White Collar: Q&A with Willie Garson

On Friday, I had the opportunity to take part in a Q & A conference call with the talented and delightful Willie Garson. This was such a treat since Mozzie is one of my favorite characters! Willie answered many questions and touched on topics from what he is currently reading (Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann), to his son, Nathan, and, of course, anything and everything about Mozzie.

Meet Willie:

• Willie disclosed that the character of Mozzie is one of the closest roles to himself that he has ever played.

• Although Mozzie and Neal have known each other for a long time, Willie just met Matt Bomer on the pilot. He has been friends with Tim DeKay and Tiffani Thiessen for years.

• Favorite episode from Season 1? Willie explained that it is hard for him to choose because they all have great aspects to them. But he did go on to say that “Flip of the Coin” when Peter and Mozzie meet for the first time at Neal’s apartment stands out.

• He explained that lots of singing takes place on the set of White Collar. Off camera, they are “basically doing a crime version of Glee.”

• What Willie likes most about White Collar? “One of my favorite things about the show is that it doesn’t assume that the audience is stupid. It does make a difference. The show is really as smart as the audience is.”

• Willie Garson revealed that he would like to try directing.

• Willie sounds like an awesome dad and discussed his eight-year-old son Nathan—says that they watch White Collar together each week and that Nathan loves the show.

• If Willie could appear on any TV show past or present? It would be Playhouse 90 or any of the live shows from the 1950s.

• Most interesting thing that he has learned about con men/criminals—Willie was surprised to learn “how much they do it for the act of doing it. It doesn’t matter what the crime is, it is actually the act of doing it which is exciting to them.”

Meet Mozzie:

• The three words Willie used to describe Mozzie: complicated, trustworthy & educated.

• Dubbed Mozzie’s clothing style as “homeless chic.”

• Will see Mozzie working more closely with Peter and the FBI and being intrinsically involved with cases in season two.

• Won’t see a lot of flashback situations but will definitely learn more about Neal and Mozzie’s pasts—“where they come from. How they got to be this way. Also, what is deeply important to them.”

• What gets Mozzie out of bed in the morning? His desire for new experiences. Also a good meal and a glass of wine.

• Mozzie will have a love interest in season two played by Diane Farr.

• Teaser—Viewers are going to see where Mozzie stays in season two. “Mozzie doesn’t live in one place.”

• What is the glue that holds Neal and Mozzie’s friendship together? Willie explained that “opposites attract. They both give each other ‘street cred’ in a way. It is a perfect partnership. There is certain dirty work that Mozzie takes care of that Neal wouldn’t go near.”

• If Mozzie led a caper, “it would be high end and most likely involve wine. Mozzie considers himself a dandy,” said Willie.

One final note, Willie mentioned that he received an email from USA Network executives who have seen the first five episodes of season two saying “that’s five for five so far.” Can we fast forward a couple of weeks to July 13^th? Remember, as if we could forget, White Collar season two premieres July 13^th at 9pm on USA Network.

For more on White Collar, click here.

Photographs courtesy of USA Network, Will Hart, and Eric Ogden.

So You Think You Can Dance Review: A Week of Oddities

Wednesday night the Top 10 performed with the all-stars, and a few petrifying matches emerged. The first one was  poor Billy Bell picking a Krump number with Comfort. Second, and only slightly less terrifying, was Jose Ruiz’ pull of a Bollywood number with Kathryn McCormick. Double yikes.

Cristina, however, managed to pull the best possible name out of that hate – Pasha. They danced a Paso Doble which left her spicy, hot, and right in her element. She and Pasha looked great together, the judges loved it, but…I couldn’t help but worry. For whatever reason, the audience always has a hard time connecting with the more old fashioned, ballroom numbers.

Adechike is on fire with picking partners. Last week he chose Kathryn, this week Allison. They are both outstanding contemporary/jazz dancers which is also what Adechike claims to prefer. Last week, Kathryn may as well have been dancing with a sack of potatoes. This week, Allison hardly had more to work with in their contemporary number. The judges complimented him on improving, but agree that he still has a long way to go. By all rights, he should have been in the bottom three last week and this week – his sweet personality and handsome face is keeping him alive.

Billy. Poor Billy, choosing Comfort and that vexing style (for him) known as Krump. They tried to rough Billy’s image up. He gave it his all, he really did. He even made a mean face. The judges gave him props for throwing everything he had into the dance, complimented him once more on his amazing talent, and left it at that. It wasn’t good, that number. It also wasn’t nearly as big of a train wreck as it could have been.

Jose, bless his little heart, pulled Kathryn this week and they attempted a Bollywood number. The dance was cute, Kathryn was adorable, and Jose gave it all of his charm and his personality. The judges acknowledged that most of it was wrong, but watching him do it felt right. He is, without a doubt, one of the most likeable contestants I’ve ever seen on the So You Think You Can Dance stage, and I hope he sticks around – even though, technically, he probably should at least land in the bottom three after this week’s performance.

