Charlie's Angels 2011: Of Angels and Goofs

Among my cousins and I, I don't exactly remember how I got to be Sabrina Duncan when we pretended to be Charlie's Angels when we were kids. This was in the early 80's and we tuned to the series weekly then because of the girls, and hardly about the stories.

I remember that Sabrina was quite tomboyish and spunky. But the closest thing I had in common with her was the hair.

Anyway, she became my favorite Angel. I had memories of Saturday afternoons playing with my cousins, pretending our hands were guns and  that we were chasing after imaginary bad guys. And we also called each other by our Charlie's Angels names. Good times!

When Kate Jackson left the series, my cousins and I were heartbroken because we knew that eventually, this group was breaking up.

So, when I learned that Drew Barrymore was producing the show and rebooting this for Fall 2011, I was thrilled, but slightly worried. Reboots almost always don't turn out alright, as TV history will show. So, I didn't form any expectations.

The new Charlie's Angels had its debut last Sept. 22nd.

And...I was not impressed.

I felt that the pilot was a drag and that it had more style than substance. But then again, I think that the original show back then was pretty much like that, too. (But I was too young to take note of it.)

Rachael

However, in this new group that stars Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and Annie Illonzeh, I was drawn to Rachael from the get go. I thought that she was very much like how I remembered the Angels back then --- with pretty physical features, a tenacious personality and an attitude oozing with confidence.

I also think that she is the most credible actress of the three girls. The show's second episode, which aired this week, proved this.

Rachael's character (Abby) was to go undercover as a model who is down on her luck. She had the task of sharing her (sob) story to their target/suspect without raising suspicion and quite effortlessly, Rachael/Abby pulled this off. Abby is turning out to be my favorite Angel.

Minka

Annie

But, I also like Minka Kelly because I have an attachment for anyone who's ever been on Friday Night Lights. 

I find that Annie Illonzeh is the weakest, both as an actress and as an Angel. I find her boring and unconvincing (so far, maybe she'll get better?). I was glad they cut her background story immediately this week (too cliche!).

Anyway, I noticed two goofs while watching Charlie's Angels today. This has little to do with the show, overall, but it's too fun not to share.

SCENE 1: This is the scene where Abby had to pretend she's been thrown out of her apartment by her roommate coz she can't pay rent.  The Angels were trying to hook this woman, as part of their investigation, and that's their cover story.

Sob, sob, cry, cry...where will I live?

Abby's new friend pulls something out of her clothes.
This is the wardrobe she and Abby were modelling for this shoot.
What could it be?

Ta-dah!!!! A calling card!!! Why does this wardrobe even come with a pocket??
It's too soft and thin to hold anything. Well, okay, except a calling card!!!
And who carries around a calling card while wearing clothes that aren't theirs???  

I guess she does. For emergency situations.
Such as, when a pretty model who's down on her luck comes sobbing to her,
with no place to go.

SCENE 2: Again of Abby, now sleuthing around her new friend's place...

She's wearing the right shoes for prowling on windows. 

...and terraces.
But as soon as she reaches the room...

Ta-daaaah!! Heels on her shoes!
Did she have one of the Angels wait for her by that door
with her other pair ?

Have you been following the new Charlie's Angels? How are you liking it so far?

Where To Find Songs Played In TV Shows

While catching up on Ringer tonight, I realized that I was more drawn to the songs that were played on the show, rather than what's happening to the story. Anyone who is following the series would probably agree that Ringer's got really cool background music. I don't know the titles for most of it (yeah, ALL of it!) and I'd normally google it up.  But sometimes searching can be tricky.

Then I rememberd that a few years back, I discovered Tunefind while searching for a TV series' soundtrack.

I haven't been to the site in awhile. And I thought that it would no longer be updated, because...seriously, who'd have time to track each and every song played in TV's and movies?

But then again, what do I know? I underestimated Tunefind.

Coz when I checked a while ago, I was surprised to see that Ringer's song list from the most recent episode is already there.

And apparently, Tunefind's people do have all the resources to keep it up to date! How clever!

I like that there's even a short description of what scene the song was actually used for.  It did not used to list that. It's so organized and easy to navigate, too.

If you find yourself liking a song you've heard from a TV show? No sweat. You only have to Tunefind it and you're all set. If you can't find a particular song though, you can ask or request from the people who run the site.

Tunefind is also on Facebook.

Pretty, pretty cool, huh?

Pinoy on US TV: Ang TV's Marnie, On Gossip Girl

It was my friend KV who told me about this as I failed to notice it the first time I watched the episode.

But remember how Marnie used to appear on Ang TV and shared TV screen time with Jolina Magdangal and Antoinette Taus (who's also getting her fair share of US TV exposure on The Sing Off!)?

Grabbed from a Photobucket Account

Well, Marnie just shared TV screen time with no less than Blair Waldorf, as the former TV actress from the Philippines had a brief appearance on Gossip Girl...and actually got to speak lines!

