Heidi Klum made an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday, November 26, 2010, wearing a chic black and ivory printed kimono dress by Jenny Packham. Packham is a favorite of Klum's.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Decembrists North American Tour
The Decemberists have announced the first leg of their 2011 North American Tour in support of The King Is Dead, their forthcoming Capitol Records album which will be released January 18, 2011. The 16-city run will kick off at New York’s Beacon Theater on January 25, 2011 and culminate with a hometown show at Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall on February 19. A limited presale for all dates is now underway here. Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning Friday, November 19, 2010 at 10am ET.
The band will also embark on a European Tour from March 4-16 that includes shows in Dublin, Glasgow, Amsterdam, and London. Presales for these dates begin November 17, 2010 at 9am ET, with tickets going on sale to the public November 19, 2010 at 9am ET. The King Is Dead will be released on Rough Trade Records in Europe on January 17, 2011.
Gillian Welch has been announced as a special guest joining The Decemberists when they perform the new album’s lead single “Down by the Water” on Conan O’Brien’s newly launched late show “Conan” on TBS this Thursday, November 18, 2010. “Down by the Water” will be released digitally tomorrow November 16, 2010. A pre-order of The King Is Dead will launch at Decemberists.com beginning November 22, 2010.
The King Is Dead marks a deliberate turn towards simplicity after the band’s wildly ambitious and widely acclaimed 2009 song-cycle The Hazards of Love. Produced once again by Tucker Martine, the album features Welch on seven tracks and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck on three tracks. Rolling Stone has already called it "the most pastoral, rustic record they've ever made," while SPIN declared it "a bold, straight-up folk-rock record, perhaps their most accessible one yet." Check out a short video preview of the album here.
TOUR DATES:
January 25, Beacon Theatre, New York, NY*
January 28, House of Blues, Boston, MA*
January 29, House of Blues, Boston, MA*
January 31, Olympia De Montreal, Montreal, Canada*
February 1, Sound Academy, Toronto, Canada*
February 2, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI*
Feburary 4, Riviera Theatre, Chicago, IL*
February 5, Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, WI#
February 6, State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN#
February 7, Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO#
February 9, Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO#
February 10, Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO#
February 12, The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA#
February 13, House of Blues-San Diego, San Diego, CA#
February 14, Fox Theater, Oakland, CA#
February 18, Paramount Ballroom, Seattle, WA#
February 19, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland, OR#
March 4, Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland
March 5, ABC, Glasgow, UK
March 7, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham, UK
March 8, Bristol Academy, Bristol, UK
March 10, Manchester Academy, Manchester, UK
March 11, Leeds Academy, Leeds, UK
March 13, Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
March 14, Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
March 16, Hammersmith Apollo, London, UK
* with Wye Oak
# with Mountain Man
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
New Movie
Behind-The-Scenes
Story of Live Aid
Starring Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows) as Bob Geldof and Ian Hart (Backbeat, Five Daughters) as Harvey Goldsmith, and marking the 25th anniversary of Live Aid, When Harvey Met Bob dramatizes the events that led up to the biggest televised international charity concert the world has ever seen. In October 1984, Bob Geldof arrives home to find his wife watching a BBC broadcast from the feeding camps in the Eritrea province. Deeply affected, Geldof moves into action. First he persuades a host of rock stars to give their name and talent for free to the Band Aid record – Do They Know It's Christmas? – which goes on to sell millions of copies. But after returning from Ethiopia to ensure the proceeds from the record actually reach the starving, he realizes that so much more needs to be done. It is at this point that he conceives the idea of a global music event to feed the world and partners with Harvey Goldsmith, the famous and well respected music promoter. When Harvey Met Bob follows the duo on a roller-coaster ride of struggles and emotion as they go from a mad-cap idea and a list of unconfirmed acts, to one of the most iconic events in modern history. When Harvey Met Bob premieres Thursday, December 30, 2010 9 p.m. ET/PT on BBC America.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Practical Fashion
Sweaters With Style
It's either getting there or already there, but there's a chill in the air. Instead of throwing on that worn hood or that so-over jean jacket variation, why not consider one of the stylish looks of the season -- think jewel toned cardigan sweaters with attractive accents.
