Rad Max

With Halloween just a mere few weeks away, and my annual costume party coming up fast I have been busy at work preparing. I recently undertook a little DIY job, painting my living room to make sure it is in perfect shape for entertaining. However, as much work as there is to be done. When I had the opportunity to see one of my favorite stars I stepped off the step ladder and made it happen. My major crush on Max Greenfield was chronicled here a few months back. I actually have started watching “New Girl” after several people insisted. Even after a few episodes, my dislike of Zoey still stands. Even if you’ve never seen an episode of ” New Girl”, if you’ve seen Max in anything you know he is super charismatic and charming. Plus, he wrote one of the best issues of GOOP Blog ever. When I saw Max, after his appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman”, I was eager to chat GOOP.

After his issue was published, both he and Gwyneth expressed their mutual adoration for each other. But, went on to reveal they’ve actually never met. How tragic. When I told Max that I loved his issue and it was one of my favorites, he laughed as if I might be mocking him. To express my dire seriousness about his contribution to what I consider to be the third testament of the Bible I went into detail. I explained how I found his claims that life was not about turkey ragu and high neck Rag and Bone sweaters to be troubling. But, the sentiment that life is actually about sharing what you love with those you care about and how that’s what GOOP does, was perfectly put. I guess this must have impressed Max, because with a big smile flashed across his face he said “I’m actually trying to do another one.” I for one would love to see what else Max has to share with us GOOP subscribers. I then had to ask if Max had ever gotten the chance to meet GP. (I actually referred to Gwyneth as GP to Max Greenfield which Lauren the Professional Fangirl pointed out to me.) Max informed he has not, even though they have been in the same place at events like “Stand Up to Cancer”. I like the idea of Max and Gwyneth becoming friends, because it gives me hope that I too could become friends with her. I mean her previous besties like Madonna and Wynonna Ryder are so A list it left me little hope. But, I could totes see Max, Gwynnie and I sitting around eating turkey ragu in matching Rag and Bone high neck sweaters, writing an issue of GOOP together.

Summer Cool

I used to be someone who didn’t allow the summer temperatures to deter me from wearing what I wanted or thought was necessary. Dinner in the Hamptons? Okay, I’ll wear a seer sucker blazer. A gelato run in downtown Manhattan? Which tie should I pick? I don’t know if its the wisdom that comes with age, or if my body just isn’t able to handle the heat anymore… But this summer, I had to dial it down. Essentially I took a summer vacation from my fashion rules. I just could not bring myself to put together constrictive, elaborate, layered looks in this heat. All summer I have avoided collared shirts, ties and any shoes that weren’t cloth or Top Siders. I think my summer style came together pretty nicely, when I look back at photos from the past few months I think I look casual, comfortable and put-together. And, the more I look around, the more I think I was a fool.

Last night, Gwyneth Paltrow co-hosted a screening of Jake Gyllenhaal and Anna Kendrick’s incredible new film “End of Watch”. While her friends the Seinfelds and the film’s star Jake Gyllenhaal all wore stylish suits and looked great. Gwyneth opted for a summer sun dress and some sandals – and not surprisingly she looked better than all of them. The teal mini dress is creating a lot of chatter on the web this afternoon, but no one seems to know who makes it. I for one am thrilled that she is wearing teal, since I have sported teal shorts all summer. This isn’t a new trend of GP’s part, last summer she made a promotional appearance for her cookbook dressed like she ran there from the beach. In some flip flops, a sailor striped top and some cut-offs Gwyneth looked like any other Hampton goer as she signed books. I love that even Gwynnie embraces a natural and effortless look to cope with the season’s heat. And while Gwyneth’s summer style makes me want to rock my favorite shorts and sport my best post-swim hair, the September Issues are rapidly trickling out. So my summer vacation from fashion is almost over… but, in these last few days as I read up on the fall trends I will do so dressed casual, looking and feeling fabulous.

