The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz
The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz |
| ‘Mad Men’ tries to fend off ‘Boardwalk’ at Emmys Posted: 18 Sep 2011 06:48 AM PDT LOS ANGELES, Sept 18 — Television's "Mad Men" will bid for a fourth straight Emmy today, 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 honours. 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.  "Mad Men" stars Elisabeth Moss and Jon Hamm in the running of Emmys honours. — Reuters pic 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 today'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 favourite drama. "Dexter" and "Friday Night Lights" make up the other drama contenders. Actors and 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," said Tom O'Neil of awards website TheEnvelope.com. "It is quite a contest. I think Margulies will win, but it is very close." 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,'" said O'Neil. "But he has got to watch out for Steve Buscemi on 'Boardwalk Empire'." 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," said Todd Gold, managing editor of Xfinity TV. "She was also so funny and winning in 'Bridesmaids' and I think audiences got her and she won new fans." 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. — Reuters |
| At Emmy time, the gift suites hit Hollywood Posted: 18 Sep 2011 04:09 AM PDT LOS ANGELES, Sept 18 — Adults can embrace their inner child with T-shirts by Lotty Dotty featuring the image of a paper doll who comes with her own detachable Velcro clothing to mix and match, changing the doll's outfit to fit the wearer's own personal fashion. The offbeat shirts are just one of the many items being handed to celebrities at gifting suites in Los Angeles this week in the lead-up to today's Emmy Awards, US television's top honours that bring out A-list Hollywood TV stars.  A performer at a preview for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball, September 14, 2011. — Reuters pic By giving their products to celebrities as a "gift", marketers hope consumers will love it enough to use it, get photographed with it, or talk it up on Facebook or Twitter. While one can never guarantee who on Hollywood's celebrity list will show up, vendors travel from far away to hawk their wares in hopes of striking gold by getting their brand name in front of, and onto, Hollywood stars. Lotty Dotty's Paris-based co-founder Shevanne Helmer flew in from France to be a part of the Secret Room Events gifting suite on Thursday. With Lotty Dotty shirts selling all over Europe, Japan and Dubai, Helmer decided it was time to try the US market. "Everyone needs something to make them smile, and the shirts just crack everyone up," Helmer told Reuters. "These shirts let you express yourself and be an individual. And you'll never get tired of it because you can change the look to be as chic or as casual as you want." From workouts to vacations At Kari Feinstein's suite, held on Thursday and Friday, the yet-to-open Cycle House — a luxury indoor spinning studio — was inviting celebrities to try out the gym during September, before Cycle House's official opening in October. "(Being at a suite) is a great way to introduce our brand," owner Lara Gillman told Reuters. "We know there's a huge spinning community in Hollywood and we want them to know about us. If we can get them in the door and give them a free trial run, we know they'll love it." Other luxury items making their way to celebrities during the week include free trips to Fiji at the Secret Room Events and ComforPedic memory foam mattresses at GBK's gifting lounge. Meanwhile, HP TouchPad PCs — one-pound laptops — are being gifted at the aptly named HP TouchPad Gift Lounge, backstage at the Nokia Theatre, where the Emmys Awards take place. Royce Ware jewellery designer Cynthia Mace, who hails from Oregon, came to LA as a vendor at the Endless Summer Emmy suite, held earlier in the week. For Mace, the trip was about "exposure" for her Divine Protection and All Saints line of sterling silver necklaces and bracelets. It's a line that's very dear to her, as Mace was inspired to create them when her sons served overseas with the Air Force. She and her eldest son, Royce, were on hand with an array of jewellery featuring rosary-inspired chains, saints medallions and dog tags with crosses, among other designs. "For us it wasn't about the celebrities — it was about those who were drawn to the line and wanted to know more about it," Mace said. But will it boost their business? "We got a lot of good response to it, but we won't really know until we see who ultimately calls us or goes to our website to place an order," she said. "You never know, but it's exposure, so we're hopeful and optimistic." For Helmer and her Lotty Dotty line, the suites were a resounding success. By the end of Thursday, she ran out of the 130 shirts she had brought with her and had the e-mail addresses of more than 50 suite visitors to whom she will be sending out the product. "The response has been overwhelming," Helmer said. "It's been worth every single cent coming here." — Reuters |
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