Saturday, November 30, 2013

NO NO NO NO NO NO....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  
BAD DAY, BUT LET'S PRAY WE CAN KEEP COACH O


                                                       
NO MATTER WHAT!!

THE PARTY WAS SAVED BY HANSEN'S CAKE


Friday, November 29, 2013

MARLO HITS IT AGAIN



 MARLO'S "CLEVER LITTLE LIES"








 Marlo's has another hit brewing at the exact same theatre in New Jersey where she tried out Elaine May's last play that went to Broadway. Here she comes again.

 If you go to see Joe DiPietro’s new play at the George Street Playhouse be prepared for some extraordinarily good theater – and an emotional workout.
“Clever Little Lies,” which is having its world premiere, is loaded with racy humor, but the dramatic situation eventually becomes unsettling and it leaves the audience with a lot to think about.
The playwright explores the idea of being content “with the hand you’re dealt” in life. The story involves two couples – Bill and Alice and their son and daughter-in-law, Bill Jr. and Jane, who are new parents. The older couple is played by the veteran skilled actors Greg Mullavey and Marlo Thomas and the younger couple by the talented Jim Stanek and Kate Wetherhead.
The two Bills have just played a tennis match when the son tells the father a secret concerning infidelity.
The father would have been happier in his ignorance, but now he’s stuck with both the secret and with the obligation to keep it from the intuitive Alice.
Despite a hilarious effort by Bill Sr. to act “normal” when he goes home, Alice sniffs the scent of trouble and manipulates Junior and Jane into what turns out to be a tense visit.
When Alice is sure she knows what’s troubling her son and threatening his marriage, she takes a bold and dangerous step and puts her own happiness at risk in attempt to bring him to his senses.
George Street audiences have seen Marlo Thomas in two previous plays, so they are aware that she is adept at both comedy and drama.
However, they may not have realized before now how deep her dramatic resources run.
The climactic scene in this play belongs to her, and she makes the most of it with a chilling performance.



  “Clever Little Lies” is presented without an intermission on a stunning set designed by Yoshi Tannokura. The flow of the story is expedited by an effective use of still and moving projections.
The whole production has a seamless unity that draws the audience into the family crisis and holds us there for every second of the ninety-minute program.
Attribute this to the direction of George Street artistic director David Saint, who has a keen sense of what is natural in speech and movement.
DiPietro is a Tony and Drama Desk award winner for “Nice Work If You Can Get it” and “Memphis.’’
Whether “Clever Little Lies” rises to that level of acclaim remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say that those who see this production won’t forget it soon.

EXHAUSTED AND VERY FULL FROM THANKSGIVING. GREAT TIMES!!!







ALL I'M GOING TO SAY IS THAT I ACCIDENTALLY WENT TO "BEVERLY HILLS HOUSEWIFE "LISA VANDERPUMP'S HOUSE FOR THANKSGIVING.



I was driving along and reversed their address number sin y hear and pulled into her driveway and rang the bell. Just as I touched the bell I saw the name on the gate, VILLA ROSA. Oh, God, I thought. A voice with a strong accent answered (not British) and I backed out of there as fast as I could.

This Thanksgiving (at the right house) was a beautiful, simple, family dinner with dear friends. I fell in love with their dog, Brando, who is a long-haired Chihuahua whose tongue continuously hangs out.

They wouldn't let me take him, but our tongues matched

BRANDO, THE WONDER DOG



















Next stop Joely Fisher's house. The dining room looked like it was set for King Arthur!!!    


Third and final stop--Sandy and Barry Pressman's house.

Sandy and Barry


          I DON'T WANT TO EAT FOR A WEEK!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

LET'S ALL BE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE ON THIS DAY





HUGE BOLLYWOOD STAR MALLIKA SHERAWAT BRAVELY STANDS UP AGAINST VIOLENCE TOWARD WOMEN IN INDIA


PLEASE WATCH THIS      

http://youtu.be/kHSikgTOz70


SHE IS A REALLY GOOD FRIEND AND UNBELIEVABLY BRAVE TO STAND UP AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN INDIA. TERRIFIC ACTRESS, TOO. SHE'LL SOON BREAK OUT IN AMERICA.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

MORE "DANCING" PHOTOS!!!!



