Guy trouble arises on 'The City'

I take back what I said about Kelly Cutrone. No longer scary, Cutrone showed a softer side in Episode 2 of The City by giving Whitney guy advice.

Whitney is going to need a lot of guy advice this season. The show's trailer hints at an unfaithful Jay and at least one other suitor.

Olivia was more tolerable this episode, but her cousin gets my obnoxious award for advising Olivia to save Whitney from the "downtown" crowd.

Whitney gets new job, guy in New York

The season premiere of The City was as rushed as Whitney's move to New York. As a Laguna Beach fanatic, I watched The Hills from the beginning, but viewers who didn't watch The Hills aren't going to know who Whitney is. They aren't going to understand what she's doing in New York, and they're really not going to know who Jay is.

On The Hills, Jay was a really sweet and romantic guy. But he appeared a bit cocky in last night's episode of The City. I didn't enjoy the boys' night out scene. It gave me flashbacks to Justin Bobby.

Whitney's new roommate Erin seems super sweet. I assume she will take Whitney's role in this series, giving Whitney guy/friend advice. But the entire episode I was like, "Who is this chick?"I thought I missed something. Did Whitney know Erin from before? Did she answer a roommate ad? According to her online bio, Whitney knew her from before, but I want to know who, what, when, where, why.

I like Whitney's new boss. She isn't as scary as Kelly Cutrone.

I know it's only the first episode, but when are we going to get a Lauren cameo?

And the obnoxious award goes to...Olivia, Whitney's new co-worker. Like Jay said, she doesn't seem genuine. She tells Whitney about a dinner party she's hosting but doesn't invite her. I have a feeling she's going to rack up a few more of these awards before the season is up.

'Hills' characters make changes in season finale

Personal growth was the central theme of last night's episode of the Hills.

Justin Bobby, who spends most of his airtime not returning Audrina's phone calls and wandering off for days at a time, gives Audrina a ring and has a serious discussion with her about their relationship.

Lauren and Heidi reunite at the SLS Grand Opening, and their conversation is civil, no screaming, no fighting. Lauren asks Heidi if she is happy with her Mexico elopement to Spencer, and they talk about how Heidi's mom is dealing with the news.

Spencer considers Heidi's feelings for once and stops their courthouse ceremony to ask Heidi if she will be truly happy getting married without her friends and family present.

And the most obnoxious award goes to... Spencer's beard. The flesh-colored mask looks bad enough when it's maintained. Heidi should get her man a trimmer for Christmas. *hint hint*

Brandi M. escapes Megan sabotage, wins check

Sharon handed Brandi M. a diploma and a $100,000 check on last night's season finale of Rock of Love Charm School. But Destiney Moore, runner-up, didn't go home empty-handed. Charm School Judge Daniella Clark offered her an internship with Frankie B. after Destiney revealed an interest in design during her graduation speech.

I've been rooting for Brandi M. since Sharon sent Heather packing on Episode 9, but things didn't didn't look good for the charm school winner early in the episode.

Sharon paired the final three with their arch enemies and sent the dualing duos to the streets of Hollywood to collect items for charity. Brandi M. was paired with Megan, who is famous for her back-stabbing and manipulation on Rock of Love 2, Rock of Love Charm School and I Love Money. Although Destiney's and Lacey's enemies Brandi C. and Heather were able to put aside their differences for charity, Megan attempted to sabotage Brandi M. by collecting pens, the item of lowest value on the list, and by placing Brandi M.'s items in Lacey's bin. Fortunately, Megan was unsuccessful, and Brandi M.'s hard work secured her a spot in the final two.

In my opinion, the right girl won. Brandi M. showed growth from Episode 1, no more burping and public drunkeness, and remained strong while mean girls Megan, Lacey and Brandi C. did their best to make her snap.

But while I'm happy with the ending, I lack closure. Where's the reunion special? Usually a show promotes one directly after the finale. Some shows have been hosting reunion specials prior to the final episode. I'm not a fan of this setup. I'm hungry for some catfights, and there was definitely enough drama on the show to fill up an hour reunion special.

VH1 TV Shows | Music Videos | Celebrity Photos | News & Gossip

Paris hangs with pick; Vanessa needs bestie

It seems Paris is happy with her bestie pick Brittany. The two were spotted at the SLS Hotel grand opening last week. She said while she loves both Vanessa and Brittany, she felt Brittany made the perfect match. I wonder if Vanessa still shares the love.

I'm just bummed the show ended. Maybe Brittany will ditch Paris to pursue her music career, forcing the "heiress" to film another season. Sorry Paris, I'm desperate for shows here. Does MTV really expect me to watch A Double Shot at Love?

