DVDs, Must See Christmas TV

Duff Sisters: Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff voice an animated holiday movie In Search Of Santa premiering On DVD and Video November 23, 2004. The Duffs voice the adventures of two penguin princess sisters, Crystal and Lucinda, as they set out on a journey to find the elusive Santa Claus. This CGI-animated movie premieres only on DVD and video. Suggested retail price: $19.99 (DVD) and $14.99 (VHS) Feature running time: Approximately 80 minutes, not rated.

Host Quentin: Miramax Home Entertainment and Quentin Tarantino, presents “Hero,” the incredible marital arts adventure, on DVD November 30, 2004. “Hero” stars Jet Li (“The One,” “Cradle 2 The Grave,” “Romeo Must Die”) and a huge cast in a visually stunning, epic tale in the tradition of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” Directed by Zhang Yimou (“Raise The Red Lantern,”) “Hero” debuted in the U.S. as the #1 Theatrical box-office champion. The film has won worldwide critical acclaim, and has been nominated for the 2003 Academy Award® and 2003 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This amazing story, based on a famous Chinese legend of a lone warrior who rises up to defend an empire, will be available on DVD with both the original Chinese language audio soundtrack (with English subtitles) and an optional English audio soundtrack. On DVD for $29.99 (S.R.P.) and available to rent on VHS.

DVD bonus materials for HERO are:

• “Hero Defined” – a look at this epic masterpiece

• Storyboards – discover the production storyboards to four exciting scenes

• Inside The Action: A Conversation with Quentin Tarantino HERO’s cast includes Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung (“In The Mood For Love”), Man-Yuk, Zhang Ziyi (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), Chen Dao Ming and Donnie Yen (“Blade II”). Screenplay by Li Feng, Zhang Yimou, Wang Bin. Produced by Bill Kong (“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”), Zhang Yimou. Directed by Zhang Yimou.

STREET DATE: November 30, 2004

Suggested retail price: $29.99 (DVD); Available to rent on VHS

Feature running time: Approximately 99 minutes

Rated: “PG-13” For Stylized Martial Arts

Violence And A Scene Of Sensuality

Bonus materials unrated and subject to change.

DVD aspect ratio: 2.35:1 enhanced for 16x9 screens

DVD Sound: Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

DTS Digital Surround Sound

DVD Languages: Original Chinese Language Track with English, Spanish subtitles English, French Audio

Sudden Wealth: What would happen if you discovered that you owned not only your own house but the whole town? Eternal loser Max Vivaldi and his wildly eccentric family are about to find out that this sudden turn of good fortune isn't all it's cracked up to be in BBC AMERICA's U.S. premiere black comedy series. Created by Russell T. Davies of Queer as Folk and The Second Coming, Mine All Mine makes its US premiere Sundays from November 28, 2004 at 10 p.m.

30-Something, Brit Style: The complex, emotional lives of three 30-something couples are the focus of BBC AMERICA's award-winning drama, Cold Feet. Infidelity, impotence, in-laws, babies and commitment are just a few of the dilemmas confronting the couples who are each at a different point in their relationship. Starring Helen Baxendale (Friends), James Nesbitt (Murphy's Law) and Hermione Norris (Wire in the Blood), the series follows the increasingly tangled lives of all three couples as they struggle to remain friends despite the odds. Cold Feet airs Sundays from November 28, 2004 at 8 p.m.

Must See Christmas TV: Had enough of family and friends this holiday season? Then raise a glass with your favorite office workers in a festive encore presentation of The Office Special on Christmas Day at 8 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. PT

"Tonight's two-hour special episode of The Office on BBC AMERICA is as wickedly, painfully funny as the first two seasons and, in tiny, fleeting doses, as delicately tender..." The New York Times

"Bloody brilliant. A+" Entertainment Weekly

It's three years since cameras stopped recording the daily lives of a group of workers at the Wernham Hogg paper supply merchants in Slough. This Christmas the documentary team are returning to catch up with the staff, past and present, of The Office.

At the end of season two, David Brent (Ricky Gervais) was laid off, Tim's (Martin Freeman, Love Actually) heart was broken by Dawn (Lucy Davis, Shaun of the Dead) once again, and Gareth (Mackenzie Crook, Pirates of the Caribbean) was promoted to Regional Manager.

Now the filmmakers return to find Gareth has moved into David's old office and Tim, who is battling with a new colleague, appears to be nearing the point of despair. David has blown his severance package on releasing a single, and now makes his living selling cleaning products door-to-door and making z-list celebrity appearances. Meanwhile, Dawn and her fiancé Lee (Joel Beckett) have relocated to Florida, but are being flown over specially by the documentary makers for the end of year party.

The Office has won numerous awards including two Golden Globes*, a Peabody, six BAFTAs (the UK equivalent of the Emmys) and a Silver Rose at the Montreux TV Festival, Europe's top television awards. In just two seasons the hit show has become one of the most critically acclaimed British comedies of all time on both sides of the Atlantic.

