Writer, editor, photographer, talking head, pop culture enthusiast and lover of nail art.
Here you’ll find thoughts, ideas and inspiration for creating digital journalism.
maggiecoughlan@gmail.com
Photographer Mike Ruiz: Best known for making celebrities almost unrecognizable in his edgy and futuristic photographs, Mike Ruiz has found a way to repackage stardom with his camera lens
Toni Collette (“The United States of Tara”): Toni Collette is back in full force once again with the second season of ‘The United States of Tara’ (premiering tonight on Showtime at 10:30), in which she plays Tara and all of her alter egos, thanks to a nasty case of multiple personality disorder.
Merrit Wever (“Nurse Jackie”): You may not recognize Merritt Wever at first glance. Now, imagine her in scrubs with a puppy, kitten or rainbow motif … better?
Jill Zarin of “The Real Housewives of New York City”: While her feud with Bethenny Frankel heats up on Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives of New York City,’ off-screen Jill Zarin has pushed the backlash aside to promote her debut book, ‘Secrets of a Jewish Mother.’
Roxy Olin of “The City”: While MTV’s ‘The City’ captures Whitney Port and Roxy Olin’s friendship as they struggle to captivate and conquer the New York fashion industry, Roxy’s expertise falls outside the realm of reality television.
Jujubee, Raven and (winner) Tyra Sanchez of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 2: A hybrid of shows like ‘Project Ruway’ and ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ does not hand out the title of ‘America’s Next Drag Superstar’ easily. An endless list of celebrity judges, life lessons from RuPaul and dramatic sashays made season two of the competition extra special.
Model Selita Ebanks: In a world of red carpets and runways, Selita Ebanks is far from being just another pretty face.
Bryan Batt (“Mad Men”): The explosive third season of AMC’s award-winning ‘Mad Men’ managed to stun, dazzle and break the hearts of viewers in just thirteen episodes.
Paula Deen of The Food Network: Best known for her love of decadent foods, her Southern pride and liberal use of butter, Paula has teamed up with her creative director, Brandon Branch, to co-author ‘Savannah Style,’ a year-round tour (and visual smorgasbord) of homes in Savannah, Georgia, that is sprinkled with advice and expertise.
Photographer Nigel Barker: Beyond his work as a celebrated fashion photographer, Nigel Barker has been focusing on one of his personal passions — humanitarian work.
“Extreme Poodles” (TLC): Just when you thought every runway had been walked, every ‘Top Chef’ crowned and reality television had run its course, TLC takes it to the next level with ‘Extreme Poodles,’ a look into the world of competitive creative dog grooming.
Kim Kardashian: As if Kim Kardashian needs another reason to turn heads!
“Say Yes to the Dress” Brides: Every week, TLC’s ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ takes viewers behind the scenes at Kleinfeld Bridal, New York City’s premier destination for wedding dresses for over 60 years
Melanie “Mel B.” Brown: From her Spice Girl roots to being named runner-up on season five of ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Melanie “Mel B.” Brown is a perfect fit as host of Oxygen’s ‘Dance Your Ass Off.’
Shorty Rossi, “Pit Boss” (Animal Planet): An ex-con pit bull-rescuing little person running an entertainment company with his own television show — now that’s not something you see everyday. But it’s exactly the premise of Shorty Rossi’s show, ‘Pit Boss.’
Sophie LaMontage and Katherine Kallinis, “DC Cupcakes”: Armed with only their grandmother’s recipes and the support of their family, Sophie LaMontage and Katherine Kallinis traded their successful careers for aprons when they opened Georgetown Cupcake in 2008.
Richard Belzer: With a resume that would make most actors weep, one of the most recognizable mugs on television and a furry sidekick named Bebe, Richard Belzer has all the panache of an acting legend.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar, “Weeds”: A suspected killer, a rebellious lawyer with a sense of humor, a bartender lusting after a drug-dealing mother of three; this year, Mark-Paul Gosselaar will play all of these roles.
“Burning Dan” Dan Gordon-Levitt: Let us introduce you to “Burning Dan” — sometimes known as Dan Gordon-Levitt, Joseph’s older brother — a fire-spinning flow artist. Yes, this brother of a box office sensation professionally teaches people how to dance with fire.
Margaret Cho: It’s hard to take Margaret Cho seriously.
Karina Smirnoff, “Dancing With the Stars”: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ footwork phenom Karina Smirnoff is paired this season with ‘Jersey Shore’ breakout star Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino.
Hairstylist Derek J: Ask any fashionable woman you know — anyone with the talent to create hairstyles most people can only dream about while simultaneously working a mean pair of pumps is truly a force to be reckoned with.
Singer Alice Tan Ridley: If you’ve ridden the subway in New York City, there’s a good chance you knew of Alice Tan Ridley long before she became known solely as “Gabourey Sidibe’s mom” after her daughter wowed audiences with her explosive, Oscar-nominated turn in ‘Precious.’
Jenny Slate: After a season impersonating Hoda Kotb, Lady Gaga and Kristen Stewart on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ America is well aware that Jenny Slate is funny. But what people don’t realize is just how funny she actually is.
Cast of “The A-List” (Logo TV) Speaks Out Against Bullying: In the wake of the four recent suicides of Tyler Clementi, Seth Walsh, Asher Brown and Billy Lucas, celebrities have banned together to speak out against the bullying of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students across the nation.
John Oliver, “The Daily Show”: Looks like Jon Stewart isn’t the only one making jokes at the expense of disgraced CNN anchor Rick Sanchez.
Jennie Garth: Jennie Garth trades acting for walking to school.
Jim Gaffigan: The comedian remembers Greg Giraldo.
Sam Taylor-Wood and Aaron Johnson, “Nowhere Boy”: You may think you know John Lennon, but until you’ve seen ‘Nowhere Boy,’ you’ll have no idea what fueled the fire inside one of the world’s greatest talents
Tracy Morgan: Tracy Morgan says the live episode of “30 Rock” will be “dirty rock.”
Jordan Osher, “Millionaire Matchmaker” Contestant: Jordan Osher realized he might as well give up on his dream of becoming an actor when his one line in ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith,’ the notorious film that brought Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie together, was replaced by a robot.
Rapper Flo Rida: It may be hard to believe, but the man who made “apple bottom jeans, boots with the fur” part of our cultural lexicon is far more concerned with philanthropy than he is with what women wear to the club.
Annie Lobert of “Hookers Saved on the Strip”: After 16 years as a high-class call girl, Annie Lobert is no stranger to the Las Vegas Strip. She’s still working the Strip tirelessly — except now her job is to save women from the sex industry through her faith-based organization, Hookers for Jesus.
Willow Smith: Whipping your hair is kind of the thing where you do it and people are like, ‘Yeah, that’s pretty cool, Willow.’ I’m like, ‘Thanks … but it’s supposed to make you scared!’” Smith explained.
Kevin Bacon: “I proposed to my wife on Christmas Eve and I put the ring in the toe of the stocking. Shockingly, she said yes,” the actor laughed.
