Not For Nothin’, But ‘Jerseylicious’ And The Gatsby Girls Will Back May 15

The Jersey-based reality show that we wrote about before anyone had heard of it, “Jerseylicious,” will be back for its third season May 15.

Here is the press release about that gang in Green Brook, N.J.

THE STYLE NETWORK’S #1 SERIES “JERSEYLICIOUS” RETURNS FOR 20 ALL-NEW EPISODES IN
THE MOST DRAMATIC SEASON YET BEGINNING SUNDAY, MAY 15 AT 8PM ET/PT

Tearful and Tantrum-Filled Two-Part Reunion Special Hosted By Vivica A. Fox Will
Air Sunday, May 8 and May 15 in Advance of New Season Premiere

Los Angeles, April 4, 2011 – The Style Network’s record-breaking hit series “Jerseylicious” returns for a third season complete with cat fights, diva behavior and some surprising life-changing makeovers.

The new season of the one-hour comedy docu-soap will include 20 all-new episodes that promise to bring more of the big hair, outrageous outfits and larger than life New Jersey personalities that viewers have fallen head-over-high-heels in love with.

From N.J.’s “Queen of Mean” Tracy and sassy makeup artist Olivia to the salon’s ab-tastic intern Filippo and overly eccentric Glam Fairy, Alexa, there is no way to avoid the blow-ups, blow-outs and just plain coming to blows when these proud
Garden Staters get together at the Gatsby Salon.

Jerseylicious Season 3, Olivia, Alexa and Tracey

Don’t miss the season three premiere of Style’s highest-rated and most-watched series ever when “Jerseylicious” returns Sunday, May 15 at 8pm ET/PT.

Also tune-in Sunday, May 8 at 9pm ET/PT to catch up with your favorite New Jersey divas in part one of the “Jerseylicious: Wild and Untamed,” a tan-tastic reunion special, hosted by Vivica A. Fox (“Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” “Dancing with the Stars”). Part two will air on Sunday, May 15 at 7pm ET/PT, leading into the new season premiere.

During this new season of “Jerseylicious,” the budding stylists and business owners are at a crossroads in their professional careers while also attempting to navigate their personal lives, which have more road blocks, pot holes, breakdowns and weave-ing than the New Jersey Turnpike.

Season three picks up with tensions still high after Gayle’s Gatsby Salon won the coveted trophy for Best Hair & Make-up” at New Jersey Fashion Week – the sexy sister to New York Fashion Week where couture gets wild with the help of animal print and Aquanet – beating out rivals Alexa’s Glam Fairies and Anthony’s newly reopened salon.

The drama will continue to unravel as the cast’s personal feelings collide with work obligations. The Gatsby attempts to break the Guinness World Record for most haircuts in an eight hour period by hosting a Style-A-Thon and enlists Anthony
to help, but when Alexa show up unannounced, personal drama threatens to ruin The Gatsby’s goal.

The salons also venture into unfamiliar territory when the stylists participate in a bridal expo and attend a multi-cultural hair show.

Today, hair products and lip glosses; tomorrow, the world – or at least all of Central Jersey.

Catch up with the most unpredictable cast on television:

Olivia is finally growing up. Back together with her boyfriend Mikey, she makes up her mind to never let her toxic relationships with Tracy, Briella or Doria get in the way of achieving her dreams.

This season, looking to take her career to the next level, Olivia launches an on-location styling service provided
through the Gatsby. The real challenge begins when Gayle wants Tracy to be part of the styling service team. Olivia may be ready to move on from the drama, but Tracy has other plans in mind. Let round three of the catfight begin!

Tracy decides that the Gatsby is a much better place to develop her career and cuts professional ties with Alexa’s Glam Fairy business. Despite choosing to work at the Gatsby, her hatred for her colleague Olivia grows more and more each day. Olivia’s streak of good luck in the romance and career departments only adds fuel to the fire. Even Tracy’s onetime BFF Gigi is drawn to Olivia’s positive energy.

All this tension comes to a head when Gayle insists that Tracy work under Olivia during a Gatsby event and Tracy has a run-in with her ex — Olivia’s current boyfriend Mikey — for the first time since their traumatizing breakup.

