Constant rotation: January 2009

My Life Would Suck Without You, Kelly Clarkson
In Praise Of The Vulnerable Man, Alanis Morissette
Spaceman, the Killers
ABC, the Jackson 5
Kids, MGMT
Miss Independent, NeYo
Funhouse, Pink
Pokerface, Lady GaGa
Goodnight Goodnight, Maroon 5
Raspberry Beret, Prince
Beautiful Dirty Rich, Lady GaGa
I Will Be, Leona Lewis
Jerk It, Thunderheist

Quick hits, in case you missed it

• The seventh season of Beverly Hills 90210 will be released on DVD April 7th. Only four more seasons to go! What ever will I do with my time then?!



• Elisabeth Hasselbeck is pregnant for the third time, the View co-host announced on air this week. While she describes the pregnancy as a “surprise” the rest of the world describes the thought of more Hasselbeck spawn as “incredibly frightening."



• Jessica Simpson has gained some weight and the world's going batshit crazy as a result. Come on people, of all the things we can make fun of Jessica Simpson for, could we please get a little more creative than knocking her for eating a few hamburgers? Christ.



• The House Bunny’s Anna Farris is engaged to Everwood’s Chris Pratt, it was announced this week. Which begs the question, who knew these two were even dating?



• ABC is close to picking up Surviving Suburbia, a new sitcom starring Bob Saget of Full House fame. Word is meth addict turned mom Jodie Sweetin is already loitering around the set begging for a guest starring role on her former TV dad's new show.
  

Lo's Republican role model

"I almost feel like I'm the anti-Elisabeth Hasselbeck - because I'm not a Republican - but I feel like she's young and fun and she can admit when she's made a mistake. She is actually a role model for me because I feel like she has taken the same steps as me. She started out on Survivor, then she moved over to a style show and look where she is today. And it's because she's outspoken; it's because she's honest. I feel like I try to take after people like that." -- Lo Bosworth of the Hills

Look of the week: Jenna Fischer

Jim Halpert’s one lucky guy.

The Office’s Jenna Fischer looked simply elegant as she walked the red carpet at Sunday’s Screen Actor’s Guild Awards.

She paired a grey Pamella Roland gown with Renee Caovilla slingbacks and jewellery by Neil Lane and Hellmuth.

“The neckline isn’t nearly as plungey as I thought. It felt way more revealing,” Jenna writes on her blog. “I was so worried about it, I had 3 fittings to make sure nothing fell out of place.”

There’s something super accessible about Ms. Fischer’s beauty that can’t help but draw you in. Maybe it’s that she’s a self-professed “practical girl.” “Dressing for the red carpet is a whole new ballgame for me,” she writes.

Check out Jenna’s blog about the SAG Awards here. It includes some cute commentary and behind-the-scenes photos.

[images via Jenna Fischer Fan]

Jay Hogart is a boy who says no

Looks like Jimmy Brooks isn’t the only Degrassi star pursuing a music career.

Mike Lobel, who plays Jay Hogart on the CTV show, has released a new EP with a band named Boys Who Say No. (To sex? Drugs? Manny Santos?)

The Toronto-based four-piece plays “indie pop/country” with Lobel switching between ukulele, melodica, keys and percussion.

Well holy shit, nothing turns me on more than a man and a ukulele.

I made it through a few seconds of one of their songs posted here, and quickly decided Kelly Clarkson's more my scene.

But they seem to be getting some good Toronto press, where words like “buzz band” and "exuberance" are being tossed about.

They also recently opened for Chad VanGaalen, which I think is some sort of deal (big or small), based on the fact that a) I’ve heard of Chad VanGaalen, and b) Janice’s gchat status recently read “CHAD VANGAALEN!!!”

Bottom line: I’d listen to Boys Who Say No over Jimmy Brooks’ rapping alter ego. Because, quite frankly, I’m annoyed that Jimmy Brooks chose the random name “Drake” to refer to his rapper self. What the fuck is that?!