Alex got paired with Lauren for a Broadway number that intended to pay homage to Bob Fosse. Alex admitted an unfamiliarity with his work and tried to make an effort to watch some videos. He should watch more, I think. For the second week in a row as the judges praised his talent, I realized I’d spent his entire number watching his partner. For me, he just doesn’t shine when he’s on stage. He’s got no fire, no star power. One girl’s opinion.

Melinda chose a contemporary number in which she was cast in the roll of Mother Earth opposite Ade’s human race. The number was thoughtful, and Melinda gave quite a performance. I like her a lot, I really do, though I feel like most people won’t get her. Nigel keeps commenting on the same lack of connection with the audience, but I’m not sure of the cause or what she can do to fix it. At any rate, she’s doing a great job working in styles far from her own and she deserves to keep going.

Robert, who is possibly the goofiest man I’ve seen in a long while, chose Anya and prepared to take on the tango. He looked like he’d been doing ballroom his entire life out there, and Anya and he had believable chemistry on stage. Mia Michaels, who was hard on everyone this week, made a comment that Robert didn’t “control” her enough and Anya disagreed. Robert is just so odd, though. It might cost him in the voting down the road.

Ashley picked a jazz number and partnered with the flawless Mark. They were gorgeous – I do think she’s the best dancer of the dwindling group of girls. Nigel criticized the choreography of Travis Wall, stating it wasn’t actually a jazz routine at all but a contemporary, which I found uncomfortable and inappropriate. The choreographers are not being judged; they’re your employees. If you have feedback for them, it should be done off camera.

Lauren performed my favorite routine of the night, and maybe of the season so far, a hip-hop number alongside Dominic. They both brought raw emotion to the piece and the feedback from the judges was positive. Adam complimented her on being so willing to take his notes from the week before. I like this girl. She’s smart, she’s savvy, she’s strong and determined – she’s going to be around for a while.

Last but not least, the impossibly adorable Kent danced a jazz routine with Courtney. He was sexy, he wasn’t so perky (during the number), and just all around fabulous. This kid is something else. I – along with everyone else in America with a heartbeat – have fallen in love with him. He’s going to have a career of some kind after this, mark my words. The judges were harder on him than I expected, especially because I did find him believable in this more grown up role, but there’s not a second’s worry that he won’t be here next week.

The results show brought no surprises, really, but some unfair decisions. The bottom three were Cristina, Melinda, and Robert. Based on Wednesday night’s performances, the bottom three should have probably been Alex, Jose, and AdeChike, with AdeChike going home. Instead, Cristina was sent packing after two consecutive weeks in the bottom, leaving only three girls left in the competition. Really, only two, considering Melinda has been walking a tightrope she’ll likely fall off sooner than later, no matter how much I like her.

For another review of episode, read More Technique than Performance by Inisia Lewis here.

Season 7, Episode 8 & 9: Top 10 Perform & 1 of 10 Voted Off (originally aired June 23 and 24, 2010)

For more on So You Think You Can Dance, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro

So You Think You Can Dance: Q&A with Cristina Santana

I had the opportunity to participate in a phone interview session with Cristina Santana on Friday, and she came across as charming and thankful for her experience on the show. When asked if she felt confused over getting eliminated when she did or if she had any regrets, she came right back with a firm “no.” She said more than once how happy she is with her run on the show, and that even though she’s sad and would obviously have wanted to continue, things happen for a reason and this must have been her time to go.

She commented how great working with Pasha was, and how appreciative she was of being able to perform the Paso Doble with him before she left the show. When asked what her plans were for the future, she replied “keep on working, more dancing, and going back to school.” It’s easy to tell she’s someone who loves what she does and will continue, show or no show.

Someone asked a question I felt curious about myself, which is whether or not she felt that being a Latin/Ballroom dancer put her at a disadvantage in the competition. I’ve always felt that it does, given that those dancers aren’t as popular with the audience and doing a solo is more difficult, but she didn’t really answer the question, instead saying “it’s just a dance competition and we do what they give us. There are a lot of contemporary and jazz, but I really enjoy the ballroom part.”

Below are my two questions and the answers:

Me: Every year when I watch the show I’m struck by how close and supportive the contestants seem of one another. How do those friendships form in such a competitive environment?

Cristina: “We are together seven days a week, since early morning and we are just very close. Every day and every practice brings us closer. Everyone is helpful and we like each other and we love each other.

Me: How’s that working with the all stars; what is their role? Are they supposed to be mentoring you guys or are they just part of the support system?

Cristina: They are there for us, to support us and to help us through the choreography. They had the experience before and know what it’s like to be on the show. I think it’s a good balance to have the all stars on the show.

She went on to answer a few questions regarding the balance (or lack of balance) between the men and women on the show, but said that she “loves everyone. I love the girls. I love the guys. It’s going to be a tough decision for America to vote and the judges to decide.”

My favorite response came to a question about what she learned most from her experience on the show. Cristina said, “Just to be determined and keep going. I don’t know, just to push yourself to really work harder and harder to be better.”

