This week on MTV’s The Hills, it was back to New York for Lauren Conrad and Whitney Port as they put the finishing touches on the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood event.  They were expected to arrive, do a presentation meeting with East Coast editor-in-chief Amy Astley and her staff, and jet back to L.A. to give Lisa Love a report.  Luckily, Lauren already had a boardroom-friendly dress set aside for this very occasion.

(Whitney presents her ideas for the Young Hollywood Party to the Teen Vogue staff)

When the girls arrived in NYC, the warm welcome was barely dished out before Amy broke the news that not only was Lauren asked to help out at a Marc Jacobs model casting, she would be leaving right now!  Thus, Whitney would be handling the meeting with the suits solo.  As Lauren made a mad dash for Seventy-Two Spring St., Whit faced her challenge with class and dignity (doesn’t she always?).  One by one, however, her proposals for the event were shot down – chandeliers, carpets, furniture…all were deemed “tacky,” “excessive,” or met with glares of collective disgust.

                           (Such luck: Lauren meets Marc Jacobs!)

Meanwhile, Lauren was immersed in the world of high fashion, pulling from racks and dressing models.  However, when approached by Marc Jacobs himself, she remained seated while greeting him to tend to her duties of “alphabetizing.”  I don’t want to lose faith in her professional abilities, but don’t tell me Lauren needs an etiquette lesson…

Back in L.A., we learn that in spite of the tension and turmoil, Lisa was told that the meeting was a huge success.  True to her passive-aggressive form, she took a shot at Whitney’s choice of meeting attire before informing Lauren that she did great as well.  So, who knows?  When The Hills on MTV eventually folds, there may be a future in fashion for them after all.

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

We return to catch up on two weeks’ worth of drama-filled installments of The Hills on MTV, after a short hiatus due to the “Cram Session” recap episode (why watch  it when you can get the info right here on Beauty Chat?).
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Two weeks ago (episode 10), Lauren Conrad learned that the people she has accused all along of starting the “inappropriate video” rumor – Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, natch – may not have been the only ones responsible.  Throughout the hour, we see Heidi accuse Brody Jenner, with Jen Bunney returning to Lauren’s Circle of Trust (sort of) to relay this information. So Lauren sits down to confront Brody on the matter. His response? He maintains that it was “them” and no one else – no big surprise, but the suspense was fun for awhile.

(Dating a male model seemed like a good idea to Lauren – but alas, it was not meant to be.)

The following week during episode 11 on The Hills Season 3, Whitney Port and Lauren were assigned the daunting task of auditioning male models for the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood event.  One model named Gavin, cute in that “rugby player” way, became the object of Lauren’s interest (or perhaps a jealousy tool aimed at Brody?) for the next few days.  While flipping burgers during Brody’s quarterly BBQ in Malibu, and again while out with Lauren at Sushi Dan’s, Gavin showed us that the entities of “Male Model” and “Fun Person You Would Like to Date” are, in this case, mutually exclusive.

                              (Lauren calls up Brody for movie night!)
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After arriving at this realization, Lauren wastes no time when the date is over, immediately placing a call to Brody.  She asks him to come over and “watch a movie.”  When asked what movie they would be watching, she answers coyly, “Does it really matter?”  Nice!    

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com     

This week on MTV’s The Hills, Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, and Lauren “Lo” Bosworth headed to Las Vegas to surprise Brody Jenner and friends for his 24th birthday.  Also tagging along was Mr. Fun himself – the sullen and withdrawn Justin Bobby.  To show goodwill, Lauren and Lo bought JB a drink to start out the night – and were surprised at his lack of manners.  Um, girls?  He never has any manners, remember?  “He didn’t even acknowledge us!” was the war cry they repeated throughout the evening, until Audrina decided she had enough of her friends bashing her guy (who, as usual, had disappeared with no explanation). 

               (Audrina is confronted by Lauren and Lo in Brody’s suite) 

Nonetheless, the party rolled on through the night in Brody’s Fantasy Suite at The Palms.  Where there’s a rotating bed and an indoor jacuzzi, there are bound to be hook-ups.  Pairing off was Lo and Frankie, in addition to Lauren and Brody Part III.

Back in LA, it was Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s first anniversary, but Brent Bolthouse (Botlhouse Productions) is making Heidi work the Emmy kick-off party.  Isn’t this type of perk the very thing Heidi wanted out of this job?  Guess not.  No can do, Brent.  When he tells her to get it covered by someone, Heidi pours salt in Elodie’s wounds by asking her to work the event.  But clever Miss Elodie already has it covered.  In a move of purely conniving genius, Elodie tells Heidi, “Sure, anything for you,” while neglecting to add, “Oh and by the way, I quit today, so I won’t actually be there, causing you to take the fall when I don’t show up.” 

                           (Happy 1-year Anniversary to you too, Spence!)

Blissfully unaware that this is the case, Heidi sits down at Don Antonio’s for her anniversary dinner with Spence.  As this episode of The Hills Season 3 winds down, Heidi answers her phone, and we hear, “Elodie’s not there?  What do you mean, she quit?”  The anniversary dinner is cut short, and Heidi leaves to go do her job.  Now, that’s good TV.

 ~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

It was the week we’ve been waiting for on MTV’s The Hills – the night of more Whitney Port! 

Whitney is only a few months into her new position at Teen Vogue, and editor-in-chief Lisa Love has bestowed some weighty responsibilities on our favorite ex-intern.  It was Whit’s first time in charge of a photo shoot for the magazine.  Sending her off to meet the models (the band Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), Lisa offered the encouraging words, “If anything goes wrong, it’s your problem!”

And something did go wrong, thanks to the night that Whitney, Lauren Conrad, and Audrina Patridge spent partying with the band.  The next day, Whitney and Lauren were presented with the challenge of dealing with a hung-over band showing late and their diva frontman refusing to change into the wardrobe presented by Teen Vogue. 

                 (Whitney deals with trouble on the set. The band is late!)

Knowing she was in trouble, Whitney accepted defeat and the sentence from Lisa that was to come. But Lisa’s confrontations are nothing new to Lauren and Whitney. This time, her icy demeanor was at its best when she told Whit, “You really to step it up from this point on.”    

Meanwhile, those who keep up with the real-life drama of the The Hills on MTV finally saw Jason Whaler (yes, the guy who was eliminated from “Celebrity Rap Superstar“) tell Lauren about her replacement, a pretty blonde athlete named Katja. To add icing to the cake, when Lauren arrived to the party at Jason’s new apartment, she learned that he and Katja are now engaged. 

                       (Cheers to you, Jason! Lauren raises her cup.)

Later, Lauren mused, “I realized that could have been me…at the party to announce my engagement, with a kegger and a Bob Marley poster.”  Way to keep your perspective, Lauren!     

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

 This week on MTV’s The Hills, we were privy to Part Two of the Lauren Conrad and Jason Whaler reunion.  This time, the two ex-lovebirds visited Ketchup in Hollywood, seemingly unaware that there would be a run-in with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. 

When the couple that everyone loves to hate arrived on the scene, there were plenty of rude remarks and evil deeds thrown around to add fuel to Lauren’s disdain.  From Spencer’s, “It’s great to see you two back together again,” to Heidi’s “movie-making action” comment, capped off by their “gesture” of sending over drinks (non-alcoholic to mock Jason’s time in rehab), Lauren was driven to her breaking point. Turned out that she and Jason quickly called it a night.

(Lauren doesn’t try to hide her disgust when Spencer and Heidi show up bearing insults and insincere gestures.)

The next day offered a refreshing change of pace in Lauren’s work day at Teen Vogue, as she and Whitney Port were sent by Lisa Love (editor-in-chief) to scout out locations for a Young Hollywood Party featuring designer Marc Jacobs.  It may be the most I will ever see of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel!

(Sitting next to Lisa Love, editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Whitney must find the perfect location for the Young Hollywood Party!)

But the real action on this episode of The Hills Season 3 was taking place at Bolthouse Productions, where Heidi assumed the responsibilities of her new position.  These included the grueling tasks of gazing at a screen with her hand on a mouse, and telling an assistant to hold all calls that weren’t personal (huh?).  As the week wore on, her scorned co-worker Elodie could barely tolerate the injustice. 

Finally, while listening to Heidi barking about the previous night’s run-in with Lauren, Elodie told Heidi the truth about herself: “You don’t even know what’s right anymore, and it’s just so sad.”  Ouch!  There’s really no better way to end this re-cap of The Hills on MTV than with that!    

~ Brook

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

This week, The Hills on MTV handed us some important social pointers we couldn’t have learned anywhere else. The first one, courtesy of Lauren Conrad: If you find a guy unbearable the very first time he speaks to you, don’t cut him loose until you start considering self-mutilation. The scene: When she and Audrina Patridge meet their personal trainer Jarrett and his friend for a double date at Lola’s, Lauren appeared to be exceeding her tolerance level as the date droned on awkwardly about thrift store bargains vs. vintage rip-offs.

(Lauren of MTV’s The Hills sits with Audrina, weighing her options for escape from blind date hell. Instead, she opts to stick it out.)

Rather than running for cover, Lauren (who, of course, filled Whitney Port in on the details the next day at the office of Teen Vogue), agreed to go on a second date with Jarrett’s friend. Where else but at Les Deux in Hollywood! At this trendy nightclub in Los Angeles, Lauren continued to absorb his pushy behavior for awhile before heading to the restroom, where she made such observations as: “I have never wanted to stab myself in the eye more!” We didn’t get to see how the night ended, but since she appeared as beautiful as ever the next day, it seems she eventually made a safe exit.  

