When I look at some of the people who have emerged as today's biggest stars on TV, I scratch my head and wonder, "how did that happen?" There are a few stars who have completely exceeded my expectations -- and I bet yours, too. In fact, after you read my five (no cell phone pun intended), I'm betting that you'll have a few more overachievers to add to the list.
1) Ty Pennington I'm not ashamed to admit that for a couple of years I was hooking on TLC's Trading Spaces. It may have been the perky Paige Davis, the home improvement on a $1,000, the cool things that the designers did in just 24 hours -- whatever it was, I was a regular viewer. Oh, yes, there was also a carpenter on the show named Ty Pennington.
On Friday, May 30, the experimental episode will show how The View is made, by lifting the curtain so you can see how the magic happens. They've chosen to show the upside down, backstage View on that Friday - and don't worry about marking it in your calendar. You can expect plenty of reminders from Barbara Walters (if she's there), Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. With all that behind the scenes footage, only half of the show as seen originally -- from the camera's point of view -- will be seen.
Barbara Walters had an affair. The broadcast journalist and co-hostess of The View revealed on an episode of Oprah (to be broadcast this coming Tuesday) that she had an affair with Senator Edward Brooke during the 1970's.
In 1967, Brooke was the first African-American to be popularly elected to the Senate. At the time, Walters was an up-and-coming news reporter. In the interview, Walters described the Massachusetts senator as "exciting" and "brilliant". Winfrey asked Walters if she was in love, to which she replied that she was certainly "infatuated".
As the Academy Award presentation approaches, that can only mean one thing -- time for a new Barbara Walters special. Yes, yes, what matters most before the big show isn't the red carpet and the fashions, it's who will Barbara be interviewing for her annual Oscar edition? Ms. Walters has four biggies lined up for the Sunday, February 24th (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET) broadcast. Oscar nominee Ellen Page, star of Juno; Indiana Jones, himself, Harrison Ford; UglyBetty diva, Vanessa Williams; and HannahMontana/teen queen Miley Cyrus. It's an eclectic group, to say the least, but then, that's Baba Wawa's formula for success, is it not? After all, this is her 27th straight year doing a pre-Oscar special.
Some people don't think this should be a "top story" of 2007, as I've heard it decried already around the interwebs, but the fact remains that this feud was all over the news, garnered high ratings and made The View one of the most buzzed about shows of 2007. Regardless of if you think Rosie was being a bully or Elisabeth was being a baby or if both were being words we don't say in polite company, it was a big deal. I know when I heard she was joining the show for its tenth season, my first thought was "The View is still on the air?"
Ex-Survivor: Australian Outback castaway and current The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck called her daytime talk show to let her co-workers know the name of her baby boy born over the weekend.
Although it's November sweeps, I doubt she planned the timing of the birth to boost ratings. Perhaps the phone call, though! In her call to the show she told them that Taylor Thomas Hasselbeck was born at 7:52 am on Friday morning.
Elisabeth's husband is Tim Hasselbeck, a back-up quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.
Rumors continue to fly as more and more people speculate who will take over Rosie O'Donnell's spot on The View. I haven't paid much attention to the ever-expanding list, but the two most recent names managed to catch my eye: Mario Cantone from Sex and the City and Ross "the Intern" Mathews from, most recently, Celebrity Fit Club. The View has always been about showcasing varying women's points of view, so how do Cantone and Mathews fit in there? Are they possible candidates just because they're gay men? Come on.
There's not a lot of information just yet, but apparently Barbara Walters will be honored with a star on the Walk of Fame on June 14. Of course, I don't know how much information you really need: she's getting a star, end of story.
But why Barbara Walters? According to IMDb she appeared on an episode of Maude, but I'm not sure that really qualifies her to be on the walk of fame. Though I suppose she is famous in her own right, even if it is for her work in news and daytime yakfests.
Welcome to TV Squad Lists, a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
Well, unless you've been residing beneath a naturally occurring aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids (in other words, living under a rock) you probably know that Rosie O'Donnell is leaving ABC's The View after a very boring, non-controversial year. Naturally, the producers will need to fill that empty chair with someone that may or may not be as, er, enthusiastic as Rosie was. So, please indulge me as I present my five suggestions on who should replace Rosie on The View.
