#CandidlyNicole

I used to be super obsessed with ‘The Simple Life’ when I was a kid, and I'm more than happy to admit it. Not only did the show revolutionise the reality TV genre and kick-start the whole ‘celebutante’ thing (man, I’m SO glad nobody says that anymore), but it also proved to be extremely entertaining – all thanks to Nicole Richie. Despite Paris Hilton being the focal point of the series, ‘The Simple Life’ would’ve never been the same without Nikki and her remarkable one-liners.

  

Sadly enough, the show ended in 2007, and the girls each went their separate ways. As we all already know, Nicole became a fairly successful designer and occasionally reminded us of her comic genius; Paris’ home was burglarised by ‘The Bling Ring’, and she did a show about making new friends that no one cared about. Apart from that, both women took a backseat in the world of celebrity. Because, you know, the Kardashians took over it.

Anyway, luckily for us, Nicole’s back on the small (laptop) screen with her new web series, ‘#CandidlyNicole’, and, trust me, it is hilaaaarious. Each episode, based on one of Nicole’s tweets, is about five minutes long and follows the 31-year-old as she embarks on various adventures such as removing her ‘tramp stamp’ (which she never actually does), learning how think like a drag queen and finding a date for her friend. Ohhhhh, yes. 

The only annoying things about this series is that the episodes are SO DAMN SHORT! Like, seriously, can someone give the girl a proper show?? Please?



Maj TV: The Conversation

Amanda De Cadenet’s online TV show ‘The Conversation’ is back, and this time the questions are turned on Chelsea Handler.

Here’s a little backstory on the show. ‘The Conversation’ is a talk show of sorts, but instead of taking place in a studio with a live audience and auto-cue, it’s based in a more intimate setting. From Cadenet’s home, ‘The Conversation’ feels more like a casual talk amongst girls, and considers itself ‘the universal language of women’. Their various views and thoughts are expressed in these interviews, on topics from women in the workplace, motherhood and sex. Previous guests have included Gwyneth Paltrow,Lady Gaga, Donna Karen and Jane Fonda. The show has an a particular honest approach that you won’t find on many talk shows, making Ms.Handler the perfect guest for their opening episode.

During the convo, Amanda touched on different topics, including Handler’s outspoken nature and how she’s viewed at work as a woman with a lot to say, to which Chelsea replies,‘I’ll take it. If someone wants to say I'm a bitch, I am a bitch. I’m not going to put up with anybody’s bullshit.’Handler’s frank nature has gotten her this far, and is a key part why I loved this episode. They discussed the idea of Chelsea compromising her femininity to compete with other late night talk show hosts, like Jay Leno and Conan O’Brian. Chelsea even admitted she would purposely dress like a tomboy to get people to focus on what she’s saying and not what she’s wearing. 

What stood out particularly to me was Chelsea’s views on motherhood, and how unashamedly honest she was about not wanting to have children. It’s so rare and refreshing to have a female celebrity talk so candidly about not wanting to be a mother, and feel a sense of fulfillment in their lives that doesn’t require children to make them feel whole. Society demands that as women,our main purpose in life is to have children, and this view has yet to really change(in my opinion of course).Once you’re past thirty-five, women are pressured into thinking they must have children and this can mostly be seen in the media. Just ask Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz or any hardworking woman 35 or above. In true Handler manner, she gives a big FU to societies standards, and continues to do her thing, one joke at a time. Gotta admire her honesty.

Overall, this episode was an insightful view into Chelsea's world, beyond the offensive jokes and funny persona she creates. 

Check out www.theconversation.tv for previous episodes.