2010 Emmys

I always like watching an award show when I'm actually familiar with most of the nominees; I also like watching an award show where those familiar nominees win.

The 2010 Emmys hosted by late night, kinda funny man Jimmy Fallon were surprisingly entertaining. Not being a fan of Late Night, I was hesitant of the ex-SNL heartthrob's hosting ability. His small bits and songs were clever and not lame like most of his usual skits. Song parodies have always been a specialty of his from his Dave Matthews impressions to his short-lived career as a recording artist.

The big surprise opening that everyone seemed to know about was an eclectic rendition of Sprinsteen's "Born to Run." Fallon was accompanied by an obvious selection of Glee's best (Lea Michelle, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley and Chris Colfer) as well as Jane Lynch, Tina Fey, Joel McHale, Nina Dobrev John Hamm and little cameos from Betty White and Randy Jackson. A regular star studded stunner, right? And then we add a dash of suck--Kate Gosselin.

Is America really telling me that if I want to someday have a spot on the Emmys, all I need to do is produce a litter of Asian babies, proceed to act humiliatingly horrible while exploiting said babies on national TV and then skank it up a bit on any show that will now exploit my publicity pulling power? At least her performance made her look like a wacky-waving-inflatable-arm flailing-tube girl.

Moving on from that side-rant, some really talented performers left with the gold. Jane Lynch and Ryan Murphy won for the Glee team and Mad Men won all over the board on the drama side. Modern Family took home some much deserved kudos for writing, Eric Stonestreet for being hilarious and the show won Outstanding Comedy Series. A lot of other shows/miniseries won that I know nothing about, but congratulations nonetheless.

Most importantly the red carpet looked fierce tonight. The Glee ladies stole the spotlight during the pre-show but Lea Michelle did not get the solo tonight; Jane Lynch glowed like her Emmy in a royal purple, one shoulder dress and Diana Agron (Quinn) looked elegant in lace. John Krasinski looked effortlessly handsome along with Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Colfer (Kurt, Glee) and Jon Hamm. Unfortunately, not everyone looked ferosh. My girl, Mindy Kaling looked a little Sex and the City-walk of shame and Lauren Graham and Amber Riley suffered the effects that white can have on any body shape.

Overall, it was a great six hours of non-stop Emmys coverage thanks to E! and NBC. It was a great season for television and I look forward to a new season of shows to obsess over. I just hope my DVR can handle the excellence that's coming its way.

SYTYCD

Remember that time I was going to blog all about this season of SYTYCD? Hmm.
Looks like life, or something like it, got in the way of that plan. I personally blame my DVR for allowing me to procrastinate and watch every episode the next day on fast forward mode.

To sum things up: They did a great job giving the All-Stars props for their performances instead of making them just props for performances. Sometimes, the contestants were a little out shined by their more seasoned partners while others blew them off the stage. The tour situation is a little questionable if you ask me; Only the Top 6 get to go on tour? And the rest are All-Stars that have already had their chance? Weird but, I guess it makes sense following the season.

Season 7 of SYTYCD can't be discussed without bringing up the obvious--what the hell were they doing to these kids to cause so many injuries? The answer: Over working them. Alex, a professional ballerina, injured himself doing a leap and is now out of commission for 3+ months. He is probably most use to all the rehearsal and excess work and it seems even his body succumbed to the stress along with Ashley, Billy and Lauren. Hopefully next season they take it down a notch for these young dancers so they don't damage their goods permanently.

Now we're down to the Top 3. Do I agree with America? Yes and a sort of No. I love Robert and Kent and Lauren is pretty amazing. I have issue with two things, however: Why not a Top 4? And Adechike should have been gone a lot sooner then poor Billy Bell. Mr. Bell sustained a knee injury and still kicked the ass of that Bollywood number after the bizarre no one-gets-sent-home-episode. He was voted out the same night as the worst dancer of the season, Jose who clearly only got votes based on the whiteness/wideness of his smile. My ideal finale would have included Robert, Kent, Lauren and Billy.

My picture says it all...

• Voted off
  
• Out by injury
  
• Unfairly cast off because of slightly feminine tendencies

We'll see how the finale goes. It is usually filled with amazing dances from throughout the season and special guests that few people will care about. Hopefully they bring back at least Billy and Ashley to remind us how they were robbed by injury and injustice.

Please, be tamed...just a little.

