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    TV Wonderland

    Behind the scenes with Joan Rivers at Fashion Police — and Jimmy Kimmel, too!

    Clifford Pugh
    Nov 4, 2013 | 12:11 pm

    HOLLYWOOD — It's barely 8:30 in the morning, but a perfectly-coiffed Joan Rivers, in a tailored metallic gold jacket with fur collar and dripping in jewelry, looks like an affluent, plastic-surgery lovin' lady-who-lunches on her way to lunch.

     

    Until she opens her mouth. Then the Joan we know and love comes forth.

     

    At 80, Rivers remains one of the hardest-working entertainers in show business, so it's not surprising that she's first on the set of Fashion Police, sitting in her customary chair, rehearsing lines as she looks into a teleprompter before the panel — Kelly Osbourne, George Kostiopoulos and Dancing With The Stars contestant Christina Milian, who is subbing for regular Giuliana Rancic on this episode — arrive.

     

     

    Why has Fashion Police been so successful? "We love each other as a group," Rivers explains. "And E! lets us say just about anything." 

     
     

    For the next two-and-a-half hours, during a recent taping of the hit E! show, Rivers is all business, with a lot of laughs in-between. Make no mistake: It may be called Fashion Police, but it's the Joan Rivers show. Without her sometimes tasteless, always acerbic putdowns of foolishly-dressed notables, the show would be a real snoozefest.

     

    During a break Rivers engages in conversation with the 30 or so "guests" on the set. Because the studio located in a nondescript office building that houses most of the E! operations is so tiny, there is not room for much of an audience. Since the show has become a hit in the U.S. and is shown in 160 countries, parent company NBC Universal has offered a much bigger studio on the Universal lot, Rivers says, but she won't move from this studio where the show has been taped for three years. "I'm superstitious," she says.

     

    CultureMap was allowed to observe a recent taping, with a plea not to reveal too much about how the magic happens. A TV taping can be tedious and a bit messy — it's a bit like watching sausage being made — but Fashion Police proceeds crisply, although the segments are shot out of order and, occasionally someone muffs a line, so it has to be re-shot.

     

    The "guests" on this day are predominately gay, as are many of the show's regular viewers, and the show's warm-up comic Nina Manni and head writer Tony Tripoli urge us to laugh heartily, which isn't that hard to do. "I need you to all embrace your inner gay man and get rowdy like you're at the Abbey after three martinis," Manni says, refering to a popular Los Angeles bar.

     

    (Upon hearing we're from Houston, Tripoli reveals that relatives started the Truluck's chain of seafood restaurants. "I'm in the wrong line of business," he laments.)

     

    To keep our stomachs from growling at the early hour, a large basket filled with chocolate bars and assorted candies is passed around, and as a reward for attending the show we receive a plastic sheriff's badge, officially designating us as a member of the "Joan Rangers."

     

    As any viewer of the show knows, many of Rivers' jokes skirt the edge, and we are told to laugh even if we find a joke shocking. On this show, Rivers picks on regular targets Anne Hathaway, Tom Cruise, Peter Dinklage, Paula Deen, Oprah Winfrey, Betty White and the Kardashian clan in an especially funny joke about Kim and Kanye that is too R-rated to recount here.

     

    Overseeing it all is Rivers' daughter Melissa, who stands behind a camera and communicates with the control room while finding time to banter with the audience about her tattoos, boob jobs and love of shoes. Melissa is wearing a killer pair of Chloe ankle booties, which she proudly shows us during a break.

     

    It's our lucky day because instead of featuring a no-name starlet, a staple of the show as it expanded to an hour, comedienne Margaret Cho is a guest and she and Rivers easily exchange jokes like the pro's they are for a good 10 to 15 minutes. Only about three minutes of their conversation makes it into the televised show. (Off camera, Cho and Osbourne, who are both heavily tattooed, show off their favorites.)

     

    During a break, Rivers takes questions for the audience, talking about Michael Jackson, Cher, what she wears and why the show has been so successful. "We love each other as a group," she explains. "And E! lets us say just about anything."

     

     Jimmy Kimmel's world

     

    I was hoping to also get a behind-the-scenes look at Jimmy Kimmel Live! and made that clear with the show's publicity team. But when I arrived for the 4:30 p.m. taping of the popular late-night ABC show, a publicist escorted me and a guest to the green room, where drinks and food were available, along with an adjoining game room, with pool table and old-fashioned video games. She told us to watch the show here and about 15 minutes before it ended, she would escort us to an outdoor stage to watch John Mayer perform.

     

     

      Even though we were disappointed, it's hard to complain when you're in a room with free food and booze — along with a TV that shows NFL football games on a rival network. 