Better yet, My New BFF producers should bring Vanessa back. She's bestieless.

Paris show gives meaning to word 'frenemy'

Paris Hilton's My New BFF has created a new word: frenemy. Or was it already a word? Someone please tell me if I'm way out of the lingo loop.

According to Episode 8, Keep Your Frenemies Closer, a frenemy is someone who was once your friend and is now your enemy. It's about time we have a word for that.

Paris brings back former contestants to give the final five makeovers for a fashion show. Vanessa winds up losing the competition. Her selected frenemy, Kayley, dresses her up like a homeless person. In actuality, Kayley likes Vanessa, but she thinks the ugliest chick will win so she messes her up real good. I guess this demonstrates Kayley's intelligence yet again because she had it totally backwards. Didn't she get the *hint hint* before the challenge. Paris told the girls the lesson was, "Keep you friends closer, but your frenemies closer."

But Vanessa is lucky because the girls gang up on Lauren during elimination, highlighting her stupidity (They should really talk, right?) and selfish behavior. TTYN, Lauren

And the most obnoxious award goes to...Onch. Boy, didn't you get sent home like five episodes ago? Stay there, please! Paris selects Onch to be Lauren's frenemy, but I'm not really sure why. I don't recall Lauren being mean to Onch at all. He had drama with Corrie. But as always, Onch proves he is an evil drama queen by jacking up poor Lauren to get some attention.

Lacey gets another girl booted on 'Charm School'

I just finished watching Episode 6 of Rock of Love Charm School. I was so disappointed that Sharon didn't see through evil Lacey and expelled Dallas. I'll be honest, I was never a big Dallas fan -- She always looks so angry. But I can't stand looking at Lacey's face anymore.

Lacey is so manipulative. How can Sharon ignore that she's involved in every cat fight? It can't possibly be the other girls all the time. There's one common denominator: Lacey. I'm starting to think they're purposely keeping her on the show to create drama and give the crew something to film.

I caught the previews for next week's episode. It looks like Brandi C. is going to spit on Destiney, and Lacey is going to mess with Heather. I'm rooting for my girl Heather. I hope she takes both chicks out.

• VH1 TV Shows
• Music Videos
• Celebrity Photos
• News & Gossip

Whitney gets social, Heidi gets a lecture on 'The Hills'

I just finished watching Episode 14 of the Hills, Back to New York. It was refreshing to watch a Whitney episode. I'm so sick of the Audrina, Justin Bobby story line, and it's no secret that Whitney and Lo are my favorite characters.

I also enjoyed seeing another side of Whitney. She's always painted to be Lauren's independent, career-driven, good girl co-worker, and we don't get to see her social life as much as we see the other girls'.

I felt bad for Alex, the male model who Whitney met on her last trip to New York, but you can't blame her for not clicking with him. The producers made him so look pathetic though. There were at least a dozen shots of him watching her in the club with the other guy, looking all heart-broken.

My favorite part of this episode was when Brent Bolthouse basically told Heidi that Spencer was ruining her life. He said something about her being the company that she keeps. I want to know who hasn't told Heidi that Spencer is bringing her down. If this doesn't make her see the light, I don't know what will. For Spencer, she only gave up her best friend, her sister and her job. What's next?

First, I must apologize for slacking on my most obnoxious cast member awards. This week's award goes to Spencer, Heidi and Brent for randomly running into each other at a club in Los Angeles the day after Heidi's been fired...coincidence, I think not.

'Hills' episode brings change; Heidi gets fired, Audrina moves out

I just finished watching the latest Hills' episode. I can't believe Brent Bolthouse actually fired Heidi. She had quite possibly the coolest job ever, and she threw it away on Spencer. But what else is new? She throws everything away on Spencer.

And Audrina moved out. I wonder if Lauren and Lo will start looking for a new roommate. Maybe Whitney will move in. Or Stephanie. That'll really tick Spencer and Heidi off.

You never know what will happen next on the Hills. Just when I started counting the show out, it made a major comeback. Next week's episode looks good too. Spencer confronts Brent at a club. Lauren and Whitney head to New York City. All these chicks have such glamorous jobs...so jealous.

'Hills' characters retain bad relationships

I'm starting to lose interest in the The Hills. I think it has something to do with the lack of Lo exposure in recent episodes. I stopped caring about Audrina and Justin Bobby's relationship a long time ago, but for some reason, producers think it's worth an entire episode.

Justin Bobby is never going to change, and Audrina is making herself look about as dumb as Heidi. I've never been a raging feminist, but these two women are horrible role models for young girls.

