This week's episode was awesome. Sparks were flying and Whitney reached a huge milestone for her career in fashion. I consider this part 1 of the finale, which airs on 12/1. There were a lot of things that were set up like Joe Zee's "Today Show" appearance that we didn't see. Regardless, lots to talk about from this one.

Check out my review at LATimes.com.

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Credit: Roxy Olin butting in on Whitney's "look book" shoot on "The City." Credit: MTV

Labels: LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, MTV, Roxy Olin, The City, Whitney Port

I was thrilled to be able to speak with Kelly Cutrone, the wise-cracking, harsh, but means well, boss lady on "The City." The best part was that while I was working to get her for an interview, she began following me on Twitter! So, of course, I tool destiny by the balls and asked her for an interview via a tweet. To my shock, she wrote me back and said yes!

The actual interview probably took about a half hour, then we spent another half hour just chatting. I'm still in awe of the experience.

Check out the interview at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Kelly Cutrone on "The City." Credit: MTV

Labels: Kelly Cutrone, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, MTV, Show Tracker, The City

This week was a repeat on "90210," but I hate to leave the readers with nothing to satisfy their "90210" hunger.

Frank Helmer was an awesome interview. I've definitely appreciated the stars' new looks this season, so it was awesome to pick the brain of the person behind them. He was also great with shifting through the images, so that I would have the ones that best corresponded with his interview.

Check out Helmer's interview and its related photo gallery at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Frank Helmer, '90210's' Costume Designer, in his natural habitat. Credit: Kime Buzzelli

Labels: 90210, Frank Helmer, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker, The CW

I just discovered that youtube considers my posting of my exclusive "The City" videos as copyright infringement. I totally have full permission to use the video and I have the option of using the LA Times tech to post them.

Sometimes, though, I get the video late at night and youtube is the only way to get it online quick. I could probably ask my MTV rep for a letter of permission, but we're just two episodes from the finale. Lesson learned for next time! Enjoy them while you can.

Check out my exclusive sneak peek of this week's episode of "The City" at LATimes.com

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Photo: Whitney Port is working on her own fashion line in 'The City.' Credit: MTV

Labels: LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, MTV, Show Tracker, The City, Whitney Port

I begged for the earliest possible interview with Nicole Fox, the newest "Top Model." I either got it or I was the fastest to write mine up, because I was the first to post an interview with the new winner of "America's Next Top Model."

I was having a horrible day, which was only partially deserved, especially because I worked so hard to get the best coverage of the finale out as I could. Then, a comment came through that made it all worth it. It was written by Nicole's third grade teacher. I sent it to Nicole via her agent and she said she loved it. I knew she would, because I did and it wasn't even for me!

Check out the interview and Mrs. Watson's awwww-inducing comment.

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Photo: Cycle 13 winner Nicole Fox on "America's Next Top Model." Credit: The CW

Labels: America's Next Top Model, ANTM, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Nicole Fox, Show Tracker, The CW

I was really proud of Nicole Fox and Laura Kirkpatrick and I was sad to see this cycle end. That's not to say that I enjoyed writing this piece. I stayed up way past my bedtime, because a finale episode deserves a thorough write-up. I also didn't think that I would end up being attacked for most of the day by people who complained that I posted the winner's name before they were able to watch the episode.

I also made some off-color remarks about Laura using her dyslexia as an excuse for fumbling during her commercial. I obviously felt bad for that, since obviously dyslexia is a much more pervasive disease than I thought it was. I rarely feel it necessary to address comments on my stories, but for this one, I just had to.

Check out my review on the "America's Next Top Model" finale and my response to the readers in the comments section.

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Photo: "America's Next Top Model" winner Nicole Fox. Credit: The CW

Labels: America's Next Top Model, ANTM, LATimes.com, Laura Kirkpatrick, Los Angeles Times, Nicole Fox, Show Tracker

Erin Kaplan and Roxy Olin from "The City" are hosting a unique fashion event with Elle at an Express in NYC on Thursday, November 19th at 6PM. Check out the invite below and "kindly" RSVP (or just show up). If you go, let me know what went down!



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Labels: Elle, Erin Kaplan, Express, MTV, Roxy Olin, The City

Even I think I gave too much attention to Olivia this week. The truth is she's good TV. So, here's my confession of all the ways I exploited Olivia this week: Used her picture in my exclusive video post, she was in my exclusive video, and I not only dedicated two whole paragraphs of my review to her, I also based the title on a scene she was in. I feel dirty.

