Posts Tagged ‘bob guiney’

My name is Jennifer Birn, and I’m a Groupie

August 8th, 2008

I’ll write a more detailed blog tomorrow, but I just walked in the door from playing groupie at a practice session for Band from TV (Thanks Mr. Bob Guiney) and had so much fun I wanted to share right away – although now I’ve gotta go to a party for the Madden NFL 09 VIP Premiere at STK/Coco de Ville.
 
A former band guy’s girlfriend, I forgot how much fun going to band practice can be. People had to fill in at practice for the otherwise committed Greg Grunberg (drums) and Teri Hatcher (female vocalist) who will both be performing at the show (NETFLIX LIVE! ON LOCATION CONCERT AND SCREENING) Saturday in LA, but I got to hang out while the rest of the band, Desperate Housewives James Denton (guitar), House’s resident hottie Jesse Spencer on rock violin, Heroes’ Adrian Pasdar (guest appearance on guitar) and lead vocalist Bachelor Bob Guiney as they rehearsed for the performance, the proceeds for which will all go to charity, as does every effort from the hottest band on TV.

James (Jamie as Bob called him) Denton (such a nice guy) told me The Band from TV initially formed about three years ago when he and Greg Grunberg met at a charity event to raise awareness for autism. Later they met Bob Guiney, at a charity event to raise money for cancer research. Now, they all jam together to raise money for various charities – and they’re good, and entertaining, and I was proud to be their groupie du jour.

I remember a time when I thought the term ‘groupie’ had a negative connotation. When I was in college and used to hang out watching my share of bands I’d insist I was ‘friends with the band,’ not a ‘band groupie.’ But today, older and wiser, I wear the groupie label with pride, I mean, what’s wrong with enjoying entertaining talent and sharing your admiration/adoration? I’ve decided nothing, so I’m proud to be a groupie for The Band from TV. Maybe I’ll start a fan club. Or not, I can hardly maintain this blog, but if someone else does I’ll join

Dating Tips from Bob

July 1st, 2008

Among this week’s breaking news-packed edition of OK! -um, La Lohan has a secret sister and Madge may be making out with A-Rod – we’ve also included “15 Tips for Getting (and keeping) a Guy.” Doing some further investigation, when I was on a recent Virgin America SuperFly Wednesday singles flight (basically Virgin America’s attempt to make the skies an alternative meet, mingle and dating destination), I caught up with former The Bachelor and The Bachelorette star Bob Guiney. I’ve gotta be honest, prior to meeting the two-time star of reality dating shows my expectations for finding him company of choice weren’t so high, except for the points he earned for being a member of the Band from TV (with Hugh Lorie, Greg Grunberg, Bonnie Somerville and James Denton). Thankfully, I was most pleasantly surprised to find over the course of our 15 hours en route to and hanging out in Las Vegas, that Bob is a blast to be around and a really fun, humble and dare I say witty and intelligent guy. Being on dating shows, twice, and now happily married to Rebecca Budig from All My Children, I asked him to help me out with some guys advice on dating. Here’s his Top Ten:

10 Don’t be early. Seems desperate.?
9. Don’t be late. Seems desperate.?
8. Try not to talk about your ex too much. Especially if it’s really nice. Be brief.?
7. Don’t ask the age old question, "boxers/briefs?" It’s just not funny!?
6. Wear a scent - but don’t BATHE in it! There can be too much of a good thing!?
5. Just relax & enjoy! Don’t put too much on it! In the end you may never see each other again/or you might - so just enjoy the moment.
4. Leave the blackberry in the purse. At least PRETEND like we’re interesting!?
3. Dress it down a little. And I guess by this, I mean don’t wear your prom dress if we’re heading out for Mexican!?
2. Have some drinks (if you do) but not so many you forget our name… Or puke. Again, there can be too much of a good thing!?
1. EAT. Come on!!! Have a meal! Nothing is sexier than a woman who loves food, And doesn’t forget our name… And doesn’t puke.

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TV Recap: Inside Discovery Network’s TV Upfront

April 25th, 2008

I was sitting in the simulcast room for the Discovery Network TV upfront on Wednesday, diligently taking notes, when Jennifer Lopez walked on the stage.

 

She had made a suprise appearance to announce her partnership with TLC to produce a reality series based on her life. After screaming out an expletive and scaring potential TLC advertisers, I raced down to the lobby to try to speak with the new mom and soon-to-be celebreality star.

No such luck, she had slipped out the back. I was told by an eyewitness that Jenny from the block looked radiant, if not a little tired, in that way new moms who aren’t getting enough sleep often do.

 

I did get a chance to catch up with Mel B and Joey Fatone, who will be sparring against one another on the new TLC reality series The Singing Office. The Dancing with the Stars alums will ambush separate work spaces, and select a team of coworkers who will take on the new project of preparing for their singing stage debut. “They are put in boot camp, and they’ll learn to sing and learn choreography,” Mel shared with me. While Joey’s advice to his team will be “not to be nervous,” Mel will be looking for “passion. I want to believe that you’re really enjoying the song and really listened to the words,” she said. The winning group, which is decided by the audience, wins $50,000. Nah, that wouldn’t make me nervous at all!

I hung out with the nicest guy in showbiz, soap star/DWTS alum/TV host extraordinaire Cameron Mathison, who’s got his own new show, Your Place or Mine. Cameron explained, “It’s a cross between and game show and a makeover show. Families are going to be vying against each other to have different rooms in their house redone.” The twist? The opposing family team can steal control of the game – and a room – which is literally ripped out of the other families’ house. There will be no loaning cups of sugar with these neighbors, that’s for sure!


Bob Guiney, who is currently hosting the TLC series Date My House, was also on the scene. The former Bachelor has high hopes that this year’s rose-giving man, Matt Grant, will be the one who actually makes it to “I do” with his reality bride-to-be. “I think this time it could work out, I really do,” says Bob. “I think Matt’s going to find true love and steal the hearts of America.”

My most exciting moment of the night? Hearing Bob offer up the smartest suggestion I’ve ever heard for the next Bachelorette (Deanna Pappas starts her reign on May 19). None other than yours truly! “You’d be perfect for it,” he declared.

Are you listening ABC? I promise I’d make it to the altar!

Bob Guiney Makes a Date With Home Sellers

April 7th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Bob Guiney knows a thing or two about dating. As a contestant on the Bachelorette and on the fourth season of The Bachelor, Guiney proved his relationship chops. He’s also got a background in the housing market and once owned his own mortgage firm. The combination makes him the perfect host for TLC’s new show real estate show, Date My House.

The Date My House premise? Each week Guiney and designer Nadia Geller help home sellers get their homes ready for sale. Potential buyers are then invited to “make a date” with the home, and are able to spend additional time in the house — having dinner parties, barbecues or sleeping over if they want.

“It’s a great way for people to figure out if a house is really right for them,” said Guiney of the date idea. “In one of the first episodes, for example, one of the couples was very sensitive to noise, and they stayed in the house overnight. They realized that an airport was nearby and the noise would disturb them.”

Getting homes into “date shape” can be tough though. “With some homes, it was like walking into a horror show. You may love your tiger skin on the wall, and your tribal masks, but it can be an immediate turn-off,” said Guiney.

Home sellers are having a hard time right now, because “the housing market has been so inflated and there’s an abundance of homes, but not an abundance of buyers. It’s a weird time for homeowners trying to sell,” said Guiney from his home in Los Angeles.

Guiney and his wife, All My Children star Rebecca Budig, are no strangers to the difficulties of buying and selling homes. The couple went through the process when they moved to L.A. two years ago and, says Guiney, a lot of the homes they viewed had similar problems to the ones on Date My House.

“We walked into 40 homes and with nearly every home we’d walk into it and walk right out. It’s all about the first impression. Unless you’re one of those people with an incredible vision — and I’m not — it’s hard to get past a homeowner’s personal style.”

Guiney’s advice for homeowners trying to sell? “Put your best foot forward and, at the same time, be yourself. Just like dating, overwhelming someone with everything the first time they meet you is not the best idea.”

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