Friday, December 30, 2005


Neiman Marcus introduces the new line of Juicy Couture footwear -- while there's mainly cute, but pricey thongs, they also have two pairs of "cowgirl" boots, an embroidered pair with Juicy Couture on the back, and this pair, the Laredo style Butterfly Boot, which retails for $680. We predict you'll be seeing these on the feet of some celeblets very soon. Posted by Picasa

This embroidered Juicy Couture boot is also at Neiman Marcus and on www.neimanmarcus.com. It retails for $480. Hee Haw!

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Thursday, December 29, 2005


Chris Klein and Katie Holmes at the Hollywood premiere of Warner Bros. Ocean's Twelve - 8 December 2004 (Steve Granitz, WireImage.com)

Chris Klein on Katie Holmes
and the Women in His Life

Why Chris Klein's publicist should probably sit in on his interviews or do a little bit of secret media training (www.perezhilton.com features this in his “topics” board):

From A.P.:

Regarding if he’ll contact ex Katie Holmes after her baby is born: "No, I don't think so," the 26-year-old actor told AP Radio in a recent interview.

"Her and my relationship is a time in the past. And it's a time that I'll always look back with in fondness, but her and I have moved on, and she has a separate life and I have a separate life. And it's better that we keep it that way."

(BTW, his mother is allegedly a teacher in Orange County. Methinks she wasn't correcting him early on saying, "Our" instead of "her and my" and "we" or "she and I" instead of "her and I" -- still, maybe she was just proud he was a football star in high school. Or maybe he just doesn't listen. We'd believe either explanation.)

From Elle:

"I don't need food to impress, man," boasts the cocky "American Pie" C-lister. "It's a flash of a smile and a nice conversation. And at the end of the day, she's cooking the food."

Klein says he's a "alpha heterosexual"and only dates "8 to 10's."

He's also doesn't "placate" -- if his partner gains weight. "I'm not tolerant of that at all." He says has no problem telling his lady friend to get in shape.

"When a woman isn't feeling good about herself and you combine that with her period, eventually she'll ask you if you like her body. You have to say no."

When the interviewer suggests that "they're just looking for you to say, 'You look beautiful to me, honey.'" "If they do, it's placating," he scoffs. "I don't placate."

He describes wooing a woman as a "predator-prey situation" and admitting he stays "very closed off until a woman deserves to know me completely." Asked if this approach makes it tough for potential partners to unravel the enigma that is Chris Klein, he replies, "Hey, man, I'm not here to hold hands and babysit. She's got to come to the table with something."

Klein also admits he fell in love with the majority of his female co-stars and counts them all as ones that got away. Klein adds, "I've got this policy that you don't sleep with them (co-stars); it complicates stuff. So it's the Heather Grahams, the Rebecca Romijns, the Mena Suvaris, and the Leelee Sobieskis of the world. They all got away."

Meanwhile, the actor admits he plans to stay friends with his ex, even though they no longer speak to one another. He states, "Are we friends? Absolutely. Do we talk? No."

Klein and Holmes dated for five years and were engaged Christmas 2003. Reports in mid-September 2004 emerged that Holmes was very anxious to marry, Klein less so, even though he proposed. They were engaged for a total of 14 months.

The couple had a public squabble at Maggiano’s. Reported Pagesix.Com (mid-September), "They came in holding hands, sat alone, and during the dinner Klein was heard delivering classic break-up lines like 'I need space, ' and 'it's not you, it's me'." But Holmes' representative insists they were arguing over their new house, not splitting up. The rep, who BeansTalk believes Leslie Sloan, added that the “I need space” was in reference to a house that she liked, but he didn’t.

The above photo was taken in December 2004, three months before their break-up was official.

The Klein/Holmes breakup was announced in March 2005. In mid-April 2005, Klein was picked up for DUI, with his blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit. Holmes began officially “dating” Tom Cruise a week-and-half later. Holmes actually had time between their early March break-up and her late April Cruise hook-up to be briefly linked with Josh Harnett. She has not announced her due date.Posted by Picasa


Age Appropriate: Katie Holmes and Chris Klein at the premiere of the "American Pie 2" on 6 August 2001.

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Wednesday, December 28, 2005


Catherine Keener and Steve Carell in Universal Pictures' The 40-Year-Old Virgin

40-Year-Old Virgin DVD Sells
3.7 Million In First Week

The 40-Year-Old Virgin sold approximately 3.7 combined DVD and VHS units in the first week since its December 13, 2005 street date. Consumers committed nearly $65 million to a long-term relationship with the Universal Studios Home Entertainment comedy blockbuster in its first six days in stores. Now available in a new extended Unrated Edition featuring 17 additional minutes of sidesplitting high jinks and oodles of titillating bonus features, The 40-Year-Old Virgin was recently nominated by the American Film Institute as 2005's "Outstanding Motion Picture of the Year."

