iVillage - TV

Seinfeld Reunion on Curb Your Enthusiasm

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:08:18 +0000

With some TV shows, you tune in because you're invested in the characters. Week after week, you watch these people navigate life's ups and downs, and you long to know what will happen to them. When Jim pined for Pam on The Office, you rooted for him. In those moments when they connected, the payoff wasn't just funny; it was emotionally satisfying.

Seinfeld was a fantastic sitcom--possibly the best ever--but it wasn't one of those shows. I caught every last episode, but not because I cared deeply for George's plight with women, or Elaine's issues with J. Peterman, or Kramer's latest get-rich-quick scheme. I watched because the show was hilarious and light-hearted. Jerry didn't take these people (his best friends) seriously, so why should we, the viewers? It managed to be smart--but just for fun. The Office has made me cry. Seinfeld? Never.

After Seinfeld ended, its co-creator, Larry David, continued the smart-but-light-hearted thing on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Last night, its excellent seventh season ended with a fictional Seinfeld reunion. It wasn't something I've been clamoring for. I haven't thought about Seinfeld in ages. But there it was last night. We got to see snatches of Seinfeld again--not just the usual repeats but a new episode--as the actual actors rehearsed the scenes. We watched parts of the show along with Larry, sitting on his couch at home.

And my heart swelled with affection. Sure, I haven't sat around wondering whatever happened to Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer, but getting to see them again felt special. We all have our connections to Seinfeld, the jokes we related to, or the fictional situations that we ourselves had been in. I may not have been emotionally invested in any of the characters per se, but I'd underestimated how attached I was to the show itself.

For those who thought that Jerry and Elaine would eventually end up together, the faux reunion put an end to that idea. It's not even brought up. Discussing a possible happy union between George and his ex-wife, Larry says, "Who's gonna buy that? What couples get together in the end?" Seinfeld was never about emotional pay-offs. But the irony is, last night's Curb delivered just that.

Do you miss Seinfeld? Chime in below!

Kate Gosselin The Appeal of Kate: We Could Relate

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:03:31 +0000

Tonight, TLC will air the final episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8. Most news outlets have trumpeted this information with a sigh of relief. Good riddance, they say, to this squabbling couple and their sanctimonious divorce. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

The truth is, though, that the Gosselins were welcomed guests in millions of homes over the last four and a half years, and for a while, we enjoyed their company. In May of 2006, when I had one baby and a second on the way, I happened to catch their Discovery Channel special, Surviving Sextuplets and Twins. There was Kate, a woman with twin preschoolers and six babies who were just a few months older than my one. She was dealing with my issues -- fatigue, tedium, joy, wonder, non-stop work -- on an exponential scale. Her nursery was like mine, a sacred place. But hers had six cribs.

She walked us viewers through her day, starting in the morning, when she first entered that room of cribs. Surrounded by babies, outnumbered by them, she got right to work. Changing diapers. Snapping onesies. Preparing, then hand-feeding healthy food. Laundry, laundry, laundry. She did everything I did, times six. I can't begin to express how helpful that was to me. In my tough moments -- dirty diapers at inconvenient times, nonstop crying, whatever it was -- I'd remind myself, "You can handle this. She's just one baby."

Later, I discovered that the special had been developed into a series. The Gosselin kids, and my first daughter, were now 2 years old. I loved seeing how Kate's children had grown and changed, as mine had. I loved, too, watching Kate grapple with the issues common to 2-year-olds, and marriage.

There was so much I could relate to. In one early episode, when Kate asked Jon to organize the garage, the sextuplets gathered behind one of the many baby gates (just like at our house) and squealed for Daddy (just like at our house). Kate then complained that when Jon had a project like this, she lost her weekend -- the one time she wasn't sole caretaker of the kids. What mom hasn't been hit with "overtime" parenting, and couldn't help griping about it?

The potty training episodes were priceless, because they highlighted a universal truth: Potty training is an all-consuming activity. For as long as it takes, the training shapes your days, and it's awful. Yes, it was strange when Kate took a photo of Alexis sitting next to her first poop in the potty. But I think most moms would agree that the end of dirty diaper changing is a glorious moment worth celebrating. (Though, for the record, I agree with Jon that photographing it was gross.)

