Watching Rachael Ray

Hey ya’ll! Before we get back to the recap wonderland, I wanted to clue you in on an event brought to our attention by buddy Kristen! Going to be in New York on Saturday? Check it out!

Here’s what Kristen had to say:

Happy Holidays! I wanted to let you know that Rachael Ray and Dunkin’ Donuts will take over New York this Saturday, December 1st, to kick off the holiday season and honor our armed forces. Below is information regarding the event.

All Aboard the Gingerbread Express!

Holiday Cheer and Free Transportation for New York City Shoppers

Help Rachael Ray and Dunkin’ Donuts Launch
National Card Drive for Non-Profit, Soldiers’ Angels

WHAT: Rachael Ray will be at the New York Waterway Terminal on the Hudson River to greet holiday shoppers.

Here she’ll announce a one-ton donation of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee to Soldiers’ Angels, one of the nation’s largest volunteer-based nonprofit military support organizations providing aid and comfort to our nation’s deployed soldiers and their families. Rachael Ray will also greet armed services personnel and announce a national holiday card drive with Dunkin’ Donuts and Soldiers’ Angels.

New York City holiday shoppers will be urged to fill out holiday cards that will be sent to service men and women stationed outside the U.S. Shoppers can then hop on the Gingerbread Express, a trolley service offering free rides to top Manhattan shopping destinations.

WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Coffee presentation and remarks by Rachael Ray to run from approximately 10:00 – 10:40 AM
Rachael Ray available for comment and photos 10:40 – 11:00 AM

WHERE: New York Waterway Terminal, West 39th Street and the Hudson River, New York

WHY?

• Rachael Ray donating one ton of coffee to Soldiers’ Angels founder, Patti Patton-Bader, and armed services personnel
• Rachael Ray launches national card drive with Dunkin’ Donuts and Soldiers’ Angels
• Rachael Ray with armed services personnel at holiday event
• Interviews with Rachael Ray
• Free samples of Gingerbread Lattes and Hot Chocolate
• Old-fashioned trolleys providing free transportation for NY Waterway Terminal passengers to top shopping destinations in Manhattan

####

About Dunkin’ Donuts
Founded in 1950, today Dunkin’ Donuts is the number one retailer of coffee-by-the-cup in America, selling 2.7 million cups a day, nearly one billion cups a year. Dunkin’ Donuts is also the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world and sells more donuts, coffee, and bagels than any other quick service restaurant in America. Dunkin’ Donuts has more than 6,700 shops in 29 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin’ Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

About Soldiers’ Angels
Soldiers’ Angels is a volunteer-based, 501 ( c )(3) nonprofit organization providing aid and comfort to the military and their families. Since its founding in 2003, over 140,000 volunteers have adopted more than 100,000 soldiers. In addition to sending letters and holiday cards, Soldiers’ Angels has sent over 250,000 care packages, distributed 75,000 comfort scarves to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and purchased 30,000 phone cards for soldiers to call their families. There are also special services and programs for the wounded and their families including purchasing over 2,100 laptops with voice activation software. The organization does everything it can to live up to its motto – “May no soldier go unloved. May no soldier walk alone. May no soldier be forgotten, Until they all come home.”

Are you finding it IMPOSSIBLE to get Rachael Ray Show tickets, and you’ll do ANYTHING to get them especially if it involves doing things for a good cause? Well have I got a deal for YOU! Over at Charity Folks Online Auctions, There’s something for EVERY appetite, from autographed T-pots, to VIP Tickets!

That’s right - at the auction, the folks at the Rachael Ray Show have put up 4 VIP tickets for a meet and greet on the set in NYC - and it INCLUDES airfare and accommodations! Now, it’s not cheap, currently the bid is $1,600 but all proceeds go to benefit the Yum-O organization, and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Bidding is open until October 8th!

To rich for your blood, or you only need tickets? No problem - Click here to bid for two tickets before October 10th!

Want her vintage fridge at the end of the season? Oh you’re SO in luck! Click here to keep track of RR Items as they go online for bidding!

