Talk To Me: Marlee Matlin on The Hour (2009)

The thing that I enjoy about the show "The Hour" with George Stroumbolopoulos, is that I really don't have to write much of a description about the video because it's all right there before the interview starts.

I'll just say that I adore Marlee Matlin (I've wanted to learn sign language for years because of her, and maybe even become an interpreter for the deaf someday) and I am dying to read her memoir "I'll Scream Later". If you haven't seen "Children Of A Lesser God", I suggest you rent or download it. Fantastic film.

PS. I feel a bit strange labelling this post Talk To Me, because...well...y'know...she can't. Meh!

Talk To Me: Drew Barrymore on Letterman (1995)

The infamous David Letterman interview where Drew flashes her breasts as a sort of birthday gift to Dave. I'm not sure what she was even on the show to promote (other than her tits) it could have been her playboy spread or the film "Boys On The Side" which was out around the same time.

Anyway, she's adorable so it doesn't even matter.

Talk To Me: Courtney Love - Barbara Walters Interview (1995)

I've always had a fondness for Courtney Love, even in her worst moments. From all the things that I know about her, I'm not surprised by her personal struggles with drugs and such, but I am very impressed at how she keeps picking herself back up again. We all know that she relapsed into her old behaviour a few years ago, but I'm so glad that she's worked through it and that we have a new Hole album, which I love.

This interview from 1995 is the most vulnerable I have ever seen Courtney, discussing the death of her husband, Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain. It was filmed after the success of Hole's "Live Through This" album and as she was about to hit it big in the film industry with her portrayal of Althea Leasure in "The People Vs. Larry Flynt".

Turn It Up: Dia Frampton - The Broken Ones

Some people know Dia Frampton from her band Meg & Dia (with her sister Meg Frampton), some people know her as the runner up from the first season of the NBC competition show "The Voice" (appearing on Blake Shelton's team and coming in second to contestant Javier Colon), and some people have never heard of her at all.

I, like a large percentage of the population, fall into column B. I'm not really big on singing competition shows but I liked the idea of "The Voice" and the panel of judges, so I invested my time and attention in it and was rewarded in the form of Dia (as well as a few other contestants).

Cee-Lo Green described Dia as being "so cozy". An appropriate description for the 24 year old author of childrens stories. Dia has just released her first full length solo album "Red" today and I certainly hope there will be more to come if it gifts us with songs like these. I'll be downloading the album tomorrow, and I'm sure it will be delightful.

Give it a go.

"I can't help it I love the broken ones
the ones who need the most patching up
the ones who never been loved
never been loved
never been loved enough

Maybe I see a part of me in them
The missing piece always trying to fit in
the shattered heart hungry for a home
no you're not alone
I love the broken ones."

Turn It Up: Kate Bush - Snowflake

All I really know about Kate Bush is that she's from Bexleyheath, Kent, England, she's inspired the likes of Tori Amos and Charlotte Martin and her music is incredible (and really that's all I need to know).

Her new EP "50 Words For Snow" is no exception, all of the songs are dark and deeply haunting (perfect for the holiday season lol), and feature collaborations with the likes of Elton John, Stephen Fry and others. The song Snowflake is the first track (of seven) and features Kate's son Albert (or Bertie) on additional vocals.

The song is described as " a song expressing the hope of a noisy world soon being hushed by snowfall." Good enough description.

There's no music video for this song so I'm just adding this fan made video that I found, which at one point has the scene from Edward Scissorhands where Winona Ryder is dancing in the snow, in the background, and...well...we already know how much I love her.

Enjoy!!!!

Turn It Up: Lady Gaga - Marry The Night

My favorite song from Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" album, now has a fucked up little video to go with it (and by little, I of course mean 13 minutes long).

There's really nothing to say about it except I think she would do well in film if she ever went that route (aside from the utterly pretentious dialogue she sometimes spews). The video is like Black Swan and Girl Interrupted meet Fame.

"You may say I lost everything, but I still had my Bedazzler!"

