Head from 'The Hills'

It appears that MTV is trying to suck its 'Hills' franchise dry: Whitney Port, Lauren Conrad's friend and co-worker, will be getting her very own spinoff in 2009.

Rumors of the spinoff have been swirling for awhile now, but MTV announced today that Whitney will star in "The City" --clever title. The show will air in the spring.

Cameras will follow Whitney from LA to NYC, where she will work for designer Diane Von Furstenberg. reunite with "a best friend from her past" and meet "a guy she's head-over-heels for," according to the release.

I mean, I'm all for the "normal" girl on the overly-hyped television show having her day, but do we really think Whitney can carry the show on her own? I mean, she's intelligent and beautiful, but let's face it: She's just an ancillary character in the drama-tastic world of The Hills--that's the downside of having substance and integrity.

MTV is already heading off our worries with this exaggerated description of the show:

"Surrounded by all new friends, pursuing a fresh love life and starting to work in the upper echelon of the fashion industry is a lot to navigate for a new girl in the big city... especially one who has everything to lose. In a city full of people with their own agendas, Whitney will have to quickly decide who she can trust and who to stay away from." - MTV

You know, I thought Whitney was smart for shying away from the cameras during The Hills and focusing on her career, but I'd say this seems like a step in the wrong direction. Still, it will give me some more meaningless television to watch, so...okay.

NYC Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

NOTE: This is a special guest feature from my aspiring fashionista bff, Rachel--a student at Parsons. She had the incredible chance to be a part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this year, and I stalked her down to write about it.

I received the opportunity to go to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City; my Public Relations teacher at Parson’s School of Design is head of Public Relations for IMG Fashion. This year, she allowed the students in her class to attend the festivities if they were able to get there. Was I able to get there? Let’s just say after 10 hours, one fashionable outfit and one huge lie to the company I work for, I was there.

After an anxious bus ride and 30 minutes of traffic outside of Lincoln Tunnel, I arrived at the bus terminal around 11:15 a.m. I immediately ran to a Starbucks for an iced vanilla soy latte (soooo New York) so I could get my energy level up for my big day.

Around 12:25pm, I was caffeinated and approaching the tents at Bryant Park. I have to admit that I got a little choked up when I saw the entrance to the tents.

When I arrived, there were paparazzi, camera crews, reporters, journalists, body guards and tourists snapping away with their cameras. My teacher told me --via phone conversation-- to approach the body guard to let me in--Because she is a VIP (ooh la la), they gave me no problems and I was let through the crowds.

When I got inside, I met up with another student from my class and we were greeted by my teacher’s assistant. My teacher had to be at a lunch for Saks 5^th Avenue. What a terrible life she has.

The atrium of Fashion Week was unlike anything I’ve ever seen--gorgeous displays from all of the high-end sponsors, a full service bar, camera crews, important people in the fashion industry...

My teacher’s assistant took us on a tour. Words cannot even describe how amazing it was to see all of the action behind the scenes. I got to see where all the collections are stored, where models get their hair and makeup done and the lounge where celebrities hang out before and after the shows. It was amazing to see how much work is put into this week long celebration of fashion.

At the end of our tour, my teacher’s assistant told us that we would have the chance to attend the Rebecca Taylor fashion show that was about to start. If there were an award for biggest inner freak out moment, I would have won. She escorted us into a giant room and directed us toward the standing room section behind all of the seats. Even from our spot, we could see everything.

But a few minutes before the show, the room was getting crowded; almost all of the seats were taken and it was started to get cramped in the standing room area. Suddenly, an usher pointed to me and the girl from my class and told us to come forward. We did as we were told, only to find out that we were going to be filling two seats in the third row.

I was sitting directly behind the celebrities in the first row including (from left to right):
Rashida Jones, Leven Rambin, Alexie Gilmore, Mena Suvari, Simone Sestito, Mark Indelicato, Veronica Webb and Bijou Phillips. (Note: That green arrow is Rachel)

The show was completely amazing and Rebecca really demonstrated a glamorous, bohemian chic vibe in her collection. Her use of pattern and color were eye-catching and girlie and her silhouettes were very feminine with delicate details. Although she is not a big-name designer, from what I saw, she definitely deserves more recognition within the industry. I would buy these clothes any day (if I had money).

After attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I can attest that I am truly inspired by the entire process of fashion and it’s impact on the world. I just wish that I had Jess with me to experience it all! (Thanks, Rachie!!!)

"This life is a short journey"

You probably have no idea who Dave Freeman is, but I'm sure you've heard of his "100 Things to Do Before you Die" -- the guide on places to go and things to do to live your life to its fullest.

Sadly, Freeman died at the age of 47 after a fall in his California home, his father told press Monday.

Items in the book include Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, the Iditarod Sled Race, New Years Eve in NYC, Brisbane's World Championship Cockroach Races and more.

Family members said the author had done/seen about half of the things on the list; you've gotta admit, his untimely death is a bit ironic, and I'm sure there's an obvious joke in that somewhere, but I'm not heartless enough to make it. Think good thoughts for his family and friends, and maybe try out some of the things in the book - you never know how much time you'll have to do all 100!

I guess they didn't live happily ever after...

Well despite the thousands of New Yorkers and hopeless romantics in their corner, the real-life fairytale 'subway couple' has ended their relationship.


You might recall a post from November in which I easily convinced myself that love at first sight does actually exist by way of NYGirlOfMyDreams.com.

Web designer Patrick Moberg, then 21, from Brooklyn, created the Web site after he fell in love with a girl with a flower in her hair and blue tights under her shorts on the subway. He sketched a picture of her, posted his e-mail address and cell phone and encouraged anyone who knew the girl to contact him.

It took only two days for Moberg to officially meet Australian native Camille Hayton --with the help of some surprisingly sympathetic and romantic New Yorkers. The two dated for about two months, but apparently love at first sight isn't as eternal as some may like to think.

"I think the situation was so intense that it bonded us....[it] bonded us in a way that you could mistake, I guess, for being more romantic than it was. I don't know. But I wanted to give it a go so I didn't wonder what if, what if?"-- Camille Hayton

Moberg has refused to comment on the relationship. He went through all that trouble for her and didn't find love. He should probably start another Web site lamenting about the situation. I'm sure women would fall all over themselves for him.

RELATED LINKS
Once upon a time, in the city of New York
NYGirlOfMyDreams.com

The week in sports, kind of...

It's been a week since I last posted - sorry - and a few different sports-related news items have come up that I should probably recap.

Let's just get the Favre news out of the way now...In case you haven't heard (and if you haven't, really? Do you live under a rock?), record-setting quarterback Brett Favre confessed this week that he retired too early and that he would still like to play professional football. Then he got mad that Green Bay told him he'd be a back up quarterback. And now you can't turn on ESPN without hearing about Favre every 30 seconds. Granted, it would seem like blasphemy for Favre to play for another NFL team, but this is his own fault. Everyone knew this might happen. Now the drama remains where --if not Green Bay-- Favre will take the field. It's going to be awkward when his Madden '09 cover comes out and he's not in that uniform, haaa.

***

Next up: Monday's Statefarm Home Run Derby, which drew the largest audience for the event ever as eight All Stars slugged it out for top honors...well, almost eight slugged it out...some of them didn't do so hot. Speaking of Chase Utley, though: If you missed him telling the NY faithful to f-off, check out this video below. Hilarious! Apparently there was only a five second delay in place for the competition, not the introductions.



Anyway, back to the actual derby...The biggest story was Texas Rangers' centerfielder Josh Hamilton destroying Bobby Abreu's single-round HR total, hitting 28 in the first round (four more than Abreu did in 2005). [click here to watch video of the hitting clinic he put on]

Hamilton (left), Morneau (right)

Despite Hamilton's record-breaking performance, the title went to Twins' first baseman Justin Morneau. In total, Hamilton hit 35 homers, while Morneau hit 22 - which begs a re-examination of the way this shindig is run. Regardless, Hamilton's story of breaking records after breaking a drug addiction is the one fans will remember when looking back at the first--and last-- Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium. (Betcha didn't hear them say that 17,000 times during the telecast!)

***

Hand-in-hand with the derby is last night's All Star Game, which admittedly I watched about three minutes of. The game apparently didn't get exciting until the end (15th inning), which was 4 hours and 5 minutes into the game (or 1:37 a.m. for those of you on the east coast).

