Hollywood: How Could It Hurt You When It Looks So "Good"?

The infamous Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (Spiedi, to those pop culture junkies) went into hiding for nine weeks. That might as well have been a decade for the couple that drools over fame and calls their own paparazzi as they make spectacles of themselves in public. Nine weeks, and then the buzz about Montag’s People cover grew to an astonishing volume.

On Nov. 20, 2009 in just one day, Montag, 23, received 10 plastic surgeries that resulted — she claims — in a near death experience in which Montag said, "I had too much Demerol like Michael Jackson did. My breathing was five breaths per minute, which is like almost dead." The $30,000 surgical makeover included chin reduction, mini brow lift, nose job revision, botox in forehead and frown area, fat injections in cheeks, nasolabial folds and lips, neck liposuction, ears pinned back, liposuction on waist, hips and inner and outer thighs, buttock augmentation and breast augmentation revision. These noted surgeries were the only ones that Pratt “allowed” his wife to get.

The cover of People read “addicted to plastic surgery,” which Montag denies. In her defense, Montag said, “none of those people know me at all. And that's just a judgment. I'm not addicted. If you're addicted to something, you have to do it all the time, not once every couple years, if even.” Yet Montag then goes on to say that she wants even bigger breasts than her already triple D, "I like the F. I actually want H for Heidi."

Tom Horvath, a psychologist who operates an addiction treatment center in La Jolla, Calif. Says, "The pleasure you get from having people think you're beautiful isn't quite the same as intoxication from a substance, but it's similar enough that I'm willing to consider this a potentially addictive behavior.” According to dictionary.com, addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. By looks of Montag’s new face, severe trauma was definitely caused.

Along with the public backlash of Montag’s new look, celebrities have not been shy about voicing their opinions. Actress Emmy Rossum twittered, “It upsets me to see young women in the spotlight advocating plastic surgery. ANY surgery is extremely dangerous & should not be taken lightly, much less, used as a tool to increase notoriety or popularity.” When confronted with the thought that her plastic surgery addiction might cause young girls to take the risk and alter their looks as well, Montag feels she’s not to blame. “Young girls who want to get it would get it regardless," said Montag.

Whether Montag is to blame or not, plastic surgery procedures are on the rise for teenagers and young women. According to statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, or ASAPS, Americans spent nearly $12 billion on more than 10 million cosmetic procedures in 2008. And that was during a severe economic downturn. More than 160,000 procedures were performed on youths 18 and under in 2008. By comparison, fewer than 60,000 procedures were performed on the 18-and-under set in 1997. “I would never have done more than three or four. What worries me is the commentary she is making to young girls. My young girl looks up to her and likes her. What message is she sending to young girls?” asked Dr. Robert Rey from Dr. 90210.

Although Pratt is usually made out to be the bad guy in every situation he finds himself in (The Hills, anyone?) he actually tried to stop Montag from getting the surgeries. "Anytime I hinted that it might be a little much or if I just asked if she was sure, I even felt like I was crossing lines. I'm not in charge of what she does with any part of her body. I'm her husband – not her owner,” said Pratt.

During an interview for her new CD, which just happened to debut the same week as the People cover, Montag was asked if she thought she had gone too far, to which she replied, "I would know when I have gone too far. I know now that for a long time I'm good and it's just maintenance. As I get older I'll probably keep up with it. I definitely think that enough is enough. This is as far as I want to go for a long time. I don't want to look like Cat Lady." Some say the resemblance is impeccable between Montag and “The Cat Lady” who has had $4 million worth of plastic surgery.

While Montag was fighting off criticism of her “new look” she was also out promoting her debut album, “Superficial.” Oh, the irony. Montag spend $2 million and three years making the album so naturally she compares her “work of art” to that of Michael Jackson’s. “I wanted it to be back to the Thriller days, to that kind of sound. Its timeless music, so whenever it comes out was the right timing. But I’ve spent as much time–maybe more, even–than Thriller,” claimed Montag.

Even with her highly publicized magazine cover and countless TV segments, Montag’s album debuted to dismal 658 copies sold. Guess she really measured up to Jackson’s Thriller. While promoting her album on Good Morning America, Montag was asked to sing something live to which she said, “I'd rather not, I just got a lot of surgeries, so my jaw is still very delicate.” If anyone in their right mind was shocked at how few copies Montag’s album sold, that last quote should clear up any confusion one might have not only about her album but also about Heidi Montag herself.

