Audrina, Whitney, Lauren

Confession: I know the first time I watched ‘hit MTV reality TV show’ The Hills I hated it and told you guys that, all the while mocking Heidi Montag ’cause that’s just fun. I still loathe Heidi Montag, but um…the hating of The Hills? It’s kind of been replaced with a bit of non-hating. It’s my newest guilty pleasure, I guess you could say. Although, I’d prefer if we keep this secret between you and I (and that creepy guy in the back). The latest episode to air was ‘Better Off As Friends‘.

I looked at the Wiki for The Hills and it seems like no one can confirm or deny if this show is totally real or not. While LC aka Lauren Conrad says it’s ‘really my life!’ Audrina Patrige is outting the show as having basically auditioned her for the part of Lauren’s friend and stuff. So, something is fishy there.

Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag

Whitney, Lauren, Audrina

Also - it seems like the girls all have the same stylist. Except for poor Stephanie Pratt. Not only is she treated like utter crap by her brother, Spencer Pratt, but her eye makeup and poofy hair are not dealt with well. However - the way the girls all end up having the same hair and same nail polish colors reeks of a stylist putting this together so things match and that they’re following certain hair and makeup trends of the moment.

They always kind of group trends together, which is why we only had to deal with Buffy’s ‘poodle’ hair in season four of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for a few episodes that were all grouped together. Now, I know there are people who will say that the girls like Lauren and Whitney (Whitney Port, she’s the sweetest gal) share nailpolish and just like to copy each other’s hair (I totally want to copy this side braid stuff) but I don’t think they did it themselves, or even choose the look. Conspiracy!

The third episode of season four of The Hills aired the other night. Spencer was so glad to get Heidi alone, but once they were, he couldn’t wait to talk about LC and how much he hates her, and Stephanie, and anyone poor. He also totally emotionally abuses Heidi and man, that’s just like - I hope this is FAKE.

Stephanie Pratt tried to bribe her brother with gifts to make him like her which was so desperate and he was SUCH a jackass about it. She shouldn’t have to give him stuff to make him treat her decently. Of course he was the same amount of jerk when he was living at her place. She’s a doormat while trying to placate him.

For more Sirlinksalot.net: The Hills

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*Nom, nom, nom*

These images are being posted with permission and are copyright to Avium of limitlessdesire.com

For more Sirlinksalot.net: Heroes

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Sofachip: So, Jessica, what is it that you’ve been watching these days - besides what you’ve mentioned on Sofachip already?

Jessica: A crazy amount of goodness that fills me up with all the angst, joy, and vitamins I need.

SC: But you didn’t answer - What exactly have you been watching, though? What did you watch today?

Jessica: Fine, fine. I’ll speak. I currently have Supernatural season one on DVD which I’ve been watching and just flat-out adoring. I just watched the Bloody Mary episode about an hour ago. See, I had seen most of the first half of the season, but not the rest. I saw the majority of season two, and all of season three. So I wanted to go back - it’s very rewarding to have seen the recent episodes and then go back to the initial ones and see how it all started. Also, these DVDs are honestly possibly the best DVDs I’ve ever seen in terms of TV shows on DVD.

SC: Why is that?

Jessica: They give you the option to have the ‘previously on…’ recap on or off, which means that if you’re having a marathon like me, you don’t have to keep seeing them. But if you want to put on a random episode, or you want to show a friend an episode to try to entice them, you can play that easily. Also, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles have a lot of great commentary on episodes. Too often stars of shows either can’t or won’t do commentary but the fans appreciate it SO much. I equally enjoy when someone like Joss Whedon or a writer does commentary to hear their insights about their craft and so forth. But I also like to hear from the actors I am seeing on screen. The Office also always has great commentary from people. Anyway, Jared and Jensen are awesome and you know, they have really sexy voices. So, yea!

SC: What else have you been watching?

