Media Mondays

I love finding crazy photos of me on the internet.  This is from the IAWTV Awards where I dragged my former co-host, Matt Troyer, to be my +1.  Photo courtesy of Brenda White.

Are you guys ready for another week?  I sure am because this week I'm checking out the Governors Ball decor and food in the actual ballroom where all the celebs party after the Oscars.  It's the first time I've ever covered this event, so I'm am so excited.  I have done some coverage in the past the week of the Oscars, but it's never in the ballroom since it's too close to showtime. Let me know if you have any questions for Wolfgang Puck, he will be there cooking up some delightful treats.

Also, if hit the home page, you will notice I did a little 2013 makeover for the blog.  Let me know what you think of the layout.  I want to do more with it, but for now I think it gives it a fresher look and it's easier to find old posts if you missed them.

Finally, a big THANK YOU to all of you.  This weekend, I had the highest views ever on my blog since I came online in 2009.  I am so excited to meet new friends (Be sure to say "hi" in the comments below.) and I truly appreciate my friends that have been here since the beginning.  Tell me what you would like to see in 2013 here on Red Carpet Closet because without you, I wouldn't be able to do my job and bring you all the insight from Behind the Red Carpet.

Now, on to Media Mondays:

Hyundai:  I have been fortunate to host their internet shows from locales like New York, LA, and now, Detroit.  It's been such a thrill to work with the Hyundai and CDG team to bring this show to life.  Everything is live, so you never know what will happen.  This time, we did a behind the scenes look of the booth, so it gave viewers at home an idea of how big the Detroit show actually is.  Take a look here or see a photo of the event here.

Spreecast:  My fellow entertainment reporter, Lindsay Hoffman, and I chatted about this week's hottest Hollywood stories.  She's sitting on a big story that breaks on Wednesday while I dished about the rumor that Jessica Simpson is supposedly having a boy.  Check out the archive below if you want the latest scoop on Britney, Lindsay, Rihanna, and Demi....Lovato, not Moore.




Tom Barnard Podcast:  Tom and I agreed this week about Spielberg and his films.  If you are following the Oscars race, you might want to hear our opinions on this one.

Dara on Radio: I occasionally stop by Dara's show throughout the year.  Last week, I chatted about the Golden Globes and the differences between the awards shows.  I will be back on her show January 29th and March 5th, but, in the meantime, you can check out the archived show here.

More photos from IAWTV Awards.  Photo courtesy of Brenda White.

The Radio Dish: Fun highlights from the Golden Globes with the ladies in Kansas City. I come in at the 20-minute mark.  Lots of snark going on this week...lots.

SheKnows:  Here are my 3 favorite articles from last week:
Zoe Saldana and Chris Pine to host the Sci-Tech Awards--Two Trekkies at the Sci-Tech Awards? Perfect!
Will the cast of Les Mis perform at the Oscars?--I hope so!
River Phoenix's last film to be seen 20 years later--He's still missed after all of these years.

Don't forget to enter my Metric CD giveaway here.

Tonight is #RadioBurtt night at 6:35pm PT/9:35pm ET on KWSS.org on the Driving with Gass show.  I'll kick off your week with the latest in entertainment news. See you there!

Endings and Beginnings......

Post-show and I am a bit puffy-eyed and weepy for our final Toyota Live photo.

If you told me in 2007 that I would still be doing the same show, Toyota Live, in 2012, I would laugh in your face.  Here I am, some 4000 shows later, and finally on the precipice of retirement.  It was a hard decision, but one that was pretty much sealed after this post.  I accomplished everything I wanted with a  show that was basically built around me and my co-host, Matt Troyer. I was having trouble balancing my work and personal obligations in LA with life on the road.  It's hard to give up a job that I really enjoyed and a job that I was incredibly grateful for, but it was time.

An old 2008 team photo with Emily and Amy.

Now Matt and I went through it all from trying to do shows with laryngitis to on-set pranks (usually involving unattended iPhones and new wallpaper.), it was never a dull moment.  We weathered through a rough economy, a massive recall and the subsequent media onslaught, and an earthquake/tsunami in Japan.  Toyota stood behind our show through each and every event.  I am not sure many people can say that about a corporation in this day and age.  I started the show with a Corolla and I end it with a Prius.  Yes, I drive a Toyota and it was a true pleasure to represent the brand on and off the stage.

This was a hard moment, our last sentence of the show:  "This is Toyota Live!"

Yesterday, we said our final farewells to the show as a team.  Matt is off to another city for another job while I still have three more days in New York to finish out the show.  I didn't expect our last show to be so emotional.  I walked onstage not expecting anything but a regular show, then reality set in. The crowd was huge, our supervisor, Simms, started the show with a moving speech, and we kicked it off with a final surprise rendition of Michael Jackson's "Beat It". (A dance I often bust out on command.)  The show was electric, but the final moment had come......"I'm Kristyn"....."I'm Matt"......and I heard the crack in the voices.  I know our last line of "This is Toyota Live" came through a flood of tears.  Even when you are ready, it's sometimes hard to say goodbye.