What's On?: Absolutely Fabulous

Sweetie, Darling! The cast of British comedy series "Absolutely Fabulous" (from left; Jane Horrocks as Bubble, Julia Sawalha as Saffron "Saffy", Jennifer Saunders as Edina "Eddy", June Whitfield as Mother, and Joanna Lumley as Patsy) are reuniting for three tv specials, and I could not be happier.

The show (created, written by, and starring Jennifer Saunders), has enjoyed somewhat of a sporadic life thoughout the years. It has aired 5 series (seasons) of episodes between 1992 - 2004, and a multitude of specials between. After the last series, Saunders admitted that she would not be writing or playing her (now infamous) role of Edina Monsoon again. Stating that it's time had come and she wanted to move onto other ventures.

Thank God that wasn't written in (Patsy) stone. The three new specials have been shot to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show and will be airing toward the end of this year and into 2012.

For those of you who have never watched the show, here's a quick run down, from Wikipedia.

"The series features Saunders as Edina "Eddy" Monsoon, an alcoholic, drug-abusing PR agent who spends her time chasing bizarre fads in a desperate attempt to stay young and "hip". Edina is joined in her quest by magazine editor Patsy Stone (played brilliantly by Joanna Lumley), her best friend and enabler, whose drug abuse, alcohol consumption, and promiscuity far eclipse Edina's comparatively mild self-destructive behavior. Despite being a middle-aged, twice-divorced career woman, Edina is reliant upon the support of her daughter, Saffron (Julia Sawalha), a secondary school pupil (and later university student) whose constant care for her mother has left her a bitter cynic."

There you go. Now, because Eddy is a celebrity PR person (who usually only has one big client per series), guest stars are always popping up. However, with only 3 episodes shot, it doesn't give much head room for special appearances. Jennifer has confirmed that former special guest stars, Lulu and Emma Bunton, will both be making appearances.

I think that's all for this one. Oh, one last thing. I might as well include one of my favorite episodes (well, one I can find the entire episode of on youtube anyway).

Turn It Up (Flashback): Lisa Loeb - Stay (I Missed You)

As soon as I posted the video below about Winona and mentioned the movie Reality Bites, I knew my next post would be the Stay video.

I believe Lisa still holds the record for being the first artist to reach #1 on the Billboard charts (with this song) before ever being signed to a record label. Lisa was friends with Ethan Hawke who starred in Reality Bites alongside Winona (and consequently directed this one-take music video) and he decided to give a copy of the song to the films director, Ben Stiller, and he agreed to add it to the end credits of the movie and include it on the films soundtrack. Radio stations got ahold of the song, started playing it and the rest, as they say, is history.

Stay is also available on Lisa's first full length studio album "Tails" (1995)

Talk To Me: Winona Ryder On 20/20 (1999)

Diane Sawyer interviewed Winona Ryder (one of my favorite actresses) back in 1999 during the promotion of Girl, Interrupted to discuss her battle with depression and how it paralleled with her character Susanna.

I'm so glad that Winona is making a comeback into mainstream movies. She has been in a few independant films in the past few years, but nothing that has been to the standard of her work before Girl, Interrupted (somehow, fucking a vantriloquist dummie in "The Ten" doesn't scream awesome the way "Heathers" or "Reality Bites" does). In the past two years however, she has been slowly making her way back into mainstream pictures. The only reason I initially went to see "Black Swan" and "Star Trek" was because Winona was in them for the accumulative 22 minutes that she was.

Now, her parts are getting bigger and her name is getting out there again. This year she was one of the leads in the film The Dilemma with Vince Vaughan, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin James and Channing Tatum. Up next she will star in the movie "The Stare", a psychological thriller with James Franco, and she is currently reuniting with Director Tim Burton to voice the character of Elsa Von Helsing in his 3D Animated feature "Frankenweenie", scheduled for release March 9, 2012 (my brothers birthday).