Jessica: Oh my God - you know, I’ve been watching Dr. Horribles Sing-Along Blog online and I am SO unbelievably ready for the soundtrack! Neil Patrick Harris has this amazing voice - and Felicia Day sounds angelic. And I covet her red hair. Nathan Fillion is also giving one hell of a performance. After I watched the first act, I was going crazy, wanting to tell all my friends, and even complete strangers on the street that they should watch this. I think high schools should do this as a musical! It is so highly enjoyable and it makes me super happy when I watch it.

SC: Ah, yes. I know you wrote about your excitement for Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog before it began. I’m glad to see that it’s as wonderful as you anticipated it being.

Jessica: Absolutely, it is. Everyone I know is getting the DVDs of that for Christmas whenever they release them.

SC: Even your Grandma?

Jessica: Oh, yes. I think she could sing along to Felicia Day’s character of Penny very well! She also plays piano so she might make it a one woman show on Broadway.

SC: So, anything else you’ve been watching?

Jessica: Yes, yes, and yes. I think two weeks ago the library finally had my copy of The Tudors season one ready so I took that home and devoured it in less than four days. I love the costumes so much, and everything. Although I have to always keep myself from being pissed off at how women were treated back then. When I see it over and over, it’s upsetting on a more directed level than when you’d hear about it in history class for a minute. But history is important to know. I think Natalie Dormer is perfect as Anne Boleyn and Jonathan Rhys Meyers is also fantastic. I love whenever Callum Blue from Dead Like Me is on screen, as well.

SC: Speaking of Jonathan Rhys Meyers, did I see a copy of August Rush on your coffee table?

Jessica: Why yes you did. My sister told me it wasn’t good, so I was all ‘oh man, I don’t even wanna watch this’ - but I did, and I just have so much love for it. Jonathan Rhys Meyers plays such a convincing jerk on The Tudors that it was surprising to see him play someone nice. And the movie has Keri Russell who was Felicity, and I think is just fabulous. If you never saw Keri Russell and Nathan Fillion in the movie Waitress, you have to do that.

SC: Thank you, I will watch it again!

Jessica: Excellent. Maybe you will be encouraged to make some pies.

SC: Oh, I’m a horrible baker.

Jessica: Funny, me too. I set the toaster oven on fire once, so I try to keep things simple.

SC: Have you finished watching Party of Five season three?

Jessica: No. I’m savoring it slowly. I love the 90’s. So I watch it in my room with the lights off and immerse myself in the feeling that washes over me which is all nostalgia and memories of wanting to be Neve Campbell and live in an attic. Going back, I didn’t even remember that the character of Kirstin had suffered a major depression, and I find it interesting to see how they dealt with that.

SC: Hey, when you got The Tudors didn’t it have a free episode of Californication?

Jessica: It did. It looks like an amazing show that I’d like to check out more.

SC: That’s a lot of TV watching.

Jessica: Well, I’m talking about maybe going back a month here, everything I’ve been watching. I’ve just been doing a lot of things for myself, like reading. There’s too many books to mention, but I have to mention that I read the book by Hugh Laurie called The Gun Seller and it is one of the best books I’ve read this year.

SC: Man, I’m getting tired. Anything else?

Jessica: Weeeeeeeell, I’ve been watching The Starter Wife that you can watch online, and I finally finished seeing all of The Office season four. I’m in love with Jim Halpert. He would be the best boyfriend ever. Probably John Krasinski would, too. Oh! And I have been watching Secret Diary of a Callgirl with Billie Piper from Doctor Who. It reminds me of Sex and the City, and it’s very fun. I recommended it to my friend, Kerstin, and she has gotten obsessed with it as well.

SC: Do you have anything more to show us?

Jessica: That’s what she said. Ha! Ah. Michael Scott, I love you! Also, I want to start watching Weeds but I’m going to have to factor in a few hours for sleep eventually.

SC: Thank you for this interview.

Jessica: Thank you. I have to go do some laundry now.

SC: That’s code for “I’m going to go watch another episode of Supernatural“, isn’t it?

Jessica: No comment.

