TORI, TORI, TORI

I've been around Tori Spelling many times in the past... But my most recent encounter, an interview for her new book "Mommywood" was perhaps the most enlightening. Here was a young woman, now a Mom of two, happily married and spread waaaay thin with a reality show, episodes of the new 90210, a book tour, and get this, her babies are both under the age of two.

Dean, her husband, is quite the hands-on Dad... and for Tori, having come from such privilege, I'm struck now by just how 'normal' she really is. Sure, her Dad Aaron was one of the biggest TV moguls ever, and sure, she had a questionable relationship with her Mother, Candy, who really tried to usurp her daughter's book-release, by 'releasing' her own public letter to Tori on her website the night before, begging Tori to 'step up' and allow Candy to see her and her grandchildren.

Through it all, Tori smiles... almost naively, and is very self-deprecating. She says, her Mother knows where she lives, and she knows her cell phone number and email... So, why oh why would Candy be making this a 'public' thing on her website? Feeling a little overshadowed by her own daughter?

There are two sides to every story, and for those kids sake, it would be nice for whomever is holding the hatchet, to bury it, so the kids could have a Grandmother... life is too short.

On Broadway...

So, being a correspondent for Extra sometimes, no, for me, most times means being more than just on TV.  I write and produce a lot of the pieces that I do on the show.  It's just the way it is. Not all the correspondents do, but that bit of inequity is another blog down the road.  At this point, after 9 seasons on the show, there is a lot of pressure for us to actually "book" the celebrities we interview.  Not as easy as it sounds.  

Oh, the people who run the show think it's a piece of cake asking so and so celeb for their cell phone number or email, with their publicist several inches from your face... No, it's not.   It's rare and random when you do get the actor or celeb's personal information, and it's usually after years of a relationship where they feel comfortable enough... Well, that happened recently with Rosie O'Donnell, who gave me her email address a month or so ago at the premiere of her Lifetime movie "America."   

Now, Extra has wanted Rosie "off the red carpet" for years... meaning, in a more personal setting, on our own terms, with a little more time then a few minutes to grab a couple of 'soundbites' -- so I emailed her.  Funny thing happened, she emailed me back... after a few back and forth exchanges about what's really important to her in her life right now in addition to her partnership and her children, Rosie said her Broadway Kids School.  So, I said, let's make it happen.   

What a day we had at her brand-spanking new facility on W. 45th, in the heart of the theatre district, where kids, mostly underprivileged, who would never have the chance to sing, dance, learn to play an instrument in public school, with all the cutbacks... but here they have a chance to flourish and learn to belt out a tune, or tap dance to their heart's content.

After our interview--probably the most personal I've ever heard the outspoken Ro get -- and a tour (**all of which will air on EXTRA in May -- you know, the all-important sweeps month where every show saves their best stuff to air)... we were treated to a mini-show by some of the kids... so fresh and honest they were, in their performances.. not 'show kids' at all... you know what I mean?   

Then, a private dinner with corporate benefactors on the rooftop deck of the school.  Catered by the fabulous "44th and 10th" restaurant, whose waiters ran the food from around the corner up the block and up to the top floor... every course... bravo!   There was Rosie, heading up an intimate table for 12, holding court, in all her glory... Regaling us with story upon story, and yet being the consummate host, making everyone feel at home.   A truly memorable evening.

That was Thursday of this week.  Friday comes, and my show is able to get me a couple of last minute tickets to the revival of "Hair" on Broadway.  It just opened on Tuesday to rave reviews, including Ben Brantley's soaring write-up in The New York Times.   Because the tickets were last minute, literally given to me a couple hours before curtain, I had a hard time finding a friend from NY available and willing.  One friend said, I'm not a Broadway show kinda person. What??  Everyone should have the opportunity to see a Broadway show, and be moved.. be uplifted.  

I get to box office and pick up my tickets. While waiting in line, I glance over and see a young couple smiling and kinda staring.  I smiled back courteously.  As I was walking past them, a gentleman was selling them one of his tickets that would have gone unused by friends of his stuck at an airport, or something.  Knowing I had an extra ticket that I didn't want to have go to waste, I asked if they needed a ticket.  They were thrilled.    

The guy then said to me, "you know, when I was in 3rd grade, you came and spoke at my school in Philadelphia" -- holy crap did I feel old!  Here's a grown man with his pretty girlfriend (ok, they're maybe just a couple years out of college, but still!) telling me that when he was essentially still in diapers, he was watching me on TV in Philly, and that I came to his school and spoke to his class.... which, when I clear the cobwebs of memories from my 9 years on-air in Philly, I did a lot of that.  I enjoyed it too... kids' career days at elementary and high school levels... It was always fun for me.  I think because I always secretly wanted to be a teacher.   

Anyway, Brett and Julia and I proceeded in to the theatre.  What a marvel the show was! Hugely entertaining and moving and interactive and exciting and, well I could go on and on... The cast, simply stellar.  And they're nekkid at one point... hmmmm ... sells tickets!   The cast really involves the audience in the show, but not in a cheesy, dinner-theatery way... It's organic and fun.  

Here's the best part:  if you've ever dreamed of being ON BROADWAY, literally...ON a Broadway stage, this is a must-see.  During the curtain call, as "Let the Sunshine" is blasting through the theatre, the cast members invite anyone up on the stage with them for that moment.  To be there, looking back toward the audience, seeing the enormity of the theatre and the audience, the orchestra and the balcony... as the kids say: OMG!!!  It was truly a moment I won't soon forget.  A moment that will be forever seared in my heart and mind.