Audrina's actions send the message that it's OK to be at the beck and call of a guy who refuses to be in a monogamous relationship and just hope that some day he'll change. In the meantime, nice guys like Corey, who treat you with respect, finish last.

Heidi's actions show girls that being in a committed relationship means isolating yourself from your friends and family. She only speaks or acts when she gets Spencer's approval. She gives up her career because he isn't comfortable with her working in Las Vegas. When he issues an ultimatum to choose between him and her sister, Heidi tells her sister to find a new place to live.

My only hope is that young girls watch the show with the same critical eye as I do.

What are your thoughts? Do you think young girls realize that Heidi and Audrina are in bad relationships and seeing that will help them indentify negative relationships in their lives? Or do you think young girls are just in awe of these characters' glamorous lives and strive to mirror them?

'Hills' episode features common girl problem

I'm usually angry and frustrated after I watch an episode of The Hills. It probably makes you wonder why I watch the show in the first place. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. But I just finished watching Episode Six, "You Always Miss a Best Friend," and instead of feeling angry, I felt sad.

Heidi's sister Holly just moved to Los Angeles and is living in Heidi and Spencer's apartment. Holly mentions how she only knows two people in the city, Heidi and Lauren, hinting that she would like to see Lauren. Naturally, this doesn't go over well with Heidi and especially Spencer.

Holly texts Lauren and meets up with her anyway. They reminisce, and we find out that Lauren, Heidi and Holly were once inseparable like The Three Musketeers.

I really liked the way the editers compiled the end of the show. The viewer is taken to both sides of the story. First, we hear Heidi tell her co-worker that Holly and Lauren met for lunch, and that she hopes Holly can patch things up between her and Lauren. She explains that their days as friends outnumber their days as enemies. She says, "I've never had a best friend like that before." It pulls at your heart strings. As much as I'd like to smack Heidi upside her head for standing by her controlling, moronic man, I feel nothing but sympathy for her now.

Then the viewer hears a conversation between Lauren and Stephanie. Lauren tells Stephanie that she had lunch with Holly, and how she is afraid Heidi and Spencer might ostracize Holly like they did Stephanie. She admits she does miss Heidi, but she hopes Holly doesn't think she's going to mend the friendship.

It's hard not to be sad after watching this episode. What girl hasn't been in this situation? It's so common. Best friends are now enemies. They throw years of laughter and loyalty away over a boy or a petty moment. Both parties wish they could go back in time and undo everything that's caused the schism, but they know it's impossible. No one is really angry anymore, just sad.

Jenner gets my obnoxious award this week

I just finished watching "Boys Make Girls Cry," The Hills episode where Lauren and the gang head to Las Vegas to celebrate Frankie's birthday. Am I the only one who feels these people go to way too many birthday parties?

I have to give the most obnoxious cast member award to Brody Jenner this week. Jenner, who is Spencer's former best friend and currently Lauren's bud, makes Stephanie cry at Frankie's birthday dinner by calling her "crazy" in front of everyone. Stephanie leaves the table in tears, Lauren following.

But Stephanie is partially to blame for this outburst. Like a true Hills' cast member, Stephanie brings up a dramatic issue when it really isn't necessary. She asks Brody at dinner why he tells Lauren she shouldn't trust Stephanie. Come on Steph, only bad things can come of this.

Jenner continues to be obnoxious by playing both sides of the current girl war between Lauren and Audrina. Lauren tells Jenner that Audrina ignores her in public one night, and Jenner advises Lauren to kick Audrina out of the house.

Later at the club, he plays it cool with Audrina's boyfriend Justin Bobby. Bobby greets Jenner, and Jenner plays dumb about the whole situation, pretending to be partial when he's obviously not. I always wonder what these people think when they see the show air later. It's amazing any of them are still friends.

Audrina shuts out Lo in season premiere

I woke up this morning with swollen glands. I hate being sick. I'm one of those unfortunate people who need to be constantly doing something. This is probably why I'm sick in the first place. I was sick just two weeks ago. I think my body is in serious need of rest and relaxation.

I decided to take advantage of my immobility by catching up on The Hills. Luckily, I was only one episode behind. Season 4 kicks off with the gang celebrating another cast member's birthday: Audrina's. Lauren and Lo decide to throw a backyard barbecue for their distant roommate.

It was Audrina that disappoints me in this episode, not Lauren. Lauren makes every attempt to reconnect with her former best friend and roommate and mend Audrina and Lo's friendship by being the hostess with the mostess. She winds up ignoring and disappointing her date Doug in the process, which can only have negative consequences later in the season.

