VIDEO: My Interview with Stan Lee: 1st Annual Geekie Awards

I know many of you saw my photos from the Geekie Awards, but here's my official interview with the legendary Stan Lee and actor Seth Green who presented the very first Geekie award ever to him. It was an honor to interview the Marvel icon. I hope I'm as virile at 90. See our interview below...and let me know if my geek cred went up a notch in the comments below.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Who Are You Wearing?: 1st Annual Geekie Awards Edition

I guess I need to wear the color blue more often...I received so many comments on this dress. Thank you!

Here are the details on the entire outfit:

Dress:  Taylor Petites (Nordstrom on sale for $82.80!)
Shoes: Guess (Winter 2007 at $110, You've seen them before here and here.)
Bracelet: Secret of Treasures, New York ($2.99, If you haven't checked this place out, look here.)
Ring: Alexander Kalifano ($20)
Necklace: Sorrelli (Compliments of Sorrelli.)

Hair: Elizabeth H. at DryBar
Makeup: Blushington

A Look Back at the 53rd Annual Academy Awards

This gem was just posted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences yesterday. It shows the opening of the 53rd Annual Academy Awards and the red carpet looks downright quaint. The ceremony was delayed by a day due to the assassination attempt the day before on President Ronald Reagan, so the stars showed up the next day on March 31, 1981. (I wish the show was still in late March, that red carpet would be a lot warmer for ladies in evening gowns.)

Robert De Niro, Best Actor, Raging Bull

Watch the eight-minute video because it really showcases an era of entertainment and red carpet that we will never see again. With an announcer describing celebrities like Mary Tyler Moore as "popular" and a healthy and vibrant-looking Michael Jackson escorting Diana Ross to the show, you might get a bit wistful.

Take a look back at 1981 Academy Awards.

Robert Redford, Best Director, Ordinary People

Bet you didn't know Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters were an item back in the day.

Johnny Carson hosted the show in his tux and tails, elegant, reverent and classy. I doubt we will ever see the ceremony helmed the way Carson and Bob Hope did the show, but then again, I actually was entertained by Seth MacFarlane's "We Saw Your Boobs" this year. 

If you've missed my other posts on the Oscars, take a look back at 1989, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Timothy Hutton, Best Supporting Actor, Ordinary People

Who Wore It Best?: Anne Heche, Cheryl Burke or...

It's time for another round of Who Wore It Best? Again, it's with the amazing creations of Gilbert Chagoury of Chagoury Couture who has designed my Oscar dress for the last three years. His work is incredible especially when it comes to the beadwork on the gowns.

I was super excited to see the dress was worn by two celebs including Anne Heche of NBC's Save Me and Cheryl Burke of DWTS. I like seeing the contrast of blondes versus a brunette wearing the gown. It shows you that a well-designed dress looks good on many different complexions, body types and hair color.

Time for the big survey! It's just for fun, so vote away.

Who Wore It Best?

Anne Heche of NBC's Save Me

Cheryl Burke of ABC's DWTS

Kristyn Burtt of ABTV's DWTS

Who Cares?

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PHOTOS: The Hangover III Premiere

Yep, I was on the red carpet for the premiere of The Hangover III for Press Pass LA on Monday night. My article will be up shortly, but I thought you might enjoy a few fun personal photos from the evening.  (Also, check out my Facebook page for my mug right before the action began!)

Will you be seeing The Hangover III or are you already tired of the franchise?

 Just wanted to show you the back of Jamie Chung's dress...gorgeous!

 Mmmbop, mmmbop...what the heck comes next?

 Bradley Cooper drank his coffee all the way down the red carpet in his pumpkin suit. Maybe it was a pumpkin latte?

Bradley Cooper chatting with director Todd Phillips...discussing pumpkin lattes?

 The cast!

 Heather Graham looked gorgeous in emerald green.

Ed Helms looking a little like Hugh Grant in profile.

Zach Galiafinakis...finally learned to spell his last name correctly for this caption.

2013 White House Correspondents Dinner: The Good and Bad Red Carpet Fashions

#NerdProm is here!  Yes, the annual White House Correspondents Dinner has become one of the coveted red carpets to cover and one of the biggest parties of the year. I want in! Alas, I am not there, but I am happy to weigh in on a few of the fashions that marched down the red carpet on Saturday.

Let's take a glance at what everyone wore:

1. Hayden Panettiere:  Too prom?  The hair and the side draping on her hips scream, "I'm a Southern Belle or Disney's Belle or I just want to be Belle!" Dress: Katharine Kidd

2. Julie Bowen:  I've asked her to eat a meal or two in the past and I think she looks fit and healthy now. However, she has too much Botox on the forehead and it's actually making one of her eyes droop. Look for yourself. Injectables are fine, as long as you don't overdo it. Oh, and the Laura Bush hair ages her. Just a no. Dress: Monique Lhuillier

3. Katy Perry:  I love it when she dresses up and shows off a more feminine side. She's very pretty...but is that a white panty line I spot? Dress: Giambattista Valli

4. Olivia Munn:  This is the best I have ever seen her look on a red carpet. Gorgeous! That statement necklace is to die for. Dress: Marchesa

5. Sofia Vergara:  This woman's body is amazing...fit, curvy, and she showcases her shape. She always wears her hair down, but I think with this outfit, it's the perfect choice. I also love the teal dress and magenta jewelry color contrast.  Dress: Karen Caldwell

 6. Amy Poehler: She's been looking smashing since her split with Will Arnett, but this dress isn't doing much for her. I think the cap sleeves bug me even though the detailing at the waist is pretty. Dress: Basler

7. Claire Danes:  This color is stunning on her and I don't think we have seen her in blue in ages.  I think the Farrah 'do is wrong for this dress and I want a little more tailoring of the outfit on her slight frame. Dress: Prada

8. Kerry Washington:  She's become quite the red carpet fashionista. I love this look on her petite figure. I don't love the bangs. There was a lot of weird hair at the Correspondents Dinner. I have a feeling a lot of first lady hairstylists in DC were hired for this event. It's not Hollywood hair.

9. Kate Mara:  This is very simple and elegant, but I love the splash of color with the lime clutch. The clean hair and makeup look really enhance the whole statement. 

10. Patricia Arquette:  Oh dear. That is all.

Take a look at last year's fashions at the 2012 White House Correspondents Dinner. I feel like last year was a bit more A-list. 

What are your thoughts on this year's fashions? Let me know in the comments below. (I will add the dress designers as I get more info.)

Are You Looking For A Summer Internship?

If you are looking for a fun summer internship, look no further than what 20th Century Fox and Miller Lite are doing for two weeks this summer. In conjunction with upcoming comedy, The Internship, starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson, the two companies are partnering up to offer four friend with are of legal drinking age to experience the job of a lifetime.

While your friends are slaving away in some boring and stuffy law office, you could be spending two weeks in an RV tricked out like a man cave with stops in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Milwaukee, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.  How do some of these tasks sound?

• Checking out the Miller Lite plant
• Hitting a pool party in Vegas
• Sitting in the pit for Brad Keselowski's team on race day
• Walking the red carpet at the premiere of The Internship                                                                       

Ryan Reis, the senior director of marketing for Miller Lite said it best, "Our partnership with ‘The Internship’ film led us to wonder, what would a dream internship with Miller Lite look like? Miller Time is all about great times over a beer with good friends, so the winners had to be a group of friends rather than an individual. And to deliver on the great times part of that equation, we’re going to fill their internship with the type of experiences only Miller Lite can deliver.”     

Here's how to enter:

1. Go to the Miller Lite Facebook page to enter. You have until April 7.
2. You must enter as a set of four and everyone in the group must be of legal drinking age.

From there a panel of judges will select 15 groups of finalists. Finalists will then be interviewed either video conference call or in person in Chicago.  The winners will hit the road with Miller Lite from May 17-May 30.

The Internship hits the big screen on June 7.

Good luck and be safe out there on the road!  Let me know if you win! (And ladies, you should enter...you can always redecorate that man cave.)

Red Carpet Questions: 4 Tips To Survive Your Next Big Premiere

Lately, I have been noticing people are being directed to my blog and looking for "red carpet interview questions" via Google. A discussion about this same topic also came up with one of the media outlets I work for.  Red carpet questions are very specific, so here are 4 tips for your next red carpet interview.

1. "Brevity is the soul of wit": While Shakespeare wasn't talking about the red carpet when he wrote these words in Hamlet, it is a really good phrase to remember. Your red carpet questions should be short, concise and to the point. As any experienced entertainment reporter will tell you, time is of the essence. You might only get one question with a celeb, make it count.  This isn't the time to roll out the question that requires three or four follow-up questions. Save that question for the sit-down interview.

George Clooney is a pro. He can answer red carpet questions with his eyes shut.

