The Dixies Reach Out

November 28, 2006

I caught the Dixie Chicks show at Staples Center on Friday night and it was a toe-tapping treat. The gals sounded and looked great although their physical resemblance to other celebrities is hard not to notice. My boyfriend remarked, ‘When did Belinda Carlisle (Natalie was giving serious 80’s hair), Laura Dern, and Julia Roberts form a country group?”

Everyone was waiting for Natalie to talk about what the gals had been through since she’d dissed Bush back in ’03. But save for a few offhand remarks -- like joking that the reason other chicks don’t talk on stage is because the last time they did, they got the group in trouble -- Natalie didn’t bring it up. The standing ovation they received after their I-told-you-so ballad, “Not Ready to Make Nice” spoke volumes, though, and left the gals and the audience visibly moved. It was an amazing moment.

Another highlight was when Natalie sent a long distance dedication to Britney’s soon to be ex K-Fed before launching into the barnburner “White Trash Wedding.” She also remarked that all the single ladies in the house must be excited that Mr. Federline is back on the market. Maybe it’s just me, but I think Ms. Maines should watch her mouth, less Kevin knock her up.

He’s been known to impregnate people from twenty paces.

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Los Angeles Butternut Squash Soup

November 21, 2006

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

When asked by Outzone Central to write about my favorite Thanksgiving dish, I considered making something up, a heart-tugging story about a secret stuffing recipe that was handed down over generations, perhaps it came over on the Pinta, Maria or the Santa Maria, because the truth is, I can’t cook nothin’.

I’m the guy who picks up a side dish or a pie at Pavilions on the way to the festivities. My boyfriend John-Michael, however, does a bit of cooking and has told me that I’m going to help him make Roasted Butternut Squash Soup on Thanksgiving morning. Here’s the recipe we’ll be using. I think he got it off of Epi-bi-Curious. I’ll let you know how it goes.

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Project Runway Withdrawel?

November 10, 2006

For those of you having a little PR withdrawel (like me!)

...check out the video from my Project Runway-themed birthday party. We did it up--with a design challenge, a runway show and a Faux Heidi and Faux Tim to direct all the traffic. You can check out the video here. Heidi's introductions alone are worth a visit.

http://www.dennishensley.com/ProjectHensley.htm

Oprah and Gayle Take the Show on the Road

November 07, 2006

As I’ve stated previously, deconstructing “Oprah” is one of my favorite pastimes, my version of cross stitch, if you will.

Oprah and Gayle recently wrapped up their cross-country road trip and I have to say, I loved everything about it. For starters, the pair visited my hometown, Holbrook, AZ, where they checked into a wigwam and playfully joked about the lesbian rumors that perpetually dog them.

The truth is there’s nothing else to do in my hometown but eat delicious Mexican food and joke about your lesbian rumors. Because there are no Curves franchises in town—or any gyms for that matter--Oprah had to work out with her trainer on a dirt road not far from the Denny’s. I bet they stopped in for a French Slam afterwards and just didn’t film it.

I don’t know if it’s Gayle’s tireless shit-calling or what, but Oprah’s had fewer, crazy, out-of-touch, I-the-queen-of-the-world moments this season. A notable exception was when she had the YouTube phenom Juan Mann on.

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And No One Even Mentioned Mommy Dearest!

November 02, 2006

My favorite celebrity sighting in ages involves my friend Doug and the actress Faye Dunaway, who, incidentally once kept me waiting four hours for an Us Weekly interview.

Last week, my friend Doug attended a seminar on film producing. Why don’t I just let him tell the story…