The Mummy Ride at Universal Studios: Last night, the entire staff of BeansTalk attended Universal Studios private party for the premiere of the much-anticipated Revenge of the Mummy ride.
The Jurassic Park ride was also open. It was a treat to not wait in any line, have an entire car to ourselves, but not so much the getting wet. Getting absolutely soaked. We took our wet selves over to the line for the Mummy ride – significant because the even more privileged got to go straight to the front. It took more than an hour. The ride is fairly raucous (not for the faint of heart).
There were a bunch of celebrities – most of whom (despite being on the periphery of entertainment) we didn’t recognize. We got to meet Jon Favreau, who we actually had just done an hour-long phone interview earlier that day! Stars Brendan Fraser and Arnold Vosloo were there, along with one-hit wonder Geraldo, Miguel Ferrer, Davleigh Chase, Thora Birch and Wayne Brady.
Bear in mind that starting today, the lines for Revenge of the Mummy will be long – and the ride (per a BeansTalker) seems to last about 45 seconds.
If Ben Affleck Can Win $365K…: GSN, the network for games, gets ready for “Celebrity Blackjack” its premiere episode of “Celebrity Blackjack,” with Snoop Dogg, Shannon Elizabeth, Jason Alexander, Camryn Manheim and Kevin Nealon. The six-episode series hosted by Matt Vasgersian (lead TV broadcaster for the San Diego Padres) and Alex Borstein ("Mad TV," "Cat Woman"), and featuring 25 celebrities playing for their favorite charities debuts on Monday, July 5, 2004 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/PT). The winner earns an impressive $100,000 donation. Then on July 12, 2004, Richard Belzer, Chynna Phillips, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Andy Dick and Mark Steines take their turn at the table.
Miming Martha (Stewart, that is): With Martha Stewart’s fate in the balance, ABC is jumping on the opportunity with the new series “The Great Domestic Showdown.” Steve Kemble is on the contestants on the series, which airs Sunday, July 11, 2004. Kemble’s appeared on “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?” on the Style Network, to a role on ABC Family Channel’s “My Life is a Sitcom.”
Adam Carolla, TV and radio personality (“The Man Show” and “Loveline” – and graduate of North Hollywood High School, class of 1982) hosts. Kemble and five other contestants prove their diva-ness in six categories: decorating, cooking, gardening, entertaining, home improvement and the final challenge – a splendid gala event. Judges are Sandra Lee, host of the Food Network’s “Semi-Homemade;” Robert Verdi, host of the Discovery Channel’s “Surprise by Design;” and Govind Armstrong, one of LA’s top chefs at the elite Table 8. Contestants are judged on originality, creativity, resourcefulness and the ability to stay within the rules. The winner gets a deal with Hyperion Books, an appearance on “Good Morning America” and his or her own television show.
Kemble says, “this show is a dream come true for me. On any given day, I’m used to working with ice sculptures the size of a ballroom and enough roses and flowers to create a botanical garden – then, I’ll go home and host a 50 person cocktail party. I’m truly a domestic diva!”
Contestants lived together in one mansion, shared a solitary bathroom and were monitored by audio and cameras 24-hours a day. No communication with the outside world were allowed. They also had only five “survival” items they were allowed to bring as resources to prove their domestic skills.
Who’s Wearing What: Ashley Judd signed as Face of Estee Lauder's "American Beauty" and she showed up at Wednesday’s NYC Carlyle Hotel event in a Marc Jacobs dress, Chanel earrings and Manolo Blahnik shoes.
Julie Delpy, at the 2004 Los Angeles Film Festival - "Before Sunset" Premiere showed up in a gorgeous deep green silk satin dress, looking not a day older than she did at the “Before Sunrise” premiere years ago.
God knows what Winona Ryder was wearing at that event. The actual outfit – destined to make the “What Was She Thinking” columns – wasn’t bad, but on petite Ryder it overwhelmed her. The vintage clothing fan wore a 70s styled silk chiffon pastel and amber print pleated dress, with an empire waist, and halter top. She added a red silk print kimono coat and carried, curiously, a tan leather everyday handbag.
