Another year, another Oscars. This year's show had good intentions, but didn't completely deliver. Ellen DeGeneres did a great job, and I hope she gets asked back. There were entirely too many montages (did we really need Michael Mann's montage of America's influence on film at 11:15pm....no). The producers were wrong to wait over an hour into the show to hand out a big award (Alan Arkin winning Best Supporting Actor) and the 8:30pm start time had me feeling it was going to be a long evening right off the bat.
OK, now the good stuff. Best Dressed, worst dressed and notes:
Best Dressed:
1. Reese Witherspoon
2. Cate Blanchett
3. Maggie Gyllenhaal
4. Emily Blunt
5. Helen Mirren
Honorable Mentions: Japanese Actress from Babel, Diane Keaton
Worst Dressed:
1. Cameron Diaz
2. Kirsten Dunst
3. Meryl Streep
4. Jennifer Hudson (only the jacket part in the pre-show)
5. Jennifer Lopez
Dishonorable Mentions: Anne Hathaway, Quincy Jones, Kelly Preston (wearing leopard print to the Oscars in inexcusable)
Other Dress Comments:
* I thought Gwyneth looked gorgeous, and I loved the color, but not the
actual dress
* Naomi Watts would have been better without the sleeves
* Nicole Kidman would have been better without the bow
* Philip Seymour Hoffman needs a bath and a comb
Overall Notes:
* I am still distraught over a bald Jack Nicholson. He looks like Lex
Luthor. I don't like it.
* Do you think Peter O'Toole knew where he was? He looked like a
corpse.
* LOVED the Will Ferrell/Jack Black/John C. Reilly song. Brilliant!
* Happy to see Sherry Lansing get the recognition she deserves.
* Helen Mirren is awesome.
Quote of the Day:
"Peter O'Toole, eighth nomination tonight. Well, you know what they say, third time's a charm." -Ellen Degeneres
Monday, February 26, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Good Morning (Oscar)
It's been said that something new is learned everyday. I believe this to be true. For example, yesterday I learned that something called a "5:15am" exists. That's when ye olde alarm clock went off and awoke me from my peaceful slumber. One of the things I've been wanting to do since moving to New York was to be in the audience for Good Morning America. I grew up a GMA Girl, and was waiting for the right time to see the show.
I saw that actor extrordinare, William H. Macy was going to be on show to promote his soon-to-be-on-video film, Wild Hogs. I adore him so much and was hoping this would be my opportunity to catch a glimpse. I get to the studio at 6:30am and the line wasn't long at all. We are ushered into the studio at W. 44th & Broadway. There is nothing going on in this studio for the first hour of the show, which made us wonder why there was even an audience needed. Then comes the announcement that Jerry Springer will be making his way to the studio to announce the next cast of Dancing with the Stars.
The 8am hour begins and the studio is abuzz. Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Sam Champion and Jerry Springer come in. I am in the background for Sam's weather report. Jerry Springer announces the contestants. I'm in the background again for Diane doing a segment on yogurt -- and yes, I got free yogurt. It was 9am before I knew it and the show ended. Diane waved to the masses and Robin posed for pictures.
William H. Macy was there, but was interviewed upstairs, so I did not get a chance to see him. In the future, if there's a guest I want to see, I'll just go to the stage entrance instead of going in the studio. Live and learn. I had the chance to see John Travolta, who was coming in to pre-tape an interviewed. I stood by the stage entrance for a couple of seconds before realizing that I could care less about John Travolta, so I headed home.
Today, I headed back to the Times Square studio. In celebration of the Academy Awards, they had a real Oscar that we could hold and have our picture taken with. Of course, this was too good to pass up. I'm annoyed that I always look sleepy in pictures. I would have wanted to look better for Oscar.
So it's been a productive couple of days. If nothing else, it's proof that I actually left the house.
Quote of the Day:
"It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved." -- W. Somerset Maugham
I saw that actor extrordinare, William H. Macy was going to be on show to promote his soon-to-be-on-video film, Wild Hogs. I adore him so much and was hoping this would be my opportunity to catch a glimpse. I get to the studio at 6:30am and the line wasn't long at all. We are ushered into the studio at W. 44th & Broadway. There is nothing going on in this studio for the first hour of the show, which made us wonder why there was even an audience needed. Then comes the announcement that Jerry Springer will be making his way to the studio to announce the next cast of Dancing with the Stars.
The 8am hour begins and the studio is abuzz. Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Sam Champion and Jerry Springer come in. I am in the background for Sam's weather report. Jerry Springer announces the contestants. I'm in the background again for Diane doing a segment on yogurt -- and yes, I got free yogurt. It was 9am before I knew it and the show ended. Diane waved to the masses and Robin posed for pictures.
