a busy year for Bauer! And this is just the beginning for the US!

Forevermore Track Listing:
1. Our God
2. Light Of Another World
3. Come And Save Us
4. Beautiful Name
5. Chasing After Me
6. A Prayer Away
7. Fall Over Me
8. Forevermore
9. Life Of Worship
10. Hosanna



Be sure to get a free download of Bauer's Christmas song, "Angels We Have Heard (Love Forever Reigns)," available this holiday season.

Buy the album, Forevermore by Jon Bauer on January 3, 2012.

All-New Face Off Sneak Peek

I am beyond excited for the new season of Face Off. It became a favorite series of mine from the moment it premiered. And after all that has been revealed about what to expect for season two, the January premiere cannot come soon enough! Who else is excited?



Face Off Season 2 Premieres Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 10/9 only on Syfy.

Owl City – Live from Los Angeles Coming This February

Owl City fans, you'll have to wait until after the holiday season for a hard copy of this one but it is well worth the wait!

Just as the All Things Bright and Beautiful World Tour draws to a close and filmed at LA’s Club Nokia this past July, Owl City – Live from Los Angeles is set to release on iTunes in North America on December 6th with the DVD and Blu-Ray versions set to be released worldwide on February 7th, 2012.







The Blu-ray & DVD copies will include bonus features (backstage footage and an exclusive interview) in addition to the concert. Owl City – Live from Los Angeles will give fans a rare chance to see into the creative world of Adam Young.

Track Listing:
1) The Real World
2) Cave In
3) Hello Seattle
4) Angels
5) Swimming In Miami
6) Umbrella Beach
7) I’ll Meet You There
8) Plant Life
9) Setting Sail
10) The Bird And The Worm
11) Lonely Lullaby
12) Fireflies
13) Dreams Don’t Turn To Dust
14) Kamikaze
15) Meteor Shower
16) Galaxies
17) Alligator Sky
18) Deer In The Headlights
19) Yacht Club
20) How I Became The Sea
21) If My Heart Was A House

Own Owl City – Live from Los Angeles on Blu-ray & DVD February 7, 2012.

Tabatha Takes Over Coming This January

For the first time in series history, Bravo’s Tabatha Coffey takes her entrepreneurial expertise to a whole new level when the newly titled series, Tabatha Takes Over returns on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10pm ET/PT.


Photo by: Craig Lassig/Bravo

Season four follows Tabatha as she travels across the country taking over various failing establishments and whipping them into shape with her professional advice on everything from management style and marketing materials to customer service and aesthetics. For one week, Tabatha takes over as boss and confiscates the keys as she brings her unapologetic, brutally honest approach to the business owners who are in dire need of her assistance. For a sneak peek visit here.

In the premiere episode, Tabatha heads into the Jungle Red salon in Minneapolis, MN where owner Suzanne Erickson seems more interested in acting like a teenager than a boss. Her staff is out of control and Suzanne has put most of the responsibility on her daughter Kari. To make matters worse, Tabatha is quick to discover that Jungle Red is a failing salon by day and the owner’s home by night. Tabatha has to motivate Suzanne to grow up and stop relying on her daughter to manage her staff so that Kari is free to pursue her own dreams.



The salons and businesses Tabatha will makeover include:

Barkingham Palace - West Hollywood, CA
Beyond Salon - Cherry Hill, NJ
Chill - Ventura, CA
Cinema Suites - Los Angeles, CA
Club Ripples - Long Beach, CA
Flavio Beauty College - Torrance, CA
H Design - Minneapolis, MN
Jungle Red - Minneapolis, MN
Pat's Hair Shoppe - Douglasville, GA
Salon Bridgette - Swedesboro, NJ
Salon Deco - Atlanta, GA
Sweetgrass - Atlanta, GA

It's going to be the best season yet! Can't wait!

Tabatha Takes Over returns Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 10pm ET/PT only on Bravo.

COMMUNITY Holiday Episode Sneak Peek

When the Greendale Glee Club is unexpectedly sidelined, the school’s effervescent choir director Cory Radison (Taran Killam, “Saturday Night Live”) sets about recruiting the study group members to fill in. Skeptical at first, they eventually fall under his hypnotic spell – one-by-one – singing and dancing their way to the annual Christmas Pageant.



It's going to be one hysterical night! I cannot wait!

Community airs Thursdays at 8/7c only on NBC.

Advanced TV Review: Syfy's Neverland

Sweeping in time from the turbulent seas of the pirates of the Caribbean to the back alleys of Dickensian London to a world of pure imagination, "Neverland" is the inspired origin story of one of the most cherished characters of all time… Peter Pan.

"Neverland" stars Rhys Ifans, Anna Friel, Charlie Rowe, Bob Hoskins, Charles Dance, Raoul Trujillo, Q’Orianka Kilcher, Cas Anvar and features the voice of Keira Knightley.

Peter (Rowe), along with his pals of young pickpockets, have been rounded up by their mentor Jimmy Hook (Ifans) to snatch a magical orb which transports them to another world – Neverland. Filled with white jungles and imposing cities formed out of trees created by Dr. Fludd (Dance) and inhabited by a colony of tree spirits led by Tinker Bell (Knightley), this mysterious realm welcomes unknown friends and enemies snatched from time. These include power-mad Elizabeth Bonny (Friel) and her band of 18th century pirates who search for the answer to eternal youth, a secret guarded by a Holy Man (Trujillo). As the fight to save this strange and beautiful world escalates, Peter and his crew consider that growing old somewhere in time could be less important than growing up—right here in their new home called Neverland.