Good advice for life as well as dance competitions.

For more information on the show, judges, choreographers, or music click here.

For more on So You Think You Can Dance, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro

Knight and Day Review: Cruise is Crazy and It’s Fantastic!

It’s hard to say that Tom Cruise makes a triumphant comeback in Knight and Day; but after a series of major film busts (hello War of the Worlds and Lions for Lambs), and the steady tumble of his public image, Cruise’s appearance in this new film is nothing short of miraculous. At times mysterious, at times lighthearted, Knight and Day is a full-throttle action film that takes its stars on a wild, crazy ride that’s sure to please.

Knight and Day is a comedic action film starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. In the film Cruise plays Roy Miller, a spy who is either on a one-man mission or is totally nuts. He’s on a flight to Boston when he meets June Havens (Diaz). As the only civilian on a plane full of spies, June becomes a pawn and a liability between the government and Roy. Very shortly into their acquaintance, June, charmed by Miller’s smooth-talking ways, talks herself into a tryst while a busy Roy single-handedly kills everyone on the plane, pilots included. When June finds out that a. Simon is a spy, b. everyone else on the plane is dead, and c. SHE IS ALONE with the guy who killed everyone else on the plane, she is first disbelieving, then confused, and finally hyperventilating. Over the next two hours, this same pattern continues as June finds herself trapped in espionage wars where her only ally may be the one person she shouldn’t trust.

Knight and Day is an absolute blast. Filled with enough action to make a 12 year old boy salivate (though you can’t see it; it’s PG-13,) this film excels in fast sequences and a plethora of gaudy car chases. That’s a good thing. What’s not so good is that the action of this film heavily triumphs over plot. This is a minor annoyance, and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the movie at all. This movie is a visual delight, from the action sequences to the beautiful locations, there is much here to dazzle the eye.

Speaking of dazzling; Tom Cruise gives a brilliant performance as Roy Miller. Charismatic, adept, and totally insane, Cruise is in his element. And let’s be honest, most of us already think he’s a little bit cracked. Roy is the perfect vehicle to display that and launch Cruise back into box office super-stardom. And we mustn’t forget about Diaz. Cameron Diaz gives a solid performance as June Havens. The role of the hapless female could have easily gotten annoying, or even worse lost. It is a credit to her that this is not the case. She is the perfect balance to Cruise and their on-screen banter is natural and drives this film from beginning to end.

Directed by James Mangold (Walk the Line) this movie also includes, Peter Sarsgaard as Agent Fitzgerald, Roy’s former partner; Paul Dano, as Simon Feck, Roy’s former assignment, and Viola Davis as Director George, head of the CIA. Great job done by all but I found Dano’s Feck particularly endearing.

My one complaint with this film would be the ending. It’s far too cutesy with such a neat wrap-up that it’s sort of a let-down. But overall, this is a great action flick that shouldn’t be missed. See it.

Photo by David James – © TM and 2010 Twentieth Century Fox and Regency Enterprises

Burn Notice Review: Breach of Faith

Last night’s Burn Notice featured the best Michael/Sam interaction so far this season, in a plot thread that found the two buddies ass-deep in a hostage situation…as the hostage takers. What? Here’s what happened: Sam has this friend Josh (Field of Dreams, Pulp Fiction, Broken Arrow and Swimming with Sharks veteran Frank Whaley) who runs a charity for families of fallen soldiers. Josh invested his money with some goon who stole all of it, so Josh went and took the guy and the guy’s partner hostage. Sam stays to help Josh and Michael stays to help Sam. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Cops and S.W.A.T. armed up the wazoo swarm the outside of the building, and Michael and Sam have to find a way to buy time until they can get the money back, diffuse the situation and, hopefully, escape and not go to the slammer. Things get more complicated when the police learn that Michael is involved.

It’s a good, meaty situation to find our heroes in, and reinforces the show’s thematic emphasis on the importance of loyalty and friendship, and the price you pay when you choose to value human relationships over tactical security. Michael and Sam each choose to entangle themselves in a hairy situation and face the very real possibility of jail time all out of loyalty to a friend. But it’s also loyalty—in the form of Fiona and Jesse—who help Sam and Michael come out on top.

Frank Whaley is a likable client-of-the-week, and he plays his character like a droopy puppy dog on speed. The highlights of the whole affair involve Michael pretending to be one of the hostages and talking to the cops and doing some amazing MacGyver voodoo in order to create a phone line and blow up a floor safe using a microwave and homemade shaped charges.

The ending of the whole hostage situation is more than a little unrealistic—even by Burn Notice standards—and allows Michael to walk away a little too easily. But oh well. I’m not complaining about that. I am, however, going to complain slightly about the B storyline, which involves Jesse and Fiona trying to track down some dead contact of Jesse’s in the Bahamas. It all felt more than a little convoluted to me.