"The 40-Year-Old Virgin's outstanding first-week sales demonstrate holiday shoppers' desire for home entertainment product with humor and heart," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "This is a film that touches people while it keeps them laughing. It's a perfect combination for the holidays."

Available in both Unrated and R-rated versions, The 40-Year-Old Virgin stars Steve Carell (Bruce Almighty, NBC's "The Office") as Andy Stitzer, an amiable, middle-aged collector of geek memorabilia with a history of humiliating near-misses with women. Paul Rudd (Anchorman), Romany Malco (The Tuxedo) and Seth Rogen (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy) co-star as well-meaning but clueless co-workers who offer him some of the worst amorous advice in history as he stumbles down the road to true love. The outstanding ensemble cast also includes Catherine Keener (The Interpreter), Elizabeth Banks (Seabiscuit) and Leslie Mann (Orange County). The 40-Year-Old Virgin marks the feature directorial debut of Emmy(r) award-winning producer-writer Judd Apatow.

The 40-Year-Old Virgin DVD is packed with bonus features including deleted scenes, uproarious on-set moments with cast and crew, exclusive commentary by the filmmakers and cast, plus never-before-seen extra material for the infamously subversive "You Know How I Know You're Gay" routine. The unrated version contains additional raucous features plus 17 minutes of wildly hilarious footage created specifically for the DVD.

For more information, please visit: www.the40yearoldvirgin.com.
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Tuesday, December 27, 2005


Carmen Electra REUTERS/Max Morse

Electra in Dinnigan

Carmen Electra attended the premiere of 'Cheaper by the Dozen 2' in Los AngelesDecember 13, 2005, wearing a dress by Australian designer Collette Dinnigan
from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2006 collection. The backless dress is made of silk, and features crystal embellishments around the neck and bustline.

In other fashion news...

As she chatted with Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show” on Friday, December 23, 2005, Sienna Miller wore a shirt by renowned U.K designer Jonathan Saunders, and a leather jacket by the newly-launched label Thomas Wylde.

Miller chose graphic print T-shirt featuring a bold red, yellow, and black print by Jonathan Saunders. She paired the shirt with a black leather “Speedway Jacket” adorned with studs at the waist and neck by Thomas Wylde. Ms. Miller further complemented her look with Borneo Thorn diamond earrings by Stephen Webster; $7,500.

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Monday, December 26, 2005


This very, very cool hoodie arrived in the Christmas Eve day mail and was received by BeansTalk most happily. We'd first encountered the line at Kari Feinstein's Style Lounge at Chez Dean earlier this year, but the rep wasn't exactly forthcoming with info. Now that our friend Amy Balsam at In2It is handling the line we know we'll get all the scoop and Troy Kingdom will get major press. At any rate, about this very pretty hoodie (as described by hotterthanhollywood.com): Troy Kingdom Freedom Hoodie There's a new kid in town and his name is Troy Kingdom!! These rockin' little sweats are selling out in all of LA's top boutique. The cut is narrow and slim, so size up if in doubt. A large fits a size 8 at the most. Check out the embroidered detailing on the hood and on the sleeves. Sweet! $ 89.00 Posted by Picasa

Troy Kingdom is available online through our friends at hotterthanhollywood.com. More info (and to see their cashmere sweater with their signature styling), visit www.troykingdom.com Posted by Picasa

The "Amore" tank by Johnny Was -- it was featured at the big sample sale at in Culver City, at the former Helms Bakery building. We got it in red -- although ours seems a little longer, maybe it was a tunic? It's still very cute and we just won one on H.D. ButtercupEbay (but I won't promote the seller in any way, since they're asking for $11.30 shipping from Simi Valley to Culver City -- if you live in Los Angeles, you know how relatively near those two cities are -- and how that's a perfect example of price gouging). Posted by Picasa

Sunday, December 25, 2005


We can't remember if we've run this before, but since we were waxing rhapsodic about Troy Kingdom, we came across this at hotterthanhollywood.com, too. In fact they gave us this darling, darling coin purse. Here's what they say (the camel/love, which is the same purse in camel suede with a rhinestone heart, is on sale): Tammi Lyn Suede Coin Purse How cute is little thing??? Rich, buttery suede with a crystal embellishment of either peace or love on one side. Zipper top with suede tassle. Fully lined in double faced silk. $ 77.00 Sale $ 53.00 Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, December 21, 2005


Jaime Pressly (Bruce Gifford at FilmMagic)

"Earl" Star Loves Escada


On December 19, 2005, My Name is Earl star Jaime Pressly attended her private 2005 Radio Music Awards After Party in Las Vegas wearing a Couture silk and lace bustier top by Escada.

