Tag Archives: hollywood

Hollywood Writers’ Strike—Week 3: Movie Alert

It’s week three of the Hollywood writers’ strike and despite the announcement that both sides are headed back to the bargaining table after Thanksgiving, things don’t appear to be improving for the TV or movie industry. In fact, Variety is now reporting that the film industry saw its first group of flicks go up in smoke (hopefully not permanently). According to the new report, “Angels & Demons,” the prequel to the box office hit “The Da Vinci Code,” reuniting Tom Hanks and director, Ron Howard, has been put on hold due to script problems. The thriller was scheduled for a … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: End of An Era

I’ve told you about my childhood crush on Michael J. Fox (and Jason Bateman and Ricky Schroeder and…) in previous blogs. It’s tue; I’ve seen “Back to the Future” more times than most people have gone out to eat dinner. Which is why I was saddened to learn that the Universal Studios Hollywood ride based on the film trilogy that starred my beloved Michael (is a) Fox is officially a part of history. The ride took its final passengers yesterday and now is relegated to the past. (Sniff, sniff.) What’s even sadder is that the ride was closed to make … Continue reading →

Erik Estrada Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Erik Estrada is the latest celebrity to be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Erik, who recently starred in the reality show “Armed and Famous” but is best known for playing Officer Frank ‘Ponch’ Poncherello on “CHiPs,” attended the ceremony with wife, Nanette Mirkovich, daughter, Francesca, comedian Paul Rodriguez, and several real life CHiPs (California Highway Patrol officers). He said the recognition was great because it not only fulfilled his dream to be a success in the entertainment business, but also represented his childhood dream of being a police officer. In addition to acting, Estrada is also a crusader … Continue reading →

The End Of A Hollywood Tradition

I love a parade. Which is why I was sad to hear that after 75 years the Hollywood Christmas Parade is no more. A few days ago parade officials announced that the holiday tradition has been cancelled due to rising costs and loss in revenue. “This is a very difficult thing for us to have to do,” the chairman of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors told reporters at a recent news conference. “We’re disappointed and sad. But we’re out of the parade business.” I’m sad too. I would have loved to take my young daughter to see … Continue reading →

And That’s Why They’re Called Classics!

Ever since the moving picture was first invented, Hollywood has given us great films, marvelous actors, beautiful actresses, daring stunts, and dazzling musical numbers. Unfortunately, many of these older films have been shoved aside in favor of newer, more high tech models. Don’t get me wrong; I love the movies of today. But there is just something about a whispered love spoken by moonlight, followed by a whiz-bang tap dance number, that nothing can touch. We lived in Magna, Utah, for a time when I was a girl. Near us, on State Steet in Sandy, was an old theater called … Continue reading →

The Hollywood Sign – a California Landmark

When I first visited Hollywood, the main thing I wanted to see was the Hollywood sign. It seems to epitomize what Hollywood is actually about – it’s huge, looms over the city like the entertainment business, and very prominent. It also seems like it has been there forever and is indestructible, but let me tell you a little about this history of the Hollywood sign. Some people don’t know this, but the sign actually read Hollywoodland when it was constructed in 1923. That was to be the name of the posh new neighborhood being created there. Several of the real … Continue reading →

Hollywood Stars Steamed Over Proposed Natural Gas Facility

What do Halle Berry, Pierce Brosnan, Cindy Crawford and Daryl Hannah have in common (besides the fact that they are exceptionally good looking human beings who make a ton of money)? They were among the many stars that turned out to protest a planned natural gas facility in Malibu on Sunday. “We have to use our voices and band together and stop this,” Berry said at the gathering, PEOPLE magazine reports. Berry joined Brosnan and others, who live on the Malibu beach that developers are eyeing. Brosnan not only hosted the rally but also, spent about 20 minutes detailing why … Continue reading →

Love The Look OR Love To Hate It

In Hollywood new looks come and go faster than figure skater Sasha Cohen spins on ice. The latest makeover victims… I mean trendsetters… to hit the airwaves are Clay Aiken and Scarlett Johansson. Let’s start with Aiken. Not only does he have a new album out, but he also has a new look to boot. Unfortunately for the “American Idol” runner-up it’s his “transformation” that’s garnering more attention than his new CD. While I am not a huge “American Idol” fan, I did watch enough to get used to Aiken’s spiky-hair then–BANG—he premiered a hipper (I guess) shaggy do. Personally, … Continue reading →

Hollywood Patriarch Dies

I recently blogged about the wonderful new addition Emmy-winning actress Mariska Hargitay and her husband welcomed into their home—a baby boy named August. Unfortunately, the tears of joy Hargitay shed just a few months ago have now turned to tears of sorrow. The actress’s father Mickey Hargitay, the actor and world champion bodybuilder died late last week. He was 80 years old. According to news reports, Hargitay died Thursday in Los Angeles of multiple myeloma. Hargitay was once married to 1950s sex siren Jayne Mansfield (the couple had three children together, including Mariska, before divorcing in 1964)–in that decade he … Continue reading →

Brittany Murphy Breaks Off Engagement

Poor Brittany Murphy, it seems she is always unlucky in love. If you remember, several years ago, she was involved in a highly publicized romance with Ashton Kutcher. The two met and started their romance while filming “Just Married.” Suddenly, they seemed to be in front of every camera in Hollywood, the epitome of “young and in love.” Then, almost as quickly as the romance began, it ended. And it did not end nicely either. Brittany threw a few ugly remarks Ashton’s way on a talk show, but he had already moved on to dating current wife, Demi Moore. Not … Continue reading →