Pretty People

A quintessential leading man in every sense of the word, Paul Newman was an actor, a director, a producer, a philanthropist, and one-half of Hollywood's longest double-star marriage. Now gone at the age of 83, we lose yet another one of film's icons. Newman had reportedly been battling cancer for years, but would only respond to inquiries with "[I'm] doing nicely."

His filmography is well known; his two partnerships with Robert Redford (in The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) defined "buddy movie"; the pair always hoped to reunite once more but never found the right project. He fit well into the role of antihero in films such as Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, and Hud; the '70s and '80s saw him working with directors such as Martin Scorsese (The Color of Money, for which he won his only Oscar in addition to two honorary ones), Sydney Pollack (Absence of Malice), Sidney Lumet (The Verdict), and even the Coen Brothers (The Hudsucker Proxy).

In the last decade he took smaller roles, with his final on-screen appearance as the father of Daniel Craig in Road to Perdition. His last screen credit was voicing Doc, the cranky aging former champion racer in Disney's Cars, a natural fit for the racing enthusiast who competed as recently as last year.


The man with the famous ice-blue eyes got his start in theater, studying at the Actors Studio with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Karl Malden. Through the stage, he met actress Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958 (he had two daughters and one son with his first wife, Jacqueline Witte; his son died in 1978 of an accidental overdose of alcohol and valium). Woodward and Newman have three daughters, and he directed his wife to an Oscar nod in the film Rachel, Rachel. He famously told Playboy magazine he had no intentions to stray from the marriage.: "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?"

But no tribute is complete without mentioning his charitable contributions, including a camp for children with cancer and the company Newman's Own, which has donated more than $175 million as of last year. As former co-star Sally Field said upon learning of his death, "Sometimes God makes perfect people. And Paul Newman was one of them."

We leave you with Newman's closing arguments in The Verdict, one of his finest film performances ever. -- Ellen

A quintessential leading man in every sense of the word, Paul Newman was an actor, a director, a producer, a philanthropist, and one-half of Hollywood's longest double-star marriage. Now gone at the age of 83, we lose yet another one of film's icons. Newman had reportedly been battling cancer for years, but would only respond to inquiries with "[I'm] doing nicely."

His filmography is well known; his two partnerships with Robert Redford (in The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) defined "buddy movie"; the pair always hoped to reunite once more but never found the right project. He fit well into the role of antihero in films such as Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, and Hud; the '70s and '80s saw him working with directors such as Martin Scorsese (The Color of Money, for which he won his only Oscar in addition to two honorary ones), Sydney Pollack (Absence of Malice), Sidney Lumet (The Verdict), and even the Coen Brothers (The Hudsucker Proxy).

In the last decade he took smaller roles, with his final on-screen appearance as the father of Daniel Craig in Road to Perdition. His last screen credit was voicing Doc, the cranky aging former champion racer in Disney's Cars, a natural fit for the racing enthusiast who competed as recently as last year.


The man with the famous ice-blue eyes got his start in theater, studying at the Actors Studio with Marlon Brando, James Dean and Karl Malden. Through the stage, he met actress Joanne Woodward, whom he married in 1958 (he had two daughters and one son with his first wife, Jacqueline Witte; his son died in 1978 of an accidental overdose of alcohol and valium). Woodward and Newman have three daughters, and he directed his wife to an Oscar in the film Rachel, Rachel. He famously told Playboy magazine he had no intentions to stray from the marriage. "I have steak at home, why go out for hamburger?"

But no tribute is complete without mentioning his charitable contributions, including a camp for children with cancer and the company Newman's Own, which has donated more than $175 million as of last year. As former co-star Sally Field said upon learning of his death, "Sometimes God makes perfect people. And Paul Newman was one of them."

We leave you with Newman's closing arguments in The Verdict, one of his finest film performances ever. -- Ellen

If you missed the Emmy Awards, you can see a complete list of winners and nominees here. Meanwhile, here's a rundown of some highlights (and lowlights), along with favorite quotes.

THE GOOD (in no particular order)

-Tina Fey and a pregnant Amy Poehler teaming up to present. Any excuse to get them together is most welcome. Poehler killed with a bit where they were greeting the international audience ("To our friends in Italy... Every-ah-bahdy Welcahm... Meatballs.")

-Doris Roberts yelling "Oh my God, they killed Kenny!" during the best-lines montage at the opening of the show.

