exclusive interview: charles esten AKA nashville's deacon claybourne

Are you a #Nashie?! Because I'm OBSESSED with the show Nashville. There are so many likable characters and enough drama to make me crave the next episode but not drive me crazy during the week between.

From the beginning, I've always loved Deacon. He's one of those characters that goes through a lot of s#!*, and makes some really bad decisions, but you still root for him. You see YOUR soulmate in him.

FINALLY... I got to meet him. In my head, we've already been best friends for a long time, and I told him that. He found it pretty funny. Then I told him my name and he had some difficulty with it so I guess maybe the friendship was one sided... UNTIL TODAY.

He was just as awesome as I've always imagined/hoped. Sounded great, was humble, appreciative, friendly, warm, and funny. I was smitten... and also freaking out.

I only had two minutes with him on selfie-cam, so I had just a few very important things to bring up:

• What he does when he comes home to NoVA
• If he and Chris Carmack have a battle of the DMV territories on set
• How incredible Lennon and Maisey Stella are in real life

Yeah, it's shaky and stuff but like WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO HOLD A CAMERA STILL WHILE TALKING TO YOUR FAVORITE PERSON ON YOUR FAVORITE SHOW?! No. So stfu kthanks.

Here's to a lifelong friendship!

love,
elizabethany

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interview: jeff timmons of 98 degrees and men of the strip

I had a major life moment today, y'all. I got to talk to Jeff from 98 Degrees. If you woulda told me back when I went to my first ever concert [which was theirs] that I'd one day talk to them, I woulda hit you or something for being ridiculous.

He's heading a new movie/show on E! that airs this Sunday.... all about the real life Magic Mike [and he says it's also part Sex In The City]. A group of hott guys, learning how to strip... hell yes you can count me in.

We talked about the Package Tour [when I saw them last year], how the guys on the show come from all different backgrounds including the NFL, WWE, and MMA... and how his wife and family think about this whole new career of his.



He was SO awesome to talk to! Normally I chop up my interviews pretty good, but I felt like it was a fun and casual conversation.

Jeff also said that a lot of the guys are using "Men of the Strip" as a platform to get into another career, and he's fully supportive of that. That's pretty freaking awesome.

Here are the clips I referenced in the interview:

I'm pretty pumped to watch Sunday night. Feel free to live tweet it with me [and Jeff]!

love,
elizabethany

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watch: my bff performs on american idol- hollywood week!

Post by Carlton Smith.

I wasn't lying when I said one of my favorite people ever was going to be on Idol. They may not have shown his auditions on TV, but he's featured in so many of the videos they've posted online... and we should be seeing him in Hollywood this week!

[He's the first one to sing, duh.]

How EXCITING is that?! Gah. Brings back memories of Tim Halperin on the show, but this time it's so, SO much more personal. 

Carlton has been putting up new covers every Thursday, so check 'em out on YouTube and subscribe and follow him on Twitter and support someone else who is making their dreams come true in 2014. 

Thanks in advance for giving him the love you give me!

love,

elizabethany

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watch: my segment on news channel 8, and my outfit!

I made my first return to DC TV yesterday! I jumped on 'Lets Talk Live" on News Channel 8 to talk about Jingle Ball! [I can't believe it's on Monday.. so close!!!]

Not going to lie.... I was a little nervous because it's been a while since I've been in front of a camera, and I didn't get to talk to the hosts ahead of time to feel out how much "elizabethany" I could let out.

Luckily... I only had a few ADD stumbles. It's just so weird being the interviewee!

And because I think my facial expressions are ridiculous [or maybe I'm narcissistic, I'm not really sure...], I figured I'd see what I could find in this video. 

Turns out I still have a crooked mouth problem... and yes, I definitely talk just like this while on the radio. 

I had imagined standing up for the interview, so I had put together an outfit that I'm a pretty big fan of... 

The best part... the whole thing only cost me $7!

-dress from my clothing swap party

-sweater tights from Charlotte Russe Black Friday $5

-shoes were a gift from my brother!

-scarf from the thrift shop a couple years ago for maybe $2

Hopefully I can get on TV around here some more! I don't think I'll be sending this tape out to prove why I can do it... but some more practice will be in order!

love,

elizabethany

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fashion inspiration: joan watson of elementary

If you don't watch Elementary, you're missing out and probably should. First of all, it's a great show. Second, Lucy Liu/her character Joan Watson has a style that I'm growing obsessed with it.

I noticed it last season, but always thought "I can't pull any of this off." Then I realized I was subconsciously buying a lot of things she wears.

SO.. I gathered some of my favorite looks of hers for us all to be inspired by.

She does a lot of skater-style dresses and skirts, but she dresses down, too. She also has a great collection of jackets and cardigans, winter shorts, and booties.

There are also a lot of drop-waist dresses like this.

So many ways to rock the loose shorts and tights!

Or leather shorts..

Pretty obsessed with the leather and lace outfit on the right. You also don't see a whole lot of accessories on her outside of hats and scarves.

I totally saw a dress just like this at H&M... then add a military jacket and tights.. bam!