For GOOPer or Poorer…

Here on BEST Blog, I have made it no secret how much I love Gwyneth Paltrow. A few friends reached out to me to tell me that my calling her GOOP blog aspirational had them rolling their eyes. But, regardless of the criticism or negativity surrounding my love of her, she’s my girl. However, even I can’t pretend that I am not shaking my head at her latest celebrity endorsement deals. When you read GOOP Blog, you see Gwyneth mention expensive restaurants, obscure high end designers and share recipes for $18 agave sweetened lemonades. So when I see Gwyneth splashed across billboards shilling Coach bags I have to laugh.

Gwyneth can’t even keep a straight face at the idea of her carrying a Coach bag.

Now, no offense to my Coach bag carrying friends. I have owned Coach products and do admit that they do make some nice stuff. But, in my fashion forward eyes Coach is the kind of brand that is at the shallow end of the luxury brand pool. It’s the brand you buy when you’re dipping your toe in the water. A few days ago, it was announced that GP was starring in a new ad for a fragrance. I tried to imagine which brand had the bright idea to use Gwyneth as the face of their brand. Which brand was classic, chic and upscale enough to need Gwyneth as their ambassador? When the ad premiered, I learned it was for Hugo Boss. Now, Hugo Boss is a great brand, but even I own a suit from them. I, Brian Tuft, a broke college student from Queens own a suit from that brand. It’s kind of low end.

Now again I love Gwyneth and like I said I own products from both of the brands she is associated with. But, as a GOOP reader and someone who is aware that Gwyneth lives in a posh London neighborhood, has an apartment in downtown Manhattan, and spends three weeks a year in East Hampton I just don’t think that Gwyneth is picking brands that match her public persona. When I see someone in a campaign I need to be able to mentally buy them shopping that brand. When I see Nicole Kidman selling Chanel, or Charlize Theron twerking for Dior – I believe that. And, if I liked either of those women I would be inclined to shop those lines in hopes of being stylish and sophisticated like they are. However, when I see Gwyneth holding a Coach bag or spritzing herself in Hugo Boss, I roll my eyes. Shopping those brands won’t make me more like Gwyneth, because Gwyneth wouldn’t do it herself.

I miss the old days when Gwyneth worked with companies she realisically shopped.

Sorry to the people at Coach and Hugo Boss who probably paid an obscene amount of money to get Gwyneth in those campaigns. If I am going to get a tote bag or look for a new fragrance that is Gwyneth approved – I am going to look in back issues of GOOP. Because, while I can imagine Gwyneth cooking baja tacos for her kids, carrying Baggu tote bags and wearing Uniqlo sweaters I can not imagine that before leaving her East Hampton mansion she spritzes herself with some low end perfume available at a department store like Macys. Hugo Boss is a nice brand but it’s not for someone who is a second generation Hollywood legend like GP. For God’s sake she’s so old money her son’s name is Moses. And, I am sure even Moses knows that the 11th Commandment is “Gwyneth, thou shall stop associating with brands we all know are below you.”

Max-imum Overdrive

Unemployment + Netflix = Ugly Betty Marathon

A few weeks ago, because I am unemployed and totally broke I brainstormed a few things I could do to have fun, enjoy myself and not spend a single dime. I could read some books that have been sitting on my shelf forever. I could go for a walk. Or I could use my sister’s Netflix account and find something to marathon watch for hours at a time. Obviously, I went with the Netflix idea and began re-watching “Ugly Betty”. The ABC drama about a Queens girl who gets a job at a fashion magazine and shows what a girl from the 718 is capable of in the high drama world of high fashion publishing. Re-watching the series made me rediscover a few things; I forgot how bitchy the one liners were, how deliciously evil Vanessa William’s Wilhelmenia Slater was and how many amazing cameos the show scored. But, something I had originally overlooked entirely the first time I watched the show was Alexis Meade’s assistant Nick Pepper. He was so funny, and so douchey, and so familiar looking. A quick IMDB search confirmed what I had assumed, he was played by Max Greenfield.

His role as Schmidt on “New Girl” has led to many things including this GQ spread. Gotta love a Jewish boy with a 6 pack.

