"The Blind Date" - A Female Perspective

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So....have y'all seen that wacky Tom Cruise Scientology video that was all over the internet last week?

Of course -- now YouTube is filled with all sorts of people makin' fun of it.

But guess what.......almost all of them are men!

Well, I decided it was time to get a little female perspective.........let's hear it for the ladies!

So -- here's my contribution to the Tom Cruise Scientology Video Parody Collection.

(I know, I know.....I have WAY too much time on my hands!)

Oh well.

Hope ya enjoy........."The Blind Date"




Later,

Cagey :)

Check It Out: Singer Sara Bareilles and Me -- Just Hangin' Out At Best Buy!

Crazy ain't it?

Yep......I just posted about the lovely, young Sara B. (and her awesome debut album) a week ago Sunday -- remember, listening to her album "Little Voice" was helpin' me get over my crankiness about "no Golden Globes."

Anywho......

Lucky for me, my friends actually read this blog (not just tell me that they do....). That's how my good friend Katie knew that I was a big Sara Bareilles fan.

So when Katie heard on the radio Monday morning that Sara would be in Columbus at 6 pm on Tuesday evening to make an in-store appearance at a local Best Buy store (Hey, that's when you know you've REALLY made it!) -- Katie emailed me with the scoop.

Guess where I went.

Yep, Best Buy bound (in rush hour traffic) -- camera and videocam in hand.

Hey....I know blog material when I see it (or hear it, for that matter).

So Sara was great, she sang 3 songs......just her and her keyboard, up on a small platform stage -- smack dab in the middle of Best Buy -- between the large appliances and the DVD section.

You don't see that every day!

I had to laugh......there were more than a few people around who just happened to be shopping and wandered over to see what all of the fuss was about.

Overheard by a copy of "Die Hard 2":

"Hey, what's goin' on here?"
"I dunno, some singer is gonna sing."
"What's her name?"
"I dunno, I'm just here lookin' at video games."

Man, with fans like that.......

Anyways......here are a few (blurry) pictures of Sara singin' (sorry, I was tryin' NOT to dance -- you already know how I am about dancing!)



(I also took a little video of her singin' (hopefully, not as blurry) --I'll try to upload that later.)

Oh, and here's a pic of the CD that she signed for me.......(yeah, I know....I already had it, I downloaded it from iTunes a long time ago -- but seriously, I needed to have one with me for her to sign.....so I shelled out an extra $10.88 to Best Buy for the honor. Just call me supergeek!)


OK.....I'm gonna wrap this up by saying that I'm an even bigger fan now -- seriously, check out her tunes if you haven't already.....I think this gal is gonna be big.

She's seems very sweet and down-to-earth.....a truly gifted songwriter with a great voice to boot.

(Hey, and she ain't too big for her britches to play for a crowd of yokels next to a bunch of microwave ovens.....you go girl!)

Ya know......I was very happy that I only had to wait in line a few minutes for my "meet & greet"......and when I met her -- I gushed about how I love her music and of course I had to be a geek and mention that I write an entertainment blog and I had just posted a rave about her a week ago.

Sara smiled (Hey, that sounds like a song!) and said, "Oh....that's so sweet. Thank you very much!"

I was worried that might be some kind of code for: "Quick, get this crazy stalker lady away from me!" -- but luckily it wasn't.....and she kindly posed for a picture.

OK.......that's all for now.

I'll try to post some of my video later. Until then, I've got the music video for her first single "Love Song"....in case you haven't heard or seen it.
(It's currently #8 on MTV's "Video Request Live")

Enjoy!

More Videos

Later,

Cagey :)

News Flash: I Think I May Have Found My Potential Dance Partner!

His name is Michael Buckley.......and he is HI-larious!


Gay, stylish and TOTALLY into Hollywood gossip.
(Snarky doesn't even begin to describe him!)

Get this, he's my ideal "other man".......his nickname is "Buck", he has the most-watched entertainment show on YouTube ("What The Buck?") -- PLUS....he has his own wacky website and personal blog (BuckHollywood.com).

Darn.

Unfortunately, he lives in Connecticut......if he was a local, I seriously bet he would SO learn the Samba with me.

