‘Bravo TV’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Book Review: Drinking & Tweeting and Other Brandi Blunders {Brandi Glanville}

April 18, 2013 · Narrative

When I was choosing books to read during Spring Break, I wanted a mix of genres, and I picked things that were breezy and light, and things that were a bit heavier and required concentration. Andy Cohen’s book was definitely under the “breezy and light” category, as is the book for today’s review.

Brandi Glanville is on the cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but perhaps outside of that, she is more well-known for her husband leaving her and their two young boys to take off with country singer LeAnn Rimes. Brandi’s first book, Drinking and Tweeting and Other Brandi Blunders, is a little bit about her previous modeling career, her marriage breaking up, dating after divorce, her dealings with LeAnn, and her start on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

If you’ve ever seen the show or heard Brandi in an interview, this book is written exactly how she talks. Pretty much no filter, no holds barred. In theory, I think that’s great. But as a mom to two young kids myself, I can only wonder about how she’ll feel when her kids are old enough to discover it and read it. She has a bit of a sailor’s mouth, shares many intimate details, and one of her favorite ways to refer to readers is by saying “ladies and gays.” The latter of which is done often enough that it feels like it’s more for effect, as opposed to being natural and unforced.

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Book Review: Most Talkative – Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture {Andy Cohen}

April 12, 2013 · Narrative

When we were packing up for our recent Spring Break trip, I made sure to load up my Kindle so I could catch up on a bit of reading. I added 7 new titles, and managed to finish three. Not as much as I had hoped, but certainly more than I usually read in a week, so I’m considering that a win.

Andy Cohen is the Vice President of Programming for Bravo TV. In addition to that already responsibility-laden job, he also hosts Watch What Happens Now at 11 pm every night. And now, he has a new book out, Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture. I have long since thought he has the most fun job ever, even though his bravolebrity cocktail parties are just one piece of his job, but I’m wondering if the man ever sleeps.

Bravo TV is a channel that is in heavy rotation here, and I have no problem admitting I watch reality tv. It’s a little bit of escapism to unwind at the end of a long day, and since Andy Cohen’s new book was a peek behind-the-scenes of his job, I figured it was right up my alley.

And I was mostly right.

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Celebrity Encounter: Meeting Tori Spelling

April 7, 2012 · Narrative

The day we came back from our mini Spring Break adventure, actress Tori Spelling did a book signing for her newest book, CelebraTORI. The kids obviously don’t know who she is, but you might remember her from Beverly Hills, 90210 fame, or more recently, her reality show with her husband, Dean McDermott, and her three (and soon-to-be-four) kids. I’ve been to this bookstore several times over the years to meet various authors (Jamie Oliver, Sara Moulton, and Suze Orman, among others) It’s a small place in suburbia, but they must have an awesome booker, because they get some pretty big names. They said they have only had to turn crowds away once … for the Kardashians. Even though I definitely watch my fair share of reality tv, I thought the fact that the Kardashian sisters had the biggest crowd out of all the luminaries that have appeared was a pretty sad commentary.

The day we met Tori was an 18-hour press day for her, starting with interviews on several morning shows, and ending with an 11 pm appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live. Although it’s her “job,” that’s a long day for anyone, let alone someone who is pregnant. I admire the fact that although she could rest on the fame and fortune her dad (the late Aaron Spelling) built, she has worked to make a name and career path for herself over the years. Starting with 90210, she has had a reality show with her husband and kids, just released her fifth book, and has a new craft competition show coming to TLC. Poising to be the Martha Stewart of this generation, she was amazingly giving to her fans at the book signing. She started signing 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, and gave each fan as much time as they needed. She posed for picture after picture, and held conversations with everyone. Although the kids don’t watch her show, there was one episode where Tori and Dean bought chickens to keep at their house, and they watched that one with me. When they mentioned that episode to her, she turned right to the page in the book with her chicken pictured on it, and introduced Nick and Madeline to Coco.

We ended up being in line for about an hour before it was our turn. After we left, we grabbed a bite to eat nearby, and when we were done with dinner, she was still there, signing away.

This woman was wearing a shirt that said “Donna Martin Graduates,” which Tori loved and signed. The guy on the left was one of two security team members with Tori, along with three assistants….

Tom Colicchio’s Meatloaf

June 2, 2009 · Narrative

I’m not going to lie. The men-with-no-hair thing just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not talking about men that are balding. I’m talking about men that have zero hair on top a la Michael Jordan, Moby, Vin Diesel and the like. But that being said, Tom Colicchio, on the other hand, is a whole ‘nother story. He is a little drink of hotness served up with a side of sparkling blue eyes. Never heard of him? He’s the head judge of Bravo TV’s Top Chef and has a string of successful restaurants and cookbooks. I don’t know what it is about him, but for him, my man-must-have-hair rule quickly goes out the window.

People magazine has been running a Meals Under $10 column, and one of the recent celeb chefs to make an appearance was Tom himself. With meatloaf. Love meatloaf. Total.comfort.food. A stick-to-your-ribs dinner one night, and a delicious lunch sandwich the next, how can one not like meatloaf? I’ll never understand it. I think I actually look more forward to the warm sandwiches the next day than the original dinner serving. Toasted white bread, healthy amounts of ketchup and mayo, total yum.

Usually when I make meatloaf, I wing it. Ground beef, a little bit of this, a dash of that, and a whole lotta something else. I don’t measure, I just do. But for Tom, I measured. I poured. I mixed. I followed the recipe, his recipe, to the letter. I always use a loaf pan when making meatloaf. I never do the whole shape-it-into-a-loaf on the baking sheet thing. But, of course, Tom wanted me to. So I did.

When the meatloaf came out, it was bubbly and juicy and just so incredibly mouthwatering that I couldn’t wait to dig in. As much as I love meatloaf, I’m not sure it’s the type of dish that can ever be elevated to OMG status. I mean, really, it’s a hunk of meat. You want it moist and juicy and you want it to taste like meat. This does. So does mine. No matter which recipe you use, as long as it covers the basics (egg or other binder, meat, light seasonings, ketchup), you can’t go wrong. If you’re looking for a recipe, feel free to use Tom’s version below. I don’t think he’ll mind one little bit….