Jack and Renee: A reunion

Oh my god, a well known character returns, as well as some well known faces from the TV business, and the writers use this opportunity to start the real season. The assassination plot is already over, now we have to deal with the Russian mob, nuclear material and Jack Bauer playing the babysitter for Renee Walker.

Yeah, Renee (Annie Wersching) returns, and she is mad as hell. Since her day with Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) (and the aftermath of this day), she is down, she is broken, she is not the same anymore. She looks and behaves like she could kill you any time, her actions are unexpected, her mind is crazy. Anything can happen with her back in the terrorist business again. And she proves it at the end. “You can’t cut the bracelet.”, says the Russian mob guy to Renee, which she responds to “I am not gonna cut the bracelet.” And then Renee and her saw were in bloody action. She finishes the episode with “I am just getting started”, and all of a sudden, we have a flashback back to the second season, when Jack killed a guy in the CTU interrogation room, just so he can get faster into his undercover business. Renee today is Jack six years ago. Renee could be Jack’s real successor, after Cole Ortiz (Freddie Prinze Jr.) is still in the background of the story, even though he had his first chase on foot.

The episode was cool, even better than the last one and the best episode so far this season. The moments between Renee and Jack were awesome and showed once again that the producers want to include a little bit less action, and instead including a little bit more character development during the episodes. The first scene between Jack and Renee was full of suspense and tension; she is happy to see him, but then she remembers she didn’t want to see him ever again, but nevertheless he will be back in her life, whether she wants to or not.
And Jack knows that Renee is short before getting back into the terrorist crap, and because of her troubled past, when she was undercover with the Russian mob six years ago, Jack is not hopping on a plane to Los Angeles anymore, instead he doesn what he always does best: saving America. Even though he has to kill lots of terrorists and bring his loved ones in threatening life danger. I already see Renee walking on thin ice in around five episodes…
The Renee moments were the highlight in this episode, and nothing could beat that. Neither the awkward moment between Meredith (Jennifer Westfeldt) and Omar (Anil Kapoor) – which looks like Meredith disappears as a recurring character, because her story seems over for good, nor the annoying storyline involving Dana’s (Katee Sackhoff) secret past. I still can’t get my head around this one – is Kevin (Clayne Crawford) one of the “good” guys, is he trying to get access to CTU through Dana, is he just part of a little side plot, until Kevin ends dead in an alley? Or maybe Dana? Sure, these stories are only in the seasons to give the characters a few moments outside of the terrorist plot, but the writers could actually start to give those stories some more relevance, and a but less stereotypes. Kevin is already one of the most annoying characters on the show, and Dana’s past is absolutely uninteresting for me. Either one of them dies very soon, so I don’t have to live through this crap anymore, or Kevin should expose Dana’s secret, and we could actually have some interesting moments.

Cole Ortiz is still in the background of the story, even though he had his first chase on foot. And he cut a fine figure, together with him on his knees, waiting for Davros (Doug Hutchison) to shoot him – and, boy, Jack coming to rescue the young agent was sooo predictable I had to laugh, when jack showed up and killed Davros. Now, Doug Hutchison can return to Lost and play Horace Goodspeed again.
During the rest of the episode, Cole was pretty much useless. Omar thanked him for saving his life, he brought the dead Davros to the medical room, which looked exactly like the interrogation room, and with the dead body the new storyline begins.
Because we now have nuclear materials back in the story, and with it the two bad-asses Jürgen Prochnow and David Anders.

First I completely forgot that Jürgen Prochnow had an arc in this season and my eyes were glittering, when he appeared on screen for the first time. Then I remembered that David Anders was cast as well, probably as Prochnow’s character’s son, and there he was. Jürgen Prochnow can always play the bad guy very interesting. But, Jürgen, David Anders is one of my favorite TV villains of all time. OF ALL TIME.
Sure, the nuclear storyline is old and we already had it in various seasons, but one story had to follow the assassination plot. Now I am just eager to know, how the first threat connects with the second threat. We had it often that various threats didn’t really connect throughout the series – while bombs and assassination plots were themes during the first season half, we had completely different storylines in the second season half. And I already know it won’t be different in this season.

All in all: It was a good episode, Renee Walker kicked ass, her last scene was hilarious (in a good way), the first season plot is over, Hastings’ (Mykelti Williamson) way of walking crouched is hilarious as well (in a negative way, lift up your head, man), Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub) is now happy with her job, after the complimentary words of her boss and Kiefer Sutherland has surprisingly not much screentime in this season. The producers are already looking for an excuse to write him off at the endo of the season and give us a successor.