Michael Young hit a game-ending sacrifice fly to give the American League a 4-3 victory over the National League (Justin Morneau pictured (left) sliding in to score the winning run). It was the longest All Star Game in major league history (time-wise; it tied the most innings played) and it was the 12th game in a row the American League remained unbeaten (11-0-1).

(Justin Morneau pictured (left) sliding in to score the winning run)

JD Drew was named the MVP after he hit a two-run home run in the seventh to tie the game 2-2. Both teams exhausted their lot of pitchers (11 for the NL and 12 for AL), bringing in aces to pitch innings they should not have been eligible to pitch. There's Uggla's multiple errors at second base; or Nate McLouth's one-hop throw to the plate in the 11th to keep the marathon alive; and AL manager Terry Francona's quote before the game, "Something will happen in this game that people will probably talk about for a long time," and him chugging Red Bulls in the dugout as the game moved into Wednesday morning.

A memorable game indeed --definitely worthy of being played in the House that Ruth Built-- but I think I'm okay with taking Sportscenter's condensed highlights of the game over a 2 a.m. bedtime.

***

And quickly...There may be evidence to prove that Roger Clemens lied under oath about knowingly taking steroids. Convicted steroid distributor Kirk Radomski handed over shipping receipts to federal investigators for a package of human growth hormone that he claims he sent to Roger Clemens' home in Texas in 2002 or 2003, according to The Daily News.

F-bomb on NBC

There's nothing I love more than live flubs on television and awkward moments--especially ala local news broadcasts--and this one is phenomenal.

Sue Simmons, a longtime NBC news anchor in NYC, was reading a tease during the 10 p.m. for the upcoming 11 o'clock news...only she didn't know it was airing live. Just as Simmons finishes teasing a package about grocery prices, B-roll of a cruise ship plays across the screen and she yells, well, go ahead and watch for yourself...



Haaaa. I especially love the more than eight seconds of silence that follow the blatant expletive.

When the news program aired at 11, Simmons offered an apology.

"I have to acknowledge an unfortunate incident... I used a word that many people find offensive. It was a mistake I made and I'm truly sorry."--Sue Simmons

NBC did not comment further.

RELATED LINKS
Muff-ing up on live television is always fun times

Update: Those Bostonians just don't stop, do they?

The David Ortiz jersey that was buried on-site at the Yankees new stadium this weekend is outta there.

The Red Sox jersey was put there by Gino Castignoli, a construction worker hoping to put a hex on the team.

"We were upset about it and we didn't like the idea. There's enough Yankee fans, enough people on this project that are proud of what they are doing and they knew about it and they knew where it was and they decided to get rid of it right away." - construction worker Frank Gramarossa.

The team is looking to take legal action...Yeah, the Yankees aren't messing around. Eat it Red Sox moron.

Clemens caught at the party?

The New York Daily News has reported that investigators may have evidence that places Roger Clemens at the now-famous Jose Canseco party in 1998, which could prove extremely detrimental to his credibility.

"We have reason to believe it's reliable evidence. We believe there's photographic evidence that shows Clemens was at a party he says he wasn't at."--Attorney Richard Emery, Daily News

Reports say that a child at the party had taken pictures of baseball players, including Clemens.

The party was a hot topic at the most recent congressional hearings. Former trainer Brian McNamee testified that he saw Clemens at the party, but the Cy Young pitcher vehemently denies it.

More to come when information becomes available.

RELATED LINKS:
Bringing the game out of the shadows?
"Shortcuts were never an option."

"I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"

Even though a Green Bay television station decided to have a little fun at Eli Manning's expense this weekend, I'm pretty sure he won't be crying like a baby...unlike some other football players we know.

After discovering Manning's favorite television show is Seinfeld, execs in Green Bay decided to pull the networks regularly scheduled 5:30 p.m. Saturday episode while the Giants were in town for today's NFC Championship game.

Somebody should be the Jerk Store's best seller...

This is a feeble attempt to 'disrupt the player's comfort level'. If Manning doesn't do well today, it's not because he couldn't watch the episode where George gets sexually aroused by fruit--it's because it's freaking 3 degrees in Green Bay right now...and that's without the wind chill.

