Tuning In to TV: Michelle Obama gets raves for Tracy Reese dress

First lady Michelle Obama got rave reviews for the custom-made Tracy Reese pink-and-copper dress she wore while giving a tribute to her husband at the Democratic National Convention.

The sleeveless dress showed off Mrs. Obama’s famously toned arms, and the length modestly skirted her knees. She paired the dress with pink pumps from J. Crew, and her fingernails were painted a trendy blue-gray.

Ms. Reese described the dress as a “silk jacquard in an abstract baroque wallpaper patter” with a bodice in hot pink woven with rust and copper. It’s not the first time Mrs. Obama chose a design by Ms. Reese, who is showing a new collection Sunday during New York Fashion Week.

In an email, Ms. Reese said the first lady “looked incredible and spoke beautifully; I am so honored that she chose to wear one of my designs for such a memorable occasion.”

Commentators also praised her look. “You may not be a fan of her politics,” Kate Hogan wrote on People magazine’s website, “but it’s likely that if you watched the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night, you were a fan of Michelle Obama’s elegant ensemble.”

Hanks, Timberlake among Stand Up to Cancer stars

More A-listers have signed on to support the third Stand Up to Cancer telethon.

Organizers say Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Sofia Vergara, and Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas and Missy Franklin will participate in the hour-long TV special. It is set to air Friday on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and more than a dozen cable channels.

The slate of stars announced Wednesday will join previously announced participants such as Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Jessica Biel, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Miss Paltrow also is an executive producer of the fundraiser that will be carried commercial-free from 8 to 9 p.m. EDT from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Coldplay and Alicia Keys are set to perform during the special, and patients participating in Stand Up to Cancer trials will share their experiences.

Stand Up to Cancer has raised more than $180 million for cancer research and awareness since the telethon was established in 2008. The organization said it has awarded grants to seven multidisciplinary research “dream teams” and to scientists seeking innovative approaches to end cancer’s role as the world’s leading cause of death.

Stand Up to Cancer was co-founded by “Spider-Man” movie producer Laura Ziskin, who produced its first two telethons in 2008 and 2010. Ziskin lost her seven-year fight against breast cancer last year.

GOP convention helps Univision win viewers 18-49

Univision can thank the Republicans for a milestone week in the television ratings.

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