Posts Tagged ‘Celebrity’

Amy Poehler & Will Arnett Becoming Parents Again

March 18, 2010 - 9:20 am 1 Comment

Screen shot 2010-03-18 at 1.36.41 PMCelebrity couple and two of the funniest people to watch on television, Will Arnett and Amy Poehler are going to be parents for the second time around. The couple has recently announced, Amy is on the family way. She first gave birth to their son Archie just sixteen months ago. While there has been no other information about the new baby as of press time, the couple are expectedly elated over the news.

In one interview Amy Poehler has compared the joys of parenting to that of Santa Claus and Buddha saying, “It’s really nice. You make people happy. There’s a reason why Santa Claus and Buddha both have big bellies. But as soon as you have your baby, nobody cares about you anymore. They just want to make sure you don’t sit next to them on the plane.

They have been married since 2003.

Incoming search terms for the article:

More Confessions of a Closet Fangirl, or TwiCon Part 2

August 4, 2009 - 5:01 pm 2 Comments

When we last heard from Robin, she was whistling at a 100 Monkeys concert.  Let’s see what happened next…

Alex Meraz, who plays Paul in New Moon

Alex Meraz, who plays Paul in New Moon

<!– @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { color: #0000ff } –>

Saturday was the big celebrity meet and greet at TwiCon, and my only chance to get a glimpse of anyone else starring in the upcoming sequel to twilight, new moon. Along with Jackson, Peter Facinelli (Carlisle), Kellan Lutz (Emmett), Alex Meraz (Paul), Billy Burke (Charlie), and Christian Serratos (Angela) attended the Con. As I said, I didn’t get a ticket to any of the signing/photo events, so I didn’t hold out a lot of hope.

Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen

Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen

The stories started filtering out from the sessions, though, and we all giggled hearing them. Ninapolitan, another fanfiction author, was greeted by Peter with a kiss on the cheek because she (as a devoted Carlisle fan) helped draw hundreds to follow him on twitter (ed note:  we helped with this, SLT fans!) – and he recognized her name! I don’t think she’s washed that cheek since, and I don’t blame her. Another friend, texbelle, did run into Peter on an elevator, and he didn’t even hesitate when she asked to take his picture. Very cool. Okay, I was getting jealous.

Christian Serratos, who plays Angela Webber

Christian Serratos, who plays Angela Webber

Confession time. I love Carlisle’s character from the books, and when I heard how much research Peter Facinelli did to get into the roll in the first movie, I was extremely impressed. He even did an interview in character (on the twilightMoms website if I’m remembering right), and I thought that was fantastic. Meeting him would have been great. But I didn’t go and hang out at the elevators, but another friend, vjgm, did see Kellan there, too. (She caught him again at the airport on Sunday. She’s just a Kellan magnet! No pics, though.)

Billy Burke, who plays Charlie Swan

Billy Burke, who plays Charlie Swan

I did manage to catch the last half of the Celebrity Q&A. Again, it was Peter who stole the show, explaining how he practiced for the scene where he stitched up Bella’s arm by sewing pieces of raw chicken together. He made us all laugh, but I’m sure it was part of his serious prep for the scene. From what Peter said, his stitchery didn’t impress Kristen. 8-)

Facinelli, blonded up for the role of Carlisle

Facinelli, blonded up for the role of Carlisle

My heart goes out to Alex Meraz. When he fielded a question, he was greeted by screams of “take off your shirt!” The poor guy turned red – I’m sure he’s got nothing to be embarrassed about, but he’s an actor, not a pin-up. Peter made him a deal – if Alex took off his shirt, Peter would take off his shoes – and Alex got even redder. Welcome to the world of twilight, Alex! Thankfully the questions went on, and Alex remained fully clothed (darn it).

Werewolves, including Alex Meraz

Werewolves, including Alex Meraz

The panel became the Jackson and Peter show. They bantered about how, to prep for the scene where Jasper viciously attacks Bella, Jackson had asked Peter for advice. Peter taught him the “birthday technique.”

“Just imagine it’s your birthday and no one knows,” Jackson explained. “Now, add another layer. Imagine it’s your birthday and everyone knows, but isn’t doing anything.” We’re all laughing by now at the faces he’s making – this clearly was a long-running joke. “Now, add another layer. Imagine that it’s your birthday, everyone knows, and they’re giving your cake to her [Bella].”