Over at Bolthouse Productions, Heidi Montag learned from coworker and confidante Elodie that a new position is opening up. After two years on staff, Elodie believes that she deserves this promotion for herself. At this point in the installment, Heidi offered us her own lesson, revolving around the old adage: “Looking out for Number One.” At Spencer Pratt’s urging (of course!), Heidi scored the coveted job and a sleek new office behind her friend’s back. Nice!

(Audrina welcomes the return of Justin Bobby, as well as the opportunity to wear her cute helmet.)  

Winding down this episode of MTV’s The Hills, Audrina instructed us that: If at first your on-off boyfriend doesn’t show any affection for you, try, try again until he invites you back on his motorcycle. Looks like Justin Bobby isn’t going away anytime soon.  

Finally, the long-anticipated reunion between Lauren and Jason Whaler occurred as follows: Lauren drinks coffee, returns Jason’s sunglasses, and smirks as he acknowledges his “pretty bad habits” at the time of their breakup. Inserted here is the best lesson of the night, when Lauren, ex-Laguna Beach star of The Hills on MTV, showed us the virtues of moving on!

~Brook

So with Lauren and Jason over, what is going on with her and Brody Jenner? Check out my rundown of The Hills on MTV: Episode 5. (It just was a friendly sleepover, people!)

 Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

On this week’s installment of The Hills on MTV, the rift between Lauren Conrad and Spencer Pratt has evolved into a veritable hate-fest. The latest victim to be swallowed up in the drama is poor Brody Jenner, who was pronounced an “Enemy” by Spencer, his childhood buddy. What travesty did Brody commit to earn this shame? He is “rolling around with” (Spencer’s words) the Heart of Evil, otherwise known as Lauren Conrad!

(At Teen Vogue, Lauren and Whitney agreeing that Spencer’s attitude toward Brody is juvenile = totally “high school”)

Later, Brody found consolation when he met Lauren, Audrina Patridge and a guy friend named Frankie (who seems to have appeared out of nowhere on The Hills Season 3), at Hollywood’s historic Roosevelt Hotel. Sipping on drinks from the Tropicana Poolside Bar, the gang collectively agreed that Spencer’s friendship rules belong on the school playground. As a Reality TV newbie, Frankie neglected to censor himself, making mention of Lauren’s recent “friendly sleepover” at Brody’s condo. Clearly annoyed that he did this during a taping of MTV’s The Hills, Lauren started to put Frankie in his place. But then she gave up and smiled it off. 

(Heidi declares her innocence once again, placing the blame on Brody for Lauren’s troubles.)

With these developments fresh in her mind as well, Heidi Montag headed over to Doughboy’s Bakery to catch up with Jen Bunney. We noticed something different about Jen immediately, as did Heidi (who went under her own transformation this year as well). Not only does Jen look different, she also appears more confident. Find an excellent rhinoplasty surgeon, did ya Jen? As expected, Jen spent her time with Heidi lamenting over the strife they have both experienced with Lauren. Heidi, with dramatic emphasis, proclaimed, “Brody Jenner is her new friend? It was Brody Jenner who started those rumors!”

So now, with yet another person accused of spreading lies throughout The Hills, I am really starting to wonder: Will we ever learn the truth?

~ Brook 

Find out what Heidi’s parents thought of Spencer in Episode 4! It’s never too late to get your fix of The Hills on MTV.

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

This week’s episode of The Hills on MTV offered us a refreshing change of pace. Lauren Conrad and company took a break from clubbing at Les Deux and eating at outdoor cafés, opting for a good-clean-fun day at the beach (sans Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag). Where was the couple everyone loves to hate? Where else but enchanting Crested Butte, Colorado. The time had finally come for Spencer to meet the parents. 

(On this episode of MTV’s The Hills, Heidi and Spencer take in words of wisdom from her parents regarding their relationship)

While he attempted to put on a nice show for his presumed future in-laws, kissing up by calling their daughter an “angel” didn’t appear to win them over. Mom and Dad said they were concerned Heidi had lost too many girlfriends because of guys in her past, and this situation seemed to fit the same pattern. As they tried to reinforce their concern to Heidi and Spencer over dinner, Spencer responded by performing an over-the-top, unflattering impersonation of Lauren. Asking her parents their impression of her fiancé several times, Heidi seemed disappointed that they never answered, “Wow, Honey, he’s a keeper!”

