Friday, June 30, 2006

Lessons from Spelling.

I actually decided to wait a week before I decided to try and even write about the death of the one and only Aaron Spelling. Love or hate his shows Mr. Spelling really did seem to know what we wanted before we did ourselves with shows about feminist cops, island fantasies and a certain little apartment complex that would never seem to die.

It’s easy to write off all his shows as fluff--filled with unrealistic characters living lives that always seemed much more glamorous than ours--but Mr. Spelling also did introduce social issues—if only in a seeming benign way. Whether it was creating some of the first major gay characters (Steven Carrington ‘Dynasty’, Matt ‘Melrose Place’) of television, realizing the importance of the youth audience (‘Mod Squad’ as well as ‘BH 90210’) or the inclusion of minorities (Linc ‘Mod Squad’, Dominque “Dynasty’, ‘Isaac ‘Love Boat’, Huggy Bear ‘Starsky and Hutch’) Mr. Spelling was responsible for showcasing people that America hadn’t yet welcomed into their daily viewing habits.

That being said, the most important thing about Mr. Spelling was that he loved television and was the ultimate entertainer. I was fortunate to have met him when he came to the set of my internship ‘Sunset Beach’ to film a cameo with one of our shows stars. He was a quiet, gracious and funny man who seemed to always be watching and studying what was going on around him. Not only could he act and improve with the best of them—he cared about all aspects of his scene and went so far as to be a cut-up to make us all comfortable while still aware of the most tiny details of the show. It’s easy to see that his eye for the full picture was what enabled him to be a great producer and story teller.

That being said—it’s a sad event not only for the industry as well as his family—it’s a loss I feel personally. It’s like Edie said when she e-mailed me about his death; it’s like a part of my childhood as ended with Mr. Spelling’s death. So many of his shows were apart of my young life—‘Charlie’s Angels’, ‘TJ Hooker’, ‘7th Heaven’ and of course—‘Melrose’s Place’—each teaching me about the world in ways that may not have been realistic but still important.

And in honor of that—I have complied a list of life lessons from the one and only Mr. Spelling.

1) That any cruise I might take will result in either a reconnection with a lost loved one or an affirmation of commitment within my troubled marriage. (‘Love Boat’)
2) Being a juvenile delinquent not only doesn’t prevent me from later joining the police force but that my hip streetwise ways may be the key to solving many a crime. (‘The Mod Squad’)
3) That if Gabrielle Cateris can pull off being a high school student in her 30’s then I should not feel guilty about passing for a college sophomore. (Beverly Hills 90210)
4) If my husband is a wealthy millionaire and I’m a world renowned supermodel that it makes perfect sense that we would solve exotic crimes while indulging in campaign and furs. (‘Hart to Hart’)
5) I not only know who Kelly, Jill, Sabrina, Kris, Tiffany, and Julie are but I can tell you who played them as well as debate how Tania Roberts was screwed by the Writers’ Strike of the early 80’s. (‘Charlie’s Angels.)
6) As a beat cop you don’t need to be able to run fast or catch the perp on a regular basis as young as your hotter, younger partner can do it for you. (‘TJ Hooker’)
7) Anyone can be forgiven if they are right for the role. (Shannen Doherty, ‘Charmed’)
8) Hot tubs are dangerous for bulimics and that I am lucky I survived my many post binge and purge Jacuzzi soaks. (‘Models Inc.)
9) Not only do the rich not lead perfect lives but they spend their days dodging ex wives, have lily pond catfights pre-charity dinners and can come out from burn ravaged bodies to be even HOTTER. (‘Dynasty’)
10) When you have an extramarital affair and your lover dies then comes back all sweetness and light then you better check that bitch ain’t wearing a wig covering her hideous scar. Or making bombs while taking to her imaginary friend who looks like a serial killer and pushing her to commit mass murder! (‘Melrose Place’)

All joking aside—of all the things I’ll miss about Mr. Spelling was his innate joy at creating frothy and fun television of all kinds. Whether dealing with the undead (‘Kinder: The Embraced’), Southern belles (‘Savannah’), midgets (‘Fantasy Island’) or dysfunctional relatives (‘Family’) he always kept his eye on what we needed—entertainment.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

So Cool--So Gay


Genie Francis Returns to General Hospital
There have been many false rumors of Genie Francis returning to General Hospital (or another daytime drama) ever since she quit the ABC sudser in 2002. Finally, there's real news to report!Francis will reprise her role as Laura Spencer for a limited run of unspecified length, per USA Today. "I am very happy to be returning to my General Hospital family and look forward to portraying a role that means a lot to me as well as the fans who have supported the character throughout the years," Francis said in a statement.

Francis will first air sometime in mid-October.The legendary soap star left in a major huff in '02, for reasons she outlined quite candidly in her exit interview with our own Michael Ausiello. She didn't slam the door closed entirely, though, telling TVGuide.com, "I can't really say a permanent goodbye to [GH], because it's just too painful."Well, it appears that time - and an undoubtedly fat paycheck - heals all wounds!

