Even if we are living in unprecedented times, life must go on. At least those are the values the brave folks at People magazine are trying to uphold. So fear not, my CB lovelies, 2020 will not rob us of a Sexiest Man Alive! And despite who earns the coveted sash, the runner ups are pretty wonderful this year, like star and genius mastermind behind Schitt’s Creek, Dan Levy. His SMA interview was delightful. He is so flipping relatable even in his fabulousness. His answers revolved around his quarantine, which he spent initially trying out all sorts of new skills and ventures, but ultimately decided he liked the way things were before.
On his SMA nod: This form of sexy is a niche market
On baking: I was trying different pasta sauces, I was making breads, I was baking cookies. I did the Levain bakery chocolate chip cookies that I found the recipe online, and they weren’t quite as good. I did a banana bread recipe that a friend swore by, and then I made it, and it wasn’t quite as good. And then, I did a sourdough bread that turned out like a really heavy, dense brick. None of these inspiring exercises in the kitchen worked out for me. All it did for me was remind myself that I should be saving my money and putting it towards ordering food so that someone can do it for me.
On mixing drinks: I was doing Negronis, Manhattans and I have been trying to perfect a Cosmopolitan. It’s my favorite cocktail. Sex and the City aside, it’s a very refreshing beverage. But there’s an alchemy to a Cosmopolitan that needs to be just right, otherwise it does not taste good. So, I have continually been trying to perfect the Cosmopolitan on the rocks in a tumbler, not a martini glass.
On exercise: I went down the path with the Peloton bike. I have since left my house, so that bike is just sitting there empty. And I have not done an ounce of physical activity since.
On his quarantine activity: I am too short-tempered for a puzzle. Why would I do a puzzle when I could put on a television show or read a book or watch a movie?
On his quarantine viewing: I was watching Real Housewives of Atlanta. I was watching Below Deck Mediterranean. We were really into sophisticated fare at first and now it’s people throwing drinks at each other on a yacht.
On coming together: I do think that there has been a sense of community that’s been established around this quarantine. Everyone going through a very similar situation in terms of having the same restrictions on themselves, I think it’s forced us to communicate. It certainly opened up lines of communication for me. In times of crisis, all you have to do is be grateful for what you have. I’m very curious to see what happens in the next year.
I loved this, it felt like I was chatting with a friend. When we were first locked down, I, too, was tempted to buy a lot of exercise equipment. But I know I’d never use any of it. My husband is building all kinds of weight benches and weight racks in the garage. They’ll make for great storage shelves once he loses interest. I also appreciate Dan’s take on the Cosmo. I was bartending during the SATC craze and everybody drank Cosmos but I felt very few could mix a good one. It can be a decent drink if poured correctly, but it’s such a sensitive mix, it’s not worth it to let someone else make it.
I think my favorite quote, however, is his comment about TV. We did the exact same thing. Dan said he started with Insecure and Normal People, but descended into Bravo. We started with all sorts of documentaries and mind-opening educational television and now most of our lineup is 10 minutes long and on YouTube. Plus, I believe the “we” in his comment is Redmond, his adopted corgi-dachshund rescue pup with whom he’s been spending quarantine. I’m fantasizing about Dan whipping up a Cosmo, collecting his Caviar order from the stoop and calling out, “Redmond, Below Deck’s on!” while pulling a cashmere throw off the unused Peloton as he passes. OMG, it’s just all so David Rose, isn’t it?
Photo credit: Getty Images, Avalon and Instagram
I’m so old I remember him from hosting The Hills after show on MTV.
I remember his articles on laineygossip, back when he first started pre-production on Schitt’s Creek.
The Hills after show with Dan and Jessi > The Hills
Yes! MTV Canada
Everything he says, I picture it in my mind with David Rose’s mannerisms and expressions, and you just know that’s how it went down. He IS David Rose. And I love him. ❤️
I love him too, but yes, he IS David Rose. It’ll be very interesting to see what he does next in his career. Based on the previews of that Happiest Christmas movie out now, his acting appears to be David Rose in the Cold. Can he do anything else?
He’s so gorgeous. I actually just ordered the Peloton, now reading this gave me second thoughts! Ugh, I don’t know.
Peloton is all hype! I am a spin instructor and bought a schwinn ic2 off of eBay. Works great and you can get the app for $13/month and play it from a tablet. I got the app to see how the “elite” instructors teach spin and to get playlist inspiration… but have learned that I prefer my own style of tabata and HIIT drills. At the end of the day- it’s a stationary bike that you can stand and climb on as well. Good luck!!! 👍
I also have the Schwinn and really like it. It doesn’t get used as much as it should but it was only $500 and doesn’t take up too much room.
