Ask & You Shall Receive

Have you ever had something break that you just bought?  Or maybe its something you've had over a year?  You immediately think, "Damn!  I love those...." [fill in the blank...shoes, sunglasses, jeans, etc...] Well I'm hear to give you a tip.  Something to try before you resign to living without your favorite "whatever." 

First, go online and find the website of the company that makes your "whatever."  If it's a pair of Tom Ford Sunglasses, or Elie Tahari shoes -- go to that website, find an email address, preferably the customer service contact for the department of your item ("eyewear" or "shoes) but if you can't find something that specific, just look for a general customer service contact, and if you still can't find that, then look for ANY email or phone number you can find.

Next, write to that address (if its not customer service, ask for a contact that deals with individuals not corporations, while explaining your problem).  The key is to talk it up.  Throw as many compliments for their brand and their product as possible.  Tell them how much you adore their sunglasses, and how you get so many compliments on them, you love telling people that they are "Tom Ford" or "Tahari."  Then turn the tables and say, I would hate to stop using them, and I am mourning their loss already -- can you please send me a replacement?  Or if they are a bit older, "can I get a discount on a new pair? I expected them to hold up longer than this."  Basically, lay on the charm, then pour on some guilt and disappointment.

This isn't fool proof.  Sometimes you'll get a crappy customer service rep, or a company who has policies in place that prevent you from getting the service you deserve.  BUT more often than you would think --- you can get free shit.  I mean it.  I've done it, and its brilliant.

Case in point:  I bought the most gorgeous (and comfortable) pair of knee high, black boots from Elie Tahari (on sale at Macys).  I fell in love immediately.  You know when that happens?  You don't hem and haw over a purchase, instead you know how perfect it will be before you ever get them home.  Well that is the love affair that happened between me and the Brady boots.  I fell quick and hard.  Then after only 3 or 4 times of wearing them, I noticed that one of the decorative buttons (there are 5 on each side) was missing.  It had fallen off somewhere...and I was devastated.  I knew Macy's was out, but maybe Tahari would send me a new pair?  I wrote them, and within a day, I got my response:

Unfortunately we are unable to exchange the boots.  We no longer have any stock in this style.  The only alternative I can offer to you is to send you some replacement buttons.  We would also include a pair of Tahari shoes to compensate for your inconvenience of having to take the boots to be repaired. 

I was sad that they were out, but that wasn't their fault, and they were offering compensation.  Free shoes!  She mailed them and the replacement buttons within the day -- saying they would send me one of their most popular styles in my size.  Fair enough.  But guess what happened next?  A GIANT box came within 4 days -- and there were not 1, not 2, but 3...count them 3...pairs of shoes inside. Over $300 worth of high quality, designer shoes. Two Tahari's (black flats, and gorgeous black suede booties) and one Ellen Tracy (classic, open toed, satin black heels).  See pictures of the loot below.

So the moral of the story is....ask and you shall receive.  We live in a corporate world...and as much as it might not seem like it...they need us.  They need you.  They want you to be a repeat customer, they need brand loyalty; and in order to get that, sometimes, they have to make you feel special and important.  If you ever get a shoddy product from a reputable company, OR even poor customer service from a store salesman or on the phone...complain.  That said, only complain when you have a real reason...when you have legitimately been screwed or taken advantage of...because otherwise you are only ruining it for the rest of us.

My Personal Favorites are these booties.

Evolution of the 1st Episode

Have you ever caught the pilot episode of your favorite show years after it premiered?  Sometimes even the first couple of episodes of a series' premiere season.  It's weird, right?  Awkward?  Off?  The characters are slightly different, undeveloped, and forced.  Sometimes the set is even decorated differently.  Why is that?  Have you ever thought about it?  Or even noticed? 

Recently I rewatched Season 1 of Vampire Diaries.  For those of you who don't watch, its 2nd season is airing now, so you wouldn't think much has changed...but you'd be wrong.  In episode 1, Damon controls the fog, causing it to roll in when he wants to trap a victim; he also has a raven that does his bidding, Stefan is on the football team, and probably most obvious is that Elena and Stefan read from their diaries at the end of the episodes in Season 1.  This makes sense, as the show is called Vampire Diaries...so it serves to protect the title if the characters actually have diaries.  All of those traits/characteristics are gone now; similar to Felicity and the disappearance of "Sally" and the tape recorder...these shows learn what works and get rid of what doesn't.

