Unwanted Chihuahuas crowd Santa Barbara shelters Oct 26, 2008
Chihuahuas became hip after the 2001 release of "Legally Blonde," whose star Reese Witherspoon brings her Chihuahua along to Harvard Law School. Paris Hilton was also seen toting her Chihuahua, and the movie hit "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" is still in theaters. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Weird News)
CMAC Gets $500K for More Upgrades Oct 24, 2008
They packed Eastman Theatre for the musical version of Pride and Prejudice and the Auditorium Theatre for the opening of Legally Blonde. The sheriff in Wayne County says he needs to hire more deputies to tackle a growing crime problem. (R News)
'MUSICAL' CLIFFSNOTES Oct 24, 2008
"She's like 'Legally Blonde' meets Paris Hilton meets total evil bitch," I'm told. OK, starting to feel more confident about the movie. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Witherspoon's sexy shopping Oct 23, 2008
Oscar-winning star of 'Walk the Line' and 'Legally Blonde', actress Reese Witherspoon applauds during an event to spread a message of female empowerment, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 28, 2008. Search for Things to Do. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Infotainment Oct 21, 2008
Legally Blondenew york: Dressed as Elle Woods from the Broadway show Legally Blonde, Peanut, a Chihuahua, poses for photographers after winning the fourth annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade canine costume contest. ap. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
Harvard Law School, long fractious and underachieving, is on the rise again - and shaking up the American legal world Oct 19, 2008
In a public imagination fed by memoirs, novels, and movies like "The Paper Chase" and "Legally Blonde," Harvard is a colossus that bestrides the narrow legal world, gatekeeper of its highest prizes. The school's alumni include 19 Supreme Court justices, 10 US attorneys general, and countless professors and partners in top law firms. (Boston Globe)
High School Stalkers Oct 18, 2008
The "Legally Blonde" beauty and her beau were spotted shopping at the trendy MYLA boutique while on a stopover in London on Monday. Reese reportedly spent almost an hour in the dressing room while Jake patiently waited, showing no signs of distress, despite his mother filing for divorce this week after more than 30 years of marriage to his father. (Fox News)
* OTHER RELEASES Oct 17, 2008
Sounds like Revenge of the Nerds meets Legally Blonde, which, come to think of it, might be a good thing. And its no accident: The latter film and this one share the same screenwriters. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Courteney & Demi Make Directorial Debuts Oct 16, 2008
Smith, whose writing credits include "Legally Blonde" and "The House Bunny," showed "The Spleenectomy," a surreal comedy starring Anna Faris as a community-theater actress who stumbles into a life-or-death audition. Stars celebrated at a private after-party at the Chateau Marmont. (CBS News)
Witherspoon + Volcano = Hot! Hot! Hot! Oct 16, 2008
Keep in mind, Legally Blonde could have easily been a dud with the wrong casting but Witherspoon's unabashed likeability and effortless charm brought the story to life. On the other hand, Stiller is consistently funny but sometimes his over-the-top characters become caricatures and can be distracting, think Dodgeball. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
New Russell Crowe & Leonardo DiCaprio film project: 'Will Work for ... Oct 14, 2008
Warners may want George Clooney to continue starring in its "Oceans" franchise, but Clooney is more challenged by films like "The Good German" or "Leatherheads." Everyone would love Reese Witherspoon to do another "Legally Blonde" sequel, but she clearly prefers taking parts in meatier projects, be it the period drama "Vanity Fair" or the terrorism thriller "Rendition." From a financial standpoint, the results have not been pretty. Most movie star pet projects are risky business. (Los Angeles Times)
Animal trainer to share 'Broadway Tails' Oct 14, 2008
The cover of Bill Berloni's "Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars. HADDAM - Bill Berloni has more than 30 trained actors living at his Haddam home: 26 dogs, three cats, two horses, two llamas, a pony and a donkey. An animal trainer for more than 30 years, Berloni works with four-legged actors on both stage and screen - and all of them have been rescued from shelters. Berloni has trained rehabilitated animals for hundred of roles on and off-Broadway as... (Middletown Press, CT)
Weekend calendar Oct 10, 2008
His dogs have appeared on Broadway in "Camelot," "The Wizard of Oz," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Legally Blonde" and more. The cost is $50, which will include the presentation, his book, dessert and coffee. (Middletown Press, CT)