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Fans of Saving Grace are excited about EmbraceYourGrace.com, a social networking website. When I first heard that, my instinct was to cringe. Another one? I thought with dim hopes. I went to the site expecting to be less than thrilled - despite my love for the show. But the thing is, I’m already placing this site in my bookmarks with the full intention of visiting it often. So, read below to see how I went from indifferent to interested.

It is a website that is interactive alongside the show (polls, forums, tie-in contests) and lets fans connect between (or during commercial breaks of) episodes. A highlight of the site is that the creator of the show, Nancy Miller, updates a blog (hey, that’s what this is!) there which currently asks you to think on questions related to the series premiere. We’re not talking about ‘do you think Grace wore the right shoes?’ type of questions. More like, “We last saw Grace with a gun against the head of Father Murphy, the priest who molested her when she was a child. What do you think she should do? What do you think she will do? If Murphy dies, what will happen to his soul?”

That’s something to think on and there’s nothing fluffy about it. You can self-reflect - you don’t have to feel pressure to answer the question like you’re in school and the teacher isn’t moving on until you’ve voice an opinion (on a book you’ve never read). There’s no ‘right’ answer. But if you do feel share-y, then the website allows you to talk about what you think with others.

Other writers are on the site, such as the comic Mindy Raf, TheStrongBuzz.com founder/author Andrea Strong, and Sherri Rifkin, an author, who recently came out with the book LoveHampton. (There are more wonderful women on board, and they all have more accomplishments than I can mention here, so check out the site for more thorough bios!)

If you’re looking for a place to get started try reading Revenge is Never Right by Jessica Delfino (the quirky and fabulously fun musician). Then read the opposite viewpoint from Andrea Strong, Take Revenge. As long as you can be civil (no ‘omg you suck!’) you aren’t going to be censored - you can state your mind. Saving Grace fans are lucky to have EmbraceYourGrace.com, and I think it’s the type of website we wish all of our favorite TV shows would produce.

I just got finished reading I Wanna “Be Known” Too! by Mindy Raf. It’s time to start some self-reflection.

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What is the show about? Very good question. I do indeed have the answer! The Cleaner is based on the true story of a man who is an “extreme interventionist”. Benjamin Bratt portrays him as William ‘The Cleaner’ Banks. Once his daughter is born, Banks finds himself at the lowest point he can imagine, the kind of desolate hell you like to imagine can’t be real. Choosing to believe in hope, he decides to tackle reinvention by making a deal with God. We all like to believe in second chances. He gets his. Turns out, that might be the easy part.

Banks has promised himself, and God, to turn away completly from his former addictions. As if that weren’t enough to deal with, he decides that he will aid others in doing the same. Fighting your own personal demons isn’t easy. As someone who has been in the same sort of shoes (maybe a different size - sure), Banks (and some newfound friends) work as agents of hope in a world that leaves too many people believing the concept of hope doesn’t figure into their lives.

Bratt has said this about the show:

“I am always looking for good material to work with and The Cleaner is one of the best scripts I’ve read in a long time. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to portray such a complex and multidimensional character. A&E is the perfect home for The Cleaner and I’m proud to be working with them on bringing this emotionally compelling drama to life.”

Two more official pictures for The Cleaner are below the jump:

Pictures are courtesy of A&E and Electric Artists

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Holly Hunter is a Ferocious Femme in TNT’s Saving Grace

When you’re an avid TV watcher, you won’t make time for something that isn’t good. So first, let me make something clear - I am an avid TV watcher. Next, let me tell you what I just watched: Saving Grace (season two, episode one: Have a Seat, Earl). You can all watch this episode premiere on Monday July 14th, on TNT (10/9 C).

But, unless you are already a fan (and I know there are plenty of you!) maybe you’d like to know why I’d recommend watching. I mean, unless you’re here for advice on changing the oil in your car? Since my knowledge of cars extends only slightly past how to maneuver a bumper car for maximum bumping efficiency, let’s talk about the show. I’ve gotten to preview the first episode, courtesy of TNT. The pictures are also courtesy of them.

