On Sunset

Regarding On Sunset's Closing

Dear very loyal clients and friends,

As it will be hard not having Roberta, Duduzile, Helene, Beverly, Susanne, Jackie and Nadine at On Sunset making us feel our best, I'm sad to say this looks to be the case. Between these tough times and my desire to focus on acting and producing, On Sunset will be closing but there will be new beginnings for all, personally and professionally, which is always empowering. Believe me, this is very difficult, as I too have had the great pleasure of being surrounded by such fabulous women and watched up close their experience and talent while feeling their friendship and observing the friendships they have with all of you. Please know that your loyalty has made the years together something we will cherish forever. Hope your holiday season is a happy and healthy one.

All my best and thanks,

Lauralee Bell Martin

Posted byLauralee at 12:43 PM 2 comments

The Looks We Love this Fall

Everyone LOVED the looks we LOVE this Fall from the boots to the knee over skinny leggings and jeans to the one shoulder dress by Cavalli on Lisa which captured the hearts of fashionistas last season. Vickie showed off the military jacket like a good soldier while Barbara dressed for Fall in grey, fur trimmed uggs and a heavy Mayer sweat jacket while the thermometer read 80 degress. She was cool! Laura wore a long vest as a accessory making a white shirt and black leggings a look to love. Again, the Fashion Chat, led by Helene, was fun for all.

Posted byLauralee at 6:40 AM 0 comments

Labels: Fashion Chat, On Sunset Events

Young and the Restless Interviews Lauralee Bell

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Lauralee Bell's (Christine) latest creative endeavor, Family Dinner, is back with Cloris Leachman as Karen O'Connell's (Lauralee) wise-cracking and dysfunctional mom, Gladys. Bell contacted Robot Chicken writer, Mike Fasolo, who quickly climbed onboard for episodes 3 and 4. Dan Cortese is back as reality show producer John Graham along with Aaron Lustig (ex-Tim Reid on Y&R) as Lauralee's on-camera husband Steve O'Connell. Zack Cumer, Makaela Renae Johnson and Maxim Knight have returned as the O'Connell children. Episode 3 debuted on September 21st on www.funnyordie.com and episode 4 will debut on October 12th. It will be posted on the main page so fans can vote it funny or favorite it, then it will move to www.familydinneronline.com. The show's set around a dinner table and features Bell as a manic, attention-starved mom who's desperate to be on Oprah. Find out all the behind-the-scenes gossip straight from the creator's own lips...

Tell us about episodes 3 and 4…

"This group connected so well. After we shot the last 2 episodes, everyone was so enthusiastic, saying, 'This is such a dream team to work with. It would be so great to do this again. We had so much fun.' Even though it was 104 degrees on Emmy® day in Toluca Lake, when we shot episodes 3 and 4, it was so exciting to get everyone back together. Adding Cloris Leachman to the mix was huge."

"I added Mike Fasolo, the Emmy®-nominated Robot Chicken writer, and he responded to the concept so well that he wrote 4 episodes. We sent all 4 to Cloris and said pick your two favorites. She was great. Cloris was totally into it and thought the scripts were extremely funny. We told her that even with hair and makeup, we could get her in and out in a couple of hours. She was amazing!"

How was Cloris Leachman introduced into the mix?

"Our set designer had just worked with Cloris in another movie and mentioned the project to her and that's how it came about. Once she arrived on location and joked in the makeup room, it was like she had been with the cast since the beginning. I even gave her the option to not be in the Oprah dream sequence because people would be throwing things like cups and she said, 'I have to be in it and I have a couple of ideas like pulling your hair.' She really went for it in those scenes, even going so far as taking clothes off. And I thought, 'Go for it.'"

It certainly adds another layer to your character, Karen O'Connell…

"People who have seen the latest episodes have commented that even though my character is a little out there, she's easy to identify with. She is a frazzled mom at the end of the day just trying to get food on the table. It all goes back to my father's belief that everything stems from character driven stories. After Cloris' character is introduced, the audience can see why my character is dying for some attention."

She's definitely different from Christine, the character you played on Y&R. Was that strategic on your part?

"Whether people like the character or not, it is good that they see me in a different light. Christine was so serious, and this character is so wacky. Imagine a mom serving dinner, wearing an apron with nothing on underneath. People don't expect that from me, so I am happy to share a different side of me [Editor's note: no pun intended] with the audience."