Talk To Me: Mario Cantone On The View

Mario Cantone (best known for his work on Sex & The City and his stand-up comedy specials) sits down with the ladies of The View, to discuss his favorite Christmas albums, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, and what Liza Minnelli loves about Christmas.

Hilarious!

Turn It Up: Wilson Phillips - I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day

Here's a nice little holiday jingle from 90's girl group Wilson Phillips who released their first holiday album as a trio, "Christmas In Harmony", last year (sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson released a Christmas record, "Hey Santa", back in 1993).

Aside from their cameo in the film "Bridesmaids" this summer, the girls are also shooting a reality show that will follow them as they record their new record (their first since 2004's cover album "California"). The album will be another covers album comprised exclusively of songs by their parents bands, The Mama's and The Papa's and The Beach Boys respectively and will be released sometime next year.

Sidenote 1: I'm so glad Carnie gained back the pounds, she looked so weird being as skinny as she was. I'm sure she's not pleased, but....whatever.

Sidenote 2: From interviews I've seen of her recently, Chynna has become a huge Jesus freak. How did that happen?!?! You're married to Billy Baldwin for Christ's sake.

Turn It Up (Flashback): Paula Abdul - My Love Is For Real

Paula may be batshit crazy nowadays but back in the 90's when she had her first run at fame as a popstar, she was quite something.

Paula was the first artist I ever saw at a large stadium. I was 9 or 10 years old, and I went to see her at Kingswood Arena at Canada's Wonderland during her "Under My Spell" Tour. I won't bore you all with the story right now though, because I will be adding the videos from that tour at some point, so I'll leave the complete story til then.

"My Love Is For Real" has always been one of my favorite Paula songs, even if it's from her least successful album "Head Over Heels". I loved the video when it came out, the choreography, and how she used the different ranges in her voice.

Still fantastic!

Liven It Up: Alanis Morissette - Simple Together

I have no real story about this song other than it has helped me through many a break up and it's one of my faves (of many) by Alanis.

I wanted to post something by Alanis because she was present on the red carpet for the American Music Awards and announced that her new album is due out Spring/Summer of 2012 and she had written 31 songs for the album (not all will make it onto the final product, I'm assuming).

Great news!

Liven It Up & Talk To Me: Dolly Parton On The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1998)

I may have the year of this appearance all wrong, but I think I'm right because Dolly performs "Paradise Road" from her album "Hungry Again" and that album came out in 1998.

Anyway, I love Dolly Parton because she has the brightest spirit in show business and has such a good attitude about herself and others, she just strikes me as the kind of celebrity I would love to have over for dinner. As I said, she performs "Paradise Road", then sits down to talk with Rosie about the Dollywood theme park (it's home-spun fun), her childhood, why the first cloned sheep was named after her, and of course, cheap swag.

"When I had to haul ass, I had to make two trips!" Lol, love her!!!!!

Liven It Up: Vanessa Williams - Starbright

I have a few traditions that I like to uphold during the holiday season, but the first is that I don't allow myself to start listening to any holiday music until after I've watched the Toronto Santa Claus Parade. It may sound foolish, but I find it to be a very good system because it gives you a good annual check point and you never feel like you're starting too early.

So, as is customary, today was the Santa Claus parade and immediately after watching it, I started digging out my favorite christmas albums and burning them to my computer and I am now enjoying them is all their splendor.

I chose the video above for this post because, every year (without fail) the first Holiday album I choose to listen to is Vanessa Williams' "Starbright". It would have to be one of my top favorite's and the title track is just stunning. The unusual thing is, I very rarely listen to Vanessa Williams throughout the rest of the year (even though I enjoy her very much) but once this time of year hits, I become obsessed with listening to her. Strange, huh?!?!

Long story short, I urge you all to bust out your christmas/winter season tunage right now, before the time comes to an end for another year. Make it festive!

Turn It Up: Anjulie - Brand New Bitch

I don't really know a whole lot about Anjulie, except she hails from Oakville Ontario originally and I fell in love with her and her first album ("Anjulie" 2009) after hearing her song "Rain" for the first time. Really, isn't that all I need to know.