I had heard a lot about Max Greenfield over the course of this past television season. His role on “New Girl” was the one thing I had consistently heard about from my friends who watched the show. But, unfortunately I am not a fan of Zooey Deschanel and can’t be bothered to watch it. However, as I watched “Ugly Betty” I started to understand why people love Max so much. He was so funny and great in this scene stealing role on “Betty”, that I can only imagine what he is capable of with his beefier role on “New Girl”. A few days into my “Ugly Betty” marathon I gate crashed an industry party during Upfronts. The party was a mix of TV stars and one of the people who showed up was none other than Max himself. He was so gracious and so friendly, and seemed to genuinely appreciate my compliments. When I mentioned “Ugly Betty” he even told me that Becky Newton who played Amanda would be starring on her own show on Fox. And that he was excited to have her in the Fox family.

Max Greenfield and I last week during Upfronts.

Just when I thought that the Max Greenfield invasion into Brian Tuft Land was complete, Thursday afternoon brought Greenfield’s Last Stand. When I opened my e-mail to retrieve my weekly GOOP Newsletter I was surprised to find that Gwyneth had handed over the reigns to Max for the week. His newsletter scared me at first, because it was counter-brand. He said that life wasn’t about Duck Ragu, Rag & Bone High Neck Sweaters or even Gwyneth herself. I was horrified as I sat there in my bedroom across from my alter to Gwyneth eating my Duck Ragu made from the recipe in “My Father’s Daughter” and wearing my Rag & Bone High Neck Sweater. As I read on, I saw that Max was making a great point and understood GOOP better than most people ever have. He wrote that GOOP is not about the things listed, it’s about sharing the things you love with the people you love and bringing people together. The fact that Max is cute, talented, funny, charismatic and understands Gwyneth’s newsletter so well obviously makes him my new favorite person. Now if only I could get over my hatred of Zooey and actually enjoy what is arguably Max’s biggest project yet. But, I don’t think anyone, not even Gwyneth can make a case for her. So I will just fuel my crush on Max by enjoying his other projects and savoring his wisdom showcased in this week’s GOOP Newsletter.

How We MET…

Drunk and dressed in a Justin Bieber t-shirt with Anne Hathaway…

Earlier I posted all about my latest adventure at Monday night’s MET Gala. But, I thought I would come to explain how the MET Gala went from something I read about online the morning after to something I went out to watch in person. My MET Gala history is brief, two years ago after attending a trivia game night at Southern Hospitality that a friend was holding, we stumbled upon the after party for the gala. And, like Christopher Columbus before us, our accidental discovery was a treasure trove of fabulous. A group of us perched in front of the Mark Hotel and met Anne Hathaway, Michael Kors and Donnatella Versace. It should be stated for the record, I was in a Bieber Fever t-shirt and was very drunk on frozen margaritas. So the following year, I had decided to dress a little nicer and maybe not get white girl wasted prior to the East Coast version of the Oscars. And thus, a tradition was born.

2012.

2011.

2010.

Like I said, I made sure to try and dress a little nicer. I mean, I always try to dress nice wherever I go. But, I decided to put on a little bow tie and a black jacket. Some people snickered thinking I had rented a tux. But, I want it known it is a basic sports jacket and a bow tie. Sorry it looks like a million bucks. It is all smoke and mirrors. If you look at the photos, the effort pays off. Especially when juxtaposed with that first year in the t-shirt. Plus Monday night, I got compliments from Coco Rocha and Cheyenne Jackson. Even more noteworthy, when I said hello to Anna Wintour on Monday night, she smiled (WITH TEETH!) when she said hello back and to be honest her opinion matters a little more than… well pretty much anyone.

MET Ball-er…

God save the Queen.

It has been previously stated here on BEST Blog, that my favorite holiday is Fashion’s Night Out. The celebration of retail, fashion and celebrities is an annual Autumn cornucopia of things Brian Tuft lives for. But, if Fashion’s Night Out is Christmas, then Monday night’s MET Gala was Easter. It is the night Anna reserects after dying for our sins by planning a fabulous charity gala. Each year Anna is reborn more fabulous, more successful and more inspiring. Monday Night’s Gala was to celebrate the opening of the Costume Institute’s exhibit “Schiarpelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations”. The annual CI exhibit is one of my favorite things. I loved installations of years past like “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy”, “Celebrating Chanel” and “Model and Muse”. Obviously, last year’s McQueen exhibit “Savage Beauty” was more like a religious experience than a museum trip for me. Needless to say, May 10th cannot get here soon enough. But, until it does I have the memories of Monday night to keep me occupied.