7,5/10

One of those discuss-moments between Brian Hastins and Chloe O'Brien

The third hour of the eighth season of “24″ shows that the writers didn’t forget how to plot suspenseful last acts of an episode. But how to write stupid and time-filling storylines as well. While the cop-killer story was a complete pain in the ass, the last six, seven minutes were full of suspense and I couldn’t get my eyes off the screen.

Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) has a bit of a problem, when he is about to apprehend the assassin. He is able to find the house he was going, he is able to find a dead person, but he is not able to escape a bold street cop, who hates cop-killers, and thinks that Jack is one of them and killed the cop in this house. That means Jack stands in front of an hour full of torture and not being able to do the job. And not even one hour ago, he said goodbye to Kim and took the job. Not even one hour and he gets tortured. Not even one hour and Jack has to spit a bit of blood. Not even one hour and Jack gets stopped with what he does – CTU director Hastings doesn’t seem to be the only one, who wants to stop Jack from working.

Of course the writers and producers can’t show us Jack being beaten up for the whole episode, so the other storylines have enough space, which I really like. I noticed during the last episode that Jack was mostly in the background and the writers concentrated on the other characters. And these other characters were mostly outside of the CTU offices, except the high amounts of screentime for Mykelti Williamson (did you notice how he walks around with his head almost literally in front of his chest and under his neck?), who didn’t manage to convince me in this episode as well as in the two previous episodes before. His interrogation with Meredith Reed (Jennifer Westfeldt) is still very lame and I can’t even believe, that a CTU director doesn’t even think outside of his “she is guilty”-bubble and starts to listen to his colleagues, especially Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub). It is almost like Hastings hates Reed, because she is a woman, and he wants to do everything to get her the death penalty. But did he think about giving somebody else the death penalty, because Meredith is innocent?
But there is a big surprise, which could come to us, when the writers are clever: I can totally think of Meredith actually being guilty and a part of the assassination plot (there is still the mysterious phone call she did during the first episode, and it doesn’t really fit into the story of her character).

So, while Jack got tortured by a bad cop, the other characters had lots of time. Chloe was still trying to convince Hastings that something ain’t right. Hastings still isn’t listening, and she can’t even talk to somebody else, because it looks like she doesn’t even have friends in the office.
Dana (Katee Sackhoff) has problems with her probably ex-boyfriend Kevin (Clayne Crawford, shitty IMDB, his name isn’t billed, I had to google for the name of the actor…), who found her in New York. He found out that her name is Dana, he found out her phone number and he even found out she works for CTU. How the hell did he find that out? Somebody must have talked, which lets me believe somebody from the office talked – and who has an interest about exploiting Dana’s big secret, except Kevin? And what is Kevin’s master plan on this one? Is he actually one of the bad guys and tries through Dana/Jenny to get access into the CTU or is that storyline completely for the side and has nothing to do with the assassination plot and other terrorist attacks we will witness during the season?
I actually quite liked Katee Sackhoff’s acting on the parking lot, she had some nice expressions – she wanted to kill Kevin, but she couldn’t, because her past is obviously so dark, she escaped from her previous herself. I am already waiting on the revelation of this secret.
Meanwhile, Freddie Prinze Jr. didn’t have much screentime again, but he made a good figure as leader of the mission. he definitely needs more screentime and an action scene of his own. And he needs to work together with Jack (Renee still didn’t show up, but she is coming in the next episode) – how awesome would it be, when Jack actually has two partners in the field: Renee (and he already has some sort of a working relationship with her) and Cole (the candidate of being Jack’s successor). At least he has his first own near-death experience, when the bomb exploded under his car – awesome scene. Of course he will survive that, but it would be interesting to know how that will play out for Jack. He was right again, and Hastings definitely should start listening to him.

Nothing much happened on the President’s front. Taylor (Cherry Jones) isn’t really into the story right now, instead Omar (Anil Kapoor) is in the middle of everything. Omar’s brother Farhad (Akbar Kurtha) wants Omar dead (an explanation is missing), his wife and daughter are completely out of the picture right now (though I can imagine his wife has something to do with the assassination plot as well). And there is still nothing happening at the peace front (the actual reason, why Omar is in New York).
But, as I already stated, the last act of the episode was full of thrill and put the UN story in the front for a change. I wished to see more of the evacuation and less of Davros (Doug Hutchison) preparing for the attack. But it was nice to see that the bomb actually exploded.

