Thom Filicia

I couldn't resist him, sitting there alluringly in the sultry darkness of the W Los Angeles-Westwood. He was small, dark and handsome, and I just had to put my fingers all over him. But then he froze and refused to issue a single word. The nerve. The W management had set out this gorgeous, black antique typewriter in the lobby, along with a tray of paper and a sign encouraging guests to compose a love letter, yet they had neglected to put in a ribbon. "What a tease!"

I couldn't resist him, sitting there alluringly in the sultry darkness of the W Los Angeles-Westwood. He was small, dark and handsome, and I just had to put my fingers all over him. But then he froze and refused to issue a single word. The nerve. The W management had set out this gorgeous, black antique typewriter in the lobby, along with a tray of paper and a sign encouraging guests to compose a love letter, yet they had neglected to put in a ribbon. "What a tease!"

Kirstie Alley is out as spokeswoman for Pier 1 Imports. A queer eye is in. The home furnishing chain, which operates more than 1,200 stores in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico and Mexico, has launched a marketing campaign featuring Thom Filicia, the design guru of the hit makeover show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." National television ads featuring Filicia began airing Thursday.

HE tackled those lovable, design-challenged men on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." He put his stamp on the W Hotel in Westwood. He even took on J. Lo. Now designer Thom Filicia is embracing a group that he has sidestepped on television: women. On "Dress My Nest," a reality series that premiered Wednesday night on the Style Network, Filicia ditches the guys for some female fashionistas.

Pier 1 Imports Inc., the largest U.S. retailer of imported home furnishings, said fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 43% because of a decline in store traffic. Net income was $10.4 million, or 12 cents a share, compared with $18.4 million, or 20 cents, a year earlier. Sales rose 5.7% to $452.3 million, the Fort Worth-based company said. Same-store sales, a key measure of retail health, fell 3%. Profit was a penny more than the average analyst estimate of 11 cents. Pier 1 shares rose $1.

Whenever a successful group breaks up, there is the question of whether the parts will prove to be less than their former sum -- whether whatever chemistry and historical moment that had once created a perfect pop storm can happen again, or if it's all over now for John, Paul, George and especially Ringo.

HE tackled those lovable, design-challenged men on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." He put his stamp on the W Hotel in Westwood. He even took on J. Lo. Now designer Thom Filicia is embracing a group that he has sidestepped on television: women. On "Dress My Nest," a reality series that premiered Wednesday night on the Style Network, Filicia ditches the guys for some female fashionistas.

Re "The Big Get" (Dec. 25): I found Paul Brownfield's excerpts from Saddam Hussein's mailbag informative. Curiously, he chose not to include the following letter channeled through the mailroom at Bravo: Dear Mr. Hussein: We gathered on the couch, champagne in hand, and watched as you were led out from your quarters. Carson, seeing how you were attired, ran screaming from the room. Kyan, noting your eyebrows and hairstyle, fainted. Ted yelled out, "My God, that man needs some energy smoothies."

SHOW houses are often more show than house -- a place to spot trends, get ideas and watch designers go wild. At the annual Beverly Hills Garden & Design Showcase opening Friday at the historic Greystone Mansion, visitors will see enough animal prints, arresting artworks and hand-painted wall treatments to make the 55-room, 1928 English Gothic estate feel absolutely contemporary.

Today's Highlights Wednesday, April 21, 2010 SERIES The New Adventures of Old Christine: Christine ( Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gets a notice that her car lease is up and realizes that her life hasn't evolved in the five years she has had the car. Eric McCormack costars as her therapist in this new episode (8 p.m. CBS). American Idol: In this season's "Idol Gives Back" episode, Elton John, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, the Black Eyed Peas, Annie Lennox, Jeff Beck and Joss Stone are scheduled to perform (8 p.m. Fox)

Whenever a successful group breaks up, there is the question of whether the parts will prove to be less than their former sum -- whether whatever chemistry and historical moment that had once created a perfect pop storm can happen again, or if it's all over now for John, Paul, George and especially Ringo.

Pier 1 Imports Inc., the largest U.S. retailer of imported home furnishings, said fiscal second-quarter earnings fell 43% because of a decline in store traffic. Net income was $10.4 million, or 12 cents a share, compared with $18.4 million, or 20 cents, a year earlier. Sales rose 5.7% to $452.3 million, the Fort Worth-based company said. Same-store sales, a key measure of retail health, fell 3%. Profit was a penny more than the average analyst estimate of 11 cents. Pier 1 shares rose $1.

Kirstie Alley is out as spokeswoman for Pier 1 Imports. A queer eye is in. The home furnishing chain, which operates more than 1,200 stores in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico and Mexico, has launched a marketing campaign featuring Thom Filicia, the design guru of the hit makeover show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." National television ads featuring Filicia began airing Thursday.

My new favorite show, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," is simply fabulous. I love it I love it I love it! In this catty, witty and winsome hybrid of "Extreme Makeover" and "Trading Spaces," the self-described "Fab 5," a team of gay men with particular areas of expertise, give straight men a new look and a new outlook. Kind of like gay Henry Higginses to the guttersnipey He-Lies-Around-Does-Little. Or fairy godfathers to Cinderfellas. Bippity, boppity, boo, indeed.