Watch her scene:

Antoinette... Marnie...So, which Ang TV kid is next?

Game of Thrones Season 2 Teaser

Winter is coming...again. I mean, coz the show is coming back for its second season in March of 2012. =) Watch the teaser below.

I got goosebumps!

Back From Hiatus! Back To Watching Too Much TV!

For about three days, I was without anything remotely connected to television.

I was with good friends. And we were were out of the hotel most of the time. And the only time the subject of TV came up, was when we briefly talked about The Good Wife or kept the TV on while we were dressing up and preparing to leave for the day.

Most shows premiered the week I went on a short vacation. I still need lotsa rest and I've been nursing a fever as a result of fatigue. The vacation --- which involved a lot of walking, shopping, walking, eating out  walking and staying up late --- took its toll on my body. I'm not complaining. I just wish I still have the stamina of a 16 year old.

Anyway, fever and fatigue aside, I immediately got caught up with TV upon my return home. I watched over a dozen programs, and I still have plenty more backlogs to finish.

Of these shows though, I've instantly taken a liking to the comedy 2 Broke Girls and the drama show Person of Interest.  I did not like Whitney as much as the trailer made it to be funny. And it's interesting because Whitney Cummings, who stars in Whitney, is also behind the show 2 Broke Girls. She stars in the other one and produces or writes (?) the latter. I guess it's safe to say, that I think she's better off working behind the scenes.

I'm still undecided on the rest of the new programs. I'll give it all three more weeks before I decide which ones I'll drop. However, from what I've seen --- Charlie's Angels was not that impressive and I think Playboy Club has promise. I just have to learn to like its Don Draper clone. I'm passing on Free Agents, as well as Prime Suspect. I did not like their original British versions to begin with. Although the British Free Agents, I have to say, was way, way, way funnier than the American version.

Of the returning shows that premiered this week, Modern Family was solid, as was Community; while I was a bit disappointed with Raising Hope. I loved Castle's Season 4 opening, while Hawaii Five-O seemed to lose its luster. (I hope not!) I still have to get to the rest of those returning drama shows.

For more on first impressions of the new season, you can follow my GetGlue profile here.

NY Mag also has an interesting piece on its assessment of TV's first premiere week. Week 2 starts tomorrow. While you're reading up about that, be sure to read Bargain Life's take on Extreme Couponing.

I'm off to end this night watching more returning shows.

Former Filipina TV Star Antoinette Taus in US Show, The Sing Off

I've been channeling Antoinette Taus since two weeks ago.  I keep telling people, coz I've been watching Vampire Diaries, that Nina Dobrev kinda looks like her on some angles. (And they'd disagree!)

To those who do not know who she is, Antoinette Taus was a TV star in the 90's here in the Philippines.

She had quite a following, if I remember correctly. But she migrated to the United States a few years back. I don't know the reason why she gave up her promising career as a star, and she has not been heard from since, except to clarify a few rumors in a press interview.

I watched her on TV back then, I have to admit.

Anyway...I had no idea I'd be seeing her again, and see her in this underrated singing contest, The Sing Off. (BEST! BEST! BEST! SINGING CONTEST EVER!!!)

Here she is, the smallest chick in the group, third from right, in boy shorts/hot pants:

Photo from Rickey.Org

Her group is called Kinfolk9 and I think that aside from Antoinette, there is one more Filipina in the their acapella choir.

Their group was almost eliminated today. Fortunately, they lived to see and sing again next week.

For more on the former TV actress, you can read this article from Manila Bulletin:
Antoinette Taus' a capella group to compete on 'The Sing-Off'

*I'm gonna try to upload their performance in a while. I'm supposed to be on hiatus, but could not resist watching this show...

Edit: Someone already uploaded a vid on Youtube:




The Sing Off is an acapella singing contest which is now on its 3rd Season. The show airs on NBC. In the Philippines, it will begin airing in the Velvet Channel on Skycable. Check your local listing for the schedule.


The Sing Off is the only singing contest on air today that brings me goosebumps, in each and every performance. They are all THAT GOOD!!!

We Are On A Break...

Going on a short hiatus this week....the one week most TV season premieres start. Yes, I'm going to miss a loooot of shows. I've been looking forward to the new seasons since they all ended in May.

What's bigger and more important than TV premieres? Big enough, it succeeded in having me take a TV break?

I've got my girlfriends over. Friends I've known since... forever. They flew in from my hometown.

So, I'm setting aside fictional friends on TV this week to be with them --- my life-long forever friends. =) And I'll be avoiding sites, tweets and Facebook updates for spoilers all week....if I can help it.

Please go easy on the TV-watching.

I'll catch up over the weekend and burn my eyes watching some 17 shows till then. (I actually counted what shows I will be missing!)

First Thoughts: HOMELAND Pilot Episode

Homeland won't be airing until October 2nd on Showtime, but the cable channel has released the pilot episode online.

