Nichelle Newsletter

This Is It

Watch: Vimby (Video In My Backyard), is a video content site devoted to capturing young lifestyle and culture all over the nation.  It's kind of a Outside.in + MySpace thing.  Local is the new global, you know.

Rent:  Flyrig is a New York apartment rental website with listing and a Google map showing the closest subways.

Date: C is for Cupid is a free dating site for cancer survivors. I read about it in The Brooklyn Paper yesterday.  BTW, The Connecticut Muffin at the Southwest corner of Prospect Park is like Grand Central Station on Saturday mornings.

Look:  As far as makeover reality shows, I am a fan.  Lifetime's How To Look Good Naked is more than entertaining; it is pretty therapeutic as women deal with their body issues with the lovable Carson Kressley.

Out of the loop: Who is Flo Rida?

The Glamorous Life

Birthday salutations: To fellow Sag and Southern Girl, Tayari Jones.

Do a night in Chelsea for under $15:  Go to a few openings on a Thursday night (I went to Rebeca Raney's opening at Monya Rowe), have a margarita at Trailer Park ($7.50 with tip)and get a Hot Diggity dog from F&B ($4.00).

Fabulous is as Fabulous does: After watching about four episodes of Kimora Lee Simmons' "Life in the Fab Lane", I  have my new mentor, my glamour compass, my true north. I must have Fabulosity, the book.

I Am A Little Explosion

Reading: The Sensuous Woman by J.

Not Ikea: Scandinavian Grace in Williamsburg.

Kunta Who?: The Complete DVD Collection of the epic miniseries, Roots, is now available.

Conference Call: I am going to the New York Times Small Business Summit tomorrow, so I will not be wearing flip flops on Wednesday.

Right Now

CW Now is a new 30 minute entertainment show on the CW that covers trends in fashion, entertainment, technology and work.  The interesting thing about this show is that it is commercial free. The show is sponsored by Wal-Mart.

Some of the  cutting edge trends mention is the premiere episode:

• B-Code, mobile phone payment service
• Halo 3 which goes on sale this Tuesday.
• Groom, a salon in London
• Bathing Ape sneakers
• Microsoft Surface

And of course, there was a fashion segment featuring the stylist from CW's "Gossip Girl".   CW Now is a pretty cool show.  I am impressed the format and the information provided.  More entertainment shows should go with a commercial-free format because people like me would watch and not use the remote during commercials.

What I Like About You

Mad:  Yesterday, I watched a marathon of AMC's "Mad Men".  I love it!  One of the actors look very familiar to me  and when I read Michael Gladis' credits, it said that he starred in the Fringe Festival play, "Dog Sees God".  Three years ago, I saw the play with Michael Gladis starring as Charlie Brown.

Add:  White Lies Black Sheep to the list of movies to watch out for this fall.  AfroPunk director James Spooner's second film will screen at the Toronto Film Festival.

Rad: Tim Gunn from Project Runway has new show, "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style" and his lovely co-star Veronica Webb is one of my favorite models and style icons.

Glad: Who is ready for the fall?! I am. 

Philadelphia Freedom

Wednesday morning, I boarded a Chinatown bus to Philadelphia to visit my sister, my cousin and her husband and kids.  The bus ride started out fine and I noticed we were making good time until the bus got pulled over by a New Jersey state trooper in the middle of the trip.  I was too busy working on a SuDoKu puzzle to realize that the bus was speeding, but I didn't think it was any more that those big trucks on the New Jersey Turnpike.  Anyway, we finally got back on the road after about 25 minutes. Then the driver had to stop again for gasoline, and he almost someone behind who got off to get a Coke at the Sunoco Mart.  Finally I arrived in Philadelphia after 3 hours.

My cousin, sister and I ate some delicious Mexican at Reading Market, saw the Liberty Bell  and hung out at Penn's Landing.

Later, I watched cable TV like a fiend.  I saw, " So You Think You Can Dance" for the first time. [Wade Robson, the former boy band choreographer and TV host, looks old.]

Then I saw the most talked about show among the beautiful blogosphere, BET's "We Can Do Better"  (AKA. "Hot Ghetto Mess").  Charlie Murphy hosts, and I bet he wishes that Chappelle hadn't bail because I'm sure this was NOT his  first choice for a TV gig. The show is indefensible. With the poor production value, lack of continuity and bad editing, it is painful to watch even IF the content was not so repugnant, odious and patronizing.  I am using big words to show that it not that hard to act intelligent.   I am not going to get all "NAACP" and boycott it, since I don't have cable anyway. To counteract that stupidity, I would buy a DVD of  Uptown Saturday Night.

