Saw the first promos and Kat definitely went on an LA diet. She looks good, is all pin-upped and it looks like its going to be 3 female and 1 male tatoo artists (sadly, the guy is not Garver).

I really, REALLY, hope he makes a special guest appearance, because I really miss him now that I'm no longer watching Miami Ink.

I think Garver is most likely contractually bound to Miami Ink so he couldn't leave the show, but given that both shows are on the same network, I wouldn't doubt that he will make an appearance on L.A. Ink at some point.

I am looking forward to this show. (I haven't watched Miami Ink this season, but I will probably catch up on the next marathon.)

I noticed that about Kat in the promos; she's definitely looking much slimmer and her features have become more defined. I noticed that she's gotten some art on her left shoulder (over the area that was cleaned up a while ago). Anyone know what the new piece is?

Either way, I will probably give the show a shot; I am all to tired of the boys over at Miami Ink (excepting Garver, of course).

They have to know by now that Garver is a huge draw for alot of people (including me). He's the only one I'm really interested in anymore - mainly because he's the only one that has no drama attached. I'm sure he will show up on both shows.

And I hope they get all giggly-flirty with each other now that she's single. There was definitely a spark with those two.

Does anyone know who sings the version of "Dancing with Myself" they use in the commercial?

ETA: Thanks Porky!

According to the internets, it's Nouvelle Vague, whoever that is.

I went to Ralph's supermarket and noticed a bunch of cameras and people at a store next door. Turns out they were filming L.A Ink. Weird place for it, in a residential area next to a couple of supermarkets. For those interested or those in L.A it is in the corner of Fountain and La Brea next door to the Edible Creations shop.

I'm a little turned off by the commercials, actually. One of the things I thought was getting annoying on Miami Ink was the increase in T&A, and the guys drooling all over the place. These promos seem to indicate that LA Ink will be more of the same -- it will just be Kat supplying the T&A this time.

My wife had a take on this. She said if she didn't know Kat from Miami Ink, she'd think she was trying too hard to be a sexy girl with a tattoo shop. But because she knows that Kat's really into pin-up art, she saw it more as a reflection of one of her specialties.

I'm excited to see this. I love watching Miami Ink for the artistry of the tattoos and am looking forward to seeing how these other people's style may differ. I'd like to see how the clients differ in the two cities, but they come from all over so it might not make that much of a difference. We'll see, I guess.

They have a piercer on staff. I'm wondering what kind of different things we'll see her do. I can't imagine it will be as fun as the tattoos but I may be wrong.

I liked the first episode and am eager to see these folks mix together in Kat's shop. They all seem very likeable. I am eager for the construction bruhaha to end quickly so we can get to the really interesting part of this show--the tattoo part. I couldn't care less about construction troubles. I get enough of that on all the Saturday home shows on TLC.

I did roll my eyes a bit at the fakey fake job offers. Let's see, Kat flew out to Chicago, a TLC crew taped your tattoo skills and you act surprised when you get a job offer and yet accept on the spot.

Well I enjoyed the premiere. The women all seemed really cool, and I thought they all had great positive vibes and were very talented. I'm excited to see the work they will create this season, and I really loved Hannah's bakery pinup tattoo.

Okay, I never need to see a split tongue twirl around itself again. I'm not a prude or anything and do what you want to yourself but eep! All I could think of was...I don't know. Just eep!

I liked it, too. So far they all seem like really cool people and I've quite liked what we saw of the tattoos.

Is it mean that I giggled uncontrollably at Kat's kitty? Sphinx cats have that effect on me. They are funny looking, the poor little baldies!

Kat looks great, but I think she looked even more amazing with a bit more flesh.

I miss classic pin-up Kat!

I'm with you on this. That tongue really gave me the willies. She did look great on the beach though :p

I like Kat's hairless cat but I would've gone with the completely tan version. I don't care for the dark spot on it.

They should've skipped over the whole construction storyline. Seems like it's only in there to add drama to the mix.

Me, too. Granted, I do think she could have lost 5 to 10 pounds and still been healthy and curvy but her thinner body in LA (while still attractive) isn't as good. Moreso, I think her thinner face is not nearly as cute. That said, any time, any place, Kat. ;-)

I heart Kat, but I was underwhelmed.

I'm so sad that we only got 10 seconds of Kat and Pixie in bikinis. Lying promos! Kat does look better w/a few more lbs but I'm just glad she's back on my TV. Woohoo!

That says it all for me.

I'm am sooooo over the shallow-boy party-atmosphere of Miami Ink, and was really looking forward to Kat's show. Loved the promos.

But so far....eh. And Kat, sweetie, love ya, but your voice-overs....UGH!

What happened with Oliver??

Same. Too Valley Girl (like, you know, um um um) and her voice annoys me. And I really enjoyed her on Miami Ink.

