How to Make a Buck in Hollywood…

when you’re unemployed. Okay, perhaps, I’m being a bit harsh. You decide if this next lawsuit involving a former “Beverly Hills 90210” is a stretch. Gabrielle Carteris is currently suing the producers of a movie she appeared in claiming that one of the film’s choking scenes left her with permanent nerve damage. The 47-year-old actress says she was left partly paralyzed after a choking scene in the 2006 TV movie “Past Tense” went too far. According to the suit, Carteris has no feeling in parts of her body, and her face disfigured. The actress told TV’s “Access Hollywood” that at … Continue reading

It’s Ok To Be Pamper Yourself

Yesterday I wrote about how important it is to take care of yourself. We all know that as mom’s we put ourselves last, as single moms sometimes we don’t even make the list. We need to be better about this, we are important and deserve to do things that make us feel good, even if they seem like trivial things. What women doesn’t love a day of beauty? I don’t know many who would turn one down but as a single mom it’s hard to schedule one and even harder to justify spending the money. Who needs a manicure when … Continue reading

LAPD Cracks Down on Walk of Fame Superheroes – Part 2

One of my favorite places to visit in Hollywood is the Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Yes, I know it’s touristy, but guess what? I am a total tourist when it comes to Hollywood. One of the first times we visited, my husband had his picture taken with a Wonder Woman impersonator. He tipped her, but those days have come to an end as the LAPD has banned the superhero characters from appearing in costume. Christopher Dennis, who has dressed as Superman for 19 years, was arrested earlier this month for loitering. Dennis’ defense was “They charged me … Continue reading

Kids’ Birthday Parties—How Much Is Too Much?

Recession? What recession? The economic crisis, which has battered and bruised many Americans, is apparently a non-issue if your name is Diddy. The rapper with 1,000 names–he was born Sean Combs, but later morphed into “Puff Daddy,” then “P. Diddy,” then the artist known as “Diddy,” then “Straight up P,” and now just “Diddy”—-is showing the world that money really can buy love. And that goes double if you are a parent. Daddy Diddy recently made headlines when he threw his son an insanely expensive Sweet 16 party. The ultimate birthday bash took place at one of New York City’s … Continue reading

Tours of the Hood

When contemplating a trip to California most people place Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Monterey Bay Aquarium at the top of their must-see lists. At the bottom of most must-see attraction lists are L.A.’s gang-ridden ghettos. Ironically, though, the city’s violent hoods are making headlines for being a hot tourist spot. For $65 per person (and a signature on a waiver that acknowledges they could be crime victims) visitors can hop on a bus and take an official L.A. Gang Tour. The paid tour of some of Los Angeles’ darkest neighborhoods was the brainchild of Alfred Lomas, a former member of … Continue reading

Bill O’Reilly Says He’ll Boycott Sean Penn Films

Sean Penn may be slated to play Larry in the upcoming Three Stooges film, but Bill O’Reilly won’t be there to see it. O’Reilly, the host of Fox’s “The O’Reilly Factor,” did an interview for The Hollywood Reporter and when asked what actor’s political views disturbed him so much he won’t see their films, O’Reilly said “Just Sean Penn.” O’Reilly did concede that Penn is a great actor (one of the greatest actors of my generation in my honest opinion), but said that he doesn’t want to give his ten bucks to someone that gives “aid and comfort” to such … Continue reading

Society’s Obsession

One of the other ways we see this obsession with being forever young is people’s refusal to deal with death. For many it is the taboo topic. They don’t even want to think about their own mortality. It’s reflected in the way people try and skirt around the topic of death, by using expressions like ‘passed over,’ or ‘lost their loved one,’ etc. Once when I mentioned ‘a friend who died’ the person I was talking to, looked at me in horror as though I had said something wrong. Mick and I both tend to ‘call a spade a spade.’ … Continue reading

Theme Park Fun

Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri just announced that it is teaming up with area hotels and other attractions to offer discounts on package deals to families who want to spend spring break in the Show-Me-State without breaking the bank. The popular theme park is just one of dozens of companies lending a helping hand to cash-strapped parents, who want to make this spring break memorable for their kids. Sea World in Florida and the San Diego Zoo are also appealing to families on a budget. Both theme parks are freezing the price of their annual passes, in an effort … Continue reading

Jen’s Present to Ben and Julianne Margulies’ Gift to Herself

I guess the child Jennifer Garner is carrying is not her Christmas present to her famous hubby Ben Affleck after all. Rather, the National Enquirer is reporting that the actress is designing her poker-playing spouse a gaming suite in their new home. The tabloid claims that Garner surprised Affleck with the plans for the new addition a few months ago. But, perhaps, even more shocking than the fact that Garner paid big bucks to recreate her hubby’s favorite high-roller suite at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas (which apparently is his favorite place to play) is the news that the … Continue reading

The Power of Guest Stars

Forget about Michael Phelps sinking or swimming during his stint as host of this week’s “Saturday Night Live,” I’m more interested in the rumor that “SNL” alum Tina Fey may be returning to the popular comedy sketch show to play Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. I have been a fan of Fey’s since she made her debut on “SNL” (she left to head up NBC’s “30 Rock”) and would be thrilled to see her back on late-night TV. “SNL” head honcho Lorne Michaels wouldn’t confirm Fey’s temporary return; rather all he would tell reporters is that whoever plays John … Continue reading