I dare you . . .

To convince me Renee Zellweger looks at all appealing on the cover of the current Marie Claire.

That pepto-bismol-coloured dress is causing me all kinds of nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea. And that harsh bob is doing nothing to help the cause.

That's probably harsh enough, right? So I don't need to mention that all the photoshopping in the world couldn’t unscrunch her face to a respectable degree.

Sighting!

A reliable source I live with named Devon spotted Degrassi: the Next Generation star Jake Epstein (Craig) boarding the subway at Yonge Station this afternoon and getting off at Spadina.

Mere hours later as Devon and I settled into our seats for Hart House's production of Jerry Springer: the Opera, she looked back and exclaimed "Is that Jake Epstein again?!"

Indeed it was. And sadly, spotting the Degrassi star sitting a few rows behind us was the best part of the show.

Disappointed that he'd be seen in public sporting a generic sweater, Merrell boots and unkempt hair, we soon realized we were pretty much the only ones to notice him. Or at least the only ones who cared enough to constantly turn back and see how he was enjoying the show.

Kelly Clarkson's number 1!

Kelly Clarkson's breaking records with her new single My Life Would Suck Without You.

In one week the song's jumped from number 97 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart to number 1. That's the largest leap to number one in Billboard's 50 year history, shattering the record of Britney Spears' Womanizer which jumped from 96 to 1 last year.

The song has also sold 280,000 digital downloads in its first week.

Go Kelly!

It's definitely safe to say Kel Belle's new single is a hit on my iPod -- I've listened to it 169 times since downloading it two weeks ago.

Oh, and her new video? So cute you can't help but smile.

WWIB: Hues of blue at the SAG Awards edition

Co-nominees Kate Winslet and Angelina Jolie both chose to don hues of blue at Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards.

And while Winslet’s vibrant form fitting Narciso Rodriguez creation shows off all the right curves, Jolie’s muted Max Azria gown makes it appear she has no figure at all.

Come on Angelina, give us something to get excited about. Just because you haven’t picked up any awards this season for your role in the Changeling doesn’t mean you have to dress like a loser!

Leighton Meester's Nylon

I'm absolutely loving Leighton Meester's look on the cover of the new issue of Nylon Mexico.

The Gossip Girl star rocks a grey hoodie, black leather bomber and faded jeans. How very un-Blair Waldorf!

With those bangs and her refreshing new look, does anyone else feel Meester's channeling the OC's Rachel Bilson?!

Watch your mouth, Keshia Knight Pulliam

Little Rudy Huxtable's got some fightin' words for my favourite 79-year-old Canadian sexpert Sue Johansson.

"You have this arbitrary old white woman, pointing out toys and talking about sex," says Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Bill Cosby's youngest daughter on the Cosby Show in the 80s. "Which is also almost funny. It's more comical than an actual real perspective."

Sister please. Stop now. Clearly you weren't there when at the young age of eight my older cousins introduced me to the Sunday Night Sex Show hosted by Sue Johansson on AM640. Clearly you weren't there when the Sunday Night Sex Show became the feature attraction of every family gathering thereafter. Clearly you weren't there laughing your ass off with your cousins when Sue talked a worried caller through the new rash she had found down her pants. Because if you had been there, Keshia Knight Pulliam, you'd hardly be using the word "arbitrary" to describe the genius that is Sue Johansson.

Turns out Keshia's pitching her own couples counselling show called Butt-naked and Bubbles. Well Christ, nothing sounds arbitrary about that now, does it?

New Gossip Girl preview

Were you as bummed as I was that this week's Gossip Girl was a rerun?

Well fear not. Blair, Chuck and frenemies will be back on Monday in an all new episode called Carnal Knowledge.

And according to the preview above, the new episode is worth the wait!

GLAAD Media Award nominees

Milk, Brideshead Revisited, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, RocknRolla and Vicky Cristina Barcelona are up for Outstanding Film (wide release) at this year’s GLAAD Media Awards, organizers announced yesterday.