Kate's children gave up their pacifiers right around when my older one did. "You can have one last suck," Kate told the kids before taking them away. "Why would you tease them?" Jon asked, as if the pacifier was a cigarette. And it's true: Paci sucking is like an addiction. "I told them they can have one last suck," she insisted. Then, cold turkey.

The first dentist visit, with Kate hovering and fretting, was also interesting, if uncomfortable, to watch. Kate correctly predicted who would flip out in the chair, and who would make it through easily. The kids went through in pairs, and we viewers sighed along with Kate when Leah reached over and took Joel's hand to comfort him.

My favorite episode was the day they visited the Crayola Factory, a "hands-on experience." Some amused producer kept a tally of how many potty breaks were required. But the running joke was that neat freak Kate is extremely wary of "markers or paint or any of that kind of stuff" around her children. "Nothing messy, that's the rule," she said. "When they offer us a project, nothing messy." Jon took his cue and rolled his eyes. (His eyes must be so tired.) And later, Kate explained her marker horror. "When you have one child who gets one stain on her shirt, that's one thing," she said. "When you have eight kids that are all markered up, that's a whole day I'm spending in the laundry room on stain removal." Point taken.

Even with all those little voices and opinions and personalities, Kate seemed to know each child. So did Jon. In one episode, they told the TLC interviewer about their kids' eating patterns, while the camera panned across the little faces around the dinner table. "Hannah eats more vegetables and fruit." "Colin eats more than the others." "Leah eats less." "Joel and Aiden are a toss-up, but on the lesser side." "Alexis can eat almost as much as Collin." As they reeled off their kids' likes and dislikes, their love for their kids -- each kid -- came through. A mom knows those special little details, even a mom of eight. That was lovely to watch.

As a viewer, I found the sextuplets' fifth birthday party to be bittersweet. By then, the couple's marital problems were front and center at supermarket newsstands. "The kids are so innocently oblivious to all that surrounds us and follows us," said Kate, sitting at a picnic table with one of the little girls. The camera angle includes Jon, but he was eating at a separate table. And even this was a relatable moment. What parents haven't had to shield their little ones from some adult-inspired tension? Viewing this happy event through knowing eyes, I felt a twinge of sadness when Colin declared, "This is my favorite birthday ever!"

I understand why people are relieved by the Gosselins' departure, and I agree that it's for the best. The divorce coverage was outrageously over-hyped, and that's not to mention the many concerns that have been raised about filming the children. But a lot of people enjoyed the show for a while, and this sour ending doesn't detract from the many sweet and relatable moments it offered during its run. I bid them a fond farewell.

Taylor Swift Dominates American Music Awards

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:01:25 +0000

There's just no stopping Taylor Swift. The 19-year-old singer added to her collection of trophies last night by picking up five American Music Awards, including the coveted favorite artist of the year.

"I just want to say that music has never been ultimately about competition and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson who we'll miss and love forever is an unimaginable honor," Taylor said via satellite from London of being up against the King of Pop for the night's biggest award. Taylor, who also won favorite pop/rock female artist, favorite adult-contemporary artist, favorite country album for Fearless and favorite country female artist, added, "I'm sending my love to the Jackson family and Janet."

And the Jackson family was there to accept Taylor's love -- and Michael's awards -- as the late singer won four posthumous trophies, including favorite pop/rock artist and pop/rock album for his 2003 greatest hits set, Number Ones. Michael's winnings last night brought his AMA stash to a record-breaking 25.

"We love you, Michael," said Jermaine Jackson, who accepted the honor on his brother's behalf. "It's not just about the winnings, the awards, it's mainly the message. The message that Michael will live on forever ... and he saw good in everyone and he wanted them to do good. To start with love and let's love each other."

The rest of the show that was chock-full of performances, including American Idol's Adam Lambert making his mark with a tongue-wagging (literally) spectacle. As the last performer of the night, Glambert's onstage antics left some speechless, as he simulated sex and made out with a male band member.

What did you think of the AMAs? Chime in below!

Jon & Kate Plus 8 Series Finale Why We'll Miss Them

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:15:47 +0000

As Jon & Kate Plus 8 wraps up its final season, it's strange to think of the Gosselin family no longer coming into our living room. From the adorable twins and sextuplets -- Mady, Cara, Joel, Collin, Aaden, Leah, Alexis and Hannah -- to the love/hate relationship we have with parents Kate and Jon, this oversized brood has been a part of our lives since the family first appeared on TLC on May 14, 2006.