When I watch the trailer now, all I can hear is Jackson explaining how he’s mad that Bella’s getting his cake, and it cracks me up. By the way – the fact that the scene happens to have a cake in it, is purely coincidence, which makes it an even funnier story.

Rathbone as Jasper

Rathbone as Jasper

Toward the end of the question period, Kellan (who I wish I’d heard more from) threw a paper airplane out into the audience. Of course that was followed by a round of screaming as the lucky girl caught what I heard was a drawing of a teddy bear. I assume it was signed, too. But this initiated kind of an airplane war up on the stage. Both Billy and Christian made their own airplanes, but theirs didn’t fly past the security barricades and received a concerted “Aw” from the audience.

Peter (did I mention that he’s my fave?) then stood up with his own paper airplane high over his shoulder. Instead of throwing it, he jumped off the stage and ran through the crowd to the very back and handed it to a girl in the back row! And didn’t get mobbed! By the time he ran back up to the front, he was panting and making promises to get into the gym, but no one could hear him by then over the roar of the crowd.

Peter fielded a question about comparing Carlisle to a new roll he’s playing: Coop on Nurse Jackie. The only commonality between the characters is that they are doctors. I don’t remember all the details, but Coop could only be Carlisle’s evil brother – you can check out a bit of the pilot for Nurse Jackie HERE.

Facinelli as Dr. Cooper on Nurse Jackie

Facinelli as Dr. Cooper on Nurse Jackie

The Q&A ended after that, and the cast headed into the gauntlet that was the autograph session. I headed back to my hotel…I can only imagine how exhausted they were when their day finally ended. The lines were long – the last I heard there were still people in line waiting…and the Con ended Sunday. No, it wasn’t quite that bad, but I know it went on for hours and hours.

The Q&A was the highlight of the weekend for me. Seeing the actors come out and give it all for the fans was excellent. I was already planning to be at the midnight showing of new moon on November 20th, but if I go again on the 21st, it’ll be because of Peter and Jackson.

And yes, I screamed when Peter ran toward me down the aisle. OMG! HE WAS ONLY 30 FEET AWAY!!!!

But don’t tell anyone, kay?

Robin

Confessions of a Closet Fangirl

August 4, 2009 - 4:45 am 1 Comment

This time it isn’t me, it’s my friend Robin, who just returned from TwiCon yesterday!  I’m totally jealous, so I took Edward hostage until she agreed to asked her kindly if she would write a little something up to tell the rest of us about it.  Here are some of her thoughts.  Since she’s brilliant, she has a lot of thoughts, so I’m only posting some today.  There will be more tomorrow!

Twilight

I’m guessing you’re not thinking about a romantic image of a darkened sky, are you? Good, neither am I. The book and resulting movie of the same name have created a Harry Potter or even Star Trek-like pop sensation over the last few years. Add the word “convention” and if you’re like me, you’re covering your ears, imagining thousands of screaming teenage girls. Ouch. But when I was invited to attend TwiCon in Dallas, as a fan, I couldn’t say no.

I’d like to think I’m not a “fangirl.” I don’t troll the web every morning looking for the latest scoop on RPattz’s hair or shirtless photos of the cast (okay, I have trolled for that, but I don’t do it EVERY day). I am a mother, after all. I’m too cheap and impatient to get tickets to stand in line to get an autograph, but when I was asked to participate at TwiCon on the fanfiction panel discussions, I eagerly agreed.

I planned to meet up with friends I’d made in the fandom as a fanfiction writer and validator on twilighted.net, and talk about the wonderful things that authors, both new and experienced were doing to extend the world Stephenie Meyer created. My one goal was to get a photo of the cast of The Hillywood Show – they made a hilarious parody music video of the movie that me and my kids LOVE (and I did get the shot). But, if I ran into oh, Kellan Lutz or Peter Facinelli in an elevator, I’d like to think that I’d shake their hand and offer them courteous congratulations on their success and appreciation for their talents as actors. No screaming, no OMG YOU’RE EMMETT!

Kella Lutz, who plays Emmett Cullen

Kellan Lutz, who plays Emmett Cullen

Alas, we’ll never know. The elevators only held fans when I rode them. And the occasional Klingon – Not sure if he got the dates wrong for the Star Trek convention, but yes, a Klingon attended one of the discussion panels. Who knew that twilight’s reach was interstellar?

