Sophia's Bush

I remember back in 2003 watching the first few episodes of One Tree Hill. The net was buzzing with shirtless shots of Chad Michael Murray, especially of the scene, early in the first season, where he was wearing only a couple of basketballs. I quickly lost interest however and stopped watching at about the forth or fifth episode.



Series regular Sophia Bush obviously never heard of the saying 'don't dip your pen in the company ink'. I was surprised recently, reading an article about the shows final season, that Sophia's Bush has been dipped by three of her co-stars. I knew she was married to Chad Michael Murray early in the shows run but did not know she also dated the incredibly hot James Lafferty as well as actor Austin Nichols. According to the article Bush and Nichols recently broke up leaving three of her ex's able to share war stories while hanging out on set.



I have only had one relationship with someone I worked with and the aftermath was not pretty. It was not so much awkward with the person themselves, it was more the fall out amongst our co-workers who were friends with us both. Who you hang out with, support and trust at work can be crucial and break-ups tend to send alignments out of wack. I found it hard to wade through certain relationships (staff meetings were the worst) and it took awhile for things to get back to normal.

Austin Nichols in The Informers


If I were a producer Bush's triple co-star hattrick would certainly cause me to pause before hiring her. Not only did she date three of her co-stars, she married one and not one of the relationships lasted very long. Although I can appreciate her taste in men, I suggest Bush expand her dating pool beyond the men who are on salary to spend their days with her.

Chad Michael Murray


James Lafferty

Thanks to Superherofan for many of the caps!

Just Because: The Men of Cougar Town

Cougar Town returned last week and two episodes in the ratings are not looking great for a 4th season. Not sure how many watch but overuse of botox aside, the show never fails to deliver in the humor department. Cougar Town's humor is not in the same vein as your usual family sit-com. It is often mean spirited (last weeks short man jokes were in extremely poor taste and also quite hilarious)and at someones expense. The cast are all good and Busy Phillips is a comedy stand out. Hopefully ABC will consider it's decision to delay the shows return as part of the reason for it's weak ratings and give it another go in the fall. If this is a show you have not checked out yet, give it a go, story is often week, but despite that, the laughs are strong.

Brian Van Holt


Van Holt & Ian Gomez


Dan Byrd



Josh Hopkins

Women I Love: Anna Smith

I am not sure there is anyone better to be on your side than Downton Abbey's Anna Smith/Bates. Whether it be someone to listen to, borrow a book from, help you when in need, evening helping to drag a Turkish Diplomat from your room after he dies during having sex with you. I think Anna, played so beautifully by Joanne Froggatt is my favorite character from Downton. Yes, others get the better lines but Anna is a truly beautifully written and portrayed woman.

SMASH?

I have yet to watch Smash. I have both episodes on the DVR but for some reason, although it has many elements that might usually draw me to a new show, there are also things about it that have turned me off. The 'ram it down our throats' promotion of the show has me digging in my heals a bit. I also have yet to shake off my dislike of Katherine McPhee from days on Idol. She had plenty of talent but also cracked an attitude that used to annoy the shit out of me. To me, her season was all about Eliott Yamin, who I continue to think should have taken the title.



But...I do like shows about 'putting on a shows'. I also like Debra Messing and the site of Angelica Houston camping her way through the commercials is both a bit sad yet also strangely enjoyable. I also am a fan of the adorable and talented Raza Jaffrey who I know from watching a bit as Zafar from the BBC drama Spooks. Jaffrey also has a musical theatre background on the London stages so hopefully the show will take advantage of this.



So...is anyone tuning in....Is it worth a look?

Welcome Back Kelly Bishop

I still consider it a crime that Gilmore Girls was so ignored by the Emmy's. Lauren Graham, Amy Sherman-Palladino for writing and especially Kelly Bishop's turn as Emily Gilmore were all stand outs. Lets hope history does not repeat itself when Kelly joins her Anything Goes co-star Sutton Foster in Bunheads, Sherman-Palladino's new show for ABC Family. The show begins production this spring for airing this summer.

Below: Kelly with Gilmore co-stars Melissa McCarthy and Keiko Agena.

Favorite TV Dog: Stella

I am not sure I have laughed quite so hard at the suicidal tendencies of French Bulldog as I did while watching last weeks Modern Family. Watching Jay and Gloria try to ensure Stella did not end it all in the families swimming pool was priceless. Stella, as played by Brigitte, has the best facial expressions of anyone in the immensely talented cast.

Just Because: What about Talent?

