MELISSA MCCARTHY ON "SNL"

Melissa McCarthy on Saturday Night Live

Melissa McCarthy might be your unconventional It Girl... but she is! The Funnywoman is exactly why we need to see more real Comedic talent on Saturday Night Live instead of Celebrities trying their hands as Actors, at the expense of our patience and time.  The Star of Mike and Molly and Bridesmaids was rushed onto the long-running Show hot on the heels of her recent Emmy win and the results were tremendous.  She sang, she danced, she made us laugh and she grossed us the hell out (i.e. gulping down some Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing straight from the bottle).

Although it's hit or miss, whether or not it will work due to NBC's regional restrictions (Canadians can see it here), this is the proper link for one of her most brilliant Sketches, Arlene where she not-so -subtly drops a hint or two to her Co-worker played by Jason Sudeikis, that she's into him.  We all need someone like that in our Offices!

Watch below:

KATE WINSLET WINS FOR "MILDRED PIERCE" AT PRIMETIME EMMYS

Kate Winslet at 63rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Is there any Award left which Kate Winslet hasn't won? The gorgeous Oscar Winner won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie at last night's Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. Winslet won for the HBO Miniseries, Mildred Pierce. Am eagerly awaiting its DVD release!

In other categories, ABC's Modern Family won Outstanding Comedy Series, while AMC's Mad Men won Outstanding Drama Series.

Despite Jon Hamm not getting Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series again for the fourth consecutive year, his lovely Partner Jennifer Westfeldt did get a bit of amazing news during the Awards broadcast.  Westfeldt's self-directed/written/acted Friends with Kids, which premiered last week at TIFF 2011, struck a  distribution deal with Lionsgate Films in the U.S. (Alliance Films likely will handle in Canada).  Hamm also stars in the Film.  See Photos from the Premiere here.

For a complete list of Primetime Emmy Winners, click here.

See more Photos from the Primetime Emmys at Zimbio.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Kevin Winter)

"DEGRASSI" RECEIVES FIRST PRIMETIME EMMY NOMINATION

Clare Edwards, Sav Bhandari & Holly Sinclair from Degrassi

Congratulations to the Cast and Crew of Degrassi, who received their first-ever Emmy Award nomination earlier today for Outstanding Children's Program. Seeing the complex and sophisticated ideas which have evolved out of The Kids of Degrassi Street - which I watched  religiously growing up - brings me a sense of pride and joy as a Torontonian.  

Despite negative reviews, Toronto-filmed Mini-series The Kennedys also received a handful of nominations!  No love for Katie Holmes though.

WHY YOU NEED TO WATCH HBO'S "MILDRED PIERCE"

Still from Mildred Pierce

My latest obsession is HBO’s Mildred Pierce, a five-part Mini-Series which I have been going on about now since learning last year that it began Production in New York. Not to be confused as a Remake of the 1945 Film starring Joan Crawford as much as it is an Adaptation of the 1941 Novel by James M. Cain, Mildred Pierce is well worth that $20/month you’ll have to spend to get HBO here in Canada.

Directed by Todd Haynes, who brought us 2002’s outstanding Far From Heaven and starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce alleviates any worries those of us had about Winslet “stepping down a notch” to do Television when she is a bona fide Film Actress. If anything, her work here rates as one of her best performances yet.

Haynes truly understands the soul of a tortured Woman.  Mildred leaves her adulterous Husband, raising difficult and materialistic Daughter Veda on her own. All the while, she single-handedly builds a Restaurant Empire out of her own ambition in California during the Great Depression while experiencing a sexual re-awakening engaging in a sexy and passionate relationship with Monty Peragon (Guy Pearce) who is financially dependent on her. This Mini-Series not only is a study of a complex character, but also a detailed examining of Class Relations in a time when Money or a lack thereof, defined an Era.

Despite Winslet v. much being where our attentions are focused upon, Mildred Pierce’s Supporting Cast is remarkable, including another Oscar winner in Melissa Leo and the great Hope Davis. The biggest revelation thus far has been soon-to-be twelve Child Actor Morgan Turner, who plays a young Veda – full of venomous fire and ambition. Veda has her Mother at her mercy, constantly making her crave approval and validation. Several times we see her deliver slaps and receive them from Winslet. When I was 11 years old… And although she has yet to surface, the talented Evan Rachel Wood plays the older Veda who surely will be stealing a scene or two.

