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February 04, 2008

it's more sexier

Victoria’s Secret releases 'What Is Sexy' list for 2008
NEW YORK (AP) — Victoria’s Secret executives and designers voted, and they think Ryan Seacrest has the sexiest smile.

The “American Idol” host is on the lingerie company’s 2008 What Is Sexy? list — along with Eva Mendes and Josh Holloway.

“What’s sexy about [Seacrest] is he doesn’t act like he is,” Victoria’s Secret spokeswoman Monica Mitro told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “We felt that his smile was quite sexy — in a very subtle and innocent and humble way.”

The team of executives and designers who compiled the list looked for attributes such as “passion and humor and style and charisma,” Mitro said.

Mendes is the sexiest actress; Holloway, who plays Sawyer on ABC’s “Lost,” is the sexiest beach body; Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham, who has three sons with husband David Beckham, is the sexiest mom; and Katherine Heigl and her husband, musician Josh Kelley are the sexiest newlyweds.

Other sexy celebs: Eric Bana (actor), Chris Brown (male musician), Dane Cook (funny man), Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (male athlete), Rihanna (female musician), Justin Chambers (dad), “Gossip Girl” Blake Lively (newcomer), and Fergie and Josh Duhamel (couple).

Scarlett Johansson was honored for her sexy style, Jessica Biel for her lips, Kate Bosworth for her eyes and Ali Larter for her legs. ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money,” which co-stars Peter Krause and William Baldwin, has the sexiest cast, according to the list.

***

Can I just say ... ugh? And -- ew?

I disagree with almost all the VS selections. I'm so very sick of everyone in entertainment looking the same -- plastic and polished, shiny and perfect, some airbrushed, idealized version of "hot." In that respect, I'm actually glad they chose Ryan Seacrest for sexiest smile instead of, say, George Clooney or Brad Pitt or some typical shoo-in.

Still, give me Hugh Laurie any day. Or John Krasinski. Or, in case anyone should forget I'm actually a lesbian, novelist/playwright/actor Ann-Marie MacDonald. And if you don't know who she is, that's probably because she isn't "hot" enough to have made it into the mainstream American consciousness. But she's more than hot enough for me.

February 01, 2008

check your spam folder

Sometimes my work spam filter catches the craziest things. And sometimes, because I work in a newsroom and I write this blog and I'm involved a lot with our Berkshires Week cultural publication, I get legit press releases that just sound like spam. Like this one:

Jane Austen knew that a good man is hard to find.

See how the dashing leading men of Austen rate in a modern-day dating profile on MASTERPIECE's new interactive feature, THE MEN OF AUSTEN, which highlights everything you need to know -- from their turn-ons to their fortunes -- to make the perfect Austen match.

As you'll see on the site, many of your readers have been voting for Pride and Prejudice's Mr. Darcy as the most eligible of Austen's bachelors. Surely they need to know that MASTERPIECE's The Complete Jane Austen will present Andrew Davies' acclaimed 1995 adaptation, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle, starting Sunday, February 10.

May the best man win.

Contact us if you need screeners, interviews, or more information.