iVillage - TV Cocktail

Project Runway - Surf City, USA

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:27:58 -0500

Rumble on the Runway: There's no room on Heidi's beach for a surfer who doesn't obey the rules, dude. Mitchell is finally sent auf, making Project Runway history as the first designer ever to go home after his team wins the challenge.

True Blood - Never Jam Today

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:49:47 -0500

Frenzy: Bill gets jerked around by the Queen, while Tara messes with everybody else's heads back home.

Pushing Daisies Is Out on DVD

Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:49:45 -0500

It's a fact: Pushing Daisies was canceled far too soon. The abrupt ending has caused me to leave the final episode on my DVR in fear that if I delete it, I'll have to once and for all deal with the idea that no new episodes will be created. Luckily for my sanity -- and the much-needed space on my DVR -- Pushing Daisies Season 2 is now out on DVD, so you and I can watch our favorite episodes over and over and over.

For the select few who haven't seen this witty and genius show, it tells the story of Ned (Lee Pace), a pie maker, and Chuck (Anna Friel), a former dead girl, who are lovers unable to touch, as Ned can end and restart life with a simple touch. And, since Ned already touched Chuck once to bring her back to life, if he touches her again, she'll perish. In addition to their unique relationship, Ned and Chuck -- along with Pie Hole waitress Olive (Kristin Chenoweth) and private eye Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) -- solve mysteries each episode. It's a trade they're quite talented at -- of course, it doesn't hurt that Ted can interview dead witnesses.

What makes Pushing Daisies such a stellar show is its quirkiness. From characters named Charles Charles to the synchronized swimming team, the Darling Mermaid Darlings, the attention to detail is key. Plus, the vibrant colors, set decorations and dialogue make the show a fairytale brought to the screen.

The Pushing Daisies Complete Second Season DVD not only features the season's full 13 episodes, but there are also four "Extra Helpings" featurettes. These lengthy bonus videos (I hate it when extras on DVDs are so short) cover everything from costumes, music (it's wall-to-wall in every episode), makeup, food and props, to character inspirations, dialogue and visual effects.

Yes, it's a sin that Pushing Daisies won't return for a third season, but I still strongly urge you to pick up the DVDs. It's smart, funny, family-friendly and an extremely worthwhile purchase.

The Ghost Hunter Gals Talk About Believing, Globe Trotting and Ghosts

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:18:28 -0500

-Photos Courtesy of Syfy-

Do you believe in ghosts and life after death? If you do, you're not alone. According to a Harris Poll, 58% of women believe in ghosts and a whopping 89% of women believe in survival of the soul after death. To learn more about these phenomena, iVillage chatted with the two female stars of Syfy's Ghost Hunters International, Brandy Green and Ashley Godwin. The two ladies dished on their craziest experience ever, how to talk to your kids about ghosts and why you may not have come across paranormal activity... yet.

You can catch Ghost Hunters International on Syfy on Wednesdays at 9 pm.

iVillage: Why do you think women, especially, are so interested in the paranormal and life after death?

Ashley Godwin: To be completely honest with you I wouldn't know. I mean, I have almost the same opinion as Brandy. I don't think that it has to do with being male or female whether you believe more... Mostly I guess it all depends on how you were raised, your family and how you were brought up...whether you believe in religion or not.

iVillage: What about female intuition? Does that make women more open to believing?

Ashley: Well, I guess it's a possibility.I guess it has been proven that in some ways women are more sensitive than men. Not spiritually or anything, but just in general, our brain works much differently than men's brains do, so I guess you could say that.

iVillage: I know that you don't want to generalize women, but have you noticed any differences in the way that men and women believe?

Brandy Green: You know, honestly, I don't. People get into the field for their own reasons and some of those reasons are very personal to those individuals and it's just tough to really pinpoint exactly what it is. But, from my studies, the number one reason is people's fear of dying.

iVillage: What do you say to people about that fear?

Brandy: I think that people are afraid of the unknown and I think that trying to determine what happens to a person after they die is important. It's important for closure. It's important to sort of ease those fears. It's important to know that there is, maybe, something out there afterwards. I think that's what we're striving to do, to understand it better.

iVillage: How do you see religion playing into people's beliefs?