A Klingon

A Klingon

So, my first viewing of any celebrity was on Friday night at the 100 Monkeys concert. Jackson Rathbone is one of the lead singers for the band, and I figured that was my one chance to be in the same room with a celeb. I’d post a photo, but he’d be a tiny dot in a blurry black square! Whether you like his music or not (I enjoyed it), I was very impressed by the band. Now, I haven’t been to a concert in years, but these guys did something I’d never seen before. They switched instruments every song (all but the percussionist – he had a ton of instruments all his own). For the first song, Jackson played bass, the next he was on keyboards. He sang, played lead guitar, and even drums! Now that’s talent. Oh yeah, he acts, TOO.

Jackson Rathbone, who plays Jasper Hale

Jackson Rathbone, who plays Jasper Hale

I did scream along with the crowd when he came out (I whistle, actually), and when he took off his hat, but I agree with my friend Marcy that the other lead guitarist (no, I don’t even know his name, sorry!) was the cutest. See, I’m not a total cynic…but I didn’t tweet about it. (that’s a discussion for another time). If you happen upon the 100 Monkeys, though, and like an alternative rock/bluesy kind of music I recommend checking them out. They put on a great show.

100 Moneys, image courtesy of Starshine Mag

100 Monkeys, image courtesy of Starshine Mag

More on TwiCon tomorrow, when we hear about Peter Facinelli!

Em’s Charity Kiss: Attention Rob Pattinson!

July 12, 2009 - 12:04 am 6 Comments

Image courtesy of www.gossipcheck.com

Image courtesy of www.gossipcheck.com

Megan Jackson is a young Australian woman who struggles with depression.  Though she ususally shuns extra attention, she recently felt a strong desire to help others like her, so she founded Em’sCharityKiss.  She’s working with a not-for-profit group called OneInFive Australia (after the fact that 1 in 5 Australians suffers from mental illness).  Part of her goal is to raise funds and awareness about mental health issues.

And how does she plan to do that?  By getting Rob Pattinson to kiss her. 

In an interview Jackson did on Celebrity Psychings, blogger Alicia Sparks asked Jackson why she picked Pattinson as the star she’d like to kiss–besides the evident reason, his “obvious swooningly deliciousness.”

No argument there, Alicia!  None from Megan, either, though her thoughts on Rob’s appeal go deeper, slipping into an almost poetic poignancy:

I picked Robert Pattinson because I really like him – there’s something kind of offbeat and mysterious about him. I know you can only go by the small window that celebrities offer the public, but he seems like a fascinating person to talk to. And I’ve said before that he sometimes seems as uncomfortable with his life as I am with mine. There’s a melancholy about him I like.

I know exactly what she means.  Anyway, Megan’s hoping that her quest to get her first kiss from Rob–preferably by her birthday next month–will help her bring attention to mental health issues.  She says:

I think the mental health support community is constantly growing here in Australia, but I think there is still a stigma attached to mental illness. I’ve had people comment on my video that there is more or less ‘no such thing’ as depression and that people need to just ‘get happy’. That’s a very outdated way of thinking, but sadly it is still out there.

She also says she’d be happy if Rob just learned about her efforts.  But I hope she gets the whole shebang…publicity, funds, awareness, and a perfect first kiss from a good guy.  If any of our readers are in touch with Rob…point him in Megan’s direction!

And then point him in mine!

Celebrities to Race for Charity

March 12, 2009 - 2:58 pm No Comments

On April 18, a very diverse group of celebrities is going to race in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race in Long Beach California.  This is a 10-lap car race through downtown Long Beach, and Toyota donates $5000 for each celebrity who races to a charity called “Racing for Kids,” plus will also donate another $5000 to the charity of the winner’s choice. 

This seems like a really fun and giving thing to do.  The celebrities involved range from Oscar winners to washed up game-show hosts, but they do have in common a willingness to give their time and driving skills to raise money for kids.  It should be fun.  Don’t forget to cheer them on if you’re in the Long Beach area. 

Celebs participating this year are Adrien Brody, Keanu Reeves, Luke Wilson, Raven Symone, Jon Hamm, Tim Daly, Tyson Beckford, Alex Trebeck, Eric Close, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Mencia, Danny Way, and Ken Baker.