Wednesday’s Rachael Ray Show!
Everybody loves Patricia Heaton, and she’s hanging with Rach for the day! She’s talking about her new show and what it’s like trading in Ray Romano for Kelsey Grammer as her leading man!

Then, we ask three viewers to put at-home beauty products to the test in our “human lab” experiment.

What’s for dinner? Horseradish Mashed Potato-Topped Shepherd’s Pie

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So, did you miss the Open House last weekend on the food network? Me too! Have no fear, though! We can see the new kitchen in all its Orange Glory this weekend too! Two more showings of Rachael Ray’s Open House will air THIS WEEKEND - July 28, 2007 4:00 PM ET/PT, July 29, 2007 2:00 PM ET/PT on the Food Network. Set your TiVo’s and TiVo wannabe’s!

And you can get the recipe’s Rachael and (still not an ex) hubby John will be making here:

Bloody Johnny’s
Chorizo Egg Cups
Beef Tips with Mushroom, Sherry, Garlic and Butter-Almond-Citrus Rice
Bean Salad with Citrus Juice and Hot Sauce
Charred Bread with Garlic and Tomato
Grilled Lamb Chops with Arugula, Aged Goat Cheese, California Peaches and Toasted Almonds
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tart
Judy’s Salmon Dip
Fleur’s Chocolate Chunkies

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Do you obsess over sneakers? Do you simply have to have the latest in great footwear? Well then have I got a deal for you!

Alright, not exactly. However, all around New York city there have been commemorative Sneaker statues, 3 feet tall and 5 feet long, popping up to help aid the Blue Planet Run to raise awareness of Global Water shortages which are being auctioned off via Ebay. Some of the designers of the statues include: David Arquette & Courtney Cox-Arguette, Rosie O’Donnell, Rachael Ray, Mena Survari and the New York Giants Football Team. Each Sneaker Statue is a one-of-a-kind, and proceeds of the auction goes to benefit the Blue Planet Run Foundation, which funds water and sanitation projects to help people around the world who lack access to safe drinking water.

To create the statues, each celebrity designer received a standard-sized sneaker along with art supplies and inspiration about the official Blue Planet Run athletes. The designs were then transformed into larger-than-life sneaker statues and placed all over New York City to mark the start of the 2007 Blue Planet Run®.

Unsurprisingly, Rachael Ray’s sneaker is bright orange with red accents. You can bid on her sneaker until July 20th, as well as 17 other celebrity designed Sneaker Statues! What are ya waiting for?

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First Lady Laura Bush - repeat
It’s a show you’ll never forget when First Lady Laura Bush stops by! She’s talking about her crusade against heart disease and offering a rare look behind the closed doors of the White House kitchen, right down to the junk drawer! Then, The Insider’s Lara Spencer dishes on celebrity beauty secrets (stuff you can get at the drugstore!) and we’re backstage with Kelly Ripa as Rachael hits the runway for a good cause.

Susan Lucci - repeat
We searched for the Ugliest PJ’s in America, and you won’t believe how bad it can get! Soap opera legend Susan Lucci comes to the rescue, giving several women a sexy PJs overhaul that their husbands will love! Then, Dr. Brantley explains what your cravings are trying to tell you, Stacey Ballis has last-minute gift ideas for your sweetie, and Rachael is cooking a three-course romantic dinner that’ll give you a reason to stay in tonight. Enter for a chance to win a necklace or bracelet from the Susan Lucci line!

The ‘O’ Factor - repeat
Does it get any better than a visit from Oprah? See what Rachael has in store for her! Also, Rachael’s second favorite subject after food: shoes. Get tips that will have you looking good, getting more for your money - and actually able to walk a mile in high heels!

Cybill Shepherd - repeat
Cybill Shepherd is dishing the details on her hot Hollywood kisses! Then, three medical breakthroughs that could save your life, and beauty expert Sonia Kashuk reveals her lipstick dos and don’ts. (Those won’t save your life, but they’re darn good tips that’ll have you wearing the perfect shade!)

