Celebrity Apprentice Australia - series two

Celebrity Apprentice Australia series two is premiering tonight, Wednesday April 18 at 8pm.


A new batch of 12 high-profile, ultra-competitive celebrities are determined to steal the limelight for themselves... oh, it's also all for charity, right?


After last year’s winner Julia Morris made her mark on telly and straight into the hearts of the public with hilarious brand of humour, this year's group have a hard task ahead to impress (gawd I love watching this stuff!).


And this year's line up is:


- international superstar David Hasselhoff
- entertainment royalty Patti Newton
- TV star Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson
- controversial former AFL player Jason Akermanis
- model judge Charlotte Dawson
- glamour sportswoman Lauryn Eagle
- TV presenter Ben Dark
- Bollywood actress Tania Zaetta
- celebrity cook Marion Grasby
- comic Vince Sorrenti
- reality TV star Nathan Jolliffe
- and, comedienne Fiona O’Loughlin


Here is the promo trailer:





Working in teams to raise money [while acutely aware their egos and pride are at stake] to raise as much money as possible for their favourite charity. All will be trying their hardest to avoid hearing the dreaded words ‘You’re Fired’ from their new boss Mark Bouris.


The winner will ultimately take the much-wanted gift of $100,000 to give to their chosen charity.


Let's talk about Mark Bouris. You know what I am talking about here ladies.


Okay, so the official bio says: "one of the country’s most successful high-profile businessmen and Executive Chairman/co-founder of wealth management company Yellow Brick Road".


But once again, it's a tad distracting watching Mark in action: power is so damn attractive.


The host is again joined by his two advisors to be his eyes and ears during challenges: magazine supremo Deborah Thomas is back, and new advisor, entrepreneur Dane Bouris (Mark's son).


Celebrity Apprentice Series Two will now include the challenge as well as the boardroom – where the winning team’s project manager is awarded the money for charity, and someone from the losing team is fired - all in one episode.


Challenges this year include: creating a family funfair, a dog pampering day and taking charge of the turnaround service of a passenger cruise liner.


As they have done in the past, they've all bragged about their contact books of celeb mates which they need to turn into big charity donations. It's so much fun watching them try, fail, argue, yell, and angle for air time and controversial sound bites.


Let the games begin.


Will you be watching?


PS: who do you think will be booted off tonight?

The Voice: top picks

Have you succumbed to the spell of 'The Voice', Australia?


Dammit, I am under.


But while the song by Rachael Leahcar has garnered the most press, the performance that had me hitting the rewind button over (and over) again was this one, by Paula Parore:

Her delivery, that composure... those lyrics {"But don't you remember? Don't you remember? The reason you loved me before. Baby, please remember me once more."}


I am going to say something a little controversial: her delivery is more moving than Adele's.


It certainly had Seal in, er, raptures...

And then, yes... there is Rachael Leachar (as someone so cleverly pointed out on YouTube comments: Rachael Leachar spelt backwards... is still Rachael Leachar. Very clever parents):





Deeply moving rendition, especially considering her backstory: she is legally blind, and has overcome her setback to triumph with her magical voice.


And then there was Karise Eden (what? Only 19?):






And the amazing Laura Bunting's rendition of Kate Bush's 'Wuthering Heights':





And the eyeliner-loving Jimmy Cupples and 'Woman':





Who is your fave so far? Are you hooked too?


Pic of Paula Parore: Perth Now

Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen: W Magazine, May 2012 - 'Hemingway & Gellhorn'

Ah, W Magazine - you always deliver the most a-mazing, breathtaking shoots.

The May 2012 edition of the US mag features the Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen duo - together in the upcoming HBO movie 'Hemingway & Gellhorn'

Click here to read the full interview:

http://www.wmagazine.com/celebrities/2012/05/nicole-kidman-clive-owen-HBO-hemingway-and-gellhorn-cover-story

And to see the trailer, click below:

Brad and Angelina: how long is too long an engagement?

