Tag Archives: How I Met Your Mother

Variety’s Drama and Comedy Lead Actor Roundtables

10 Jun

The pre-Emmy nomination roundtables continue and Variety has released a whole bunch of discussions with stars from drama, comedy and mini-series/TV movies. We recently covered the drama actress panel from The Hollywood Reporter so it’s time to take a look at the dudes from drama and comedy. These panels feature actors from shows I watch fervently (HannibalLooking and The Americans) to ones on my catch up list (Key & Peele).

VarietyGeneral topics covered include hardest/most challenging scenes and Matthew Rhys mentions how he made Holly Taylor cry for real when he screamed at Paige during the Bible page ripping scene. He is terrifying in that scene so this really isn’t all that surprising. The answers from the comedy actors are very different and one story involves an anal cover. Terrible auditions come up and Hugh Dancy’s anecdote is pretty hilarious, though they mention that bad auditions are more depressing than funny. Key and Peele discuss casting Donald Sterling and who on this panel they might choose. Josh Radnor talks about that finale and the big final moment if you want to relive any anger/disappointment/sadness.

Watch both videos below. Pretty sure everyone got told there was a blue/grey/black dress code.

 

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

4 Apr

PaleyFest is over and we’re keeping a focus on red carpet events with this edition of Out of the Box as a How I Met Your Mother star balances the series finale week with the release of Captain America: The Winter SoldierMad Men has its seventh season premiere and Rashida Jones celebrates a new writing venture.

Cobie Smulders Captain AmericaCobie Smulders looks like she knows how pissed off you are about the How I Met Your Mother finale at the Captain America premiere and putting aside all those feelings momentarily – I’m a very casual viewer and I’m annoyed by that ending – to bask in this fantastic red carpet look. The navy blue asymmetrical Sportmax gown throws in peplum and plunge detail that together look super elegant. Almost bonus points for the fantastic clutch and earrings, losing those points as she could do with another accessory or two. Smulders nails the role of Maria Hill once again and this Captain America sequel lets the female characters be good at their jobs, in appropriate non cleavy costuming and they don’t fall down the ‘damsel in distress’ incredibly lazy trope. All of these things made me very happy indeed, more of this please Marvel.

Mad Men castAs with the four women of Mad Men featured last week – this time Jon Hamm and January Jones enter the mix – there are many different style choices on display and I kinda love all of them. Kiernan Shipka continues to be on point and age appropriate in a metallic floral long sleeved, but super funky Nina Ricci frock. Also working the metallic angle is Christina Hendricks in a Wes Gordon silver skirt, paired to perfection with a simple but elegant black blouse.

The current and former Mrs Draper, Jessica Paré and January Jones are working the fashion forward angle; Paré rocking Antonio Berardi which for some reason made me think of the kind of gown Johanna in Catching Fire would have preferred to symbolize a tree. Jones is in Roksanda Ilincic and the bold gold belting detail brings it all together, not so sure about the side braid for this event. It’s a softer look for Jones who has a habit of going severe on the red carpet; maybe she’s less intense when it’s a Mad Men event rather than an awards show.

Elisabeth Moss has opted for an Alexander McQueen skirt with a super high daring thigh slit and while she looks pretty rock and roll, swapping the dramatically dark eyes for red lip color would really set this look alight. Jon Hamm’s blue suit makes a change from the influx of grey that has been dominating red carpets recently, but the women are the ones who stand out. This cast is still one of the best dressed and I can’t wait for all the costuming treats this year as we head into polyester and clashing patterns territory.

Rashida JonesRashida Jones is at event celebrating her new column for Glamour magazine (she is one busy lady) and this Adeam dress perfectly straddles the party/professional line. The shell pattern adds whimsy to the look and the silver heels help make this outfit pop, as does the dash of pink lipstick.

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

31 Jan

Switching from red carpets and the many events January has delivered (well aside from one) it’s going to be a costume heavy “Out of the Box” this week as we take a look at The Carrie DiariesHow I Met Your Mother and The Originals.

This is the Time

Prom on The Carrie Diaries didn’t disappoint; so much tulle, color, sequins and pattern. Walt looks pretty dapper in his tux too. As with most of the costuming from this show these pieces aren’t vintage ’80s and both Mouse and Maggie’s dresses are available to buy if you happen to need a prom dress. Hell even Dorrit got in on the whole gown thing and wore bubble gum pink, even if she was doing it for irony. Oh, Dorrit. It’s the last episode of season 2 tonight and it could also turn out to be the series finale as there’s no word on renewal. I hope this isn’t the case as there’s still a lot more life in this show and Walt’s story been an emotional roller coaster that I’m not ready to disembark.