A white blazer or jacket in the winter.. Casual but so goodddd. 

I'm going to start paying even closer attention to her outfits and posting them even more. After getting almost the exact same boots she has on in the last picture [on Target clearance!], I realize I might have a lot more of what she's wearing.

What's your favorite look of hers? OR.. is there a fictional character's style you're loving?! Do share!

love,

elizabethany

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watch: breaking bad, the romantic comedy

This probably should have been in the Hangover because I'm assuming a lot of people have already seen it, but it deserves its own post, even if I'm a little late.

It needs no further introduction.

INCREDIBLE! TWO THUMBS UP! BEST PARODY OF 2013!

Seriously... they really are having an interesting love affair. I'm surprised it took this long for someone to make such a trailer.

I can't believe it's finally back. I'm so scared to see how their love story ends.

BONUS!: 6:30pm. 
There's also this here video of a dude playing the intro/theme... on METH MAKING INSTRUMENTS. If that's not a genius idea to go viral, I don't know what is anymore.


love,
elizabethany

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where are they now?: cast of sabrina the teenage witch

The movie came out 15 years ago! So where is the cast after all these years? Mostly looking the exact same...

Sabrina

Well, she's basically still living in a 90s sitcom on ABC Family on "Melissa and Joey."

The family

Aunt Hilda was on a bunch of D-list reality shows, and now is a couple voices on Disney's Phineas and Ferb.

Aunt Zelda was on Lost as Kate's mom, and now she's a waitress on Under The Dome.

Salem, AKA Nick Bakay wrote Mall Cop, Zookeeper, and more movies... and is also a producer!

The high school peeps

Harvey basically fell off the planet... and apparently plays guitar in a bluegrass duo now.

Libby has been in a couple episodes of Castle, Bones, and ER. 

Principal Willard Kraft is Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development!

Valerie was on Ben and Kate before it was canceled too early, but also Bring It On, duh.

The college years

Morgan was like, crazy awesome in the 90s... but since Sabrina, hasn't really done anything of note.

Roxie voiced some of the Bratz characters, but now mostly concentrates on a boutique she opened in LA.

First of all, no wonder Sabrina ended up with Josh and not Harvey, just based on looks alone! But he's really not any more successful. He hasn't done anything great since Sabrina [WHY!?!?!].

Who knew most of the people from a really great show in the 90s, who mostly look the same, would never get another great gig?! Such a shame.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: jesse and the rippers on jimmy fallon

OMG IT WAS EVERYTHING WE HOPED IT WOULD BE AND MORE!

Jesse brought back his vest, his wife Aunt Becky, his brother in law Danny Tanner, "HAVE MERCY!" and most importantly: his mullet, for the best performance ever on Jimmy Fallon. [Yeah, way better than JT.]

Anyone who embraces their past as much as they do- is just awesome. Too many people are like "what I did in the past is my past and I wanna focus on my future" these days. Never forget your roots, and give the people what they want.

Thanks Uncle Jesse.

love,
elizabethany

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pics: behind the scenes of the most iconic tv shows

These are all just really neat, but I've picked out my favorite shots from the sets of a TON of shows.. old and current.

One of my favorite parts about Breaking Bad are the shots they get... and now we know how!

Oh hi Alyson Hannigan and three creepy body doubles on the set of Buffy.

James still looks super Dawson'y even when not filming.

Oh, just about to kill someone on Dexter. 

AWWWW, the twins helped each other on the set of Full House! Or is this just the first of their fashion designing?

Can't let the cast get burnt on the set of Lost!

PAUSE. Bethenny Frankel was on Saved By The Bell?!

The final hug on Seinfeld. I guess they were just as sad as the rest of us.

And Jerry ready to take the stage.

What it looked like when bringing Bert and Ernie to life!

Don't you love seeing things behind the scenes?! It's like, my favorite... especially if the show is already over and it won't ruin anything for me. IT'S LIKE A WHOLE NEW WORLD!

love,
elizabethany

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beyond the real world cameras: grit and loathing with nia

Wheewwwww boy! This season has been a little all over the place, eh?! I feel like I've had mixed feelings towards everyone in the house at one point or another [with the exception of Marlon, I think...]. I hated Nia in the beginning, then I liked her, then I decided I just really needed to talk to her.

I'll be honest, like I always am... I'm surprised at how easy it was to talk to her and how genuine she really seemed. Sure, she had a lot of awful things to say about other people [saying one of her former BFF's is weak and has serious issues], and she doesn't regret a damn thing she did in the house... but somehow it almost seems justified... maybe.

She's well aware that Real World makes stereotypes out of people, and instead of trying to "prove the stereotype wrong," she embraced her inner angry black woman and made a show everyone's talking about. Nia knows that to make it in the business you have to be a Kim Kardashian or a violent biotch, so she went to violent route.

Our entire chat was over 30 minutes, but I had to cut some things out and also took out some redundancy.. She really wanted to let these things be known:

• She's not a slut, and it was when Jordan tried to make her look like THE Atlanta prostitute that she started to attack him
• Averey is as fake as fake can be, even buying a bunch of her Twitter followers
• "It's not my fault they think I'm better than them. I didn't tell them I was."