Although Laura is no longer married to Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary), GH fans can expect ABC and SOAPnet to make much ado about their 25th wedding anniversary on Nov. 16. The supercouple's nuptials pulled in a record 30 million viewers back in November 1981.This suds fan is just glad to know that our beloved Laura is returning to Port Charles to see and hug her loved ones. The idea of her languishing in a mental hospital indefinitely was just too sad for us to contemplate.

Three cheers for Genie!
I Just Might Be The One

I’ve been in the midst of a work dilemma. I have been working part time for a show and am about to really start up the job within the next week and have been on the fence about it the whole time. It’s not that I don’t want the job; there’s a ton of good things about it.

I mean—it’s a 5 day work week as the head logger for a brand new network show and with people I have loved to work with in the past. It’s even got me on a set day schedule for the full run (7—5) and even two consecutive days off which is nice. And the money is even better than BB and is just as long.

The thing that sucks is that it has a crazy commute. We’re talking long and through a sketchy neighborhood at parts. I really had to sit down and really figure out if I would feel safe and if my schedule would be livable. I mean—what’s the point of all the benefits if you have no life outside it.

And this doesn’t even factor in the X factor. Every new show you start on has its own set of problems and craziness which can lead to either a great bonding experience or a hair-pulling bitchfest. And while I’d like to trust in the ability of the show runners—I think they don’t get what its like to tape people 24 hours a day and so people will be screwed—and I might be one of them. But all I can do is point out the obvious and hope for the best.

Even now I’m still on the fence about the job.
Four Things about me you might not have known.

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Production Assistant to Seismologist.
2. Assistant Office Manager at Aramark
3. Visual Merchandiser for the Pier 1 and The Gap.
4. Story Editor

Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. ‘Gone With the Wind.’
2. ‘Rebel Without A Cause’
3. ‘Beautiful Thing’
4. ‘Heathers’

Four places you have lived:
1. Los Angeles, CA
2. Pepperell, Mass
3. Bolton, Mass
4. Boston, Mass

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. ‘Veronica Mars’
2. ‘General Hospital’
3. ‘American Justice’
4. ‘Pepper Dennis’

Four places you have been on vacation:
1. Nantucket
2. Mexico
3. Vegas
4. San Fran

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Salad
2. Stuffed mushrooms
3. Chicken ceaser salad
4. Grill cheese with pepperoni in pitas.

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. San Fran while smoking out the window and staring at the lights.
2. Bryant Point lighthouse with my feet in the sand and night breezes.
3. Griffith Park Observatory starring out across the city.
4. Right where I am.

Four friends I think will respond:
1. Joy
2. Kaylie
3. Ruby
4. Lola

*******Reminder******* Here's what you're supposed to do... and please do not spoil the fun. Hit forward, delete my answers and type in your answers. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Right Now It Don’t—But It Usually Does.

So I haven’t been writing lately and I’m not just talking about my blog. I’m not sure why that is actually except—at the moment—I feel like I have little to say. I’ve been avoiding things; groups, plans, and events for some odd reason. It’s hard to write about anything though when you have nothing going on. It’s a catch 22.

That’s not say that I’m not dealing with things. I’ve had a lot going on in my head recently and they haven’t been things I’ve been ready to really share. Thoughts about work and friends and relationships but most just the bare essentials of who I am. It’s not a bad thing or a good but it’s been a lot of busy noise—white noise that needs to be heard.

And it’s been quite a bit selfish. I haven’t spoken to most people—handed out congrats for their good news or been willing to listen to tales of woe. I’m tried of feeling either obligated or ignored. And I know that’s just me be a bit too sensitive and mostly unfair.

But I do feel like I’m sorting things out. Nothing too bad or too good. Just the things you have to work through your head so you can get them out. And hopefully I’ll be back soon. Cause I kind of miss the ways this helps me work through things.

Which it does.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

A Rortage Gets Things Done Faster

Sorry I haven’t written much of substance recently but life has been busy—through more faults on mine than I can or should list here. I decided the quickest way to play catch up is to just break down everything I’ve been up to in the last three weeks as well as some cute/bitchy notations on each.

1) Skylar’s 30th birthday. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this party—I mean if there is any relationship that has been stranger than ours—I don’t know what it would be. (Especially since we never slept together.) That said—I had a lot of fun that night seeing everyone dressed up (Props to Kaylee and Kelly as ‘Mama’ from “The Goonies” and the ‘I love you’ Girl from “Raiders of the Lost Ark”.) I also learned that gay guys like to dress up as Elliot from “E.T.”

2) The Rosanna/Donny BBQ. This was fun and seemingly out of the blue; I just never really see that much of Rosanna anymore. Nonetheless a small group of us (Lizzie, Lola, Michelle, Kelly, Samuel, Dominic and Davis) made the scene and swam, grilled, smoked and gained like ten pounds from the poolside action. The day took a strange twist as their neighbor later on left his infant daughter with us as we watched television later that night. It was odd to see Samuel holding a baby—which made me want to ran out of the room—as well as Davis fixation with the little girl. I guess we’re all older than I thought.