Earlier that evening, Pressly, host of the 2005 Radio Music Awards, walked the red-carpet in a dress by Escada, a black cocktail dress accented with elaborate beading, sequins and feathers.


In Other Fashion News


Kate Walsh supported her Grey's Anatomy co-star at the premiere of Katherine Heigl's The Ringer in a suit by Kenneth Cole New York. The red-haired actress, who plays "Dr. McDreamy's" doctor wife, selected a denim-colored fitted pantsuit with subtle deep red pinstripes.

Kayla Ewell of The O.C. attended the Cheaper By The Dozen 2 premiere in a bohemian petrol blue cotton ¾ sleeve v-neck floor length dress by Kenneth Cole New York. She completed her look with accessories also by Kenneth Cole - a gold and tiger's eye long necklace and brown suede flat boots with tan embroidery.

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Actress Mischa Barton watches the NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 76-74. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

O.C. Star Supports White House...
White House Black Market, That Is


Mischa Barton wore a White House | Black Market cream orchestra top to the Los Angeles Lakers game at the Los Angeles Staples Center. The blouse is from White House | Black Market from the winter 2005 resort 2006 collection.

In Other Fashion News

Taraji Henson wore Pamella Roland to The 2005 Prism Awards. The Hustle & Flow star hosted the 10th Annual Prism Awards. She wore Pamella Roland's emerald green satin halter gown with center flounce.

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Tuesday, December 20, 2005


BBC America's Blue/Orange

BBC Presents Blue/Orange

In a London psychiatric hospital, a patient claims to be the son of the exiled African dictator, Idi Amin. He also claims that the oranges at the hospital are blue. As his doctor and a senior consultant decide his fate, a twisting tale of race, madness, and power emerges. Based on Joe Penhall’s (The Long Firm) Oliver Award-winning play, this adaptation was hailed by The Times as “beautifully written, intelligent, complex, uncompromising and compassionate.” Blue/Orange premieres Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on BBC America.

A young black man, Chris (Shaun Parkes, Casanova), has been admitted to the hospital following a psychotic episode. Because he exhibits paranoid behavior and hallucinates, Dr. Bruce Flaherty (John Simm, State of Play) fears that he’s schizophrenic and wants to work with him a while longer. But senior consultant, Dr. Robert Smith (Brian Cox, Match Point), believes there are perfectly good reasons for a black man to be paranoid in London. And maybe he isn’t hallucinating. Maybe he calls oranges blue as a metaphor of the wasted, salty fruits of the colonization of Africa? After all, Chris calls the skinheads who taunt him with racist abuse ‘zombies’. As the doctors argue about whether or not it is racist to take Chris’ race into account, it’s not clear if anyone can really see the truth.

As the plot unfolds, what viewers think about each of the three characters and their relationships to one another will constantly shift. Is Chris seriously ill, or is he simply mistrustful and misdiagnosed? Is Flaherty idealistic or completely neurotic? Does Smith believe what he says or is he an arrogant careerist spouting pop-psychology hooks? The assumptions people make in this film are hugely important and the title itself is a perfect encapsulation of the issues, conjuring up color, language, and perception.

Blue/Orange had its world premiere in 2000 at the Royal National Theatre in London. In 2001, it won the Olivier Award and the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award.

What The U.K. Press Said About Blue/Orange:

“Beautifully written – intelligent, complex, uncompromising and compassionate.” The Times

“Penhall's dialogue generates red-hot tension as the three characters tread through a minefield of arguments and issues.” The Independent

“A timely and provocative reminder of how politics affects the lives of some of society's most vulnerable people.” The Guardian

“Brian Cox is one of our true national treasures and non-theatre goers get the rare chance to see him in his natural habitat here.” Daily Record

CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

Dr Robert Smith Brian Cox (Match Point, Troy, X-Men 2, Manhunter)B

Dr Bruce Flaherty John Simm (Sex Traffic, State of Play, Crime & Punishment)

Chris Shaun Parkes (Casanova, The Mummy Returns, Servants)

Written and adapted by Joe Penhall (Enduring Love, The Long Firm)

Director Howard Davies (Copenhagen, Armadillo)

Producer Richard Fell (The Alan Clark Diaries, Copenhagen)

Executive Producer Bill Boyes (He Knew He Was Right, Traffic) Posted by Picasa


Stevie Wonder Honored. Posted by Picasa

Wonder Honored

The Recording Academy and EIF hosted the Second Annual Grammy Jam honoring Stevie Wonder. The event was sponsored by the Entertainment Industry Foundation and The Recording Academy. The show was presented by Mercedes-Benz USA and benefitted EIF's National Arts and Music Education Initiative.

