Watching CSI

Melina  Kanakaredes showed off her great heart and great legs at Comedy for a Cure.  In it’s eighth year, Comedy for a Cure benefits the Tuberous Sclerosias Alliance. Tuberous sclerosis complex “is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. You will see it referred to both as tuberous sclerosis (TS) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).”

Nearly 1 million people worldwide have TSC. Fifty thousand of those are in the United States.

Patricia Heaton served as the honorary chairperson of this year’s event. Other celeb attendees included Terri Hatcher, Dana Delaney and Leeza Gibbons. Since it’s inception, Comedy for a Cure has raised over $1 million to help cure the disease. Check out the photos of Melina with other TV leading ladies.

Jorja Fox and Marg Helgenburger glammed it up for the 2009 Genesis Awards. The Genesis Awards, sponsored by the Humane Society,  honors media for raising awareness about animal issues.  This year’s honorees included the Oprah Winfrey Show “for throwing its spotlight on puppy mills, dogfighting and factory farming.”

Jorja Fox and Reed Scott presented the Award for TV news magazine.   20/20 won for Elephant PTSD.  Marg presented the Dramatic Series award which went to Grey’s Anatomy for Life During Wartime, For a complete list of honors you can click after the pics.

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The Hill Harper Mentoring Scholarship, named in honor of the best selling author and CSI:NY star, will benefit financially challenged college bound students who are members of the Big Brother Big Sister program.

“I am honored to have a scholarship that represents so much that I believe in named for me… at a time when President Obama is urging Americans to serve and First Lady Michelle Obama is asking us to consider making that service mentoring at-risk children,” Hill said in response the honor. “Children served by Big Brothers Big Sisters are among America`s most vulnerable - kids who live in poverty or single-parent homes or households where a parent is incarcerated. Research finds having a Big Brother or Big Sister increases a child`s chances of succeeding in school and staying away from negative influences.”

Recipients must be a Big or Little in the mentoring program. The scholarship, created and maintained by the United Negro College Fund is funded in part by the HBO Series Black List

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It’s no secret that CSI:NY’s Gary Sinise is an avid supporter of our troops. He and the Lt. Dan Ban have preformed countless USO shows around the world. Most recently he was awarded the United States of America Presidential Citizens Medal for his work with the USO and Operation Iraqi Children, a group that provides school supplies for children in Iraq. This time Gary has put pen to paper in support of the troops. Her’s a snippet from the CNN editorial Gary  wrote asking US citizens to continue to support our troops.

For over 35 years, we have had an all-volunteer military. This is a good thing. We want people to serve this country who want to be there and who do it of their own free will — not because they are drafted and forced into it.

We are lucky we have such people. What would we do if no one wanted to serve to defend the freedoms we all enjoy? And so, I feel the need to do what I can to thank them for that service in order to help keep them strong in tough times. You would be amazed at what a simple thank you will do.

I have been to Iraq four times now, Afghanistan once, and many many other places as well, all to show support of our troops. My goal is always to cover as many miles as possible and to take pictures, sign autographs and shake hands with as many troops as I can in the time I have. Trips have included bases in Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and in Iraq — Al Asad, Al Qaim, Ramadi , Habbaniyah, TQ airbase, Mosul, Balad, Tikrit and Baghdad.

Over the last six years, I have traveled around the world and all over the United States with the USO to visit and perform with my band, The Lt. Dan band, for our troops. I have supported many grassroots troop support efforts as well, and visited our wounded in the hospitals several times. I could not be more honored to play a small part in helping our troops and their families. We can never do enough for our veterans who have sacrificed so much to keep this nation free.

But we can always try to do more.

It is my goal to continue to visit our troops, wherever they may serve. It is the least I can do for the men and women who continue to do so much for our country.

God bless America.

Eva LaRue attended Elton’s John’s Oscar night fundraiser. This is the 17th year for  the gala which benefits Elton John’s Aids Foundation.

“Year in and year out if you’re not going to Kodak theater party then it’s either Vanity Fair or Elton John,” Eva said. “And to me, it’s Elton John because this is a party with a heart. This is the party that’s actually trying to find a cure for AIDS. So you feel like you’re doing good by being here and you’re getting to star sight at the same time.”

Eva did take the time to enjoy the Oscars themselves. “He [Hugh Jackman] did a fantastic job. I thought that he was akin to Billy Crystal because that’s who I miss doing it. Billy Crystal does not have the singing and dancing chops that Hugh Jackman has, but I really enjoyed him!”

Proceeds from the event go to AIDS/HIV research and to those living with AIDS.