     
     

    When I protested, she explained there were only 180 seats in the auditorium. Then she disappeared and we never saw her again.

     

    Even though we were disappointed, it's hard to complain when you're in a room with free food and booze — along with a TV that shows NFL football games on a rival network. By the time the Kimmel show started taping at 6 p.m. (despite the title, it's not "live," although it is taped as if it is) and the TVs in the green room switched to his show, nobody was paying attention. Which is just as well, because it seemed like an off night for the talk show host, with an opening monologue that fell flat and only the charisma-challenged Mayer and a supporting actress in the ABC soap, Scandal, on hand as guests.

     

    We stayed around to watch Mayer perform on the Sony Studio Stage. On TV, it looks like the stage is on a cool rooftop, but it's actually in a depressing asphalt parking lot behind the Kimmel studio on Hollywood Boulevard. Kimmel introduced Mayer and then quickly disappeared (it was a Thursday night and Kimmel doesn't work on Fridays) and, after two Mayer songs, we vanished, too.

    Jimmy Kimmel

    Austin Photo Set: News_Shelley_CTC_jimmy kimmel_dec 2012_4
      
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    celebrating space city

    More than 20 deals and specials celebrating Houston's 713 Day

    Craig D. Lindsey
    Jul 10, 2025 | 9:30 am
    Houston Zoo entrance
    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo
    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

    Is it just us, or has 713 Day blown up these past few years?

    Although this holiday that’s named for Houston’s original area code is still unofficial, that hasn’t stopped bars, restaurants, and other venues from celebrating July 13 by creating big, blowout events and/or food and drink specials.

    Here is a thorough rundown of all the places locals can go to this weekend and be — as they say around these parts — Houston Proud.

    Axelrad will host “Houston 713 Day,” complete with $1 off all Houston-based draft beer, special guest hip-hop legend Grimm, and Chicano Boulevard. Lowriders, slabs, DJs, vendors, food, a full bar, and live art by Meenr will all round out the event. 5 pm.

    Bayou Heights Biergarten is throwing it back to Houston’s roots with 713 FEST — a night dedicated to all things H-Town. Houstonians are invited to enjoy high-energy DJ sets, flash tattoos, local vendors, and Houston-themed sips. 8 pm.

    Cafe Leonelli at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston invites Houstonians to celebrate their city with its festive 713 Day cocktail, the Astro Fizz, for $7.13. The restaurant will also offer a 713 Day food special: brisket flautas ($16) and sweet potato succotash ($7.13). 9:30 am.

    Craft Pita will have its third annual “Craft Pita Cookout.” The restaurant will team up with Houston’s newest James Beard Award winner Thomas Bille (of Belly of the Beast) and ice-cream shop Milk and Sugar for a special 713 Day cookout collaboration. 11 am.

    Doves Restaurant is celebrating with an all-day happy hour, along with its signature, Southern cuisine-with-an-Asian twist brunch. Guests are encouraged to show their Houston pride by wearing their favorite Astros, Rockets, Texans, or H-Town gear. 11 am.

    Over at Fielding’s River Oaks, customers will enjoy happy hour brunch with 50 percent off Fielding’s cocktails, $3 off wine by the glass, and $2 off all beer. Brunch options include lemon cream cheese pancakes, crab avocado toast, and the classic Eggs Benedict. 11 am.

    Giant Texas Distillers will hold a 713 Day celebration that includes a car show full of slabs and lowriders, a vendor market, and other delights. There will also be live performances from Dat Boi T, GT Garza, Dank OG and others. 1 pm.

    Happy Liquor will host a “713 Day Mafia Takeover” block party. Along with vendors, food, games for kids, and a whole bunch of tricked-out slabs, we also have live performances from Brattz NuNu and other local artists. 3 pm.

    Hidden Bar, the speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked inside Norigami in West U., is serving up the 713 Day-exclusive cocktail Side the Sunrises. For $7.13, this cocktail mixes butterfly pea tea-infused gin, yuzu, cucumber, and shiso that brings the chill and flavor in one sip. 3 pm.

    Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ will pairs its all-you-can-eat Korean feasts ($25 for lunch, $36 for dinner) with buy-one-get-one beers all day on Sunday.

    Houston Zoo is offering $7.13 admission tickets on Saturday and Sunday. This offer is part of the Zoo’s ongoing effort of offering Houstonians the opportunity to rediscover their zoo and connect with animals and take action to save wildlife. 9 am.

    H-Town Bingo will have a Saturday-night, 713 Day kickoff party featuring a live performance from local rap great Lil’ Keke. It costs $10 to get in, but the $50 VIP package includes skip-the-line access and an official Lil’ Keke “SLFMADE” T-shirt. 7:30 pm.