As I sat at my computer this morning for the last time before I venture off to Disney World for a week, a disturbingly, revealing photo from the Much Music Awards of, who else, Miley Cyrus, appears in front of my groggy eyes. First off, it is far too early in the morning for me to be seeing 17-year-old, lady parts or anything of the sort (thanks Perez Hilton) without so much as a cup of coffee. Secondly, why Miley? I was actually just starting to support your rebellion.

Just the other day, I was defending your statement about teeny-bopper boys being able to flaunt their goods in tiny tanks and skinny-girl jeans and how it's unfair that you can't express yourself. And then you wear an unbelievably, inappropriate, white bodysuit, clearly stolen from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera's 2003 performance with Madonna at the VMAs, except they wore a bottom half. Not only does this reveal that you have bad taste but that you apparently keep up with your favorite bikini wax artist.

These are the sort of pictures that should be haunting you in your mid-to-late 20s when you "accidentally" forget your underwear out one night, wearing a mini dress while lunging out of a limo. I am interested to see how she squirms her way out of this one. None of that "I'm a big girl now" crap because this is one of those things her parents should lock her up for--or her parents should be locked up for letting her do. This will be a defining moment for Billy Ray and Mrs. Billy Ray: Will they go the Lohan family route and let things spiral out of control and suck up the fame at their daughter's expense? Or, will Billy Ray step in like Britney's dad and delegate her every move and demand she wears proper undergarments?

Californi-candy

Watch: Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg "California Gurls"

I have always wanted to travel west and explore the beautiful Golden coast for myself. Thanks to Katy Perry, I need not travel any farther than my home computer!

Apparently, California is DELICIOUS. No wonder everyone over there is particularly weight conscious. If I were residing on a cloud of cotton candy or living in a gingerbread house, I too would take up pilates. While the landscape looks lush and lick-able, I was expecting more green grass and palm trees. The people there look much sweeter than they come across on TV but the gummy bear population seems like it's created its own spectrum of problems.

I don't know how the rest of the California boys and gurls feel about Katy's interpretation, but this New Englander has a new found appetite for travel.

Avidazen, peace out.

I'm couple days late (thank you, DVR) but, my America's-favorite-dancer-instinct was pretty close. Alexie was in my bottom 3 along with Melinda and, in my opinion, Adechike instead of Cristina. Melinda still hasn't impressed me which is common with specialty dancers like tappers or breakers. Alexie however, did blow her solo. She was not dancing for her life and seemed to wilt in front of the cameras during all performances. Hopefully, the other dancers bring it now that they know what their Thursday nights will look like.

Not-so-unfortunately, I will be in Disney World next week so no SYTYCD for me until I reunite with my DVR. Until then, keep it real, keep it cool, keep it dirty.

So You Think You Can Change Things Up?

As a semi-avid SYTYCD follower, Season 7 has brought some mixed emotions. As always, I was excited to meet some 20 new, freakishly talented dancers but this season promised a twist--we would be joining only 10 new dancers on their journey. The other empty spots? All-star dancers from past seasons.

There were many questions right off the bat: Who were these "all-stars"? Were they re-competing? If so, why?! Now that the show has officially got on a roll, the questions have been answered but I'm not sure everyone likes those answers. The all-stars are basically there as a "Dancing With the All-Stars" set up. Former contestants from specific genres have been brought back as familiar faces for the audience and expert partners for the newbies.

After the first night of performances. it is clear why they have brought back these runners up. The 12 all-star performers do bring a new level to the competition but then, when they've done their dance, they roll off stage like a prop only to return next week to be another dancer's partner. Without a week-to-week partner to grow and learn with, no real connections will be made between couples. No Mark and Chelsie, no Melissa and Ade, no Benji and Donyelle.

Also, since they are well seasoned dancers, some of them are blowing the new kids off the block. Twitch definitely outdid himself in the NappyTabs number, leaving Alexie looking a little amateur. Other partners that worked it were Robert and Courtney and Jose and Comfort. In the case of contestant Alex Wong, his all-star partner Allison brought an equally impressive level of talent that amazed and goosebump-ed the judges. However, I respectfully disagree with Mia Michael's statement that the Sonya Tayeh number was the greatest dance ever danced. Off the top of my head, Melissa and Ade's breast cancer performance was called the same and the dance Travis Wall choreographed to Jason Mraz's "If it Kills Me", could also be a competitor in the "Best Dance" category.