Judge Judy - repeat
It’s Judge Judy as you’ve never seen her before! See how she’s a softie with her 11 grandkids, find out how she found the courage to start a brand new career after 50, and get the two pieces of advice she swears by. Then, when two friends wear the same outfit, we’re playing “Who Wears It Better?” with bombshell Daisy Fuentes caught in the middle!

The man everyone loves to hate has once again revealed that his insider ’source’ has told Perez Hilton the ever popular tidbit that Rachael Ray is this close to filing for a divorce from her husband John Cusimano. Rachael and Jon aren’t strangers to controversy, having been the subject of reports of sex and drug scandals (all on his side, of course) for some time. Leave it to Perez Hilton to jump on the bandwagon and point fingers!

But don’t worry fans! It seems that this report was near instantly rebutted by US Magazine, where reportedly Ray’s rep told them:

“”There is no truth to it and it’s a non-item….Rachael and John are happily enjoying the holiday week up at their cabin.”

So, as with all Perez Hilton’s “news” - take it with a grain of salt. With some extra thrown over the shoulder for luck, of course.

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While the pages for the Rachael Ray Show, Yum-O, and the Everyday With Rachael Ray Magazine are still the same, the front portal at RachaelRay.Com has been updated! It loads much faster, is cleaner, and still has the fun and funky vibe we expect from everything RR!

I really dig the new design - it speaks to my designer soul. I sure hope the rest of the sites follow suit!

Of course, while you’re there, don’t miss the current special in the shopping section! Half off on all shipping for a limited time! That plus the Satisfaction Guarantee, how could you possibly go wrong? T-shirts, Cookbooks, Knives, Cookware, Kitchenware, music and even EVOO - there’s bound to be something there for you, or someone special! Check it out!

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For the second year in a row, Rachael Ray makes the Forbes Celebrity 100 list, climbing from #88 to #66! Says Forbes:

Power Rank: 66 | Pay $16 Million | Pay Rank 65
Web Rank 68 | Press Rank 71 | TV/Radio Rank 25

Television’s perky chef reached far beyond the kitchen this year, following the empire-building blueprint of her mentor Oprah. Her new daytime talk show has landed tough gets like Bill Clinton and Michael J. Fox, and she presides over a bimonthly magazine. Ray also boasts endorsement deals with Nabisco and Dunkin’ Donuts, and maintains top billing on the Food Network.

Of course, the naysayers and suxors will be certain to complain not only that she made the list - but that Rachael Ray was on the list under the category “Chef”! Got to give them something to complain about, right?

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WWD.com announced today that there’s been another shakeup at Reader’s Digest Association. Siobhan Hardy, the creative director of Every Day with Rachael Ray since it’s launch has left.

[Hardy will] be married this week and plans to move to France in July. Hardy will be replaced by outgoing Redbook creative director Tracy Everding, who starts on June 25.

Don’t forget! The 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live from Hollywood TONIGHT at 9pm on CBS.

Daytime talk-show host Rachael Ray tries her hand at prime time as the host of Friday’s 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Daytime Emmys are handed out in 58 categories, though only those awards that are handed out in high-profile categories, like best soap opera and best daytime talk show, will be shown.

The night’s presenters include Barbara Walters, Alex Trebek, Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks, All My Children’s Thorsten Kaye and Cameron Mathison, and Phil Donahue, who once had his own daytime talk show but is now working the lecture circuit.

Not only is Rachael Ray the host - but she’s also up for 7 Emmy’s for The Rachael Ray Show!

The Day-Time Emmy show is THIS Friday!

Ever wonder what the presenters are going to get in their (not so little) gift baskets? Well wonder no more! This year the stars are getting some seriously good loot!

Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Rachael Ray, Tyra Banks, The View ladies will not only be attending the awards ceremony, which is a presentation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), but will also receive fabulous gifts.

Presenters will enjoy customizing their own gift collection in the Official Presenter Gift Lounge backstage where they can choose from a prestigious assortment of luxury products and services.

