Housewife in Hollywood - housewifeinhollywood.com

1. Winner of Most Memorable goes to this classic Coke commercial:

2. Michael J. Fox shows how far he’d go for a Diet Pepsi in this retro ad:

3. SoBe Life Water  featured Naomi Campbell and Michael Jackson’s Thriller in this ad from 2008:

4. Another from last year shows Richard Simmons, Alice Cooper and a deer almost getting hit by this distracted driver. Thank goodness they had Bridgestone Tires:

5. Here’s a banned ad from godaddy.com. You be the judge, did it really need to go into the banned vault?

You can vote for your favorite Superbowl commercial by visiting http://www.youtube.com/adblitz

William Shatner has a series called Shatner’s Raw Nerve  on the Biography Channel and I love it! This is the best interview show I’ve seen in a long time. There’s no band, no monologue, no free stuff for the audience. In fact there isn’t even an audience. It’s just William Shatner  staring into the eyes of his guest asking deep questions and getting thought out answers. These guests aren’t plugging anything, they’re conversing. At times they seem relieved when Shatner draws out something from their past, or taps that raw nerve of insight to their present and future.
His inquiries probe their conscious mind deeper than The Enterprise lost in a worm hole.

Here’s Fran Drescher talking exclusively to The Shatner Project  cameras about her experience on Shatner’s Raw Nerve.

Find all upcoming shows by clicking here.

After all this talk about VH1′s Sober House, I decided to pick up the novel Valley of the Dolls from my local library. This cult classic is about the friendship between three women, the perils and rewards of fame, and chemical dependency.

The word “dolls” in the title is a slang term for downers, a.k.a. mood altering drugs.

Check out these eerie dolls, a.k.a. toy dolls. Talk about mood altering!

One of the most cherished dolls on network TV has to be Mrs. Beasley from the 60’s hit Family Affair. Remember, Mrs. Beasley talks! You can get your own special friend here.

The urban legend of Robert the Doll  haunts the internet with videos of him clutching his teddy on display at The Fort East Martello Museum and Gardens. I can’t decide which one freaks me out more, Robert the Doll or the robotic voice of the narrator in this video.

Jennifer Gimenez is an international model, actress, and producer. She is an inspirational woman in the entertainment industry with an exotic look, years of modeling experience, and a passion for life.

She has worked in films such as Blow, Vanilla Sky, and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.

Her television appearances have included The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, Karen Sisco, and VH1’s new reality series Sober House.

After watching the trailer for Sober House, I wanted to find out more about this talented and passionate woman. She is “quickly emerging as one of Hollywood’s brightest talents”. Here’s my interview with Jennifer Gimenez:

HIH: According to IMDb, you were discovered at age 14 and became the youngest model to be on the cover of American Elle. What was it like being so young in such a demanding industry?

Jennifer: You know I want to start by saying how blessed I’ve been to be given the life I have. Modeling taught me so much. Yes, it was demanding in every aspect. From weight to how I looked, it all mattered. It’s a fast life, so if you don’t have your head on right you can get lost quick. I had my mom with me at all times. I’m so lucky for her. The pressures can really get to anyone and when you just begin to develop as a young woman it’s a bit overwhelming. I had a great team behind me from my mom, dad and family to agents.

HIH: You’ve been in quite a few music videos for artists like Prince, 2Pac Shakur, and Mick Jagger. You’ve worked with big names in film like Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise. These are not only talented performers but very sexy men. Were you at all star-struck with any of them?

Jennifer: Working with mega famous, sexy and super talented men has been a stroke of good luck for me. I was definitely in awe. The one who I was very shy next to was Tom Cruise. All of them took me off guard for a minute, I mean wouldn’t you be? I do have to say they were all very generous and kind to me. They made me feel very comfortable around them.

HIH: How has your Argentinean heritage affected your career?

Jennifer: Well in the beginning it wasn’t common for “models to have the exotic look”. I believe I was part of the ethnic barrier being broken. Also I am a woman with curves. Hello I’m Latin! Before I used to be insecure about it, today I embrace it!

