megan.cherkezian

Nicole Richie: Disappearing Act

Dear Nicole:I am worried. What is the point of owning all those fabulous clothes (some of which I might not have chosen, but that's besides the point) if you can't look your best in them? Now, I know your weight has been a point of public scrutiny for some time now, but please do us all a favor and have a burger. No, you know what? Have a burrito. With all the toppings. While I love your random comments on The Simple Life (especially when you told your camp director he looked like Leo DiCaprio in the first episode), it's hard not to feel a little pain at the sight of your skeletal frame. I know what you're going to say. Lindsay Lohan's back in rehab. Mischa Barton's in the hospital. Even your BFF Paris' news of a shorter sentence might merit more attention. Well, while all those stories continue casting celebrities in a bad light, I can't help but feel disappointed when I notice a collarbone before a cute hairstyle or an eye-catching dress. I have faith you can do it. After all, you...

Wed, May 30, 2007

In Honor of Charlie: Greatest Hits

With Lost's enveloping two-hour finale last night came the painful goodbye of Dominic Monaghan's Charlie. For me, this character was a big reason I watched our Oceanic survivors argue, forgive, explore and face danger week after week, so when the rock star pressed his palm against the glass window and cracked a small smile for Desmond as the surrounding water provided a silent farewell, I was a little choked up and realized my Lost experience will definitely change come next season. One of my favorite Charlie moments was the episode in which he drafted a list of his best moments, his "greatest hits," and as a nod to Monaghan's brilliant portrayal of a man who's gained quite a different perspective on life, I've come up with my own greatest hits  not of my life, but of moments from shows that were on the top of my playlist this past season.Brothers & SistersWhen Tommy and Holly threw a party for the opening of their vineyard, Kitty accidentally popped a few painkillers (thi...

Fri, May 25, 2007

More Fashion-Confused Than Ever

Huh? What is this? Will someone please ask Bai Ling who she thinks she is? (OK, so she landed a guest spot on Lost. I'm ignoring that for the moment.) Forget it, I'll do it. Bai, what's going on here? Did you steal that "shirt/coat" from The Matrix costume closet? And are we at the beach or preparing for snowy weather? I'm confused. Really, really, really confused. But maybe I'm just not fashionably aware or knowledgeable at all. Which is fine. I'm still not taking any tips from this outfit.

Tue, May 22, 2007

Jericho, I Miss You Already

See?! Nothing good can come of killing off Gerald McRaney! Can we all take a moment of silence here? I am completely disappointed in today's announcement that Jericho will not return for another season. I know this show was a gamble. I know Mama Green was getting on some of our nerves. I know a small Kansas town may not appeal to the masses. But come on! I accepted the decision to end Gilmore Girls (although, not thrilled with Logan's exit). I welcomed the idea of a future finish line for Lost. I gladly shook off The O.C. when it left us last year. But I can't let this go  at least not this week. In fact, I'm taking out all my frustration on Angel's candy bin. (Is CBS going to pay my gym bill?) If you're a Jericho fan, you've been watching Skeet Ulrich and Co. cope post-mushroom cloud. And after a rocky start, hopefully you'll agree with me when I say the writing and acting only got better as the season went on. We got answers slowly but surely, we had characters with re...

Wed, May 16, 2007

Cammy's Back!

That's right red-carpet lovers, Cameron Diaz has returned to her glowingly fabulous self and leaves her dark 'do behind with Justin Timberlake. I kid. Cam has told many a wonderer that the two are on good terms. But pish posh, breakup schmakup, the Shrek 3 star fights back in this adorable pink number and moves on with a refreshed look. Word on the street, er, strip is that Diaz is now linked with illusionist Criss Angel (please see my previous post for all things magically Angel), as they dined and partied in Las Vegas this past week. (A special thanks to my dear friend, Allie, who alerted me just as she heard the buzz around this alleged couple just to make sure I was in tune to my favorite Mindfreak's status.) Now, that's a relationship that seems to fit. They're both a little weird in a laid-back-but-entertaining way, right? Nevertheless, the long-legged actress shines again. Just remain aware around your new man, Cam, he tends to pull a trick from time to time.