Lo makes a final attempt to reach out to Audrina by visiting her in her chateau. Audrina invites her in, but the visit is short. Lo leaves immediately after Audrina says, "We will never be friends."

It's obvious Lauren is an idealist. She must say, "I just want everyone to get along" at least five times an episode. But from the looks of the previews, Lauren's got another trying year ahead of her.

'Hills' starts a new season; Conrad disappoints

Gerry and I have been so busy with the move that we haven't been watching TV. You'd be surprised how little TV you watch when you don't have couches to sit on. I've learned the hard way sitting on the floor just gives you a stiff back.

I was shocked when I turned MTV on the other morning, and they were playing a new episode of The Hills. How could I have missed a new season starting? I was able to watch the episode, but I hate watching things from the middle. I need to start from the beginning; I need context.

This episode was about Stephanie Pratt's birthday party. Pratt invited Lauren Conrad and her friends to the party. Pratt's obnoxious brother Spencer and his girlfriend Heidi Montag were supposed to snub Pratt and not attend. But they showed up last minute, surprising both Conrad's crew and Pratt. Conrad and Montag are ex-best friends. The strained friendship was largely caused by Spencer Pratt.

Conrad and her posse left the club, leaving Pratt with her brother and Montag. She apologized to Conrad in class the next day, but Conrad was cold. I was really disappointed with Conrad's reaction. I've always been a big fan of her, but I feel she was too hard on Pratt. Pratt didn't know they were coming. Pratt basically chose Conrad over her brother in an ultimatation her brother gave her, and Conrad didn't even appreciate this loyalty.

But this episode, "Drama Follows Them," had a really good soundtrack. Editors did an awesome job of matching the lyrics to the situations. I might actually look some of those songs up.

Now I have to go back and watch the first two episodes. I'm sure I'll have a lot to say about them.

No More Megan

She's back! Megan Hauserman, who made her reality TV debut on Beauty and the Geek, followed by a stint on Rock of Love II, is now competing on VH1's I Love Money. I Love Money, which is basically a reunion of rejects from the Rock of Love, Flavor of Love and I Love New York dating shows, has 15 former reality stars battling it out for $250,000.

Hauserman and her partner Alan "Scooter" won their season of Beauty and the Geek. I hate to admit it now, but I actually rooted for them. As vile as Megan is, her friend Cecille managed to outshine her as the ignorant, vain one.

On Rock of Love II, Hauserman unsuccessfuly competed for Bret Michaels affections. Hauserman was a major source of drama in the Rock of Love house, stabbing friend Jessica in the back and taking competitors' love notes off Michaels' door and replacing them with her own.

Now Hauserman is back to her old antics on I Love Money. I was flipping through channels and landed on the show. Megan was starting fights between Heather, Rock of Love I, and some guy she had been hooking up with. Paymaster, who had the power of sending home a cast mate this week, put Hauserman in the bottom three citing he didn't trust her. Hauserman says Paymaster has her all wrong, that she's actually a nice girl. This made me laugh.

Hauserman needs to put some clothes on and stop doing VH1 reality shows. As far as I Love Money is concerned, I have my money on Heather.

Richards is likable

I remember when Denise Richards was promoting her new show "Denise Richards: It's Complicated." She said she wanted the public to see who she really is and to not simply believe what the media prints about her. But some people were concerned she would be exploiting her children.

I caught at least three episodes now, and I have to say I find Richards to be extremely likable. She's real. The last episode I watched covered her insomnia, which she believes is a result of her not accepting her mother's death. She decides to go back to her parent's house to help her father gather her late mother's belongings. It was an emotional thing for her to do, and I think she was very brave.

Richards and her father have these memory bears made out of her mother's old clothing, and they give them to her daughters and explain that their grandmother will always be with them, and that she is their angel. It was a very touching moment.

I like the title of the show "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" because I think it's important not to stereotype people as being one thing or another. Richards is making a statement: Yeah, I might be a sex symbol and Charlie Sheen's ex-wife, but I'm also a loving daughter, a caring mother and devoted friend.

'Hills' star makes disappointing decision

I was reading "Star Magazine" at the salon today and came upon an interesting little fact. Audrina Patridge, of "The Hills," will be doing a topless scene in an upcoming film.

How do the show's producers feel about this? What do her superiors at Epic Records think? I really don't think it's good public relations for either "The Hills" or the record company.

I'm curious if other fans of the show heard about this and what they think. I really think it's trashy and something to expect of her co-star Heidi Montag, not Audrina. A lot of young women watch "The Hills" and idolize the women who star on it. While Whitney Port is immersing herself in the fashion industry and working hard to achieve her goals, Montag is getting plastic surgery, and Patridge is shedding her clothes on the big screen.

