Reality on Bravo

Time out from Reality on Bravo News to talk about one of my favorite online tools - StumbleUpon. Now, I’d like to start off by saying that I hate downloadable toolbars. HATE. But the SU toolbar is different. If you like to surf the web, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend it.

StumbleUpon basically allows you to stumble onto great sites. So, if you’re bored, you can type in a keyword or click on one of the hand pre-made categories and hit “stumble.” SU will take you to a random site on the Internet. That’s it. That’s all there is to it. No annoying ads or popups or anything like that. Just click “stumble,” and you’re surfing the web–but only finding websites of interest to you!

SU uses a user rating system to determine how often a site randomly appears when someone stumbles a keyword. So, when you find a site you like, just look at the keyword and click the thumbs up button to show your approval. At the same time, if you stumble to a dumb site that isn’t useful or interesting, you can hit the thumbs down button so it is stumbled less often.

That’s where Reality on Bravo comes in. If you like this site, you can “stumble” it, by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon on your stumble toolbar. That means more people will get to visit this site randomly as they’re stumbling. You can also click on post titles to stumble just a specific post. For example, I’ve stumbled a post on Five Reasons Why I think Tom Colicchio is Fabulous. Good things to “stumble” are timeless items that will still be relevant to stumblers next month or even next year, not short news pieces.

You can “stumble” (ie, vote for) ANY site on the Internet. If you’re the first person, you’ve “discovered” the site, and you’ll be asked to “tag” it with a few keywords. If you’re not the first person, you can leave a review or simple thumbs up/down.

In any case, I hope you’ll look into using this tool. It really is a great way to support the sites you like to read and to kill time when you want to surf the Internet!

1. Better Half. I’ll watch it to keep all my readers updated…but come one, Bravo. Is this show really necessary?

2. A new season of Real Housewives without Jo De La Rosa. True, I wasn’t her biggest fan, but at least she kept things interesting!

3. The End of Top Chef. I feel like we just began, and I’m sad it’s already so close to being over.

Lee National Denim Day® is one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer. In October, Lee Jeans encourages millions of people nationwide to slip into their favorite jeans and make a $5 donation to support the fight against breast cancer.

This year, I’m getting involved as a 451 Press Blogger. Of course, putting on jeans is actually dressing up, since bloggers often wear pjs or sweats, but instead I’ll be “comfortable” on my blog - instead of writing about religion for the day, I’ll write about another topic I really, really enjoy. You’ll have to “tune in” on October 5 to see what topic I choose!

I hope you’ll help me in raising money to reach my goal of $1000. If you’re a blogger, you can feel free to “wear jeans” on your blog for a day too!

To donate through my team online or join the team, go to my team page here. If you’re a blogger and going to participate, let me know and I’ll add you to the page.

Help Find Religion and 451 Press fight breast cancer. Thank you for your donation.

Congratulations to Wendy from New York, the winner of the Reality on Bravo “If I had $300…” comment contest. Wendy writes for the blog www.tvenvy.com and the celebrity section of LoveToKnow and will receive a magazine subscription of her choice. Her comment was picked in a random drawing. The winning words?

“If I had an additional $300, I would put it towards my Disney World fund. For $300, Kathy Griffin should buy a new haircut! I think she needs to update her bangs.”

Thanks to everyone who entered!

On a side note, 451 Press is still compiling all of the comments from throughout the network for the cash drawings, so stay tuned to find out who won the money (it could be you!).

In the meanwhile, don’t forget to enter the Real Housewives DVD contest. You could have a prize coming to your mailbox soon too!

I’d just like to take a moment today to say that my heart goes out to all the victims - and survivors - of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the resulting world conflicts. I’ve posted about the day on my site Find Religion, and hope you’ll head there to read my story and leave a comment of support for all those also reading it, some of whom may have strong, painful memories of losing loved ones that day. God Bless.

If I could meet some Bravo stars, I’d list Sam from Top Chef, the ladies from the Real Housewives of Orange County, the team from Work Out, and Tim Gunn (yes, I met him already…would like to again!).

But who would these Bravo stars like to meet? According to their myspace pages….

Brian Peeler: Robin Williams, Ed Norton, Jim Carrey, YOU!

Tom Colicchio: I have humbly met everyone I have ever dreamed of meeting.

Lee Anne Wong: Partners in crime. Or the man with the kovorka.

