CleverDonkey.com …Musings, Commentary, Opinions, and Drivel

Hey, now we have the bones for a bar -- no more wall!!

Prettiest headerboard you ever saw... earlier in the day before the studs got removed.

Hi Mom. Does the wall being gone help us get fed faster or anything?

Now we get to build out the bar and tile it!!

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So Project Wall Remove proceeds.  It’s funny that we moved out of the Houston Heights into Brenham, only to be embarking on a quintessentially Heights-ian project of remodeling our 2/1 tiny bungalow on an undersized lot. 

The rerouted wiring behind the kitchen wall.

Today was spent with rerouting wiring (Engineerboy), cutting through wall (Engineerboy), and removing about 1 zillion nails (Mynagirl).  Oh and shop-vac’ing the hell outta the inside of what-used-to-be-a-wall.  (Including spider eggs, yuck!!) 

We learned that the kitchen floor is higher than the dining room floor because the kitchen has 3-count-them-3 layers of linoleum layed down on top of one another.  And there’s plywood underneath the 3 layers of linoleum on top of the subfloor in the kitchen.  I don’t know why, because it’s the same subfloor as in the rest of the house I think.  Maybe there was damage to the subfloor about 15 years ago before the first layer of linoleum went down?  Maybe there used to be carpet in the rest of the house?  Unknown, but I can tell you that Project #2 is going to be replacing that damned crappy floor.  It’s all torn to hell. 

Here's what underneath there...

Here's the wall that will be gone tomorrow

We had a heck of a decision on the part of the wall that’s still abutting the west outside wall — the side that goes beneath the cabinets is just plywood, which I think is sort of tacky, but there’s really nothing to be done to it since it goes behind the cabinets.  And we’re not replacing the cabinets — they’re actually pretty solid.  So we had to decide if we were going to mess with that wall.  In the end we decided not to, and bought a RotoZip to cut into the plywod wall with a precise depth, pretty sweet.

Tomorrow is header board and sawing through the studs… sweet.

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Our sweet little cottage

Here we go!!!

This line of thinking ended today. After endless hemming and hawing and two years of living with industrial-spray-gun-flat-white wall paint, a bathroom counter with (ugh) cigarette burns on it from the previous owners, and chipped linoleum (the list goes on), we decided to do the big before the little. And down came the wall with that unmistakably satisfying squeak of nails lifting from two-by-fours via crowbar leverage. Ahhhhh!

Scalpal, nurse! Or maybe just the sledgehammer

Oh yeah. Destruction.

Next goes the why-build-a-free-standing-closet-in-the-middle-of-the-house.  Which might actually let us use the floor space currently wasted on the 1940’s-era “telephone nook”.   Stay tuned.

I would swear there was a wall here a minute ago. Now where did I put it....

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Schön Ruhe Salon and Day Spa

Originally written April 7, 2007, updated March 28, 2008

706 Seelhorst
Brenham, TX 77833
(979) 421-6044
www.schonruhe.com
Quick disclaimer: since writing this original review I've become great friends with Lindsay and designed the Schön Ruhe website for her as well.  But my original review stands… this is a GREAT salon, by any city's standards.

Do What You're Born to Do

See, I'm a born programmer. I didn't quite realize it until I was an adult and, armed with a degree in the very touchy-feel field of Sociology, I found out that the best part of my job out in the business world was teaching myself how to program in a then-very-cutting-edge technology called Lotus Notes. After years of being in technology and loving the process of programming I realized that I loved my job and although Sociology was interesting, Programming was my passion.

Um, isn't this article about a salon, or something?

The point is, I was lucky enough to find what I was supposed to do with my life. And that's the joy of going to Schön Ruhe — Lindsay Scheel, the owner, is absolutely, 100% doing what she was born to do. She glows when she greets you, she radiates with joy as she walks through and checks on you at the pedicure station, bringing you a glass of wine (from a local winery, of course). She happily walks on air through the beautiful, welcoming space, checking on folks getting facials and escorting clients to the massage room. She has created a perfect salon — by any city's standard — simply because it is what she was born to do, and this perfect salon just happens to be here in quaint, picturesque, low-key Brenham.

The salon itself is well named. Schön Ruhe means "beautiful rest" in German, and Lindsey has completely created the whole salon around this concept. I've been in swanky salons (Urban Retreat in Houston — both the skin care center and the full salon), bare-bones salons (any number of acrylic nail assembly-line shops in Houston), quirky salons (Bogart's in the Heights) and friendly neighborhood salons (Heights Spa in the Houston Heights), but none of them compare to Schön Ruhe as an experience. It's the perfect mix of luxury, relaxation, unpretentiousness, and exactly-what-you-need.

Massages to Die For

I've become addicted to the massages there.  Both Barbara and Sheila are amazing!!  My last massage by Sheila was completely restorative… I walked in with every joint aching and I left relaxed and filled with well-being.  And no more sore joints.

Before coming here, I'd always liked massages but they were never worth the indulgence of money for me, at least none that I'd had before. But not only are the prices fabulous by Houston standards, it's hands down (pun intended, I guess!) the best massage I've ever gotten. The room is so welcoming, a soft shade of not-quite-Robin's-egg blue with a tree and appliqued blossoms on the wall. The eyelet window coverings let in the exact amount of natural light, augmented by an old-world-feel chandelier. And the massage itself is heaven… and the therapists are so caring, making sure nothing's too hard to too soft, checking with you ahead of time for any injuries they need to consider or areas that need special TLC.  And as a perfect touch, the massage table is heated… removing one of my major objections to all previous massages, which is that as soon as I'm naked and on the table I'm cold and uncomfortable, and then I have to pee. I know that's not very delicately put but it's quite true, and it's made many a massage an unpleasant, tense, gee-when-will-this-be-over waiting game. Totally different at Schön Ruhe!

A Facial I Never Knew Existed

Prior to Schön Ruhe I'd gotten a facial at Urban Retreat before, and it was… okay. I mean, my skin was probably better when I came out but it wasn't an experience at all. It was actually sort of painful and the bright lights on my skin (they use this giant lens to light your face and pick at your pores) made my eyes water behind my closed lids. It was kind of like being at the dentist – uncomfortable and a little painful.