This got me thinking about the new trend to cancel shows after one or two episodes.  This year some of my favorites were Terriers, Next Generation and Lone Star; but in past years its been an epidemic of great shows not being given a chance:  Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Kidnapped, the Riches, Men in Trees...etc... Sometimes they get 2 episodes, sometimes a whole season, but regardless of when, these shows were never given the opportunity to mature and develop.  Studios and Networks now live and die by ratings, but what I feel they aren't taking into account is that the average viewer saves up shows and watches them at once.  The DVR and internet has now made it possible for us to not sit down at airtime and watch...we might watch a whole season over the summer.   I personally have done that with Dexter, Breaking Bad, and Walking Dead -- DVR or downloaded the whole season and watched it in a few days.  I guess it just makes me wonder...if Seinfeld or Friends aired today, would they be canceled?  Would they have been given the same opportunity now as they were then -- which was the time to find themselves and their audience.

Note to Networks and Studios:  if you film the episodes...AIR THEM!  I understand if you stop production because a series is just too expensive to continue filming; and I understand that air time is expensive and its about advertisers.  That said, if you have filmed and finished 6 or 8 episodes of a series, and after 2 you decide to pull the plug, figure out a way to air the final episodes!  You're creative, I know you can do it -- put them online, or on in the middle of the night on Saturday or Sunday so we can set our DVRs.  Just don't leave us hanging, especially with shows that were building towards something.  It's just cruel.

Friends: the premiere episode of Friends is, well, not good.  The jokes are forced, the chemistry is non existent, and probably most obvious is Pheobe and Joey character growth.  In ep 1, Pheobe is looney.  Not regular Pheobe looney, severely ditzy airheard/hippy type looney.  Joey is stupid.  Not regular Joey stupid, over the top jock, muscle head stupid.  Its bad, but they gave it a shot and it had time to develop into one of the best sitcoms in history.

(I can't find episode 1 on youtube, but here are some bloopers from season 1)


Sex and the City:  the first episode.  HA.  Have you seen this?  Carrie has short, red, curly hair, and the filming adopts a documentary style of shooting.  Most of the characters talk to the camera with text titles below them, there are "man on the street" type interviews to support the overall theme, and it often had a central storyline that followed a stranger, someone who would never appear again, but Carrie somehow knew. 



Seinfeld:  episode one is in a different Diner.  The booth they are in for 1/2 of every episode til the end of the series...its not the same one that they are in in the premiere; as well as Jerry's apartment which seems to be more like Bizarro Jerry's later on.  Below are bloopers from season 1.



Can you think of any of your favorites that have either been canceled or were one of the all-time greats that thankfully was given a shot?

Favorite Christmas Flicks

Need help getting in the mood?  Try some Christmas spirited films on for size.  Here are the ones that do the trick for me:

Home Alone (2 is OK too)
For me Home Alone is it.  The #1 Christmas movie that I HAVE to see each year.  Our tradition is to order a pizza (used to be Cheese because we were movie purists, but not anymore), get some ice cream and watch the madness.  It's John Hughes at his familial best.  I am always amazed how hard I laugh at Marv and Harry's pain (specifically Marv's high pitched scream when Buzz's tarantula lands on him).

Love Actually
This film is brilliant.  Brill-Iant.  There really isn't much to say about it.  If you haven't seen it, do it immediately.  Particularly, Emma Thompson's AMAZING moment as a woman who realizes her husband has been cheating on her.  The tears over Joni Mitchell's voice might be the most moving single scene of a film I've ever seen...and her speech to him at the pageant.  Man, its what you would want to say, but probably wouldn't think of til after the moment passes.  PS if you are thinking of watching this with kids, remember its rated R (for the porno stand in couples)...I always forget that. 

