90210

I don't care that Academy Award winner Diablo Cody is in love with 90210. I don't get it. I've never been fascinated by it the way she is. Sure, I watched plenty of episodes, but Melrose Place was just so much more interesting to me. Especially when MP turned into a bizarre freak-fest of crazed, murderous backstabbers with partially shaved heads. I guess it had something to do with working in the building where hot ad exec Heather Locklear was having sex in her office suite (of course all of this was shot in a lot somewhere, but the camera would always pan up to the top floor of the Wilshire building where I used to work).

I was a little bummed-out that the call I received was for Venice. Venice is pretty much straight west from DB and it's a long way. Thankfully, the call was pretty early, so I decided to leave early and forego all the usual rush-hour traffic. I got to the parking lot so early, I had time to nap.

90210 is an AFTRA show so I had to sign the usual AFTRA paperwork giving them permission to apply my wages toward the union fees. We then took a van to a location in Marina Del Rey outside an office building.

The scene takes place in a little made-up courtyard where people are having lunch. One of the leads' mother meets another character in the courtyard where they chat. It was warm and we had no shade and no chairs. I guess that's AFTRA. It wasn't too bad though because we broke after about six hours and we were out of there.

What made it move quickly was a cool cat a met who was from New Orleans. He was trying to make it in the business and had a surprisingly good attitude. He was telling me all his tales because he was shocked at how great California was compared to the South. Sometimes it takes reminders like this to help one realize we take so many things for granted.

THE TALL T

Budd Boetticher's directed this Western that was actually selected for preservation by the National Film Archive. In it, cowboy Pat Brennan is held captive by a gang and confronts his fellow prisoner Doretta. The scene is a little cheesy, but I love the cowboy attitude.

You think nobody'll have you because you, you'll bite your lip and hang your hand. But let me tell you something. You're as much woman as any of 'em and lot more than most. But you got to realize, if don't think anything of yourself how do you expect anybody else to? If you can't, who can? You can't always sit back and wait for something to happen. Sometimes you . . . you gotta walk up and . . . take what's yours.

JOGGING HELL

I was jogging around the Lorbeer middle school track as I always do but today was a very different day. Somehow, I tweeked my left ankle, perhaps stepping on a rock and turning my ankle inward. It bent and bent some more and before I knew it, I was falling with my right knee headed toward destruction. It must have fallen on another inconspicuous rock because by the time I was on the ground in a puff of dirt, my right knee was split wide open.

I couldn't tell if it was split or if a big piece of meat had been rubbed off. While I was still in a bit of shock, I looked around to see if that piece of meat was laying around on a piece of rock. I couldn't find it and decided it wouldn't make much sense to bring it along with me even if I found it. I doubted that the doctor would be able to sew it back on.

I'm not insured so I had to contact a local hospital to ask them where I should go. They referred me to the Pomona Valley health clinic. They also said I could go to a county hospital, but since Pomona Valley was closer, I decided to go there.

The Physicians Assistant Margeret Galileo was very nice and thought some stitches were in order. She thought an internal one with two surface ones would do the trick. However, the doctor told her to use staples instead. She asked me how I was with pain. I didn't know what she meant. She was trying to gauge whether I needed some lidocain. I figured I could tough it out since I'm uninsured and after hearing that she used some on a kid the other day and he was fine.

It wasn't that painful, but there was definitely pain. I'd say a 3-4 on my personal pain scale. What made it worse was that she was stabbing these staples right into the open wound. To make matters worse, she didn't like how the first one went in so she had to do it again. That was not fun.

So now I'm hobbled and perhaps this is life telling me to consider the difficulties older people and people who are crippled face every single day.

21 SINFUL VEGAS HOTSPOTS

Travel Channel's list of Vegas hot spots, apparently in order too from least sinful to most sinful.

