Kim's Blog

Monday, February 4, 2008 - Kim's Blog

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Friday, February 1, 2008 - Kim's Blog

Hey there everybody!

It’s blog time.  Since getting my blog on last, I’ve had a birthday. I am 46 years old.  Yep. January 11th, 1962. I suppose it’s surprising for a woman, especially a woman who spent any time in Hollywood, to tell her real age, but hey, I figure, I’ve earned it, all the wisdom and all the wrinkles. Plus, as they say, “black don’t crack”. So, I think I’m looking good for my age. But let me say this, black may not crack, but it just may droop.  Bring on the push-up bras.

My co-hosts surprised me with a chocolate man-cake on the show, baked by our very own, Eileen Atkins, Program Manager.  My cake had candy nipples, frosted chest hair, and was delivered by a hunky chocolate man!  Mama Like! Mama Like!

I flew to L.A. and spent my actual birthday surrounded by wonderful old friends.  Well, not that they’re old, it’s just that I’ve known them for a long time. We had a delicious Chinese meal at Ghengis Cohen. Get it? Cohen, instead of Khan.  And it felt like my official going away party, which, by the way, I never had.  I sat back and watched all my friends, some of whom had never met one another, now making new friends with each other.  I knew that even though I left them temporarily for “In The Loop,” they’d all be just fine.

I am still loving the winter and the snow and the cold. But Bill Rancic always tells me that this city truly comes alive when Spring hits.  When does Spring come anyway?  No matter, I’m rockin’ my turtlenecks, my Ugg boots, and my puffy coat.  I guess I can say I love winter because I have been going to L.A. enough to catch some 60 and 70 degree days. With all the miles I am accruing, a free trip to Hawaii can’t be too far off.  Now how I can ask my boss for some time off?

Friday, January 11, 2008 - Kim's Blog

Hi, everybody!
Sorry, I have taken so much time off. Bloggin is hard work. I’m not one of those people that even likes to journal. I prefer to live life than to write about it. But let’s see if I can fill you in. My holidays were amazing because we got a little time off and I was able to come to sunny California. And although I’m enjoying my winter in Chicago, I gotta admit, I enjoy the 75 degree weather in lala land.

I came home to LA instead of visiting my family in NY and NC because I’m still in the process of moving. I’m trying to get my apartment in LA ready to leave so I’m not paying a mortgage in one city and rent in another. I hope I get someone to pay my mortgage for me.

It’s really weird living with boxes in LA and I frankly still have boxes I haven’t yet unpacked in Chicago. I kinda feel like I have one foot in each city. But, as of today, January 11th, which incidentally is my birthday, I’m in LA making my final preparations to become a true Chicagoan. My move will be complete when I put all the things I’m not bringing with me to Chicago in storage.

Now, let me tell you about my exciting New Year’s Eve. I flew back to Chicago on January 31st, early in the morning. I even brought a bottle of champagne with me that I had in LA. I figured, why buy another bottle when I can slip this in my luggage? I landed, I bought groceries, I started unpacking, and I was too pooped to party. You know what I did? At the stroke of midnight, I cut off all my lights and the TV, and I listened to Chicago go wild. From my balcony I saw the fireworks over by Navy Pier, I listened to everyone partying and at 12:15 I put my earplugs in and went to sleep. I even forgot to pop my champagne.  The good news is, I think I’m the only person in Chicago that didn’t have a hangover the next day.

I woke up early and it was snowing and I was in heaven. So I went for a walk in the snow with my friend Jakki. We got breakfast, and talked about what we hoped 2008 would bring. I hope 2008 brings happiness and joy and good health to all of you and your families. Oh yeah, and me too.

Monday, January 7, 2008 - Kim's Blog

Post Show Host Chat with Kim, read it here >>

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!

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, October 22, 2007 - Kim

Ooohhh, what a week I’ve had since the last time I’ve gotten my blog on!  Where should I begin?  How about with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.  You know what I’m talking about: TONY HOPKINS! And yes, Sir Anthony Hopkins insisted that we call him “Tony”.  Oh how lovely, sweet, funny and delightful he was.  The rest of Hollywood could take a lesson from him in charm and grace.  He exceeded my expectations.  He’s awesome!

Then, there was John Mahoney.  (You know, the dad from Frasier.)  And he was equally as delightful and super sweet.  I had met him before when I did a couple of episodes of Frasier.  He remembered me and gave me the biggest hug.  How nice to see him again and how surprised I was to learn that he’s actually from England.  It’s usually very nice when you learn a celebrity’s personal history. 

Then there’s my old pal, Bill Bellamy. Yes, I know he’s funny.  But, oooweeee that’s a good lookin’ man.  I’ve known Bill for years and his best quality is that he has stayed the same for all those years.  Very grounded, polite, and just darling.  And yes, super fine!

