I'll Be Watching The Grey Cup Parade Now

The lovely Elisha Cuthbert and I do mean lovely will indeed be the marshal for the Grey Cup parade on November 28. This is something I had heard since late summer. Here's the story....



Actress Elisha Cuthbert says she'll be rooting for a chinook, but preparing for whatever Calgary's temperamental weather throws at her on Nov. 28, when she leads the Grey Cup Festival parade through the downtown.
Named the grand marshal of the parade Friday morning by Grey Cup Festival organizers, the Calgaryborn actress will bring both Alberta heritage and Hollywood glamour to the proceedings. She's also hoping to bring good weather.
"I think I'm knowledgeable enough to know that the Calgary weather is unpredictable," she said in an interview from sunny Los Angeles. "Of course, I am hoping for a chinook and great weather. But look, whatever happens that day is going to happen. And I'll do what I can to accommodate Mother Nature."
The 26-year-old actress, best known for her role as Kiefer Sutherland's daughter in the hit TV series 24, fits nicely into the festival's plan to revive the parade, with the help of an Alberta celebrity, after a two-year hiatus.
Born in Calgary, Cuthbert left the city at the age of one, moving with her family to Vancouver and then Montreal. But she has become a common sight in the city again, since she began dating Calgary Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf.
She's been a regular at Flames games and was recently photographed carving pumpkins with Phaneuf for charity at the Ronald McDonald House.
"I consider myself a resident, I spend a large portion of my time in Calgary," she says. "It definitely feels like home to me. I love the city and I've grown a new appreciation for it over the last two years. I still have my home here in California and for work purposes need to come back whenever work calls. But when I'm not busy here in L.A., I would much rather be in Calgary, that's for sure."
Cuthbert got her start on Canadian TV and film before rocketing to fame as a teenager in the role of government agent Jack Bauer's rebellious, but resilient daughter in 24. The actress has returned to the series periodically throughout its seven seasons. She will be in the first two episodes of Season 8, as well, which premieres in January. On top of that, she has been in a number of Hollywood films, including the blockbuster Old School. She played an alluring porn star in the comedy The Girl Next Door, starred opposite Paris Hilton in House of Wax and as a not-entirely-sympathetic cheerleader in the thriller The Quiet, which she also co-produced.
Recently, Cuthbert completed an animated film entitled Cat Tale, which is due for a 2010 release and features the voice talents of David Cross, Catherine O'Hara and Fred Willard.
She also made the family-friendly comedy The Six Wives of Henry Lefay with Tim Allen, which has yet to be released. She said she may return for later episodes of 24 next season.
"The fact that I wasn't killed was a good sign," she says with a laugh. "It wasn't really a matter of ending my stint on the show after three years, it was about 'let me know when you guys think it's appropriate to come back and I'll be there, just make the call.' In the meantime, I was able to go off and make other films and be part of other productions and still have my career ongoing."
Of course, celebrity-watchers know she has also caused a stir with her non-cinematic activities, including her regular appearances in lad magazine "hottest women" lists and her tabloid-baiting love life.
"It's something that I don't think you ever really get used to," says Cuthbert about being in the public eye, "but it becomes more of a reality than a burden. I don't have any problems talking with people or signing autographs or taking photos. It's a part of my life and I appreciate it. And it's a nice feeling when people are interested in what you do and are fans of your work."
All of which makes her a perfect fit for grand marshal of the celebrations, which she will help take to the street. The Grey Cup parade will feature more than 60 entries and a thousand participants from across Canada.
Cuthbert says being named grand marshal should act as a reminder to her fans that she was born in Calgary, since many assume she is a Montreal native.
She proved her loyalty last year, when she watched the Stampeders pummel the Montreal Alouettes for the Grey Cup crown.
"I'm a Calgary fan all the way," she says.

All I have to say is....

1) A challenge is now out to Jamie Nye to get her on his Grey Cup programming from Calgary. C'mon Jamie!! The same goes for Pedersen if the Riders get there.(What am I saying, of course they get there!)
2)She says she's a Stampeders fan! Rider fans, its up to you to get her to change her allegiances
3) She watched the Stamps win in Montreal last year! She was at last year's game and I wasn't made aware of this. DAMN!!! I got a picture with the wrong Cuthbert on GC Sunday.





PS: I hear the Edmonton organizers are trying to get model/actress Tricia Helfer(from Stettler I think) to be the parade marshal for 2010.