Jones New York Sweater, Ruffled Cardigan Merino Wool, Dry Clean, Imported Mulberry. $129
Lands' End Women's Regular Long Sleeve Cashmere V-neck Cardigan
A classic and versatile Cashmere V-neck Cardigan with clean lines that elongate your look. With raglan sleeves for ease of movement and two pockets for convenience. Falls to low hip.In 100% Inner Mongolian cashmere — considered the world's finest. Dry clean or hand wash. Imported. Dark Cobalt Blue Retail $179.50
Monday, November 22, 2010
Eric McCormack to Star
in TNT’s Pilot Perception
Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award winner Eric McCormack (Will & Grace, Who Is Clark Rockefeller?) has signed up to play the lead role in TNT’s PERCEPTION (working title), a dramatic pilot from executive producer Kenneth Biller (Smallville, Legend of the Seeker) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager). This marks McCormack’s third project with TNT after previously starring in the 2009 series Trust Me and co-producing the 2007 pilot Imperfect Union. He will also act as a producer on PERCEPTION.
PERCEPTION centers on Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, an eccentric neuroscientist who uses his unique outlook to help the federal government solve complex cases. With an intimate knowledge of human behavior and a masterful understanding of the mind, this quirky, crime-solving professor pulls lessons from an odd and imaginative view of the world. Biller and Sussman penned the pilot, which is produced for TNT by ABC Studios.
“Eric McCormack is an intelligent, intuitive and versatile actor who is adept at both comedy and drama,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “We’re very excited to work with him again and can’t wait to see what he brings to the fascinating character of Dr. Geoffrey Pierce.”
McCormack got his start as an actor in Toronto more than 20 years ago. After five seasons with the Stratford Shakespearean Festival and stints in theaters across Canada, he came to the United States, where he has appeared in dozens of series and TV movies.
In 1998, McCormack took on the role of Will Truman in NBC’s long-running hit series Will & Grace, which earned him five Golden Globe® nominations and the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. McCormack followed that success with memorable performances in Who Is Clark Rockefeller?, the miniseries The Andromeda Strain and the comedy series The New Adventures of Old Christine. He was also a producer on Lifetime’s Lovespring International.
McCormack made his Broadway debut in The Music Man in 2001 and returned to the New York stage in 2006 in Neil LaBute’s Some Girl(s).
Friday, November 19, 2010
Performer Dita Von Teese arrives for a screening of the film "Black Swan" at the closing night gala of AFI Fest 2010 in Hollywood, California November 11, 2010. Von Teese wore a burgundy and fuchsia metallic silk brocade full skirt cocktail dress with jeweled bodice detail from David Meister’s Signature Collection – available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. (REUTERS/Danny Moloshok) close-up image (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Performer Dita Von Teese poses at amfAR's Inspiration Gala Los Angeles fundraiser in Los Angeles October 27, 2010. The gala benefits the foundation's AIDS research programs. Von Teese wore a black leopard beaded lace long sleeve gown with front and back black panels from Zuhair Murad’s Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear Collection. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Abergel Has His Way
With Hathaway's Hair
Frederic Fekkai’s Adir Abergel Tended to Her Tresses for the Love & Other Drugs Premiere
Adir Abergel was inspired by the 70’s and gives tips on getting Hathaway's look: Adir started by applying the Fekkai Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip on wet hair. Using a round brush, he dried the hair completely. With a 1 ¼ inch curling iron, Adir curled the hair into barrel curls and pinned the hair leaving it to cool. Once cooled, he took out the curls and brushed hair with a flat brush. Then, he set the hair with Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Crème and secured with Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray.
Products All By Fekkai: Fekkai Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip ($23), Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Crème ($23), Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray ($35). Available at Fekkai.com, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Actress Anne Hathaway (also seen with Jake Gyllenhaal) poses at the world premiere of her and co-star Jake Gyllenhaal's film 'Love & Other Drugs' at the opening night gala at AFI Fest 2010 in Hollywood, November 4, 2010. REUTERS/Fred Prouser
Actresses Wendie Malick, left, Jane Leeves, center, and Valerie Bertinelli arrive at the 18th Annual BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010. Leeves wore David Meister’s black jersey one shoulder draped evening gown. Malick wore a navy blue silk chiffon gown with a rosette brooch on the strap by Pamella Roland. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
Heidi Klum was spotted wearing a dress by Project Runway runner-up, Mondo Guerra to the Black Swan premiere at the AFI Fest in Los Angeles November 11, 2010. Even though judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia expressed their dislike for the dress during the show's decision-making finale, Klum explained her fashion decision to Modelinia by saying, “Mondo Guerra was a fan favorite, and one of my favorites as well. I love his modern black and white polka dot gown; it really represents his design style, fun yet still chic.”
Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt (also seen with her boyfriend Alex Beh) arrives at the annual gala for The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), in Los Angeles on November 13, 2010. Hewitt wore an eggplant pleated Georgette and lace off the shoulder cocktail dress from Tadashi Shoji’s Fall 2010 Runway Collection. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
Rachelle Lefevre, a cast member in 'Casino Jack' (and "Twilight's" original "Victoria") poses at the premiere of the film at American Film Institute's AFI Fest 2010 in Los Angeles, Monday, Nov. 8, 2010. Lefevre wore the Nirvana Flash ring by Swarovski which retails for approximately $200. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Singer and songwriter Taylor Swift (R) gives a thumbs-up as she poses with her wax likeness during an unveiling of the statue at Madame Tussauds in New York, October 27, 2010. Swift and her wax figure donned matching dresses by British designer Jenny Packham for the unveiling at the Madame Tussads wax museum today. The country/pop star and her wax double wore black and silver mirror beaded dresses which Swift wore during the opening act of her 2010 Fearless Tour. REUTERS/Mike Segar
Ashton Kutcher and his wife Demi Moore pose during a Charity Gala in Moscow, Russia. Moore wore platinum jewelry by Cartier at the “Demi & Ashton Foundation and the Russian Assemblies Charity Gala” and chose a platinum and multi-colored diamond cascading drop earrings, a platinum and diamond seven row cuff bracelet and a platinum and diamond dome cocktail ring. Photo taken Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Igor Rodin)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Ring A Go-Round
Prince William gave Kate Middleton his late mother, Princess Diana’s platinum engagement ring that features an 18 carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 smaller white diamonds from Garrard.
According to jewelry expert Michael O’Connor, “Since this ring was originally set in platinum, the highest quality metal, it looks as beautiful today as it did years ago, and as it will for generations."
Platinum has a deep history with British royals. At the coronation of George VI in 1936, his wife Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother) was crowned with an elegant platinum crown holding the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond. Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, who exchanged platinum wedding bands with King Edward VIII, declared platinum the one and only choice for evening wear.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Dr. Who: Christmas Prezzie
BBC AMERICA announced the new Doctor Who Christmas Special will premiere in the U.S. for the first time on Christmas Day. The festive Dickens-inspired adventure, A Christmas Carol, is penned by award-winning lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock, Coupling) and premieres Saturday, December 25, 2010 9 pm ET.
Newlyweds Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) are joined by Harry Potter’s Michael Gambon and Opera diva Katherine Jenkins, for what may be the Doctor’s most Christmassy adventure yet.
Lead Writer and Executive Producer, Steven Moffat, commented on the upcoming special: “Oh, we're going for broke with this one. It's all your favorite Christmas movies at once, in an hour, with monsters. And the Doctor. And a honeymoon. And ... oh, you'll see. I've honestly never been so excited about writing anything. I was laughing madly as I typed along to Christmas songs in April. My neighbors loved it so much they all moved away and set up a website demanding my execution. But I'm fairly sure they did it ironically.”
Perry Simon, General Manager, Channels, added: “Doctor Who has become a key part of the BBC AMERICA schedule, and having the opportunity to air A Christmas Carol on Christmas Day is like receiving our very own holiday gift. The Timelord may travel through time and space, but he’s certainly found a home at BBC AMERICA.”
Doctor Who is currently filming in Utah for next season’s two-part premiere set in the U.S. during the late ‘60s. Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston and guest star Mark Sheppard are all in production stateside. The next season premieres spring 2011 on BBC AMERICA.
In the run up to A Christmas Carol on Christmas Day, BBC AMERICA will be running a marathon of the series, beginning at midnight on December 24 and leading up to this year’s special. The marathon includes previous Christmas specials and a selection of favorite Doctor Who episodes from recent seasons.
Christmas Day will also see the premiere the Doctor Who Prom, a live concert featuring stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as hosts. The Doctor Who Prom was filmed earlier this year at the world renowned Royal Albert Hall and features appearances from the Weeping Angels, Daleks and the TARDIS. The BBC National Orchestra of Wales, who record the soundtrack for the series, present a selection of intergalactic music – including Murray Gold’s music from the TV show, plus a selection of classical favorites.
