HALLELUJAH !!!!! USC (AWFUL) COACH LANE KIFFIN FIRED

 DING DONG, THE WARLOCK IS DEAD.

THANK GOD! This guy had no clue as to what USC stands for. He was as bad as Larry Smith and Ted Tollner combined. When you coach USC football there is only one motto to follow---GO OUT THERE AND KILL.   You don't tell a team to "keep its composure." What a lame idiot.
The stands were half-full; the Trojans were very vocal in wanting him out. Well, Pat Haden, your move was LATE, but at least you made it.

AND THE NEW TV SEASON CONTINUES..........

BEFORE I GIVE YOU THE ONE-LINERS...

 

 

HAS ANYONE NOTICED HOW GOOD CBS THIS MORNING IS??? 

AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SHOW THEY RUN A 90-SECOND MONTAGE OF EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE YOU WENT TO SLEEP. WHAT A GIFT THIS IS!!! NO EDITORIALIZING; NO DANCERS; NO BANANA HATS. WOW..... A SHOW FOR ADULTS WHO ARE IN A HURRY AND JUST WANT TO KNOW THE FACTS AND GET ON WITH THEIR DAY. THANKS, CBS.

TROPHY WIFE--- It took me all the way to the end to decide to press the record series button and give it a chance. The show has the wrong name. It makes it sound like "Dynasty," but it's not. It's funny, very real, and pretty darn good. I'll give it a chance. I can always press the delete series button

Malin Ackerman

"THE CRAZY ONES"--Better known as the Robin Williams show. This had a bad industry buzz before it aired. It kind of just "smelled" flop sweat. WRONG. The show is terrific. 

Of course, it needs to settle in, but I really enjoyed it, and I hate the sitcom form. With David Kelley behind it, I should have had more faith. The cast is wonderful...led by Robin, of course. And James Wolk (!)..so adorable.

MICHAEL J. FOX---

First, I am so glad he's back on the air in a true-to-life vehicle. It's very inspirational. Second, I'm sorry he's opposite Robin Williams. Third, the show just is not remarkable. Average doesn't cut it today. Even if NBC moves the time slot, I don't think it will go the distance. I'd like to be wrong.

The networks take the two biggest comeback sitcom shows--Robin and Michael, and program the against each other.

Same thing with "Hostages" and "Blacklist," which appeal to the exact same audience. What were they thinking? As a former ABC executive who sat in on those kinds of programming meetings years ago, the answer is simple. They don't think.

HOSTAGES--It would be my favorite new series, but I saw
"Blacklist" first. Darn. Well, I'll keep watching it anyway.

LUCKY 7---Hmmm. Everybody keeps saying it's the first sure cancellation of the season.

I started watching and tried to turn it off. I really did. I couldn't. I got involved with the characters. We'll see if I watch it next week.

NEW TV SHOWS ROUND UP--PART ONE

HERE'S THE BEGINNING:

 LOVED IT. WHAT FUN!

                                THE GOLDBERGS. COULDN'T WATCH IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH. TOO HARD.

MOM--ANNA FARIS AND ALLISON JANNEY. WORTH ANOTHER LOOK BEFORE SETTING SERIES TAPE BUTTON. VERY SMART WRITING.

 

THE BLACKLIST: LOVE IT. WILL WATCH EVERY SECOND AS LONG AS IT'S ON THE AIR, AND THAT SHOULD BE A LONG TIME.  TOTALLY INSANE OVER JAMES SPADER. I HAVE BEEN EVER SINCE HE STARRED AS THE "YOUNGER MAN" OPPOSITE SUSAN SARANDON.

AND THE BEAT GOES ON

The Callaway sisters are New York legends, each with an amazing voice.

Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway did their show called "BOOM" at the Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. It was a very clever saute to the music of the baby boomers, and the audience absolutely loved it. The Catalina has almost become a clubhouse for displaced New Yorkers, and it is so much fun. I almost always see legendary designer Bob Mackie, Marilyn Maye (whenever she's here) and Nancy Dussault.

"I bet you really related to everything we did," said Ann after the show. "I sure did," I answered. "I was at some of those original recording sessions!

Ann with Dan Glosser

I know, Marilyn. I surprised you!

***************

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAGNY DUBELKO!!

Her husband, Michael, was on a fishing trip, so it was "Girls Night at Dags."

REALLY BEHIND THE SCENES--THE DANCING WITH THE STARS MAGICAL WARDROBE DEPT.

INSTANT MAGIC is what I call the work of Daniella, the chief designer for the costumes, and the many members of her dept. including Howard and Valerie, and anyone else I missed.

They get the news of what the next week's dances are about four days before they need to have 24-36 costumes ready. Many times the workers in the sewing rooms are up all night. I don't know how in 36 hours they sequined Valerie Harper's entire Paso dress, but they did it. They also have to do very unique things for dancing like sewing neclackes onto invisibe netting connected to the neckline so the necklace with stay in place; designing in little hidden pockets for mic batteries and antennas; having emergency pieces ready like soles for shoes, sticky tape, ripped zippers. THESE ARE BRILLIANT PROFESSIONALS AND I AM ENTRANCED WITH THEIR OPERATION.

People were on a short break. It's rare to see the workroom empty

Once a week on camera blocking day they meet with each pro and celebrity to discuss costumes for the next week's dance---before they've even done what would be the prior show on Monday. Many of the pros are very specific with the clothing designs for the themes of their choreography, and they come prepared with ideas, and even pictures of clothes that would work. It's fascinating.

Men's all lined up

Monday's opening number costumes--all hand-made

Each  dancer has her own bag of tricks

For no reason other than cuteness, her is Sharon Osbourne's dog, Bella

 Having spent some time with the Osbournes---they are the NICEST family. There is such love and support among all of them. At least one or more is there for Jack even on rehearsal or camera-blocking.