So imagine how unprepared I was for the facial at Schön Ruhe!! Yes, there was a little bit of lit face-picking (which is a good thing, actually), but it was SO relaxing! The room was very welcoming with warm tones, a nice-smelling candle, and the friendliest facialist on the planet, Carol. The experience was great… soft touches on my face to smooth the creams on, tea bags on the eyes, and a little mini-massage for my shoulders, neck, arms, and feet while the creams "set". Heaven! I'd never known a facial could be like that!

Since that first trip Carol's given me many a fabulous facial as well as expert eyebrow waxing. 

Perfect toes, perfect hands

Of course, the pedicures and manicures maintain the standard — the pedicure chairs are heavenly and Lindsey and crew place a high priority on sanitation (an issue near and dear to my heart). All metal tools used come out of an autoclave, each chair goes through a 10-minute sanitation cycle between clients, and the buffers/nail boards are all sterilized before your use. And it feels fabulous… you get the choice of sugar or salt with your scrub (to match personality, I guess? I like salt best!) and a dizzying array of fabulous Aveda potions and lotions that not only smell great but leave you with great skin.  Debbie is an artist, without a doubt the best darn pedicure and most perfect toe-paint job ever.

Although I'm generally a toe girl, I've done the manicure route a few times and they're great too!!  It's kind of a sumptious experience of mini-massage, skin conditioning, and having your nails look like you're actually a lady of luxury rather than a construction worker (maybe that's just me and my dishpan hands).

Crowning Glory: Hair

Of course, they do hair too. (Can you tell I've already been about a million times?)  Katie is such a sweet young girl at first you worry she's inexperienced, but one haircut will change your mind.  She is expert.  My hair comes out PERFECT every time.  And she's great at counseling me through my awkward-growing-out hair phase that I'm in right now. 

A Spa Gem in the Country

All in all I just can't believe it exists, and that I found it. It's such a high-end spa experience, I was surprised and amazed to discover it in sweet little Brenham. Top-notch services and facilities at prices that always surprise me (having cut my spa teeth in pricey Houston). What makes it so special, of course, though is Lindsay and the the entire staff and the care they bring to the entire place… from the paint and the decorations to the welcoming smile and the full attention to your every need, it just feels good to be there. You get to be part of someone doing what they love, and what they were born to do. And you just can't help catch a little of that joy when you're there.

Footnote: Now Aveda!!

I didn't think it could get any better.  But if you'd asked me a year ago when I started coming here what could possibly make Schön Ruhe any better, I'd have been hard-pressed for an answer.  But now it's AVEDA, which is without fail my very favorite kind of salon.  They must put an addictive chemical in their product, because I — who am so sensitive to smells I can tell if my daughter has put on perfume when she's still in her bedroom — love how Aveda salons smell.  And how my hair looks after the full-on Aveda experience.  So fabulous, can't recommend it highly enough!!

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It’s Oscar Sunday again!!

We will be posting live updates during the broadcast all night! (Well… sort of live… we run about an hour behind on the TiVo cache to capture these images for your amusement. Do you see how we bleed for you, anonymous public? Do you SEE?!)

We hear Diablo Cody is wearing diamond shoes tonight but haven’t seen them yet. However, if they do appear, rest assured that those pics and MANY more will be posted throughout the evening and into the wee morning hours. Look for extra dishiness, cattiness, and typos as we get progressively more punchdrunk and actually drunk as I start to nip into the limoncello. 🙂

Top Honors

Jennifer Garner

Okay, so I’m biased here because I we used to watch Alias (yes it’s true, okay, there, I admitted it), but damn she is just too beautiful. She looks fabulous, I love the soft messy hair, normally I would diss the black mermaid and collared necklace but she’s too great. I just love her dress! And she’s so nice, she name-checked her stylist when asked for ‘her secret’ to looking so great.

Hillary Swank

Rocks the Versace, also earning high marks with black sleekness and illustrating the one-shoulder trend to come for the evening.

Couples Fever

Heidi Klum & Seal

Seal & Heidi looked dashing. Seal as always dapper in a conservative tux with a special shout out for the tiny curved-point collar (I’m sure there’s an official name for it but I don’t know what it is). Oh, and the back of Ryan Seacrest’s head as a lapel pin. Heidi showed up in a Galliano stand-up collar red gown that looked a bit like she was a villaness in a Disney flick but no matter; she was wearing it so that it would raise heart disease awareness and money by being auctioned off afterward for charity. All together now…awwwwww!

George Clooney & Girlfriend

They said her name earlier but I don’t remember. But they are a dapper couple — I like how she matched her silver dress to his hair color! Seriously, though, I don’t recommend any floral prints at the Oscars, honey. You’re adorable but that dress looks a wee bit like a shiny couch. I’m sorry, it’s the truth.

Scullcap Boy and Mango Girl (I mean, John Travolta and Kelly Preston)

Wow, this is a pair of atrocities. Engineerboy speculates that Travolta’s hair is actually just shoe polish delicately applied. I disagree, I don’t think it was delicately applied at all. Kelly P’s tropical marinade of a Cavalli dress isn’t actually bad if a little boring (I’m fairly partial to the orange tones myself) but it’s so hard to give that dress its due when it’s next to Barber-elly. Two emphatic sets of Donkey Ears down!! But we are entertained. Especially because we’re now into the Limoncello. We are really entertained.

The Rock

Honarary mention here for The Rock. Although he’s not seen with wife/etc in this pic, we simply had to put him after John Travolta so you could see the duplicate skullcap.

Jessica Alba and Jim Henson

Jessica Al-boa, I mean, Jessica Alba, flaunts the full figure and drapes the bump in a garnet Marchesa frock that looks a bit like a Muppet was sacrificed for the cause. But we love her anyway because she’s cute and glowing with impending motheringness.

Double Date Superbadness Lookalikes!!

OMG we are seeing double! Seth Rogan of Superbad fame and his lovely date in the low-cut bronziness are on the left, Jonah Hill who PLAYED Seth in Superbad. Rock on! Dig Seth’s date, too — boy, she really looks like she knows how to take a… oh, nevermind. This is a family website. But if you’ve seen Superbad feel free to crack up. Assuming my joke was funny, that is.

---

Redrum

Anne Hathaway

Man, like what is the trend for the one-shoulder dress this year? Anne sported the blood red flowery drapey Hawaiian lei version by Marchesa with an arm swoop, and a cute-but-not-too-cute fall of the hair. It’s a pretty dress and she’s a pretty girl, but wow does she look pale with that bright red color! Better than the spray-on-tan, though, right?? And props for the small elegant diamond earrings. (Kimora Lee Simmons could learn something here, see below).

