Boston Saturday: Kid Sister & Brittanya

While I'm back in NYC with Endless Wave for a gig at Don Pedro -- Dirty Apple old schoolers get at me -- there's all sorts of ill shit going down at home tomorrow night. Most importantly is Kid Sister at the Middle East, a gal I've been obsessed with since LA Riots remixed her jam "Control" a few years ago. And I still can't get over how "Right Hand Hi" didn't become this huge mainstream mega-hit.



But also, downtown, to keep the Ladies In Charge theme hot as the Allston pavement, Brittanya from Rock of Love Bus is laying the smackdown at one of the never-ending rows of Same Clubs near the Theatre District. I wonder if her "booty call" boyfriend from the VH1 show is going to be there.... why can't I remember his name?!?! LOL remember when she tried to beat up Heather?!?!?! Ahh, my life was lame back then. Anyway. Ahem.

Hotline: MTV hits Allston to cast "Real World"

As reported in my Hotline column... Next weekend – April 17 to be exact – MTV is hitting the mean streets of Allston Rock City to help cast the new season of “The Real World.” Among the usual rabble-rousers and drunks certain to make the reality show cut, producers already know what they want. According to the release below, MTV wants some Goths, emos, fatties, the handicapped, virgins, widows, broke graduates, punks, athletes and other assorted, uhhhhhh, people. You know, just like you and me. The real word!

The location of the show hasn’t been revealed, but since most of the types of people listed above can all be found walking up Brighton Avenue in Allston on any given Saturday afternoon (including this writer, so easy tiger), why not just buy a house on Linden Street and let them all shack up there? Maybe this is the plan.

Here’s the press release, which has all the important details Hotline needs not re-write:

Casting Directors from Bunim/Murray Productions, creators of the perennial hit MTV show “The Real World” will be holding an open casting call:

Saturday, April 17, 2010
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
SUNSET GRILL AND TAP/BIG CITY
138 Brighton Ave.
Allston Village, MA 02134

Applicants are asked to bring a recent picture of themselves (which will not be returned) and photo ID. Please be between the ages of 18 & 24 when you apply.

This season’s lucky roommates will get the opportunity of a lifetime when MTV hands over the keys to a new fantasy house for the show’s 25th season. “The Real World,” MTV’s longest running show, is a documentary series about a group of young people who spend five months living and working together.

So what does it take to get on the show?

“We look for characters from real life; people with strong personalities who are unafraid to speak their minds,” says Jonathan Murray, Executive Producer of “The Real World.”

It’s important to us that The Real World reflects the diversity of the general population.

This season we’d love to include a person who is:
- physically challenged
- an individual struggling with weight issues
- someone who has been affected by a natural disaster
- a cast member who is a product of home or alternative schooling
- a follower of a non mainstream religion or belief system
- an elite athlete
- a recent graduate affected by the economic downturn
- someone who is involved with goth, emo, or punk subculture
- a member of a pro-abstinence organization
- a young widow/widower
- an individual who wants to bring the spotlight of “The Real World” to a cause, condition, or social issue they care deeply about or are personally affected by.

Please note, although these qualities may give applicants an advantage in the casting process, they ARE NOT a requirement. As always, The Real World welcomes anyone with a great personality and a willingness to share their life with the world.

For those who can’t make it to the open call, applications are still being accepted via email.Visit www.bunim-murray.com for complete details on how you can apply.

Talking NYC with 'Real Housewife' Bethenny

Tonight on Bravo finds the return of the Real Housewives of NYC, and I talked to lead lady Bethenny Frankel about what's on tap for the third season. Booyeah. All I gotta say is: The Countess wants to be a pop star.

‘Housewives’ star gives Skinny on third NYC season
By Michael Marotta
Thursday, March 4, 2010 - Updated 21h ago

In Atlanta, they pull hair.

In New Jersey, they flip tables.

In Orange County, they Botox.

