This according to just about everyone that had anything to do with the events in the book.  Seems Mrs. Palin is not consistent with facts in her book; she said last year in an interview that the family had a vote to decide on her taking the nomination, but on Oprah she said the opposite, which is the same as on the campaign trail.  Only now many campaign officials involved with the situations are starting to speak up.  Even the infamous woman at the center of wardrobe gate – Lisa A. Kline (no relation to the L.A. clothing store) – who gave her first interview to the NY Times this week, wants to set the record straight.

Not only does Mrs. Palin go rogue on the facts, but she goes rogue while explaining her facts and plans for America in interviews for the book, calling other policies on Barbara Walters ass-backwards.  She said ass-backwards in a Barbara Walters interview discussing policy! (Honestly, if it was a choice between her and Bush, I would take Bush. He never introduced policy to make women pay for their own rape kits.)

She argues (what I think she calls going rogue) that the November 23rd, 2009 cover of Newsweek is sexist, and I would like to agree but she is just so #^%$# that it is beyond any ism because she is beyond any ism.  If you were a serious person you could be dealt with seriously, but all bets are off with Palin.

I can’t believe I’m about to humor her by discussing this claim of sexism but here goes: can you be a proud former beauty queen contestant and complain when looks are used to measure you?  Maybe you can, after all it was years ago and even so who cares what someone does in their youth as long as it isn’t illegal, so that could easily be  argued.  However no one trudged out Elizabeth Doles youthful pics as part of any serious discussion of her merits. But it was Elizabeth Dole, a serious minded woman. Other serious minded women don’t take glamour, pinup like photo shots in their quest to be national political candidates, which introduces them to the world stage.  Her shoot was insulting – not because she took a pretty pic, but her photo shoot was beyond that.  It was pandering – and women, most of all, know it. So no, you can’t now cry sexism. Tsk, tsk.

So Mrs. Palin, kinda like you break it you buy it, you take it you deal with it.  Remember that fatal blow to the Dukakis campaign Mrs. Palin?  The photo of him in the tank looking really, really fish out of water. Once taken, people can run with it.

Ass-backwards, maybe? But those be the rules of this game.

There’s an old tale that comes to mind when I think of this whole cover issue. A long time ago, a man hatched an evil scheme to get everyone to hate his enemy and kill him, thus making him the leader of the land. However at every step his plan backfires, and the rope he hung for his enemy is actually the one that holds his fate.  It sucks when a plan backfires, but it’s even more painful when it’s by our own hand.  Neither that story nor Mrs. Palin’s cover photo is ass-backwards. It’s called justice.

If nothing else, Mrs. Palin offers women a good opportunity to discuss amongst each other what we are doing with our lives and our power.  And that, as a favorite women of mine says, is a good thing.

Sarah Palin has book tour dates across most of the U.S. through early December, though Los Angeles is not yet scheduled.

New Moon is to open across the U.S. on November 20th, and the L.A. Premiere happened Monday night to immense throngs of fans and tight security. So tight that Kellan Lutz, the beloved vampire from the film reportedly had a hard time getting into the after-party with a friend.  Shoulda shown the fangs.

For all its hoopla and fan fare however, the films premiere was not without its drama – which seems to be a franchise trend.  So actually, let me go back and catalogue some of the movie series evolving drama’s.  First there was news that Catherine Hardwicke, the talented director of the first-film-in-the-franchise Twilight (and other amazing movies) would not be returning for (AKA was nixed from doing) New Moon.  It was leaked they didn’t want her, which was countered with ‘what’s up with that she is really talented and the movie came out great in the end’, but she was out.  And while Chris Weitz as director was in, it still made the franchise seem, well, bumpy.  Then there were the stars hooking up drama – which wouldn’t have been anything if KS hadn’t had a beau at the time (true or not, it was still all the talk.)

But this last tib-bit is the carry over to the premiere of New Moon. The red-headed vampire-ette of the first two movies, Rachelle Lefevre, was not re-signed to do the third movie – which means she was booted – and Bryce Dallas Howard, the actress with the uber-Hollywood father, was signed to play the part in the third movie.  Signed! So not only had it been in the works for a while (ouch) but many people knew.  More bumpyness.  Most everyone who saw the first one liked Lefevre, but after the second finished shooting and contracts were made for the third, she was out.  Summit Entertainment said that she had signed to do another movie that conflicted with the shoot schedule, which Lefevre said was not true.  Bottom line she was out…cut to months later and the U.S. premiere, and the actress opted not to attend, tweeting: “2 fans at the premiere: w/ Honey in hospital & being fired from Eclipse tonight was just 2 emotional 4 me & I couldn’t manage it.” And yes, Honey is her dog.