Mildred Pierce airs Sunday nights on HBO Canada at 9:15 PM EST.

(Photo credit: HBO)

BRYAN CRANSTON LIKELY FOR NEW "TOTAL RECALL" FILM

Bryan Cranston

At 57 years-old, Bryan Cranston can be considered a Late Bloomer considering he has now won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series three years in a row for AMC's Breaking Bad. Above this, he hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live for the first time late October.

When you're hot, you're hot and Cranston is no exception to this fact of life. Variety reports that the Actor is almost confirmed to star opposite Colin Farrell in Sony Pictures' upcoming Total Recall film as a Villain. As we're all aware by now, the Film will be filmed in Toronto this Summer at Pinewood Studios. Finally, a name to look forward this Summer!

Read the news in full here.

(Photo credit: AMC)

GWYNETH PALTROW WOWS ON "GLEE"



Gwyneth Paltrow on Glee

Hands down, best Guest Performance on a Series ever!  Gwyneth Paltrow stepped-up to the plate and exceeded all expectations on last night's The Substitute episode of Glee.  Tearing her way through Cee-Lo's Forget You as substitute teacher Holly Holliday, Paltrow was introduced as a Spanish teacher who eventually had to fill-in for an ailing Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison).  She showed her true versatility in acting, singing and dancing, an indication that when given the right role and she's feeling challenged, Paltrow is definitely one of the greatest. 

The episode had her working hard in an homage to Rob Marshall's Chicago where she had to dance and sing up a storm alongside Lea Michele in the number Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag.  She wowed in a gorgeous looking and polished Mash-up of Singin' in the Rain/Umbrella, doing the Rihanna bits.

I definitely am a Paltrow fan all over again after seeing this and am v. excited about her performance in Country Strong, coming January 7, 2011.  Expect an Emmy win in the category of Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series next year for her work last night, easily.

(Photo credit: Fox)

EMMY AWARDS RECAP: JANE LYNCH WINS BIG

A huge congratulations goes to Jane Lynch, one of tonight's big winners at The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.  Lynch was awarded Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Glee, which should come as no surprise.  I've been championing her from the get-go here, so this victory is especially sweet for me!  Above this, Glee Director Ryan Murphy also scored a win in the Outstanding Director for a Comedy Series category.

The ceremony held at Nokia Theatre and hosted by Jimmy Fallon united Television's biggest stars and there were some surprises to be found.  Paying tribute to Glee, the program opened with Fallon, the cast of Glee and many of television's biggest stars singing a highly entertaining rendition of Bruce Springstreen's Born to Run.

Claire Danes and the team behind Temple Grandin cleaned-up, winning multiple awards this evening after receiving a whopping 15 nominations.  The made-for-television Movie is based on the true story of an Autistic woman, who actually was in attendance tonight.  Danes was awarded Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.

For a third year in a row, AMC's Mad Men won Outstanding Drama Series although its stars Christina Hendricks, Jon Hamm (who will be in-town for TIFF), Elisabeth Moss and January Jones, were all shut-out in the Acting categories yet again.  Modern Family, which continues to win the praise of audiences across the nation, won Outstanding Comedy Series - its star Sofia Vergara drew a lot of Red Carpet attention this evening as did Glee's Lea Michele, who is celebrating her Birthday today.

George Clooney made an appearance also tonight accepting the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his charity work, more notably his efforts in organizing the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon.

To view a full list of tonight's winners, click here.

Check out a few of these beauties below:

BETTY WHITE WINS AT CREATIVE ARTS EMMYS

Betty White was the odds-on favourite to win in her category for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance on Saturday Night Live this past May.  And she prevailed at tonight's Creative Arts Emmys held at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, which award Technical Categories in Television plus some of the more minor acting awards. 

For a full list of winners tonight, click here.  The Primetime Emmys will air next Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 8 PM EST on NBC.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

2010 PRIMETIME EMMY NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

The nominees for the 2010 Primetime Emmys have been announced and the usual suspects Steve Carell (The Office), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Tina Fey (30 Rock) and Glenn Close (Damages) are nominated again.  Glee's presence is also v. strong this year garnering nominations for Best Comedy Series, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress.  

Our darling Betty White also received a nomination for her Guest Appearance on Saturday Night Live too in the Best Guest Actress in a Comedy category!

Check out a full list of nominees here.