Ruby Dee

Ruby also rocks the red, this time in satin. We like.

Miley Cyrus

Miley showed up à la rouge as well, in Valentino. Nice, demure, cute and age-appropriate. Clever Donkeys approve. Just be thankful I didn’t make an Achey Breakey joke.

Katherine Heigl

Girl just knows how to look good. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Love hair. Love makeup. Love jewelry.

Helen Mirren

Lovin’ the red. But the silver sleeves are a little weird. But still, she’s classy.

Bow-ring

Amy Ryan

The “Gone Baby Gone” actress sported a boring but elegant navy Calvin Klein.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams is truly beautiful, there’s just nothing like the natural fair-skinned loveliness of a true redhead, especially in emerald. Unfortunately, she doesn’t wow in this Prouenza Schouler dress, but that’s more about the dress than her. She’s gorgeous. It may also be a fabulous-in-person-but-boring-on-camera type thing — the dress, I mean.

Laura Linney

The dress has interesting lines (good bustle in the back, if you know what I mean and I think you do) but … yawn. I’ve already forgotten it and I’m still typing.

Keri Russell

Too skinny, too beige, too boring. These ladies need to do the Cher-in-the-movie-Clueless-polaroid-check to see how that ‘cute dress’ actually looks on camera! I should be a stylist. Okay, email me at [email protected] to hire me.

Um… hunh?!

Here’s the section where we collectively snort and ask… okay, what were you thinking?!

Daniel Fey Lewis… I mean Daniel DAY Lewis

Wow, dude. Some guys can pull off the two earring look. I’m thinking like Egyptian Pharoahs about 3000 years ago and maybe Rob Thomas but only when he sings that hot latin song with Santana. But you, sir, I am not sure you’re in the camp of Dudes Cool Enough to Rock the Two Earrings Without Looking Decidedly Non-Hetero. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

Daniel Day Lewis’ Wife in Crazy Ass Bejeweled Black and Random Red Bow Strapped Super Weirdness!!!

And keeping the Day-Lewis clan in the running as the ONLY folks in this category so far, is… his wife! Okay, this is so far the odds on favorite of the night for bravest fashion choice. That is really and truly one of the most unflattering, ugliest, randomest, part-A-does-not-match-part-B-and-they’re-both-slapdashed-on-dress-C items of fashion I have ever seen in my young and hitherto sheltered life. I think my retinas are bleeding. I must move on. Cleverdonkey.com not responsible for screen burn or other pixelated injury to users’ computers because of this image.

Marion Cotillard

This dress so almost works. Squint your eyes a little and it’s a beautiful silhouette on a beautiful lady. But why make a mermaid tail dress that you actually embroider fishscales on?! Was the designer afraid we wouldn’t get what he/she was attempting to evoke here? Disappointing, because this could’ve been the gown of the evening were it not for the salmon skin texture. Mmmm… now I want sashimi.

Oh, Honey.

Cameron Diaz

Ok, Cam, honey, was there not, like, a shower at the Bikram studio before you came to the awards? I’d love to give you props for the ultra-casual non-pretentious hairstyle, but, sweetheart, the Independent Spirit awards were yesterday. Let’s get some style going, hunh?!

Renée Zellweger

I know I should be kinder because she’s a local girl and all. But yet again I say. TOO SKINNY. Too stressed. Looks like she has a pillbug in her mouth (Engineerboy submits picture #2 as proof of said pillbugs). Gorgeous dress (presumably Carolina Herrera) but horrible Edward Furlong hairdo. I just wish I could give that girl some happy.

Jennifer Hudson

As a fellow well-endowed woman, I think I can safely assert that gathered white halter empire waist dresses are not for our type of figure, sweetheart. You look good from the back but that front view… harsh, girl. Way harsh.

Tilda Swinton as Ziggy Stardust

This dress looks like it was made from the rayon you use to sew a dress pattern before you sew the real one out of silk. This dress looks like the thick rubber liner you install when you build a concrete shower pan. This dress looks like a shiny-wifebeater on the left and a Hefty bag on the right. This dress looks like her real dress ripped on the way over so she stole the upholstery on the ceiling of the limo. This dress looks like one of those suits that make you sweat to lose weight while you run on the treadmill. This dress looks like what the CGI department gives you when they need you to film a digital sequence where your body is engulfed by a giant blob. This dress looks like the inmate gown at a trying-to-be-ritzy mental hospital. This dress looks like the first dress a West Virginia lottery millionaire buys after she cashes in the winning ticket. This dress looks like a bullet-resistant Sari worn by a Welsh congresswoman at a state dinner in India. This dress looks like it was made out of the bolstering from Johnny Cash’s casket. This dress looks like it was recut from Tim Burton’s baby blanket.

Catching breath now. Don’t get me wrong, Swinton was freaking fantastic in Michael Clayton, and I think she’s brilliant. But that is one super freaking ugly dress.

The Young and the Restless

Saoirse Ronan

The young nominee wears a beautiful jade 1930’s-inspired chiffony thing by Alberta Ferretti. She’s absolutely adorable and sweet.

Ellen Page

The Juno star stays safe but that’s okay. We like the young ones to go conservative rather than outlandish. Too many Britneys in this world already. Bravo Ms. Page.

Backgrounders

Sometimes the folks wandering by have some fun and brave looks. Here were some of our faves.

Purple Furwrap’s Majesty

No idea who this is, but that is one furry purple thing that’s attacking her elbows.

Got my hand in my pocket and I’m waiting for my rocket to come…

I never have understood the pocket-on-the-formal gown thing. I mean, isn’t the point of an Oscar dress to be as smooth as possible?? I would worry about natural lumps showing through my gown without adding tailored ones!!! (Much less contrasting piping at the breast, under the breast, and at the waist!) Ohhh, and it’s purple, too. Tacky Lilac Trend Alert!!! We’re on a roll!

And now

appearing… the singer for “Blue Day”!

The Purple trends marches boldly on with this India Ink hairstyle in the background!

OMG I so, like, totally, omg, like, LOVE your dress!

I’m sure this girl is a nice person and may not necessarily deserve to be pilloried on some random website such as your correspondent’s, but this is a funny picture of said assumed-nice-person telling Jennifer Garner how much she absolutely loves Jen’s dress. Dig the whites of the eyes.