Where the World is Your Oyster (They are, After All, an Aphrodisiac.)
By by Erica Walsh

It has world-class buffets and some of the best shopping in the country; it's got Celine and Tina, not to mention Cher and Bette. It can be seen from space. Las Vegas -- every year it gets bigger and better than ever. That's why we're showing you the hottest attractions right now -- one phenomenally sexy place for every year that makes you legal. It's the City of Sin, and we're taking you to the 21 hottest locations on the Vegas Strip.

No. 21: Cathouse
Luxor
Sexy and sophisticated, Cathouse is all about enticement. Drawing inspiration from the bordellos of 19th-century Europe, the cuisine from famed chef Kerry Simons tempts your palette, while the lingerie-clad dancers and European-style bottle service challenge your inhibitions.
http://www.luxor.com/nightlife/cathouse.aspx

No. 20: Mandalay Bay Beach
Mandalay Bay
The best Las Vegas daytime hot spots offer opulent refuges from the heat. Located on 11 acres of sand and surf, Mandalay Bay Beach is the height of Vegas's aquatic indulgence. Boasting a wave pool, lazy river, three swimming pools, and private cabanas and bungalows, there's something to satisfy every sunbather.

No. 19: Jonathan Adler Megasuite
Planet Hollywood Resort
If you're up on the tables (and we mean way up), why not mega-treat yourself to Jonathan Adler's megasuite? Located in the heart of the Vegas Strip at the ultra-modern and ultra-chic Planet Hollywood resort, this suite has more amenities than Vegas has showgirls, including panoramic views of the strip. And it's all styled by Bravo's "Top Design" lead judge, Jonathan Adler. In short, this megasuite is mega-sweet.

No. 18: Tao
The Venetian
Tao at The Venetian is the perfect combination of clubbing and cuisine. Begin your Tao experience by feasting on the Pan-Asian cuisine before heading upstairs to one of the hottest clubs in the country. The atmosphere at Tao is dominated by the DJ, who pumps music through two main dance rooms and one 40-foot-long outdoor terrace with stunning Vegas views. Take one step inside Tao, and you'll see that entertainment is their philosophy.

No. 17: Rao's
Caesars Palace
The famed New York-based restaurant has staked its claim on the strip. If you're looking for a simple home-cooked Italian meal, look no further than the Rao's menu, featuring their renowned pastas, risottos and steak bistecca. In the fall and winter months, enjoy al fresco dining with the warmest of service.

No. 16: Bare Pool
Mirage
The name Bare is certainly not a nod to provisions of the bare necessities. Instead, VIP service is the norm at Bare, their daybed and cabana services offering iced towels, rolled and chilled in flavored water; exotic frozen fruit; icy popsicles, and mini fruit smoothies. With amenities like those, the only thing you'll have to skimp on is clothing ¿ guests at Bare enjoy European-style sun bathing.

No. 15: Wynn Esplanade
Wynn Las Vegas
If you're looking for a daytime activity out of the desert sun, take a trip to the Wynn Esplanade. The store directory reads like a Who's Who of Fashion ¿ Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta, and Manolo Blahnik, just to name a few.

No. 14: Moon
The Palms
While other nightclubs on the strip may be celebrity favorites, Moon is the only one that can promise star sightings every night. That's because in the main room at Moon, the roof is completely retractable. When closed, the roof acts as a large video screen on which the action from all over the club is projected. The floor is made of shimmering tiles that change color via a high tech lighting system. If you're looking to be dazzled on your trip to Vegas, landing at Moon should be the first step you take.

No. 13: Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce
Mandalay Bay
On the surface, Ivan Kane's Forty Deuce is a burlesque lounge with an old-fashioned Las Vegas feel. However, as is the case in Sin City, there's more here than meets the eye. At showtime, the circular back bar vanishes, the band appears and the paintings of nudes adorning the walls retract, so even more people can see the show. When the show is over, the DJ takes over, and there's dancing till dawn.