Maybe I just wasn’t paying close enough attention, but the setup for this subplot seemed to be set up by Fiona in a quick call to Michael…a call so quick and packed with so much vague information so as to not give viewers enough time to question what they were hearing. Then, back in Miami, Jesse and Fiona were tracking down more leads related to this Bahamas dead guy. Just like last week with the arms dealer contact of Jesse’s, I’m really having a hard time understanding exactly who Jesse was, and what his plan is now for finding out who burned him (not knowing that it was, inadvertently, Michael himself). In fact, I’ve already kind of fogged over what the information was that Michael had to steal that got Jesse burned in the first place.

And along those notes, where the hell is Vaughn? What’s he up to? Why was he introduced in the first two episodes of this season in such a major way only to disappear for the last two weeks, with no screen time or even screen mention? Burn Notice has always been a little convoluted—in a good way though—but they’re starting to push it. And being that USA has already renewed the show for a fifth and sixth season, I’m wondering how far up the Convoluted Scale Matt Nix & Co. are going to have to push things in order to stretch the story out for the next few years.

Season 4, Episode 4: Breach of Faith (Originally aired June 24, 2010)

For more on Burn Notice, click here.

Thursdays at 9/8c on USA

Photographs courtesy of USA Network and Glenn Watson.

So You Think You Can Dance Review: More Technique Than Performance

There’s something in the water this week, because even though our dancers have only been competing for two weeks, they really are performing like the Top 10 of yesteryear. Just the idea that they’re performing as if they’ve been competing for five weeks, whittling down from a pool of 20, is insane.  Many still have a way to go to captivate the audience by conveying a believable character or mastering a new style, but that’s the beauty of So You Think You Can Dance.

10. ADÉCHIKÉ & Allison | Contemporary | Mandy Moore | “Listen To You Heart” by DHT
If dance were only about the neck on down, Adéchiké would get solid marks. Sadly, the face is very important, especially to help convey…you know…emotion, and pretty much everyone from Mandy to Allison to the judges wanted him to let go and feel the moment more. I’d agree that it was easy to enjoy Allison but difficult to stay connected to Adéchiké, who seemed to go in and out of genuine emotion.

8. JOSE & Kathryn | Bollywood (link included for those, who, shockingly, like Jose, have been living under a rock and have no idea what Bollywood is.) | Nakul | “Marjaani Marjaani Kasame” from the Billu Barber soundtrack
I thought it was opposites day for Billy, but Jose definitely pulled the toughest pick. There’s no way he hit all the intricate footwork or handwork, and Nakul was very kind to put in some fun flips and tricks, but he did it with earnest and glee. Quick feet certainly helped him keep up, but it didn’t look that great. In fact, the judges practically laughed in Jose’s face, but they all love his attitude and smile so, of course, they didn’t critique him like they did the performances that were executed much better. Okay, so he kind of won me over with all that a little too.

7. MELINDA & Ade | Contemporary | Stacey Tookey |  “Squander” by Skunk Anansie
I really want to like Melinda. Off the stage, she seems like my kind of girl. Yet even though she’s improved, tackling a technical piece, her fire doesn’t come across, which makes me a little unexcited. Nigel was impressed by her lines and Mia with her feet, but she was a little too upright and tense for my taste. Sometimes she’s seem in perfect sync emotionally, but then looked completely vacant like Adéchiké. Still, this is a competition about learning and growing so I must give her that.

7. KENT & Courtney | Jazz | Tyce | “Amy Amy Amy” by Amy Winehouse
To be honest, all I wanted was to see Courtney pair up with fellow All-Star Mark and get nasty with this number. (Insert daydream about “The Garden”.) Kent danced it extremely well, but he lacked command to me. And though I felt the mutual support between the new partners, I didn’t feel the sexual spark, and the music and movement called both to ooze sexuality, and a little bit of raunch. We only got 50%. But Kent will be around for awhile because he is so sweet and open and himself.

6. BILLY & Comfort | Krump | Lil’ C | “So U Think U Can Krump” by Tha J-Squad
What’d you say, Lil’ C? Billy has to seem like he’s from the “belly of the hood.” Now, I have to refer to him as Billy B Buck? Hey! I’m okay with that because he certainly earned the title, as dated as it sounds. It wasn’t just the baggy sweatshirt. He got dirty and had a tiny bit of swag. Technical and polite and upbeat Bill pulled it off well as well as I would expect but the judges and I were on different pages.  Still, appreciated that Adam gave useful critiques like he didn’t have enough hit, rebound or suspend. It’s better than just saying you were left with a weird feeling like Mia did.

5. ROBERT & Anya | Argentine Tango | Tony & Melanie | “Libertango” by bond
Whenever the judges aren’t in agreement, I always feel a little uncomfortable. It’s like Mommy and Daddy fighting. ::Tear:: When it comes to this tango, however, I happened to disagree with Mama Mia who pretty much hated the dance. I can’t say that he was the strongest partner, and with Anya certainly elevated him, but I still think Roberto held it together and conveyed strength and power. Perfect example of the judges being too hard on someone when they are so easy on others. Also, some tell him that the weird fake gagging bit, at the end as his numbers were announced, does not get you more votes. In fact, he probably lost some because of that.

