The 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards Are Handed Out

'The Bold & The Beautiful' wins Best Daytime Drama for the first time ever!!!
Monday, August 31st, 2009

Daytime television’s biggest night took place at The Orpheum Theatre here in Los Angeles, CA where the 2009 Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out in a lavish ceremony hosted by actress/singer Vanessa Williams. The daytime drama The Bold & The Beautiful (one of my faves) took home the big prize of Best Daytime Drama for the first time in it’s 22 year history while Christian LeBlanc, from The Young & The Restless (another of my faves), took home the aware for Best Actor. Here are a few pics from the red carpet arrivals at last night’s affair:


Yes, Stacy Haiduk (who plays Mary Jane Benson/Patty Williams a crazy woman who believes her dead cat is still alive after losing her mind a bit by changing her entire face in order to stalk and seduce Jack Abbott on Y&R) brought a stuffed cat with her as her date to the Daytime Emmys … but it’s okay cuz her crazy-ass character on the show made that stuffed cat a star! While there were a lot of awards handed out last night, the big enchilada went to The Bold & The Beautiful. After the jump, check out a few photos from the show itself and a few photos of some of the winners posing with their new Emmys in the press room after the awards were handed out — plus, read all about B&B’s big win which was 22 years in the making …

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The 2009 GLAAD Media Awards Are Handed Out

Visibility is key
Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Celebs from the big screen, the small screen, the stage and more made their way out to the Nokia Theatre here in downtown Los Angeles, CA yesterday evening to attend and participate in the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards … which honors achievement in GLBT visibility in the media. Here are a few photos from the awards show itself and some info from the glitzy ceremony:


Civil rights group GLAAD honored the movie “Milk” and singled-out Reverend Gene Robinson and comedian Kathy Griffin for their work at a Saturday night gala highlighting issues such as gay marriage and equality. Talk program “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” was given a GLAAD Media Award for its episode “Ellen & Portia’s Wedding Day,” covering DeGeneres’ wedding to actress Portia de Rossi. DeGeneres dedicated the honor to Carl Walker-Hoover, an 11 year-old Massachusetts boy who killed himself earlier this month because school kids bullied him and called him “gay.” “In my opinion, we are not fighting for gay rights, we are fighting for equal rights,” DeGeneres told the black tie crowd at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater. The 2009 awards marked the 20th year that films, TV shows, performers and others have been honored by GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. “Milk,” about slain gay rights activist Harvey Milk, was named best film. “Desperate Housewives” was chosen best TV comedy, and “Brothers and Sisters” was named top TV drama. GLAAD President Neil Giuliano spoke to the audience about the impact TV shows such as “The L Word” and movies like “Brokeback Mountain” have had on introducing audiences to all sorts of lesbian and gay characters and issues they face. Giuliano touched on marriage and said that despite setbacks like the passage of California’s Proposition 8 which denied gay men and women the right to marry in that state, progress has been made in other states where gay weddings are now legal. “As we learned in Iowa and Vermont, ignorance and hate does not stop the march of social justice,” Giuliano said. While many of the night’s speeches focused on social and political issues — as expected for the activist group — the night also featured a lot of comedy and music. Comedian Kathy Griffin accepted the Vanguard Award for her work in the gay community. She dressed in a bikini with a white, gay marriage ribbon, pinned to the bottom. The makers of video sensation “Prop 8: The Musical,” a parody of the conservative campaign backing Proposition 8, were singled-out with a special recognition award, and the musical number was performed on stage. The Right Reverend V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Bishop in the Episcopal church, was given an honorary award for his work as a religious leader and activist. Last month, GLAAD held a ceremony in New York City where it handed out other media awards. A similar event is planned for May in San Francisco.