Coco Rocha and I, doesn’t she look so chic in her vintage Givenchy suit? A recent acquisition from the Liz Taylor auctions.

My friend Lauren and I met outside the MET on Monday night and settled in to watch arrivals. We watched as Chace Crawford, Eva Mendez, Kristen Stewart and countless others filed out of their SUVs and into the tent. At one point, we could see directly into the lavish tent. Perfectly lit, lined with photographers and an immaculate red carpet draped down the most famous stoop in New York City. Watching Florence Welch and Rihanna walk up the stairs, it was like looking into a fabulous, A-list doll house. The night only improved from there, I got to see and encounter countless stars which is always exciting. But, with all of the gawkers and stalkers you were usually limited to a quick blur as Tim Tebow, Justin Timberlake and Liv Tyler ran from the madness in their black tie fab. I did get the chance to chat with Coco Rocha one of my favorite models. She was donning a yellow paint suit that was a recent purchase from the Elizabeth Taylor auction. The Hollywood legend not only wore the suit, but apparently spilled red wine on it. I couldn’t spot any stains but they almost apparently stopped Rocha from wearing it. Until Vogue editors reminded her that the stain was Liz Taylor’s and that makes it okay. I told Coco how chic she looked and guess what? She looked me in the eyes and said “you do too”. I DIE.

Cheyenne Jackson, he’s played roles on Glee, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty and frequently appears in my dreams.

Later, I got to meet Cheyenne Jackson, Broadway veteran, TV star and all around dream boat. I told him how excited I was to see him on the 30 Rock Live show last month and when I inquired why he was not on more regularly he said he wasn’t really sure and it wasn’t up to him. To which I say, Tina Fey get your shit together. After that, we spotted real life Snow White and Prince Charming Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas as they party hopped. They were as gracious as their storybook counterparts. Dallas even got to play White Knight to Goodwyn when an overzealous fan got a little excited. My favorite encounter of the night was Jessica Chastain. Regular readers know how much I love Jessica, but it may surprise you to know I lost my proverbial shit while speaking with her. I babbled incessantly about how much I love her, the Jessica Chastain movie club Lauren and I started and how sweet she is. She was so gracious and told me how sweet I was and that she loved me too. Ugh, I can’t with her she’s so flawless.

Finally, while I didn’t get to see all of the gowns in person I thought that the MET Gala had so many amazing fashion moments. The outfit I was most obsessed with was Florence Welch’s Alexander McQueen gown. It was over the top sure, but it was so fun and so beautiful and everything the MET Gala and Costume Institute is about. Beauty, glamor, craftsmanship. I got the chance to tell Flo how much I loved it and she thanked me wholeheartedly and even blew me a kiss. My second favorite was Amy Adams who looked stunning in Giambattista Valli. Third place goes to Hilary Swank who turned out the glam on the arm of date Michael Kors who made the beautiful red halter gown she wore. I also want to shout out my girl Gwyneth. I wasn’t crazy about the Prada apron. But, it was exciting to see you in a new silhouette. Still love you girl, and let’s be real you were never going to top the Tom Ford from the Oscars.

The thing that stinks about the MET Gala, FNO or even real holidays is that they are so short. I look forward to this evening every year, even before I went and gawked at the couture in real life. And even with all the anticipation it is still just one night, one fabulous, glamorous and star studded night. Just as I start to feel the post holiday depression we all get, I remember… Only a few more days until the exhibit opens to the public. And only 362 days until the next MET Gala. Forget the Conversation, the Impossible part is going to be the wait until next year.