Oh well........I'll just watch and worship him from afar -- for now.

Just a warning -- ya gotta have a sense of humor (and a fairly large database of pop culture knowledge) to appreciate him. Basically, you'll either love him or hate him.

Kinda like Broccoli.



OK......so check him out, and let me know what you think:


Click Here: BuckHollywood.com
(Michael Buckley's Website)

Click Here: "What The Buck Show"
(His YouTube Channel)

Hey -- I just had a GREAT idea......I can write to Buck and get him to visit Columbus so we can go dancing and he could attend my Oscar party (if there is even going to BE an Oscar ceremony this year........Ugh, don't get me started!).

Hmmm.....hope he doesn't think I'm a stalker.

Oh well, I am.

OK -- I'm off to write my fan letter and party invite.

Have a great day y'all........

Later,

Cagey :)

OK....I admit it. I have a "Guilty Pleasure". Check it out --

Well, there ya have it....my "Guilty Pleasure" -- "Dancing With The Stars".

Ya know, it feels good to let that out. I hope y'all don't think any less of me!

Hey -- let me know if you hear of any nice guys that are just dyin' to take some ballroom lessons. So far, we haven't had any luck.

I'm thinkin' we might need to place a want ad --

This is what I have so far:


DESPERATELY SEEKING DANCERS

Two "Desperate Housewives" looking for fun and excitement on the floor (dance floor, that is) -- desperately seeking "A Few Good (Gay) Men" interested in learning the Samba, the Rhumba and the Cha Cha Cha.

No experience necessary. Familiarity with People Magazine and Hollywood gossip helpful. Sense of style (and humor) a must!



Hmmm....what do ya think?

(I'm thinkin' it'll bring out the crazies......yay -- that's just what we want!)

OK, so I'll let ya know what happens......

Later,

Cagey :)

Ladies and Gentlemen, there's someone I'd like you to meet: Singer/Songwriter Sara Bareilles

OK......it's Sunday, January 13th.

Right about now, I should be getting all geared up to pop some popcorn, open a bottle of wine and settle in on the couch for a long afternoon and evening of red carpet-watching and lame award show banter.

Nope.

As you already know, one of my most favorite shows of the year -- The Golden Globe Awards --has been cancelled, apparently to be replaced with pre-taped interviews with some of the nominees and a press conference announcing the winners.

Whatever.

I'm bummin' .

But guess what? I found someone to cheer me up!

Her name is Sara Bareilles (pronounced: Bar-rell-is), and I'd love to introduce you to her.

Sara is a young singer/songwriter from Eureka, California......and she's awesome! She released her first album on a major label in July 2007.

I've been listening to her off and on for a few months now, and I popped her CD in today and it made me feel a little less cranky about the whole "no Golden Globes thing" -- so I thought I'd share with y'all.

Maybe you've already heard of her, or at least heard her first single --"Love Song" , on the radio. It seems to be getting quite a bit of airplay right now.

It's a fun pop song with a great hook that you just can't get out of your head.

Love that!

Ya know -- this girl not only sings great, she writes all of her own stuff as well. Some pop, some ballads....all pretty wonderful. (Can Hannah Montana say that? Don't think so!)

OK......enough of me singin' her praises. Check her out below in a couple of clips from YouTube.

The first video is "Love Song" (the peppy pop tune with the great hook). It's from Sara's appearance on "The Jimmy Kimmel Show" in October.

The second song is a beautiful tune called "Gravity", a song Sara says she wrote when she got her heart broken after her first serious relationship.

So, check 'em out (They may take a minute to load all the way).  I hope ya like her -- and the songs make your Sunday a little better....like they did mine.






By the way -- her album is called "Little Voice", and it's available on iTunes.

Also, if you're interested -- here's a link to Sara singin' her songs on VH1 "Unplugged" --

Click Here: Sara Bareilles on "Unplugged"

Enjoy the tunes, and have a great Sunday.......

Later,

Cagey :)

No Golden Globes? Oh bummer -- I love watchin' all those TV and movie stars get dressed up and actin' tipsy on national television!

Yep, it's official.

The Golden Globes telecast has officially been cancelled.

Ouch!

