"It's not a day out at Alton Towers, you know"

Each week I sit down in front of the telly, Tivo remote in hand, ready to immerse myself in my little bit of heaven, Eastenders.

Eastenders is a prime time British soap opera produced by the BBC. Now over 20 years old, Eastenders first aired February 19th, 1985, and to this day continues to be one of the highest-rated programmes in the UK, consistently viewed by 50% of the country's population, spawning numerous spin-offs and much water-cooler talk.

When I moved from DC I was concerned as to whether or not I would continue to get my weekly Eastenders fix. Thankfully here in LA! the local PBS affiliate, KOCE, airs two episodes a week, Friday nights at 7:00 and 7:30pm (with repeats in the early hours on Sunday mornings).

Set in the fictional London borough of Walford (complete with Tube station, Walford East, and postal code, E20), Eastenders centers on the strong, matriarch lead and seemingly incestuously interwoven families who inhabit Albert Square and frequent the local pub, The Queen Vic.

Now Eastenders may not be as flashy and sophisticated as some US shows (I’m thinking Battlestar Galactica and Heroes in particular), but it blows your common-or-garden melodramas, like Brothers & Sisters, Grey’s Anatomy and ER, out of the water.

Eastenders was conceived a a social realist drama. Yes there is still murder, arson, marital infidelity, young love and much gossiping (it is after all still a populist kitchen sink drama), but over the years the programme has dealt with the likes of domestic and child abuse, euthanasia, teenage pregnancy, racial prejudice, drunk driving, mental health issues and abortion among other issues.

A recent episode serves as an example of the programmes power, featuring only four of the characters and juxtapositioning their two stories. One of a son (former Spandau Ballet member Martin Kemp) confronting his dieing mother with the abuse she put him through as a child. The second that of a young wife, unable to cope with her new pregnancy, telling her husband that she plans on aborting their child. Great powerful televsion!

Devilish Oscar Nods

Early this morning (we're talking 7:09am) an email came through my Outlook from my Kansas City dwelling good friend Marky Mark. Attached was his yearly Oscar nominations matrix, a handy reference sheet to all those flicks you ought to catch before Joan and Melissa take to the red carpet on February 25th to chastise the stars at the 79th Academy Awards, both the gay equivalent of the Super Bowl and the ultimate CelebFlash.

While JM previously poo-pooed my predication that Meryl would receive an Oscar nom for Prada, since (and I quote) "that sort of role (and movie) isn't even close to Oscar material" (obviously it was), what other surprises did those Oscar folks deliver us?

No Best Picture for Dreamgirls even after it's win at the Golden Globes.

Best Original Screenplay for Pan's Labyrinth, a Spanish language movie (and a movie less about fantasy and more about the Spanish civil war than I expected).

Several big nods to Little Miss Sunshine, with it's truly rib tickling moment when young Olive, having been left at a gas station, has to run after (and jump in to) the family's moving VW van.

Best Director, but no Best Picture, for United 93, a stunning film that took me on a roller coaster of emotions (though I'm glad about the lack of Best Picture nomination, the film is way too emotionally charge for that category).

A Best Actress nod to Penélope Cruz for her powerful portrayal of Raimunda in Volver, an otherwise pointless movie about independent, morally void women sticking together through adversities (and getting away with murder).

And lastly the original Marky Mark (aka Mark Wahlberg) beating out Jack Nicholson in the Best Supporting Actor category for The Departed.

While it might seem at the moment that the Oscar statuettes for both Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker are theirs to lose, we've seen upsets in the past (especially with Peter O'Toole, Judi Dench and the ever present Ms. Streep lurking in the background). And will Scorsese finally take one home for The Departed? We'll have wait and see.

Things I've Learnt So Far This Year

I was shocked to hear on Donald Trump's new LA based Apprentice, that West Hollywood is a "homosexual area." The episode coincidentally featured my workplace, Spago Beverly Hills, and our Assistant GM, Laurent. Manager Mikey had his scenes cut - sadly that's the TV business for you Mikey.

Little Cuban New York hairdresser's can have smokin' hot bodies (and can pass on real nasty colds).

Sometimes you do have to waste a sick day on a day when you really are sick.

Yes, maybe because of the Santa Anas, the wide fluctuation in day and night temperatures, or just maybe because of the recent bout of bloody freezing weather (it snowed in Malibu yesterday for god's sake), but I've had the worst cold ever.

Now that DayQuil (and NyQuil) are no longer made with the decongestant pseudoephedrine (an ingredient used to make crystal meth) DON’T BUY THEM, they no longer work.

Being one of the biggest guys at The Firehouse in Venice is just not right.

Dogster is the new MySpace! Give my dog a bone and go check out Bentley's profile.

Bentley has had a couple of mishaps lately, and I cannot praise highly enough Laurel Pet Hospital with its efficient, friendly, and particularly cute veterinarians (I’m talking about you Dr. Arnold).

With Meryl Streep accepting the Golden Globe for her Prada wearing portrayal of the devilish Miranda Priestly, it looks like my previous Oscar predication is one step closer to fruition.

Target really is "the Happiest Place on Earth," especially now that they sell grocery items in bulk-sized family packs.

Super hunky John Vito returns in The Amazing Race's all-star edition (unfortunately so do reality whores Rob & Amber).

After recently discovering some shots of my boy Branch from the 2005 Charlotte Pro show (where he took home the first place trophy), it’s confirmed, this man does have one hell of an ass!

So Top Chef finalists Ilan and Elia both shaved their heads, accounting for the bandanas, hoodie and wig (?) they’ve been wearing during their recent one-on-ones.

And lastly, catching up with my Sad Clown (who was visiting from DC for a few days to see whether or not LA! would be a viable living environment) was just wonderful! Selfishly I think LA! would be the perfect fit!