For viewers from North America, you can easily find a copy. There are several TV blogs hosting the 56minute episode on their site. For everyone else, you can find these in your usual online sources.

Showtime is hoping that by watching this series online, way ahead of its broadcast, they can encourage more viewers to subscribe to their channel.

Homeland's official synopsis:

HOMELAND is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), a CIA officer battling her own demons, who becomes convinced that the intelligence that led to the rescue of Sgt. Nick Brody (Damian Lewis) a U.S. soldier who had been missing and presumed dead for nine years, was a set-up and may be connected to an al-Qaeda plot to be carried out on American soil.

I've been looking forward to watching Homeland. It goes without saying I'll be tuning to this from beginning to end. 

Watching Damian Lewis as the possible anti-hero in this story is going to be interesting. Because I've seen him play the hero more than once --- in Band of Brothers, as Dick Winters and in Life as Charlie Crews --- and loved it.

I did not recognize Mandy Patinkin here. He wore a headgear most of the time, and covered his face with beard and glasses.  I was waiting for him to make his entrance, the Mandy Patinkin, as I know him. But he had been in the sequences all along.

And Claire Daines, while capable and believable as the CIA officer with her own issues to deal with, still reminded me of Temple Gradin. I have to get that out of my head.

Morena Baccarin was the biggest surprise for me.  She could have done without the wig, though.

Homeland has an amazing cast, with a script written by scribes I trust can tell it substantially. The pilot episode, as expected, was set up well. Its story is relevant again, especially with 9/11 marking its 10th year this month.

First Thoughts - RINGER: Please, Higher Power, make this show better!

I had a sneaking suspicion Ringer is mostly flair than substance because for the whole summer, The CW made a lot of noise for this. They should of course. Having CBS give up on this show must account for something. What was in Ringer that made CBS decide not to push through with airing this on its network?

For all the noise it made? Not a lot, it seems.

Ringer's Officialy Synopsis:

Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin sister - only to learn that her sister's seemingly idyllic life is just as complicated and dangerous as the one she's trying to leave behind. Bridget is six months sober and starting to turn her life around when she is the sole witness to a professional hit. Despite the assurances of her FBI protector, Agent Victor Machado, Bridget knows her life is on the line. She flees to New York, telling no one, not even her Narcotics Anonymous sponsor, Malcolm. In New York, Bridget reunites with her estranged twin, Siobhan. Wealthy, pampered and married to the strikingly handsome Andrew Martin, Siobhan lives what appears to be a fairy tale life - a life where no one knows that Bridget exists.

THE LEAD STAR


PLUS: Sarah Michelle Gellar (SMG) did not seem to age.
MINUS: Someone in my Twitter account made mention of the fact that Sarah Michelle Gellar acted robotic. And I'd have to agree. Maybe Siobhan's character is the Ice Queen. But Bridget's character is supposed to be vulnerable. I hardly saw that, except, maybe in that scene where Bridget was attacked.

And yes, as Siobhan's husband notes ---- she is THIN!

THE LEADING MEN

PLUS: Siobhan's husband's accent. That guy was on Fantastic Four? I'm intrigued about the character. 

MINUS: Baze, Baze, Baze. I mean, Kristoffer Polaha. Now, he was annoying. And whiny. I think I'm going to like his character the least if he doesn't stop whining.

In succeeding episodes, more of Siobhan's or Bridget's men will make their appearance. Including Jason Dohring from Veronica Mars.

THE PRODUCTION

PLUS: Slight Hitchcock-feel. Who directed this pilot? *have to google check later*

MINUS: Awful, awful, awful special effects! Someone's been slashing the budget for this!

THE MYSTERY

PLUS: It looks like Siobhan's the evil-est them all. Predictable, yes. But I'd like to see how SMG can carry this out.
MINUS: A drama series about twins alienated, and then reunited, and then assuming the other one's identity is too "daytime soap" for me. This premise has been explored upside down and inside out, that I would've welcomed it more if they did they made this as sitcom, rather than a drama series. (And because SMG can be really funny!)

Potentially, the story can go the long and winded road, with viewers tuning out and getting tired of following all that soapy drama. On the other hand, potentially, it can reinvent a tired premise. But that is a long shot.  *have to google check people behind the show too, and see track record*

I think this is the kind of show you would want to watch without having to invest in anything. You just have to sit there and take it all in. Unless, the writers do something new with this twin angle and break cliches. Long shot, but....maybe a higher power can do wonders.

First Thoughts: THE SECRET CIRCLE Pilot Episode

I feel so silly for not realizing who Kevin Williamson is.

He is the person credited for adapting two book series, written by L. J. Smith, for television --- The Vampire Diaries, which is now it on its 3rd season; and The Secret Circle, which will premiere on Sept 15th.

He is also the person behind Dawson's Creek.

Now I understand the appeal to me. Kevin Williamson is the master of snappy dialogues and sophisticated verbiage, something I've always been drawn to when it comes to what I'm watching.

