Skinny Showbiz - The Sound of Music Live!

Carrie Underwood has been vilified for her

performance in The Sound of Music Live!

 

 

Say what you will about Carrie Underwood in The Sound of Music Live!  She delivered an audience of close to 20 million viewers and is ushering in a new era of traditional Broadway musicals being broadcast live during upcoming holiday seasons.  I, for one, think this is cause for celebration. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of SOM Live, have committed to doing it again next year with another family friendly property.

 

Underwood delivered the audience

 

Not since the live Broadcast of Peter Pan in March of 1955, starring Mary Martin as Peter and my upstairs neighbor Sondra Lee as Tiger Lily, has such an undertaking been attempted.  I haven't seen the DVD of that broadcast in years (and, no, I didn't watch it live as I wasn't born yet.  (Haters need Jesus!!! to quote CU)

 

The incomparable Audra McDonald

 

While the cast was packed with Broadway stalwarts, including Tony winners Audra McDonald and Christian Borle.  McDonald really hit Climb Every Mountain out of the park.  I rewound it and watched it three times in a row (does that mean I'm a theater queen?)  But without Underwood's star power the project wouldn't have gotten off the ground.  And I understand it took 10 months of rehearsals and planning to put this show on the air. It really was an act of love.   Remember Smash?   There was oodles of Broadway talent on display, but theater queens alone couldn't keep the show on the air - you need a major star to bring in the heavy duty ratings.  (Sorry Angelica Huston.)

 

 

If the show were that much of a dog the ratings wouldn't have been consistent throughout the 3 hour broadcast.  Jay Leno had blockbuster numbers even though it was a re-run.  In fact, NBC announced today that it will re-air the program this Saturday, December 14th at 8 PM.  (Sorry about that It's a Wonderful Life - you've been bounced to Friday.)

 

People are so mean!!!!

 

So, thank you Carrie Underwood.  I'm grateful to you and I can't wait to see what they'll do next year - and who will be brave enough to brave the Tweeters out there who denounced The Sound of Music Live before it was even over.

 

What could have been!

 

 

 



Make Mine a Double: Wheatgrass Shots!

The magic elixir - wheatgrass shots

There was a commotion in the hallwayoutside my office the other week.  One of my colleagues tasted his first shot of wheatgrass.  Putting it mildly, he didn't like it.  I was intrigued and Googeled wheatgrass.  My research showed that wheatgrass is one of the most potently healthy substances on earth.  It contains over 90 minerals, including potassium, calcium and magnesium.  It contains essential enzymes:  protease (assists in protein digestion), cytochrome oxidase (say that three times fast!) which is a powerful anti-oxident, amylaste which facilitates digestion, lipase which is a fat splitting enzyme, and other enzymes that strengthen the heart muscle and slow cellular aging.

My double shot at Juice Generation

I ventured out to Westerly Market that day to try a shot.  It didn't taste that bad at all.  Plus they give you a slice of orange or lemon as a chaser - like when you suck on a slice of lime after doing a shot of Tequila.  Since then I've learned that it's best to take your wheatgrass shots on an empty stomach.  I did this on my second try and a few minutes later literally felt like I was buzzing.  I've also read it's good to swirl it around in your mouth to help with absorbtion and it's good for the gums and to wait an hour before eating.  I stop by a juice shop after the gym on the way to work in the morning.  I've had a strenuous workout, plus I've taken long sauna and steam baths and a swim - I think my body is ready to absorb the wonders of the wheatgrass at this point of my day. 

Set 'em up, Joe

Even if the taste doesn't agree with you, it's worth taking the plunge.  There are many reports that say wheatgrass helps blood flow, digestion and general detoxification of the body.  It's excellent for the liver.  It's also high in chlorophyll, which not only helps you have fresh breath but has been linked to lower rates of colon cancer.  Wikipedia says that fifteen pounds of wheatgrass is equal in overall nutritional value to 350 pounds of ordinary vegetables or 1 serving of wheatgrass is the equivalent of 23 servings of vegetables.

Wheatgrass before being juiced

Jumba Juice has the best prices for wheatgrass shots.  My double shot comes out to $3.54.  The only problem with Jumba Juice is that their employees work at two speeds:  Slow and Slower.  They also run out of wheatgrass.  Juice Generation is quick and efficient and charges $4 plus change for a double - they only problem is they're near my apartment and aren't open when I pass at 6 AM so I only go there on the weekends.  Westerly Market charges over $5 for a double shot, but I think their quality is unsurpassed.

Wheatgrass going through the juicer

You can take wheatgrass supplements but they're expensive and you have to take a lot of them.  A wheatgrass juicer is prohibitively expensive so for now I'll go to the Juice Bars for my daily fix.  I've been taking it daily for 3 weeks.  I notice I look healthier and my skin looks clearer and I feel more vibrant.  I don't know if it's the placebo effect and I don't care: it makes me feel wonderful!