Zen Gray: People interested in fitness, dancing or comedy.

Steven Asprinio: Steve Jobs, Nelly Furtado

Ben Mollin: Mr. T, Jesus, Ice T, God ,Michael Jordan

Brian Malarkey: Happy People. Creative and passionate beings.

Santino Rice: Creative, Unaffected, Honest, Beautiful Human Beings.

Michael Midgley: Hugh Heffner, The MAn Anthony Bourdain, DON AND MIKE RADIO GODS, and Golf Pimp John Daly

After countless interviews, James Lipton’s questions are still fresh, interesting, and insightful.

Before Tim Gunn ever existed on our radar, there was, of course, the Fab Five.

Can you say Sam Talbot? Mmmmmm….

Does anyone ever listen to Andy Cohen? Not really. But he does always have amazing guests on his show!

Enough already. This list need to mention the one, the only, Santino. Love him or hate him, he was great on Project Runway.

Flipping out is surprising good. Especially when the show is centered around Monkey, the grouchy, yowling, asshole cat.

Gays and lesbians have a home with Bravo when other networks aren’t ready to allow that yet.

Heidi Klum is an amazing Project Runway judge, even when ready to burst because she’s so pregnant.

I can catch any episode I miss again and again thanks to Bravo always running reruns and marathons.

Just when you think Bravo couldn’t do any better, they give us Shear Genius, a pleasant surprise next to Top Design, which was a total bomb.

Kathy Griffin keeps coming back for another season. Yay!

Late night Bravo isn’t just infomercials, so night owls can enjoy the network as well.

Mimi was finally ousted on this past season of Work Out.

No one was eliminated this week on Top Chef. BEST DECISION EVER!

Only Bravo would bring us a judge as crazy as Top Design’s Kelly Wearstler.

Paula Abdul’s show is finally over.

Quickfire and elimination recipes are online so you can try them yourself (or, if you’re like me, you can go over to your boyfriend’s mother’s house when SHE tries them).

Right before the new epi, you can watch last week’s show. That way you can catch up in time for the new show, even if you miss a week.

Staff members at the Parker on Welcome to the Parker are downright hilarious–especially the people in charge of room service!

Two words: Tom Colicchio.

Until recently, Bravo only showed original programming one or two nights a week. People are finally taking notice to the network and they are showing more original series!

Vicki Gunvalson, one of the Real Housewives, was nice enough to do an interview with me, and after chatting with her for a half hour, I knew that Bravo did not misrepresent her on their show.

Watching what happens is a must.

Xtras are always available on BravoTV.com.

You’d think that one marathon would be enough. But I watch them again and again.

Zoila on Flipping out. I mean, it really is her show, isn’t it?

Agree?

It’s not a secret that Bravo has a huge gay following. With shows like Queer Eye for the Straight Guys and stars who are openly gay, such as Jonathan Adler and Jacki Warner, Bravo has been awarded a number of honors by GLBT organizations across the country.

Bravo also has stars like Kathy Griffin, who aren’t afraid to push the envelope when it comes to the gay community and even heterosexual stars, like Tom Colicchio, have huge gay followings. On Bravo, no one seems afraid or ashamed to stand up and say “I’m gay, and I’m proud of it!”

Unfortunately, the world doesn’t work that way. In the perfect universe, gay or straight wouldn’t matter, but that’s simply not the case. One of the main problems, as many see it (and especially in the US) is the fact that most religions, especially Christianity, seem to be fully against homosexuality.

As many of you know, I’m the writer for www.FindReligion.net. My support of the gay community (I myself am straight) is often compromised by what organized religion says is the right thing to do. Today, on Find Religion, I’ve decided to take a chance and speak out about it. My ideas aren’t those shared with all, and definitely aren’t the ideas shared with many Christians. However, it may be of interest to you, dear readers, especially since many of you have first-hand knowledge of the negative power of discrimination.

Check it out.

homosexuality, GLBT, gay, Bravo, religion

I haven’t really talked about Welcome to the Parker much, but I do enjoy the show. This week’s episode had a very…picky…guest: The one and only Jonathan Adler, who actually designed the hotel. Oh, and his friend and his gassy dog.

Now, I think that everyone appreciates Adler’s opinions, especially because it was his original vision. HOWEVER…he doesn’t own the parker. The general manager flat out said to the camera “When does his plane leave?” Buuuuuuuuuuuuuurn.

This week’s episode also featured a weird guy who wanted this bathtub filled with ice and a lesbian couple enjoying a week of romance before having a baby together.

What do you guys think about this show? How does it compare to the other nest Bravo show, Flipping Out?

Even I can’t watch marathons of Bravo shows forever…and some days they show movies or episodes of Law and Order:CI (I’m really not a big fan). So here’s what I watch when I’m not watching Bravo. What about you?

Hell’s Kitchen
Chef Ramsey is no Tom Colicchio, but the show is fun to watch. It’s down to the final two right now, so if you want to tune in for the finale, check it out on Fox on Monday night at 9.

Grey’s Anatomy
You can check out the 451 blog that covers GA, but if you haven’t heard of the show you must be living under a rock. Starting this fall, the character Addison will have a show as well.

What Not to Wear
I’m a bit addicted to Stacy and Clinton’s show…and the best part is Carmondy. She’s the AMAZING Make-up artist.

What are you watching?

Padma: “…And for this challenge, you must cook with….FROZEN PIE CRUST *dun dun dun*.”
Guest Judge: “Padma, do you like frozen pie crust?”
Padma: “No way, Jose. I like things fresh. That’s why I’m divorcing the troll man.”

Hung: “What should we do for this challenge!”
Hung’s Monkey: “How about a pie that looks like diarrhea. They’ll LOVE it!”
Hung: “Brilliant!”

Lia: “Casey and I are BFF.”
Me, to my boyfriend: “That means one of them will be leaving. Take that Top Chef! I’ve caught on to your silly foreshadowing!”

Howie: “I call my dish Pork Shoulder with a Side of Sweat.”

Howie: “We are the new BFF…”
Joey: “…mainly because we hate Casey.”

Me: “Who would have ever seen that coming?”
Boyfriend: “Who voted for Gail as the sexiest judge?!?!?!”

Next Wednesday, tune in for a special reunion special with contestants from all three seasons!!!

Top Chef, Bravo, Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio

Last night, the infamous Perez Hilton made an appearance on My Life on the D-List. In case you didn’t know (are you living under a rock?), Perez Hilton is one of the blog-o-sphere’s bad boys, as he spends his days ripping on celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Adrienne Curry…and that’s just today.

Seems that Perez and Kathy had a bit of a falling out, but on this episode, they make amends and Perez proves that he’s not a total bitch by offering his condolences on her dad’s passing. Here’s what the star blogger had to say about the episode:

Perez Hilton, Kathy Griffin, D-List, Bravo

Bravo’s announced their newest addition to the show The Real Housewives of Orange County: Tamra Barney. But who is she? I’ve done a little snooping to find out.

According to Tamra’s own website, she’s South Orange County’s Sexiest Mother and Wife (Although, I think Lauri, Vicki, Jeanna, and Tammy fans will argue with that!). “She is the new breed of superwomen poping up in California.”

Well then.

A bit more I’ve found out about her:

*She lives in Viejo, CA.
*She owns her own real estate business.
*She’s 39 years old and married with four children-one teen (boy), two school-aged children (one boy, one girl), and one toddler (girl)
*Check out her homepage at www.tamrabarney.com and her myspace page at www.myspace.com/tamrabarney.

That’s all for now. I’m really excited to learn more–I’m sure she’ll be a great addition to the show!

I’d just like to make a special note here that there will be a joint July/August “summer” issue of the Reality on Bravo newsletter on August first! If you aren’t signed up for the newsletter, you can do so here!

Got this in my in-box today. If you go, let me know!

Word for Word Author Series: Project Runway’s Tim Gunn
Wednesday, July 25th. 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Tim Gunn with co-author Kate Moloney, Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality,Taste and Style
Hosted by: Judy Licht, Full Frontal Fashion creator and on-air host

Whether you’re a seasoned fashionista or a style neophyte, Project Runway’s Tim Gunn shows you how to dress for success, how to shop, or how to be your own best fashion designer. The event is FREE and open to the public. For updates and additional information, please visit our website at www.bryantpark.org.

The Bryant Park Reading Room located on the 42nd Street side of the park - under the trees - between the back of the NYPL & 6th Avenue. Look for the burgundy and white umbrellas.

Rain Venue:
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
555 Fifth Avenue (at 46th Street)
212-697-3048