Whoops! Breaking News: Hundley Out at ESPN

“‘Brooke Hundley is no longer working here,’ said ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz. He confirmed that the firing of the 22-year-old production assistant was effective today.”

“Hundley had been suspected by cops of using ESPN computers to create phony online identities that were used to cyberstalk Phillips’ teenage son after their affair ended.”

How’d you like to be Brooke shopping your resume around?

Courtesy: New York Post

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/phillips_gal_pal_no_longer_with_GIBB0ARUgTYxBI2LHVuciL

“How To Get Fired” by Steve Phillips

When will men like Steve Phillips learn? No sleeping with the young’ins! These things never end well. They usually end up with Thumper boiling on the stove.

And for you “young’ins”: Even though 22-year old Brooke Hundley allegedly still has a job, I implore you: don’t sleep with the bossman! If you think no one knows, you’re kidding yourself. Besides, aren’t there other guys out there? The dating world can be grim, but not THAT grim…

Photo: New York Post

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4594666

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/exclusive_espn_steve_phillips_in_bLw9UoSAQJwJLU4ZDXvvDO

If You’re Jobless, Would You Go On a Reality TV Show?

After this week’s continuing Balloon Boy drama, I was thinking: If you are jobless and of sound body and mind, would you really take part in a reality show and humiliate yourself to make a few bucks? Think about it.

Looking at TV’s field of reality programming – quality shows like “I’m A Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here”, “The Bachelor”, “The Hills”, “The Real Housewives of <insert your town here>” and my <cough> favorite: <cough>”Keeping Up With the Kardashians” – I realized that at least one person on each of these programs comes out as a vapid idiot. Would you be willing to be that person in exchange for work and $$$?

There’s no way I could sob and cry over some dude I’ve known for a week, stage fake weddings, puke on camera or catfight and pull someone’s wig off in front of a fancy hotel. Maybe it’s just me, but I do want to maintain some sense of pride.

Talk to me: If you were broke or out of a job, would you shame yourself on a reality show for money?

Photos: Telegraph UK; NBC

5 Easy Things You Can Do For Your Unemployed BFF

When I was in the thick of unemployment, I couldn’t afford to go out to eat or have beers with my friends. I was also stressed most of the time and pre-occupied with where my next buck was coming from. I kept hearing people ask, “I know she can’t afford to go out, but we miss seeing her” or “She won’t even let us buy her a glass of wine”. In addition to all that, I often didn’t shower or change out of my pajamas.

When at the mercy of the unemployment office, the jobless can get sensitive about taking money from others, no matter how well-intended. It’s called pride. Pride can also cause them to slowly feel disengaged from their circle of friends. So what can you, a gainfully employed person, do to show that out-of-work pal that she’s not out of luck or out of love?

1. Invite him/her over for dinner - An invitation for a home-cooked meal is a low-key way to make your friend get dressed and leave the house without spending money. Also, my UPiC (Unemployed Partner-In-Crime) and I used to make dinner for each other. We got to eat well by sharing the expense, and we had something fun to socialize over
2. Drop by with an inexpensive bottle of wine – They may not let you buy drinks while out at the local watering hole, but home is a different matter. And go cheap so they don’t feel like they owe you
3. Grab her for a walk or jog – A good gab session coupled with exercise is a great way to socialize, boost endorphins, get out of the house and loosen stress 
4. Give the gift of flowers - I’m not talking bouquets from 1-800 Flowers. I’m talking deli/grocery store blossoms. And before you think you’re too good for them, I once saw George Stephanopoulus darting across 14th Street in NYC carrying deli daisies (presumably for his fabulous wife Alexandra Wentworth). Brightly colored bouquets can help cheer up any job hunter or the job hunter’s cave (read: home)
5. Just listen – No advice. No contacts. No “what I would do if I were you…” (even though I assume you will have gone through that exercise already). Just bend your ear for a while, offer a calming smile instead of tips and end your visit with a big hug or word of encouragement

How do I know these things work? Because my friends are awesome, and they helped make unemployment bearable for me!

Attn. Atlanta Unemployed: Networking Happy Hour This Thursday

Super-networker Jenny Jeansonne is hosting a Networking Happy Hour this Thursday, October 22 at Lenox Square Grill (was The Clubhouse).

She’s already invited over 100 recruiters. It’s Free Parking. Free to Attend. Free Appetizers too!

 

Details are at http://tinyurl.com/atljobs

 

Atlanta still has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Jenny is trying to help as many unemployed people as possible so they may have jobs by the holidays and really have something to celebrate.

 

Jenny posts jobs daily at http://atlantajobleads.wordpress.com – all industries, all careers levels.

 

If your company is hiring (or if you know of a company hiring),  please let her know and she’ll post it for free.

 

 

Et Tu, Victor Newman? Eric Braeden Exits “The Young and the Restless”

Another soap star bites the dust. Even suave, debonair Victor Newman (aka Eric Braeden) - veteran character on “Young and the Restless” – isn’t immune to the recession. Like Josh and Reva (“Guiding Light”) and Marlena and John (“Days of Our Lives“) before him, his character is no more. Not sure when his last episode airs.