Lying on loan documents is a federal offense Oct 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008. Q: I know someone who has qualified to obtain a second house by stating that he will rent his first house; however, he has no intentions of actually renting it. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
New Era Of Regs Oct 6, 2008
Finance sector enters new era of regulation. Article:Finance sector enters new era of regulation:/c/a/2008/10/04/MNF013AB10. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Dodgers' Ramirez: 'We can do it again' Oct 6, 2008
Dodgers' Ramirez: 'We can do it again. Article:Dodgers' Ramirez: 'We can do it again':/c/a/2008/10/06/SPKQ13BU2M.DTL Article:Dodgers' Ramirez: 'We can do it again':/c/a/2008/10/06/SPKQ13BU2M.DTL. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
'Barracuda' Not Backing Off Barack Oct 6, 2008
Palin swings through state - and at Obama. Article:Palin swings through state - and at Obama:/c/a/2008/10/05/MN8N13BSR2. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Affable, emotional TV host turned viewers on to late-night talk Oct 6, 2008
Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. DTL Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. (Yahoo News -- Jack Parr)
Rocket fuel found in milk in California Oct 6, 2008
Not clear if amount imperils children. Tuesday, June 22, 2004. (Yahoo News -- Food Safety)
Modest gains for Bush at Summit of Americas / Sweeping promises, sharp divisions as 34-nation meeting ends Oct 6, 2008
Article:Modest gains for Bush at Summit of Americas / Sweeping :/c/a/2004/01/14/MNGS649LV91. DTL Article:Modest gains for Bush at Summit of Americas / Sweeping :/c/a/2004/01/14/MNGS649LV91. (Yahoo News -- Summit of the Americas)
S.F. mayor shifts policy on illegal offenders Oct 6, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008. (07-02) 14:39 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco will shift course and start turning over juvenile illegal immigrants convicted of felonies to federal authorities for possible deportation, Mayor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday as he took the blame for what he conceded was a costly and misguided effort to shield the youths. (Yahoo News -- Immigration)
Feds probe S.F.'s migrant-offender shield Oct 6, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008. San Francisco juvenile probation officials - citing the city's immigrant sanctuary status - are protecting Honduran youths caught dealing crack cocaine from possible federal deportation and have given some offenders a city-paid flight home with carte blanche to return. (Yahoo News -- Immigration)
NHL preview: Red Wings still favored in league of changes Oct 6, 2008
Article:NHL preview: Red Wings still favored in league of chang:/c/a/2008/10/04/SPLP13APNH.DTL Article:NHL preview: Red Wings still favored in league of chang:/c/a/2008/10/04/SPLP13APNH.DTL. Ira Podell, Associated Press. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Finance sector enters new era of regulation Oct 6, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008. Amid the wreckage of the U.S. financial system, a new consensus is taking shape. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Teens' abuse of cough medications soaring Oct 6, 2008
Article:SAN FRANCISCO / Teens' abuse of cough medications soari:/c/a/2006/12/06/BAGK6MQA271. DTL Article:SAN FRANCISCO / Teens' abuse of cough medications soari:/c/a/2006/12/06/BAGK6MQA271. (Yahoo News -- Substance Use)
Davis calls energy crisis over Oct 6, 2008
State of emergency, in effect since '01, revoked. Friday, November 14, 2003. (Yahoo News -- Utility Industry Deregulation)
S.F. diner's pickle - opening in hungry times Oct 5, 2008
S.F. diner's pickle - opening in hungry times. Article:S.F. diner's pickle - opening in hungry times:/c/a/2008/10/04/BUL8139R7D.DTL Article:S.F. diner's pickle - opening in hungry times:/c/a/2008/10/04/BUL8139R7D.DTL. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Born To Lead, Born To Coach Oct 5, 2008
Born to coach / Tom Cable brings country toughness to a new job with the Raiders. Article:Born to coach / Tom Cable brings country toughness to a:/c/a/2008/10/04/SPLP13AQCL.DTL Article:Born to coach / Tom Cable brings country toughness to a:/c/a/2008/10/04/SPLP13AQCL.DTL. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Lineman's words stoked passion in Notre Dame Oct 5, 2008
Lineman's words stoked passion in Notre Dame. Article:Lineman's words stoked passion in Notre Dame:/c/a/2008/10/05/SP1013BNO2. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Anne Meets 'Rachel' Oct 5, 2008
Anne Hathaway in 'Rachel Getting Married. Article:Anne Hathaway in 'Rachel Getting Married':/c/a/2008/10/03/PKQ9135EBR.DTL Article:Anne Hathaway in 'Rachel Getting Married':/c/a/2008/10/03/PKQ9135EBR.DTL. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
An Amazing Journey Oct 5, 2008
