TGIF - A Silent Film, Streisand, J-Hud, Glycolic Gel

Babs' CD Cover. Yes, the cover.

Oscar talk is beginning as Fall is knocking on the door.  "The Help," is an early one out of the gate (an "A") and this upcoming silent film, "The Artist" will likely be a front runner.  Silent film?  Yes.  It's quite intriguing. Check out the trailer. It'll either be an incredible, touching film-going experience (as it was at Cannes) or it'll be annoying and trying (as Greg will likely think of it.)  I, for one, am open to something different and new - albeit old - and I'm sure the score will be stellar....  "Carnage," is one that I'm highly anticipating. They've just released a trailer of the film based on the Tony winning play, directed by Roman Polanski. Yes, Polanski - with Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet.  It follows four parents in an apartment duking it out over their son's feuding....  I know we get a later east coast feed but with Obama interrupting morning news to warn of a severe weather threat back there, I have a problem with NBC then returning to  the Today Show to see Ann Curry & Co rocking out to Train on the Plaza....  Seems that Barbra Streisand, gunning for a #1 album - which will mean one in each decade since the 60's - will be entering at #2, unlikely to climb.  She did some TV interviews and PBS constantly aired her engaging 2009 Vanguard concert, but without Oprah, she'll only sell around 70k, compared to 180k two years ago.  I know she's Streisand, but TV sells, and she should have done a Today Show spot, even Letterman and made it a true "event" if she wants that #1 crown again.  (And maybe issue an album cover that wasn't shot in her backyard in between gardening.)  Cuts to get from the new one: "I'll Never Say Goodbye," and "The Same Hello."  The album is very ballad heavy and I wished for more tempo-tunes, but it is Babs and we love her....  3-2-Get: Jennifer Hudson's struggling CD is still issuing singles. The latest, "No One Gonna Love You" is a cool R&B jam in its original form.  But it gets the Club treatment from Bimbo Jones which is great for the gym!... And Rihanna will have a great Fall as "Cheers (Drink to That)" should be pretty damn huge, complete with an Avril Lavigne sample!...  Gym Class Heroes teamed with Adam Levine for "Stereo Hearts," and it's climbing too!  Of course, I heart Adam.... As we move into Fall (maybe after our LA heatwave), I will make an effort to reverse some sun damage with NeoStrata 15 AHA Glycolic gel.  Do not use if you still plan to tan, but this will tighten pores, reduce oil and brighten dull skin.... Wanna great "talk" PodCast? Try the Comedy Couch with Dennis Hensley & Tony Trippoli. It's topical, racy, never boring - and free! They're both my buds and write the "Fashion Police" series on E! with Joan & Melissa.  I love it poolside! Try the one titled "Spew & the Naggler" for an initial taste - where I'm mentioned!... Do all of this and be Just like Jerry!

My Top 36 Albums (Basically)

Here are 36 albums I'd have a hard time living without - meaning, if I was on that "Lost" island, I hope these would be with me.  They are in apha-order and I tried to avoid any "Hits" collections as best as I could.

Annie Lennox DIVA
Barbra Streisand YENTL
Barry Manilow IF I SHOULD LOVE AGAIN
Bebe & Cece Winans DIFFERENT LIFESTYLES
Belinda Carlisle LIVE YOUR LIFE BE FREE
Bernadette Peters SONDHEIM ETC
Betty Buckley THE LONDON CONCERT
Brandy FULL MOON
Broadway Cast A CHORUS LINE
Broadway Cast DREAMGIRLS
Broadway Cast SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM
Carole Bayer Sager SOMETIMES LATE AT NIGHT
Carrie Underwood CARNIVAL RIDE
Cher HITS
Ennio Morricone CINEMA PARADISO SCORE
Eydie Gorme BEST OF
Five Star LUXURY OF LIFE
Frank Sinatra AT THE SANDS
Janet Jackson JANET.
Jeffrey Osborne STAY WITH ME TONIGHT
Jonathan Butler JONATHAN BUTLER
Josh Groban CLOSER
Judy Garland CARNEGIE HALL
Kenny Loggins LEAP OF FAITH
Luther Vandross THE NIGHT I FELL IN LOVE
Mariah Carey UNPLUGGED
Maroon 5 HANDS ALL OVER
Mary J Blige MY LIFE
Matchbox 20 MAD SEASON
Nancy Wilson BROADWAY
Natalie Cole UNFORGETTABLE
Peter Allen NOT THE BOY NEXT DOOR
Robbie Williams THE EGO HAS LANDED
Shania Twain COME ON OVER
Stevie Nicks TIMESPACE - THE BEST OF
Whitney Houston MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE


Get them and be Just like Jerry!

TGIF - Miranda Lambert, Scherzinger, Pond's Cream

Take a dip in the Pond's!