Fans can catch up on the new Doctor’s first season with Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Series Blu-ray and DVD, both are now available in stores.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Obituary from Ronni Chasen's Company
Publicist Ronni Chasen Remembered
by Chasen & Company staff
This is their obituary release (Chasen was on her way home from a screening of the film "Burlesque"):
Los Angeles, CA (November 16, 2010) -- Tributes have been pouring in from the elite of the entertainment and media arenas for Ronni Chasen, one of the industry’s preeminent press agents, who was tragically killed in the early morning hours of November 16, 2010. A funeral service for Ronni Chasen will be held on Sunday, November 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary, located at 6001 West Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
Over the course of her remarkable, decades-long career, Ronni Chasen earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and the loyalty of her clients, to whom she was passionately devoted. Her work was an integral part of her life, and her love for her profession showed in her zeal for everything she did. Bringing more than 35 years of experience to bear, she approached her job with an extraordinary blend of old-school public relations and cutting-edge marketing. Her singular enthusiasm and indefatigable spirit endeared her to everyone with whom she worked, and it was common knowledge in the industry that it was impossible to say “no” to Ronni when she set her sights on something—never for herself, always in the interests of her clients.
Her impressive client roster ranged from Oscar-winning filmmakers and composers—all of whom are expressing grief and shock today—to international production companies, record labels, film festivals and fashion houses. She was also a sought-after awards campaign consultant, who had worked with virtually every major studio, as well as independent film companies. Over the years, she was also a mentor to many aspiring publicists, who went on to have successful careers of their own.
Born and raised in New York, Ronni Chasen began her career in public relations in the theater. Moving to Los Angeles, she headed publicity for American International Pictures and then served for 10 years as Executive Vice President of Motion Pictures at the prestigious Rogers & Cowan agency. She later held the post of Senior Vice President of Publicity for MGM.
For almost 20 years, Ronni Chasen enjoyed her greatest success as the head of her own boutique agency, Chasen & Company, where she worked with a broad range of personal and corporate clients.
Under her leadership, Chasen & Company became well known for its inventive campaigns for a diversified list of films, recently including Alice In Wonderland, Crazy Heart, Brothers, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, He’s Just Not That Into You, I Love You Man, Doubt, The Wrestler, Sweeney Todd, There Will Be Blood, Babel, Dreamgirls, Little Miss Sunshine, Walk The Line, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As an awards strategist Chasen contributed to over 150 Oscar nominations and numerous wins, including seven Best Picture winners: The Hurt Locker, Slumdog Millionaire, No Country For Old Men, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Chicago, Shakespeare In Love, and Driving Miss Daisy.
In 2000, Chasen & Company was honored to handle public relations for the 72nd Academy Awards produced by Richard D. Zanuck and Lili Fini Zanuck.In recent years, Chasen & Company music clients garnered more than 65 Grammy nominations, winning in six major categories, including the prestigious “Album of the Year” (for 1995’s Jagged Little Pill). Ronni was regarded as the premier publicist for many of the world’s leading film composers, including Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore, Ennio Morricone, Elliot Goldenthal, Thomas Newman, Harry Gregson-Williams, James Newton Howard and Jan Kaczmarek.
She continued to work in the legitimate theatre, where she was involved in the publicity campaigns for such shows as Mary Poppins, Randy Newman’s Faust, Julie Taymor’s The Green Bird, The Lion King and Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as the ballet Othello and the opera Grendel.
Chasen was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the American Film Institute, NARAS, and Women in Film.