Despite the rants, I had a wonderful time with my family. 

In My Life

Reading:  Tales of The City by Armistead Maupin. It's perfect summer reading, and even "Grey Gardens" gets a shout out.

TV: I don't have cable but if I did I would watch "The Killpoint" on Spike.  Michael Hogan, former bartender at Mo Pitkins, is  on the show with John Leguizamo and Donnie "Newkid" Wahlberg.  Also,  I would also be watching Meghan Cleary's show, "Shoe Therapy" on Home Shopping Network.  It premieres Monday August 20.

Congrats:  Jenny & Jasper on their nuptials.  They are proof that you can find love at work!

All Star

DSC_6538.JPG, originally uploaded by ohyoucrazy.

Mate:  This weekend, I watched several episodes of "Confessions of a MatchMaker" and I love Patti Novak and her Buffalo accent.

Blog: Are you reading City Room yet? You should be.

Pawn: A new niche online community for chess players, Chess Park.

What You Gonna Do?

DSC_6768, originally uploaded by brianvan.

Perk:   Cure a case of the blahs  by getting a box of delicious mini-brownies from Mari's. Mari is a friend of a friend who sent me a sample of  her six  signature flavors,which are Classic (w or w/o Nuts), Caramel Sea Salt, Coconut, Thai Coffee, Heat, and Blonde Bombshell.  The packaging is really nice and may be a great Father's Day gift and you can order online.

Bluff:  Nine years ago, I went to Martha's Vineyard with my cousin Imani for the very first time, and I have only been twice since. We stayed at a bed and breakfast in Oak Bluffs. We hung out at the Inkwell, ate fudge and partied one night with the "Black Bourgeoisie".  Now, MTV is doing a reality show about the  African American kids who summer.

Punk:  The AfroPunk Festival this year (June 29-July 7) will be huge! There will be  concerts (Philmoore Brown, Tiombe Lockhart) and a film series and a Q & A with founder/director James Spooner.

I Confess

, originally uploaded by Alice Ayers.

Here's a few of my favorite things:

Sometimes wearing two bold necklaces is much better than one. (See above picture)

The Knights of Prosperity is a hilarious sitcom! I watch it on ABC online.

FlyGirls, a fun stylish blog that I found on 55 Secret Street (Thanks, Nichelle)

Issy Salomon, a jewelry designer,  has fantastic vintage-inspired necklaces. He has a space at Edge NY.

When The Chips Are Down

DSC_0064, originally uploaded by brianvan.

Tonight, BVan hosted a White Rapper Viewing Party where Miss CKC was featured in the first episode!  Here's the recap. 

Check her out on the YouTube.com!  See her tonight at Chicks and Giggles!

The Facts Of Life

You take the good,
You take the bad,
You take them both
and there you have
The Facts Of Life

You can re-live your favorite sitcom by checking out Ars Nova this Friday, March 3!

THE FACTS OF LIFE: THE LOST EPISODE
From 1979 to 1988, Blair, Jo, Tootie, Natalie and Mrs. Garrett ruled the airwaves. Now years later, Jamie Morris, the creator of the LA Weekly Theatre Award-winning comedy “Mommie Queerest,” brings you THE FACTS OF LIFE: THE LOST EPISODE, an original two-part, Viewer-Discretion-Advised musical inspired by the popular television series. 8PM/$15

Trivia: Alan Thicke wrote the theme song for TFOL and his then-wife Gloria Loring sung it.

Throw Away Your Television

Vice President Al Gore
Originally uploaded by candiedyams.

Yesterday, Al Gore spoke at the We Media conference.  His speech was very compelling as he talked about the present dissonance with what the media reports and what is important news.  I agreed with many of his points, and there's a definite need for a "marketplace of ideas".  However, I am not exactly sure that television is the medium for the next decade. It seems to be a vast wasteland, with sprinkles of quality every 10th cable channel on the dial. However, I listened to last week's podcast of On The Media, and there was an intersting segment called "Media Diet" that supports Gore's theory. In the study, TV beat internet use two to one. Plus, there was an article that I read today  about the first annual TV festival that took place here in New York where 25 TV pilots were screened.
Is this a meme? Is the next big thing the old skool TV thing?  I don't know if Gore is a futurist or if his Current TV venture is just happening at the right place at the right time. Either way, I am going to the "Take Back TV" concert today at Central Park, mainly because I like old skool hip hop and I can't wait to party with the kids like it's 1989!

