Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - Ereka's Blog

Hi All-

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, I know I did! Prague was AMAZING and as much as I missed my family it was nice to have some alone time with my husband.

This Thanksgiving instead of turkey and stuffing, we stuffed ourselves full of venison, goulash, dumpling and cabbage. I had a low expectation of the food in Prague, but I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of all the food. My husband, who is part German couldn’t pass up the sausage, beer and pretzels. Now that we are back home it’s back to healthy eating….at least until Christmas.

The architecture in Prague is really what makes the city so unique. The city is a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neo Classical and Cubist architecture. Prague is home of the only Cubist architecture which is odd yet gorgeous.

We spent each day walking the city and taking tours of the Castle, Charles Bridge, Jewish Quarters & Old Town. It was cold and grey all weekend which only added to the experience. We also did our best to chat it up with the locals to get their perspective on post-Communist life.

We got back late Sunday and on Monday I was back to the gym and to work! What I love about my job is that it doesn’t feel like a job. With the start of the In The Loop giveaway and all of our fun holiday segments it’s been so easy to jump right back into the routine of things…now all I need is some rest.

Best,
Ereka

Sunday, November 25th, 2007 - Bill's Blog

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  I am happy to report that Giuliana and I did make our flight to Los Angeles.  It was close on Wednesday because Giuliana was working late in Chicago so we had to rush to O’Hare. After making our way through all of the traffic we made it and our flight was yes, on-time.  Two words I love to hear on the busiest travel day of the year. 

We spent the weekend in Los Angeles and hung out with Giuliana’s parents and sister.  The turkey’s I cooked came out o.k., and I am happy to report that I did not have to call the Butterball hotline. 

Tonight I am traveling back to Chicago and am looking forward to a great week.

Bill

Monday, November 19, 2007 - Bill's blog

Hi Everyone,

This week flew by so fast I have to stop and think what I did.  Oh yes, I love Texas!  What a great time I had living the country life.  I learned so much – life is a lot different there compared to Chicago.  They love to eat in Texas-  I was very well fed.  That was the first time I ever ate a burger with an egg on it.  I must admit it was delicious. 

I really enjoyed talking with Mark Cuban.  He is such a nice down to earth guy.  Being an entrepreneur myself I thought we had a lot in common …..with the exception of our bank accounts. 

Saturday night Giuliana and I started to head down to the lighting parade on Michigan Avenue to meet my sister and her kids.  We got about two blocks away from our apartment and turned back around.  There were so many people out it took us 30 minutes to walk a few blocks.  I think we will wait till we have our own kids to try that again.

I am heading out on Wednesday to join the masses of people traveling for Thanksgiving.  Giuliana and I will fly back to Los Angeles to have Thanksgiving with her family.  This is the second year I will be cooking the turkey.  Last year it was a lot of pressure preparing dinner for the entire Depandi family, this year I think I am off the hook. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Bill

Friday, November 16, 2007 - Kim's Blog

Chicago has been very nice to me except the other day when the temperature dipped down into the 30’s and I felt the wind kick my butt. But I can’t complain because I said I was looking forward to my first Chicago winter in my first blog.  Thankfully, my coat arrived that day.  People keep telling me, “this is nothing, get back to me in January.”  I can’t wait to rock my fur coat everyday.  And yes, I said fur, PETA people, don’t mess with me!

Despite the cold snap, I received a warm welcome at the Chicago Urban League Golden Fellowship Dinner. I co-hosted with actor Harry Lennix.  My trainer even let me go off my diet for that one night.  Thank goodness, the chocolate mousse cake was well worth the tummy ache I had later on.  Man, was it rich. The dinner was an elegant affair and I have so much respect for Cheryle Jackson, President and CEO.  She shatters the stereotype of what a CEO can be, stiff and unapproachable and male.  She is warm and beautiful and was a vision in long, red velvet gown.  After I came home, I did fifty crunches in honor of her flat abs.

If you want to see my progress on my workout routine, I have another slideshow coming up on Monday.

The past week on our show was exciting.  How much fun was it to twirl a baton with Regina King?  Too much fun.  Who knew either of us could twirl a baton?  My secret is out, and so is Regina’s.  Ereka Vetrini read that she could twirl a baton in her bio, called me the night before, and I arranged for the producers to get those batons on the set.  Sadly, they were not regulation batons, but I think Regina and I got down. Oooh, Leslie David Baker, from “The Office.” You know, Stanley.  He rocks.  He was so sweet and funny backstage and we all fawned all over him because “The Office” is a favorite show for Ereka, Bill and me.  Believe it or not, I have a secret crush on Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, because he is soooo funny and has good information and I just imagine myself being upgraded wherever we go, if I were to hang out with him.  And my other secret crush is Fonzworth Bentley.  That brother is so stylish and I admire how he has expanded his career from being Diddy’s umbrella holder to author and producer and more.

Alright, you guys, see ya in a week or so.  Happy Thanksgiving, I know I won’t have one because I’m on a DIET!

Thursday, November 15, 2007 - Ereka's Blog

Hi All-

It was great to be home in New York last weekend. On Friday I went straight from JFK to a Mexican restaurant in the East Village to have dinner and margaritas with my husband and 10 of our best friends. I was lucky enough to spend all of Saturday with my mother. We grabbed lunch at my favorite sushi place, got our nails done and then I forced her to give me a refresher course on how to debone a fish so that I’d be ready for Monday’s segment with Chef Roy and Bill.