Who's Wearing What:

Country vocalist Alison Krauss hit the red carpet at the 38th annual Country Music Awards in a vibrant citrine gown by Sunny Choi. The singer, nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, chose a strapless satin gown with rusching at the side and chiffon godets.

Country singer Jennifer Hanson, also at 38th Annual Country Music Awards, wore a gown by designer Pamella Roland, winter white silk charmeuse gown with cutout sides and a front slit.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley, on the arm of her husband, country singer and CMA nominee Brad Paisley, wore a dress by Elsie Katz Couture. The actress, who can currently be seen on ABC’s According to Jim, strolled the red carpet in a pink satin halter dress with green satin bow detail. She accessorized her red carpet look with a green clutch by Kenneth Cole New York.

Naomie Harris wore a gown by Kevan Hall at the New York premiere of her new film, After the Sunset. The dress was a form-fitting kiwi-green confetti sequin gown with green tulle hem.

Who's Wearing What, Who's Doing What

Who’s Wearing What: Shanna Moakler, former USA and bride of Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, selected a gown by Monique Lhuillier for their wedding at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara on Halloween Eve. Moakler wore a 2-piece LEA gown with a long sleeve re-embroidered white Alencon lace top paired with a full organza skirt. The look was topped off with a black satin sash to mirror the red-and-black high gothic-style celebration.

Sarah Michelle Gellar attended Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards at the Museum of Natural History in New York City wearing a dress by Australian designer Collette Dinnigan, a sexy knee-length black lace halter dress with pleated underpinning. This look is from the Collette Dinnigan Autumn/Winter 2004 collection.

Celebs Have Hobbies, Too: On the “Celebrity Hobbies” TV series on DIY Network, personalities from entertainment, sports, and more share their favorite hobbies. The series kicks off a new season, hosted by Good Day Live's Arthel Neville (daughter of Art Neville of the Neville Brothers) on Saturday, January 1, 2005, at 8 p.m. ET on DIY.

Here’s the line up of the celebs featured:

* Carson Kressley: When this TV fashionista’s not transforming straight men from fashion disasters to fashion plates, this ‘Fab Fiver’ is also an accomplished equestrian.

* Frederique Van Der Wal: This business-savvy supermodel is as at home underwater, scuba diving, as she is strutting the catwalk.

* Kate Pierson: This B-52s singer has a passion for 50's home decor collecting

* George Foreman: This former boxer and grillmaster owns a stable of rare horse species in TX.

* Indigo Girls: This music duo has spare time to divulge in wine collecting and running a non-profit music label.

* Ted Nugent: This 70s rock legend also loves bow-hunting.

* Leeza Gibbons: This TV correspondent and homemaker loves to scrapbook.

* Vitaly Kitschko: When this Ukraine boxer is not winning titles, he like to go kite surfing

* Andrea Parker: This sitcom star of "Less Than Perfect" and drama series "The Pretender" blows off steam by shooting guns at target practice.

* Penn Jilette of Penn and Teller (stand-up bass), what does he do with it?

* Melissa Rivers: Joan River’s daughter loves surfing.

* Ben Folds: This musician, formerly of the band“Ben Folds Five,” enjoys taking photographs as well as making music.

* Shelley Morrison: She delights fans weekly as the feisty maid, Rosario, on the hit show “Will & Grace,” but off-camera this actress likes to relax with a little knitting.

* Geoffrey Bodine: this car racer satisfies he need for speed by building bobsleds for the U.S. Olympics team.

Jason Mraz' New Album Is Almost Here

Elektra/Atlantic recording artist Jason Mraz is completing his second studio album, the follow-up to his 2002 debut, "Waiting For My Rocket To Come." The singer/musician's new set is being produced by Steve Lillywhite, who most recently produced U2's new album, and has worked with a range of artists over the years - including the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, and many others. Mraz recently wrapped up a series of sessions at Allaire Studios near Woodstock, New York, and is now putting the finishing touches on the album at his home studio in San Diego, California.
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The Virginia-born musician spent his late-teens performing his songs on the streets of New York City, eventually moving to California in 1999. Settling in San Diego, Mraz became a fixture on the coffeehouse scene. Word of his blend of folk, pop, hip-hop, and roots-rock soon spread, and in 2002, Mraz released his Elektra debut, " Waiting For My Rocket To Come."

The album - which is nearing the RIAA platinum mark - received critical praise and featured the singles "Remedy (I Won't Worry)," "You & I Both," and "Curbside Prophet."

Mraz has headlined a series of national tours and shared stages with Coldplay, Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews Band, Jewel, Liz Phair, David Gray, and others, playing over 200 shows in 2003. Earlier this year, Mraz toured theUnited States with a solo acoustic tour, dubbed "The Tour of the Curbside Prophets."

While waiting for Mraz's new album to come, this summer he released the two-disc CD/DVD collection, "Tonight, Not Again: Jason Mraz Live At The Eagles Ballroom" - which captures the experience of one of his concerts.