How I met your motherI haven’t seen any of How I Met Your Mother this season as I fell out of love with it a few seasons back, but after seeing so many positive reactions about this week’s episode “How Your Mother Met Me” I dipped back in and I’m so glad I did. Cristin Milioti made me care about a character we didn’t even get to see and by her La Vie En Rose rendition the screen was incredibly blurry. Milioti is just so effortlessly charming and while the long path to unveiling the mother hasn’t gripped me, her performance is the opposite. In the shot above the Mother is wearing the J Crew Majesty pea coat we featured on our wish list a couple of months ago and it looks great on Milioti, love the lighter color.

The Originals 1.12It was a flashback heavy week on The Originals as we ventured back to the start of prohibition; Marcel has just returned from serving in WWI hence the uniform and the tuxedoed Klaus and Elijah are unsurprisingly dapper. So many eras of suits to cover and thankfully not as many awful flashback wigs. When will either this or TVD indulge my love of the ’70s? Then there might be terrible hair.

Taylor SwiftThis one photo is not like the others and yet there’s something just as dramatic about Taylor Swift whipping her hair at the Grammys as she plays the Jake song (or “All Too Well” to give its full name). This stunning gown with bejeweled shoulders is by Alberta Ferretti and it adds well dressed spectacle to this moment. So Taylor you didn’t win, even though for a second you thought you did, but you will always have this moment among all the awkward dancing gifs. I have no rhythm when it comes dancing and so this Tumblr is my new everything.

Out of the Box: Look of the Week

20 Dec

‘Tis the season to wear sparkly frocks and after the LBD heavy edition a couple of weeks ago we’re injecting a bit of color and bold patterns into this column.

Kate MaraAfter seeing the new Hobbit movie this week Kate Mara’s J. Mendel dress is giving off elf vibes thanks to two tiered metallic green and ivory leaf detail. Festive feelings are enhanced by the beautiful gold clutch and yet it doesn’t come across as attempting to be all that Christmassy. I still haven’t seen House of Cards (or OITNB, or Arrested Development even though I have Netflix *sigh*) and considering how divisive it has been it’s on my long list of catch-up projects.

Premiere Of Open Road Films' "Justin Bieber's Believe" - ArrivalsKiernan Shipka’s red carpet style has been consistent in its excellence this year (and yes I’m fine that a 14 year-old has way better clothes than me) and this week she looks delightful in RED Valentino. The floral/polka dot crossover is something I raved about with Oscar de la Renta’s Spring 2014 collection and this take on it is super cute. One reason why Shipka’s red carpet style is so good is because she dresses for her age and I hope this continues in 2014.

Amy Poehler Alice and OliviaMaybe it’s the time of year and if Amy Poehler wore this in April it would look like a regular dress, as it’s December I’m seeing ‘an angel at the top of the tree’ frock. Now that I’ve written this it sounds bad, far from it and the puff sleeves/A-line design is what’s reading angel to me. It’s icy looking and the black pattern adds to the winter wonderland feel of this Alice + Oliva dress. The bold lipstick is the pop of color this outfit needs.

Cristin MiliotiThe series finale date has been set for How I Met Your Mother (March 31) and I soured on this show long before Cristin Milioti was revealed to be the mother. That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate this Peter Pilotto creation and I might have to include it in the superhero couture that began with Olivia Pope’s Rubin Singer gown on Scandal earlier this season. This might have something to do with Milioti’s red carpet pose and it’s definitely one of the most visually arresting dresses I have seen this year. As a very tenuous link and because we said goodbye to 30 Rock this year here is Milioti in one of my favorite episodes (“TGS Hates Women”).

London Fashion Week: Color Blocking and Patterns

17 Sep

It’s the last day of London Fashion Week and the bold color/print trend that started in New York has continued as more designers debut their Spring 2014 collections. We’re going to be taking a look at runway photos from Burberry Prorsum, Christopher Kane, House of Holland, Jasper Conran, Roksanda Ilincic, Temperley London and Mary Katrantzou. As usual we’re going to play a bit of Fantasy Costuming with a quick fire round.

Burberry dots and stripes

From Burberry Prorsum this polka dot/striped infusion outfit might be a bit out there for work wear – if Ugly Betty was still on I would suggest this for Amanda – and while Robin from How I Met Your Mother tends to play it safe I’d like to see them be a bit more daring with her costuming. Failing this Leslie Knope would totally rock that blouse on Parks and Recreation.

Christopher Kane

The Vampire Diaries is heading to college in season 5 and this funky Christopher Kane mini dress could serve as an excellent outfit for Elena. This is Mystic Falls so parties are aplenty but this will give them a chance to swap their fancy frocks for something less constricting. The blood stains might be easier to get out too.

House of Holland checks

House of Holland’s mixed checked skirt and blouse is a new twist on picnic blanket chic and while both pieces together might give you a headache, I can see Jess from New Girl wearing either one of these as it matches her bright and girly style.