Brandy: That's actually a really good question and for us--which makes us different from some of the other shows--we travel internationally and with that we see a lot of different religious viewpoints. It does play a vital role in understanding people. Some people may be more inclined to hear a noise and automatically think, "Oh, it's a ghost," whereas people from another area that may have another religious belief may be thinking, "It's absolutely normal and there's an explanation behind it." So it really depends on where we go, but I really do think religion has a big part in what we do.

Get Fit with So You Think You Can Dance!

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:53:46 -0500

-Photo by Fox Flash-
Ever wonder what happens to the So You Think You Can Dance contestants once they're off the show? Well, iVillage chatted with season four's Katee Shean to find out what she's up to now. From a new dance DVD to a 3D movie, we've got all the scoop.

As of yesterday, fans of Katee and So You Think You Can Dance can break a sweat with the all-new So You Think You Can Dance Get Fit DVDs. The two-disc fitness routines also feature former contestants Stephen "Twitch" Boss, Dmitry Chaplin, Courtney Galiano, Lauren Gottlieb and Travis Wall. The dancers lead viewers in easy-to-follow routines with cardio and toning benefits, making exercise fun. Each DVD also includes never before seen interviews with the dancers.

"It's kind of fun because there's six of us total and we get to teach our own style in a workout," Katee said. "Then we're joined with the rest of the group. The DVDs are really fun and everyone does a great job with their styles."

In addition to her work on the fitness DVDs, Katee has been filming 2010's Step Up 3--yes, there will be a third one, in 3D no less, though no word yet if Channing Tatum will reprise his role--and appearing as the face of Capezio Dancewear. She also makes time for schoolwork, as she is currently enrolled at Chapman University. "I'm doing all my classes online. I do my reading on the airplanes and take quizzes in the hotel rooms," she laughs. Since she spends most of her time on the road, she always brings along her favorite TV shows. "I was addicted to Friends when that was on so those are always on my laptop. And I also like to watch The Bachelor and The Bachelorette."

Although she's always on the road, she makes time to watch this season's episodes online. "Everybody's asking me about favorites; Ade went to my college so there's definitely that camaraderie there." Ultimately, she's rooting for all of the dancers, as she says their mutual understanding of the show's pressures creates an "instant connection."

I'll definitely be supporting my favorite TV show and trying these Get Fit DVDs! What do you think? Will you be working out with Katee and the other dancers?

--Sarah Levy

The New Housewife of Orange County

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:48:50 -0500

-Photo by Bravo-
The show that started it all is coming back for its fifth season! The Real Housewives of Orange County, the original face of Bravo's Real Housewives brand, is currently filming its newest installment. With the introduction of a new housewife, Alexis Bellino, the season is already drama-filled.

Alexis, 32, is married to Jim Bellino, a self-made entrepreneur. They live in Newport Coast, California, one of the wealthiest and most exclusive parts of Orange Country, with their three children. The fiery blonde hails from Hannibal, Missouri and devotes herself to her roles as a wife and mother to her three-year-old son, James, and 20-month-old twins, Melania and Mackenna. In her spare time, she frequents the gym to keep herself feeling and looking amazing.

Favorite cast members Tamra Barney, Lynne Curtin, Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough and Gretchen Rossi will all be returning for the new season. How do you think newbie Alexis will fit in with the current housewives?

We can't wait to watch the drama unfold!

--Sarah Levy

Meet the Cast of Miami Social!

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:23:50 -0500

-Photo Courtesy of NBC-

Starting on July 14, Bravo's newest reality series, Miami Social, will be giving us a look into the "work hard, play hard" lives of young professionals in South Beach, Florida. The show's cast is filled with attractive and successful corporate types who live extravagant, well-connected lifestyles and regularly enjoy the city's nightlife. Sounds like a recipe for success to me! Take a look at the cast:

Sorah Daiha: This realtor and property manager rarely takes part in the South Beach nightlife these days, opting to lounge at chic hotel pools and trendy restaurants instead. She is divorced from George, a fellow cast member and ladies man, though they remain close friends. This gets slightly complicated since they still live in the same building, along with Sorah's boyfriend, Gonzalo. Drama!

George French: George is a prominent figure around South Beach and cites "making money" as one of his primary hobbies. What a useful hobby! He is a powerful mortgage banker and also owns his own investment and consulting firm, but the "party animal" still finds plenty of time to hit up the hottest clubs at night. He works to find a balance between his partying ways and his relationship with his girlfriend, Lina. Their own issues are complicated by his close friendship with his ex-wife and neighbor, Sorah.