Apparently, as of yesterday afternoon -- the rumblings were that there will be some kind of "ceremony" where they announce the awards, and then some sort of press conference.

All UN-televised.

Seriously, what's the point?

No red carpet walking.....no Joan and Melissa, no E! and no crazy has-beens or wannabe-starlets, wearing some get-up that most of us civilians would never be caught dead in.

(Yes, I'm talkin' about you, Lara Flynn Boyle!)



From what I've read, it seems that NBC is trying desperately to salvage the night(this Sunday, January 13th). I even read where they might do some sort of highlight show from years past, and then a Dateline NBC special showing clips of the winners.

Nice try, but that isn't cheerin' me up much.

OK.....I'm totally on the side of the writers in this strike thing and all, but man --

no Golden Globes?

Shoot!

The Globes are my most favorite awards show. Way better than the Oscars -- cuz the celebs (Both motion picture AND televison) are so relaxed and always have much more fun(the free food and alcohol helps immensely!).

I just bet 'ol Steven Spielberg is totally PO'd.....

He was all set to receive the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award. I'm sure they had Harrison and Hanks on standby for that little retrospective.

Darn it.

Hmmm....I just had a very scary thought......(no it doesn't involve George Clooney, an ex-cocktail waitress and a quickie wedding in Vegas.....heaven forbid!)

I'm thinkin' this Globes cancellation better not be a hint of things to come for the Oscars. I will not be a happy camper if that show gets scrapped as well.

I'm just sayin'.........

You may not know this....but I'm a gal who loves Hollywood and award shows so much, I started writing a blog called "Red Carpet Rehab."

(Oh, I guess you probably do know that already.)

Anyways.....move over Lindsay and Miss Brit -- I may have to actually enter rehab myself if they start takin' away all my award shows.

(It's so hard to control all of my celebrity red carpet snarkiness......)

Attention all Hollywood writers and producers: Get it together people! Work out your differences and get back to work.

Seriously, this isn't just fun and games anymore -- stop trying to see how big a beard you can grow.

There are important things in jeopardy.....awards to be given out, red carpets to walk.....and some VERY ugly dresses that need to be discussed.

OK -- I vented......I feel a little better now.

Here's the thing.

If we're gonna have to live with all of these whack reality and game shows until the writers come back......could somebody please revive the most ultra-awesome, crap-tastic celebrity reality show from my youth?

Forget "Dancing With The Stars".......

Bring back:

"Battle Of The Network Stars"

Oh yeah, baby!

Classic.

Who out there remembers Gabe (ABC's "Welcome Back Kotter") Kaplan.....

and a seriously scary Robert (NBC's "Black Sheep Squadron") Conrad goin' at it?

They were two of the team captains in 1978 -- and it was priceless!

Conrad definitely got a little too into it, if ya know what I mean.

(Remember when he did those battery commercials with the battery on his shoulder: "C'mon, just knock it off....I dare ya.")

Psycho. Seriously.

Just take a look below at a clip from the "Battle of the Network Stars" swimming relay -- circa 1978.

Get this....participants included: William Devane, Robert Urich, LeVar Burton....Robin Williams AND David Letterman.

Letterman?

What the heck?

I can't believe he agreed to that. He is swimming for the CBS team, they must have totally had some good dirt on him to make him jump in that pool -- wearing a speedo to boot!

Ahhh.....the wonders of YouTube never cease. Now we can watch it all over again, 30 years later.

Check it out:

OK, so let's forget "The Donald" and that lame "Celebrity Apprentice."

Let's hear it people.....bring back "Battle of the Network Stars"!

Now that's what I call "Must See TV"!

Hey -- how much ya wanna bet, that chick Hayden in the cheerleading uniform from "Heroes" is the first to sign up?

Well, at least then we know that Charlie Sheen will be on board for sure!


That's what I'm talkin'......A-list all the way baby!

Later,

Cagey :)

Here's The Scoop: "August Rush" Is Truly Wonderful....And Big Girls DO Cry

Wow.

I don't know what to say.

And for me -- that's something.

On Saturday night I had the distinct pleasure of attending a sneak preview of the new film "August Rush". It officially opens this Wednesday, November 21st.

