Where in the World is KB?

I'm not sure where I am either.  Actually, I am in my last few days in Chicago with Toyota Live, but here are a few places where you can find me in the next week or so.  Remember, Red Carpet Closet will be the hub for all of my Oscar coverage over the next week, so come back here for all of the awards show magic.

1. News Talk 690:  I am on Idaho's News Talk morning show today at 6:45AM PT/9:45AM ET.  Click here and find the tab in the upper righthand corner to listen live.  I'll be talking about the Oscars for sure and I am going to guess there will be a Whitney reference or two.

2.  Driving with Gass:  As many of you know, this is my weekly #RadioBurtt appearance.  I will be on again on Monday for an in-depth look at Oscars Week.  Kevin Gassman has been also kind enough to provide a podcast of my appearance from Monday.  We had a thorough discussion of Whitney and the prevalence of prescription drugs in Hollywood. Listen here and give me your thoughts in the comments below.

3.  Cocktails and Conversation:  I will be making two appearances on the show pre and post-Oscars, so make sure to mark Saturday, February 25th and Saturday, March 3rd at 5AM PT//8AM ET.  Listen here.

4. Toyota Live:  I have four more days at the Chicago Auto Show, so come on down to McCormick and join us at the top of every hour.  Shows begin at 11AM with the last show at 8PM. (There is no 4PM show, a girl has to eat!)  We have a few Chicago Bears, Chicago Fire, jellies from the Shedd Aquarium, and Ramblin' Ray from US99 coming through over the next few days.  For the full schedule, click here. Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say "hi".  It's been so nice to see old friends and meet new friends here in the Windy City.

My News Page will also be updated with the latest appearances, so be sure to check back there often.

Chicago Auto Show 2012: First Weekend

Here we are again:  back in Chicago and up on the Toyota Live stage and on the huge LED wall.  This year, our guests include Bears, Cubs, Turtles, Snakes, and Fire.  Yes, some are local sports heroes while others are visitors to from the Shedd Aquarium.  Either way, the Windy City always provides colorful characters on our stage....especially 1985 Chicago Bear, Steve McMichael.  If you've ever met him, you know what I am talking about!

Check out my insider's perspective on the Toyota Prius for the Chicago Auto Show's daily web series. (And holy close-up shot.....back up, camera dude!)

 Dancing on the stage at the Charity Preview to the Biebs. "Baby, baby, baby, oh!"

 There's a turtle on the stage....we named him "Prius" since he is hydrodynamic like the hybrid which is aerodynamic.

Hanging with Steve McMichael after the show.  He's pretty funny and larger than life.  

 I just have to say that Earl Bennett liked me way better than my co-host.  Hahahaha.......

Um, I had the opportunity to wear a Superbowl ring.  POW!  It was huge on my little fingers.  Thanks, Steve!

Behind the Scenes of the Oscar Nominees Luncheon

Last week was the Oscar Nominees luncheon which is an intimate look at the current crop of Hollywood's finest.  I offered my coverage with Mingle Media TV in video form, but I thought it would be fun to give you a look into my notes written in a stream of consciousness form.  I cleaned up any spelling or grammar errors since I was typing on my iPad, but it's a true insider's look on how it all went down.  Enjoy!

Notes:

Learned my lesson last year. Eat before you go. Starbucks run.  Front row this year. Reporter to my left is trying to get the scoop on my marital/dating status, reporter to my right is fantastically wacky.  I like her.  

11:33AM George Clooney:  Go big or go home.  Came early for "free booze". Repeated question that each reporter asked--total media pro. It's good to be a friend of George--Viola/ Brad stay at Lake Como. Sam from KTLA wants to know how he can stay here. Ah, the media is so funny.  Sooo handsome. Oooo, he dropped an F-bomb. Awesome. Rooting for Alexander Payne. Delicious...reporter next to me giggles because I uttered that comment out loud.

Hear my question at the 5:15 mark.....

11:42PM Rooney Mara:  Slight and quite bashful. Ah, my first dress question gets answered. No dress yet. "people send you things and you find something you like.  I dont like a lot of color". " Pierced one nipple, not both. She's keeping it for now, doesn't want to pierce it again. "Everything happened so fast., trying to take it all in." Mugler jacket/ASOS jumpsuit which she pronounces as "A-S-O-S".

11:58AM Max von Sydow: What an honor. Media asking who he was excited to meet. Christopher Plummer. He's so distinguished. How about the ladies? asks a reporter.  He responds, "Yes, some of the directors too." Ah, a sense of humor. Moves in to hear a question. Standing in front of me. Should I hug him?  Nominated 29 years ago for Pelle the Conquerer here. Yes, someone finally asks him a good question.

