RATE IT! Radley "Teatime"

My love of all things British gets me into financial trouble sometimes. I often find something unique from abroad that I just have to have even if a frightening credit card bill, and import duty charge loom in my future.

During one of my regular visits to the website of Radley, one of the UK's foremost retailers of gorgeously grown up leather bags, I discovered their "Teatime" line - a cute selection of items characterized by Radley's trademark Scotty dog sitting cozily in a tea cup.

Well, I'm a big fan of Radley (and the Scotty), as well as the TV series, 'New Girl' and the first thing that popped into my head when I spotted this product was the 'Menzies' episode from season 2. Jess (played by the exquisite Zooey Deschanel) hilariously breaks into tears during a job interview over a framed photograph of a deceased Yorkshire Terrier sat in a tea cup.

"Pup-py....in a..... CUP!"

I can't help myself. I LOVE this change purse, and this episode ALWAYS makes me laugh out loud.  And just like that, my credit card took a direct hit. But really, can you blame me?

RATE IT! JK Rowling Climbs Her Family Tree

As a genealogy fanatic, I'm thrilled to hear that BBC are showcasing yet another series of their excellent Who Do You Think You Are this summer. 


Unfamiliar with the TV program? WDYTYA takes celebrities on a journey of a lifetime - an exploration into their family history. The series has been so successful that it has spawned American, Australian, and Canadian versions in addition to the eight seasons in Britain. The latest sampling due to air in the UK this August boasts Harry Potter creator, JK Rowling, Gavin & Stacey's Larry Lamb, comedian Alan Carr, UK Olympic medalist Sebastian Coe, and Bee Gee Robin Gibb. 

JK Rowling's involvement is particularly timely with the Harry Potter movie saga about to conclude in a few weeks time. Well done, BBC for this spell of programming magic. 

RATE IT! Reasons to Watch...Brides of Beverly Hills

Who can resist watching the trials and tribulations of a rich bride? 


Not me!

Slice is premiering a BRAND NEW wedding series on June 16 at 9:30pm ET -- Brides of Beverly Hills! If you - like me - enjoy all those pre-wedding jitters that go into tracking down the ideal wedding gown, then this show is for you. And if you need more convincing, check out my Top 10 Reasons to Watch Brides of Beverly Hills... my latest article for Slice.ca.

RATE IT! Fave Housewives of All-Time

NeNe, Bethenny, Camille? So many bitches, so little time!


'The Real Housewives' franchise never disappoints. The drama, catfights, ridiculous feuds! With the latest bitch-a-rama, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' pushing its way onto Canadian TV screens last night, it's perfectly reasonable to give a shout out to the Top 10 Favourite Real Housewives of All-Time. 


My latest article for Slice.ca.


Enjoy!

RATE IT! Bossypants

Today will be a good day.... 


Tina Fey, '30 Rock' multi-tasker extraordinaire has her first book out today.


Bossypants!


It's about time! Yay, Tina!!

RATE IT! Jimmy Fallon's Friday with Stephen Colbert

Sick of Rebecca Black's annoying ear-worm, "Friday"? Before you vow to never, ever fall victim to that terrible song ever again, take a moment to check out this funny segment from last Friday's 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.'


Jimmy challenged Stephen Colbert to come on 'Late Night' & perform "Friday" IF he was able to raise $26,000 for DonorsChoose.org. Jimmy's faithful viewers came through, and ta da! -- Colbert does "Friday." 


Money well spent! A good cause benefits, and we get some late night laughs. Enjoy!

HATE IT! Grey's Anatomy Goes Glee

At first I thought it was some sort of silly pre-April Fool's joke...


'Grey's Anatomy' - the episode airing tonight in North America will feature its characters SINGING.


Ack! 


I bailed on 'GA' a few seasons back when Izzy Stevens was having a romance with the long-departed Denny. I thought the show jumped the shark back then but *if* I was wrong - and that's a huge IF - surely, it's making its overdue leap now?


To make matters worse, they're performing 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol as one of the tunes! Noooooo!!!! It was already used on the series for the Izzy-Denny love story! Is there anything worse than a lack of creativity in entertainment? 'Grey's Anatomy' is going down the 'Glee' path! Someone, please! Call 911 to save this show, stat!

RATE IT! Dave Grohl Hates Glee

And... another rocker steps up to the plate! Yes, Dave Grohl, the brains behind the Foo Fighters has added his name to the list of musicians who despise Glee. 