I've blogged about my new-found appreciation for The Vampire Diaries (TVD) here and having learned from that, I've been ready to give The Secret Circle (TSC) a go.

The series has been released on iTunes earlier than its premiere date (starting on The CW on Sept. 15th).

There's definitely something familiar about how the story on TSC plays out. It does have that Team Williamson stamp --- from the tropes, to the lines and dialogues, and down to the setting. (It's as if the town is next block to Mystic Falls --- TVD's setting.)

But like TVD, which didn't have a fantastic beginning, The Secret Circle has yet to find its hold. Nearly every pilot episode is that way anyway. And the writer himself said in interviews to give this show at least a few more episodes before deciding whether or not to ditch it.

So, that's what I'm gonna do.

The first episode isn't exactly bad. Although the last five minutes looked as if it ended abruptly. I thought my copy had been prematurely cut, with a minute's worth of scene missing.

Two things I have to confess:

• I had reservations about Britt Robertson playing Cassie Blake. This young and beautiful actress CAN act. But having watched her on Life Unexpected for two seasons, I can almost sense her ticks and mannerisms that it got annoying in the long run.  I didn't get that here (yet). She was the one bright spot for me for this show.
• I'm not a big fan of Thomas Dekker (who plays Adam, Cassie' "destined" partner).  Didn't like him in Heroes, nor on The Sarah Connor Chronicles. No particular reason. He's just not connecting with me. And he's probably going to make it hard for me to like watching this show. I hope that turns around in the weeks to come. 

The rest of the cast? I'm still getting to know them.

The Secret Circle Members: Adam, Diane, Cassie, Nick, Faye & Melissa

The Secret Circle is about a combined power of 6. The kids are still learning how to control their powers. I'm very intrigued about which character has what power and who is the strongest of all.

I also want to know about their parents' history. Based on what was told in the episode, they were the original power of 6, but had to disband and stop practicing witchcraft because of an unfortunate incident.

Here is the official synopsis of The Secret Circle:

Cassie Blake was a happy, normal teenage girl - until her mother Amelia dies in what appears to be a tragic accidental fire. Orphaned and deeply saddened, Cassie moves in with her warm and loving grandmother Jane in the beautiful small town of Chance Harbor, Washington - the town her mother left so many years before - where the residents seem to know more about Cassie than she does about herself. As Cassie gets to know her high school classmates, including sweet-natured Diana and her handsome boyfriend Adam, brooding loner Nick, mean-girl Faye and her sidekick Melissa, strange and frightening things begin to happen. When her new friends explain that they are all descended from powerful witches, and they've been waiting for Cassie to join them and complete a new generation of the Secret Circle, Cassie refuses to believe them - until Adam shows her how to unlock her incredible magical powers.

Farewell, Spartacus [Andy Whitfield]

The first time I saw Spartacus: Blood and Sand, I dissed it. I dissed it like mad, telling anyone who asked that I wasn't gonna watch something that ridiculous. I thought the pilot had been a poor copycat of movies like Gladiator and 300.

Then a few weeks after it aired, I keep reading how other TV bloggers I look up to endlessly rave about the show.  And I began to doubt my choice. Did I miss something? How come I read nothing but praises for Spartacus?

It took me months to finally decide I was going to watch the show. Partly out of curiosity, and partly because viewers were raving about the guy playing the lead.

I did not know who Andy Whitfield was before watching Spartacus and I think, most of those watching have only heard of this Welsh actor for the very first time.

In his brief life, Andy Whitfield was able to show the world his talent and I got to witness that.

A statement from Andy Whitfield's wife, Vashti:

On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer. He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was.

Farewell, Spartacus.

Stand mighty and proud next to all those gladiators.

"The Big C" gets a 3rd Season | Charity Blog for Cancer Awareness

I'll get to the TV news first before talking about the real important stuff...

The Big C, which stars Laura Linney as a cancer-striken wife, mother and teacher, has been renewed for a third season, with 10 episodes. It will premiere sometime summer next year.

Currently on its sophomore year,  the final episode of the second season will air on Sept. 26.

The show is classified as a comedy series. Yes,  someone actually thought being terminally-ill is funny, and decided it would make a good story for television.

And what a good story it is!

Thanks in part to a brilliant performance by Laura Linney, who has been nominated at the Emmy's for Best Actress for her role as Cathy.

Linney has a big chance of actually winning the award (we'll know this coming Sept. 18, when the Emmy's air). In fact, last January, the Golden Globes did name her as Best Actress in a Comedy Series for this show.

From IMDb

This series is amusing and yes, it does present plenty of moments that will make you laugh. But there's also plenty to learn from this show, especially about how families and patients deal with the disease.

It has its emotional moments, as well.

I wrote this entry about the show back in November:

I still cry the same amount of tears when I watch this video.

Anyway...so, yeah. If you haven't watched The Big C yet, you've got lotsa time to catch up. Each episode runs 30 minutes, with 12 episodes per season.