Beauty & The Briefcase Bombs

Now don't get me wrong, as a Disney-lover, I am in love with Hilary Duff. I think she's the only former Disney starlet who hasn't had coke stuck in her nose in photographs nor has she flashed her private parts to paparazzi everywhere when exiting a car. But, when your latest movie goes straight to TV, you know your career is in deep shit.

It seems that for some reason, former Disney stars were only at their prime time of stardom when they were on Disney. For Hilary Duff, that was Lizzie McGuire. After the show ran for four years, Hilary Duff became a household name and still is, but has currently been falling off the radar slowly while being replaced by Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus.

The last time Duff was in a theatrical movie was with Cheaper By The Dozen 2, in which she was merely a minor character. Although Duff has also sold over millions of dollars and as her own fashion line, her acting career has slowly began to slip away.

Beauty & The Briefcase premiered on ABC Family last Sunday, April 18th. The ratings were so-so and weren't that surprising considering the lack of promotion of the movie. I personally forgot it was even premiering that night so I caught it this past weekend. To be completely honest, the movie was horrendous. Duff plays a freelancer for Cosmopolitan and has to go undercover in the business world to fall in love with a man in a suit. The storyline is completely cheesy and utterly unrealistic, especially when Duff's character enters the business world and is asked out by multiple men every day she's there. Like that happens to every woman, I'm so sure.

I was really pulling for Duff to shine in this movie, and while her acting could be classified as OK, the rest of the movie pulled her and her career down that much further. Duff really needs to come out with a hit theatrical movie sometime soon to secure her spot as Hollywood teen-queen actress.

'Ugly Betty' Goes Out With A Bang

ABC first premiered "Ugly Betty" on September 28, 2006, the exact day that I fell in love with it. I've always wanted to write for a magazine and being someone who doesn't look like a stick-thin model, I could relate to this show as if I was playing Betty myself. I first saw America Ferrera, who plays Betty, in "Real Women Have Curves," and have sinced looked to her to be one of my idols. She embraces herself and her body for what she is and isn't apologetic that she's not a size 2. Seeing her play Betty in this show made me love her and the show, that much more.

The "Ugly Betty" cast and storylines are just as colorful as the name of the show itself. With Daniel Meade being the hot, manwhore boss, Betty is chosen to be his assistant so that Daniel won't sleep with her. Then there's Marc, the gay and hilarious as hell assistant to the devilsh Willhemina, and then Amanda who plays the slutty yet witty receptionist. There's also Betty's family with her father known as Papi, her Latina-loving sister Hilda, and Hilda's gay son, Justin. The cast all have amazing chemistry and make me laugh my ass off with every witty line.

Unfortunately, due to the continuous switching of nights and time slots, the show's ratings slowly started to shrink over the years, so much so that the series finale premiered April 14, 2010. As a dedicated lover of this show, it's safe to say that I was beyond devastated to see Betty go. The series finale could not have been funnier or more fitting for the last episode. I cried so hard during the episode and for hours after it was over that my roommates asked if someone had passed in my family. My response? Yes, someone did, Betty. I loved that show so much that I felt every single emotion of all of the character's and sometimes loved the show more than I did my own reality. There's talks that there might actually be an "Ugly Betty" movie in the works. If this is true you can only guess who will be first in line to audition for a spot.

Glee Has Finally Returned!

At exactly 9:28 p.m. tonight, my roommates and I were anxiously waiting for Ryan Seacrest to shut up and get the hell off of the screen because "Glee" was finally returning to TV after "American Idol." When "Glee" first premiered sometime last year, I remember watching the first episode and thinking eh, maybe I'll watch it. For once in my life, I actually forgot to watch a TV show and just completely disregarded "Glee." Don't worry, it only took me until episode 3 to realize what a huge mistake I had made.

I honestly never thought that I would become so completely obsessed with a show ("Boy Meets World" will forever hold that title) but I can't help it! I bought both of the Glee Volumes on CD and belt out every song in the shower every.single.day (sorry roomies!). The characters in this show are so completely relatable and the best part is that not one of them looks like an unattainable, over-the-top-beautiful actress, which makes the show work. If Rachel, the lead yet nerdy character was walking around looking like Angelina Jolie, the show would plummet right there, but instead we're graced with lovable Lea Michele as Rachel.

"Glee" is just one of those feel-good type shows that leave you singing and dancing the second the show is over. Each episode has the full cast singing at least four or more songs, all of which are well-known contemporary hits, probably the reason why the show is as popular as it is. Each of the characters have their own unique voice, but all of them are powerhouses in their own way. The fact that the characters also have everyday high school problems that viewers can all relate to, definitely helps the show in the ratings. It's not like "The Hills" where someone gets 12 plastic surgeries in one day and we're still expected to believe that this is a reality show. "Glee" brings the reality in one of the best scripted TV shows I've ever seen, hands down.

Halloween in April

...well at least Disney is celebrating Halloween in April. Yes I'm aware that I'm 20-years-old and yes I'm even more aware that I'm the biggest college nerd around, but I can't help it, I LOVE DISNEY!

One of my favorite Disney Channel movies is Halloweentown and lucky for me Disney has decided to show all four this week! Monday, April 5th kicked off the Halloweentown week with the original movie. When I saw the commercials for it, I'm pretty sure I squealed louder than my 7-year-old neighbor.

No matter how old I get, I know that I will always love the Disney Channel, probably because I'm a kid at heart and refuse to grow up. Halloweentown brings back the magic that we all once believed in when we were kids and wish we all still believed in now. Witches, warlocks, werewovles and vampires (pre-Twilight) were made to be lovable, kind characters thanks to this movie. As a kid I learned to no longer be afraid of what was under the bed since I assumed (and hoped) it could be a character from the movie. This could be why I'm still afraid of the dark, who knows.

So if you happen to be a nerd who loves Disney like myself and missed the wonderful week of Halloweentown, don't fret, all four of the movies are currently sitting pretty in my TiVo.

'Pretty Wild' is Pretty Ridiculous

Home of the crazy reality shows, E! Network has debut their newest, trashy-yet-mesmerizing show, "Pretty Wild." The show premiered this month, Sunday nights at 10:30 p.m. right after the all new season of "Kendra." The show centers around a family of Hollywood socialites, particularly the three up-and-coming "celebrity" (or so they think they are) daughters. The girls, Tess, Alexis and Gabby are crazy, loud, provocative and are enough to give you a headache after 5 minutes of watching but for a TV junkie like myself, I cannot stop watching this show.

The mother, who used to be in Playboy Magazine, even says herself in the introduction of the first episode that she's getting back what she did to her mother by how erratically her daughters behave. Within the second episode the two older daughters, Tess and Alexis, have undressed in front of the cameras numerous times and bare all with no shame. The funny part about this is I googled the family after the first episode because I surprisingly had no idea who they were. What I found though, made my mouth drop open with shock. Tess and Alexis, who shamelessly bare their naked bodies are only 19 and 18 years old, respectively. Let's just say if I were to ever bare my body like that at a barely legal age, my mother would certainly not be giving me my own reality show but maybe a good kick in the butt would serve justice.

In the second episode of the show, it is finally revealed as to just why these girls are in fact "famous" or for better lack of terms have their own reality show. The middle sister, Alexis, is arrested by LAPD for burglarizing celebrity houses such as Rachel Bilson and Lindsay Lohan. Alexis is claiming to be innocent and that her "friends" dragged her name into it for no reason but evidence shows that some property stolen from the celebrities were found in Alexis's bedroom. It has yet to be decided in court whether or not she is found innocent or guilty.

Although this show is probably more ridiculous and trashy than MTV's "Jersey Shore," it is still something I can't stop myself from watching, although, just like "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," I always ask myself why I continue to watch this stupid show.

And The Oscar Goes To...

For those of you with cablevision and were oh so upset to miss the Oscars on Sunday night, don't fret, you didn't miss much. Although I love all award shows, the Oscars are the only one I choose to Tivo so that I can fast forward through pretty much all of it except for Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Picture. I know I can just look on the internet the next day but it sucks the joy out of it for a person who's obsessed with television, such as myself.

What I was generally surprised with was just how hysterical Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin truly were. Normally the Oscar's hosts attempt at being funny but we just laugh at how not funny they really are. My roommates and I were laughing so loud at everything the two funny hosts said and when they referenced the "threesome" they had with Meryl Streep in "It's Complicated," I fell on the floor laughing. Many of the winners were predictable considering they all won previously for the same nomination in different award shows such as the SAG Awards.

I honestly was overjoyed when Sandra Bullock won for Best Actress for "The Blind Side," because she truly deserved it with such a great dramatic performance that blew everyone away and made them think twice about Sandra's acting career. I even cried like a baby during her emotional speech, especially the part when she thanked her mother and the cameras showed her husband choking up with tears; I went through at least 40 tissues.

I usually enjoy the fashion at the Oscars as well but there were only a few mentionables that I thought were worthy of a "Best Dressed" award. I thought that Miley Cyrus looked absolutely breath-taking and so grown up in her dress and I also really loved Carey Mulligan's black, crystal-studded Prada dress as well.

The only way I think I'll tune in next year is if Martin and Baldwin return again as hosts to make me cry from laughing so hard.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

As far back as I can remember, which isn't that far, my mother has always been a faithful watcher of her favorite obsession, "Days of Our Lives." I know, I'm embarrassed for her. When I was younger I used to watch the show with her and think I was pretty much the coolest kid around because I got to watch an adult show with grown up content, and then I realized that this show was a soap opera.

Once I got older and started to understand the ridiculous plots that went something like Stefano's face got burned to a crisp so he wears a "Phantom of the Opera" type mask and then miraculously has a normal face next episode, I began to realize that I was watching a horrendous show. But, to spend some time with my mom, I stuck around as long as I could with "Days of Our Lives" until they started to incorporate aliens and witches and once that happened, I ran from that show like a fire was lit to my butt.

Still to this day my mom cannot stop watching that show even though after every episode all I hear is "I don't know why I still watch this stupid show," she's still obsessed! Well here's where my mother blessed me with the wonderful genes of TV addiction: I cannot stop watching "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."

The show is absolutely horrible. The writing sucks big time and the acting is just as bad, which I'm thoroughly surprised with because Molly Ringwald plays the mother but apparently she needs to go back to "The Breakfast Club" where she could actually act. I've watched this show from the beginning when it first aired on ABC Family about two and a half years ago and for some reason, my teenage years just won't let me stop watching it.

The show is written and produced by Brenda Hampton who was also the mastermind behind "7th Heaven" before that show went downhill. Hampton's dialogue is the same for each show and to be honest, the first time I've been impressed with "The Secret Life" was with the episode that aired on Monday, Feb. 22. The show's entire plot revolves around one thing and one thing only: sex. I'm not entirely sure if that's because ABC Family wants to spice up the network a little bit or if Hampton wants to stray as far away from "7th Heaven" as she can. The show also has a long list of actors with a cast of 17 main characters, all of them relatively unknown to the acting scene, with the exception of Molly Ringwald.

After watching the first episode of the first season, I immediately knew the show, as bad as it was, would completely and utterly suck me in given that I'm obsessed with all things television. And, just like my mother, after every single episode I either mutter to myself, my roommate, or to my dog that "I don't know why I still watch this stupid show."

In a different twist, I've actually had the pleasure of meeting the whole cast on two different occasions. First, I was able to interview Francia Raisa who plays the school slut Adrian Lee when I interned for M Magazine last summer. She was actually really down to earth and surprisingly spilled some secrets of her own to me, which I was shocked because I didn't know her personally.

Just last month on my second day interning for Seventeen Magazine, the whole cast came into the office for an interview and because I'm obsessed with the show and of course know everything about it and the actors, I was able to attend the meeting and let me tell you, I was in all my glory. The cast was beyond amazing and Francia Raisa actually remembered me from our previous interview and I think I almost peed in my pants. Shailene Woodley who plays Amy and Megan Park who plays Grace basically became my new best friends (in my mind) and we chatted up a storm (they even laughed at my jokes!). Greg Finley who plays the gorgeous yet ridiculously stupid jock named Jack is originally from Maine and actually went to school in Rhode Island, where I'm from, so we bonded over that for a little while too.

Although I have a love/hate obsession with "The Secret Life" you'd be out of your mind if you thought that I actually told them I thought their show sucked sometimes. But even though I met the cast, I will still tune in every Monday night at 8 pm to watch the show and then mutter my mother's favorite saying, "I don't know why I still watch this stupid show."