Remember my mini-rant about Kings of Leon & their lack of lovin' for Glee? Well, the Foo-ster is adding some fuel to a similar fire. Seems Dave recently had some choice words about the series and its creator, Ryan Murphy. Grohl is taking a stand for all musicians, saying the tactics Murphy uses to pressure artists into handing over their songs for use in his show are wrong and out of whack. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Grohl's quoted as saying, "It's every band's right, you shouldn't have to do f**king Glee. Dude, maybe not everyone loves Glee. Me included."


Right on, Dave! Never liked Glee, never will. 

HATE IT! Bullying Dionne Warwick Style

Have you been watching the latest edition of Celebrity Apprentice? 


This year's roster of B-list...(okay, I'm being kind!) celebs is chock full of notorious individuals: out-there actor, Gary Busey, Survivor winner/tax dodger, Richard Hatch, and pushy TV host, Star Jones. Donald Trump definitely has his hands full, and when you round out the cast with Real Housewife, NeNe Leakes, singers Meatloaf, John Rich, Mark McGrath, Latoya Jackson and Dionne Warwick, model Niki Taylor, and baseball superstar, Jose Canseco, you know that there are fireworks on the horizon. 


It's always interesting to see famous folk outside of their element. We all have ideas of what these people would be like. Take my recent flip flop on Jennifer Lopez. I pegged her all wrong it seems. After watching 'American Idol', I have a totally new image of her. I like her! Now I'm having deja vu because I really had no clue that famed chanteuse Dionne Warwick was so..... nasty!

Dionne's known for many lovely tunes ... all sweet, and airy.. some you could say are inspirational (the super saccharine That's What Friends Are For, for starters). I thought she'd be somewhat quiet, and reflective. Thoughtful and kind. Respectful and worldly. But she's not! 


Just watch the second episode to see how off-the-charts mean this 70+ year old is! She helped send actress Lisa Rinna packing after numerous in-your-face blow ups. She was rude and insensitive to actress Marlee Matlin. Wouldn't even give Marlee the courtesy of speaking directly to her face. Instead, she spoke across the table to Marlee's sign language interpreter. Nice. Especially when Marlee was sat directly *beside* Dionne. For a music legend to behave in this manner, it's truly shocking. The lady has no class! Again, this past weekend, it seemed like ol' sweet Dionne was just looking to pick a fight... this time with Niki Taylor. 


Are her PR people pleased with this display of outrageous behaviour? Do they feel it will sell more CDs, or downloads? Frankly, I've been so gobsmacked by how she acts, I wouldn't care if I ever heard another Dionne Warwick song in my lifetime. 


I'll be rooting for Marlee, or John Rich.. or even NeNe... anyone but Dionne! Sure, the Apprentice editors probably have a lot to answer for when it comes to how these celebs are portrayed BUT they have to have the material in order to do so in the first place! They didn't create this monster... Dionne's handiwork is all he own. 

HATE IT! Baby Blitz

Does Jennifer Aniston's quest for a baby really cause magazines to fly off the shelves? A month doesn't seem to go by without one of the tabloids screaming 'Jenn's Baby Joy!', or 'Jenn Looks Pregnant.' Why is everyone all in a lather about Ms. Aniston's baby-making prowess, or lack thereof? 


Someone must be buying these issues, or OK, Life & Style and US wouldn't be cranking them out with such regularity.


It's a very personal decision whether to get your sprog-on (or not). Maybe Jenn doesn't want kids? Or perhaps she does but she'd rather get on with it privately without the constant interference of the press. Just seems that some folk cannot rest until Jennifer is on nappy-changing duty tout suite! I'm tired of it so I can only imagine how Jennifer Aniston feels. Sure, getting publicity is always a good thing when you're a slave to the Hollywood press machine but there's are limits, people. Give the girl a break, eh?


Still, I guess it makes a change from the flood of Charlie Sheen tell-alls as of late so perhaps I should just remain grateful for the respite! Shame Jennifer Aniston is the lucky target once again. 

RATE IT! The Walking Dead

Still missing 'Lost', and desperate for a replacement? I found one!

'The Walking Dead,' AMC's latest television hit should satisfy those 'Lost' cravings for suspense, panic and pure entertainment. The first season is out on DVD today.

Sure, it features zombies... but don't they make for a refreshing change from vampires? I'm the last person who would find the blood-chomping shenanigans of the undead fun to watch, but 'The Walking Dead' is.... different. Yes, there's blood, and creepy crawlies munching on live folk all over the shop, but the story and the characters hark back to that drama about the survivors of that plane crash, and their struggle to survive despite the odds.