But there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned verbal smackdown, and “The Real Housewives of New York City,” which returns to Bravo tonight at 11for a third season, has them in spades. Maybe it’s the Big Apple.

“There’s less to do in those other cities, so they rely on ripping weaves out and stuff like that,” said housewife Bethenny Frankel by telephone last week. “We have a different style. We’re more verbal, less physical.”

This season’s “Housewives” promises its usual drama among Frankel and cast members Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Alex McCord, Ramona Singer and Jill Zarin.

On tap are finalized divorces, pregnancies, nude modeling and, of course, frequent trips to the Hamptons. The internal drama is at an all-time high.

“Season three is certainly the most turmoil I’ve ever experienced,” Frankel said. “I wanted to jump off the ride. It seemed like there was a full moon every day. There are a lot of battles, a lot of shifts in alliances, a lot of crazy stuff going on. All of our dirty laundry is out for all to see.”



Though Frankel’s laundry might be the cleanest, there’s much going on for the sharp-tongued 39-year-old businesswoman (she calls de Lesseps a “dumb drag queen” in tonight’s premiere).

Viewers are introduced to Frankel’s new fiance, Jason Hoppy, who gets her pregnant. (She’s now six months along.) A spinoff show detailing her wedding, “Bethenny’s Getting Married,” is already in production.

Frankel’s Skinnygirl organic food and drink line has exploded - “The products are flying off the shelves,” she said - and “Naturally Thin: Unleash Your Skinnygirl and Free Yourself From a Lifetime of Dieting,” one of her two books, lasted 18 weeks on the New York Times [NYT] bestseller list. A workout DVD, “Body by Bethenny,” will be available May 4 exclusively at Amazon.com.

“I used to feel it was a business decision to go on the show, but now I’m not pushing anything,” she said.

One person who will be pushing something is the newly single de Lesseps. Like Kim Zolciak of the Atlanta cast, she has her eyes on a singing career. It remains to be seen if de Lesseps’ dance song “Money Can’t Buy Class” will become the new “Tardy for the Party.” The notion of de Lesseps singing must have writers of “The Soup” licking their chops.

'Shear' instincts -- Alves replaces Jaclyn Smith

Last week I had a fun little conference call with Camila Alves and Kim Vo in advance of tonight's premiere of "Shear Genius: Season 3". Things only got interesting when I had the nerve to bring up outgoing host Jaclyn Smith...

New host talks off the coif about ‘Shear Genius’ ’do over
By Michael Marotta
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Don’t ask the new ringleader of Bravo’s “Shear Genius” about ex-host Jaclyn Smith.

“I don’t even think I can follow her,” said new host Camila Alves in a conference call with reporters last week.

Alves, the Brazilian model best known for her significant relationship with actor Matthew McConaughey, replaces the ex-“Charlie’s Angel” star in the hairstyling competition returning for a third season tonight at 10.

“She’s amazing, and I have so much respect for her,” Alves said. “I’m not there to be better or worse. I’m just a new addition to the show, and the goal was to have fun and represent myself.”

The lone holdover from last season, judge Kim Vo, said Alves “absolutely” made her own mark on the series, which was filmed just after Alves found out she was pregnant with her second child with McConaughey. (Daughter Vida was born Jan. 3.)

“In all fairness, it was a brand-new set, there is a new concept, the cast went international,” Vo said in a huff. “I was the only one from season two!”

Indeed, Bravo gave a buzz cut to the series. Hair guru Orlando Pita replaces Rene Fris as “mentor” to the show’s dozen contestants, and “Blow Out” star Jonathan Antin joins Vo as a resident judge. Over the course of the season, they’ll be joined by a range of guests in the judging booth, including pop star Estelle, celebrity stylists Ken Paves, Oribe and Tabatha Coffey, who competed in the first season of “Shear Genius” and went on to star in her own Bravo show, “Tabatha’s Salon Takeover.”

But as 12 rising stylists from around the globe (10 from North America) will compete for $100,000, an apprenticeship with Nexxus and a spread in Allure magazine, all eyes will be on Alves.

