I’m at The Beverly Hilton on the red carpet soaking in the madness on the red carpet of the 75th Golden Globes Awards. Honestly, I don’t know how and why I continue to be asked to cover this event. But, I am so thankful, because the organized chaos of an awards show held at a hotel (instead of a traditional theatre venue) is something you should experience at least once. What’s it like? Take a look…

Most of you already know that the red carpet was painted black in a fashion sea of protests and Oprah practically announced her presidential candidacy with her powerful speech and Time’s Up was the theme of the politically charged night. But, as you know, all of the real fun happens off camera, including Tom Hanks making sure the martinis were served on point and over $20 million of jewelry and watches were worn last night.

Hanks, the four-time Golden Globe winner, impressively played waiter for his crew, delivering a tray of martinis while winding his way through the crowd.

As always there is a no-photo rule in the International Ballroom, but the Rock arrived and everyone wanted to smell what he was cooking. Dwayne Johnson, whose sixteen-year-old daughter Simone Garcia Johnson was this year’s Golden Globes Ambassador, had a posse of followers eager to breaks the photo rule. Looking extra handsome with his salt-and-pepper goatee and super white teeth obliged all.

The Rock with his daughter, Simone Garcia Johnson, and Thor (Chris Hemsworth)

If you saw the sea of black on the red carpet you know that most of the actresses in attendance signed on to the Time’s Up initiative. Their unity hit the forefront away from the cameras after Natalie Portman announced “the all-male nominees” for best director. Kerry Washington pumped her arms and gave a high-five to Eva Longoria who was sitting right next to her. Speaking of which…

Kerry Washington vamps at the after parties while Debra Messing and Eva Longoria look on.

Yes, it was a tough night to be a guy at the 75th Golden Globes. Women were abundantly vocal about harassment and their fight for gender parity*, however men were mostly quiet. Host Seth Meyers was a noteworthy exception, acknowledging that a white man may not have been the perfect host for the movement but filling his monologue with enough self-deprecation and righteous barbs to ease any concerns – or maybe he had some smart writers. Otherwise, mum was the word for men about the subject, with their biggest statements made in the form of fashionable lapel pins.

(*) I mean multiple Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams received less than 1% of Mark Wahlberg’s paycheck for reshoots of their film All the Money in the World. Yikes!

“I want to give room to the women that don’t normally have voices to talk about their sexual assault and rape and I’m listening. They need to know that it’s not their fault and they’re not dirty and that’s my message tonight.” –Viola Davis

The Feud Continues? When Jennifer Aniston appeared onstage, all eyes were on the Friends icon. Well, all except two, it seems. Seated at a table near the stage, Angelina Jolie appeared to look down and ignore Aniston as she presented an award. Super Awkward. 

Golden Globes Gallery

Alexi Ashe with hubby Seth Meyers on the carpet.

Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer have a Help reunion.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel retained their throne a Hollywood’s Royal Couple.

Backstage, us writers in the press room had access to buckets of beer on ice.

Obi-Wan, er, Ewan McGregor, won for his role in Fargo.

Elisabeth Moss won for The Handmaid’s Tale while Connie Britton wore a $380 “Poverty is Sexist” sweater.

Penelope Cruz always dazzles.

Michelle Williams (right) with civil rights advocate Tarana Burke who started the #MeToo movement.

My tix to the show!

The post Eavesdropping at the 2018 Golden Globes appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

According to those who care about me (yeah, yeah, oxymoron) I spend an inordinate amount of time at Staples Center from October to May each year. I mean, who wouldn’t? Kings, Lakers, concerts. There’s also the Clippers, but no one cares.

Today I’m back at Staples Center—media pass in hand—to cover the unveiling of former Lakers superstar Shaquille O’Neal. If you’re not a basketball fan, you still might know him as the player with the most noms de plume in the history of sports:

-The Big Aristotle
-Diesel
-Shaq Daddy
-Wilt Chamberneezy
-Big Shaqtus
-Superman
-Big Shamrock

Statue unveiling are seldom worthy of a blog column or covering other to see stars are breathe the same air they breathe. I’ve covered some of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremonies…Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry, Kate Winslet, LL Cool J, Jeff Lynne, and more…but I always dream of a ceremony like the time Clubber Lang mocked Rocky Balboa in Rocky III. Lang was desperate to get Rocky into the ring and started insulting Adrian:

Then it was on. Well, kind of. *-See the clip below to see how to call out someone at a press conference or a statue unveiling. Yet, I digress…

Shaquille O’Neal with his new statue.