No. 12: Red Rock Lanes
Red Rock Casino Resort
Does all this hot action leave you wishing for a little serenity now? No problem. Take a quick break from the sizzling strip and head to Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa. Tranquil and luxurious surroundings provide a level of relaxation that's beyond your dreams. If you're still in the mood to play, then choose from concerts, nightclubs, bars, movie theaters and one of the most decadent bowling alleys ever designed. Red Rock is sure to please, no matter what your party style.

No. 11: Prive
Planet Hollywood Resort
If you're looking to party like a Hollywood A-lister -- or better yet, with a Hollywood A-lister -- then you'll want to find yourself on the other side of Prive's velvet rope. To be a VIP (very important Prive), you simply need to dress to impress and be ready to pay a Vegas-sized bar tab.

No. 10: Hard Rock Beach Club
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Cerulean-blue water winds almost a mile while caressing soft sand beaches. The sounds of a nearby waterfall drift lazily to your thatched-roof cabana. No, you're not in the Caribbean, you're at the Hard Rock Beach Club. This is Vegas though, and that means zen comes served on the rocks. This oasis is also home to one of the most kickin' pool parties in the world, so get there early for a prime spot in the fun and sun.

No. 9: Strip House
Planet Hollywood Resort
The next spot on this scintillatingly sinful countdown brings us just above the casino floor at the Planet Hollywood Resort to the Strip House. Indulge your carnal fantasies with strips, mignons or bone-in rib eyes. ¿

No. 8: Box Waxing Boutique
With so many numbers on our countdown including words like, "bare," "strip" and "lingerie," its no wonder that Box Waxing Boutique is on the list. In fact, glance back through this list, and you may want to make number 8 your number 1 priority.

No. 7: Gaming Floor
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Nothing pairs with rock 'n' roll like gambling (well, maybe there's one or two other things), and that's evident the moment you enter the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's gaming floor. Of course, there's blackjack, roulette, craps and poker, but no one kicks it up a notch like the Hard Rock. Check out the one-of-a-kind poker lounge, the race and sportsbook lounge to bet on all your favorite teams, and the High Limit room, whose name speaks for itself.

No. 6: Tryst & Blush
Wynn Las Vegas
Tryst and Blush, both located at the Wynn Las Vegas epitomize the seductive extravagance of the Las Vegas lounge and nightclub. Tryst is home to a breathtaking 90-foot waterfall visible from the dance floor. Blush is more understated and intimate, overlooking the casino and characterized by its onyx dance floor. With these two choices, it's a Wynn-Wynn situation.

No. 5: Hugh Hefner Sky Villa
Palms Casino Resort
If you've got plenty of cash and plenty of friends, then there's only one place to host the ultimate Las Vegas house party, the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Casino Resort. The glass elevator, eight-foot-round rotating bed and outdoor, cantilevered Playboy Jacuzzi® pool are just a few examples of this premier suite's opulence.

No. 4: Crazy Horse Paris
MGM Grand
The Crazy House Paris Cabaret is Las Vegas's definitive dedication to the female form. The 13 dancers in this seductive revue all trained with the original Crazy Horse dance troupe in Paris. Sensuous dancing is combined with artistic light displays and films to create an artistically erotic experience.

No. 3: Pussycat Dolls Lounge
Caesars Palace
In their latest hit single, the Pussycat Dolls warn, "be careful what you wish for, cuz you just might get it." A warning that befits visiting the Pussycat Dolls Lounge at Caesars Palace -- the girls are so hot, the dancing so sexy and the scene so smoking, it might leave you thinking you wished for too much from just one club. ¿

No. 2: Wet Republic
MGM Grand
The Wet Republic pool at the MGM Grand combines the thrill of the Vegas nightlife with the luxury of the Vegas day scene. With two spectacular saltwater pools, eight individual pools and spas, exclusive VIP Bungalows, hip party cabanas and daybeds, Wet Republic has a poolside niche for everyone. For those seeking more than a suntan, there's a 2,500-square-foot lounge that's kicking the scene all day, every day.