Avengers Assemble… Again

When I tell people how excited I am about “the Avengers”, or super hero movies in general they seem to be surprised. But, I would like to remind people before I was a designer clothes shopping, Adam Levine crush carrying, “Ru Paul’s Drag Race” watching gay man, I was once a little boy. And while I was born gay, my tastes didn’t catch up until adolescence. So that meant that until around 11, I had the same interests as most other boys – cars, Power Rangers, and super heroes. Now aside from being very ignorant, assuming that I was a nine year old Vogue subscriber because that’s who I am today is also short sided. Because, in my opinion super heroes are super gay. Um, big buff guys who are good people with a drive to be normal and accepted members of society but this one thing that makes them different is not accepted by others? And in turn they are labeled as freaks and treated poorly? GAY! Don’t even get me started on my theory that the X-Men is a representation of gay people in hetero-normative society. Also, Professor X and Magneto? Lovers. If you don’t believe me watch “X-Men: First Class”. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender have more chemistry on screen than most romantic comedy couples.

Who would have thought that a “Thor” movie would be so successful? Moreover, who would have thought that “Thor” himself, Chris Hemsworth would be so dreamy?

Anyway, let’s get back on track… I am super excited about this week’s release of “the Avengers”. The movie is a perfect mix to appeal to my inner child who loves super heroes and comics books. But, with Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston it appeals to my gay side as well. What’s odd is my excitement over this franchise is a recent development. As a child, I was always much more of a fan of the DC comic universe. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc. But, in recent years DC has been unable to get it together. A failed attempt at relaunching their Superman franchise a few years back and then the terrible Green Lantern film with Ryan Reynolds. While their Batman franchise is spectacular, I find it to be too dark. “Batman Begins” and “the Dark Knight” are great, but they’re not the kind of films I could or even would watch over and over again. As a kid I loved Spiderman, who is arguably Marvel’s biggest property. But, I was only vaguely aware of Captain America, The X-Men and the Fantastic Four. And, characters like Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye who round out the Avengers were not at all known to me. But, after watching Marvel build and develop this series over the last few years, I count myself among the millions of fanboys excited about the film.

Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr. and I in 2010.

It was in 2008 with the release of “Iron Man”, that I think Marvel changed their standing all together. They took who I would consider to be a B-list character and with a little A-list talent, a well written script and a great production made a blockbuster. They then built on Iron Man’s red shoulders and developed a universe. They released “The Incredible Hulk, “Iron Man 2″, “Thor” and finally “Captain America”. Proving that if you do it right, a less popular character can anchor a huge summer blockbuster. If someone told me as a child that Thor would beat the Green Lantern and Captain America at the box office in a few years I would laugh. While all of the films are terrific in their own right, the Iron Man movies are my favorite. RDJ was born to play the role. Plus his playful but sexy chemistry with Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts is just about my favorite. I was excited to hear that Paltrow would be featured in “the Avengers”, regardless of how briefly. Aside from her chemistry with Downey, she is one of my favorite actresses.

Mark Ruffalo and I earlier this week after a taping of Jimmy Fallon. When asked he told me a Hulk movie was not set in stone… yet. Regardless of what the internet says.

Now, while I am singing the praises of Marvel and their ability to build an entire blockbuster movie universe, I do feel obligated to point out the 8 foot, 1400 lb, green beast in the room. Mark Ruffalo joins the team as Bruce Banner and from what I have heard from reviews and word of mouth he is the best of the three actors who have portrayed the not so jolly green giant. However, the fact that he is the third actor, affter Eric Bana and Ed Norton is kind of terrible. Rumors have been swirling that Ruffalo has signed a 6-movie deal with Marvel and will star in a Hulk movie of his own. Well, I can reveal that is not the case… at least not yet. When I met Ruffalo I congratulated him on the success of this film and asked him if a Hulk movie was imminent. He told me “not yet exactly, it’s still in discussion.” So I guess we’ll see.

Aside from being a really nice guy, Tom Hiddleston is also amazing as the deliciously evil Loki in “Thor”.