Yes, that is a movie poster for the new Judd Apatow ('Bridesmaids') film. More on that later...


This post is inspired by 'The View'. And my Facebook post a few days ago.


I was watching a debate on 'The View' today and the panel were discussing Angelina Jolie's engagement ring... below...

...and Brad and Angie's engagement, after sooo many years - and kidlets - together.


Joy Behar (always, hands down, my fave) said:


"Why did they take so long to decide to get married? It's like, c'mon!"


Adds Barbara Walters: "I wanna discuss the whole business of being 'engaged'. This is a couple with six children, who have been together for how long? At least six years. The whole idea of getting engaged was: you get to know each other, you decide if you really wanna get married... why are you engaged? You live together, you have children, get married already!"


Whoopi adds that she thinks their kids wanted 'that whole thing'... the getting down on one knee, the whole proposal and stuff.


A few days ago, I posted about Brad and Angelina's engagement on Facebook and the comments went to that direction to.


Said one friend: "It's actually all a bit ridiculous...just get married already, if that's what they want to do!

Another added: "I agree... why get engaged, just go and get married. Are they saving up for the big woggy wedding they are having? Want to wait until they can afford to have Johnny Walker Blue label on the tables instead of just the Black label?


The first friend agreed: "The more I read these posts the more certain I am I'd feel like a complete and utter hypocrite if I suddenly decided to get legally married after spending 10 years living in a marriage... other than the ring, the dress, the party and a few happy snaps, what do they think will change?!

And in a nice little [kinda] segue, the producer of 'Bridesmaids' is releasing the new movie 'The Five Year Engagement' [featuring Australia's own Jacki Weaver] about a very looong engagement.

Watch the fun trailer:





So, what do you think?


Long engagements? Useful or just delaying the inevitable (that is, a wedding day... or perhaps a break-up?)


My mum has a saying in Sicilian: "Le cose lunghi diventano serpe"... translation: things that carry on for far too long turn into, uh, serpents (ie: they become a little deadly, and go off course).


Thoughts?

Giuliana Rancic - E! True Hollywood Story

E! presents the story of one of Hollywood’s most beloved reporters, Giuliana Rancic - the Australian premiere is Sunday, April 15th 2012 on the E! channel on Foxtel.

Giuliana Rancic’s come a long way since her humble beginnings in Naples, Italy. 


Indeed, she has now become an essential fixture on the red carpet, injecting her own brand of fun to the pre-awards fashion spectacle.


Along the way, with her beloved husband Bill, Giuliana has become a role model, particularly as a cancer fighter and survivor.


Giuliana is on 'E! News' with Ryan Seacrest, as one of the critics on 'Fashion Police' and of course, as one-half of the reality show, 'Giuliana & Bill'.


This has never been 'The Osbournes', though.


From their exciting high-flying careers, to their very public struggles with fertility and Giuliana's cancer diagnosis and battles, the 'E! True Hollywood Story: Giuliana Rancic' is one of the most moving, fascinating profiles you'll see.


Says Giuliana: “You can think of all the horrible things happening to you and focus on that. Or, you can kind of recognise that it’s a bad situation, but then try to find the good in your life and focus on that. So, that is what I do. So, yes, I have breast cancer, yes, I can’t have a baby yet. But you know what? I have an amazing husband. I have a wonderful family. I have great friends. I have my dream job, so life’s good.”


Some highlights from E! True Hollywood Story: Giuliana Rancic:


On elementary school in America
“They thought I was like an alien. I had a weird name, Giuliana with a ‘G’, and no one could pronounce it. Pretty early on one of my teachers changed my name – without asking me – to Julie. She thought that would be easier, with a ‘J’ because ‘G’ was just too complicated.” Giuliana Rancic tells E!


On her career aspirations
“I was in elementary school and we were doing a drawing assignment about what you want to be when you grow up. So I drew an anchor woman that I had seen on TV. I went to the front of the class and I said [in my Italian accent] ‘I want to be an anchor woman.’ And [the teacher] was like, ‘oh, to be an anchor woman you have to speak perfectly – maybe you should think about something else.’ I thought, ‘what?’ I just couldn’t believe it. It was embarrassing and the kids were laughing and smirking and I remember thinking to myself – I’m going to show her.’” 


