5. Kelsey Grammar as Dr. Frasier Crane from Frasier. I think the neurotic over-analyzer would have at least been able to relate. Plus, amazing sarcasm from a staunch Freudian.
4. Gabriel Bryne as Paul from In Treatment. He seemed like a moderately intelligent, sometimes helpful guy. It'd be therapeutic just to sit across from him with an excuse to stare for a whole hour once per week. And that accent. Enough said.
3. Barbra Streisand as Dr. Lowenstein from The Prince of Tides. Actually, I'd like to just be a fly on the wall watching her and Robert Redford converse on matters of the heart in the same room. #katieandhubbelreunite
2. Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi from The Sopranos. Something about that blank stare and intentional long pause at the beginning of each session is strangely mesmerizing. She would get me endlessly chattering just to break the silence. But really, who wouldn't want to hear that amazing voice once a week?
1. Dianne Wiest as Gina from In Treatment. In all seriousness, if I could create a therapist in a bottle it would be Gina. She was smart as anything, calming while still immensely effective, nonjudgmental but unafraid to give her opinion. I could have used a Gina session or two when she exited HBO.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
A Glance Inside The Madrid
At this point, I think my stance on Edie Falco is pretty clear. She could pretty much do no wrong... on premium cable, on the stage, or veritably anywhere. I would be content watching her mop the floor. All that on the table, her portrayal of the lead character Martha in The Madrid, was good. If anyone knows me or my writing at all, the word "good" is not a word that typically exits either my lips or fingers. But in this case, the word is oddly appropriate. Falco played Martha, the mother-teacher-turned-seeming-fugitive-from-life, for all she was worth. Given the shallowness of the script that is. This surface-level-only character study came as a surprise from Nurse Jackie producer Liz Flahive. Throughout the 100+ minute show, we are invited to merely make the acquaintance of its main characters. We meet, we greet, and never get past that.
Within the first few minutes after the curtain goes up, Martha abandons her career as a teacher and her role as a wife and mother. She moves out of her family's house into her own run-down-piece-of-shit apartment in a building aptly called The Madrid. Falco makes Martha seem aloof and un-maternal... and from there, we are forced to draw our own conclusions as to why she has abandoned her entire life. Perhaps it is due to this forced subjective speculation or perhaps to my own biases but Martha seemed to bear an uncanny persona resemblance to the nurse/former addict/narcissist Jackie Peyton. Well, without the dyed blonde hair, pills and blood that is. Whether the similarity was intentional or not, I could not shake the deja-vu-esque feeling during the show's entire duration. But I digress.
Flahive's unstrategic use of time/scenes throughout is also questionable. Why she spends any amount of effort delving into neighbors Becca and Danny and their "giant boy" son remains a mystery. I, as I suspect most of the audience as well, would have much preferred an incremental ten minute look into Martha's psyche. What was she thinking? Why did she get married or pregnant in the first place? These are all questions that would have shed much-needed light on the otherwise dim plot. On the plus side, Martha's mother, Sex-and-the-City's-Trey's-Waspy-too-close-for-comfort-mother-Bunny, provides some consistent quality acting and comic relief. Unlike many others, her character feels connected, clear, and real.
Well, so much for keeping it concise. Overall, I did quite enjoy Edie Falco, er, The Madrid.
It was thrilling to watch a dark-haired Carmela slash Jackie at her craft a mere few feet in front of me. (Cheers to that fabulous man who invited me to sit with him in the first row!!). Oh yeah, and then casually chat with her on the street. No biggie. It was a thrill of a lifetime. Really. Suffice to say, though, if you were to take the woman out of the apartment, it would be just another big empty space. Let's hope when Edie vacates the premises, The Madrid does too.
Overall rating: Edie A-. Liz C+.
NBA Player Jason Collins Comes Out
On Monday, Washington Wizards NBA center Jason Collins publicly came out to the world as gay. His admission makes him the first openly gay athlete in a major U.S. professional team sport.
Collins had already been out to his friends and family and although he had never outright stated in public that he was straight, nonetheless felt he was not being totally honest. With a simply stated sentence on Sports Illustrated's website yesterday, he changed that. He commenced his first-person article with a straight-to-the-point utterance. "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."
Just like that, he became a trailblazer, altering the long-held straight-only stereotype of professional athletes.
Throughout the bulk of the article, Collins went on to describe his reasons for coming out now, his journey of self discovery, family reactions, and how it felt to be the first athlete to come out. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation." Now that the road to openness has been paved, Collins hope is that other athletes will follow in his footsteps.