-The nostalgic sets of Seinfeld, Laugh-In (including a reunion of the cast in character), The West Wing, and The Mary Tyler Moore show as part of the 60th anniversary of the show.

-Ricky Gervais chastizing a hangdog Steve Carell for stealing the Emmy Gervais was not present to accept last year. "You didn't even see Ghost Town did you?" Gervais asked him. "I sat through Evan Almighty; give me my Emmy." To top it off, Gervais claimed he was going off script and stood in front of a seated Carell, haggling him to give it back until Carell reluctantly reached under his seat and handed it over.

-Heidi Klum announcing David Boreanaz as the star of "The Bones."

-Jimmy Kimmel getting back at the reality-tv host nominees by making them line up on stage, telling them they're all in the final two, then waiting till "after the break" to reveal the winner. But why was this category placed after the lead actor and actress, which are normally reserved for the most prestigious last half hour?

-Tom Bergeron dropping Heidi Klum on the floor to illustrate "comedy."

-Don Rickles' improvised riff (which included insulting the show's writers with
"Let's read these funny lines they wrote for us"), all of which left co-presenter Kathy Griffin unable to keep a straight face.

-That the "in Memoriam" clip of Tim Russert was his interview with Hillary Clinton. Tim: "So you never want to be President?" Hillary: "No, I--" Tim: "Ever? Never? You'll never run?"

-Upsets. Bryan Cranston? Zeljko Ivanek? Jean Smart? Sure kept the show from being predictable.


-Josh Groban singing through 60 years of TV theme songs. This was scheduled to run in the "Bad" column of this blog, until he did a spot-on rendition of the South Park theme song, Letterman, and Baywatch.  (His Andy Griffith whistling skills were also impressive.) Clearly, after his appearance earlier this year in Jimmy Kimmel's Ben Affleck tune, someone's having fun with his own image.



THE BAD (also in no particular order)

The five hosts (the nominees for Reality TV Host) bantering "without a TelePrompTer." I think we were supposed to be impressed by this. We weren't. Even relegating Heidi Klum to a tux before stripping it off looked oddly demeaning. Of note: Before handing an Emmy to one of them, Jimmy Kimmel asked the audience to acknowledge that they were "sufficient."

-Absentee winners. Dianne Wiest, Tom Wilkinson, and Eileen Atkins
were all no-shows. Which we suppose made the show go by faster, but
everyone missed out seeing your reaction because your publicity head
shot was there instead.

-That we saw clips from the nominees for supporting actress and actor, but none for the lead categories. Did someone change their mind midway through to speed up the show?


-Tom Bergeron skipping. We didn't get it.

-Jeff Probst stumbling on his introduction (in Dragnet costume and private eye drawl) of CSI's Laurence Fishburne and William Petersen.

-The absence of Mad Men's cast from the show. You bring the Desperate Housewives to present together again, but no one from the most-nominated drama (and eventual Best Drama winner)?

-Finally, it makes sense given the upcoming election and the wins for Recount and John Adams to urge viewers to vote, but the political undertones that dotted many, many speeches were hardly "under." (It may have been more subtle to have ObamaGirl dancing on stage.) Still, it was surprising Alec Baldwin, so vocal about the last election, didn't take the opportunity during his first Emmy win to put in his own two cents. Now that would have been a TiVo moment. -- Ellen

This year's biggest trend: Loose hair, dark strapless gowns

Left to Right: America Ferrera, Debra Messing, Tina Fey, Lauren Conrad, Nicollette Sheridan, Kristin Chenoweth

Best dressed

Marcia Cross (Elie Saab): Lara Flynn Boyle once showed up to the
Golden Globes in a much -maligned ballerina gown. Cross' dusty rose
tulle looks the part without screaming "tutu."
Christina Applegate (Reem Acra): Dramatic, elegant and nice toned-down hair and makeup to offset the shimmer in the gown.
Brooke Shields (Badgley Mischka): There were many tiered gowns that got it wrong. This fuschia dress, with Shields' cascading waves, was bright and blazing.

Worst in show

Eva Longoria Parker (Marchesa): Dress too short, neckline ill-fitted,
and the slicked hair. Then there's the big floppy bow in front. Did no
one learn from Anne Hathaway, Oscars 2006?
January Jones: This Mad Men star forgot the actual dress, appeared to grace the red carpet in just the corset
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Narcisco Rodriguez): Woulda been a hit if not for the diamond-shaped cutout in the middle of her torso. As Sela Ward and others before her have learned, most dresses with cutouts usually land you on a worst-dressed list.