The Family Stone
This one is surprising.  I very clearly remember going to see it when I worked at Fox, and leaving disappointed.  The main reason why...was because of the switch.  If you haven't caught this one, there is a point towards the end of the movie where the two brothers kinda sorta switch dates/girlfriends...to me its both too easy a solution and too abrupt.  Sarah Jessica Parker's character could potentially switch form Dermot to Luke Wilson and have it make sense...but the other sister part...I dunno...it just never worked.  After that disclaimer, I have to say, over the years, knowing and expecting it to happen...well, I buy it now.  I don't know if its because my expectations have been lowered, but I really enjoy this flick.  It's the family you want to be a part of, and the chase scene on Christmas morning is highly entertaining. 


Holiday Inn
I don't know many people my age that are familiar with this one.  I made my roommate watch it the year before last and she was shocked to hear the song White Christmas.  Holiday Inn came out in 1942, White Christmas (the movie) came out in 1954....meaning students, that this was the original.  I love it.  The premise is that Bing Crosby's character leaves Fred Astaire's character and their female partner because of a broken heart and being fed up with the business.  He opens an Inn that is only open on holidays.  There is a conflict over a girl, misconceptions, and true love; but its very old Hollywood entertaining to watch the musical numbers and two icons dance and sing their way through it.   (Also keep an eye out for the final scene where Bing sings White Christmas...its very similar to the movie that would follow in '54).

 Elf
This is another one that took watching 2 or 3 times to love.  Most people I know enjoy quoting it, but the first time I saw it...well like most Ferrell movies, I thought it was, ummm...stupid.  But also like most Ferrell movies, it has a distinct ability to sink in and cause delirium.   Plus its Favreau who I think has the potential to be genius, and Billingsley...and if anyone knows Christmas its Ralphie. 

The Holiday
 Every Nancy Meyers movie makes me want to move into one of the characters houses.  Whether is Meryl Streep's Santa Barbara mansion in It's Complicated, or Diane Keaton's Hampton's house in Something's Got to Give, OR either of the two houses in the holiday.  I need to work out who her production designer is and have him or her decorate my house (ummm, if I had a house.  And who are we kidding...a million dollars).  Regardless, this is an easy movie -- easy to predict, easy to watch, easy to enjoy.  I am not a fan of Jude Law or Diaz most of the time, but they totally win me over.   My favorite tho is reserved for Kate Winslet and Eli Wallach...old Hollywood makes a brief appearance in this fun holiday flick. 

The Ref
Another non-traditional choice, this Demme film with Kevin Spacey, Denis Leary and Judy Davis is top notch.  If you're Rescue Me fans, keep your eyes on the lookout for cast regulars.  Its Leary at his sarcastic and acerbic best, and Kevin Spacey at his overly wordy pinnacle.  Its a fun look at dysfunction.  Oh, also for all you Mary Poppins fans see if you can spot Mrs. Banks.

Stepmom
Could be seen as kind of a downer, but I remember going to see this one on Christmas day...and I think it helps get you in the mood.  Its set in New York and the surrounding suburbs, so it has beautiful fall leaves changing and snow.  Plus, watching Roberts and Sarandon swap insults and then give in...well you can't really beat that.  

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
I forgot this one until right this very second!  It's not super Christmassy...I mean it is almost completely set around Christmas, and there are multiple Santa hats to be seen...but the best part is Robert Downey Jr's comeback and Val Kilmer's gay detective.  Priceless.

While You Were Sleeping
Not your average premise, since the love interest is in a coma for 1/2 the film, but Sandy at her rom com peak is always entertaining.  Oh, and Mrs. Banks is in this one too...the actress' name is Glynis Johns.

These aren't my favorites...but how can you have a list of holiday films and NOT include them...

Christmas Story

Miracle on 34th street (1947 and 1994)
I am a huge Maureen O'Hara fan from the Parent Trap, but I have to say that I side with the newer one in this instance -- something about Matilda's lisp gets me every time:-)

It's a Wonderful Life

Die Hard

Splitsville

Now I didn't set out to do much "gossiping" on this blog...but "gossip" to me is more salacious hearsay than it is facts about celebs.  Here are some "breaking news" splits that were announced in the last 24 hours.  One is more interesting to me than the other two, you try to guess which that is.

