Saluting the ‘Vast Wasteland’* It was Emmy Award nominations day today (http://www.emmys.com). However, I refuse to agree wholeheartedly with Newton Minnow’s description of TV*. I found a lot to enjoy this past television year.

So many nominations and so many categories … the Academy favorites this year are:
John Adams with the most nominations—23 in the mini-series category, 30 Rock garnered 17 for the comedy series and Mad Men with 12--with the most drama noms .

My favorite category is Outstanding Comedy Series. 30 Rock’s 17 noms are the most nominations for a comedy in 1 year! The Office (with 8) never fails to make me laugh while also making me cringe at Michael’s idiocy. And I’m glad to see the innovative, funny, visually addictive, sweet (but with some bite) series Pushing Daisies get 11 nominations. The cast is stellar and the premise is a killer!

More and more each year the cable networks are making inroads with Emmy voters with attention grabbing shows like , Damages, The Tudors, In Treatment, etc. While the free TV major networks seem to play it safe, either with cookie cutter comedies, procedural dramas or reality shows.

OK, now that I’ve satisfied my hoity-toity side, let’s lighten up and let me contradict myself and show my plebian side … yay ... nods for my guilty pleasures: Neil Patrick Harris (Have you seen him on www.drhorrible.com? Hilarious!) , Lost, NCIS, Project Runway, Top Chef, Grey’s Anatomy, So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, etc. ..

Hmmm… I'm not a TV addict, I'm not a TV addict! -- 'they tried to make me go to TV rehab and I said No, No, No.'

PATIENCE DID NOT PAY OFF THIS TIME (sad smiley face goes here!) -- So much for trying to get into a free screening of KENNY. I should have known that an LA Weekly promotion would attract so many people who thought to get to the Sunset 5 Laemmle theatre about 1-1/2 hours ahead of time. The word on KENNY is that it's a smash Australian film. The first rave quote is from Michael Moore.
Just knowing that Kenny is a porta-potty rep/delivery man conjures up all sorts of wacky possibilities. Well, not getting in put me in a cr*ppy mood! (Ugh...the punster rears its ugly head! I better stop this bathroom humor quick or else this blog is going down the toilet! Ugh again!)

TRUE HOLLYWOOD STORY
When most people think about Hollywood, the things that come to mind are movies, stars, and make-believe. But on July 9th, people who work, worship, rent, live or volunteer in the Hollywood area came together for a good ole neighborhood 'block party'. OK, maybe not the suburbian type of get together--this one was held at the Hollywood and Highland courtyard. Sponsored by the CIM Group and Cirque du Soleil as well as collaboration with the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council -- it was a great night to get involved in the Hollywood community and have a voice for its future. Wine, soft drinks, hors d'oeuvres and dessert gave us energy to dance to the Latin rhythms of the Luis Cruz Beltran orchestra. Ole! And the young and young at heart enjoyed the play area put together by Cirque du Monde--who with the artists of Cirque du Soleil joined in the celebration as a kickoff to the show they'll present in their new home the Kodak Theatre. It was nice to feel more united in a world that's so often disconnected.

I tried walking the tightrope --- woo hoo I made it across ... with a lot of assistance, of course. Others tried jump rope, juggling, and balancing on a ball. All the Cirque du Monde talented 'circus members' were very patient and all ages were able to join in the fun!
The Doctor from the Cirque Du Soleil Las Vegas production of LOVE and his hypnotic gaze.

The rhythm is gonna get you...













Junior ballroom champs were unexpectedly asked to perform (thus the informal wardrobe). Nevertheless, they whipped around the dance floor, strutted their stuff just like the couples on So You Think You Can Dance. Bravo!

The sign at the Cirque Du Monde play area

The Hula Hoop never goes out of style.