Gigi is embracing her new slim figure and is ready to let loose. After her recent breakup with Frankie, Gigi is single for the first time in her life and is slowly discovering that she is a strong, independent woman. However, with Christy’s perpetual talk about her baby and Olivia rekindling her romance with Mikey, Gigi begins to wonder if she would rather settle down and start her own family…and if breaking up with Frankie was really the right thing to do.

Mother-daughter team Gayle and Christy are still beaming from the Gatsby winning the “Best Hair & Make-up” award at New Jersey Fashion Week and relishing the fact that they beat their rival, The Glam Fairy.

And now that Gayle has her dramatic stylists under control — for the time being, she is ready to expand her salon and make the Gatsby the most sought-after beauty destination in New Jersey.

While Christy, the salon manager, is preoccupied with her new role of mother, Gayle enters the dating scene and looks for new business opportunities. She reaches out to Anthony about partnering with her on an exciting venture as expansion is a great way to build their beauty empire.

Unfortunately, Gayle’s business relationship with Anthony drives a rift between the ambitious mother and her stressed-out daughter who is starting to feel left behind and begins to question whether she can successfully play the roles of both mother and salon manager.

Anthony’s newly renovated salon is open for business and flourishing. The only trouble is his four-chair space can’t accommodate his booming business. When Gayle makes him an offer he can’t refuse, Anthony is once again back to splitting his time between his salon and all the drama at the Gatsby.

He is welcomed with open arms by intern Filippo who quickly puts Anthony on a diet to try to get him into better shape. Additionally, Anthony gets bit by the local political bug and considers running for office, and after much discussion with
his wife Patty, their family may be expanding too.

Alexa “The Glam Fairy” Prisco still has her mind set on making the world a more gorgeous place…one smokey eye at a time. Her workspace, the Glam Factory, is thriving, even as she learns how to manage her own group of misfit stylists, but that doesn’t stop her from swinging by the Gatsby Salon once in a while to stir up some drama.

Alexa still holds a grudge against Gayle after last season’s larger-than-life blow-up, and when she finds out about Gatsby’s new on-location service infringing upon The Glam Fairy’s territory, Alexa’s resentment towards her business competitor reaches epic proportions. It doesn’t look like Alexa and Gayle will be Facebook friends any time soon.

Book your appointment now for an all-new season of “Jerseylicious,” beginning Sunday, May 15 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on The Style Network. And prepare to get the inside scoop with the cast in a two-part reunion special, “Jerseylicious: Wild and Untamed,” hosted by Vivica A. Fox on Sunday, May 8 at 8:00pm ET/PT and Sunday, May 15 at 7:00pm ET/PT.

“Jerseylicious” is produced by Endemol USA for The Style Network. Three-time Emmy winner Alex Duda is the Executive Producer, joined by Style Executive Producers Sarah Weidman and Merah Chung.

‘Jerseylicious’ Crew Offers Lessons On Being A Jersey Girl And A Parkway Paison

As dyed-in-the-wool Jersey Girls, we decided to run this press release from the Style Network, home of “Jerseylicious,” verbatim. Olivia Blois Sharpe and Alexa Prisco of that Green Brook, N.J.-based reality show are going to guide viewers on how to be Jersey Girls. We’re not amateurs, but we may tune in.

We knew it was authentic when one of the final lines reads, “Not for nothing.” Spoken like a true girl from south Bergen County, like Lodi or Garfield.

We’re excited to hear what Style has to tell US about what exactly makes a Jersey Girl.

Jersey devils Olivia Blois Sharpe and Alexa Prisco

Here’s the release:

Welcome to the Jungle!

If you have ever wondered what makes “Jerseylicious” the hottest destination on television, then look no further! “Jerseylicious: Inside the Jungle,” an all-new special episode premiering Feb. 20th at 8pm ET/PT on the Style Network, puts the wild and zany stylists of New Jersey’s most dramatic salon under a microscope and reveals a never-before-seen side of the Garden State.

