Entertaining Posts: 09/18/11

Sunday, September 18, 2011

"Boardwalk Empire" brings Martin Scorsese an Emmy

LOS ANGELES | Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:26am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - He is one of the greatest American film directors working, but on Sunday night it was the world of U.S. television that Martin Scorsese ruled over, winning an Emmy for directing drama "Boardwalk Empire."

The pilot episode of the series, which is set in 1930s Prohibition-era Atlantic City at a time when mob bosses ruled that seaside town, was directed by Scorsese, and if he had his way, the maker of "GoodFellas" and "Raging Bull" said he'd like to direct more.

""I've always dreamed of working on a project where the characters can develop over a period of time," Scorsese told reporters backstage at the Emmys. "You can develop plot, characters ... and get more done over a longer period of time. It gives you more license and much more freedom."

Scorsese, 68, had been nominated for Oscars, the film industry's top honors, seven times before finally winning for directing his 2006 hit "The Departed."

Yet even though he plays at the top of his game in film, he said it was nerve-racking sitting in the Emmy audience and waiting to see if his name would be called.

"I was extremely nervous," he said. "I must say it is something I never dreamed of. It's a different medium, although we approach 'Boardwalk Empire' as a film, a very long film. It's just as exciting."

He told reporters that the type of television dramas being made now on cable TV networks such as HBO, where "Boardwalk Empires" airs, were of a quality that directors like Scorsese had longed for back in the 1960s but failed to materialize on broadcast networks looking for the widest possible audiences.

"You have the opportunity here now. You can do something really extraordinary now. This is the time," he said.

Other Scorsese films include "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "The Color of Money," "Casino," "The Aviator" and "Gangs of New York." He also has directed documentary films. His new nonfiction feature, "George Harrison: Living in the Material World," will premiere on HBO in October.

(Reporting by Zorianna Kit and Bob Tourtellotte; Writing by Bob Tourtellotte; Editing by Sheri Linden)

Emmy fashions lean toward bright colors, simple lines

By Zorianna Kit

LOS ANGELES | Sun Sep 18, 2011 11:43pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Playing up one of the most popular colors of the fall season, the red carpet was awash in a variety of crimson and scarlet dresses at the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday.

"One of fall's hottest trend colors is crimson, and the stars didn't miss a beat on the Emmy's red carpet this year," said style expert Sam Saboura, citing Lea Michele, Kate Winslet, Nina Dobrev, Kerry Washington and Adrianne Palicki among the many stars wearing the bold color.

Even actor Allan Cumming opted for the hue, wearing red pants with his tuxedo jacket.

Additionally, bright blues and aquas -- showcased during this past week's Fashion Week as colors to wear next spring -- showed up on stars like Cobie Smulders, Claire Danes and Amy Poehler.

"Sleeves were everywhere," observed fashion watcher Shara Koplowitz. "Actresses wore sleeves that best accentuated their arms."

That meant short sleeves on Michele, Poehler and Gwyneth Paltrow, capped sleeves on Winslet and Christine Baranski, and long sleeves on Laura Linney, Melissa McCarthy, Loretta Devine, Jayma Mays and Mayim Bialik.

For Bialik, wearing long sleeves was not a fashion choice, but a religious one.

"I'm a Jewish person, and for me, my goal was to try and cover up at least to the elbows, and (a hem that goes) all the way to the ground," said the "Big Bang Theory" actress. "I'm a modest dresser, so I was looking for something that wasn't strapless."

With the inordinate amount of sleeves came less jewelry. "The more dress you have on, the less jewelry you wear," said Koplowitz. "You can't go for flash. It has to be understated."

SIMPLE SILHOUETTES PREFERRED

Of course, there are always some exceptions. Koplowitz felt Christina Hendricks' "va-va-voom" dress was "a bit out of place" at the Emmys, and the jury is still out on how appropriate Paltrow's sheer-midriff gown fared with fashionistas.

"Too much sparkle and shine is overkill for the Emmys," said Saboura. "That should be saved for bigger award shows. Big looks don't translate to the TV world. Simple-silhouetted dresses without any fuss are more appropriate."