12:05PM Viola Davis:  Hot, hot in hot pink. "if you guys could see me at home with my cornrows...."  Great story about getting George's villa for her honeymoon. "Greatest gift anyone could have given us". Lost her hair at 28 after reading bad review about her Broadway show due to stress. "At 46, let so much of that go.  Define joy and happiness for yourself. and I've got my hair." She has the room memorized. It's quiet in here. Sign of a star. Wearing JC Abando that day.

12:11PM Jonah Hill/Brad Pitt:  Matching gray suits. Brad has shiny hair. Everyone talking to Brad. Jonah is hanging back, kind of quiet. Lots of Latin outlets asking about Demian's performance. "a story of value and getting second chances." (Pitt). Pranks:  Brad is the "bobby Fischer is pranks...a masterful art form with this guy", says Hill.

12:18PM Janet McTeer:  Wearing a formal suit. Says it was hard "trying to play an Irishman in front of an Irish crew. That was really scary." Their reaction was "what the f--k was that?!".  HA!   Second f-bomb of the day. Rooting for Glenn. Her cell phone rings. She quickly says "have a little bit of respect for the talent.  It's a text". Hilarious. Hid her hands a lot in the film because the are"quite girly".  Didn't wear men's underwear in the film.  (Just in case you were wondering.)

12:23PM Glenn Close:  Hawaiian jacket. "You are one of five...how could you possibly think of yourself as a loser. " Inspiring to hear how she got Albert Nobbs done. 1998 is the year she took out the first option on this movie.  You are awesome, Glenn. 

12:27PM Octavia Spencer: "It will hit me two weeks later and I will enjoy it......and I am a symbol of hope for all of the other actors that have been doing it as long as I have". "I've mauled everyone" since she's near Brad, Meryl, George. What was it like to maul George? That's what I wanted to ask. Behave. Didn't like people misinterpreting her words during the press junket process for The Help. It's tough, but a part of the process. Waiting for food. No alcohol until then. Smart lady. Sings "Oscar nominee" into the mic over and over.  

12:32 Kenneth Branagh:  First time at luncheon even though it's not his first nomination. Enjoys working with Dame Judi Dench. Emma Watson in her first grown-up role resonated with him. 

12:36. Berenice Bejo: speaks Spanish, talks about life in Argentina. Preparation the same as a film. Experience is different for audience. (I asked her whether it was different for an actor to prepare for a silent movie.)  Dress is done. "No, it's like Christmas. You don't say a thing". Guess we won't find out her Oscar designer today. Wants husband to like her dress. Today's dress:  Elie Saab 

12:39PM Jean DuJardin: Movie poster controversy question. Skip it says the moderator.  Yep, keep the questions conservative.  Oooooooo...French. Translator is here. The Artist is an LA film. Likes "energy, playing with extras, the food.". (Wait, playing with the extras??)  Back to French. Back to food likes cinnamon rolls. Not preparing a speech. He "wants element of surprise".

12:43PM Gary Oldman: Finally an Oscar nominee after all of these years. "it's a fairy tale". "I'm having a ball". He likes hanging out with Brad and George. Me too. Talks about Academy recognizing people in their 20's thru 80's. Interviewed Ben Gazzara about 5 months ago who just passed away.  "Oscar is better than the money. The villains are the one you do for money they"re expensive. They will be now." Yes, sir, they will....your agent will be happy too.

12:50PM Lady next to me is wielding an unwieldy pen. I'm wearing a DVF dress, watch out!

12:50PM Melissa McCarthy:  Everyone gets excited. Gorgeous in green. Gets teary-eyed looking at Oscar behind her.  Ah, I'm afraid she's going to burst into tears. No competition with her friend Octavia. Melissa is smaller in real life. No idea who her designer is, but she's wearing Neil Lane jewelry.

12:54PM Michelle Williams: Very Mia Farrow-looking today. So luminous. Oscar dress question. No dress yet. "should I have?". Her advice for other nominees?  "Bring a snack".  Word.  That is so true.  Oscar Day is a hungry day. Dress is awesome. Doesn't know designer of her dress today. So charming 

12:57PM Nick Nolte: He is sweaty and very red. Starts out with a joke. Looks like Santa Claus. I am just stunned. Tells a story about leaving a party at 5am and how he needs stricter rules. Story about Jimmy from Pittsburgh. Who is Jimmy?  I'm confused.  Still going at 1:02. PR Guy makes him shorten story. WTF???

1:03PM Demian Bechir: Like Javier Bardem last year, he gets big cheers. Handsome. He likes hanging with Brad and George too. They're like the cool kids in the club. First Mexican actor nominated since Tony Quinn. Spanish, blah, blah.....I catch every other word. Immigration debate continues due to subject matter on film. "it's a human issue, not a political issue". He's doing a play in Mexico. Flew in this morning. Everyone fighting to be the last question. He's popular.