And on to the actual reason why I had to write this entry...

Life and Fever came up with this amazing idea and bless her soul for it!

She is helping organize an event for cancer patients and survivors this December, so please follow her blog for updates on this.

I'm doing my little part to raise awareness, but we could all do so much more by sending in donations to this event, thru Paypal ID doc_alma_jones (at) yahoo (dot) com.

I'm also blogging about this to meet a goal: Life and Fever (Stef) will donate one ProSure formula to CanShare for every 10 blog entries about this event.

I'm encouraging the rest of you who keep a blog to read into the mechanics: Charity Blogging for Cancer Awareness and post away!

We've all joined blog contests at one time or another, hoping to actually win the prize. This time, someone else gets to win it. Someone who truly deserves to be rewarded. And all you have to do is spread the word.

If you don't have a blog, please post this on your Facebook or Twitter profile.

A lot of people would be grateful for it. =)

"Now get the fuck out of my face." HAH!

I've been following Deadline Hollywood for several years now. It's managed by a feisty entertainment journalist named Nikki Finke.

Since I'm on the other side of the world, I know little, nor care about who she is in the industry.  But I keep reading her site because information there is exclusive and first-hand. And she writes about what goes on behind the scenes, something which people don't usually read in press releases or other sites.

I've come across how many times Ms. Finke took issues about her, and not a certain TV or movie production, to her site by writing her replies to her "enemies" in the industry. Case in point? Her post from today:

From Deadline

She's the only one who can get away with writing, "Now get the fuck out of my face." and address this to bigwigs or kings of Hollywood with their army of lawyers.

She makes no qualms of the fact that she has plenty enemies. Nor does she hold back or favor people, just because of who they are.

Like many who follow her, I get a kick out of reading her site, especially when she's like this. Although I don't necessarily agree on some of the points raised when she's on the rampage (and I don't necessarily understand these right away, too!), I have to say that ---- I think that I learned a lot of how television runs from reading her site and the comments that follow after the reports. I learned about broadcasting, PR and production from Deadline, more than I could ever learn in college. Seriously.

Years following Deadline, it's pretty clear to me she is more than just a Hollywood insider.

And the reason I'm blogging about this now is because, sometime ago, there was a TV development deal that was inspired by Nikki Finke. Someone wanted to make a TV series based on her and it would have starred Diane Keaton, but that deal fell through at some point.

The show was supposed to run on HBO and was going to be called Tilda.

Screencapped from FutonCritic

I was looking forward to watching that. Too bad.

You know what else is interesting?

No one knows what Ms. Finke looks like to this very day, they say.  I mean, people in Hollywood do get to talk to her in person, I think. For how else would she be able to get those exclusives?

But no one has come out to post recent photos of her, or discuss whether or not they've had coffee with her last week. She has no profile anywhere, except on her site, which is only about her work. No one knows what she's like apart from work. The only photo she has online is this portrait shot of her, which I guess was taken from the 70's.

That TV show based on her MUST happen!

Lifetime has "Project Accessory"

Molly Sims

Oh, boy. I don't know how good this will be, but I'm sold.

This show had me at "shoes, bags and one-of-a-kind jewelry"! SHOES!!! I'm weak for shoes!!!

Cable television Lifetime is coming up with a new RealityTV competition show called Project Accessory, a Project Runway spinoff.

Hosted by model Molly Sims, who is joined by Kenneth Cole and Ariel Foxman as judges, and Eva Lorenzotti as mentor (the show's Tim Gunn), Project Accessory will start its run after Project Runway All Stars (which btw, is a totally different production with a different host, set of judges and mentor).

Kenneth Cole was guest judge on Project Runway last week.  Did not remember him looking pleased with the clothes he saw. Such high standards. Afraid!

I wish this press release had the exact air date. Anway, here it is:

The devil’s in the details! The multi-billion dollar accessories business is brought into the spotlight with Lifetime’s new competition series, Project Accessory, hosted by actress and model Molly Sims. With the help of lifestyle expert Eva Lorenzotti as their mentor, 12 enterprising artists will be put to the test to create the newest and hottest trends in accessories as they compete to dazzle Sims and judges designer Kenneth Cole and InStyle Editor, Ariel Foxman. Project Accessory will premiere later this year on Lifetime, following Project Runway All Stars.

Project Accessory will feature 12 designers who will compete and showcase their unique vision for accessories and show audiences how to transform any outfit. Throughout the intense competition, their ingenuity will be pushed to the edge in creating one-of-a-kind jewelry, belts, bags, shoes, headpieces and other wares as they showcase their talents and ability to revolutionize the accessories business.

Lifetime has ordered eight 60-minute episodes of Project Accessory, which will be produced by The Weinstein Company and Goodbye Pictures. Executive producers include Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein (Co-Chairmen of The Weinstein Company), and Meryl Poster and Barbara Schneeweiss of The Weinstein Company, Rich Bye and Fred Pichel of Goodbye Pictures, Sarah Emanuel and Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy, David Hillman and Kim Chessler of Lifetime.

