The calendar just turned to September, but it’s already time to start thinking about the end of October and thus, Halloween. Stores already have bags of the sweet stuff lining the shelves in advance of trick-or-treat season, and the folks at Universal Studios are ready to scare us silly.
Out in Hollywood it’s only a few more weeks until the frightening bits move into the park, and as in past years there will be plenty of mazes, scare zones, and even a special "backlot experience." ]]>
West Coasters no longer have to trek to New York City for the oh-so-good hot dogs from Papaya King. The 80-year-old hot dog heavyweight chain plans to open a shop in Hollywood.
Papaya King Hollywood, which will be on Wilcox just south of Hollywood Boulevard, is scheduled to open in May. And we're loving its ad campaign, "We're 100% Natural, But We Think We'll Fit in L.A. Just Fine." ]]>
It’s easy to pick out the world’s best Universal Studios theme park, as there’s only one with an entire wizarding world devoted to Harry Potter. The theme park out in Hollywood—despite being the only one with an actual movie and television studio—must be getting a little jealous of its brother in Florida so it’s out to change a few things.
A new long term plan for Universal Studios Hollywood spills a few secrets about where the park is headed over the next 20 or so years, and reveals that as many as seven new rides and attractions might be joining the park's lineup. Known as the "NBC Universal Evolution Plan," it means some of Jack Donaghy’s colleagues are looking to spend $3 billion to create new spots to spend cash at CityWalk as well as new places to film a little television and movie stuff. ]]>
Some people like their art with dark themes, but the Museum of Death takes it to a whole other level. The Hollywood museum specializes in what it calls "death education."
The museum owns the largest collection of artwork from serial killers. It also has collections of coffins, mortician instruments, replicas of execution devices and different colored body bags. But this oddball museum isn't going to expire any time soon. It marked its 15th anniversary last month. ]]>
Alice In Wonderland fans will get a chance to get up close and personal with the new movie's director and select cast members in Hollywood.
On Friday, Feb. 19 at 5:00 PM, director Tim Burton and some of the cast members from Alice in Wonderland will be on hand at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA for a special fan event. There will also be performances by some of the musical acts who appear on the movie's soundtrack including Kerli, Never Shout Never, 3OH!3, Metro Station and Family Force 5. Dress as your favorite character to enter the Alice-themed costume contest judged by the movie's costume designer, Colleen Atwood. The winner will get to attend a special screening of the film at the El Capitan theater!
Immediately following the festivities at 7:00 PM, Alice herself, actress Mia Wasikowska, will be signing autographs at Hot Topic, 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood. ]]>
Last week HotelChatter got all excited about the Eloise Suite opening at The Plaza and Twittered that they now wanted a "Troop Beverly Hills" suite to open inside The Beverly Hills Hotel. Well, that's not happening (as far as we can tell) but Phyllis Nefler is alive and well and she's hosting a Troop Beverly Hills Sing-a-long at Cinespace in Hollywood.
Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 80s cult classic Troop Beverly Hills. Be an honorary Wilderness Girl for one night only (for now)! Earn patches, boo Velda Plendor, dance "The Freddie", and of course sing Kumbaya.
Word is that film director Jeff Kanew will be in attendance as well as some other "special guests."
The showing begins at 8pm on October 5. Tickets are $12 and can be ordered here. Otherwise, it's $15 at the door. Oh and yes, we will be attending. Possibly in leotards and leg warmers.
You can follow all your favorite Troop Beverly Hills character on Twitter here: @phyllisnefler, @veldaplendor, @freddynefler, @annieherman, @hannahnefler. (And Jaunted too!) Related Stories: [Front Door Photo: Beverly Hills What a Thrill/Tumblr] ]]>
· Phyllis Nefler [Twitter]
· The Houlywood Reporter [Tumblr]
While every episode may end with bottle service at hot Hollywood clubs and toasts to the good fortune of the boys of Entourage, in real life, things aren't quite as awesome. The house used for the first two seasons of the HBO show, was spotted with its roof on fire over the weekend.
Perez Hilton reports that a fire broke out atop the Charles Toberman Estate in the Runyon Canyon area. But while much of Los Angeles north of Pasadena is suffering from serious wildfires, this fire appears to have started in the kitchen. ]]>