Andrew Lincoln, famous in the UK for 'This Life', and 'Teachers', and known worldwide by fans of 'Love Actually', portrays police officer, Rick Grimes, a man trying to find his family after awaking from a coma in an abandoned hospital. He comes to, only to find the safe confines of the hospital to be awash in zombies, and their victims. Clearly, a nightmare come true! The series follows Rick as he tries to find his family and other survivors. It has it's gross out moments, but the story is enough to pull viewers through these gnarly portions. Like I said, I hate most programs and movies of this genre, but 'The Walking Dead' has that special something...

Check it out!

RATE IT! Jimmy Does Charlie

Are you tired of the Charlie Sheen media circus? Yeah, there's something off-putting about a person being so public about their wackness. Is he on drugs? Clean and sober? Just a nut job? It's anyone's guess as to why Charlie is acting off the charts. 


While I don't find Charlie's hi-jinx funny, I do find Jimmy Fallon's take on the situ worth a giggle. Check out Jimmy as Charlie promoting the fictional Sheen-branded cologne, Winning.

RATE IT! Jennifer Lopez

Okay, I admit it - I was wrong!!

I've never been a fan of Jennifer Lopez.

Her music? Meh.
Her movies? Even more befuddled, "meh."
Her turn on season ten of American Idol? Me likey!

I always thought J. Lo was a little too precious, too preoccupied with her own image... that I couldn't peer past these traits to see what others liked so much about her. Dare I say it... she seemed very self-absorbed, and... not...well...nice? You know, the type of gal who thinks she's so much better than you, and doesn't hesitate to tell you so.

But yes.... as much as it pains me to admit that I've been wrong, that I've misjudged Ms. Lopez.. I'm here -finally - to throw myself down and say it. I WAS WRONG in painting dear Jenn in this unflattering light. On American Idol, she's compassionate, interested in others, and funny. There's no bitchiness, no obnoxious preening to the cameras, just a kind, enthusiastic entertainer who wants others to achieve their dreams. Best of all, she's been there. She's had the knocks against her talent, the rejections and she stuck it out and proved all the naysayers wrong. And she's always immaculate. I'm in awe.

I realize that I don't know the "real" Jennifer Lopez and her TV persona is not the full picture. But from what I've seen on TV these past few weeks on Idol, she's completely opposite to what I thought she'd be. I was very pleasantly surprised, and I know others who have said the same thing, funny enough! Now while I probably still won't buy her records, or line-up for her films, I will say that I am a fan - definitely.

American Idol continues tonight with yet another elimination... can't wait!

RATE IT! Who Do You Think You Are

It's back! 


To warm our hearts while it's bitterly cold outside, NBC has brought back a new season of the celeb-genealogy series, "Who Do You Think You Are" ~ debuting tonight at 8pm ET.


What's better than some emotional family tree climbing to keep us all warm inside?


This season's featured stars include Gwyneth Paltrow, recent SAG award winner, Steve Buscemi, Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams, and Nicole Ritchie's dad, Lionel. They've also repurposed the WDYTYA UK ep that featured Sex & the City's Kim Cattrall. Just like in season one, the stars will go on a journey to find out who's lurking in their family background. Can't wait! 


As a genealogist myself, and a fan of the UK series, I relish the opportunity to peek into the lives of these famous folk. Often the stories are quite emotional, and surprising... and funny enough, it's when they discover ordinary folk - not famous ancestors - that the stories seem all the more amazing. A definite must-watch!

RATE IT! Real Housewives of Atlanta

Dishy TV doesn't get more outrageous than 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta.' The third season has just kicked off here in Canada - the US got the jump on us and have already deliciously enjoyed the antics of NeNe, Kim and the crew - and already the ladies are up to their old, dirty tricks.

To catch up on their shenanigans from previous seasons, please check out my Top 10 'Oh, No You Didn't' article for Slice.ca. I can't guarantee that it's a hair-pulling free zone, so please tread carefully!

RATE IT! Kings of Leon Feeling No Glee

Have you heard about the latest war of words in celebrity-ville? Apparently, Ryan Murphy, the brains behind 'Glee', and rockers Kings of Leon are having a very public spat over usage of songs on the popular television show.


'Glee' has become a huge force in the world of entertainment. Music stars are falling all over themselves trying to get their songs on the show. Britney's episode was a huge ratings winner, and now Jennifer Lopez and Stevie Nicks are trying to latch onto the 'Glee' juggernaut. Everyone wants a piece of the little nerdy show that could - all except for Kings of Leon. 