Oh, and to keep it full circle, reports have Catherine Hardwicke stating that Howard was her first choice for the role, but at the time she turned it down it was too small for her.

I can’t wait to get back to the vampire drama!

The darling duo from down south that sing about Martha’s Vineyard are back together touring and will be at The Mint tonite. Tickets are still available at the door but you can leave your flannel shirts at home L.A. Really, it’s O.K.  I’m sure Jack and Cary will as well.

Facebook and Twitter have been full of lines from their songs today, “that girl over there she’s got mahogany hair,” as Los Angeles fans get ready to hear their favorites performed life for the first time in years.  They have done some shows since breaking up, but this tour which will last, with some breaks, through til a final show in the Vineyard.

The band that met at Southern Methodist University in 1988 and broke up in 1997 have been touring and doing shows the past few years, but have kicked it up a notch.  In 2008 they released an album Promise of Summer and this year brought Live From Atlanta and Acoustic Summer.  But what we really want to know is, are they gonna play all the best from their earlier albums, Live from The Americas, Bringing on the Weather and Finest Hour?  I couldn’t pick a fav, I tell ya’.

Late Shift, Get to Know Me Better and Vineyard are clearly going to be played tonite at The Mint or I personally know women that will riot at the show.

Doors open at 7pm, Show starts at 8pm, and Jackopierce goes on at 9pm.

If you got the $40 dollar event ticket (which includes a copy of the book) the don’t head to Book Soup on Sunset to hear him speak, this is an off site event at The Saban Theatre on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.

Al Gore is on a book tour for his new release Our Choice: How We Can Solve The Climate Crisis, a follow up (content-wise, he last released The Assault on Reason) to his uber-successful An Inconvenient Truth. According to Book Soup and the books editors, the book continues his work to inspire and inform on global climate issues.  In it he offers solutions for how to make the world a healthier place.  He did get us all to think about those electrical lifts differently. And he has that Nobel Prize for Peace so I’m thinking we listen to his latest ideas.

Enjoy! And tell me what you hear. What? I care about the environment.  I recycle.

The traditional headstart to the holiday shopping season is the day after Thanksgiving. Still stuffed from dinner and leftovers, millions head out to shops in the early morning hours to put a dent in their shopping and get deals. Lured by the holiday savings people pour into malls and shopping centers and are met with savings. That’s the way its been for years.

However with the recent economic problems (recent now meaning past 2 years), stores are starting to early-up the day after Thanksgiving shopping sales.  Major retailers Kmart and Walmart started their savings in early November, just after Halloween! Kmart announced ‘better than black friday’ deals and layaway plans.  Layaway has been showing up in many TV ads for the holidays already, with JP Penney getting in on it as well.

While poor Charlie Brown is really searching for the holiday spirit in the midst of all the commercialism,  others are getting in on the savings.

Target is also getting in on the early sales, so check out your local stores as well. With tough times, at least retailers are lowering prices to help make it a nice holiday season. (They are offering free shipping too, check online.)

Oh, and if you love the tradition and area still going to get your day after Thanksgiving shopping on, have at it. But you can be really early and start on Thanksgiving.  Some retailers like Kmart will have stores open on Turkey Day.

Now this is going to be controversial. Top 10 lists always are and I expect this will be no different.

Some might put forth that I am keeping out stories about Hanukah or Kwanzaa.  But it is a CHRISTMAS movie list I would reply. Religion has nothing to do with it.

But mostly I think it could be controversial because it’s a serious and sensitive issue. People have their own thoughts as to what makes the top spots; funny, old, cartoon, from their childhood era, black and white. The lists go on and on.

So yes, I am willingly stepping in a minefield for the sake of some early Christmas fun.  Plus you can start ordering from netflix to make sure you have your favorites in time to get festive!

So here is my official list, though due to the quality of flicks they are in no particular order, except for number one. That really is my Number 1.  Oh, and I had to make it a Top 11. Had to be done.  Enjoy!

11) Bad Santa. Hilarious, poignant and smart, it nails the holidays, the cynic and the fat, sweet kid in all of us.  If you haven’t seen it, do.  I don’t know anyone that doesn’t love this movie and I don’t want to.

10) The Family Stone. I know I am going recent again, but this movie is a perfect holiday film. It gets the spirit of trudging home, dealing with prickly family members, and how even though members come and go, the core is still there.  Awesome cast, too.

9) Elf.  OK, there’s a lot of humor here, but there is a lot of humor in the holidays; funny pins and sweaters, odd looking food and crazy relatives you didn’t know you had.  This movie speaks to the kid in all of us and the desire to have a family we fit in.  And like Elf, we realize we never will and that is just fine.

