Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson graces the Unplugged stage in “VH1 Unplugged: Kelly Clarkson,” debuting online at Unplugged.VH1.com Thursday, November 17 at 8PM ET / 7PM CT. The on-air premiere follows on VH1 Friday, November 18 at 11PM* and on Palladia, MTV Networks’ high-definition music channel on Saturday, November 19 at 9PM*. Kelly’s extremely personal set will include performances from her forthcoming album Stronger as well as other past favorites.
Since bursting onto the music scene 10 years ago, Kelly Clarkson has released 4 studio albums (Thankful, Breakaway, My December, All I Ever Wanted), sold over 20 million albums worldwide, 10 million albums in the US and has had 7 singles in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. She is the recipient of 2 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 2 MTV Awards and 11 Billboard Awards. Clarkson’s last effort, 2009’s All I Ever Wanted debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and produced the smash singles “My Life Would Suck Without You” and “Already Gone.”
Kelly joins Thirty Seconds to Mars, Mumford & Sons, Adele and Lykke Li in the 2011 roster of “Unplugged” artists. New episodes will continue to launch throughout the year at Unplugged.CMT.com, Unplugged.MTV.com, and/or Unplugged.VH1.com.
Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls joins Van McNeil for a chat about...kicking off their US tour at The Pabst Theater here in Milwaukee, when will a new Goo Goo Dolls record be available, and what "Milwaukee" thing(s) is he obsessed with. Find out all of that and lots more in this interview.
Txt 2 WIN!!!
Text keyword 'GOO' to '30543' to enter to win a pair of tickets see the Goo Goo Dolls | October 12th | Pabst Theater. Winner will be selected and notified Wednesday, October 12th at Noon. Good Luck!
THE X FACTOR is the new competition series that gives viewers the opportunity to help choose the next global superstar or breakout music group. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger will travel the nation searching for undiscovered talent 12 years old or over â both solo artists and vocal groups â who are worthy of the largest prize in television history: a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
Chris Daughtry joins Van McNeil for a chat about the band's new album due in stores November 21, a possible upcoming tour and what video game soundtrack will he be a part of? Find out in this interview.
Terra Nova | 7pm | FOX.
TERRA NOVA follows an ordinary family on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149, the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped and overcrowded, with the majority of plant and animal life extinct. The future of mankind is in jeopardy, and its only hope for survival is in the distant past.
2 Broke Girls | 7:30pm | CBS.
2 BROKE GIRLS is a comedy about two young women waitressing at a greasy spoon diner who strike up an unlikely friendship in the hopes of launching a successful business - if only they can raise the cash. Sassy, streetwise Max Black works two jobs just to get by, one of which is waiting tables during the night shift at the retro-hip Williamsburg Diner. Sophisticated Caroline Channing is an uptown trust fund princess who's having a run of bad luck that forces her to reluctantly give waitressing a shot.
The Sing-Off | 7pm | NBC.
The Sing-Off" features 16 of the country's best a cappella groups performing popular songs like you've never heard them before. There's no lip-synching, backup bands or safety net. They'll be singing for America's vote, with the winner walking away with the ultimate prize - a Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.
Dancing with the Stars | 7pm | ABC.
For 12 seasons, fans have flocked to Dancing With The Stars making it one of the hottest shows on TV. Season 13 is shaping up to be hotter than ever with a few new twists to go with all those tangos.
New this season is a feature called the âBallroom Battle.â Weâve seen how well the pros dance and teach, but this season weâll watch a couple trained by a pro go head-to-head with another proâs couple. All in all, six couples will battle it out in this competition beginning in Week 5.
New Girl | 8pm | FOX.
NEW GIRL is a new single-camera comedy that features a young ensemble cast and takes a fresh and outrageous look at modern male/female relationships.