Many guests had the recent death of Richard Pryor on their minds.

Gina Gershon was Herbie Hancock's date. He asked her to come along because she performed the Jew's Harp on one of his songs from his new Grammy-nominated album. Gershon, who has performed with her own band, said "when Herbie Hancock calls and ask you to play on his record you don't say no!"



Jamie Foxx wanted to rally the audience, with his un-rehearsed performance. He shouted..."you all sound like Republicans right now. You sound like you have gates and maids. You need to sound like you're urban, even if you never been to the ghetto."



Prince, a contributor to Wonder’s new album, arrived late with an entourage of six, and came into the show to see Jamie Foxx perform Wonder's song, "I Wish.” Prince and Stevie Wonder shared a moment in the event’s “green room.”

Wonder, scheduled to perform four songs, decided to do an impromptu performance with his daughter, Aisha Morris, the inspiration for Wonder’s hit song, "Isn't She Lovely?" when Morris was a toddler. The father-daughter duo performed their Grammy nominated song, "How Will I Know?"

David Lee Roth Matthew Peyton / Getty Images file

Roth Goes Bluegrass for Van Halen

David Lee Roth's not only the iconic, whimsical former lead singer for Van Halen – and his own solo career, but he's received certification as a paramedic, is a world-class mountain climber and replaces satellite-bound radio host Howard Stern next month.

The March 14, 2006 release of Strummin' with the Devil, marks a bluegrass tribute to Van Halen, and features Roth’s vocals.

Van Halen exploded out of Los Angeles in the late 1970s. Their rapid, multi-platinum
success was fueled by Eddie Van Halen's groundbreaking guitar playing and Roth's unbridled showmanship part Robert Plant and part Radio City Rockette.

To honor Van Halen's achievements, CMH Records has brought together the nation's top bluegrass musicians including John Jorgenson, David Grisman, BlueHighway, Nashville Bluegrass Band and others to perform trailblazing VH hits including "And the Cradle Will Rock," "Runnin' with the Devil" and "Panama." And Roth voices two of the album's cuts.

"My roots were always kind of country," Roth explains in the liner notes. "Not the same country as my first band. Their flag had windmills. Mine had a BBQ pit and a shot glass." Roth, originally from Indiana, sings "Jump" and "Jamie's Cryin'.”

Track listing:

01) Jump by David Lee Roth with the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band

02) I¹ll Wait by Blue Highway

03) Runnin¹ with the Devil by the John Cowan Band

04) Dance the Night Away by Mountain Heart

05) Ain¹t Talkin¹ Å’Bout Love by Iron Horse

06) Hot for Teacher by David Grisman and Sons

07) Feel Your Love Tonight by Tony Trischka, Dudley Connell, Marshall

Wilborn, Dave McLaughlin

08) Panama by Cornbread Red

09) Jamie¹s Cryin¹ by David Lee Roth with the John Jorgenson Bluegrass

Band

(Full Version)

10) Unchained by Iron Horse

11) Ice Cream Man by Larry Cordle

12) And the Cradle Will RockÅ  by the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band

13) Could This Be Magic? by the Nashville Bluegrass Band

14) Jamie¹s Cryin¹ by David Lee Roth with the John Jorgenson Bluegrass

Band

(Radio Edit)

15) Eruption by Dennis Caplinger Posted by Picasa

Monday, December 19, 2005


Tea Leoni attends the Los Angeles premiere of Columbia pictures' 'Fun with Dick and Jane' at the Mann Village theatre in Los Angeles December 14, 2005. The movie tells the story of a married couple (Jim Carrey and Leoni) who turns to robbery to pay the bills after their financial misfortune. The movie opens in the U.S. on December 21. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Daniel Swarovski on
the Red Carpet

Mena Suvari, Tea Leoni, Michelle Trachtenberg, Arielle Kebbel and Taraji Henson appeared on the red-carpet while holding Daniel Swarovski handbags.


Tea Leoni Fun with Dick and Jane Premiere

On December 14, 2005, Leoni carried black long crystal Jamaica Daniel Swarovski clutch to her premiere of Fun with Dick and Jane.Posted by Picasa


Mena Suvari attends the film premiere of 'Rumor Has It' in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005.(Fashion Wire Daily/Maria Ramirez)

Mena Suvari Rumor Has It Premiere

Suvari carried bronze leather and crystal Montaigne clutch to the Calvin Klein and Vogue Magazine Hosts Rumor Has It Premiere on December 15, 2005.