2.  Do Your Research:  You should get a tip sheet before the event and at the event, but don't expect to do your research on your iPhone five minutes before the carpet starts.  At big events like the Oscars, data service can be spotty with so many people all trying to tweet, text, and IMDB every A-lister in Hollywood.  Be prepared, it will make you a much better reporter.  Tip: My homepage on my laptop is The Hollywood Reporter. It will keep you updated on the latest industry deals, cancellations, and gossip.

3.  Be Original: When you are the last media outlet on the red carpet, the celebs are exhausted and probably do not want to stop to talk anymore.  So, even if  you have to shout the question at them (and often you will have to do this), make it an original one...even if it sounds absurd.  You will often get the soundbite of the night, a funny quip, or at least a laugh.  BuzzFeed listed "The 10 Dumbest Red Carpet Questions" ever, try to avoid these...although your media probably will want the usual "Who are you wearing?" question.  One other question to avoid is: "What's in your purse tonight?"  If you are totally stuck, these can be your back-up emergency questions, but try not to use them because everyone else does.

4. Kindness and Courtesy: Celebs are human and they go through the same trials and tribulations all of us do. So, don't be that guy on the red carpet who is rude and intrusive, have a little compassion. If you are going to ask super personal questions about someone's divorce, loss, or financial issues, don't be direct and ask, "What has life been like since your husband cheated on you, left you broke, took the kids, and then divorced you?" You aren't going to make any friends.  Try something softer like, "When you are faced with challenges in life, what have you learned about yourself?"  You will get a soundbite and much more appreciative celeb.

I hope this helps your next red carpet adventure.  If you have more tips or questions, feel free to add them to the comments section below.  As always, you can tweet, Facebook, or Google + me, too!

On The Red Carpet With Sofia Alves

Sometimes when you are at the biggest event in Hollywood, you need a little perspective. Well, I got that perspective from Sofia Alves who traveled all the way from Portugal as a part of the Make-A-Wish program.  They flew her in to see the red carpet action at the Oscars.  The group then surprised her with the opportunity to walk the red carpet and hold an Oscar statuette. What a fun night!

I've been working with IBM with their #MySmarterCommerce campaign and how technology affects my career and my life.  It is stories like this that make me so proud to work in the online space and introduce you to a special girl like Sofia.


It was such a pleasure to meet you, Sofia! (By the way, she's on Twitter:  @ana_ralves)

My interview with Sofia Alves:


Photo courtesy of James Molnar

Final Oscar Photos

 This is probably the last set of photos from the Oscars. Phew.  These were taken by Tyrone Roberts who followed me to several Oscar Week events and photographed all of the action.  You can see more of his work here.

I also did a fun wrap-up with Nic Baisley of Film Snobbery about what happened behind the scenes and we talked about the Anne Hathaway backlash at great length.

Interview with Japanese TV

With my pal, Jordan Carson. You might remember her from last year's Oscar photos.

With one of my favorite film experts, Leonard Maltin.

And the photographer himself in front of the camera, Tyrone Roberts!

Photos courtesy of Tyrone Roberts, B Natural Photography

A Sneak Peek At My Oscars Jewelry

Year three of Oscars Week begins!

Given the number of views from yesterday's post, you sure like to read about shoes. I gave you a glimpse at the Stuart Weitzman platform shoes I am planning on wearing on Sunday. It may change as my stylist, Roni B., is not 100% sold on that shoe just yet.  She wants 1/2 of an inch more height.  We will see what happens.  

Yesterday, we picked out the final jewelry looks from Charles Winston. He has provided me jewelry over the last few years. You can see my 2011 look here and my 2012 look here. This year, we had to work with the beading on the dress.  It is much more dramatic, so the jewelry had to tell a different story than in years past. I don't want to give it all away, but I thought you might like to look at a piece or two.  

 I am wearing three rings this year. Only one of these rings made the edit, can you guess which one?

I tried this ring on early and even tweeted it yesterday. I was obsessed from the moment I saw it. This will definitely be on my hand on Sunday. The exciting thing is that I always get to keep one piece of jewelry after the Oscars each year. Can you guess which one I am already eyeing? 

 It was also a cold, wet morning on the red carpet. The red carpet has not been laid down yet. That should happen this morning, as long as the weather holds out.  We've had some rain in the last few days. The good news is that Sunday is expected to be sunny and hopefully, a little warm.

Yep, it was wet and ugly out there.

If you are interested in a little Oscar dance scoop, find out the names of the SYTYCD cast members who are performing on Sunday's show. It's a pretty good list. 

To follow my most up-to-date information on Oscars Week, make sure to follow me on Twitter.