Does anyone recognize the art on one of Kim Saigh's tattoos? It was a boy sitting in an upside-down umbrella that was floating in water and there was a green bottle also floating there. You can see pictures on her website here http://www.kimsaigh.com/. I really liked it and wonder if it's from a children's book.

I wasn't too impressed with last night's show. I will keep watching though because I am a fan of Kat's. Hopefully once they get into their shop things will be good. I wish these shows would focus on the tattooing and not create side storylines. Most of the time they're so scripted, you can tell they aren't even real (going by Miami Ink here.)

smartbunny, the rumor is that they broke up because he found out she was cheating on him, but there hasn't been an official confirmation from either of them of the reason why they are not together anymore. I can't imagine that all the time they were spending apart while she was on Miami Ink (her in Miami and L.A., him in Dallas running his shop) was doing their marriage any favors, but that is only my speculation.

I enjoyed last night. Since it was the first episode, I assumed that it would be mostly about getting the shop set up and not much else. I am hoping that all of the construction stuff will be done with after next week and the focus will then be more on tattooing.

I loved Eric Balfour's piece -- the detail that Kat did on that was really gorgeous.

Maybe it was the makeup, but I was distracted by the change in Kat's looks during her "confessional" bits. Her eyes looked oddly proportioned to the rest of her face. My goodness the difference when they did the flashbacks to Miami Ink!

I really do think I miss the pinup Kat look as mentioned above. And agreed on the staged "job offers."

I don't know, there was something about the way she looked that didn't seem right, did she have plastic surgery or something? She looked too thin to me; on Miami Ink she looked good and healthy.

I wonder if this show will be as staged as Miami Ink.

I hope they do more segments like Eric Balfour. It was great to see a "personality" chatting with Kat and explaining what the tat means to them.

I could be completely wrong, but didn't the man in Eric Balfour's house look like Oliver? And personally, I hate that it seems like they're completely glossing over the fact that Kat was married on Miami Ink. We all know that she was married, so why throw in the "single" line, if you're not going to at least mention in passing y'all broke up around the same time.

He said it was his friend's house when he was letting Kat in, so when I saw the guy in the room, I thought that was his friend. I didn't really get a good look at him, though, since he was mostly in the background.

I agree, Watermelon -- there didn't have to be a big detailed explanation given of why she and Oliver broke up, but to just say in one throwaway line that she was single seemed silly given that their relationship was featured on Miami Ink more than once. I kept thinking of that episode where Oliver came to visit, they went to a psychic who told them they would break up and they were so adamant that they wouldn't. Not that I believe in psychics, but it is still sad.

Really Kat: Eric Balfour? Do you want your show to be cancelled?

I agree that she seemed more personable with him then Ami was with his celebrity clients. And he seemed to be excited to get a tattoo by her, not pimp a TLC/Discovery Channel show.

Overall, I liked it for a first episode. I think the tattoo artists show a lot of promise both in work and personality.

I hope they do more segments with Eric Balfour topless. Has he always been that hot? (I'm such a sucker for the west coast skater type.)

Hopefully this show finds its stride pretty quickly. The first episode was a bit rough, so I'm anxious for it to get better.

I thought it was interesting that all her LA Ink ads in magazines like US Weekly have her wearing no jewelry except a gold wedding ring. So they must have been together when she took the photos?

It seems like the majority of clients on both shows are just trying to promote something, whether it is their band or clothing line. That always bugs me.

I am way too curious about Kat and Oliver's breakup. I'm off to google it!

I'd put money on her cheating. She's young, cute, semi-famous, and in Miami and LA without her husband.

Depending on which rumor you read, she was either with Steve-O from Jackass -- and they are allegedly dating now, according to the gossip rags -- or this guy Ville Valo from the band HIM, she has done tattoo work on him in the past. (She has the band's symbol, the combination of a heart and a pentagram, tattooed on one of her fingers.) I believe that someone posted in the Miami Ink thread a while ago that it was someone in a band, but nothing has ever been verified.

edited to add links

Oh Kat, Kat, Kat. Please no. Trust me hon, you can do cleaner and better.

Wow, this show marks the first time I actually wanted one of the tattoos they did--that pin-up girl with the cupcakes was awesome! I'm excited to see how all these bad-ass tattoo artist chicks will interact.

I was also underwhelmed, but I will chalk it up to not wanting to see how they put the shop together. I'll watch a few more episodes, especially since MI is not on. Split tongue girl, Pixie, she was on an episode of MI, no?

I didn't want to believe the Steve-O rumors, but after seeing the promos of his appearance and how close he and Kat seemed to be in the back of that limo, I'm starting to think there may be some truth to it all. Which, gross Kat. Seriously. Sure, on tv Kat sometimes looks like she may smell and that she is a little filthy in the same way the Bam and the other Jackass boys are too. But STEVE-O? *shudder*

I also think that she looked better with the extra weight. Her eyes looked sunken in most of the episode and it didn't help that her eye makeup was so dark. She just looked strung out to me. Hopefully things will perk up as the show progresses.