But at least Eli had the man himself - Jerry Seinfeld - in his corner. The comedian caught wind of the situation and offered Thursday to send Manning an entire Seinfeld DVD set and a partial set of Hogan's Heroes for inspiration.

Viewers voted for the programming to air instead of Seinfeld: Of about 3,700 votes cast, some 60 percent were for a 30-minute special about former Packers coach Vince Lombardi called "God, Family and the Green Bay Packers," according to the Associated Press.

The game is on at 6:30 tonight. "The loser gets fired. The winner gets a Water Pik." Go Giants!

That's not haute

Going back to Nov. 7's record-breaking dessert...


Serendipity 3, New York's acclaimed dessert cafe to the stars, has been temporarily shut down after failing its second consecutive health inspection in one month.

Health officials found a live mouse, mouse droppings in multiple places, flies and dozens of live cockroaches, the Heath Department said.

Let the little guys go; I'm sure they were just trying to get in on that edible gold.

Once upon a time, in the city of New York...

A real-life romantic fairytale came out of New York last week when New Yorkers helped (yes, completely against their nature, they actually helped) a man reunite with a mystery woman he fell in love with at first sight on the subway.

It's almost hard to believe, but Patrick Moberg, 21, constructed a Web site called NYGirlOfMyDreams.com, where he described the encounter both pictorially and literatim--everything from the way her hair was done (fancy braided hair, flower in the back) to her blue shorts with tights underneath. Moherg listed his cell phone number and e-mail address on the Web and encouraged anyone fitting the description to contact him.
On Tuesday, a friend of the girl who had come across the site contacted the modern day romeo and sent a picture of Camille Hayton, an Australia native who interns at BlackBook in NYC.

The two are meeting up and though Moberg is "pulling the shuters on his love life" and declining to update the Web site, we'll just pretend they live happily ever after (and hope for Camille's sake he's not some psycopath cannibal).

That's haute

New York's Serendipity 3 is a famous dessert boutique located on the upper east side, known for its famous frozen hot chocolate. Their menu is incredible and everyone from Bill Clinton to Paula Abdul visits the joint.

And then they outdid their $1,000 Golden Opulence Sundae this week by unveiling the the Frrozen Haute Chocolate (a playon the haute couture), their $25,000 dessert drink. They also set the Guinness World Record for most expensive dessert, in the spirit of GWR Day yesterday.

So why is it 25 gs?? Well it's a blend of 28 cocoas, including 14 of the most expensive and exotic from around the globe, BUT--the thing is is infused with 5 grams of edible 23-karat gold and topped with whipped cream covered with more gold and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier, which sells for $2,600 a pound. It's also served in a goblet lined with edible gold, and at the base of the goblet is an 18-karat gold bracelet with 1 carat of white diamonds.

And don't forget to eat your unnecessarily lavish dessert with the golden spoon decorated with white and chocolate-colored diamonds, which can also be taken home.

...Is this serious? You're basically paying to drink out of the Holy Grail and eat your way through chocolate to get a diamond bracelet.

Oh, and be sure to give the staff of Serendipity 3 at least 48 hours notice if you plan on stopping in. This waste of 28 paychecks takes time to craft.

Making a brand new start of it in old New York

Tonight's game reminded me of a little song I heard at Yankee Stadium two years ago:

Trot Nixon! Trot Nixon!
Trot Nixon is a horse's ass.
He's the meanest, he sucks the biggest penis,
Trot Nixon is a horse's ass!

But Trot Nixon's horrible fielding error is certainly not the only thing that happened in this game that made my little Yankee-loving heart fill with glee.

The Rocket lasted a measly 2 and 1/3 innings due to a hamstring injury (or maybe just being old), and they opted to go to youngster Philip Hughes. Let's just thank the kid for saving our ass, because I certainly thought the bullpen couldn't handle 6 innings. What an outing. And props to Rivera. He's back in Sandman-form.

And I was starting to forget what Yankees on base looked like! Thank God for those bats coming to life because I was starting to think Joe Torre was going to need the classified section of tomorrow's paper.

I can't be sure they're going to go all the way, but I'm keeping the faith like Billy Joel. So put away those brooms, haters. Tonight is a night of celebration.