Five questions for Alfre Woodard. Article:Five questions for Alfre Woodard:/c/a/2008/09/26/PKS2130KQ4. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Affable, emotional TV host turned viewers on to late-night talk Oct 5, 2008
Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. DTL Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. (Yahoo News -- Jack Parr)
Rocket fuel found in milk in California Oct 5, 2008
Not clear if amount imperils children. Tuesday, June 22, 2004. (Yahoo News -- Food Safety)
Affable, emotional TV host turned viewers on to late-night talk Oct 4, 2008
Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. DTL Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. (Yahoo News -- Jack Parr)
Beverly Hills Chihuahua Oct 3, 2008
She belongs to the same cosseted tribe as the chihuahua who lived in Reese Witherspoon's handbag in Legally Blonde. You can imagine the two of them frequenting the same grooming parlours and canine birthday parties. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Bunny wonderland Oct 3, 2008
The movie shares an uncanny resemblance to Legally Blonde and, what do you know, both films were co-written by the Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith ... I was thinking about such ideas and managed to pitch it to the Legally Blonde writers. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Holiday season show tickets available Oct 3, 2008
Legally Blonde, has gone from a movie to a hit Broadway show, and now it s coming to Boston. When sorority girl Elle Woods is dumped by her boyfriend, she follows him to Harvard Law School to win him back. (Wilmington Advocate, MA)
One killer of an idea for a Broadway musical Sep 25, 2008
As the press release notes: "There has been a recent influx of successful novel-to-Broadway adaptations. Amanda Brown's 'Legally Blonde' has become an audience favorite and Gregory Maguire's 'Wicked' has broken box office records...." ... But, hey, if all goes as planned, maybe one day the fluffy pink Elle Woods of "Legally Blonde" and the empowered green witch Elphaba of "Wicked" will be joined by a blood-red, chainsaw wielding Patrick Bateman ... "Legally Blonde" photo by Andrew H. Walker /... (Los Angeles Times)
Paris' show reveals smarter side Sep 12, 2008
Hilton notes that the airhead image was heavily due to the persona she copped on her reality show "The Simple Life," saying network executives wanted it to be a cross between "`Legally Blonde' and `Green Acres.' They wanted me to be really dumb.". "Paris, Not France" shows a much more self-possessed and well-spoken Hilton. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Bright season lights it up on stage Sep 12, 2008
Of all of the plays coming to the Delaware Valley in 2008-09, the one I can't wait to see (again, for the third time) is 'Frost/Nixon," Morgan's intriguing look at how a non-journalist, David Frost, was able to elicit a cathartic moment from Nixon during a prime-time interview in 1977, three years after Nixon resigned the presidency. To Morgan's credit, you get a balanced view of both men. Morgan's respect for the many facets of Richard Nixon is admirable, as audiences will see when... (The Delaware County Times, PA)
'Dora the Explorer Live!' Coming to 40 U.S. Cities in 2009 Sep 11, 2008
Tony Award-winning Costume Designer Gregg Barnes' credits include: "Legally Blonde", "The Drowsy Chaperone", 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", "Flower Drum Song," "Disney on Ice - Princess Classics," "Side Show," "Scooby-Doo in Stagefright - Live on Stage. ", "Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show" and Madison Square Garden's "The Wizard of Oz.""Dora the Explorer" airs at 10:30 a.m. and noon (ET/PT) weekdays on Nick Jr., a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m.... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
'The House Bunny' has a big heart Sep 3, 2008
But the screenplay by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz makes her goofiness plenty endearing, just like they did with their screenplay for Legally Blonde. The film shares some qualities with Clueless. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
Prince: Put Art Back On B'way Sep 3, 2008
Prince is too diplomatic to name any names, but the implication is that tourist-friendly family fare such as "Legally Blonde," "Shrek," "Mary Poppins" and "Grease" hardly fit the "Astonish me!" bill ... " He's no fan of reality-TV shows such as "Grease: You're the One That I Want" and "Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Anna Faris portrays an exiled Playboy playmate in the new movie, The House Bunny Sep 1, 2008
Industry reviews from Variety magazine and others were complimentary, like this from the Hollywood Reporter: It might wear its derivative, Legally Blonde -meets- Mean Girls trappings like a rhinestone thong, but strip away the second-hand attire, and The House Bunny still manages to stand on its own two skyscraper heels thanks to the comic force of nature that is Anna Faris. Faris, we ve pointed out numerous times, is daughter of Jack Faris, out-going (at end of year) head of the Washington... (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)
