Sara stars
Sara Paxton, 21, is the co-star of the new CW series “The Beautiful Life.” (Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 9 p.m.) She plays Raina, a stunningly beautiful fashion model with a secret past. In the premiere episode, Raina impresses everyone at a fashion show introducing a new line from famous Jewish fashion designer Zac Posen (who appears as himself in a cameo role). Raina’s so hot that she steals the spotlight from her friend Sonja, a well-established model who is fading in popularity (played by Mischa Barton of “The O.C.”).
Later in the episode, Raina comes to the aid of Chris Andrews, a very handsome farm boy who is just starting out as a model. Later, Raina shows her good heart again when she steps aside and lets Sonja take a job that may revive Sonja’s career. This is unusual because, as the series emphasizes, the world of modeling can be cutthroat and models’ careers are usually short-lived.
Paxton grew up in Los Angeles, the daughter of a Mexican Jewish mother and an American father who is a Jew-by-choice. (Both her parents are dentists, and Paxton does have a dazzling smile.) Paxton’s big break was as the star of the children’s TV series “Darcy’s Wild Life.” More recently, she co-starred in the films “Sydney White” and “The Last House on the Left.”
Leno returns
Jay Leno returns to nightly broadcast TV with the premiere of “The Jay Leno Show” on NBC on Monday, Sept. 14 at 10 p.m. It will be on five nights a week.
Jerry Seinfeld will be among the guests on the premiere episode. No doubt, Leno will ask Seinfeld about the upcoming season of Larry David’s HBO series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (which starts Sunday, Sept. 20). The “theme” of this season is Larry’s (successful) attempt to put-together a “Seinfeld” reunion show. (David was the co-creator of “Seinfeld.”)
‘Glee’ notes
“Glee” is a new musical comedy series that premiered on Fox on Sept. 9 (new episodes air Wednesdays at 9 p.m.). It focuses on an Ohio high school glee club. The series’ lead character, teacher Will Schuester, mentors the glee club. Pretty actress Jessalyn Gilsig, 38, plays Schuester’s wife. Gilsig, who previously co-starred on “Boston Legal,” also has recurring roles on the TV series “Heroes” and “Friday Night Lights.” Gilsig wed an old high school flame, producer Bobby Salomon, in a Jewish ceremony in 2005, and they have a daughter.
Dianna Agron, 23, plays Quinn Fabray, a cheerleader and glee club member who is a devout Christian and the head of the school’s “celibacy club.” Agron, who has been dancing ballet since age 10, grew up in Burlingame. (Her father managed the Hyatt near San Francisco Airport.) She moved to Los Angeles after high school and quickly landed a lot of TV guest roles. She told reporter Gerri Miller that playing a crucifix-wearing character is decidedly a new thing for her (Agron went to Hebrew school and had a bat mitzvah). Her Jewish friends, she said, are getting a kick out of her slight discomfort — while her Christian friends are giving her tips about playing her part.
In real life, Agron shares an apartment with actress Lea Michele, 22. Michele plays glee club member Rachel Berry. Rachel is a bit of a nerd and her parents are two gay men. Michele grew up in a New York suburb, the daughter of a Sephardi father and an Italian Catholic mother. (Her parents exposed her to both faiths). She got a part in the Broadway production of “Les Miserables” at age 8 and has since co-starred in many Broadway musicals.
Columnist Nate Bloom , an Oaklander, can be reached at [email protected].