The girls of summer: Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler and Maggie Gyllenhaal
It was a rainy and cold Valentine's week here on the East Coast but we were already thinking summer movies. In fact, we've already done a fun photo shoot with three of the big-name actresses you'll see in the sure-to-be blockbuster summer fare: Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man), Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) and Liv Tyler (The Incredible Hulk). These three talented women and young mothers gathered in New York and our deputy photo editor Sarah Claxton was there to make sure the day went smoothly. That's not as easy as it sounds, considering there's a walk-in closet full of designer clothes, a stylist, photographer assistants, hair and makeup people, catering and...well, you get the picture.
Sarah's day began with an ice storm in Washington, D.C. and rain in NYC but as she tells it, "Luckily, I had stolen my roomate's umbrella in the rush out the door at 6 a.m. so my hair didn't suffer the effects of
the torrential downpour. You want to look your best when standing in a room with three gorgeous women. I won't even tell you how long it took me to decide what to wear."
The shoot took place at a large studio in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and Sarah, with photo editor
David Baratz, began by reviewing wardrobe options - a task Sarah says "will make any girl dream of being a stylist. We had a walk-in closet and racks and racks of the most beautiful designer dresses." The stylist had narrowed down choices to the ladies' favorites. David, photographer E.J. Camp and Sarah were able to choose a couple different outfits in a purple palette. "They really complimented each other and each of the girls — not that it's difficult for them to look amazing." Each of the very tall stars had her own hair and makeup person so it didn't take too long to get them all looking even more perfect. "They looked fantastic in their dresses and two were wearing heels," says our petite 5-feet-2-inch Sarah. "For me it was like staring at giants."
For the first set-up there was upbeat music (but, no, no Coldplay or Aerosmith.) Says Sarah: "It was high energy and super fun. We were on that set for about half an hour, then we had a quick wardrobe change into more beautiful dresses but same color scheme and went to the next set. This was a little more relaxed. We listened to some Aimee Mann and some acoustic covers. It felt really intimate and comfortable, a great ambience."
Given all the people and the tasks at hand, the ladies seemed really comfortable, says Sarah. "They really seemed like old friends, so sweet and a lot of fun."
(photos courtesy Paramount Pictures, flickr and Columbia Pictures)
Ashley Jensen on Extras and Ugly Betty
Just got off the phone with actress Ashley Jensen, of the BBC series Extras, soon to be out on DVD, and ABC's Ugly Betty, which will return with new episodes in April. We both wished we were talking over a glass of wine at some nice L.A. retreat seeing that it is the end of a long week, but we tried to make our phone interview as comfortable as possible. Ashley's dog Barney, a blond, 96-pound Utonagan, was at her side while my Cassie, a blond, 22-pound Cockapoo, snoozed at my feet. If you know Ashley's work, you know she's from Scotland - she uses her real accent in both Extras and Ugly Betty, though neither character was originally written to be Scottish. She admits than when she first moved to L.A. she felt "a bit like a fish out of water. I found L.A. deeply challenging in the beginning. It didn't look like anything I understood. It didn't function like anything I understood. I'm a lover of life. I don't want to deprive myself of food or a glass of wine." Now, she says, she has come to appreciate her new home. "I have found the people so open and friendly." She gets out into the canyons near her home to hike with her dog and she tells me she spends her Sundays at the local farmer's market and flea market. But, she and her husband missed London (where she worked for many years, including on Extras) and recently bought "a little flat" in Notting Hill. "On Saturdays I would be up and out to the fruit and veg market...and then the markets on Portabello Road." Of course, I tried to pry details of her Ugly Betty storyline out of her (her character is a rather unwilling surrogate for Vanessa Williams' baby) but she truly knows nothing because nothing had been written. As for Extras, well, she loved doing it as much as we loved watching it and she says Ricky Gervais is a doll who ran a fun and relaxed set. For a taste of Jensen's good nature (and accent) check out this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live! last year.