    Karbach Brewing Co. will have a full day of music, market vendors, and H-Town pride in the Biergarten. Lil’ Flip & Friends will be doing a live performance and photographer/taco journalist Marco Torres will be spinning some Houston classics. 3 pm.

    Kazzan Ramen & Bar invites Houstonians to enjoy Ube Bae ($7.13), a cocktail made with Awamori, Batavia Arrack, ube, guava, lime, nutmeg and purple yam. It pairs with the restaurant’s signature ramen that’s served in a 350-degrees Celsius hot stone bowl. 11 am.

    Le Jardinier, the Michelin-starred French restaurant at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, will offer the Astro Fizz, an Astros-inspired drink special. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, and blue curacao. 5-6:30 pm.

    Meow Wolf Houston and Saint Arnold Brewing Company are teaming up to throw a neighborhood-sized celebration. Guests of all ages can expect live music, local merch, ice-cold drinks, and a wild pop-up portal that opens straight into the unexpected for free. Noon.

    The Original Ninfa's Uptown location will offer chile con queso (sharp cheddar and melting cheese, pico de gallo, flour totopos) and Ninfaritas (Houston’s most famous margarita, made with 100% agave tequila blanco) for $7.13. 10 am.

    Peachez HTX is throwing an R&B-infused bash. Signature cocktails like Purple Syrup, Screw 75, and Chopped and Screwed will be flowing alongside all frozen drinks for just $7.13. There will also be a soulful Sunday brunch with live music. Noon.

    Pitch 25 Beer Park will have a ”713 Takeover,” powered by the Houston Dynamo FC and local art collective Free Walls. Kick off the day by signing up for Cascarita, a free pick-up soccer tournament, then shop a lineup of local vendors from The Good Market HTX. 10 am.

    Pizaro’s Pizza will offer its classic, Neapolitan-style margherita pizza for 7.13 (plus tax) for phone orders, carry out, and dine-in only. The offer is available all day and customers should mention "713 Day" to claim their offer. Noon.

    River Oaks Theatre will have fine dining and live music for its celebration. International hip-hop violinist Josh Vietti will perform a tribute to iconic, Houston hip–hop songs live on stage, while DJ Kiotti spins favorite Houston classics. 7:15 pm.

    Salad and Go will be giving love to H-Town by slinging out salads and wraps for only $7.13, from Saturday to Monday. It’s valid at all drive-thru locations during regular business hours. For online orders, use the code “713.” 7 am (8:30 am Monday).

    The Savoy is hosting mechanical bull-riding contests on Friday and Saturday at 7:13pm. First Prize is $713, to be awarded on Sunday. Also on Sunday, they’ll have $7 specialty cocktails, along with $13 brunch and dinner specials. 11 am.

    Social Beer Garden HTX will have the one-and-only Michael “5000” Watts spin for its free party. DJs Charlee Brown and Vic G will do special sets, while a special “Purple Drank” cocktail, served in a medical bottle, will be available for a limited time. Noon.

    Over at Solarium, customers can enjoy the signature Purple Drink cocktail for $7.13. Made with 12-year aged rum, coconut, ube, pineapple, and lime, the cocktail is a tribute to the city’s culture. $1 from every Purple Drank cocktail will be donated to Kerr County relief efforts. 10 am.

    On Saturday, Soluna will partner with Do713 for the “Splash & Slabs Pool Party.” The event will be complete with DJ sets, cocktails, classic car displays, and major giveaways, including a free Heights House Hotel stay. 2 pm.

    Taste Kitchen + Bar will feature three 713 Day specialty cocktails, served in custom Taste styrofoam double cups for customers to keep. Featured drinks include the Screwed Up Smash, the Lavender Rita, and a Screwtown Punch tribute to the Astros. 8 am.

    Tavola is offering three special cocktails priced at $7.13 each all day. The lineup includes the Biggio Loves Espresso, a nod to the Astros; Orbit’s Soul, a vibrant green cocktail; and the Post Oak Sunset, a tribute to Tavola’s neighborhood. 11:30 am.

    Both WILD Concepts locations in Montrose and the Heights will have two $7.13 cocktails: Still Sippin (Maker’s Mark 101, Four Roses Single Barrel, maple, and bitters) and Purple Rain (Rémy Martin, coconut, ube, butterfly pea tea, pineapple, clarified citrus, and Topo Chico). 8 am.

    Houston Zoo entrance
      

    Courtesy of the Houston Zoo

    Visit the Houston Zoo for $7.13 this weekend.

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