Good episode, shitty side plot, incredible thrilling last act. Almost “24″ as usual.

7,5/10

Dana Walsh has a secret: Her name is not Dana...

Previously on “24″: There is a big hit going down. Today. Jack Bauer picks up a weapon. He starts shooting. He kills two terrorists, one of them with an ax. A helicopter explodes.
I managed to do that, what FOX couldn’t do: Make the “Previously on” part way shorter. When I was watching the “Previously on” part, I was asking myself when this flashback will be over – 2 minutes and 15 seconds to review the first episode is a bit too much for my taste.

The second episode of the season was as “calm” as the season premiere, even a bit more calmer, because the writers still need that time to introduce us to the story. On the one hand it was good to use more time for introducing stories, the threat of the first third of the season and the new characters. With writers, who wanted to do everything as fast as they can, we would have already seen the first atomic bomb exploded.
The best example for that is the fact that CTU got freelance reporter Meredith Reed (Jennifer Westfeldt, I was like: From where do I know that chick? I saw her somewhere and I can’t remember. Taking a look at her IMDB file and I remembered I saw her in “Notes from the Underbelly” I found that show quite nice back then) in custody, the first suspect in a row of many suspects to be involved in the assassination plot against President Hassan (Anil Kapoor). Chloe O’Brien (Mary Lynn Rajskub, a bit less seriousness in her face and I could start take her serious), still trying to live up her own legend and find herself through the new servers, thinks that went way too fast and ways way too easily done – what fans and critics were saying for the last six years, a character in the show itself speaks it out: The last seasons were too fast and told too easily. It almost looks like the writers don’t want to make it too easy this time, and the storytelling of the first two episodes definitely is slow. Is that the step in the right direction?

I only didn’t like CTU director Hastings (Mykelti Williamson) with Meredith. Not only were the interrogation scenes showing that Brian Hastings is a totally boring character, but his stiffly behavior is not good for a series like that, and not just because he isn’t listening to Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). And all in all: I believe Mykelti Williamson is miscast in his role and for me the biggest candidate for the part of the “character who gets to be killed during the season”. And hopefully this happens fast, so Jack Bauer gets the position as CTU director back and the Division can send a new one we will hate again.

Between the exploding of the chopper and Jack arriving at CTU New York he had lots of time to think: Is he returning to Los Angeles with his family or is he starting to deal with the situation? Jack wants to go back with his daughter, and to do that he even refuses to help Chloe. After all what happened in Jack’s life: One step further into this mess, and you get sucked into the terrorist crap.
I just want to ask one thing: Why is Chloe asking Jack to help her proving Meredith’s innocence? I can accept that Hastings isn’t listening to Chloe’s opinion, but is Jack her only option? Why didn’t she just ask Dana (Katee Sackhoff), she is definitely some sort of a friend for her in the office? Or alternatively Cole (Freddie Prinze Jr., not much to do in this episode), with whom she didn’t have much contact so far? Why asking not somebody else from the office? Why is Chloe hoping on jack, though she knows he doesn’t want to get sucked into this mess and just wants to return home?
What really annoys me is the fact that Chloe called Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) about this serious topic, so Kim can have a touching moment with her father to press out some tears out of her eyes and get her out of the city and the danger zone. Damn, I already was thinking, Stephen (Paul Wesley) was one of the “gets killed”-characters.
Basically, Chloe is the one, who will kill Jack Bauer at the end of the season (when Jack really dies, Kiefer Sutherland’s contract is ending this season).
Well, after Kim gave her “okay”, Jack gets sucked into the mess, gets a weapon and is about to apprehend some terrorists. With this episode, Jack’s family life is over and the season begins.

In the background we had some scenes in the UN building, especially with President Hassan and his slimy brother Farhad (Akbar Kurtha). We will learn in this episode that Kayla is in contact with Davros (Doug Hutchison), the guy who blew up the chopper last hour. So, Kayla is the inside man who is working with the assassin. I call that a cliché and why is always someone on the inside to plot the death of a great leader and man? This really gets boring. I hope Kayla dies very soon, at least before the tenth episode, when the storyline about the assassination is over and we have the next, even bigger threat.