JESS DAY (Zooey Deschanel, "(500) Days of Summer") is an offbeat and adorable girl in her late 20s who, after a bad breakup, moves in with three single guys. Goofy, positive, vulnerable and honest to a fault, Jess has faith in people, even when she shouldn't. Although she's dorky and awkward, she's comfortable in her own skin. More prone to friendships with women, she's not used to hanging with the boys - especially at home.
Unforgettable | 9pm | CBS.
UNFORGETTABLE stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, an enigmatic former police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that every place, every conversation, every moment of joy and every heartbreak is forever embedded in her mind. It's not just that she doesn't forget anything - she can't; except for one thing: the details that would help solve her sister's long-ago murder.
The Biggest Loser | 7pm | NBC.
The Biggest Loser kicks off Season 12 features two new trainers - Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince - joining Biggest Loser favorite Bob Harper and 15 contestants competing in a "Battle of the Ages" that will group contestants by age for the first time ever in the history of the show.
Last Man Standing | 7pm | ABC.
Tim Allen returns to ABC in Last Man Standing. Men may have built civilizations, invented the locomotive and created ESPN, but they're about to find out that it's not a man's world anymore. You can't get manlier than Mike Baxter. He's the marketing director for an iconic outdoor sporting goods store, he loves to have adventures while he's traveling for work and, of course, he drives a pick-up truck. While Mike is king of the hill at work, he's the odd man out in a home that is dominated by women -- namely his wife, Vanessa, and their three daughters, 22- year-old Kristin, 17-year-old Mandy and 14-year-old Eve.
The X Factor | 7pm | FOX.
In a departure from other singing competition series, the first time contestants audition for THE X FACTOR judges, Simon Cowell, Antonio "L.A." Reid, Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, they will do so in front of an audience of thousands - raising the stakes and increasing the pressure to impress not only the judges, but also a potential legion of fans. This will be the ultimate test to prove they have the vocal ability, charisma and stage presence that it takes to win an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
Survivor: South Pacific | 7pm | CBS.
SURVIVOR: SOUTH PACIFIC, hosted by Jeff Probst, features the return of Coach and Ozzy as well as 16 new castaways.
Up All Night | 7pm | NBC.
"Up All Night," is an irreverent look at modern parenthood.
Christina Applegate ("Samantha Who?") stars as Reagan Brinkley: loving wife, successful career woman, life of the party and, most recently, mom. Determined not to compromise her career or cool reputation to the cliches of motherhood, Reagan adjusts to life with a baby and returns to work with the support of her stay-at-home husband, Chris (Will Arnett, "Arrested Development"). As Reagan and Chris figure out their new life, self-doubt, sleep deprivation and the pressure of today's parenting protocols rattle their confidence. What's more, the endless needs of Reagan's boss, ambitious but vulnerable talk-show host Ava (Maya Rudolph, "Saturday Night Live," "Bridesmaids"), threaten to throw Reagan off balance.
Modern Family | 8pm | ABC.
After six Emmys and countless belly laughs, it's obvious we're not the only ones who fell in love with this hilarious Modern Family.
Meet the Dunphys. Phil is the enthusiastic, "tries too hard" husband/dad who loves his slightly-uptight (but in a good way) wife, Claire, and their three way different kids. Haley is your typical independent, eye-rolling teen. Younger sister Alex is wise beyond her years and little brother Luke, well, isn't.
Bones | 7pm | FOX.
BONES, a darkly amusing procedural entering its sixth season, is inspired by real-life forensic anthropologist and novelist Kathy Reichs.
DR. TEMPERANCE BRENNAN (Emily Deschanel) is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, D.C., and writes novels on the side. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless (when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed), law enforcement calls on Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim's bones.
How To Be A Gentlemen | 7:30pm | CBS.
How To Be A Gentlemen, inspired by the book of the same name, is a comedy about the unlikely friendship between a traditional, refined writer and an unrefined personal trainer. Andrew Carlson (David Hornsby) is an etiquette columnist whose devotion to ideals from a more civilized time has lead to a life detached from modern society. Infectiously optimistic, Bert Lansing (Kevin Dillon) is a reformed "bad boy" from Andrew's past who inherited a fitness center, but can still be rude, loud and sloppy.