We'll miss the cute kid moments ("The boys did it!") and one-liners ("Hannah pooped in Hannah's underwears.") We'll miss Kate's blow-ups (screaming "What is the rule about receipts?" after Jon didn't -- gasp! -- use a coupon) and her tender scenes (Alexis saying an adorably sweet "Hi, Mommy" after Kate returned home from getting a tummy tuck). We'll miss Jon's funny exchanges with the kids ("Did you pongu in there?"). And, of course, we'll also miss the fact that the Gosselins have provided us with endless fodder for us to gossip about.

Though we've loved them from the beginning, we first really started talking about the Gosselins when rumors started that Jon was cheating on Kate. Then Kate went on the Today show to talk about the affair accusations. She told PEOPLE magazine that she and Jon might split. And suddenly Jon got a new girlfriend -- the younger Hailey Glassman. In the midst of all the relationship drama, Jon and Kate were investigated for a child labor complaint. Suddenly, their lives seemed more like a soap opera than a heartwarming family show.

On June 22, TLC announced that Jon and Kate were making a major announcement. That night we watched the couple sit on their interview couch and tell us they were splitting up. The same day the episode aired, the couple filed for divorce.

Kate stayed strong in the midst of it all: Admist rumors that Kate would get her own talk show (while we had some helpful suggestions other reality shows Jon should join), she was a guest host on The View, where she showed off a hot, new do. She even mocked herself on The Jay Leno Show.

When TLC announced that the show would start being called Kate Plus 8, Jon forbade the cameras from filming his kids. TLC sued Jon and Jon sued back. And the lack of fresh footage forced TLC to bring the series to an end.

Now, as we gear up for the sure-to-be-tear-filled series finale of Jon & Kate Plus 8, we remember the kids' cutest moments. After all, through the Gosselin family's ups and downs and tabloid coverage, those "eight little faces" are the heart of the show and the reason we'll miss watching it on TV each week.

The Jon & Kate Plus 8 series finale will air on TLC this Monday night at 9 p.m.

Lost Comes Back in February!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:12:49 +0000

Lost is approaching its last season, and still -- so many mysteries! Where did the smoke monster come from? Where did Claire and the baby vanish to? What do the numbers mean? What's with the freakin' polar bear already?

Lucky for everyone, we can solve one mystery right now: When is Lost returning?

ABC has announced that the final season of Lost will premiere on Tuesday, February 2nd. The two-hour premiere will kick off at 9 p.m., following a recap special at 8 p.m. (because let's face it, the last five seasons are all starting to blend together). Starting February 9, the series will fall into its regular time slot on Tuesdays from 9-10 p.m.

We don't know any plot details, but we do know which actors will receive star billing. That list includes some surprises: among the main characters for this season are long-lost Claire (Emilie de Ravin), Miles the ornery scientist (Ken Leung), the Others' Richard (Nestor Carbonell), and Ilana -- the head honcho survivor from that other plane crash (Zuleikha Robinson). All the other series regulars are in effect, except for Juliet (guess she really died, huh?).

Over at Lost fansite The Tail Section, they're already forming new theories:

The return of de Ravin and the lack of Mitchell and many DHARMA folks suggests to me that all those theories about the bomb working and changing the future so Oceanic 815 lands safely are true.... But then how the heck are Locke and Sun still on the Island? I can’t explain it, except that we may be dealing with weird parallel universes.

If Oceanic Flight 815 didn't crash, does that mean the whole show never happened? You're blowing our minds, J.J. Abrams...

Are you excited for the return of Lost? Chime in below!

TV Tune-In: What to Watch This Week

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:54:02 +0000

With all the chaos preparing for Thanksgiving -- shopping, cooking and the big day! -- we understand that things are hectic. But at some point, you might need a quick break for some much-deserved relaxation in front of the TV this week.

Here are some highlights:

Personal Effects
This Lifetime movie, starring Ashton Kutcher and Michelle Pfeiffer, shows how personal tragedies can lead to unexpected friendships.
Lifetime, Sat. Nov. 21, 9 p.m.

2009 American Music Awards
Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas and Jennifer Lopez take the stage as the year's winning artists are revealed.
ABC, Sun. Nov. 22, 8 p.m.