William H. Macy was there, but was interviewed upstairs, so I did not get a chance to see him. In the future, if there's a guest I want to see, I'll just go to the stage entrance instead of going in the studio. Live and learn. I had the chance to see John Travolta, who was coming in to pre-tape an interviewed. I stood by the stage entrance for a couple of seconds before realizing that I could care less about John Travolta, so I headed home.
Today, I headed back to the Times Square studio. In celebration of the Academy Awards, they had a real Oscar that we could hold and have our picture taken with. Of course, this was too good to pass up. I'm annoyed that I always look sleepy in pictures. I would have wanted to look better for Oscar.
So it's been a productive couple of days. If nothing else, it's proof that I actually left the house.
Quote of the Day:
"It is dangerous to let the public behind the scenes. They are easily disillusioned and then they are angry with you, for it was the illusion they loved." -- W. Somerset Maugham
Sunday, February 18, 2007
The Greta Garbo Theory
The Greta Garbo Theory. Greta Garbo was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses from the dawn of motion pictures. Towards the end of her storied Greta Garbo's career, she became a virtual recluse. Garbo shunned the spotlight at all costs. So when she did make an appearance, it was quite the happening. Although I cannot claim to have any great acting talent, I do have one thing in common with the esteemed actress.
It is a rarity that I leave the house on weekends. Even moreso on a Saturday night. In the big city. It is the rare special occasion that gets me out of my cocoon and out and about with people. This rare occasion was Cheryl's birthday party. Cheryl, Meg and I made it to Sessions Bar after some transportation snags. I tried to see it as an omen for me to go home, but the Birthday Girl and Meg would have none of it.
So, I drank a Coke, bopped to the 80s cover band and had my very first picture taken with J.
All in all a fun evening spent with friends and for the great cause of Cheryl's birthday.
Back to hibernation...
Quote of the Day:
"To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others." --François Mauriac
It is a rarity that I leave the house on weekends. Even moreso on a Saturday night. In the big city. It is the rare special occasion that gets me out of my cocoon and out and about with people. This rare occasion was Cheryl's birthday party. Cheryl, Meg and I made it to Sessions Bar after some transportation snags. I tried to see it as an omen for me to go home, but the Birthday Girl and Meg would have none of it.
So, I drank a Coke, bopped to the 80s cover band and had my very first picture taken with J.
All in all a fun evening spent with friends and for the great cause of Cheryl's birthday.
Back to hibernation...
Quote of the Day:
"To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others." --François Mauriac
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Beanpot
Once again the mighty Boston University Terriers are Beanpot champions!! This brings the Beanpot total to 28 titles in 55 outings, 3 consecutive titles and 11 in the past 13. The hated BC Eagles gave us a scare in the third, but we triumphed in overtime. Take that BC!! Whooooooo!
BC Sucks!! GO BU!!!
Quote of the Day:
"One of my theories is that men love with their eyes; women love with their ears." -Zsa Zsa Gabor
BC Sucks!! GO BU!!!
Quote of the Day:
"One of my theories is that men love with their eyes; women love with their ears." -Zsa Zsa Gabor
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The King of Late Night
It is a momentous day in the life of the patron saint of the Genius Switch, Mr. David Letterman. It was 25 years today that "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC and revolutionized late night television, serving as an influence to many of today's top comics.
The genius of "Late Night" was that it did not appeal to everyone. The humor was dry and snarky. Characters like Larry "Bud" Melman, The Man Who Lives Under the Stairs and Peggy, the Foul-Mouthed Librarian had never been seen on television before and there was a shock and awe element to them, as well as a humorous one. Letterman took the best of Johnny Carson and enhanced it. Being on at 12:30am, he was able to be more honest and do things more daring.
A few moments in "Late Night's" history stand out. The first being Monkey Cam -- where a camera was attached to Zippy the Chimp and the show was seen through its perspective. "The Gong Show" (which Letterman often appeared on) served as a precursor to Stupid Human Tricks and Stupid pet Tricks. The first to jump in a suit of velcro, the first to dive into a bowl of Rice Krispies to "snap, crackle and pap" and the first to don a suit of Alka-Seltzer, David Letterman was daring. He was brave enough to have a high-on-acid Crispin Glover on the air, interview Bill Hicks and give a little-known disc jockey named Howard Stern his first national audience. Letterman also showcased the antics of Andy Kaufman -- including the infamous thowing of coffee in the face of Jerry Lawler, -- quite often and considers him his all-time favorite guest. R.E.M, Jon Stewart, k.d. Lang, the Wildflowers, and Bobcat Goldthwait all made their network television debuts on "Late Night". The show won for consecutive Emmys 1983-1987 for Best Writing, Variety and was the most recorded show in the 1980s.