Our George Pennachio
 Tristan MacManus is kind and sensitive and

Nicole and Sascha "pretend"
was so sweet throughout. He was a taskmaster, too. Valerie will be happy that she no longer will have to hear "Shoulders down," every two minutes.
A word about Nicole Polizzi. Valerie and I loved her. She is a responsible young lady who stayed away from the spotlight as much as she could, and rehearsed in New Jersey so she could be with her husband and child. She bore no resemblance to "Snooki." She has really grown up. Just terrific. And her father is her best friend.





Add caption


One of my favorite pastimes was watching this family. I have already written about the great love among them. Sharon, in real life, is a softie. It's all about family. Is she a brilliant killer in business? Yes. But she's a stellar mom and wife. Do you know what Sharon's schedule is? Listen to this: She's in LA Tues, Wed, and Thurs. to shoot "The Talk." On Thursday, after the tapings are over, she goes to the airport and flies to London in order to on the set of "X Factor" on Friday. She shoots "X Factor" Friday, Sat and Sun. and then races on a plane to get home in time to see Jack on "Dancing."


AND WHEN THE FINALE IS OVER, AND EVERYONE HAS LEFT THE STUDIO, HERE IS WHAT THE END OF THE SEASON LOOKS LIKE





"DANCING WITH THE STARS" FINALE NIGHT--OMG!


IT REALLY IS A FAMILY. When you are on that show you are put into a microcosm of society. There really isn't an outside world. People in hair and make-up told me that this season's cast was the most unified, loving cast they'd seen EVER.

Viewers watch the show and have no idea that the celebrity who got all tens was wrapped in blankets two hours before just trying to rest for even 15 minutes. They don't see the pros who have to ice their knees during the breaks. They don't get to see the private moments like when Corbin Bleu and Jack Osbourne hugged each other on finals night by their trailers. They don't see the prayers among the stars and pros. they don't see how the women help each other out in the make-up and hair trailers. They don't see the phone call that came to Karina Smirnoff two minutes after the show was over and the pandemonium that ensues that told her there was a family heath emergency and she needed to get to the hospital. That literally happened right as the show went off the air. P.S. All is well with her family. Crisis averted. They don't get to see the true depth of Valentin Chmerkovskiy. He is a philosophical intellectual and I loved all our conversations.

I do believe that the warmth totally comes through the TV sets, but I really want everyone to know that the experience of doing "Dancing" is like surrounding yourself with love 24 hours a day. I've never felt anything like it, and I am so grateful that Valerie Harper invited me to go on the journey.

I could write forever about it, so let's just go to all the pictures..........

  
This is the definitive photo of us that goes on the piano forever
Tony Dovolani and Leah Remini were reporters for EXTRA
Brant and Valerie

A candid of Derek right after

Seriously...I got to dance with Tony at a party. What a thrill!
This is a bad shot, but it's Chaz Bono and his date at the after-party at Sofitel. He looked great!

Dress rehearsal


Jack Osbourne's balloons

Each cast member got a gift from the show

More insane fun

The "girls"

Valerie with Nicole Polizzi's father, Tony. I loved him. He invited us for homemade pasta

After party

Monday, November 25, 2013

Saturday, November 23, 2013

VALERIE HARPER DOING GREAT--BACK ON "DANCING WITH THE STARS" TUESDAY NIGHT



VALERIE AND I "ATE THE MENU" at Escuela Taqueria across from the Post Office on Beverly Blvd. tonight. She's been practicing with Tristan for the finale and has been having fun catching up with the other stars and pros. I can't wait for Tuesday night's finals and hanging with everyone again.

Neither of us had ever been to the restaurant before and we loved it. It's so close to CBS where they shoot "Dancing!" They serve perfectly-seasoned guacamole in a jar with warm, homemade chips.Their food is the real thing--not a bland LA No. 1 combination. Take a look at just some of their taco section:




Friday, November 22, 2013

"SMASH'S" MEGAN HILTY AT THE CATALINA BAR AND GRILL




MEGAN HILTY'S FIRST LOS ANGELES ENGAGEMENT EVER!





By now you all must think I live at the Catalina Bar and Grill. I don't. I just love live music and New York theatre and that's where you find a part of it in L.A.