While a Hulk movie may be a way off, the Avengers is finally here and opens tonight at 12:01 all over the United States. Reaction has been positive so far, and I am interested to see how the Avengers interact with each other. But, also how much we see of them. Four of these characters have had their own movies, will each one have their own chance to shine? Also, while he was deliciously sinister as the thorn in Thor’s side, will Tom Hiddleston’s Loki be a sizable foe to six of the world’s greatest heroes? Also with Iron Man and Thor sequels already in the works will these characters be able to stand alone after we’ve seen them stand together? If Tony Stark is having an issue, I am going to think why not call up Bruce Banner? Or set up a portal and beam in Thor for help?

Luckily, my wait for answers is down to a few hours. And, I will keep you posted on my thoughts. But, as of right now I feel comfortable calling “the Avengers” the film to beat this summer. While I am very excited about the Andrew Garfield led Spidey reboot and can’t wait to see Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in “The Dark Knight Rises”, I think that this film is the one that will end up with the biggest bounty at the box office. I just hope for my inner child and comic book nerd that DC gets their shit sorted out. I have always dreamed of a Justice League movie and think that “the Avengers” shows how possible that is. Thankfully while we wait for DC, we have what at this point seems like an infinite universe to explore thanks to Marvel.

Avengers Assemble at Tribeca Film Festival

The BMCC Tribeca Film Festival pavilion.

In the few years that I as a New Yorker have attended the Tribeca Film Festival I have come to expect a few things. The first one obviously, is great films. Last year I screened “the Bully Project, which you know as “Bully”. The documentary about middle schoolers facing terror at each others hands that went through the media wringer about its R Rating. A year before mainstream America was ready for this film, it had opened to a celebratory and heated discussion at TFF. The second thing, is celebrity sightings. One particular evening during a TFF of years past I went to a screening of “Ultrasuede: Discovering Halston” and found myself sharing the screening room with Sarah Jessica Parker and Andre Leon Talley. The final thing, is that the film festival always closes with a bang. The last event is a big, wig snatching, celebrity studded affair. And, on Saturday night the 2012 TFF closed with a bang… or more appropriately a Hulk smash.

Colbie Smulders.

Tom Hiddleston.

The TFF hosted the New York City premiere of”Marvel’s The Avengers”, a super-super hero movie. After years of laying track work, Marvel has assembled Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, and others to fight intergalactic crime. Bringing together four characters who already have their own block buster franchises. No offense to “the Amazing Spiderman”, “The Dark Knight Rises” or anything else opening this summer but, I think “the Avengers” may be the film of the summer. So it being part of the TFF was a huge deal, and that of course meant I had to be there. While the screening was harder to get into than Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man suit, there was still the red carpet. Lauren and I arrived at the BMCC Tribeca Film Center a few hours before the red carpet commenced. The crowd was already massive, full of excited fan-boys and fan-girls clutching hammers, shields and posters.

The early buzz on Mark Ruffalo's Hulk is overwhelmingly positive. Seems third time is the charm for the not so jolly green giant's casting.

The premiere kicked off before I knew it, and after some crazy hysteria that involved a stampede, a barricade being tossed like a Kleenex and some other stuff I don’t want to think about, Lauren and I found ourselves in the second row with a great view of the stars as they arrived. The first person to step on to the carpet was one of the few people who has appeared in almost every film in the Marvel Universe thus far Clark Gregg, on his heels arrived Colbie Smulders who plays Maria Hill in the film. Before long, the big players started spilling out. Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, his on-screen brother Chris Hemsworth and finally Robert Downey Jr. The crowd was in a frenzy every time the door of an SUV opened. But, the crowd was never more crazy than at one point when Hiddleston and Hemsworth were both signing autographs and greeted each other with a hug. It’s nice to see their sibling feud is contained to the big screen only.

Now, you will notice this post is free of pictures of me cheesing it next to any of the Avengers. Or at least I hope you noticed. That is because it was too crazy, I was not able to get close enough. But, I am not even a little mad about it. My regular readers know I get the chance to meet so many of my favorite people. And, in doing that I have come to recognize about 30 other people who also do it regularly. So it blew my mind, that almost none of them were there. It was all new people, who were crazy passionate about this franchise and these characters. So if I am going to miss out, I would rather miss out to people who are passionate about this exclusively. So seeing people nerd out about meeting actors who play their favorite characters was enough to keep me happy. I feel very Oprah right now, watching other people’s happiness making me happy and stuff. Who am I?