Whitney | 8:30pm | NBC.
NBC's new multi-camera comedy "Whitney" is a hilarious look at modern day love, which centers around Whitney (Whitney Cummings, "Chelsea Lately") and Alex (Chris D'Elia, "Glory Daze"), a happily unmarried couple. Together for three years, the duo is in no rush to get hitched, which seems to get a mixed response from their friends.
Charlie's Angels | 7pm | ABC.
Everyone deserves a second chance -- even a thief, a street racer and a cop who got in a little too deep. After all, the three women who solve cases for their elusive boss, Charlie Townsend, are no saints. They're angels... Charlie's Angels.
Set and filmed in Miami, this fun, glamorous, action-packed take on the 1970s smash hit series introduces us to three new angels, all fearless detectives, head-turning beauties and close friends.
Kitchen Nightmares | 7pm | FOX.
World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay is back for a third course of the ultimate restaurant revival show where he steps out of his own five-star establishments and travels the country visiting some of the most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants in America. For many, Ramsay is their last chance to help turn around their businesses or else they'll be forced to close their doors forever.
A Gifted Man | 7pm | CBS.
When a well-known surgeon begins seeing his dead ex-wife he starts questioning the meaning of life and his place in the world. 'A Gifted Man' begins this Fall on CBS.
Grimm | 8pm | NBC.
"Grimm" is a new drama series inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales.Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, "Turn The Beat Around") discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world.
Extreme Makeover Home Edition | 7pm | ABC.
Keep a box of tissues handy for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition becauseâ¦
A) The tears of joy WILL flow. B) You may need to plug your ears when Ty Pennington belts out his famed "Move that bus!!!!"
Youâll see dingy kitchens get completely tricked out, spa-inspired bathrooms built where icky ones once were, and olympic-sized swimming pools installed in what were once shabby overgrown yards. It's stuff we know youâd want at your own padâand then some. And Ty and his crew do it from the ground up, adding five-star luxuries and the occasional theme park attraction.
by Kidd & Elizabeth in the Morning,posted Aug 30 2011 5:42AM
With the announcement of this upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars, we decided to create our own list.
Based on your phone calls and Facebook messages here's what we put together:
Washed up actor (on DWTS it's David Arquette) - Wisconsin's DWTS it's Dustin Diamond A.K.A. Screech Powers who used to live in Port Washington
Fashion expert (on DWTS it's Carson Kressley) - Faye from Faye's 123
Former Bandmember (on DWTS it's Chyna Phillips) - Sammy formerly from The Bodeans
Famous because of your sibling (on DWTS it's Rob Kardashian) - Oprah's sister
Aggressive TV reporter (on DWTS it's Nancy Grace) - WISN Ch. 12 News Colleen Henry
Famous ex (on DWTS it's Elisabetta who dated George Clooney) - Gossip Girl actress from Germantown who dated Aaron Rodgers Jessica Szohr
Former talk show host (on DWTS it's Ricki Lake) - it's a stretch, but we picked Bob Uecker
Sports star (on DWTS it's Ron Artest from the Lakers) - Ryan Braun or Aaron Rodgers :)
Feel free to add to the list.
Photo credit Berto Garcia via Flickr
When is it ok...
Over the weekend I went to a party and Miley Cyrus was there with her mom promoting her new album. I've seen Miley a million times on T.V. or in magazines but meeting her in person made me think...is it ever ok to tell someone they are too skinny? Miley is very nice but my first reaction was "Wow she is way to skinny". Of course I kept my mouth shut but everyone at the party was whispering the same thing. I hope she has success with her new album and comes to Wisconsin soon for cheese and beer! lol!
My recent Hollywood murder mystery adventure! Part 2
It was a beautiful sunny Saturday in Los Angeles, California. I awake from Friday night's TNT catered/planned festivites, where a criminal got shot atop the famous Beverly Wilshire Hotel, tried to figure out who hired the murderer and got ready to interteview the stars of TNT's Monday Night shows Major Crimes and King & Maxwell.