The rest of the episode was alright. Davros uses his American accent to hide in plain sight, and changes back to his Russian accent, when he is about to kill the couple at the end (way too funny to be serious – why is he changing the accent at all?); Chloe still can hack into servers, and the first one she hacked was one of Arlo’s (John Boyd) and Arlo likes Dana’s boobs. Not to forget Dana’s background story – obviously a filler to waste some time between explosions, shoot-outs and similar stuff. I already wanted to start thinking that Dana is a CTU mole, but it is too early for that…
I already miss Renee in here, I was thinking she was returning in this episode. I waited and waited and then the episode was over. Okay, then I wait a bit longer.

All in all a pretty calm episode. The writers try to get into the story, Jack used his time to chose whether he gets himself almost killed again or not. From here on, it is time for a bit action.

7/10

Yes, Hugh Laurie, ask God why.

By Gina Carbone
gina_carbone@comcast.net

This is what I wanted to happen:

• “Hurt Locker” wins best pic and best director for my hero Kathryn Bigelow. (Which would make her the second woman to win this award, after Barbra Streisand for “Yentl.” It’s time for Babs to be dethroned, no?)

• Jeff Bridges (“Crazy Heart”) or Jeremy Renner (“Hurt Locker”) for Best Actor in a motion picture drama.

• “Mad Men” gets anything and everything it’s nominated for, including Jon Hamm for Best Actor TV drama and January Jones for Best Actress TV drama.

• Christoph Waltz for best supporting actor for “Inglourious Basterds”

• “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart” for best original song.

• And I want host Ricky Gervais to do something shocking to make everyone in the audience uncomfortable.

But as the sun now stands, Julianna Margulies won over January Jones (and Anna Paquin of “True Blood”), which upsets me, although Julianna looked GORGEOUS.

Michael C. Hall. I've loved him since he played David Fisher on "Six Feet Under."

Michael C. Hall won over Jon Hamm and Hugh Laurie and I have to say, that head wrap is a good look for him. Not happy about why he has to wear it, but at least his cancer is in remission. He is quite the cutie and we need him (and “Dexter”) around for a long time.

“The Weary Kind” did win best song, but T Bone Burnett couldn’t find my new crush, Ryan Bingham. Was he in the “loo,” like Toni Collette was, way back when?

And everyone who won said they worked with the best people in the world and they have the best jobs in the world and it made me want to take their awards away. If you have the best job in the world, that should be reward enough.

In this lousy economy with countries falling apart, you don’t deserve major gift bags and free liquor at the table and fancy dresses and jewelry AND the best jobs in the world. Pick one.

Click here for all of the nominees, and more about Ricky Gervais’ plan for the show.

Now let’s get to the arrival pics. These are all AP photos. Sorry, in advance, for any weird formatting issues.

Christina Hendricks is gorgeous, as always, but I have never been a fan of the ruffle sash. Love the color and top part of the dress on her, just wish the dress were more simple.

January Jones looks fierce with her black power self. Not sure about the headband. Love the girl in the background checking on Janny's dress/shoe situation.

Ginnifer Goodwin of "Big Love" always looks perky, even in the rain. I'm tired of this little type of dress, though.

Sofía Vergara of "Modern Family." I think I like this dress.

The back of Sofia's dress.

Olivia Wilde of "House." I like the dress from this angle, but not her stone face. I found another pic with the opposite issue.

Maggie Gyllenhaal of "Crazy Heart." Love the color but I need a side view for a full verdict.

Sarah Hyland. I needed to look up that she was from "Modern Family." I didn't recognize her for some reason. Red is not always easy to pull off, especially in someone so young, but this is a classy, mature look.

Stephen Moyer, Anna Paquin and their intrepid umbrella holder. Love "True Blood" to DEATH and I hope Alexander Skarsgard shows up so I can post his pic. I wish there was a full view of this dress. The bottom is crucial.

Zoe Saldana of "Star Trek" and "Avatar" -- so beautiful. Love this shade of red. Kind of burlesque, in a way, but not trashy. But where does the dress actually end?

Talk about "Bride Wars." I think Kate Hudson's dress is fighting with itself. Am I the only one for simplicity? Look at the shoes. I love the megabitch expression on her face. "Fierce" I guess.

Jon Hamm is looking very Brad Pitt with that face. Jennifer Westfeldt is doing the simplicity thing. Too simple, maybe. Rain bites.

The Edge and Morleigh Steinberg. The Edge is the sexiest part of U2.

Amy Adams. Not into this look at all. At all.

Oh I LOVE this look from the front. Nice one, Maggie.

