Author: Francine Brokaw

‘Rally Road Racers’ is a fun film for everyone

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Rally Road Racers is a fun animated film about friendship, family, and definitely racing.  It is fast-paced and filled with cute characters.

Zhi (Jimmy O. Yang), a little Loris, has dreamt of being a road racer his whole life. Unbeknownst to him, his mother was also in the racing mode, however she passed away before Zhi knew anything about her. Zhi talks to her picture all the time, which pulls at viewers’ heartstrings. This fellow lives with his grandmother (Lisa Lu) who looks after him and attempts to quell his racing dreams.

His dreams are large and he is a good racer but he never manages to pull of a big win. Then when his small Loris Slow Village, the last in China, is about to be demolished by the greedy and unscrupulous road racer Archie Vainglorious (John Cleese), Zhi turns his attention to saving his home and the village. With the big Silk Road Rally looming in the very near future, Zhi makes a deal with Vainglorious. If Zhi wins then Vainglorious will give his grandmother back the deed to her house. If Vainglorious wins then Zhi will be the poster boy for him. 

Zhi enlists the help of Gnash (J.K. Simmons), a goat that has a great talent for creating just the right tool for any occasion and a former racer himself. He always has a bumper sticker thought ready to impart. Together they begin the race with Zhi attempting to not only be the next great racer, but also win the bet to win back his ancestral home.

As the race continues through treacherous terrain, Zhi follows the advice of Gnash and they turn out to be a pretty great team. Then Zhi ups the bet with Vainglorious that if he wins then Vainglorious will let the entire village alone. If Vainglorious wins then Zhi must  become one of his “echoes.”  These little guys are dutiful and obey their boss. They might remind viewers of the Minions in the popular Despicable Me franchise.

This is a whacky story with some great scenes, and even though they are animated they still get the heart racing, no pun intended. It is a shame that many kids’ animated films have a deceased mother though.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Loris mammal, they live in Southern Asia and are slow-moving mammals, but little Zhi does not want to follow his grandmother’s traditions of Tai Chi and getting in touch with his inner self. He has a need for speed. 

What is inspiring about the story is the sense of family that winds its way through the film. Yes, Zhi wants to win the race and become a champion, but even more than that, he wants to win to save his grandmother’s home and the whole village.

The Silk Road was a trade route that wound through China. It connected small villages from the East to the West. This route was used for about 1400 years but became obsolete when ocean transportation made travel faster and cheaper.

Rally Road Racers is cute for all ages.  It is rated PG for some mild violence and rude humor. It opens in theaters May 12, 2023. Start your engines. This is a race to remember.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Judy Blume Forever’ looks at the work, the life, and the legacy of the American author

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Now streaming on Prime Video, Judy Blume Forever is an interesting look at how Blume affected so many lives through her novels. By not resisting the forces that be to write about benign subjects, Blume’s honest approach to growing up under a variety of situations and circumstances has made her one of the most beloved authors for young adults – and adults. She never shied away from her characters experiences and thoughts involving parents, emotions, bullying, weight, and sex. 

Do you remember your first Judy Blume novel? Mine was Forever, so I was particularly drawn to this documentary. I remember being fascinated by the characters, and I plan on rereading that book in the near future. 

What is mind-opening about this documentary is how many young people continually wrote to Judy through the years and even asked her for advice. She became the beacon that was missing in their lives. No other author was tackling subjects the way she did. No other author resonates with young adults in the way she does.

With interviews with Judy herself, her family, her friends, and several of those who were deeply affected by her novels, this documentary is definitely eye-opening. It shows the hunger young readers have for someone telling stories that reached the depths of their emotions and touched their senses in a way that was unique and fun to read. She simply tells it like it is.

Another aspect that stands out in this film is the deep commitment Judy has to/for her readers. She maintained relationships with several of those who continually wrote to her over the years. What a special person she is to do this. Many people would probably toss away her letters, but not Judy. She kept them and in this film reads from many of them.

Coming up against backlash for many of her subjects, Blume was never deterred from continuing to write about life the way it is. She never sugar coated anything. She stuck it out even though she had enormous backlash. And for that bravery and commitment to free speech, all I can say is, “Bravo.”

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

‘James Cagney Was My Babysitter’ book review

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

To say Ryan Cassidy’s family is famous is putting it mildly. His father was actor/singer Jack Cassidy. His mother is actor/singer Shirley Jones. His brothers are all actors and singers. Now they have an author in the family. Yes, Ryan did his share of acting and is now a respected set decorator in the family business. However, with his new children’s book, James Cagney Was My Babysitter, Ryan steps into the world of book writing.

