louise on the left (coast)

A little while ago we went to The Groundlings , a comedy club in Los Angeles which I'm embarrassed to say I'd never been to before. I went because my husband had tickets since he's currently working on a piece about Orange County native, Mikey Day (Probably best known for his You Tube spoof "David Blaine Street Magic" .) UPDATE: Link to the story Peter Larsen (finally) wrote about Mikey Day, here . (took him long enough...) Anyhow, I can't believe it took me so long to go, because I totally forgot how funny really great comedy sketch work is. However, will admit that when I heard the title of this show -- "The Groundlings . In the study. With the candlestick" -- that I almost bailed out on going because I can't bear to sit through any spoof even loosely based the board game "Clue." But, this show is great -- (not even remotely associated with Clue, thank you, Jesus.) we had a wonderful time, and by the way, our

I'm sorry, but nothing EVER makes me laugh harder than watching re-runs of Extras... Here's Kate Winslet, talking about her husband 's Oscar.... And, this one, well, just makes me howl.

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Radiant Best-actress nominee Melissa Leo arrives at the Kodak Theater for Sunday's 81rst Annual Academy Awards. MSNBC ran a story about last night's neck and neck race for the Best Actress Oscar, which, as I predicted, could very well have gone to Melissa Leo. I really thought last night would end up being a long-shot, outsider win for both Rourke and Leo...And I kind of think all their fellow nominees, thought so, too. With votes split between Winslet, Streep, Leo could claim best actress prize By Courtney Hazlett The Scoop msnbc.com updated 1:29 p.m. PT, Sun., Feb. 22, 2009 "LOS ANGELES - The buzz about an Oscar upset in the Best Actress category is too great to ignore. Perhaps everyone just wants something new to talk about at this point, or maybe it’s true — “Frozen River” star Melissa Leo could walk away with 8-1/2 pounds of golden Academy love in her hand. One voting member of the Academy echoed sentiments I’ve heard several times this weekend. “

Pete says he passed on good wishes from me (to Melissa Leo) on her way in and she was genuinely touched to hear about all these efforts to cheer her on, and all that, good stuff, so, yay! What can I say, I'm just really, really happy for her right now. He said she looked great and that her son was there with her although she was walking down the press line with her producer and director and fellow actress Misty Upham. He said the most gorgeous, the most glamorous ones, other than Melissa, of course, were, in order of gushing: #1: Kate Winslet. (He says she's so stunning and genuine and real and bla, bla, bla...Every year he gushes about her. And she does look amazing. He's always adored her, with good reason.) #2: Penelope Cruz #3: Taraji Henson #4: And he seemed a bit speechless after talking with french actress, Marion Cotillard, who won the Best Actress Academy Award for her role as Édith Piaf. He said Langella looked nice, but kind of reserved (aka: shy) and

Okay, so maybe it's because it's overcast today, or maybe it's because I just can't stand waiting to see Melissa Leo tonight at the Oscars but today just seems like an eternity till those awards start! Anyhow, I had to see what she's been saying in her most recent interviews managed to find some photos of her looking fabulous. (Can't wait to see what she wears tonight!) First of all, can I just say that I had no idea she was "dragged kicking and screaming to Vermont."    Or that her dad lives in Long Island or that she hasn't seen Thelma & Louise. Wow.   And, secondly, I love that she goes on record stating she's a "method" actor, which is kind of bold statement to make given the hype surrounding that term. She's a brave one.  She just has to win! Hell, she'll give the most interesting speech, for God's sake!  Doesn't that count for anything!   For God's sake, just hurry up and pick Melissa!   Here's that

My handsome, tuxedo'd up reporter husband, Pete Larsen! Note: Dashing handsome Orange County Register reporter with handy-dandy notebook interviews "difficult" celebrities on the cement carpet. (Oh, wait, that's not "Steve" in Blue's Clues, is it?) Peter Larsen, The Orange County Register : Hello, Miss, can you answer one or two questions, for me? Miss Larsen #1 : I need to check with my press agent, first. Reporter: So, who do you predict will win the Academy Award for Best Actress this year? Miss Larsen #2: Why, Mom's old school chum, Melissa Leo, of course! We all saw Frozen River can't tell why on earth it got an "R" rating, because Mommy talks like that all the time. Note: Dashing press vehicle including official OSCARS press pass. Okay, so, once again I waved so long to my husband, tuxedo'd up and ready to meet and greet the stars who strut down the infamous red carpet on their way into the 2009 Academy Awards.