“New York Times magazine” writer develops a concept called screen tests in which she interviews actors and actresses about various subjects concerning their careers, how they got started off and much much more.
I almost fell off my sofa tonight as I was watching episode 4 of the new series Episodes. As we all know (all of us Television addicts) every freakin show has gone on hiatus now in the US, which doesn’t leave us with much to work with.
Until about a week ago, I was catching up on episodes of season 1 of Raising Hope, a hilarious comedy about a boy who is stuck raising baby Hope by himself with the help of his clueless but amazing trailer trash family (check out my post on the show and it’s cast HERE). Then, I got slightly addicted to season one of Off the Map (check out my post on it HERE), a show produced by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy & Private Practice writer and creator). In a few words, I wouldn’t generally recommend it but it’s a good time killer as it’s a medical drama set in the jungle with some interesting characters. Unfortunately it seems as though it’s going to get canceled next season. So there you have it.
I was stuck with nothing to watch so I decide to delve into my best friend’s recommendation, a new series Episodes, starring no other than Matt LebLanc. Yes, Matt LeBlanc I repeat. Not your obvious choice, but surprisingly he is amazing in this role which is practically tailored to fit both his humor, his charm and his intellect. Yes, he IS intelligent it turns out, as well as sweet and extremely likeable – even though he sounds like a jock most of the time. The show itself is evolving into something quite interesting. A British/American creation and collaboration, it brings together elements of both worlds as well as the shenanigans that go on behind the writers chair on a television series. The UK cast, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig do a great job portraying the easily swayed and doe eyed / cynical British couple that go from London to LA to bring their hit television series to the US screens. Likewise the US cast, headed by Leblanc, is surprisingly witty and self-deprecating in a very un-American way. Maybe that’s why I love the show!
property of Showtime
So – back to why I almost fell off the sofa. All of a sudden who pops on the screen? Rachel Shelley. UK, British Rachel Shelley doing ana amazingly funny valley American accent. She literally stole the entire scene! What a nice surprise. I included the clip beneath so you can have a look. I managed to avoid a fall but I certainly could not suppress a gaffaw!
If you don’t know Rachel, you might remember her on the L Word recently or Lagaan, one of the most famous Bollywood films of 2001. She also starred opposite the adorable Heather Graham in Grey Matters. Rachel is also a writer and has a regular column with DIVA Magazine. I love reading her articles each month as she has a way with language and always follow her projects. The below video is a fan made video of some clips from the L Word, it’s cute!
So, if you have a chance, check her out in Lagaan, she plays the adorable English love interest Elizabeth Russel and the intriguingly beautiful, powerful and charming Helena Peabody in the L Word who goes from riches to rags. We all loved her in both and there is much to see beyond her beauty. She possesses wit and charm as well as a very subtle style which seeps through all her roles. She also has a wicked sense of humor. While she was in LA filming the L word, she did a hilarious cover of the song Run by Snow Patrol.
You can also check out her column in the monthly issues of DIVA magazine. Here is a sample of her interviewing Jennifer Beals in the July 2010 issue. Go Rachel! We definitely want to see more of her hilariousness on TV!
I don’t know what really turns me on about two artists collaborating, but there is an energy when two independent creative minds come together that is extremely exciting! Recently we had one of the weirdest artist collabs, Rihanna and Britney and the result was “meh” but the BUZZ behind the song was a big deal! In the indie scene when Laura Marling records something with Mumford and Sons or Noah and the Whale, people go crazy-we feel we MUST own the song/record and insist on seeing them live and in fact, the same exact thing happens in movies. When two artistic forces come together and collaborate, the energy can create an interest that goes beyond the screen.
How did it feel to work behind the screen with someone, did they get along, did they fall in love? If all on-screen relationships ended up like Jolie-Pitt doesn’t it make you think what causes the relationship to flourish? Is it the actual chemistry between the couple or is reality getting intermingled with fantasy?
I found you guys some really cool artistic collaborations to ponder and think whether you expected this to come along, naturally or professionally. And if you did see it coming, can you imagine what the energy was like between these two people?
Hope you all have a good start to the week, it’s Easter for those of you who are celebrating, which means shorter work and school weeks for some so I hope you get to enjoy the weather wherever you are, maybe have some BBQs in the sun by the sea or the park…in my dreams! I’m just planning on cracking some red eggs (Greek custom, bringing the holy light home to bless the house without burning it down) and having some friends over, should be fun!
photo by Peggy Sirota, courtesy of zooeyd
property of New York magazine, courtesy of Pen Hitting Paper
photo by Robert Ashcroft, Gotham magazine, courtesy of The Girlie Show
property of Marie Claire, courtesy of After Ellen
photo by Annie Leibovitz, property of Vanity Fair
photo property of UhHuhHer, courtesy of Band We Blogs
photo courtesy of UGP Music
photo property of Factory 311
Yes, I know it’s not Wednesday yet, but it will be way too late if I wait till then to post it. Today I had most amazing the opportunity for the first time in the 8 years I’ve lived here to participate in the Record Store Day celebrations in London. It was so exciting I tell you!
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
I only made it round to the Soho stores but the crowds, bands and atmosphere were amazing! We started out our day with Brunch at the Breakfast Club and then made our way to BM Soho, Sister Ray and finally Phonica Records. We got a glimpse of DJs, some live acts, cool Tshirts and our favorite Vinyl. It was such a great event to re-ignite our passion for music and start a vinyl collection. Also it was a fabulous way to get to know our “neighborhood” record stores and support them.
I decided to log my day by keeping a photo journal that I also “leaked” onto my facebook account. Check out both for complimentary photos…There are a lot of feet photos I notice but I couldn’t help myself from being a little bit fascinated by people’s shoe fashion…Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think.
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
photo by kranARI
It frustrates me that we are losing great artists like Adele and Florence Welch to the US of freaking-A. This being said, I am half American. However, living in the UK, I feel that when a country produces an artist as brilliant and as talented as the two ladies above, they should be capable of keeping them, don’t you think?
courtesy of Miss Shelby Rose
For one, Florence Welch might be signed to Island Records (based here in the UK) but lately, it feels as if she’s been touring the US forever! She hasn’t done a UK gig in a while and my fear is that now that she’s charmed the pants off US audiences, she might never return…
On the same level, Adele seems to have a similar effect on American audiences. The genre of her music and vocal stylings have made her a major hit in the US and it is the “appropriate” thing to do – when you decide to conquer America, usually you can conquer the rest of the world.
courtesy of Katie McCaffrey
Are we going to ever get these artists back or will the lure of the musical Happy-Meal contract glue them to the continent over the pond. These are sad, sad times…
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