Watching The View

It is once again contest time here at Watching the View! In honor of the season, this contest will be holiday themed to get as all in the mood for this festive time of year.

Rather than a prize like a mug as I have had for previous contests, the prizes for this contest is money!

Here are the details:

HOW TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog entry or send an e-mail to winnieblogs(at)gmail.com (replace the (at) with @) in which you name one current host of The View, what holiday present you would buy them and why. Your entry can be humorous, sincere, or wacky–whatever you choose. The deadline is Monday December 10th at 12:00 p.m. central time. Only one entry person please.

HOW TO WIN: I will chose one 1st place winner based on my own personal, subjective view of all of the entries. A second winner will be chosen via a random drawing of all of the remaining eligible entries.

THE PRIZES: First place will win $50. Second place will win $25. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the winners. If you win, in order to receive the money, you must have a valid paypal account. The prize money is coming directly from 451 Press, so this is how it has to be done. If you are one of the winners, I will e-mail you and you must reply with your valid paypal e-mail address in order for me to give you the prize.

Questions? Leave in the comments or email me at winnieblogs(at)gmail.com. (replace (at) with @). Good luck!

I also have another contest going on at my Chicago blog. Be sure to check that one out too!

The View, holidays, christmas, gifts, contests

Week three of Project Blog has begun! In case you missed it, my post for this week is here. We had to write about any topic, but the catch was it had to be exactly 50 words. Let me know what you thought of my effort!

If you are inclined to vote, visit Reality on Bravo or vote below. Remember you can vote once per 24 hours from the same IP address.

Thanks to all who have been voting so far.

Here are the links to all of the contestants:

The blogtestants:

1. Winnie, Watching the View: “The State of the View Address”
2. Sally, Style Fix: “Deck My Halls with Lights, and Ornaments, and Shiny New Dresses”
3. Kate, Babylune: “Fifty Words on Babylune for Project Blog”
4. Jodie, Gossip on Sports: “The Supermodel Effect”
5. Mark, Get Incensed: “Project Blog #3: Conveying the Get Incensed Style In 50 Words — Like Speed Chess, Only Harder .. And No, The Headline Doesn’t Count Because Then It Would Be Practically Impossible” 6.Kara: Stuck at Denver International Airport?
7. Cynthia: And now…a song

You can vote once every 24 hours, and the polls officially close Tuesday at noon! Happy voting!

Which Blogger Wrote Your Favorite Post of the Week?
	Kate
	Mark
	Kara
	Winnie
	Cynthia
	Sally
	Jodie
pollcode.com free polls

This is week two of Project Blog. Thanks to all of your votes last week, I won the reader vote and stayed in the competition! Be sure to go here to vote for me this week!

Here is this week’s assignment:

On Project Runway, contestants were asked to create an outfit with a partner for fashion icon Sarah Jessica Parker’s newest line, Bitten. This week, blogtestants, you have to write with a partner too - yourself.

That’s right, I want to see your leadership skills, but to make it fair, YOU are the one you’ll be leading.

Pick a post from the past - any post will do - and use that as your inspiration for a new post. You can give us an update on a past news story, revisit a topic, or give further opinion on a factual post. Or hey, do something else - it’s all up to you! Just remember, the goal is to use your past post as inspiration, and you MUST include a link to the past story in your new post. (It can be a post from yesterday or a post from a year ago…timing is not important, any post you choose is fine!)

Rosie O’Donnell’s departure from The View made big headlines, both on this blog and elsewhere. So how did Rosie’s time at The View change the show? Here are what I consider to be the top three ways that The View has been altered in the wake of Rosie’s time on The View and her departure.

1) The IFB rules: An IFB is the device that some news anchors and other on-air personalities wear during a live broadcast to get direction from the producers. Rosie made no secret of the fact that she detests the devices because they prevent the normal flow of conversation and stunt spontaneity. She did not wear one during her time on The View and said in her book, Celebrity Detox, that she eventually convinced both Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck to take theirs out as well. I don’t know if they have gone back to wearing them since her departure.

Unfortunately, Barbara Walters continued to wear hers and Whoopi Goldberg has made no secret of the fact that she wears one. Whoopi has mentioned “the voice in her ear” and even paused during conversation to listen to her ear piece. Although unconfirmed, I think that Sherri Shepherd wears one too, because she has suddenly “remembered” facts during a conversation and it is likely that someone fed the facts to her through her IFB.