Until now, she was a 28-year-old model best known as McConaughey’s baby mama.

Alves defended her ability to host a hairstyling competition.

“I had to learn to do hair myself,” she said. “I do my own hair and have been around hairstylists all my life. I understand what it takes to be an amazing hairstylist - I can tell if you’ll give me a great blowout within five minutes of sitting in your chair.”

Alves also has an entrepreneurial flair and has launched a handbag line, MUXO, and partnered with Lucky Brand for a designer line of diaper bags.

The only remaining question is: Will McConaughey make a cameo? Don’t count on it.

Alves said, “With his hair, I don’t think so.”

- mmarotta@bostonherald.com

Jersey Shore: Super Mario Bros.

Another day, another Jersey Shore parody -- but this might be the finest of them all. Ladies and germs, "Jersey Shore: Super Mario Bros." Not too much of a stretch with all the I-talian-ness of the gang, but really, bitch gets SMACKED UP with a Koopa shell. Headasplodes.

Buddha resurfaces in a McDonalds ad!

So I'm sitting here watching the Kings-Devils game on MSG (finally ordered Center Ice) and up comes some shitty McDonalds commercial, and -- HOLY SHIT IT'S BUDDHA from "I Love New York 2" and "I Love Money 2"!!!! Oh, Ezra, we missed you so! But damn, marketing fail, they really shoulda gotten Tailor Made to play the cocky white athlete. Let's keep that battle going!

Gotta get $$$ where you can find it. What's next, Feisty from "For The Love of Ray J" in a University of Phoenix ad?! Hm.

Jersey Shore Jr. Jesus H.

Wow. This. A bunch of kids reenact "Jersey Shore." I long for yesterday, when life was all about "Bad Romance" and was so much easier. Found this on Babelgum via BLT.

Talking Jersey Shore & toe-sucking with VH1's Frank the Entertainer

Ahhh, my boy Frank the Entertainer is back on Vh1, this time with his own show (premiered last night) called "A Basement Affair." A few weeks back I talked to Frank about his show, the Jersey Shore and what it was like sucking on New York's toes in the bathtub. Yeah, seriously...

Fool for love

Frank ‘the Entertainer’ returns to VH1 for ‘A Basement Affair’

By Michael Marotta

Sunday, January 3, 2010 - Added 2d 3h ago

Before MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” there was one obnoxious Italian from New York who dominated cable’s celeb-reality circuit.

Now he finally has his own show.

Frank “the Entertainer” Maresca, 31, a staple of VH1’s dating shows and known for still living in his parents’ basement, returns to the cable channel tonight at 8 in “Frank the Entertainer . . . in a Basement Affair.”

None of the 15 girls competing for his heart better mention “Jersey Shore.”

“That’s giving Italians a bad name,” Maresca said. ‘I don’t know how the hell these guys got their own show. They’re not people I’d ever hang out with.”

Maresca, viewers will recall, made his debut in “I Love New York 2” (2007) and failed at two attempts at riches in both “I Love Money” and its sequel. He’s come a long way from sucking on Tiffany “New York” Pollard’s toes in a Jacuzzi on “I Love New York 2.”

After years as the “Entertainer,” Maresca is now the entertained.

But VH1 didn’t put up Maresca in a mansion to frolic carefree among the bosoms, as was the formula for previous shows. Instead, the network sent the girls to him, enlisting his brash, opinionated parents as the show’s gatekeepers and forcing the bunch to shack up in an enlarged replica of his Rockland County home just north of New York City.

“I still live at home,” Maresca said. “There’s no reason to move out until I find a woman. This is where my family is, this is where I should be. They brought the show to me. This is real.”

“A Basement Affair” is the first relaunch spinning off someone from the channel’s dating shows since “Megan Wants a Millionaire” was canceled in August after just three episodes. Early in that season, contestant Ryan Jenkins was implicated in the murder of his model wife Jasmine Fiore and found dead in a Canadian hotel room a few days later.