The awards, now in their 20th year, honour fair, accurate and inclusive representations of GLBT communities and their lives.

Nominees in top TV categories include Brothers & Sisters, The L Word, South of Nowhere, Torchwood, and True Blood for Oustanding Drama Series. Desperate Housewives, Greek, Reaper, Skins, and Ugly Betty are up for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List and ANTM are among nominees in the Outstanding Reality Program category, while All My Children and As the World Turns will compete for Outstanding Daily Drama.

Jay Brannan, Hercules & Love Affair, k.d. lang, The Magnetic Fields, and Sam Sparro are up for Oustanding Music Artist.

GLBT-friendly theatre, journalism, and advertising will also be honoured at three ceremonies this spring where Tyra Banks and Suze Orman will also receive special honours.

For a full list of nominees click here.

TV Alert: Project Runway Canada 2

Another day, another Canadian version of an American reality show.

The second season of Project Runway Canada premieres tonight at 10pm on Global.

Hosted by style icon and international supermodel Iman, the 12-episode series will watch as 14 contestants compete to be Canada's next top designer. The series was shot in Ottawa in the summer, though the winner won't be decided until after a Toronto spring fashion week competition.

The winner receives a cover and feature spread in ELLE Canada, a professional portfolio photo shoot courtesy of L’Oréal Paris, a business mentorship with Winners, and $100,000 to start their own fashion line.

The first season of Project Runway Canada received a Gemini Award for best reality series.

Quick hits, in case you missed it

• ABC is benching Ugly Betty starting March 26 in favour of a new Thursday night comedy hour combining Samantha Who? with the new series In The Motherhood. Betty will return on an unspecified date to finish its season, perhaps with a slightly revised title: Ugly Dejected Betty.



• George Clooney and Julianna Marguiles were on the ER set last week to shoot guest starring appearances to air later this season, the show's last. I'm still holding my breath that John Stamos will get his Beach Boy friends to make a guest performance before the series ender.



• Canadians Tom Cavanagh and Eric McCormack join forces in the new TNT series Trust Me. The dramedy series premieres tonight in the US, but isn't currently being carried by any widely available Canadian networks. 



• The 22nd season of the Real World will see a new set strangers take up residence in Cancun, and lead college groups on Spring Break vacations. I'm pretty sure this means casting directors will be back to searching for the sluttiest specimens to film. Or at least those that aren't opposed to licking whipped cream off of strangers.

Five reasons to love Meryl Streep based on her SAG Award acceptance speech

1. She’s excitable. The energy she exuded as she makes her way to the stage is rivaled only by the energy she exuded in last year’s Mamma Mia!

2. She’ll lay one on you. Or she’ll lay one on Ralph Fiennes, at least. And who wouldn’t?!

3. She’s honest. “I didn’t even buy a dress!” she admitted, showing off a pair of pants that suggest she didn’t plan to be in the spotlight.

4. She shares the love. "Can i just say there is no such thing as the best actress. There's is no such thing as the greatest living actress," she said at the podium. "I am so in awe of the work of the women this year. Nominated, not nominated. So proud of us girls."

5. She's genuinely thankful. "I'm really really really shocked," she said. "And even though awards mean nothing to me anymore I'm really happy."

And the AWK-ward award of the week goes to . . .

. . . E! host Debbie Matenopoulos.

On last night's SAG Award red carpet she asked Amy Poehler if she has an eating disorder, and minutes later told Ben Harper his music is perfect to kill yourself to.

Well holy shit, I thought Ryan Seacrest was awkward on the red carpet. But Debbie Mat brings it to a whole new level by projecting whatever pent up issues she has on her red carpet interviewees!

Here's a hint, honey. How 'bout you save your questions for the shrink and stick to "who are you wearing?" and "who are you hoping will win?" for the red carpet.