HIH: Was your experience on VH1’s new series Sober House the first time you had the title of House Manager?

Jennifer: Yes, I was given the opportunity to be a part of Dr. Drew’s team after having battled many of the same experiences that the house residents would have to endure. I’ve been where they’ve been. The only difference is that my early recovery was not put out there for the whole world to view. That just blows me away how courageous these people are.

I was brought on based on my recovery and I am and have been in the entertainment/fashion industry since the age of 14. I have gone to any lengths to get better. That also included not working for 3 years. I just focused on getting a foundation in my life. So Dr. Drew and the producers thought it would be great for me to help these guys. I get what it’s like.

HIH: On your MySpace page under the Interests section you mentioned surfing and being ONE with the universe. I think many people that wrestle with addictions are tricked into believing that their drug of choice can bring that feeling. Do you have any advice for viewers struggling with addiction?

Jennifer: The only message I have is “hope”, that there is a solution. If a girl like me can do it, I promise you, you can too. There are 12 Step programs, rehabs, therapy and doctors that can help. I was just sick and tired of being sick and tired. I had to finally surrender.

Have you ever felt that you either couldn’t live and or couldn’t die, and was stuck in the middle (I call it…hell)? I’ve been there. This is a disease that not only kills your body and mind but your spirit. I am a member of a 12 Step program and I am in recovery today. I use to think that was for losers. But I had such a spiritual bottom that I was willing to try anything.

I had finally surrendered. It had been a process. Some days are better than others. I am a human being today instead of a human doing.

I have a wonderful woman that is my sponsor. Women for me have been my saving grace. Oh how much I love and honor you women. I am no longer alone in my journey of life. I have great relationships with my mom, brother, boyfriend, family and friends. I am a woman with integrity, grace, and dignity. I believe every human being has some loved one, relative, friend, or themselves that has to deal with the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction.

With hope comes faith and through faith comes the will to live… Please don’t give up.

HIH: The preview trailer for Sober House looks intense. I’m sure the task of managing celebs in recovery was difficult. Many moons ago I was a Squad Leader in Army boot camp so I can relate to the difficult part, but did you take any fun memories with you?

Jennifer: This show on recovery was intense, both emotionally and physically draining. I would do it all over again though. I have so many great memories. When I heard, after all the drama had just occurred, that Andy Dick was coming in the house I was like, “Hells no, I’m out!,” just because, I believed the media on him. Andy ended up becoming my angel and the person I identified the most with. We instantly hit it off. We just laughed and laughed, cried a bit, and laughed. He encouraged me to refocus on my acting career. Till this day he and I are super close. We talk 3 to 4 times a day. I love him.

We were being filmed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so there was a month full of memories that will last a lifetime with all the residents. I spent numerous intimate moments with Seth, Nikki, Mary, Rodney, Amber, Steven, and Andy. What you won’t see is that I developed friendships with the crew and production staff.

HIH: You mentioned you’ve lost weight since the taping of Sober House. Congratulations! How did you do it?

Jennifer: After The Sober House I realized I was in the next phase of my life. I must be clean in every area of life. I had been working so hard on the inside that it was time for me to have my outside meet my insides. I started walking then jogging/ running on the treadmill on my own. Now I’ve been working with Eric Pakel. He is a teacher and trainer. He’s taught me a new way to approach my mental and physical health and state of mind. I am learning that exercise has to be an introspective process, just like getting sober was. This weight battle thus far is the hardest thing I’ve overcome. Not eating or eating out of emotions is a no no for me today. Balance is the key. I’ve lost 50 pounds, image use to be everything to me. God is running the show not me.

HIH: What’s next for Jennifer Gimenez in 2009?

I am so excited for the future, the sky’s the limit. I hope to continue acting and modeling. I also look forward to producing as well., although my recovery always comes first.

Visit Jennifer’s official website http://www.jenngimenez.com/

Check out http://VH1.com for showtimes, and more information about Sober House.

