Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Episode 1-03
“If you ask them first, 90% of them will say ’No.’ But hey, once it’s up there…” — Belle
Ahh, the pitfalls of being a London call girl. I’ll have to remember Belle’s trick for when I’m stuck with a marathon runner and I’m on someone else’s clock. That someone else is Ashok. We met Belle’s very first client tonight. I already hope we see more of him.
My review of Secret Diary of a Call Girl is after the jump.
First, this episode was better than last week’s. I like getting know a bit more about Belle’s / Hannah’s character. The tidbits about her business are interesting, but you can’t build a show around just that. I enjoyed getting to know Ashok a little bit too; he seems every bit as charming as she described him.
We learned a bit more about Belle / Hannah in the way that she looks at Ashok. She smiles at him as if they really do have a relationship. (Perhaps they do in a way.) They joke. She gives him a book. He knows what she drinks. Also, I found it interesting that she pointed out Ashok’s wife hasn’t had sex with him for years, justifying his decisions to hire a prostitute.
The “moonlighting” was quite amusing. Our London call girl doesn’t sleep when she’s doing all-nighters. She meets a man at the hotel bar who was hungry for a good time (and willing to pay). Belle assessed him — apparently a man’s shoes and watch will tell you how quick he is in bed. Sounds like easy money, right? When he said he was a marathon runner, I laughed out loud. It’s moments like that where Billie Piper really shines. As some of you have pointed out, she’s great at breaking the fourth wall. And she is. However, only some moments are really conducive to it. And it doesn’t always need a one-liner. It can just be a sarcastic look.
For the past two weeks, I’ve noticed (and you readers, too) that Belle constantly breaks her rules. For example, this week she had a beer yet she told us last Monday that she never drinks on the job. Belle seems so meticulous about following her rules and being professional. But she’s always breaking them. One of the commenters pointed out that maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. I think it’s a good possibility. I just don’t see what purpose that serves. Am I missing something? I guess I’ll just have to get over it.
Just one more thing. I’m currently reading the real Diary. I noticed that the show glossed over what Belle puts in her bag at the beginning of the episode. Here’s the passage from the Diary where she lists everything. I’m interested to her your thoughts.
Small handbags, bah. The magazines can tout this or that tiny purse of the season. But considering what I typically leave the house carrying,
a pair of folding scissors (stray threads are the enemy)
a pen (my memory is good, but not htat good)
phone (phone agency on arrival and leaving)
condoms (polyurethane as well as latex — some people have allegries)
a spoon
bottle of lube
lipgloss (reapplying lipstick after a blowjob is too complicated)
compact and mascara
small vial of scent
tissues
spare knickers and stockings
keys, bankcards, other normal detritus
and sometimes, nipple clamps, ball gag, and a multitailed rubber whip
(Belle du Jour, page 14)
Should Mariah Carey Be Worried?
No doubt the queen of divas, Mariah Carey, doesn’t like everyone proclaiming that hot young upstart Leona Lewis is on the verge of knocking her off her music superstar throne.
Ms. Lewis, on the other hand, definitely doesn’t mind being compared to greats like Carey and Whitney Houston.
“It’s amazing,” the “Bleeding Love” hitmaker tells James Brady in Sunday’s Parade magazine. “It’s exceedingly gratifying, because they’re so great.”
Not so great, however, are the possible pitfalls of celebrity…
Lewis, 23, is doing her best not to cross over to the dark side à la Amy Winehouse.
“You can’t make your mistakes in private,” Lewis says of the fame game. “I have the advantage of a great support structure. I get honest opinions from my family and friends. They aren’t always telling me what I want to hear, but the truth helps keep my head straight.”
And for all you die-hard Lewis fans out there, you’ll be happy to know, Lewis has written more that 100 songs. She says, “I may sing some of them on a future release.”
Lindsay Lohan’s Mom Gets Her Own Show
Lindsay Lohan’s Mom Gets Her Own Show
If you thought you were sick of Lindsay Lohan’s mom being all over the TV throughout her daughter’s rehab struggles, things are about to go from bad to worse.
There are reports that the Mean Girls actress’ mommy, Dina, is set to begin filming a yet-untitled reality TV series for the E! network.
And according to Dina, the show will star her singer/actress/hopefully-avoids-the-pitfalls-of-her-older-sister Ali, and Dina herself. LiLo may even make an appearance, as well. Momma Lohan told press, “Lindsay is a family member and will lend a helping hand if Ali asks her, when she’s in the recording studio.”
She tells press that the show is all about giving the public a correct view of her family. “There are so many misconceptions about me and my family. I’m setting the record straight.”
Oh, and it’s also about victory in the single motherhood department. “It’s about empowering women to be successful single mothers. About being in the limelight without compromising motherhood. It’s about what I do, how you can be successful, and be a single mom and fulfilling your kids’ dreams. Working is my sole source of income.”
But wait… there’s more…”It won’t just be following my family around like other shows. It’ll show me cultivating careers, going to soccer practice. I’m a big supporter of domestic violence charities, so they’ll show that. Then they’ll show Cody at soccer practice. Ali going to school and in the studio. It’ll encompass everything. You’ll see me having five business meetings in the city.”
Filming is scheduled to begin next week.
Hayden Panettiere Wants To Be A Good Role Model
Hayden Panettiere Wants To Be A Good Role Model
The paparazzi caught up with Hayden Panettiere yesterday at Orso restaurant, grabbing a bite to eat with some friends. And while this may seem a bit on the boring side, the “Heroes” star says she’d rather be safe than sorry.
In a recent interview, Panettiere told press that she chooses to behave herself, and avoids the pitfalls of fame like the plague. She says she doesn’t want to be just another young star with a party problem.
Hayden said, “For God knows what reason, they compare me with Lindsay Lohan! It’s kind of become, ‘All right, you guys can stay there and try knocking me off my horse.’ I want to prove them wrong now.”
And besides becoming the next big thing in Hollywood, Hayden expressed her desire to be a positive role model for young women, something that’s severely lacking these days.
“I think that, now more than ever, young girls need a good role model,” she says, adding, “My mom always says, ‘You are the books you read and the people you surround yourself with.”