Other stars dressed for reasons beyond the fashion impact. Melissa Leo, a nominee for her supporting performance in "Mildred Pierce," wore a black Renato Balestra dress emblazoned with roses, which she picked out from the designer's fall collection. Her son also wore Balestra."

"I'm so deeply delighted to be here on this television night," Leo said. "TV supported me and my son most of the years of his upbringing. I wanted to represent in an elegant way. The dress with the rose on it said it -- and said it quite personally."

Meanwhile, Cara Buono, of "Mad Men," chose to promote a cause with the Fonderie 47 earrings she wore with her custom-made Donna Karan gown.

"These earrings are made from AK-47 gun metal in Africa," said the actress, adding that money from sale of the jewelry goes to fund weapon destruction in countries like Congo.

"Each pair of earrings will destroy up to 800 weapons," Buono said.

(Editing by Sheri Linden, Bob Tourtellotte and Eric Walsh)

"Modern Family" wins early Emmys on night of surprises

By Jill Serjeant

LOS ANGELES | Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:22pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Modern Family" dominated the early stages of the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday in a night of surprises and rewards for several newcomers.

The ABC mockumentary about three assorted couples won four trophies, bringing first-time wins for Julie Bowen and her screen husband Ty Burrell in the supporting acting slots.

"Oh my God! Are you kidding me?. I don't know what I am going to talk about in therapy now," an astonished Bowen said.

"Modern Family" also won Emmys for directing and writing, putting it in a commanding position to win best comedy series later on Sunday for the second straight year.

"Welcome back to the 'Modern Family' awards!" Emmy host Jane Lynch quipped.

Best drama series -- the evening's other top prize -- will be handed at the end of the three-hour ceremony and sees "Mad Men" bidding for a fourth victory against stiff competition.

Julianna Margulies, star of "The Good Wife", beat Elisabeth Moss of "Mad Men" in the race for best dramatic actress, while Kyle Chandler of "Friday Night Lights" crushed the hopes of front-runner Jon Hamm as best drama actor.

The stylish 1960s advertising drama also lost the best drama writing award to "Friday Night Lights".

Melissa McCarthy won lead comedy actress at her first shot for her role in "Mike & Molly" on CBS, in which she plays a teacher who falls in love with a man she meets at an overeaters group. McCarthy also wowed critics with her turn in raunchy summer comedy "Bridesmaids."

Jim Parsons made it two in a row for his lead comedy actor role as the geeky physicist of "The Big Bang Theory."

"I am really flabbergasted. I am more shocked this year," Parsons told reporters backstage.

Parson's win meant a fifth Emmy defeat for departing "The Office" star Steve Carell, who had been tipped to finally win an Emmy after his final season as clueless manager Michael Scott.

Margo Martindale was an emotional first-time Emmy winner for her supporting actress drama role in "Justified", which came after more than 20 years in the business.

"Sometimes, things just take time. But with time comes great appreciation," Martindale said.

Emmy rookie Peter Dinklage won for his turn as the clever but rude Tyrion in HBO's popular medieval fantasy series "Game of Thrones."

A smiling and apparently sincere Charlie Sheen, on the comeback trail after months of erratic behavior that resulted in his firing from CBS hit "Two and A Half Men," was one of the night's biggest surprises.

"From the bottom of my heart, I wish you nothing but the best for this upcoming season," Sheen, a presenter, said on the television industry's biggest night.

"American Idol" -- the most-watched show on U.S. television for the past seven years -- was left empty-handed again in the reality competition show race, which was won by long-running Emmy favorite "The Amazing Race."

Julianna Margulies wins best drama actress Emmy

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Tony Curtis collection tops $1 million at auction

LOS ANGELES | Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:38pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Fine art, jewelry and Hollywood memorabilia owned by Tony Curtis -- including the yachtsman jacket he wore in "Some Like It Hot" -- brought in over $1 million on the auction block on Saturday, more than twice the presale estimates.

Curtis, who enjoyed a 60-year career in show business before his death in 2010 at age 85, appeared in more than 100 films and received an Oscar nomination for the 1958 drama "The Defiant Ones." He was an art lover and painter as well.

The estate items on sale at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills featured property Curtis acquired throughout his life, from the time he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II to the 2000s. The presale estimate on the collection was $500,000.