Some good shows have horrible tag lines, and ironically, some horrible shows have great tag lines. That’s just the crazy world in which we live. Well, Saving Grace manages to be a good show and have a good tag line. Here it is: You Say Hellraiser Like It’s a Bad Thing. I just love that. It sets the standard right there.

I am going to be picky with what spoilers I say. Why? Because otherwise I’d be ruining your TV watching experience! Also, I’m just very, very mean. Grrr! Beware. Now, the episode, at first, settles in and establishes a few things for us gentle viewers…but then, BANG. It’s time for action. And there’s no time for a lull or to stop for a lemonade - for the rest of the show. Which isn’t to say it’s a marathon and you can’t blink (you can blink, please - blink or your eyes will go crazy) but things just PUNCH, PUNCH, PUNCH at you until you realize that this entire season is going to be a fun ride. And hey, I’m down for that.

Holly Hunter stars in Saving Grace as Grace Handadrako (which makes me think of Donnie Darko). Holly Hunter always delivers a good performance, and not only has she won an Academy Award, but she’s been nominated as Grace Handradrako for a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Which, not too shabby, huh?

If I were Holly Hunter I’d just walk around all day and give people mysterious smiles. She has the look and attitude of someone that you go ‘I think I know her’ or ‘I don’t know her, but I really want to’. Maybe that’s called confidence, or talent, or charisma. I tend to call it being made of sheer win.

The character, Grace Hanadarko (an Oklahoma City police detective) is what pulled me into this show. She is trying to figure herself out, but being a human being - never truly can. You may have uncovered that theme in your life, as well. I found it very interesting to watch as she argues with herself internally, and discovers that she’s more complicated than she thought she was. Sometimes her ID is in charge, and she has childish instincts that she gleefully uses. At one point in this episode, someone says to her, “I don’t know whether to hug you or kick your ass.” That’s how I feel about her, too! Maybe I could work out a way to do both at the same time. Then again, I believe I’ve already mentioned my coordination skills are a bit lacking…

Of course, one strong character does not a good show make. That’s why there are others, including Rhetta Rodriguez - played by Laura San Giacomo (Just Shoot Me, Veronica Mars). Bailey Chase (who was Graham Miller on Buffy the Vampire Slayer in season four!) plays detective Butch Ada, which is not a name many men can pull off this well.

Even guest stars were out in full force. I recognized Gail Leery from Dawson’s Creek (Mary-Margaret Humes) and Graham Chase aka Angela’s dad (Tom Irwin) from My So-Called Life. Oh! -and Jessica Walter, who played Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development.

Vague spoilers that I hope make you scratch your head: The number six will play an important part in the story. I’ve never heard a mention of the game Twister sound so sinister. (I’m not talking about any sort of pun, either. The actual game! Which, admittedly was a little nerve-wracking to play at birthday parties growing up, because I was always worried I’d topple over and my not-so-stellar skills of standing awkwardly with poise would be discovered.) Also, not everyone thinks Grace is a hero.

Con: I am not a fan of the music they used in a beginning action scene. No, really. I just didn’t like it. That’s my biggest complaint.

This is a show that makes you look at the motivations of characters and the people they might represent to you. Watching Grace, I realized that when your job is that of a cop you are often trying to decide between what you have to do for your job, and by the law - vs. what you’d like to do.

Then I realized that’s how my entire life feels.

So, I’d say it’s pretty damn relatable. Watch it. This is TNT’s official episode synopsis for the season two premiere:

“Have a Seat, Earl” – Premieres Monday, July 14, at 10 p.m.

While off duty, Grace chases down a subject who turns out to be one of the FBI’s Most Wanted. Afterwards, she is hailed a hero. But nobody is aware of what she was really doing on her day off, a shocking secret involving the priest who molested her as a child.

Look for another post about this show coming up on Sofachip where I’ll talk about some spoilery info on Earl (he’s an angel, so you know he’s got a good story!) and Leon (a death row inmate).

Ready to read more? Rapid Recaps and spoilers for Saving Grace!

