HGTV, LA and Dining Room Tables

I've been watching a lot of HGTV since coming to LA. My favorite shows are House Hunters and House Hunters International. There's also another show I like to watch called For Rent, but only because it makes me angry.

When it comes to apartments/homes, I think living in New York for the past eleven years has made me bitter because there was this whiny broad on For Rent a few nights ago who was looking at a huge place—A HUGE PLACE—and was like, "There's no place for a dining room table..."

B*TCH, YOU'RE LUCKY TO GET A KITCHEN IN NEW YORK.

I hated her.

Now there's some stupid lady on House Hunters who wants a townhouse with a fireplace that she can turn on with a light switch. IT HAS TO BE A LIGHT SWITCH because she doesn't want to bend down and flip a switch on the floor.

WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE?

Anyway, I know my LA update is WAY overdue (and truth be told I wrote a long one last week but for some reason it didn't save so I lost the whole thing and I was so angry that I just said, "Ah, f*ck it," and closed the computer instead of rewriting) but to give you a quick update, I AM SO HAPPY HERE. I MEAN, I'M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. And I think living here and watching HGTV—both of these things combined—has made me realize that New York was just beating me down. I mean, the fireplace lady—yes, she's an idiot. But there's nothing wrong with wanting a dining room table. Why did I get so mad at that lady?

Since being here, at least once a day I ask myself why I have lived in New York for so long. (It's like I had Stockholm Syndrome or something.) CALIFORNIA IS AWESOME. It's like the promised land. It's sunny all the time and there are birds and flowers everywhere. I have space out here. I have a sofa on the patio out here. I HAVE A SOFA OUTSIDE. I haven't seen one rat since I've been here. But hummingbirds? THEY ZIP BY MY HEAD EVERY DAY. I am so happy.

I'm supposed to go back to New York in November, but truth be told, I'm not sure I will.

Josie Maran Joss Stone Jules Asner Julia Stiles

'Battleship': Real Navy Officers 'Grounded' Film

It's no secret that movie stars have the best jobs. In the case of "Battleship," the cast got to shoot in beautiful Hawaii and work with real Navy seamen to learn from their real life experiences. Sounds real rough! When MTV News brought Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgård and Rihanna back to Hawaii for [...]

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Will 'Bridesmaids' Get Last Laugh At MTV Movie Awards?

Comedy ties with 'Hunger Games' for most nominations, with eight.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

"Bridesmaids" cast
Photo: Universal Pictures

The story of "Bridesmaids" was that of a surprise success that really was anything but surprising.

Based on a hilarious script by star Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo (you know her as the flick's freaked-out airplane passenger), the comedy had a strong showing at South by Southwest and Judd Apatow's producer credit to slap on every poster. A modest hit seemed all but guaranteed, but what it became was a pop-culture phenomenon.

Can women be funny? It was the dumb question that every 24-hour media outlet wanted to ask when "Bridesmaids" premiered, but all anyone had to do for an answer was sit down and watch the movie. Yes, women are funny, and there are few clearer examples than "Bridesmaids."

The movie tells the story of Annie Walker (Wiig), a failed baker who suffers a complete and hilarious breakdown when her best friend Lillian, played by fellow "SNL" alum Maya Rudolph, asks her to be the maid of honor at her wedding.

Wiig stood out as the writer and the fearless leader of a cast that included Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey, "The Office" actress Ellie Kemper and scene-stealer Melissa McCarthy. Together, they formed a band of sisters, ready to push the boundaries and do just about anything for a laugh.

So many scenes come to mind: the wedding dress boutique, Wiig's drugged-out and short-lived airplane ride, one of the least-sexy sex scenes you can imagine (co-starring Jon Hamm), Wilson Phillips. It all added up to sore sides and tears of laughter.

"Bridesmaids" might never have reached the top spot at the box office, but helped by strong reviews and even stronger word-of-mouth, it went on to gross $288 million worldwide and finish with the 14th-highest domestic total of the year.

As Apatow's biggest hit yet, the financials for the film secured its status as a bona fide hit, but it wasn't until January of this year that the big picture came into view: "Bridesmaids" scored two Oscar nominations, an impressive achievement for the typically drama-minded Academy. The awards show honored both the screenplay and McCarthy's breakout performance.

With the 2012 MTV Movie Awards ahead, "Bridesmaids" will face new challenges. Competing against the likes of "The Hunger Games," "Harry Potter" and "Twilight," "Bridesmaids" is a comedy in a field full of dramas, but that didn't stop it from racking up eight nods, tying with "Hunger Games" for the most nominations. "Bridesmaids" is up for the top prizes — Movie of the Year and Best Cast — and individual nominations for Wiig for Female Performance and McCarthy for Breakthrough. The two actresses will also compete against each other for Best Comedic Performance.

Originally heralded as a film that shows off the power of women in comedy, "Bridesmaids" refused to be pinned down and instead displayed the new possibilities of comedy as a whole.

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET.

How will "Bridesmaids" fare at the MTV Movie Awards? Share your predictions below!

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Reader Reviews

The movie tie-in edition of "20 Times a Lady"—now called "What's Your Number?"—is now available wherever fine books are sold!

To celebrate its publication, a few of my favorite readers came up with these great reviews...

"What's Your Number? is like Harry Potter minus the wizards, wands, and Lord Voldemort." —Michelle Bell

 

"‎What's Your Number? is like Gone With the Wind except with less hoop skirts and poverty and more beaus..." —Karen Meyer

 

‎"What's Your Number? is like To Kill a Mockingbird without all the racism and children." —Julie Stone

Thanks ladies!

Please add your review in the comments!