Katrina Campins: Fans of The Apprentice may remember Katrina from the show's first season. She runs in the same circles as Hardy, often frequenting the elite clubs and restaurants where he hosts weekly events. "I learned a lot from watching myself on television the first time around," she told us of her stint on The Apprentice. "It was humbling to say the least." Today, Katrina owns her own real estate brokerage firm, The Campins Company, and mostly works with high profile athletes and celebrities. While her career is on fire, her home life is less glamorous, as she is dealing with a serious rough patch in her marriage.

Michael Cohen: Michael is a freelance editor in the entertainment industry and covers stories about major celebrities for magazines like In Touch. He is also a commentator on several TV shows, including CNN's Showbiz Tonight. With his busy schedule, Michael is always frequenting the hottest spots in Miami for business and play, but he still finds time to look for love in his crazy and colorful city.

Maria Lankina : After moving to Miami in 2005, Maria wasted no time in acquainting herself with its most exclusive spots. She is an art director and freelance photographer who has traveled the world for her work, always maintaining her "rebellious and fiery" spirit. In spite of her busy lifestyle, she is primarily devoted to her 13-year-old daughter, Angelika.

Hardy Hill: President and CEO of Hill Hospitality Group and host of the most exclusive parties Miami has to offer, Hardy promises that the show is really worth watching. When we recently got the chance to chat with him, he said that unlike other reality TV programs, this one "truly shows the good, the bad and the ugly of our lives. It shows our friendships, how we handle issues and how we handle success." Audiences will follow Hardy's hectic life as he struggles to balance work, play and his search for the right woman. "To be honest, there's no place I'd rather be than in Miami," he says.

Ariel Stein: With his name on every VIP list at the hottest parties in town, Ariel is one of the most popular faces in the Miami party scene. He is a premiere fashion producer as well as the Vice President of 20/20 Vision Management, Inc., his family business. Many of his closest friends are top designers and celebrities, and his life is a constant swirl of glamour, work and South Beach sun.

What do you think? I'm tempted to add this show to my growing list of guilty reality TV pleasures. Miami Social premieres Tuesday, July 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

--Sarah Levy

Why Top Chef Masters is a Must See

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:19:49 -0500

I've been watching Bravo's Top Chef Masters each week, and if you don't believe me that you should be watching too -- you'll believe me after this story:

This past weekend I was watching my TiVo of the show, when it was mentioned that one of the contestants -- Anita Lo -- had a restaurant in New York City, which is where I live. So, I paused the TV and went online to check it out.

It turned out that Anita has two restaurants in the Big Apple -- Annisa, which is more of an upscale restaurant, and Rickshaw Dumplings, which has more of a cafeteria feel. My boyfriend and I took note, hoping to check out the restaurants in the somewhat near future. But then we noticed something special -- Rickshaw Dumplings has a truck that sits in different parts of Manhattan and sells dumplings. And somehow that truck just happened to be sitting ten blocks from my apartment Thursday night. We had to go.

We turned off the TV and ran -- yes, ran -- ten blocks to the Dumplings truck. We bought 18 dumplings and headed back to our apartment to eat them - while finishing the episode of Top Chef. Spoiler Alert: It doesn't get much more fun than watching Top Chef while eating the food of the winning contestsant.

Let me tell you something -- those dumplings were amazing. Incredible. Delicious. They were so yummy that we headed to the actual restaurant, Rickshaw Dumplings, on Sunday. I'm not kidding when I tell you that it's all I've been craving -- I want to have them again tonight. Plus, not only do I want to eat the food nonstop, but I want to buy everything in that restaurant. Yes, there is also clothing available for purchase, from onesies to t-shirts saying lines like, "Who's your edamame?"

The point is - I wouldn't have this new obsession if it weren't for Bravo's Top Chef Masters. I know the show is different from the original - new host, contestants are only on each week, they don't live together, etc. - but the reality show exposes us to award-winning chefs that might be cooking in your neighborhood. And hey, it's all for charity. The show airs Wednesdays at 10 pm on Bravo -- check it out. Who knows what new discoveries you'll make?