4. ALEX & Lauren | Broadway | Tyce | “Summertime” by Sylvester
With a Fosse inspired number, Alex had to convey cool and sexy, and while I don’t think he was Slim Daddy Cool, he nailed each step perfectly. His connection to Lauren was strong, but there wasn’t any passion from the inside seeping outward, and you know that’s like a dancer’s oxygen. The judges couldn’t quit his extraordinary skills, but Adam said that it’s not about his ability but versatility and growth that wins the competion.

3. CRISTINA & Pasha | Paso Doble | Jean-Marc Généreux and France Mousseau | “Ira Deorum/Sanctus” by James Dooley
Sometimes you just get plain lucky. Not quite so lucky when you’re fearing for your life as you’re tossed around like a baton, but at least, she was doing it in something a little more comfortable, like ballroom. It was a dramatic piece which allowed the woman to be this beautiful beast. As Mia succinctly put it, “It was power, it was passion, it was the whole package and it was the perfect partnership.” To me, she seemed tentative at first but once we were in the throngs, she was stomping her heeled heart out.

2. ASHLEY & Mark | Jazz | Travis | “Wonderful” by Annie Lennox
He did it again. Travis gave us a fantastic number and an emotionally tumultuous one at that. Too bad, as Nigel pointed out, it wasn’t jazz, it was contemporary. Oh, and the lifts were awesome, but there were too many of them, and the judges want more dancing. And when it came to Ashley’s performance, they loved her dancing but wished she followed through more during her transitions. It’s hard not to agree with the judges on every point, but I couldn’t help but fall in love with the dance and with Ashley a teensy bit. I’m a sucker for things that cause a little stir in me when I watch them.

1. LAUREN & Dominic | Lyrical Hip-hop | Tashandra Chavez | “If I Was a Boy” by Beyoncé
Once again, the judges surprise me by offering harder critiques for one of the best dances of the night. It’s not that I don’t appreciate constructive criticism. I just think it should be spread evenly so that viewers aren’t left with bitter tastes come voting time. In my opinion, it was the first fantastic hip-hop routine. (From a new choreographer at that!) With a deep story, centered on domestic abuse, I felt almost as emotional as the teary Lauren at the end of her performance. Yes, Mia was right that I saw less “fight” dancing than expected. And it certainly was not Mia’s Season 6 Kayla and Kupono number. (Still one of my tops.) But it had the perfect blend of music, motion and emotion, and not everyone has been hitting the tri-fecta.

PERFORMANCES
This week may not have had many emotional highs, but technically I’m very impressed. Seeing them all together in Sonya’s easily identifiable group number was the perfect example. Still, the two performances that captivated me the most this week were not from our contestants. Bryan Gaynor, the repeat auditioner, fan fav and crazy-good isolationist with scoliosis performed with his group RemoteKontrol. They all, equally, performed so fluidly, yet somehow also robotically and intricately. It was magical. Then came Debi Nova, who Cat introduced as Costa Rican superstar Debi Nova, performing “Drummer Boy”. I have no idea what the song was about, and she barely had the stamina to sing it in its entirety. Backup singers were doing the heavy lifting anyway! But Marc, Courtney, Neil, Lauren, Ade and Comfort. I could have watched them moving with the TV on mute, and I hope we see more of this. (Though maybe they were so captivating because Debi Nova was so the opposite.)

CURTAIN CALL
With Melinda, Cristina and Robert gaining the least amount of votes, it quickly became another all-girl bottom. Robert was going no where. None of the solos really wowed me. Melinda’s seemed sloppy, Cristina’s seemed slow, and Robert’s sleepy and floppy. The judges also seemed to have no words to really critique their solos or praise them. Instead they got straight to the point, complimenting Cristina from doing fantastic and being so proud of her to promptly saying you’re leaving. Apparently Mia and Adam, really see something in Melinda that even tap-loving Nigel would have let go.

So who did you love? Were the judges harsh this week? And are you falling in love with all the All-Stars all over again like I am? Who’s hoping for an All-Star competition?!

For another take on Top 10 Perform and the Results show, read A Week of Oddities by Trisha Huntsman.

Season 7, Episode 8 & 9: Top 10 Perform & 1 of 10 Voted Off (originally aired June 23 and 24, 2010)

For more on So You Think You Can Dance, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Fox and IMDbPro

Q&A: Nikki Blonsky’s Going ‘Huge’

Monday, ABC will further redefine its Family brand with the premiere of, Huge, starring Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray, Queen Sized), Hayley Hasselhoff, Harvey Guillen, Ari Stidham, Raven Goodwin, Ashley Holliday and Andrew Caldwell.