While not addressing the “Millionaire” scandal, Maresca said he feels no pressure to make the love-seeking elimination reality show a ratings magnet for VH1. “I’m not here to please other people,” he said.

Except for the ladies in the house, who shack up everywhere from couches to “grandma’s spare bedroom.”

Renee Taylor of Taunton is the lone contestant with local ties. Maresca didn’t have much to say when asked if Taylor left a lasting impression.

“I like all the girls,” he said diplomatically. “I gave every girl a fair chance and tried talking to everyone. I’m looking to settle down.”

And as for the toe-sucking incident on “New York 2,” Maresca makes no apologies.

“I’ve never sucked on a woman’s toes until that night,” he said. “Her feet were clean; they smelled like roses. I did it. I love women and do whatever I can to make them happy.”

Talking O.C. with a Real Housewife of Bravo

Been a banner run for the Michael byline, as this week I talked with the awesome Jeana Keough, an original "Real Housewife of Orange County" who is leaving the show. The 5th season premieres tonight on Bravo.

By Michael Marotta
Thursday, November 5, 2009 - Updated 16h ago

A real housewife can’t be a “Real Housewife” when she has to stop spending $400 on lunch dates.

That’s the personal crisis facing Jeana Keough, the last of two original cast members of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” which returns for a fifth season tonight at 10.

Tonight, Keough’s 16-year-old son Colton gives his mom a talking to about financial responsibility. She replies, “It’s weird to be in a place where you have to think before making a purchase.” Keough then admits she could downsize her residence by roughly half, to a meager 5,000 square feet.

Such is the plight of a “Housewife” on the skids. After the third episode, Keough will be out as a star of the show.

The 54-year-old former Playboy model and struggling real-estate mogul is replaced by new blonde on the block Alexis Bellino, a 32-year-old stay-at-home mother of three with a body that Bravo says “defies all logic.” But of course.

Despite Internet reports that Keough had a falling out with Bravo about money, she blames her real-estate profit margin decreasing by two-thirds as her reason to leave the show.

“I had to get back to work,” Keough told the Herald earlier this week. “All I was worrying about was what I was wearing next. (The show) was hard on my kids and it made dating hard. But I have second thoughts every day.”

No stranger to television with scripted roles in the ’80s on such shows as “Cheers,” “St. Elsewhere” and the “A Team,” Keough knows she could saunter back onto the scene at any time.

“They haven’t killed me off,” she said. “This is reality TV.”

While Keough focuses on real estate - oh, and also finishes up an autobiography and pitches other television shows, she revealed - the remaining O.C. ladies rev up the drama. The show was launched in 2006 as a slap to “Desperate Housewives,” but since then, Bravo’s other “Real Housewives” franchises in New York and Atlanta have caught up to the West Coast trailblazers in both buzz and must-see moments.

So as the O.C. girls jockey for “Housewife” supremacy, expect heavy-duty feuding between fellow real-estate agent Tamra Barney and sketchy blonde Gretchen Rossi. Not long after Rossi’s fiance died of cancer, racy pictures of her found their way to the Internet. Rossi also has a new beau familiar to viewers - Slade Smiley, now bagging his third - yes, third - O.C. housewife.

It doesn’t take Nostradamus to predict the women will be at each other’s throats throughout the season, but now Keough won’t be there to give advice.

“I always say the same thing: Go easy on the alcohol, and always think before you say something about another cast member on camera,” she said.

-mmarotta@bostonherald.com

ITP: Another cut of Tabatha Coffey

Had a fun chat recently with Tabatha Coffey of the Bravo series Tabatha's Salon Takeover, which returns for Season 2 tomorrow night at 10pm. The piece ran in yesterday's Herald.

It was quite fun talking about Images Salon on Long Island, which she visited last year while prompting one of the styles to scream "She's making a mockery of Images" (a phrase I still use quite frequently in mock horror) while fearing being turned into a lampshade by the accused Nazi Coffey. Good TV. More to come later, as I have to go interview a Real Housewife at noon.