When he was eight-years-old, Ryan was supposed to spend the day with his dad who was separated at the time from his mom. Well, it turns out his dad had something important he had to do so the Cagney’s – family friends – said they would look after the young boy while Jack was busy. 

Ryan was a shy little kid, yet knowing he was going to spend the day with a man who had been his mother’s co-star in a movie allayed his concerns. What ended up happening was that Ryan learned a lot about the famous actor who taught him that imagination is important at any age. 

Cagney was not only an actor, he was somewhat of an artist and drew a picture for Ryan, which he has hanging in his house today. The hours they spent together always stayed with Ryan, and now he put that experience in a cute little book for kids. Along with drawings to exemplify the story, this is an adorable book that kids will enjoy and parents will enjoy reading to their little ones. 

This is definitely a fun book for everyone. And, even if you haven’t heard of Jimmy Cagney, this is still a cute little story about an adorable little eight-year-old Ryan.

  • Publisher  :  GoodKnight Books
  • ISBN-10  :  1735273856
  • ISBN-13  :  978-1735273853
  • Reading age  :  9 – 12 years
  • Grade level  :  4 – 7

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Couples Therapy’ Season 3 Part 2 demonstrates how the guilty party’s coping mechanism fails to reflect reality

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The ‘wild experiment’ turned the TCA Award-winning Couples Therapy follows the world-renowned psychologist/psychoanalyst Dr. Orna Guralnik as she guides couples through the rough waters of long-term relationship/marriage.

The second part of Season 3 returns to Showtime featuring four new couples: Brock & Kristi, married 15 years; Sean & Erica, married 8 years; Josh & Natasha, together 4 years; and Nadine & Christine, together 16 months. In previous seasons, Guralnik showcased and demonstrated that it was possible to find common ground with someone who saw the world quite differently than we did. In this installment, however, reaching common ground seems ever more elusive than before compounded by the fact that the younger generation is disillusioned with monogamy and questions what it means to be in a relationship.

It is heartbreaking to see the cheaters — Kristi, Sean, and Nadine — push for ‘forget-the-past-and-move-on’ tune-up while the cheated — Brock, Erica, and Christine — suffer mentally, emotionally, and physically right in front of their eyes. The remorseless cheaters hide behind the walls they’ve built as a way of avoiding those parts of the self that remain unpalatable and unacknowledged; shame, guilt, fear, inadequacy, resentment, and then some. It’s no wonder why Guralnik simply cannot identify/find/see them.

“Monogamy is a farce,” vents Sean from the get-go. His dismissiveness as well as gaslighting rhetoric present a therapeutic challenge to Guralnik; what is he hiding or defending himself against? After much trial and error, Guralnik is successful in bringing out the little boy who was deeply wounded by his mother’s constant reminder that he is nothing but a dyslexic screw-up. His childhood wound that evokes shame and self-loathing is the reason why he avoids anything and everything that make him feel bad about himself.

Kristi, on the other hand, proudly claims that her affair has nothing to do with Brock and wonders why the most exhilaratingly liberating and healing experience of her entire life could be the point of contention. Duh! Seriously? This is far more layered than Sean’s case.

Call it thwarted revenge or harbored resentment toward Brock who ‘sacrificed’ her for years in the Mormon Church in order to maintain the institution of marriage! All sorts of breaches happened between them and how they arrive at some sense of trust is the issue here, but her downright refusal to promise not to hurt him again, snarky remarks, and nasty glares suggest that this is not a negotiation of differences, but rather a ‘Kristi’s War to End All Wars’; she hopes the resolution will come if only Brock understands her and stops being cruel to her. If looks could kill, Brock would most certainly have died a painful and excruciating death a thousand times.

As long as Brock represents a threat to Kristi’s hard-earned freedom from church, patriarchy, and family, and richly-deserved sense of control over her life, there’s no way she is jumping back into any kind of confinement, let alone her marriage — the stifling patriarchal and sexist institution to control women. The High and Mighty Kristi simply cannot stand in the space of being the person who has harmed her husband on purpose. It’s always easier to blame anything or anyone, but yourself and dodge accountability by making Brock responsible for her heinous actions.