You may not have heard of it, but I've been aware of this film for a while....I saw the trailer online a few months ago, and I knew right away it was one to keep my eye on.

I don't want to get too chatty about this (which I tend to do.....), but in all honesty, 3 days later.....I'm still thinking about it.

Let me just say this......

I cried.

A lot.

More than I thought I would.

Actually.......more than I ever have in a theater as a grown-up.

Yep......

Not sobbing, mind you --

Just the kind of crying where big, wet tears form in the corner of your eyes and then start to fall silently down your cheek and you keep trying to wipe them away -- and you hope the stranger next to you doesn't think you're a geek.....then you're OK for a few minutes -- then, Ooops......here they come again, and you're wiping your face again, trying to be discreet -- but then you realize it's fruitless, so you just go ahead and cry already....and then the guy to your left glances over and realizes what you're doing, but then you see that he doesn't care....because he's trying not to cry also.

It's that kind of crying.

It's that kind of good.

Sweet, simple, musical and fable-like......."August Rush" is a movie not like anything out there right now (and I definitely mean that in a good way).

I'll be honest, I don't think this is a movie for everyone -- but I do have to say this..... if you watch it and it doesn't move you -- even just a little, I'm thinkin' the Grinch must have snuck in one night and stolen your heart.

I'm just sayin'.

Oh yeah......I'm also just sayin' this --

In regards to crying, that Freddie Highmore kid -- the one who plays "August Rush"........



He had me at "Hello".

Oy........does this kid know how to give a look. His facial expressions give new meaning to the phrase: "Tug at your heartstrings."

OK, enough about my emotional issues.....here's the plot, direct from the movie website --


"August Rush" -- Opens Wednesday, November 21st

Twelve years ago, on a moonlit rooftop above Washington Square, Lyla Novacek(KERI RUSSELL), a sheltered young cellist --



and Louis Connelly (JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS), a charismatic Irish singer/songwriter --




were drawn together by a street musician’s rendition of “Moondance” and fell in love. Sharing the language of music, their connection was real and undeniable… but short-lived.



After the most romantic night of her life, Lyla promised to meet Louis again but, despite her protests, her father rushed her to her next concert—leaving Louis to believe that she didn’t care. Disheartened, he found it difficult to continue playing and eventually abandoned his music while Lyla, her own hopes for love lost, was led to believe, months later, that she had also lost their unborn child in a car accident.

Years passed with neither of them knowing the truth. Now, the infant secretly given away by Lyla’s father has grown into a spirited and unusually gifted child
(FREDDIE HIGHMORE) --




who hears music all around him in the rhythms of life and can turn the rustling of wind through a wheat field into a beautiful symphony. Orphaned by circumstance, he holds a profound and unwavering belief that his parents are alive and want him as much as he wants them—if only they could find each other.

Determined to search for them, he makes his way to New York City. There, lost and alone, he is beckoned by the strumming guitar of a street kid playing for change and follows him back to a makeshift shelter in an abandoned theater where dozens of children like him live under the protection of the enigmatic Wizard (ROBIN WILLIAMS).



That night, he picks up a guitar for the first time and unleashes an impromptu performance in his own unique style that awakens the entire theater. Astonished that this untrained boy can play so passionately, Wizard names him August Rush, introduces him to the soul-stirring power of music and begins to draw out his extraordinary talent.

Wizard has big plans for the young prodigy but, for August, his music has a more important purpose. Never giving up hope of finding the parents he knows are out there somewhere, he calls out to them through every note. He believes that if they can hear his music, they will find him. Unbeknownst to August, they have already begun that journey. Having just learned her son is alive, Lyla is already working desperately to locate him with the help of dedicated social worker Richard Jeffries (TERRENCE HOWARD) --



while Louis, still haunted by memories of his one true love, finds himself returning to his musical roots and retracing his steps to the place where they met.
Separated by the events of life but bonded by love and music -- Lyla, Louis and August search for what they lost and what will make their lives complete again…..each other.


OK, sounds good right?

Now......take a look at the trailer:



OK......I think I said I wasn't gonna get all chatty, and now I've gone on and on.

Please excuse my gushing, I just really loved the whole experience.....big, wet tears and all.

(Hey, it wasn't just me....the preview audience I saw it with applauded at the end)

By the way, not only is the story touching and sweet.....but the music is awesome as well. You can check it out on iTunes and sample some of the tracks. It's definitely worth a listen.

Well, I'm done for now.

I hope I've tempted you a little to decide to check out "August Rush". I keep hoping that if more people go see unique and special movies like this one.....we may someday have fewer movies like...... "Saw III".

A girl can dream can't she?

Oh yeah -- If you do decide to check it out, please drop me a line and let me know what you think.

You know what I always say......."I love feedback!"
(Hey, I love margaritas too....but that's a whole other story)

OK -- I gotta run now, I'm off to Walgreens......for some strange reason, we're completely out of tissues.

Later,

Cagey :)

Awesome Celebrity Smackdown: Check Out One Truly Fabulous Chick

I think I may have to start a Fan Club.

First things first........

I just gotta say, I don't know this woman.....or even where she lives --

But I seriously wanna find her, and take her out to dinner.

Apparently, this gal's daughter realized how incredibly opinionated (and HI-larious)her mother is.....and she decided to film her as she riffs on various topics of interest: Hollywood, Celebrities, Dating, Love, Sex, etc.

Then she posted them all on YouTube.

If you know me at all......you know this is right up my alley.

So without much further ado, let me introduce y'all to Miss Lola Rose --

Check it out:

"Mom's Opinions On Celebrity"



And one more just for fun....

"Mom on Dating A Celebrity"



(Uh-Oh, if Georgie ever finds out about Miss Lola Rose......I'll never have a chance!)

Oh well.

Hey -- if anyone else out there is interested in sharing a meal with Miss Lola Rose when I finally find her.....just let me know.

I'm thinkin' it's gonna have to be someplace like Morton's, she's not lookin' like an Olive Garden type of gal.

Wish me luck!

Later,

Cagey :)

Do You Like.....Quirky?

If you answered "Yes".....then you're gonna love "Juno".

What is "Juno"?

Well, if all of the movie scoop I've been reading lately is correct.......it's this year's "Little Miss Sunshine".


From what I've seen and read....."Juno" looks great.

A quirky indie film by a first-time screenwriter, centered around a smart and spunky young girl -- and the somewhat dysfunctional family and friends that orbit around her.

(See the "Sunshine" comparison?)

The flick has been playin' the festival circuit lately and won all sorts of raves. The critics love it. Audiences love it. Hollywood loves it.

Are you gonna love it?

Hmmmm.

I'm thinkin'....most of you -- probably. Some of you -- maybe. A few of you -- no.

Did I mention that the smart and spunky girl named "Juno" is trying to navigate high school, figure out her life..... and she just happens to be 16 and pregnant?

Oh.


(In other words, she ain't no cute bespectacled little cherub, driving in a van across the country with her crazy family, trying to win a beauty pageant by dancing around a stage to "SuperFreak".)


OK.

Did I mention the cast?

Jennifer Garner ("Alias"), Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development"), Allison Janney ("The West Wing"), Rainn Wilson ("The Office"), J.K. Simmons ("Law and Order"), Michael Cera ("SuperBad") and Ellen Page as "Juno".

Not bad.

Did I mention that the screenwriter is a 29-year-old gal named Diablo Cody? --


An attractive former stripper with tatoos and frequently multi-colored hair, who grew up in the middle-class Chicago suburbs and decided to change her name and chuck it all for a year of lap dances and a dream of writing.

Huh.

(So far, I'm enjoying the blog-writing hobby enough that I haven't considered an exotic dancing career path yet......I'll let ya know.)

OK.......so I think you'll be hearing a lot more about this little flick in the months to come -- especially around awards season (which is quickly approaching -- yay !).

"Juno" opens in limited release on December 5th, then goes wide not too long after that.

Don't know if it will be your cup of tea (or if it will even make any money), but I definitely think it looks smart, funny, dry, sweet, ornery and most definitely -- quirky.

Oh yeah.......and I'm thinkin' it's got "Oscar-Bait" stamped all over it.