In the hours since the tragedy, tributes and memorials have continued to mount. Some of the remembrances have included:
“Lili and I are shattered by the unthinkably sad news about Ronni. She worked with us on every picture we made since The Verdict and has been a loving and dear friend for so many years. To think of not being able to get her on the other line of the phone is unimaginable. She was the best publicist in the business in our opinion whose tireless and determined energy combined with her love of movies made her one of a very special breed. We can't tell you how much we will miss her." - Richard D. Zanuck
“I'm profoundly sad, devastated, mad, incredulous and lonely. Ronni was the best. And in a town where "the best" is used much too casually, she was truly singular. She really cared, she had a heart of gold, she was a fighter and a total pro. She knew everything and everyone, and for twenty years she told me to tuck in my shirt, to smile at the camera, to have a shave and not say anything foolish. She protected me, fiercely and brilliantly in choppy waters that she navigated with grace and style. I only just saw her at the "Governors Awards" last Saturday night. She was radiant, she knew everybody in the room. She took Chris Nolan over to the next table and introduced him to George Lucas. I was watching her standing there listening to them and I thought ‘there's my friend Ronni, introducing two great directors to each other. She's on top of her game.’ I adored her and she adored me. You can't imagine how much I miss her already.” - Hans Zimmer
"Ronni was a woman of remarkable intelligence and integrity and a very good friend." - Sir Ronald Harwood
"Ronni was one of the great women of our business. Beyond all of her skills and her gifts as a collaborator, she was a spectacular person - warm, wise, compassionate, hilariously funny, and utterly authentic. She will be loved and missed for many, many years by everybody lucky enough to have known her." - Scott Rudin
"Ronni was a warm friend, a great advocate of mine and many others. I know my friend Bono will be shocked because he loved her, too. It's a great lost for artists in the film and music industries." - Jim Sheridan
"Ronni was a character, and a force of nature, a strategist and collaborator extraordinaire but, more importantly, the most wonderful kind of friend. When I suffered a debilitating personal loss several years ago, Ronni provided an extraordinary amount of comfort. She ended each of our conversations with "I love you", which maybe she did with everyone, but it made me feel great. I hope she knows how much she was loved." - Nancy Utley
“Ronni was one of a kind, a truly special woman who cared about those around her and those she worked with. I admired her and will remember the many laughs we shared together and her loyalty to her friends.” - Michele Robertson
"Ronni was not only a consummate professional, but she was a trusted friend and colleague. I always admired her charm & enthusiasm and find this news utterly shocking and tragic." - Harry Gregson-Williams
"Ronni Chasen knew Hollywood. She understood how it worked. She was neither star-struck, nor star-blind. She grasped the rules and quite a few of them she had a hand in making. She came to the right place at, heaven knows, the right time, and that very distinctive, wonderful, ironic voice, the flicking hair and all the rest of her, will live in me to my dying day. In a way, it seems almost fitting that she spent her last night on earth at a premiere, if it wasn't so cruel and unjust that it should be her last night. I cannot over-state how useful, even crucial, her sensible and grounded words have been to me over the years, and how supporting her affection and warm friendship, for which she also had a real talent. I know I will not be able to replace her in this life. She was one of the principal architects of my own progress and I am only desperately sorry that she won't be here for the rest of the story. My heart goes out to all those who loved her, of whom I am most certainly one." - Julian Fellowes
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of my dear friend Ronni Chasen. I have had the honor of working with her for over 15 years. She was one of a kind. I loved her. I miss her.” - Diane Warren
"Ronni was one of the kindest and most loyal people I have ever known. She was my friend for close to thirty years and I'll miss her more than I can ever say." - Charles Shyer
"Ronni was my friend for 35 years. Her ideas and energy made the stars shine. She was the pro in appropriate. What a loss." - Mace Neufeld
“We were all together last night, and Ronni was having the best time doing what she enjoyed most. She was tireless; her spirit was unstoppable. I’ve known Ronni through my whole career. When she represented you she was an unshakable support. Ronni always stayed focused and as much as anyone I’ve ever known, she genuinely loved her work. Her enthusiasm was unyielding and I was always amazed by her ability to bring newfound excitement to every movie. She had a unique ability to take things in stride, look at good or bad news in a matter-of-fact way. We’d review the facts and she’d say, 'Let’s move on to the next.' As a publicist she was simply the best in the business. Her instincts were infallible. Ronni was also a wonderful friend. She knew everyone and everyone adored her. She was always decent and fair. When we all said goodbye last night, little did we know it would be our last. I am in shock; that this could happen is incomprehensible. Only a few hours ago we were celebrating. I’m glad she was happy last night and that she was in all her glory. I loved Ronni and she meant a lot to me.” - Donald De Line
"Ronni was a wonderful woman, a great and loyal friend and a devoted and talented colleague. She loved movies, but more than that, she loved the people who made them. This is a very sad day in Hollywood." - Nancy Meyers
"The last words she spoke to me the day before her murder, and the last words of every conversation I have had with her during the nearly two decades of our close professional praetorship, were her saying, 'I love you.' Ronni was a tireless, uncompromising devotee to music and music makers world-wide. This wretched murder is inconsolable. It's also a murder of a measure of hope for aspiring talent who will never be benefited by her sisterly guidance." - Elliot Goldenthal
“I had the extreme pleasure of working with Ronni on 'Driving Miss Daisy.' We've been friends ever since. She is someone I greatly admired and she will be remembered.” - Morgan Freeman
"All of us in personal publicity are devastated by this tragic loss. Ronni was a terrific publicist, blazing a trail for women in this business, like few others. I greatly admired and respected her. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and staff."