I wish I had the chance to thank RDJ for not only getting Gwyneth Paltrow to play Pepper in the Iron Man franchise. But, he apparently also worked hard to get her to agree to cameo in The Avengers.

“The Avengers” opens this Friday, I already have my tickets to see it, but before it opens I will post another blog detailing my excitement about the film. It also will allow me to share my photos with “the Avengers” cast from earlier adventures. A lot of people I have encountered have shared that the film is amazing, plus early reviews and overseas box office have both been hugely positive so needless to say I am very excited. I just hope all of this pre-release buzz doesn’t lead to the movie being spoiled. That would make me angry… And, you won’t like me when I’m angry.

Same Old Song and Dance

The grand daddy of "Glee" and "Smash" - "Cop Rock".

There was a time when the idea of a musical television series was laughable. I was first taught all about how unlikely the idea of a successful musical television drama was when I watched VH1′s “I Love the 90′s”. They did a segment on the Emmy award winning “Cop Rock”, a police drama musical that ran for 11 episodes. That was all the way back in 1991, fast forward 18 years to 2009 and along comes “Glee”. My relationship with “Glee” has been long, difficult and complicated. I’ve watched all three seasons, never given up or walked away from it and my feelings have ranged from absolute love to absolute hatred. This season has been a roller coaster of feelings. From happiness when they introduced us to the deliciously evil Sebastian, to sad with the Karasovsky suicide episode, to WTF when they randomly brought in Ricky Martin for sweeps week. The most recent episode aired February 22nd, 2012. Another problem with being a “Glee” viewer? They tend to take long breaks. The other reason that date is important? It is three weeks after the premiere of NBC’s musical drama “Smash”.

The cast of the fabulous NBC hit "Smash".

“Smash” stars Debra Messing, Angelica Houston, Megan Hilty and the amazing Katharine McPhee. Set in New York it tells the story of a group of Broadway insiders as they bring a musical centered around Marilyn Monroe to Broadway. We are nine episodes in and it is the anti-Glee. It has aired every week, on the same night at the same time. The storyline has stayed constant, the episodes seem planned out, the characters do shocking things but they never seem out of character. And, most crazy of all? The intricate and beautifully staged musical numbers seem based in reality and relevant to the story line. Ask any Glee fan and they can tell you the storyline changes on a dime, the episodes seem to be thought up as cameras roll and the characters change so quickly viewers can get whiplash. Don’t even get me started on some of the unnecessary and unrealistic musical numbers I have sat through.

Diana Agron as Quinn, in the shocking cliff hanger set up.

“Glee” returns tonight after three months and after watching “Smash” these past few weeks, I am unsure if I could even tune back in. When Glee last aired, Rachel and Finn were getting married but their wedding was put on the back burner after Quinn got into an accident. The big cliff hanger is did Quinn die? It was a crazy moment and totally caught me off guard. So imagine my surprise when the promo for this coming episode is focused around Matt Bomer’s guest starring role, the Glee club going to an amusement park and Darren Criss covering “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera. Only Glee could take a shocking cliff hanger and bury it under a Christina Aguilera cover. I’m not saying I want them to give away what happens in the promo. But, how about a little “everyone has questions about the most shocking moment of last winter, this Tuesday the answers are revealed.”

Also I love Matt Bomer, more than the next person, but even I am a little perplexed as to what he is doing there. It seems his character Cooper Anderson’s return stirs something up in Blaine and that’s why he is singing “Fighter”. But, maybe the stunt casting could have waited until next week after we got the Quinn situation squared away? And, it’s not just Matt Bomer, my favorite Glee guest star Gwyneth’s return as Holly Holiday last season got old as well. Also, if Quinn does survive this crash shouldn’t she be singing the song about overcoming adversities? Teen pregnancy, being thrown off the Cheerios, her parents divorce, being dumped, her bad dye job and now the accident when she finally got it together? Quinn is the fighter Ryan Murphy, not Blaine. Sadly, my issues with “Glee” are not a new development. But, usually the promos can pull me back in even after a several month long absence. This time I am feeling like what’s the point?