Home Alone.  Come on, Culkin was adorable and fun to watch as he outsmart’s criminals Stern and Peschi. Plus, anything with O’Hara is probably on a top ten list for some reason.  Oh yeah, and it was written by the man, John Hughes so it had to be great.  It’s fun and sweet and playful and I always cry at the end.  Though they drive you crazy, like Kevin you realize you want your family at Christmas.

7) The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The TV version. It is Christmas.

6) Love, Actually.  Just watch it, and no it’s not too sappy.  It’s got everything, rock stars, a Prime Minister, office workers, marrieds, kids, young singles and love, love, love. Let’s get it together people and find those airport greeting moments more in life! Appreciate!  Love, Actually is all around.

5) A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Tell me you don’t want to know what the spirit of Christmas is without all the commercialism. And this is geared to kids. Genius. Sigh.

4) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. This bad clamation movie is nonetheless awesome and inspiring.  Somehow the rough presentations adds to our imagination and the challenge of his circumstance.  Plus, who doesn’t feel like they have a red nose sometimes and who isn’t glad for it because of Rudolph?! Rudolph is the schlitz!

3) Frosty The Snowman. Just try and not cry when he melts.

2) Citizen Kane. Random you say? The Christmas gift is only the clue to the whole damn movie and and he’s clutching a snow globe at the end.  Plus, it’s the best movie of all time.  Done.

1) It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. Yeah, I know there are two, but there have to be.  It’s true that every time a bell rings, an angel gets it’s wings (I am crying just typing that) and that we all still want our version of a b.b. gun.

You make your own damn list, but these 12 on my top ten list are the best.  Watch em every year and they are still great.

Happy Christmas movie watching!

The Grove is not just a place to shop and see movies and run into ex-boyfriends (wait, what?) it’s a holiday spot. There is the concert series in the summer, and in the winter there is daily faux snow for a couple of hours (it’s a big thing to me as I think its hilarious) and a huge Christmas Tree which has a huge unveiling complete with a show and celebration.

This year it happens on November 22 at 7:30pm.  They promise musical performances and more (I’m betting the more is fireworks) if you come out to get into the holiday spirit and celebrate the tree lighting.  In the past celebs in attendance and performing included Diana Krall, Teri Hatcher, Burt Bacharach, Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle and, drum roll please, Hall & Oates. I know!

And for you valley people and fireworks lovers, their other property The Americana at Brand has it’s tree lighting on November 19 at 730pm and features fireworks.

Enjoy the start of the fake snow season at The Grove.

It is just about that time of year again when faux snow pours at the Grove for a couple hours each day and you must put away your flip flops for boots.  Holiday time in L.A.!

I look forward to traditions of the TV kind where the Grinch rates very high, but you can head to the Pantages to see the stage musical version from November 10 til January 3, 2010.  The 90 minute show brings Dr. Seuss’ beloved songs to life such as, “You’re a mean one Mister Grinch,” and, “Welcome Christmas.”  The show is safe for all ages and runs 90 minutes long.  The sets are drawn from Dr. Seuss’ pages so you can get to Whoville very easily.

5 time Emmy winner John Larroquette (yes the one from Night Court and The Practice) plays Old Max and Stefan Karl (tons of credits and a BAFTA award) plays The Grinch in this 24 member cast.

Tickets are available now and range from $23 to $90 dollars, so you can afford to get in the holiday spirit and bring some little whos to the show.  Don’t be a Grinch!

The Oscars are around the corner so buzz about the new host was building – especially when the brit Gervais was announced as the Golden Globes Host this year (the Foreign Press is really going with the foreign thing, huh. Wonder if it will be a trend??) Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin are on tap to co-host the 82nd Academy Awards this year. Saying of their selection:

“I am happy to c0-host the Oscars with my enemy Alec Baldwin,” said Martin.

“I don’t play the banjo but I’m thrilled to be hosting the Oscars – it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Baldwin.

Baldwin is hilarious and Martin has done it before so it should be a good show (if not for sure a slightly comic one), as Exec Producers Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic are hoping.

I hope Wolverine doesn’t feel too bad?

ABC announced Kathy Griffin will be the host of a new series to debut on November 23rd, another take on celebrity dance competition shows.  This time the stars will be re-enacting, er, dancing famous dance scenes from movies and TV. (Niche you say? Duh!)  The My Life on the D-List star will also host the show to be called “Let’s Dance.”

And in case you were wondering, all the writers on all the late night shows, across networks, are still all men.  A lot of all’s, right?

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