Over the years, we've had an assortment of Penn alumni win big on gameshows.

After the jump, watch former Los Angeles Penn Club President Melissa Wu (C'98) give her best "alluring" voice to Wayne Brady and make two (!) deals with "Let's Make a Deal" host Wayne Brady.

Find out what was behind the curtain she chose!

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After the jump, check out my DT roundup of these 12 notable Penn alumni and some of their very cool projects ranging from new films, to Emmy awards, to great TV appearances.

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I love when different Penn people email me about the same contest they have entered themselves in.

It happened here and it's happening again for a special Halloween related contest; I was contacted by a Penn alum and a Penn undergrad who have created some very creative films for a very creative film contest called "THE ABCS of DEATH".

After the jump, watch their films and vote for them by October 31!  (help get out the vote by "liking" this post and tweeting about it!)



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So you either just moved to LA or you're visiting and you're on a tight budget.  Another Penn alum has a solution for you!

Ashley Wren Collins (C'98, Bloomers, Penn Players) is not only a talented actress who can awesomely teach you how to unleash your inner skank, but this Penn alum is also an author whose new book will bring out the cheap bastard in you.

After the jump learn more about her book and about all the LA places where you can save money ...and find out where you can see Ashley promoting her book next week in LA!

Plus, be entered to win a copy of her book just by clicking the facebook "like" button below and/or tweet about it with hashtag "#ashleypennbook"!

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(l to r: ) Michele, Sabrina and Samantha

Remember the story I did about the Penn alumni sister realtors who have their own show on HGTV?

Well, not only is their fourth season of "Selling New York" about to debut in October, but the Kleier sisters teamed up with their mom and published a new novel called Hot Property.

After the jump, learn more about the novel and find out how they managed to get Penn into the book and Penn alumni onto their show!

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Jody and her husband Marc

Several years ago, I did a story about film producer Jody Girgenti (C'98) and how her film (you may have heard of) was hitting the festival rounds.

Since then, Jody has produced content for NBC Digital Studios, CourtTV, corporate clients, worked as a commercial producer, and is still focused on film.

This Friday, Jody's latest film premieres with music from Duncan Sheik!

After the jump check out a clip from the film, listen to the great soundtrack, and find out Jody and her husband got Duncan Sheik on board!

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Here's a a feminist platform you can get behind.

Actress Ashley Wren Collins (C'98, Bloomers, Penn Players) has created "Mother Eve's Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood" and a really funny character that she is trying to pitch to tv producers as a reality show.

After the jump, watch Ashley's episode, "Unleash Your Inner Skank" and find out who wins if you dress like a nun, ...and also why "we don't want to ask for what we don't not want to never not have".

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(l to r:) Sabrina and Samantha

Move over Donald, Ivanka and Don Jr., there is another New York Penn family of realtors on TV starting tonight.

More about two successful Penn alumni sisters and their family business after the jump!

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Last week the major networks had their upfronts and announced their official 2010-2011 television schedules.

Consequentially, there are 3 very happy Penn alumni with shows you'll want to check out....

Check out episode previews after the jump!

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For all those aspiring Penn TV writers, here's some advice for you, if you write a hit film, studios are more receptive to giving you your own TV pilot.

Case in point for one talented Penn alum...

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This week's roundup has Penn alumni acting, writing and performing music on TV shows...and then much more certain speculation about one alum becoming Hollywood's big cheese...

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Scott Neustadter (C'98, TEP, 34th Street Film Editor) recently had one of his Hollywood dreams come true. He got his (mostly) autobiographical(!) script (500) Days of Summer produced. Check out this inspiring story...

How did he get his start?

Per Scott,

"After graduation, I was hired as a development executive at Tribeca Productions. As much as I enjoyed reading scripts, I never lost the desire to write one of my own. It took a while but eventually I teamed up with my friend Weber and started writing."

And how did he go from writing scripts to actually getting the film made?

Per Scott,

"It was a long and arduous journey. first, i had to get over my fear of being made fun of for writing such a personal (read: autobiographical) story. When i finally showed it to some friends, the reaction was very positive and the script managed to get us representation. ...but when our reps sent it out to the studios, everyone really liked it -- but no one bought it. Six months later, Fox Searchlight stepped up and agreed to option it. Still we never thought anything would happen. But once they found our great director Marc and got Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Zooey (Zooey Deschanel) interested, it took off from there. The whole thing was very surreal and unbelievable. I think we're still waiting for an official greenlight."