She was -- Kat did a tattoo of candy and cupcakes on her ribs. I remember thinking at the time how much that must have hurt!

I too thought she looked strung out; maybe she was just hungry.

The ratings are in for LA Ink and according to the Hollywood Reporter

The season finale of Miami Ink (where Ami and Nunez fought in the shop) brought in a whooping 1.2 million viewers. Viewership is down from the Season 3 opening which drew in 2 million viewers after Kat's departure.

Something tells me I'm the only one who looks at Kat and other heavily tattooed people and sees them at 70 when their skin starts to give and their artwork looks like something left out in the rain too long.

I have one tattoo and might get a second one but that's about it. I couldn't imagine having stuff done all over my body like that. Because like you said jim045 their bodies at 70 are gonna look weird.

And I didn't watch because I forgot it was going to be on but I have to ask even though I'm afraid of the answer...what's a split tongue? *shudders*

Massage on Kat's myspace to the people.

(I'd go but, being underwhelmed combined with the fact that I don't live near her shop I'm going to have to take a pass.) And, I think there is going to be a drop in the ratings.


Kat & Pixie Need your help!

{Message from Kats Myspace for the people in the Los Angeles Area!}

So here's the deal..

Pixie (our shop manager) has been diagnosed with a severe case of and
infected Tonsilitis, and has to have immediate surgery (THIS FRIDAY) in
order for her infection not to spread causeing gnarly symptoms such as
loss of hearing, and possibly stop her breathing! THIS SHIT IS
SERIOUS!

So, as her new tattoo family, the entire LA Ink crew is getting
together and donating items for auction at the shop, and we are making
this event open to anybody and everybody!

Some of the items up for bid include:

*TATTOOS! from Hannah Aitchison, Corey Miller, Kim Saigh, and myself
(Kat)!
*Clothing from la designer, Meagan Fabulous and Stop Staring Clothing
*Jewlery from world famous designer: JOSH WARNER of Good Art
*Original Chris Cuffarro print of the LA Ink crew, autographed
*Shawn Barber LITHOGRAPH signed and numbered (portrait of Kat Von D, as seen on Miami Ink)
*Personal Training sessions from Hollywood celebrity trainer, Stevie
Santangelo
*if any of you remember the "Gold Tooth" episode from Miami Ink, I'm
gonna be auctioning off my actual cap that was made for me by DR.
Bling in Miami. (come on! its for a good cause!)
*and so much more!


ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO 100% FOR PIXIES SURGERY, (including cover
charge). And please remember, this is to help Pixie, who is the most
gracious, selfless, caring and giving person I know! Please show your
support, I know it's last minute, but it 's truly an EMERGENCY!

Heres all the info you need:

When: THIS FRIDAY, August 10th
What Time: This event will open at 7:30, and auctions will begin at
8pm SHARP to 10pm) SHARP!
Where: LA Ink (High Voltage Tattoo)
1259 N. La Brea Avenue.
W. Hollywood, CA 90038
Cover charge: $40
Age: 18 and up, complimentary booze for 21+ with ID.

For all of those who can't make it, please send good vibes to Pixie,
and wish her luck on her surgery!

xoxo,
Kat Von D, and the rest of the crew at LA Ink.

You know, I get sick and tired of hearing people say that. No disrespect meant towards you whatsoever, jim045, because I have heard those words a million times since I started getting tattooed many years ago. (I don't have even remotely close to as many as Kat, though.) You are definitely not the only person who thinks that.

While I understand why someone would feel that way, most people who have tattoos do give the decision to get them some serious thought, at least in my experience. Aging is a fact of life. Your skin is going to wrinkle at some point, tattooed or not. I seriously doubt that someone who invests in that much body modification is really all that concerned about how they will look when they are in their later years, at least not in terms of wrinkled or saggy skin.

More power to them, I say. I don't see the point in basing a decision to get tattoos on what other people think about how they will look years from now. I am obviously biased, though, so grain of salt and all that.

I agree with you mayaroo...I can't imagine that when I'm 85 I'm gonna be saying "I'm all wrinkled & liver spotted, but DAMN! My tulip doesn't look the same as it did in 2006!!"

I hope that deal with Pixie is featured on the show to highlight one of the downfalls of being a tattoo artist...no benefits.

I don't know the real definition, but its something people do that makes their tongue look forked, like a snake. I didn't really watch the episode with my full attention I have to admit, so I missed that part in the episode. I think this same girl did something with her tongue on MI that I thought was pretty gross too (which was really just sticking it out a lot and making it twirl) so maybe that's what everyone else saw.

It is pretty much what it sounds like -- a body modification where the tongue is cut from the tip part of the way towards the back, which creates a fork (as Mita_Jo said, like a snake). A Wikipedia entry on the practice is here.

There is a picture there, so be warned. It isn't gory, but it may not be for people who are easily squicked.