If you've been dying to find out what Peter Pan and Hook were up to before they became the Peter Pan and Hook who we know and love them to be, Syfy has brought you the first origin story (written and directed by Nick Willing) in the format of a four hour mini series. It's four hours of action, romance, tension, truth, pain... and fantasy. It's quite magical, it is, but it's the character development that is more intriguing.

I absolutely loved the Dickens inspired introduction of Peter, the Lost Boys, and their mentor, Hook which in turn leads them to Neverland. Discovering more about the other current inhabitants of Neverland was also quite a treat. Three cultures from three very different time periods along with fairies, giant spiders, and crocs collide on Neverland and it is in this world that has been created that we discover the higher budget this project had vs. Syfy original movies I will not name (because I love them anyway). The wardrobe is magnificent and Ireland is beautiful. The special effects are stellar for Syfy, though there are a few moments when you can tell it is green screen and/or a harness is being used. That can take you out of the moment but not for long.

An extraordinary world has been created here but even more engaging are the actors that bring this story to life. The casting is superb. Charlie Rowe is the perfect Peter. Rhys Ifans gives a depth to the character of Hook that will pleasantly surprise viewers. Hook's struggle to be good or befriend evil is more fascinating than I ever thought. There is also a more prevalent bond between Peter and Hook here that really holds a lot of the story together. Anna Friel (“Pushing Daisies”) clearly had her fun playing a pirate and it shows. What a fantastic job Friel has done here. Q'orianka Kilcher as Aaya (part of the tribe) and Keira Knightley (voice of Tinkerbell) seem underused and when used, what transpires is not as significant as I initially anticipated. Bob Hoskins (Hook) is back as Smee and anyone could say that he was underused out of obvious bias, simply wanting to see more of him as Smee again. If you don't get enough of him here, he'll be in next year's Snow White and the Huntsman . Stay tuned for that coming to theaters near you.

Of the Syfy mini series events giving a twist to our favorite tales, Tin Man remains to be my favorite of the bunch. I admit though, I have yet to see Alice. It is in my Netflix queue. But Tin Man beats Neverland for a number of reasons... one of which being that The Wizard of Oz is a much greater piece of my heart so naturally, Tin Man does too. Also, there's not as much comic relief here. There really is no room. Neverland is a much darker take than what we're used to when we think of Peter Pan but you have to go through the storm before Hook arrives. But no matter how great the story of Peter Pan is to you, you'll want to check out the mini series that Syfy is going to deliver this week. What a piece.

Watch Neverland Part 1 TONIGHT at 9 pm and Part 2 on Monday, December 5, 2011 at 9pm only on Syfy.

DVD REVIEW - LIFETIME DOUBLE FEATURE: Christmas In Paradise & Deck The Halls

Release Date: November 22, 2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: Approx. 172 minutes

Charlotte Ross (NYPD Blue) and Colin Ferguson (Eureka) star in Christmas In Paradise about two families’ adventures aboard a cruise ship during the holidays. Deck The Halls stars Gabrielle Carteris (Beverly Hills, 90210), Steven Culp (Desperate Housewives) and Steve Bacic (X2, Andromeda) in a story of a young boy who tries to set up his mom with his new neighbor – a man who he thinks is Santa.

Getting right down to it, Christmas in Paradise was significantly more captivating than Deck the Halls. Perhaps that's because of the setting. After watching a number of Christmas movies in small towns, the backdrop of Christmas in Paradise was a breath of fresh air. Not only that but Christmas in Paradise is much more realistic than Deck the Halls which doesn't pull off the Santa, the fantasy element as well as I had hoped. Plus, there's a wonderful balance of drama and comedy in Christmas in Paradise. Colin Ferguson's comedic timing and delivery alone is impeccable. Needless to say, it was much easier to remain engaged with this film but that's not to say that Deck the Halls wasn't as good. Perhaps it's the family friendly film of the two more suited for the younger audience.

Then again, both films have a different kind of heartwarming element to them as well, something that is no doubt more appreciated by the older audience. Bottom line, Christmas In Paradise is a film I will gladly watch any time Lifetime chooses to air the film or any of my family or friends sees my collection and wants to watch. Deck the Halls on the other hand, well, I've seen better. It tries to embody all of the right elements but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't connect. Perhaps you will?

There are no Bonus Features on these DVDs.

Own Christmas In Paradise/Deck The Halls on DVD today.

ABC Family's New Original Series Jane By Design Is Coming Soon!

I absolutely love, love, love the premise of ABC Family's upcoming series, Jane By Design. On top of that, I see quite a few familiar faces that I love and new faces I'm sure I will love. I am not only on board but am hoping you will be too!

Jane By Design is a light-hearted drama about Jane, a teenager who lands a job at Donovan Decker, a hip fashion house, when they mistake her for an adult. Jane soon finds herself juggling life both as a regular high school student and as an assistant to a high powered executive in the cutthroat world of fashion... all while trying to keep her true identity a secret.

Jane By Design stars Erica Dasher (The Lake) as Jane Quimby; Nick Roux (Lemonade Mouth) as Billy Nutter, Rowly Dennis (Desperate Housewives) as Jeremy Jones, India De Beaufort (One Tree Hill) as India Jourdain, Meagan Tandy (10 Things I Hate About You) as Lulu Pope, Matthew Atkinson (CSI) as Nick Fadden. And featuring Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) who stars as Gray Chandler Murray - Jane's steely boss whose constant demands keep her on her toes.

The series will be executive produced by Gavin Polone (Gilmore Girls), John Ziffren (Melissa & Joey) and April Blair (Lemonade Mouth).





ABC Family’s new original series Jane By Design, starring Erica Dasher and Andie MacDowell, premieres on Tuesday, January 3rd at 9/8c!