Legally Blond On Broadway Aug 31, 2008
Paul Canaan, ensemble member of Legally Blonde the Musical, Bernard Telsey, the plays casting director, and Heather Hach, librettist of Legally Blonde the Musical. Over the course of nine weeks were girls were given rigorous vocal coaching and dance and acting training. (Suite101.com)
Reese fights abuse Aug 29, 2008
Witherspoon, the 32-year-old star of the 'Legally Blonde' films and an Oscar winner for her role in 'Walk the Line', is the global ambassador of "Speak Out Against Domestic Violence", a joint campaign launched in 2004 by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Avon cosmetics company. She was in Brazil to highlight the campaign's aims in Latin America, including the sale of bracelets which is financing the charity. (iAfrica.com)
Forget intelligence - what the world needs is warm fuzzies Aug 27, 2008
To begin, I had no idea that the movie Legally Blonde had been turned into a hit Broadway musical ... I have no idea if Kara Lang is "girlish" and in truth girlishness is not at the heart of Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods (MuchMusic, 10 p.m.) ... Me, I find it interesting that Legally Blonde, which began as a novel and spawned a hit movie and sequel, is still going strong. (Globe and Mail)
"Tropic Thunder" storms North American box office Aug 26, 2008
Written by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz of "Legally Blonde" fame, the comedy stars Anna Faris as a former Playboy playmate who becomes house mother to socially inept sorority sisters after being cast out of the Playboy mansion. In third place was "Death Race" with a weekend tally of $12. (Reuters)
School for fanatics of film rolls into town Aug 25, 2008
The state-funded Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne trained Clayton Jacobsen, who directed Kenny, and Robert Luketic, who has triumph in Hollywood with Legally Blonde and 21. The three strongest Australian features at the Sydney Film Festival came from outside the film school system, with the stuntman Nash Edgerton making The Square, the actor Matthew Newton directing Three Blind Mice and a paramedic, Ben Gilmour, making Son Of A Lion. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
'Tropic Thunder' remains at No. 1 Aug 25, 2008
The comedy, penned by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, who wrote the 2001 hit "Legally Blonde," features Anna Faris in her first major leading role, as a Playboy Mansion exile mothering and making over an entire sorority of social outcasts. Opening in third place with an estimated $12. (Boston Globe)
'Tropic Thunder' holds top spot at box office Aug 25, 2008
The comedy, penned by the pair behind the 2001 hit "Legally Blonde," Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, features flaxen-haired Anna Faris as a Playboy Mansion exile mothering and making over an entire sorority of social outcasts. "It really played well to its core audience," said Rory Bruer, president of distribution for Sony, noting that half the audience was under age 21 and over two-thirds were women. (Los Angeles Times)
Anna Farris is a funny bunny Aug 25, 2008
When Lutz and Smith, the writers responsible for Legally Blonde, contacted Faris and said they wanted to write a movie for her, the actress revealed her treasured Playboy Bunny idea to them - "and together we wrote a script and together we produced it. And the next thing you know, we're shooting at the Playboy Mansion.". So how did she get into the mindset of a Bunny. (The Gazette (Montreal))
Sexy star to suburban dag Aug 24, 2008
"Surprisingly, even when the people I play are so over the top that you think, 'Oh, that can't be real', it's always based on someone really real or else I would be too embarrassed to play it. "Even someone like Vivian Kensington from Legally Blonde was based on someone I grew up with. I even wore exactly what this girl wore. (Melbourne Herald Sun)
There is for Lauren Ashley Zakrin, who's launching her career in New York Aug 24, 2008
Some young actresses might jump at the chance to be on reality TV, but one-time Kalamazoo thespian Lauren Ashley Zakrin was not sure if competing on MTV's ``Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods'' was the best decision for her in the long run ... Zakrin took fourth in the televised competition, in which 10 performers competed for the role in the Broadway show ``Legally Blonde: The Musical ... She said she wasn't expecting much from the ``Legally Blonde'' tryout, but she was a fan... (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)
'House Bunny' could be box-office leader Aug 23, 2008