Blonsky leads the ensemble cast as blue-streaked rude gal, Will—short for Willamina—whose parents have shipped her off to fitness camp to relieve their own discomfort with their daughter’s weight. Likewise, the other six teens that come to characterize the series are being burdened with the same guilty expectations that are hard to find loving.

If you’ve pegged Nikki to the always-butterflies-and-sunshine, life’s-a-musical-so-sing! aura she emanated in her Hairspray debut, think again. (However, there was that one time with a certain ANTM gal that may have clued you in…)

The 21-year-old Blonsky, who is content to be plus size and fun size (she towers at 4’11”) talked ‘Huge’ on and off the small screen and how jaded she really isn’t by Hollywood standards.

“I just adore her,” Blonsky says of her character. “Like Will, I’m not as naïve as Tracy,” she says of her inaugural spin on Hairspray’s Turnblad.

“(To Tracy) the world was amazing, and everything was so fresh and so clean and I wanted to make the world a better place—and I still do. I still hold that quality of Tracy in me,” she shares.

“But I’ve been around a few years now, and I’m a little smarter. I get the game now. That’s where I connect with Will,” Blonsky says. “I see through people.”

When asked how she felt about parents who might pull similar stunts in real life, Nikki is clear. “I think if the kid comes to the parent and says, ‘You know, I really want to go and lose weight. I heard about this camp….’, then that would be okay. I think if a parent is sending a child, it’s in some way sending a message to that child that they’re not good enough the way they are for that parent,” she says.

“I was told that I was beautiful at home,” Nikki says. Only when she arrived at school did Blonsky begin to question her appearance. “But there’s no worse fear, I believe, in my heart than not being good enough for my parents.”

Beyond the series, Blonsky discussed her personal vision for the future of actors in Hollywood who happen to be plus size.

Nikki tells Poptimal.com, “I’m hoping that we get recognition for our acting skills, rather than just being called plus-size actors or a community of plus-size people, we’re a community of actors.” She points to the success of Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique and her own Golden Globe nomination as evidence of the possibilities. “Talent, I think, always will prevail.”

At present, Blonsky shares with Poptimal, Hollywood is still looking for the plus size actor who’ll take the joke—and these days that’s not as much a problem for the guys as it is the girls. The prevalence of Seth Rogens and Jonah Hills only corroborates the observation.

“I think there are way more roles for plus size guys than plus size females right now, which kind of stinks for us girls,” Nikki shares. “They’re looking for the punch line, they’re looking for the joke and for those funny guys—and with the girls, it’s a different story.”

As part of the ABC Family campaign around the Huge premiere, Blonsky shares her own words to live by: “Living huge is being yourself. You only get one life, so enjoy it. Just have fun. Live and let live. That’s my motto.”

Start living ‘Huge’ this Monday, June 28^th at 9PM/8PM Central on ABC Family.

For more television articles, click here.

Images courtesy of ABC Family.

Top Chef Review: Drama, Drama, Drama

So I’m going to give you what you’re all waiting to hear, which is our resident over confident chef Angelo didn’t win both challenges in this week’s episode of Top Chef DC. He’s definitely a sneaky character though and I’ll explain in a little while why he continues to be my current pick as “I’ll be kept around for ratings” contestant for this season.

The episode begins with a quickfire titled “bipartisanwich” where the chefs are paired in groups of two to create a signature sandwich. The catch is that they are tied together like conjoined twins and can only use one hand each. It’s mayhem and chaos as they scramble to make a sandwich in thirty minutes with this massive handicap. It’s an exercise in communication, teamwork, and creativity so it was amusing to see the chefs paranoid of having their fingers sliced by their teammate.

Angelo and Tracey end up winning with their flounder marinated in fish sauce, spicy sriracha mayo, pickled red onions sandwich and herbaceous salad. The more important prize is immunity from being sent home in the elimination round.

The guest judge is assistant White House chef Sam Kass and he delivers their final challenge which is to create nutritious boxed lunches for school kids at Alice Dean Middle School with a budget of $130 (it comes out to about $2.60 per kid). Most public schools across the country are faced with the obstacles of serving healthy food because of such small sums to work with. Can the chefs come up with creative solutions to feed the students something good for them but also tasty?

Two groups were successful in coming up with delicious, affordable, and nutritious meals while the other two weren’t up to snuff. Kelly’s group ends up being the top with Kelly winning for her pork carnitas though she annoyingly kept declaring throughout the episode how most of her group’s dishes were supposedly her idea. Jacqueline ends up getting the boot for her strawberry and banana pudding because she had about two pounds of sugar in her dish.

There were already tons of bickering and drama and it’s only episode two! I was immediately irritated by Amanda who decided to make chicken braised in sherry. Really? You shoot down Tamesha’s idea of gnocchi and yet you think kids will like alcohol? Gail totally calls her out on this at judge’s table (thank you Gail!).

The most enjoyable moment had to be the battle between Angelo’s team and Amanda’s team at judge’s table. They were called in first only to be told that they sucked. The complaint with Angelo’s group was that everything was too starchy and they had no vegetables. The judges had issues with the sugar in Jacqueline’s dish, Amanda’s super awesome choice of sherry, and Stephen’s mushy rice with veggies.

