Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness and check out his blog .
Gossip site Media Takeout has constantly been keeping tabs on Kim Kardashian’s seemingly inflating/deflating baby bump. Kim seems to have a pronounced belly every other time she’s photographed by the paparazzi. All the other times her belly is unnoticeable, and it’s not just because of her unflattering maternity wear. Is Kim Kardashian pulling a Beyonce and faking her pregnancy all together, or is their actual trickery afoot?
This past weekend Kim tweeted out a picture showing her pregnant belly, in what can be believed is an attempt to dispel rumors that she is in fact faking her pregnancy.
Media Takeoutclaims they’ve contacted a “photoshop expert” and they claim that these photos have been altered.
In the picture on the left there’s a strange white area beneath’s Kim’s boob, which looks like the photo could have been badly photoshopped.
In the picture on the left they claim there’s a bizarre triangle shape on Kim’s leg.
Is Kim’s pregnancy a publicity stunt? Did she hire a surrogate or is there a different ending for this possible ruse planned? Kim’s due in July so we’ll all find out then if this pregnancy is the real deal. When it comes to Kardashian’s anything is possible, especially for publicity.
Why are people so enamored with celebrities? I mean, really. Is it because of the lifestyle they live? The Fame? The Fortune? The Glitz? The Glamour? What is it? It can’t be said for 100% of celebrities in the world today but over 60% are in the news weekly, usually in negative connotations.
Lindsay Lohan
Since last summer, Lindsay Lohan single-handedly led the field of celebrities with news of courtroom dramas. She is continuing this year by staying in trouble, in the courtroom and in the limelight of tabloid heaven, thus in our living rooms weekly.
Justin Beiber, once the teenage heart-throb of millions of starry-eyed pre-teen girls, has also begun to find trouble. If it’s not with paparazzi, it’s nightclubs and his entourage muscling through crowds, and picture takers that, “were getting too close” to their superstar. And in his latest blow-up, Beiber got into an altercation with his neighbor who claimed Justin had spat in his face because the neighbor had complained about his noise from his home.
Chris Brown’s troubles continue. He’s been in the courtroom for a possible probation violation. Fights with Drake, a lawsuit pending and a feud with singer Frank Ocean has kept Brown in a negative spotlight. Now, claims are surfacing that the community service Brown was to perform from the domestic violence on girlfriend Rihanna – who has continued to show support for her troubled boyfriend – may have been fraudulent. As he stays in and out of courtroom and in and out of the tabloids, she remains loyal to his ‘badness’ and folks insist on showing their loyalty by following their every move.
Reality Shows. Why? The Hollywood Housewives, The Housewives of Atlanta, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and OMG, the Kardashians are another form of Uck.
“Real Housewives”
Why THESE shows are becoming more popular than true actors of the Big Screens or even musicians that have a God-Given gift, crafted, trained and skillfully honed daily, some taking years to perfect, is a mystery…to me anyway.
I’ve never been a Fan of ‘Reality’ T.V. because it’s not reality. At least not my reality. If anyone can explain the fascination with these no-names-getting-on-TV-to-argue-fight-cuss out-share their intimacies, while drawing millions of viewers weekly, I’d greatly appreciate it.
You see, I don’t see how it’s interesting to see how a Multi-Millionaire lives, dates, loves, hates, breaks up, makes up, gets engaged, gets divorced, then makes his personal saga a series. I would think that your life is so much more interesting and sophisticated than theirs, but with less… materially speaking.
We’ve often been warned, be careful for what you wish for, or the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Both are true. Even the millionaires have issues but theirs are magnified by a million because of their status and because the World is following them 24/7. They are no different than us if you take away the bright lights, the glamour and all that loot. And if the truth be told, many would love to trade places with you or me just to live a more ‘normal’ life.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t appreciate the talent of these great artist (not Reality Shows), but we should be careful in getting caught up in their world…because we don’t live there. We’re just visiting, just passing through, innocent bystanders in a world of Non Reality. Until they walk a day in my shoes, they’re aliens as far as I’m concerned. Nope, I take that back. I’m more interested in Aliens.
Great comedy is very hard to come by these days, especially on TV. I’m not talking about some daytime show where you’ll have your eventual laughs or movies such as “The Hangover”. No, I’m talking about unscripted comedy where it’s going to be different every time you either go to see it or change the channel. Comedy that will make your sides hurt from laughing so much and make you wanting more once the show is over. Thankfully I’ve got great news to people like me who just want to laugh and laugh at great performers.
