Just Because: Timing...

Democrat or Republican, I hate when anyone uses a tragedy for political purposes. 6 people died yesterday including a nine year old girl. Gabrielle Giffords, expected to survive, was shot in the head. Yes Sarah Palin's target campaign was disgusting but was yesterday the day to really be screaming about blame???

For fuck sake let the dust settle, let families in shock deal with their pain. For all those who felt the need to go on 'typing' rampages last night who exactly were you trying to help? It is not that I disagree with most of what I read, the outrage is justified. Blame is a complicated issue and screaming about it too quickly is never a smart move. Seems to me trying to allocate blame too quickly is what led to the US jumping into war after 911.

Just Because: Cher & Kathy Griffin

Now...
Here is who should co-host a morning talk show! Between the two of them, no one in Hollywood would be safe!

Above: Pals Cher and Kathy Griffin on vacation in Hawaii this past December.
Source:

Just Because: OWN

I don't know about you but although I have not watched 1 second of Oprah Winfrey's new channel OWN...it already annoys the shit out of me. Oprah's pronunciation of the word OWN and the never ending slew of commercials already have me sick of it.

No matter how nice Dr. Oz may be, I have not forgotten Oprah inflicted Dr. Phil on the world. It boggles me that Oprah is airing countless talk and reality type shows and claiming to be creating programming for the soul.

Have You Ever....

Above: The Tutor by the amazing Dan Skinner.

Just Curious...
Since Christmas is the season for giving:

Have you ever wanted anything so badly...

Have you ever wanted anything so badly that you think about it constantly...

Have you ever wanted anything so badly that you think about it constantly, yet
when or if you actually were to receive it, as much as you want it, you know you could not accept it?

Just Because: Ben Barnes

There has been a tradition in my family that Christmas night after the meal is done and the clean up complete we head to the movies. Although it does not always occur this year one of my brothers, my sister in law and a cousin headed out to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Like many of you I am sure, the Narnia books were an important part of my childhood. I never found that the first movie however lived up to the magic of the book and really had little interest in seeing this one. The movie was ok, but the movie going experience was saved by the beautiful face of Ben Barnes. The is something special about Ben and his face lights up the screen whenever he is on it. Although I cannot fully recommend Narnia, if you want to experience what I am talking about make sure to watch Ben in Dorian Gray. Ben is mesmerizing and director Oliver Parker brings exactly the right feel to the story.

Just Because:

I know some people think Carrie Fisher was out of line and I certainly do not support the outing of others...

But, I love this story! Sorry but Carrie Fisher is one of the most interesting celebrities out there. Flawed, outspoken, annoying at times yes, but never never boring. Travolta on the hand is incredibly boring to me with the 'gay' rumors following him for decades. True or not, Fisher just answered a question. (and I don't think meant to actually make news with her answer). The fact that it was 1977, over 30 years ago that Princess Leia and Tony Manero graced movie theatres, that this story has legs is hilarious to me!

Just Because: Hillary Clinton

I like Obama but I cannot imagine if there were a President Clinton she would have asked her supporters to bend over and take it as many times as he has. Grow a back bone man!

Just Because: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Autumn has always been my favorite time of year. Autumn in New York is simply magic. I have spent a few cool October days in Central Park and it is my favorite time to visit the city.



Thanksgiving has always marked the beginning of the holiday season and since 1927 the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been the way to celebrate it. Although I have never been in NYC during the parade it is an iconic event event that thankfully has changed very little since I watched it on television as a kid. I always used to love to see what tv stars were hosting that year and which of my favorite cartoon characters were featured as balloons. In recent years the parade has also showcased the talented actors and shows from the great white way. Even if your not from the US tv shows like Friends and of course most notably the motion picture Miracle on 34th St. have made the parade known throughout the world.



Photographer Jon Whitney spent yesterday roaming Central Park and shooting at the parade. Although FH readers know Jon from his work with some of the industries hottest models, his passion for his craft is not restricted just to the human form. Jon loves shooting landscapes and architecture. Jon also loves to capture moments from his day through is lens. Thanks Jon for sharing the moments from your yesterday!

Check out more of Jon FH:
Jon Whitney on MM:

Just Because: Politics & Entertainment

I am sure DWTS knew exactly what they were doing with they offered Bristol Palin a spot on the show. I am not sure they know that ultimately stunts like that are going to be their 'jumping the shark' moment.

I have nothing against Bristol and I felt some of the hatred towards her was more than a little unfair. As I have stated before that carrying around the burden of who your parents are is not an easy task. Judging someone because of their last name is also juvenile. But....

Kate Gosslin is one thing, being an annoying non-celebrity one can handle, but people turn into DWTS for light entertainment and to get away from the 'real world'. I watch enough news that when I switch to something as mindless as DWTS I don't want to see Sarah Palin's smilin face, nor Obama's for that matter. I want to see C and D list celebrities, shirtless Mark Ballas and Derek Hough and listen to some 'so bad it is good' music. I only started watching this show recently (and not real proud of it). Given the popularity of the show I am sure it does not matter but any future attempts at 'Pulling A Palin' will not be met by my watching any further.