After being unforgiveably passed over for "the Tonight Show" after Johnny Carson retired, Letterman took the show, renamed "Late Show with David Letterman", to CBS. Although now armed with a larger audience, Letterman kept this same wry humor. He enlisted the help of his Ed Sullivan Theatre neighbors. "Late Show" is not without it's water-cooler moments. In 1994, Madonna famously dropped the F-bomb 13 times. Drew Barrymore flashed him as a present for his 50th birthday. An entire hour was devoted to Warren Zevon; the last public appearance before his death. And all the while he never let little things like a quintuple-bypass surgery or the shingles keep him down.
Without David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld and Jimmy Kimmel would not be the successes they are today. All owe a large debt of graitude to Letterman and all the contributions he's made during these 25 years. In the 4506 shows (it would take 187.5 days or six months straight without a single repeat) he's done, he's proved time and time again that he merited Johnny Carson's crown as the true King of Late Night.
Keeping personal moments aside, here is a list of my favorite "Late Night"/"Late Show" moments:
10. Jay Thomas' Lone Ranger Story
9. Dave & Steve's Gay Vacation
8. The GE handshake
7. Dave's record collection
6. The Big Man on Campus
5. Dave returning from quintuple-heart surgery
4. Just Bulbs / Just Shades
3. Dave announcing the birth of his son, Harry
2. Dave and Richard Simmons going door-to-door in New Jersey.
1. Dave and his Mom playing "Guess the Pie" every Thanksgiving.
Quote(s) of the Day:
"Are we better than Letterman? No. The man is a genius and an icon for the ages." -Jon Stewart
"I love David Letterman. He's like the perfect man to me - offbeat looks, great sense of humor and super intelligent." -Drew Barrymore
The genius of "Late Night" was that it did not appeal to everyone. The humor was dry and snarky. Characters like Larry "Bud" Melman, The Man Who Lives Under the Stairs and Peggy, the Foul-Mouthed Librarian had never been seen on television before and there was a shock and awe element to them, as well as a humorous one. Letterman took the best of Johnny Carson and enhanced it. Being on at 12:30am, he was able to be more honest and do things more daring.
A few moments in "Late Night's" history stand out. The first being Monkey Cam -- where a camera was attached to Zippy the Chimp and the show was seen through its perspective. "The Gong Show" (which Letterman often appeared on) served as a precursor to Stupid Human Tricks and Stupid pet Tricks. The first to jump in a suit of velcro, the first to dive into a bowl of Rice Krispies to "snap, crackle and pap" and the first to don a suit of Alka-Seltzer, David Letterman was daring. He was brave enough to have a high-on-acid Crispin Glover on the air, interview Bill Hicks and give a little-known disc jockey named Howard Stern his first national audience. Letterman also showcased the antics of Andy Kaufman -- including the infamous thowing of coffee in the face of Jerry Lawler, -- quite often and considers him his all-time favorite guest. R.E.M, Jon Stewart, k.d. Lang, the Wildflowers, and Bobcat Goldthwait all made their network television debuts on "Late Night". The show won for consecutive Emmys 1983-1987 for Best Writing, Variety and was the most recorded show in the 1980s.
After being unforgiveably passed over for "the Tonight Show" after Johnny Carson retired, Letterman took the show, renamed "Late Show with David Letterman", to CBS. Although now armed with a larger audience, Letterman kept this same wry humor. He enlisted the help of his Ed Sullivan Theatre neighbors. "Late Show" is not without it's water-cooler moments. In 1994, Madonna famously dropped the F-bomb 13 times. Drew Barrymore flashed him as a present for his 50th birthday. An entire hour was devoted to Warren Zevon; the last public appearance before his death. And all the while he never let little things like a quintuple-bypass surgery or the shingles keep him down.
Without David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld and Jimmy Kimmel would not be the successes they are today. All owe a large debt of graitude to Letterman and all the contributions he's made during these 25 years. In the 4506 shows (it would take 187.5 days or six months straight without a single repeat) he's done, he's proved time and time again that he merited Johnny Carson's crown as the true King of Late Night.
Keeping personal moments aside, here is a list of my favorite "Late Night"/"Late Show" moments:
10. Jay Thomas' Lone Ranger Story
9. Dave & Steve's Gay Vacation
8. The GE handshake
7. Dave's record collection
6. The Big Man on Campus
5. Dave returning from quintuple-heart surgery
4. Just Bulbs / Just Shades
3. Dave announcing the birth of his son, Harry
2. Dave and Richard Simmons going door-to-door in New Jersey.
1. Dave and his Mom playing "Guess the Pie" every Thanksgiving.
Quote(s) of the Day:
"Are we better than Letterman? No. The man is a genius and an icon for the ages." -Jon Stewart
"I love David Letterman. He's like the perfect man to me - offbeat looks, great sense of humor and super intelligent." -Drew Barrymore
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