Back in the day, “Y&R” was my soap. Loved it–my boyfriend in college and I even skipped class to watch it. The sorority house was always atwitter between 4 and 5 p.m. I’ve not been a faithful watcher over the past years, and maybe that kind of viewer (dis)loyalty is why actors like Eric Braeden are getting the boot. I kinda feel bad. Do you?

 http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/10/16/eric-braeden-young-restless-end-negotiations/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Newman

10 Ways “The Brady Bunch” Can Help Make Your Layoff Groovy

I adored “The Brady Bunch”. I mean, who didn’t watch this show? Seriously: If you’re out there, I’d love to know who you are. You must have had a painful childhood. I used to be able to quote every episode and recall each cornball moment that TBS reran religiously throughout my grade school years.

While scanning this morning’s news, I saw that the Bradys are celebrating  their 40th anniversary (the show ran from 1969-1974). 40 years! Wow. I guess I need to buy them a silver platter or something.

It got me thinking: What in the heck has kept this family going? Of course, it’s the kitsch factor. This show was basically giving itself a wedgie throughout its entire run. 

But, these people seemed to surmount every obstacle put in their way. They worked up countless creative resolutions for their problems – whether it was overcoming a lisp or trying out for cheerleader. With that, I took a look back at my favorite “Brady Bunch” episodes and compiled a list of 10 tips for making your layoff “Bradylicious”.

1. Buy a wig for a new look. Something really big and outrageous so you stand out. A black afro wig is really far out.
2. Create a new gig for yourself. A variety show (see: “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour”) or seasonal TV movie is really cool.
3. Call a celebrity to come save the day. Where are Davy Jones and Don Drysdale when you need ‘em? Don Ho is especially groovy.
4. Join every club you can get your hands on to network and meet new friends. Scuba’s right on. School plays are groovy, too.
5. Make yourself a local celebrity by finding a record to break, something cool like teeter-totter.
6. Form a family singing group, make up a funky fresh dance routine and enter a talent show to win money. Can you dig it?
7. Take a trip to the Grand Canyon.
8. Try to get a record contract. You might get to be somebody cool in the process, like Johnny Bravo.
9. Become a pool shark.
10. Express yourself by carving out a personal space. Is the attic taken? Don’t forget beaded curtains! Far out.

What did YOU learn from the Bradys?

http://www.tvland.com/shows/brady_bunch/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brady_Bunch

I Vanna Be Ivanka

Well, not really, but I think she’s rather interesting.

It would be easy to hate Ivanka Trump. She’s drop-dead gorgeous, has a degree from Wharton and one of the richest (yet most annoying) fathers in America. She could easily be yet another Paris Hilton or Casey Johnson, leaping from banquette to bedroom and adopting random toy pets, but she has escaped that route and is actually contributing something positive to society as a vice president of the Trump Organization.

Ivanka released a book today titled, aptly, “The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life”, and according to the publisher, it “shares the life lessons and hard-won insights that have made her a rising star in the business world.”

Now, many of you are probably saying to yourself : “Duh, she’s a Trump. What does she know about hard work?”

I have not read the book, but Ivanka seems to have a strong head on her shoulders. You’ve never seen her plastered all over Page Six, she works hard for her money (apologies to Donna Summer) and based on her “Good Morning America” interview this morning, she is classy and articulate. And no matter how God-awful I find her dad, he has always ensured his kids are well-mannered, engaged in the world and know the value of a hard day’s work.

This title is geared specifically to young women, and if you’re in that entry-to-mid level career category or are searching for your first job, I’ll bet she has some good things to say to you. Check out “The Trump Card” at your local library.

Ivanka’s scheduled to be on ABC’s “Nightline” tonight at 11:35 p.m. ET.

Click below for more information and an excerpt:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/trump-card-ivanka-trump/story?id=8783466

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Trump-Card/Ivanka-Trump/9781439140017

Broke and Can’t Go Out Tonight? Settle In For LMN’s Pick-A-Flick

If you’re like me, money is tight and I can really only go out once or twice a week. In fact, most Friday nights, I stay home because I’m also exhausted!

On those evenings, I’ve been known to catch a Lifetime movie…or five. It’s pretty pathetic, but I know there are millions of you out there who – like me – have a secret love for crawling on the couch with a blanket, a Skinny Cow, a stack of trashy magazines and lounging while three or four Lifetime movies play out. 

I probably know more about these fine films than I should ever own up to. So when LMN started its Pick-A-Flick night, I was intrigued. Here’s how it works:

LMN will be letting its audience choose which movie the Network will air on Fridays at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Log onto myLifetime.com/flick where you’ll find a selection of five dramaramas, cheesy comedies and/or ridiculous romances. You can vote as many times as you like for your campy fave the week prior to that Friday.

This week, your choices are “Maid of Honor,” perfect bride-to-be, a man and his psycho sister-in-law (from deceased wife) who wants him bad; “The Last Trimester,” baby murder; “Cries in the Dark,” lady cop’s sister gets killed; “A Teacher’s Crime,” teacher, student, dad, trouble; and “Double Cross,” sad wives and mystery. LMN’s even going to have themes. 

Maybe they’ll consider doing special “nights” starring our beloved Lifetime divas like  Ann Jillian, Tori Spelling, Cheryl Ladd, Lindsay Wagner along with Candace Cameron Bure, Kelli Martin and Tracey Gold (I could go on and on!).

For the record, I voted for “Maid of Honor”–Love me some Linda Purl…fingers crossed!

And, yes…I do have a life. It just starts on Saturday.

TGIF!

And that’s all I’ve got to say…for now.