This song is a lot more dance pop oriented than the sounds on her first album, which were a lot more urban than this. Nevertheless, I like it and I look forward to her new album which is meant to be released sometime next year. The next single (whose video I will also be adding at some point) "Stand Behind The Music", will be available digitally December 13th.

Turn It Up: Traci Lords - Last Drag

Former Porn Star, now actress/musician/author Traci Lords, has not released a full length album since 1995's "1,000 Fires". Since then, she has independently released a few dance singles, but nothing resembling the success of that release, prefering instead to focus on her acting career, appearing in films like Blade, Nowhere, and Zack and Miri Make A Porno. But this past Tuesday, she marked her return to music by releasing the video for her new single "Last Drag".

No official word on a full length album yet, but the single has been climbing the billboard dance charts and is currently at #25. I'm looking forward to hearing more. Upon first listen it sounds a bit like Goldfrapp's "Ooh La La" (but better, if that's possible).

Enjoy. You know I do!

Liven It Up & Talk To Me: Tori Amos on The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1999)

Tori performs her song "1000 Oceans" from the album "To Venus And Back" and shares a valuable lesson on how to avoid being arrested for drug possession and having your stomach pumped by the police.

Interested yet?

Talk To Me: Margaret Cho on The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos

My boyfriend (I wish), George Stroumboulopoulos interviews funny gal Margaret Cho (of whom I will be adding some of her stand up in the near future) to discuss her comedy tour at the time, entitled "Beautiful", the political climate of America during the Bush administration, her parents, and helps her try to sweet talk her way into her favorite Canadian band, The Broken Social Scene.

She seems so sweet!

Talk To Me: Sarah Jessica Parker On Letterman (Sept 1993)

Sarah Jessica discusses her film at the time, Striking Distance, her appearance in Playboy magazine (an interview, not a pictorial), and her time on Broadway in the musical "Annie", with a special performance of the show's classic song "Tomorrow".

Resuscitation Sally, lol love it!

Liven It Up: Adele - Set Fire To The Rain (i-Tunes Festival)

I know Adele is going through her health issues at the moment in terms of her throat, and I don't know if the surgery will affect her voice, but if I had to live without a third album from her, I think I'd be alright with that.

Not that I wouldn't love another album from her (believe me I would), it's just that I think her latest album "21" is such a masterpiece (with amazing songs like this one), that I'd be surprised if she could top herself.

I really look forward to her proving me wrong though.

Liven It Up: Idina Menzel - Defying Gravity

I'm so excited! The video above was taken from Idina's first ever live concert performance for PBS Soundstage, and I am going to be in the audience for the second. Tomorrow, Idina will be performing her first of two nights at Koerner Hall inside the Royal Conservatory Of Music In Toronto, with both nights being recorded for her second PBS special which will air sometime early next year, and I am going to the second night on Friday.

I saw the Tony award winning actress and singer 2 years ago when she came to Danforth Music Hall to promote her 3rd solo album "I Stand", but this performance will be even more special because she is being accompanied by Tony award winning (and Pulitzer Prize winning) composer, Marvin Hamlisch and the Kitchener - Waterloo Symphony Orchestra.

Should be a beautiful night. Defying Gravity, for those of you who are unaware is from the Broadway musical "Wicked" for which Idina was awarded the Tony for creating the role of "Elphaba, The Wicked Witch Of The West."

What's On?: RuPaul's Drag Race

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Fierce Glamazon Queen, RuPaul is about to kick things into high gear this January with a total of 13 new fabulous Queens fighting for the title of America's next Drag Superstar on the 4th season of RuPaul's Drag Race. As always, these girls will have to showcase their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent in a variety of challenges and runway presentations in order to win the crown and the cash prize. And if they're not careful, they'll have to lipsynch for their lives to remain in the game.

