When Todd Phillips told me that he had read my piece on his latest film The Hangover, I was surprised that it had found his eyes. “Of course,” he explained. “There is this big machine at Warner Bros., where they send you these media alerts. Even if some fucking fat kid in Tampa writes on his blog, it somehow gets across your desk. It can be very depressing.” But Phillips has no reason to feel down. His raunchy, R-rated comedy is getting the kind of positive press that no Hollywood publicity machine can buy, and rightfully so.

DJ Ivy, aka Homewrecker, makes noise at LA hotspots Les Deux, One Sunset, Kress, Social Hollywood, S Bar, Viper Room, Key Club, Cinespace, V-Lounge, and The Garter. A 7 Jeans designer by day and Hollywood selector by night, she's known for her rocking sets and smashing blonde locks. Here the hottie goes off on hustling 24 hours a day, shots with Dr. Dre, her homies, and fashion in LA.

Taryn Manning is exhausted. Consider the slew of film auditions, big time fashion shows in support of her Williamsburg-friendly line Born Uniqorn, getting her party on with the likes of, you know, Paris Hilton and company, and now, the March 10 release of her electro pop funk of an LP A Million Trillion Stars. As the distinctive voice fronting brother/sister duo Boomkat, Taryn's proving that the whole actress/singer/fashion designer thing doesn't always have to conjure up J.Lo (and we're thankful for that, as JLO jeans still haunt us). You've likely come across Manning's fearless acting chops as the no-bullshit prostitute who rocked Bo Derek cornrows in Hustle & Flow. With all of Manning's film roles, even as Britney Spear's knocked-up BFF in the chic-flick Crossroads, Manning keeps it real, and equally as real in life--whether it's on the silver screen, as heard through her throaty, soulful pipes, or through an e-mail. No publicist or puppet strings of any kind hold Manning back; she's the all around real deal in the unfortunate Taylor Swift/Katy Perry world in which we live. We talked about her Large Marge nightmares, Lynne Spears requesting her MySpace friendship, and her regrets for turning down make-out sessions with Charlize Theron.

1. Ago (West Hollywood) - De Niro's joint. Paps in the parking lot, authentic pies on the table.
2. Dolce (West Hollywood) - Ashton Kutcher's spot. Good food, plenty of eye candy.
3. Mulberry Street Pizzeria (Beverly Hills) - Seven tables, twenty-minute time limit on using said tables, one (four-time) Oscar-nominated owner -- Cathy Moriarty, who also waitresses on occasion -- all adds up to a blockbuster hit.

Grab a bite and see a show -- Los Angeles has a thriving music scene and several great venues to catch local as well as far-flung artists. Here are our top 10 choices, along with great in-the-hood spots to chow down before (or after) you rock out.

1. Father’s Office + Temple Bar (Santa Monica) - Bleu cheese burgers and indie rock chicks.
2. New India Sweets & Spices + The Mint (Mid-City West) - Chicken tiki masala and rock-jazz-eclectic jams.
3. Amarone Kitchen & Wine + Viper Room - (West Hollywood) Pasta, Prosecco and punk rock.

Ne-Yo is a busy man, and for the prodigious singer/songwriter, Labor Day is just another Monday. He’s busy writing songs for New Kids on the Block, Monica, and Michael Bolton. Yep -- the man who’s shaking up dance floors with “Closer” is working with flaxen-haired, saxy-tooting Michael Bolton. Plus, he’s busy promoting his new album Year of the Gentleman. But regardless of his hectic schedule, the suave crooner set aside some time (10 minutes!) to chat about his cool people, romance, and yet another venture he’s undertaken: curating Hennessy Artistry.

What's up with you and NKOTB?
You know what’s cool. They’re New Kids on the Block, not old guys trying to bring it back. They still have their swag about them. It’s a different swag from when they were younger but they still swag all the same. They definitely look like they know what they’re doing.