Michelle Trachtenberg Flaunt Magazine 7th Anniversary Party

Trachtenberg toted a Daniel Swarovski bag on December 2, 2005 at the Flaunt Magazine 7th Anniversary Party and Holiday Toy Drive. Her bag was a white pearl mesh Gourmand clutch by Daniel Swarovski.

Arielle Kebbel The Ringer Premiere

Kebbel carried brown velvet and abstract crystal Melody clutch by Daniel Swarovski on December 14, 2005 to The Ringer premiere in Los Angeles.

Taraji Henson 10th Annual Prism Awards

On December 14, 2005 at the 10th Annual Prism Awards Henson was spotted with a black crystal skin clutch by Daniel Swarovski.

Posted by Picasa

Swarowski 2005 Holiday Ornament.

Swarowski Glitters

Swarowski also has gorgeous holiday/special occasion cards -- "Sex and the City's" Kim Catrall is sending them to friends this year! They're designed by Marc Friedland of Creative Intelligence, Inc. Visit www.creative-intelligence.com/.

Friedland got a lot of attention for designing the invitations to Oprah's legendary 50th Birthday. The mini-scrapbooks were bound in shantung silk ordered from India, and embroidered with an "O." Over 150 yards of imported silk were used for the invitations and envelopes. The books were closed with hand-dyed silk ribbon and the envelopes were hand addressed in two-color matching calligraphy.

Marc Friedland of Creative Intelligence, Inc

Phone: 323-936-9009

Address:4988 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019

Fax: 323-935-8299

From Awards Season, earlier this year:

Creative Intelligence, the creative arsenal of the world's most respected experiential and event branding agency, formed a new association that adds Swarovski's newest "Crystal-It," crystal appliques especially designed for stationery. Swarovski, the world's largest crystal manufacturer, has generously donated the crystal to be used for the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, "A Stellar Night, Honoring Steven Spielberg" invitations and commemorative Tribute Journal. Through Creative Intelligence's most coveted connections in Hollywood, the company also engaged Swarovski to custom design the Starlight Starbright award for Spielberg, to be fashioned from the company's flawless and brilliant crystal.

Website: www.creative-intelligence.com

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Friday, December 16, 2005


In this photo provided by The Cinema Society, actress Scarlett Johansson, left and director Woody Allen, attend a special screening of the new Dreamworks Pictures film 'Match Point' in New York City, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2005. Johansson is wearing Moschino. (AP Photo/Marion Curtis,The Cinema Society)Posted by Picasa

(Photo: Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas tops WB ratings. America Loves The Grinch: 5.3 million tuned in to see the classic Dr. Seuss cartoon Posted by Picasa

Bill Bailey, Dylan Moran, Tamsin Greig of BBC America's "Black Books"

More Black Books

Dylan Moran (Shaun of the Dead, Notting Hill) stars as wildly eccentric bookstore owner, Bernard Black, in an all-new season of the surreally funny hit-comedy, Black Books, premiering Friday, February 10, 2006 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. Dylan Moran’s one-man show, Monster, shot in New York, can also be seen in an encore presentation of BBC AMERICA Comedy Live presents Dylan Moran on Saturday, March 12, 2006 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Set in a bookstore of the same name, Black Books follows the oddball antics of Bernard, his well-meaning and long-suffering assistant Manny (Black Books, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and their friend Fran (Tamsin Greig, Shaun of the Dead, Green Wing). Fully devoted to the twin pleasures of drinking and willful antagonism, Bernard, who doesn’t function well in the ordinary world, has created his own safe haven within the grubby confines of his store. Driven by his own alcohol-fuelled logic, anyone attempting to buy a book from him is more likely to meet with the full force of his temper than leave his store with a purchase. He loves his books and dislikes his customers – a combination unlikely to earn him a businessman of the year award.

Bearded, sweet and good, Manny is punished relentlessly by Bernard for the crime of existing. They depend on each other for meaning while their oldest friend Fran depends on both of them for distraction and another excuse for a drink. Bereft of her loathed business concerns (she once owned a nearby gift store, Nifty Gifty), Fran struggles to find significance between struggling to find her ciggies and another bottle of wine.

Among their exploits this season, Manny uses his underworld connections to find Fran a mysterious office job where she’s given nothing to do, Bernard and Manny decide to transform the bug infested bookstore into a restaurant and the three of them embark on an unsuccessful attempt to venture abroad on vacation.