ALEXX WOODS RETURNS WHEN A MURDERER PUTS CALLEIGH AND RYAN’S LIVES AT RISK, ON “CSI: MIAMI,” MONDAY, FEB. 2

Khandi Alexander Returns as Alexx Woods

“Smoke Gets In Your CSIs” - Alexx Woods returns when a murderer puts Calleigh and Ryan’s lives at risk, on CSI: MIAMI, Monday, Feb. 2 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SERIES REGULARS:

Horatio Caine: David Caruso
Calleigh Duquesne: Emily Procter
Eric Delko: Adam Rodriguez
Ryan Wolfe: Jonathan Togo
Det. Frank Tripp: Rex Linn
Natalia Boa Vista: Eva La Rue
Dr. Tara Price: Megalyn Echikunwoke

RECURRING CAST:

Dr. Alexx Woods: Khandi Alexander

GUEST CAST:

Dr. Donald Phelps: Peter Lavin
Jeff Peralta: Stephen Martines
Kristen Peralta: Joleigh Fioravanti
Colin Astor: Josh Stewart
Ricky Gannon: Fredro Starr
Teresa Vance: Elizabeth Ann Bennett
Wendy Kramer: Kim Hawthorne
Kevin Landau: Chad L. Coleman
E. R. Technician: Jonny Siew
Phlebotomist Nurse: Gina Sorell

WRITTEN BY: Krystal Houghton

DIRECTED BY: Joe Chappelle

RATING: To Be Announced

CSI: MIAMI (CBS)
BROADCAST HISTORY:
9/23/02 - ???
STATUS:
currently airing (winter 2009)
TIME SLOT:
mondays from 10:00 PM-11:00 PM EST
CURRENT SEASON:
7 (??? episodes)
VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? This series is also available on:

DESCRIPTION:
(from CBS’s press release, August 2008) Inspired by the top-rated series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CSI: MIAMI is a drama that follows a South Florida team of forensic investigators who use both cutting-edge scientific methods and old-fashioned police work to solve crimes. Horatio Caine, a former homicide detective, heads a group of investigators who work crimes amid the steamy tropical surroundings and cultural crossroads of Miami. His team includes Calleigh Duquesne, a bilingual Southern beauty with a specialty in ballistics; Eric Delko, an underwater recovery expert who knows all the twists and turns of the Florida waterways, and Ryan Wolfe, a former patrol officer who specializes in blood and trace evidence. Rounding out the team is Natalia Boa Vista, the enigmatic DNA specialist. Helping Horatio with cases is Det. Frank Tripp, a tough yet thorough police officer. Together, these investigators collect and analyze the evidence to solve the crimes and to avenge those who cannot speak for themselves - the victims.
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Adam Rodriguez as Eric Delko
· David Caruso as Horatio Caine
· Emily Procter as Calleigh Duquesne
· Eva La Rue as Natalia Boa Vista
· Jonathan Togo as Ryan Wolfe
· Megalyn Echikunwoke as Tara Price
· Rex Linn as Frank Tripp
CREW INFORMATION:
· Ann Donahue as EP
· Ann Donahue as WRTR (Pilot)
· Anthony E. Zuiker as EP
· Anthony E. Zuiker as WRTR (Pilot)
· Barry O’Brien as CO-EP
· Brian Davidson as CO-PROD
· Carol Mendelsohn as EP
· Carol Mendelsohn as WRTR (Pilot)
· Corey Miller as SP
· Dan Tardino as PROD/UPM
· Danny Cannon as DIR (Pilot)
· Elizabeth Devine as CP
· Gina Lamar as CO-EP
· Jerry Bruckheimer as EP
· Joe Chappelle as CP
· Jonathan Littman as EP
· Krystal Houghton as CO-PROD
· Marc Dube as SP
· Marco Black as PROD
· Melissa Black as CO-PROD
· Sam Hill as PROD
· Sunil Nayar as EP
GENRE(S):
· drama
STUDIO INFORMATION:
· CBS Paramount Network Television
· Jerry Bruckheimer Television

Eva LaRue continues to work tirelessly as the spokesperson for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. The disease claimed the lives of Eva’s grandmother and great grandmother. Eva is asking women across across America to arm themselves with “all the information you need to educate your girlfriends, mom, sisters, cousins, co-workers, and any other dynamic divas you know!”

Participants familiarize themselves with the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer, register for Diva Status, print out the pledge, and hold awareness events for friends and family whenever you can.

Ovarian cancer is known as a silent killer because it’s not usually detected during routine pelvic exams and symptoms aren’t usually acute enough to alert victims or medical professionals until the condition is advanced. For more information on prevention and treatment go to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Last week Jorja Fox and other Hollywood types attended a panel discussion on “what to expect from Washington”.   It’s was part of a post election panel sponsored by The Artists and Athletes Alliance. Panelist include CNN’s Roland Martin and GOP strategist Fred Davis. The Alliance is co-chaired by Jason Alexander and Kelsey Grammer.

The Alliance “assist artists and athletes in navigating the halls of government, as well as helping them better understand the political process.” Others at the November meeting included Isaiah Washington, KaDee Strickland, Tom “Owner of the BoSox” Warner, Robert Knepper, Robbie Jones, Francis Fisher, Scott Wolfe, Alicia Witt and Joel McHale.

The advisory board itself includes Taye Diggs, Lauren Holly, and Percy Miller(aka Master P). I’m not sure if this group has any clear cut political agenda but the membership seems very diverse. Kelsey Grammer is a conservative while Jorja donated money to John Edward’s presidential bid.

