Making Fun of Me: March 2010

Monday 15 March 2010

Side Dish - 15th Mar.

Side Dish - Scotty's Food Blog from ABC, Brothers & Sisters.

They say that when one door closes another opens. Well, I certainly hope so, because until that happens you can feel stuck in a room with no way out. As I'm sure many of you know by now, San Estephe closed its doors for good this week. Despite our best efforts at staying afloat, we went the way of so many other small restaurants in a down turned economy.

I almost couldn't bring myself to write a blog this week. Its hard to not feel like a failure when you pour your heart and soul into something only to see it not succeed in the ways you had hoped. But my Dad used to tell me, "You're only responsible for the effort, not the outcome, kid." I guess I will just hold onto the idea that everything happens for a reason. So as long as the reason this happened isn't so the universe could get a good laugh at my expense. You know, sometimes you're on top and you're totally in control. Other times you're on the bottom where all you can do is grit your teeth while you get slammed from all sides. At least Kevin can commiserate.

So what's next for me in the long term? Who knows? I can always do some catering to make ends meet. Maybe I'll get to open my own restaurant some day. A place that I've dreamt up all by myself. What's next for me in the short term? A little bit of comfort food (see recipe below) and a few bottles of wine that were gifted to me from the bar at San Estephe.

Scotty's Mac and Cheese

1 Box Large Pasta Shells
¼ cup butter for sauce and ¼ for top of casserole
¼ cup flour
2 cups whole milk
Salt, pepper, garlic salt, onion salt to taste
Splash Worcheshire sauce
1 8oz bar of sharp cheddar cheese cubed
1 8oz bar of extra sharp cheddar cheese cubed
2 cups Italian style bread crumbs

1.) Cook pasta as directed by box and set to the side
2.) In a medium saucepan melt butter mixing together with flour over medium heat.
3.) Gradually add milk while stirring. The sauce should get think.
4.) Add salt, pepper, onion and garlic to taste.
5.) Add Worcheshire sauce.
6.) Add sharp cheeses while stirring continuously.
7.) After all the cheese melts combine with pasta and pour into casserole dish.
8.) Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and dob butter on top.
9.) Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or until bubbling.
10.) You can take the cover off for the last 5 mins if you want it crispy on top.
11.) Cool and serve.

You look so sad, Scotty. I'll give you a big hug.

An article from AfterElton.com

AfterElton.com's Top 50 Gay Characters of All Time!

by AfterElton.com Staff
March 15, 2010

5. Scotty (Brothers & Sisters)

Previous rank: 19

Played by actor Luke Macfarlane (2006 - present)

Let's face it: playing the spouse to one of the Walker's screwed-up family members on Brothers & Sisters is a thankless role. You get a couple of scenes per episode, at most. So what is it about Luke Macfarlane's portrayal of Scotty Wandell that has caught the attention of so many AfterElton.com readers? There's something about Scotty's quiet grace that is both infectious and truly touching ? especially in the face of Kevin's non-stop neurosis. It probably doesn't hurt Macfarlane is drop-dead gorgeous.

6. Kevin (Brothers & Sisters)

Previous rank: 4

Played by actor Matthew Rhys (2006 - present)

Like Brian Kinney, Kevin Walker on Brothers & Sisters proves you don't always have to be “likable” to be interesting. And in the hands of an actor less talented than Matt Rhys, we suspect that viewers would've rejected this frequently whiny, selfish windbag years ago. But there's something about Rhys' portrayal of Kevin ? the way he hides the character's insecurity, even as he makes it screamingly obvious ? that makes you feel protective of the poor guy. Sure, he's fussy, needy, and gives new meaning to the expression “high maintenance.” But let's face it: we all know that guy ? and in some cases, we are that guy!

Original Article: http://www.afterelton.com/TV/2010/02/top-fifty-gay-tv-characters

Brothers & Sisters S4E17

"Freeluc.com"

It's a bit unusual situation for them to have a proposal of Kevin that Scotty should open his own restaurant, I assume. I mean most of time Kevin talks about himself. Anyways I love their conversation at the beginning of this clip.