Jon & Kate Plus 8 Series Finale
For five seasons we've followed the Gosselin family through the cute moments, the constant bickering and the end of a marriage. Now Jon and Kate sit down one last time to say a final goodbye to their life as a TV brood.
TLC, Mon. Nov. 23, 9 p.m.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Watch as hapless Charlie Brown tries to throw a Thanksgiving meal for all his pals in the animated family classic.
ABC, Thurs. Nov. 26, 8 p.m.

NBC's "People of the Year"
From Taylor Swift to Nadya Suleman, Matt Lauer takes a look at the most buzzworthy figures of 2009.
NBC, Thurs. Nov. 26, 9 p.m.

Beyonce and Paul McCartney Concert Specials
Beyonce and Paul McCartney will be on hand Thanksgiving night to entertain the family in back-to-back one-hour concerts events.
ABC, Thurs. Nov. 26, 9 p.m.

'30 Rock' Recap: Taking the Piss

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:17:22 +0000

Lemon learns two rather important things this episode: 1.) Don't drink Frank's sun tea (it's pee!) and 2.) Her apartment is turning into condos. As for the latter, Lemon weighs staying in her own apartment and facing a sky-high rent increase, or taking Jack's advice and using her Dealbreakers money to expand into the apartment above.

She opts for the second choice and finds in the apartment above a hipster (Nate Corddry) named Brian. He invites her to join forces with him and move in, to damn the man. She agrees, secretly planning to drive him out at the first opportunity.

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Little Couple Best TV Marriage

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:32:10 +0000

This week, I recorded TLC's The Little Couple (Tuesdays, 10 p.m.), and then watched it with my TV remote in hand. "I'm going to want to hit fast forward," I thought. But I was wrong. Bill and Jen Klein on The Little Couple are the most engaging and intelligent pair I've seen on a reality show. Of all the marriages currently on TV, I'd say theirs is by far the strongest, most loving one. They are the antidote to Jon and Kate -- the "how to" example in the face of the Gosselins' "how not to."

In this week's episode, TLC's cameras followed them on a daytime TV appearance on Dr. Oz. Before they go, we see Jen at work on the neonatal unit at the hospital. She is a self-assured physician, clearly knowledgeable in her field. That she has to use a step stool to stand over the crib of a struggling preemie doesn't detract from the fact that this doctor is both kind and in control.

When the Kleins travel to New York for the taping, we see their easy way together. Their banter is tender and natural -- not just when they're alone but also in the hectic moments before stepping in front of Dr. Oz's live audience. Bill's dry wit emerges throughout the episode. After the appearance, he says, "I got a joke in, which is, of course, my objective." (The couple's actual objective was to discuss the medical implications of dwarfism.) Later, at dinner in a restaurant, Jen cheerfully asks a waiter, "You wouldn't happen to have a set of linens I could sit on?" To which Bill adds, "She likes to be taller than me." There is no whiff of self-pity here, or manufactured pluck.

"I'll probably try to impress Jen until the day I die," Bill says, and it's not mushy. If there's something different about this TV couple, it's this: They are each other's closest and dearest friend.

Who's your favorite TV couple? Chime in below!

Grey's Anatomy Why Do Men Love Mean Girls?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:55:13 +0000

There are TV characters you love to hate. Newman, from Seinfeld. Creed, from The Office. Sue Sylvester, from Glee.

And then there are TV characters that you love and hate. Amanda, from the original Melrose Place. Ling, from Ally McBeal. And Cristina Yang, from Grey's Anatomy.

Cristina (Sandra Oh) is a classic mean girl. Surrounded by human distress (illness, injuries, heartrending, soap-opera-style storylines), she rarely shows emotion. Abrasive, highly competitive, and short-tempered, she's Grey's queen of mean.

And yet she has an effortless knack for attracting handsome doctors. She dated Preston Burke (Isaiah Washingon) for three seasons -- until he realized that she didn't return his ardor. She's now dating the outspoken, straight-shooting army surgeon, Owen (Kevin McKidd), who puts up with her caustic demeanor because...I truly have no idea. Another doc, Jackson (Jesse Williams) -- gorgeous even in a surgical mask -- has fallen for her, too.

Why, why, why do men go for mean girls like Cristina? I'm no psychologist, so I can only guess. But here are some theories.