After the final Rosie/Elisabeth fight, I believe that any future hosts, or at the very least the moderators, will be contractually obligated to wear an IFB. Although Rosie disagrees, the producers feel that if Rosie wore an IFB, that final fight would not have gone down the way it did.
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Week two of Project Blog is underway! Here is some information about this week’s sponsor, courtesy of Reality on Bravo.

Week Two’s Sponsor: Gillian and Food History (www.foodpast.com)
Week One’s Prize: Chronicling The Fifth Deadly Sin

From Reality on Bravo:

This week the Project Blog sponsor is Gillian Polack, writer, historian, and all around cool cat from the blog Food History. The prize? A copy of her e-cookbook, “Chronicling the Fifth Deadly Sin,” which is a tasty collection of recipes from around the world. And I do mean tasty.

This isn’t your typical cookbook, and Gillian’s not your typical blogger. Occasionally, I read through it just because it’s funny and interesting, even if I don’t need a good idea for dinner.

“Add lemon juice to taste. Stir well. Serve hot or cold. This is a VERY filling dish - very solid (like my waistline).”

Some of the recipes you’ll find in this book include Andy’s Hong Kong Curry Triangles, Trudee’s Canadian Chocolate Cheesecake (I’ve made that one - DELISH), and Medieval Style Mushroom Pastries. Mmmmmm…

If that sounds interesting to you, check out Gillian’s site for a sneak peak of what you could win! Her site includes recipes from around the world, as well as the history behind them. And, if you like fiction, your can also purchase Gillian’s novel, Illuminations, from Barnes and Noble,

Want a chance to win this week’s prize? You can enter up to three times!

• For one chance, leave a comment on this post on Reality on Bravo with one “food fact” that you’ve learned from any post on Gillian’s website.
• For a second chance, blog about this contest on your own site and email the link to me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com.
• Want a third chance? Check back to Reality on Bravo on Friday, vote for your favorite in our Project Blog competition, and leave a comment showing support! The winner will be drawn at random from all qualifying entries.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of those celebrating today! Today’s episode of The View is a rerun, with an original air date of November 5th. It features Jerry Seinfeld and Brooks & Dunn. You can see the recap from its original airing here.

I won’t be putting a recap up today, because I am traveling for Thanksgiving. According to ABC, today’s episode was taped back on November 12th, so don’t expect the hot topics to be topical and don’t expect guest Jonathan Rhys Meyers to be discussing his recent arrest.

Feel free to leave your comments on the episode below. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Here is my first entry for Project Blog. Please vote for me here! You can vote once per 24 hours between now and Tuesday at midnight. The theme for this week’s assigned entry is to give an introductory post about why I blog.

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When I was in college, I had my good and bad days just like any other student trying to excel in course work while balancing all of the new things that college life brings your way. During the later part of my time there, I had one constant. One thing to make me smile at the end of the day, no matter what professor had upset me or what so-called friend had betrayed me. That one thing? The Rosie O’Donnell Show. I, like thousands of others, became completely engrossed in that hour of television and Rosie never failed to lift my spirits. When Rosie’s show ended, despite being at the top of its game, there was definitely something special missing from television.

Last year when I learned that Rosie would be returning to television to be on The View, I was beyond ecstatic. Her first few months on the show, I TiVo’d faithfully, often talking back to the television when I agreed or disagreed with what they were discussing. In January of 2007, I decided to start this blog about The View. I figured that since I was watching it everyday and commenting on it, maybe I could share that with others. (This also spared my husband from having to listen to my daily, “Rosie said today that . . .”)

I could never have imagined at the time that I started this blog the twists and turns of fate to come that would change both the complexion of The View and that of this blog. When Rosie announced that she was leaving The View, and then especially when her departure came sooner than expected, I questioned whether this blog would even continue. How could I continue to blog about this show when my reason for starting this process was gone?

My thoughts of stopping were very short-lived because it became clear to me that so many of my readers were feeling the same way. They wondered if the show would ever be the same without Rosie. Meanwhile another group of readers were glad to see Rosie go and were relieved that The View would stop being in the headlines for everything that Rosie said. Those two groups of people came together here on this blog and had debates and discussions in the comments about the fate of the show, as well as all of the fall-out from Rosie’s departure.

Since Rosie left, and especially since the start of the new season, this blog has become a wonderful community of people who love The View, used to love The View, and people who are hoping desperately that The View will again become something that they can love. It has become a cyber version of the show, as people come here and leave comments, expressing their own views: about the hosts, about whether the show is too watered down, and to debate the hot topics discussed by the hosts.

Although I cannot say that I love and enjoy every episode of The View the way I did when Rosie was on, or the way I did with The Rosie O’Donnell show, I do know that The View will continue to give me plenty to write about and give all of you plenty to talk about.