Scotty: You were pretty good in bed last night
Kevin: Yes I was, hey, let's do that again!

and I wonder why Sarah is the one who always interrupts when they are on this moment. But I like Sarah.
Also I like scenes where Scotty's chef uniform's buttons are buttoned, then unbuttoned, again buttoned, they're in a very short scene though.

Kevin: Kevin one one, what's your emergency?

That's also cute, I think.

21st annual GLAAD

Award Recipients for the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards - New York

GLAAD Media Award recipients were announced in 24 of this year's 32 media categories at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented in New York by IBM and Prudential at the Marriott Marquis on Saturday night. Additional awards will be presented in Los Angeles on April 17 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, and in San Francisco on June 5 at the Westin St. Francis.

Awards Presented on Stage

Outstanding Drama Series	Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series

Brothers and Sisters (ABC)	Prayers for Bobby (Lifetime)

Outstanding TV Journalism Segment	Outstanding Digital Journalism Article

"Why Will Won't Pledge Allegiance" American Morning (CNN)	Two-Way Tie: "'We Love You, This Won't Change a Thing'" by John Buccigross (ESPN.com) "Why Can't You Just Butch Up? Gay Men, Effeminacy, and Our War with Ourselves" by Brent Hartinger (AfterElton.com)

http://www.glaad.org/Page.aspx?pid=1342

Friday 12 March 2010

Quiz

How Well Do You Know "Brothers & Sisters?"

95%
(19 out of 20 Questions Correct)

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Brothers & Sisters renewed for Season 5

Brothers and Sisters Renewed for Season 5 announced by ABC

'Brothers and Sisters' Renewed for Season Five
by Allison Waldman, posted Mar 9th 2010 7:30AM

The powers that be at ABC have good reasons to be feeling good about the network's success. They've had a really good year developing some new shows, like 'Modern Family,' 'The Middle' and 'Cougar Town' -- all of which have been given a renewal for next season. And today an established drama, 'Brothers and Sisters,' was given a fifth season pickup. You know what that means, don't you? Pop the cork! Let the merlot and pinot grigio flow, the Walkers and Ojai Foods are going to continue on for another year of whining and wining.

The pickup is not particularly surprising, but in light of the recent news that Rob Lowe is exiting the show -- reportedly for a part on 'Parks and Recreation' on NBC -- and the fact that Calista Flockhart will be cutting back on her episode commitment, it's great news. You never know how these networks crunch the numbers; someone might have deemed the large ensemble too expensive for the Nielsen numbers it regularly draws.

But ABC has benefited from a stable Sunday night line up for a while. That's why 'Brothers and Sisters' renewal should signal a similar move for 'Desperate Housewives.'

With the upcoming flashback episode promising to uncover some Walker family secrets, plus the emergence of Dennis York (actor Peter Gerety) as an old enemy of William's, there'll be no lack of drama. Kitty's Senatorial campaign should also be a major story line, and could explain why Calista won't be in every episode.

Anyway you cut it, this is good news for 'Brothers and Sister' fans. Nobody was ready for the Walkers to wrap it all up this season.

Wednesday 3 March 2010

PopEater article

Luke was at St. David’s Day party hosted by Matthew Rhys.

Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham, Anne Hathaway (Plus Inflatible Sheep) Party with 'Brothers and Sisters'

How do you know when a party is a hit? When Jessica Alba, Victoria Beckham and Anne Hathaway are partying with the 'Brothers and Sisters' cast (along with one mysterious inflatable sheep) until closing time.

Such was the case at Matthew Rhys' St. David's Day party on Saturday at LA's trendy Palihouse Hotel. Things were going so strong that 'The Office's' Rashida Jones brought friends such as Alba from her birthday party in another section of the hotel to join in late at night.

"It was pretty crowded especially when Rashida and Jessica merged their birthday party at midnight," one guest tells PopEater. "It never really slowed down."

Victoria Beckham (without David) and Anne Hathaway circulated around the party, which featured a public outing of newly-engaged Dave Annabel and fiance Odette Yustman. The two happily relaxed with Annabel's co-stars, including his ex Emily VanCamp. "They were all hanging out at a for a while," says the guest. "Everyone looked pretty relaxed and happy."

Rhys's party, sponsored by Bavaria Beer and Belvedere Vodka, celebrated the annual holiday for St. David, the patron saint of Wales, part of the United Kingdom. The proud Welshman concocted an intricate menu of Welsh-themed drinks such as the "The Green, Green Grass of Home" (Belvedere with basil, fresh pineapple and a dash of syrup).