Collins says he always knew he was gay but tried to hide it for a long time. A black man, a professional athlete, a Christian with a religious family background and friends who were getting married and having children. None of these factors made him feel all too comfortable coming out as the different one... and for years he didn't. At one point, he even got engaged to a woman. Realizing the depth of his misery, he ultimately called off the wedding and began his journey down the road of honesty and self-discovery. Throughout everything, though, he always had basketball. And the love and devotion to the sport, Collins says, was a saving grace.
Collins is a seasoned NBA player. He has been a player for six teams over twelve years, including the the L.A. Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Jersey Nets, and currently, Washington Wizards. While his team did not make the current playoff season, Collins is starting to focus his attention on next season. And with his admission out to the public, he can really do so with a clear mind. This summer, Collins will officially become a free agent - he does not have a team in mind but knows he wants to stay in the NBA. Here's to hoping he does.
Photo courtesy of SportsIllustrated.com
http://thewire.sheknows.com/2013/04/30/nba-player-jason-collins-comes-out-as-gay/
http://thewire.sheknows.com/2013/04/30/nba-player-jason-collins-comes-out-as-gay/
Monday, April 29, 2013
Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Lawsuit to begin today
Roughly four years after the death of the incomparable King of Pop, a wrongful death lawsuit against concert promoter/powerhouse AEG, is set to begin. The late Jackson’s mother, Katherine, and his three children, are accusing AEG of “threatening to end Jackson’s career if he failed to deliver on a series of comeback concerts in London and hiring the doctor (Conrad Murray) who was later convicted of giving the singer a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol.”
Both in life and death, matters around M.J. were anything but straight-forward. His seeming plastic surgery addiction countered by his unwaivering claims he “only had my nose done”. The child molestation charges that went away nearly as quickly as they came (well, perhaps not quite as quickly) and at the heart of it, his utter dichotomy. Was he an innocent child-man or a deranged, drug-addicted abuser? His actions and persona were always an enigma.
Both in life and death, matters around M.J. were anything but straight-forward. His seeming plastic surgery addiction countered by his unwaivering claims he “only had my nose done”. The child molestation charges that went away nearly as quickly as they came (well, perhaps not quite as quickly) and at the heart of it, his utter dichotomy. Was he an innocent child-man or a deranged, drug-addicted abuser? His actions and persona were always an enigma.
The case will take place in civil court starting today and could very likely stretch out for months into the summer. The Jackson case is neither a simple one nor one lacking witnesses or evidence… from both sides of the fence. Since the case is civil versus criminal, evidence from both sides will be allowable.
The lawsuit does not seek a definitive dollar amount as this point but it is speculated the figure could veritably reach the billions. Between Jackson’s family and estate and one of the largest entertainment powerhouses there is, the dollars will not be insignificant. The case pits the responsibility of hiring of Dr. Conrad Murray on the two sides of the fence. The Jackson family alleges the doctor was hired by AEG to keep Jackson in “top form”, thereby allowing him to perform money-maker-career-comeback shows while AEG claims he was hired by Jackson himself in an effort to help him sleep. At the heart of the trial lies the ultimate question: did Michael Jackson seal his own fateful demise or did they?
It will be an undoubtedly painful, uncomfortable road to reach that answer. Awkward chapters that, during M.J.’s life, had been seemingly closed, will be re-opened, once again exposing his family and the world to his unconventional antics. Doctors will take the stand on matters of his frail health, financial experts and accountants on his money troubles and at the core, the financial stakes AEG had in the would-have-been-concerts.
As with all things Michael Jackson, both good and bad, the trial will unquestionably receive immense publicity while it lasts.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Long Island Woman's Cancer Scam Exposed...Today's Wire Post
Twenty-one-year-old Brittany Ozarowski had all the makings of a sick, battling-chemo cancer patient. She was frail, limp, pale and severely underweight. She walked around her New York city home and town with a cane, openly talking about how sick she felt from "cancer and chemotherapy."
Who wouldn't feel bad for a young woman in this condition, right? What a horrible, tragic situation. The hearts of neighbors and those in the community went out to her. They wanted to somehow help so badly that they began a community-wide effort to raise money for this poor unfortunate soul. Donation jars were placed on neighborhood counter tops, fundraisers were held and thousands of dollars raised in her name to "help save her life." Brittany raked in more money with each day that passed.
Although Brittany's outward appearance maintained its sickly-looking state, there were questionable instances that made those around her start to wonder. If she was in chemo, why hadn't she lost any hair? Why would she turn down a free doctor exam? And perhaps most incriminating, why on earth would she refuse a charitable donation paid directly to a hospital for her "treatments"?
