B-Side Blog

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Did You Hear? Gretchen Lost Her Voice

Bravo is a cruel, cruel network. After relentlessly teasing us with Gretchen’s impending Pussycat Dolls performance — something we actually don’t care about AT ALL — it seemed like it was finally time for the flaxen thrush to belt out “Fever” for us on last night’s Real Housewives of Orange County. But no. In classic Bravo fashion, they led us to the edge and then ended the episode. Normally, this would be considered a cliffhanger, but considering that no one has any personal investment in Gretchen’s singing career, let alone her debut in a Las Vegas lounge, I can say authoritatively that I will not be on pins and needles for the next six days wondering just what will happen. And quite frankly, if that soaring, hideous note from the previews is any indications, it doesn’t appear as though Gretchen will be filling the void left by Whitney Houston.

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It’s ‘The Walking Dead’ Video Game!

Like zombies? Like The Walking Dead? Like video games? Well, great news: a Walking Dead video game is coming to the PS3 in just a few days — April 30th to be specific. IGN has already reviewed the game — giving it a solid grade of 8.5 (“Great”) — and while the TV show can be a bit too scary for me (spoiler alert: I’m a wimp), this might be just the thing to bide eager viewers over until season three starts up. Enjoy…

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NJ PHOTOCAP: We’re Going To Jersey Shore, Bitch!

Guess who’s back? Well, you know the answer since you’re already reading this, but just in case you’re totally dense, it’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey! It felt like just yesterday that we were watching their tumultuous reunion as Teresa suddenly found herself the outcast of the group. Now, it’s just a few months later and the ladies are back. This fourth season premiere lacked the insane drama that we saw at the Gorga christening, but then again, what could possibly top that instant-classic moment in reality TV history? That’s okay though because this time around, we’re less concerned with fisticuffs and more with MYSTERIES. As in, how did things get so bad between Caroline and Teresa that they were screaming at each other at the reunion?

The only clue we have so far is that Caroline et co. were miffed about the stupid things — or perhaps jokes, depending on your perspective — Teresa wrote in her stupid book Fabulosity or whatever it’s called. The comments were certainly enough to make the Manzos mad, but would they alone push Caroline to a place of hatred? Hard to believe it, especially after all the women on the season premiere seemed eager to rise above Teresa’s idiocy. Clearly, things are going to get a whole lot dirtier. I personally can’t wait.

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10 Fixes For ‘Draw Something’ That We’d Like To See

Draw Something surfaced in late February of this year, and within days it became a top seller, going so far as to reach 50 million downloads in only fifty days. It has blown up all over pop culture, causing many people to abandon their endless Words with Friends games and opt for the quicker, more amusing thrills of drawing.

The game certainly has an appeal, but it’s not without its flaws. In fact, ask anyone whose played it for more than thirty minutes, and you’ll hear more than a fair share of grousing about the technical aspects. Truth is, Draw Something is a shoddy, shoddy app whose smart concept has somehow kept it afloat despite its shortcomings.

Luckily, gaming giant Zygna purchased OMGPOP, the small publisher of Draw Something, and soon we will be treated to a much-needed update. Rumor has it the next iteration will feature better social media integration, more words, and who knows what else.

I’m hopeful that Zygna will fix all the major problems, but in case they don’t, here are the major things that should be improved with the game.

Update: Timing is everything. Turns out Zygna released an update JUST TODAY fixing several of these issues. Yay! But still far from perfect…

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WATCH WHAT CRAPPENS: Ep. 13 – Atlanta Reunion, Shahs Finale, and OC Crap

It’s time for another episode of Watch What Crappens! The podcast actually posted yesterday, but I didn’t get a chance until today to get it on my site (all the more reason why you should subscribe on iTunes and then you’ll always have it the moment it goes live). Anyway, this week, Ronnie and I tackle The Real Housewives of Atlanta, scrutinizing almost every detail of their ridiculous reunion. Then it’s off to Orange County to ridicule the likes of Alexis and Gretchen before we wrap things up with the Shahs of Sunset finale. Plus, there’s gossip about Kathy and Taylor Armstrong; so if that’s not enough, I don’t know what is. Take a listen!