In this heaven of books, where wine and conversation flow freely, the only threat to the group’s nirvana is their own mix of limitless stupidity.

Season One of Black Books won the prestigious Best Sitcom award at the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television) and was honored with a Bronze Rose at the Montreux Television Festival, also for Best Sitcom.

Boasting a sidesplitting array of bonus features including out-takes, cast commentary, a series two teaser trailer and photo gallery, Black Books: The Complete 1st Series will be available on January 10, 2006 for the suggested retail price of $24.98.

There’s also another chance to see Dylan Moran’s Monster, recorded live at The Village Theatre in New York. This acclaimed performance showcases his talents as an actor, writer and performer to incredible effect as he traverses across an array of topics taking the audience on an unpredictable journey that shifts fluidly from surreal fantasy to acerbic observation via linguistic gymnastics and flashes of the sublime. The effect is overwhelmingly funny and totally unforgettable. BBC AMERICA Comedy Live presents Dylan Moran airs Saturday, March 12, 2006 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Posted by Picasa


Patrick Hamilton's classic trilogy, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky on BBC America

Twenty Thousand Comes to BBC America

A story of unrequited love set against the background of the grimy streets and bars of 1930s London is brought to life in an acclaimed adaptation of Patrick Hamilton's classic trilogy, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky. Parts one and two premiere Saturday, February 11, 2006 8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT. Part three premieres Sunday, February 12, 2006 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Revolving around The Midnight Bell, a pub off London's landmark Euston Road, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky follows the painful pursuit of love from three different perspectives: Jenny, forced into prostitution through circumstances and now struggling to keep her head above water; Bob, a young barman with actor's looks and ambitions to be a writer, who yearns for Jenny and his colleague Ella, torn between the attentions of an older, wealthier man and her secret desire for Bob. Together their stories create a fascinating and emotionally gut-wrenching study of infatuation, betrayal, and missed opportunities.

Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky is a little-known classic of English literature, and a window into a world full of cruelty and kindness, comedy and pathos, wasted dreams and lost desires. Patrick Hamilton was hugely acclaimed in his heyday but died in relative obscurity in 1962. He also wrote the haunting stage thrillers Gaslight and Rope, both of which were made into Hollywood movies, and the atmospheric novel Hangover Square. He published Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky in 1935. Recently, Doris Lessing, Michael Holroyd, J. G. Ballard and Nick Hornby, have been just a few of the famous names to acknowledge his genius.

The stars include Bryan Dick (Viva Blackpool, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) as Bob, Zoë Tapper (shortly to star on the big screen with Lauren Bacall and Anjelica Huston in These Foolish Things) as Jenny and Sally Hawkins (Layer Cake, Vera Drake) as Ella. Phil Davis (Vera Drake) also features as Ella's admirer, Mr. Eccles.

Executive producer Gareth Neame says: "Patrick Hamilton was one of the truly great British novelists of the 20th Century, but his extraordinary contribution has all too often been overlooked. His famous psychological thrillers such as Rope, Gaslight and Hangover Square influenced many of the celebrated filmmakers of the last century such as Alfred Hitchcock.

"The highly autobiographical Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky doesn't involve murders or darkened streets, but instead the intensely painful subjects of unrequited love, ambition and disappointment. It observes the minutiae of ordinary life and it gives us a unique insight into the emotionally wrecked life that Hamilton himself lived."

CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

Bob Bryan Dick (Viva Blackpool, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World)

Jenny Zoë Tapper (These Foolish Things)

Ella Sally Hawkins (Vera Drake, Layer Cake)

Ernest Eccles Phil Davis (Vera Drake)

Governor Tony Haygarth

Governor's Wife Jacqueline Tong (Upstairs Downstairs)

Violet Kellie Shirley (Wimbledon)

Screenplay Kevin Elyot

From the novels by Patrick Hamilton (The Charmer, Gaslight, Rope,

Hangover Square)

Director Simon Curtis (Man and Boy, David Copperfield)

Producer Kate Harwood

Executive Producers Gareth Neame/Richard Fell.