I was a lil late to the Miranda Lambert party. (Shame on me.)  But I've caught up this year and I'm happy that she's a country work horse!  She's created a trio, which she's a part of, called Pistol Annies.  It's as if she said, "Well, if the Dixie Chicks are on a seemingly permanent vacation, I'll swing in and steal that thunder."... A Cher & Gaga duet dropping next month, followed by a full Cher album!?  Dear Lord, I don't ask for much... ok, yes, I do, but please let this be amazing.... Nicole Scherzinger is one of the most beautiful women on earth and she can really sang.  As the Pussycat Dolls lead, she turned out a ton of great ear candy.  Her solo career? Not so much.  It's stalled more times than it's started. So I hold no hope for her album dropping soon.  I think this is a combo of an artist wanting to be something the audience doesn't want her to be, bad A&R and a team of "yes-men" around her letting her get away with it. Call me, Nicki.... Katy Perry ties Michael Jackson with 5 #1's from the same album.  Michael did it with "Bad."... Yes, after 2 months, Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" is #3!!!  I know a damn hit when I hear one, folks!...   I'm finally seeing "The Help" this weekend.  And, no Greg, we aren't seeing "Fright Night" or "Conan the Barbarian."... Michelle Branch is back.  I wish I liked the single more....  I decided my (current) calling is to be on "Big Brother," which reminds me of a date I went on many years ago where the guy - a receptionist at a gym - told me his career plan was to be on "Amazing Race."  Haven't seen him on it yet....  I've tried 'em all.  Trust me.  So I can finally say that for the last 3 years I've been loyal to Pond's Dry Skin Cream for my face.  Yes, as we get older, we need to moisturize more, more, more. This one is the thickest that does not clog pores.... Slather it on and be Just like Jerry.

Oscar Watch, Kelly Watch, ABC-TV Watch

I'm on Kelly-Watch for Fall!

Two For the Oscar Watch: I love political thrillers, especially when set in a campaign. Clooney directs and stars with Ryan Gosling and even more Oscar winners. The Ides of March - day one, I'll be there.... Polanski's turning in the Tony winning play God of Carnage into Carnage with Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster & Christoph Waltz. That's a lotta Oscar statues.... The one I can't wait for: The Muppets due 11/23. Welcome back, Kermie.... New Lady Gaga video is here. Love the song, but does everything you do need to be pushing the weird envelope?  Oh well, gotta have a gimmick, I guess.... New Pia Toscano video is here. Remember her? Neither does anyone else.... Kelly Clarkson's comin back 9/5 with a new single then 10/25 with the album! Yes!...  The new Sean Hayes comedy series has been announced as a gay couple raising a 12 year old kid.  I liked it the first time, when it was called "My Two Dads."... And while I'm on the theme of TV themes, this one was just one of the best!...  Not to sound like NY Housewife, Ramona Singer, but I only drink Pinot Grigio. And I was thrilled to enjoy some top shelf PG last night. Thanks, Ran.... Hump Day Hidden Gem: Jeffrey Osborne's "Stay With Me Tonight." A classic. I was DEEP into Jeffrey; knew the album cuts.  This, along with "The Woo Woo Song" & "Love Power" with Dionne were his biggest.  Yes, "On the Wings of Love" only hit #29!?  Shocking!... Fall TV Watch: Let's look at ABC-TV. "Once Upon A Time," a fairy tale drama with Snow White et al, set in the city of Storybrooke.   If it's good, it's probably too good for network TV and will be canceled.  "The River," looks damn good, original and scary. I hope so!... "GCB" aka Good Christian Bitches (the novel's name), seems like it could be the reason why "Desperate Housewives" is leaving.  A neighborhood nighttime soap with Annie Potts & Kristin Chenoweth from the writer of Steel Magnolias and creator of Sex & the City??? Need I say more? No. So go on and be Just Like Jerry.