Shaq (also a nickname) became the latest Lakers legend to be honored in sculpture form at the Staples Center. Fellow Lakers legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Phil Jackson, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant joined the fun at an unveiling ceremony, during which the imposing 1,000 pound statue was formally revealed.

This isn’t any statue, it’s possible the greatest statue in the history of sports tributes.

The mammoth sculpture depicts O’Neal pulling down a basketball rim as a freshly-dunked ball drops through through the rippling net. At almost nine feet tall, the statue is just a bit larger than Shaq himself. It’s only fitting that Shaq be honored in bronze. Lakers president Jeanie Buss pointed out that O’Neal broke ground for Staples Center in 1998 and was the leader of a team that brought the venue’s its first three titles.

This is the eighth statue honoring a Los Angeles sports icon to be unveiled at the Staples Center’s Star Plaza—though O’Neal is one of the few to have actually played in the building.

Shaq Ceremony Highlights:

* – Clubber Lang provokes Rocky Balboa at his own statue ceremony:

Luc Robitaille / Los Angeles Kings

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar / Los Angeles Lakers

Oscar De La Hoya

Jerry West / Los Angeles Lakers

Sorry…didn’t cover this one…Wayne Gretzky / / Los Angeles Kings

Marge Hearn with her late husband’s statue…Chick Hearn / Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson / Los Angeles Lakers

Sorry, didn’t cover this one either…Los Angeles Kings 50th Anniversary

The post Statue Unveilings appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

Kathy Bates, Diane Kruger, The Clooneys and Helen Mirren all supported with Hashtag Activism.

Okay, so where am I? 

I’m writing from this from one of the quasi VIP lounges at LAX (destination?: Parts Unknown) on this fancy, new vintage writing accessory from Querkywriter (no, this is not a paid endorsement…).

You know, there is something special about the heavy, mechanical feel of an old typewriter keyboard. You can feel the keys working as you type, offering a deeper and infinitely more tactile experience than contemporary flat, plastic keyboards. The only problem is that typewriter keyboards are attached to old typewriters. They are heavy, they need ink, and you can’t work on one in Starbucks lest you reach the upper echelon of hipster douchedom. More on that later…

Katherine Heigl literally shined on stage with David Duchovny.

 On a 60 degree evening who would have guessed that sweat was back?! During the ceremony, everyone looked like their agents just told them their shows were cancelled or a big part went elsewhere. Bright and shiny was definitely in. Hundreds of stars, including Clive Owen and Katherine Heigl, sported glistening foreheads while fanning themselves as soon as the teleprompter shoo’ed them away. Management at the luxury hotel insisted that the air conditioning was on full blast. Perhaps it was too much whiskey — I mean even Kevin Spacey brought his drink on stage to accept his Globe (that’s how he rolls) — or maybe it was the air; all I know is that I’ll feel a lot less awkward sweating in the future.

“And one last thing: to reiterate what we’ve all been talking about, today was an extraordinary day,” said Clooney. “There were millions of people who marched not just in Paris, but around the world. And they were Christians and Jews and Muslims. They were leaders of countries all over the world. And they didn’t march in protest; they marched in support of the idea that we will not walk in fear. We won’t do it. So, Je Suis Charlie.”

“We are a little bit out of touch in Hollywood every once in a while, I think,” Clooney said. “It’s probably a good thing. We’re the ones who talked about AIDS when it was just being whispered, and we talked about civil rights when it wasn’t really popular. And we, you know, we bring up subjects, we are the ones—this Academy, this group of people gave Hattie McDaniel an Oscar in 1939 when blacks were still sitting in the backs of theaters. I’m proud to be a part of this Academy, proud to be part of this community, and proud to be out of touch.”