Tammy- that’s great! It’s not good to spin everyday anyways! Schwinn is a great brand and the at home options work fine until it’s safe to take live classes again. 😃
This…I googled cheap Peloton alternatives/hacks because the real thing is not in my budget. Bought a Sunny spin bike, which seemed to be recommended by most people doing a hack, for $500, use Peloton app at 12.99/month, which is pretty robust and not just bike workouts, and the Wahoo sensors for speed and cadence, which also will sync with the Peloton app. Works just fine, don’t feel guilty if I don’t use it all the times since I didn’t invest thousands of dollars, only thing I’d reconsider if doing over would be buying a bike with a speed/cadence/distance monitor built in. Also, with so many gyms closing, you can get great deals on used ones.
I did this too. An even cheaper bike though haha
I love the peloton app. Their outdoor running workouts are awesome
Loving all this stationary bike advice. I can’t get over the price of the Peloton as well as the monthly subscription costs. We have a friend who loves it though and uses it regularly. I suspect hubby may get it for my Xmas gift. 🤞🏽
Tammy- Alo Moves is awesome!!! I love love love their toning workouts! My favorite is a 10 minute arm killer called “all in arms”. It gets the job done! For yoga I love the Downdog yoga app! Sorrynotsorry I shavasana for 10 minutes every damn time! Lol
Im in the minority here I suppose, but I have the Peloton and I love it. It’s been really motivating for me participating in the monthly challenges, and using the variety of classes available on the app. I also really enjoy my local Peloton Facebook group. We agree to ride specific rides together and it is fun. I think like anything, you have to find what fits for you, but I’ve been really happy with my bike!
That’s great! We all have to find what works!! If peloton is what keeps you motivated keep doing you. Absolutely no judgement.., just encouragement!!! 💪
I have a Peloton too and absolutely love it! There is such a good variety of classes plus all of the app content off the bike. I honestly feel it was a great investment.
First time poster:
I have a Peloton and love it as well. For riding, there are so many different instructors that you’re bound to find someone you love. There are different types of classes you can choose, like ride type (HIIT, Low Impact are a few) , music genre/artist, celebrations, like Black History Month, etc. Their stretching classes are incredible. I’ve tried the yoga classes and, at 51, my body just doesn’t bend very well. I do the light weight toning classes, but they also have heavier weight lifting classes. I’d like to start their walking program, which I can do either outside or on our non-peloton treadmill.
Another reason I love my Peloton is that the company is so inclusive. They had huge celebration rides, runs, stretches, yoga, everything else in honor in June for Pride. Hannah Frankson is an instructor in London who had a celebration for the Notting Hill Carnival, which commemorates black freedom in the Caribbean (If I have that incorrect, please don’t come for me). I had no idea what it was beforehand, but enjoyed it; Hannah always makes me smile and I discovered a lot of new artists. Tunde Oyenin did a Celia Cruz ride and their were a few Bon Jovi rides, a Prince ride, Paul McCartney a year and a half ago. So many musical artists and I’m holding out for a Green Day ride. Beyonce, as highlighted in a recent post here, did a huge collaboration with Peloton.
You can take rides live or on demand, so I can ride whenever I want. My dad died in April and I was battling the chest infection that we think contributed to his death (not Covid and my dad was 87 with Lewy Body Dementia), so I was unable to ride for a few weeks so I did a lot of meditations. The rides I did during quarantine with Robin Arzon were so uplifting. During the George Floyd and BLM protests, Peloton got behind the movement and offered their black instructors a platform to reach out to riders, both black and non-black.
I swear I am not a Peloton employee, just a middle aged, overweight woman who is exhausted every day from work. It’s a lot of money, so I understand the trepidation, but I am not sorry we bought it in June 2019. My husband rode it once in July in 2019 and hadn’t ridden it since, but our 10 year old son tried it last night and loved it.
The peloton app is the best. If anyone is looking for a good yoga app I would suggest Alo moves. It can be tough but it has some great instructors.
It’s so amazing that you’ve found something that works for you!! Keep going!!! If you love it and it’s making u feel good that’s awesome! 😊
Oh my god, the TV thing, glad it’s not just me. Early quarantine it was high brow things with British accents and these days it can be 90 Day Fiancé.
I love 90 day fiance 😊
Quite honestly, I’m surprised people keep going for health tricks.
You can get any equipment and watch any videos for free or join a zoom group for exercises… why always think that the latest thing is gonna motivate you to get into shape…
You can buy a cheaper stationary bike and watch youtube so… I feel its a scam. And that tiny screen–?! WHY, when we all have mega flatscreens at home.
But yknow. Thats just my honest salt. If only I came up with a new fitness fad I’d be a billionaire.
I am so with you. Buy a Jane Fonda workout and you’re good to go for much cheaper.
Agreed. I think people buy this stuff mostly to post it on social media because it’s trendy. *shrugs* My regular movement usually comes via Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. There are so many free exercises of all kinds on the internet…I could never justify spending so much money on something I could do for free, even if it’s the less “cool” way.