Luther, Fall TV, Celine

Legendary Luther

How is it possible, but yes, with about 8000 tracks in my iTunes, I have no Luther Vandross in there!?  This is shocking because since I first heard his stellar "The Night I Fell In Love" album, I worshiped him, seeing him 4x in concert.  So to rediscover "Till My Baby Comes Home," (a great treadmill track) and dozens of other killer tunes is just pure joy.  See, while I was into pop/rock of the 70's-80's, I was deep into R&B, so singers like Luther, Jeffrey Osborne, James Ingram, Howard Hewett & Peabo were my LIFE.... It's August so let me preview some Fall TV: Critics at the TCA seem to giving positive buzz to "Ringer" with Sarah Michelle Geller (CW), Zooey's "New Girl" (Fox), JJ Abrams of "Lost" and "Alias" fame, gives us "Person of Interest" (CBS); Christina Applegate's gonna try again with "Up All Night" (NBC; co-starring the brill Maya Rudolph) and the highly-hyped Spielberg-touched, "Terra Nova" on Fox.  I read a ton about new  shows before I invest. So when journalists say that a show won't last, I don't bother. But if there's praise, I'll watch to see if I wanna join in.  Bad Buzz: "The Playboy Club." On-The-Fence Buzz: "Pan Am."... "La Cage aux Folles," one of my favorite musicals begins touring this fall. It hits LA's Pantages next summer and I'll be there!... Celine's in Vegas for a little less than 3 more years - and this recent review makes me wanna go NOW!... Super hot Joe Jonas has a solo album dropping soon.  Already on single #2 cuz the first one failed, I'm happy he's doing a pop/dance/Enrique thing, but I just wish the songs were good.  Oh well, he still has his looks.... I should be giving you "3-2-Get" today but nothing new is moving me. I know what's NOT on my radar: the Kanye/Jay-Z album.  Just not my thing.  And with a "B-" from EW, I don't think it'll sweep the Grammy's....  So, go on, get Luther and be Just like Jerry.

Crazy Stupid Great, Celine, Kathie Lee

Gosling's Crazy Stupid Abs

Is "Crazy Stupid Love" just about the most perfect film I've seen this year? Yes. Usually goofy Steve Carrell shows he's more likely to take home an Oscar in his career than Jim Carrey.  This is not a raunch-com but more so a snap-shot a humanity - a page from one family's scrapbook.  Perfect life-stories, perfect performances and the perfect Ryan Gosling. Just go see it. Perhaps because I've been so unmoved by any summer popcorn-action flick, this one makes the top of my list.... And will "The Help" tie? Likely.  Great reviews, a huge book and a storyline-setting that gives me shades of Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes, makes this highly anticipated. And of course, it opens today, but I have to wait till next weekend when Deb & Tina are in town. Devil!...  A possible "Bewitched" reboot on CBS?  Because the film did so well?  This seems a better fit for ABC Family or TVLand. Yuck....  Hump Day Hidden Gem: Of course Celine can sell a ballad, but she had some great lil pop dance ditties. Check out the forgotten "Mislead," from her "Colour of My Love" album, especially for the line, "when I've been dissed...." It only hit #24 but was a #1 Club hit with some classic remixes....  Have you ever caught the craziness that is Hoda & Kathie Lee and their 4th hour of the Today Show?  The focus is on their supposed wine-induced, wild, off-the-cuff remarks (lead by Gifford, now a bit more relaxed and self deprecating that her children are grown and well, quite frankly, she's post menopausal).  I get that she's old-school. I embrace that she embraces it.  But when she gets on a Music High-Horse its a bit comical.  She speaks as if she's written hit after hit song - and she is NO Diane Warren (IE nary a charted hit).  So when she says of Katy Perry's California Gurls, "I don't call that music," it only makes her more archaic than she is. Gifford prefers Broadway and Standards, as do I quite often, but as a musician or claimed songwriter, if you can't tell that "Gurls," is one of the best pop songs of the decade, your authority status on music wanes.... Be Crazy, Stupid, Just like Jerry! 

Summer Song, Jagger & Jinxed

Katy: A Summer of Fridays?

It's finally here! The music video for the best pop song of the year, Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger."...  Which leads me to this: what is the song of the summer? Of course my choice is the Maroon 5 track, which opened at #8, based on The Voice performance then tumbled to the 50's but it's rebounded to #25 this week due to some more TV gigs.  Radio, wake up! My choice aside, is it LMFAO with their Black Eyed Peas-sounding "Party Rock Anthem?" That certainly seems to be the inescapable tune of the season (unfortunately). Also-rans to be considered would be Adele's "Rolling" (30 weeks on the chart - still top 10), Katy Perry's "Friday Night," Gaga's "Edge of Glory."  All give me the 'ho-hum' for the Song of Summer title though. They are certainly not up there with Perry's "California Gurls," or Beyonce's "Single Ladies," of summers past....  Gavin Degraw attacked, beaten then hit by a taxi in NYC? WTF?  Hope he's ok. I loved his first album.  I always felt the industry sadly slotted him as a runner-up to John Mayer but I like him more. Here's his "Chariot" from '03.... I hate blatant rip-offs and the upcoming Jonah Hill flick, "The Sitter," is a direct rehash of the classic "Adventures In Babysitting," with a guy sitter....  Happy 47th, Whitney! Yes, just 47. Remember when you were amazing?  I do... What the HELL is up with my jinxed'ness lately? My TV turning on & off automatically, new car battery, dropped & cracked my iPad2 (new screen for $200), internet down 2x in a week? Jesus, Take The Wheel! And gimme a break already!... So, do a Nell Carter shimmy and be Just like Jerry (with better luck of late)!

TGIF - Parachute, Glee, Lotion

Parachute: Perfect Pop-Rock

Adam Lambert's Behind the Music airs on VH1 this Sunday night.... Un-Shocking: "The Change Up" is getting not-great reviews.... Interestingly, "Rise of the Apes" is getting "kind" reviews; mostly B's and 3 Stars.... Thank you EW (my bible) for this "Letter" to the Glee producers.  I think a lot of the gripes pointed out here could be directed to what I hear is the very large ego of an unhinged Ryan Murphy.  Just can-it and create good TV. Too many "behind the scenes" people are in such desperate need to not be behind the scenes. Yuck.... Oh, my mindless, guilty pleasure that is Big Brother is just too good for its own horrible self. Casting is everything on this show and did they hit the jackpot with the egocentric, overly emotional, sore losers Brendan & Rachel. And now, the upcoming twist that could throw the ejected Brandon (or even Dominic) back into the house to wreak havoc?  Thank you CBS.  Perfect summer programming.... Zooey Deschanel, you continually steal my heart. Can't wait for you to do it weekly on "The New Girl," on Fox.... Immediate Obsession: the band, Parachute!  They've been around for a few years so I'm a lil late, but their "Something to Believe In" is taking off. So get on it!  I'm totally into the whole album - a shocker for me if you're not Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.... Notice that Dial, Vaseline, Suave & Lubriderm are making Men's lotion's now? Being a product-whore, I've tried 'em. And I vote for Dial and Vaseline.... So, moisture-up, put on Parachute and be Just like Jerry!

Damages, Pedicures, 3-2-Get

Glenn as viscous Patty Hewes

Oh, "Damages." Damn you for moving to DirectTV. (Well, damn FX for canceling it.) The good news is that I'll catch season 4, now airing, on DVD later because, sadly, I don't have DirectTV.  If you love courtroom/crime-solving drama, it is the best show EVER. Glenn Close: genius!  Please watch it on Netflix or get the seasons 1-3 DVDs. It's so worth it....  3-2-Get: Rihanna's "California King Bed," the underrated, chart-struggling ballad should be huge, but has yet to fly the way other RiRi hits do. (There are some Club remixes on iTunes now too.) Country pick: Chris Young's "Tomorrow," another ballad, but such a perfectly crafted pop/country tune. Summer party song of August: Hot Chelle Rae's "Tonight Tonight." Pure, mindless pop that'll be forgettable by fall, but fun for now!...  I used to scoff at Vitamin Water, but now that it comes in it's ZERO form, it's right up there with PowerAde Zero. Tasty, calorie free electrolytes!  For PowerAde, the Mixed Berry (or "Blue flavored," as Greg calls it, is best.)... Men's Flip-flop Etiquette: they are not for the gym, bars, clubs, restaurants, etc. They are for a poolside party, the beach and maybe running to grocery mart. And you MUST have a pedicure. I got mine this a.m.! A mani/pedi runs you $25-32, guys. It looks better and it's healthy. Get with it and be Just like Jerry!

Fallon, Crystal Lite, Billy Ocean

Fallon Thanks You

I think I'm in love with Jimmy Fallon. Have you seen his Thank You Notes?  It's also now a book. He thanks the name "Lloyd" for having two L's. Otherwise it would just sound like "Loyd." He thanks the slow-moving family walking in front of him on the sidewalk. Without this "barricade of idiots," he might never have been forced to walk in the street and risk getting hit by a car in order to get around them....  I discovered Crystal Lite's new un-booze Mocktails flavors, but if I don't give credit to Randall, I'll never hear the end of it. She likes Mojito. I like Appletini. Yes, calorie-free, booze-free powder mix. (But of course adding it to liquor can be your low-cal "fun" option.)...  Cue the 10cc classic song "The Things We Do For Love." Greg is making me see Rise of the Apes this weekend.  The good news is I think it'll bite and he'll owe me!...  My LCD TV (maybe 5 years old) is turning on and off automatically. My two theories: (1) the new neighbors underneath are on the same remote control frequency or (b) when Greg watched the ABC News special about the devil on earth, he let evil in.... Tony Bennett is 85 today. Whew.... Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) will be Broadway's "Funny Girl."  Interesting choice though I do feel she's one of the most underrated young actresses around so I think she'll pull it off if she's got the pipes.... I cannot wait for "American Horror Story" on TV. From Glee's Ryan Murphy, it seems it'll be more insane like his his brilliant Nip/Tuck. And that cast!?... As for my Hump Day Hidden Gem? Well, I've been forced to rediscover Billy Ocean (the poor man's Lionel Richie). But he did give us some good AC ditties like this... Go on, be Just like Jerry!