I have a general rule when it comes to movie reviews. If Owen Gleiberman or Lisa Schwarzbaum from "Entertainment Weekly" likes a film, so typically do I.  And Owen gave "500 Days of Summer" an "A"! (Scott pictured on right in black shirt standing next to his writing partner Michael H. Weber)

That said, the film is told out of sequence, winding backwards and forwards through the 500 days of a very tumultuous relationship between these two people. Per Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman, "It's a Gen-Y Annie Hall made by a new-style Wes Anderson who uses his cleverness for humanity instead of postmodern superiority."

Per the film's website, the story is as follows...
Click to Expand +/-

"This is a story of boy meets girl, begins the wry, probing narrator of (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, and with that the film takes off at breakneck speed into a funny, true-to-life and unique dissection of the unruly and unpredictable year-and-a-half of one young man's no-holds-barred love affair.

Tom, the boy, still believes, even in this cynical modern world, in the notion of a transforming, cosmically destined, lightning-strikes-once kind of love. Summer, the girl, doesn't. Not at all. But that doesn't stop Tom from going after her, again and again, like a modern Don Quixote, with all his might and courage. Suddenly, Tom is in love not just with a lovely, witty, intelligent woman – not that he minds any of that -- but with the very idea of Summer, the very idea of a love that still has the power to shock the heart and stop the world.

The fuse is lit on Day 1 – when Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a would-be architect turned sappy greeting card writer encounters Summer (Zooey Deschanel), his boss's breezy, beautiful new secretary, fresh off the plane from Michigan. Though seemingly out of his league, Tom soon discovers he shares plenty in common with Summer. After all, they both love The Smiths. They both have a thing for the surrealist artist Magritte. Tom once lived in Jersey and Summer has a cat named Bruce. As Tom muses, "we're compatible like crazy."

By Day 31, things are moving ahead, albeit "casually." By Day 32, Tom is irreparably smitten, living in a giddy, fantastical world of Summer on his mind. By Day 185, things are in serious limbo -- but not without hope. And as the story winds backwards and forwards through Tom and Summer's on-again, off-again, sometimes blissful, often tumultuous dalliance it covers the whole dizzying territory from infatuation, dating and sex to separation, recrimination and redemption in a whirl of time jumps, split screens, karaoke numbers and cinematic verve – all of which adds up to a kaleidoscopic portrait of why, and how, we still struggle so laughably, cringingly hard to make sense of love... and to hopefully make it real. "

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And thanks to Scott, take a look at these EXCLUSIVE first 3 pages from the script!
Click to Expand +/-

(500) Days of Summer-3 pages

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Philly people, (500) Days of Summer comes to Philly this Friday (July 24th) so go out and support Scott!

More at the film website HERE

More Glowing Reviews:

• http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090715/REVIEWS/907159997
• http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20291403,00.html
• http://omg.yahoo.com/news/moviemantz-review-500-days-of-summer/25298

Scott's Tip:
"If you're new in town (Los Angeles) or just starting out, there's a great organization called the Junior Hollywood Radio and Television Society. highly recommended."

More Penn alumni writers HERE

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Another case of Penn alumni (lawyers) with other careers!

Former college roommates (in photo to left: l to r:) Jessica Bohrer, (C'99 (technically graduated in '98), SDT) and Rebecca Richards (C'99, Theta) were inspired by vintage pieces handed down from their mothers and grandmothers and fell in love with the idea of taking something old and making it new. After a few months of brainstorming, their company Dalla Nonna (which translates from italian to "from the grandmother") was born!

Just a day after their ten-year reunion weekend a couple of weeks ago, Jessica and Rebecca launched the first collection of their jewelry line on Dalla Nonna: the calendar necklace.  Per Jess:

"Dalla Nonna’s signature piece, the calendar necklace, exemplifies dalla nonna’s blend of tradition and trend. derived from an old tie pin of jess’ grandpa howard, each piece is executed in 14k yellow, white or rose gold or sterling silver, and accented with a sapphire in a color chosen by the wearer to commemorate a date of her choosing (could be a birthday, graduation, anniversary, mother's day (may 10th!), birth of a child or any other important date).  With its sleek and modern design, the calendar necklace is a subtle statement piece that allows the wearer to hold a date that is close to her heart even closer still. The calendar necklace is the perfect way to mark a birthday, bat mitzvah, engagement or wedding and a great way to congratulate a graduate!"

