In a world full of robotic, cookie-cutter hosts, she's a one-of-a-kind. And while I do realize that Charla might not be everyone's cuppa, I adore her off-the-wall antics coupled with that trademark gravely voice. I'll stop gushing, but if you'd like to read why I think she's "da bomb," click here.
Anyway, I had heard through the grapevine that Charla might be showing up at the new boutique shopping network, EmVee TV. All the cool kids from ShopNBC seem to be headed in that direction--the Ramsey's are already there and so is Pearlfection.
I wasn't sure if there was any truth to the rumor that Charla would finally be back on my TV set, but then she posted this on her Facebook:
well, i'm close to putting my mug back on air at a small start-up. if i can make this happen you ladies will have your luxury product back big time. all prayers welcome!!!
Here's hoping Charla! I can't wait to see you again.
Now that homeschool is off of Spring break and back in session, Queen Bea has less time and energy to post all those funny and acerbic home shopping rants that you all have come to love ... or at least tolerate. So in an effort to prevent Queen Bea from taking another extended spectacle, here is a quick rundown of just some of the home shopping madness that has already started to pile up in the inbox.
Three things about this video: 1) I think Jeanne Bice and Isaac Mizrahi were separated at birth, 2) Jeanne sure knows how to make an entrance, and 3) what is up with the constant flow of IsaacMizrahiLive! TSV's? I realize that the Q dumped a lot of money into him--even building Isaac his own special studio--but too much of a good thing is never good. Let me break it down into simple home shopping terms: Even though Queen Bea would love to sit on the couch all day an eat an entire Isaac Mizrahi designed Junior's cheesecake while watching a Golden Girls marathon, doing so would make her feel very sick and not fit into her pants the next day.
QVC is looking for a real life doctor to pitch health and beauty products for them--actors need not apply. Could this be in response to the recent QVC-Andrew Lessman lawsuit? Interesting.
Pat James-Dementri's ex-husband, Vince Dementri, just got a new broadcasting job.Seems like this particular station is starting a rehab program for wayward newscasters. If you haven't already, check out what happened at his last job here.
Queen Bea has been a fan of QVC fashion designer Chloe Dao ever since her Project Runway days. However, in a recent interview Chloe Dao said that her high-end collection only goes to a size 10. Considering that the average American woman is a size 12/14, that really stinks. Apparently, only skinny rich ladies are welcome.
Liz Lange, that designer with the awesome maternity clothes line at Target, just launched a line of clothes on HSN for all us un-pregnant folks to enjoy. I love her Target stuff, so I'm holding out hope for this one.
QVC issed $500 million in bonds in order to pay down some bank debt. I will not pretend to be an expert on these types of financial dealings, but from what I read at several different sources, they are being described as "junk bonds." I guess Easy Pay only goes so far.
QVC's parent company, Liberty Media, was looking to buy HSN later this year (for real--read it here), but HSN's stock has been doing so well lately--up 50% since just January--that they might prove to big to buy.
Massillon Cable TV and Clear Picture were recently selected to receive $25,000, the grand prize in the 2009 QVC Affiliate Cross Channel Promotion Program for promoting QVC throughout the year. And do you know what they did with the prize? They donated it all to charities in their community. Good for them!!! In this day of corporate greed, it's wonderful to see a company do something so generous.
Sonia Bitton--whose name I love to try to say in her distinctive accent--launched a new website SoniaBLive.com where you can purchase daily and weekly specials of her high-end jewelry. Sonia Bitton has long been a staple jewelry designer at ShopNBC, but her luxury baubles did not match up with the new lower price point that ShopNBC was aiming for. Since the split from ShopNBC, Sonia has been on QVC-UK and even an Australian home shopping channel where she worked with none other than Queen Bea's favorite host--Charla Rines! Oh, Charla, how I miss you so! (I love Sonia and Charla, but why are they selling the Tacori Harlequin ring in Australia? Look for yourself! What's going on here?)
ShopNBC is gonna be rolling out a new mobile app for the Apple iPhone and the iPod Touch--beating HSN and QVC to the punch.
From your iPhone, you'll be able to check out the OTV, review the last 12 items on air, and what's being presented right now. Of course, for more info, you can click through to the website or you can call ShopNBC from your iPhone to order. Pretty slick.
They also have info and fun little tidbits about the hosts for when you need a Charla fix on the go!
Check out a demo here (OMG! You must see the jacket on the demo!)
"The ShopNBC app is part of the company's mobile strategy, which is part of a broader 'ShopNBC Anywhere' initiative," said ShopNBCproject spokesperson Marv Segel. "We believe that shopping should be fun – an escape from the ordinary into a world where anything is possible. The network's initial merchandising strategy on this mobile app is to focus on incredible deals, with a taste for what else can be seen on the network."
Does this open up ShopNBC to the almost 30 million iPhone and iPod users who otherwise wouldn't watch a home shopping channel on TV??? Will this new "ShopNBC Anywhere" initiative help save them??? Any iPhone users out there with any thoughts???
Charla Rines is by far the kookiest and funniest home shopping host out there. Granted, she can be a tad over the top and a little too much to take at times, but I'd rather be annoyed occasionally than bored all the time.
I was channel surfing last night and happened to come by Charla selling Isomers on ShopNBC. If I see Charla, I have to pause and listen for at least a couple minutes. You just never know what she's gonna do.
Charla seemed genuinely passionate about the Isomers products she was presenting. She talked about what she uses regularly and the results that she has seen--using her own face to demonstrate results. And, no, she didn't look like an airbrushed supermodel. She looked like a regular lady fighting the good fight against the ever-persistent hands of time.
Charla was not only entertaining, but she interacted with the vendor, the fabulous Manuela Marcheggiani, as if she were a customer with substantive questions about the products.
For her part, Manuela was personable and informative. She didn't gloss over the research that explained how and why a particular product worked. I see why Isomers has such a loyal following. It seems to be the way Philisophy was in the beginning, before everything became about a big bowl of sudsy Gingerbread Man shower gel demonstrations.
They were perfect together. The inquisitive entertainer coupled with the knowledgeable vendor was so refreshing. It was everything that home shopping could and should be. And this was on ShopNBC of all places!
I almost ordered some anti-reddness serum since I have such a problem with dry, red skin. Almost. I think that the only thing that stopped me was that there wasn't a special on that specific product. But as soon as there is ...
They also have info and fun little tidbits about the hosts for when you need a Charla fix on the go!
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