Back in Malibu, the good times were rollin’ at Brody Jenner’s beach BBQ. In keeping with the theme of changing pace on this episode of The Hills, Brody showed his vulnerable side by 1.) Expressing hurt feelings over Spencer’s frequent absences, 2.) Breaking his arm during a game of tag football, and 3.) Expressing hurt feelings again when Lauren laughed at the sight of his cast upon his return from the ER.

(A memorable moment on The Hills – Audrina pouring her hurt out to Lauren at Brody’s beach BBQ) 

 Also letting down her guard was Audrina Patridge (realizing she had again been ditched by Justin Bobby, who left her cute helmet behind and took off with another girl), as well as Lauren (who finally shed some tears over Heidi). What a way to round out the night!

 ~ Brook

Missed Episode 3 of this season’s the Hills? Check out my recent recap on Beauty Chat!

Photo Credits: www.MTV.com

We’re only two weeks into the The Hills Season 3. So, it’s a little early for Lauren Conrad to start disapproving of her roommate’s boyfriend, right? Wrong! We can thank Audrina Patridge’s new/old guy, “Justin Bobby,” for the early arrival of boy drama that never gets old for fans of The Hills.

Meeting up for a third-wheel date, Lauren and JB offer up half-hearted opinions of one another over drinks as Audrina looks on awkwardly. Lauren, like a good mother hen, tells JB that Audrina is the “precious cargo” that rides on his bike that night (how cute was Audrina’s helmet!), and he had better be careful with her kid – I mean, friend. Like any boy your mother would disapprove of, JB answers by opening his mouth to allow the escape of a horrific belch. And the stage is set!

(The infamous belch pouring out of “Justin Bobby.” Trying to impress Lauren, are we JB?)

Meanwhile, Heidi Montag threw us a major curveball this week. As the last roommate to serve up unforgivable chaos into Lauren’s life, Heidi decided to stand up for her right to have white walls in her apartment – much to Spencer Pratt’s chagrin. I almost got goosebumps watching Heidi calmly explain to her fiancé (!) that painting over his tacky pawn shop graffiti wall was, “A surprise – just like you surprised me.”

During MTV’s after show for The Hills, Lauren almost looked proud of her ex-friend when she commented that it was her “favorite scene in the whole episode.” I couldn’t agree more!

~ Brook

Recap of The Hills Season Premiere on Beauty Chat

Image Credits: www.MTV.com

Are you a devoted fan who tuned in for the two-part, hour-long Season 3 premiere of The Hills?  As one who jumped on the train a little late (the end of Season 1), I can tell you that waiting too long to catch up is a bad idea. Whether or not you were ever a Laguna Beach (R.I.P.) fan, The Hills is far superior if drama, nightlife scenery, and must-have fashion are on your list of guilty pleasure criteria. For those in need of a quick recap of the Season 2 finale, as well as last night’s premiere, check out my “then and now” format:

   Then: Lauren Conrad stood on her Hollywood sidewalk as her (former) BFF, Heidi Montag, gazed poignantly back in the moving van mirror while driving off into the sunset with Spencer Pratt. Shaking the dust off rather quickly, Lauren moved in new roomie (and Heidi “frienemy”) Audrina Patridge. Now: With Internet rumors swirling around a possible – uh, feature film – starring Lauren and ex-BF Jason Wahler, Lauren is out for blood. During a mutual friend’s party at Les Deux in Los Angeles, suspecting Heidi and Spencer as the culprits of the scandal, Lauren screamed, “You’re not in my life anymore, and you’re a sad, pathetic person!” Ouch. Remember when she was the shy girl? 

            (Lauren, Audrina, and Heidi in mid-argument at Les Deux)

   Then: Back at Teen Vogue, work-buddy Whitney Port was in the running for the position of fashion contributor. Now: Whitney scored the job, and assumes the title of Lauren’s boss, even sporting her own desk (now that’s power!). I am already noticing a different dynamic between these two…did you? They’ve come a long way from working in the back closet together; let’s hope this is one friendship for Lauren that she manages to keep in tact!

   Then: Lauren’s romantic sensibilities were proving questionable, as she was on, then off, then maybe back on, with Brody Jenner. After ex-Laguna friend Jennifer Bunney made her move on him, the drama in Lauren’s life seriously kicked up a notch. Now: Lauren makes a habit of flirting with reckless abandon, the likes of which we’ve never seen. Later, a sneak peek reveals that she will meet with Jason to discuss a possible reconciliation. Adding to our collective shock, Whitney (!) is the one who gets caught kissing Brody this time (but for some reason, Lauren acts delighted). Huh?

         (Brody tries to turn Spencer away from popping the question to Heidi)

     Need an update, but don’t want to stay up past your bedtime? Keep visiting Beauty Chat every week! New episodes of The Hills airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on MTV. 

~ Brook

 Photo Credits: www.MTV.com