Reading Rainbow  premiered in 1983. This children’s series won a Peabody Award and twenty-six Emmy Awards. Levar Burton hosted the show. Remember him from Roots and Star Trek: The Next Generation? I always liked his character Geordie LaForge. His shades were so totally 80’s, in a high tech practical sort of way.

Recently, Levar Burton made a guest star appearance at a Diggnation event. He also made everyone’s day by singing the Reading Rainbow theme song.

Speaking of the 80’s, this is by far the coolest Reading Rainbow segment. RunDMC busts some rhymes Reading Rainbow style. Click here to check it out.

My favorite internet duo Rhett & Link have their own rendition of the Reading Rainbow theme song. All together now!

You don’t need to sit in front of your TV to be part of the Presidential Inauguration . This historic event is right at your fingertips with http://CNN.com/live

CNN partnered with Facebook so we can update our Facebook status while we view the inauguration online.

You can also follow Inauguration Day DC on Twitter This is 2009!

Be part of the CHANGE you want to see in America. Check out this video from Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore. Take the Presidential Pledge.

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge

 

Today we observe, and celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. He was a legendary man with inspirational dreams of hope and change.

I scoured the internet for just the right photo or video that would capture the ideas that Martin Luther King Jr. stood for. Here’s a video made by 2nd grade students and their teachers at Rice Elementary:

The video above came from a great website called teachertube.com. This site has many resources and lots of fun videos for teachers, students, and anyone who can’t keep up with Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. Here’s a video about multiplication facts that I just had to post.

If you’re a pop culture or history enthusiast like I am, you’ll appreciate this video made by TeacherTube Member mrallsop:

Some things are better left in the crevices of my brain like the Tra La La of The Banana Splits. Oh I loved these groovy oversized stuffed animals that could perform better than the Brady Bunch, but I was 5 years old then. My kiddo can’t even sit through the promos on Cartoon Network. She does so just to get to the good stuff like a new Scooby Doo movie.

The Banana Splits are back and supposedly new and improved but I think some shows work in the future and some should stay re-runs forever.

Come to think of it I must have been watching re-runs of the show since the series ran from 1968-1970. Maybe I’m just trying to hold on loosely  to my memories of childhood. I’m sure lots of kiddos out there like grooving to the rehashed 60’s beats. They’ve also added some edutainment style portions that parents are sure to dig.

What do you think?

It’s begining to feel a lot like Spring Time here in Southern California. My friends are off to the beach, my kiddo wants to swim in the pool, and were grilling dinner outside tonight. It looks like Spring may have decided to come early. Who needs that Groundhog anyway?

Have you ever heard of Hoagy Carmichael? Well I’m sure you’ve heard many of his songs. He was a songwriter back in the “old days”, say 1930’s to the 1960′s. I love so many of his songs, Stardust, Georgia On My Mind, and one that I’m in the mood for today, Up a Lazy River.

With the sun shining, and the birds singing, I’d like to just lounge up a lazy river myself. Searching for some footage of old Hoagy I found some great nuggets of pop culture history. The one I just had to post here should really get us in the mood for some Spring Swingin’. Forget about being lazy, get on up and do the Watusi!

Here’s a more upbeat version of Up a Lazy River made for the Scopitone, also known as the Visual Jukebox:

I watched the last two seasons of Celebrity Rehab, and I was happy to find out that the new VH1 series Sober House  premieres January 15th, 10:00 PM EST

After seeing what the celebs went through during treatment at the Pasadena Recovery Center, I’m interested in what happens next on their journey to continued sobriety.

Some of Dr. Drew’s patients from seasons 1 & 2 will be living together at a sober living house in the Hollywood Hills. Rodney King, Steven Adler, Nikki McKibben, Amber Smith, Mary Carey, and Seth Binzer are joined by Andy Dick  who wasn’t part of VH1’s Celebrity Rehab but signed up for “Sober Living” to battle his alcoholism.

Jennifer Gimenez  is the house manager, also referred to as the house mom. She has the challenging job of managing celebs while they balance their newfound freedom away from rehab and their goal of staying sober.

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