Backstage, the countdown continues....

I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to Toyota, Productions Plus, Mindfield Pictures, and GPJ. Thank you for an incredible opportunity, it's been such a wonderful journey with all of you. (I will be thanking you individually offline since there are so many of you!)

If you ever wanted to know what a Cobra is.....this is a Cobra. 

To all of the kids who came year after year to see our shows, play our games, and win prizes:  You have no idea how much fun it was to see you each year after growing a few inches, losing a few baby teeth, and still coming up with hugs even though twelve months had passed since we last saw you.  I won't forget you.

To our TDs, Cobra and Larry: Thanks for feeding me lots of candy, teasing me unmercifully, and playing ridiculous sound effects for us.....my Justin Bieber joke will always be my favorite because secretly, I am a Belieber, not Matt.

The team last weekend with NASCAR/Joe Gibbs driver, Joey Logano.

To our Toyota Racing expert, Trackside Tina:  You are a true inspiration and you bring so much joy and enthusiasm to the team.

To my co-host, Matt Troyer:  You are the best co-host in the world, but you are an even better friend.  Thank you for the laughs, the tears, the support, and your friendship.  I will always try to break into your phone and change your wallpaper.

Thank you, Toyota Live, Goodnight!

New York Auto Show, 2010.

First Weekend at the NY Auto Show 2012

This was not choreographed.

If you have been following me on Twitter, you know I am retiring from Toyota Live at the end of the NY Auto Show.  I will post more about this later in the week, but I want to thank you all for the well wishes and support.  Here are some fun photos from my first weekend at the NY Auto Show.  I still have 6 days remaining, so come on down and say "hi" if you are in the NYC area.  My shows are at the top of the hour beginning at 11AM and ending at 8PM, no show at 4PM, because a girl has to eat!

 The countdown has begun on the production room wall.

 Trackside Tina, Camping World Truck Series driver, Timothy Peters, me, and Matt Troyer after our Saturday show.

 Eating a slice at one of my favorite NYC pizza joints.  They are under new management and their pizza is not-so-good. Boo!

You know me....posing on a red carpet no matter where I am.  Um, the sneakers really make the outfit?

First Weekend on Toyota Live in LA!

It's always fun to have guests on Toyota Live and this weekend was no exception.  We had a few fun guests to liven up a very busy weekend at the LA Auto Show.  First up, Tay Zonday, a YouTube sensation from his video, "Chocolate Rain".  If you haven't seen it yet, where have you been?  He has over 74 million hits.  When I first interviewed him for The Web Files in 2009, he "only" had 34 million hits.  Tay has one of the best voices in the world in terms of depth and vocal quality.  It was awesome to have him open up the show.

Our scheduled guests for the show included Toyota NHRA drag racers, Del Worsham and Alexis DeJoria.  Del's top speed in one of his top fuel dragster?  Only 327 MPH.  Pretty impressive from a world champion.  Alexis comes to the NHRA with an interesting background as her dad owns the Paul Mitchell hair care and the Patron tequila empire.  You wouldn't expect someone with that background to enter the NHRA circuit, but she's an incredible driver with an exciting future after her big win in Seattle this year.

Me, Del Worsham,Trackside Tina, Alexis DeJoria, and Matt Troyer after the show.

Finally, I love this photo (see below)!  You look at a photo like this and think, "what the heck is going on?"  Well, it's your turn to caption the photo.  Leave your quote in the comments below.  I will pick a winner on Monday, November 28th.  I have a great prize for the ladies filled with makeup and mani/pedi goodies.  If a gentleman wins, don't worry, I will find something good for you in the KB prize closet.  Ready, set...be creative!

What the heck is going on here?

The Great Cupcake Caper

I received a knock on my door today to find half a dozen cupcakes greeting me from Crumbs Bake Shop.  Anyone that hangs out with me or follows me around the internet knows that I love cupcakes.  The note read "Get Well Soon, Matthew".  Hmmmm, no last name and no indication of which Matt in my life it was from.  I sent a text to my co-host of Toyota Live, called my Paris pal, Crabby, and I started to formulate an email to my cousin in Chicago.  I put a photo and tweet out on Twitter and on Facebook and the culprit was found!  A big thanks to Mathieas AKA Matthew for my Crumbs Cupcakes.  I already feel better after downing a ginormous Red Velvet cupcake.  As you can see, the cupcake never stood a chance:

Did You Hear The Story About My Bandages?

I didn't get a chance to wrap up my final days of the State Fair of Texas thanks to an unexpected hospital visit. I've been resting up all week on the couch, but it will be a 6-8 week recovery for my wounds to heal. What happened? Well, read on after I photo dump my final days at the fair for you:

In previous years, I have indulged in the soft serve.  This year, I only had one cone.....