Tue, May 15, 2007

Criss Angel, You're My Hero

Hocus pocus, allakhazam, whatever. David Blaine, I'm not interested. This isn't a magician's show at a 7-year-old's birthday party. Tell Grandpa to quit pulling that quarter out from behind your ear. This is serious, people. This is Criss Angel, the one and only Mindfreak. OK, so I have a crush. Not only does this illusionist have some pretty mind-boggling tricks up his sleeve, but watching him perform them is pretty magnetic (not to mention his ability to wear a leather jacket like a rocker). Yes, yes, on most days, I admit that I join a large portion of the world in watching McDreamy, McSteamy, McVet and otherwise with a great big grin across my face. But let's just say I'm branching out from the McStandard (Raven, are you proud?) and latching onto a few edgier picks that not only exude their own captivating vibe but have pretty cool lifestyles to go with it. (Miami Ink's Ami James is another example.) But let's not get off track here. Criss Angel walks on water, people. He brings...

Thu, May 10, 2007

Drunk, Jailed and High on Life

OK, that's it. I'm sick of this. Hey, Hollywood, ever heard of a car service? A designated driver? A cab? A better hiding place for your drugs!? Are you so drunk on all that fame and fortune that common sense flashes away with every click of the paparazzi cameras? How many news stories are we going to see about celebrities relocating to jail cells, failing drug tests and paying fines for disappointing incidents? In fact, in the time it takes me to write this blog, some other starlet (or otherwise) is probably being stopped by the police.Ty Pennington, you've saddened me this week. Even though you strain my ears when you scream through that megaphone on Extreme Makeover, my adoration for your professional drive was confirmed after speaking with you a few months ago. Couldn't you request that the EM:HE bus pick you up after a night of drinking? You don't want to end up like The Hoff, now do you?Speaking of the hassled ex-lifeguard, I can only hope that videotape will confirm his love ...

Wed, May 9, 2007

While the Boyfriend's Away, Simpson Will Play

Apparently what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas. Not when you're Jessica Simpson and partying like Lindsay before rehab, Britney before rehab and Paris before jail. I'm not sure what's worse  her expression or the guilty-devilish look on Mario Lopez's face. Mario, be a friend, not an accomplice to this camera crime.And what's up with her lips? Did she paint outside the lines?

Mon, May 7, 2007

Oscar Mayer Wiener Winner

Continuing this week's mission of Web moments that will lighten your day, I nearly fell off my chair laughing when I saw this video of 4-year-old Andrew singing the famous Oscar Mayer tune on Oprah Winfrey back in 1997. (He beat out 65,000 other kids vying for the winning commercial spot back then.) Now 14 years old and still singing, Andrew returned to Oprah this week and shared his 2007 remix of the jingle — a little embarrassed but willing to play along.Check out both performances here.

Thu, May 3, 2007

Spidey Fun

I really have to hand it to the people over at GoFugYourself.com when it comes to poking fun at celebrity style. But what I really love is when they combine the no-nos and tsk-tsks with fake conversations among the stars being fashionably scolded.Thanks to this week's highly anticipated Spider-Man 3 release  and my good friend, Melanie, who always seems to spot the funniest Fugs before I do  this one made my day.

Wed, May 2, 2007

Hilarie Burton Embraces Tree Hill's Plan to "Skip" College

In stark contrast to the tough, artsy and brooding Peyton Sawyer on the CW's One Tree Hill (Wednesdays at 9 pm/ET), hearing Hilarie Burton's sweet, Southern gab was a welcome change when TVGuide.com caught up with her to get the goods on OTH's final episodes and major (but pending) change for next season. Plus, we sought the scoop on the nail-biting continuation of her on-screen stalker story and all the drama that comes with prom season in the teen drama's first new episode in 10 weeks (!). TVGuide.com: What have you been doing during One Tree Hill's break?Hilarie Burton: Well, I'm down here in North Carolina and I've actually started a production company [Southern Gothic Productions]. Right now we're in our fundraising period for a movie we want to shoot in Wilmington, because Wilmi

Wed, May 2, 2007

Hilarie Burton Embraces Tree Hill's Plan to "Skip" College

American Idol: Now We're Kissing Contestants?

Um, who else found Simon kissing LaKisha a bit inappropriate? I thought it was so weird, and when she came down to receive her smooch, I was expecting a peck on the cheek.Also, while we're at it... shout out your thoughts on Blake's brunette 'do. I vote for a return to blond, but I will commend him on his very original version of "You Give Love A Bad Name."Still, with these odd happenings, this might have been my favorite overall night on Idol this year... and let's be grateful we didn't have to hold our breath through a Sanjaya version of Bon Jovi.