Random Actor’s Wife with the Heavily Kohled Eyes (oh wait, James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff, whoever they are)

I’m sure this lady is actually lovely in real life, but purple went back on trend with the wackies with this dark indigo silk thing and some dark makeup that I’m sure is intended to look sophisticated but instead makes Random Actor’s wife look a bit like a strung out meth addict. But with better teeth and some bitchin’ earrings.

Yeah, That’s Right. You’re a BACKGROUNDER now, Mr. Busey.

Holy cow, live TV is hilarious and scary sometimes!! Gary Busey — seemingly born to go off-script at a moment’s notice, has a hilarious bit of presumably-alcohol-fueled interrupt-y badness as Seacrest gamely tries to field Busey’s off-camera shouted rant while simultaneously attempting to interview the lovely Jen Garner.

Gary Busey, The Return

And it continued, with Busey babbling congratulations at Laura Linney and then grabbing Jennifer Garner and — apparently — kissing her on the neck. That was some class-A live-TV Gary Busey Academy Awards weirdness!

Oh, Honey – Backgrounder Edition. Tsk Tsk.

Is that gold lamé or is it sequin? Is it live or is it Memorex? Is it Victoria’s Secret or is it Frederick’s of Hollywood? I do not know the answer, but I know she was asking the wrong question. Fo’ sho’.

Tweety Couture

Wow. That is one yellow dress. As a rule, normal women should definitely leave yellow dresses to angel-haired three-year-olds at Easter and sassy elderly black women who can pull it off without batting an iron-clad eyelash. I don’t think this woman is either of those.

The Worst Coat in the Universe

LA must be like Houston, in that whenever the temperature dips below sixty degrees, the women who feel they must flaunt fur drag their poor pelts out of storage for that one or two days of conspicuous consumption that the tropical weather meagerly affords them. This is a particularly fabulous example, stolen from the exact same picture as Marion Cotillard… I don’t even have words to describe this getup. ‘Tacky’ doesn’t even do it justice. ‘Ugly’ would be kind. Unfortunate is the word that leaps to mind, although that word regrettably absolves this satin-gloved Clairol-haired black-hose-wearin’ star-gawker of a woman of any responsibility in said clothing choice. And she must be held responsible. Someone, somewhere, has to pay.

The Presenters

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest is going balls-out with a Dolce & Gabbana he-hopes-it’s-trendy black-and-chocolate-brown shawl collar tux with inky black tie and shirt. Brave one. But, he is Ryan Seacrest after all, so we’ll go ahead and cut him a little slack and say we like it.

Giuliana Rancic

Very reminiscent of Beyoncé’s Armani Privé from last year. Her amethyst-colored Zuhair Murad was nice but boring. Which I guess is what you want in a presenter.

Kimora Lee Simmons

J Mendel gown was really flattering but the overload of diamonds-that-look-like-cheap-rhinestones just sort of killed it. I liked the million-dollar-hair clip but the other stuff was too much. Does this woman ever just trust her natural beauty to show through? I’ve never seen her when she wasn’t dripping in diamonds. C’mon girl, let’s downshift a bit and realize that sometimes just you can shine.

Jillian Barberie Reynolds (Some Weather Chick?)

Tricycle-handlebar-streamer earrings too long. Zebra stripe chiffon boring. Yawn.

Major Nominees (and Winners) for 2008 Academy Awards

Supporting Actor

• Casey Affleck in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
• Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men”
• Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War”
• Hal Holbrook in “Into the Wild”
• Tom Wilkinson in “Michael Clayton”

Supporting Actress

• Cate Blanchett in “I’m Not There”
• Ruby Dee in “American Gangster”
• Saoirse Ronan in “Atonement”
• Amy Ryan in “Gone Baby Gone”
• Tilda Swinton in “Michael Clayton”

Best Actor

• George Clooney in “Michael Clayton
• Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood”
• Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
• Tommy Lee Jones in “In the Valley of Elah”
• Viggo Mortensen in “Eastern Promises”

Best Actress

• Cate Blanchett in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”
• Julie Christie in “Away from Her”
• Marion Cotillard in “La Vie en Rose”
• Laura Linney in “The Savages”
• Ellen Page in “Juno”

Best Screenplay (Original)

• Diablo Cody – “Juno”
• Nancy Oliver – “Lars and the Real Girl”
• Tony Gilroy – “Michael Clayton”
• Brad Bird (Screenplay), Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Brad Bird (Story) – “Ratatouille”
• Tamara Jenkins – “The Savages”

Best Screenplay (Adapted)

• Christopher Hampton – “Atonement”
• Sarah Polley – “Away from Her”
• Ronald Harwood – “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
• Joel Coen & Ethan Coen – “No Country for Old Men”
• Paul Thomas Anderson – “There Will Be Blood”

Best Director

• Julian Schnabel – “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
• Jason Reitman – “Juno”
• Tony Gilroy – “Michael Clayton”
• Joel Coen and Ethan Coen – “No Country for Old Men”
• Paul Thomas Anderson – “There Will Be Blood”

Best Picture

• “Atonement”
• “Juno”
• “Michael Clayton”
• “No Country for Old Men”
• “There Will Be Blood”

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Top Ten Men

The men took on the seventies…

Michael Johns

Fleetwood Muck

Our Favorite Aussie does a bleennhh job with a Fleetwood Mac song.  Engineerboy hated it but I thought it wasn't too bad, just a bad song choice.

Jason Castro

Charming but not sure yet if he's a singer

Our favorite dreadlocked whiteboy from last week sang the Bee Gees in a feelgood acoustic number that wasn't fabulous but would've been decently enjoyable were he playing at an outdoor festival or at a chilled out pub of some sort.  But I might have to agree with Randy — the whole package is reasonably charming but he may not actually be a stellar vocalist.  I personally don't care but I realize the American Idol producers want the pop singer (which personally I think might be short-sighted of them).  Hopefully he sticks around to get a chance to pick a better song next week.

Luke Menard

On Her Majesty's Disservice 

Dude, he looks like Bruce Campbell's less successful younger brother whom you couldn't possibly imagine successfully delivering a line like "Gimme some sugar, baby".  Which then leads to the next point, which is that if he couldn't possibly deliver spoken words with any kind of panache, he certainly can't freaking sing QUEEN!!!!     Paula said it was great but it was HORRIBLE, nasally and weak and uninspired.  I mean he didn't screech through it but it it was awful.  He sang that almost too feminine-ly for a Queen song (uh… did I just say that?).  And as Simon said, he didn't have any charisma or charm… or the ability to carry off a song like Queen's Killer Queen. 

