Seen: Emily Blunt + More Celebs in the 401

Brown University's most popular (and dreamiest) recent graduate was back in town last week. John Krasinski '01, known to millions as Jim Halpert from NBC's The Office, spoke at Brown to hundreds of enthusiastic students about his fond memories from school and how they have helped him in his career. He also took many questions from the audience, many of which started with "I love you!" Unlike other big name celebrities, he stuck around after his talk to personally meet some of his fans and take some pictures. Unfortunately, it got a bit too crowded, so he had to leave with his wife Emily Blunt (from such films as The Devil Wears Prada and The Young Victoria). His parents were also spotted in Brown's Salomon Auditorium sitting with President Ruth Simmons. He really proved that his reputation as all-around "nice guy" is well-deserved...

 

Meredith Vieira returned to The Today Show on Monday to follow up on a story from two years ago. Back in November 2009, she met and interviewed Charla Nash, a victim of a brutal chimpanzee attack. She lost most of her face and her hands from the attack, going blind and almost dying. She then underwent a revolutionary face transplant surgery and has recovered miraculously. Vieira left her East Providence home to meet again with Charla and see her tansformation six months after the surgery. Vieira was inspired and amazed at Charla's positive attitude and ability to still make jokes in the face of terrible circumstances, and was pleased to see that while walking together in Boston Garden, no one even noticed her face. 

 

Alex and Ani isn't the only Rhode Island jewelry star. Lincoln native Nicole Romano has become well-known in the jewelry world from her work on the hit HBO show Sex and the City. She was back in her home town this weekend for the Colour Me Gorgeous expo at the Twin River Casino Event Center. The two-day event combined fashion shows, food and drink samples, makeovers and massages, beauty demonstrations, lifestyle seminars, and 75 exhibitors with products from jewelry to holiday gifts. Romano, who also attended the Rhode Island School of Design, was the highlight of the event, which benefited the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as she showcased her Sex and the City jewelry line. Plus, all attendees received a piece of Romano's jewelry. Designs of celebrity designer Alzerina were also featured, and DJ Valentina provided music. Word is that Pauly D may have made an appararance as well...

 

And speaking of Jersey Shore, MTV programming chief David Janollari recently sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss the popular reality show and the future direction of the network. The Rhode Island native joined MTV in 2010, after founding the Greenblatt/Janollari studio, which produced such shows as American Family and Six Feet Under, and working as the entertainment president at the WB. Currently, MTV is enjoying its highest ratings since 2007, and has been growing for the past seven quarters. Janollari says that the MTV mantra is "our lives, amplified," and he attributes their recent success to the efforts to reconnect with the younger generation and be risky, provocative, funny, and poignant all at the same time. He also says that the Jersey Shore franchise still has quite some life left in it, so expect to see Pauly D on your TV screen for a while more...

 

And for hip hop fans, actor and emcee Mos Def is coming to Providence on Saturday, December 10. He'll be performing at the Fete Ballroom, and you'd better grab tickets now if you want to see him, because after his recent guest-starring role on Showtime's Dexter, Mos is most definitely more popular than ever...

 

For coverage of film & fashion, don't miss Lauren Marchetti's coverage every day on GoLocalTV, fresh at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.