I love Yoga with Adriene. Her pre/post run classes have been wonderful for my ongoing IT band issues.
Aside from not having the budget for a Peloton, I didn’t like that you can’t use the tablet for anything else. Sometimes I just want to pedal and watch trash TV without having to do a formal workout.
I have an Echelon and love it – better pricepoints than Peloton (more options for the bike) and only the very top end bike has the attached tablet. I use my ipad with mine and sometimes stream it to my TV, sometimes not, depending on my mood. But because you aren’t tied to their screen, I know some people who get the cheapest version of the bike and then actually stream the peloton app lol.
This man is so hot. My sourdough starter is stuck in the back of the refrigerator at home and another 100 year old starter is in the back of a refrigerator at work. Thank god there is another Below Deck and more GBBO because I can not be bothered with serious tv.
Hecate this is hilarious (and the very wisdom of marriage):
« My husband is building all kinds of weight benches and weight racks in the garage. They’ll make for great storage shelves once he loses interest. »
Ooh at least you will have garage storage!!Awesome
I’m in love with Dan. Yeppity
And his doggie! Soooooo adorable, both of them. I still have some episodes of the Great Canadian Baking Show, from the first two seasons, when he was a co-host. I loved the way he hovered hopefully around the contestants for tastes. I would have given him ALL the maple leaf cookies and Nanaimo bars.
I do not accept Schitt’s Creek is really over. Netflix needs to throw the bank at them to come back and do holiday movies, or a mini-series., SOMETHING!! I miss them so 🙁
I’ve really gone through all the feels when it comes to TV. I’ve had periods of watching “good” TV this year (this year I’ve watched Normal People, The Morning Show, When They See Us and just finished The Queen’s Gambit, which was OUTSTANDING). Then I’ve had periods where I needed something lighter, so I watched all of Schitt’s Creek for the first time (a somewhat transformative experience), High Fidelity, and some silly, light movies. And then this summer I needed mindless pretty TV so I watched Selling Sunset, lol. Much like my varying moods from day to day during this crazy year, my TV moods have shifted a lot. I think I’m leaning back toward more quality TV again though, because I’d like to be up to speed for the Golden Globes in February.
We’ve gone back and forth too. Currently we’re watching Ted Lasso on Apple and LOVE it. Its so heartwarming and enjoyable. We started it on Sunday night in a “lets just see if we like it” kind of way and then watched 4 episodes lol.
Becks1, I have suddenly started hearing so much about Ted Lasso! I’m gonna have to check it out.
Case, it kind of reminds me of Minor League, lol, but its a lot more….cheery, I guess. I thought I knew exactly what every character would be like in the first episode and I’ve been mostly wrong. It’s just a feel-good show. I obviously highly recommend it lol.
He’s so cute.
If his dad and John Stamos had a baby it would look like him. He’s cute.
This guy is so cute and accurate. He’s had the same quarantine as the rest of us. Tried the baking, seriously wanted to get a Peloton despite the high price, but the wait list saved me from buying it. We watched a few good shows like Insecure and Normal people, still trying to watch I May Destroy You ( too intense and difficult at times). We never watch Bravo or Housewives but started getting into the Below Deck franchise and Million Dollar Listing LA. Very escapist and silly stuff. I like Schitts Creek and recently started watching it and Killing Eve, two shows I never watched before lockdown.
I feel this. I purchase a Cybex bike in May b/c I was gaining the dreaded Covid weight and have only recently started using it often. I actually really like it when I do use it..it is just getting to that point that is sometimes a challenge. I can also relate to baking and cooking challenges. I am so hit and miss. Even following a recipe can be a miss sometimes. Why, I truly don’t know.
Totally hear all the pooh-poohing of the Peloton (and you’re absolutely right) but I love mine. I hate exercise (do it for the results/health) so I have to go to classes so I can be led by the nose by someone. I used to go to Bar Method pre-quarantine, and that’s what I “did” for exercise…now its Peloton. We all just gotta do what works for us.
In my mind, his “we” is Redmond, me, my pup, and Patrick. Shhh. Don’t tell me Patrick is fictional.
I just read this and have only commented once before – when my Cavs won the NBA Championship and everyone was so excited for us. I love Dan ans his Dad and the whole cast. Living in Canada – they are a must. I had to laugh because compared to my husband and I Dan watching Below Deck is like he’s watching Masterpiece Theatre and Nova. We started with documentaries, sports and all the news channels on both sides of the border. Now our “must see TV” (which we had to explain to our three teenagers what that meant) is 90 Day Fiancé. Yup. As my eldest said “You two are lawyers who used to read….”. I told him to watch people “in love” screw up their lives all the while you yell and howl at the TV is so much better than anything else on TV!!! I thought moving to Canada and making this work was a challenge – when I see woman who like belly shirts try to fit into families in the Middle East – I say a little prayer and wish them the best. We are fully invested in these couples. Pandemic Life makes you a different person.