Amber Brkich Amber Heard Amber Valletta America Ferrera

Cheryl Cole?s ?Call My Name? Video Teaser #2: Watch Now!

She?s always up to something fun, and Cheryl Cole just released a new preview clip for her ?Call My Name? music video.

The Girls Aloud songbird sports a pair of skimpy shorts and high heels in the clip, showing off a massive tattoo on her perky posterior.

Directed by Rich Lee, the full-length version of the ?Call My Name? video is scheduled to be released sometime tomorrow (March 2).

And coming up on June 18th, Cheryl?s third album A Million Lights will hit stores, featuring collaborations with Alex Da Kid, Lana Del Rey, and will.i.am.

Charisma Carpenter Charli Baltimore Charlies Angels Charlize Theron

2012 MTV Movie Awards Nominees: The Full List

'Hunger Games,' 'Bridesmaids' and 'Harry Potter' run away with this year's noms — don't miss the show Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on MTV!
By Kara Warner

Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson in "Hunger Games"
Photo: Lionsgate

Who's already excited for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards?

We've already announced that chart-topping indie-pop group Fun. will rock the Movie Awards stage with a performance toasting the greatest party films of all time, plus the addition of five excellent and intriguing new categories: Best Music, Best On-Screen Transformation, Best Gut-Wrenching Performance, Best Cast and Best On-Screen Dirtbag. What more could you ask for?

How about the list of this year's lucky nominees who will by battling it out for the coveted Golden Popcorn trophy live from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday, June 3? Fan voting opens Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Here they are, in all their eclectic, well-deserved glory: the 2012 MTV Movie Award Nominees!

Movie of the Year
» "Bridesmaids"
» "The Hunger Games"
» "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» "The Help"
» "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"

Best Male Performance
» Daniel Radcliffe, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Ryan Gosling, "Drive"
» Joseph Gordon-Levitt, "50/50"
» Josh Hutcherson, "The Hunger Games"
» Channing Tatum, "The Vow"

Best Female Performance
» Jennifer Lawrence, "The Hunger Games"
» Kristin Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
» Emma Stone, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"
» Emma Watson, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

Best Comedic Performance
» Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
» Kristen Wiig, "Bridesmaids"
» Zach Galifianakis, "The Hangover Part II"
» Jonah Hill, "21 Jump Street"
» Oliver Cooper, "Project X"

Breakthrough Performance
» Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
» Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
» Liam Hemsworth, "The Hunger Games"
» Elle Fanning, "Super 8"
» Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

Best Cast
» "Bridesmaids"
» "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» "The Hunger Games"
» "21 Jump Street"
» "The Help"

Best On-Screen Transformation
» Elizabeth Banks, "The Hunger Games"
» Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
» Johnny Depp, "21 Jump Street"
» Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"
» Colin Farrell, "Horrible Bosses"

Best Fight
» Daniel Radcliffe vs. Ralph Fiennes, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson vs. Alexander Ludwig, "The Hunger Games"
» Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill vs. Kid Gang, "21 Jump Street"
» Tom Hardy vs. Joel Edgerton, "Warrior"
» Tom Cruise vs. Michelle Nyqvist, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol"

Best Kiss
» Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, "Crazy, Stupid, Love"
» Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2"
» Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, "The Hunger Games"
» Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, "The Vow"
» Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"

Best Gut-Wrenching Performance
» "Bridesmaids" (Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McClendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper)
» "The Help" (Bryce Dallas Howard)
» "21 Jump Street" (Jonah Hill and Rob Riggle)
» "Drive" (Ryan Gosling)
» "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" (Tom Cruise)

Best On-Screen Dirt Bag
» Bryce Dallas Howard, "The Help"
» Jon Hamm, "Bridesmaids"
» Jennifer Aniston, "Horrible Bosses"
» Colin Farrell, "Horrible Bosses"
» Oliver Cooper, "Project X"

Best Music
» "Party Rock Anthem," LMFAO ("21 Jump Street")
» "A Real Hero," College with Electric Youth ("Drive")
» "The Devil Is in the Details," Chemical Brothers ("Hanna")
» "Impossible," Figurine ("Like Crazy")
» "Pursuit of Happiness," Kid Cudi (Steve Aoki remix) ("Project X")

Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks starting Tuesday at 8 a.m. ET. The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET!

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Bobby Brown Didn't Get Whitney Houston 'Addicted' To Drugs

'I'm not the reason she's gone,' singer's ex-husband tells Matt Lauer in upcoming 'Today' show chat.
By Kara Warner

Matt Lauer talks to Bobby Brown on "Today"
Photo: NBC News

Their relationship may have been tumultuous and their struggles with substance abuse well-documented, but Bobby Brown insists that he is not the reason ex-wife Whitney Houston started doing drugs, a habit that she battled right up until her death in February.

"I'm not the one that got Whitney on drugs, at all," Brown told "Today" host Matt Lauer in an interview set to air on Wednesday and Thursday. "I'm not the reason she's gone."

Brown admitted that when he learned of his ex's death, he was saddened to hear she had started using cocaine again.

"I was hurt ... because, you know, me being off of narcotics for the last seven years — I felt that she was, you know, I didn't know she was struggling with it still. But at the same time, you know — listen, it's a hard fight," he said.

Regarding his involvement in Houston's drug use, Brown said that drugs were a part of Houston's life before they met in 1991. "I smoked weed, I drank the beer, but no, I wasn't the one that got Whitney on drugs at all," he insisted. "It's just, it's just unexplainable, how one could [say that I] got her addicted to drugs. I'm not the reason she's gone."

The New Edition member said that Houston seemed to have "a glow about her" the last time he saw her over dinner at a restaurant with their daughter, Bobbi Kristina, which was about a week before she died.

"She just looked like she was in a good place," he said.

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