Russian Dolls: Picked Up In Australia!

I noticed that both Michael Levitis and Eddie Zee were notifying their adoring public that Russian Dolls was being picked up by Nippon TV in Japan.  My first thoughts…how is that possible.  Japan?  Of all the places on earth, that is the last place I would have guessed would be interested in Russian Dolls.  

I immediately thought, the Japanese revere their elderly parents.  How in the world is the way Marina treats Eva going to go over in Japan?  They would be horrified to say the least.  The more I thought about it the more preposterous it seemed to be.  So I clicked on the article that Michael posted to see it with my own eyes.  I was right!  They are not being picked up by Japan at all.  This man, with a law degree who is part owner of a large restaurant, has not read the article at all and jumped to conclusions.  The article mentions several countries and the different shows they are picking up.  Japan is picking up some shows, but NOT Russian Dolls.

Relevant part of article: Australia’s Nine Network picked up Picker Sisters; Lifestyle and Lifestyle You acquired Glamour Belles, Dance Moms and Russian Dolls; and Sci-Fi/TV1 General Entertainment took The Captains of the Final Frontier.

I’ll tell you who is picking up Russian Dolls…Australia.  Yes, Lifetime and Lifetime YOU in Australia is picking up the show.  Don’t ask me why, but it makes more sense, doesn’t it?  I will post the links to two articles and you can see for yourself.  Maybe I read it wrong, but I don’t think so.  I hope Michael reads the fine print in his contracts better than he read this article.

So no, Russian Dolls will not be going to Japan any time soon.  Let’s see how well received they are in Australia.  I am very curious!


Links to articles: Article one  and  Article two

Russian Dolls: Eddie's Pet Peeves

What is the latest on Eddie?  Does anyone care?  Well if you do, apparently he has applied for a role on Real World.  Real World is casting, so he says, and they are better than Lifetime.  However there appears to be a slight problem.  According to his contract with Lifetime, he cannot be cast on any other reality show for six months.  I don't think Real World will want to wait six months for Eddie.

Eddie wants to remain in the entertainment industry, and seems determined.  But, maybe he has had his chance and this is the end of the line for him?  He always has his poetry, but if I were him I would not pin my hopes on poetry or television.  Maybe he should go back to school or find a real job.

Good Luck Eddie!

Russian Dolls: Eddie vs Anastasia

The future of Russian Dolls seems to vary depending who you chose to listen to.  Yesterday my daughter informs me that Eddie Zee says another network is picking up the series.  My immeidate reaction was, "Are you going to believe what Eddie Z says?'  I guess she thought he wouldn't tweet something like that if it wasn't true.  Well, she was wrong. 

Today she tells me Anastasia tweets that we should all sign a petition to save Russian Dolls and keep it on the air.  In fact there really is such a petition and I will post the link below for fans. 

So which is it Eddie?  Did a new network (I can't even imagine which one) really pick up Russian Dolls, or was that some wishful thinking on your part?  Do you have a Fairy Godmother who can wave her wand and make all other networks forgot the poor ratings the show got?  Good Luck to you.

Anyway, for all you fans who would like to see more of Russian Dolls you can join the 25 who have already signed the petition @ Keep Russian Dolls On The Air   They only want 1,000 signatures.  How hard can that be?  Over one thousand people came to the blog looking for a reason why the show was not on last Thursday, maybe they will sign up?

Russian Dolls: Eddie Zee's Poetry4Hire

Bet you didn't know it, but Eddie's a poet!

I came across Eddie Zee's poetry blog on his Facebook page and decided to have a look at his "work."  Eddie does not strike me as a poet.  Poets are typically sensitive and in touch with their feelings.  They are creative and articulate.  They have a masterful command of the English language and and skillfully use words to paint verbal portraits.  And from what I have heard from Eddie, a poet is the past thing I would have called him. 

Now forgive me if I am harsh in this blog.  I have been reading several of Eddie's "poems" and have a bit of a headache.  Let me give a little background first.  Eddie started this poetry blog back in 2008, so it's been up for four years now.  In all he has posted 38 times in over 1300 days.  I think he must get writer's block often, but I think that may be a blessing, after reading his work.  This year Eddie has written eight pieces and they ended April 1st.  Let me give you a few excerpts of what I have read:

From the piece entitled: who is the next Marilyn Monroe?