Photo: Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

Rachel McAdams Is Completely Crush-Worthy

Why do I look like this?  Find out below.

Awwwww, I teased you with that title, but it's true.  I think I have always had a small girl crush on Rachel McAdams and when I met her two weeks ago for The Vow press junket, it proved to be true.  She's sweet, pretty, and down to earth.  Exactly what you would expect in the Canadian gal.  Oh yeah, Channing Tatum was there too.  He's incredibly nice and polite, but I think he even knew it was all about Rachel that day.  Here's my interview with them for iVillage.  Are you going to see The Vow this weekend?

Also, I had the opportunity to interview a Disney Channel gal who I feel like I have watched grow up.  I first saw her on the red carpet for Beverly Hills Chihuahua back in 2008 when she was on Suite Life on Deck.  I then caught up with her at the Gracie Awards and Radio Disney's NBT in 2011.  It has been such a pleasure to see her take Hollywood by storm and Red Carpet Report caught up with her earlier this week to hear about her new Disney Channel flick, Radio Rebel.  See my interview and be sure to enter the Mingle Media TV Network giveaway to win an autographed CD.  

Blushington

I don't know about you, but I am not that good at doing my makeup.  I try to imitate all of the makeup artists that do my face for camera, but alas, they are the artist and I am lucky to get my eyeshadow blended.  Well, I cannot tell you how excited I was to be invited by Laura Tremaine of Hollywood Housewife to experience a new way to have your makeup done.  Blushington is a new hot spot on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood to get your makeup done for that big event:  birthdays, weddings, New Year's Eve, etc, all for $35.  You get the affordability plus the artistry and no pressure to buy products like you do at the department store makeup counter.  If you do like the products they use:  Stila, Kevin Aucoin, and Julie Hewett, they are are available for purchase.  They also offer everything from classes to parties to makeup for the under-10 set for that budding fashionista.  So, be sure to check them out the next time you need to put your best face forward and don't forget you can get a blow out at Dry Bar next door beforehand.  Genius, right? 

Not my favorite photo, but here's my no makeup look beforehand.....

Me and Emily Button after....phew, it's a way better look for me.

 Chatting it up at Blushington.  Photo courtesy of Laura Tremaine.

 Me and the lovely Laura Tremaine of Hollywood Housewife. Now, go read her awesome blog!

Photo bombing as usual while Emily gets her makeup done.  Yes, I am still using my Godspell iPhone case.

The most delicious way to serve champagne.

Me and Emily post-makeover.  I have had a lot of inquiries on my necklace, so head over to Jessica Matrasko for all of the details. Dress is DVF. Photo courtesy of Laura Tremaine.

Oscars: Looking At the Best Original Song and Score

To tide you over until I finish up my insider's view of the Oscar Nominees Luncheon, check out my Behind The Red Carpet look at the nominees......

Let's look at the Best Original Song/Best Original Score Category.  There are so many controversies in both of these categories with the voting, the shortlist, who was eligible, and why there were only two nominees in the Best Original Song category.  I break it all down for you along with giving you a look at some of the rules at how the nominations happened in this category.



After shooting the video, I was able to interview two of the nominees for Best Original Song:  Sergio Mendes and Siedah Garrett for the movie, Rio, at the 39th Annual Annie Awards.  Here's what they had to say:

Kicking Off The Week

Weird Al Yankovic!!!

Where the heck have I been?  Ah, sigh.  The old laptop crashed and I've been realizing how much I rely upon my electronics.  Well, I'm back on a new laptop and ready to kick off a CRAZY week.  Here's where you can find me:

1.  Behind The Red Carpet:  My weekly Oscar updates are being sent out to media affiliates across the globe.  You can find my insider's look at this year's nominees at the following sites:
Movie Geeks United
Fanboy Comics
Forces of Geek
Film Snobbery

2.  Driving With Gass:  Don't forget my weekly spot on the Driving with Gass show on KWSS.org.  I am on Mondays at 6:35PM PT/9:35PM ET.  If you missed our recent coverage of the Oscar Nominations, you can listen in here.  Don't forget to follow each Monday on Twitter with the hashtag:  #RadioBurtt.

3.  The Gold Knight Blog:  Did you ever want to know how I became such an Oscar nerd?  Well, find out in this exclusive article on The Gold Knight Blog. They have got the inside scoop on all of my Oscar activities this year.

Me and Bruce Boxleitner who will next be seen in GCB

4.  The Annie Awards:  Yes, the 39th Annual Animation Awards happened over the weekend.  I told you awards season was busy.  It was a fun night that included 4 Oscar nominees, the voice of Winnie the Pooh, and Weird Al Yankovic!  Check out my interviews here with Red Carpet Report below: