Surprises are…

…loads of fun.

Susan: The Irish Intern

Well, I’ve finished my internship with WPLJ and I have to admit, I’m so sad to leave! I had such an incredible two months and learned a lot.

Thought I’d put up these sound clips from my time there! I didn’t realise until very recently that Scott and Todd in the Morning has 2.4 Million listeners. GASP!

This is what they heard a few weeks ago:

http://www.supload.com/ringtone/Scott/Wplj-Scott-And-Todd-In-The-Morning-2/download-ZBY8MMIUXZS0

This is a clip from my last day with the show:

http://www.supload.com/ringtone/Scott/Wplj-Scott-And-Todd-In-The-Morning/download-3ESGVNLLM8RF

PS. You’ll need to excuse my New York twang in the first clip. It can’t be helped!

Pot calling the kettle…yellow?

Having recently read my blog, my sister became MORTIFIED when she realised that I had told my entire audience of three or four people that she does not own a kettle.

She was so mortified in fact, that I found this waiting for me in the kitchen the other day.

I like to call it: Shame – in kettle form. Its sorta pretty though ain’t it?

Say Elle-o to Bailey Hanks!

The first time I walked by a giant billboard in Time Square for Legally Blonde the musical, I thought “jeez, Broadway’s really scraping the barrel for new shows”. Boy, have I had to eat my words.

Not only have I been to see the show twice, I am now the proud owner of a Legally Blonde the Musical t-shirt and soundtrack (to which I know all the words!). It’s the kind of show that challenges your pre-conceptions – looking ditzy, but actually coming across very clever. The songs span a wide range of styles with something for everyone from reggae to pop to old school Broadway harmonies. The sets are unbelievable and the actors use them so well. I don’t want to give away too much detail about the show here – I’d urge you to see it yourself, but let’s get down to the ACTUAL subject of this post: Bailey Hanks.

If you’ve been watching “I’d Do Anything” or “Any Dream Will Do”, you may have heard of MTV’s newest reality show “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods” (I’m not sure if MTV UK are airing it?). Thousands of hopefuls auditioned for the lead in the Broadway show. The girls were really put through their paces, being asked to sing while spinning on exercise bikes, dancing in sky high heels and acting alongside current cast members. My sister and I watched it RELIGIOUSLY this summer!

The lucky girl, Bailey Hanks, was cast last April and made her Broadway debut this summer! Before auditioning in Nashville, TN, she had never even seen a Broadway show – let alone star in one! I decided I had to go and check her out for myself.

I went to see the production last night – and the verdict is in: Hanks was born to play this role. She did not waver for a second – and you could feel the entire audience smiling and secretly cheering her on for living her dream. Vocally she was on point, but what really impressed me were her dancing and her comedic styling. She took the part and truly made it her own. I loved every second of it.

So, if you’re thinking “ugh Legally Blonde?! Sounds ridiculous” …that’s because it’s ridiculously amazing. Fact.

Bailey auditioning

“I’m never wearing that again – I’m wearing THIS!”

You go girl.

The List

Anyone remember this episode from Friends?

Chandler: Well, we have a deal where we each get to pick five different celebrities that we can sleep with, and the other one can’t get mad.
Ross: Ah, the heart of every healthy relationship: Honesty, respect, and sex with celebrities.
Monica: So, Chandler… who’s on your list?
Chandler: Uh, Kim Basinger, Cindy Crawford, Halle Berry, Yasmine Bleeth, and, ah, Jessica Rabbit.
Rachel: Now, you do realize that she’s a cartoon… and way out of your league?
Chandler: I know, I know, I just always wondered if I could get her eyes to pop out of her head.

Rachel: Oh, I don’t know. I guess… Chris O’Donnel, John F. Kennedy, Jr., Daniel Day Lewis, Sting, and Parker Stevenson.
Ross: Spiderman?
Rachel: Hardy Boy.
Chandler: Peter Parker.
Ross: Thank you.

It got me thinking who’d be on my list! I had a discussion with my sister earlier and she listed out the usual suspects: Brad Pitt, George Clooney etc.

Well here’s the definitive Susan Doyle list 2008 (I figure these things change as you get older…)

ahem in no particular order:

1. Patrick Dempsey

They don’t call him Dr. McDreamy for nothing. I went through a BIG Grey’s Anatomy phase, fuelled by my love of drama, suspense and this man here.

2. Adrian Grenier

I first swooned over him in “Drive Me Crazy”, then “The Devil Wears Prada”…but I couldn’t help wishing he didn’t do such flimsy films. Then I saw “Entourage” – another TV show I’ve become addicted to. Sigh…he’s savage.

3. Chad Michael Murray

Does anyone remember the episode of “The Gilmore Girls” where Tristan and Rory are sitting at the piano and they kiss? I recorded it and played it about a zillion times. Sad, yes, hot? also yes.

4. Chace Crawford

A recent addition to The List! Can’t watch Gossip Girl without a slight swoon or two.

5. Colin Firth

When someone first told me that they thought Colin Firth was hot, I said “You must be havin’ a laugh!”. It wasn’t until I actually saw him in a number of chick flicks that he appealed to me – and MAN does he appeal to me. He’s just such a NICE BOY in films! He’s chivalrous, sweet, thoughtful and adorable. Plus, he kisses like a bad boy…or so I’ve heard.

So, there you have it!

Who’d be on your list eh? Think long and hard. Its actually pretty tough.

Dickens gives his regards to Broadway

One thing I love about being in New York is going to Broadway shows – especially new ones that are still in previews! These shows are raw, potentially brilliant and unseen by the masses. Which allows me to either criticize or spread the word about a brand spanking new musical.

Last night I went to see a preview of “A Tale of Two Cities”. When we arrived at the theatre, my sister and I could not, for the life of us, remember which shows had come before, but we were sure that we had been in that theatre! Turns out it was “Curtains” last and “The Wedding Singer” before that. The theatre has not had good luck with long runs!

Raves

The music was awesome. You know that epic kind of music that’s missing from “Hairspray” and “Legally Blonde”? The old school, blow you out of your seat with their ranges singers? That’s what this musical had.

James Barbour as Sydney Carton. Amazing! Probably the only character I actually felt something for. He came across as funny, heart warming and oh so likable. Lets not forget those pipes! Every time he came onstage I was excited.

Brandi Burkhart as Lucie – she was enchanting.

The sets – really good use of the stage. The visuals kept me constantly amazed.

The costumes. It made me wanna throw on a corset and some court shoes.

Rants

The show lacked opening and closing numbers that stood out. These are the places the catchy songs should go – and to be honest, I left singing Les Mis songs. Somethings wrong there.

The script was a little weak, especially during the emotional parts of the story. It didnt make me feel for Dr. Manet at all, and apparently he was locked in the Bastille for 17 years. It got slightly better in act II, but not by much. Maybe Dickens’ story was too complicated for this sort of adaption?

The English accents. Now being from Europe, I’m probably more critical than most – but Craig Bennett as Jerry Cruncher sounded like he was a waiter from the Outback Steakhouse.

The ending. OH MY GOD. I was so disappointed. I like endings that are dark – so it wasn’t that…but the show ended so abruptly without the epic song that I so desperately wanted! In fact, I thought Carton was mid-song when the lights went out! It was such a shame because I was just about to get emotional – I really did love his character. It was almost like there was no closing number.

The Verdict

The show was like Les Mis but easier to follow. It was funnier too – which probably appeals to a wider audience. However, it just isn’t in the same league script wise and musically. I honestly don’t remember more than two or three songs from seeing the performance. Bit of a disappointment overall.

Some pics of the show:

*This was the best scene visually in the whole show. I LOVED it.

I ♥ Williamsburg.

When you live in NY, you tend not to appreciate the city to the fullest. You skip the tourist attractions, you stick to the neighbourhood you grew up in and you generally don’t know much about all the nooks and crannies of the place. I lived in New York (Brooklyn to be exact) for ten years – and in that time I had never fully explored Soho, the Village or the upper West Side. Tsk, Tsk I hear you sigh.

So, I made a pledge once I left. Everytime I return to New York – I find a new neighbourhood to explore. This Summer it was Williamsburg, Brooklyn.. and I must confess – I’ve got a bit of a crush!

Back when I lived in Brooklyn, Williamsburg was not an area I was encouraged to go to. It was mostly industrial and was on the other side of the borough in the middle of some areas that had pretty high crime rates.

Now…however, Williamsburg has been transformed! It is a haven for artists and musicians – and since it’s only one stop from Manhattan, you’re never far from the action. Its the home of the hipster population in New York and when you arrive you’ll notice immediately! Everyone looks like they stepped right out of an Alphabeat video.

Also present is a diverse blend of nationalities and cultures. People there definitely march to the beat of their own drummer. Its infectious.

I went to Williamsburg one very sunny saturday. Bedford Avenue (the main street) was closed to traffic and people walked, chatted and hung out on the street. Bikes are everywhere and people seem to be thinking green. Vendors selling used books, second hand clothes and old vinyl albums lined the streets. And the thrift shops…oh my god…the thrift shops!