'I fist pump and party with the best of 'em'

Oh “Jersey Shore,” you’re so bad that I love you. Seeing as how I watch every single TV show ever, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I’m obsessed with this awful reality show on MTV. For a show that’s received so many backlashes and for a cast that’s gotten so much hate, it’s no surprise that “Jersey Shore” was one of MTV’s highest watched shows ever.
When the commercials first aired for “Jersey Shore,” all I could ask was why anyone would want to watch some kid fist pumping with sweaty armpits, but of course my roommates and I had to watch the first episode and let me tell you, it was love at first sight.
This show is so bad that it’s awesome. Of course it’s trashy, completely and utterly not classy and sends out a bad message, but that’s truly what makes a reality show worth watching. My roommates and I laughed every other second at the stupidity that fell out of the cast’s mouths. The cast includes eight of the funniest people I’ve ever seen in my life. There’s Mike “The Situation,” Nicole “Snooki,” Jenni “JWOWW,” Pauly D, Vinny, Sammi “Sweetheart,” Ronnie and Angelina (she doesn’t count in my book since she left this masterpiece after the third episode).
In case you missed this fabulous show, here’s a recap of a few of my favorite lines. When Vinny caught pink eye, Pauly D claims he doesn’t know anything about pink eye but that “you can get it through the air.” When Ronnie goes to jail for knocking a kid out cold from just one punch, Snooki asks Sammi if they should call 911 to find out what jail Ronnie was brought to, to which Sammi replies “I don’t know, isn’t 911 for emergencies only?” See what I mean, MTV executives couldn’t even write this stuff, the dialogue is just that brilliant.
Even if you’ve never heard of “Jersey Shore,” or refused to watch the show, you’ve definitely heard of the “punch that was heard around the world.” Poor Snooki, the girl can probably qualify as a legitimate midget considering her height and was the only girl who kept getting into fist fights. While the cast was at a bar, some drunken man kept taking their shots and when Snooki confronted him, he punched her in the face. Although MTV originally showed the punch in the previews, so much controversy surrounded the fight that MTV felt it necessary to pull the punch from the show but aired the after effects. The man was identified and has since lost his job as a high school gym teacher.
The best part about “Jersey Shore” is that not one of the eight original cast mates is from New Jersey. Even better than that? Pauly D is from my hometown in Rhode Island. I drift from feeling brutally embarrassed to sometimes proud that a little guido from RI who spends 25 minutes a day on his “bulletproof” hair, now has this much popularity. All of the cast mates now get paid an immense amount of money (anywhere from $7,000-$10,000) for appearances at clubs and talk shows. The success of “Jersey Shore” has made MTV sign on the original cast for a second season with each of the cast members now making $10,000 per episode.

Ben From "The Buried Life" Sweats Megan Fox

Okay, so I pretty much watch every single show on MTV and come on, everyone's guiltiest pleasure is totally reality shows! I started tuning into "The Buried Life" when the first episode premiered and I really like the show. It's completely different from anything else out there and it actually goes beyond the phony, superficial reality show that usually airs on MTV. Not only do the four boys set out to achieve goals on their bucket list, but they also help a total stranger knock something off of their own bucket list. The question, "What do you want to do before you die?" is the main premise of this show and is something everyone has asked themselves at least once in their life. In the episode that aired Monday, February 1, the boys attempt to ask out the girl of their dreams. The four boys are able to sneak themselves into the Transformers 2 premiere to meet Megan Fox and potentially ask her out on a date. As Ben, the lead guy, sweats from nervousness and almost pees his pants as Megan approaches him, the other guys are either waiting in a bathroom stall for 3 hours or just pretending to be a celebrity. The four guys on the show are just flat out hysterical and make the show worth watching. Unfortunately for Ben, as he attempts to ask out Megan Fox, she's whisked away by her publicist but the boys still have hope that their goal will be reached at another time. At the end of the show, the boys help out an 11-year-old who's afraid of heights and take her on her first rollercoaster that she thoroughly enjoys. Although this show hasn't sparked too much gossip like MTV's "Jersey Shore" has (we'll talk about that masterpiece at another time), the show is still really good to me and something I will continue to watch and write about.