Fashion Buys, Fashion Notes and Cable Drama

Sale: Have we got your attention? Today, Neiman Marcus begins a 40% off sale. Check out www.neimanmarcus.com. Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 6 p.m. is a private sale at all Neimans.

Neiman Beverly Hills Events:

Be Jeweled November 13 to November 20, 2004 Designer Jewelry, Precious Jewels Salon
The Handbag Event November 18 to November 20, 2004 Designer Handbags
Dolce & Gabbana Trunk Show November 22 and 23, 2004 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. View the Spring 2005 Collection from Dolce & Gabbana in Designer Sportswear

Who’s Wearing What: At the United Cancer Front Gala last night, Elisha Cuthbert wore a chic outfit by Monique Lhuillier. She paired a black satin bustier with a black-and-white embroidered pointelle a-line skirt with scattered sequins over laser cut tulle. She accessorized her look with a black satin and crystal clutch by Daniel Swarovski Paris and Swarovski silver crystal and pearl drop earrings that mirror the embroidery of the skirt.

Kate Bosworth, at the premiere of her new film, Beyond the Sea, on the opening night of the 2004 AFI Film Festival, carried a crystal bag by Daniel Swarovski Paris. She complimented her navy dress with a navy, gray and silver crystal "Majestic" bag, featuring a crystal cage over dark gray suede.

New TNT Drama: Turner Network Television (TNT) tells the true story of a hospital in the midst of a horrific storm with “14 Hours,” a Johnson and Johnson Spotlight Presentation. Three-time Golden Globe nominee and three-time Emmy nominee JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist, From the Earth to the Moon) and Rick Schroder (Lonesome Dove, NYPD Blue) will star in the two-hour original movie, which comes to TNT from Cosmic Entertainment, MAGNA Global Entertainment and Paramount Network Television. Goldie Hawn, Shanna Nussbaum and Jay Cohen serve as executive producers for Cosmic Entertainment, along with MAGNA Global Entertainment's Frances Croke Page and Elaine Frontain Bryant. Gregg Champion (The Cowboy Way) is directing the film from a screenplay by Danilo Bach (Beverly Hills Cop).

“14 Hours” tells the harrowing tale of a hospital in Texas besieged by a monstrous storm, one that threatens both patients and staff. But in a memorable show of community, everyone comes together to ensure that not a single life is lost during the ordeal.

Williams has starred in such memorable feature films as Kramer vs. Kramer, Poltergeist and The Big Chill, while also starring in such acclaimed television productions as The Day After, Baby M, My Name is Bill W., Breaking Through, From the Earth to the Moon and Homeward Bound. She also starred in the television series The Client. In 1994, Williams directed the short film On Hope, earning an Oscar nomination. Williams can next be seen starring in the upcoming film Fever Pitch, the new Farrelly Brothers movie with Drew Barrymore.

Schroder's credits as a child actor include The Champ, for which he earned a Golden Globe, and The Earthling, as well as several made-for-TV features. In 1982, he was cast in a starring role in the hit comedy series Silver Spoons. His career continued to blossom as he grew into adulthood, starring in such memorable television productions as Lonesome Dove, Return to Lonesome Dove and Texas, as well as the big-screen blockbuster Crimson Tide. For three seasons, he played Detective Danny Sorenson on the hit series NYPD Blue and recently starred in the A&E telefilm The Lost Battalion. This year, Schroder marked his directing debut with the boxing tale Black Cloud, which earned the Audience Award at the Phoenix Film Festival. Schroder has also been nominated for a Country Music Award as the director of the Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss music video "Whiskey Lullaby."

Bocelli's New Album

Andrea Bocelli has a new album ‘Andrea’ (Philips/Sugar) and will make several national television appearances. In the November 6t, 2004 Billboard “Spotlight” feature on this Italian tenor, Bocelli explains why he feels his music has struck a chord with so many people worldwide. “"My theory is that success doesn’t have rules.......I received the gift of a voice that can communicate feelings and sensations. It has to be used in a pure way.”"

Bocelli will be on Good Morning America (ABC) on November 11, 2004; the Late Late Show (CBS) on November 15, 2004; the Tony Danza Show on November 18, 2004, and the Macy'’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC) on November 25, 2004. Jane Pauley will devote a full show to Bocelli the week of November 29, 2004. He’'ll also tape a performance with Elmo on Sesame Street this month to air in April 2005 as part of the show’s 36th season.

On December 18, 2004 at 2 p.m., Bocelli will team up with Olympic gold and silver medallists for the holiday show “Andrea Bocelli: Tribute On Ice.”

Bocelli celebrates his album release with an in-store cd signing at Los Angeles’ Borders (1360 Westwood Blvd) on November 15, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. and NYC’s Barnes & Noble (675 Sixth Avenue) on November 17, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.

Scott Paulin from Barnes & Noble.com calls ‘Bocelli " “intimate and seductive....a varied set of songs, all rich in sentiment and each one soaring higher than the last.”"