PICTURE: Van McNeil w Jon Tenny / Sean King (King & Maxwell) Mondays, 9pm, TNT.
Jon Tenny / Sean King talks about Milwaukee, his new show King & Maxwell and what it's all about...
So, I finish my interviews and head back to my room to get ready for a cast party at this awesome club called Boulevard 3.
Everything was to the nines and everyone was having a good time! Food, drinks, dancing, the Hollywood stars... and then, THIS happened!
The murder mystery continues...
It almost felt like we were on these TNT shows! Trying to put the peices together, collecting evidence, interviewing suspects, all to figure out whodunnit!
Get your, "crime solving" ON! Monday Nights starting at 8pm on TNT w Major Crimes AND King & Maxwell OR get caught up online at www.TNTDrama.com
Remembering NOLA!
I don't know if you have ever been to Mardi Gras (February/March) in New Orleans, Lousiana but if you get the chance GO!
I got to experience Mardi Gras before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2006 and lemme tell you, it was an experience! From all the parades, colorful costumes, beads and coconuts to the French Quarter and Burbon Street craziness there is NOTHING quite like Mardi Gras!
So, if you've never been or just want to scratch that itch again, our friends at Six Flags Great America will be doing it Mardi Gras style all weekend and I have your FREE tickets to go!
Of course, you can enjoy ALL that Six Flags has to offer, like Batman The Ride Backwards, X-Fight and the NEW Ignite Grand Finale but the streets of Orleans Place will be transformed THIS WEEKEND so you can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Bourbon Street including live music, parades and fireworks, as well as authentic food and drinks from New Orleans.
Want more information? Click here.
Wanna win tickets to go? Listen between Noon-4p ALL WEEK for your chance to win!
Good luck and 414.799.1099
BACON Debate - Best way to cook...
In honor of Father's Day, I thought I would finally settle the age old question...
What is the best/proper way to cook bacon?
To settle such a debate I called the experts! Renowned food writer/author/critic (New York Times), Peter Kaminsky joined me to talk about his new book he wrote alongside Marie Rama called, "Bacon Nation".
In the book you will find 125 different recipies, from breakfest to dessert, that include BACON!!
So... What IS the best/proper way to cook bacon? Find out what Peter says below and don't forget to enjoy some bacon this weekend! :)
More about Bacon Nation...click here.
Eat All Your Vegetables Day â June 17th
Load up your plate with fresh-from-the garden produce as you celebrate Eat All Your Vegetables Day on June 17th.
Use this day to inspire new additions to your vegetable garden while encouraging reluctant veggie eaters to try something new. Once they try some fresh vegetables they may be willing to make them a regular part of their diet. And, if you get them to grow their own, they are even more likely to partake.
Once you're inspired, look for extra space to add more vegetables to the landscape. Start by calculating the number of days left in your growing season. Simply count from the anticipated planting date to the average date of the first fall frost in your area. Check plant tags and seed packets for the number of days needed from planting until harvest. Make a list of these vegetables.
Then look for vacant spaces in flowerbeds, mixed borders and containers. And train vines crops up decorative trellises and fences.
A bit more information: Here are a few short season crops you may want to consider. Plant seeds and be ready to harvest radishes, leaf lettuce, spinach and chard in 40 days. Beets, bush snap beans, cucumbers and kohlrabi are ready to harvest in 50 to 60 days. Carrots, Chinese cabbage, and turnips take about 10 days longer.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
My recent Hollywood murder mystery adventure!
Every now and then, "work" takes me out to the West Coast but THIS trip was a little different. Lemme explain...
This adventure begins at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, (Pretty Woman, Bevery Hills Cop) where I was put up for the weekend for a TNT event! If you're are asking what TNT is, you probably already know, it's the TV channel... the one that is so familiar with drama, it's in their slogan... TNT - We Know Drama.