WHAT THE BRITISH PRESS SAID:

"Beautifully acted and lovingly filmed, these hypnotic morality tales neither preach nor judge. It is unmissable." The Times

"Outstanding ... excellent adaptation ... captures Hamilton's world in all its compelling, tarnished glory." The Observer

"Twenty Thousand Streets ... is a melancholy story, with no redemption for any of its characters. But it's far from depressing. It's well scripted, well acted, and beautifully made ... not to be missed." The Independent On Sunday

"A magnificent portrait of the renting twilight class of 1930s London ... Beautifully filmed and acted, this masterly production showed how Hamilton's genius turned his nihilistic outlook into a coherent and uncomfortably convincing artistic vision." The Daily Telegraph

"...nigh-on perfect dramatisation of Patrick Hamilton"s 1930s trilogy..." The Daily Mirror

"...understated and bittersweet. That these are pinched, difficult, even tragic lives is never in doubt, but we're also offered glimpses into the characters' hopes and dreams ... excellent performances from Bryan Dick, Sally Hawkins, Zoë Tapper and Phil Davis." The Guardian

PROGRAM SYNOPSIS

Part One: The Midnight Bell - Bob's Story

The Midnight Bell pub in 1930s London Soho is a sanctuary for the dissolute and lonely. Barman Bob saves his money and dreams of bettering himself - he would like to be a successful writer. Handsome, bright and ambitious, he is full of hope and prospects until he falls for Jenny, one of the regulars at The Midnight Bell. Jenny is a former ladies' maid who has fallen on hard times and now works as a prostitute. She is shallow, unreliable and out for what she can get, but Bob is besotted. Oblivious to the timorous advances of his obviously smitten fellow barmaid Ella, Bob goes all out to win the beautiful blonde hooker's heart and steer her onto the straight and narrow. Despite a string of broken promises, un-met assignations, and a rapidly depleting bank balance, his faith in her somehow holds out.

A much-anticipated holiday to Brighton sees Bob at Victoria train station, once again waiting for her. As the hours pass reality finally begins to hit home. We next find Bob slumped in a doorway on the Strand in central London, drunken and penniless.

Premieres Saturday, February 11, 2006, 8p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT.

Part Two: The Siege Of Pleasure - Jenny's Story

Tearful because she backed out of meeting Bob at Victoria train station, fickle Jenny goes back to the streets, where she picks up a John who seems oddly familiar. At the hotel room, she realizes that she has encountered her client, Andy (Neil Stuke), before.

Flashbacks reveal the part he played in her fall from respectability. Three years ago, she was a loyal domestic servant of the Chingford's in a wealthy London neighborhood, where she worked as a maid to a doctor and his elderly sisters. But a giddy night out after work with her prostitute friend Violet proved her undoing. They were entertained and flattered by low-life crooks, Rex (Ryan Cartwright) and Andy, who plied Jenny with drink and promised her a job as a model. Naïvely, she fell for their story. A gentleman acquaintance joined them, and they were driven away in Andy's car for a night of adventure, until a tragic accident put an end to the gaiety. Jenny woke to find herself in the house of the "gent', her first client. A flash-forward reveals that Jenny's raddled and impotent client is Andy.

Premieres Saturday, February 11, 2006, 9 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT.

Part Three: The Plains Of Cement - Ella's Story

Ella's only crime is to be born plain. Sharing an apartment upstairs in The Midnight Bell with Bob is a kind of torture. Through the walls she hears his comings and goings, but has only the faintest of hopes that she could be a significant part of his life. Instead, she is besieged on a daily basis by pub regular Ernest Eccles, a boorish and slightly sinister man of 52. He presents himself as romantic, but to Ella, a girl with a humble background, a sickly mother and a drunken father, he's a fallback to financial stability. Confused, she agonizes over whether to go ahead and marry Mr. Eccles, a man she's not attracted to but who would give her a secure future, or whether she should hold on in the hope that Bob will come to love her.

Suddenly, a potential job offer as a housekeeper in India and the prospect of an inheritance from her dying father presents Ella with options. She's also thrilled to be asked to the movies by Bob. But the job falls through, her father recovers and she watches Bob disappear in a new suit on his fated rendezvous with Jenny.

Premieres Sunday, February 12, 2006 8 p.m. ET/PT.Posted by Picasa


Sienna Miller arrives at a special screening of 'Casanova' in New York on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. (Fashion Wire Daily/Grant Lamos IV)


Sienna Miller Picks Webster

Sienna Miller walked the red carpet for the New York City premiere of her film Casanova wearing earrings by luxury U.K jewelry designer Stephen Webster. Miller chose a pair of earrings from Webster’s “Femme Fatale” Collection. The “Triple Stiletto” earrings feature diamonds and black sapphires set in white gold; $20,000.Posted by Picasa


Actress Debi Mazar arrives at the Glamour Reel Moments short film series world premiere, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005, in New York. Inspirational true stories of Glamour magazine readers were turned into a series of short films. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Fashion News

Debi Mazar of the HBO show Entourage, attended the worldwide premiere of Glamour Magazine’s Reel Moments Short Film Series on December 8, 2005. Mazar wore A Pea in the Pods’ elegant black stretch jersey v-neck top with ¾ sleeves and bodice twist paired with their black dress pants. Mazar and her husband, musician Gabriele Corcos, are expecting their second child next spring.