Megan Hilty, who killed it as Galinda in the touring company of "Wicked," and then won over the rest of the world in the series, "Smash," made her debut last night. Her two shows were sold out and had people on stand-by like an airplane. Even though the audience is asked not to tape anything during the performance, there was a line-up against a wall with guys just taping away.

Megan is like an explosion of sunshine on stage. She is young, adorable, very real, and a major Broadway Belter. It was also great to hear her new husband, Brian Gallagher playing guitar and singing a duet with her. She also did a duet with her pianist, Matt Cusson, who displayed an amazing voice. Can she play the role of a diva or a sex kitten? Yes. And well. But Megan is so natural in evrything she does, that it just shines on through.

Brian and Megan

Thursday, November 21, 2013

NOV. 22, 1963 THE BEGINNING OF THE DEATH OF HOPE


I'M NOT ENJOYING ALL THE RETROSPECTIVE SHOWS. NOT BECAUSE JOHN KENNEDY DOESN'T DESERVE THEM, BUT BECAUSE HIS ASSASSINATION IS STILL TOO PAINFUL FOR ME.

EVER SINCE IT HAPPENED, IF I HEAR HORSES HOOVES I THINK OF HIM. IF I SEE A SALUTE I THINK OF HIM. IF I HEAR A BOSTON ACCENT I THINK OF HIM. IF I SEE SOMEONE TALKING WITH HIS LEFT HAND IN HIS SUIT JACKET POCKET I THINK OF HIM.

I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING FROM "CAMELOT." IF SOME MAN HAS GREAT HAIR, TEETH AND EYES I THINK OF HIM. I CAN'T WATCH ANY OF THE TRIBUTES ON TV BECAUSE I WON'T BE ABLE TO STOP CRYING.

THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TRIBUTE SHOWS ON TV TO HIM. THE DOCUMENTARIES ALWAYS START WITH THE KENNEDY CHILDHOOD AND THE SAILING AND THE FOOTBALL GAMES. THERE IS SUCH HOPE AS WE GO CHAPTER AFTER CHAPTER, THAT EACH TIME I FIND MYSELF HOPING FOR A DIFFERENT ENDING; BUT IT NEVER COMES.



MY HEART AND FEELINGS ARE NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT. I WAS A SCHOOL AGE CHILD WHEN IT HAPPENED. I REMEMBER RUNNING TO MY MOTHER SCREAMING WHEN I SAW RUBY SHOOT OSWALD ON LIVE TV. IT HAPPENED AT THE EXACT MOMENT THAT MY MOTHER HAD LEFT THE ROOM FOR A SECOND. I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT SHE SAID TO ME. HOW CAN A MOTHER BE PREPARED FOR WORDS WHEN A CHILD WATCHES A LIVE ASSASSINATION ON TV?

I WAS OLD ENOUGH DURING THE BOBBY KENNEDY TIME THAT I COULD UNDERSTAND THE RESURGENCE OF THE HOPE THAT PEOPLE HAD FOR JOHN KENNEDY AND THE WORLD. YOUNG CHILDREN DON'T UNDERSTAND FOREIGN POLICY OR TAXES. THEY JUST GET A FEELING FROM PEOPLE THAT IS AS SIMPLE AS "GOOD GUY/BAD GUY."






LOTS OF BEHIND-THE-SCENES PERSONAL AND POLITICAL REVELATIONS HAVE BEEN UNCOVERED ABOUT BOTH JOHN AND ROBERT. FORGET ABOUT BOUGHT PRESIDENCIES, MARILYN MONROE, PAPA JOE'S ENFORCERS. I DON'T CARE. I'M STILL THAT KID WHO, TWICE UPON A TIME, HAD HOPE.

WHEN BOBBY KENNEDY WAS SHOT, MY CHILDHOOD DIED WITH HIM. THERE WAS NO MORE HOPE OR TRUST. I STILL FEEL LIKE THAT. I REMAIN INCONSOLABLE.




AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARLO THOMAS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARLO

This is one of Marlo's busiest times of the year. Not only is she doing a play in New Jersey called "Clever Little Lies," which should be on its way to Broadway, but it's the St. Jude Thanks & Giving Campaign.

 You will see her on the "Today" show a number of times, also live from Memphis, where the hospital is. Please go to the St. Jude website and see what you can do. All medical care is free at St. Jude. They also house the families for free. St. Jude has the highest rating of any charity for all the money going to care.