Unlike the unexpressive or checked-out participants from earlier seasons, the victims in this installment stand up for themselves, articulately express their feelings and ask for what they need. Good for them! Therefore, in this installment, Guralnik acts as an archaeologist to excavate the participants’ pre-existing self-sabotaging behavior, particularly the ‘enigmatic unconscious’ since they don’t always know what’s motivating them and what’s at play. At the same time, she performs as an interpreter for the gaslighters’ view of reality spoken in gibberish. “How do you conduct therapy when people are not committed to truth and honesty?” Guralnik’s frustration is certainly not lost on me.

Couples Therapy returns to Showtime on Friday, April 28 with back-to-back increments weekly. All nine episodes will be available on April 28 across streaming and on demand for all Showtime subscribers.

About the Author

Meg Mimura is a TV critic who actually watches shows zealously in search of thought-provoking and paradigm shifting human drama worth our precious time. She is a member of Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter.

New collection from Armitron

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

The Armitron Loves Johnny collection of watches contains some very colorful pieces of jewelry along with some pretty classic looks. The collection is a collaboration between Emmy Award-winning costume designer/stylist/creative director Johnny Wujek and the Armitron company.

According to Armitron, “Our partnership with Johnny takes it to the next level. The ‘king of pop-rock couture’ brings a bold and modern perspective to Armitron. The first drop of our collaboration is inspired by Johnny’s favorite mix of colors, materials and finishes. This curated collection of 12 reimagined watch styles reflects his dynamic personality and the quality craftsmanship of an Armitron timepiece.”

 

Johnny’s fresh approach to styling is a bit adventurous yet always has the classic touch. And these watches show those aspects in a fun yet functional way. Back in 2014 the Hollywood Reporter named Johnny Wujek one of the top 25 most powerful stylists. So joining with Armitron adds one more notch in his belt and one more option for stylish watches for consumers.


So, what can consumers expect from this collection? There are several options with watercolor faces, many selections have day buttons, and several styles and colors of bracelet/bands. 

Let’s get into it. I selected the Atlantis model with a yellow gold color band and a mint green face. Unfortunately this is a 40mm watch so it is just a tiny bit too large for my very skinny wrist, however for reviewing purposed I can state that this is a beautiful piece.
What I also like is the raised magnified date window, which makes reading the date much easier. I was told by someone in the know that green is the new popular color for watch faces, so that was one aspect in my selection of this style, plus the fact that is is included in both the women’s and men’s options, although these days women are wearing men’s watches all the time, providing their wrists can accommodate the size. The Atlantis is a pretty hefty weight, although not too heavy to wear comfortably. It’s definitely not flimsy.

The presentation is beautiful. The box looks like a watercolor and the Armitron Loves Johnny logo is front and center on both the external box and the internal box. The logo also appears on the clasp to distinguish this watch as one in the special collection.

Armitron is a respected watch company with affordable yet reliable and attractive timepieces, many are whimsical and many are classic. With Father’s Day quickly approaching, this might be just the right gift for a dad, hubby, grandpa, or someone else.

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Lilo & Stitch: The Official Cookbook’

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Fans of Lilo and Stitch, and all of Stitch’s cousins will enjoy creating dished that the little Hawaiian and her beloved companion would probably eat. This 

Lilo & Stitch: The Official Cookbook is filled with recipes for savory and sweet delights. 

Many of the ingredients need to be ordered (and the recipes mention that) and there are many dishes that include the Hawaiian favorite Spam. I can see substituting this with other ingredients that individuals might enjoy better. And substituting tofu or vegetables for meat will easily make the food vegetarian.

The instructions are easy to follow and the book is filled with photos of the final dishes as well as pictures of Lilo and her family.  I am planning on making the “Guava Celebration Cake” soon. It looks and sounds delicious and easy to make. It will bring the fruity taste of Aloha to our home.

The Kaua’i Sugarloaf Pineapple Salsa will definitely be making an appearance at our next get together. Combine this with chips and you have a unique snack for munching on while watching TV or just hanging out. It is much different from the usual salsa we all know. Who would have thought about mixing these ingredients for a sweet and savory salsa? 

The one recipe I know I will use over and over again is the Kuma Puloki’s Hawaiian-Style Coleslaw.  I enjoyed the coleslaw when I visited the islands and if this is anything like what I ate there, this is definitely a winner.

Perhaps families might want to begin their Hawaiian cooking experience with the Stitched Popcorn. It takes popcorn to a new level with spices, soy sauce, and cheese puffs. The recipe calls for red-hot cheese puffs however looking through this I can see that regular cheese puffs will still work for those who do not want super spicy popcorn.