UPDATE 12/14:  After posting this last night, this was announced today....
Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds have announced their divorce.  They too have been married 2 years, and started dating in 2007.  They claim that its with love that they are splitting, although I'm not sure how much I buy that...I do like the part of their statement that says "While privacy isn't expected, its certainly appreciated."  And this, mere weeks, after he was announced Sexiest Man Alive.  Whatever shall we do ??  :-)

Dexter's 2nd Marriage Dies:
Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter have filed for divorce after less than two years of marriage.  It is the second marriage for Michael, who was previously married to a broadway actress who had appeared in a bit part on Six Feet Under.  Apparently, he and Jennifer (who play brother and sister on Dexter) have been separated for some time and say it is amicable (although sources on the production say otherwise).  Wonder how awkward it will get on the set?  Could Dexter ever kill Deb?  Or perhaps another serial killer gets her and Dexter has to avenge his sister's death?  Perhaps that's jumping the shark.

Break up #2...
Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron have broken up!  The High School Musicals stars have been dating for (I think) 5 years...which is nuts considering they are only 22/23 so its been a lot of their "childhood."  Again, they say its amicable and the relationship simply ran its course.

#3 Elizabeth Hurley files for divorce after news broke of her alleged cheating...Another one who has been separated for a few months.  They were married 3 years; before that she was with Hugh Grant for 13 years.

In the last few months:
Courtney Cox and David Arquette
Eva Longoria and Tony Parker
Blake Lively and Penn Badgley
Fred Armisen and Elizabeth Moss (after a record breaking 10 months in wedded bliss)
Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus

I used to have a list of 3 or 4 celebrity couples that if they broke up I would genuinely be sad about.  There is only one left....William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman.  I adore them and hope they're happy.

And, since most of this was about couples who don't last, here are some long lasting ones (over 15 years and defined by a couple made up of 2 celebrities):
Kelly Preston and John Travolta -- 18 years

Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick -- 22 years

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson -- 22 years

Warren Beatty and Annette Bening -- 18 years

And the ultimate....Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman were married just 4 months shy of 51 years at the time of his death

UPDATE:  Bear with me for this comparison, but after my sister-in-law mentioned that of all the groups out there, its celebs that are damaging the image of marriage, I got to thinking.  I believe, perhaps, celebrities look at marriage the same way they look at getting on a flight.  Let me explain.  If the average, everyday American buys a ticket to fly from point A to point B, more often than not, that person feels an obligation to show up at the airport on the day of travel (even if s/he has changed his or her mind).  For most "regular" people, its not really a choice, you shell out the money (which is significant) so you go on your trip.  BUT for most celebrities, s/he will wake up the day of travel and say (to his or her assistant) "I don't want to go today. Its not ideal.  Maybe tomorrow.  Cancel my flight."  The celeb either doesn't care how much it costs, or more often, someone else paid for the ticket.  I think this might be their perception of marriage as well.  They go in thinking, "well, if it doesn't work out I'll just get divorced. We don't have kids, we haven't been married long enough to split assets, we have a pre-nup...so really its just paying the lawyer for a day's work and signing some papers."  Ok so that's harsh.  I highly doubt that any of them go into it wanting or expecting divorce.  BUT I do think, like the plane flight, it is too easy for them to end it.  It's an option that is there, that is easy, where it isn't to the average person.  Most married people, I would think, have to stick it out a bit longer...they think, "well we JUST got married.  All our friends and family were there.  That party cost a pretty penny, we saved for years to have that wedding...we HAVE to TRY HARDER."  I'm willing to bet that most celebs, big or small, don't have those thoughts.  Like the flight, they think "I don't want to today, just cancel it."

Viral Videos: best of the rest

Ok so perhaps they aren't viral.  They might be, I really don't know.  They might not even be videos...I mean what is a video anymore?  Wasn't "video" a term for "VHS"?  They aren't DVDs either, or recordings, or tapes...so for lack of knowing what to call them, below are some links to "moving pictures" that have caught my eye lately.  Some are news interviews, some are art, some are candid celebrity moments, and one is even a commercial. 