So, I gotta tell you how excited I am that my car arrived from L.A..  Everyone says that Chicago is a walking city, but there’s places I need to go that I ain’t got time to walk to.  And let’s face it, shopping is so much easier with a car.  Target, Walmart, Crate&Barrel, CB2, Pottery Barn, Pier1, Macy’s, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Bed Bath and Beyond, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, etc, here I come!

Friday, October 12, 2007 - Kim

Hey what you guys!  I LOVE my job!  Well, actually, I do love my job, but I’m really loving it this week because I got to go to St. Lucia for the weekend.  Yes, the tropical, simply beautiful island of St. Lucia.  No, I wasn’t taking a short weekend vacation.  I went there to shoot a segment with a relationship coach named Peta Haskell.  She gives a seminar there twice a year for women looking to learn how to have good relationships.  I learned that the key to a good relationship is to first have a good relationship with yourself. And to think, I had to fly 7 hours each direction, get sunburned, get bitten by tropical bugs, and to sweat until I was dehydrated to find that out.

No, really, it was good information.  We jump through so many hoops trying to find love when in truth, if you tap into the love that is already inside of you, and share that with the world, more love will come to you.  Sounds like mumbo jumbo, but I swear it works.

Sorry this is a short one, but I have an exciting weekend ahead of me, and can’t wait to get it started!

Friday, September 28, 2007 - Kim

I’ll let you in on a secret.

Because my blog is due on Fridays and because I am a chronic procrastinator, I always start mine on Wednesday or Thursday. The good news is, I meet my deadline. That bad news is, I miss on telling you guys everything that happens on Thursday and Friday. Last week’s guest, Tim Gunn, was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. So charming, so handsome, so smooth, and his voice is like a rich, chewy caramel candy. I even snagged a copy of his book and he signed it for me. The inscription reads, “Dearest Kim, you ARE quality taste and style! XOX Tim”. OMG 2 kisses and a hug from Tim Gunn! It doesn’t get better than Tim Gunn, honey!

Still having a good time with Ereka and Bill, I feel like we’re becoming more and more like family. Working this closely is always a bonding experience.

So let me tell you about Mandy Moore. I only wish I had her poise at 23. Really impressive. Tall, smart, adorable and completely comfortable with herself. You can tell her parents did an awesome job. Oh, and Joss Stone, another tall, talented, beautiful young woman who also has herself completely together. It makes you wonder how some artists get it right and others lose their minds. ‘C’mon Brittney and Lindsey, get it together!’

By the way, I don’t want to brag about how famous I am, but while some celebrities get preferred seating in top notch restaurants and others get free jewelry from swanky jewelry stores, Kim Coles gets a Chicago bus driver to stop the bus in the middle of the intersection and make everybody on the bus wave. Thank God I didn’t cause an accident. Next week, I’ll try to slow down some of those crazy taxi drivers.

September 21, 2007 - Kim

Whew! What a week! Let me give you a rundown of my day. I get up at 6am, grab a little breakfast, head to NBC by 7:45, and get my make-up and hair done at 8. Then, we get prepped for that day’s show with the producers, go off to rehearsal, get dressed, and go live at 11am. Did I say “whew”

I have to admit, it’s a lot more activity than I’m used to in the morning. You see, I’m definitely a “night person”. I really don’t get sleepy until at least midnight, but because of my early call time, I’m in bed by 9:30pm. I can’t tell if I’m 8 years old or 80 years old. But I’m not complaining because the truth is, I love this show. I’m learning so much, I’m bonding with my co-hosts and I love the staff (including Tiffany, who lets me sit beside her at her computer to write this blog because I don’t know how my computer works). Bill is a sweetheart, Ereka is a sweetie pie, and we laugh a lot. We’ve decided to have weekly dinners. We’re either going to get really close, or we’re going to get on each others nerves, but it’s all for the good of the show.

I can’t begin to tell you how fast the show seems to go. It’s like we start, we blink, and then we’re saying goodbye to the audience. What a rush! I enjoy the cooking segments and my favorite segment was with Margaret Cho. She was so outspoken about women loving their bodies. I think she had a very strong message. Another favorite segment was the one with E!’s Guiliana DePandi, oops, I mean Rancic. Did you see their wedding photos? She and Bill are so cute together! Ereka and I were teasing Bill that now that he and Guiliana are a Hollywood power couple, we have to combine their names a la Brangelina and Tomkat. So it’s Billiana, Ranpandi or Giancic. Bill’s eyes actually twinkle when he talks about Guiliana. It’s so cute.

Well, I’m going to get some rest this weekend. I sure need it. Maybe I’ll get a little facial, maybe even a bikini wax. Hey, what am I thinking! There’s nothing restful about a bikini wax! I have to say I’m really looking forward to our next week. More fun, more laughs, more Bill, more Ereka, more me!