Reality on Bravo

As part of the NaBloPoMo celebration, I’m posting my list of top 30 Most Fabulous Bravo Personalities. The points of qualification? Only one: be utterly fabulous. “Fabulous can mean intriguing, funny, hot, crazy…or all of the above. Stop back every day during November to see if you favorite star has made the list!

Today’s Fabulous #12 is James Lipton, host of Bravo’s Actor’s Studio.

Why is James fabulous? Have you seen The Actor’s Studio? This guy rocks. James Lipton interviews the biggest stars without even batting an eyelash, but more importantly, he does so in a way that invites them to share their stories. It’s not like he’s Barbara Walters, asking tough, uncomfortable questions. He does his research, he guides them, and he gets them to talk. It’s more like a conversation than an interview, and I love that.

His commitment to quality alone is enough to make him fabulous. Mr. Lipton spends hours and hours and days and maybe even weeks prepping for each interview. He wants to know what he’s talking about!

And you know what? The guy is funny, too!

If all that isn’t enough to qualify you for my Fabulous List, nothing is. James Lipton is amazing, end of story.

Check back tomorrow for #11!

(Don’t forget to leave a comment here for your chance to win a cookbook with Project Blog!)

Here’s the list of my 30 Fabulous Bravo Personalities so far:

12. James Lipton, The Actor’s Studio
13. Jai Rodriguez, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
14. Kara Keough, the Real Housewives of Orange County
15. Rebecca Cardon, Work Out
16 - 17. Zoila and Monkey, Flipping Out
18. Jo De La Rosa, The Real Housewives of Orange County
19 - 20. The Griffins, My Life on the D-List
21. Goil Amornvivat, Top Design
22. Steven Asprinio, Top Chef Season One
23. Andy Cohen, Bravo Exec
24. Marcel Vigneron, Top Chef Season Two
25. Kelly Wearstler, Top Design
26. Chloe Dao, Project Runway Season Two
27. Vicki Gunvalson, The Real Housewives of Orange County
28. Dale Levitski, Top Chef Season Three
29. Carson Kressley, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
30. Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out

Have someone you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me at allison.boyer - at - yahoo - dot - com today or leave a comment telling us why your nominee is Bravo-fabulous!

Reality on Bravo is proud to present Inside the Blogger’s Studio–a spin on Inside the Actor’s Studio, specifically for bloggers. Here, we’ll talk about the journey each blogger has taken to get where they are today, hopefully to inspire others to blog their hearts out.

Today’s guest is a true Idol fanatic–she watches the show in both the United States and Canada. Her blog, www.idolstalker.com, is one of the leading sources on the ‘net for news, reviews, and, of course, lots of gossip! Welcome, Jeanne Dupuis.

RoB: How did you get into blogging in the beginning?

Jeanne: I applied for a job that I thought was interesting.

What other blogging experiences have you had?

I write for daytimetalk.com, beyonce-k.com and a city guide for Calgary, Alberta (calgary.cityguide.ca)

Have you had any negative experiences blogging? How has that helped you grow?

I’ve had a run-in with a well-known blogger which was completely bogus and I had Splash News threaten me for using one of their images without written permission.

What projects do you have planned for blogging in the future?

Really, mostly improving upon the blogs I currently write.

What are some of your favorite posts from the past?

I went crazy about American Idol season 6 cast-off, Chris Sligh. It was liberating…

And now, here are the 10 questions compiled by Bernard Pivot, made famous by James Lipton, and modified for the blogging world

1. What is your favorite word?

Love

2. What is your least favorite word?

Zucchini

3. What kinds of readers turn you on?

Active ones!

4. What kinds of readers turn you off?

Unnecessarily critical ones. We can have opinions without attacking others.

5. What is your favorite curse word?

Hmm…ass, I think

6. What blogging responsibility do you love?

Responding to the requests of visitors

7. What blogging responsibility do you hate?

tagging, ugh…

9. What blog subject other than your own would you like to write about?

Some ultra gossipy celeb, environmental issues and distance education

9. What blog subject would you not like to write about?
Taxes

10. If the leader in your field was to read your blog, what would like to hear him/her say?

That he/she learned something

What advice would you give to someone interested in blogging?

Make sure you are dedicated. It’s a lot more work than you think!

Thanks, Jeanne!

Jeanne Dupuis, American Idol, Idol Stalker, Insider the Actor’s Studio

Reality on Bravo is proud to present Inside the Blogger’s Studio–a spin on Inside the Actor’s Studio, specifically for bloggers. Here, we’ll talk about the journey each blogger has taken to get where they are today, hopefully to inspire others to blog their hearts out.

Today’s guest lives in the UK and loves all aspects of pop culture. His blog, www.PopBuzzUK.com, covers everything from movies and music to politics. Welcome, DaveP.

RoB: How did you get into blogging in the beginning?

DaveP: It’s so long ago, I can’t remember exactly. I started a personal blogspot blog about 4 years ago, and used it to write the drivel that came from my head.

What other blogging experiences have you had?

A personal blog, a poetry blog, 2 network blogs which are still ongoing, and I’m building a nice new personal behemoth of a website/blog.

Have you had any negative experiences blogging? How has that helped you grow?

The usual ones, which I think everyone has, of not getting any traffic, or comments, and wondering if anyone is actually reading your articles. I’m not too bothered when it comes to personal blogs, but with paid positions, it can be like hitting your head against a very thick brick wall. The experience has made me get better at promoting my blogs, and using the incredible size and scope of the web to my advantage.

What projects do you have planned for blog in the future?

I plan to apply for more network blogs, and hope to have a few nice earners going (fingers crossed). And my new personal blog should use all the knowledge I’ve gained so far and be much more professional.

What are some of your favorite posts from the past?

My favourite without a doubt is a review I did about a TV show where the host ate seal, and dog. It did well on Digg, and caused such a variety of comments, both positive and negative. I also did a series of editorials after the Vtech shootings which explored why it happened. The debate which ensued was massive, and made me look at a different point of view from the one which up to then I’d held firm.

And now, here are the 10 questions compiled by Bernard Pivot, made famous by James Lipton, and modified for the blogging world

1. What is your favorite word?

Flange

2. What is your least favorite word?

Work

3. What kinds of readers turn you on?

Naked ones. Seriously though, ones who get involved.

4. What kinds of readers turn you off?

Ones who half read an article and make a comment completely missing the point.

5. What is your favorite curse word?

Fuck

6. What blogging responsibility do you love?

Creating discussion.

7. What blogging responsibility do you hate?

The endless promotion, and fighting for space in the blogosphere.

9. What blog subject other than your own would you like to write about?
The art of blogging or poetry.

9. What blog subject would you not like to write about?

Health problems, that must be depressing.

10. If the leader in your field was to read your blog, what would like to hear him/her say?

“Wow, you’re a talented writer”

What advice would you give to someone interested in blogging?

Stop procrastinating, and just do it. Don’t worry about the layout or details at first, just find a platform and start writing. The rest will surely follow.

Thanks, DaveP!

Inside the Blogger’s Studio, Inside the Actor’s Studio, pop culture, James Lipton

James Lipton is my hero when it comes to interviewing skills, so I’m taking a clue from him and instating “Inside the Blogger’s Studio” to feature great new (and old) blogs that are really fantastic.

Interested in participating? Your blog will be fully featured and you’ll be interviewed on blogging tips and your favorite things. All blogs on all blogging networks are invited to participate, so if you’re interested, email me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com today!

James Lipton, blogging

Love Inside the Actor’s Studio as much as I do? Here’s a schedule of who you can see on the show this month:

Today: Tom Hanks (6 PM), Dustin Hoffman (7 PM)

Thurs, Mar. 8: Michael J. Fox (Midnight)

Sun, Mar. 11: Jamie Fox (10 AM), Martin Lawrence (11 AM), Dave Chappelle (Noon), Eddie Murphy (2 PM)

Mon, Mar. 12: Eddie Murphy (9 AM), Dave Chappelle (4 PM), Chris Rock (8 PM)

Tue, Mar. 13: Chris Rock (3 AM)

Thurs, Mar. 15: Chris Rock (Midnight)

Fri, Mar. 16: Chris Rock (8 PM)

Sun, Mar. 18: Chris Rock (9 AM)

Mon, Mar. 19: Hugh Grant (6 PM), Drew Barrymore (7 PM), Mark Ruffalo (8 PM)

Thurs, Mar. 22: Mark Ruffalo (1 AM)

Sun, Mar. 25: Mark Ruffalo (9 AM)

Mon, Mar. 26: Jamie Foxx (5 PM), Will Smith (6 PM), Chris Rock (7 PM)

Chris Rock, Mark Ruffalo, Jamie Foxx, Will Smith, Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore, Tom Hanks, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Dustin Hoffman, Michael J. Fox, Eddie Murphy, Inside the Actors Studio, James Lipton

Tonight, the Angelina Jolie was on Inside the Actor’s Studio. It’s a rerun, of course, but still a great show. Here are some of the highlights:

Lipton: “Who were the kissie girls?”
Angelina: “Oh my God. As I reach for the water…I was very sexual in kindergarten” *she tells story about how she kissed the boys to give them cooties and it turned into make-out sessions with clothes coming off*
Lipton: “11 years and this is our first kindergarten…”
Angelina: “I know.”

Lipton: “How did you decorate your trailer?” (on the set of Girl, Interrupted)
Angelina: “*laughs before reluctantly answering* “With lots of porn…”
Lipton: “Oh yes”
Angelina: “mm hm”
Lipton: “Why?”
Angelina: “Because it made me feel provacative and open and sensual”

*talking about her Oscar win*
Lipton: “And what did you say in your acceptance speech?”
Angelina: “Well…I know I said I love my brother!”
(Angelina’s statment that she was in love with her brother was taken my many to mean a sexual love and the media quoted it for weeks. For the record, Angelina was not in a sexual or romantic type of love relationship with her brother!)

Angelina, about Maddox: “He’s my best friend. He’s my everything.”

Lipton: “You say it’s better than sex? (talking about flying)”
Angelina: “Oh my god yeah.”
Lipton: “Wanna go flying?”

Lipton: “What is your favorite curse word?”
Angelina: “Fuck.”
Lipton: “Join the club.”

Lipton: “If heaven exists, what would you like God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?”
Angelina: “…You are allowed in *laughs*”

Angelina Jolie, Inside the Actor’s Studio

James Lipton is probably one of tv’s most respected hosts, and honestly, he needs no introduction, with enough credentials to give half away and still rock. IAS is one of my favorite shows to watch on Bravo, simply because it shows great celebrities as real people, rather than as gods and goddesses.

During the rest of January, here’s the line-up, so you can check out their interviews:

Friday, Jan 26: Queen Latifah (7PM)
Sunday, Jan 28: Rosie O’Donnell (9AM)
Monday, Jan 29: Angelina Jolie (6PM) and Michael J. Fox (8PM)