TVSquad

I went to Universal Studios in Hollywood on Saturday for the revealing of The Simpsons Ride. Celebs walked the "yellow" carpet. The mayor welcomed the crowds and led the countdown. A human cannonball was shot into the air. And a yellow sheet dropped to reveal a 32-foot Krusty the Clown face at the entrance to the attraction.

Despite the launch being for The Simpsons, there were hardly any members of the cast there on the yellow carpet. Kelsey Grammer (Sideshow Bob) was there along with creator Matt Groening and producer James L. Brooks but no other voice talents were anywhere to be found. See who I talked to and read more about the ride unveiling after the jump.

Okay, let's get this out of the way first. No, Heidi wasn't there. No, Spencer wasn't there. Yes, that's totally their style. And yes, I was kind of bummed out.

Speaking of bummed out, it was freezing in Beverly Hills last night. MTV rented the outside of this swanky mansion but here's the catch, nothing was going on inside. So, the press had to freeze for three hours while we waited to talk to the stars of The Hills. Also, the port-o-potties MTV set up for us were super classy. Come on! There had to be at least fifteen bathrooms in that house.

For what happened at the live red carpet event before the big season finale, read on past the jump. I got to talk to Chiara Kramer, "Lo" Bosworth, and Stephanie Pratt.

Like I said yesterday, the press kits have started to come in to the TV Squad offices. Some of them are way cool, some are downright silly and some are nonexistent. Just last week I got one in from the TV Guide Channel for their upcoming red carpet coverage of the Emmy awards. OK, sounds reasonable, right?

When I opened the box and the hermetically sealed canister within, what I saw made me fear that I had just unleashed some unseen beast unto my unsuspecting family. As it turns out, only my dog was in danger.

First they were kicked to the curb by E! Entertainment Television, and now the same thing has happened with the TV Guide Channel: Joan and Melissa Rivers have been let go by the network and replaced by Lisa Rinna, star of Dancing with the Stars and various soaps.

Joan has a lot to say about what happened, but is keeping quiet until a new deal is finalized, says her spokesperson.

I love the press release from TV Guide Channel President Ryan O'Hara. Let me translate his remarks:

11:01: OK, I'm ready for bed. But before I go, I'd like to thank my family, my friends, my agent, my lawyers, Jeff Zucker, Les Moonves, the cast, the crew, my computer, my fingers, and, most importantly, the makers of Tanqueray gin. Without your help I could never have live blogged this tonight. Oh, they're playing the music...goodnight! 

10:59: Outstanding Comedy Series: Everybody Loves Raymond? Seriously, Everybody Loves Raymond?! What kind of a world is it when the 9th season of a show wins for Best Comedy over a show like Arrested Development? 

10:55: Outstanding Drama Series: Lost! 

10:54: Emmy Idol Winner: Donald Trump and Megan Mullally for Green Acres. Yikes.

Just a quick reminder that I'm going to blog the Emmy Awards live tonight, starting at 6pm Eastern. Why 6 instead of 8, when the awards actually start (on CBS)? Because if I did that I'd miss the best part: the red carpet arrivals!

The only decision left to make: do I blog Star Jones' red carpet interviews on E! or Joan and Melissa's over on the TV Guide Channel? But that's like asking, "which would you rather have, a root canal or hemorrhoids," so I'll do both. That's why God made remote controls. Plus, I'm a masochist. 

Sure, we all love to watch rich people congratulate one another for three and a half hours, but wouldn't it be even better if you could actually be at the Oscars this year? Well, if you go here on Monday you can fill out an application that just might gain you a bleacher seat along the red carpet where you can yell at actors or perhaps even get some knitting done. Get to the site quick, though, cause the forms are only available until September 26.