In order to get an idea of the bitchiness and shade that's in store, let's meet the 13 Lady Boys.

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Alisa Summers.

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Chad Michaels.

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Dida Ritz.

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Jiggly Caliente.

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Kenya Michaels.

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LaShauwn Beyond.

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Latrice Royale. (Oh honey, busted!)

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Madame LaQueer. (Reminds me of Nina Flowers, but I love her)

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Milan.

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Phi Phi O'Hara.

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The Princess.

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Sharon Needles (Lol, OMG Love Her!)

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Willam. (oooh I remember her)

There you have it, and may the best Woman Win!

Turn It Up: Rihanna - We Found Love (Feat. Calvin Harris)

What's not to love about this video? Catchy song, cute guy, and Rihanna writhing around in a psychedelic sex haze while dressed in a jean jacket with no shirt or bra underneath like she's Samantha Fox.

Well done sweetie! You've earned my attention!

Turn It Up: Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger (Feat. Christina Aguilera)

I unfairly used to think that Adam Levine from Maroon 5 was an egotistical prick who thought way to highly of himself (where I got this, I don't know) but I have liked the groups music ever since I saw them open for Vanessa Carlton just after the release of their first album. It was watching them that was the problem. However, after witnessing how cool, laid back and artistically clever Adam was on the competition show The Voice, I have changed my view.

I now have a bit of a crush on him and find him to be very sexy. A few tattoos too many, but still... yah yummy. Anyway this song is awesome, I love the video and even Christina looks cute.

From the album "Hands All Over" (Re-release).

Talk To Me: Amy Sedaris On David Letterman (2006)

Here's an interview with "mentally energetic" comic actress, Amy Sedaris, who some may recognize from her cult hit television show "Strangers With Candy" which spawned a film of the same name, or one of her varied guest starring appearances on shows like Sex and the City, The Closer and most recently Raising Hope.

Here, Amy discusses life with her Rabbit "Dusty", living with the ghost of her imaginary boyfriend, teaches Dave a few crafty tips and promotes her first book, the #1 selling entertainment guide "I Like You: Hospitality Under The Influence".

Two parts, Good Times!

Liven It Up: P!nk - Dear Mr. President

I can safely say that this is the song that cemented me as a P!nk fan. I had always listened to her (on occassion) if she was on the radio or if I came across a video of her's on Much Music (I mean, y'know, when they used to actually play music) because I appreciated her sense of humor and her gritty pop voice, but the minute I heard this song on her "I'm Not Dead" album, I was extremely impressed.

First, you'd have to have been dead to not respond to these lyrics during the years of the Bush administration, but secondly, the fact that she featured The Indigo Girls on background vocals on the album version was a very cool surprise, and one that I did not expect from the likes of a young pop artist.

The video above is from the "I'm not Dead" Tour, recorded at Wembley Arena and though the Indigo Girls were not there to accompany her, the song lost none of it's potency.

Turn It Up: Janet Jackson - Nothing

Among other artists, I will certainly be adding a lot of Janet Jackson posts to this blog as she is one of my favorites and has been since I became obsessed with the song "Escapade" when I was 7.

So, why am I adding this song instead of "Escapade" then? Well, simply because I have had this song stuck in my head all week and no matter how many times I listen to it on my ipod or in my car, I keep going back for more. I like the combination of the simplistic melody and conversational lyric, what I don't really care for is her look in this music video, but I can get over it. The song is beautiful, no one said the video had to be. If I ever get a high quality version of her performing it from her current "Number 1's Tour", I will definitely add it because the outfit she wore during this number was gorgeous

See?!?

Liven It Up: Sutton Foster - "Flight" feat. Megan McGinnis

For those of you who don't know, Sutton Foster is a two time Tony award winner for her roles in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and the recent revival of "Anything Goes" and is one of the most exciting young stars to grace the broadway stage in recent years.