Attacked by a bird before telecast...

Kathy Griffin, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Grace Park

And finally...

A note to Jeff Probst and William Petersen: You're off the island and the crime lab. It's a formal event. Wear.A. Tie. Black T-shirts, begone!

--Ellen

Yes, another Emmy blog. What can I say, we get very excited about the Emmy's here - and how could you not? With the red carpet (with Joan Rivers on mute of course), the annoying journalist questions, the surprised winners, the not-so-surprised losers, the fake-tearful speeches, the bad, long speeches (thank you  DVR!), the awkward on-stage banter, the political shout-outs (shall we even dare to guess how many this year?), the exhaustive thank you lists to the moms  & dads, lawyers, publicists - everyone but the neighbors’ dog (I am waiting for that), the uncomfortable camera pans to the audience showing exes, and most importantly, the chance for someone other than The Sopranos to actually win this year (R.I.P. boys). Oh how I HEART the Emmy’s!

Of course I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to blog about the Emmy’s. But what more can be said at this point?  I could go through the nominees and choose my picks based on who gave the best performance and who is the Emmy favorite…blah, blah, blah, but where would be the fun in that? You know what is fun?  Ridiculous reasoning for deciding on winners. I mean really, do you think the Academy voters decide on their votes through legitimate reasoning? Doubtful.  It’s a lot more entertaining this way, and frankly I think your shot at winning the office Emmy pool is just as good. So, just for fun - here’s my picks for the main categories, and my very not-so-legitimate-reasons:

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

My pick: Rainn Wilson, The Office

Why?  Did you happen to catch him on CNN (check it out) on the day he got nominated for the Emmy and he took a shot at giving the weather report? Come on - His name is Rainn AND he’s actually good at using the crazy weather green screens?Fate and pure awesomeness = Emmy.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

My pick: Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

Why? I know it’s been years since she was stripped of her Miss America crown, but I doubt a girl ever gets over that. For that she deserves as many Emmy’s as she can get. Lost crown = Emmy.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

My pick: Michael Emerson, Lost

Why? His character is creepy-as-all-hell on Lost.Creepy as-all-hell = Emmy.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

My pick: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy

Why? Little known fact - Chandra appeared in one episode of The Cosby Show in 1989. And as we all know the Cosby Show rocked, as does Miranda Bailey. Oh and she’s a Texas native, and you know how it goes - don’t mess with those Texans. Cosby + Texas = Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

My pick: Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Why? Jon’s  last name is Hamm. Mia Hamm is an awesome soccer player and wins things, so of course it makes sense that Jon will win. Winning last name = Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

My pick: Glenn Close, Damages

Why? She’s scary. Fatal Attraction? Cruella De Vil? Scary = Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

My pick: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Why? Oh the Baldwin’s. (Insert any number of jokes). There are oh so many incredible reasons really, but I am going to go with the fact that during his “tough” years he voiced 77 episodes of the Kid’s cartoon Thomas the Train. Now that’s good acting. Children’s train = Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

My pick: Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?

Why?10 years as Kelly Bundy = (heavy drinking or) Emmy. (I’m thinking Emmy is the better choice).

Outstanding Drama Series

My pick: Mad Men

Why?: As a woman, what can I say, that title just rings true. Even if the show was crap (which it so is not), I’d give an Emmy just for that title. Oh-so-appropriate title = Emmy.

Outstanding Comedy Series

My pick: The Office 

Why? Yes, we stole it from the Brits, but now millions of American office-workers now think their own offices are normal. Psycho bosses are now looking a little less psycho. So instead of quitting, they stay at their legitimately crazy jobs. Hence, the Office may be the one thing saving the American work force and economy. Um yeah, I think that warrants an Emmy, don’t you? Getting office workers up on Monday mornings = Emmy.

Well those are my picks for the year. What do you think? What are yours?

Happy Almost-Emmy-Day! - Lisanne

In prep for the Emmy Awards on Sunday, here's a list of some great memorable quotes from past shows.