Real World character's actions take me back

I was watching an episode of "Real World XX: Hollywood" on Monday night, and one character's actions really affected me.

Sarah, the brown-eyed, budding broadcast journalist from Phoenix, threw a fit when her less conservative roommate Brianna from Philadelphia, brought a guy home from the bar and had sexual relations with him while Sarah and other roommate Kimberly were sleeping in the same room.

Sarah feels that Brianna's actions were disrespectful and inconsiderate. I couldn't help but agree. I, too, would feel awkward if while I was trying to fall asleep, a friend had sex with a strange guy in her bed next to mine.

But instead of sitting Brianna down the next morning to talk about it, Sarah and Kimberly made snide remarks about Brianna's lifestyle choices and her profession while Brianna and male roommate Will chatted in the hot tub down the hall.

Sarah became completely passive aggressive. Brianna asked Sarah where her makeup bag was, and Sarah, in a condescending tone, lectured Brianna about cleaning up after herself and told her that she placed her makeup bag under the dock.

Sarah is very close with her family and is proud of her traditional views and conservative upbringing. Brianna complains that Sarah is judgmental and dismisses her because she doesn't fit Sarah's world view.

Sarah reminds me a lot of myself when I was 20. I was embarrassed for both of us as I watched her temper tantrum develop. I, too, was raised in a conservative home. I think it's very easy to be judgmental of others who exhibit "immoral" behaviors when you haven't been exposed to different cultures and religious traditions.

I vividly remember a fight I had with an old roommate over cleaning the apartment. She screamed, "I'm sorry I'm not as perfect as you, Ashley." I make a conscious effort to remember those words. They remind me that I'm not perfect. That nobody's perfect. My dad always said, "There's a right way and a wrong way to do something." Sorry, dad, but you were very wrong. There is no right way or wrong way to do anything; it's simply her way or my way.

I think many Christians are guilty of playing moral judges once and awhile. I know I have, and I probably will again. But we just have to remind ourselves that's not what Christianity is all about. Christians are supposed to forgive, to heal and to console. I hope Sarah will be able to look back someday and feel the same.

'The Hills' finale is disappointing

I was really disappointed with the season three finale of "The Hills." The trailer gave viewers reason to believe Audrina Patridge was moving out of the house she shares with Lauren Conrad and Lauren "Lo" Bosworth, and that Heidi Montag was either going to get fired from Bolthouse or leave her boyfriend Spencer for good.

Instead, viewers got nothing more than the teasers in the trailer. The show ended with Lauren and Audrina's relationship in limbo. In the trailer, Lauren approaches Audrina about the uneasiness in the house. I was hoping Audrina and Lauren would hug and vow to work on their friendship, but nothing actually results from their discussion. Audrina explains that Lo is creating the gap in their friendship, and Lauren sheds a few tears. This might have satisfied viewers, except they showed all that footage in the trailer as well.

The only shocker was that Heidi chooses Spencer over an opportunity to work in Las Vegas, which only reinforces the fact that Heidi is a horrible role model for young women today. I hope Brent Bolthouse fires her. The show's producers should stop wasting our time with Heidi and Spencer's relationship and give Whitney Port more face time.

'The Hills' gives viewers a way to escape

My husband Gerry hates that I watch "The Hills." He says the show is complete nonsense, and that watching it is probably the biggest waste of my time.

Gerry would rather watch the History Channel. I'm sorry, but after studying communication theory for four hours, the last thing I want to do is watch educational programming.

In this month's issue of Rolling Stone, new deputy editor Jason Gay addressed the very reasons why people love to hate or hate to love "The Hills." "For starters, it's gorgeous," Gay writes referring to show's camerawork.

Gay's second reason mirrors the argument I've made for the show in the past: to escape. And I'm impressed that a guy could make the following observation. "When the cheery theme song, Natasha Bedingfield's girly-power anthem 'Unwritten' kicks in -- 'Feel the rain on your skin/No one else can feel it for you' -- you can sense the serotonin releasing inside your brain. 'The Hills' is Wellbutrin on TV."

Gay, I couldn't have said it better myself. There is something about Bedingfield's song that makes you want to take on the world like Elle Woods takes on Harvard Law in Legally Blonde.

So if Hills' viewers are watching to escape and to have a positive aesthetic experience, I have to disagree with Gerry. There are worse things young adults can do with their time than watch "The Hills." Besides, we could all use a little serotonin boost after a hard week of work or school.