Wed, May 2, 2007

5 Reasons Everyone Should Be Watching Brothers & Sisters

As far as I can remember, this is the first year in awhile that I am really loving Sunday night TV. With Discovery's special eye-opening series Planet Earth (which I've raved about before), the return of Entourage and Ari's fuming and hysterical ways, and ABC's new family hit Brothers & Sisters, I've ended my weekends on a good note recently, instead of wishing for more free time to play. And although staying up for Brothers & Sisters, which airs at 10 pm/ET, is tough some weeks and forces me to wait until the next day when I can fast-forward through all the agonizing commercials, I truly believe this is one of the top new shows  in fact, the top on my list  on television and everyone should be tuning in. Here's why:5. If you don't have a big, overbearing family, you'll sink right into the complex nature of this one and feel grateful for your manageable relatives while watching a well constructed cast maneuver jaw-dropping obstacles combined with everyday worries...

Tue, May 1, 2007

View the Possibilities: The Next Rosie

After this year's dramatic turn on The View, with Rosie O'Donnell leading the discussions and picking fights with certain real-estate moguls, she's opting out of next year's contract. I think it's a wise decision. Although Rosie helped View ratings, got the audience stirred up and made the top of video lists and news items, I wasn't settling into her presence on the ABC morning program as well as I have with Meredith Vieira's new gig at Today. So, who would be a better choice for The View? Who would really complement the other ladies and still argue with Elisabeth Hasselbeck? Who could nestle into the comfort (and sometimes uncomfortable) zone of Hot Topics and later avoid public announcements from Barbara Walters trying to smooth over any rumors?Let us ponder the possibilities....Paula Abdul is definitely not an option. Ellen DeGeneres would be hilarious mixed with Joy Behar, but we'll let her keep her own show, which commands a funny, friendly and entertaining vibe all in one.More...

Wed, Apr 25, 2007

New Apprentice Ditches Tent City for the Penthouse

Many thought she slid by too easily. Others knew she deserved to be in the final interview. But the newly crowned Apprentice, Stefani Schaeffer, had a plan all along. Sure, she was thrown for a loop when Trump said she had to live outside. (Who wasn't?) Yes, she was up against some loudmouthed personalities who weren't going down without a fight. But the 32-year-old California-born attorney didn't get caught up in the scuffle. She ignored the romance, she avoided making enemies, and she remained focused straight through to Sunday's finale to hear The Donald make it all worth it with those two words we rarely hear him say: "You're hired!" Stefani spoke to TVGuide.com before jetting off to her new job on the island paradise of Cap Cana and shared her disappointments, her biggest competition, and how she made it to the top despite all the nonsense and noise.  TVGuide.com: Congratulations! Were you nervous?Stefani Schaeffer: No, actually, I wasn't. It didn't&nbsp

Tue, Apr 24, 2007

New Apprentice Ditches Tent City for the Penthouse

Former Idol Winner Follows Hollywood's Slim Crowd

Another one bites the dust. Well, actually, it seems Carrie Underwood isn't biting on much at all these days. The Season 4 American Idol champ is looking slimmer than ever and I'm beginning to fear a bobblehead shape taking form before my very eyes. I remember reading past articles in which the blonde beauty said she loved pizza and other treats, but I'm not sure that holds true any longer. Don't celebs just say they love junk food, anyway? I can't say I'm shocked, because we've all seen this before: Hilary Duff (definitely no longer Lizzie McGuire), Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan. But I wanted to believe that this country girl wouldn't succumb to the pressure and end up with red-carpet photos of her hair looking heavier than the rest of her. Yes, she's confirmed exercising more. Yes, she probably has a grueling schedule. You're right, I don't know what it's like to go on tour. But what will it take for this shrinking style to end?

Thu, Apr 19, 2007

Hollywood Duos: Good, Bad and Ugly

After a few days on vacation, away from the entertainment frenzy that envelopes me every day, I came back and quickly caught up on Hollywood's couple troubles, steady pairings and budding romances.Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams taking time apart? Madonna going off to Africa without Guy Ritchie in tow? Prince William single? What on earth is going on, people! OK, so we all know that our famous friends tend to hook up, move in, adopt dogs and have babies with each other faster than Simon Cowell can roll his eyes, but do the promising couples have to bite the dust, too? I, personally, am choosing to believe that the real-life Notebook lovers are totally and completely fine and a friend of a friend of a friend of a cousin just made it up to spoil all the fun.Other pairings that might be better off separate? Jessica Alba and Cash Warren are reportedly swimming in choppy waters, and Britney Spears fired her manager Larry Rudolph. Bravo, Brit! Now, prove us all wrong with a cute, short 'd...