No. 1: Playboy Club
Palms Casino Resort
The Playboy Club at the Palms Casino Resort is the answer to all your vices. Fantasy truly does meet reality at this one-of-a-kind adult playground. Bunnies deal the cards in these high-stake games, and face it, when Hefner's involved, you know you're getting the red-carpet treatment.

DEEP FRIED PARADISE

I love lists and I love anything fried, so here's the Travel Channel's list of some of the best restaurants and their famous specialties:

http://www.travelchannel.com/Travel_Ideas/Food_and_Wine/ci.Deep-Fried_Paradise.artTravelIdeasFmt?vgnextfmt=artTravelIdeasFmt


Deep-Fried Paradise
Fry It Up
by Laurel D'Agenais

Grease. It makes everything taste that much better. From french fries to deep-fried pickles, Americans have a love affair with the deep fryer. For centuries, people have been cooking with oil, and today our desire for all things fried and crispy hasn't waned. So, ignore those calorie counts and sink your teeth into some deep-fried goodness (just don't make these foods a habit!).



Willie Mae's Scotch House

New Orleans, LA

If you want a taste of good Southern home cooking, look no further than Willie Mae's Scotch House in New Orleans. Famous for its fried chicken, Willie Mae's has been serving up home-style meals since the late 1960s. Although Hurricane Katrina wiped out Willie Mae's original location in 2005, the New Orleans landmark reopened shortly thereafter and continues to live up to its reputation for good Southern cuisine.



Jive Turkey

Brooklyn, NY

What's better than turkey on Thanksgiving? The answer: deep-fried turkey, any day of the year. Jive Turkey is one of the only places north of the Mason-Dixon Line where you can get a whole turkey deep-fried in 20 minutes. If you'd like a taste of the South, try Jive Turkey's Cajun deep-fried turkey -- fried with a Creole blend of herbs and spices.



Goodson's Café

Tomball, TX

At Goodson's Café, you can get your steak deep-fried just like your chicken. For over 50 years, Goodson's has been serving up its popular chicken-fried steaks to the masses. What's the secret to Goodson's success? The secret might be found in the gravy -- peppered-crème-based gravy adds an extra kick to chicken-fried steaks, and according to the 1,600 folks who frequent Goodson's Café each week, the steaks can't be beat.



Sodolak's Original Country Inn

Snook, TX

How do you get bacon extra crispy? Deep-fry it. Sodolak's has been serving up chicken-fried bacon to the public since 1977. The Snook, Texas, hot spot has been a culinary haven for locals and truck drivers passing through the town for 30 years. If you don't like your steak fried, don't worry -- Sodolak's also serves "traditionally cooked" steak, grilled to perfection.



Hollywood Café

Robinsonville, MS

Hollywood Café is where the deep-fried pickle was born. Fried in beer batter with cayenne pepper and chili powder, the deep-fried dill pickle has been making folks flock to Hollywood Café since the 1970s. Want something more substantial with your fried pickles? Try the deep-fried frog legs. According to the locals, they "taste like chicken."



Dyer's Burger

Memphis, TN

Memphis is not only the birthplace of the blues; it is also where the greasiest hamburger was born. Dyer's Burger is the home of the ultimate greasy burger. Each burger is smothered in oil and topped with mustard, pickles and onions. Even the bun is doused in oil. What's the secret to the taste? According to the owner, they have been using the same batch of grease to fry up each burger since 1912.



Rutt's Hut

Clifton, NJ

If you want your hot dog a little crispy, head over to Rutt's Hut in Clifton, NJ. Each hot dog or "ripper" is deep-fried in vegetable oil, which makes the outside skin rip open when fried. The result is a crispy outside layer and a soft, juicy middle. The relish is just as famous as the hot dogs -- made with a secret blend of mustard and spices.