Saving Grace - Season 1

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If you ask me, that’s a wonderful name. Then again, after Callum Blue (another great name) played ‘Mason’ on Showtime’s Dead Like Me, I’ve always loved the name. (Oh! Need a good TV show to watch for summer cause reality TV is (generally) so devoutly suck-worthy? I highly recommend Dead Like Me - The Complete First Season)

I’m listening to Mason Jennings MySpace right now, and have been for the past three-ish days, so let me link you there so you can listen now. Mason Jennings MySpace

Ever hear a song on the radio (some of us still listen to that) and rush to copy down some lyrics so you can google the song and artist later? I do that. That’s how this particular discovery happened.

I guess the word I want to use here is, impressed. I’m so wholly impressed by ‘the entire package’ as they say. The music, the lyrics in the music, what he updates his MySpace with, how he speaks and what he says (i.e. his mind) in interviews… I can firmly say that this is who I believe to be a musician of gratifying substance.

The song I heard on the radio that made me go ‘hey - I need to find locate this, drop everything else stat!’, was ‘I Love You and Buddha Too‘. It’s catchy, and happy, although the lyrics are anything but devoid of deep meaning. The more I investigate, I can confirm my initial thoughts - this is a song about a celebration of life.

Note: Mason Jennings did a Daily Fix Segment that Current has posted and I recommend watching.

Here is an excerpt from Mason Jennings MySpace, to give you an idea of the musical company he keeps:

Minneapolis based singer-songwriter Mason Jennings has signed to Brushfire Records. He joins Jack Johnson, G. Love, Matt Costa, Rogue Wave, ALO and Money Mark who have all released their latest albums through Brushfire Records.

The creative folk singer was previously signed to Glacial Pace/Epic, the label created by Modest Mouse front man Isaac Brock, where he released 2006’s “Boneclouds.”

Fighter Girl by Mason Jennings (I don’t think I mentioned that he also writes songs that a girl will swoon to):

Mason Jennings with Jack Johnson and Matt Costa in April of ‘08:

(TURN THE VOLUME UP AND SING, YOU BEAUTIFUL SOULS!)

First photo from here.

Love him now?

In The Ever NEWEST RELEASE, under ten dollars

Boneclouds, under eight dollars

Mason Jennings

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At a glance: The very last scene with Georgina on Gossip Girl’s season finale reminded me of the last scene with Kathryn in Cruel Intentions.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (SMG) played Buffy Summers for seven years on The WB Network. That’s not new news. Fans know that for three of those years, Michelle Trachtenberg played Dawn Summers, Buffy’s little and peskily annoying sister. By the time Trachtenberg joined, SMG had already played her role in the 1999 hit Blockbuster Cruel Intentions.

I still remember going to the theater to see it, it was never just ‘another movie’ for my generation, it was an experience. We love this movie and we’ll watch it over and over, and it’s not because it’s Oscar-worthy. It’s just so fun and wonderful. At least that’s how I see it. Because, male or female, people in my age bracket (20’s) adore this film (at least more often than not).

Gellar had dark hair (close to her natural color) for the role of the rich bitch, Kathryn Merteuil. Her step-brother was Sebastian Valmont, played by a very crush-worthy Ryan Phillipe. Kathryn and Sebastian had a bet, and eager plans to destroy the new girl who was the innocent and blonde Annette Hargrove (played by Reese Witherspoon - Phillipe’s real wife at the time). Anyway. ‘Twas a great movie. They’ve tried to make sequels but they always fail miserably, just like the Bring it On sequel’s do. Not that I, uh, watched any of them. Erm. Moving on! (Did you know they also made another IKWYDLS - I Know What You Did Last Summer - movie after the second one? SO. BAD. But I felt compelled to watch!)

Something I found eerie was that Trachtenberg recently played a character very similar to Gellar’s Merteuil, on The CW’s Gossip Girl. Trachtenberg was Georgina Sparks, with dark hair, clothes, and fingernails. Sparks was even more evil than the ‘resident bad girl’ Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester).

The very last scene with Georgina on Gossip Girl’s season finale reminded me of the last scene with Kathryn in Cruel Intentions.