Much like an investigative documentary, this special explores what exactly makes up a “Jersey Girl,” from her fabulous jewelry and manicured talons, to her war paint and smokey eyes and of course, larger than life busts. Viewers also will be schooled in what it takes to be a “Jersey Girl’s” male counterpart – or “Parkway Paison,” by teaching the etiquette of man-scaping, eyebrow waxing, body hair removal and how to get bulging biceps.

The “Jerseylicious” stylists — Olivia, Alexa and Filippo along with the rest of the crew will guide viewers into the natural habitat of the “Jersey-ians” to learn more about their fascinating culture, including their feasting on “disco fries,” fist-pumping dance moves, addiction to all things animal print and what it means to be “tan-orexic.”

Finally, “Jerseylicious” fans will have the answers to burning questions, such as how do “Jersey Girls” act outside of New Jersey?

What exactly is a Glam Fairy?

How much tease is too much tease?

What’s the future of Gigi and Frankie’s relationship?

How many bras can a “Jersey Girl” wear at one time?

And, how did Tracy become the most vicious predator in New Jersey?

Not for nothing, yous won’t want to miss “Jerseylicious: Inside the Jungle” when the special episode premieres on The Style Network, Sunday, Feb. 20 at 8pm ET.

FX’s Boxing Drama ‘Lights Out’ Takes A Shot At Home Shopping Networks

We get review DVDs from FX, and last night we watched the third episode of “Lights Out,” which airs this Tuesday. And the boxing drama, which we love, pokes fun at home shopping networks and even mentions QVC this week.

The show, which unfortunately has posted disappointing ratings, features Holt McCallany as Patrick “Lights” Leary, a former heavweight champ whose $12 million fortune has been mismanaged and squandered by his brother. Leary is broke, and he needs to raise cash.

As Episode 3, “The Shot,” opens we see a row of Leary bobblehead dolls. Leary is selling the tchotchkes on a home shopping network named CCN, Collectors Corner Network, where viewers bid on items.

The screen is set up just like it would be on QVC or HSN, with the item name, price, and network phone network listed in a box on the left side of the TV screen. We believe the bobbleheads were going for $57.50.

Learny is also selling signed boxing gloves, including a pair from one of his most famous bouts. The starting bid for the special set of gloves is $2,000.

Later in the episode, an up-and-coming boxing chides Leary about his home shopping stint. The young boxer takes a towel from around his neck, throws it at Leary, and says, “Sell this on QVC when I’m the champ. Make yourself some real money.”

“Lights Out,” by the way, is set in New Jersey, which is another reason we’re partial to the show. Nice job, John Landgraf.

‘Sunday Is A Xanax Night’ For QVC Designer Isaac Mizrahi, And Boy Can We Relate

On Sundays QVC design guru Isaac Mizrahi likes to have breakfast, oatmeal, at our favorite Manhattan restaurant, Pastis.

That’s what we learned tonight after finally getting around to reading The Style section of The Sunday New York Times, where the Grey Lady gave us a blow-by-blow account of the curly-topped designer’s “Sunday Routine.”

Of course, when we go to Pastis, which is in the Meatpacking District, it’s not for oatmeal. It’s at Happy Hour, for Bombay Sapphire martinis, with olives, to wash down our steak frites.

Pastis, where QVC's Isaac Mizrahi dines on oatmeal and we swill over-priced Bombay Sapphire martinis

The feature acknowledges right off the bat that Mizrahi has a lifestyle collection on QVC, and that he co-hosts the Bravo program “The Fashion Show” with model/entrepreneur Iman, who is an HSN vendor.

Mizrahi likes to go for a morning swim, and then has to wait for his boyfriend, actor Arnold Germer, to get up so they can walk their dogs. Germer lives a few blocks from Mizrahi in the Village. Mizrahi’s dog Harry has been featured in a number of the designer’s QVC items.

Mizrahi enjoys going to museums and the movies on Sundays (as do we, we saw “Black Swan” today, and thought it was great).

He’s a fan of Il Cantinori, another Manhattan eatery, and on Sunday nights Mizrahi is an avid HBO viewer, saying, “I’m mad about ‘True Blood,’ and I even got into ‘Boardwalk.'”

Good selections, Isaac.

We also tip our hat to you for this comment to The Times: “I made no bones about loving television.”

Hell, we don’t either.