CHIPSHOP

Brooklyn, NY

In 2001, a British-born cook named Chris Sell established CHIPSHOP in Brooklyn, NY. His goal was to bring British comfort food to the city of New York. Although CHIPSHOP is famous for its fish and chips, it is also famous for its willingness to fry anything. From pizza to chocolate bars, you name it, and CHIPSHOP will fry it.

THE UNIT #2

Today was one of those days that I just love. It was short and it was fun.

The scene takes place in Manila near a taxi depot and I was booked as a cabbie. There were other people booked with their cars, but the other cabbie I was placed with was Carl.

Carl is one hell of a funny guy. Sometimes you'll meet people and just naturally get along with them and Carl is one of those guys. He's a pilates instructor and we stood around location near downtown LA just shooting the shit. We talked about all the cuties that were booked today, but the story that got us laughing was his work on Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skulls.

He had a buddy that brought him on as a stunt player. He was given a mohawk haircut and made-up to look like some kind of Aztec warrior. He was told to run down the pyramid they had built, but because he was frightened of steep grades, he ran down the steps a lot slower than a lot of the other guys. So when they did the next take, he was so nervous, he ended up falling and rolling down the steps. That's when he knew his chance at being a stunt player was over.

The other thing that got us rolling was one of the leads in The Unit. I suspected he was gay, but when he ran past us going after the bad guys, he ran like a little girl. Since there was gun play involved, we had these earplugs on and could barely hear. After the take, he said really loudly, "Holy shit did you see that guy running? That guy has got to be gay!" Next thing I knew, the lead walked right by us with a kind of knowing grin. Carl didn't see this, so I told him and he said, "oh great, now I'll never work this show again." We were cracking up.

We ended up wrapping before lunch, but it was all good since I got a chance to do some jogging today.

2008 BARS TO SEE IN 2009

I love having a list of bars and clubs that need to be visited. I guess it's part of my collection ocd. Collecting is obsessive to me because I feel like I need to finish the collection to feel complete. Here's a list by Charlie Amter for the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-night2-2009jan02,0,2020150.story
From the Los Angeles Times
NIGHT LIFE
The year that was: 2008 bars that made noise
By Charlie Amter

January 2, 2009

Bars in Los Angeles had a banner year in 2008. Despite a recession, no fewer than 20 nightspots debuted around town, largely as a result of plans set in motion in 2007 during a night-life renaissance in neighborhoods such as Hollywood.

It remains to be seen which of these lounges, bars and clubs will remain hot into 2009 -- Angelenos are notoriously fickle. But the following new-ish destinations are the ones we think made the most noise in 2008, for better or worse.

Coco de Ville

Love it or hate it, 2008 was Coco de Ville's year. The small lounge (attached to equally attractive night-life destination STK) all but stole the spotlight away from Koi last year as the destination to catch a celebrity. Paparazzi still line up outside Coco de Ville every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (the three nights the bar is open) hoping to snag a picture of a Kardashian or a Playboy playmate. But it's not just reality TV stars and "adult" types who like Coco's whimsical feel; David Spade, Kevin Connolly and even Jeff Bridges (a.k.a. "The Dude") have ordered up a white Russian or two inside the One Group's West Coast answer to Manhattan's Tenjune.

Bardot

Formerly the Spider Club, Bardot re-launched atop the Avalon this past fall as a smart, sexy lounge that was 2008's answer to the Green Door (the hot Hollywood bar scene of 2007). In fact, several former Green Door employees have found a home at Bardot, including doorman Tom Colley. The bar counts Prince and Paris Hilton among its fans. Monday nights feature a burlesque feel, with live music, while Wednesdays draw an eclectic hipster crowd hellbent on dancing to electro and the latest Britpop. Picture tufted banquettes against dimly lit golden ocher walls, with faux antique paintings everywhere.