Goodness, I feel like I'm really stirring ish up on here, but you haven't even heard the beginning of it. I've never had to bleep so many F- and S- bombs in a podcast before! So take a listen and get ready to catch your jaw. 

If you're fiending for more Nia, here's that first episode of her web-series.

And let me know your thoughts on this one! She's always been the source of a lot of tweets you have sent me, so I'm interested to hear what you think now. Tweet or comment below!

love,
elizabethany

PS check out all of my Real World podcasts here!

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boy meets world reunites at the atx television festival!

We've known this was going to happen for a couple months, but it's still FREAKING AMAZING TO SEE!

Check out most of the cast reuniting on the red carpet, lookin' just as much besties as they were a decade ago.

Did Mama Amy age?!?! I feel like if the show was still going, she'd probably end up having another baby. 

If only it was Eric in place of Cory..... it'd make this even more beautiful.

The ORIGINAL Morgan! And the prettier one. They totally look related IRL.

Also, they asked Ben Savage what he thought of Danielle Fishel in Maxim, and he simply said "she was beautiful. She's always been beautiful." What a great husband.

Ahhh, my heart is so warm right now.

love,
elizabethany

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watch: news team bickers non-stop on live tv

Everyone has someone in the office they can't stand... that's normal.... what people who aren't in the media business might never think about: even if we hate someone we're constantly with, we can't show it!

...Unless, of course, you're this news team in Philly. It seems like they're constantly making it known that they'd rather work with anyone but each other.


I don't know if they're trying to make it awkward because they think it's funny or because it'll keep people watching for a train wreck... or maybe they're doing it so their boss pulls one of them off the show... but it's effing annoying.

There was no way I could finish watching the video without trying to tackle homegirl Nicole through the computer screen. You're pretty and young honey, but you are incredibly unprofessional. Get it together. You look ridiculous.

Awkward television: There's only so much one can take.

love,
elizabethany

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beyond the real world cameras: not just sex with jessica

Finally, I had Jess on the show! Ever since people went bonkers on my first post about her, I've wanted to get her on so she had a chance to say what she wanted about it all. I've also been intrigued by her simply because of the innocence she has on the show.

I wanted to dig in and see if she really is afraid of sex stores... if she has a kinky side we don't know about...
I also asked her opinion of Nia [who she described as her "Fairy Godmother"], and why she kept saying the fight with Anastasia and her boyfriend was "so scary."

Of course I also asked the all important question of what we haven't seen. Turns out we're missing a whole side of Jess.



Like Marlon said last week, it's kinda shocking when I talk to someone like this because my friends and I are always so open about our sexuality and adventures. When someone's a little more old school about it, I'm literally a little speechless. Maybe they'll save the integrity of America... if that's what we even want.

love,
elizabethany

PS: See ALL of my Real World interviews here!

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beyond the real world portland cameras: meet marlon

Last week, I had Marlon join me on the show/for a podcast! After talking to him online a few times, I've been wanting to get him on, but he was caught up with.... something..... for a little while. *hint hint*

I was excited to ask him about all the issues in the house that he is seemingly always brought into, his sexual past, and the real deal with Nia. It seems like he's not all that into her either, but he told me it's actually just the opposite, we're just not seeing everything.

While that was shocking, it looks like there's a chance he could return back to his "dark side," like a lot of guys are hoping for.

Find out all sorts of things that we're not getting to see on the show, my recent thoughts, and some random questions like how he got out of an arrest and what he thinks is sexy.



As we talked about, here's one of his music videos for you to check out his work!


Up next: I'm going to get Jordan on here! [Still trying to coordinate with Jess' people, too...] Let me know if you have any questions or comments for him!

love,
elizabethany

PS: Check out all of my Real World interviews here!

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where are they now?: the power rangers

Brace yourselves. You're about to learn where the original cast of the Power Rangers are now, and some of them are rather shocking, and possibly heartbreaking.

Black Ranger [cue any "oh OF COURSE he was the Black Ranger comments that we didn't say when we were little], AKA Walter Jones, is acting in small movies and missing his middle finger.

Pink Ranger, AKA Amy Jo Johnson, is also still acting... but actually had a leading role in a show called "Flashpoint" I saw a couple times.

Looking back, I guess it's no shocker that Blue Ranger, AKA David Yost is gay. Every group of people in the 90s had one gay guy, and he sure is pretty.

Green Ranger, AKA Jason Frank is still the Green Ranger... in MMA. He looks terrifying.

Red Ranger, AKA Austin St John, is a Washington, DC paramedic! Quick! Someone get really hurt so you can always say "I was rescued by a Power Ranger!"

Now comes the sad part.....

Yellow Ranger, AKA Thuy Trang, died in a car accident just days before September 11th. 

Good news to make you smile again: They're all still friends. That's really neat. 

And now, I'll just leave you with this.

love,
elizabethany

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