What’s awesome was that Tom suddenly brings in some drama himself, making the observation that maybe Angelo purposely had the group do an unnutritious meal because he and Tracey had immunity, thereby potentially eliminating his arch-nemesis Kenny. I think he has something there because why the heck would Angelo make just a peanut butter dessert? SUSPICIOUS. At first he looks totally confused that (or maybe in denial) he’s in the bottom two and then after Tom confronts him his expression changes to disbelief. After judge’s table he whispers to Tracey that he doesn’t like Kenny. I’m sure the boy can cook, but I think it won’t hurt the show that he’ll bring in some drama for ratings.

At some point the two groups start ripping into each other, Stephen butting in telling Kenny that he should have spoken up if he knew they needed more vegetables, Kenny counters with Jaqueline’s overuse of sugar and Amanda claiming that peanut butter had way more sugar and was super unhealthy. This is probably the first judge’s table with two teams really trying to throw the other under the bus.

As far as the food, I’m still underwhelmed. There was nothing I saw that made me want to raid the fridge in search of something to quell the hunger. What wasn’t lacking was the drama and perhaps this is why I’m feeling a little critical of the chefs so far. Top Chef don’t fail me and let’s see some better looking and sounding food next week!

Season 7, Episode 2: Outside the Lunch Box (originally aired June 23, 2010)

For more on Top Chef, click here.

Wednesdays at 9/8C, Bravo

Photographs courtesy of Bravo and David Giesbrecht.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey Review: Forget Bubbies! Let’s Focus on Caroline The Great.

Was Dina really that important to moving storylines forward or am I missing something?

In her absence, the producers have welded the Kims together to form a mutant housewife cyborg that flit in everyone’s faces like gossipy gnats with a penchant for Swarovski—or worse. Like rodents. UGH! But more about that in a minute.

First, let’s address RHoNJ’s swag adjustment this week.

For every measure of wholesomeness one family’s storyline exudes, there’s, typically, a generous helping of smut that has to follow—but this week, the roles were reversed.

Don Corleone, meet Beaver Cleaver. And if that sounds a little forced, that’s probably because IT IS!

Without the Dina-versus-Danielle rounds to gas, RHoNJ has resorted to searching the soul of the Manzo clan: Caroline. And that would be all well and fine if the ‘Housewives’ brand didn’t connote catfights and guilty—but pleasurable!—excess.

This week, however, Caroline is repeatedly lower-thirded to highlight just how much of a matriarch she really is.

Scene one, act one: Caroline the Boss heads the round table to set the tone after the loss of Little Sister Dina. Teresa and Jacqueline pledge to dead Danielle and all her minions in their minds and hearts henceforth and forevermore. Cue a moment of silence for the housewives Bravo lost along the way…

Caroline the Supermom takes a visit to the city to check in on Lauren, who’s successfully finished year one of cosmetology school. Cue tears of joy.

When she gets home, Albie’s there and discouraged—rightfully so—that his school has no faith in or fervor about his future as a litigator. Furthermore, they have the audacity to NOT accommodate his learning style. This sounds like a job for Caroline the Motivator par excellence. Cue the tears of wrath turned pending sweet revenge.

Caroline the Diplomat checks in with Papa Manzo to make sure their vision for Albie is on the same trajectory—you know, hack who you have to—and be still, my beating heart, the best of Mrs. Manzo is yet to come.

Meanwhile, all’s quiet on the Staub’s front. She’s tending to her “’square’ bubbie” issue, and consequently, the drugs have her a little distracted from her typical role as villain.

But there’s a solution for that, isn’t there, Bravo?

Yes. Drum roll, please.

I present to you the rat brigade!

Teresa borrowed Jacqueline’s weakest-link tendencies, and invited the two-headed Kim cyborg to her housewarming party.

When Giudice stops the festivities to say a few words and make a couple shout-outs—to, duh, Caroline and Jacqueline—one half of the ‘borg skitters to the microphone to front as the fourth Manzo, while the other corners Jacqueline to talk about—who else? Staub.

Kim G. corners Jacqueline to gab about Danielle, and just when you thought all hope was lost for the damsel, Caroline the Enforcer disbands the evil Kim cyborg.

She’s something like an exterminator.

Clearly, we’re clawing for shreds to hold this thing together until Teresa can flip a table over again.

Fine by me, Bravo. Fine by me.

Tune in next week for the resurrection of the Staub. Prayerfully, there aren’t any microphones nearby.

Or ears.

Season 2, Episode 8: Bubbies Gone Bad (originally aired June 21, 2010)

Mondays at 10/9c on Bravo

For more on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, click here.

Photographs courtesy of Bravo and IMDb Pro.

The Bachelorette Review: Faldende i kjærlighet

That means “falling in love” in Icelandic.

Just kidding! It’s Norwegian.