ITP: VH1 rolls out "Megan" damage control

From today's Herald, my article where I state that the Ryan Jenkins murder/suicide won't change much for the cable network, and that's OK with millions of viewers. My money says "Megan Wants A Millionaire" hits DVD shelves by Thanksgiving. Bank it. Photo by AP.

TMZ: Ryan Jenkins found dead

Spooky ass shit, as TMZ reports Ryan Jenkins found dead in British Columbia, RIGHT IN THE TIMESLOT where "Megs Wants a Milli" was supposed to air (Eastern Standard Time, kids). Meanwhile, "Megan Wants A Mortician" to begin filming immediately. I'd comment more but I'm currently enraptured by "My Antonio." (No I'm not, I'm listening to "Hot Rocks" and reading the MOJO Britpop Special.)

VH1 postpones Megan Wants A Murderer

VH1 has postponed airing any more Megan Wants a Murderer episodes, according to a statement I first saw on dlisted.com:

"Ryan Jenkins was a contestant on Megan Wants A Millionaire, an outside production, produced and owned by 51 Minds, that is licensed to VH1. The show completed production at the end of March. Given the unfortunate circumstances, VH1 has postponed any future airings. This is a tragic situation and our thoughts go out to the victim’s family."

Guess now I have to go see the Honors at Hennessey's on Sunday. TMZ also breaks the news that there is/was/is/was an "I Love Money 3" (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and the Jenkins douche WON THAT SHIT TOO!. Now that might not air, even though it wrapped filming four weeks ago. Jesus fuck.

Megan Wants a Murderer? VH1 contestant a "person of interest" in death of model

So let me get this straight: According to TMZ, the guy who may have won VH1's "Megan Wants A Millionaire" is a suspect in the murder of his wife, may have stuffed her in a suitcase and then ghosted up to Canada??!?! Talk about a rating bonanza for VH1. Very tragic news about Playboy model Jasmine Fiore, and I'm not making a joke about a girl being killed, but of course shit like this happens to involve a VH1 show. Daily News has more details.

From the TMZ story linked above: "Jasmine Fiore was found in a trash bin in Buena Park last Saturday morning. She was first reported missing by Jenkins on Saturday night. A police official told us they fear the 32-year-old Jenkins, a resident of Calgary, may be fleeing to Canada... Jenkins was a contestant on "Megan Wants a Millionaire," which airs on VH1. We're told he was among the final contestants, and may have won the show. The winner has not been announced on the show, which is currently airing."

Shit, 12 Pack didn't need to murder nobody. Mr Boston wouldn't do this kind of shit. Even Bay Bay Bay ain't THIS kray-zay. MeganWAM was pretty tame and I kind of lost interest, but I sure as fuck will tune in now to see how Ryan Alexander Jenkins rolls about town. Jeez Louise, these shows just keep going all next-level on us. I don't even know what to fucking say.

If all this turns out to be true and Jenkins is the culprit, will he get his own spin-off from prison? "Fugitive of Love"? Lockup of Love"? "Real Chance of Conjugal Visits?" Ugh, WTF!!!!!!

Interview with Megan (Wants A Millionaire)

UPDATE 3: TMZ: Jenkins Dead
UPDATE 2: VH1 postpones Megan
UPDATE 1: Megan Wants a Murderer

I had a fun chat with Megan Hauserman of "Megan Wants a Millionaire" last week to hype tonight's premiere of her show on VH1. Looks like the usual awesome shit-show competition, and the only familiar faces besides Megan are fellow show veteran Brandi C. (co-host or some shit) and "Sex Toy Dave" Levine from Millionaire Matchmaker (contestant). Oh boy. Megan was a decent interview, much better than Daisy, but I was bummed she called 12 Pack "pathetic and disgusting" for being on "Daisy of Love." Do NOT insult David Amerman on my time. Otherwise it was standard fare, even though the network cut in when I asked about her lawsuit against Sharon Osborne, who smacked her up on the "Charm School" reunion. But this shit should be fun, and now the countdown begins until "Ray J 2" and the second "Tool Academy."