Theory #1: Mean girls seem hard to get. Guys love a challenge.

Theory #2: Nice girls are often disingenuous, because they don't want to hurt a guy's feelings. "I'd love to go out with you again" might actually mean "I'm being polite now, but I won't be answering the phone when you call." Not so with mean girls. Cristina tells it like it is.

Theory #3: Mean girls tend to be feisty. Men think, "Is she this feisty in bed?"

Of course, in Cristina's case, it's not just men who put up with her. She's a beloved character among the show's (heavily female) viewers, too. Two episodes ago, Grey's writers hinted that Cristina would soon have some competition for Owen, in the form of the lovely, blond cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver). On a Grey's fan site, I couldn't help but notice that scores of viewers immediately cried foul, demonizing the potential other woman. They just love their cruel, nasty, sharp-tongued Cristina.

They didn't have to bellyache for long. Last night, when Teddy whispered her heartfelt, longstanding love into Owen's ear, his response was: "I love Cristina." Of course it was. Fact is, Teddy never stood a chance at stealing Cristina's boyfriend. A mean (i.e. feisty) girl always gets her man.

Why do you think men love mean girls? Chime in below!

'Project Runway' Recap: Reasons to Copy New York

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:44:46 +0000

Poor Carol Hannah is still sick, and overwhelmed. She must, however, soldier on and keep working on her collection. All three designers are feeling enormous pressure, as one might expect. Finally, though, CH has a tiny breakdown, crying on Christopher's shoulder. He is extremely kind to her, as are all their helpers.

During the hair and makeup trials, Irina and Althea of course have similar ideas. Naturally, Irina cracks that Althea is copying her, and I consider going back in time to stab her. Tim looks over their last-minute 13th looks, advising and comforting when emotional fragility emerges.

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'Private Practice' Recap: And the Winner is... Cooper Freedman

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:16:02 +0000

Addison's father, "the Captain," shows up this week and turns her whole world upside-down. Mainly because she's a spoiled rich girl who blames all of her problems on the very man who has given her a gazillion dollar trust fund. I'm not trying to say money solves your problems or anything, but she could throw the guy a bone for being there for her in at least some ways. And he's visiting her this episode, trying to be there at least. She first blames her cheating on Derek on him, though, and then tells him she's not his family, because the people she works with are. That makes the kissing Sam last week even squickier, doesn't it?

Then this show proves it cares about continuity with the returns of Heather, a patient we've seen before, and the mention of Charlotte and Cooper's almost wedding. First, Heather. Dell's back, FINALLY. And he's married. To Heather. Everyone at the practice freaks, and Violet and Naomi stage an intervention. Then Violet visits Heather. But Dell yells at her, and says what we've all been thinking -- how she hasn't been there for her own son, how she left Pete, blah, blah, Violet sucks, blah -- and she gives him a congratulations/I'm sorry plant, and tells him what a good dad he is. He says he loves Betsey, but he did this because he loves Heather. Awwww. I missed Dell and his idealism. Let's hope he sticks around a little longer before his next hiatus.

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'Grey's Anatomy' Recap: Cheers!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:37:42 +0000

It seems that one of the bonuses of working at Seattle Grace is that, if you don't already have a horrible relationship with your parents, you'll be sure to develop some sort of problem that will then play out publicly in front of all of your co-workers. (Watch out, Arizona!) Bailey has not told her parents about her divorce, and things are fine until her father shows up for Christmas to see his grandson. Once the cat is out of the bag, he tells her how ashamed he is of her for destroying her family, so she invites herself over to Derek and Meredith's for dinner to prove she has friends and a life.

Her dad just gives her a talking-to for using the word "bowel" at the table, so she finally blows up and tells him that her son is healthy and happy and that's what is important, and then they and all of her friends and co-workers who have just witnessed the fight try and relax and have some turkey. It puts the "fun" in "dysfunctional," all right.

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Oprah Quits 'Oprah'

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:25:33 +0000

It's going to be the biggest show EVERRRRRR!

Oprah Winfrey has decided to end her talk show reign in 2011, after 25 years on the air. "The last day will be Sept. 9, 2011," O's spokesperson said Thursday. "She will speak about it on [Friday's] live show."

It's hard to imagine our afternoons without Oprah, who's been a television staple since her first episode aired in 1986, but sources say that the talk-show queen is moving on to bigger things. Oprah is reportedly planning to launch her own cable channel called OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network.

"We have the greatest respect for Oprah and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors," CBS TV Distribution, which currently airs Oprah, said in a statement. "We know that anything she turns her hand to will be a great success. We look forward to working with her for the next several years and hopefully afterwards as well."

Can you even imagine what Oprah's final show is going to be like? We're sure it's going to be a star-studded, tear-jerking event like no other.

Will you miss Oprah in the afternoon? Chime in below!

'I' is for Involvement

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:58:08 +0000

Jim and Janee Gentrup are loving parents that set high standards for their teens. To live under their roof, a good attitude and placing your best foot forward is mandatory at all times. They believe that when teens give back to the community and get involved, it’s a step in the right direction. In this family, a defiant attitude won’t get you far… but it will get you extra chores.

Christiana and Ronnie are two spoiled teens who are used to receiving everything they want, but are not keen on giving. Can a week with the Gentrups teach these two that giving up time to spend with others is not only important, it’s fun? Find out on World’s Strictest Parents, Saturday at 8/7c, only on CMT.

SYTYCD Recap: The Cruelest Cut of All

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:24:00 +0000

We are live! Well, I'm not, because I'm on the West Coast. And you're not, because you're reading this recap instead of watching the show. But someone, somewhere watched this show live, and that's what counts.

We start with a peculiar, drapery-infested dance routine to the music of "Aha!" by Imogen Heap. The boys are all shirtless and the women are barely covered at all. I like to guess who choreographed these routines, and I'm going to go with Sonya. It's pretty and enjoyable, anyway. It's also hard to describe, which is why I'm kind of talking around the dance itself. Oh! It's actually by Wade and Amanda. So there you go: just imagine a Wade and Amanda piece that looks like it might be by Sonya and you'll have exactly this dance.

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Kevin McKidd Grey's Anatomy Kim Raver Sandra Oh

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:50:24 +0000

Scottish actor Kevin McKidd, 36, is taking some heat from Grey's Anatomy fans. His character, Dr. Owen Hunt, who is dating Sandra Oh's Cristina Yang, has added a new surgeon to Seattle Grace Hospital: the gorgeous Dr. Teddy Altman, played by Kim Raver. McKidd gives us the dirt on how Teddy will affect Owen and Cristina's relationship, how much Owen knows about Cristina's ex, Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington), and how fans have influenced his performance. Plus: Have McKidd's children seen his work?

Are there rough roads ahead for Cristina and Owen?

I think rough road is too simplistic. I think, yeah, it's not going to be easy. It's never meant to be easy. It's a TV show. But I think it's rough and also very passionate. I think this season so far for them has been very work oriented. I think they've realized they have very different points of view when it comes to work. They have this deep connection in their personal life with each other and I think you saw that last season. This season was seeing them disagree on fundamental issues at work. I think this whole thing with Teddy is going to really crystallize and intensify everything that's come before and change everything in a way we don't expect. I think it's going to bring some really interesting revelations about Owen and Cristina.

Should fans be worried about the arrival of Teddy?

Teddy and he are friends. Very close friends. My analogy is almost like two people who climb Everest together. They probably know more about each other -- the essence, the core of that person -- than that person's wife. And I think being in Iraq is kind of that same experience. So it creates a really interesting dynamic. Cristina is now obviously going to fall in love with Teddy because she's the teacher she always wanted and is this amazing surgeon. Cristina and Owen are in love. They've struggled so much and they know how much that means to them. And Teddy and Owen have this deep connection. So I think that it's almost like a strange embrace that the three of them are in. I think that it's not going to be a threat, but I think it's going to make things very complicated and there's going to be a lot of passionate exchanges.

Was Teddy's relationship with Owen in her imagination? Or did something actually happen between them in Iraq?

I think we have to wait and see. We're not that far ahead of what you guys are seeing as far as what we're shooting. That's very much the question that she laid out there, and Owen was too taken aback to really say anything in that moment. I think the answer to that question is coming and and it's not what we expect.

Do you know how many episodes Kim Raver will be in?

No, I don't actually. I'm not sure. I wish I knew, but I don't know.

