Lori Acken, Author at StayTuned Magazine

Comedian Ralph Harris hosts “My Momma Throws Down” on TV One

May 4, 2012 Lori Acken

At long last, television is recognizing the ultimate in food service pros — moms! Tonight, TV One premieres its first-ever cooking competition series, My Momma Throws Down, from the makers of Iron Chef America and hosted by actor/comedian Ralph Harris (Last Comic Standing, Dreamgirls, On Our Own) — or as he introduces himself, “Carol’s oldest boy.” But this more than your average cooking show. Part culinary competition, part Family Feud update, part comedy contest and part mini-lesson on the rich history and traditions of African American cuisine, My Momma Throws Down has something for everyone. Just like a home-cooked meal. To start, each […]

“Dance Moms: Miami” episode 4 recap: Just Duet!

May 2, 2012 Lori Acken

So, did anybody else get the heeby-shakes from having to wait two weeks for an all-new episode? I mean, last week’s Twitter dealie was slick and all that, but when we’ve been promised a Sammy/Hannah duet and all the maternal hellfire associated, seven more days to ponder it left me just a little queasy. Speaking of a little queasy, that’s pretty much how everyone looks when Victor and Angel remind them of last week’s — you know, in TV time — fifth place finish at Starbound and reiterate that if things don’t shape up and shape up quickly, the weak […]

Interview with Victor Smalley of “Dance Moms: Miami”!

May 1, 2012 Lori Acken

Like Abby Lee Miller and the Pittsburgh Dance Moms and dancers before them, Victor Smalley, his pal and business partner Angel Armas, and their talented troupe of Stars Dance Studio dancers have become overnight TV superstars via their Lifetime reality show Dance Moms: Miami. With their fans blowing up the Twitter-verse and mobbing them at airports and dance competitions across the country, Smalley and Co. are suddenly in demand around the clock. Still, he took a little time out to tell us about what makes his studio, his dancers and their show unique. CGM: What was your reaction when you were […]

“Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America” — the sandwich list!

May 1, 2012 Lori Acken

In June, Man v. Food guy Adam Richman will bring his newest gustatory adventure, Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in America, to Travel Channel. The series features the enormously popular food and travel expert traversing the nation in search of “the best thing on sliced bread since sliced bread” — based on his own experiences and the recommendations of famous friends. Dividing the country into ten regions, Richman will chose each area’s champ from a field of three, throw in a pair of wild card entries with the help of his fans — then crown one superb sammie “Adam Richman’s Best Sandwich in […]

Cat Cora, Curtis Stone and 12 brave chefs take you “Around The World In 80 Plates” on Bravo

April 30, 2012 Lori Acken

What do you get when you combine the sumptuousness of tasty travel shows with the excitement of cooking competitions — and throw in celebrity super chefs Cat Cora and Curtis Stone to curate the action? Bravo’s most ambitious series yet. Around the World in 80 Plates launches 12 adventurous chefs on a culinary quest for supremacy that spans five continents and 10 countries in a mere 40 days. In the first half of each episode, two teams of contestants must successfully navigate the city, completing challenges to win a locally prized “exceptional ingredient.” Then the crews take over a popular eatery […]

Nicole Kidman, Clive Owen and Philip Kaufman tell us about HBO’s “Hemingway & Gellhorn”

April 30, 2012 Lori Acken

When iconic screenwriter/director Philip Kaufman set his sights on creating a film about the peerless war correspondent Martha Gellhorn and her tumultuous relationship with her second husband, writer Ernest Hemingway, he knew exactly who he wanted to embody his title characters. Problem was, his Gellhorn wasn’t available. Or so he was told. Still reeling from the death of his beloved wife and screenwriting partner Rose, Kaufman ventured out to the January 2010 groundbreaking ceremony for the Family Violence Prevention Fund’s International Conference Center in San Francisco — and came face-to-face with United Nations Development Fund for Women goodwill ambassador Nicole […]

“My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding” preview

April 27, 2012 Lori Acken

Fellow Gypsy Wedding fans, are you ready to meet our favorite U.K. reality sensations’ All-American kin? Sunday night, TLC will premiere My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, an eight-episode peek into the traditions, travails and celebrations of Romanichal (say it “ROM-nee-chal”) gypsies living right here in the USA. And there are plenty of surprises for even the most ardent Gypsy Wedding watchers. In tomorrow’s premiere, “Virgin Gypsy Brides” — aptly set in the Virginias — cornflower-eyed Shyanne, a 17-year-old gypsy stunner, is preparing to marry 18-year-old Michael (who looks like a cross between Pauly D and a young Richard Gere). […]

“Dance Moms: Miami” re-airs “Don’t Judge Me” ep with new social media feature April 24

April 19, 2012 Lori Acken

Heads up, Dance Moms: Miami fans — and you newbies waiting for a chance to catch up. Instead of a new episode, Lifetime will re-air last week’s “Don’t Judge Me” with a spanking new fan-centric feature called FAN CHAT that will include Twitter and other social media content from the ep’s initial broadcast. The previously promised episode, “Your Duet Can Take A Bow” — in which “Hannah and Sammy are paired in a duet that brings out issues between the girls and their moms” — will premiere the following Tuesday, May 1, at 9pm ET. So fire up those Twitter […]

“Dance Moms Miami” episode 3 recap: Insecurities Exchange Commission

April 18, 2012 Lori Acken

• Missed the full episode? Watch it now for free! No question about it — when it comes to Dance Moms theme songs, Miami takes the prize. No “my world, my girls” drivel down here. Down in Miiiaaaami, they dance so hot! And everybody’s taking a shot! Including Angel and Victor — Aw yeah! Victor is wearing a cassette-tape necklace that is all kinds of awesome! — who are carping on another group routine that earned first place. “You’re not living up to your full potential,” Angel tells the dancers. Apparently their full potential involves something even better than first. Uber-first! […]

Reality TV

“Eden’s World” starring “Toddlers & Tiaras” tot Eden Wood premieres tonight on Logo

April 16, 2012 Lori Acken

TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras has launched its first micro diva into solo stardom. Or close enough. After terrorizing her competitors on several seasons of the kiddie pageant train wreck with her seemingly unstoppable tiara-winning ways, 7-year-old Eden Wood has landed her own reality series on Logo. Directed by Ice Road Truckers (yes, Ice Road Truckers — he’s versatile) producer Travis Shakespeare, Eden’s World follows the pint-sized superstar wannabe and her determined mother Mickie as they leave Arkansas behind and try to launch Eden’s singing and acting career in New York City. And maybe teach a few folks on the street some […]