UPDATE: Common sense is NOT Current.  I waited on line nearly an hour to get into the concert at Rumsey Playfield.  When I get to the front of the line, the security guy searched my purse.  He saw my camera case, and said that I could not bring it in.  I told him that neither the website nor the printed ticket had verbiage that prohibited cameras.  He said that only disposable cameras are permitted. I asked to speak with someone higher up.  I was getting pissed.  A few minutes later I was told I could get in only If I left my camera battery.  I have a Canon Powershot and I was not going  to part with my battery.  WTF?! It was a f@#king free concert to promote a new cable TV channel whose mission is to encourage citizens like me to contribute video.  The security peeps said that it was because of the artists, but the producers of the event were careless to not get permission from the artists or at least notify concertgoers beforehand that cameras would not be permitted. What a f@#King contradiction! I rolled my eyes and stormed off from the line. As I was leaving this guy on line came up to me and said:

Sorry about that. Can I get your ticket?

I replied, "Sure. If you can fake being me, then go for it!"

And Another Update: Jarvis' take on Current TV.  I agree.

You Sure Love To Ball

Ok, I was down with Celebrity Poker Showdown when the Bravo show first aired, but it was mainly because of the poker craze that has taken over cable TV.  Today I watched Celebrity Pool, and I was kinda impressed. I think pool is sexier than poker simple because of all the double entendres. First off, the hosts are Rob Huebel (Inconsiderate Cellphone Guy) and Jeannette Lee (The Black Widow). When I lived in Cincinnati, Jeannette once gave me tips on how to hold a poolstick. I saw Rob one night at a bar in the East Village, and I immediately recognized him as the guy from a lot of commercials.  Anyway, the banter between the players was fun and not as competitive as the poker show.  When "MadTV's" Debra Wilson said, "Put it in the hole, baby",  I applauded and said, "Bravo!"

The Drama You've Been Craving

Out-act! Out-overreact! Guess what, it's another reality show... "The Starlet" is a new WB show that is searching for the next big thing in Hollywood or at least on the "frog network".  I love that the judges include two divas,  Faye Dunaway and Vivica Fox, and some casting director guy.  Thank God the show starts with 10 contestants, so hopefully most of the riff-raff was left on the cutting room floor. Faye Dunaway says to the eliminated contestants,

"Don't call us; we'll call you"

It may be trite but when Ms. Faye says it, it's golden.  I may watch past tonight's show if the divas-in-training are interesting or if some real drama breaks out!

Little Miss Can't Be Wrong

Call in sick or call in "reality" tomorrow morning so that you can audition for "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart"  Auditions will be in New York tomorrow.

Download the Application
http://mso.marthastewart.com/cgi-bin9/DM/y/eb5J0F2IOR0NSB0BzyX0EY

One of the rules state: "You must be in excellent physical and mental health."  [Rules are for pu55ies! Go try out!]

Fight The Power

How does VH1 combine their love of recent pop culture history with racial sensitivity?  You get "Black In the '80's" this week.  It's February, you know!

My favorite talking head, Toure, was on board to wax poetic about Black directors like Spike Lee, Robert Townshend, John Singleton, Keenan Ivory Wayans, etc.

OHmigod, my favorite White Boy Don McCloskey who raps, sings and plays guitar  was shown for split second doing a little pop-locking.  [Again I ask...when is VH1 casting gonna give me a ring?]

Stand

“Stand in the place where you live."

The Penguin store near Bryant Park is having a good sale with 30-50% off their cool polos and sweaters.  Also they have “Cupcake Tuesdays” which I didn’t ask about because I was too tempted to buy another tweed skirt. ]

Author Nichelle Tramble contacted me because we share the same name and we both blog. I plan to read her book, “The Dying Ground” soon. I stayed at home at checked out the latest reality show “The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliot”. It was a cool mix between “American Idol” and “Making the Band”, but the most interesting thing is Missy’s love of lollipops. She sucks on a different flavor in each scene.  [I think she is sending secret messages]

Dirty Laundry

Things I learned during the 7 o’clock evening hour on TV…
According to Access Hollywood, celebrities in LA are having the “Robertson Blvd Blues” because the paparazzi have staked out all the cool boutiques like Lisa Kline where the starlets love to shop. Here’s a piece of advice: Stay at home! You can afford to have your haute couture delivered to you. Stop whining about the paparazzi and wear your Sunday best when you go out, so those candid shots of you wearing cut-offs won’t appear in the tabloids!