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” is returning to television this summer!
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” was originally a British improv show that soon got an American version on ABC and ABC Family channels from 1998-2007. The show consisted of three primary performers, Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady, and Colin Mochrie, who were joined by a fourth special guest every show. They were given scenes that they would have to act out on the spot.
My favorite of these scenes would have to be entitled Weird Newscasters. Each performer was given a special personality and would have to act out their personality while also trying to report the news section they were given.
One of the greatest comedic duos to ever perform, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie
The return of easily one of the best comedy shows to ever grace television is amazing news to me. It’s time for people to see what real comedy is. It doesn’t need to involve someone getting hurt doing some stupid stunt or a long movie about a bunch of friends getting so hammered they can’t remember what happened on their Vegas night (or their time in Thailand if you watched part 2). I will tell you now that if you have never seen it before, go watch it. You will not regret it one bit. And if you have seen it then you’ll be like me and jumping out of your seat over the news of its return.
“Whose Line Is It Anyway” will premiere on The CW starting July 16,2013.
Okay, so last week I talked about The Walking Dead and all its glory, but now I must give mention to my true TV guilty pleasure and that is the uncompromising Shonda Rhimes’ tv creation, Scandal.
The show is celebrating its 1 year anniversary today, April 5, 2013 and has attracted quite a bit of a cult-like following.
Why are so many flocking to this show?
Well, one big reason revolves around a small, little word:
Olitz
And if you’re a fan of this show, then you already know what that means, but let me digress for a bit and give you a bit of a backdrop on this crazy mayhem of a TV show.
Scandal is featured in Washington, DC where politics leads itself to some simple, complicated, and veering all the way to the absolutely bizarre and insane happenings of a scandal.
People who wake up one day and find themselves in a mess they could never venture out of without a media catastrophe occurring to completely ruin their elitist careers.
This is where Olivia Pope, played by the illustrious Kerry Washington, and her team of Pope & Associates (Gladiators in Suits) come in to ‘fix’ the situation and manage a crisis that has gone unhinged. Most weeks we get to view a scandal that Olivia Pope and her team rescues with leaving the clientele as unscathed as possible (sometimes, not always) that often include some twisty turns to keep you guessing until the end.
Yet, the bigger storyline that has everyone on pins and needles is the story that revolves around Olitz. Yes, Olitz. You see, Olivia Pope once was a White House Communications Director before forming her crisis management team. A position that had her working very closely with the current President Fitzgerald Grant(Tony Goldwyn). A man who captured her heart while helping his campaign and run for presidency.
As you may have already guessed, the two developed a striking tortured love saga that becomes quite the messy triangle due to the fact that the President is of course married to Mellie (Bellamy Young) with children. Granted his marriage is more of a business, political arrangement with no love lost between the two, and Mellie will stop at nothing to remain in political power and that includes tolerating an illicit affair of her husband with a woman she hates.
And as Ewww as the affair sounds when written, it is this relationship between Olivia and Fitz that has everyone tuning in wondering what will happen next with those two and the crazy world they both have to manage with no consolation. From the first episode that we meet Olitz, the two characters express a chemistry (HOT!) that is rarely captured on a television show and people are mesmerized by it. It also helps that creator and writer of the show, Shonda Rhimes, delivers these awesome roller coaster rides as we go through scandals that pepper not only Olivia Pope and her team, but just the worlds of all those involved with Olivia and the President.
This show is not for everyone. You really have to take a bit of your own personal morality out of the picture when watching this because no character is purely black or white. They all have various shades of grey that they must accept which makes this show fascinating as there is no real Good Guy. Just a bunch of people trying to do a little bit of good, if it allows, to save the day.
This show has it all and with a strong cast like Jeff Perry who plays Cyrus, (the President’s right-hand man), Joshua Malina as David Rosen, (the US attorney always losing out to Olivia Pope), and the remaining team of Pope & Associates that really help to bring home a deliciously scandalous viewing pleasure.
Branden Lee is a blogger, screenwriter, producer, and actor, currently residing in Boston, MA. Follow Branden on Twitter @Brandeness and check out Branden’s blog .