"I feel four feet tall!" -- Michael J. Fox (Family Ties), winner of Lead Actor in a Comedy, 1986

"They can't take away our creativity, our striving for excellence, our joy. Only network executives can do that.'' -- Ellen DeGeneres, hosting the Emmys after Sept. 11, 2001

"This is for all the fat girls!"-- Camryn Manheim (The Practice), winner of Supporting Actress in a Drama, 1998

"[To my husband Parker Stevenson], the man who has given me the big one for the last eight years." -- Kirstie Alley (Cheers), winner of Lead Actress in a Comedy, 1991

"My great triumph is not falling a** over t*t as I came up those stairs." -- Helen Mirren (Elizabeth I), winner of Lead Actress in a Miniseries, 2006

"I feel like I'm 16. And if I wasn't in the middle of a hot flash, I'd believe that." -- S. Epatha Merkeson (Lackawanna Blues), winner of Lead Actress in a TV Movie

"There are some days when I myself think I'm overrated. [Pause] But not today.'' -- Meryl Streep (Angels in America), winner of Lead Actress in a Miniseries, 2004

"I LOST TO BARRY MANILOW. I lost to the 'Copacabana!'" - Stephen Colbert, presenting (and lamenting his loss in the TV special category, 2006

"I would like to thank the incomparable William H. Macy, for taking a chunky 22-year-old with a bad perm and glasses and taking me out into a cow pasture and kissing me and making me his wife." -- Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives), winner for Lead actress in a Comedy, 2005

"My own mother told me I didn't have a shot in hell of winning." -- Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy), winner of Supporting Actress in a Drama, 2007

"Katherine Heigl's mother said we would win." -- Mike Sweeney (Late Night With Conan O'Brien), Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy, 2007

"You know, sometimes when we're rolling around the jungle and the mud, and we're hitting each other and stabbing each other and shooting each other and pouring on the blood and turning on the sprinklers, I wonder what it would be like to bake up a sheet of cookies on Wisteria Lane. And get one of their checks." -- Terry O'Quinn (Lost), Supporting Actor in a Drama, 2007

"[I want to thank] our dozens and dozens of viewers." -- Tina Fey (30 Rock), winner for Best Comedy, 2007

-- Ellen

Thanks for your many nominations for favorite real-life portrayal of a president. (At least those of you who followed instructions, that is!) Our second bracket is strictly *fictional* presidents, but those who, shall we say, displayed all the ideals you'd want in a real commander-in-chief. They're likeable, of good character, they beat the odds, and in the case of Jeff Bridges, they have a really good appetite.

Who would you nominate as a worthy "visionary" president? The condition is the president has to be fictional (as opposed to our first list) and have a major part of the movie or TV miniseries (no cameos or archive footage here). Here's our shortlist:

Jeff Bridges as President Jackson Evans in The Contender

Martin Sheen as President Jed Bartlett in The West Wing 

Geena Davis as President MacKenzie Allen in Commander-in-Chief
 

Kevin Kline as Dave/President Bill Mitchell in Dave
 

Michael Douglas as President Andrew Shepherd in The American President

Who would you add to compete in this bracket? (Next up: Presidents in Crisis and Presidents of Questionable Character) -- Ellen

Are the celebs scared that their gorgeous celeb kids will not have enough other gorgeous celeb kids to date and go to therapy with that they pressure the other celebs to continually keep expanding the insane celeb baby tribe or what? Seriously though, the baby fun continues in Hollywood – Matt Damon, Gwen & Gavin, Jason Lee, and even Ricky Martin all welcomed new babies. The best part of celeb-baby-madness is of course celeb-baby-naming-madness! The most talked about new celeb baby name of late is favorite cute-rocker couple Gwen & Gavin's son Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale. Move over Kingston, your little brother just made your name look like the name Bob. However, I think that Jason Lee’s new yet-unnamed girl will likely give him a run for his money, considering that his son's name is Pilot Inspektor.

Speaking of "special" celeb baby names, there are some awesome ones out there. Instead of just listing my favorites, I started thinking - we all know these kids are going to end up in the entertainment world, so what is the first movie that comes to mind when you hear their name that they will most likely end up in a re-make of 20 yrs from now? Here's some of my guesses. I's a fun game to play…feel free to add to the list:

1. Famous Kid: Pilot Inspektor (ie. Best -"special" celeb baby name ever!)
Famous Parent: Jason Lee
Future Movie Re-Make: Inspector Gadget. (Obvious choice for a kid no doubt born with a trench-coat. I am keeping my fingers crossed that he names his new daughter Penny.)</