Carey Mulligan is so adorable. I would be happy if she won for "An Education."

Mickey Rourke and Elena Kuletskaya. He always gets the ladies.

James Cameron and Suzy Amis -- she couldn't do her hair?

Cameron Diaz -- dress is gorgeous but it loses a little something with the umbrella. At least she color-coordinated.

George Clooney with Elisabetta Canalis. Gorgeous George's ladies always look the best on the runway, but they also look like Stepford clones. Not a coincidence.

Jaime Pressly. Wow. Wow. She gave birth in 2007, which I guess is technically three years ago, but it would take me a lot longer to look that good. Considering I've never had a kid and I've never looked that good ... well, blame the donuts.

Heidi Klum and Seal. Yes, it's called rain.

Oh wow. I don't like the idea of sharing Colin Firth, but I don't blame him for choosing a wife with taste this good. This is his Italian lady, Livia Giuggioli.

Sam Worthington from "Avatar" and girlfriend Natalie Mark. I hate that he's dating someone, but these two have been together for a while, so at least he's loyal. Sigh.

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon and Mariah's chachas.

Sigourney Weaver and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York? What is going on with this?

Courteney Cox and David Arquette. He is her PUH.

Julia Roberts, looking confident and comfy. That's all that matters.

Oh no! I take it back, Zoe!

Jeff Bridges and Susan Bridges -- they look like a great, solid couple. Hope it's true. Loved how he thanked her at the Critics Choice Awards the other night.

Penelope Cruz, looking more like Sophia Loren every day. Where's Javier Bardem?

Jason Reitman and Michele Lee -- going to a funeral?

Leona Lewis looks bright on a cheerless night.

Julianne Moore and her "A Single Man" director, Tom Ford.

Toni Collette was one of the first wins of the night.

Patricia Arquette and Thomas Jane. Patricia is never on the best dressed list, but she's always on the most unique list. Love her.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart. They look all right, but Harrison sounded like he had some problems introducing "Up in the Air."

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski -- they are a beautiful couple, yes?

Dear Jennifer,

I like you. I mean, I really, really like you. I’ve liked you since Kissing Jessica Stein. I was totally, totally excited when, back in 2003 when I lived in New York, I sat at a booth right next to you and three of your friends at City Diner on the Upper West Side. (Now that I think about it, Jon Hamm was probably one of those friends. Doh!). Anyway, what I’m trying to say is I’m a fan.

So as a fan, I have to extend a little friendly, womanly advice to you. I just caught the red carpet from Sunday’s Emmy Awards on the DVR late  last night. (I’m usually more on top of these things but I’ve been busy). And I became very, very concerned for you when I saw you walk the red carpet wearing this:

Girrrrrl, really. I mean, where did you find that – your Autie Grizelda’s attic? And it was even worse on TV than it is in this picture! Just sad!

Jen, let me clue you in to a little fact that may have somehow eluded you: Every woman on the planet wants your boyfriend – me included! That means you must hit every event with a red carpet – or any color carpet, really – and Work. It. Like. You. MEAN. It!! You cannot make a mistake of looking dowdy or dumpy or plain or Auntie Grizelda-like! Because that opens the door for comparisons that should not be made – like when you stand next to your man and Mariska “Hell Yeah, I’m Jayne Manfield’s Friggin’ Daughter!” Hargitay:

Yeah, see? You do not want that happening.

And you can avoid it, girl! You are beautiful!! And you know how to do it – you did it at last year’s Emmy’s:

See what I’m talking about?! You were smokin’ hot, and you had that look that says: “Yep, my man is hot!  But back the @$&# up, ladies, cuz So. Am. I! Beeyatches.”

Don’t fret. It’s ok. We all make mistakes. Just don’t do it again, Boo.

Much love,

-Elleen

Porque nem sempre a gente consegue esperar a sessão de terapia.