What this book does is bring the traditional flavors of the island to everyone. And I bet Lilo herself would love to come over to taste your creations. Unfortunately, she lives in Kaua’i so that won’t work, but I do highly recommend trying some of these recipes to spice up your usual meals. 

For a fun time, kids can bring their plush Lilo and Stitch to the kitchen to help prepare and to the table to take part in the meal. Imagination is important at all ages, and by using these kinds of books, kids get to expand theirs and pretend they are with Lilo and Stitch. How much fun is that?

Enjoy these unusual delicacies. Aloha.

  • Publisher  :  Insight Editions (May 23, 2023)
  • Hardcover  :  128 pages
  • ISBN-10  :  164722957X
  • ISBN-13  :  978-1647229573

    • About the Reviewer

    Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

Enter ACME Looniversity this fall

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

This fall check into ACME Looniversity

Since 1933, “ACME Loo” has been the premier higher-education choice for those yearning to learn from the biggest toon stars in the looniverse!

Our esteemed faculty are legends in their fields. Learn how to survive Wabbit Season with Professor Bugs Bunny in the Center for Visual Gags. Show Coach Foghorn Leghorn that you’re fast and furry-ous in our Tooneyball games. Eat at our state-of-the-art facility run by Michigan J. Frog Star-winning Chef Lola Bunny or enjoy a coffee between classes at the Loo Bru, delivered mostly intact by Dizzy Devil. Whether it’s a masterclass in Mockery with Signage or basic Gravity Defiance, we’re here to make your toon dreams come true!

Tiny Toons Looniversity premieres this fall on Cartoon Network and Max. The half-hour animated comedy series reboots Warner Bros. Animation and Amblin Television’s Emmy Award-winning Tiny Toon Adventures for a new generation, following Babs, Buster, and the rest of the crew to Acme Looniversity. At the esteemed institution of higher hijinx learning, they form long-lasting friendships and perfect their cartoony craft while studying under the greatest cartoon characters in history, the Looney Tunes.

Tiny Toons Looniversity premieres this fall on Cartoon Network and Max.

ZAGG adds more solutions for tech users

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

ZAGG keeps adding more and more companies to its stable and therefore more and more products for a variety of assistance in the world of technology. So now, for any tech-related assistance with computers and phones, all any user needs to do is to go to ZAGG for reliable solutions to a vast variety technological accessories.

The first thing anyone needs once they purchase a smart phone or tablet is screen protection. The Invisible Shield glass elite visionguard+ is an advancement in screen protection, adding a Blue Light Filter to its anti-microbial-treated protector. This filter eases strain on eyes, and anyone who uses a computer can attest to feeling eye strain. 

Next, tablet users can add a keyboard that includes a case to safely carry the tablet. ZAGG offers two varieties of keyboards: the Pro Keys is wireless and the tablet is easily detachable from the case. The Pro Keys with Trackpad adds that additional element for users who prefer to use a trackpad instead of touching the screen or hitting keys. It’s all a matter of choice. Both keyboard cases have a compartment to store the Pro Stylus. The stylus makes making notes, sketching, and editing easy with its pen-like tip. The box contains a second tip as a backup. The other side is the usual stylus with a rounded rubber cap making scrolling and selecting items on screen easy on the hands.

For those who prefer a sturdy folio case for their tablet without the keyboard, the Havana tablet folio case is treated with an antimicrobial component. It also has a stand to easily set the tablet upright on a table or a lap. This case is added protection against damage to a tablet.

Europe has mandated that all electronics be USB capable so all new products sold must have USB ports. The old iPhones and iPads are equipped with lightning ports, and Apple is one of the last companies to change over to USB-C. However, by the end of the year their iPhones will have USB-C ports and their new iPads now are coming with USB-C ports. So, upgrading to a new phone or tables includes changing all your current cables. Of course, the products come with their own cords, but if you have additional extensions for your car or house, these need to be updated to support USB-C. Don’t worry. ZAGG has all the cables necessary to do this. 

Now, with safety and cleanliness a top priority, especially after the pandemic, the mophie UV sanitizer with wireless charging is just what users need to keep their phones germ-free. This compact and portable unit sanitizes phones in five minutes, killing 99.99 percent of most bacteria. And the unit can be used as a wireless charging station for the phone. This item does double duty.

And if someone forgets to charge their phone before going out for the day, or to add additional energy for a phone while away from home or office, the mophie powerstation gives users hours of charge and it’s small enough to fit in a pocket or purse. It’s not too heavy either. 