When revealed by prosecutors, the answer was a sickly simple one — no pun intended. Brittany did not have cancer at all. She had never been through chemotherapy, never diagnosed with any malignant diseases, tumors or anything of the sort. She was a healthy 21-year-old girl with a terrible heroin addiction and not enough money to fund it.
"There was no cancer, no chemotherapy or radiation," Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota revealed in a Long Island press conference. "All there was was heroin and more heroin."
Brittany had scammed her community out of thousands of dollars. The total amount cannot be confirmed due to many donations given in off-the-record cash form. In addition to money, caring neighbors had also donated thousand of dollars worth of food to her during her "sick months", new clothes to "raise her spirits" and free doctor examinations. All a colossal waste of resources that could have been given to those who actually needed them.
Needless to say, the news of her dishonesty nearly sucked the wind out of those around her. They felt duped, scammed and betrayed both financially and emotionally. One community resident, Elizabeth Petricola, was particularly disturbed. "It was about the principle and the caring, the faith that we have in people. Everyone came together as a community to help. It broke my heart." And rightfully so.
Ozarowski has a record of previous drug arrests dating back to 2010. She is currently held on $75,000 bail after pleading not guilty to acts of larceny, forgery and other charges. A court date is not yet set, but if found guilty, Ozarowski could face up to seven years in prison. The Associated Press requested an interview from her jail cell, but she declined.
Who wouldn't feel bad for a young woman in this condition, right? What a horrible, tragic situation. The hearts of neighbors and those in the community went out to her. They wanted to somehow help so badly that they began a community-wide effort to raise money for this poor unfortunate soul. Donation jars were placed on neighborhood counter tops, fundraisers were held and thousands of dollars raised in her name to "help save her life." Brittany raked in more money with each day that passed.
Although Brittany's outward appearance maintained its sickly-looking state, there were questionable instances that made those around her start to wonder. If she was in chemo, why hadn't she lost any hair? Why would she turn down a free doctor exam? And perhaps most incriminating, why on earth would she refuse a charitable donation paid directly to a hospital for her "treatments"?
When revealed by prosecutors, the answer was a sickly simple one — no pun intended. Brittany did not have cancer at all. She had never been through chemotherapy, never diagnosed with any malignant diseases, tumors or anything of the sort. She was a healthy 21-year-old girl with a terrible heroin addiction and not enough money to fund it.
"There was no cancer, no chemotherapy or radiation," Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota revealed in a Long Island press conference. "All there was was heroin and more heroin."
Brittany had scammed her community out of thousands of dollars. The total amount cannot be confirmed due to many donations given in off-the-record cash form. In addition to money, caring neighbors had also donated thousand of dollars worth of food to her during her "sick months", new clothes to "raise her spirits" and free doctor examinations. All a colossal waste of resources that could have been given to those who actually needed them.
Needless to say, the news of her dishonesty nearly sucked the wind out of those around her. They felt duped, scammed and betrayed both financially and emotionally. One community resident, Elizabeth Petricola, was particularly disturbed. "It was about the principle and the caring, the faith that we have in people. Everyone came together as a community to help. It broke my heart." And rightfully so.
Ozarowski has a record of previous drug arrests dating back to 2010. She is currently held on $75,000 bail after pleading not guilty to acts of larceny, forgery and other charges. A court date is not yet set, but if found guilty, Ozarowski could face up to seven years in prison. The Associated Press requested an interview from her jail cell, but she declined.
http://thewire.sheknows.com/2013/04/23/long-island-womans-cancer-scam-exposed/
Reese Witherspoon and Husband James Toth Both Arrested...Yesterday's Wire Post
For most of us, the celebrity we would last imagine with a mug shot under her belt would be the typically squeaky clean Oscar-winning Southern mother of two, Reese Witherspoon. On Friday, though, she proved us wrong, when she was arrested and sent to jail for disorderly conduct toward a police officer.
After not staying in his lane while driving, Witherspoon’s husband, James Toth, was pulled over and charged with a DUI. State troopers began to give him a field sobriety test to assess the extent of intoxication. Before the test commenced, Reese exited the car in what she non-soberly saw as a “helpful defensive act” for her husband and was promptly told by officers to get back in the vehicle.
She cooperated once, but as the test ensued, “Mrs. Witherspoon began to hang out the window and say that she did not believe that I was a real police officer. I told Mrs. Witherspoon to sit on her butt and be quiet,” Trooper First Class J. Pyland told Fox News.