Anyway, me and my buddy check in, go up to our respective rooms and get ready for a gatering on the roof of the hotel later that night. Little did we know we would witness a "shootout" between police and a hired killer! It was up to everyone in attendence to figure out who at the party was responsible, by the end of the weekend.
There were clues... LOTS of clues!
Text messages, twitter accounts, pictures and more!
Plus a whole cast of characters from detectives, forensic lab technicinans, suspects and even a special appearance from the Los Angeles Department of Corner office!
If you're a murder myster junkie, even if you're not, this is kind of stuff you will encounter if you're watching TNT on Monday Nights! And let me be the first to warn you, IT SUCKS YOU RIGHT IN!
Let's begin with, "Major Crimes" who's first season I missed despite rave reviews from critics and fans. This show gives you all the tools to figure out WHO killed, in this first episode it's the BIG TIME film-producers wife. It's a great show that will leave you wanting more! BTW you can catch up on Season One by visiting TNTDrama.com or take a sneak peek of Season Two, which premeieres tonight at 8pm on TNT..click here.
PICTURE: Van McNeil w Major Crimes cast members, L, Tony Dension (Lt. Andy Flynn), C, Mary McDonnell (Capt. Sharon Raydor), R, G.W. Bailey (Lt. Provenza).
TO BE CONTINUED...STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
Visit a Farmerâs Market and Plan Your Garden
Farmers Markets are on the rise as more and more of us are looking for locally grown fresh produce. You may be surprised to find one or more popping up near your home.
Get the most out of your visit with a little advance planning.
Check out the internet for a list of farmer's markets in your area. Confirm the dates and hours of operation. Many include a list of vendors with links to their website and the week's featured produce.
Gather those cloth bags used when buying groceries. It makes managing all the produce easier and you will reduce the number of plastic bags headed to recycling or the garbage.
Take cash and lots of small bills. This makes it easier for the farmer and speeds up shopping. And you'll have more time to visit every single booth.
Look for and try new and different vegetables. It will help you plan future additions to your edible garden.
A bit more information: Eat first so you buy less or go hungry and plan on staying for a meal or snack. Many markets serve coffee and pastries or tasty meals. And take the whole family to enjoy this shopping experience. Many have kids' activities and music for all to enjoy.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Weed Your Garden Day â June 13th
Break out the cupcakes and balloons and get ready to celebrate Weed Your Garden Day on June 13th.
The thrill of the party may wane a bit when family and friends discover your true motivation. But, adding a festive spirit to garden tasks can make it more fun and you're more likely to make them happen.
Try a round robin of eating and weeding with friends. It is a great way to work in some social time and help each other tackle the weeds in the garden.
Barter a bit of weeding for a home cooked meal, pie, photography or other hobby or skill you prefer over weeding.
Hire some help – it's ok to admit the weeds won this round. Once under control, it will be easier for you to keep up with weeding and other garden care.
Once the garden is weeded, mulch it to reduce future weed infestations. Shredded leaves and evergreen needles are perfect for flowerbeds and vegetable gardens.
A bit more information: Woodchips and shredded bark make nice mulch around trees, shrubs and pathways. Do not put fabric weed barrier beneath these and other organic mulch. As the mulch decomposes it provides a great environment for weed seeds to sprout and grow through.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Nudge Your Bougainvillea Into Bloom
Nudge your potted bougainvillea into bloom with proper growing conditions and proper care.
Grow these blooming beauties in full sun. You'll get the best flower display during the shorter days of early spring and early fall. Plus the cooler night temperatures of 60 degrees or cooler will also promote bloom.
Keep your bougainvillea potbound to further encourage bloom. Repotting too soon results in lots of leaves and stems and delays flowering. During the growing season, allow the plants to dry slightly before watering again.
Use a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer with phosphorous, like Milorganite, to meet most of your plants season-long needs. Or apply a soluble flowering plant fertilizer to moist soil once a month.