Now, “Smash is not perfect”. The characters are almost too based in reality so they are not as much fun as some of the New Directions. My other concern is what is going to happen when and if “Bombshell: the Marilyn Musical” makes it to the stage? Other than that, the show is kind of wonderful. The show runners have to have watched “Glee” and listed all of it’s flaws and how to avoid them. Even their stunt casting, bringing in Uma Thurman as a Hollywood star to play Marilyn was done so expertly I’m not even mad about it. It will be interesting to see how the New Directions graduating will effect the ratings of both shows. Because, one of “Glee’s” most alluring elements is it’s stars. Even with all the WTF moments and frustrating plot holes the cast is able to sell you on the show thanks to their attempts to elevate the material and make up for the flaws.

I wonder how the creators, cast and crew of “Cop Rock” feel about this new wave of musical television. I haven’t seen a single episode of the drama but from what I saw on “I Love the 90′s” the show ended in a very cheeky fashion. Knowing that it’s end was looming, the final episode shot featured a scene where a great big fat lady was lowered into the court room singing the final number. Because, it’s not over until the fat lady sings. With it’s numerous plot issues, a majority of the cast graduating and a new and improved musical drama on the air “Glee” better find a way to work it out, and soon. Because, I don’t know about you but I can hear the fat lady warming up in the wings and from where I stand she sounds good.

Live at Twenty Five – Joining the Quarter Century Club

Oh Candle, you're so hilarious!

Birthdays are weird. When my friends have them, I make it my business to make sure I celebrate them and make myself available for their celebrations. So regardless if we are going to a speak easy for $16 cocktails or headed to a terrible theme restaurant for chicken terryaki – I am down. There was a point where I would make a huge deal out of my birthday with a party, a night out, a 21 gun salute to my amazingness and a fireworks display with a performance by Pitbull. And I don’t know if its the wisdom that comes with age or the lack of energy to go all out but with each passing year I have made my birthday more and more low key. When it came time to plan this year’s milestone I realized it was the first time since my 19th birthday that I couldn’t use Facebook to invite people.  So thanks to my Lenten sacrifice I was offered an out. An opportunity to make this birthday even smaller and more low key. Plus, it was the first time I wasn’t sharing my birthday with my Godfather or my high school friends Jamie and Christina. Since Christina and I had a falling out over the summer, this is the first birthday I had full control over. I had no one else to factor in or consider. I could make my birthday whatever I wanted.

So I made dinner reservations at Otto, one of my favorite Gwyneth approved NYC restaurants and invited a small group of friends out. We had dinner, then grabbed a few cocktails and headed to see a movie. I had a lot of fun, there were a lot of laughs and my dinner was delicious. It felt weird to not invite everyone I know out for birthday shots and karaoke but I just wasn’t feeling it this year and knew that some members of my inner circle were too hip for pizza and Mirror, Mirror. We did sneak into a second movie, since the Hunger Games was playing next door and we are all obsessed. So at least there a little bad ass behavior.

My birthday celebrants and I. What a stone cold bunch of weirdos.

In a lot of ways I am hoping that my birthday celebration will set the tone for the year ahead. Simple but fabulous. I had so much fun and according to the tweets from my guests they did too. So if the following 365 or so days could follow suit I would love it. Especially as I officially embark on my 25 for 25 project now that I am in fact 25. It’s weird because I don’t feel like I am that old. I think that’s why I started that list of things to accomplish, there are so many milestones and little things I haven’t reached yet that I assumed would be out of the way by now. But, the fact is according to my birth certificate and the smile lines I get in photos, I am 25. And, if the first 25 years of my life have been this fabulous, I can only imagine what the years ahead hold for me. But, let’s not rush things. I am in no hurry to get any older.

Thanks to everyone who called, texted, Tweeted and especially those who came out and celebrated my birthday with me!