Another thing I learned: Jenna J. dreamed of being a TV journalist when she a wee little one. She REALLY got off track somehow, I think. Anderson Cooper tried to hide the smirk on his face when he interviewed her on 360 last night.

Plus I learned that the MTV Video Awards will be televised live from Miami. It airs on Sunday; they have no host, and it’s not in NYC. Why should I watch?

Up, Up and Away

AP Reports

Actress Isabel Sanford, best known as "Weezie," Louise Jefferson on the television sitcom "The Jeffersons," died of natural causes. She was 86.

Damn! I wasn't expecting this one. I mean she was just in Old Navy commercials with Sherman Helmsley.
R.I.P. Isabel. You were one of the greatest...

Dicked

With it being "National TV Turnoff Week", I was hesitant to post this entry because I did not want to enable all you TV junkies! But I gotta rant about last night's episode of "The Sopranos". I was twisting in my seat wondering if Tony Soprano was going to "bada bing" his dead pop's old mistress (played by the wonderful Polly Bergen). To distract myself, I started counting how many times was Tim Daly's asshole character was going to mention Dick Wolf. Was anyone else besides me disturbed how many times Dick Wolf's name was dropped? Is David Chase kissing Dick Wolf's ass or does one of the Sopranos writers want a piece of that L&O action? "In the criminal justice system, there are court reporters and hacks ...these are their stories". For a summary of the episode, check out Television Without Pity. Reading about TV is not cheating!!! So turnoff the TV, set your TiVo and get outside to enjoy the nice weather.

Reunited

The more I watch; the more I like it! Kudos to VH1 for its latest project, "Bands Reunited". Where "I Love the 80's" was cloying nostalgia, this is so much better. The formula for this show is reality+reunion+retro 80s band concert. It ROCKS!!!

Listening to bands like Berlin and Romeo Void play their hits again was great! All of the band members were doing it for the love of music. It really takes me back to when wearing neon colors and lacy gloves was totally awesome!

Stay

Hey, I stayed in on a wintry Friday night to look at a new show premiering on the Food Network, Dweezil and Lisa.

Food TV

It's the zany adventures of Dweezil Zappa and Lisa Loeb as they travel around the country visiting restaurants and diners. In this episode, they visit Atlanta when the two hang out with one of the Indigo Girls and sing a few tunes. I noticed that D & L will break out their guitars at the drop of a hat. And I bet if they got a crowd to listen, a lot of dollar bills would fall into that hat!

This show is definitely aimed at young foodies who loved 90's indie pop and can sing along to Dweezil's sister's song, "Valley Girl". (Remember back when kids of rock stars actually attempted to be successful, even if it is kinda lame!). The show was nice, but D& L are way too laid back for TV. Compared to other frenetic Food Network stars like Emeril and Jamie Oliver, Dweezil and Lisa are pretty tame. Plus neither seem dumb enough or funny enough to generate any watercooler buzz. (Do foodies gather around a watercooler or a hot pot of pasta?!) Anyway, I like Lisa Loeb's website and her glasses are just adorable!

Lisa Loeb

Friends...How Many Of Us Have Them?

Rumor has it that NBC has finally found a replacement for their obnoxious hit show "Friends". There's a deal in the works with the website, friendster.com. The Friendster show will be a reality show where six friends are connected to 176,482 people. I also hear that Kevin Bacon was considered to star in the new reality show but NBC could not afford his seven-figures which doesn't refer to his salary but to his many connections! :-)

Friendster

Like A Feather

Today, Katie Brown from A&E's "All Year Round with Katie Brown" appeared on "Regis and Kelly" and demonstrated how to make a bed. The funny thing she said is that she likes something heavy on top of her in bed. I'm pretty sure she was referring to a duvet cover!

Talk Dirty To Me

Morning Talk Shows are strange and hilarious! I saw author Jackie Collins reading the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to little kids on "Living It Up With Ali and Jack". Will she read her latest romance novel as an encore? I wonder...

Bad Girls

Seeing Carmen Electra spank Jillian Barberie's butt on "Good Day Live" has been the highlight of the day.

Vibrate

Did you know that the best place to test the right "buzz" of your vibrator is the area right below your nose? I learned this tidbit by watching that sex show on Oxygen. It comes on late at night, and it's really informative!