Game of Thrones, HBO’s hit epic fantasy magical medieval series, returned to TV for it’s 3rd season premiere on Sunday March 31. For those of you unfamiliar, Game of Thrones is based on the book series A Song of Fire & Ice by American author George R. R. Martin. Game of Thrones has something for everyone’s taste. Including romance, royalty, war, mystery, murder, zombies, and much much more.
The series focuses on the mythical land of Westeros and it’s several kingdoms, each with a prominent family with a stake and desire to claim the iron throne. Game of Thrones has tons of characters, so it would be impossible to not have a favorite, well multiple favorites. My top 3 favorite characters are…
1. Cersei Lannister (played by Lena Headey)
Ever since the first episode of Game of Thrones I knew Cersei would be my favorite. She’s the queen of the entire kingdom, and very deceptive and cunning. I can’t resist and evil queen. Cersei’s had an incestuous relationship with her twin brother Jaime, which resulted in her 3 children, unbeknownst to her (now deceased) husband King Robert Baratheon. Cersei also carries on an incestuous relationship with her younger cousin Lancel, whenever Jaime is away at battle. Her type is clearly men she’s related to. Cersei conspired with Lancel to slowly poison her husband King Robert, ultimately resulting in his death. Cersei’s eldest child, her teenage son Joffrey, is now the king. Cersei does love all of her children very much, though she’s lost control of Joffrey, who’s clearly a vindictive cowardly sociopath.
What I love most about Cersei, besides being an evil queen, is that she embodies power along with remarkable beauty. The position of queen may not yield as much power as the king, but Cersei always outwits, outlasts, and outplays her opponents. Cersei has her faults, such as being an overbearing mother, practicing incest, and secretly plotting to dispose of everyone new who enters her life. But Cersei’s a fantastic character, and my favorite in the entire Game of Thrones universe. Cersei’s gorgeous, evil, and the queen! Everything I love.
2. Melisandre (played by Carice van Houten)
Melisandre didn’t mak her Game of Thrones debute until season 2, but was an instant favorite of mine. Melisandre is the mistress of Stannis Baratheon, brother to the deceased King Robert, who is on a mission to reclaim the throne. Stannis hates that Joffrey, who’s not really his brother’s son and therefore not the rightful heir, is now the king. Stannis wants to reclaim the throne for the Baratheons. Melisandre is a red priestess with magical powers which allows her to be immune to poison, see the future in flames, and birth out shadow assassin creatures, which resemble Venom from the third Spider Man movie. One of these shadow creatures was used to murder Stannis’ own brother Renly, who also wanted to reclaim the throne in the Baratheon name, but since Stannis is the older brother he believed he should be king instead of Renly. Resulting in Renly’s demise. The desire for power in Game of Thrones leads families to turn on each other. Wives will murder their own husbands. Brothers will murder each other. No one is off limits when it comes to ruling over Westeros.
What I love about Melisandre is that every single person in Stannis’ life despises her and has warned him against her. Melisandre has used her seductive powers to have control over him, and even convert Stannis and his followers to her religion. I love a woman that can control a man. Also Melisandre’s a homewrecker, and I love mistresses. Stannis is very much a married man, who was known for his extremely moral behavior, until Melisandre came along. Melisandre also possesses magical powers. She can see the future, she burns people alive, and Melisdandre births shadow assassins from her vagina! She’s a seductive homewrecking sorceress, and that’s why I’m rooting for her.
3. Margaery Tyrell (played by Natalie Dormer)
Margaery also made her debut on Game of Thrones in season 2. Margaery started out as the wife of Renly Baratheon. Renly needed Margaery’s family’s money and army resources to help him stake his claim to the throne. Renly was carrying on a gay relationship with Magaery’s brother Loras, which she was very much aware of. Margaery didn’t care if she was going to be married to a gay man who was having sex with her brother, as long as she was to be queen. After Renly’s untimely death, Margaery needed a new plan to become queen. Now her family has aligned with the Lannisters, and Margaery’s engaged to Cersei Lannister’s son, King Joffrey. Margaery is definitely becoming a power player in season 3, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her and her impending wedding to King Joffrey. I also am looking forward to the arrival of Margaery’s grandmother, Olenna Redwyne (played by Dame Diana Rigg) who I know will also quickly become one of my favorites.
Game of Thrones airs Sunday nights at 9pm on HBO. If you haven’t watched the first 2 seasons, hurry and catch up! The current season is surely going to be the best yet.