" A combination of looks and wit with a fragrance of deception, is what escorted women to their survival. So who’s to be named the next Marilyn Monroe? Who’s sex will invade into a position of power without exploiting it all? Is it the Maxmin top 100 that will direct our attention towards choosing the next hot babe, or is it a concoction of strategic planning and blonde hair and blue eyes? Neither, it’s the moment when women separate themselves from girls to reclaim what they want."

From the piece entitled: I have Writer's block:

"I have writers block. Consistent thoughts merged with ideas and formulas within inches of a solution. I have writers block. A cancer with no antidote, searching for false hope, but at least my breath is inhaling and exhaling. The ingredients to a well prepared dish without patient’s, leads to chaos. It all leads to jotting down useless sentences about corporate entities, basketball players, rappers, and this A.D.H.D. "

Finally, from In her own world:

" I would trade in the creation of Microsoft and Google for a kiss from a woman’s lips if ever molecules became instinct."

Ok that is a sampling of his work.  I've read a lot of prose and poetry in my lifetime, to say this is unique is an understatement.  The kindest thing I can suggest to Eddie is this, if you really have a desire to write, please take a couple of writing classes asap.  Now that the show is cancelled you have the time to do just that.  Your writing, in my opinion, lacks clarity to the point of being incomprehensible.  It's almost like a string of unrelated words, picked out of a thesaurus, strung together like a necklace, to make sentences that are gibberish. 

Picture credit: Eddie's Facebook

Poetry: http://poetry4hire.blogspot.com/

Russian Dolls: Eddie’s Dream Crushed?

I get the impression that Eddie Zee doesn’t keep secrets. I could be wrong, but I am basing this on two tweets he recently made, so judge for yourself:

Eddie Zee I'm starting my own reality show, who's in?

Eddie Zee Time for a new reality show.. brainstorming!

What can those tweets mean? Well I think they mean that Lifetime is NOT going to be doing a season two of Russian Dolls. I would be surprised if they aired the rest of the 12 episodes at this point. Tonight’s episode will be number seven ,called “Cold Wars.” How original!

Eddie Zee had dreams when he was cast on the show. Instead of being himself, he aspired to be a copycat of “The Situation” from Jersey Shore. He failed at that. Soon he will be just another reality show castoff, with his fifteen minutes of fame.

And Anastasia? She will need to get a job to pay for her hair extensions, tans, and clothes not to mention her student loans which are accruing interest as we type. And Diana? She needs to go find herself a rich Mr. Right asap. Of course, Diana won’t starve, she will always have her mother’s borst.


Picture credit: Eddie Zee's Facebook



Russian Dolls: Recap Episode 2 “From Ukraine With Love"

Seems like the Fashion Show was in February



Here we go! This episode is basically all about Anna and her modeling school. Modeling is her life. Anna came from the Ukraine when she was 9 years old. Anna says she and her family, including her grandmother, live in a small two bedroom apartment…grandma sleeps on the couch. Her mother is judgmental whenever she looks at Anna’s photo shoots and that makes Anna work even harder. Anna says that guys are just a hobby for her, she has gone out with many and cheated on all of them. Anna’s modeling school is called Link Model Management. She invests everything she earns into her school hoping that it will be successful enough to one day move her family out of that small apartment.

Anna school is having a modeling show. If the show is succesful, she will get new girls to enroll. She plans on opening more businesses in the future. The show requires a lot of planning, she has to get the models ready and she has to promote it. Renata Krumer, a local radio host and celebrity, has offered to host it. Anna’s mother will be listening to the radio as Anna is a guest on Renata’s show to discuss her fashion show. One hundred people are expected to be guests.

Meanwhile, Anna also needs to relax with her friends. All work and no play makes her exhausted. She goes out with Albert and Eddie and Anastasia and Diana, for a few drinks. The discussion starts off with a little joking and Anna makes the mistake of telling Eddie he has no money. That comment is extremely insulting to Russian men. Eddie immediately lashes out at Anna and hits her where it hurts. He calls her a fake model and says she has done as a model. He says her modeling school with 12 year old models is nothing. Anna cries in anger and frustration. Her feelings are hurt. Eddie went in for the kill. Anna goes outside to cry. Eddie feels bad and goes out to apologize to her. She doesn’t want to hear anything from him. As far as she is concerned Eddie has crossed the line.