Although they're relatively new to the market, they've already been getting great press; Entertainment Weekly, the "Ellen DeGeneres Show", Daily Candy and Urban Baby have featured them in the past month!

See their collection HERE

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For both my continuing Pinching Pennies and Website Wednesday series, I have a great site that will help you save money while maintaining your inner diva.

With her new endeavor Divas Die Poor, Mona Bijoor (College '98, Wharton MBA '05, GUIDE, West Philly Tutoring) has created a site which focuses on staying fashionable without breaking the bank. You'll find designer deals and steals, insight on the best prices for designer duds, and tips on great places to shop.

How did Mona get this idea for the site?  Per Mona,

"I grew up in a pretty cost conscious household. My parents rarely paid full price for anything—and when they did they hated it. In spite of this principle ingrained in me, I have always loved fashion and developed some pretty high-end taste.

After Penn, I went on to make good money and I spent a lot of it. Then I married someone (from Penn) who made even more money than me. So I spent mine and his. And then I went to work in the fashion industry and spent even more.  Now I have come full circle. I am back to the principles I learned at home, but not totally interested in pursuing the zen life yet. I still love fashion. I love putting together amazing outfits and decorating my home. But I am no longer interested in throwing my money out the door.

This site is my quest to find easy ways to save money while maintaining your own personal taste and style. I don't believe in adopting bizarro ideas to save money. I hope to get some of my fashionista friends to share advice on spotting great items for good value. Together we can learn how to get the things we want without breaking the bank."

Some fun articles to check out:

Top Me Off

Starsky and Clutch

Work It Out: 10 Timeless Work Essentials

If anyone out there is interested in contacting Mona about the fashion industry, she welcomes your emails. She is based in NYC and has worked for Chanel, Elie Tahari, Mimi Maternity, and Ann Taylor. She is now developing an online consignment concept for the high end.  Her email is mbijoor@gmail.com. Follow her on twitter HERE

More $$$ Saving and Job Advice from my Pinching PENNies series HERE

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Back in September, it seemed like a promising season for 2 Penn alumni on reality TV, however it all came tumbling down for these alumni within 3 days of one another.

Last Thursday, Charlie Herschel (C'01) was blindsided and then eliminated from Survivor Gabon. Then three days later, Sarah Leshner (C'98, W'01) and her boyfriend Terrence were "the last team to arrive" and then "eliminated from the [Amazing] race".

Check out what Charlie revealed to Marcus when he arrived at "Ponderosa" (the place you go to after you're kicked out of Survivor), what he did there, and then how he felt the day after.

Then listen to Sarah and Terrence about their final thoughts about The Amazing Race, each other and their most memorable moments from the show:

Sarah and Terrence on The Bonnie Hunt Show:

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Recently, I chatted a bit with Amazing Race contestant (still in the game!), Sarah Leshner (C'98, W'01) after my post about her HERE.

...On why and how she tried out for The Amazing Race:

"A friend suggested to me that I apply for the Amazing Race given that I love to travel, am spontaneous, pretty fearless... so my boyfriend and I looked up online how to apply, but NEVER thought we'd be selected! We mailed a video into a PO Box in Los Angeles, and I figured that's just not the way teams are actually chosen. 2 months later, we got a call that our tape had "caught their eye" and it was a whirlwind after that. 2 months of phone interviews, a second video, and a week-long stay in LA doing interviews and tests secured our spot among the 11 teams :)"

...On what it's like being recognized:

"Getting recognized has been fun... a girl came up to me in the bar on Saturday and just said "OMG, are you Sarah?" Hilarious :)"

Check out the drama Sarah and Terrence got into from 2 weeks ago: "After finally getting in their taxi, Terence and Sarah can't believe how much time they lost"

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So I was on the eliptical yesterday trying to catch up with all the new Fall TV shows that are on my Tivo.  I began to watch The Amazing Race 13 and realized that I went to Penn with one of the contestants!

A half hour after I was done with the elliptical (okay 20 minutes), I checked out cbs.com and after a few google searches realized that Penn alum Sarah Leshner (C'98, W'03) does indeed appear on this season's The Amazing Race 13 with her boyfriend Terence.  They are billed as the "opposites attract" couple.

Check out minute 0:26 of the inro clip above

Join Sarah and Terence's facebook fan page here

Other Penn alumni on Reality TV here!

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