--Jacki Garfinkel

Drop Dead Diva Comes to Lifetime

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:01:30 -0500

A new Lifetime series, Drop Dead Diva will redefine what women think of as beautiful! The story starts when vapid blonde model Deb is killed in a car accident, but returns to life in the body of smart, plus-size attorney Jane Bingum. With her trusty assistant--played by Margaret Cho--by her side, Jane/Deb finds the meaning of inner beauty and vows to make a difference in the lives of the people she touches through the legal cases she now has to fight. Drop Dead Diva premieres July 12.

Check out the rest of our Top 10 list of Summer TV Shows that you must tune in to.

And, if you want updates on Drop Dead Diva, Text ENTERTAIN to 46833 for Drop Dead Diva tune-in alerts sent right to your phone.

* Standard messaging rates apply. For help, text HELP to 46833. To stop alerts, text STOP to 46833.

Book Review: Unwrapping L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:51:00 -0500

How many licks does it take to get to the end of L.A. Candy? Or should we say hair flips? The Hills star's first novel follows the convertible BMW ride of Jane Roberts—from innocent California girl to reality show star. After moving to Los Angeles for a prestigious internship, the blond-haired, blue-eyed Jane lands herself a TV gig, along with her jaded BFF Scarlett Harp. Sound familiar?

It's impossible not to compare Jane's rise to fame (and her new circle of friends and frenemies) with Lauren Conrad's. Is scheming bleach-blonde Madison really Heidi in disguise? Could skeptical U.S.C. student Scarlett be Lauren's BFF Lo? And Brody (a k a Jesse Edwards) appears to get the unfortunate, but appropriate title of "celebuspawn" in this story. Then there's Jane's crush Braden, a struggling actor who refuses to sign a release to appear on L.A. Candy, the name of the reality show. Hmm, wonder who Lauren's off-air boyfriend was?

This made-for-the-beach novel oozes with Mean Girls-esque backstabbing, brand name labels and celebrity run-ins, much like an episode of The Hills (minus the aerial shots of L.A.). You can almost feel those infamous blank stares and reaction shots after each chapter. Trying not to bite the hand that feeds her, Lauren also gives us glimpses of MTV's (um, PopTV's) manipulative editing ways. But are we really supposed to pity the author, who has parlayed her television stint into a mini empire of clothing lines, makeup contracts and book deals? Maybe that'll happen in season two... I mean volume two. Stay tuned.

—Michele Laufik

Get Ready to Dance Your Ass Off!

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:20:41 -0500

-Photo Courtesy of Oxygen-
Oxygen has come out with a totally new take on the reality dance competition genre, with the launch of Dance Your Ass Off, premiering Monday, June 29 at 10 pm.

Twelve finalists -- weighing in at a combined total of nearly 3,000 pounds -- compete to lose the most weight as they, put nicely, dance their tushes off.

Each contestant is paired with a professional dancer who will teach them weekly routines, ranging from ballroom to hip hop to pole dancing! Their final score will be a combination of the points they received from their dance and their weight loss for that week.

Dance Your Ass Off is hosted by Tony Award-winning actress, Marissa Jaret Winokur. Check out the rest of the cast, and see if you can determine who will win!

I think it'll be fascinating to watch the contestants' bodies change as the weeks go on. How much weight do you think they'll lose from start to finish?

-- Jacki Garfinkel

The Real Housewives of New Jersey: Director's Cut

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:42:16 -0500

If you watched the director's cut of The Real Housewives of New Jersey's finale episode last night, you're probably thinking the same thing I am... "How the heck did I just re-watch an episode of a show that I just watched Tuesday night, and still love it oh so much?"

At first I didn't know what to think about this "lost footage" episode, since I hadn't seen Bravo do anything like it before. After a few minutes of watching though, I decided that what Bravo had done was genius -- they broke down that dinner footage like it was a crime scene, showing each person's (originally unseen) reactions to all sorts of moments.

My favorite was seeing each person's facial expressions when housewife Danielle Staub first brought out "the book." Caroline Manzo's son kicked his aunt Dina Manzo under the table, Teresa Giudice looked at it in total disbelief and Danielle's crazy eyes penetrated Jacqueline Laurita (Seriously, if you didn't notice it, fast forward to 00:49 in the video above. You won't miss it.).