And we’re with him on this one, too: “Sunday is a Xanax night for me.”

But Isaac, please lose the head scarf.

‘Homemade Millionaire’ Winner Sells Out Her Edible ‘Bake Huggers’ On HSN Debut

You ever get a yen to eat a cupcake along with its wrapper? Then Debra Lee’s Bake Huggers are for you. That is, if you were up at 7 a.m. Saturday to order them for $20.

Lee, the winner of Friday’s episode of TLC’s “Homemade Millionaire,” sold out her invention, the Bake Huggers, during her premiere on HSN.

The entrepreneur made a live appearance on HSN Friday night at 11 p.m., immediately after being announced the winner of the second of six episodes of the hour-long reality show. Then she made her official debut with her product Saturday morning.

The sold-out Bake Huggers, eat your heart out

In case you’ve been living under a rock, “Homemade Millionaire” offers aspiring female entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase and sell their products on HSN. The show is produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ production company Milojo Productions for TLC.

Here’s the poop on Lee, courtesy of HSN’s PR department.

“As a mother of three, Lee found herself baking and decorating cupcakes often. Frustrated by the time it took to get the results she wanted, she knew there had to be a better way. Lee created a wrapper for cupcakes that was not only decorative, but also edible. Her time-saving solution was fun, creative, and best of all, eliminated the mess of traditional paper cupcake liners.”

Lee’s newly popular Bake Huggers sold out in less than five minutes during her HSN premiere at 7 a.m. Saturday.

“I am thrilled that Bake Huggers sold out on its first HSN run,” Lee said in a canned statemement. “Perseverance and believing in your product is the key to the American dream.”

One of the judge’s on Friday’s episode was celebrity chef and Cajun cooker Emeril Lagasse.

Here is the canned quote attributed to both Ripa and Consuelos, who apparently have been married so long that they now speak in unison.

“In the words of our guest judge Emeril Lagasse ‘why didn’t I think of that?!’ We’re so proud of Debra and are thrilled to hear she sold out of her products,” said Ripa and Consuelos. “This is exactly what we set out to do with this show … give women the chance to take these incredible inventions and become a success story.”

And here is HSN’s piece.

“Debra’s product nicely illustrates the premise of ‘Homemade Millionaire’ — there are millions of great product ideas, but few people with the passion, confidence, great story and drive to transform their idea into a successful product,” said Sandy Conrad, HSN’s senior vice president of merchandising. “We are thrilled with the response of our viewers to Debra’s great idea and look forward to having her back on HSN again in early 2011.”

Each hour-long episode of the TLC reality show follows three women vying for a chance to sell their inventions on HSN. Open calls were held throughout the U.S., and thousands of women showed up with their products, aspiring to become the next successful entrepreneur.

With QVC Designer Isaac Mizrahi Expands His Presence In Greenwich Village With $2 Million Condo

QVC designer Isaac Mizrahi is buying new digs in the Greenwich Village, according to the New York Post.

Mizrahi, who is also hosting Bravo’s “The Fashion Show” with HSN vendor Iman, has a contract to buy a condo on West 12th Street, where he already has a place. The building boasts actress Cameron Diaz as a resident.

Gee, we’re surprised he didn’t look at our garden apartment complex in Montclair. Who’d you rather have as a neighbor, Diaz or The Homeshoppingista?

According to the Post, Mizrahi is paying more than $2 million for the new unit, and he plans to combine it with the one he bought earlier this year for $1.1 million. Sounds like it will be quite a crib.

The story notes that Mizrahi will share the expanded digs with his partner Arnold Germer and “their adorable dog, Jack.”

TV Guide CEO Jack Kliger sold Mizrahi both places, according to the Post.

HSN Vendor Stacey Schieffelin Drops The YBF Charm As ‘Homemade Millionaire’ Gestapo

We checked out “Homemade Millionaire,” the HSN/TLC production, last night. We’d give it a B-.

The show, hosted by Kelly Ripa, each week has three women entrepreneurs vying to have their product sold on HSN. In the first episode the items were a hair roller that heats up, a leather pony-tail holder and a cabinet to hold all your hair care gear, namely your hair dryer, flat iron, curling iron, etc.