Wed, Apr 18, 2007

A&E Follows Hollywood's In Crowd

Has anyone checked out A&E's new reality series Sons of Hollywood? I use the term "reality" loosely, of course. I have to wonder, did this all start because Randy Spelling was jealous of big sister Tori's small-screen ventures? Randy, buddy, there's nothing to be envious of, OK? For anyone who hasn't heard of this twisted Real World scenario, it's basically a look at the entertainment industry through the eyes of three young guys who have been living the luxurious Hollywood lifestyle since birth: Randy Spelling (son of the late Aaron Spelling), Sean Stewart (son of musician Rod Stewart) and David Weintraub (a rising talent manager who grew up with the other two). The question is, "Can they make it on their own, or will they always be overshadowed by their famous connections?" I have to say, though, it's hard to take them seriously when most of the show is partying, tanning and acting so sloppy. In fact, I'm not sure if they even realize we're watching. Fights over nothing, money...

Tue, Apr 10, 2007

Endings, Beginnings and Favorites

It's that time of year... casts are crossing their fingers to see if they're needed for another season, finales are looming with some questions answered and others trailing off into frustrating cliff-hangers, and a whole new cycle of shows promises to debut, return and get audiences to let go of present story lines and latch onto new ones. Here are the shows on my list:Finales I can't wait to see include Heroes (will New York actually explode?), Jericho (will Hawkins come clean?), Lost (does Locke return from his disappearance with the Others?), Gilmore Girls (even though I did not like the spoiler report from Ausiello), Brothers & Sisters (arguably the best new family drama out there) and Grey's Anatomy (who becomes chief? Who sleeps with George next?).Shows I'm anxious to dive into once again: Run's House (one of the few, if only, MTV shows I think portrays actual Hollywood reality), Entourage (poor Ari), My Boys (why do we have to wait until July?!) and Project Runway (Tim Gu...

Fri, Apr 6, 2007

Haylie Duff Lives a Nightmare as Heaven Shuts Its Gates

As kid sis Hilary welcomes MTV fans into her pop-star world with a new reality show, Haylie Duff is having a hard time sleeping. In the Lifetime movie Nightmare, premiering Saturday, April 7 at 8 pm/ET, Duff takes on a "smarter" role in a thriller that steers her away from the sweet, maternal character she plays on 7th Heaven (which, it was announced this week, will air its series finale on May 13). TVGuide.com caught up with Duff during her much-needed break to talk up her scare-filled segue as well as get a gander at Heaven's finale. Plus, find out which shows she'll be watching when she's not busy working. TVGuide.com: Tell me about Lifetime's Nightmare.Hayl

Fri, Apr 6, 2007

Haylie Duff Lives a Nightmare as Heaven Shuts Its Gates

More Hills Tragedy

Well, for all the Hills fans out there, let's take a moment of silence to bid farewell to the well-adjusted L.C. that we once knew. As you may have already heard, Lauren's got a naughty side! Hollywood is buzzing with reports of her alleged sex tape with ex-boyfriend Jason Wahler, who apparently gave the tape to Lauren after much pleading but kept a copy for himself to shop around. Brilliant. Did we learn nothing from Paris Hilton?I may have my issues with The Hills and its portrayal of these young L.A. starlets, but I felt a pang as I read about L.C.'s little recording session and I can only hope that maybe it's not true at all. Possible? Now, if this were Spencer and Heidi, I might think differently.And totally unrelated to inappropriate bedroom behavior, I'm glad I wasn't at the Juno Awards after seeing this. I'm pretty sure real birds would be scared of that.

Thu, Apr 5, 2007

October Road Brother: "Fans Could Be Thrown for a Loop"

Despite shaky reviews, ABC's October Road (Thursdays at 10 pm/ET) stepped into a prime-time spot behind Grey's Anatomy and held its own in its first few weeks. But will viewers get attached enough to invite Bryan Greenberg's Nick Garrett and his small-town friends back for more? TVGuide.com spoke to Jonathan Murphy — aka Nick's kid brother, Ronnie — about why he was drawn to the series and how it will survive among peers that are exploding with high ratings. Murphy also gives us the scoop on the coming season of ABC Family's Wildfire. TVGuide.com: So, a pretty good viewer response to October Road

Thu, Apr 5, 2007

October Road Brother: "Fans Could Be Thrown for a Loop"