Some may think Palin is brilliant by showing up on DWTS, her own reality show, promoting her book, on Fox News and every other conceivable place people gather...maybe she is. It might also be that before too long even her most ardent supporters are sick of her. Everything has an expiration date and we all know when you leave things out too long they tend to spoil quicker. Palin has been out long enough that one can see the mold beginning to form.

Just Because: The Color Green

Although I am not a fan of Whoopi Goldberg on The View I am a huge fan of her as an actress. Jumpin Jack Flash is one those movies that cheers me up always. The Color Purple is a powerful piece of cinema and I only wish Oprah had chosen to focus on the power of the movie and not an hour of patting the cast (herself mostly if see the chosen film clips). I tuned in as I love the movie but surprise, the hour wasn't really so much about the movie as it was about Oprah. BTW: As much as I do respect Goldberg I don't buy the spin on her disconnection from Winfrey for one second. Winfrey's star rose much higher than Goldberg's after Purple it seems that may have played a role in the two women not speaking for most of the last 25 years. Goldberg would make a great friend, but a scary enemy.

Just Because: The Addams Family.

This past September I profiled Broadway's Charlie Sutton. I really loved this performance of the cast on David Letterman. Fits the day!

Below: Charlie, as one of the Ancestors performing with Nathan Lane, Bebe Neuwirth and the cast of The Addams Family on Letterman.

Just Because: Spiderman

Halloween always brings back my love of Spiderman. Spiderman was my favorite cartoon as a boy. The repeats were shown at lunchtime and on Saturday mornings. Spidey and Peter Parker presented as more non-threatening than lets say The Hulk or Superman to me. Might have been the suit... I dressed up as Spiderman several times over the year (mostly as a kid, but once in my 20's). I had spidey pj's and bed sheets (and yes long gone). On the Ev of Halloween here is a bit of a tribute to the sexy Web-Slinger.





Below: Tobey Maguire (Caps vis Superherofan).








Below: The Black Spiderman (yes that is his name). See more below
Photo by Will Michels.

Just Because:

10/28 San Diego Union-Tribune editorial cartoon by Steve Breen
Thanks to CBEntr for sending it on!

Just Because: David Beckham

On Sunday it seems David Beckham cut his finger and had to change his shirt twice and then finally had to change his shorts. He preceded to do so right on the field and was said to have got quite a reaction from the crowd. This did not seem to slow down Beckham, who still hopes to play for London but will play out the remainder of his contract for LA. Even with the mishap, Beckham scored for the LA Galaxy in the 2-1 win over FC Dallas.





Thanks to the original poster!

Just Because: Lisa Marie Presley

I like Lisa Marie Presley, always have.

But...

Despite her claims on Oprah I am still not buying it. Do I think she is lying, not really. I think however there is so much riding on Michael Jackson being remembered in a certain way that anyone, enemy or loved discussing him is suspect. Lisa certainly is not interested in his cash but I she does seem to stronly want her actions justified. Lisa says this is the last time she will discuss the subject...I am not so sure. She (understandably so) is invested in getting people to understand why she married Jackson. The problem is I truly don't think she has quite figured it out herself.

Just Because: Mark Ballas

Every time Tom Bergeron or Brooke Burke (beautiful woman, horrible host) say 'Teen Activist' to introduce Bristol Palin I laugh. I also know however that means I am going to get my weekly Mark Ballas fix. Ballas did not disappoint last night.

I am now officially out of the Dancing With The Stars closet. Honestly I looked down on DWTS watchers in the past, seemed like a colossal waste of time. But then, last season the accident that is Kate Gossilin had me tune in. Watching her dance was about on par with the Elaine dancing episode of Seinfeld. I usually try to do some work related task when I watch (last night I painted kitchen cupboards...takes away the guilt), but I don't regret at all catching the oh so adorable Ballas!




Thanks to IronMan for the caps!

Just Because: What do they have in Common?

Ok, for some this might be pretty easy, but it was a surprise to me. What do Marie Osmond, Dane Cook and Betty White have in common? Yes I am sure that Osmond and White shared the stage several times, both are tv staples and I am sure White was on Donny & Marie or they danced together with Bob Hope but what is the connection with Cook?


And yes this post was a bit of an excuse post some Dane Cook Shots.
Cook may not be my favorite actor (not sure I have liked anything he has acted in) but he is a favorite comedian of mine. His live performances crack me up and I find him incredibly sexy!



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For those who did not know the connection, see below:
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From 1995-1996 Cook co-starred along with Osmond, White, Ashley Johnson and Craig Craig Ferguson in the sitcom Maybe This Time. The show lasted just 18 episodes but Cook came on board as a regular near the end of the run. Typical bland situation comedy saved of course by the comic timing of Betty White.



There is a full episode on YOUTUBE (Cook is not in the episode, but Cloris Leachman is).