The contestants had to take some blunt criticism from a focus group, sharp comments on their presentation by HSN folk, and a final going-over by a panel of four, which includes Ripa and an HSN vendor. Last night the vendor was Jennifer Stallone, of Serious Skincare fame.

Don't mess with Stacey Schieffelin

But the real surprise in this was Stacey Schieffelin, who sells the YBF Beauty line on HSN. That YBF stands for Your Best Friend.

On HSN, ex-model Schiefflelin’s gimmick is that she comes on-air with no makeup on and then uses her products to look gorgeous and glam (our mom swears by her eyebrow pencil). That takes lots of guts. We wouldn’t want to scare America by going on TV with no makeup. It’s bad enough that our loved ones have to see us like that!

But we digress. On HSN Schiefflelin is warm and fuzzy, just like your best friend. On “Homemade Millionaire” Schieffelin offered pretty tough love for the contestants. She was rough. She is one savvy, hard-nosed business woman (despite the fact that she once appeared in a Robert Palmer video).

Anyway, the cablinet for the hair-care tools won. Its inventor wanted to price it at $149, but the HSN honchos it would be have to be cheaper, $100 or less.

We agree. And we actually think it’s a great product.

HSN And Kelly Ripa’s ‘Homemade Millionaire’ Debuts Tonight On TLC

HSN’s collaboration with Jersey Girl Kelly Ripa and TLC, “Homemade Millionaire,” will premiere at 10 p.m. tonight.

The show pits female entrepreneurs against each to land a spot on HSN to sell a product they’ve invented.

Future episodes will feature veteran HSN vendors such as jean queen Diane Gilman, Jennifer Stallone, Badgley Mischka and Cajun kook (that’s no typo) Emeril Lagasse.

A panel on TLC's "Homemade Millionaire," with Kelly Ripa in the center and the designer team of Badgley Mischka on the right

On Thursday New York Daily News TV critic David Hinckley reviewed “Homemade Millionaire,” and he liked the program. He wrote that Ripa “whips up a lively and fun show by selling big dreams in a small, simple package.”

See what you think. We’ve had some inquiries from women who’d like to get on “Homemade Millionaire,” and we are looking into that.

So here’s the answer on getting on “Homemade Millionaire” this season: It’s too late, baby.

“We conducted try-outs last summer for this current season,” a TLC spokeswoman said Friday. “Unfortunately, this season is cast already.”

HSN Teams With TLC, Kelly Ripa For New ‘Homemade Millionaire’ TV Show

It looks like HSN is dipping its toe in the traditional TV programming business, by joining forces with TLC and Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ company, Milojo Productions, on a six-part series that gives women entrepreneurs a chance to make their visions reality.

The show, “Homemade Millionaire,” debuts Nov. 19 at 10 p.m., and in part will feature HSN vendors like Emeril Lagasse and jean queen Diane Gilman.

“The series offers aspiring female entrepreneurs the potential opportunity of a lifetime – to have their innovative ideas sold on-air and online through interactive multichannel retailer HSN,” the press release Monday said. “With product sales on HSN topping $2 billion a year, a deal with HSN could change these women’s lives overnight.”

Here are the canned quotes, folks.

“We are super excited to be working with TLC and HSN on this project,” Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos said, apparently in remarkable unison. “We’re sent so many innovative products from women every day, and to be able to help them get into the marketplace is a dream come true for us. These inventors have worked so hard in this show. We’re beyond proud of them.”

And from TLC…

“’Homemade Millionaire’ provides an opportunity to those ‘kitchen-table inventors’ to get their creative ideas out to the masses,” Nancy Daniels, TLC’s senior of production and development, said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Kelly and Milojo Productions, and believe HSN is the perfect outlet for these hard-working women to showcase their inventions.”

Each hour-long episode of “Homemade Millionaire” will follow three women competing for a chance to sell their inventions on HSN.

Open calls were held throughout the country, and thousands of women showed up with their unique products in hand, with the hopes of being part of this experience.

“We are very excited to work with Kelly Ripa and TLC to help these inventors realize their dreams,” Bill Brand, HSN executive vice president of programming, marketing and business development said in his canned statement. “HSN is all about great products and amazing storytellers and that is what this series will deliver to our customers.”