Under-25 females will be the main audience for "The House Bunny," which was produced for $25 million and comes from the screenwriting team behind the 2001 success "Legally Blonde." Faris, from "The Hot Chick" and the "Scary Movie" series, could be on the brink of becoming a major star. Box-office prospects look softer for two other releases. (Los Angeles Times)
'The House Bunny': Butterflies, By Kurt Loder Aug 23, 2008
The movie's script is by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, who tiny surprise also wrote "Legally Blonde." Like that picture underestimated at the time of its release, but in retrospect a small classic "The House Bunny" also contains, along with many laughs, a low-key message about the importance of being yourself, no matter how offbeat that self may be. There's nothing new about this bromide, but it's always strangely gratifying to find it delivered with such an irresistible comic spirit. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Review: Faris saves 'House Bunny' Aug 23, 2008
It's essentially a female remake of "Revenge of the Nerds," with a script from "Legally Blonde" writers Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, so it contains the same type of facetious humor as that 2001 hit. Faris, in all her ditsy glory, functions as a descendant from a long line of supposedly dumb blondes (which includes Reese Witherspoon's Elle Woods and extends back to Judy Holliday's Billie Dawn and beyond), but she's so unafraid of going for the big, goofy laugh at her own expense that... (CNN -- Showbiz)
"The House Bunny" Aug 23, 2008
But "The House Bunny" -- which was written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith (who also gave us "Legally Blonde"), and directed by Fred Wolf ("Strange Wilderness") -- recognizes the limits of artifice when it comes to sexual allure. The sorority sisters eventually see that their makeover, as inspiring as it may have been originally, also requires a corrective makeunder: They need to look like themselves, only better. (Salon)
The House Bunny Aug 22, 2008
A broad comedy (no pun intended), this Fred Wolf-directed movie was scripted by the same team -- Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz -- responsible for Legally Blonde, and the parallels between the two movies are unmistakable. Both are tales of female empowerment couched inside a goofball comedy featuring dizzy blonde leads who may not be quite as superficial or dumb as we'd been led to believe. (IGN FilmForce)
Movie review: 'The House Bunny' Aug 22, 2008
It's practically a scene-by-scene rip-off of "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Legally Blonde," which is only half OK, because the screenwriters of "The House Bunny" also wrote the latter movie ... Seriously, write down every scene from "Legally Blonde" and "Revenge of the Nerds" on index cards, shuffle and then deal your movie. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Review: The House Bunny goes flippity-flop Aug 22, 2008
Talented cast wasted in this tired rehash of Legally Blonde ... Legally Blonde scribes Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith try desperately to rekindle the magic of that earlier triumph-of-the-bimbo classic, but House Bunny lacks the pop of a smart comedy. (MSNBC -- Politics)
'House Bunny' pins its limited charms on Faris Aug 22, 2008
Legally Blonde and Clueless covered much of the same turf more effectively. Shelley is an orphan ugly duckling, transformed into a swan. (USA Today -- Life)
Mini movie reviews Aug 22, 2008
Essentially a female remake of "Revenge of the Nerds," with a script from "Legally Blonde" writers Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, it stars Faris as Shelley, a perky Playboy bunny who gets kicked out of Hef's mansion and becomes the house mother for Zeta Alpha Zeta, a sorority full of misfits. Actually "full" is stretching it, since the Zetas only have seven members, and they need to come up with 30 pledges to keep from being kicked off campus (and having the mean-girl Phi Iota Mus take... (Athens Banner-Herald)
'House Bunny' Stars Katharine McPhee, Emma Stone, Rumer Willis Claim They're Awkward On The Inside Aug 22, 2008
of "The House Bunny," but this new twist on the "Legally Blonde" concept wouldn't get anywhere without Katharine McPhee, Emma Stone and Rumer Willis. Faris plays Shelley, a Playboy Playmate unceremoniously booted from the mansion, only to take up with seven unpopular sorority sisters who are themselves on the verge of being kicked to the curb. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Rumer Willis joins 'family business' acting Aug 21, 2008
The House Bunny, written by Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz of Legally Blonde fame, is about a Playboy bunny who is kicked out of the legendary Playboy Mansion and makes it her mission to help the members of the least popular sorority on a college campus regain their self-confidence. Willis plays one of the sorority sisters, Joanne, an introvert in a back brace with very low self-esteem. (MSNBC -- News)