We don’t click in any ways. We don’t have chemistry ou banter or common interest. You are a  yoga instructor(…) You don’t appreciate the chaos and absurdity of life on this planet. You don’t understand irony or ethnicity or eccentricity or poetry or the simple joy of being a regular at the diner on your block. I love that. You don’t drink coffee or alcohol. You don’t over eat. You don’t cry when you’re alone. You don’t understand sarcasm. You plod through life in a neat, colorless, caffeine free, dairy free, conflict free way. I’m bold and angry and tortured and tremendous and I notice when someone has changed their hair part  or when someone is wearing two very distinctly different shades of black or when someone changes the natural temperment of their voice on the phone. I don’t give out empty praise. I’m not complacent or well-adjusted. I can’t spend fifteen minutes breathing and stretching and getting in touch with myself. I can’t spend three minutes finishing an article. I check my answering machine nine times every day and I can’t sleep at night because I feel that there is so much to do and fix and change in the world, and I wonder every day if I am making a difference and if I will ever express the greatness within me, or if I will remain forever paralyzed by muddled madness inside my head. I’ve wept on every birthday I’ve ever had because life is huge and fleeting and I hate certain people and certain shoes and I feel that life is terribly unfair and sometimes beautiful and wonderful and extraordinary but also numbing and horrifying and insurmountable and I hate myself a lot of the time. The rest of the time I adore myself and I adore my life in this city and in this world we live in. This huge and wondrous, bewildering, brilliant, horrible world.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

PS1: Outras boas frases são da namorada Helen (Maybe, underneath all the neurosis, you have a profound capacity for happiness that you’re not allowing to exist) e do namorado Josh (We don’t see things as they are. We see things as we are).

PS2: Ah, e tem a própria Jessica dizendo que não discutiu o assunto com a terapeuta porque é pessoal (sic).

24 Keifer Sutherland

Katee Sackhoff, Freddie Prinze Jr., Mykelti Williamson, John Boyd, Jennifer Westfeldt and Chris Diamantopoulos have joined the cast of 24 for the series’ eighth season. The Emmy Award-winning drama starring Kiefer Sutherland returns for its next astonishing day with a two-night, four-hour premiere beginning Sunday, Jan. 17 (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.  Season Eight will unfold in New York City amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations. In this new day, CTU has been upgraded and is run by MBA-schooled and razor-sharp head honcho BRIAN HASTINGS (Williamson, “Forrest Gump”). COLE ORTIZ (Prinze Jr.), an ex-Marine who wants to follow in JACK BAUER’s (Sutherland) footsteps, runs the division’s Field Operations. Expert data analyst DANA WALSH (Sackhoff, “Battlestar Galactica”) collaborates with systems analyst ARLO GLASS (Boyd, “The Notorious Bettie Page”) inside CTU. ROB WEISS (Diamantopoulos, “The Starter Wife”) serves as PRESIDENT ALLISON TAYLOR’s (Cherry Jones) new chief of staff, and MEREDITH REED (Westfeldt, “Grey’s Anatomy”) is an ambitious journalist with ties to the unfolding situation. As previously announced, Sutherland, Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Annie Wersching also return. In addition, Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor (“Slumdog Millionaire”) makes his American TV debut as OMAR HASSAN, a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission. 24, created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, is a production of 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television in association with Teakwood Lane Productions. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Gansa, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers while Chip Johannessen and Patrick Harbinson serve as co-executive producers.

Editor – www.tvview.tv

FROM outer space perils to down-to-earth turmoil, former Battlestar Galactica actress Katee Sackhoff (Captain Kara “Starbuck” Thrace) along with Freddie Prinze Jr., Mykelti Williamson, John Boyd, Jennifer Westfeldt and Chris Diamantopoulos have joined the cast of 24 for the show’s eight season. The Emmy award-winning drama starring Kiefer Sutherland returns for yet another surprising day with a two-night, four-hour premiere beginning Sunday, January 17th, 2010 from 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. EST/PST on Fox.

Season eight will unfold in New York City amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations. In this new day, CTU has been upgraded and is being run by MBA-schooled and razor-sharp head honcho Brian Hastings (Williamson – Forrest Gump). Cole Ortiz (Prinze), an ex-Marine who wants to follow in Jack Bauer’s (Sutherland) footsteps, runs the division’s field operations. Expert data analyst Dana Walsh (Sackhoff) collaborates with systems analyst Arlo Glass (Boyd – The Notorious Bettie Page) inside CTU. Rob Weiss (Diamantopoulos – The Starter Wife) serves as President Allison Taylor’s (Cherry Jones) new chief of staff, and Meredith Reed (Westfeldt – Grey’s Anatomy) is an ambitious journalist with ties to the unfolding situation.

Sutherland, Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O’Brian) and Annie Wersching (Renee Walker) also return. In addition, Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor of Slumdog Millionaire fame makes his American TV debut as Omar Hassan, a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission.