Check out my review of this week's episode of "The City" at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Erin Kaplan’s signature dirty look aimed right at Olivia Palermo on “The City.” Credit: MTV

Labels: LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, MTV, Olivia Palermo, Show Tracker, The City

This was the big episode for fans of "90210" and its original manifestation, "Beverly Hills, 90210." Silver and Kelly's mother, Jackie, passed away. I felt Jennie Garth delivered a stellar performance this week. Oh, and the big cliffhanger at the end - Jasper vs. Navid...

Catch my review at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Jennie Garth (on left) as Kelly Taylor and Jessica Stroup as Erin Silver. Credit: Michael Desmond / The CW

Labels: 90210, Annie Gillespie, Beverly Hills 90210, Jennie Garth, Jessica Stroup, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker

I love my exclusive Show Tracker first looks at "The City." It was definitely a coup for me and our coverage of the show. I have to say that I've played around with the format of these posts, but I think I've come up with one that works.

Check out the exclusive video from this week's episode of "The City" at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Olivia Palermo on “The City.” Credit: MTV

Labels: Erin Kaplan, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, MTV, Olivia Palermo, Show Tracker, The City

I was psyched when I learned that I would be interviewing Jessica Stroup, who plays Silver on "90210." It was good that I was so excited, because the interview was postponed a week, since shooting for "90210" went long the day I was supposed to speak with her. To her credit, her rep was awesome. There have been times when reps made me wait an hour after our appointment before they connected me with the star with no call to apologize or let me know that we'd have to push back. Her media rep kept in constant contact with me as we monitored her shooting schedule.

When I finally did the interview, Stroup was amazing and open about the difficult storylines she has been dealt on "90210." What more could I have asked for?

Check out my interview with Jessica Stroup at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Jessica Stroup as Erin Silver on "90210." Credit: Patrick Ecclesine / The CW

Labels: 90210, Erin Silver, Jessica Stroup, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker

The TV rumor mill went crazy last week when the New York Daily News reported that "according to on-set sources" Kimora Lee Simmons and Vogue Editor Andre Leon Talley are joining the judging panel for "America's Next Top Model" for Cycle 14.

Additionally, they claimed that Talley is replacing Miss J on the judging panel and that he will return to his former post as the contestants' runway coach. With his new book out and his announcement that he has a son, it was a crazy news week for J. Alexander.

The rumors were reported as fact by many of my colleagues. Of course, I got on the phone with my rep at The CW!

Find out what I learned at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Miss J is giving some real sophistication, ok? Credit: Fashionindie.com

Labels: America's Next Top Model, Andre Leon Talley, ANTM, Kimora Lee Simmons, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Miss J, Show Tracker

I can't believe we're only one episode away from learning who will be "America's Next Top Model." Usually my reviews are pretty straightforward and chronological. In this post, I really wanted to dissect each contestant. It was a double elimination, so I also just wanted to make sure I gave all the girls the attention they deserved for getting this far.

Check out my article at LATimes.com.

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Photo: The final four girls (from left, Jennifer, Erin, Laura and Nicole) learn some hip-hop hula moves on “America's Next Top Model” Credit: The CW

Labels: America's Next Top Model, ANTM, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker

After Fackelmayer-gate, "The City" gals get out of dodge and go to Miami for fashion week. After my interview with Roxy Olin, I felt I may have been wrong about her. This episode proved I was totally right.

Check out my review at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Whitney Port, left, and Roxy Olin in Miami on "The City." Credit: MTV

Labels: LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Roxy Olin, Show Tracker, The City, Whitney Port

This episode marked the beginning of the end for Silver and Kelly's mother, Jackie, played by Ann Gillespie in the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" and now in its current version.

When you cover a beat as I do for Show Tracker, you're exposed to hardcore fandom you've never known existed. Fans of the original B.H.90210 are as hardcore as fandom gets. They don't believe that the current series has the right to kill a character that it didn't create. It's deep. Needless to say, I'm well aware of the furor now and I'm handling the storyline as appropriately as I can for a group that has held Jackie in their hearts for two decades now.

Check out my review at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Ann Gillespie as Jackie and Jessica Stroup as Silver on “90210.” Credit: Michael Desmond / The CW

Labels: 90210, Ann Gillespie, Jackie, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker

I'm always on the lookout for news on the shows I cover for LATimes.com. When I saw that there were only calendar listings for "America's Next Top Model" judge Miss J's new book and no one else was covering it, I jumped on it.

Then, right after it was published Us Magazine reported that J. Alexander admitted he is a father! Damn! Here I thought I was getting one scoop and then Us picked that up. Of course, I had to update mine to reflect the new news. You win some and you lose some.

Check out the article at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Judges J. Alexander and Nigel Barker on “America’s Next Top Model.” Credit: The CW

Labels: America's Next Top Model, ANTM, J. Alexander, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Miss J, Show Tracker

Here's another exclusive sneak peek at tonight's episode of "The City." I have to say it's a good one, because Kelly Cutrone gives Roxy Olin and Whitney Port a piece of her mind!