Sims began her career as a model and has worked with CoverGirl and has appeared on the cover of French Vogue and in Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issues in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2006. She is best known for her role as “Delinda Deline,” for all five seasons of the NBC series Las Vegas and has appeared in several comedy films, including The Benchwarmers, Yes Man, The Pink Panther 2 and Fired Up. Sims was also the host of MTV’s House of Style. Most recently, Sims used her extensive knowledge of the adornment of jewelry by developing her own jewelry line, ‘Grayce by Molly Sims.’

Cole is a renowned American designer and humanitarian known for being on the frontline of fashion trends and AIDS awareness. A business that began over 25 years ago out of the back of a 40-foot trailer, Kenneth Cole Productions has risen to the top of American fashion at lightning speed and set the standards for others to meet. With nearly 100 Kenneth Cole retail stores in the US and 80 internationally, Cole has been able to unite his fashion instincts and business acumen with his philanthropic convictions. As Chairman to The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), and a founding board member to the homeless organization HELP USA, Cole has made it his business to fuse fashion with social action. Cole is also a board member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and The Sundance Institute. Kenneth Cole Productions is a full lifestyle, dual gender brand. Cole goes far beyond lending his name to a line of clothing and accessories. He is the ultimate driving force behind all the brands and the Company’s creative director in all areas from design to marketing. Cole resides in Westchester, New York with his wife Maria Cuomo Cole and their three daughters.

Foxman is the Editor of InStyle, the trusted style authority for over 10 million women and the leading fashion magazine in terms of newsstand sales, ad pages and reader affluence. Foxman oversees the monthly magazine, its 17 international editions, and brand extensions including InStyle.com, InStyle Hair, InStyle Makeover and InStyle books. He was named to the post in September 2008, at age 34, becoming the title’s first male Editor. He began his career at Crown Publishers and paid his magazine dues as an assistant at both Details and The New Yorker. Foxman was also the founding Editor of Conde Nast’s Cargo. In 2011, he was featured in Out’s annual “Power 50”, and in 2009 was named one of the most powerful fashion magazine Editors by Forbes, in addition to being featured in The Advocate’s “Forty Under 40.” In 2008, Foxman appeared as himself on an episode of Gossip Girl. He is a board member of the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) and a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard.

Hailed as a “mail-order magnate” by Time and “One of the 10 Most Stylish Women in Fashion” by Vogue, Lorenzotti single-handedly redefined the business of direct marketing to the affluent consumer with the first mailing of the Vivre catalog, which featured two European luxury brands. Her direct marketing adventure, a glossy, oversized catalog beautifully photographed and intelligently presented was specifically targeted to affluent shoppers, a demographic until then overlooked by the direct marketing industry. A Crain’s “40 Under 40,” a finalist for 1010 WINS’ “Tomorrow’s Newsmakers” and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and a member of YPO International, Lorenzotti’s business acumen was honed as an investment banker with the mergers and acquisitions department at Lazard Freres, which she joined after receiving a BA from Barnard College. Born and raised in Switzerland, Lorenzotti’s deep familiarity with the European culture and her multilingual command of five languages, have uniquely positioned her at the center of the rapidly evolving international luxury market. Eva and her husband Lorenzo Lorenzotti reside in Manhattan with their two children, Allegra and Amedeo.

Hits and Misses of Summer TV 2011

The best and the worst of Summer TV...and I made my list! Here we go....

There were programs last year that fell apart for me. It was either because I found the storylines weak or losing direction, or the show just plainly sucked. But I gave it another chance and watched their new seasons this summer. And I'm glad I did! These shows belong to the "Most Improved" list:

1. Covert Affairs Season 2 
2. Pretty Little Liars Season 2 
3. Drop Dead Diva Season 3 

Summer TV used to be all about reruns. But cable television is choosing this as a time to debut new programs, while network TV is on hiatus. Hence, taking a break from TV-watching isn't a good idea. I mean, at least for me. You can probably tell, I'm obsessed about checking new shows as soon as they air. But of the programs that premiered this summer, I gave these a try and said my goodbyes. It's just not for me:

1. Teen Wolf 
2. Nine Lives Of Chloe King 
3. Necessary Roughness 
4. Lying Game  
5. Switched At Birth

I'm actually still undecided about #4 and #5. I might come back and continue watching these sometime. Like, in five years time.