La actriz Katee Sackhoff, vista en series como Nip / Tuck, La Mujer Biónica y sobre todo Battlestar Galactica, se ha convertido en la última incorporación a 24, show de Fox que ya prepara su octava temporada. Sackhoff será Dana Walsh, una competente agente de inteligencia con un pasado que la relaciona con el agente Davis Cole, al que da vida Freddie Prinze Jr. Jennifer Westfeldt, Mykelti Williamson, John Boyd y Chris Diamantopoulos forman también parte del grupo de caras nuevas de la próxima campaña de 24, que ya ha comenzado su producción.

Fergie, Us Weekly's style icon of the year, didn't disappoint at the magazine's Hot Hollywood Party in her Alexander McQueen for Target vest, which she wore over a DSquared dress.

Rachel Leigh Cook kept things classy in a gray dress.

"Fast and Furious" star Jordana Brewster has such a fantastic figure, we're curious why she picked this shapeless gown.

"Dollhouse" star Eliza Dushku was much more subdued in a striped cocktail frock.

Lauren Conrad rocked a cute ruffled frock on the red carpet.

Meanwhile, dancer Karina Smirnoff's voluminous gray gown blew in the breeze.

"American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi struck a pose in a teal strapless number.

Jennifer Westfeldt showed up with the hottest accessory of the night, "Mad Men's" Jon Hamm.

A newly single Holly Madison was red hot in her leopard-print one-shoulder frock.

Debbie Matenopoulos was ready for spring in her floral frock.

Shanna Moakler showed her support for gay marriage by sporting a rainbow-striped dress.

Paris Hilton and her main squeeze, Doug Reinhardt, were also in attendance at the bash held at My House. Do you think Doug enjoys being in the spotlight as much as the hotel heiress does?

Source : http://omg.yahoo.com

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Ok, today is going to be another short post because I’m right in the middle of watching a movie. It’s called Ira & Abby and it’s about a guy named Ira who decides on a whim to join a gym. The girl that is supposed to show him around, Abby, convinces him not to get a gym membership but instead the two of them they decide to get married because they both instantly liked each other and they figure that since the divorce rate is 50% anyway, they have as good a chance as anyone to make it as a couple. I’m still missing about half an hour at the end of the movie but unless it gets a lot worse in that last half hour, I can confidently say that it’s a very sweet and offbeat romance with some great performances by Chris Messina and Jennifer Westfeldt who play the titular Ira and Abby. There are also quite a few short cameos by Jon Hamm, Jason Alexander and the guy who plays Dr. Spaceman on “30 Rock” which have been very fun to spot I would definitely recommend it but I will tell you my final verdict in tomorrow’s blog. Also, I rented Anchorman today (yes yes, ok I’m the only person who hasn’t seen it yet), so if I’m not too tired I’m going to watch that today as well and then talk about it tomorrow. I can’t wait for some Paul Rudd Geez, it seems like all I’ve been watching lately is Paul Rudd’s back catalogue. Oh well.

I hope everyone’s having a great easter and I will be back tomorrow, hopefully with a longer blog this time. Good night!

Oh jees. The day after Valentine’s Day edition.

• Alec Baldwin: His storyline on 30 Rock was sharp yet adorable this week, he made fun of  Joaquin Phoenix on Conan (sidenote: Joaquin Phoenix is officially batshit nuts now but I sort of like the beard.)  and he made me chuckle during his millionith time hosting SNL last night. Three cheers for you Alec!

• Blink 182: They’re reuniting! The teenager in me is singing! Actually she’s probably yelling at her parents and retreating to her room to journal and complain about how nobody understands. Either way: Bring on the tour!

• Jon Hamm/Jennifer Westfeldt: They’re good looking, they’ve been dating forever and they’re having the best Sweeps of all time. Hamm is doing an arc on 30 Rock and Westfeldt is the pregnant woman with some brain issues the Grey’s Anatomy/Private Practice crossover event. Both guest appearances are really well done so far, very organic like they’ve been there for years. It’s a shame the shows are competing for eyeballs.

Jennifer Westfeldt, actriz vista en Kissing Jessica Stein y la serie Notes from the Underbelly, acaba de ser fichada por Grey’s para un arco argumental de múltiples episodios, tal como nos chiva Ausellio en su última aparición internetera.

Pero calma, que esta otra rubia no piensa lucir bata y sumarse a toda esta banda de nuevos doctores que nos están trayendo últimamente, ya que Westfeldt llegará al Seattle Grace como una paciente. Una paciente que enamorará, a nosotros no sabemos, pero sí a uno de los médicos. ¿Apuestas?