There is jewelry, fragrances, lotions, workout apparel, watches, flip flops - a ton of really expensive stuff to pick and choose from. I wonder how much Flip Flops for the Stars cost… I think those have Rachael Ray all over them, hm?

Don’t forget - The 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live from Hollywood on Friday, June 15 at 9pm.

PS: How do you like the new banner? The folks at 451Press allowed us to upload our own banners for the sites! Hurray!

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The key to growth in any enterprise is to diversify - and no one knows that better then Warner Music and Scripps - the parent company of HGTV and the Food Network. They’ve recently struck a deal for distribution that will allow Warner to market and distribute DVDs of popular TV programs - such as 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray!

The deal is just one of several recent efforts by Warner and other music labels to diversify. With CD sales plummeting another 20% in the first quarter, executives are realizing that the traditional model of music sales is dead. In response, major players are trying to expand into other forms of entertainment such as film and television, while multiplying their digital platforms and getting more aggressive in advertising, merchandising and endorsement deals for signed performers.

For example, Sony BMG Music Entertainment last year started marketing music compilations selected by Rachael Ray. Executives now start developing revenue streams beyond music sales before they even sign an artist.

Folks just can’t get enough R’n'R!

I had planned on another cooking experiment this weekend, but my mom and I are headed out of town for a few days for a local-ish Writers’ Conference in Homer where we’ll get to see Amy Tan! Cooking will have to wait until I return!

I’ll be posting as usual from there on Monday and Tuesday! Have a great weekend, all!

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Happy June, everyone! Where on earth has this year gone? The kids are home from school, I’ve already heard “I’m bored!” 8.2 billion times, and all is well with the world. Unless, of course, you’re Goldilocks over at Knitting Bag Therapy.

It seems her son, the SuperHero, is addicted to Macaroni and Cheese, and will accept no homemade substitutes, having been Brand Faithful for a couple years, even at the tender age of four. It’s Annie’s or nothing for this little guy, and his mom is at her wits end.

She even tried Rachael Ray’s recipe, and it was close but not quite. Thus! She’s having a contest! Was your mom’s homemade mac’n'cheese to die for? You think you can improve Rachael Ray’s version to appeal to a picky palette? Well, then, head over to The Knitting Bag and enter the contest. Here’s more:

The SuperHero Macaroni and Cheese (and Peas) Contest
I am looking for a tasty, healthy, wholesome, thin-sauced, no nutmeg macaroni and cheese recipe that The SuperHero will consume happily. A modification of Rachael Ray’s recipe could work. I think it was close. The contest will run from May 18, 2007 to July 20. 2007. The winner will be announced and notified on July 27, 2007. I will try recipes throughout the summer and post updates on the blog. Yes, for him and him alone will I turn on the stove all summer to find the right macaroni and cheese. He’s lucky he’s mine. Or maybe he’s just lucky I’m crazy (about him, that’s for sure, and maybe in general).

The winner will receive Rachael Ray’s Classic 30-Minute Meals: The All Occasion Cookbook, retail value of $13.57 on Amazon.com. So worth it to me. If only you knew how much money I’ve wasted on pasta, cheese, milk, and butter in recent weeks. Not to mention my nerves. MY NERVES. They are frayed, I tell you. Help me.

Good luck, and be sure to let me know how it goes!

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Are you an AT&T Cellular Subscriber, as well as a Rachael Ray Fan? Ever gotten to the store only to realize you forgot your shopping list to make that new recipe you wanted desperately to try? Well have I got an announcement for you!

Introducing Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run!

Recipes on the Run is a new wireless application that can be used by subscribers to download “Yum-O” recipes direct to their mobile phones! It’s the ideal cooking aid and shopping list for busy families looking for the balanced and easy to make meals.

Ray says that “with Recipes on the Run, I hope to inspire more home-cooked and healthy meals in today’s hectic lifestyle and bring fun back into the kitchen.”

Features of Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run:

Delicious Recipes - with 40 new ones added every month!