Gina Rodriguez Made Us Cry

Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez was the CW network’s first Golden Globes nominee and today she’s their Golden Globe winner! Judging by where she was sitting (aka the nosebleed section which was much closer to Hollywood than Beverly Hills) this was quite an upside win. Once she made her long hike to the podium, she unleashed her words that lefts us all a little weepy:

“This award is so much more than myself,” she said. “It represents a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes.”

Not-So-Candid Globes Moments

Sweating up a storm with (l to r) Camila Alves, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Matthew McConaughey.

Big thumbs up from Salma Hayek.

JLo and her Golden Globes

Hollywood’s Royal Couple: George and Amal Clooney

Emily Blunt and that guy from The Office.

Good Girl Rosamund Pike dressing oh so bad on the red carpet.

Qwerkywriter

I led the column with a tease about my new keyboard. The Qwerkywriter from Qwerkytoys is an authentic mechanical typewriter keyboard that can be used with your desktop, laptop, or even tablet. You can get that retro feel from a typewriter without eschewing modern conveniences like inserting and deleting. After almost $130,000 on Kickstarter, the Qwertywriter is headed for mass production, with units shipping summer 2015. For now, you can preorder a Qwerkywriter for around $300.

The post Sweaty Globes appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

Ok. Ok. I know. Fox Entertainment was supposed to run the full story. Perhaps I was a bit too full of myself. Regardless, here is the unabashed, unabridged version of wild news stories.

First up, gorgeous Amanda Seyfried is letting the world know she was much hotter during her younger years. The actress told Ellen DeGeneres that she used to have “huge breasts” but that changed when she lost 10 pounds after moving to Los Angeles. We can give her some pointers on how to put the weight back on.

Amanda Seyfried with Jessica Chastain at the 2013 Oscars.

A new twist on the old line “I was really drunk last night…Brad Pitt on Jennifer Aniston marriage. 


Next, have you heard of cat bearding? It’s a viral trend where people take their cats and, well, wear them as beards. Need a visual? Check it out to see some insane examples. 


Indianapolis Prostitution Ring busted. $200,000 found in the Sheraton safe! 

(c) REUTERS

In Indy, they make $700 an hour. In Cannes, prostitutes can make $40,000 … a night? 


It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a … UFO? California UFOs? We want to believe!


Still the “IT” girl…Marilyn Monroe photos stolen. 


Finally, if you don’t feel like working out, we have all the reasons why you should avoid hitting the gym. Click the video to find out more.  

The post Need a break? Here are some wild news stories… appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

The Media Guy grabs his sack of mail…Well, I resisted and resisted; but no longer. The mailbox is full and
alas, people need answers. So, without fanfare, here are genuine emails from my
irreverent readers.

Adam Ant’s Librarian

Twinkies: Yippie-keye-ay!

Q: Not since Reginald VelJohnson rattled off Twinkies’ to John McClane in
Die Hard [sugar-enriched flour, partially hydrogenated vegetable
oil…polysorbate 60… and yellow dye number five] have I longed for a late
night tastes of the golden crème-filled cakes. Will they ever grace the shelves
at Winn-Dixie again?

How about that 600 pounder?

Q: I feel like Woody Harrelson in Zombieland, searching for the last
Twinkie on Earth. I guess they did have an expiration date. Help!