"This is his annual party even if most Americans don't know what the day is all about," say the guest. "They still managed to enjoy the cocktails."

The party featured many 'Brothers and Sisters' cast members, including Rachel Griffiths and Luke Macfarlane, British stars such as Stephen Fry and a good percentage of the Welsh stars in Hollywood (um...Rhys). It also featured an inflatable Welsh sheep.

"In true Welsh tradition, the partiers stayed to the bitter end and the Palihouse closed," says our participant. "The sheep went home with someone, I don't know who."

Tuesday 2 March 2010

The TVSA Interview: Luke Macfarlane (re-blog)

I already posted about this article though, I'd like to post it again with the copy. My original blog is here, and the original article is here.

[Source]

The TVSA Interview: Luke Macfarlane

Tuesday, August 11, 2009
by Tashi Tagg

Hold onto your siblings B&S junkies! (I couldn't resist:0.)

Brothers & Sisters is back on M-Net this Thursday (13 August at 20h30) for more Walker fadventures (family adventures) after Season 2 ended with Kevin and Scotty getting married.

Actors Luke Macfarlane (who plays hotty Scotty) and Dave Annable (Lustin'-for-Rebecca Justin) visited Cape Town recently - to hang out, check it out and chat about the show.

I caught up with each of them to get the goss on the new season and find out more about them.

They stayed at the schmancy One & Only hotel - where they zap your car from you to park it even when you don't want them too (mine needed a clean) .

Here's what Luke had to say .... (to tune into Dave, please click HERE.)

"I'd like to thank my family"

Tashi: The show's reception and it's winning awards - why do you think it’s had such success?
Luke: I think everyone imagines their family as the Walker family and also, there haven’t been a lot of family drama’s on TV in a long time. Everyone can kinda see their family in different ways, in all the individual moments.

Tashi: Do you see your family?
Luke: Oh yes absolutely, my mother’s like Sally Field very much.

Tashi: I hear you have a twin sister?
Luke: I do.

Tashi: And you have an older sister?
Luke: I do.

Tashi: So who’s side does your twin sister take when there’s a Brothers & Sisters fiasco going on?
Luke: Mmmmm ... my twin sister’s most like Sarah - Rachel Griffith’s character - and my older sister’s most like Kitty (Calista Flockhart). Most of the time we’re on our own side, we’re always warring but my twin sister - she’s my twin so she always has my back.

Tashi: Do you look exactly the same?
Luke: We look nothing alike, my entire family looks like a group of strangers - it’s very strange.

"I need more lines - NOW."

Tashi: Could you tell us more about how the show’s written? Do the writers use their own experiences for the storylines?
Luke: A lot of it has - one of the writers who writes my storyline also writes the storylines for Calista Flockhart. He’s in the process of trying to have a baby and much of his experience with his partner became the exact experience you’ll see Kitty go through in the new season.

Tashi: And the actors? Do you contribute too?
Luke: It’s different - every actor is different that way. I tend to be hands off, I trust that ... you know, so much of my experience on the show has just been about waiting to see what comes to me.

I started off the show not as a series regular and more and more and more came so I’m just gonna sit back and wait to see what comes to me.

I’m not go gonna knock on the door and say “What are you doing with me?” - there are so many actors on the show that I don’t want to be a squeaky wheel.

Tashi: Yes are there are actors going “Argh!” ‘cos you’re getting a bigger role now? *booyakasha sound effect!*
Luke: You didn’t hear it from me. *booyakasha again!* There are so many people on our show, you kinda got to fight for your place.

Tashi: How does it work? If you’re an actor who wants to do more - what do they base the decision on? Your performances? Your role? How do you go about getting increasing your role?
Luke: I think you actually knock on the door of the producer - literally and figuratively. You talk one-on-one. Also there’s the sense that good work begets good work too.

"Mayday! they're gay"

Tashi: Current affairs also influences the storylines a lot?
Luke: Yes, with Kevin and Scotty very much as they’ve gone through the marriage thing, we’ve been through Proposition 8 in California recently. Also Justin going off to war - as many current events that we can bring in, that makes the show as alive as possible.