First up a logitech commercial w/ Kevin Bacon.  I'm not exactly sure what the commercial is selling, I realize its for that lil keyboard thingy; but why I would want or need that, I'm not sure.  Regardless of what they are selling, I love Bacon's willingness and dedication to play along.  See below (the youtube embedded image is somewhat zoomed in for some reason, so check out the Huffington Post article too)

Next, Miley Cyrus smoking "Salvia."  TMZ won't let me embed it, so click here for the full video.  I'm not shocked by this, she is an 18 year old pop star with too much money, so yeah, she is going to smoke "something" at some point.  The thing that is "interesting" (in the loosest possible way) is 1) how different she looks to me.  Her face is much rounder, and just, well "off" I guess.  She doesn't look how she does on magazines (not that that should be a surprise either).  And what stands out above everything else, is the absolutely excruciating sound of her voice.  Please, shut. up.   Oh and because it wouldn't let me post the video, check out the top notch impression by Vanessa Bayer (I also heart Bryan Cranston).

 These are breathtaking.  I can't stop watching them.  The music is inspiring, chilling, and haunting.  The filming is simple, but moving and clear...making me long for the days of cinema long ago abandoned.  My favorites are Javier Bardem and Matt Damon (runners up: Franco and Eisenberg).  Watch Damon closely to decipher what he is saying.  It is an interesting look into the actors process, and how they can be appearing angry, but talking nonsense.  Sidenote: Tilda Swinton's tears are some of the most raw and real I have ever seen...anywhere.  14 Actors by NYT Magazine

This one is an old one, but I really think its genius.  The ear you must have to pick up on this.  Also, Christopher Nolan's immense insight and complexity to apply it to Inception.  Mind blowing.

This is another poor quality one, BUT most of you have probably already seen it, AND it is BRILL-IANT!

These are also old, and I go back and forth on Franco, but I think this spoof is pretty spot on walking a fine line between who he really is and a character:

Acting with James Franco Episode 2: "Green Screen" from James Franco

  Lastly, this is my favorite Between Two Ferns of all time.  If you haven't caught Galifinakis' spoof interviews on Funny or Die this is a good place to start...

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Steve Carell from Between Two Ferns

Which came first? the play or the film?

It seems, historically speaking (and its a young history), that plays become movies more than movies become plays.   It's interesting to think about -- depending on your background or age you might not about a certain film, or if you aren't in NYC or a theater goer...that there is a play.  Sometimes there is a play-turns movie-turns play sandwich (ie Chicago), or a movie-turns play-turns movie sandwich (ie Hairspray).  Lately we've been seeing a switch of major films (and not so major ones) becoming musicals on Broadway (yes, I know musicals and plays are different but to me, in my definition, here on this blog, a play cannot be referred to as a musical, but a musical can be referred to as a play...try and figure that one out:).  Here's a light look into the partnership between stage and screen. 


Here are a few of the past year or the upcoming year of movies turned plays/musicals:
Shrek:

Elf:

American Psycho (in the works):

Too many Disney movies to list

Young Frankenstein:

Spiderman:
 See previous post: Sounbites: a spider on broadway

Monsoon Wedding :

Catch Me If You Can:

Nine to Five (underrated):

Billy Elliot:

The Addams Family:

Legally Blonde

Xanadu

The Color Purple

A few play/musicals to movie in recent years:

Frost/Nixon (slightly unheard of that the two men who played the characters on stage also brought them to the screen)

 Mamma Mia:

Nine:

God of Carnage (unreleased, directed by Roman Polanski and starring Kate Winslet, Cristoph Waltz, John C Reilly and Jodie Foster all of whom I love...but the original Broadway cast were all film/tv actors, couldn't you have kept them? )

Sweeney Todd:

 Wicked (we can only hope...there have been murmurs and according to Deadline)

The Producers (movie, musical, movie sandwich)

Albums/Artists to Broadway:

Jersey Boys

American Idiot (kind of its own special category)

What would you like to see?

Personally Memphis (the Broadway Musical) is at the TOP TOP TOP of my list to see on the silver screen.