I really love that the GLAAD Media Awards are handed out in LA, NY and San Francisco … issues of GLBT visibility are too large for just one ceremony. Much love and congrats to all the folks who work tireless to help foster and spread positive images of the gay community, pushing the boundaries of discrimination further and further away. The work is long and hard and nowhere near complete … until justice and equality for all is achieved in this country, the work carries on. Again, congrats to those folks who keep on keepin’ on. Click HERE for a full list of award winners from the LA portion of the GLAAD Media Awards. My dear friend Darion was able to attend the GLAAD Media Awards yesterday and he managed to get a fun photo with one of his fave celebs:


Don’t they look great? Kathy Griffin looks stunning. Trust me, Darion was geeked beyond words. Woot!!

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

The 35th Annual People’s Choice Awards Are Handed Out

'The Dark Knight' cleans up as fans pick their entertainment faves
Thursday, January 8th, 2009

For the 35th year, the People’s Choice Awards were handed out to honor various entertainment outlets and actors as chosen by the people themselves. Last night’s award show was held at the Shrine Auditorium here in LA and brought out a cavalcade of celebs to collect their awards. The big winner of the night was The Dark Knight, which took home 5 People’s Choice Awards … but it turned out to be a big night for a few other folks as well. Here are some photos from the show and the press room and a run-down on who won what at last night’s affair:


Batman movie “The Dark Knight” soared away with five People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday including favorite movie and on-screen pairing for stars Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger to kick off Hollywood’s annual awards season. Country singer Carrie Underwood, who rose to fame on television talent show “American Idol,” was another big winner, hauling in three People’s Choice Awards for favorite female singer, country song “Last Name,” and star under 35 years-old. “Fans and people voting for me are what gave me a career in the first place,” Underwood said, acknowledging the voting by music lovers. “This is an amazing night.” The People’s Choice Awards, in its 35th edition this year, are a widely watched measure of popular appeal for Hollywood stars and they mark a starting point for the industry’s annual awards season which runs through the Oscars, the world’s top film awards, that take place in February. Adam Sandler was named funniest male star, Reese Witherspoon favorite female movie star, and Kate Hudson top leading lady among winners in more than 40 categories covering film, television, music and even online entertainment.


Sandler, Witherspoon and Hudson all echoed a familiar theme of the night by saying People’s Choice honors were special because they were voted on by fans, as opposed to critics or members of industry groups. The ceremony also has a more casual atmosphere compared to TV’s Emmy’s or the film industry’s Oscars, where black ties and ball gowns are mandatory. Noting that difference, Katherine Heigl, who accepted the trophy for best comedy movie for her “27 Dresses,” told reporters backstage that she wore a pants suit because “it was after the holidays, so I didn’t want to wear anything strapless or anything I had to suck in my stomach for.” Among film honors, “Dark Knight,” which was 2008’s top film at box offices with global ticket sales of nearly $1 billion, also proved to be the No. 1 movie of the night. Along with best film and on-screen match-up, it hauled in awards for favorite action movie, superhero for Bale as Batman, and for its cast. “The Secret Life of Bees” was the winner of best film drama and favorite independent film, and animated “Wall-E” was the No. 1 family film for People’s Choice voters. In the TV arena, medical show “House” was named favorite TV drama, and “Two and a Half Men” was best TV comedy. “The Mentalist” was top new TV drama while “Gary Unmarried” was the No. 1 new TV comedy. “House” star Hugh Laurie took home the trophy for favorite male TV star, and Christina Applegate took the honor of top female TV star for “Samantha Who?” Applegate, who revealed earlier this year that she underwent surgery for breast cancer, said the award meant a lot to her after a difficult year.” “I feel great. I really do,” she told reporters backstage. “Each week gets easier and each week gets better.” Ellen DeGeneres was named best TV talk show host and “Dancing With the Stars” was the people’s pick for No. 1 competition or reality TV show. Along with Underwood, top winners in music included Kid Rock for favorite rock song “All Summer Long,” Rascal Flatts for favorite group, Chris Brown best male singer and Katy Perry with best pop tune “I Kissed a Girl.”