Williamsburg also has some pretty cool bars and restaurants. One bar is known for allowing dogs and as I peered in the window – I noticed a dog on a bar stool next to his thirsty owner! Another has a tiki theme and as you walk in, you are greeted with sand on the floor. Want pizza with your beer? $5 will get you a drink and a pizza too. Who could ask for more?!

I feel like Ive been unable to capture the atmosphere in this post – so here are a few pics I took. Some of them are from the apartment my friend Taryn was staying in. It was savage.

An artist paints a “Williamsburg Walks” mural

The sprinklers on a roasting day!

Vintage car meets urban graffiti

Taryn’s apartment – owned by an interior designer with a fetish for antiques.

New York: The good, the bad and the verdict

When I’m not working in the radio station, or doing my brother-in-law’s travel website, I take out tour groups for senior citizens. I shit you not.

Its been pretty cool, actually. I get paid to meet groups of people (usually around 50 – sometimes 100 – sometimes more!) and I make sure that they get from point A to point B, eat somewhere and get back to point A again. The perks of this include getting to see some great NY sights, eat in nice restaurants for free, and I get a day out of the office and away from the computer screen (yet here I am again…sigh).

On one of my moments of freetime (when the auld ones get time free, so do I – yet another perk) I began to evaluate my summer here in NY. It wasn’t a typical holiday – lets face it 10 years living here makes me a New Yorker deep down inside – but I think there are some things that deserve mention. So here goes:

The Good

- Living with my sister and Tony. AMAZING. While some J1-ers are sweating it out – 9 to a small apartment, I live in a gorgeous house in Long Island. I have a big massive bed, a maid to clean my room once a week and lets not forget the whole “living rent-free” thing. HEAVEN.

- Internship. Dream come true.

- Rendezvous Travel. Pays me well, nice atmosphere to work in – and I get to go on these amazing trips. Yesterday I was out in Montauk, near the Hamptons (where the rich and famous summer). I was practically on the beach all day! And despite us having 6 buses of auld ones and auld lads, I still got to work on my tan.

- Manicures and Pedicures. $18 for the two Mon- Wed. How can you beat that?!

- The Broadway Dance Center. Located just off Time Square, the studio I take my dance classes is just out of this world. Now admitedly I’m quite below the level of most of the dancers there – but it is so cool watching other classes and seeing the professionals. The hip-hoppers are ridonkulous! I’ve also tried Pilates, which I love.

- The weather. Sometimes its really really hard to work in the sweltering heat on a tour, but once the weekend hits and you get to the beach (or a chair in the backyard) it is all worth it.

- Broadway. I’ve already gone to see “Title of Show”, “Jersey Boys” and “Spring Awakening” – next on the list is “A Tale of Two Cities” and “Legally Blonde”…all before I go home. If I could squeeze in any more musical goodness, I would.

- Having the Irish here. Even though I’m still in contact on a regular basis with my New York friends – it is SO GOOD to have some of the Irish crowd around. The banter is top class. And my humour is fully appreciated…well generally. We all have our days, I guess.

The Bad

- Missing my mammy’s cooking. I’m a total meat and potatoes girl. Now that the novelty of Italian food every night as worn off – Im dying for a nice roast chicken and spuds.

- Missing my mammy and daddy. Generally I dont get homesick when Im here, because Im around my family! But lately, I’ve had the urge to be at home. I even had a dream about my dad running away with another woman (who he said was my Auntie Ronnie! BUT IT WASNT). I can’t wait to see them.

- The weather. Have I mentioned how hot it is here?

- American men. They’re forward and unable to understand sarcasm. They also don’t get the whole “slagging yourself” thing. This worries me greatly.

- The Daily News. The newspapers here are a bit crazy. The headline on the cover of the Daily News one day was “Bahhhhhd Security” about a goat who had gotten under the fence at the Verrazano Bridge. C’mon. There’s a war in Iraq and an upcoming election people!

The Verdict

This has been the best Summer in a long time for me. I’m getting experience, making money and doing everything fun I want to do.

One of the old ladies was asking me all about my life – where I come from, college, where my family is, what I want to do – and she commented: “Wow, you’re so young and you have such an interesting life”. She really has a point there, ya know?

OMFG Sex Sells

Has anyone seen the new Gossip Girl ads?!

Maybe its just hitting me extra hard because there are no ads for it in Ireland – but woah! I realise that my sense of morals should say “oh..how cheap of them to use sex to sell the show” but I just cant help it! I love how they’re using criticism to bring GG even more attention.

Can’t wait for the second season to start in Sept!

Urban Romance

Summer in the city means cleavage, cleavage, cleavage…..