For the first time, both fans and foodies alike can have Rachael Ray’s easy-to-prepare meal recipes, cooking tips and customized shopping lists at their fingertips. For a low monthly fee, subscribers nationwide enjoy 40 new recipes every month, with the functionality to browse recipes by main ingredient or category and receive personal preparation tips directly from Rachael.

My Shopping List - automatically adds recipe ingredients to your wireless shopping list!

Once recipe selections are made, shopping is easier than ever. The “My Shopping List” feature allows subscribers to add recipe ingredients directly to a shopping list on their wireless device. When more than one recipe is added, the service will automatically combine quantities of identical ingredients, and advanced interactivity allows subscribers to add custom ingredients and mark off items as they shop.

Rachael’s Quick Picks - Spin the EVOO Bottle to get Yum-O inspirations!

Subscribers also can choose their favorite recipes or try “Rachael’s Quick Picks!,” a fun, random-recipe generator that allows them to spin Rachael’s “EVOO” (extra-virgin olive oil) bottle to get “delish!” meal inspirations.

My Keepers - Favorite Recipes at your fingertips for easy reference!
Recipe Sharing - Email directly from your phone to family and friends!
Rach’s Handy Tips and Tidbits!

Favorite recipes can be easily saved using the “My Keepers” feature, storing them to subscribers’ wireless phones for easy future reference. Or, recipes can be e-mailed to friends and family using the “Recipe Sharing” function.

During the initial 60-day launch period, AT&T Wireless will be the exclusive provider of Rachael Ray Recipes on the Run. Contact AT&T for more details, or your own provider to see when this feature will be made available for you!

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Dunkin Donuts isn’t the only thing that Rachael Ray is promoting this summer. Ray has joined with the Food Network, to promote the Great American Bake Sale, a national campaign to hold back sales this summer to help feed hungry children. Created by Share our Strength charity in partnership with PARADE Magazine, the event will run from May 19 to August 31.

‘I mean, it’s a very simple concept,’ Ray said. ‘When you go to greatamericanbakesale.org, you can read all about it and invite individuals of any age to throw a bake sale, starting this weekend and throughout the summer, to raise money to help feed hungry kids in their community.’

Say what you will - at least she’s putting her face on something to help the kids of the US, unlike some other celebrities!

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Rachael’s Rollover Suppers

Rachael answers an SOS from a cooking club, and shows them how to turn a day in the kitchen into meals that easily rollover into several meals! If you like Rach’s “heat ‘n eat” recipes, you’ll love her “rollover suppers!” Then, meet a woman who says she feels like the only one who’s failing at being a stay-at-home mom. We’ve got tips no mom should miss. Plus, Ty Pennington is back for our first-ever celebrity stump-off!

Law & Order: SVU’s Chris Meloni

Rachael is putting Law & Order: SVU’s Chris Meloni under arrest for crimes in the kitchen as they make spicy Bloody Mary burgers! Plus, meet a 22-year-old who’s living at home, is $50,000 in debt, and her folks continue to bail her out! Is she a shopaholic? Then, Evette’s got three quick ways to make over a room … advice one guest desperately needs because she’s moving back into her childhood bedroom years later!

Animals vs. Audience

Our animal guy Jarod is back for a very Wild Wednesday when it’s a game of Animals vs. the Audience! Then, what would you do if a loved one went missing? How long would you wait? Who would you call? Find out the right steps to take. And for dinner, it’s Rach’s latest ground meat masterpiece!

A Girl’s Guide to Guys - Repeat

What do men say when women aren’t around? Get an eye-opening look at what goes on in the male mind from Colby Donaldson. Then, answers to embarrassing beauty questions, and Dr. Manny busts some of the biggest food myths.

Supernanny to the Rescue - Repeat

Are your kids driving you crazy? Supernanny Jo Frost has simple solutions for dealing with unruly kids and for avoiding the most common mistakes parents make! Then, three Web sites that could change your life, and Rachael’s got two new recipes for kids and grown-ups!