She watched as her husband was arrested for driving under the influence and failure to maintain the lane while driving early Friday morning. Husband first, wife next. Witherspoon was then herself put under arrest for disorderly conduct against police.
Upon realizing she was actually on the cusp of going to jail, Witherspoon made a futile attempt to play her celebrity card. “Do you know my name?”
The police officer could have been a die hard Legally Blonde/Walk the Line fan — yet he could not have cared less about her name. She was taken, alongside her husband, to the Atlanta city jail… and bailed out promptly the next morning. They are set to be in court this morning.
Witherspoon has since publicly apologized for her seemingly out-of-character confrontational behavior. ”…I do want to say, I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said. It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that is no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job.”
I would say so.
Celebrity or not, drinking plus driving equates to the same result. The pair were lucky neither they nor anyone else was injured.
http://thewire.sheknows.com/2013/04/22/reese-witherspoon-and-husband-both-arrested/
Monday, April 22, 2013
My Top 7 Favorite Daily NYC MTA Lines
7. "Assaulting a bus driver is a felony." I'm pretty certain that a bus riding patron with intentions of assaulting the driver is prooobably not going to abort mission due to the MTA lady's gentle little reminder of the legal repercussions. Just a thought.
6. "This is a reminder that the fare on local buses is $2.50 and select bus service is $5.00." Really, MTA lady, because I ride the select bus every single day twice per day and every single time the fare is $2.50. Price check please.
5. "Please move away from the doors. Please move away from the doors." At first I felt threatened by this ominous-from-above-seeming booming... as if, if I didn't move away from the door, closer into the confines of the sardine can (er, bus), we wouldn't move. Then I learned. Even when no one is near the door, when it's just me and the driver on the lonely stupid M34A after hours, the manly MTA robot is still not satisfied with the door to human space ratio.
4. "You are the eyes of New York." Yikes, if that's really true, I fear for the five boroughs. My vision royally sucks. I probably couldn't spot a killer if he whacked me in the back with a weapon.
3. "Touch yellow handle to open doors." It seems pretty simple, doesn't it? She just said, TOUCH the handle to open the door, she didn't say shove the door with all your might or kick the door. She didn't even say aggressively push the door. And yet every single time I'm patiently waiting my turn to exit by gingerly touching that yellow handle, someone in the mass ahead of me nearly breaks the door. Geez people, try cardio kick-boxing instead.
2. "Please exit through the rear doors." But my subway stop is closer to the front door, I don't wannnnna exit through the rear doors, I wanna get to my destination in as quick a manner as possible and that means exiting through the front door. Can't I please just go out the front door?
1. "If you see something, say something." Now, does that include too-close-for-comfort contact from that homeless looking but potentially not homeless guy at 9a? Does creepy staring count? If I said every single questionable thing that I saw on the bus/subway every day, I'd be hoarse by the time I got to work.
6. "This is a reminder that the fare on local buses is $2.50 and select bus service is $5.00." Really, MTA lady, because I ride the select bus every single day twice per day and every single time the fare is $2.50. Price check please.
5. "Please move away from the doors. Please move away from the doors." At first I felt threatened by this ominous-from-above-seeming booming... as if, if I didn't move away from the door, closer into the confines of the sardine can (er, bus), we wouldn't move. Then I learned. Even when no one is near the door, when it's just me and the driver on the lonely stupid M34A after hours, the manly MTA robot is still not satisfied with the door to human space ratio.
4. "You are the eyes of New York." Yikes, if that's really true, I fear for the five boroughs. My vision royally sucks. I probably couldn't spot a killer if he whacked me in the back with a weapon.
3. "Touch yellow handle to open doors." It seems pretty simple, doesn't it? She just said, TOUCH the handle to open the door, she didn't say shove the door with all your might or kick the door. She didn't even say aggressively push the door. And yet every single time I'm patiently waiting my turn to exit by gingerly touching that yellow handle, someone in the mass ahead of me nearly breaks the door. Geez people, try cardio kick-boxing instead.
2. "Please exit through the rear doors." But my subway stop is closer to the front door, I don't wannnnna exit through the rear doors, I wanna get to my destination in as quick a manner as possible and that means exiting through the front door. Can't I please just go out the front door?
1. "If you see something, say something." Now, does that include too-close-for-comfort contact from that homeless looking but potentially not homeless guy at 9a? Does creepy staring count? If I said every single questionable thing that I saw on the bus/subway every day, I'd be hoarse by the time I got to work.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
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