America's BIggest Asshole casting today

So there's a new reality TV show called "America's Biggest Asshole" in the works for the Spike Network, and today's the open casting in Boston, a city that could very well provide the first and last open call producers need to host. Yes, I know, I should go, whatever, fuck you, blah blah blah. But my assholeness is more subtle, a kind of passive aggressive douchebaggery that is only seething towards ex-girlfriends and New York Ranger fans. My head games do not translate well to television, unless you're in a shitty local band. Anyway.

Here's official word from the folks at Bostoncasting.com

Can you irritate a perfect stranger? Are you quick on your feet? Can you handle a very strong personality? Are you a practical joker? Do your friends tell you that you have all the charm of Vince Vaughn, Denis Leary, and Stiffler rolled into one?

EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE HYSTERICAL, DO YOU HAPPEN TO PISS A LOT OF PEOPLE OFF?

Win cash, fame, and respect for your ability to say what mere mortals could only dream of saying! Audition for the new reality show ‘America’s Biggest A**Hole’! Come to one of the Open Calls, bring a photo and bio, and tell us your story!

Open Call Information: Monday, July 13, 2009, 10AM – 4PM, Boston Casting, 129 Braintree Street, Boston; Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 6 PM – 9 PM, Red Sky, 16 North Street, Boston (Faneuil Hall)... In conjunction with Boston’s “A” List!

If you are unable to attend an Open Call, e-mail a photo, contact information and a few lines about why you should be on the show to Julie@bostoncasting.com. Must be 18 years or older.

Charm School 3 tonight, Ricki Lake talks

More than just telling me Brittanya recently got a butt-lift, Ricki Lake and I discussed Charm School 3 (tonight, VH1, 9pm) last week, the results of which can be found in today's Herald. Since I'm not feeling the new New York show and I Love Money 2 just ended, this arrives just in time. I still wish there were some Ray J gals up in here, but I'm sure they'll be back at some point.

Charm School back on VH1. Sweet

Not that I can think of anything besides last night's neverending Nightmare on Ice, but hey, looks like a third season of Charm School premieres May 11 on VH1. I'm all for some more Brittanya on my TV, and it'll be fun to have Ashley and Bay Bay Bay back in the crazybitch fold, but why oh why only "Rock of Love Bus" and "Real Chance of Love" girls?!?! Time to ex-pa-hand.


Get some "Ray J" bitches* up in there, get the girlfriends from "the Tool Academy" in there, maybe even get the hag leftovers from the unwatchable "Tough Love" in the mix. Let's spice this shit up! Oh, and -- RICKI LAKE?!?! Tha'hell she been up to, besides apparently vacationing in Bulimia? (*Please bring back Feisty. For anything.)

Daisy of Love debuts tonight on VH1

Just in time for spring, Daisy sprouts up on VH1 yet again. I had the great pleasure of talking to Daisy de la Hoya (<3 her forever, despite her not-so-cheery attitude on the phone) last week to discuss "Daisy of Love", which premieres tonight at 9pm on VH1.

Looks like we have another winner on our hands, and just in time -- "I Love Money 2" has just chumps left, the a-fucking-plus "For the Love of Ray J" is over (unfortch) and the stale but still watchable "Rock of Love Bus" is done (very fortch).

So here comes miss Daisy, and it'll be good to catch up with my mancrush 12 Pack. I have no idea what to think about 84, 85 and 86 and the rest of these fools, but it should be great TV. Everyone go get tested afterwards!

Daisy of Love

Vh1 saves the day once again. The cast of Daisy of Love was revealed, and guess what?!!? 12 Pack is back! Dude better win, cause this Sunset Strip back alley collection of man-skank is teh nassss. My early money is on Britny Fox-spawn "84," which is might be his STD count. Shit premieres April 26, and I can't fucking wait. Here's a taste:

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