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Be sure to visit Reality on Bravo to cast your vote and learn you can win prizes too!

Here is the prize package I have a chance to win:

• An autographed picture of Jackie Warner, courtesy of Sky Sport and Spa
• A pair of shoes from the newest line from Jonathan Kayne
• A Soffe college hoodie, courtesy of BCS Frenzy
• Gold-plated earrings from Aurora at Between the Sheets
• A pet portrait, courtesy of Intricate Art

Here are the other contestants that are participating in the competition:

Kate, Babylune: “The Blog I Write and the Woman Who Writes It”

Randi, Brad Pitt Watch: “The First Challenge”

Jodie, Gossip on Sports: “Project Blog: Week One Challenge”

Cynthia, TV of the Absurd: “The Five TV Shows that Changed My Life”

Sally, Style Fix: “The Fashionable Child Who Writes Becomes the Fashion Writer”

Kara, Colorado Review: “Why I Blog About Colorado Travel”

Mark, Get Incensed: “Project Blog. Bravo”

There are two other participants, Dana and Zem, but they haven’t posted their entries yet. I will add them when they do!

AND DON’T FORGET: After you vote, leave a comment at Reality on Bravo telling everyone who you’re voting for and why (it can be anonymous). Use a valid email address, because leaving a comment will put you in the running to win an Ecoist bracelet! Check out that link for more ways to win the free prize of the week, and go to www.ecoist.com for more eco-friendly items!

The View, blogging, project runway, project blog, reality on bravo, Rosie O’Donnell

Here is next week’s schedule for The View, subject to change:

MONDAY, NOV. 19 – Ty Pennington kicks off Sears “Wish Week”; Jessica Seinfeld (author, “Deceptively Delicious”); the new winter ’07 “View” mug is unveiled.

TUESDAY, NOV. 20 – Guest co-host Trisha Yearwood; Alan Alda (author, “Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself”); Blake Lively and Penn Badgley (“Gossip Girl”), musical guest Trisha Yearwood.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21 – Guest co-host Candace Cameron Bure; Jonathan Rhys Meyers (“August Rush”); D.L. Hughley (“NY Comedy Festival”) in “Joy’s Comedy Corner.”

THURSDAY, NOV. 22 (Repeat; Original air date: 11/5/07) –Jerry Seinfeld (“Bee Movie”); musical guest Brooks & Dunn.

FRIDAY, NOV. 23 – Musical guest Celine Dion; Michael Symon (“The Next Iron Chef”).

Announcement time, everyone! I am participating in an exciting contest called “Project Blog” put on by Reality on Bravo to coincide with this season of Project Runway.

Each week I will have to do a special post dictated by the contest organizers which is based on the theme of that week’s episode of Project Runway. The best post each week will win prizes and the worst will be eliminated from the competition.

From the organizers of the contest:

Project Blog is an on-going competition at Reality on Bravo where top-notch bloggers from around the world are competing to be named the ultimate “top blogger.” We’ve got some great prizes lined up, and there’s good news - you can win too! Every Monday, I’ll announce the weekly sponsor and the prize. Make sure that you play every week - you can win some amazing things, thanks to our awesome sponsors!

The winners will be determined by a panel of judges, as well as from votes by readers! That’s where you come in! I need you all to vote for me to help keep me in the competition. This is the first week of the competition and I will have my post up at the end of this week. I will give you all the details then on where to go to vote!

Every week there is a great new sponsor and I will be posting a little bit about each one as the weeks go by. This week’s sponsor is Ecoist.com. Here is a little bit about the company:

Ecoist’s eco-friendly bracelets are created with recycled papers like candy wrappers and soda labels, and for every “Stop Global Warming” bracelet sold, the company will plant a tree!

According to Jonathan Marcoschamer from Ecoist, “Our objective is to merge design with social and environmental consciousness to provide stylish, functional, and durable products that people will love to own. All our products are made from recycled, organic, or earth-friendly materials, and are manufactured through our network of fair trade partnerships around the world.”

They don’t just make bracelets either - at Ecoist’s website, you can find all sorts of handmade items made from recycled products. Check out the movie billboard handbags, the recycled records bowls, the reusable shopping bags, and all of the other great products available for purchase at their site. The best part? Everything is moderately priced, so you don’t have to break your budget to grab some great gear at their site!