And remember you can also listen at the Sideshow Network!

REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA PHOTOCAP: Reunited, and It Feels So RICH, BITCH

After two seasons of unspectacular reunions, the crazy bitches on Real Housewives of Atlanta brought their A-Game back — the same A-Game that we saw at the end of season one and changed Housewives reunions forever. These women yelled and yelled and yelled; although, to be fair, it was mostly NeNe, who spent the better part of the hour boasting about how wealthy she was (with occasional diversions to clarify the status of her vagina in regards to its dildo occupancy). Truthfully, NeNe has now cemented herself on the “Worst” list of the Housewives (a list I’m perennially hoping to update on this site). It’s been a stunning fall from grace, thanks in part to the celebrity that has gone to her head. I’m hoping she can turn things around, but she’s got to realize at some point that she’s driven away all the people she once considered close. Ah, but that requires an ounce of self-awareness, and where would we be if any of these women had THAT?

After the jump, a photocap of the reunion… Continue reading “REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA PHOTOCAP: Reunited, and It Feels So RICH, BITCH”

Drago Centro Serves Up Amazing Cocktail Menu (and Bar Food Too)

The revival of Downtown Los Angeles continues, particularly as it pertains to great bars and mixology. Making a mark of its own is Drago Centro, which unveiled its Spring cocktail menu a few weeks ago with a media-comped tasting session at its bar. When I received the invite for this event, my eyes nearly fell out of my head. Don’t worry though — all ocular function has been retained. Still, the cocktail menu that came with the email was a sight to behold. I wanted to try each and every one of the twelve or so libations on the menu — a first for me.

Crafted by perhaps my new favorite bartender of all time Jaymee Mandeville, I can assure you these beverages rock. Let’s take a looksie, shall we?

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VIDEO: Carly Rae Jepsen Before She Invaded Your Head

If you’re like me, you’re utterly obsessed with Carly Rae Jepsen’s song, “Call Me Maybe,” and while I am a thirty-three year old male, I’m not saying that I’ve spent countless hours singing the song at full blast in my car (I have), but I do quite enjoy the ditty a bunch.

Well, there’s great news for anyone in LA who isn’t shipping off to Coachella this weekend. Carly is giving a free (FREE!) concert at Universal Citywalk tomorrow night (show starts at 8), and while it may be odd for me to go (again, note my age and gender), I can’t deny that I’m very tempted to head that way. While I contemplate such a move, check out the video above of Carly when she was just a young babe in the woods, or rather, a wannabe on Canadian Idol.

Superstar!

OXO Food Scale Winner Revealed!

Last week, I challenged readers to guess the weight of an empty Bud Light 12-pack, with the closest guess winning a free OXO food scale (a great prize which I’ve already used many times since the company kindly sent me a complimentary one to review).

Anyway, the submissions have been entered, and now I’m ready to reveal the results. Is everyone ready?

Weigh-in after the jump…

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REAL HOUSEWIVES OF OC PHOTOCAP: Bowled Over

Business as usual on The Real Housewives of Orange County. We had an obligatory surgical procedure as Tamra had the last of her boobies removed from her chest, and guess who came to visit her? None other than Gretchen (of Gretchen Christine Beauté), who hadn’t been so available for her alleged bestie Alexis. Yes, Alexis was still bitter that Gretchen hadn’t visited her when she’d had her nose job; so I can only imagine her Alexis Couture panties were all in a bunch when she saw Gretch popping up by Tamra’s bedside. Of course, since none of these women can get through an afternoon without grousing, Tamra then bitched that Vicki hadn’t come to see her. My goodness, with the amount of surgery these women get, I’d have a hard time making my visiting rounds too. Besides, Vicki WORKS. Didn’t you hear?

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