Check out the exclusive first look at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Kelly schools Roxy and Whitney on "The City." Credit: MTV

Labels: Kelly Cutrone, LATimes.com, MTV, Roxy Olin, Show Tracker, The City, Whitney Port

After last week's controversy, this episode seemed tame even with the gals sporting bikinis, jumping off cliffs, and modeling underwater. Erin seems to be skating by while Nicole is definitely fighting for the ultimate title.

Check out my recap at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Jennifer emerges from the underwater shoot on "America's Next Top Model." Credit: Ryan Goble / CW.

Labels: America's Next Top Model, ANTM, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker

Last week, I opened my "America's Next Top Model" recap by addressing the controversy over what my colleagues in the media called Tyra's use of "black face." I found the media's rush to use such an incendiary term with so much painful historical resonance in racism was irresponsible - almost ignorant.

In my post, I tried to give some cultural understanding, since I believe that the media was being lazy in not searching out 1) the reasons why the spirit of the "Top Model" shoot wasn't really that similar to the insulting acts of "black face" in American history, and 2), the cultural relevance of the term "hapa" in Pacific Islander cultures.

Plainly, too, I felt the media was being both sensational, as well as overly p.c.

Thankfully, a British news site picked up on how ridiculous the American media can be when it comes to what deserves our uproar and what doesn't, especially when related to race. I love the quote they used by me, too.

Check out the article at The First Post (UK)

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Photo: Nicole pictured up-close from the controversial "America's Next Top Model" photo shoot. Credit: The First Post

Labels: America's Next Top Model, ANTM, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker, The First Post, www.thefirstpost.co.uk

This was a stellar episode of "90210." After the repeat episode last week, this episode made the wait well worth it. Plus, one of my "burning questions" from the season so far was answered and my theory was right!

Check out the article to find out which "burning question" was put to rest at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Jessica Lowndes is playing "Drama Adrianna" again on "90210." Credit: The CW

Labels: 90210, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Show Tracker, The CW

First things first, this recap was originally called, "What the Fackelmayer?" and included a running joke throughout in which I replaced the four-letter word with "Fackelmayer." It was hilarious. Imagine my surprise when I wake up to a story titled "That strange socialite thing."

I have written in the past about the Tribune Company's rule against cursing. It's crazy how many times I have had to fight the urge to use "bitch" in my articles. When I talked to my editor about the "Fackelmayer" change, she didn't feel that the use was bad. Later, I talked to the copy editor out of Chicago who made the changes. Poor guy. He said it was a "coin toss" for him and so he brought it to his manager, who couldn't make up his or her mind. Finally, the post went one more level up. It was there that the decision was made to strip my article of its awesome title and running Fackelmayer jokes.

In the moment, I was pissed. Copy editors are awesome for catching grammatical mistakes, but when it comes to storytelling, let's just say there's a reason they're copy editors and not writers. When a good writer uses a schtick as strong as this one, the rest of the story needs to be a bit more straight. So without the Fackelmayer joke, the article was was a bit dry for me.

Check out the article here at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Whitney Port has no words for Freddie Fackelmayer. Credit: MTV

Labels: Freddie Fackelmayer, LATimes.com, Los Angeles Theater, MTV, Show Tracker, The City, Whitney Port

I may have been too fast to judge Roxy Olin, the new girl in "The City." On last week's episode, we saw quite a different gal.

I spoke to her last week while she was doing some last minute costume-shopping. I found her to be brash, yet honest, with a good sense of humor. It seemed that she had underestimated the pressure of doing a reality show and she has realized that she just can't say everything she thinks. That's not to say she has mastered the skill.

Check out my interview with Roxy at LATimes.com.

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Photo: Roxy Olin in "The City." Credit: MTV

Labels: LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, Roxy Olin, Show Tracker, The City

This is the second of my exclusive video posts for "The City," but it's my first reader poll.

The HTML gave me some problems at first, but I figured it out. Note to aspiring journalists: Take a web design class. I got my first writing gig at HBO, because I knew basic HTML and web design. That was 10 years ago. I can't imagine how necessary it is today in our multi-platform world for beginning journalists!

To check out the exclusive video and take part in our poll, go to LATimes.com!

Tomorrow: Check out my interview with "The City's" Roxy Olin at LATimes.com Show Tracker. Roxy dishes on what she really thinks of Freddie and Olivia, what it's like to be the new girl in town, and about her recurring role on "Brothers & Sisters."

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Photo: Roxy Olin from "The City." Credit: MTV

Labels: LATimes.com, Los Angeles Times, MTV, Show Tracker, The City