What can we expect next on Family Dinner?

"Cloris asked, 'what are you going to do next? Why don't you do an episode around a pet or a neighbor,' and that's what I want is for the audience to be surprised and wonder what are they going to do next. Who's coming to dinner next? An uncle? A crazy niece? We have a lot of options. It all stems from those family holiday dinners where everyone one is just sitting around the table just rolling their eyes. That's how the best kind of 'Family Dinners' evolve."

"We learned so much from filming the last two episodes, which is why I am determined to continue in this mode of filming. It's low budget, a one-set show, with big-name actors who may have other jobs, but are willing to shoot a quick scene. Other actors don't even have to be there. We can shoot around them and adjust the schedule as we need to. Theoretically, if we could re-create the chair and the backdrop somewhere else, say like New York, we could shoot a scene from anywhere and edit into the show seamlessly. The possibilities are endless!"

What kind of feedback have you received so far?

"The great thing about the third and fourth episodes is that the audience has already doubled. People can identify with the characters. I have heard fans say, 'I have a grandmother like that.' Or they have ideas of the kind of family members or characters that can be added. There has even been some interest into making it a 22- minute episode [the length of a sitcom]. So, we will see what happens. Instead of just doing 2 episodes and letting it die, I think it is important to continue on and build a fan base with each new episode. At the Y&R Fan Club Dinner, there was a family from Belgium that came up to me and said they couldn't wait for the next episode of Family Dinner. That was fantastic!"

About the lobsters…

[Laughs] "We wanted to put up a disclaimer that 'No dogs or animals were harmed while filming this episode.' Lots of people asked me if the lobsters died or were they eaten by the crew after filming? Was that real frost on the dog? I had forgotten to tell the makeup artist about the scene with the dog in the freezer, and it was the first scene we shot that day with Dan [Cortese], and she said 'I wish you had told me because there is this great spray that looks like real frost!' and Scott and I just looked at each other and said, 'Can we make this work with our tight schedule?' I thought about it, and we decided that we really had to get the spray and do it because it would be worth it. So we got the spray and shot the scene again and banked it. It was so worth it!"

Don't miss the bust-a-gut new web series that will have you begging for more!

Emmy® is the trademark property of ATAS/NATAS.

via The Young and the Restless (http://www.theyoungandtherestless.com/specials/interviews_detail_4885.html)

Posted byLauralee at 8:39 AM 0 comments

Labels: Family Dinner Online

Kelly Locke Handbags

To design her collection Kelly Locke used a keen eye, natural ability, sophisticated skins and architectural design. The results are fabulous. We are fortunate to have come upon her quality and talent in choosing handbags for On Sunset.

Posted byLauralee at 7:38 AM 1 comments

Labels: Fall 2009, Kelly Locke Fall 2009

Lauralee Bell Welcomes Cloris Leachman to "Dinner"

by Michael Logan

Leachman (right) joins Bell's "Family". Kathy Hutchins/Hutchins Photo

Who are the hot new internet moguls? Soap chicks! Eden Riegel (All My Children) has a smash hit on her hands with the Web series “Imaginary Bitches.” Crystal Chappell (Days of Our Lives) is about to launch her much-anticipated “Venice.” And Lauralee Bell (The Young and the Restless) is really kicking ass with “Family Dinner.” This last show, about suppertime in a twisted household headed by an Oprah-obsessed mom (played by Bell), already has a cast that includes comedy icon Phyllis Diller. Now Bell has hired Oscar and Emmy winner Cloris Leachman to play the oversexed grandma.

“Cloris was full of suggestions,” notes Bell, with a laugh. “For one sequence—a fantasy where the whole family goes on The Oprah Winfrey Show—Cloris said to me, ‘You know what I have to do in this scene, don’t you? I have to jump out of my chair and start pulling your hair. And then I’ll pull up my blouse and flash the cameras. And then you can put one of those black bars over my t--s!’” Bell didn’t try to stop her. “Are you kidding?” she says. “That’s promo gold! I was, like, ‘Go for it, Cloris!’”

