I've never been a huge T.V. person - no Idol, never seen a Real Housewives of anything, and can't seem to make a date with Mad Men. When I do turn it on, its usually a Nat Geo special, an episode of Barefoot Contessa or if I need a break from reality, maybe a Tosh 2.0. But over the last 6 months I'd been hearing a lot about a new show with Amanda de Cadenet called "The Conversation." Admittedly, as soon as I heard some of her guests included Gwyneth Paltrow, Ariana Huffington, and Diane Von Furstenberg, I was intrigued. Thanks to Twitter, I was reminded of the premiere last night (Thursdays at 11:00 p.m. on Lifetime. I know, I know - yes, it's on Lifetime, but don't prejudge!).
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| Gwyneth Paltrow and Amanda de Cadenet on "The Conversation With Amanda de Cadenet." |
A former televsion host in the U.K. and photographer for zines like Vogue, Dazed and Confused and Rolling Stone, de Cadenet is married to Strokes guitarist Nick Valensi and has 3 children. She got the idea for "The Conversation" after becoming a mother and realizing that no one was talking about the tough issues women face. Instead, she says, "all I could find online was people talking about how happy they were and how they lost the baby weight in 3 weeks." She set out on a mission to dispell the idea that many of her celebrity friends had it easy and start conversations about the issues that we women face everyday. Interviews take place in her Studio City, CA home and topics include relationships, kids, career, sex, marriage, and money problems - nothing is off limits.
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| Zoe Saldana being photographed by Amanda de Cadenet. |
As a girl who cherishes her girl friends and always feels refreshed and inspired after a good and honest chat, I really loved the format of this show. It's like you are a fly on the wall, listening to a conversation between two friends. On the premiere, Amanda chats with Gwyneth Paltrow about the death of her dad and how she's found perspective on this huge loss, asks why mothers judge other mothers (in the spirit of an honest conversation - I'm totally guilty of this. Why are we always so hard on each other!?), and they discover they both suffered from post-partum depression. Seeing them giggling together, teasing each other, and being open and honest was so refreshing and reminded me of my friends and I. De Cadenet couldn't be a more perfect host - she's funny, smart, a little quirky, and has a Da Vinci like beauty to boot. Interspersed with conversations with Sarah Silverman, Jane Fonda and Zoe Saldana (she has so much fire and spunk!) are interviews with women on the street about the same topics Amanda is discussing with her guests. The verdict: set your DVR to join The Conversation next week with Lady Gaga, Rita Wilson and Portia de Rossi and you'll be challenged to think and talk about your life in new and different ways. You can watch last night's episode right here. Did any of you watch it? What did you think? Have a great weekend everyone!
5 comments:
I didn't watch it and now I feel like I missed out on something really inspiring. You know how I love me some inspiration. ;) Thank you for providing the link...I will check it out. I feel like I should watch it now so we can chew on it.
I really appreciate your honesty. I think if the judging can stop, we can then feel collectively supported by one another. I have long believed that it takes a village and no one can (or should) do it alone. We're all in the same boat and all any of us are trying to do is our best. I'm starting a Compassion Campaign...Whose with me? :) Ok, I'll get off my box now.
Have a great weekend, Jennifer!!
T, you crack me up..'I'm starting a Compassion Campaign'..
I also believe women are their own worst enemies and far too competitive. But, hey, I think it's partly their own fault.
I wish more women/people would spend time on self-development instead of dieting/drinking/ shopping etc.
Confidence comes from within. Full stop. Don't bother looking anywhere else for it. I'm all for support and compassion and believe in empowering people.
Thank you for the link J. I will definitely watch it as I like straight forward talking (oh, guess you're not surprised about that:)
Have a good weekend.
Hey Jennifer. Just watched the episode. Thank you soooo much. It was so great and real and boy what a great role model Jane Fonda is.
A few weeks ago I was fortunate to go to a private screening of http://www.missrepresentation.org/
Jane Fonda was in that too... a must viewing for every woman and teenage girl. If you can find a screening do try and go...
@Theresa - I'm with you T! Let the Compassion Campagin commence:) I am going to try my best to stop judging (although remind me to tell you about the crazy stage mom who was yelling at her 3 year-old throughout my daughter's dance class):)
@Tina - I'm all about self-development..well, at least I'm all about the idea of it. I try to work on things when I have the time - podcasts, books, etc. Do you have any favorites to recommend? Glad you enjoyed the show! Also, thanks for the info on the Misrepresentation docu. I just checked out the website and it looks intriguing. Funny - the producer is a friend of a good friend. Small world!
I hadn't even heard of it, and I'm not one to shun Lifetime (Project Runway moved to that network a few seasons ago so I had to get over any bias, haha). I love Gwyneth Paltrow so I'm sure I'd be smitten with the first episode at least. But is anyone else cracking up like me over that picture of the two of them on her sofa? Amanda is clinging to her for dear life! Haha.
Not that I have kids, but I will say the mom-judgment totally extends to the dog park. Everyone with a dog thinks they know exactly how to raise a dog and feel no shame in telling you what you're doing wrong with yours. Seriously! "Oh, you're not feeding him organic food? WELL, do what you want but...." "Why would you use a traditional collar? Harnesses are SO much more humane." Usually I just stand there awkwardly and then retreat to a bench, haha. I imagine playgrounds with actual children are far more contentious, eek! I don't know why people are always so concerned with what other people are doing. I agree with Tina. If you're 100% confident and happy you don't need to focus on how anyone else is doing to boost your own mood.
Hope you had a great weekend, Jennifer!
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