Jasper Conran yellow

Masters of Sex is set in the 1950s and while they might want to stick with vintage, if they want something new with an old twist then look no further than Jasper Conran’s Peter Pan collar dress as it would look good under Virginia Johnson’s lab coat. This is my most anticipated new fall show; for both the costuming and because I’m so happy to see Lizzy Caplan in a starring role.

Roksanda Ilincic yellow

I basically really want this Roksanda Ilincic creation for myself (yellow is my weakness) and if we were to ever see Olivia Pope divert from her usual color palette then I’d love to see this on Scandal. Failing that can Kerry Washington wear this on the red carpet?

Temperly long dress

It might just be because of this shot but this dress by Temperley London looks like it needs someone to strut with purpose in it and this is something that Alicia Florrick tends to do whenever she is in evening wear as all parties on The Good Wife tend to feature legal related woes. Who wouldn’t want a dress they could be dramatic and swish in? Once again this goes against the usual color blocking that we see in Alicia’s costuming, but it’s a beautiful gown that would look stunning on Julianna Margulies.

Mary Katrantzou shoes

Carrie Bradshaw is all about the shoes and the 1980s version in The Carrie Diaries would look amazing in these Mary Katrantzou brogues.

To see some of the other highlights from these shows click on the photos below.

Now That’s What I Call TV Music (2012-2013 Season)

21 May

Since My So-Called Life and Dawson’s Creek, TV has been one way that I discover new music. Things have changed a lot since the mid-90s and now you can have access to a song within minutes of hearing it on a show. MTV no longer has the influence it once did and the days of spending hours watching music videos have long gone, though MTV is still represented on this 2012-2013 playlist. Some shows like GirlsNew Girl and The Carrie Diaries (it turns out I really like the music from the pilot) feature more than once on the list and there are 19 tracks that represent a variety of moments; some incidental while others might drastically change a relationship.

girls bad friends dancingWhile I’m not going to into specific reasons for each song choice some deserve explanation; “Stay” by Lisa Loeb has featured on both Girls and New Girl, Lisa Loeb ended up with Rufus Humphrey on Gossip Girl so this sealed its inclusion (plus I was a teen in the mid-90s so this song will always hold a special place). When I first saw The Americans pilot I mentioned on Twitter that I like the ‘jaunty’ opening track revealing that I know nothing about Fleetwood Mac (I’m hanging my head in shame), now I understand the power of “Tusk.” The LMFAO track is from one of my favorite moments on Parks and Recreation this season when Anne and Leslie had their impromptu dance party. Ellie Goulding earns her place for being part of a huge New Girl moment and the same applies for The Vaccines “I Always Knew.” Some tracks feature from shows that I haven’t seen all season (How I Met Your MotherAwkward) or only saw a few episodes (Nashville) but were suggestions from some lovely folk on Twitter.

I’m sure there are some great tracks that I haven’t included so what would be on your 2012-13 TV playlist?

Here are the tracks featured, including which show/episode they were on and you can click on the Spotify box below to listen. Enjoy!

1)      I Love It – Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX (Girls 2.03 “Bad Friend”)
2)     Blue Monday – New Order (The Carrie Diaries 1.01 “Pilot”)
3)     Tusk – Fleetwood Mac (The Americans 1.01 “Pilot”)
4)     I Always Knew – The Vaccines (New Girl 2.25 “Elaine’s Big Day”)
5)     Burning Down the House – Talking Heads (The Carrie Diaries 1.01 “Pilot”)
6)     Black Tambourine – Beck (The Good Wife 4.22 “What’s in the Box?”)
7)     Super Rich Kids – Frank Ocean ft. Earl Sweatshirt (Gossip Girl 6.05 “Monstrous Ball”)
8)     Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett (Parks and Recreation 5.05 “Halloween Surprise”)
9)     Bad Girls – M.I.A. (The Mindy Project 1.01/1.24 “Pilot” and “Take me with You”)
10)  Anything Could Happen – Ellie Goulding (New Girl 2.23 “Virgins”)
11)   Don’t Leave Me (Ne Me Quitte Pas) – Regina Spektor (Girls 2.04 “It’s a Shame About Ray)
12)  22 – Taylor Swift (New Girl 2.13 “Table 34”)
13)  Simple Song – The Shins (How I Met Your Mother 8.24 “Something New”)
14)  Nancy From Now On – Father John Misty (Girls 2.05 “One Man’s Trash”)
15)  Stay – Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories (Girls 2.04 “It’s a Shame About Ray” and New Girl 2.23 “Virgins”)
16)  Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Greg Laswell (The Carrie Diaries 1.01 “Pilot”)
17)  Fade Into You – Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio (Nashville 1.03 “Someday You’ll Call My Name”)
18)  Gone – Olivia Broadfield (The Vampire Diaries 4.23 “Graduation”)
19)  I Was a Fool – Tegan and Sara (Awkward 3.05 “Indecent Exposure”)

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