My State Fair of Texas boyfriend, Julian, AKA my co-worker's son!  He greeted me with a "Burtt" every day, it was kind of awesome being one of his favorites.  

This was my co-host's favorite activity, jumping the Traxxas truck over me during the show.  I do my own stunts!

The best thing I ate at the fair, Deep Fried Pumpkin Pie.  Yum!

What is going on with my hair in this photo?

A great reminder that if you eat too much fried food in Texas, you wind up as big as this:

We had an early Halloween party the last week we were there.  Matt and I made a quick trip to CVS.

So, Toyota Live went as CVS witches.  I actually love this photo.

My CVS purchases:  my hat, my cup, and my Peanuts purse.

The start of the show!

Last night in Texas.....and a trip to the emergency room.  The waitress at the hotel accidentally dumped a catering tray of hot water on my legs.  I knew it was bad when I stood up and dropped and F-bomb as I am not someone who swears that much.  I then tried to remove my jeans in the middle of the bar....uh, yeah, the pain was that bad.   My left foot and calf all wrapped up.  

And my right thigh all wrapped up.  I wound up with 2nd degree burns.  Not a fun way to end my trip, but I am going to be okay.  I was so bored waiting for the doctor that I tweeted much of my hospital visit. (Go back to October 23rd if you want all of the morbid details.) A big thanks to everyone who pitched in to help that night:  Matt, Kyle, Tina, Josh, Evan, Carolina, Christina (Tina), and Jessica.  I appreciate it!

The hotel staff all heard about the big incident the night before and one of the valet staff made me a balloon flower while I waited for the airport car service.  I couldn't wait to get home.  

A big thanks to my agents at Productions Plus who sent me this beautiful bouquet.  It looks great in my dining room. 

Scenes from the Red River Rivalry Weekend

Matt hit up Fletcher's Corny Dog. I haven't had my annual treat....yet.

Ah, Red River Rivalry weekend....for those of you not from Texas or Oklahoma, this is a huge football weekend between OU and UT that occurs each year at the Cotton Bowl at the State Fair of Texas.  As someone who went to a high school and a university without a football team, it is sometimes an overwhelming venture.  It's fun to watch everyone decked out in their school colors and see how passionate the fans are about their respective teams.  I am still trying to figure out how a punter and a place kicker differ on the field and why five minutes in football takes twenty minutes in real time.  Nonetheless, I survived my third Red River Rivalry weekend with flying colors....yellow and black.  

 My cute little opening show announcers while Trackside Tina, our racing expert looks on from the audience.

 Immediately following the game.  We survived!  Sweaty, but rather gleeful. 

 I've been tweeting for Toyota Trucks while at the fair. Crystal is one of Toyota's most enthusiastic fans and she came out to say "hi".  We were so happy to finally meet her!

 A night show!  It's been hot here, look how shiny I am!

 And then it rained.  I found a new use for Toyota bags on the way home....and I'm always advertising for them.

 That would be my co-host also avoiding the rain.

 The battle of the teams.  I aligned with UT while Matt aligned with OU for their schools' fight song.

 Hitting the RC Tundra race tent with a little bit of Toyota trivia.

 Limbo time!  Everyone made it through this game safely. Phew.  The crowds had been drinking for awhile when we began this game.

 There were thousands of people in our display watching the game which was only a few feet away.

Parting shot......

Photos Courtesy of Kristyn Burtt, Matt Troyer, and Tina Pettet.

Thank You, Dallas! Good Night!

The day has finally come, I get to fly home after 25 show days, 5 yellow shirts, and 1 Fletcher's Corny Dog.  This year was a lot more fun after have 24 days of sunshine versus only 7 days last year, especially when you are working outside.  Here are a couple of things I learned while visiting the great state of Texas:

1.  Tex-Mex food is by far tastier than Cal-Mex.  I should know, I ate a lot of guacamole and salsa verde enchiladas.

2.  Texas is another state that does not believe in recycling or toilet seat covers in the restrooms. (Michigan and Illinois are also guilty of the this.)

3.  I really think the dress and cowboy boot trend is cute.  If I can accomplish the look without looking like Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus, I think I may dust off my cowboy boots for fall.

4.  Football is a religion.  Friday Night Lights.  We do it bigger and better in Texas (regarding football). Well, it's all true.  Football is a business in this state and if you can't beat them,  you join them.  Yes, I attended my first high school football game in Texas.  I went to a New England prep school where lacrosse and hockey ruled and then I headed to NYU where the team name is the Violets.  Need I say more?

5.  Even with AT&T World Headquarters across the street from my hotel, the phone and data service was atrocious.  Verizon is getting the iPad this month and hopefully, the iPhone in March 2011.  Sign me up.

6.  As much as I love to annoy my co-host, Matt Troyer, he really is the best co-host in the business and a great friend to boot.  Enjoy your photo, Matt!

7.  Dorothy was right, "There's no place like home."

It was a great month, Texas.  Your hospitality and sunshine was appreciated.  Thank you, Dallas!  Good Night!