- Kelly Bush
Monday, November 15, 2010
We Love Laura Linney
Big C Season Finale Tonight
BeansTalk is loving Showtime's series "The Big C," which has its season finale today.
A few fun facts about star Laura Linney: She graduated from Brown University in 1986 and Julliard in 1990.
And her co-stars must love working with her.
She has played the wife of Gabriel Byrne in three films: Jindabyne (2006), P.S. (2004), and A Simple Twist of Fate (1994).
She's played Liam Neeson's wife in Kinsey (2004) and The Other Man (2008) and starred with him in Love Actually (2003). Neeson also guest starred on "The Big C."
She's played opposite Richard Gere in both Primal Fear (1996) and Mothman Prophecies (2002), and Mark Ruffalo's sister in 2000's You Can Count On Me, and will star opposite him in the upcoming Sympathy for Delicious (Ruffalo also directs).
In "real life" she was married to David Adkins from 1995 to 2000. Last year she married Marc Schauer.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Tina Fey Receives The Mark Twain Prize
Tina Fey and husband producer/composer Jeff Richmond(Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images)
Steve Carrell, Betty White, FeyTina Fey Honored
BeansTalk favorite Tina Fey was honored with the Mark Twain Prize at the 12th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (a previous winner was Steve Martin). Emmy-winner Fey is the youngest Twain Prize winner and the third woman honored.
The show was held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on November 9, 2010 and is given annually to individuals who have made a significant contribution to American humor.
Fey attended the show with her little-seen composer/producer husband Jeff Richmond (seen above).
Fey wore a LBD with extra oomph -- the lace accented knee-length dress is from the Oscar de la Renta 2011 Resort Collection. She wore the very appropriate and coordinating oh-so-of-the-moment peep-toe platform pumps in black satin.
Taking a cue from Fey (or great minds do indeed think alike), Amy Poehler also wore a capped-sleeved LBD with peep-toe pumps. Fey's 30 Rock co-star Jane Krakowski's beaded LBD was by Tadashi Shoji.
Alec Baldwin made a surprise appearance in the guise of the eponymous author, Mark Twain. Also attending the event were Betty White (seen above with Fey), Steve Carrell, Jon Hamm, Seth Myers, Tracy Morgan, Jennifer Hudson and Fred Armisen.
Tina Fey: The Mark Twain Prize airs this Sunday, November 14, 2010, 9:00-10:30 p.m. ET. on PBS. Check local listings.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Katy Perry and the Victoria Secret Models (click on image to enlarge)Victoria Secret Fashion Show
The Victoria Secret Fashion Show was held Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Lexington Armory on 26th Street at Lexington in New York City and featured Katy Perry and Akon, as well as celebrity guests including Gerard Butler, Natasha Bedingfield, Alan Cumming, Russel l Simmons, Malin Akerman, Caleb and Jared Followill from Kings of Leon, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Estelle, Adam Levine, James Valentine and Mickey Madden from Maroon 5, Henrik Lundqvist, Debbie Harry, Thalia and Tommy Mottola, Zac Posen, Tyson Beckford, Maxwell, Vin Diesel, Daniel Boulud, Alexander Wang, Billy Burke, Oh Land.
The Victoria's Secret Angels, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Rosie-Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel, Chanel Iman, Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge, Behati Prinsloo, Selita Ebanks, Karolina Kurkova, and Jessica Stam were featured in the lingerie runway show for the holiday season.
Tweet with, #VSFashionShow, the official hashtag of the 2010 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. VictoriasSecret.com
The Victoria Secret Fashion Show airs on CBS at 10 p.m. on November 30, 2010.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
BeansTalk on the Red Carpet & In the Audience
Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Camilla Bell and Jason Mraz. (Amy Graves, Getty Images)The Freedom Awards
by Michael Robinson
Contributing Reporter and Writer
Forrest Whitaker, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and Camilla Belle were all under one roof, but for one night they were not the stars in attendance.