1. Before the big day, drive her wild with anticipation by telling her
   that you have the most amazing surprise for her. This promise will keep her
   guessing and make her think about your evening.
2. Know her favorite flowers. If you don’t, don’t panic. You can find
   out by making a comment, like “I’ve noticed plants blooming early this year …”
   and steer the conversation from there. In a beautiful vase, arrange an exotic
   bouquet and hide it somewhere in your home on the special day. She’ll like that
   you created the presentation.
3. Go to your local chocolate shop and select her favorite kinds of
   chocolate. Have it boxed and nicely wrapped to prevent her from knowing what it
   is when you present the chocolates to her.
4. Create a dish and name it after her. For example, if her name is
   Anne, you might call the dish “Tournedos Princess Anne.” This step is the most
   important. I can assure you that after having spent time in some top-notch
   restaurants, food that is named after a person is a special honor. We all know
   how women love it when their men do the cooking. What I do is cut and precook
   the vegetables, and I even make the sauce beforehand to make sure I get it as
   perfect as I can. Leave everything in the fridge. Then, on Valentine’s Day, I
   set the table before I start the cooking part. On both plates, place a fresh
   RED ROSE. The single rose is just part of making her think that that is all the
   flowers she will be getting (but we know differently). When she gets home, make
   sure to get her to promise you that she’ll stay out of the kitchen. Tell her
   not to spoil the surprise!
5. When everything is ready, plate the food, cover it and take it to
   the dining table, and then ask her to come and sit. Before you uncover the lid,
   have her close her eyes. Retrieve the hidden bouquet, place the flowers on the
   table, and ask her to open her eyes. Pay attention to how she responds. Tell
   her what you’ve named the dish. But that’s not all – after the meal, take her
   by the hand, walk her to the living room and sit her down. Bring out the boxed
   chocolate, go on one knee and tell her, “This is for you,” or, “You make me
   feel whole,” or, “You are the most beautiful woman in the world and I love
   you.”

The post The Media Guy Grabs His Sack appeared first on Media Guy Struggles.

Melissa Leo opened “Meet the Oscars / credit: Peter Dressel / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Okay, so where am I?


I wandered the plastic-covered red carpet at the Kodak Theatre on Wednesday looking for the story of the day. All of the good stuff was happening in Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal New York. There, Oscar fans were the first to see the actual Oscar statuettes that will be presented to the Best Actor and Best Actress winners at this Sunday. The 1987 Best Actor Oscar awarded to Michael Douglas for his Wall Street performance was there as well.

A few of my colleagues were there and they said it was a fabulous morning. I could wax poetic all day about New York, Grand Central and walking everywhere you go as I debate here, but then a little birdy dressed in a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department uniform said these magic words:

“Jennifer Aniston is getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in forty-five minutes.”

Her bodyguard wouldn’t let her stop to talk to the Media Guy.

Faster than you can say “Free Starbucks” I was hoofing it to Hollywood and Vine, which at the time seemed like a good idea. However, with the wrong Ferragamos on my feet and thirty pounds of camera equipment in tow, the ten blocks seemed more like a trek through the unpaved roads of Sicily.

When I arrived to the ceremony which was directly across from the Pantages Theater and inform of the W Hotel, it was, needless to say, packed. At least 1,000 people, maybe more. I didn’t have a press pass and there was no place to camp out for the best shot.

Call it divine intervention.  Call it The Media Guy Timing. Call it whatever you like, but I lucked out standing in front of the Metro station entrance. This stumbled upon nook-and-cranny-of-space that the security guards left unfettered, would wind up being the catwalk area that hosted the celebs walking from the hotel to the microphones.

I was in the perfect spot to see everyone — Adam Sandler, Wanderlust co-star Malin Ackerman, John Aniston, Justin Theroux and the star of the day — walk in.

“Wait a minute…let me get my bearings…where’s Michael?” (…a boy can dream)

On this 75-degree, clear Los Angeles day, Aniston became the first of her “Friends” to be awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her brief 2:10 speech was packed with humbleness and enthusiasm as she mused exclaiming that one of her “wildest dreams” had come true. “I was born in Sherman Oaks, CA. I am a California girl through and through. And I’m sure this has always sort of been in the back of my mind,” she said.

As she received the 2,462nd star Walk of Fame, she concluded with, “I am utterly humbled and grateful to all of the fans who have come out today and supported me throughout my career. … I love you!”

credit: TODD WAWRYCHUK / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Oscars Notes

The four Oscar-winning actors from the 83rd Academy Awards – Christian Bale (left), Colin Firth (right), Melissa Leo (right center) and Natalie Portman – will present at the 84th Academy Awards, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced today.

Meryl Streep, Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis will also present at the awards, while Tony Bennett will perform at the Governors Ball on Oscar® Sunday.

More Walk of Fame Photos

“I’m going to get on all fours, so this could get interesting…” – Jennifer Aniston

Malin Ackerman was the first celebrity on the scene.

Adam Sandler remarked that he “wore my best shirt for you today…”

“I was born in Sherman Oaks…it was always on my mind to get a star.”

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