Here are screencaps from Gossip Girl, with commentary about how Cruel Intentions follows a distinctly similar sequence.

Kathryn starts out on the top of the world. She thinks she’s gotten away with everything. (Note that she is wearing a long cross, just like how Kathryn wore a rosary at all times.)

Kathryn is confronted at first by Annette in the bathroom. But Kathryn thinks everything is still fine… Annette acts polite.

When Kathryn is giving her eulogy for Sebastian, people have been being passed something through the church. She gets so angry that no one is paying attention (they’re laughing) so she storms down, through the crowd.

Cecile is out there, and hands her a copy of something. Meanwhile, other kids are standing around, mocking and pointing.

Kathryn realizes what has happened…tears forming…(wah, wah!)

Two of the faculty approach Kathryn. She is looking at the diary that Sebastian wrote and Cecile has photocopied and passed out. It includes Kathryn’s dirty secret about her drug habit. She’s in major trouble, to say the least.

For more Sirlinksalot: Gossip Girl

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Fifth Season (Slim Set) $16.99

Cruel Intentions: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack $2.97-$8.99

Cruel Intentions DVD $3.99

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In the final chapter, I feel as though all of the characters (characters created with love) are delivering (via life lessons from the writers) final words - statements that an entire generation of adults who grew up with the show as teens, needed to hear and know. Reaffirmed, even. Jen’s message to her daughter was just one more goodbye from the show, to us. And if you don’t cry during it, I don’t know if you are even human.

(Don’t stop now, there’s more.)

I wonder where Kevin Williamson is now. I also find myself curious about the real life counterpart to Joey (edit: except I know that she had a baby around the time of Williamson’s commentary for the finale), and if the other characters were based on real people. And with semi-autobiographical venues like this, what does that feel like to be a character on a show?

On DawsonsCreek.com there is a ‘journal of the last days’ by Joe Ferroni (who is passionate and talented in a way I always wish I could be seen as). I’d like to show this excerpt that he wrote about what someone said…except it’s copywritten! And, the exact URL will not copy and paste, so that doesn’t help any of us. Gah. But, to paraphrase a paraphrase (which sounds ridiculous, I’m aware) Joshua Jackson said something to everyone on one of the last days, about family, growing up with people, and because of them. And well, that’s mighty and eloquent.

I want to thank you for coming on by to this post, and I do hope you come back again via subscribing or bookmarking the blog.

Say goodnight, not goodbye.

Dawson’s Creek - The Series Finale (Extended Cut) Price is under $4.00

Dawson’s Creek - The Complete Series (Seasons 1-6 Plus Series Finale) Price is under $200.00 for all six seasons. Wowie.

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I have pretty-pretty pictures, and two (count them, two!) YouTube Video’s for fans of Burn Notice that can’t wait for the season two premiere. Don’t think yourself greedy, simply see it as a way to get prepped for the new, second, season. Unlike the cast and crew, you don’t have to do any stunts, find killer music, or run in heels. All you have to do is relax and watch. (And well, if you could do my dishes, that really would be swell. I just painted my nails.)

The show features Jeffrey Donavan as Michael Western, and Gabrielle Anwar as Fiona Glennae. Anwar is beautiful, that’s a given - but you might recognize her from a Disney movie called Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken. It’s a beautiful movie that I think almost anyone can watch and enjoy it.

Two facts of interest: Anwar has a daughter named Willow, and Anwar is a Pagan. The daughter was born before Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on TV, but Buffy fans might recognize that the character of Willow Rosenberg became a Wiccan on the show. It’s just a coincidence, though. (Yes, I have lots of useless knowledge!)

Okay, promo picture time!

Helpful FAQ:

When does season two of Burn Notice start?: July 10th

Why can’t I do my own dishes: I just painted my nails

Right. And the real reason?: I might have germaphobia or something, it gives me the heebie jeebies.

Burn Notice - Season One

Burn Notice: The Fix (Obsidian) Book

Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken DVD (Total deal: under ten dollars!)

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