Kudos to Claudia Lonow and Accidentally on Purpose

As a kid back in the 80's I remember watching some of the Prime Time Soaps with my parents. My favorite was 'Dallas' but I also watched some of 'Knots Landing'. By the time I was old enough to actually get 'Knots' Claudia Lonow had been written off the show.

Today it seems many writers of tv drama's cannot seem to write for anyone over 25. (Think 90210, Gossip Girl to name a few). Back in the 80's it seems the adults running the prime time soaps could not write for anyone under 25. While older actors such as Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Linda Evans, Joan Van Ark and Joan Collins were given meaty material, the younger characters (think Katy Kurtzman, Charlene Tilton, even Mariska Hargitay on 'Falcon Crest') on the nightime soaps such as Lonow as Diana on 'Knots Landing' were given little to do. Eventually most were written off their respective shows.

Watching 'Knots' and 'Dallas' today on DVD it weird as Claudia Lonow as Diana (not to mention the other younger actress's above) were some of the most interesting characters on the show. Lonow's Diana was a typical teen, annoying, interesting and complex. Not the cookie cutter sex pots on television today.



Lonow gets the last laugh however. While many of her former co-stars struggle to get roles in tv movies and daytime soaps, Lonow threw her creative talents into writing and producing and has been writing for television on shows like 'Less Than Perfect', 'The War At Home', 'Cashmere Mafia' for awhile now. Lonow also served as Producer on many of these shows as well.


Below: Jon Foster in 'Accidentally on Purpose'


Today, Lonow is a creator, writer and executive producer on the new CBS sit-com 'Accidentally on Purpose'. I have written about this show before (mainly my love for Jon Foster...whom Lonow and the writers manage to get shirtless often...) but was unsure of the shows chances of long term success. Well last nights episode cemented to me this show is going to be around for awhile. While I have enjoyed the previous episodes, last nights installment had me laughing out loud. Although the leads are likable, it is the supporting cast that brings forth the belly laughs. Ashley Jensen, Nicolas Wright and especially Lennon Parham are really shining and the writers filled them with a multitude of great lines in last nights episode. So Kudos to Claudia Lonow and the cast and writers of 'Accidentally on Purpose'! Maybe Donna Mills will be calling her for a job soon.

Model of The Day: Brendan Ruck

Many of you might have seen the shots of Canadian model Brendan Ruck by Peter Tamlin that made the rounds of many blogs earlier this year. Brendan rocks the dark look, with those serious dark eyes and hair. (Not to mention the dark clown below). Having seen some video and backstage shots, when Brendan smiles the darkness fades fast to a bright beautiful guy with an amazing profile. Check out more of Brendan at NYM New York HERE:



Stats:
Height: 6' 0" (183cm)
Waist: 32" (81cm)
Shoes: 11
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Suit: 40"
Suit Length: R
Shirt: 15.5"
Inseam: 32"







Although usually not a fan of clowns, I do love the shot below.





On The Runway:



Below: Brendan by Peter Tamlin.

In The Ring with Lance Bass

Who Knew???

Lance Bass looking pumped up in the ring behind the lens of the talented Braden Summers. Check out Braden's site HERE:
Source: VGN

Favorite Pic of the Day for October 19th

Love this shot of Justin Clynes (profiled below).

Really Oprah, Really....

I have written a few times since September about Oprah. I fear there is only more weirdness to come. I think Oprah really needs to retire. What good she once did for many is at risk of being overshadowed by the turn her show is taking. Between odd behavior, sensational interviews worthy of Jerry Springer and the fact Oprah has lost touch with her core viewership, is turning her show into an odd spectacle of something once great....that gone horribly gone wrong.

Last weeks two (yeah not one but two) appearances by Mike Tyson was the final turning point to Oprahs hitting the gas on the road down to trash tv. I am not sure if she is running scared of dropping ratings, or like the daytime soaps, her show has become a dinosaur no longer able to grab the viewers (whose attention spans appear to get shorter and shorter). Oprah's attempt at staying relevant is rather disconcerting to watch.

If Oprah wants to 'scoop' family incest with MacKenzie Phillips, talk about Whitney's drug use and provide a platform for Mike Tyson maybe she should just work for Extra or Entertainment Tonight. Oprah's best show this season was Chris Rock plugging his movie 'Good Hair'. Too bad Oprah had nothing to do with it, Rock led the way taking Oprah along for the ride. When Oprah leads the way she heads to the sensational, the sound bite to plug into the commercial. 'Extra Extra' 'Oprah Oprah' Pretty much the same thing these days.

The reason Oprah bothers me so much is how haphazardly she throws around the influence she has. Whether it be her politics, her backing the Olympics or her having on Mike Tyson, many people, especially women are watching and listening. Oprah, who once took this seriously, seems to have abandoned her role as advocate in favor of pushing her own agenda. Too bad many of her viewers have not yet picked up on this.