Prune away any unwanted growth throughout the summer. And occasionally pinch out the growing tips to encourage more compact growth. Wear gloves and long sleeves to minimize direct contact with the thorns.
A bit more information: Start new plants from 4 to 6 inch long cuttings. Stick the cut end into a moist well-drained potting mix or mix of peatmoss and perlite. Roots should appear in 4 to 6 weeks. Repot if needed in a slightly larger container.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Heaven on Earth!
Sun, snow, rivers, streams and...the mountains! That's what I saw while I was vacationing over the weekend in Denver and Vail, Colorado.
It's always been one of my favorite places to visit because the mountain views, in my opinion, are a glimpse of heaven on earth.
I was able to sit on a few rooftop patios downtown, I went horseback riding in the Rockies in Beaver Creek and then I was able to sit in a hot tub in Vail while sipping my morning coffee (this photo is my view from the hot tub). Yes, I fell back in love with Colorado during my visit and I hope to be back there sometime soon!
Heaven on Earth!
Sun, snow, rivers, streams and...the mountains! That's what I saw while I was vacationing over the weekend in Denver and Vail, Colorado.
It's always been one of my favorite places to visit because the mountain views, in my opinion, are a glimpse of heaven on earth.
I was able to sit on a few rooftop patios downtown, I went horseback riding in the Rockies in Beaver Creek and then I was able to sit in a hot tub in Vail while sipping my morning coffee (this photo is my view from the hot tub). Yes, I fell back in love with Colorado during my visit and I hope to be back there sometime soon!
PIC: Cool Clouds
I took this picture from the rooftop of a friends condo in Chicago. We were having cocktails tonight when the storm was rolling in. Super cool clouds!
Shade Combinations for Attracting Hummingbirds
Don't let shade stop you from attracting hummingbirds to your garden. Include a few hummingbird favorites in the garden or container plantings.
Fuchsia is a favorite of shade gardeners and hummingbirds. Try using one of the upright types like Thalia, Gartenmeister or Firecracker with its variegated leaves. Add a fern for texture and wire vine as a groundcover in the garden or spiller in the container.
Consider adding a few or quite a few Dragon wing begonias to the garden. The large plants put on a show all summer long with the red and pink flowers. They combine nicely with impatiens, another hummingbird favorite. And surround this combination with a groundcover or trailer of Silver Falls Dichondra.
Include a backdrop of summer long bloom you and the hummingbirds will enjoy. Train a honeysuckle vine onto a fence or decorative trellis for screening and hummingbird appeal. Try the mildew resistant Major Wheeler.
A bit more information: For more ideas on attracting birds and butterflies to your garden visit www.birdsandblooms.com . See projects and ideas on attracting wildlife to the garden and you'll find my answers to common garden questions. Also, be sure to look for my article "Make Room for Hummingbirds and Butterflies" in the June/July 2013 issue of Birds & Blooms magazine.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com
Buttered Rum, Southern Comfort - Colorful Perennials for the Garden
How about a bit of Buttered Rum or Southern Comfort in the garden? No, I am not talking about a drink, but rather a few colorful perennials.
Heucherella 'Buttered Rum' is a hybrid with coral bells, known as Heuchera. And foamflower, called Tiarella as its parents. The maple shaped leaves have a caramel edge and are topped with white flowers in spring.
Southern Comfort coral bells have cinnamon peach leaves that mature to amber. The white flowers on this plant appear in summer.
Finish off your planting with a little dessert. Peach Flambe coral bells have bright peach leaves in the cooler months of spring and fall. The leaves turn a softer peach in summer and plum purple for winter.
Use a combination of these and other coral bells and foamflowers to create a tapestry of color in your partial shade to full sun gardens. Be sure to keep the soil slightly moist throughout the season.
A bit more information: Add some Dolce® Key Lime Pie to the dessert buffet. This coral bell has chartreuse foliage all season long. The heart shaped leaves are mottled with lime green. Mix a few with dark green or blue-green hostas for an eye-catching combination.
For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com