The inventors were had to perform a series of tasks designed to get their product ready for consumers. Helping Ripa coach these women are two “business experts,” Wendy Robbins and Ed Evangelista, who serve as mentors for these would-be business women as they evolve their product and build a unique marketing strategy to present to HSN.

Wendy Robbins, founder of Nowhere To Millionaire LLC and author of “Why Marry a Millionaire? Just Be One!”, worked her way out of debt to make millions with her invention the Tingler head massager. She is also a leading expert on mastering the millionaire mindset, and how to manufacture and market ideas to millions.

Ed Evangelista became the first advertising executive embedded into entertainment content when he served as a judge, juror, and executioner on ABC’s “American Inventor.” Evangelista has created award-winning advertising, marketing and alternative content for some of the world’s largest consumer brands from diamonds and liquors, to automobiles, finance and bubble gum.

Alongside Ripa on the judges’ panel are two HSN executives – Jennifer Cotter, senior vice president of television, and Chris Nicola, vice president of product development – who draw upon their vast experience in television and retail to evaluate each product.

Each episode also features HSN vendors and lifestyle journalists including Emeril Lagasse, Jennifer Flavin-Stallone, Colin Cowie, Ingrid Hoffmann, Diane Gilman, Stacey Schieffelin, Jeffrey Banks, James Mischka and Mark Badgley, Skip Borghese, Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Research Institute, Allie Lewis, food editor, Real Simple Magazine and Lori Bergamotto, fashion editor for Lucky Magazine

“Homemade Millionaire” is produced by Milojo Productions and Discovery Studios for TLC.

Advice For ‘South Park’ On Its Plans To Fend Off New Jersey Invasion: Fuggedaboutit

It looks like the snide, potty-mouthed denizens of “South Park” are going to take on The Situation and Snooki. Good luck with that, you Colorado pantywaists.

Matt Stone and Trey Parker — the sicko (and now very rich) creators of the animated Comedy Central hit — are taking a stand against New Jersey, according to a press release Thursday from the cable network. The showdown is Oct. 13.

DJ Pauly D, center, and The Situation, far right, lead New Jersey mob against South Park

“New Jersey is rapidly taking over the nation one state at a time and their next stop is ‘South Park’ in an all-new episode of titled, ‘New Jersey,'” the release said.

“Everything east of the Rockies is now part of New Jersey! South Park is in danger of becoming West Jersey within the week,” according to the announcement. “As the Jerseyites spill into Colorado and approach South Park, Randy and the boys stand strong against the onslaught.”

South Park takes a stand against New Jersey's encroachment on the rest of the nation

Try and stop us, Stone and Parker. You both must be having a Rocky Mountain high if you think you can can get the best of the Garden State. Haven’t you ever seen the popular T-shirt, “New Jersey: Only the strong survive.”

One shot from the Jersey “South Park” episode depicts members of the bronzed and vulgar crew of MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” namely DJ Pauly D and The Situation, who inexplicably hasn’t been booted yet from “Dancing With the Stars.” Those two tanned, gelled Shore rats are leading a band of Jerseyites against South Park.

Another still shot has a “South Park” character wielding a “No Jersey” sign.

Perhaps we’ll also see “cast” members from other Jersey-based reality shows, like “Jerseylicious” and “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” on “South Park.”

Hollywood can’t seem to get enough of Jersey. We understand that tonight’s episode of “Bones” features a visit to the Garden State.

MTVN honcho, and Jersey traitor, Doug Herzog

Not fur nuthin, but the appearance of “Jersey Shore” characters on “South Park” actually shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, since MTV and Comedy Central are both owned by the media giant Viacom.

And here’s a little secret for you: Doug Herzog, former Comedy Central chief and now president of the MTV Networks Entertainment Group (which includes Comedy Central) is from New Jersey. The city of Paterson, we believe. Et tu, Brute?

Comedy Central said there is no one available to talk about the episode, but that a clip of it will soon be posted on the “South Park” website.

Launched in 1997, “South Park,” now in its 14th season, remains the highest-rated series on Comedy Central. The show put the network, and Herzog, on the map.