Robbie Carrico

ROFLMAO!!!! 

Oh my, Hot Blooded by Foreigner!!  Hahahahahaha!!!  I have a hard time admitting that I even know that song — I could never sing it straight-faced!!!!!!  And dude isn't nearly as sheepish as he should be when he belts out the line "Are you old enough… Will you be ready when I call your bluff?"  Bwahahahahaha… I can't even pay attention to what he sounds like as a singer, because anyone singing that song already sounds like a fool!!! HAHAHAhahah!  I'm still freaking laughing my butt off.  I have no review.  Hahahah!!!

HA!

Danny Noriega

Go cry emo weasel!

I can't figure this kid out.  He seems to be over-confident as a coping skill.  The sassy head bobs aside, I can hardly listen to him sing because he's trying to imbue the whole performance with some kind of mystique.  Or something. 

David Hernandez

Wow, like who's this dude that can sing so well?!

We had to pause for gales of laughter at the bow-chicky-wow-wow intro of the song, like, oh my gracious what cheesy piece of seventies crapsploitation music is this?  He's not actually singing SHAFT is he?!  But no, it was Papa Was a Rolling Stone (made famous by The Temptations).  If you'd told me this ahead of time I would've said, no way he could pull it off, and then I would've followed that with another thought… gee, I don't remember a thing about whether or not this guy can sing.

Well, he can sing.  That was freaking awesome.  HARD to pull off that song and he did it, he felt it, he sang the sh*t out of it.  Unbelievable.  Agree with Paula, he didn't overdo it or undersell it, it was just spot on.  Two sets of Donkey Ears enthusiastically up!!

Jason Yeager

Nice kids falls way flat singing the Doobs.

Sorry to say it wasn't such a great performance.  Long Train Runnin' is a very recognizable song from that decade, so it's a great jam but not such a great Idol audition song.  It was boring, and it would be wince-worthy from a wedding singer.  Totally not up to Idol standards.

And special dishonorable mention for the choreographed outro with the guitar-jam-arm-jabs.  Barf!

Chikezie 

Great performance of a song I've never heard before 

So, am I just ig'nant?  I do not know that song.  Helluva performance, though!!  After the Orange-Suited-Overscripted-Weirdness from before I was so just waiting to slog through listening to this performance.   Well shut my mouth!  I would NEVER before have put this dude in the strong singer category, much less a 'belter', but that was pretty impressive.  This is his genre.  Damn fine.

That was something.

David Cook

Bad Company cover was All Right (Oh c'mon, what other play on words was I gonna make here?!)

Wasn't impressed at first.  However, when I ignored the overall performance/hard-rocker/guitar aspect, etc… he actually gave a really strong vocal performance.  And he's one of the only singers we've seen that's given a performance where sing-along background vocals didn't overshadow his voice.  Not bad.

And he looks comfortable. 

I disagree with Simon that he doesn't have charisma, though.  I mean, we're not swooning here at the Donkey household, but I don't think he's just a singing doink.  And I don't think admitting he's a word nerd did him a disservice.  Pooh on Simon.

David Archuleta

Oh…my…god… John Lennon?

So here's a story.  The week after 9/11 Engineerboy and I were watching A Tribute to Heroes, and the opening chords of Imagine started playing.  We look up and see a cowboy hat bent over a piano, and Eboy says, his voice already cracking, "Who could possibly dare sing this song?"  And then it was Neil Young, and it became obvious, of course, that it was perfect for Neil Young to sing that song.

But you don't really have the same reaction to such a young kid taking on this song.  I mean, he's a baby.  He can't possibly understand it, can he?

But, wow, that was really something.  I am very ambivalent about anyone covering Imagine, much less changing it up vocally to the newer vocal run R&B style that's popular now.  But I can't really find much fault with it.  It did bring tears to my eyes.  I have to give him credit, I think he may have lived up to the song. 

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Click here to see our recap of this week’s performances by the women.
Click here to see our recap of this week’s Idol eliminations.

The Boys (Tuesday Night)

The boys kicked it off with The Sixties. Some real talent this year. And several we’ll have forgotten by the time we’re chattering at the water cooler on Friday.

David Hernandez

An uninspired rendition of… oh I don’t know what. Decent voice, but yawn. He was nervous, didn’t move around the stage very much. His left leg sorta kept the beat in that pelvis-forward-but-brutally-awkward stance that 15 year old boys have at their first high school dance. And, honey, that shirt looked like the “before” picture in a Spray-n-Wash Spot Remover commercial.

Chikezie

I like that American Idol lets people return for multiple seasons, even if they’ve been to Hollywood before. It’s smart for the producers — they don’t put someone in the permanent ‘no’ pile and lose out on a money making opportunity — and it’s great for the contestants — if they just need a little polish or a little voice training or a little confidence or whatever, they’ve got the better part of a year to work on all of that. A drawback to this scenario, however, is that it seems to be spawning the “professional contestant”. Chikezie has the whole schtick down, man… he lost some weight, got the fly persimmon-colored suit, and sported some clearly rehearsed ‘natural stage presence’ bullcrap. But he’s lost that ingenue’s wide-eyed wonderment at the whole process — rather than being amazed by it all, he’s determined to master it. So he’s got the smooth patter with the judges (not even letting Simon talk) and the smart alecky one-liners. Oh yeah, and now he’s just down to one name. I’m so over him already.

David Cook

Wow, super nice guy; totally not enamored of himself. Happy Together by The Turtles was an inspired song choice for 60’s night but unfortunately he was a bit uneven. He’s got the stage presence thing down but I get the impression that he didn’t know the song that very well, because he proved in his original audition that he can do difficult vocals with a lot of range. But the judges loved it, and it was a great take on the song. I’m hoping it was just nerves, because he seems really original and genuinely a good person. I wish he would just comb the hair back, though. The flared-forward rooster tail isn’t fooling anyone dude.

Jason Yeager

Nice kid, seems like a good dad and all that. He’s a bit too plasticly gorgeous, like a Hollywood director took the volleyball scene from Top Gun and put it a giant Central Casting Morph-o-Matic. The vocals were stolid and bo-ring with a capital ‘bo’.

Robbie Carrico

Engineerboy’s high praise is “He’s got a Journey voice”. “Well,” he then clarified, he meant that as “medium praise”, in that Steve Perry has a perfect voice and no soul. “This guy has more soul, but not as great of a voice”. But he rocked the Three Dog Night, which is always a way into this reviewer’s good graces. And there were moments when the soaring background singers weren’t drowning him out and you heard a true rock voice hitting the note just right. We liked!

David Archuleta

I’m always in awe of these young kids that are on this show. I remember what I was like at 17 and boy am I sure glad there weren’t any cameras broadcasting into America’s living rooms back then… at least none pointed at me. But this kid is just so sweet and nice as to almost not be believable. But boy can he SING!! He’s a bit uneven but really talented. And he really got the crowd going! David Hernandez (Spray-n-Wash) could learn some things from this kid.

Daniel Noriega

If I only had to listen to him and not watch him. Or listen to him talk in the pre-interview stage about his “attitude and swagger”. GROSS! He’s a good singer but he’s annoying as hell. And anyone that young attempting Elvis better bring it. He did, I guess. But the arrangement was a little too fast.

Luke Menard

Wow, seriously out of tune in spots. Like the spot where he sang. Even his audition sounded like that to me. Truly Terrible. And the slacker-hoodie-thing is like so Ben-Affleck-pre-Jennifer-Lopez. Blech. I predict Luke Songkiller will be gone by next week.

Colton Berry

So we finally get to see a little more of the kid who kicked out the future governor of Oklahoma. He took on Suspicious Minds (what is with these kids that have the chutzpah take on Elvis?). Hated the blue pants. Hated the vocals. Not a big fan of the performance, either. I think I agree with Simon that he isn’t a recording artist.

Garrett Haley

Sigh. It’s painful to watch these kids try to talk to the camera/America — don’t try so hard, kids!! Just answer Ryan’s questions. But he seems nice. Cool that he auditioned in San Diego on a lark, that he hasn’t been like planning his life around this since he was in grade school. He sounds like he can have a good voice, but this either wasn’t the right song for it or he wasn’t at his best. But there were glimmers. He did really well on the key change at the end. But slow ballads are killer unless it’s got some serious emotion in it. I hope he sticks around for at least another week, because I bet we could see something good.

Jason Castro

Cool song!! Cool playing the guitar! So cool, the audience was clapping along immediately. WOW! I love the interpretation — risky on a John Sebastian “joint” (as Randy would say) but paid off BIG TIME. Damn. Excellent!!! Outta nowhere, totally amazing!! Two enthusiastic sets of Donkey Ears up!!! Dude’s got the look, the voice, the originality, the talent. Amazing that he’d only ever sung in public a few times before auditioning for Idol. Love love love. A true natural.

Michael Johns

He’s been our favorite since he sang Bohemian Rhapsody during Hollywood Week. This performance was good but didn’t blow us away — hard to follow whiteboy-dreadlocked Jason Castro, strangely enough! And that Doors song is so overblown, it’s hard to take anyone seriously who sings ‘and our love become a funeral pyre’. Pleaze! But he’s a good singer, fo’ sho’. We’ll be voting and he should be back, easily.

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And the top 24 are…

Letting the contestants play instruments was a stroke of brilliance. Not only did it help us see the true performers who are really comfortable up there on stage, but it broke the monotony of Hollywood Week and – thank GOODNESS – meant that we didn’t have to have any more group auditions with pimple-faced-stress-pups forgetting the words to “Baby Love” by the Supremes.

Carly Smithson (a.k.a. Girl with Irish Accent and Half-Sleeve Tattoo)

Carly certainly did better in her audition than at Hollywood, but you can tell that she can actually sing. I just wish she didn’t sound like she was forcing out that voice. Dude and what’s with the blue tongue? A little too much rehearsal chloroseptic?

David Cook (a.k.a. Slightly Balding Rocker Trying for the Green Day Hairstyle)

I like this guy, he is really comfortable singing. I agree with Simon, though — he might be less comfortable when he doesn’t have a guitar with him.

Amanda Overmyer (a.k.a. Skunk Stripe Janis-ette with Surprisingly Good Voice)

This girl really surprised us. When they did the pre-story on her during auditions, I was so already over her with the crazy blonde bits and the no-helmet-wearing-idiocy on the motorcycle. I was waiting for her to be some kind of screechy twit. We were really surprised by the power of her voice, although we’re not sure she can keep up that rocker’s rasp throughout the whole competition.

David Archuleta (a.k.a. Cherub Face, Cherub Voice)

This kid is just too nice and cute!! A surprisingly strong voice for such a young kid. And he’s just too polite.

Kristy Lee Cook (a.k.a. Who the Hell is this Blonde Chick We’ve Never Seen Before?)

I’ve got no analysis here. Don’t remember seeing her before, but she clearly has the cute adorable look.

Brooke White (a.k.a. Blonde Wavy Hair Big Earrings Nanny Who’s Never Seen an R Movie)

She tensed up during the first Hollywood performance, very distracted by playing the piano. But she does have a good voice and seems honestly very sweet. Interesting to see how her nerves stack up over the next week or two!!

Danny Noriega (a.k.a. Good Voice and Slightly Fey)

Good voice but a bit over-the-top with the mannerisms. Can’t wait to see where we go from here. I predict the judges will get annoyed with him.

Jason Castro (a.k.a. Rastafari-ish)

Uh. Commentary pending.

Luke Menard (a.k.a. Chandler Bong)

Never heard him before. But he kinda looks like a doper, we decided.

Alexandra Lushington (a.k.a. Random Contestant Number Four)

I’d make fun of her since I have no singing commentary, but with a last name like Lushington she’s probably already had a tough go of it. We’ll let her off the hook.

Ramiela Malubay (a.k.a. Tiniest Filipino Singer Ever)

She does have a big voice, especially for such a tiny person!

Michael Johns (a.k.a. OMG is he Really Going to Sing Freddy Freaking Mercury?!)

This guy is good. Our early pick for winner. Amazing. Seen here modeling his action wear.

Syesha Mercado (a.k.a. Scarf Girl Who Got Hoarse)

She does have a good voice.

Robbie Carrico (a.k.a. Didn’t That Look Go Out With Bret Michaels?)

This guy has a much better voice than you’d think. Not blown away yet, but he could surprise.

Garrett Haley (a.k.a. “Harold” Stern)

Never heard of him. I guess we will though.

Kady Malloy (a.k.a. Cute, Blonde, Whatever)

I never realized how many of the contestants I’d never heard of at this point in the competition. Now I do. Alas, Kady, I’m already forgetting you. Go ahead. Prove me wrong.

