The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio
The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio |
| Posted: 24 Jul 2011 11:55 PM PDT Samantha Brown shares some travelling tips. > Never overload your itinerary: "Most people tend to have too many things on the 'to do' list. The best is to get out of the tourist centres and go to where people live. Sit in one of the cafes not because it is in the tour guide but because you want to be there. Travel gives a sense of discovery." > Greet people wherever you go: "Learn to speak a local language. A person becomes less of a stranger when you speak his language." > Survival food: "Peanut butter is something I carry throughout my travels. It comes in handy when I arrive at many destinations late and the restaurants are closed." > Books: "I always carry a poetry book to ease my mind after a tiring day. Robert Frost is my favourite poet." Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| Posted: 24 Jul 2011 11:54 PM PDT TV host Samantha Brown seeks out authentic experiences in Asia. HONESTLY, who wouldn't love to have Samantha Brown's job? She gets to travel all around the world, stay in vacation homes in Hawaii, luxury homes in Europe and eat all she wants on TLC's Passport To Europe, Passport To Latin America, Great Hotels, Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Vacation Homes and Samantha Brown's Great Weekends. "While it might seem like the best job, people don't realise that I work 14-hour days when recording a show. I travel more than 230 days a year and a lot of time is spent on the road. It can be equally tiring having to record programmes in hot climates. "I also feel lonely and homesick as I am away for three weeks at a stretch. I miss my family and friends and often lose out on big events, including weddings and kids' birthdays," said Brown, who was in Kuala Lumpur recently to promote her new travel programme, Samantha Brown's Asia (SBA). But aside from bad days, there is no denying she has one of the best jobs in the world. "I get to meet people from different cultures, all over the world. The challenge of seeing where I fit in and how I can make a connection with people who are completely different is absolutely thrilling. That is the driving factor," said the 42-year-old, who resides in New York with her computer specialist husband, Kevin O'Leary. Since landing her first show on Travel Channel nearly 13 years ago, the effervescent lady has won the hearts of those who love to travel (or watch from the comfort of their living room). Judging from her warm, laidback approach and good-natured spunk during this interview, there is no wonder why this travel aficionado is a hit with viewers. "I am not a travel expert and don't think of myself as a stand-offish TV host. I present myself as an ordinary person, so people regard me as their good friend. And it means the world to me that I am perceived the same way in Asia," said Brown, who had worked as a stage actress in the Big Apple before landing the TV hosting job. On SBA, premiering today (10pm) on TLC (Astro Channel 707), Brown sets her sights on discovering the allure of this diverse continent. Travelling across South-East Asia, Hong Kong and Japan, the world traveller seeks out authentic experiences while providing travel tips and unique insights to each country visited. "Eight countries are featured in this series. We included Japan as we wanted to feature the cherry blossoms. Vietnam and Bali have always fascinated Americans so these countries were on our list. We would have loved to visit India but it is such a large country which could not have been covered in one episode." The pilot episode sees her venturing to Vietnam for a trip full of adventure, compelling history, delectable cuisine and fascinating culture. From the Sa Pa region in the North, where Brown stays with a tribal family, to the cultural capital of Hanoi, she explores the famous tunnels of Cu Chi and the floating villages. The episode on Malaysia will be aired on Aug 28. Brown visits Penang and the capital city. She also heads off to Cameron Highlands in Pahang and a rainforest in Ipoh, and learns about our rich cultural traditions. "Some of my favourite experiences in Malaysia included being at the tea plantation in Cameron Highlands and discovering how tea leaves look like before being put into the little white bags. "I also enjoyed Penang's hawker food and mingling with the orang asli community in Ipoh. I had a memorable experience trying my hand at blowing poison darts and fishing with villagers," said Brown, as her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. Samantha Brown's Asia premieres today (10pm) on TLC (Astro Channel 707) with repeats on Saturday (3pm) and the following Monday (4pm). Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
| 'Drop Dead Diva' is TV magnet for guest stars Posted: 24 Jul 2011 04:24 PM PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) - Some TV shows really know how to use the venerable tradition of stunt casting. "All in the Family" created a classic when Sammy Davis Jr. dropped in on the Bunkers and gave racism the kiss-off. "Love Boat" trafficked in volume and variety, with an A-to-Z roll call of guest stars ranging from Eve Arden to Adrian Zmed. Lifetime's quirky fantasy "Drop Dead Diva," shown on Sunday nights, is putting its own spin on the convention, boosted by a celebrity fan club that likes to do more than watch. A partial accounting of this season's guests alone includes Paula Abdul, Brandy Norwood, Kathy Griffin, LeAnn Rimes, Lance Bass, Quinton Aaron, Valerie Harper, Nancy Grace, Jamie Lynn Sigler and Clay Aiken. Past visitors include Liza Minnelli, Faith Prince, Delta Burke, Tim Gunn, Vivica A. Fox and Jennifer Tilly. Series executive producer Josh Berman, who was a longtime writer for "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Bones," said luring celebrities to those dramas was a challenge compared to "Drop Dead Diva." "Stars started calling us in the first season," Berman said, with others tweeting their yearning to drop in on "Diva." An element of prestige has been added: The series is among the finalists announced this month for the annual Humanitas Prize, which honors film and TV writers whose work meaningfully explores the human condition. The comedy-drama stars Brooke Elliott as a self-absorbed model who dies in an accident and finds her soul shifted to the body of a newly dead, plus-size attorney. In this week's episode, Elliott's character, Jane, represents a lesbian couple banned from a high school prom. Bass, Aiken, Wanda Sykes and Amanda Bearse, all openly gay, guest star. Berman acknowledges that his show's per-episode average of 2.4 million viewers is dwarfed by the double-digit pull of crime shows. But stars don't necessarily want to be plugged into a murder-of-the-week plot, Berman said - and "Diva" also knows how to play the good host. "We try to custom-write roles for stars we pursue as well as those that ask us. We tailor a role," he said. "I think it's rare in which a show has a writer get together with a guest star and say, 'Let's talk about your part.' "If Paula wants to act, sing or dance, we'll make sure she does what she wants to," he said of Abdul. Formerly of "American Idol" and now part of the upcoming "The X Factor" singing contest, Abdul is the leader of the "Diva" pack with five performances that have cast her in various roles including a wedding planner and - familiar turf - a judge. She calls the show a charmer with "characters that are rich and fun, and with a great message." It's also a kick, she added. "Every time I appear on the show they make it feel like it's a party and it's not work," Abdul said. It's also good exposure for Abdul, who said she's interested in starring in a drama or comedy series that could fit around her "X Factor" duties, and other guest stars. After filming a three-episode arc shaped around Norwood, Berman said he's talking with her about joining as a series regular next year. It could lead to other roles as well, the actress said. "This is a great opportunity for me to find my rhythm again in television. ... It's a way for people to see me in a new light who haven't seen me on television consistently since 'Moesha,"' she said. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by Used Car Search. |
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