So check out the "Juno" trailer below to see for yourself:




Also, if you're interested -- I've got a link below to an interesting article about the screenwriter (ya know, the former stripper.....) from the most recent issue of "Entertainment Weekly."

Let's just say......Diablo is currently workin' on a comedy pilot for Steven Spielberg about a woman with multiple personalities. You go girl!

Click Here: "Entertainment Weekly" --
Diablo Cody - From Ex-Stripper to A-lister

OK......that's all I got for now.

Call me if you wanna check out "Juno" when she rolls into town.

I'm gonna go finish the book I'm reading........

"Exotic Dancing For Dummies".

Hey --- it worked for Diablo.

I'm just sayin'........a girl's gotta have goals.

Later,

Cagey :)

Ahhh.....The Dog Days Of Summer --

Check out that cute doggie!

Yep, that's my ever-faithful companion -- Gracie Gingery.

(I just thought that pic was too cute not to pass on, and it is my blog -- so sue me!)

I'm workin' on getting Gracie a role as the stunt double in--

"Because of Winn-Dixie: Part 2".



Unfortunately, her lack of motivation in the scenes I have been rehearsing with her lately don't bode well for her getting her SAG card anytime soon.

Oh well.

Hey.....isn't it time for a "Benji" remake? Maybe she's more of an action hero. I dunno, I told Gracie if she's gonna be picky..........the parts are gonna start dryin' up.

We gotta hit while the iron is hot. She's not gonna be this cute forever, ya know.

Plus, I think Hollywood is gonna start makin' a bunch of cute cat movies............I think I read that in the trades somewhere.

Anyways....................

I know I've been absent from the blogging biz for awhile -- been workin' on my filmmaking obsession (more on that at a later date..............)

But -- I jumped back in the web water today because I really wanted to share this trailer for an upcoming film with y'all.

The movie is called "Evening" and it opens next Friday, June 29th.

It is most definitely a "chick flick".................and it looks awesome!

From everything I've read, I think it is going to be a real treat -- so I thought I'd share with you.

I'm not going to say anything more, I think the trailer speaks for itself.

Check it out below --

Enjoy...............

Cagey :)

Powered by AOL Video

For You.....My Friends.......

Hey there..........I'm back.

Quick question.

Has this ever happened to you?

You're drivin' in your car. It's a beautiful day. The sun is shinin', and you've got the radio blastin' -- listening to some oldies but goodies........LOUD.

I'm sure you've been there.

Well.......just the other day, I was doin' just that when a song came on that I really love.

As I turned it up and started to sing-along (and seriously frighten the driver next to me, I'm sure!).......I suddenly became inspired.

I started thinking about all of my friends (Hey, I'm talkin' about you guys......thank you very much!), and how great it is to have good friendships in our lives.

Being the crazy entertainment junkie that I am..........it also got me thinkin' about all of the great and funny friendships in some of the movies and TV shows that we all know and love.

Anyways, I came home and did what I like to do.......
ya know, in my "free time."

I whipped up a little video montage to that very song that I had blastin' on the radio........

So here it is -- "A Celebration Of Friendship" .

Music courtesy of Freddie Mercury and Queen.

(Hmmm.....I guess ya never know what's gonna happen when ya turn on the radio!).

I was thinkin' about you all.............

Enjoy!

(Don't forget to turn it up......real loud!) :)

Paris & Brit -- "Toxic"

Hey y'all............

Whew -- what a week!

I've been tryin' to keep up with all of the crazy goings-on with
my 2 favorite tabloid tootsies........

Brit Brit and her beloved BFF..........Miss Paris Hilton.

I just tried to send y'all a musical montage that I uploaded to YouTube tonight.

Just in case that doesn't work, I thought I would try to load it
onto the blog as well.

(I'm hopin' it's just below this copy.......)

Let me know if you have any trouble viewin' it..........

I think I might have some spare copies of the Paris Hilton "home video" around here somewhere -- maybe I could copy over that for ya!

I'm not sure, but I'm thinkin' my next video may just have to be about that
crazy "Knight Rider" himself:

David "Don't Hassle The Hoff" Hasslehoff.

He's been a busy boy.

Hmmmm........we'll see...............

Enjoy!