 

About the Reviewer

Francine Brokaw writes about products, books, travel, and entertainment. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. Follow her on Twitter.

‘Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker’ streams on Apple TV+

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Stan Smith, Andy Roddick, Rod Laver,  Pancho Gonzales, Andy Murray, Illie Nastase, Arthur Ashe, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Conners, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Roger Federer, and Boris Becker are among the best men tennis players in recent history. They dazzled us on the court and often their antics entertained fans but maybe not so much with the umpires. Boris Becker was only 17 when he burst onto the international tennis scene winning Wimbledon. His tennis was top notch but his personal life wasn’t always as great. The two-part Apple TV+ documentary, Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker, examines his rise and fall, with interviews from notable tennis players, family, friends, and Becker himself.

There are plenty of lessons to be learned from Boris Becker. First is that fame at a very young age needs to be handled with care. Those surrounding the celebrity, whether he/she is in sports or entertainment, have a duty to keep that person grounded. While Becker did have people around him, he was missing someone who could look out for his personal life and not be consumed by his performance on the court.

Another lesson from Becker and this documentary is that even though it is important to trust people, it is also important to keep an eye out for your own finances and know and understand where the money is going. It is also important for the new-found celeb to understand how to reign in finances. Once the money stops coming in, there is danger in spending the same way as when there was almost unlimited amounts of cash. Taxes, debts, etc. all take a toll when the money runs out.

And yet another, and perhaps the best lesson to learn from Boris Becker, is taking responsibility for one’s own actions. This is what Becker did and I applaud him for it. He owned up to his mistakes, went to jail, did his time, and is now out. Watching him and listening to him talk about his mistakes and owning up to them is heartening. By doing this, I believe Boris Becker’s reputation is not as tarnished as it could have been. Becker messed up his personal life as well as his finances. Yes,  he made mistakes, and plenty of them. Yes, he was a great tennis player. And yes, he has paid the price on and off the court.

Appearing in this documentary are tennis greats John McEnroe, Novak Djokovic, Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander, and others who have known Becker over the years.

Boom! Boom! The World vs. the Boris Becker streams on Apple TV+ beginning April 7, 2023. It is an interesting look at the rise and fall of one of tennis’ greats.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.

COURTESY PHOTO from APPLE TV+

Hayley Mills stars in ‘The Truth about Spring’ now on Blu-ray

Posted on by Francine Brokaw

Hayley Mills stars alongside her father John in this 1965 rom-com. Also starring James MacArthur, The Truth about Spring is the story of a treasure hunter con-artist and his tomboy daughter.

Tommy Tyler (John Mills) and his daughter Spring (Hayley) live their life sailing around the Caribbean in their little boat. Spring is the quintessential tomboy and Tommy is the quintessential con artist who is always looking for treasure or to con people out of food and supplies, which he does brilliantly and with a flair. 

Tommy invites a young lawyer (MacArthur) to sail with them for a few weeks while he is on vacation before starting his new job in Philadelphia. William Ashton is not just a lawyer, he is rich and very handsome. Tommy sees a potential love that could brew between Bill and Spring, to her chagrin. But slowly, as the days wear on, they do form a friendship and yes, they fall in love.

While their romance is blooming, Tommy is continually bothered by two other men who are interested in the treasure map he possesses which leads to a sunken treasure. Even when his life is threatened, he keeps his cool and always, and I do mean always, manages to come out on top. This is one clever man. 

So, with the romance unfolding and Spring’s awareness of her femininity, everything on the boat points to a great future for them all. And no matter what is thrown at Tommy, he takes life with a grain of salt – sea salt. This crusty sailer has a keen sense of everything around him, and Spring has inherited that ability, although it takes some time before she realizes her true feelings for Bill.

This is a cute film with some great stars. John Mills won the Academy Award in 1971 for his role in Ryan’s Daughter. Hayley starred in many popular films as a child and into her adulthood, most notably Pollyanna (1960), The Parent Trap (1961), Summer Magic (1963), The Chalk Garden (1964), The Moon-Spinners (1964), and That Darn Cat! (1965) before co-starring with her father in this film. And James MacArthur is probably best known for his role in Hawaii Five-0 from 1968-1979). He also appeared in Swiss Family Robinson (1960) and many other films.

This new Blu-ray release of The Truth about Spring features a new commentary by film historian Gary Gerani. It is not rated.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.