In another note, some of the pros actually live together in groups--like at least four in a house in Hollywood, for instance. (Not telling who) It makes perfect sense. Most are from other countries, and they aren't here all the time. They truly take care of each other.

TODAY'S BITS AND PIECES--EMMYS, ETC.

                 THE EMMYS OF DEATH  

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? 

First, let me say that there were moments that were really good and quite funny. I also don't believe in "murdering" awards shows for the fun of it. They have to give out awards and so be it.

 

 

It was never right to single out some stars and not others with the memorium segments. It's simply disrespectful. Of course some stars are more beloved than others, or more famous than others. It doesn't matter. And I AM one of those who felt the Cory Montieth singling out was inappropriate. I know the Emmys supposedly "feel" it would help put a light on addiction, but rewarding addiction is never a good thing. And, we all know it was done for ratings. I am truly sorry we lost this young man. Addiction is a tragedy. But don't honor it on TV.

The Don Cheadle/Kennedy segment was not necessary either.

*************

Uh.....Claire.....who's your stylist? You're a brilliant actress, but, Oh My God

PET PEEVE-CHEWING GUM ON AWARDS SHOWS

 

 

Jeff Daniels--Were you born in a barn? Did you not have parents with manners?

Are you that classless????    

THE NEW USC WALLIS ANNENBERG SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS BUILDING

IT IS ISN'T FINISHED, BUT I WAS INVITED TO A HARD HAT TOUR. WOW. WHEN I WAS THERE AND MAJORED IN JOURNALISM AND WROTE FOR THE DAILY TROJAN, I WAS IN A CUBICLE WITH AN ANCIENT TYPEWRITER. NOW THE LUCKY STUDENTS WILL SOON BE LEARNING IN A HIGH TECH BUILDING THAT INSIDE LOOKS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN CNN AND GOOGLE.

THE STYLE IS "COLLEGIATE GOTHIC," A FORM THAT ALL USC NEW BUILDINGS WILL BE FOLLOWING FROM NOW ON. THAT'S PERFECT. ON THE OUTSIDE IT LOOKS LIKE EAST COAST CLASSIC IVY LEAGUE, AND ON THE INSIDE IT'S A SPACESHIP.

THIS IS THE "NEWSROOM," A LIVE BROADCASTING LAB.

"THE FORUM," OR CENTER OF THE BUILDING. THERE ARE FLOATING STAIRCASES, GLASS WALLS--A TOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND FACULTY.



A whole new way to communicate is under development at USC Annenberg, in the form of an 88,000-squarefoot, five-story building in the heart of campus with a design that connects people, fosters creativity and accelerates the school’s path into the future.
As media and communication shift more and more to the center of modern life, we have continuously worked to place ourselves at the center of that shift,” says Dean Ernest J. Wilson III. “This new facility will help us realize our ambition: Just as communication is at the center of modern life, USC Annenberg is at the center of communication and journalism—and at the center of campus!”
“We took Dean Wilson’s directive to heart,” says lead architect Dan Benjamin of the firm Harley Ellis Devereaux. “He wanted the building to be designed with space that connects rather than contains.”
The new facility’s learning spaces will include a blend of unique “huddle” spaces, movable walls, learning and research labs, and other features to foster future-oriented conversations and blue-sky thinking. Flexible furniture and meeting areas, drop-in space for visitors, and state-of-the-art production studios will create environments to turn these plans into action.
“In the spirit of the culture of innovation and experimentation, we’ll have spaces that are more conducive to random interactions and cross-fertilization, rather than having things separating off,” says Vice Dean Larry Gross, director of the School of Communication and one of the key members of the project team. “We’ve been trying for a village square kind of environment.” The core of the vision was prompted by Wallis Annenberg, whose long-standing commitment to openness, transparency and technology defined the spirit of the design. Equipped with today’s most revolutionary technology, the new facility also will help the school adapt to a pace of technological innovation that seems to have permanently shifted into overdrive.

VIP PARTY FOR BOB HOPE AND DOLORES HOPE AUCTION (AND PHYLLIS DILLER)AT JULIEN'S IN BEVERLY HILLS

THE AUCTION IS SEPT. 20TH AND 21ST. INFORMATION IS ON JULIEN'S WEBSITE.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF MEMORIES LAST NIGHT, but also a little weird. When you've known people for years and then you're standing in the middle of their things after they're gone.....it's sad; it's moving; and it's also to be celebrated.

TO ME, THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING PIECE IN THE HOPE AUCTION. KATHARINE HEPBURN GAVE THIS ORIGINAL STATUE OF HERSELF IN LION IN WINTER TO THE HOPES.

I'D GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE THIS. PAT NIXON GAVE THE HOPES THIS CARTIER CARRIAGE CLOCK

PHYLLIS' COSTUMES

 

PHYLLIS AUTOGRAPHED HER OWN PIANO

HOPE CHINA

HOPE AWARDS

CONNIE STEVENS AND DEANNA LUND

PHYLLIS' SELF-PORTRAITS

NANCY MALONE AND STEFANIE POWERS

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE PIECES UP FOR AUCTION--HOPE'S GOLF CART, FURNITURE--JUST TONS AND TONS OF INCREDIBLE THINGS.

AFTER THE VIEWING PARTY, A FEW OF US ADJOURNED TO THE FOUR SEASONS TO CELEBRATE A JOB WELL DONE WITH LINDA HOPE AND NANCY MALONE.

NANCY MALONE WORE GRETA GARBO'S SHOES!!!!!!!

LINDA HOPE AND LILY TOMLIN