Tashi: Their marriage is obviously a commentary on all the controversy surrounding gay marriage in the US and also the senator and his attitudes.
Luke: Yeah, it’s a very interesting thing in California - we recently found out that the courts are going to uphold the marriages that did happen so that was nice to know that Kevin and Scotty are still going to be married.

Just after we got married the vote came through and people were wondering “What’s gonna happen with all the people who got married before?” and we’ve just heard that they’re all still married.

Tashi: South Africa’s right up there with Amsterdam when it comes to such things.
Luke: Yes, I just learned that yesterday.

Tashi: I’ve never been certain about how it works in the US - I was reading about it and there’s only about four states where it’s legal.
Luke: Yes, there’s also the difference between state law and federal law ... there’s still a long way to go in the US.

"Do my pecs look big in this?"

Tashi: What of your own experiences do you bring to Scotty?
Luke: I’m patient like Scotty, I guess I’m a good listener - he’s changed a lot though and so have I. It’s a very difficult question to ask an actor because you’re never quite sure. One thing I can say though is that I can’t cook.

Tashi: Snap. When you’re on set and the camera’s are about to roll - what goes through your head? Your lines? Your relationship?
Luke: All of that. That’s what makes acting difficult - you’ve got to think about it all, get to the right marker at the right time, say the right line, turn your head at the right time and you’ve got to feel, you have to have the experience and then you’ve got to think “Gosh - do I look good? Is my hair nice?” *laughs*

BFs (Best faves)

Tashi: Out of the two seasons so far - what’s your all-time fave scene that you’ve played?
Luke: I think it’s definitely the marriage proposal when Kevin asks Scotty to marry him. It was my favourite moment to shoot, my favourite moment to watch - I thought it was a really true and honest moment.

Tashi: And your most difficult?
Luke: My first day on set. It’s always hard because you haven’t quite figured out the character yet so you’re always kind of moving around a little bit.

You’re not quite sure if you’re in the right clothes or hairdo - you’ll see that Scotty looks a lot different and acts a lot different in the early episodes ‘cos I wasn’t even quite sure of him yet.

Tashi: I suppose there was also the thing that you weren’t sure of everyone - like you were joining a family who knew each other.
Luke: Oh very much so it’s like the first day of Grade school when you’re a kid - you want to be popular and cool and pick up with the right people.

Tashi: It's similar to the show too - Scotty coming into the big family and so on.
Luke: Yes except Scotty’s so self-assured - which is something, I’m not as self-assured as him - it’s something I admire about him very much.

Season 3 Sneak Peak

Tashi: Season 3 - what’s in store for Kevotty?
Luke: Well definitely one of the questions that comes up is finances - in most relationships this is the big deal - the thing they say is that one of the main things couples fight about is money.

Kevin’s always been the main breadwinner and Scotty starts to make a little bit more money than Kevin so that challenges him a little bit.

Tashi: It’s good that you’re dealing with money because so many shows don’t. It’s like Prison Break - I once read a story about Prison Break asking where do they get all the money to keep running?? It's so true.
Luke: Money’s boring but it’s an important part of a relationship.

Tashi: Except for Kevin, who’s your fave Walker sibling?
Luke: Scotty gets along with Sarah very very well. She’s wild, she’s got a great sense of humour, also I think Kevin gets along with her well too and you’re always attracted to the sibling your spouse gets along with most.

This interview was held more than six months ago, so I thought it might be interesting to read it again at this time, because recently Luke had a couple of interviews with Matthew Rhys on Daily Telegraph and AfterElton, and I reckon the comparison between those interviews probably make us more interesting.
Those interviews are pretty good and I guess he's become more comfortable with having interviews.

Monday 1 March 2010

Brothers & Sisters S4E16

"Leap of Faith"

It was a little disappointment because there weren't much scenes of Scotty. In this season, we can see a lot of scenes where Scotty and Kevin are together compare to the last season though, I still feel like it's not enough.
I'm not a big fan of Kevin works for Robert storyline, so I am really happy for it's over. Since I heard somewhere that Rob Lowe would leave Brothers & Sisters, I'm wondering how Kitty goes. I'm not interested in Kitty story, then I don't care actually.

Side Dish - 1st Mar.