Looking Out My Back Door

Dreamgirls, Ugly Betty Big Winners At Globes

With three exceptions, I predicted the major Golden Globe Award winners last night, and was delighted when the first award was given to Jennifer Hudson for her Best Supporting Actress role in "Dreamgirls" (which also won Best Picture, Musical/Comedy and Best Supporting Actor, Eddie Murphy). My main disappointments were that "Babel" beat "The Queen" for Best Picture, Drama, and that some song from "Happy Feet" beat out "Listen," the gorgeous song sung by Beyonce in "Dreamgirls." At least the winning song was written by Prince, but that's little comfort. I'd also picked Stephen Frears as Best Director for "The Queen," but Martin Scorsese picked up that award. I'm sure he deserved it, but I haven't yet seen "The Departed."

The two television shows honored for Drama and Comedy were "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ugly Betty," both two of my favorite programs. I was also thrilled to see America Ferrara win Best Actress in a Comedy for "Ugly Betty." This young lady is a real talent, and far from ugly. She's intelligent, daring, and a gifted actress.

Meryl Streep gave a marvelous speech after receiving her award for Best Actress/Comedy (movie) for "The Devil Wears Prada," making me wish she did more comedy. She started out by scanning the audience and quipping, "Yes, I believe I've worked with everyone in this room!" Her speech got even better as she continued. However, I don't think anyone can top Helen Mirren's Emmy acceptance speech, when she won for "Elizabeth I" (as she did last night, as well as for "The Queen."). When Mirren got to the podium, she exclaimed, "I'm just happy I didn't go ass over tit on my way up here!" I hope that audience was wearing Depends.

There were other winners that I agreed with (and some I did not), but, overall, it was a good show. Tom Hanks' presentation of the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Warren Beatty was a real hoot, and if you're lucky, you'll find a clip of it on YouTube.

Next: The Oscars! All eyes on Jennifer Hudson!

posted by Hopster @ 7:27 AM 0 comments

The Rosie vs The Donald

Rosie O'Donnell has generated both ratings and controversy for "The View" since joining its panel in September. A couple of weeks ago, she took on megalomaniac Donald Trump, whose ego exceeds even his combover. O'Donnell took issue with his handling of the Miss USA controversy (one of the two "contests" he owns), calling him a poor role model for young women (true) among other things, which clearly hurt his widdle feelings. Trump immediately fired back with a mass of personal insults and threatened lawsuits. He was annoyed that she referred to his bankruptcy filings (they were not, apparently, for personal bankruptcy but for his casino businesses) and claimed that Barbara Walters had told him she regretted hiring O'Donnell.

Yesterday's show was the first live broadcast with Walters since the controversy broke, and she started by stating unequivocally that she was pleased with O'Donnell and what she had brought to the show. She then read a statement, at the behest of parent company ABC, that clarified the bankruptcy brouhaha. Walters made it very clear that O'Donnell was on a previously-arranged family vacation (as part of her contract, she has off when her children's school is in recess) and would be back next week. The show's ratings have been higher than ever, and it has been singled out by various media outlets as "a show to watch."

It is no coincidence that Trump's "The Apprentice" premieres next week. This master of self-promotion will do anything to call attention to himself and his sagging reality show. Who will he attack next? I'll bet Rosie's silence on the matter is driving him nuts. Serves him right. There's nothing worse you can do to a blowhard than ignore him. I vote we all ignore him when "The Apprentice" returns to the airwaves.

posted by Hopster @ 10:08 AM 2 comments