What makes Summer TV suck? It's the fact that shows return a million years later. The hiatus in between is looooooooong. On the other hand, maybe the long break builds up the anticipation. Maybe it's designed to be that way, to get viewers wanting more. Anyway, I'm happy I've been sticking around and I've kept watching these summer pleasures over the years. These shows are consistently good:

1. White Collar Season 3
2. Burn Notice Season 5
3. The Big C Season 2

Some folks find these shows weird and hard to watch. But I think it made my summer viewing livelier. Psychedelic is the best word that comes to mind when I think of these:

1. Web Therapy
2. Wilfred
3. Louie
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm

These shows started fine and were so fun to watch for a while. Their novelty eventually petered out, dwindling and becoming my background noise. I can forego hitting the pause button when these shows are on and I'm interrupted by something else. It's probably not the show's fault. It's probably me and my attention span. I am still going to watch these shows when they return next summer, though:

1. Alphas
2. Franklin & Bash
3. Happily Divorced
4. The Protector

And....the best reasons why Summer TV has been awesome? It's these three big shows below. Well-written, well-paced, no cardboard characters...they've made summer TV viewing so, so, so entertaining:

Suits

Awkward 

Rizzoli & Isles

What did you love or hate about Summer TV?

First Thoughts: "NEW GIRL" - Fun But Could Get Old Quick

The pilot episode of New Girl is now free to download on iTunes.

The series isn't going to air until the 20th of September.  But since the network (Fox), doesn't always win with their live-action comedies and has a reputation for mishandling these (Arrested Development, Breaking In)  jumpstarting New Girl by releasing the first episode online, and a week earlier at that, is its way of compensating. The network is hoping that this will help improve its performance in this area.

Because this stars Zooey Deschanel, you'd expect nothing less but watch the "poster child for all things quirky" do her bit.

I did enjoy New Girl as a whole. It gave me tons of laugh-out-loud moments. I would let a friend watch it and promise her, she will find it fun.

The problem I see here, though, is that the main character's antics could get old pretty quickly for me.

Don't get me wrong --- because I love, love, love Zooey for the way she is.

But while I was watching, I mentally noted that if I have to watch her be zany and kooky every week, for 13 (or 24?) episodes, then it's possible she'd lose that charm a lot of us seem to love. You know what I mean?

Then again, as I've learned all these years watching too much TV ---- you don't judge the show by its pilot episode. Particularly one that has been filmed over a year ago and has been going through a lot of tweaking since.

• Tweaking by way of recasting one of the roommates --- Damon Wayans, Jr. --- who picked to star in Happy Endings over this.
• Tweaking by casting Justin Long as a potential boyfriend for Jess (Zooey's character) and who should even out Zooey's comical presence.

So, things could still improve and New Girl can still find its balance.

***** 


New Girl's official synopis:

JESS DAY (Zooey Deschanel, "(500) Days of Summer") is an offbeat and adorable girl in her late 20s who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three single guys. Goofy, positive, vulnerable and honest to a fault, Jess has faith in people, even when she shouldn't. Although she's dorky and awkward, she's comfortable in her own skin. More prone to friendships with women, she's not used to hanging with the boys - especially at home. More here.

This scene from the pilot, between Jess and Schmidt, was the best moment for me:

SCHMIDT: Listen, what if we take you out, right after work? You know we'll fix you up, we'll get you a rebound.
JESS: A rebound?…I dunno if I'm ready… 
SCHMIDT: You're totally ready for it. I'll take you to the whole thing. I'll be like…your guide. 
JESS: Like Gandalf, from Middle Earth? 
SCHMIDT: Probably not…uh, okay... first of all, let's take out the Lord of the Rings references. Let's put them in a deep dark cave, where no one's gonna find 'em. Ever. 
JESS: …Except Smeagol.

First Thoughts: "REVENGE" - Best Served With a Side of Emily Van Camp

"Revenge" is a new drama series set to premiere this coming Sept 21. I first blogged about it here, noting how fast this series' license sold in the international market.

I have no idea how much buzz this show is getting in it's main market, the American audience. But judging by the feedback I'm reading online, it doesn't look like a lot of people have heard of this.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Revenge's official synopis:

Wealth, beauty and status define the people in this town, but one woman is willing to destroy everyone for the sake of revenge. Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp) is new to the Hamptons. She's met some of her wealthy neighbors, has made a few new friends and seemingly blends into the town. But something is a little odd about a young girl living in a wealthy town all on her own, and the truth is that Emily isn't exactly new to the neighborhood. In fact, this was once her old neighborhood, until something bad happened that ruined her family and their reputation. Now Emily is back, and she's returned to right some of those wrongs in the best way she knows how - with a vengeance.

Sometimes, not knowing much about a new show springs a few surprises for me, that I'm pleased I've decided I was going to check it out.  Sometimes, not knowing anything and still deciding to watch the show can be a complete waste of time. Like, 40 or so minutes of my life I'm not getting back.

I was halfway through Revenge when I thought nothing was holding my attention. I was ready to fold knowing there are still 30+ other new programs to watch until October.

But then something happened and turned it all around for me. I think it was that moment when Emily Thorne showed just where she can go with her plan and how vengeful she can become.

Emily was able to expose an affair between the "queen" of the Hamptons, her husband and her best friend.

And just like that, she was able to eliminate one person from her list.