If you were watching on Monday you saw pictures of my visit to my cousin Gabriela’s house where I hung out with her beautiful children, including 3-week-old Alessia. They are all so darn cute!!! I worry that they’ll forget about me while I’m living here in Chicago.

So how do you think Bill and I did deboning our Hawaiian Red Snappers? Not so hot, huh? I actually cut my self on one of the huge fish bones. Those fish were flown in that morning from Hawaii and Chef Roy Yamaguchi said each cost about $150.

Ok, how much do you love Peter Greenberg and Tom Colichio. Several producers on our staff have a crush on Peter and I may have a small one on Tom. I was so amazed to hear that Tom was not classically trained. I think that is fantastic.

So Thanksgiving is right around the corner and my husband and I have decided to go to Prague (Czech Republic). This will be our first Thanksgiving away from our family. Unfortunately we will be traveling the day before Thanksgiving…Peter Greenberg would not approve.

Best!

Ereka

Monday, November 12, 2007 - Bill's blog

Well, I started out the week having the opportunity to interview Vince Vaughn, one of my all-time favorite actors.  Kim, Ereka and I had a lot of fun at the premier of his movie, Fred Clause.  Yes, it is true that I hit my head getting out of our prom-like limo.  I really thought there was blood running down my forehead but Kim assured me that I remained unscathed.   Anyway, It was such a funny holiday movie for people all ages, I highly recommend going to see it. 

Then a few days later, I was honored to meet Leslie David Baker a.k.a. Stanley from The Office.  I don’t think I have ever missed an episode. I even called Giuliana and asked Leslie to say “hi” to her- she is also a big fan.

And, I have to mention the munchkins.  Weren’t they great?  When I was around six years old, I remember my grandma Rancic taking my sisters and me to a tavern (as she called it) up the street from her house.  It was called Parnell’s and it was a bar for little-people.  Parnell was also in the Wizard of Oz- at least that is what my grandma told us. 

This weekend Giuliana and I went to Arizona for a couple of days. We stayed at the Sanctuary, an amazing hotel.  We went hiking, ran, and ate way too much!  I already want to go back. 

Have a great week,

Bill

Monday, November 12, 2007 - Kim's blog

Hey everybody, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged and so much has been going on.  Let’s begin.  OMG HALLOWEEN.  How hysterical was Ereka as Ellen, Bill’s Dr. Phil was dead-on, and my Martha Stewart was more fun than I’ve had in a really, really long time.  I know I didn’t quite look like her, but I think I captured her very intense clenched jawed attitude. I had a choice.  Someone suggested that I do Oprah and I thought to myself, imitating Oprah in her own hometown would be a big no-no. So I chose Martha and I think it was a huge home run. They air-brushed me and put that blonde wig on and I was laughing the entire time.  In retrospect, maybe I shouldn’t have done the orange prison jumpsuit and the bedazzled handcuffs.  I’m certain that she doesn’t like me very much, but I have to admit that I had fun. 

Let’s move onto my diet and exercise regime.  I am glad that I signed on with Bally to get healthy by losing weight, exercising, and eating healthier.  It’s time.  I’ve been eating my way through Chicago’s finest restaurants and exercising minimally.  So I am ready to take the challenge.  My progress will be recorded on the show.  The hard part isn’t the grueling workout that my trainer Allegra is putting me through.  The challenge will be not eating all the great food we cook on our show.  The other day when we had a segment featuring Junior’s cheesecake, I damn near lost my mind.  Junior’s cheesecake is truly one of the most heavenly things on earth and Kraft came on the show to teach us how to make it at home.  Sorry Allegra, I ate three bites.  I’ll do a little extra cardio to make up for it.  The really good news about starting to workout is that I have more energy during and after the show.  I’ve lost 5 pounds already and it feels like I’m doing something right.  I’ll keep you posted.

Monday, November 5, 2007 - Bill's blog

First I want to tell you how much fun I had in Los Angeles last Monday and Tuesday.  I visited the sets of Las Vegas and ER and had the opportunity to interview Marlee Matlin.  You will get to see the whole L.A. experience on some of the upcoming episodes.

I must admit I have never worn a bald wig (if that is what you call it) before.  After three hours in hair and makeup I was finally able to walk on to the set as Dr. Phil.  Halloween was a lot of fun, and so many people commented to me about how much Ereka looked and acted like Ellen. 

Last week I really enjoyed cooking with the Hardy boys again. I do like to cook but I usually make the same five things over and over again.  Now I can add spaghetti pie to my menu!

Saturday night Giuliana and I went to a charity event for an organization that raises awareness for depression and bipolar disorder.  My good friend Rebecca Cutler suffered from this disease and her family formed an organization called Rebecca’s Dream.  It was an educational experience for me as well because I didn’t realize how many people suffered from depression.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  I will be going to Giuliana’s sister’s house.  Last year we also spent the holiday there and I helped cook the two turkeys  (back then I was still trying to impress the family).  The one I cooked in the roasting pan didn’t turn out so well- in fact I don’t think it was edible.  I think this year I will stick to cooking the bird in the oven.

Have a great week,

Bill