What’s even better, is that you, as a reader, can win prizes each week too! Here is a description on how you can enter, according to Reality on Bravo:

Want a chance to win this week’s prize? You can enter up to three times! For one chance, leave a comment on this post on Reality on Bravo with your favorite product from Ecoist’s website (make sure to use a valid email address to win). For a second chance, blog about this contest on your own site and email the link to me at allison.boyer-at-yahoo-dot-com. Want a third chance? Check back here on Friday, vote for your favorite in our Project Blog competition, and leave a comment showing support! The winner will be drawn at random from all qualifying entries.

I think that this should be a fun competition! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions and check back later this week for my first contest entry and information on how to vote!

The View, Reality on Bravo, Project Runway, Project Blog, Bravo TV, Heidi Klum, Ecoist

As I previously mentioned, Sherri Shepherd is one of the contestants on celebrity Wheel of Fortune. Her episode will air tonight, Tuesday November 13th! Check your local listings for time.  If you want an inside scoop on how she did, check out my previous post on the topic here.  I will also post a recap later tonight.

Sherri Shepherd, The View, Wheel of Fortune

Elisabeth Hasselbeck called in live to The View this morning to reveal the name of her new baby boy, who was born last Friday in Arizona.

The baby’s name is: Taylor Thomas Hasselbeck

What do you all think of the name?

Elisabeth said that she was in labor “4 or 5 thousand hours” and said that she was “immune to the epidural.” Grace is “in love” with him and tried to feed him Goldfish crackers.

Sherri jokingly asked “Are you back to a size 0 yet?” and Laura asked if Taylor was already a registered Republican. Elisabeth joked that she delivered the baby on a treadmill while watching President Bush.

Elisabeth is breast feeding and she joked that everytime she looks down she thinks of Sherri.

(Note: Tim was in this picture, but when I took the photo off the television, I accidentally cut his head off. So I just cropped him out completely)

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, The View, Tim Hasselbeck, Arizona Cardinals

ABC announced today that The View host Elisabeth Hasselbeck gave birth to a healthy baby boy on Friday at a hospital in Arizona. The baby weighed in at 7 pounds and 15 ounces. No word yet on the name for the little one. (I am guessing Tim, Jr., though). Elisabeth will reveal the name when she calls into The View on Monday.

Husband Tim Hasselbeck released a statement stating “Elisabeth and I are happy to announce the arrival of our son and we’re thrill he arrived safely. Both mom and son are happy and healthy.” (I am not sure if the typo of “thrill,” as opposed to “thrilled” was in his statement or if it was an error by ABC news where I read the quote)

source

Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Tim Hasselbeck, The View

Stephen Colbert!!

Stephen Colbert was first mentioned in the comments by Peaches, so she is the winner of The View mug. I have also chosen two random winners, so check your e-mail to see if you have won!

I chose Stephen Colbert because I think that it would be really funny, for many of the reasons Peaches mentioned in her well reasoned entry. I am sure that Barbara Walters would be mystified by him. I can just imagine Whoopi reading from her card, saying something like, “So, you believe in, uh, truthiness?” I think that Joy would “get” him and it would be interesting to see if Sherri would play along, agreeing with any of his ideals.

Thanks to all who entered! This was definitely my most successful contest in terms of reader response! It was a difficult decision, as many of the other entries were very clever as well. I could many of the people mentioned working out well at the table with the current ladies. I really wish that the folks at ABC were as clever as all of you are in terms of creativity in choosing hosts. I do feel like they are scared at this point and trying to be safe, so as not to offend. Of course, as many of you have also pointed out, that can make for really dull television.

Unfortunately, of course, I have no pull with ABC and they probably would not do anything this interesting anyway, so we will instead be forced to watch more soap stars and tabloid show hosts guest hosting.

For more information on Stephen Colbert, visit Colbert Nation.

The View, Stephen Colbert

Don’t forget to enter the Watching the View “Pick a Guest Host” contest!

Let us know who you would pick to fill in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck while she on maternity leave.

All of the details of the contest can be found here.

Since the last contest I had may have been a bit too challenging, I decided that this contest should be easy.

The Rules:
Leave a comment on this blog naming who you would pick to be a View guest host for Elisabeth Hasselbeck in her absence. You must also say why you would think that person would make a great guest host.

The best answer (completely subjective from my point of view) will win a View fall mug. Feel free to name someone who has already guest hosted, but in terms of creativity points you may want to select someone new.

Everyone else who enters will have their name placed in a hat and two randomly selected people will also win a View fall mug.

You must use a valid e-mail address when you leave your comment or I will not be able to contact you if you are one of the selected winners.

Deadline for entries is October 30th at 5:00 p.m. central time. One entry per person.

Questions? Leave a comment or e-mail at winnieblogs(at)gmail.com (Replace (at) with @)