So, what did you think of last night's extended version of the finale? And, more importantly, after seeing all the bits and pieces now, are you on Team Danielle, Team Teresa, Dina and
Caroline or Team Jacqueline (aka Team Staying Neutral)?

-- Jacki Garfinkel

Army Wives Returns This Sunday

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:21:25 -0500

If you like getting sucked into good soapy dramas, then you're in luck -- the critically acclaimed Army Wives returns to Lifetime for its third season Sunday night at 10 pm.

For all you hardcore fans out there, we've heard that this third season is going to echo much of what viewers loved about season one -- secrets, lies, affairs, friendships and all of the other melodrama that makes this show such a success.

If you're checking out Army Wives for the first time, here's the scoop: The show follows a group of friends -- Claudia Joy, Roxy, Pamela, Roland and Denise -- who are all living with spouses and family members on an active army post in South Carolina.

Season three will start off with the group supporting Claudia Joy (Kim Delaney) after her daughter disappears the night before the family is supposed to transfer overseas. Roland (Sterling K. Brown), who's a new dad, is trying to deal with the news of finding out that his wife Joan (Wendy Davis) is being deployed to Iraq. Denise (Catherine Bell) is devastated as she becomes the talk of the army post when her affair is exposed. Roxy (Sally Pressman) struggles with her business and Pamela (Brigid Brannagh) does her best to be both a good mom and dad to her kids, while her husband's away on deployment.

Plus: Check out the rest of the Top 10 TV Shows of Summer.

--Jacki Garfinkel

Relationship Problems? Let Them Get You on TV!

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:36:45 -0500

This might be the best news I've heard all day - typical relationship issues (like your man leaving the toilet seat up) could now get you on TV!

Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen Rakieten (The Oprah Winfrey Show) and the producers of Supernanny have partnered to create a new show called Marriage Ref. Celebrities, comedians and sports stars will play referee to couples' relationship problems and decide who's right and who's wrong.

Think you need these judges in your life? Here's what the casting team is looking for:

- Are you part of a long-term couple who has a longstanding relationship problem that needs to be resolved?
- Is there an object, a person, or a habit (e.g. computer, pet, a friend, the remote control) that is a third wheel in your relationship and causes a problem?
- Does your partner have an annoying obnoxious habit or item that causes fights?
- Does your partner do things like withhold sex after a fight?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, check out the NBC Casting page for upcoming details on all of the open casting calls for Marriage Ref.

The next open casting call is June 4 from 4pm-8pm in Irvine, CA. Get all the details here.

And if you want to dish on your relationship problems, head to our message boards to chat about your stories.

--Jacki Garfinkel

The Real Gossip Girl: Bravo's NYC Prep

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 16:57:44 -0500

Last night I went to see a screening of Bravo's new reality show, NYC Prep, and let me just tell you -- my jaw is still on the ground.

The show centers on six kids who are pretty much carbon copies of the characters on Gossip Girl, except that there's one big difference -- these kids are real.

And that's the scary part. These "key players in Manhattan's elite high school scene" have endless supplies of money, go clubbing (even though they're under 21), take car services everywhere, go out for $500 dinners, shop.... the list goes on. Oh, and you know that economic recession we're all feeling? It hasn't even touched them.

If you think Chuck and Blair are bad on Gossip Girl, then you'll be shocked by NYC Prep. Kelli, who's only 16, lives on the Upper East side of New York City in a gorgeous apartment with her brother. Her parents live in the Hamptons. They try to ground her, but it doesn't exactly work considering they don't even live in the same house. Sebastian likes to hook up with between 2 and 16 girls a month. P.C. isn't worried about getting rejected from college, because if it happens, phone calls will be made to make sure he's accepted. Taylor goes to public school but does whatever she can to keep her popular status with her prep school friends. Jessie has her group of friends and doesn't feel the need to make new ones -- especially if they're other girls. And then there's Camille who tags along on other people's dates and wants to get a perfect score on the SATs.

The castmembers don't watch Gossip Girl -- they think it's way too big of an exaggeration of their lives. They're wrong -- it's a perfect depiction of their lives (again, scary). Watch the show and you'll agree. And that's the thing, as sad/scary/shocking as NYC Prep is, I'll watch it for the same reason I watch all of the Real Housewives shows -- it's entertaining.

NYC Prep premieres on Bravo on June 23 at 10 pm.

--Jacki Garfinkel