Chikezie Eze (a.k.a. The Search Engines Will Never Find This Dude Because Who Will Know How To Spell This?! But Trust Me This is the Spelling)

I think I remember his original audition. Sounded good I think.

Amy Davis (a.k.a. Auditioning for the next Tim Burton Flick)

La la la. Someday maybe I’ll have something to say about her. But for now: she’s pale. I’ve never heard of her. There, I’m done.

Alaina Whitaker (a.k.a. Witness Protection Program)

Okay, message to all the hopefuls. Do not put your hands over your mouth. We cannot get a good picture of you. There, I’ve said it. See what you made me do?

Jason Yeager (a.k.a. Host of Talk Soup)

Are you still here? I’m not sure I am. He was one enthusiastic dude when they told him. That’s cool.

Asai’h Epperson (a.k.a. Another Search Engine Nightmare)

Don’t parents know by now to pick a unique name but not one that’s hard to Google? Seriously, though, she’s decent singer but I’m not moved at all. And she has the whole Mary J Blige 2000-crunches-a-day put-together “look” down way too pat for me. Shrug. Yawn. Is there any lasagna left in the fridge?

Colton Berry (a.k.a. Ennh)

Don’t really remember him from before. I don’t think he should’ve gotten in over Kyle the Geeky Governor. That stinks!!!

Joanne Borgella (a.k.a. Plus Size Model)

I like her. I’m glad she made it.

Oh my god I cannot believe he didn’t make it!!!

Josiah Leming (a.k.a. Sad Quavery Tennessee Boy Who Lived in his Car)

He’s really something. I cannot believe he didn’t make it. I know he was rough and even a little disingenous, but geez, he had promise. I hope someone signs him, he’s really good. So sad, nobody even there to console him when he came out. That’s a shame. He’s a talented kid. Somebody sign him!! He’s just as sad and a better singer than Bright Eyes.

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www.bareminerals.com

Ok, seen this makeup on TV?  It sure looks amazing — so much so that engineerboy even told me one morning, "Wow, I saw this infomercial on TV last night and almost ordered it for you without even checking for you!".  The unretouched photos looked amazing.

So I ordered it, despite my *extreme* reservations about buying anything that entails a membership/subscription/crap-showing-up-at-my-door-regularly type deal (anyone else have about 5 million bottles of ProActive toner from a subscription-gone-wild?!)  But this stuff just looked so great, and a friend recommended it as well.  I'm a sucker for anything that professes to look "natural", as any cakey/liquid makeup is the fru-it of the dev-il as far as I'm concerned.  I think they clinched the deal with the slogan "makeup so pure you can sleep in it".  Now I'm hooked — natural AND I can be lazy?!  Sign me up!!

So the stuff arrived in this gorgeous pink/brown box, and so far I really like it.  I was already tired of the tap-tap-tap sound before I'd even tried it after watching the online video of "swirl-tap-buff" application technique (which they trademarked, believe it or not).  And the tap-tap-tap shenanigan does waste a lot of powder in the tiny trial size — you don't so much tap the excess powder back into the lid as you do liberally apply it to your bathroom counter from a 2' height. 

However, the stuff is really beautiful.  My face looks very fresh without looking "done".  Using the same powder with different brushes to get different coverage actually works — I was able to decently cover up a blemish with the "concealer" brush without that horrible real-life-Photoshopping effect that most liquid concealers give.

And it seems to be very friendly to my skin so far, no breakouts or anything.  My nose is a bit dry around the edges but that could be the approach of fall and me getting lazy with my moisturizer.

All in all, a good recommendation so far. 

Anyone else love it or hate it?  Email me!

One quick additional note: if your company's job is to sell makeup that makes your skin look flawless, shouldn't you go ahead and splurge for a full-quality video on your website rather than a low-res crappy one?  Because you're just not really giving a good sales pitch when your video shows your model's beautiful new face as represented in dull, pixellated tiny-screen mode.  But maybe that's just me!

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Red, V’d, and Black

There was a trifecta trend this Emmy season — everyone seemed to either be wearing some shade of cranberry or fuschia, a deeply v’d halter dress, or basic black — or some combination therein. Satin was the texture of choice as well, with very few folks going for the old guard designers, preferring instead newer designers such as Loris Azzaro or Bottega Veneta.

Red Goddesses

Heidi Klum was the reigning red goddess in a deep cranberry tone; she was absolutely a vision in Dior, soft hair, and earrings of her own design.

Katherine Morris (of Cold Case) was beautiful from the front but a bit shocking from the back with the “Cupid’s Dungeon” version of the red satin gown that dominated many a form this evening.

Kate Walsh also chose Pamela Dennis red satin drapeyness and paired it with dopeyness — if that dress wasn’t so clingy I’d swear she had a hip flask concealed on her somewhere. She really seemed a bit out of it and loopy, and the lopsided ponytail wasn’t helping, since it looked like one of those get-my-hair-of-the-way-so-I-can-throw-up kind of ponytails. Um, not that I would know.

Ali Larter also sported bright red satin, opting for the sorority-sister-towel-wrap silhouette. And oh my gosh she could not have been more happy to be on camera, moueing and prancing at every opportunity.

Lisa Edelstein (from House) kept the red trend going. She seemed cute and happy (if a little severe) with her pulled-back hair and deep halter in red.

Felicity Huffman shrouded her shockingly bony frame in a too-revealing David Meister draped halter. Seriously, Felicity, please gain some weight. Cleavage isn’t supposed to show bone.

Sally Field also opted for fuschia, seen here presenting with Patrick Dempsey in a scene we like to call, “I took my Mom to the prom!” (I know, we’re horrible).

Julia Louis Dreyfus slid the pink to magenta in Narcisco Rodruiguez, while Tina Fey did the cute-but-serious-writer look in a simple black halter.

The normally spot-on Helen Mirren seemed a bit messy and out of sorts, combining satin, halter shape, extra straps, a diamond brooch, and an eggplant color along with some major bedhead. Engineerboy dubbed this “Mother of the Bride of Frankenstein”.

Patricia Heaton rocked the slinky halter in glittery gold and gilted earrings. Very pretty.

Other Ladies in Black

Mariska Hargitay, consistently one of the sweetest celebrities at these events, didn’t really wow (but was still adorable) in her black-and-pleated Zac Posen.

Rachel Griffiths was ennh in vintage 1980’s Lagerfeld/Chanel black as well, although that was one heck of a black diamond cuff bracelet.

Jennifer Love Hewitt didn’t break any boundaries in Reem Acra black with diamonds, either.

Jaime Pressly wore a really beautifully drapey gunmetal-and-glitter St John Couture (I didn’t even know they had a couture line!). Never did get a good full-length shot of it, but it was really pretty.

Edie Falco was in black floral Randi Rahm.

The Cream Team

Quite a few ladies opted for creamy tones, either solo or with black.

Jane Krakowski did the ubiquitous halter shape in cream.

Debra Messing was gorgeous if unexciting in Ralph Lauren’s interpretation of a tiered tuxedo cake.

Katherine Heigl was truly beautiful in an oragami-armed barely-off-white Zac Posen that I at first didn’t like. I fell in love with it, however, when I saw the 6″ beige lining on the hem. Don’t know why that seems to “make” the dress, but it does. Hmm, I’m either changing my taste or Zac Posen is getting more conventional, because this is the second award show where I’ve liked one of his dresses.

Marcia Cross looked radiant as always (hard to go wrong with that porcelain skin and red hair) but I didn’t really dig the beige-y Georges Chakra gown with the randomly accessorized giant turquoise earrings.

The other two Desperate Housewives opted for pale tones as well… Teri Hatcher in pale pink and Eva Longoria in a pailletted cocktail-length Kaufman Franco.

Hayden Panettiere, a beautiful girl, chose an unhappily flesh-toned taffeta Marc Bouwer monstrosity that looked for all the world like Scarlett O’Hara’s maternity gown. This is why I hate beige tones.

Trend-Breakers

Not everyone showed up in red satin. America Ferrera once again chose a very flattering jewel tone with her cobalt blue column. Could she be any cuter?

Minnie Driver was neon in Citron.

Chandra Wilson opted for a very flattering color of dove grey / periwinkle Randi Rahm.

Wacky Stuff

Vanessa Williams’ seafoam feathery am-I-an-underwater-maiden-or-a-flashy-land-bird dress immediately became known as the “MerCock” in the CleverDonkey household. She was also quite wild and possibly attention-seeking when she jumped into Judith Light’s planned segment during the pre-show festivities.

Joely Fisher opted for a buttercream deep neckline that didn’t quite work. Decided I’d be evil and pick an unflattering shot where she was adjusting just prior to realizing she was on camera :-).

Wacky Stuff Highlight: You’re Outta Here!

Jenna Fisher, who really does seem like a sweetheart, was swimming in a gold-foiled pouf by Zuhair Murad, which she hilariously described as having an “Umpire Waist”. In her defense, she apparently had back surgery and had to wear something that would keep her lower back unconfined. So I’ll cut her a little slack. Still, unless that’s a support brace of a bow, I bet she could’ve done better than that!!

Wacky Stuff Dishonorable Mention

Wow, the Fox anchoress’ shapeless lemon beatnick chick smock was totally horrific!

Emmy Nominees and Winners

Oh yeah, like, if that’s what you’re interested in. Whatever.

DRAMA SERIES
Boston Legal
Grey’s Anatomy
Heroes
House
The Sopranos

ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
James Gandolfini, The Sopranos
Hugh Laurie, House
Denis Leary, Rescue Me
James Spader, Boston Legal
Kiefer Sutherland, 24

ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Patricia Arquette, Medium
Minnie Driver, The Riches
Edie Falco, The Sopranos
Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Michael Emerson, Lost
Michael Imperioli, The Sopranos
T.R. Knight, Grey’s Anatomy
Terry O’Quinn, Lost
Masi Oka, Heroes
William Shatner, Boston Legal

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Lorraine Bracco, The Sopranos
Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
Katherine Heigl, Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy
Aida Turturro, The Sopranos
Chandra Wilson, Grey’s Anatomy

GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Tim Daly, The Sopranos
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal
John Goodman, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
David Morse, House
Eli Wallach, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
Forest Whitaker, ER

GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kate Burton, Grey’s Anatomy
Leslie Caron, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Marcia Gay Harden, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Elizabeth Reaser, Grey’s Anatomy
Jean Smart, 24

COMEDY SERIES
Entourage
The Office
30 Rock
Two and a Half Men
Ugly Betty

ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Steve Carell, The Office
Ricky Gervais, Extras
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Felicity Huffman, Desperate Housewives
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Kevin Dillon, Entourage
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Rainn Wilson, The Office

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Conchata Ferrell, Two and a Half Men
Jenna Fischer, The Office
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds
Jaime Pressly, My Name Is Earl
Holland Taylor, Two and a Half Men
Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Beau Bridges, My Name Is Earl
Martin Landau, Entourage
Sir Ian McKellen, Extras
Giovanni Ribisi, My Name Is Earl
Stanley Tucci, Monk

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Dixie Carter, Desperate Housewives
Salma Hayek, Ugly Betty
Judith Light, Ugly Betty
Laurie Metcalf, Desperate Housewives
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock

REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
Top Chef

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SERIES
The Colbert Report
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Late Night With Conan O’Brien
Late Show With David Letterman
Real Time With Bill Maher

VARIETY, MUSIC, OR COMEDY SPECIAL
The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner
The Kennedy Center Honors: A National Celebration Of The Performing Arts
Lewis Black: Red, White & Screwed
Tony Bennett: An American Classic
A Tribute To James Taylor (Great Performances)
Wanda Sykes: Sick And Tired

MINISERIES
Broken Trail
Prime Suspect: The Final Act
The Starter Wife

MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
Inside The Twin Towers
Longford
The Ron Clark Story
Why I Wore Lipstick To My Mastectomy

ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Jim Broadbent, Longford
Robert Duvall, Broken Trail
William H. Macy, Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From The Stories Of Stephen King
Matthew Perry , The Ron Clark Story
Tom Selleck, Jesse Stone: Sea Change

ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Queen Latifah , Life Support
Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
Helen Mirren, Prime Suspect: The Final Act
Mary-Louise Parker, The Robber Bride
Gena Rowlands, What If God Were The Sun

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Edward Asner, The Christmas Card
Thomas Haden Church, Broken Trail
Joe Mantegna, The Starter Wife
Aidan Quinn, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
August Schellenberg, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MINISERIES OR MOVIE
Toni Collette, Tsunami, The Aftermath
Judy Davis, The Starter Wife
Samantha Morton, Longford
Anna Paquin, Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee
Greta Scacchi, Broken Trail

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