We'll see how America feels about the new setup when we see the results show tomorrow. Will they be voting on performances based on their favorite all-star or the actual competitor? My top 3 were Robert, Alex and I have to say, Kent. My bottom 3 were probably. Adechike, Alexie and Melinda. America tends to be more fickle than I, so we will see whose fate they determined tomorrow night.

WhIP (Work In Progress)

Working on the blog. Trying to make it a little more aesthetically pleasing. So I put it on a diet, scheduled some spray tanning and bought it a pair of leg lengthening nude stilettos.

Don't mind things during the awkward transformation phase. Feedback welcome.

The Caged Bird Sings

Britney was a "Slave 4 U"

Christina got "Dirrrrty"

And now, it's Miley's turn...

http://www.eonline.com/videos/v53035_miley-cyrus-cant-be-tamed-video.html

She is soaring out of the cushy Disney closet, leaving behind her morals and most of her clothes. Miss Cyrus gave us a little taste of what's-to-come with her infamous Vanity Fair shoot, her pole dancing at the Teen Choice Awards in 09 and those long forgotten slumber party-shower photos. Now it's official--Miley Cyrus can't be tamed.

Apparently, as her new video points out, she is like a rare, wild bird that can't be confined to a cage or metallic corset for that matter. She is breaking out of her Mickey-made-mold and slipping into something a little less comfy with a lot more feathers. "Party in the USA" was, and still is, wildly popular in most circles for its upbeat-good time feel. "I Can't Be Tamed" is sure to hit a different crowd (a.k.a. not my 5-year-old cousin.)

Some may find the transformation a bit jarring. One week she's Hanna Montana and the next she looks like Brtiney Spears in "Womanizer" meets Sasha Fierce. Couture S&M gear and a pole shouldn't be as appealing to her young fans as a blond wig but, odds are, giant black wings, thigh high boots and a leather bodysuit may be on your tween daughter's newest shopping list.

While her young fans (and their parents) may not be prepared, Miley's friends and Hollywood teammates are loving the new look, so far. Demi Lovato tweets, "SO proud of that girl... THAT VIDEO IS SOOO GOOD!!!!!" and others say she's the next Britney Spears just with a ten year headstart. Let's hope that title doesn't come with the psychiatric breakdown, two children with a hobo and a Mr. Clean haircut.

For now, we need to anxiously await her new album's release in June and accept the wild bird for what she is--a 17-year-old "discovering herself" with the help of her bottomless piggy bank and a team of people dedicated to pushing her to the edge. Hopefully, those gigantic wings really help her fly when/if she gets pushed too far.

HOPE for HAITI

So while watching and enjoying the beautiful people of Hollywood spill their hearts and their wallets I got to thinking: We all expect the rich and famous to donate their fair share to charities like this. They do make far more money than most can even fathom so it's these too-rich-for-their-own-good people that should donate, right? Right.

I sit here, in my unemployed-20 something-recent graduate-pants, thinking of how little I have. Then I slip back into reality, turn off my Wii and text my boyfriend with my fancy cell phone saying that I need to donate to the Hope For Haiti telethon.

As little as I may have, there are people with literally nothing. Anderson Cooper is throwing the faces of innocent and injured children in my face while Jennifer Hudson serenades America and those suffering with a beautiful rendition of Jon Lennon's "Let it Be"; these children no longer have families, homes or food and water.

If Leo Dicaprio's $1 million donation and George Clooney's whole telethon can inspire other celebrities to help, maybe my little contribution can inspire those, like myself, that don't have a Titanic sized income.

HopeForHaitiNow.org

Blogging from Limbo

For the three people who may look at my site once a month, if at all anymore, I apologize for my disappearance. In August 2009 my laptop died tragically after defying the odds and living well past its expiration date. While working for Disney was a blast and all, they paid in Mickey stickers so a new computer was and still is a far off dream of mine.

As of now, I am working on some money-making-moves and desperately want to update my blog. When my home computer is available, I will try my best to keep in touch. My life has not gotten any more interesting--my body has not received an extreme-whore makeover like Heidi's, my short-lived late night show has not been aborted nor, despite accusations, did I sleep with Tiger Woods.

Until our next rendezvous, enjoy the SAGs, support the Jonas Brothers with whatever ridiculous "solo careers" they have planned, let me know if you want to hire me for anything and keep watching Conan.