From showing her comedic chops in "The Drowsy Chaperone" (which I got to see) and "Young Frankenstein", to breaking our hearts in the musical version of "Little Women", she has proved herself to be an amazingly versatile entertainer. So, when it came time for her to release her first solo album, entitled "Wish", it came as no surprise that she would fill it with a blend of pop, broadway, jazz, and old standards for our listening delight.

The song "Flight" was written by musical theatre composer Craig Carnelia, and is a duet with her "Little Women" co-star Megan McGinnis (she played the Beth to Sutton's Jo). As in that musical, their voices flow together like water. Watch the live video above from Sutton's album release party at Barnes & Noble in Manhattan.

Fun Fact #1: Megan McGinnis was an occasional guest star on the 90's sitcom "Blossom", her hair was a lot poofier then.

Fun Fact #2: Sutton is married to actor Bobby Cannivale, who is perhaps best known for his role of Will's boyfriend, Vince on Will & Grace and as the "Funky Spunk" guy on Sex & The City.

Turn It Up: Melanie C - Think About It

Melanie recently released her long awaited 5th studio album, and though the mood for most of the record is very aggressive, dramatic and atmospheric (a perfect break up album), for the first single, she decided to go with the light-hearted uptempo track, "Think About It".

The song almost stands alone in it's frivolity (except for the song "Stupid Game" which is a rock inspired track that chronicles her relationship with the tabloid media). Melanie has admitted "T.A.I" is undeniably about being spontaneous, and having a good time without thought of consequences.

"I don't wanna think about real life
not tonight, I don't wanna think about
anyone, anything, anyway!"

Personally, I think she's never looked or sounded better!

Taken from the album "The Sea".

What's On?: Our America With Lisa Ling

One of the shows that I am obsessed with lately, is the incredibly fascinating docu-series, "Our America with Lisa Ling". The show, which is one of the staple shows on Oprah's OWN network, features Journalist (and former co-host on The View) Lisa Ling, as she travels all across America reporting on a wide range of controversial topics that are prevelent but often times ignored by society.

Now in it's second season, topics have run the gamut from transgendered life (an excerpt seen above), heroin addiction, amateur porn, pedophilia, polygamy, and faith healing. What I love about this show, and Lisa as a presenter, is that she shows you both sides of the argument and remains impartial for the audiences sake. Never allowing either extreme to be more correct or righteous than the other. At the same time, she has a non-judgemental manner about her that allows her to ask the hard hitting questions and get the truthful and sometimes shocking answers.

Anyway, give it a go. Sundays @ 10PM on OWN.

Of The Theatre

So, my blog is titled "Sing Out Louise!" (a classic line from the Broadway show Gypsy) because I intend to embrace everything I love, regardless of how corny or kitschy it may seem by today's standards. As much as I will focus on stuff I love today, I will also be revisiting music and other media from my childhood and adolescence, as well as trying to focus on my love of theatre and Broadway musicals (which can be inherently cheesy). I will embrace it all unshamefacedly (that's not a word) and without embarrassment.

Anyway, the show must go on. I give to you first, the character whose line inspired my choice, Mama Rose from the Stephen Sondheim/Jule Styne musical "Gypsy". The first Mama Rose I ever saw was Bette Midler from her 1993 film portrayal. Thanks to my Mother, I have been a huge fan of the Divine Miss M since childhood and her version of the classic song "Rose's Turn" is nothing short of amazing. Check it out!

My Disclaimer!!!!!

My goal for this page is to update it when I have the time and to try to keep all of my favorite things, from childhood to present day, in one space (be it music video's, celebrity interviews, concert footage, movie likes and dislikes, TV likes and dislikes, album news or reviews, stories from my life past and present, info on books I'm reading or just any random thing that I find entertaining or noteworthy). I will by no means be posting everyday, and I may just add video's without any description (just because I want to add them). So, if anyone reads this besides me, I hope you find some things you like.

Namaste! (that was pretentious, I don't do yoga...yet!)

PS. The picture above is from Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple In All The World. Great show that I'm sure I'll be discussing at some point!