Bell landed Leachman by sending a script to her manager/son George Englund. “He called back and said, ‘We’re totally into this. Cloris is all about dysfunction.’ And I think she had a blast,” reports Bell. “By the end of the shoot she was saying, ‘We need to bring in cousins, uncles! I’m so excited to see who will come for dinner next!’ And I was so thrilled about that—it’s exactly the way I want our audience to feel.”

Bell has also expanded the show’s writing team to include Robot Chicken wisenheimer Mike Fasolo. You can check out the lunacy at familydinneronline.com and funnyordie.com.

This entire article can be found at http://tvguidemagazine.com/soaps/lauralee-bell-welcomes-cloris-leachman-to-dinner-2387.html

Posted byLauralee at 12:36 PM 0 comments

Labels: Family Dinner Online, Lauralee Bell

"Shape Up" in Lauren Vidal

Be careful or the French will "Shape You Up" in shorter, wider legs, fuller, straighter legs, in a cropped jacket with too many zippers, or in a puffy long coat for winter nights on the Champs-Élysées. You'll be in Lauren Vidal and ready to answer: WHO ARE YOU WEARING??

Posted byLauralee at 11:58 AM 0 comments

Labels: Fall 2009, Lauren Vidal Fall 2009

The CREA Concept

The CREA concept has been CREAted for the independent minded woman eager to wear soft comfortable shapes with asymmetrical details. CREA makes a bold statement on its own or paired with pieces from other collections and includes leggings to bring you up to date.

Posted byLauralee at 7:30 AM 0 comments

Labels: CREA Fall 2009, Fall 2009

A valued client attended our informal fashion chat and show on Saturday August 22nd. She took notes for her dear friend who was disappointed that she could not attend. Her is what Margaret learned and emailed her friend Wendy.

Helene gave a great talk. It is a new season. Time to sift through your closet and complement your clothes with a few quality pieces to update your wardrobe. The era of
disposable fashion has angered us. We are rethinking fall and buying what
works to create a new look. Buy something edgy.
Key trends for the season include:

Strong 80's influence with prominent shoulders, metals, grommets, and studs.
The girlie girl is gone. Powerful but feminine women are here.
Tough chic look is here with black leather jackets worn with jeans.
Military jackets are also in.
Leggings are huge worn with big cozy knits and chunky shoes.
Jackets are more sculpted and tailored.
Pants are tapered to slouchy to harem to narrow to wide.
Buy new jeans.
The pantsuit is back. Wear it with jewelry to make it edgy.
The dress is stronger than ever with lots of draping.
Statement jewelry is big, bold and lots of necklaces.
Leopard print is in.
Skirts are either a pencil skirt or short mini or a ladylike length.
Wear dark stockings on the leg.
"Your best accessory is your attitude".
Shoes - high heels and if you don't wear high heels, well good luck.
Everything is very high, platform and chunky.

We are delighted that our clients truly appreciate and enjoy what we do at On Sunset.

Posted byLauralee at 9:03 AM 0 comments

Labels: Fall 2009, Fashion Chat, On Sunset Events

Abaco Belts at On Sunset

A famous "fashionista" once said "To belt or not to belt, that is the
question!!!!!!

Posted byLauralee at 3:28 PM 0 comments

Labels: Abaco Fall 2009, Fall 2009

Fabulous Fuzzi Fabrics for Fall

Don't let the delicate look of Fuzzi fabrics fool you. These playful patterns fit your form, fit in your travel bag, and fit your lifestyle.

Posted byLauralee at 10:11 AM 0 comments

Labels: Fall 2009, Fuzzi Fall 2009

Annette Goertz Warms Up

Annette Goertz warms up for Fall by taking edgy to edgier. There is no longer a need to stick with just one look!

Posted byLauralee at 10:10 AM 0 comments

Labels: Annette Gortz Fall 2009, Fall 2009

Cavalli Class

Attention A-Listers, See another fabulous collection from Roberto Cavalli, the "Master of Print Work."

Posted byLauralee at 10:01 AM 0 comments

Labels: Cavalli Class Fall 2009, Fall 2009

Abaco Bags at On Sunset

Who stands out in the crowd? The one carrying Prada? No, everyone knows that one. Valentino? No, everyone knows that one. Not Chanel or Ferragamo, it's "Abaco". Not everyone knows that one, but You Do!