This was just scratching the surface.

I read somewhere that Revenge is like a modern way of re-telling The Count of Monte Cristo, a rich tale of love, vengeance and forgiveness.

Towards the end of the pilot, there was this letter from Emily's dad, which, I have to admit, sold me. SIDEBAR: Emily is actually Amanda.

 My dear Amanda, 
If you're reading this, then two things have come to pass: I'm finally able to provide you with the life you were unjustly denied. And sadly I won't be able to share that life with you. I hope these journals provide answers to all the questions you've had all these years. 
I am not the man they say I am. I did not do the things they say I did. All I ask is that you promise to do the one thing that's been so hard for me to do. 
Forgive.

The letter was followed by Emily's narrative, saying her reasons for why she is doing this. Although it's vague, one could sense that Emily's anger is deep. And there is more she plans to do.

Emily Van Camp --- who starred in Everwood and became more familiar to me on Brothers and Sisters --- I thought was a miscast, at first.  I couldn't picture her as vindictive. Coz how could someone with a face as sweet and angelic as hers have this dark side?

And then I got it. It's all part of the plan. No one would suspect her motives.

This should be really interesting to watch. But it would take a few more episodes to say if this show is engagingly good.

Or if the writers will be able to sustain the narrative.

Or if it beats CSI's ratings (with Ted Danson new to the cast).

One last thing to note: How bad is this poster's art work, huh? I get black and thorns represent vengeance. But must Emily look like Ursula from The Little Mermaid?

Having a bad case of Vampire Fever

10 Days. That's how long I've got to finish watching all of what The Vampire Diaries have so far.

I don't really remember why I've stopped watching this show. From an entry back in 2009, I did say I liked the series premiere fine. I did say that I wasn't so sold on Paul Wesley being Stefan, just yet. But I did say I was gonna stick around for a few more episodes to see if the show was worth keeping on my list.

I didn't stick around.

And then I spent two years wondering why kids, particularly those hooked on the Teen Choice Awards, find this show so worthy of every recognition it belonged to.

If there's one thing I think I've learned about TV this year --- after finally giving in to Gossip Girl (hooked!!), staying put with Pretty Little Liars' second season (they've somehow got the story together now, yay!), and giving every summer series the ABC Family and MTV has come up with a peek or two (there've been lots, some have been fun to watch!) --- it's that I should never downplay how massive and influential the teen market is.

When something's huge with this market, it's not just about peer pressure and following what the trend dictates. There's got to be a very good reason why.

And from now on, I should sit up, observe and see what the kids are raving about on TV. Lest, I miss something good on it.

Like The Vampire Diaries.

I finished the first season late last night by going on about how cool this show is so many times.

When a show has gotten me hooked, I could watch it for hours without being aware of how much time flew by. I surprised myself when I discovered that I had almost gone through the first season in barely a day.

The Vampire Diaries is messy. It is madness. But it is also told in such a controlled way, I've got to commend the way its narrative is written.

In the first season, there were plenty of mysteries and cliffhangers to keep me glued to my seat (or my bed, as it was), holding my breath. But the progression of the story didn't go so extensively as to make me feel stupid and exhausted...like Lost and Heroes did. (But I will love, love Lost, no matter how much it has jerked me around!)

I knew I was so hooked last night when I found myself checking a Vampire Diaries Wikia and going through entries, trying to learn more of its mythology, and feeling like a child dumped inside a kids' hands-on museum. That's hard to do, considering I didn't want to spoil myself too much. So it's like I've been torturing myself with snippets of wiki information here and there.

I knew I was hooked when I started seeing why Paul Wesley is perfect for Stefan. For the record, I watched Paul Wesley's previous show, Fallen (where he played an angel on earth), laughing the entire time. That show somehow gave me this impression that he was trying too hard to be emo (because emo is what supernaturals are). I no longer consider him as the weakest link to The Vampire Diaries.

I knew I was hooked because I started watching old Youtube video clips of cast interviews.

I will be starting with Season 2 later today. From what I've read so far, it's going to get even better. And I've yet to come across Klaus (so excited!).

10 days. That's how long before the third season starts.

I know this show has gotten me so hooked because I cannot wait to watch it already!

Thanks, TV Gods for this Birthday Gift!

It takes little effort to make me happy.

And today, being my 38th bday, I take this scene from The X Factor (Australia) as the gift the gods of Television, where I'm one of its most religious and loyal followers (obviously!), sends me.

The gods know that I'd be super pleased to hear Ronan Keating singing a few phrases from his famous song. They know I'd be thrilled to hear him sounding so raw and unedited, without the benefit of recording studio synthesizers.

They know I'd swoon and pinch whoever was sitting next to me while I'm watching this. I didn't even mind that the actual person auditioning was so bad.

Best TV birthday present ever!

To quote Scary Spice (one of the other judges in this show): "Sexy always gets a yes!" And Ronan gets my vote.  He is through to the next round! :D