Would you consider Owen naïve? He brought a blonde bombshell into the hospital and didn't think it would complicate things with Cristina.

If it was me and my life, I probably would question it a little bit more. It's a TV show so you have to make those leaps of faith. I get that point of view. But I genuinely think, or the way I justify it, is that he knows Cristina. There's been a lot of comments saying he doesn't get her. He does get Cristina. He absolutely does. He knows Teddy so well. He knows how fantastic she can be. And he knows how frustrated his girlfriend is right now. So I think it is genuine. I think he wants to put all that aside in a way and he knows Cristina might initially have a problem with this. But he has faith that despite her initial reservations she's going to realize that Owen is right and that Teddy is the perfect mentor for her. So I don't think it's naïveté, I think he genuinely loves Cristina and he genuinely has a positive outlook.

Will Owen find out about Cristina kissing Jackson?

I don't think he will. No. I'd be interested to see how he reacts if he ever did. I don't think it would pretty, because he's very possessive and very passionate about his relationship. But I do not think he's going to find out about it.

Based on last episode's lunchroom scene, it seemed like Owen knew about Cristina's relationship with Dr. Burke. Do you know if that's the case?

I actually debated that with a writer on set that day. My feeling on that is that Owen knows as much as this guy Burke was one of the top cardio Gods in his field, so obviously most attending surgeons would know that person's name. But beyond that I think he knows the bare bones of what may or may not have happened. I think that's it. I don't think that story's been told yet for Owen. That's how I'm operating. He knows the basic information, but he does not know the truth.

Does fan feedback influence how you think about your character?

It does. You know I think people have become so invested in these characters that I think it would be disrespectful to not take those points of view into account. It's a very interesting dynamic between fans and you the actor and the character. Because me, the actor Kevin McKidd, I sometimes see Owen do things that I don't agree with and I don't think he should do. But the point is that of course he should do that because it makes good TV and it creates the bait and heat and some kind of controversy about people's choices. People make mistakes in their life all the time, so why shouldn't TV characters? I think that dynamic between what fans want for their favorite characters and what the actor wants for their character and what the actor ends up doing is always very interesting.

Switching gears, have you shown your children -- Joseph, 9, and Iona, 7 -- any of your work?

You know, there's not much they're allowed to see because there's blood on Grey's, there's lots of blood on Rome. Basically, I'm just about to do a voice for a big Pixar movie that comes out in 2012 called Bear and the Bow. It's Reese Witherspoon, Billy Connolly, Craig Ferguson, myself, and a few other actors. And I can't wait for that because my kids will be able to go to the premiere. In fact there is one film coming out in February called Percy Jackson & the Olympians and my son has now read all five Percy Jackson books because I'm in it. So they're very excited about that because they can actually watch it for a change.

'Grey's Anatomy' airs Thursday at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Kristen Stewart Throws 'Big Balls' on 'Late Night'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:35:52 +0000

On her final stop of the Twilight: New Moon whirlwind press tour, Kristen Stewart shared some laughs with Jimmy Fallon as well as a story about how she offered to hook up Martha Stewart with her co-star and rumored boyfriend, Robert Pattinson.

Wearing a short, strapless dress, heavy eye-makeup, deep red lipstick and slicked-back hair, Kristen looked a bit like a Robert Palmer backup dancer in her Late Night with Jimmy Fallon appearance. She started out by giving the talk-show host a bit of the stink eye as if she didn't believe his high praise of her performance in New Moon.

Things lightened up a bit when Kristen talked about how she recently met Martha Stewart and tried to talk about pie, but Martha was more interested in talking about R-Pattz. Apparently the Kitchen Goddess had had a dream about Pattinson, in which he was "very down to earth" and "really real."

Kristen said she told Martha: "Dude, I should hook you guys up."

Teetering on her stilettos, Kristen showed off the football-throwing skills Taylor Lautner helped her refine during downtime on the Twilight set. Jimmy had her throw the "big balls" (her words!) across the stage while he held up dinner plates as targets. She hit nearly every single one with no trouble at all.

Kristen's amazing football toss:

Kids' Birthday Parties -- The 'Modern Family' Way

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:11:17 +0000

"Nothing is too big when Phil and Claire decide to throw Luke the biggest and best birthday party a boy could ever want."

