Team Cooper or Team Vartan?

It is funny where ideas for posts come from. I have a little book I keep in the kitchen when an Idea pops into my head. The other day when I was getting all my magazines and newspapers ready for recycling I noticed how often Bradley Cooper is popping up in the press these days. For some reason this had me wonder what Michael Vartan is thinking about all of the current attention Bradley is getting...



Back when both men were on Alias (another of those tv shows I never watched a minute of until I rented season 1 from blockbuster) I was certainly on team Cooper. I loved Cooper’s ‘Will’. I am one of those who frequently roots for the underdog and Will was often given the short end of the stick on the show with little storyline and eventually was written out. Vartan on the other hand was playing the love interest of Jennifer Garner and was certainly featured more heavily throughout the series. (BTW: I really am not a fan of Garner, but I have to give it to her with Alias. She won me over as Sydney).

Bradley Cooper:




There is something so appealing about both of these men. I would give the acting edge to Cooper who can seems to be able to carry off a larger range than Vartan. Maybe it is the characters he plays but Vartan seems to have one note for most of his characters and rarely stretches out of his safety zone. That being said there is something special about Vartan. Not only sexy as hell, he has a quality that explains why he gets so many of the ‘perfect boyfriend or husband’ roles. There is a decency about him which made him perfect for ‘One Hour Photo’. Vartan is like that perfect guy in high school whereas Cooper is like your funny best friend.

Below: Cooper in Kitchen Confidential and Nip/Tuck




Although I said I think Cooper is a better actor, I am not finding much special about the roles he is currently doing on screen. Although Hilarious in ‘The Hangover’ it was not a role that could not have been played by almost any decent actor. Both men are working steadily, Vartan in ‘Hawthorne’ and the upcoming ‘HighSchool’ with Adrien Brody. Cooper continues to rack up the big screen roles with ‘The A Team’ getting lots of buzz. (Not a movie I shall be rushing out to see). The thing is when I looked more closely at the attention Cooper is getting in the press only a small amount was for his work. Most concerned possible romances with Jennifer Aniston and Rene Zellweger


Michael Vartan




It is certainly clear that Cooper is currently getting most of the attention and bigger roles. Maybe this is fair, Cooper played second fiddle to Vartan most of the run of Alias. For me however I am firmly planted on team Vartan. It is of course the shallow part of me. I think Cooper, though good, could be interchanged with a slew of other actors for most of his roles. On the other hand, even in some of the worst movies, Vartan holds my interest.

So...Which Team are you on?

Below: Vartan's frequently 'capped' scene in One Hour Photo

TV Hunks of the Week: The Bolen's from Desperate Housewives

I have not written much about 'Desperate Housewives' lately. I stopped watching last season when they killed off the wonderful Nicolette Sheridan. She made the show special to me with some of the best line delivery on prime time. Keeping Dana Delany, (usually amazing, on DH boring as sin), was a mistake. That along with Marc Cherry's inability to maintain any sort of consistency with his writing and storytelling and the fact that even though gay, he could not write a decent storyline for a gay character with a gun to his head!

I have DVR's the last couple of episodes for two reasons. Firstly because of the promos for the plane crash storyline. Secondly, I was interested to see if Drea de Matteo could bring any life to a show I once liked. Well I watched a couple of episodes last night, and I was write to stop watching. The storylines for the main characters remain repeats of seasons past. Well acted, but poorly written and repeats. Drea heads the new family on the block, The Bolens and they were the only thing that remotely interested me. Jeffrey Nordling plays Nick Bolen, and Beau Mirchoff plays his son Danny. These two actors, both appealing, talented and HOT were, along with Drea the most interesting thing about the hour. Of course I will continue to watch for a bit, but... as you know Cherry cannot write for male characters, nor non housewives, so both will be written out before I have time to get my interest back.

I usually am not so negative about a show, but it is difficult when a show began with such talent, such promise, such ratings and BLOWS IT! 'Housewives' still brings in the ratings, but it is not because it deserves it. The ratings are for the past seasons, not the current one. I think viewers keep hoping it will back to where it once was. Not sure it is possible. As talented as the four leads are, even they are not able to continue enthusiasm over scenes that are repeated over and over and over again. That being said, Beau and Jeffrey are worth a look!


Beau Mirchoff

I began a crush on Beau Mirchoff when he was on 'Heartland'. Adorable, and mega talented. Hopefully when Cherry writes Beau out he will move on to bigger roles more deserving of his talent.






Below: Beau in 'The Grudge 3'. Thanks to Superherofan for the caps!.







Jeffrey Nordling

Jeffrey Nordling began acting professionally in the late 80's and turned up on many of my favorite shows. I really crushed over Jeffrey when he played Sela Ward's ex on Once and Again. The producers wisely put Jeffrey in tight jeans in many of his scenes and although I, like Sela would have chosen Billy Campbell, I would certainly have kept Jeffrey around.






Jeffery in 'And The Band Played On' (1993). Thanks to Charles for the download!

Just Because: Grant Bowler

As many of you know I don't watch a lot of tv (except a couple of comedies and reality shows) when they actually air. Some of my favorite Dramas I save and watch when the entire season comes out on DVD. A couple of weeks ago I finished season 3 of Ugly Betty and the show was as enjoyable as ever. I really hope they move it from Friday nights before the network gives it the boot.

One of the highlights of last season was Australian actor Grant Bowler who played Connor Owens. Some of you in the US might also know Connor from his stint on Lost, but he has extensive credits on Australian Television. As I was hunting for info and pics of Grant, I did not have to any further than my fellow posters at Dreamcaps who had a great thread going, thanks! Look for Grant next on Season 3 of True Blood!!!

Below: Looking good last season on 'Ugly Betty'.





Caps from Australian series 'Blue Heelers' and 'Outrageous Fortune'.

Around The Dial

Some 'Highlights' from around the tube last week!

James Denton and Richard Burgi from 'Desperate Housewives'





Rick Springfield and David Duchovny in 'Californication'





Pooch Hall, Nicolas Wright and Jon Foster from 'Accidentally On Purpose'

TV Hunk of the Day: Josh Hopkins

Lets see... Cold Case, New York Undercover, Jack & Jill, Ally McBeal, North Shore, Pepper Dennis, Brothers and Sisters, Swingtown...These are but a few of the tv shows which featured Josh Hopkins over the past 12 years or so.

Sometimes an actor must wait until just the right part comes along at just the right moment. I thought Brothers and Sisters was the show, but they let Josh slide. That is ok though, Josh is making a splash now as Cournteney Cox's sexy but thus far rather ambivalent neighbour Grayson on ABC's Cougar Town.




Cougar Town finally gives Josh the opportunity to show off his acting skills, but as well that amazing body (did you catch that stomach this week...) Hopefully soon they will let Josh show off his music abilities as well. I encourage you all to give his songs a listen to on his Myspace page HERE: I liked most of them, but Man Crush had me cracking up. I can just see it being sung on 'Cougar Town'.






Josh on the set of Cougar Town via Oh La La




Below: Josh in Pepper Dennis.