3) Helping Ali and Ron Move. I like moving people. Maybe it’s a strange thing but to me it’s like New Years Eve—the possibilities of what’s to come. Parties, coffee, music and cuddling are all things to come and I feel like being a part of it put a piece of me there, That and it ties into my interior design thing. And there’s always a free meal and maybe a beer,

4) “Much Ado About Nothing.” I went later the same night to see Ruby star in one of my favorite Shakespeare plays—though its not as good as “As You Like It”. (I think she’d make a kick ass Roslind. Or Phoebe. But the play was amazing and fun and just a good time had not only with her but watching it with Heath Kirby Candice and Lee was fun too. As was the dinner afterwards.

5) Destination San Diego. I spent the next day and night with Kyra, Lizzie and Lola on a small road trip down the coast to support Lola’s play to stay in the country. And even though I had a “Veronica Mars” moment, it was really fun to get out of Dodge and have a slumber party complete with girlie mags and ‘five questions’. I think we all learned a lot about each other which was good. And what happens in the Vault stays in the Vault, right ladies?

6) Festival Camarillo. Originally we were supposed to go to the Huntington Beach Fair but at last minute we decided to make a day of it on Kelly and Lizzie’s roof. We spent the day in the sun in the new pool with Lola, Rocky, Dave and Johnny just chilling out and eating with some light drinking. I forgot how much fun it was to just hang out.

7) Shopping with the ladies. The next day was the start of prepping for the big birthday trip. We started the day with all the girls (Joy, Kaylee, Lizzie, Kelly, Lola, Greta, Alyssa, and Ava) with a light lunch at the Koo Koo Roo/Topz/ Coffee Bean before making our way to the mall. We then split up and made many an outfit happen as well as had some private time with various people. And shopped for shoes in a team effort. God bless purple lizard Cuban heeled shoes eh? Too bad none in my size.

8) Memorial Day Fun. We spent the holiday in the park with me and Kirby taking the longest way around which result in me not just losing a shoe but some of the nasty blisters ever. Eventually we found all the others and made a day of it. I even got some time alone with Kyra who I felt I hadn’t seen in forever—and it had only been a week. But there was bocce and princess kites and babies and a tall dark and Handsome Davis. It was fun if a bit too much sun for my Scarlett pale skin. I should have brought the stolen parasol

That’s what I have been up to. Well that and Las Vegas—which needs its own entry. I think.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Thanks Satan--And Troop

Party in Hell planned for 6-6-06

Sunday, June 4, 2006; Posted: 11:51 p.m. EDT (03:51 GMT)
HELL, Michigan (AP) --

They're planning a hot time in Hell on Tuesday.The day bears the date of 6-6-06, or abbreviated as 666 -- a number that carries hellish significance.And there's not a snowball's chance in Hell that the day will go unnoticed in the unincorporated hamlet 60 miles west of Detroit.

Nobody is more fired up than John Colone, the town's self-styled mayor and owner of a souvenir shop."I've got `666' T-shirts and mugs. I'm only ordering 666 (of the items) so once they're gone, that's it," said Colone, also known as Odum Plenty. "Everyone who comes will get a letter of authenticity saying you've celebrated June 6, 2006, in Hell."Most of Colone's wares will sell for $6.66, including deeds to one square inch of Hell.Live entertainment and a costume contest are planned.

The Gates of Hell should be installed at a children's play area in time for the festivities."They're 8 feet tall and 5 foot wide and each gate looks like flames, and when they're closed, it's a devil's head," Colone told The Detroit News for a Saturday story.Mike "Smitty" Hickey, owner of the Dam Site Inn, wasn't sure what kind of clientele would show up Tuesday."We're all about having fun here. I don't think we're going to get the cult crowd, the devil worshippers or anything like that," said Hickey, whose bar's signature concoction is the Bloody Devil, a variant of the Bloody Mary.Colone, meanwhile, has been in touch with radio stations as far away as San Diego and Seattle that are raffling off trips to Hell in honor of 6-6-6.

The 666 revelry is just the latest chapter in the town's storied history of publicity stunts, said Jason LeTeff, one of its 72 year-round residents -- or, as the mayor calls them, Hellions or Hell-billies. But LeTeff wasn't particularly enthused."Now, here I am living in Hell, taking my kids to church and trying to teach them the right things and the town where we live is having a 6-6-6 party," he said.

According to the town's semiofficial Web site, there are two leading theories about how Hell got its name.The first holds that a pair of German travelers stepped out of a stagecoach one sunny afternoon in the 1830s, and one said to the other, "So schoene hell" -- roughly translated as, "So bright and beautiful." Their comments were overheard by some locals and the name stuck.

The second holds that George Reeves was asked after Michigan gained statehood what he thought the town he helped settle should be called, and reportedly replied, "I don't care, you can name it Hell if you want to." The name became official on October 13, 1841.

Friday, June 02, 2006

Flipping the Bird

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around.

You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy.

You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you.

How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."