Laurel Tavern

The word "gastropub" entered the collective vernacular of mainstream bar-goers last year (see the continued success of Melrose Avenue's Village Idiot). And although Laurel Tavern's owners insist their bar is not technically a gastropub, it certainly feels like one. Call it an updated take on the pub; whatever, it has been packed with Studio City locals since it launched in October. It seems night owls are flocking to low-key yet inviting spots such as this one, where the prices are right and the vibe is somehow recession-appropriate (without seeming drab).

Ecco

Formerly Tokio, the eco-minded dance club Ecco opened in November on the popular Cahuenga corridor, offering free valet parking to early arrivals who drive hybrid vehicles. The dance floor features energy-efficient LED lighting, and already the small lounge has landed some big DJs such as Carl Cox. Unlike other new bars on the block, Ecco seems to have a built-in crowd thanks in no small part to co-owner Danny Bitar's long-standing connections in the house music scene. The bar adds a badly needed dose of South Beach-style night life to Hollywood and looks as if it may be a success well into 2009.

The Association

Opened in early December, this smart pub has already won over loft-dwelling hipsters downtown with its dim lights and low-key design. Co-owned by the Room's Ashley Joyce, the Association aims to inject a bit of San Francisco's burgeoning cocktail culture scene into L.A. via a stellar drink menu heavy on classics.

Heat Ultra Lounge

Anaheim's Heat Ultra Lounge gave Orange County clubbers a reason to stay out of Hollywood this past year. The 11,000-square-foot venue launched big in July with DJ AM playing an opening party. Things have been hit-and-miss since summer, but the near-1,000-capacity club has fared better lately with the addition of Giant to its schedule (promoter Giant now handles the club's Thursday night bookings). Heat recently pulled off a coup in the club world, hosting internationally known DJ Tiesto for two nights in early December.

Chloe

This nightspot won over women of all ages last year with its decidedly feminine design (think: Oriental wall panels with antiqued mirrors and chandeliers). From the winning team that brought Hollywood the Bar and Magnolia restaurant, Chloe's menu offers up small dishes to hungry bar-goers, such as bacon-wrapped dates, cheese plates and crème brûlée. The vibe at the tiny but radiant lounge is meant to inspire return visits with a warm decor and neighborhood vibe.

Foxtail

Foxtail officially made the transition from restaurant to full-on nightclub this past fall. And while many may have been unaware Foxtail even served food (the second-floor lounge portion fared much better than the ground-floor restaurant), the nightclub made a splash when it debuted this past spring. Hot nights here are now Tuesdays and Fridays.

Crown Bar

Santa Monica Boulevard's Crown Bar, the latest venture by the team behind the Dime and Winston's, has done well since its public debut in May, largely as a result of TMZ.com-led infamy. Samantha Ronson helmed the decks multiple times over the course of 2008, while gal pal Lindsay Lohan looked on from one of the bar's smart brown banquettes. But locals like Crown Bar on the evenings not hosted by the Alliance promotion group (see every night except Wednesdays), when anyone can get in if they arrive early enough and the scene is much more subdued.

The Kress

This four-story dining and night-life mecca -- notable for its sheer size (38,000 square feet) -- was opened by Mike Viscuso earlier last year. Since summer, the Kress has been winning over bar-hoppers thanks to a rooftop deck with arguably the best views in town (drinkers can take in close-up views of both the Hollywood sign and downtown). And while the ground floor pan-Asian restaurant is suffering a bit, the venue remains in demand with private party bookers, who love the multiple floors the space affords guests.

Conga Room

Another new bar notable for its design is downtown's reconstituted Conga Room. Arguably the only new bar at L.A. Live with any sense of style (sorry, ESPN Zone), the updated Conga (formerly on Wilshire Boulevard for years) dazzled drinkers when it debuted in December with inspired design. Mixed crowds have taken in several world music and jazz gigs since the grand opening and even endured a teased Prince gig that never materialized.

charlie.amter@latimes.com