At Anna’s modeling school, Anastasia pays her a surprise visit. She wants to make sure Anna is okay after the fight with Eddie. Eddie was going to come, but Anna insists she doesn’t want to see him, she is still mad at him. Anastasia feels that Russian guys make sincere apologies. Anna holds grudges. Anastasia, who has been friends with Eddie for 16 years, says she should be thankful he apologized, but Anna says he didn’t mean it.

Anna goes to Renata’s house. They are supposed to discuss the fashion show, but Anna confides in Renata about her fight with Eddie. Renata is easy to talk to. She tells Renata that Eddie spit on everything she cares about. Renata, after hearing all the facts, tells her it is never good to tell a Russian man he has no money. That is a huge insult.

Anna takes her fitness very seriously and works out all the time. Anastasia arrives and tells Anna that she told Eddie everything they talked about concerning the fight. Anna gets very angry and feels that Anastasia betrayed her confidence. Anna feels she should have had her back, it’s girl code. Now Anna wants nothing to do with Anastasia either.

The day of the fashion show arrives. Success of the show means more girls in the school which means more income for Anna.

Back in Anastasia and Diana’s apartment the girls talk about going to the show. Anastasia tells Diana she doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t even want to acknowledge Anna’s existence. Diana decides she will go and be the diplomat. Boris and Renata are at the show. Anna says she needs to be successful for her parents. This is her first show and she is nervous.

Eddie arrives at the show. He is being the bigger man and making an effort to show Anna he is sincere in his apology. But, Anastasia stays true to her word and doesn’t show up. Her empty seat, with her name reserving her place, sends a big message to Anna about the kind of person Anastasia is, especially because Eddie did show up. Anna feels she knew how important this show was to her and still did not bother coming.

The show gets underway. Renata starts things off by announcing the runway is about to begin. Svetlana says the show was “raw” but it is obviously that Anna put a lot of effort into it. Anna’s mom was proud and happy for her daughter and yet managed to have a few complaints she needed to voice. Eddie and Anna make up. Anna now feels that Eddie appreciates what she is trying to accomplish, but Anastasia has failed her as a friend.

Now for my take on this episode. Overall, I was pleased with it. I think this episode will get good reviews. We clearly see that Anna has ambitious goals for herself and works very hard to succeed. She also demonstrates great concern for her parents and wants to improve their living conditions. She has put a great burden on herself at a very young age. She is a very beautiful, young lady and really has what it takes to be a successful model, but this is a very competitive field so opening a modeling school is another way to pursue her dreams in this field. Anna makes a very good impression.

Renata always appears to be sweet, gracious, and she has class. I look forward to seeing more of her in the show. The fight between Eddie and Anna was pretty mild compared to most reality show fights, but also more realistic. There was nothing outrageous about it and I liked the way they were able to makeup and get past it. Anastasia should not have taken sides. Anna and Eddie were confiding in her and she should not have betrayed Anna, and she definitely should have put their differences aside and gone to the show. Anastasia seems to have a short fuse, I’m not sure what to think of her at this point.

I have to admit there were really no negative aspects of Russian culture brought out in this episode at all, and I was surprised. I hope to read some positive comments from the community regarding this episode.

Russian Dolls: Albert and Eddie

Albert and Eddie

 

So far we haven't heard much about the "GUYS" in Russian Dolls!  It's been mainly about the "dolls." But I have to say that Albert Binan and Eddie Zee remind me of a couple of guys from the past.  Not your Jersey Shore variety, but your Saturday Night Live variety.  Remember those "wild and crazy guys" with Steve Martin, from the SNL skits?  He and Dan Ackroyd played a couple of Chech brothers. You don't remember?  Well let me help you out.  I found a nice clip for you to watch.  Now that I see it again, it reminds me even more of Russian Dolls!!!  Let us know what you think?  Was SNL ahead of it's time?

 



Russian Dolls: Marina, Anna and Eddie Zee in WPIX Interview!

Marina, Anna and Eddie Zee

Marina, Anna and Eddie Zee talk about Lifetime's new show Russian Dolls.  It's a very lively interview where all three try to explain the premise of the show and what viewers can look forward to seeing this season.  They are very excited about the premiere and so are we!  Will you be watching?  We will have a full detailed recap here tomorrow morning, along with our opinion about this new show.  Will we love it or hate it?  That is the question!

Picture and video credit: WPIX