I love the People’s Choice Awards primarily because the winners are determined by the people … which is unlike any other major award show. I had tickets to attend last night’s show but couldn’t make it because of a last minute meeting I had to attend late yesterday afternoon. As much as it bums me out that I couldn’t attend, I’m very happy with the way other things are going in my personal life right now … but I’m digressing. Much congrats to the winners of the PCAs this year. Let’s see if The Dark Knight is able to secure any other nominations and awards as the Awards Season carries on. Click HERE to see a full list of this year’s People’s Choice Award winners.

[Photo credit: Wireimage, Splash News; Source]

Ellen & Portia DeGeneres-de Rossi Hit The Beach

Look like an old married couple already :)
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

Here are a few pics of newlyweds Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi out for a nice stroll along the beach together in Malibu, CA over the weekend lookin’ as if they’ve been married for 50 years already (Ellen’s hat doesn’t help). The couple, which strolled hand-in-hand, happened to come upon dad Gavin Rossdale and his firstborn son Kingston James (who were also spending the afternoon together at the beach) along the way … check it out:


I swear to all things adorable, I really love Ellen and Portia together. They make such a great couple and they *always* look so happy and content when they are together. They are the perfect portrait of what love looks like. They compliment one another so well and I have a very good feeling that they are going to be together for the rest of their lives. Seeing these two find happiness together gives me hope that true love can actually exist in Hollywood. Hands down, they are one of my fave couples ever … they are truly an inspiration.

[Photo credit: Splash News]

Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi Share Their Special Day

An inside look at the newlyweds' nuptials
Sunday, August 24th, 2008

Ellen DeGeneres has decided to generously share inside, intimate photos from her wedding ceremony, to her now wife Portia de Rossi, on her official website:


After the jump, check out a few photos of Ellen and Portia laughing, cuddling, sharing their wedding cake and enjoying a dance together …

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Ellen & Portia Enjoy Their Honeymoon

Stay pretty close to home
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Here are a few pics of the very newly wedded Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi enjoying their “honeymoon” together just a few days after they said “I Do” to one another at their Beverly Hills, CA home this weekend. The couple showed off their new wedding rings, it looks like Ellen wears a simple band and Portia is rockin’ the rock:


Because Ellen has to begin work on the new season of her daytime talk show, the couple couldn’t jet off and enjoy a “traditional” honeymoon right after their wedding … but you may recall that the couple did enjoy a pretty extensive pre-wedding honeymoon-type vacay in Italy earlier this summer. Instead, the couple just stepped out together as wife and wife for lunch at Real Food Daily, which is a restaurant very near their home. I love it … they’re like an old married couple already ;)

[Photo credit: X17]

Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi Do ‘People’ Magazine

Mrs. & Mrs. de Generossi share their lurve
Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Mrs. and Mrs. DeGeneres-de Rossi are featured on the cover and in the pages of this week’s issue of People magazine. As y’all should know by now, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were wed this past Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a festive celebration of their nuptials at their Beverly Hills, CA home … this week, People magazine will be publishing the brides’ wedding album:


It was an evening of love, laughter, and a few tears for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, who exchanged personal wedding vows in front of their closest family and friends on Saturday at their home in L.A. In an exclusive interview and photos, DeGeneres, 50, and de Rossi, 35, share the most romantic moments of the night with PEOPLE. “What can I say? I’m the luckiest girl in the world,” says DeGeneres. “She’s officially off the market. No one else gets her. And now she’ll cook and clean for me.” Amid candles and flowers by Mark’s Garden, both brides, wearing designs by Zac Posen, sat on floor pillows along with author Wayne Dyer, who officiated the ceremony. After exchanging Neil Lane rings, the couple and their guests sat down for an all-vegan menu prepared by their personal chef David Silberkleit while Sweet Lady Jane created a vegan red velvet cake for the celebration. “The love we felt from the people surrounding us, and the love we have for each other, made this the most beautiful and emotional day,” says de Rossi. “And one that we’ll never forget.”

Aww, it sounds like it was a beautiful ceremony, I can’t wait to see the pix in full. I just love Ellen and Portia together … they appear so right for one another. They both seem like such genuinely sweet people and I am thrilled that they can now be an officially, legal married couple. Much, much congrats and love goes out again to the happily wedded couple.

[Source]