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year, you’ve most likely heard of The Walking Dead, AMC’s zombie drama success, but the question is….
Have you been watching it??
Last night was Season’s 3 Season Finale and as usual after an hour of watching a Walking Dead episode, I am emotionally spent.
The Walking Dead is about, yes it’s true, zombies.
However, it’s a lot more than that. It really digs deep into the complex social, emotional, and physical relationships that develop once a sort of apocalypse world occurs. I had no interest in watching this show when it first began for the simple fact that it’s about Walkers (another name for zombies) and I just didn’t see the appeal. Yet, someone insisted I watch the show, so I gave the Pilot episode a chance and boy, did it deliver. One episode and I was hooked for life.
The actors on the show are top-notch and they make it easy to get caught up in this zombie flesh-eating world. Andrew Lincoln leads the cast as Rick while he successfully, and sometimes not, leads his group through survival in the new world. Unfortunately, not all of them have/will survive.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the show is that nothing and no one (including their life) is guaranteed. I have shed quite a few tears over the loss of some of my beloved characters, so please brace yourself for that.
The show also does an excellent job of addressing the ever-changing morality issue. In this new world, it’s either kill or be killed because either you kill or you die, or worse, you die and you kill.
So, how far will they go to survive? The show does a beautiful job of exploring this question and more.
We see people like Rick, our fearless leader, go through the emotional and mental struggles of remaining sane in a most illogical world and his fight to keep abreast in order to lead his new family to some sort of normalcy.
We also see that human conflict continues to exist as Rick’s group goes up against The Governor (our little anti-hero who took too many dips into the crazy pool) and his lovely people at Woodbury.
And no zombie show would be complete without some kick-ass mesmerizing Walker battle encounters with Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) leading the fray.
So, if you are one of the few who is still trying to decide if you should follow the masses and get caught up in this zombie-apocalypse creation, then the good news is that Season 4 doesn’t begin until October.
That gives you plenty of time to give this show a try and see what you’ve been missing!
Kordell Stewart, former quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has filed for divorce from his wife, Porsha Stewart, who is a cast member of Real Housewives of Atlanta. The couple only started appearing on the reality show this season, which is still airing.
Viewers of The Real Housewives of Atlanta have seen Porsha, who is the granddaughter of civil rights activist Hosea Williams, live in practical total submission of her husband. Porsha’s storylines on the show have revolved around her and Kordell’s infertility issues, Porsha wanting to have a career conflicting with her husband wanting her to be a stay at home housewife, and Porsha’s constant need for her husband approval on all of her decisions. Porsha and Kordell’s marriage has been scrutinized from the beginning of their relationship.
Straight From The A details the many gay rumors that have plagued Kordell since he was in the NFL. Many speculate that Porsha was simply his beard to help end the gay speculation.
DListed reports Kordell filed the divorce papers on Friday March 22. The couple was married in May 2011 and share no children. No pre-nup was made, but Kordell allegedly doesn’t want to pay Porsha any spousal support. Since the couple have only been married for less than 2 years, it’s unlikely Porsha will get much if any spousal support/alimony.
Media Takeoutspeculates the couple is divorcing because Kordell no longer wanted to be a part of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and told his wife she couldn’t appear on the show next season. Porsha reportedly refused her husband’s request and began contract negotiations for next season, leading her husband to divorce her.
Wet Paint profiles all of the many Real Housewives cast members from the series’ several cities whose marriages have crumbled since appearing on the reality show.
Porsha and Kordell join current and former Real Housewives divorcees such as Ed & Lisa Wu Hartwell and DeShawn and Eric Snow from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Jeana & Matt Keough, Tamra & Simon Barney, Vicki & Donn Gunvalson, and Lynn & Frank Curtin from The Real Housewives of Orange County. Mary & Rich Amons, Stacie Scott & Jason Turner, and Michaele & Tareq Salahi, from The Real Housewives of D.C.. Camille & Kelsey Grammer and Adrienne Maloof & Paul Nassif from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Finally from The Real Housewives of New York Countess LuAnn & Alexandre de Lesseps.
So many Real Housewives divorces, and surely only many more to come. Is the TV show to blame, or would these couples never have divorced had they not chosen to appear on TV? It’s impossible to tell. Most marriages end in divorce anyway, but most people don’t appear on television.