First of all BREAKING NEWS on Jake and Vienna. Who saw that one coming? Besides everyone. I love that that is from the Washington Post.

Now moving onto Ali, who — even if she doesn’t end up with anyone at this point — I say won the whole Vienna vs. Ali battle.

Poems: Note to self — if ever interested in being on the Bachelor, have a prepared song/poem/vow to share in front of everyone on TV in order to minimize embarrassment. I hate that the guys had to write poems to Ali and present them to her in front of everyone. This isn’t some coffee shop with slam poetry on Monday nights from 7-close. If she wanted poems, the better thing would have been for the guys to write them out and then she reads them, alone, and has to pick based upon the content of the poem who gets the date. Writing a stupid Cat in the Hat poem and reading it out loud in the blistering cold to Ali’s ugly extensions is no one’s idea of a good time. The particularly painful performances came from Chris N. and Kasey. Chris N. has the personality of a doorknob. He looked like a deer in headlights the entire time. I also don’t understand why the guys were standing so far away from Ali on the bench to read the poems, which leads to the other disaster of Kasey’s reading. What on earth was he saying? The producers couldn’t even come up with semi-coherent subtitles. Talking fail from Kasey, once again. No one could understand what Kasey was saying this time, and I’m pretty sure he was the only one that didn’t use any Icelandic words in his poem.

Kirk: Won the poetry humiliation and got the one-on-one date with Ali. Whee! Aww, blaaaaaaaaaaaaaa– Ali’s noises are infuriating and I couldn’t hold off putting that out there for another second longer. She is like a cartoon character/tween that is in pain/pouting in reaction to everything. Woof. Anyway, Kirk and Ali were actually pretty cute with their matching sweaters and feeding geese and stuff. Kirk’s big history mystery was really just that he got super sick at college when the house he was living in was lined with asbestos and mold, effectively ending his career as a runner and messing up his entire body in the process. Tough break, for reals. Ali made some annoying noises in response to Kirk’s health problems, but then turns it around into a positive by noting that his new positive nature and outlook on life is what she finds positively lovely about him! Everybody wins!

Group Date: This date seemed pretty bitchin. The group rode horses (ponies? dogs?) around on a glacier to this cave, and then descended down to do a little exploring before going to this heated lake or something. The whole day was pretty much a man-off between Ty, the cowboy, and Chris L., the gentle giant. Frank was having a pity party for himself the entire time because he doesn’t like to share Ali, and she noticed that he is pretty much nonexistent on group dates. Oops. The date got more fun at the lake thing where Ali proceeded to get wasted and got kissy face with Chris (still looks like a bad kisser? She said she doesn’t necessarily feel “romantic” with him. Uh oh. Why am I still in parentheses?). After commenting about how the rose was like the rose from Beauty and the Beast (uhhh, ok), she gave it to Ty. Whatever, he will be gone next week I’m sure. Not into it.

Justin and Kasey: Awk face. Justin and Kasey of course got the two-on-one date to the utmost discomfort of everyone involved– except maybe Justin because he is quickly becoming the worst Canadian I know. Again, they got to do some pretty amazing stuff, like take a helicopter ride to the exploding volcano, Kyasfiuwehflkjwef (made that up). Justin took this opportunity to show his true colors of being a total dick by talking about how he was going to manipulate Kasey and then equated Ali to a wrestling belt, aka the prize. Someone is wayyyy too into the competition aspect of this show. The rest of the date was pretty uneventful other than an ice cave with candles and Kasey being left on a glacier after showing Ali his ridiculous tattoo. I hope he does find someone that needs her heart guarded and protected. Or at least monitored. Side Note: Kasey kept talking about how this experience has changed him, but how has he really been changed other realizing a tendency to do stupidly impulsive things?

Rose Ceremony: Ali got drunk again. Her hair. Her hair her hair her HAIR for the love of God someone help her get it together. This cocktail party was actually pretty funny. I still have no idea what Chris N. has been doing here past the first night. Ali tried to crack him and ask him what people may find  surprising about him. He said that he is funny in a monotone without changing the expression on his face, then said that his “quirky thing” is that he likes Mexican food. He then seemed genuinely surprised to be kicked off. This guy is a mystery to me. Other than Chris N. being a total weirdo, Frank was pissy but then made kissy face with Ali and realized that he has to try harder in group settings to show Ali how much he likes her. Craig was funny with a fake tattoo on his wrist, and then Chris Harrison played psychiatrist with Ali and told her that he thinks that she is afraid of letting go and falling in love. So wise, Mr. Harrison! Love him.

Next week it looks like Ali will stay in her love shielding shell because someone (JUSTIN) is going to betray her and do something “unspeakable.” But then they are going to talk about it for the rest of the episode, so don’t worry. Can’t wait to see him hobble away. I hope someone trips him. One for the gag reel!

Season 6, Episodes 5 (originally aired June 21, 2010)

For more on The Bachelorette, click here.

Mondays at 8/7c on ABC

Photographs courtesy of ABC.

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