Murphy wanted to glom onto a Kings of Leon song for his hit series but was surprised when Caleb Followill said no. This answer didn't sit well with Murphy, and he lobbed a blistering f-bomb at the Kings. Harsh, much? I mean, c'mon dude! Followill has the right to say no! It's his property, his art and if he doesn't care for 'Glee' and its sickly sweet renditions of popular music, than all the more power to him. Murphy on the other hand, doesn't see it that way. He desperately wanted the song, wasn't able to access it, and is now having a hissy fit in the press, and on Twitter. Murphy's behaviour is embarrassing. Perhaps he's become too accustomed to having the music industry fawning all over him, and a simple 'no' sent him over the edge. I know several 2 year olds that act more appropriately when they don't get want they want. Tossing your toys out of your pram doesn't make your argument more lucid or worthy, Mr. Murphy.


Personally, I'd like to pat Caleb on the back for standing his ground, and not acting like a lemming when it comes to allowing 'Glee' to use his songs. I'm not particularly a fan of either 'Glee' or Kings of Leon, but I can appreciate someone not wanting their work being used somewhere that they don't see fit. 


Since the original argument began, other members of Kings of Leon have jumped into the fray making an ugly mess of the whole deal. Murphy's accusing the band of homophobia, and now Perez Hilton has squirmed his way into the spat - it's all so silly! There's been name-calling, and ridiculous accusations -- all because the owner of a song didn't want it licenced. 


Murphy should have let Caleb's original answer lie... let it go, and move on. Chase down some other artist -- one that relishes the 'Glee' treatment -- and bastardize their songs. The rogue Kings of Leon members suffering from a bout of verbal diarrhea should have let Caleb handle all the talking on this one. He was straight-forward without taking any liberties or childish swipes at 'Glee' or Murphy. There was really nothing more to be said. Instead, the public airwaves, Twitter timelines and such have been privy to a beef gone too far. 


For the record, Kings of Leon aren't the only artists to experience the wrath of Murphy.  Slash has too. He's not a fan of the show and doesn't want his tunes on it - fair enough! In the end, I'm sure all this scrapping will result in more people tuning in to watch 'Glee', and a bump in sales for Kings of Leon. Hmm...maybe they're not so silly and petty after all! You know what they say about publicity... even if it is the bad kind!

RATE IT! Return of David Brent

The rumours were TRUE!

Ricky Gervais WILL be making a guest appearance on the American version of 'The Office.' Ricky's creepy alter ego, David Brent will be hanging with Michael Scott, Andy Bernard, and co., during the January 27 episode. 


I've been quite bored by 'The Office' as of late so the inclusion of David Brent will surely make a big splash - even if he's only there in a cameo. Bring it, Ricky!

RATE IT! Golden Weekend

The first major awards show of the season hits television this Sunday -- the 68th annual Golden Globes.


Celebrating film *and* television, the Golden Globes are always much more relaxed, and well... more fun than its sister award show, the Oscars®. Sure, the Globes often get slammed for nominating celebs that the Hollywood Foreign Press gang want to schmooze with... but really, who cares? I don't! It's a good excuse to see all the top stars of the moment, posing up a storm along the red carpet, and trying not to look shocked when the envelope doesn't call out their name. 


I'm most stoked to see the 'Mad Men' crew - but of course - and I'm hoping Andrew Lincoln from 'The Walking Dead' is there to cheer on his show's nomination. Yeah, I'm kinda all about AMC this year. Ricky Gervais is back to host so we should be in for a good evening all around!

RATE IT! Downton Abbey

Are you a fan of 'Upstairs, Downstairs'? Or 'Gosford Park'? If yes, you're in luck! It's time to set your TV viewing schedule ahead to Sunday, January 9 when PBS debuts, "Downton Abbey."

Airing in their Masterpiece Theatre slot, "Downton Abbey" is the brilliant new mini-series created by Julian Fellowes, the Oscar® winning writer of 'Gosford Park.' Starring Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville and a host of British actors we've seen elsewhere (Coronation Street's Liam Connor, anyone?), this series is a must watch!

I don't want to give too much of the plot away - you must be as surprised as I was when I watched the DVDs we brought back from a recent trip to the UK. Just take my word for it... "Downton Abbey" is smart, full of drama and surprises. I cannot wait for season two! And I bet you'll say the same after you've seen all the eps (PBS is airing the program in four parts).

RATE IT! Project Runway Top 10's

Project Runway season 8 is about to strut onto TV screens here in Canada this week, and to get you into the mood, I have two new articles published on Slice.ca -- Project Runway's home here in the Great White North. 


The Top 10 Most Memorable Moments - takes you through all the series so far, and awards the most unforgettable people and events of the past seven seasons.


The Top 10 Celebrity Guests on Project Runway - relive our favourite celeb appearances in all their glory!


Enjoy -- and feel free to leave comments on the Slice.ca site!