Five former NASCAR champions
If you're a NASCAR fan, this weekend's issue of the magazine is a must-see. Our staff NASCAR expert Dennis McCafferty rounded up five Daytona 500 winners from the past five decades. It's quite a feat to get five celebrities in a room together, at all, much less all these big names: Darrell Waltrip, Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Jimmie Johnson and Sterling Marlin. You can read the full article here, but Dennis gave us some inside scoop that didn't make the final story.
"Jimmie Johnson was a true-blue good guy. Usually when you do photo shoots, if it's an active driver his publicity team insists that he wear his firesuit -- especially on a cover -- because they want their sponsors to get exposure. But Jimmie insisted on not wearing his, because he knew the others wouldn't and didn't want to stand out. Just last weekend Jimmie clinched the pole spot for this year's Daytona 500, but we're not that quick -- we got lucky on that one. The shoot was done toward the end of last season at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, next to Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. All the guys had a really good time together, trading stories and joking around. Bobby Allison was the last to leave, and Darrell Waltrip joked with Petty about his hat -- but you'll have to read the article to find out about that."
Happy birthday to Jane Seymour
Two birthdays today, for two very famous pop culture names: Simpsons creator Matt Groening turns 54, and actress Jane Seymour, who's been in memorable roles from Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to Wedding Crashers, turns 57.
February 14, 2008
Dennis Quaid's new Vantage Point
I'll never forget seeing Dennis Quaid in The Big Easy back in 1987, all good looks and oozing charm. I've followed him ever since and, as you know, there have been lots of ups and downs to follow. He will be 54 in April, and he admits to our L.A. writer Nancy Mills that he’s feeling his age. “I’m running for the first part of Vantage Point,” he says, referring to his new action thriller, opening later this month. “I’m getting too old for this ****.” (Check out the Vantage Point trailer below, where you can see a taste of how physical the role is.) Couple that with his three-month-old twins, and he should be a basket case. “I’m sleep deprived,” admits Quaid, who, with third wife Kimberly Buffington, is recovering from the babies’ health scare. (When they were 10 days old, they were accidentally given 1,000 times the recommended dose of a blood-thinner.) “Last night was the first night they slept through the night. But fatherhood is easier the second time around. You realize you won’t be changing diapers for the rest of your life and they’re eventually going to go off to college.”
Quaid is now training for his next movie, G.I. Joe, which starts shooting shortly. “I’m getting more buff,” he says, then adds with a smirk, “I’m taking a little human growth hormone and laying around, and then I pump the babies (he mimes lifting weights with both arms)!” He’s joking.
Happy birthday, Florence Henderson
Even if cupid doesn't find these stars today, they still have something to celebrate: Their birthdays. Two very famous journalists were born today. Hugh Downs turns 87 and Carl Bernstein turns 64. Florence Henderson (at left), aka Carol Brady, turns 74.
February 13, 2008
Striking writers return
Today is the first day of the rest of your entertainment-viewing life. Finally, Hollywood writers are back at their computer keyboards. While some of them are tapping out new movies we never knew were endangered, the television writers are getting busy on fresh episodes of old favorites, new episodes of new favorites and some pilots for next year. Regardless, no one suggests we'll actually SEE anything new until mid-April. Except, for Saturday Night Live, which returns this month.
The strike left us with some huge disappointment. 24, for instance, won't return until 2009. (So sorry, Kiefer fans.) Friday Night Lights may not return at all. (Please, NBC, find a way.) But once we get over that, there is much to cheer. The Office will produce six new episodes and first among them is one about a dinner party given by Michael and Jan that all the actors say was the funniest ever at table-read. And, hey, there will be new gossip on Gossip Girl.
We like TV Guide's complete and continually updated list of what's going on with individual shows. And here is a slideshow of the faces we know you're eager to see again soon, very soon.
Happy Birthday to Stockard Channing
Here's an unlikely birthday pair: The king of daytime tabloid talk shows, Jerry Springer, and a former TV First Lady, Stockard Channing (at left). Both turn 64 today. Also celebrating are actress Mena Suvari, 29, singer Peter Gabriel, 58, fitness expert Denise Austin, 51, and actress and former Miss Teen USA, Kelly Hu, 41.