Highlights included the Andy Warhol "Some Like It Hot" shoe lithograph, signed by Warhol to Curtis around 1955, which sold for $53,125; the "Some Like It Hot" yachtsman jacket, which sold for $46,875; and a signed Marc Chagall colored lithograph, which raised $23,125.

Collectibles on offer also included earthenware vases by Pablo Picasso, which fetched $20,625, and a sterling silver cigarette case from the John Kennedy/Lyndon Johnson inauguration, which sold for $6,875.

Curtis' Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque brought in $10,000.

Among Curtis' most memorable movies were the Billy Wilder comedy "Some Like It Hot," co-starring Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe. His credits include "Spartacus," "The Boston Strangler" and "The Defiant Ones," in which he played a white prison escapee who is chained to a black man, portrayed by Sidney Poitier.

While his Hollywood career was glamorous, Curtis' personal life was racked by turmoil and change. He was married five times. His first and most famous wife was actress Janet Leigh.

A portion of the proceeds from the auction will benefit Shiloh Horse Rescue, a charitable organization founded by Curtis and his wife, Jill, that rescues and rehabilitates abused, neglected and slaughter-bound horses.

(Writing by Sheri Linden; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

"Mad Men" tries to fend off "Boardwalk" at Emmys

By Jill Serjeant

LOS ANGELES | Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:06am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Television's "Mad Men" will bid for a fourth straight Emmy on Sunday, hoping to fend off the Prohibition-era gangsters of "Boardwalk Empire" and the warring kings and knights of "Game of Thrones" for the industry's top honors.

After months of anticipation, the stars and creators of dozens of comedies and dramas gather in Los Angeles for the annual Prime-time Emmy Awards ceremony that celebrates the best of television.

More than 20 Emmys will be handed out on Sunday in a live telecast on the Fox network hosted by "Glee" star Jane Lynch, who could find herself accepting an acting award for her role as a sarcastic cheerleading coach on the hit musical comedy.

But all eyes will be on the top prizes -- for best comedy and drama series -- and some major upsets could be in store, especially in the acting categories.

ABC mockumentary and 2010 Emmy comedy series winner "Modern Family" goes into Sunday's awards with 17 nominations, including acting mentions for all six of its stars.

That puts it in a commanding position for a repeat victory over rivals "Glee," "The Office," "Parks and Recreation" and "The Big Bang Theory."

The contest for best drama is much closer. HBO's lavish new show "Boardwalk Empire," with 18 nominations, has already taken Golden Globe and Screen Actor's Guild trophies and is regarded as a major contender, despite the 19 nods to "Mad Men," the 1960s advertising drama on AMC.

Medieval fantasy series "Game of Thrones," which proved a surprise success for HBO, has an army of fans, while CBS lawyer show "The Good Wife" starring Julianna Margulies topped an Xfinity TV poll on Facebook as favorite drama. "Dexter" and "Friday Night Lights" make up the other drama contenders.

ACTORS & ACTRESSES

Margulies also is the front-runner for best dramatic actress, along with Elisabeth Moss, who plays the quiet but feisty young Peggy Olson of "Mad Men."

"It is such a great showcase for Moss. It is quite a contest. I think Margulies will win, but it is very close," said Tom O'Neil of awards website TheEnvelope.com.

Jon Hamm, who plays suave but enigmatic Don Draper in "Mad Men," also is hoping to clinch his first Emmy this year.

"Hamm is the lead star of this Emmy-anointed show who has never won. But he has got to watch out for Steve Buscemi on 'Boardwalk Empire,'" said O'Neil.

The HBO miniseries "Mildred Pierce" has a leading 21 nominations and is expected to deliver an acting Emmy for its star, British actress Kate Winslet.

But surprises could be in store for Emmy newcomer Melissa McCarthy of comedy "Mike & Molly," who also stole the show in the summer movie "Bridesmaids".

"She is an outstanding comedic actress. She was also so funny and winning in 'Bridesmaids' and I think audiences got her and she won new fans," said Todd Gold, managing editor of Xfinity TV.

The popular reality competition slot is also a cliffhanger. Victory may finally be at hand for America's most-watched show "American Idol," but "Dancing with the Stars" or "So You Think You Can Dance" could waltz away with the Emmy.

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Xavier Briand)