People get old... Should they be shot for it?
Above: Jessica Lange, Goldie Hawn, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Barbra Streisand. (Life Magazine Photo shoot, 1986).

Last night when I got home about an hour into The Golden Globes, but with the magic of the DVR was able to pretty much be on track live after about 30 minutes. I decided to log on to facebook to catch up on some of the commentary. Sometimes the comments are much wittier and funnier than the show itself. Now last nights show was not horrible, but with some of the most talented people in the world in the room, why was the banter not more interesting???



After about 10 minutes on Facebook I got pretty disgusted and quickly closed the window. First off acting award shows are supposed to be about acting. Now...the Golden Globes of course are about so much more but... The current emphasis on fashion and looks makes any talent anyone in the room have pretty much secondary to if they put on a pound or two and especially if they happened to do the unthinkable, age.



When Jane Fonda walked on stage people were a buzz about how great she looked, and hell she did! I like Jane Fonda, don't love her, but like her. Never found her acting as powerful as the other ladies in the top pic above. But really...did she look good for 75 or did she look just a bit odd. I guess it depends on your priorities. I read so many comments on how Jessica Lange should take a page from Fonda and how haggard Lange looked. Really??? For 63, she looks pretty fine to me. Now I guess Lange could have gotten a better stylist or spend a decade preaching to women about getting fit the natural way, then turn around and get everything nipped, tucked and sucked as Jane did, but I for one am pretty happy she did not.

In the past year Lange gave me chills and huge laughs with incredible turn as Constance on American Horror Story. (which btw she won for last night) Fonda, well she did the talk show circuit hawking her latest book. My goal is not to bash Jane, but I find it sad that her look, one put together with surgery, latex, make-up and tons of cash, is revered while someone like Lange who chose to age more naturally is bashed to shit. This world doesn't stand a chance!

Congratulations to the winners last night, although not all my picks won, all the winners were well deserved!

Kudos to Daniel Radcliffe

I am not sure the writing of this weeks SNL was really that much better than last weeks but...Daniel Radcliffe proves when you have a host with some talent it makes all the difference in the world.

Caps below by Superherofan

It is a little surprising given it's years on the air, Lorne Michaels and SNL have seemingly not learned from past mistakes. Last weeks Charles Barkley episode was painfully bad. Between the writing and Barkley's tortured cue card reading, it was like watching a bad grade school dress rehearsal. (thank goodness for DVR's and the >> button) It is not that having an athlete or politician as host is so bad. But...what SNL continues to fail at is choosing to write for them instead of the better choice of writing around them. It was obvious they tried to bring out something in Barkley (and he is not without appeal). Instead, when there is a week with a Barkley, there should be Stefon, Wiig's best and brightest, and the characters the audience loves to see.



What Radcliffe was able to do so well (besides showing his beautiful chest), was to use his considerable acting and stage skills to showcase his personality, even when the sketches could not. I think most of last nights concepts were winning, but sadly they all went on a few minutes too long. We shall we what Channing Tatum does (hopefully he will rip off his shirt as well) when he takes on the host role in February.

Kudos to Edina and Patsy

I was a little worried when I found out Absolutely Fabulous coming back again. I only discovered the series through DVD and was laughing my ass off at Jennifer Saunders and company long after the series went off the air. (back in the day it was the perfect show to watch high)

With a good, but not great, Christmas episode, the New Year's show was back to the high level of hilarity viewers have come to expect from the writing and the cast. Speaking of the cast, they all look amazing espcially given the show went off the air in 2004. Some, like Julia Sawalha, actually look younger! Keep em coming Jennifer!

Downton Abbey's: Dan Stevens

Now I know depending on where you live (or your downloading skills) many of you have long ago seen season 2 of Downton Abbey. Although I could easily download or buy the DVD I decided I wanted to watch the show as I did season 1, during it's broadcast on PBS. It was wonderful to return to the lives of The Grantham's and Crawley's (and all who work with and for them). It was also great to be enveloped again in the shows incredible score.

Below: With Downton Abbey co-star Michelle Dockery

Dan Steven's Matthew Crawley is certainly a favorite from the series. Steven's began acting with the National Youth Theatre in London and was a member of the Footlights while studying at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Steven's first major role to gain attention was in 2006 in the mini-series 'Line Of Beauty'. He followed this up with various stage, television and film roles, mostly based out of the UK. Steven's is about to get more international attention when he co-stars along side Alicia Silverstone, who reunites with her Clueless director Amy Heckerling, in the soon to be released Vamps.



In The Line Of Beauty (2006)





Dan in Hilde (2009)