Our friends Karen Brailsford , pretty in a Sue Wong print dress, and Alice Chung were at the Levi's 501-Caroline Calvin Reception at Pearl (we couldn't go since we were at the Universal Event even those we LOVE the hosts, the guys at Rousso/Fisher, Ryan and RJ).
Safe Tan : St. Tropez Tanning Essentials instant self-tanner is a favorite of Victoria Beckham , Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Ripa, Mia Tyler, Cate Blanchette, action super star Rick Yune, EXTRA¹s Samantha Harris, Fox 11 News/ Entertainment Reporter Lisa Breckenridge, producer Joe Reitman, and even the British Royal Family, who get tanned at the palace! New is the Self-Tan Remover: A fast and easy way to remove any unsightly stains from your palms after using any self-tanner. The Remover, along with other St. Tropez products, is available at Sephora Stores around the country and selected beauty and department stores throughout Europe.
St. Tropez Body Bronzing Treatments are available at four Equinox locations throughout New York City as well as the Four Seasons Hotel & Spa in Beverly Hills. These St. Tropez treatments are performed by trained and certified St. Tropez technicians skilled to give the ultimate glowing tan.
Pin-Heads: Fifty years ago James Dean bowled at PINZ (formerly Sports Center Bowl) in Studio City, CA. Regulars at PINZ include Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and their exes Brittany Murphy and Jared Leto. Sports and music celebs include Shaquille O¹Neal, Kobe Bryant, Method Man, Nelly and Ice Cube. Eleda Cohen owner of PINZ, just announced summer activities including "Bikini Bowl" and "Pajama Bowl.” www.pinzbowlingcenter.com 818 -769-7600.
His Parents Sang “Mockingbird” : Ben Taylor makes his acting debut guest-starring in a multi-story arc as Cal, a struggling singer-songwriter in the mid-1960s who will also be performing in the Lair -- and provides a new romantic interest for Beth Mason (Rachel Boston) -- in the third season of NBC's "American Dreams" (Sundays, 8-9 p.m. ET).
“I am really looking forward to being on American Dreams,” says Taylor, whose parents are Carly Simon and James Taylor. “It will be a good way for me to get my feet wet in acting as the character I am playing is very much like myself. In the meantime, I am trying to finish my band’s new album and really trying not to think about the fact that I have never acted.”
Taylor is currently in an Atlanta studio recording the Ben Taylor Band's follow-up album to their 2003 debut, Famous Among the Barns. Recording with producer Rick Beato (Ingram Hill, Flickerstick, The Rising), the band's new album titled Another Run Around the Sun, is expected to be released this fall to coincide with the season premiere of NBC's "American Dreams," which will also feature original music from this album.
"It's our show's good luck to have Ben Taylor playing the Beatles' 'In My Life' last season," said "American Dreams" executive producer Jonathan Prince. "There will be romantic tension between Ben's character and Beth, played by Rachel Boston. How could there not be? A good-looking guy with a guitar who sings like an angel."
The Ben Taylor Band's debut album, Famous Among the Barns, has sold over 50,000 copies since release through Taylor's self-owned label, Iris Records (Ryko/MRI). The band spent much of 2003 on the road promoting the album and touring with artists as Dar Williams, Blues Traveler, Spearhead, and Ziggy Marley. The group also appeared on NBC "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," CBS "The Early Show," NBC "Last Call with Carson Daly," and FOX "Summer Music Mania," and also won a Boston Music Award.
The Ben Taylor Band's music has been described as a mixture of rock, pop, folk with touch of hip-hop infused lyrics.
"American Dreams," has won two Emmy Awards and is set against the music of the 1960s. It’s life as seen through the Pryor family of Philadelphia. "American Dreams" is from NBC Universal Television Studios. Dick Clark and Jonathan Prince are executive producers. For further information on the ben taylor band visit: www.bentaylorband.com