Poehler and Krasinski bring the funny

Last night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards was full of awkward jokes falling flat.

They came in the scripted variety (Eric McCormack calling out Grey’s Anatomy’s Izzie’s effing a dead guy storyline) as well as the unscripted variety (Jane Krakowski calling out the underweight cast of Ally McBeal while accepting the comedy ensemble award for 30 Rock).

So thank God for Amy Poehler and John Krasinski who brought the funny in a big way. Watching them present the award for female actor in a drama series almost makes me wish John would leave the Office and move over to Amy’s new show. Almost.

Such chemistry! This one brings the lols for sure.

Monday deliciousness

Chris Evans recently went on record saying his publicist no longer allows him to do shirtless photoshoots.

But that doesn't mean boy can't work it out while fully clothed. Just look at those muscles bulge through the Fantastic Four star's tight little shirt as he leaves Dominick's restaurant in West Hollywood last week. De-lish!

Evans' next film Push, costarring Dakota Fanning, is out February 9.

Oh, and just because Chrissy Poo has no shirtless photoshoots planned in the future, doesn't mean we can't enjoy his past gratuitous pics. Check out the photos below, thank me later.

Happy Monday!

Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Hollywood's most praised actors got together tonight to pat themselves on the back during the 15th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

With the exception of 30 Rock dominating the TV comedy categories, the rest of the awards were well spread among different TV shows and movies.

In a delightful surprise, my girl Sally Field took home the best actress in a television drama trophy for her work as Nora Walker on Brothers and Sisters. It was her first SAG Award after seven nominations over the past 14 years.

Kate Winslet took home the best supporting actress trophy for the Reader, while Meryl Streep won the lead actress race for her work in Doubt.

Sean Penn, meanwhile, took home the award for best actor for his work in Milk.

"As actors we don't play gay [or] straight, we play human beings," he said upon accepting his award. "This is a story about equal rights for all human beings."

TELEVISION WINNERS

Ensemble in a Drama Series
Mad Men

Female Actor in a Drama Series
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters

Male Actor in a Drama Series
Hugh Laurie, House

Ensemble in a Comedy Series
30 Rock

Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Actor in a movie or miniseries
Paul Giamatti, John Adams

Actress in a movie or miniseries
Laura Linney, John Adams

Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
Heroes


MOTION PICTURE WINNERS
Ensemble
Slumdog Millionaire

Actor in a leading role
Sean Penn, Milk

Actress in a leading role
Meryl Streep, Doubt

Supporting actor
Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Supporting actress
Kate Winslet, The Reader

Stunt ensemble
The Dark Knight


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
James Earl Jones

New videos from the Killers, Leona Lewis

Brandon Flowers and the rest of the Killers lead quite the colourful freak show turned dance party in their new video for Spaceman.

At first view it appears utterly random, but also kind of awesome. I'm pretty sure I'm digging it -- especially Mr. Flowers' dance moves.

Leona Lewis, meanwhile, enlisted the help of Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford for her new video for the ballad I Will Be.

I've never seen shit get so emotional in a parking garage before. But with both Lewis and Crawford on the screen it's hard not to be drawn in by the immense beauty. Click here to check it out.

Sighting!

A reliable source named Darran tells me Hugh Jackman was on University of British Columbia's campus this weekend shooting pickup scenes for the upcoming X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

"There are tanks, barbed wire and actors everywhere!" Darran told me via text message.

The majority of the film has already been shot. But previous scheduling conflicts and location/weather considerations have brought the cast and crew back together to shoot some final scenes this month.

I haven't heard from Darran since his initial text message, which I hope means he's busy befriending Hugh Jackman, then sending him my way to Toronto.

[photo via Socialite Life]

The power of an Oscar nom

After receiving 10 Academy Award nominations this week including Best Picture, Slumdog Millionaire's weekend box office total increased 80 per cent over last weekend. Bringing in 10.6 million was enough to land the film at fifth place for the weekend, and bring its 11 week gross to $55.9 million.