The Freedom Awards and Freedom Rocks events were held on November 7, 2010 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and both honored former slaves and celebrated the accomplishments and courage of abolitionists — handing out three awards and one fellowship to people from around the world who work to free slaves. BeansTalk was there to cover the event.
Jason Mraz provided one of the more touching moments at the Free the Slaves’ awards show when he played “What Would Love Do Now” and “Freedom Song” with the Agape children’s choir, with a story in his lead-in video that brought him to tears to re-tell.
Mraz recently spent time traveling through Ghana with James Kofi Annan, a former child slave and the Freedom Awards 2008 Frederick Douglass Award winner, visiting children who are former slaves. He spoke of these children who had just recently become free (many thanks to Annan), singing “Freedom Song” note for note.
Another emotional moment came when Annan himself took the stage to speak of the impact that the Frederick Douglass Award has had on his cause. He said it has brought recognition to his mission, and also brought protection from people who had threatened him.
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher received the biggest laughs of the night when Moore admitted that she couldn’t see the teleprompter.
“I should be wearing my glasses, sorry,” said Moore.
Kutcher came to the aid of his graciously fumbling spouse.
“I love that we act like these prompters don’t exist — like we’ve got it all memorized. Clearly, I’m talking to this half of the room,” he said, pointing at the audience seated on the same side of his teleprompter.
It was a night of education for many, including some presenters. The host of the night, Sir Ken Robinson, admitted that he didn’t know how big of a problem modern day slavery was until he was asked to be a presenter at the Freedom Awards first event two years ago.
“I had no idea. I thought we already did this,” said Robinson.
Vincent Kartheiser had the same exact experience this year. When asked to be a presenter, the actor who plays the baby-faced, contemptible Pete Campbell on ‘Mad Men’, says that he didn’t know much about the cause, but after doing some research, he supports Free the Slaves.
Free the Slaves organization helps free slaves around the world. According to its “conservative estimate,” there are currently 27 million people enslaved internationally.
After the Freedom Awards, guests celebrated at Freedom Rocks After Party and Concert hosted by actor and TV host Ryan Devlin which featured rockin' performances by the Makepeace Brothers, Luc and the Lovingtons, Rocky Dawuni and a special encore performance by Jason Mraz.
For information, www.freetheslaves.net.
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(A very special thanks to in2itmedia.com for providing BeansTalk readers with the opportunity to win two VIP tickets -- congrats to winner Jenny Daniels of North Hills, Calif -- as well as a special BeansTalk promo code to receive discounts for tickets to the event.)
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Christmas Revealed
Why do we prop trees up in our living rooms and exchange gifts every December? What exactly is a Yule log? Where did Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer come from?
From Santa to stockings, many modern Christmas traditions originated in ancient times. In fact, the true story of Christmas in the 21st century bears little resemblance to the holly-jolly tales we cherish today. THE REAL STORY OF CHRISTMAS, a new one-hour special premiering on Tuesday, November 30 (2010) at 9 p.m. on HISTORY, looks across 2,000 years of history to explore the sacred and secular influences that gave rise to the Christmas we know today – and makes sense of the holiday rituals we perform each December.
As THE REAL STORY OF CHRISTMAS shows, many of our seemingly innocent customs evolved from strange, surprising or even disturbing beginnings. With its roots in the Pagan celebration of the winter solstice, early Christmas was both a day of prayer and festival of drunken revelry. Rowdy medieval carolers begged for food and drink, threatening to throw rocks through the windows of those who refuse. Christmas was actually banned for years in America during the 16th and 17th centuries. And the Santa of old world legend was accompanied not by elves but by a devil named Krampus who beat and kidnapped naughty children.
THE REAL STORY OF CHRISTMAS premieres on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 9 pm ET on HISTORY®
Monday, November 08, 2010
Shakira in Pamella Roland
Shakira Plunges Down the Red Carpet
Shakira walked the red carpet at the MTV European Music Awards wearing a sexy gold and black sequin cap-sleeve plunging neckline dress by Pamella Roland.
Singer Shakira arrives for the MTV European Music Awards 2010, in Madrid, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Dave Fisher)