J.Lo Debuts Fabulous, Fashionable Twins
Jennifer Lopez’s twins, Max and Emme, have managed to keep a fairly low profile since their coming-out spread in People earlier this year.
But the buzzworthy babies are at it again. This time making an appearance in Portofino, Italy, at the home of Stefano Gabbanaas in one-half of designer label Dolce & Gabbanaover the Fourth of July weekend.
We’d expect nothing less, natch, and expect to start receiving detailed fashion reports on their sartorially splendid spit-up bibs any day now.
Swingtown: Go Your Own Way
What does Nadia Comenici, civil liberties, Harry Reems and bowling have in common? They were all woven into this very topical episode of Swingtown, one of the best of this summer series thus far.
The undercurrent of swinging and sex was still there, but the theme of the show was more about choice and control, who makes them and and who has it.
The Millers aren’t in synch. In fact, Susan is the first to say it out loud, turning to Trina for guidance. I really like how the women on this show are becoming more real with each episode and less types. Trina is so much more than the wanton from the pilot.
She’s smart and supportive, not only to Tom, but to Susan and Janet too. The scene in which she opens up to Tom and reveals her fear of losing him was the most tender moment yet on the show.
Politics were front and center in the show, but not Ford vs. Carter — which should have been on their minds in the summer of 1976, if you ask me (it’s in the title credits, but that’s it).
No, the politics centered on the U.S. government suing actor Harry Reems to censor his appearance in Deep Throat. As Sylvia says in the show, the Decker’s fundraiser was to help Harry’s defense fund, not to support pornography.
When Susan was challenged by Sylvia because she doesn’t know anything about the issues — she thought the Decker party was another swinging session — then is basically warned by Bruce to not go, she asserts herself. Susan reads about the subject, goes to see Deep Throat — alone– then reaches out to Janet for support.
To Bruce, Susan using her brain and asserting her independence is unsettling and he reacts by turning childish and churlish. All through the show, he’s condescending Bruce, kissing the little lady’s head, asking where’s my dinner? Bowling with Roger is more important than anything Susan has to say. In the end, he turns away from her in bed. Is that a punishment for his wife, no sex?
Speaking of sex on demand, Roger and Janet have a very set schedule for sex — every other Friday night and no veering. But Harry Reems changes things. Janet supports Susan by showing up at the party. Harry flirts with her, which is interesting because he rejected Gail (Samantha’s mom). After the party, back home with Roger, Janet gives her husband a look and they go at it in the kitchen. Thank you, Harry!
Ultimately, all the women express themselves. Laurie challenges Logan to make a choice based on intellect, not emotion. Janet and Susan and Trina lock arms in support of each other and their desires to be more than just their husband’s wives. Even Samantha and her mother embrace. When B.J. sees how Samantha cares for her mom, he gives her a sign of approval — a perfect score, 10.0, just like Nadia in the Olympics. Using the same grading system, I give this episode of Swingtown a 9.8 — only Nadia is perfect.
Other points of interest
— The Rialto movie house — a single movie theater, not a multiplex — should have looked more like what it was back then, a porno theater. There were no X ratings on the marquee.
— The actor playing Harry Reems (Rick D. Wasserman) was quite good, but the standee of Harry was all wrong. The moustache was right, but Harry had a very hairy chest. I don’t know about you, but I demand accuracy in the depiction of porno stars from the era.
— Actor Bob Balaban directed this episode and it made a difference. In 1976, he was in Maude and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, so he has a good handle on the times. He also showed a good handle on Swingtown. He really explored the characters and issues that haven’t been touched upon before. I hope he directs more shows.
— I loved the contrast between the Tupperware party vs. Deep Throat party.
— Talking to Janet, Harry says he did the movie not to make a political point about censorship. “It was a job,” he says. Amazingly, he got only $250 for the movie. Harry actually came off as a nice guy caught in a weird situation, but was he really that innocent — or naive? How could he have not known that doing Deep Throat was going to be controversial?
— Janet tells him that she’s into sales, mostly to women. Is Harry looking for a job when he says, “I’m pretty good with women.” Probably not.
— As the show progresses, Bruce is a becoming more and more of a jerk. It’s okay for him to see Deep Throat, but not Susan? He loves the sex with Susan, but he doesn’t like how she’s changing.
— Samantha’s mom is still a mess and getting worse. I think she’s heading for a suicide attempt. Sam’s already scarred, what would a suicide attempt do to her?
— Singer Helen Reddy finally made an vocal appearance with “I Am Woman.” You knew it was just a matter of time before the female liberation theme was used.
— Laurie’s comment to her mother for standing up to her father, “Way to go, Mom.” It underscored the choice that Susan made and the importance of that choice. She set an example for her daughter…and all women.
— The swinging Deckers choose not to join the orgy in the basement. Tom says he wants alone time with his wife.
— “I just want to know where all this is taking us?” Bruce wonders at the end of the show. The viewers might be wondering the same thing, but whether we see Swingtown through to 1977 and beyond remains a mystery.
– Just an observation, but the Decker’s kitchen looks much too 2008. Those are granite countertops and the color is a warm red. In 1976, there should be avocado green and formica everywhere.
Kate Hudson: Lunching with Lance and Goldie
Kate Hudson: Lunching with Lance and Goldie
After being spotted out on Monday spending time at the City Bakery before a dinner date, Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong’s relationship continues to progress towards the “real thing” status.
Earlier today, the “Fool’s Gold” actress took her bicyclist beau out to Ivy On The Shore for a lunchtime rendezvous with her mom, Goldie Hawn.
And with their hand-holding, inseparable ways, it seems apparent that the two definitely are feeling each other, although neither has been willing to talk about their romantic situation.
During an appearance on The View, Armstrong said: “Number one, I know you have to ask that question. And it’s my right not to answer it. Number two, I think when you’re happy about something or proud about something, I think it’s natural in human nature to talk about it. But I’m not going to answer it. Next question.”
Meanwhile, Kate appeared on the show just a week before, giggling when asked the same question before answering: “Ask him.”
Hellboy meets Chuck - VIDEO
In an effort to promote Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Universal Pictures is releasing a series of strange and humorous commercials. The first involved James Lipton interviewing Hellboy. Not Ron Perlman, but the character of Hellboy himself. The second has Hellboy meeting the title character from NBC’s Chuck (and I love how Ron Perlman’s character refers to Zachary Levi’s character as “Chucky”).
Hellboy is being distributed by Universal and since Universal and NBC are the same entity, I can understand how a crossover between the two is possible. I do wonder if there will be any promotion for the movie when the new season of Chuck begins. Probably not, since the film will have already left the theaters. Still, a Ron Perlman appearance as any character on the show would be kind of cool.
The patter between the two is great as they play video games. The question of “why doesn’t the government let us out more often” is hilarious.