Souce

I’m telling you that Hill Harper makes me tired just covering him.  He’s recorded another PSA (with Vivica Fox, Chris Tucker and other stars) giving you guidelines for smooth voting experience.  Remember to bring an ID and don’t wear political paraphernalia and VOTE Early if you can.

Eva La Rue recently appeared at at the 4th annual InConcert to benefit Project Angel Food. Project Angel Food provides nutritious meals for people suffering from life threatening illnesses. The meals are prepared by professional chef with the help of volunteers and assistants.

Since its inception in 1989, the Project Angel Food Program has prepared and delivered more than 3.4 million meals. Last year, the Project Angel Food Program prepared and delivered 412,446 meals to 1,600 individuals.

The meals are “are nutritiously-appropriate, attractive and always made with the freshest ingredients.”   registered dietitians “provide clients with individual, nutritional counseling. There is no charge to clients for these services.”  Project Angel Food was founded by self help lecturer and author Marianne Williamson.

Kudos to Eva for doing her bit.

THE MURDER OF A HIGH END, CORPORATE “FIXER” TAKES THE CSIs INTO THE DISPARATE WORLDS OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION, PERSONAL BETRAYAL AND SILICONE DOLLS, ON “CSI: NY,” WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22

Mykelti Williamson (”Forrest Gump”) Guest Stars as Chief of Detectives Brigham Sinclair

“Sex, Lies, and Silicone” - The murder of a corporate “fixer” takes the CSIs into the disparate worlds of political corruption, personal betrayal and silicone dolls, on CSI: NY Wednesday, Oct. 22 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

SERIES REGULARS:

Det. Mac Taylor: Gary Sinise
Det. Stella Bonasera: Melina Kanakaredes
Danny Messer: Carmine Giovinazzo
Dr. Sheldon Hawkes: Hill Harper
Det. Don Flack: Eddie Cahill
Lindsay Monroe: Anna Belknap
Adam Ross: AJ Buckley
Dr. Sid Hammerback: Robert Joy

GUEST CAST:

Chief of Detectives Brigham Sinclair: Mykelti Williamson
Amber Mead: Ann Steele
Stephen Sowan: Lars Scissorhands
Devon Gummersall: Trevor Jones
Greg Pullman: Andrew Walker
Anthony Martino: Christopher Stapleton
Rebecca Anderson: Kelly Noonan
Hank Gorem: Brian Poth

Written by: Wendy Battles

Directed by: Jonathan Glassner

RATING: To Be Announced

Joe the Plumber was a huge deal at the last presidential debate, In case you missed all the hullabaloo,
Joe Wurzelbacherr(who may or may not be a certified plumber) publicly questioned Barack Obama about his tax plan. (Seems Joe was planning to buy the business from his employer.)

In response to all media frenzy, Hill Harper is asking Joe’s and JoAnn’s to upload their videos of support to Joe’s 4 Obama. Hill is a longtime friend and supporter of Obama. The have been close since their day at Harvard Law School . He’s hosted fundraisers and campaigned heavily for the Democratic nominee.

Adam Rodriquez is the only other CSIer that I know of who’s openly supporting a candidate. I know that Gary Sinise is a a conservative but I’ve not see him on the McCain-Palin campaign trail. Have you guys spotted any CSIs on the campaign trail.

CSI Miami’s Sofia Milos attended the launch of the website  IWantPeace.com.

IWantPeace.com is the brainchild of Nassiri, a peace activist and singer. The site allows individuals and charities to create their own url that supports international peace efforts. It’s part of Nassari’s Love Sees No Color Foundation which seeks to “to identify people in need and assertively step in to improve their conditions.” The foundation’s projects promote human dignity, reduce poverty and promote peace all over the world.

Sofia was joined at the event by Tiffany Polloard(aka New York), producer Penny Marshall and actress Bai Ling. The event was hosted by Jamie Foxx. Wonder how much we’ll see of Sofia on CSI:Miami this year?  They just seem to let the H romance die when she came back.  Stay tuned.

Marg Helgenberger and Melina Kanakaredes do their bit for cancer research Friday’s Stand Up to Cancer benefit.  Marg’s mother is a cancer survivor that battled the disease for 27 years.  I’m not sure how Melina has been personally been touched by cancer but I know she’s champion for breast caner research.

csicsi:nycsi new york

Eva La Rue attended the 5th Annual Friends of El Faro Benefit to raise funds for the kids of Tijuana’s Casa Hogar Sion Orphanage on August 7, 2008 at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood, California. The Friends of El Faro was founded by Adam Smith and his wife Leigh Kilton-Smith. Since 2000, the couple have “have been traveling with a circle of friends to Tijuana, Mexico every four to five weeks to spend the weekend with the more then 100 children of Casa Hogar Sion orphanage.”

The oprhanage itself opened in 1999 when “Mama Carmen and Papa Jorge Gonzales opened the doors of their home to a few abandoned children living on the street”. Eventually the couple used their retirement savings to purchase a piece of land.

Last year, Jorja Fox and other CSI Vegas cast memebers helped support the organization by donating an autographed script and a Jorja Fox recorded phone message for auction. To learn more about how you can help click HERE.