Reality TV can’t be blamed entirely for causing a couple to fall out of love and choose to divorce. Problems must have existed, like they do in all relationships, before any of these married people chose to live their lives under the microscope of television, and have their daily lives scrutinized by the public.
Whether it was control issues, money problems, infidelity, all the above, or something else entirely, divorce happens. It’s inevitable for most relationships. But if you do have a secret you don’t want exposed, appearing on reality TV probably isn’t the best option for you personally or relationship wise.
How is this even possible you asked? Well if you were a real Trekkie you would know that it’s William Shatner’s birthday! And in celebrating this special occasion, Hulu has done the ultimate in providing ever single episode for free… for the rest of this month!
From the Hulu Blog!
Today is William Shatner’s birthday, and Hulu is making every episode from every Star Trek series available to watch for free until the end of the month. Resistance is futile. Almost as futile as controlling a population of tribbles.
Begin your voyage again. Watch your free episodes here.
Speculation of a comeback by Dave Chappelle has begun anew, following a rare three-night appearance by the reclusive comedian at a New York comedy club recently.
Chappelle’s name is trending on social media today after he was joined on stage by Chris Rock at New York’s Comedy Cellar and the two joked about going on tour together.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Rock told Chappelle, “You should come down to Palm Beach,” to which Chappelle replied, “After next Tuesday, I’m free for like 11 years.”
The two even sent a text to Jay-Z and left a voice message for Arsenio Hall from the stage. “This could be the show, — fireside chats with Chris Rock,” Chappelle reportedly said.
“I’m in,” Rock replied, according to the Times.
Asked about the possibility of a Rock-Chappelle tour, Chappelle’s rep told Entertainment Weekly: “I can’t even say.”
Chappelle walked away from Hollywood in 2005, in the middle of his extremely popular “Chappelle’s Show” on Comedy Central.
He spent some time in Africa before hunkering down in rural Yellow Springs, Ohio, with his wife and family.
Chris Hayes will take over the 8 p.m. time slot on MSNBC in the next month, the channel is expected to announce on Thursday morning, the day after the current host of that hour, Ed Schultz, said he was moving from the weekdays to the weekends.
Mr. Hayes, a liberal intellectual who has hosted a well-regarded weekend morning program on MSNBC for the past 18 months, is a protégé of Rachel Maddow, the highest-rated host on the channel. He will become the lead-in for her 9 p.m. program, “The Rachel Maddow Show.”
The change is predicated on the belief that MSNBC can win a wider audience with Mr. Hayes than it did with Mr. Schultz, a champion of the working class whose bluster didn’t always pair well with Ms. Maddow and the channel’s other prime-time program, “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.” Mr. Hayes, on the other hand, is just as wonky as Ms. Maddow and Mr. O’Donnell, and is a regular contributor to both of their programs.
Is it ironic that Judge Judy is actually being sued??
Probably not, but it does make for a good twist.
It seems Judge Judy Sheidlin is actually caught up in quite the domestic issue here. Apparently, a Judge Judy Show producer, Randy Douthit, gave the judge a steal on some Christofle chinaware. This china must be quite the tableware as it is claimed to be worth over a whopping $500,000. You must be able to see right through yourself when looking at this china.
Randy Douthit’s ex-wife, Patric Jones, is alleging that Judge Judy received the china from Douthit for an exchange of only $50,000 without her knowledge or consent of the trade. And as you’ve probably figured out by now, the divorce was clearly a bitter one since Jones is looking to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers and hers alone.
To add more to the twist, Patric Jones is also claiming that Douthit agreed to decrease his salary upkeep on the show in order to get a better deal in the divorce settlement. So, even though the divorce has been settled, the war is still brewing.
Judge Judy is of course denying these claims and she’s also denying that this lawsuit even exists,
I have not seen any complaint by the former Mrs. Douthit, however, I don’t owe this lady a cent. And if this 50-year-old woman would spend her time more productively at trying to find a job, instead of abusing the judicial system with frivolous lawsuits, we would all be a lot better off.
Ah, Judge Judy, even outside the courts you still have your sass.
I must say it would be quite interesting to see Judge Judy Sheindlin on the other side of the bench and maybe even get just a little taste of her own medicine.
Famous for her many television roles including guest starring on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Rhoda,” Valerie Harper shared the shocking news that she has terminal brain cancer and that her doctors only expect her to live a few more months.
Harper appeared on NBC today to share more of her story and her amazing take on life.
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