Deborah Gibson attended the Kenneth Cole store opening in a top by Sworn Virgins, a slate blue dolman sleeve top with keyhole detail and satin trim. Sworn Virgins is a new Los Angeles based women's clothing designer that prides itself on environmental and socially conscious manufacturing practices.

Arielle Kebbel attended The Ringer premiere in a dress by designer David Rodriguez, a black v-neck dress with sexy gold buckle back and flounce hem. To complete her red carpet look, she selected black shoes and gold bracelets by Kenneth Cole New York and bronze velvet clutch with chunky crystals by Daniel Swarovski. Posted by Picasa

Thursday, December 15, 2005


George Clooney

Nominees for The
11th Annual Critics’
Choice Awards

BEST PICTURE:

Brokeback Mountain

Capote

Cinderella Man

The Constant Gardener

Crash

Good Night, and Good Luck.

King Kong

Memoirs of a Geisha

Munich

Walk the Line

BEST ACTOR:

Russell Crowe – “Cinderella Man”

Philip Seymour Hoffman – “Capote”

Terrence Howard – “Hustle & Flow”

Heath Ledger – “Brokeback Mountain

Joaquin Phoenix – “Walk the Line”

David Strathairn – “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

BEST ACTRESS:

Joan Allen – “The Upside of Anger”

Judi Dench - “Mrs. Henderson Presents”

Felicity Huffman – “Transamerica”

Keira Knightley – “Pride & Prejudice”

Charlize Theron – “North Country

Reese Witherspoon – “Walk the Line”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

George Clooney – “Syriana”

Kevin Costner – “The Upside of Anger”

Matt Dillon – “Crash”

Paul Giamatti – “Cinderella Man”

Jake Gyllenhaal – “Brokeback Mountain

Terrence Howard – “Crash”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

Amy Adams – “Junebug”

Maria Bello – “A History of Violence”

Catherine Keener – “Capote”

Frances McDormand – “North Country

Rachel Weisz – “The Constant Gardener”

Michelle Williams – “Brokeback Mountain

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE:

Crash

Good Night, and Good Luck.

Rent

Syriana

Sin City

BEST DIRECTOR:

George Clooney – “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Paul Haggis – “Crash”

Ron Howard – “Cinderella Man”

Peter Jackson – “King Kong”

Ang Lee – “Brokeback Mountain

Steven Spielberg – “Munich

BEST WRITER:

Noah Baumbach – “The Squid and the Whale”

George Clooney and Grant Heslov – “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Dan Futterman – “Capote”

Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco – “Crash”

Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana – “Brokeback Mountain

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:

“Chicken Little”

“Corpse Bride”

“Howl’s Moving Castle

Madagascar

“Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”

BEST YOUNG ACTOR:

Jesse Eisenberg – “The Squid and the Whale”

Alex Etel – “Millions”

Freddie Highmore – “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

Owen Kline – “The Squid and the Whale”

Daniel Radcliffe – “Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire”

BEST YOUNG ACTRESS:

Flora Cross – “Bee Season”

Dakota Fanning – “War of the Worlds”

Georgie Henley – “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe”

Q'Orianka Kilcher – “The New World

Emily Watson – “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”

BEST COMEDY MOVIE:

The 40 Year-Old Virgin

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

Mrs. Henderson Presents

The Producers

The Wedding Crashers

BEST FAMILY FILM (LIVE ACTION):

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Dreamer

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

BEST PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:

Into the West

No Direction Home

Rome

Warm Springs

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:

Cache

Kung Fu Hustle

Oldboy

Paradise Now

2046

BEST SONG:

“Hustle & Flow” – Terrence Howard – “Hustle & Flow”

“A Love That Will Never Grow Old” – Emmylou Harris – “Brokeback Mountain

“Same in Any Language” – I Nine – “Elizabethtown

“Seasons of Love” – Tracie Thoms, Jesse L. Martin and Cast – “Rent”

“Travelin’ Thru” – Dolly Parton – “Transamerica”

BEST SOUNDTRACK:

Elizabethtown

Memoirs of a Geisha

The Producers

Rent

Walk the Line

BEST COMPOSER:

James Horner – “The New World

Gustavo Santaolalla – “Brokeback Mountain

John Williams – “Memoirs of a Geisha”

Nancy Wilson – “Elizabethtown

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:

Enron – The Smartest Guys in the Room

Grizzly Man

Mad Hot Ballroom

March of the Penguins

Murderball

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