Hello-Hello!

Well, if we don’t seem to be encountering another preppy money moment here. We just read that Banana Republic’s new upscale line, Monogram, is closing its doors on Bleecker Street. According to the folks at Racked, American Apparel is moving into the space.  Below, the Monogram store.

The line received a fair amount of splash when introduced; regulars may recall The Princess wrote about it upon its launch back in April.  The line was described as being more sophisticated, more tailored, and more expensive; 30-40% more expensive in some cases.

This may not be as cataclysmic as it appears however, as we do remember reading back in April the standalone store was only scheduled to be open for 9 months, which would sync up with the timetable mentioned in the Racked story.

Courtesy Banana Republic

We would be more than surprised if the line performed at anywhere near hoped-for levels. Many loyal Banana Republic customers felt the collection was overpriced, with the merchandise providing little or no justification for the higher cost. Nor was there enough distinction between the Monogram pieces and original Banana Republic fare to attract a new following.

Below, a BR Monogram knot halter gown that is definitely not for the faint of heart, at least not in the Chroma Pink colorway.

As our Tuesday post focused in large part on the J. Crew struggles, and now today we are talking about Banana Republic, it seems ideal that Austin’s American Statesman recently did an interesting story advising readers how they can achieve ‘a James Bond look’ at J. Crew and/or Banana Republic prices.  In the story writer Marques G. Harper suggests:

“If Savile Row isn’t in your budget, other spots worth a look for Bond-style wares are Banana Republic and J. Crew.”

“….the BR Monogram specialty line has classic items such as cardigans, patterned pants, dress shirts, trench coats and a tuxedo (it goes for $650 compared with a Tom Ford tux, which sells for $4,650). In other words, get your Bond look for less.”

A photo accompanies the story, featuring a Tom Ford tuxedo and other items at Needless Markup Neiman Marcus.

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In our continuing effort to provide information that is moderately entertaining, yet also fiscally friendly, here are a few more tidbits on Black Friday sales and discounts, as originally mentioned in the WSJ blog:

• Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques will begin holiday sales Dec. 4, marking down men’s and women’s clothing and accessories by 35% to 50%.
• Tommy Hilfiger company stores will offer 40% off the entire store on Black Friday, plus they’ll take an additional 25% off purchases of $200 or more between the hours of midnight and 10 a.m.

One cautionary note: as TP was initially reading this she neglected to notice it only applies to Tommy Hilfiger factory stores, or outlet stores, whichever term you prefer.

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The new Gap advertising campaign features a personality from one of TP’s favorite shows, Mad Men.  Actor Jon Hamm plays the show’s always-natty lead character Don Draper; he is joined in the commercial by his real-life significant other, actress Jennifer Westfeldt.

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One more quick shopping tip, in this case directed at anyone who uses Clinique cosmetics: there is a Trina Turk-designed ‘gift with purchase‘ underway now at Nordstrom. The goodies shown below accompany any $25 Clinique purchase at Nordstrom, actually a fairly good arrangement IOHO, as the lines at the beauty counters can really be tedious when it is GWP time.  TP loves collecting these throughout the year (only as appropriate, when we genuinely require something from the line doing the giveaway, honestly!) and then donating them to a local shelter at the holidays.

Whether visiting the store in person, or in a virtual sense, don’t forget this is going on:

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For today’s Pretty in Pink, this Leather Mini Wallet isn’t one you are likely to be lose inside the giant pile otherwise known as your purse! It is from one of TP’s favorites, Elaine Turner.

Don’t forget to enter the Great Giveaway, with $100+ in outstanding preppy gifts from Boatman Geller, the Preppy Princess, with the Summer at Tiffany book as a bonus gift! Just leave a comment telling us one friend you are grateful for and you are entered!

We hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weeknd!

The annual Gap print ads are ready, and they’re good!  I’m sure once their commercials start and I can’t get away from that ‘Best Time of the Year’ propaganda then I’ll once again flip flop and change my opinion some. 

Additionally, their website is primed and ready to go! Lot’s of artists and actors goofing around:  Romany Malco, Jason Biggs, Janelle Monae (my boo!), Flo-Rida, Sandra Bernhard, Selma Blair, and many others…

Anyhow, here’s a look at what to expect this year (arranged in order of my personal preference)!

There’s More….