That's the description of next week's installment of Modern Family, airing November 25. But it could easily depict any number of parties that go on in my suburban neighborhood. So I was interested to watch a video clip of an on-set interview with Nolan Gould, who plays Luke, offering some tidbits on this "biggest and best birthday party."

Not surprisingly, Phil, a.k.a. Cool Dad (Ty Burrell) has spared no expense. He's rented a zip line, a repelling wall, a bouncy house, a snow cone vendor and a reptile handler named Jungle Tanya. Admittedly, Fizbo the Clown probably came free, since it's really Uncle Cameron (Eric Stonestreet).

In my humble opinion, no second-grade shindig should require a theme, or a title with "palooza" on the end. But as usual, Modern Family reflects reality. Parents are renting inflatable water slides and petting zoos and carnival rides. At some point during grade school, your kids will probably attend an extravagant bash, or five.

A friend told me recently that she dropped her daughter off at a six-year-old's party with gift in hand: a beautifully wrapped Webkinz animal. It cost $12.99. When her daughter returned home, she reached into the "loot bag" she'd been given on the way out the door. Among the "thanks for coming" giveaways was a Webkinz animal. How embarrassing.

On the other hand, my five-year-old had a blast at the last super-party we attended -- the one with the two-story, inflatable slide and gorgeous, bountiful spread of food. I had a good time, too. (Did I mention they also had a bar for the adults?) A few months later, when we "hosted" her birthday party at the park down the street, she was equally thrilled. So for the time being, I'm not too worried about the crazy party trend. Apparently, Carvel flying saucers and playground games were just as cool.

Now, will she still feel that way at 10? Or maybe at that point she'd prefer a different venue, like the food court at the mall?

What's the most elaborate kids party you've ever attended? Chime in below!

'Top Chef' Recap: Final Four

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:23:00 +0000

Quickfire Challenge: Guest judge Gavin Kaysen (who represented the United States in the Bocuse d'Or, which is like the cooking Olympics) challenges them to create a version of Gavin's competition dish, where they have to do a protein inside a protein inside a protein (like a turducken, for example) in ninety minutes. The winner is Jennifer, who made a seafood version with calamari, salmon, and scallops, along with a side rice noodle salad. When Padma tasted it, she even told Jen, "Welcome back."

Elimination Challenge: Each cheftestant will create "a regal presentation platter" with one protein and two garnishes. The garnishes can't just be some parsley or a schmear of a puree – they must be intricate and show off technique, as they would be in the real Bocuse d'Or. They get four hours to cook, and Jen gets an extra 30 minutes due to her Quickfire win, and they have to use either lamb or salmon as their protein. They'll be cooking for 12 judges, including Thomas Keller.

CLICK TO READ THE FULL RECAP

ANTM Recap: America's Next Top Model Is...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:12 +0000

It’s the finale! It’s pretty much the same as usual, minus the elimination at the half-hour point. Nicole and Laura are clearly thrilled to be in the final two, and both are pretty sympathetic characters given their nerdy awkwardness and sunny small-town disposition, respectively. Almost immediately, they get their Cover Girl commercial script. Laura, who we are reminded is dyslexic, is stressed about being able to read and memorize her lines, insipid as they are. Teyona is there to shill product and remind us that she exists. While Jay directs the girls on their commercial shoots, Nigel photographs them for a Cover Girl ad. Nicole pretty much nails the photograph.

Laura struggles at first in remembering and delivering her lines. However, her natural pluck is a great asset in this situation as she relaxes, refuses to freak out, and eventually comes as close to nailing her lines as she’s going to get. Nicole, who was very confident going into the commercial shoot, starts to lose it a bit once she gets on set. Jay tells her that she comes off as a snooty child of privilege, and Nicole would rather pose with a bloody eyeball than seem like a snob. Eventually, however, she turns in a pretty likable performance. Laura looks beautiful in her photo shoot, but when Nigel asks her what she’s thinking about she replies, "Milkshakes!" He would like a little more emotion out of his models. The girls then have a Seventeen cover shoot by Gilles Bensimon, chaperoned by Ann Shoket, whose “Hi ladieeeeeeeees!” reaches dog whistle proportions.

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Which 'Sesame Street' Character Are You?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:36:24 +0000

We asked two doctors to psychoanalyze the personality traits of your favorite furry friends—do these tongue-in-cheek assessments sound like anyone you know?