(photo by Chris Haston/NBC)
February 12, 2008
Blake Shelton opens Daytona 300
Maybe you rooted for him on NBC's Clash of the Choirs. Now look for Blake Shelton to open this weekend's Daytona 300 Nationwide race. He'll rejoin his choir, the 20-person group from his hometown of Oklahoma City with whom he recorded Home, to be used as ESPN's song for NASCAR's 2008 season. And apparently Shelton likes "home." His choir performed this version of Home (written by Marc Broussard) on Clash of the Choirs, but it's not the same as Shelton's current single (written by Michael Buble) of the same name.
Reba McEntire ready for Valentine's Day
We're getting down to the wire when it comes to Valentine's Day plans. If you haven't figured out what you're doing yet, well, you may not be doing much. If you're looking for some music to get you in the romantic spirit,
check out Reba McEntire's special Valentine's Album, Love Revival. I'm not telling you this just because I like Reba, though I do. She once was kind enough to host my whole book club backstage after one of her local shows. Talk about making me look good! But there are four new songs on the 10-song album, including McEntire's new version of Restless Heart's No. 1 song from 1987, I'll Still be Loving You, and McEntire's own No. 1, The Heart Won't Lie, with Vince Gill. The CD is only available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores until Feb. 28, but you can go here to listen to samples of a few of the tracks.
Happy birthday to Josh Brolin
Happy birthday to Josh Brolin (at right), who surely hopes his 40th year is as good as his 39th (with American Gangster and No Country for Old Men, he definitely had a big 2007). Also turning 40 is singer Chynna Phillips, and actress Christina Ricci, who you'll next see on the big screen -- sporting a pig nose, no less -- in Reese Witherspoon's Penelope, turns 28 today. Author Judy Blume is 70 today, Barenaked Ladies bassist Jim Creeggan is 38, and Arsenio Hall is 53.
(photo courtesy Miramax)
February 11, 2008
Harrison Ford in new Indy trailer
Are you an Indiana Jones fan? If so, you'll want to be in a movie theater on Valentine's Day.The first teaser trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, starring the still handsome Harrison Ford and the very cute Shia LaBeouf, debuts that day. Of course, you could skip the theater treatment and watch it on Good Morning America between 8 and 9 Thursday morning, or logon to the film’s official site IndianaJones.com right afterwards. Who are you looking forward to seeing most - Ford or LaBeouf? Tell me in a post below.
Felicity Huffman and other celebs give red shoes
Somehow it got to be February 11 without me blogging about the fact that February is National Heart Health Month. Let me tell you a secret. Heart health is a cause or topic close to, well, my heart because I'm one of millions of women with heart disease - coronary artery disease, to be more specific. In fact, in one of our special health issues last year, I wrote about my quadruple coronary bypass, a surgery I had at the age of 48. I now hope to have a long life, but the facts are scary. Did you know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American women?
I hope you saw that First Lady Laura Bush was on the cover of our Feb. 3 magazine to draw attention to heart health. She was in New York earlier this month for fashion week to see the Heart Truth's Red Dress collection; the red dress has become the symbol of Heart Truth, which is all about encouraging heart health for women.
Now there's a Red Shoe Intiative to urge us all to take steps (get it?) toward heart health. LeAnn RImes, Felicity Huffman (those are her shoes below), Marcia Cross, Alanis Morissette and Carrie Ann Inaba are among the celebs who have signed some 
pretty red shoes on which you can bid on eBay - through Valentine's Day.
Today's Birthdays
Jennifer Aniston and Sheryl Crow are buddies. So perhaps they will celebrate their common birthday — today — together again. Last year they did so at Nobu in Malibu about a week after the fact. They included Laura Dern, who had a birthday yesterday. Dern turned 41, Aniston turns 39, Crow is 46.
Also celebrating today: Brandy is 29, Matthew Lawrence is 28 and Burt Reynolds is 72.