[Somehow Kevin James' Paul Blart: Mall Cop held onto the top spot and took in an astonishing $21 million this weekend. Who is paying for this shit?]

I for one completely underestimated the power of an Oscar nom and found myself sitting in the fifth row of a Slumdog screening Saturday night. They were the only available seats when my parents and I showed up 10 minutes before showtime.

Once I got my neck and eyes accustomed to the view, the film did not disappoint. And are we all in agreement that Freida Pinto (Tamika) is the most gorgeous woman ever? Thought so.

Bow down to Aretha

Okay, so it's time for my confession of the week.

After I saw Aretha Franklin rock that giant grey bedazzled bow on her head on inauguration day, I felt I simply had to have one. I like to keep up with the trends, so I had one specially made for my head at downtown Oakville's Hat Boutique for $350, which I thought was a steal.

Only thing is, now that a few days have passed, I've come to discover people on the internet are actually making fun of Aretha's great big chapeau. Could I have been mistaken when thinking this fashion statement would catch on? Will I be mocked if I wear mine outside the confines of my apartment?

I decided I'd test the look on a few of my favourite people. And if they couldn't pull it off, I figured, neither could I.


Shirtless CHACE CRAWFORD


ANDERSON COOPER


ALANIS MORISSETTE


RYAN REYNOLDS


So You Think You Can Dance Canada's NICO ARCHAMBAULT


Wet MATTHEW FOX


KERI RUSSELL


Meth addict turned mom JODIE SWEETIN and baby ZOIE


HUGH JACKMAN


Global TV weather icon SUSAN HAY


ZAC EFRON

I think it's pretty safe to say I now feel like a huge fool. I mean, I could save the hat for next Halloween, but that's months away. Plus, in no other way do I resemble Aretha Franklin. Guess I'll reserve the hat for those nights I feel like getting fancy to watch TV alone.

Look of the week: Brangelina

Hollywood's fun couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt looked the perfect monochromatic pair at the Paris premiere of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I'm loving everything about Angelina's knee-length Akris jacket. Brad, dressed in Tom Ford, could really use a good shave of the upper lip tho.

Both Brad and Angelina were nominated for Academy Awards this week, Angelina for the Changeling and Brad for Benjamin Button. And though I'm not sure either of them really deserve the noms, I'm sure looking forward to seeing them walk the red carpet again.

[photo via celebrity-gossip.net]

I dare you . . .

. . . to convince me wearing pyjamas in public is appropriate, specifically when it comes to celebrities.

I didn't even do that shit in first year university when it was supposedly cool to show off how lazy you could be.

But Jessica Alba wearing pyjamas to the premiere of My Bloody Valentine 3D is absolutely fucking ridiculous, even if they are designed by Dolce & Gabana, right?

The satin black pantsuit Audrina Patridge sported out in LA last week isn't quite as offensive. But she still looks all too prepared to hop into bed and watch a Bromance marathon for the rest of the night.

Remember people: pain is beauty, beauty is pain. Anything that resembles cozy pyjamas should be reserved for home time, k?

Too true, Erica Ehm

"It was unpretentious. There was a lot of creativity. And there were no rules at that time—we were making our own rules. And that’s what the challenge is for music television today: finding something new. They’re not pioneering anymore, they’re rehashing old territory. But what do you expect? I mean, that’s what happens in all industries and with art forms. There are the people who make the footprints in the snow, and most people just follow those footprints. So I was lucky enough to be one of the people making those rules." -- original MuchMusic VJ Erica Ehm (left) on music television then and now.

Full interview here.

Zac Efron looking scrumpsh

I know, I know. A mere few days ago I gave Zac Efron shit for not washing his hair.

But in these newly discovered outtakes from the High School Musical star's photoshoot for People Magazine last fall, the boy is looking so scrumpsh I just had to share.

Bring back the hot, Zefron. I know you can do it.




[photos by Jonathan Skow via Popstar]