Cagey :)

How about some "Female" Pilots?

Hey again...........

Happy Friday!
(Hang in there, the week is almost over!)

Well, I admit it.

I like to watch TV.


Yes.......I really love to go to the movies, but I also like to sit down at the end of a long day and watch something good on TV.

Ya know -- something funny, touching, dramatic, silly or escapist.

(No........I'm not talkin' about "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll" !)

Because my viewing time is somewhat limited these days -- I know you all can relate,
I tend to be a little more choosy in what I get addicted to on......"The Idiot Box."

For example: I started out loving "24" when it first started.........now I have trouble keepin' up. Same thing with "Lost".

Too many people. Too many stories. Too much confusion.

You miss one ep...........and you're as lost as that big "Hurley" dude on the island.

("Hey, does anybody have any peanut butter?")


I didn't even get started with "Heroes". I know it's great, I've read all about it (and have even watched a little bit.....)I just can't keep up. It's just too much.

It's sad. Those are 2 really great "high concept" shows that I know I would like -- I just don't have enough time and effort in me to keep up with them consistently.

Yikes........am I lame or what?

Anyhow, what I'm gettin' at is this......half-hour sitcoms are much easier on me.

22 minutes......a few laughs.......(hopefully)........and no crazy terrorists or castaway backstories to keep track of.

I can do that.

As you probably already know -- I love, love, love............. "The Office".

Thursday nights at 8:30 pm............I know I'm gonna laugh.

It's a nice way to ease into the end of the week.

Now, what would really make me happy -- what I would really like to see.......are some more
female-centric half-hour comedies.

We've got plenty of men out there.

We've got: "Two and a Half Men", "My Name Is Earl", "The King of Queens", "How I Met Your Mother", etc, etc, etc..............

Off the top of my head, I can only think of 2 women right now who are tryin' to bring the funny.........

Betty (of "Ugly Betty") and Christine (of "The New Adventures of Old Christine").

Where are the ladies?

What happened to:

Lucy Ricardo, Mary Richards, Rhoda Morgenstern, Maude, Laverne and Shirley, The Golden Girls (My 13-year-old daughter Kate loves that show in reruns, by the way -- go figure!), Roseanne, etc, etc, etc.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Bring on the funny women!

We know they're out there.............and we know women are watching TV.

The ratings and buzz around shows like "Grey's Anatomy" definitely prove that.

Don't get me wrong -- I like television dramas(and some reality TV) as much as the next gal,
I just really want me some laughs too.

Well...........I have read about 2 Fall TV pilots that could be potentially funny, female-driven comedies.

Obviously, it's hard to really judge just based on a plot outline and a cast list........but I think that these 2 shows have some potential.

If you were a network honcho, and you heard these pitches............would you give 'em the green light?

#1

SAM I AM (ABC)

STATUS: currently in development (2007-2008 season)
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: ordered to pilot

DESCRIPTION:
How would you like to rewind your life, erase all the mistakes and cringe-worthy moments and start over with a clean slate? It's a common fantasy. But for Samantha Newly, the fantasy is far too real. After a hit-and-run car accident puts her into an eight-day coma, she wakes up with retrograde amnesia. She can function in the world, but she can't remember a single fact about her own life!

As Samantha digs through clues like a detective to find out who she is (or was), she's hindered by unreliable narrators: her parents and friends all seem to have something to hide from her. Only Samantha's boyfriend Todd -- a stranger, now is trustworthy.

Quickly though, Samantha learns what everyone else knows: she was a horrible person. Vain, selfish, lacking conscience or heart, she had far more enemies than friends. So when Samantha learns that her "accident" was actually an attempted murder, she is, unfortunately, not surprised. If you could start over, would you do things differently? Could you do them differently? Can people change? Or are we just... who we are?

These are the questions "Sam I Am" asks, as our heroine begins the long, comic process of starting over from scratch - fixing old mistakes, reconnecting with her not-so-loving family and rediscovering love. While friends yank her in different moral directions... afraid of the "old Sam" returning... afraid that her would-be killer will try again... Samantha tries to remake herself through good, positive choices even though the bad ones are so much easier (and way more fun). Don Todd ("Ugly Betty") co-created and wrote this inspired comedy with best-selling Irish author, Cecelia Ahern (PS, I Love You). Peter Traugott ("Jake in Progress") of Brillstein Grey also Executive Produces through the ABC Television Studio.

PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:· ??? as Tim· Christina Applegate as Samantha Newly· Jean Smart as Regina· Jennifer Esposito as Angela· Kevin Dunn as Howard· Melissa McCarthy as Dena· Tim Russ as Frank
CREW INFORMATION:· Cecelia Ahern as CRTR/PROD· Christina Applegate as PROD· Don Todd as CRTR/EP· Peter Traugott as EP· Robert Duncan McNeil as DIR (Pilot)
GENRE(S):· comedy (all)· comedy (single-camera)

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OK...........I like this premise, it's different than anything else on TV right now........and
I think Christina Applegate could pull it off.



I definitely see her as a gal who people could hate, but now all of a sudden -- she's clueless and actually kinda nice............and throwin' everybody a curve ball.

I'm thinkin' Jean Smart is gonna play her mom.........that would be cool, she can bring the funny. I love her.


I dunno, just thought it sounded kinda new and fun -- we'll see.



#2

MISS/GUIDED (ABC)

STATUS: currently in development (2007-2008 season)
DEVELOPMENT STAGE: ordered to pilot

DESCRIPTION:
You can run and you can hide but you can never escape...... who you were in high school. Becky Freeley thought she had left her teenage self behind when she returned to her old school to work as the guidance counselor. It wasn't until Lisa, her gorgeous former nemesis, joined the faculty that Becky realized her cover was blown.

In high school, Becky was an underachiever -- a social bottom feeder and a dork. Today, she's attractive, confident and has an admirer in the school's male nurse. Becky, however, has her eye on Tim, an earnest, single Spanish teacher. Unfortunately, so does Lisa. When Lisa was in high school, she was beautiful, popular and smart. While Becky pined secretly for Lisa's boyfriend, Lisa barely knew Becky existed. This time around, however, Becky is determined to prove that she has changed and to help her students have an easier time than she did.

In the pilot, Becky counsels a young girl in search of a date for the homecoming dance. At the same time, Becky is looking for a date for herself and must confront the fact that she hasn't changed as much as she thought she had. As the guidance counselor, Becky provides us with an inside look at the lives of both the students and faculty. More importantly, Becky has the opportunity to answer the question: If you could go back, knowing what you know
now-- what would you do differently?

"Miss/Guided" is a show about second chances not only for Becky, but for Lisa and Tim, as well. Produced by Ashton Kutcher and helmed by Emmy winning-director Todd Holland ("Malcolm in the Middle," "The Larry Sanders Show").

PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:· Brooke Burns as Lisa· Earl Billings as Huffy· Jonathan Sadowski as Gary· Judy Greer as Becky Freeley· Kristoffer Polaha as Tim

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I feel the same about this pilot...........I think it sounds different than anything else on TV right now. Also, I love it when characters go "back to school" --- different than before, but maybe NOT so different after all.

(I love that Drew Barrymore movie Never Been Kissed, it kinda reminds me of that
a little bit).

Anyways, character actress Judy Greer is listed as the lead (you've seen her before, she does comedy and drama -- she played Jennifer Garner's buddy/co-worker in 13 Going on 30 ).



I like this casting choice because she's not typically beautiful, by Hollywood standards anyways. You could see her as an outsider in high school......and now she has more self-esteem.

The beautiful nemesis is played by Brooke Burns. Don't know if she is blonde or brunette now.......






She's been in a lot of low-level stuff........you've probably seen her before. But she is also somewhat known for being the ex-girlfriend of Bruce Willis (although -- I think that a lot of Hollywood gals can say that!)

Once again..........we'll see.

Yikes, I just looked at the clock -- and realized that I am going to be late for work if I don't wrap this baby up.

(And I'm never, ever late..............ouch, I think my nose is growing!)

As you can see, I could probably talk about this stuff all day!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my "pilot talk" this week. I just felt like sharin' some of the stuff I've been reading about lately.

So have a great weekend everybody.............I'll (probably)be back next week.

Later,

Cagey :)