Editor, Reporter, Writer
**I’m working as a web editor for The Hollywood Reporter** It’s been a week, and I’m already in love. Here’s one of my first fun pieces:
Between the fist pumping and hair gelling of three seasons ofJersey Shore, there were some memorable moments that will stick with viewers long after the orange tans have faded. From the good of GTL times to the bad of toilet terror, here’s a look back at the best and worst moments of Jersey Shore.
I’ve started doing recaps for a new website:
The second episode of Work of Art: The Next Great Artist had the contestants digging through trash, literally, to find their tools to create their art piece. Some artists succeeded with the challenge, while others stumbled. Who won this week’s challenge and who went home?
The episode started off with Nao reflecting on being in the bottom of the group on the last episode, while Miles revealed that stress and sleep deprivation are causing his OCD symptoms to return.
Simon de Pury and China Chow greeted the artists in the workroom, and Simon took them on a walk to reveal their next challenge. He knocks on a big red door, which opens to reveal…junk! Used electronics clutter the room, and it turns out that the artists must use at least one piece of junk in their sculpture. And yes, they must do a sculpture! Jon Kessler, a mixed-medium artist, will be the guest judge for this challenge. His advice for the artists is to be courageous!
See more here.
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
If you thought season two of “True Blood” was dramatic, terrorizing and oh-so-sexy, you haven’t seen anything yet. The upcoming third season of the hottest vampire show in town (that’s right, we said it, so chew on that, “Twilight”) will be amped up to the next level. How? Werewolves, sexy new vampire vixens and a desperate hunt for a missing Bill Compton.
We spoke to some of the familiar Bon Temps residents and some new visitors to town about the upcoming season, and all the wonderfully delicious surprises in store. Go ahead, take a bite.
See the rest at Metromix…
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
At last year’s MTV Movie Awards, Brüno’s buttcheeks ended up in Eminem’s face and Kristen Stewart proved her endless clutziness by dropping her award on stage. We can bet that this year’s show will be even more ridiculous with the hilarious Aziz Ansari hosting (we’re praying for a Raaaaaaaandy-filled monologue).
Also, a slew of summer shows start this week, mostly of the self-improvement nature for fat families (“Losing It with Jillian”), crappy teenaged babydaddies (“Dad Camp”) and talentless chefs (“Hell’s Kitchen”).
…Go to Metromix to read more.
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
Metromix DVD pick of the week:
“True Blood: The Complete Second Season”
Stars: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley
The second season of HBO’s vampire-human love story includes everything from a killer maenad to a vampire-hating church camp and—why not?—a couple of orgies. As Sookie (Anna Paquin) and her blood-sucking lover, Bill (Stephen Moyer), set out to protect Bon Temps from a mysterious murderer, this dark, sexy drama with a ridiculously attractive cast continues to satisfy with every bloody drop. (See Metromix’s review.)
Extras: Audio commentary; “The Vampire Report” featurette; “Fellowship of the Sun: Reflections of Light” featurette;
Price: DVD: $59.99; Blu-ray: $79.98
See more at Metromix…
This week, “The Bachelorette” begins, “24” ends…
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
It’s been a tough month for TV lovers. “Lost” ended last week, and now “24” comes to an end after eight seasons. But that’s nothing compared to “Law & Order” and its 20 seasons on the air (it was almost old enough to drink!).
But it’s not all goodbyes. Ali, the career woman who chose her job over love with Jake on “The Bachelor,” will return to find her own Prince Charming on the new season of “The Bachelorette.”
…Visit Metromix for more.
Let me start off by saying I am a huge fan of “Glee.” So, going to “Glee LIVE” at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles was pretty much a win-win situation for me.
But the show blew me away.
I came in with somewhat low expectations because I realize that on the show their voices are edited when they sing, so I wasn’t sure if they’d be lip-synching. TV is a magical, magical place where even the least talented can come off looking pretty good, so who knows that they would sound like LIVE right?
This show proved how talented this cast really is. Lea Michelle’s voice was clearly created by angels. She’s the vocal powerhouse of that cast, and comes off even better on stage. Her star power is nearly blinding. Chris Colfer also has the vocal chops to carry a show, and I can only hope he’ll have even more solos in the future.
The cast sang many songs from the earlier episodes of the show, including “Bust your windows” and, of course, “Somebody to Love.” We even got a visit from Vocal Adrenaline. From the above, slightly blurry photo, you can see we got a sneak-peek of the “Bad Romance” number and elaborate costumes before it airs this Tuesday. Pretty amazing.
But the real surprise of the show? The supporting characters. Heather Morris, who plays ditzy cheerleader Brittany, has more stage presence than most anyone else up there. I realized that in the show she’s only now becoming memorable, but in the LIVE versions, her talent is really on display. She’s an amazing dancer, with natural rhythm oozing for her every pore. She’s also a comedic talent, and I hope to see more of that in the TV version.
In the same way, Harry Shum Jr., who plays Mike Chang on the show, has never really had a plot line, but on stage he’s a force to be reckoned with. He’s an all-star dancer who should never be put in the background of anything. He’s in an extremely talented dancing crew called Legion of Extraordinary Dancers, who opened the show. If you’ve never heard of them, check out this website, although they are even better live.
There were only a couple of things missing to make this show perfect. Namely, Matthew Morrison. He visits on the video screen, but without any songs from the Broadway star, the show feels like it’s missing something really big.
And just a note for the stage crew, the break between the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers opener and the actual show was way too long.
But even that wait was really worth it for this outstanding show. Here are a couple more photos:
By Rebecca Ford, Metromix
Ali left alone and in tears on the last season of “The Bachelor,” choosing her job over love with pilot (and general snoozefest) Jake.
Now it’s Ali’s chance at televised true love with 25 eligible bachelors looking to win her heart. Before the season starts, get to know the men hoping to become the next Mr. Ali, and learn a bit about their favorite things, their ideas of a perfect date and—why not?—their tattoos.
…See more at Metromix
Metromix DVD pick of the week:
“Invictus”
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Director Clint Eastwood dramatizes recent historical events when newly elected South African President Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) attempted to unite his divided country not through politics, but through sport. Mandela asked rugby captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) to inspire the nation with a victory in the World Cup.
See the rest at Metromix.
This week, there’s an accumulated three and a half hours of new “Lost” on TV, and that’s not including a couple additional hours of “Lost” reruns and late night talk show post-show specials. It may sound excessive, but for all the Losties out there, it may not be enough. though nothing may ever be enough, because when the series ends this Sunday, so does the journey of the survivors of Flight 815, and just about everyone and their evil twin is wondering how the creators of this show plan on tying up six years of mysterious loose ends.
Outside the “Lost” universe, finales for “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Community,” Parks and Recreation,” The Office” and “30 Rock” also air this week. And with so many ends this week, there’s one glorious new beginning: Fox’s cop comedy, “The Good Guys.”
See more at Metromix.
Rebecca M Ford 