Month: September 2010

Andy Cohen – The Voice of Reason on Bravo TV

Bravo TV is known for its famous franchises of reality shows, but who knew Andy Cohen, Vice-President of Original Programming and Development would be such a breakout star?  His Watch What Happens Live shows are just plain hysterical and as the lone voice of reason among the housewives reunions shows, he’s really made himself a steady fixture in the Bravo TV lineup. It’s impossible to forget his standard cheeky wink when one of the wives says something so incredibly wrong that we either groan or just laugh – loudly.

His terrific sense of humor has come in handy this season. When Theresa Giudice (Housewives of New Jersey) tosses him like a rag doll in the middle of a fight, the audience is a little amused ….and shocked. But Andy’s quick and witty acknowledgment of the situation, made everything right with his panel and with the viewing audience.

Andy is a friend in my head. Someone I’d like to sit and have a cocktail with and discuss pop culture in a way that doesn’t seem too shallow. I know – that hardly seems feasible. But with Andy it’s totally possible. That’s what makes him an integral part in Bravo TV’s storytelling. With someone like Andy – a funny, smart, yet somewhat eccentric moderator – the craziness of the network’s reality shows stars are called to the carpet by his many skeptical looks – also hysterical. He’s just brings a sense of relevancy to the table, making the story – as insane as they story may be – easier to swallow – especially with a Maker’s Mark and Ginger Ale.

Matzel!

A Little Night Music – A Stage Revival Revived

When I grow up I want to be Bernadette Peters. Really. I’ve wanted to be her since 1984 and I saw “Sunday in the Park With George” (also starring one of the loves of my life, Mandy Patinkin). Wait. I take that back. Ever since I saw her on the Carol Burnett Show in the 70’s, I’ve wanted to be Bernadette Peters. But now that desire is stronger than ever since I’ve seen her in Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music”.

Peters, along with the phenomenal Elaine Stritch, play mother and daughter each seeking something new. They took over the roles from the Tony award-winning Catherine Zeta Jones and the multi-award winning Broadway legend Angela Lansbury (this show I unfortunately did not get to see). The new additions are magic on stage. No one. I repeat. No one sings Sondheim like Bernadette Peters. It is a journey in sound and sight that stays with you for the rest of your life. It is a privilege to see her perform.

The renowned Elaine Stritch is a bit shaky in spots, but her unshakeable commitment to the performance cannot be unraveled. Literally wheeled out in a wheelchair, Stritch’s comic timing is spot on. TV viewers know her as Alec Baldwin’s acerbic mother on 30 Rock.  But the legendary Broadway icon shines in her  Tony-winning one woman show – Elaine Stritch At Liberty.  Netflix it. It’s wonderful.

Go see this revival that’s been revived by these truly talented additions. It’s musical theater at its finest. It’s Sondheim. It’s just good.

Going the Distance – A Refreshing Rom-Com

You have to be in the mood to see a romantic comedy. At least I do. And sometimes I’d rather subject myself to every Police Academy, Friday the 13th, or even Rambo film ever made to avoid seeing a terribly formulaic romantic comedy starring a skinny actress who is unfortunately so stuck with Botox that she is incapable of emoting anything except disdain…or maybe its hunger? Anyway – because of the fondness I have for Drew Barrymore (don’t ask me, I just like her) I hit the theater for Going the Distance.

I have to say the movie is a little confusing. The couple (Drew Barry and Justin Long) meet and almost immediately (with the help of the all important montage) have to embark on a long distance relationship. It takes place in the present, but doesn’t offer up any present day technology when it comes to staying in touch. There is not a text message to be found. And the jobs of the characters are throwbacks as well.

But the storytelling is refreshing. The couple are together (well, at least try to be together) because they really care for each other’s company. And the one real-world complication of the bad economy is a good twist as to why the couple can’t seem to get together.  It’s also truly invigorating that this rom-com doesn’t rely on the mostly crappy slap stick that non-creative executives almost always insist on adding to a character driven script.  Because of that, the movie is smooth and low-key. You’re not tempted to get up to go to the bathroom in order to avoid the stupid scene with someone either getting hit or “accidentally” having an important piece of clothing ripped from her body.

Bravo, Drew! You’ve come a long way, Gertie.

Temple Grandin – Big Emmy Wins for Claire Danes and others

Well, the year’s award season kicked off this past weekend with the 62nd Annual Emmy Awards with a big winner being Temple Grandin. An HBO film, the made-for-TV-movie is very well deserving of all the accolades. Temple Grandin (played beautifully by Claire Danes, a winner for best actress) is a high functioning autistic woman who falls in love with animal husbandry and goes on to earn a Ph.D and become a world-famous animal scientist and autism self-advocate.

Skillfully directed by Mick Jackson (The Bodyguard), the story attempts and succeeds in explaining in a “non-explainy” way how Temple’s brain works. It is extraordinarily effective. You learn how after one viewing or hearing of something Temple remembers it – perfectly. How she is unable to understand idioms – her brain is incredibly literal. And how unfortunate it is that she is unable to express affection or receive affection from others. Temple finds it difficult to be touched (which made the real life moment of the actual Temple Grandin hugging Executive Producer Emily Gerson after the movie won for best television movie even more poignant). A touching moment in the film is when her mother (Julia Ormond – winner of best supporting actress for her portrayal) talks to Temple about how expression is given through the eyes – an action Temple exclaims she will never be able to do. Heartbreaking.

With the help of an understanding teacher (the enormously underrated David Strathairn – again an Emmy winner for this film) Temple discovers her special ability to think like animals – mainly cows – and goes on to develop a very successful career. And how many of us yearn for a successful career doing something we love? Damn, that’s lucky!

This film is a lesson in never believing in labels. Temple Grandin’s story is an attest to that. She will always be different and for that she will always be a wonder.

Solitary Man – A Great Little Movie on DVD

In this midst of the abysmal summer movie selection, I resorted to my good ‘ol pal Netfilix for something to watch and I came across Solitary Man with Michael Douglas. This is a great little film and excellent companion to the terribly underrated Douglas movie Wonder Boys. Written and codirected by Brian Koppelman, the film is quiet but extremely moving – primarily because of the performance of Michael Douglas.

Douglas plays, Ben Kalmen, a player, a dog, an old dog – a really unlikable guy, but played with such finesse that you find yourself actually routing for him. The movie is great storytelling. It shows conflict that could be construed as “a story that’s already been told over and over again.” Not the case with this film. It takes you somewhere. You are moved. You keep watching and hoping that Ben Kalmen makes it on his journey to redemption and forgiveness.

The crappy release date of this movie makes it difficult to be a contender for this year’s award season. But Douglas’ performance should not be overlooked. It’s a stunner and resonates even more with the news of Douglas’ cancer diagnosis. Hopefully its release on DVD will remind the industry of this great leading man performance. Fingers crossed!