The Playboy Club Bunny Manual

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Smash Casting News For Season Two

Four semi-main characters will be slowly phased out if not shown at all in the sophmore season of NBC's "Smash."  They're Ivy, Karen.... obviously just kidding, but to the people REALLY getting the boot.

First off I'll start with the character I care about the least, Karen's fiance Dev.  I really did like Dev, his support and love for Karen and of course that accent!  As the season went on he became more bothersome than supportive, and I believe viewers really didn't care either way about his political love triangle storyline.  Oh I just realized that means his co-worker is gone now too! Yay!  (Also what the heck was with his ode to Slumdog Millionaire?  He finally gets to sing and they go with an Indian influenced song?  That was setting him up for disaster).

Actually, Dev is a close second to our next character on the chopping block - Ellis.  Ellis was the sneaky gopher who actually thought he could take down a huge Broadway producer and production.  I think his exit from the show is obviously realistic of what would have really happened to our sneaky friend.  I can't wait for him to make a cameo serving coffee to Angelica Huston, come on guys make it happen!

The next two choices confuse me a bit since they were part of a main storyline throughout the first season.  Will Chase who played Joe Dimaggio and had an affair with Debra Messing.  To think I was upset the first time they sent him away!  I loved his character and voice, the way he growled through Grenade!  Yeah he didn't look like Dimaggio, he looked better!  Also didn't the show hint that a baby could be on the way for Debra Messing's character?

Next I'm not sure if they're just limiting his role, or if they're going to do the infamous "walks upstairs and never comes back down" on Debra Messing's onscreen husband.  Once again, isn't she supposed to be pregnant?  My guess is either she loses the baby or the show will take place a year later after she's had the baby and her husband just happens to always be at home with the baby.  He was a stay at home Dad after all.  Now why they decided to dump him yet keep the son is beyond me.

Late Night Playlist W/ Old Escuela Selections

Just for shits and giggles. Also thankful that Across the Universe was long enough for me to write this.

Hole - Northern Star. Her best song hands down.

Glee (yeah) - Somebody that I Used to Know - I don't care if Goyte had a bitch fit over it, it really didn't sound that much different from the original except it was two boys.

Across The Universe - I strive to be in a place where nothing is gonna change my world.

Etta James - Trust in Me - if you don't own this than you must spend the buck to listen to this incredible mix of vocals and emotion. Trust in me... Love will see us through if only trust in me. This is a song to drink alone in a bar to.

amy Winehouse - Wake Up Alone - Amy made you know her through her songs and now there in an ache in our chests, she floods you with dread but you ask for it again and again.

Jimi Hendricks - Wind Cries Mary - I feel like I shoulnt need to explain Jimi to you ok?

The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 1 and 2 - I love when songs tell a full story with imagery so vivid you see the Men walking through the wood coming across a crying creature.

Pete Yorn -Atlantic City Live - I have quite the love for AC.

RIP DONNA SUMMER

Ever since I saw her "Behind the Music" back in the day I was a big Donna Summer fan.  You'll live on forever at every single school dance/wedding when Last Dance is played.

Loved to Love You Baby you Bad Girl!

Glee's "Show Within a Show"

When word first came out that Glee creator Ryan Murphy had no plans to keep on board the graduating seniors from this season (aka no "Saved by the Bell New Class" here), I respected his descision to give up characters that have been applauded literally and figuratively since the first season (including Chris Colfer winning a well-deserved Golden Globe for his role as fabulous gay teen Kurt).

Once time went on and Murphy changed his mind, I wasn't too surprised or upset for that matter.  I didn't want to see Rachel and Kurt leave but had high hopes their NYDA story line from this season was creeping up to a spin-off.

Spin-off's are a risky business, they could go the way of "Frasier" (a spin-off of "Cheers") which became almost, if not equally as successful as his predecessor - and then you have your "Time of Your Life" spin-offs (where Jennifer Love Hewitt makes it in the big city after "Party of Five").  So instead of going out on a limb and giving Kurchel (made that up myself thank you) a "show within a show" on the next season of Glee.

Although I believe the material of two former big fishes in small ponds hitting NYC ready to star in Broadway, just to have their hopes dashed when faced with a community of equally star-obsessed talents.  Let's hope that this next season proves to be a season long test run for Kurt and Rachel (and Finn) Take New York.  If the Kardashians can have 17 spin-off shows why can't Glee?

Do You Hear Me Andy Cohen?

First let me say that this is in no way hating on the Real Housewives series, I'm an avid watcher of almost every season (except Miami and DC- but I'm usually a bad first season watcher).

Lately I've been seeing more and more inconntations (or revamps when it comes to Miami - which is that even worth doing?).  Instead of wasting time and energy interviewing one delusional plastic fame whore after another (my GOD that must be irritating... or hilarious... or both.)  Why doesn't Bravo try, just TRY, a new twist on the Housewives series.

Just in the famed history of the Jetsons and Flintstones, why not have crossover seasons?  Say Gretchen has to spend extended time in New York to work on her Gretchen Christine line, why not let her join in on the fun of the New York Housewives.

Now Andy I know you're probably worried about ruffling feathers, but instead of threatening the regular stars, regulate the cross-overs as "Friends of the Housewives" that way they can still get involved in all the drama, but there isn't a real reason for them to need to come back for the next season.

Personally I think this would be incredible.  Imagine Ramona and Vicki fighting over who is busier and who's daughter is more amazing?  Heather and Luann competing to see who knows more about etiquette?  Oh and let's not get started with all the competing businesses!

So listen to my plea Andy, and don't forget that producer's credit when the show becomes a hit!

In Defense of Ivy from Smash

FOR ANYONE WHO HASN'T WATCHED THE FINALE AVOID **SPOILERS**

Ok now that we got that out of the way, let's discuss the finale from last night.  Now watching Derek daydreaming of Karen as Marilyn the past few episodes didn't leave many surprises that Karen was picked (she was the understudy after all).  I did feel bad for Ivy, but I'll explain my thoughts on her further.  Also considering that most of the season the audience was able to watch Meghan Hilty as Ivy as Marilyn in all her glory, made more sense for the audience to get a taste of what Karen really had to offer.

For fans going back and forth between Team Ivy and Team Karen, it was a treat to watch the cutaways from each actress giving it her all from the past season.  Karen definitely looked the part onstage and you could tell Katherine McPhee was having blast finally getting to get her moment witht the big scenes. 

I couldn't help but notice that during the juxaposition of Karen and Ivy singing, I had to admit Ivy was the better Marilyn.  Not because she's the blonde and has the buxom body that fits those costumes all so well, but she has that "come hither" playful glance that Marilyn was known for.  Ivy's Marilyn seem more in on the fun of Marilyn while being able to show the dark side with performances like "Let's Be Bad."

If anything I look as Ivy as "the Marilyn" during this past season.  During the beginning on the season she fought tooth and nail (and the sheets) to get her part and once she lands her dream role, it didn't help validate her and left her feeling more insecure.  Throughout the rehearsal process her desire to please and truly beating herself up over not getting the approval of not just the director she loves, but the company in general.  Ivy would be looked upon as "the body" while the director insulted her with asking Karen to fill in and coach her with singing.  Although in real life Marilyn wouldn't be considered as cunning, although girl had some tricks up her sleeve god love her, I do feel like that Ivy has become some sort of tragic hero of a musical on another tragic blonde hero.