Star Jones -- Sure, why the hell not? Really, this could be some good television. Star would come back, Barbara, Joy and Elisabeth would fawn all over her saying that they were wrong to let her go, and everyone would be the best of buds. But, that's not the good television. That would come about 10 minutes later when all of the sweetness wore off and Star began to tell her 'friends' off on how badly they treated her. I'm sure there would be plenty 'I told you so's' sprinkled throughout that first day she's back at work. The tension would be so great it would probably pulse out of your television. Now, THAT's good television!
The news actually came during an appearance on ABC's The View (which seems to be the epicenter of all TV-related and celeb news these days). Baldwin pre-taped the interview today, which focused a lot on his recent problems with a phone call, and it will air this Friday morning.
No word on whether or not the recent controversy involving Baldwin is the reason why he wants to be let go from the show or whether he just wants to "pursue other opportunities," as they say, but the next few weeks should be interesting. Baldwin is one of the big draws on 30 Rock.
There is nothing like watching Barbara Walters doing squats to completely destroy my bacon, egg and cheese breakfast this morning. The women of The View have stopped working out their sharp tongues and turned their show into a Jane Fonda workout. Elisabeth is so into it, she even slaps her butt gratuitously.
However, watching Rosie O'Donnell do a set of squats is not the only television moment preventing me from enjoying breakfast this morning. If you watched Saturday Night Live this weekend, you might know what I'm talking about.
Sure, the feud between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell may be cooling down now that there is another target she's ready to bully (run, Simon, run!), but that doesn't mean we still can't have fun with it. GSN certainly agrees, and that's why they've given us Rosie vs. Trump at GSN.com.
The game features animated versions of Rosie and Trump. During the game they punch, kick and inflict special attacks on each other while insulting their opponent the entire time with actual barbs from statements made in the press. They are cheered on by Miss USA (Trump) and Barbara Walters (Rosie) in the background. Players can also gain extra points and abilities, like invincibility, by collecting objects. The player who wins two out of three rounds wins the game.
I chose Trump in all three games I played and beat Rosie twice. The secret is to punch and kick as much as possible then use your special power to whip Rosie with your hair. Beware though, because Rosie's lashing tongue has quite a reach! Brr, the thought of Rosie's lashing tongue in real life just gave me the chills.
When I look at some of the people who have emerged as today's biggest stars on TV, I scratch my head and wonder, "how did that happen?" There are a few stars who have completely exceeded my expectations -- and I bet yours, too. In fact, after you read my five (no cell phone pun intended), I'm betting that you'll have a few more overachievers to add to the list. 
ABC in turning things around on The View -- at least for one day. In what a cynic might call a stunt, 
As the Academy Award presentation approaches, that can only mean one thing -- time for a new Barbara Walters special. Yes, yes, what matters most before the big show isn't the red carpet and the fashions, it's who will Barbara be interviewing for her annual Oscar edition? Ms. Walters has four biggies lined up for the Sunday, February 24th (7:00-8:00 p.m. ET) broadcast. Oscar nominee Ellen Page, star of 
Some people don't think this should be a "top story" of 2007, as I've heard it decried already around the interwebs, but the fact remains that this feud was all over the news, garnered high ratings and made The View one of the most buzzed about shows of 2007. Regardless of if you think Rosie was being a bully or Elisabeth was being a baby or if both were being words we don't say in polite company, it was a big deal. I know when I heard she was joining the show for its tenth season, my first thought was "The View is still on the air?"
Ex-Survivor: Australian Outback castaway and current The View co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck called her daytime talk show to let her co-workers know the name of her baby boy born over the weekend.
Rumors continue to fly as more and more people speculate who will take over Rosie O'Donnell's spot on The View. I haven't paid much attention to the ever-expanding list, but the two most recent names managed to catch my eye: Mario Cantone from Sex and the City and Ross "the Intern" Mathews from, most recently, Celebrity Fit Club. The View has always been about showcasing varying women's points of view, so how do Cantone and Mathews fit in there? Are they possible candidates just because they're gay men? Come on.
There's not a lot of information just yet, but apparently Barbara Walters will be honored with a 
Welcome to TV Squad Lists, a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
Rather surprising news coming from our friends over at TMZ.com: Alec Baldwin has told his bosses at NBC that he 
There is nothing like watching Barbara Walters doing squats to completely destroy my bacon, egg and cheese breakfast this morning. The women of The View have stopped working out their sharp tongues and turned their show into a Jane Fonda workout. Elisabeth is so into it, she even 
Sure, the feud between Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnell may be cooling down now that there is another target she's ready to bully (run, Simon, run!), but that doesn't mean we still can't have fun with it. GSN certainly agrees, and that's why they've given us Rosie vs. Trump at 
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