On finishing graduate school
“Giuliana did not waste any time. We graduated on a Sunday and she had her ticket booked to leave for Los Angeles the following Friday.” Stephanie Shweiki, classmate tells E!


On her husband
When Giuliana heard about an opportunity to interview Bill Rancic, she jumped at the chance. Bill recalls that fateful interview. “Once the camera stopped, the interview just continued and continued. As we were both walking away – I was very shy when it came to asking out girls – I worked up enough courage and I said, ‘Giuliana, would you like to go running sometime?’ She looked at me funny like ‘you loser.’”


Giuliana continues the story, “I thought to myself, ‘wait – a run? That means like 9am on a Saturday, no makeup, spandex, not cute. That’s not how I do a first date.’ So I said, ‘that, or we could go for a drink instead?’”


On IVF treatments
“She was in a lot of pain. I could see it on her face, hear it in her voice and it was a real, real struggle.” Monica Zuriff, Giuliana’s sister recalls to E!


“My sister and my cousins, they sneeze and get pregnant. And I can’t get pregnant to save my life, so it was hard.” Giuliana Rancic tells E!


On her cancer diagnosis
“It’s something that is unfathomable. One day, you’re totally fine. And you’re living your dream and life is wonderful, and then the next day, your whole life changes forever.” Giuliana Rancic tells E!


“I am strong for my daughter. She doesn’t want to see me upset. I know, but inside…oh my gosh…me passera. In the night and in the day I cry, but not in front of my daughter.” Anna DePandi, Giuliana’s mother tells E!


“I’m so proud of her bravery and how she has handled this.” Bill Rancic, Giuliana’s husband tells E!


Don't miss the E! True Hollywood Story profiling Giuliana Rancic’s inspiring story, premiering on Sunday, April 15th 2012 at 8:30pm AEST on E! - and look out for regular repeats on the E! channel.

Justin Theroux - his film and TV roles. Thaaat's where you know him!

Justin Theroux.


Jennifer Aniston's boyfriend.


He's been acting for years but you juuust can't place him, right?


Well, he has been in many key roles, cameos, guest roles, even unrecognisable ones.


Here is a little compile piece, with a really fun, recent 'Ellen' clip at the end.


This clip features his appearances in 'Sex & The City'. Not once, but twice (he is at the 1.38 mark as 'Jared'... and then appearing in the clip as the over-excited Jewish guy who, er, arrives too early: Vaughn Wysel).





Here is the scene where he is unrecognisable - in 'Zoolander', as the evil DJ (at the 1.08 mark):





And here is a scene from 'Six Feet Under', where he played Brenda's (Rachel Griffiths) boyfriend for several episodes:






His fun looking role - with his GF Aniston - in new film 'Wanderlust':





And another scene from 'Wanderlust':






And his recent appearance on Ellen, where he breakdances for the audience, after Ellen reveals that Jennifer Aniston has had his special breakdancing shoes sent over:





He's also - a friend has just told me - the cowboy who lights a cigarette in 'Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion', in TV series 'Alias', in movie 'American Psycho', in 'Spin City', 'Ally McBeal', and loads of other cameo roles.

Versatile, that Mr Theroux!

Brad and Angelina - confirmed to marry

Okay, are you sitting down, Brangelina fans and celeb devotees?


The news is just in: Brad and Ange are confirmed to marry!


His manager has indeed confirmed the news today.


Read more here: 


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/jolie-and-pitt-are-engaged/story-e6frf96o-1226326364876


Thinking about what their outfits will possibly look like will have magazine editors in a spin.


Here are some fun mock-ups/movie stills I found on the WWW, below:


But before you do, watch this clip here, where Brad says he and Ange will NOT get married "until everyone in this country had the right to get married", alluding to same sex marriage.


Watch: