If you're not reading Salon.com on a regularly basis, you are missing out on some really thought-provoking stuff.
Like Thisfor instance. Well worth your time to watch the (short) advertisement in order to read the full article.
Thursday, August 31
What's With All The Photoshopping?
Katie Couric is the latest to have received a "makeover", courtesy of Photoshop. I could care less about Katie Couric but this Photoshopping epidemic is getting out of hand. Stop it already!!!!!
I'm Disappointed
In Lance Armstrong. Rumor has it he's been seen hanging around Paris Hilton. Guess he was tired of "working out" with his buddy Matthew McConaughey.
What was wrong with Sheryl Crow? Was she that bad?
What was wrong with Sheryl Crow? Was she that bad?
Wednesday, August 30
Losties.... Gather 'Round!!
Expanding on the 08/19 spoilers (According to pictures that leaked on the net, there will be a flashback where Jack performs the Heimlich manoeuvre on a little blond girl in a park.): Also in that scene, Sarah is talking to a male teacher who may be more than a friend, and a little girl (the choking girl?) ends the scene by telling Jack not to trust Sarah. A scene was filming at the Hawaii Convention Center today, a Locke flashback (?) at the Sydney International Airport. I saw Locke in his chair, but he was shirtless. He seemed to be pointing or gesturing as he's pushed through the crowd of travelers. It almost seemed like it was a "dream sequence."
Damon Lindelof revealed: Elizabeth Mitchell is a regular, while Rodrigo and Kiele are contracted to be recurring characters. When we meet up with the three castaways (held captive by the Others), Sawyer is in a cage! The planned series finale of Lost [is] a "happy but tragic" ending. [Note: The fact that Lindelof speaks of the series finale does not mean that season 3 is the last one. They always planned Lost to last around 5 season.]
New character introduced in (episode) #303. Will recur. 'Colleen', late 30's, tough, obvious military training. Doesn't flinch when a gun is shoved in her face. Trusts few people on the island and only allows herself to be emotionally vulnerable in front of her significant other. Colleen is set to have been a security officer when she was off the island. (Kimber is this part of your Kate is a twin theory?)
Damon Lindelof revealed: Elizabeth Mitchell is a regular, while Rodrigo and Kiele are contracted to be recurring characters. When we meet up with the three castaways (held captive by the Others), Sawyer is in a cage! The planned series finale of Lost [is] a "happy but tragic" ending. [Note: The fact that Lindelof speaks of the series finale does not mean that season 3 is the last one. They always planned Lost to last around 5 season.]
New character introduced in (episode) #303. Will recur. 'Colleen', late 30's, tough, obvious military training. Doesn't flinch when a gun is shoved in her face. Trusts few people on the island and only allows herself to be emotionally vulnerable in front of her significant other. Colleen is set to have been a security officer when she was off the island. (Kimber is this part of your Kate is a twin theory?)
Tuesday, August 29
RR/RR Challenge
Bummed about last night. Of all the annoying people on that show, two of the least annoying got kicked off. Derek and Diem should've won, in my opinion. Now my guess is the most annoying couple, Kenny and Tina, is going to win. OMG!
RR/RR Challenge
Bummed about last night. Of all the annoying people on that show, two of the least annoying got kicked off. Derek and Diem should've won, in my opinion. Now my guess is the most annoying couple, Kenny and Tina, is going to win. OMG!
Meerkats and Lemurs
From my cousin:
I suggest you rent Lion King 1 1/2 to learn about meerkats. That movie is
told from the point of the meerkat and the wild pig that befriend Simba the
lion. There is a large section devoted to explaining the meerkat lifestyle
told through song and dance. Childish? Sure, but it does a good job in
explaining what they do all day.
Also, you should rent Madagascar if you haven't seen it. It's a pretty good
movie, but really the best part is with the lemurs - Sacha Baron Cohen is
the voice of the lead lemur and Cedric the Entertainer is his sidekick. It
is really funny. [My husband] and I quote lines from that movie all the time. Plus,
the penguins are a riot, too. On the DVD version, there is a special short
movie with just the penguins. Again, really funny.
There you go. Look to children's movies for info on lemurs and meerkats.
I suggest you rent Lion King 1 1/2 to learn about meerkats. That movie is
told from the point of the meerkat and the wild pig that befriend Simba the
lion. There is a large section devoted to explaining the meerkat lifestyle
told through song and dance. Childish? Sure, but it does a good job in
explaining what they do all day.
Also, you should rent Madagascar if you haven't seen it. It's a pretty good
movie, but really the best part is with the lemurs - Sacha Baron Cohen is
the voice of the lead lemur and Cedric the Entertainer is his sidekick. It
is really funny. [My husband] and I quote lines from that movie all the time. Plus,
the penguins are a riot, too. On the DVD version, there is a special short
movie with just the penguins. Again, really funny.
There you go. Look to children's movies for info on lemurs and meerkats.
Yeah, Now They'll Go Back To Natalie Holloway.....
That dude didn't kill JonBenet - big f'ing shock. The media right now look like the asses they are. ASSES.
Fire every producer who led with JonBenet for the last week and a half instead of covering:
The President unconstitutionally spying on the American public. (Remember, the story you were covering just a DAY before JonBenet?)
Our nation's war in Afghanistan.
Our nation's war in Iraq.
War in Lebanon.
Iran's growing nuclear activity.
High gas prices and their economic impact.
Care to add to the list? (Just in case producers complain that they have nothing to fill all those 24 hours with...)
--lifted from AmericaBlog
Fire every producer who led with JonBenet for the last week and a half instead of covering:
The President unconstitutionally spying on the American public. (Remember, the story you were covering just a DAY before JonBenet?)
Our nation's war in Afghanistan.
Our nation's war in Iraq.
War in Lebanon.
Iran's growing nuclear activity.
High gas prices and their economic impact.
Care to add to the list? (Just in case producers complain that they have nothing to fill all those 24 hours with...)
--lifted from AmericaBlog
Sunday, August 27
The New Golden Age of Television
That's what the 24 director called it.... What do you think? I kinda think he might be right.
Oh No
Is 24 going to win everything? It's not necessary for that director to win in the company of Big Love, Lost, Six Feet Under and The Sopranos. I know some of you love 24, but come on!
Daily Show beats the Colbert Report
But which do you think is better?
My opinion... Daily Show always has a knock out beginning, but can have bad feature stories or interview guests sometimes, but not really that often. Colbert on the other hand is usually pretty solid throughout, probably because it's as much a character show as it is a fake news show. I'm not sure which I like better.
My opinion... Daily Show always has a knock out beginning, but can have bad feature stories or interview guests sometimes, but not really that often. Colbert on the other hand is usually pretty solid throughout, probably because it's as much a character show as it is a fake news show. I'm not sure which I like better.
Meerkat Manor
I hope you all watched this show. The season ended with the Whisker family successfully holding down their fort against their enemies.
I checked out the Wikipedia entry on meerkats, because I couldn't get a handle on how big they are. They are so complicated - the drama of the show comes from members of the large family (40-some meerkats) trying to push the social structure. So cool! So anyways, they weigh less than 2 pounds.
Check out the reruns if you didn't watch the first run.
I checked out the Wikipedia entry on meerkats, because I couldn't get a handle on how big they are. They are so complicated - the drama of the show comes from members of the large family (40-some meerkats) trying to push the social structure. So cool! So anyways, they weigh less than 2 pounds.
Check out the reruns if you didn't watch the first run.
The Emmys
Jeremy Piven just won! And gave a nice little speech.
If you're not watching the Emmys, you're forgiven, believe me. Conan is hosting and doing a pretty great job. His bit with the air tank rigged to stop at three hours with Bob Newhart stuck inside was pretty rad.
Megan Mulally won, so did Alan Alda and - with the best speech so far - Blythe Danner. She is nutso, and I love her! She said thanks to "the guys at Showtime, even though they cancelled our show. Nice guys, really. I guess they did what they have to do." Classic.
Sweet, a commercial for Nip/Tuck. Love that show, and I hear this season goes back to the vibe of the first season. Nice. And I hear Mario Lopez and Christian go at it.
If you're not watching the Emmys, you're forgiven, believe me. Conan is hosting and doing a pretty great job. His bit with the air tank rigged to stop at three hours with Bob Newhart stuck inside was pretty rad.
Megan Mulally won, so did Alan Alda and - with the best speech so far - Blythe Danner. She is nutso, and I love her! She said thanks to "the guys at Showtime, even though they cancelled our show. Nice guys, really. I guess they did what they have to do." Classic.
Sweet, a commercial for Nip/Tuck. Love that show, and I hear this season goes back to the vibe of the first season. Nice. And I hear Mario Lopez and Christian go at it.
Saturday, August 26
Do You or Don't You?
The proliferation of cell phones, with their list of extra features, has had the knock-off effect of eliminating the need to wear a wristwatch unless it is to make a fashion statement.
I haven't worn a watch in well over a year. I always use my cell.
What do you use to tell time?
I haven't worn a watch in well over a year. I always use my cell.
What do you use to tell time?
Have You Heard?
The new edition of Survivor is going to be split up by race. Yup, that's right. 5 whites, 5 african-americans, 5 hispanics and 5 asians will be competing for the $1 million dollar prize. There are demands by some to boycott the show or that it should never air, but there are others who think it's just the shot in the arm that Survivor needs. If y'all hadn't noticed, it had gotten rather bland over the past few seasons. As for me? I'm looking forward to it, if for no other reason to see if the "characters" end up being stereotypical or if the producers truly make an attempt to portray people accurately. At least in the sense that they are competing against one another for big bucks. Clearly the racial division is creating a big buzz and ratings are sure to be bigger as a result.
From RealityBlurred comes the following:
"Among those people freaking out about Survivor Cook Islands isEric Deggans, the St. Petersburg Times’ media critic. In his column today, he writes that “it’s about time” the show acknowledged race.
He writes that, typically on Survivor, “race difference plays out as a parable on assimilation — the people of color who understand white culture and can fit in survive, often by being as bland and undistinguished as possible. Those who don’t, wind up fulfilling the worst stereotypes. Their exclusion makes them racially paranoid, their inability to bond with their teammates makes them look lazy and their defensiveness looks like an empty excuse.”
Thus, Deggans is glad that “Burnett is going to make race a front-and-center discussion, after years of shrugging off the implications of his portrayals,” although he says, “I don’t blame those who are concerned about the image of minorities in modern media for feeling apprehensive.”
From RealityBlurred comes the following:
"Among those people freaking out about Survivor Cook Islands isEric Deggans, the St. Petersburg Times’ media critic. In his column today, he writes that “it’s about time” the show acknowledged race.
He writes that, typically on Survivor, “race difference plays out as a parable on assimilation — the people of color who understand white culture and can fit in survive, often by being as bland and undistinguished as possible. Those who don’t, wind up fulfilling the worst stereotypes. Their exclusion makes them racially paranoid, their inability to bond with their teammates makes them look lazy and their defensiveness looks like an empty excuse.”
Thus, Deggans is glad that “Burnett is going to make race a front-and-center discussion, after years of shrugging off the implications of his portrayals,” although he says, “I don’t blame those who are concerned about the image of minorities in modern media for feeling apprehensive.”
Project Runway
I have been rather lazy about blogging the happenings on Project Runway. It's really not laziness, it's more a lack of time, really. But it's the weekend so I've dug up a golden nugget of Bloggerdom for you.
Check It Out Here
Check It Out Here
Friday, August 25
Rolling Stone's Fall Music Preview
I'm only writing about the ones that I'm excited about. You can check out the rest in the latest issue, the one with God (aka Bob Dylan) on the cover.
Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds
I wonder if Outkast inspired this album title. Seems a little... familiar. Even so, I loved his first album. Hope this is a nice follow up.
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Like the title of their album, this band makes no sense. Couldn't stand their critically-aclaimed first album, so I plan to avoid this one, too.
Ben Kweller - Self titled
His inspiration for this album is old Tom Petty stuff. Cool!
Beck - The Information
Had no idea he had a new album coming out! LOVED Guero. I guess this one is just a mish-mash of whatever the fuck he felt like doing. The album cover is blank. Inside are stickers that you can put on there to customize it. This guy is so crazy, but I never miss his albums.
Taylor Hicks - TBD
Yeah, right.
The Who - Endless Wire
I guess the preview version of this album is really hot. I'm definitely going to check ths out. FYI - it's a rock opera, just like their classic, Tommy.
Incubus - Light Grenades
God, I used to love them! Then they came out with an album I couldn't get excited about (whatever their last one was called). Hope this one improves greatly on the last. FYI - saw them live back in May, and they were great!
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Like their album titles, this band is unpredictable, and musically genius. Can't wait.
The Killers - Sam's Town
I hear it's like Queen and Bruce Springsteen all mashed up. I'm already in line.
Maroon 5 - TBD
They need to do something completely different here, or I'm simply not interested.
Clay Aiken - A Thousand Different Ways
I can think of a thousand different jokes.
Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah
I guess for when I'm in the mood to dance.
...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - TBD
If you haven't heard their last album, Worlds Apart, you must get it now. They are one of the most intriguing and hard-rocking bands out there. The last was a rock opera, I guess, and had some beautiful moments. Cannot wait for this one, and I hope I finally get to see one of their (almost legendary) live shows.
Justin Timberlake - Futuresex/Lovesounds
I wonder if Outkast inspired this album title. Seems a little... familiar. Even so, I loved his first album. Hope this is a nice follow up.
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Like the title of their album, this band makes no sense. Couldn't stand their critically-aclaimed first album, so I plan to avoid this one, too.
Ben Kweller - Self titled
His inspiration for this album is old Tom Petty stuff. Cool!
Beck - The Information
Had no idea he had a new album coming out! LOVED Guero. I guess this one is just a mish-mash of whatever the fuck he felt like doing. The album cover is blank. Inside are stickers that you can put on there to customize it. This guy is so crazy, but I never miss his albums.
Taylor Hicks - TBD
Yeah, right.
The Who - Endless Wire
I guess the preview version of this album is really hot. I'm definitely going to check ths out. FYI - it's a rock opera, just like their classic, Tommy.
Incubus - Light Grenades
God, I used to love them! Then they came out with an album I couldn't get excited about (whatever their last one was called). Hope this one improves greatly on the last. FYI - saw them live back in May, and they were great!
Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Like their album titles, this band is unpredictable, and musically genius. Can't wait.
The Killers - Sam's Town
I hear it's like Queen and Bruce Springsteen all mashed up. I'm already in line.
Maroon 5 - TBD
They need to do something completely different here, or I'm simply not interested.
Clay Aiken - A Thousand Different Ways
I can think of a thousand different jokes.
Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah
I guess for when I'm in the mood to dance.
...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - TBD
If you haven't heard their last album, Worlds Apart, you must get it now. They are one of the most intriguing and hard-rocking bands out there. The last was a rock opera, I guess, and had some beautiful moments. Cannot wait for this one, and I hope I finally get to see one of their (almost legendary) live shows.
America's Drunkest City
1. Milwaukee (duh)
2. Minneapolis-St. Paul
3. COLUMBUS, OHIO (everything I touch turns to gold - or alcohol!)
4. Boston
5. Austin
6. Chicago
7. CLEVELAND
8. Pittsburgh
9. Philadelphia and Providence (tie)
2. Minneapolis-St. Paul
3. COLUMBUS, OHIO (everything I touch turns to gold - or alcohol!)
4. Boston
5. Austin
6. Chicago
7. CLEVELAND
8. Pittsburgh
9. Philadelphia and Providence (tie)
That pretty much sums it up...
U.S. General Batiste (retired):
"Donald Rumsfeld is still at the helm of the Department of Defense, which is absolutely outrageous. He served up our great military a huge bowl of chicken feces, and ever since then, our military and our country have been trying to turn this bowl into chicken salad. And it’s not working."
"Donald Rumsfeld is still at the helm of the Department of Defense, which is absolutely outrageous. He served up our great military a huge bowl of chicken feces, and ever since then, our military and our country have been trying to turn this bowl into chicken salad. And it’s not working."
Lost-Lost-Lost & More Lost
A little birdie told me William Mapother was in Hawaii last week -- and he exactly wasn't sipping mai tais by the pool, but rather, he was working his wonderfully creepy Ethan magic. Simply put in the words of executive producer Bryan Burke: "The Hatch is gone. Done. We have new sets that have been built on our soundstage, so it's a whole new world for you."
It looks as if Kate is spending some quality time in close quarters with good ol' Henry.
Rodrigo said that he won't appear on the show until February. Turns out, Rodrigo is still under contract with Globo TV. He said they're letting him take a sabbatical to shoot Lost, and then he'll go back to Globo, so it doesn't sound like he'll be sticking around all that long in Hawaii. Rodrigo said, "I'm going to be one of the survivors from the plane that apparently was on the island all this time. I'm going to be a character with a past."
Terry O'Quinn revealed that "I've heard that [the why was Locke in a wheelchair explanation is] going to happen this season. I'm not sure when it will happen but I have heard that it will."
It will be revealed that Jack has met one of "The Others" back in the real world; this will relate to why he is the only one they are able to cooperate with, although he will be extremely wary in the beginning. Get ready for politics-on-the-beach when the clique returns Jack-less and limping to confront a populace ready for regime change, and an aggressive new leader with a dangerous motivation.
Matthew Fox was on set shooting flashback scenes with Julie Bowen (who plays Jack's wife, Sarah).
It looks as if Kate is spending some quality time in close quarters with good ol' Henry.
Rodrigo said that he won't appear on the show until February. Turns out, Rodrigo is still under contract with Globo TV. He said they're letting him take a sabbatical to shoot Lost, and then he'll go back to Globo, so it doesn't sound like he'll be sticking around all that long in Hawaii. Rodrigo said, "I'm going to be one of the survivors from the plane that apparently was on the island all this time. I'm going to be a character with a past."
Terry O'Quinn revealed that "I've heard that [the why was Locke in a wheelchair explanation is] going to happen this season. I'm not sure when it will happen but I have heard that it will."
It will be revealed that Jack has met one of "The Others" back in the real world; this will relate to why he is the only one they are able to cooperate with, although he will be extremely wary in the beginning. Get ready for politics-on-the-beach when the clique returns Jack-less and limping to confront a populace ready for regime change, and an aggressive new leader with a dangerous motivation.
Matthew Fox was on set shooting flashback scenes with Julie Bowen (who plays Jack's wife, Sarah).
Best Seasons of TV on DVD
Read this article from the Onion's A.V. Club only if you want to spend lots of $$$$ :)
The Sopranos: Season Three
Why it's the best: Because Tony Soprano's monumental selfishness leads to him ignoring the dangerous spiral of his daughter's boyfriend—the boy he promised his late best friend that he'd look after. Soprano also has an affair with a neurotic saleswoman (played by Annabella Sciorra) who isn't stable enough to deal with his caprice. The Sopranos extends The Godfather's use of the mob as a metaphor for American capitalism, and season three is where the nature of corporate irresponsibility is shockingly exposed.
Best single episode: "Employee Of The Month," the controversial episode where Dr. Melfi gets raped, and debates whether to use her influence with Soprano to get revenge. Her decision, and the final, clipped line of dialogue, remains one of the most chilling moments of the series to date.
Runner-up season: Season one—still an astonishing, accomplished introduction to the TV epic of our time.
Seinfeld: Season Five
Why it's the best: With the too-long storyline about the NBC pilot out of the way—and the show having become a bona fide hit in the process—Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, and the rest of the creative team started to stretch a little, coming up with wonderfully nasty bits about a botched bris and the ego-damaging effects of "shrinkage."
Best single episode: The season finale, "The Opposite," where George decides to change his luck by doing the opposite of his instincts, leading to an upsetting of the cosmic balance that makes Elaine chronically unlucky. Seinfeld, of course, stays "even-Steven."
Runner-up season: Season seven. It isn't on DVD yet, but when it hits the shelves later this fall, complete with George's ill-fated engagement and the introduction of the Soup Nazi, it'll become the best Seinfeld season available for purchase.
Arrested Development: Season Two
Why it's the best: The intricately self-referential underpinnings of the series' comedy really ramped up in the second season, with lots of jokes about missing hands, absent fathers, topless Spring Break-ers, and magic tricks gone wrong.
Best single episode: "Good Grief!", in which heartbroken members of the Bluth family walk around with their heads drooped, Peanuts-style, while Vince Guaraldi music plays. At one point, a Snoopy doghouse even appears in the background.
Runner-up season: The even-crazier season three, with a memorable guest turn by Charlize Theron as Michael Bluth's, um, different girlfriend.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Three
Why it's the best: It starts with the titular series star off her home turf and outside the Sunnydale-nastiness pattern that haunted the rest of the show. It ends with a huge transition, as the main cast graduates from high school with an explosive confrontation. And in the middle, it introduces Faith and follows her down the dark path, brings in Anya, revels in the Mayor's wacky brand of evil, and features some of the best single episodes of the entire series, including "Band Candy," "The Wish," and "Doppelgängland."
Best single episode: "The Zeppo," in which Xander has a manic night out while the rest of the show hilariously parodies itself in the background.
Runner-up season: Season four. Riley is a pill and the Initiative can be a yawn, but "Hush," "Restless," and "Something Blue" are worth it.
Chappelle's Show: Season Two
Why it's the best: In its second season, Chappelle's Show evolved from an intermittently hilarious showcase for Dave Chappelle's improvisational gifts and penetrating observations into a ubiquitous pop-culture phenomenon. Riffing irreverently on racial stereotypes remained the series' forte, and at its best, Chappelle's Show was as wickedly satirical as The Simpsons in its prime. The Comedy Central smash could still be hit-or-miss, but even the weaker skits benefited from the strength and consistency of Chappelle's overarching comic vision of the myriad ways America remains culturally segregated.
Best single episode: Though it owes a tremendous debt to Mr. Show's "Altered States of Druggachussets," the foul-mouthed, bleakly satirical Muppets spoof "Kneehigh Park," with its feral, sourly philosophical parody of Oscar The Grouch, helps make episode 10 the series' pinnacle.
Runner-up season: The first season of Chappelle's Show is often wildly funny, and it shares many of the second season's strengths.
The Simpsons: Season Four
Why it's the best: Having mastered the art of the first-act fake-out in season three, the writers indulged their new storytelling confidence and started getting a little weird, in episodes where they give the town of Springfield a monorail, as well as an annual festival dedicated to beating the crap out of snakes.
Best single episode: "Krusty Gets Kancelled," which riffs on pop-culture fads and talk-show wars, and features guest appearances by Johnny Carson and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Runner-up season: The aforementioned season three. No, five! Six! Seven! Two!
Gilmore Girls: Season Three
Why it's the best: Love triangles, high-school angst, grown-up relationship turmoil… fire! This one had it all, and it found the best balance between the trademarked Amy Sherman-Palladino crackerjack dialogue and the less-commented-upon-but-still-trademarked Palladino warmth-without schmaltz—all without ignoring the fact that life can be really hard sometimes.
Best single episode: "A Tale Of Poes And Fire," in which an Edgar Allan Poe convention spills into town. This installment begins kookily, then ends with a character reversing a plan she's held her entire life. It's disarmingly funny until it suddenly turns moving. Call it the Palladino touch.
Runner-up season: The fifth season finds Rory coming into her own as a character, and not just a bright Everygirl, as she balances college and a boyfriend who may not deserve her yet. Meanwhile, Lorelai wrestles with an adult relationship that might just be for keeps. (The sixth season is pretty great too, until… well, fans know the moment.)
The Andy Griffith Show: Season Three
Why it's the best: Andy's string of girlfriends finally comes to an end when he meets standoffish schoolteacher Helen Crump, and the supporting actors each get multiple showcases for their talents, like "Class Reunion," where Barney feels nostalgic for high school, and "The Bed Jacket," where Aunt Bee expects something nice for her birthday and doesn't get it.
Best single episode: "Man In A Hurry," arguably the highlight of the whole series, in which a harried businessman breaks down in Mayberry and has to adjust to the town's slower pace. Sitcom or not, the last shot of this episode is just stunningly beautiful.
Runner-up season: It's hard to go wrong with any season between two and five—and even the non-Don Knotts color years are better than people recall—but it's also hard to ignore season four, which contains the one-two punch of "The Sermon For Today" and "Opie The Birdman."
Star Trek: Season Two
Why it's the best: While the first season undoubtedly contained some of the series' best episodes ("The Devil In The Dark," "The City On The Edge Of Forever") the second season takes the prize for consistency. Characters deepen, humor comes more easily, and the show gets comfortable, trying out even bigger ideas than in its freshman year.
Best single episode: The season-opening "Amok Time," (a.k.a. That One Where Spock Goes Into Heat) challenges everything we thought we knew about Mr. Spock, in the process redefining and intensifying the friendship between the show's lead characters.
Runner-up season: Between season one and the put-it-out-of-its-misery-already season three, there's really no contest.
Cheers: Season Four
Why it's the best: Because the on-again/off-again Sam-and-Diane romance was at its most entertaining low point, with Sam mad at her for running off to Europe, Diane mad at him for not showing up in time to stop her, and Frasier livid at everyone due to his new lot as a lovesick barfly. All this plus the introduction of Woody, and a season-ending three-parter that climaxes with one walloping cliffhanger.
Best single episode: "Second Time Around," which begins with a disastrous first date between Frasier and an uptight fellow psychiatrist played by Bebe Neuwirth (so good that she became a semi-regular the following season), and ends with him chasing after one of Sam's good-time girls, played by Jennifer Tilly.
Runner-up season: The best of the underrated post-Shelley Long run, season eight, which contains the saga of Rebecca and her British billionaire lover, played with bewitching smarm by Roger Rees.
The X-Files: Season Three
Why it's the best: The alien-invasion "mythology" that drove the central plot turned truly compelling in season three. Old mysteries deepened, and new wrinkles like the creepy black oil delivered the requisite chills. Better yet, it seemed like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle of secret truths were falling slowly into place. (A couple of seasons later, the nagging feeling that series creator Chris Carter was just making it all up as he went along became inescapable.) Better still, though, were the rich, funny, multilayered contributions of writer Darin Morgan, including…
Best single episode: "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'," featuring Charles Nelson Reilly as a Whitley Strieber-like crackpot author whose tawdry exposé of two teens' alien abduction is told repeatedly, dizzyingly, and hilariously, from several different perspectives. A comedy Philip K. Dick would have loved.
Runner-up season: Season four, with the banned-from-uncensored-broadcast "Home" (the one with the inbred hillbillies), Mulder's search for the "black cancer" in Russia, and Scully's own deathly disease—diagnosed by a cancer-eating monster apparently inspired by a Nirvana line.
Friends: Season Three
Why it's the best: Because the show's soapy plotlines start churning fast here, culminating in Ross and Rachel's painful breakup, Monica's abortive relationship with a millionaire, and Joey's unrequited crush on a fellow thespian. Friends burned through stories too quickly, but at least there was always something going on.
Best single episode: "The One The Morning After," in which Ross and Rachel hash out the end of their relationship while the rest of the gang eavesdrops from another room. It isn't Cassavetes, but the sting of unforgivable betrayal still plays as painfully true and surprisingly funny.
Runner-up season: Season four, where the boys and girls switch apartments, and they all wind up in London (except for Phoebe, pregnant with her brother's triplets).
NewsRadio: Season Four
Why it's the best: The creators shook up the office's dynamic, temporarily putting Lisa in charge instead of Dave, and briefly introducing an officious efficiency expert, hilariously played by a pre-Gilmore Girls Lauren Graham. Also, by the fourth season, the show had refined the character-running-through-a-static-frame gag into sublime comic art.
Best single episode: A toss-up between "Security Door," a tour-de-force farce in which Dave goes nuts trying to get employees to use their keycards, and "The Public Domain," in which he tries to cut down on all the "cunning schemes and crazy capers" on the day that Bill decides to try out his new satirical musical act.
Runner-up season: Season three, home of the series' finest half-hour, "Complaint Box."
The Shield: Season Three
Why it's the best: Because the Strike Team's decision to rob the Armenian mob at the end of season two sets up an extended recasting of The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre, with each crooked cop looking over the other's shoulder, right up to the nail-biting finale. Meanwhile, while running for city council, the unit's captain (well-played by Benito Martinez) is raped at gunpoint by a gangster, setting up plot complications and character kinks that continue to play out.
Best single episode: "Cracking Ice," where the previously infallible detective Wyms makes a mistake that leads to an undercover cop getting sexually assaulted. Hey, this show doesn't play around.
Runner-up season: The recently completed season five, not yet on DVD, in which an Internal Affair investigator (played with nutty menace by Forest Whitaker) leans on the cleanest member of the Strike Team, setting a trap that springs unexpectedly in the cliffhanger finale.
Angel: Season Three
Why it's the best: It's the season where the mega-plot finally kicked in and bulldozed over much of the whiny angst that was always the worst part of Angel's character. From Darla's pregnancy to Connor's birth, kidnapping, and return, more of moment happens in this season than in any other, and the series coheres into an almost novelistic experiment.
Best single episode: Most of the episodes from this season don't stand out on their own, as they're all just segments of a much larger story; "Offspring" is particularly significant and plot-packed, though it can't compete with, say, the comic throwaway "Smile Time" from the much sloppier season five.
Runner-up season: Season four. More mega-plot, the return of Faith, and an Angelus who's actually scary for once. Plus, "Awakening" is a terrific mind-fuck, and Spike hasn't yet been awkwardly imported from Buffy.
M*A*S*H: Season Nine
Why it's the best: Throughout its 11-season run, M*A*S*H moved steadily away from the screwball comedy of its initial seasons, and into primetime-drama mode. By season nine, the series was running short on new ideas, but the quest for something innovative to try resulted in some of its most interesting episodes, including "Letters" and "No Laughing Matter."
Best single episode: "The Life You Save," in which stuffy Major Winchester becomes obsessed with death after a close call. More than any other M*A*S*H episode, this one uses the isolating fears of combat zones to speak to the isolating fears of all humanity in the face of the great unknown. Pretty damn ambitious for a sitcom.
Runner-up season: Season seven features terrific episodes like "The Party," "Preventative Medicine," and "C*A*V*E," plus one of the best mixes of comedy and dramatic innovation. Still, it's tempting to call out the significantly weaker season 11 largely on the strength of the heartbreaking series finale.
Alias: Season Two
Why it's the best: Two words: Lena Olin. As Sydney's diabolical mother, she spends most of the season doing a Hannibal Lecter routine under CIA custody, parsing out intel while toying brilliantly with her daughter's emotions. Where the first season features a lot of self-contained episodes, the second is structured so each episode functions as a piece in the grand design, which ends in one of those rare mind-blowing twists that hold up under close examination.
Best single episode: "Phase One." A blazing-hot Super Bowl ad with star Jennifer Garner in black lingerie was merely the opening to an episode that blows the lid off SD-6 and catapults the show in a completely different direction.
Runner-up season: Season one, which introduced a tight, entertaining, and exceptionally well-produced weekly thriller before the series grew too rote and grossly implausible in later seasons.
The Sopranos: Season Three
Why it's the best: Because Tony Soprano's monumental selfishness leads to him ignoring the dangerous spiral of his daughter's boyfriend—the boy he promised his late best friend that he'd look after. Soprano also has an affair with a neurotic saleswoman (played by Annabella Sciorra) who isn't stable enough to deal with his caprice. The Sopranos extends The Godfather's use of the mob as a metaphor for American capitalism, and season three is where the nature of corporate irresponsibility is shockingly exposed.
Best single episode: "Employee Of The Month," the controversial episode where Dr. Melfi gets raped, and debates whether to use her influence with Soprano to get revenge. Her decision, and the final, clipped line of dialogue, remains one of the most chilling moments of the series to date.
Runner-up season: Season one—still an astonishing, accomplished introduction to the TV epic of our time.
Seinfeld: Season Five
Why it's the best: With the too-long storyline about the NBC pilot out of the way—and the show having become a bona fide hit in the process—Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, and the rest of the creative team started to stretch a little, coming up with wonderfully nasty bits about a botched bris and the ego-damaging effects of "shrinkage."
Best single episode: The season finale, "The Opposite," where George decides to change his luck by doing the opposite of his instincts, leading to an upsetting of the cosmic balance that makes Elaine chronically unlucky. Seinfeld, of course, stays "even-Steven."
Runner-up season: Season seven. It isn't on DVD yet, but when it hits the shelves later this fall, complete with George's ill-fated engagement and the introduction of the Soup Nazi, it'll become the best Seinfeld season available for purchase.
Arrested Development: Season Two
Why it's the best: The intricately self-referential underpinnings of the series' comedy really ramped up in the second season, with lots of jokes about missing hands, absent fathers, topless Spring Break-ers, and magic tricks gone wrong.
Best single episode: "Good Grief!", in which heartbroken members of the Bluth family walk around with their heads drooped, Peanuts-style, while Vince Guaraldi music plays. At one point, a Snoopy doghouse even appears in the background.
Runner-up season: The even-crazier season three, with a memorable guest turn by Charlize Theron as Michael Bluth's, um, different girlfriend.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season Three
Why it's the best: It starts with the titular series star off her home turf and outside the Sunnydale-nastiness pattern that haunted the rest of the show. It ends with a huge transition, as the main cast graduates from high school with an explosive confrontation. And in the middle, it introduces Faith and follows her down the dark path, brings in Anya, revels in the Mayor's wacky brand of evil, and features some of the best single episodes of the entire series, including "Band Candy," "The Wish," and "Doppelgängland."
Best single episode: "The Zeppo," in which Xander has a manic night out while the rest of the show hilariously parodies itself in the background.
Runner-up season: Season four. Riley is a pill and the Initiative can be a yawn, but "Hush," "Restless," and "Something Blue" are worth it.
Chappelle's Show: Season Two
Why it's the best: In its second season, Chappelle's Show evolved from an intermittently hilarious showcase for Dave Chappelle's improvisational gifts and penetrating observations into a ubiquitous pop-culture phenomenon. Riffing irreverently on racial stereotypes remained the series' forte, and at its best, Chappelle's Show was as wickedly satirical as The Simpsons in its prime. The Comedy Central smash could still be hit-or-miss, but even the weaker skits benefited from the strength and consistency of Chappelle's overarching comic vision of the myriad ways America remains culturally segregated.
Best single episode: Though it owes a tremendous debt to Mr. Show's "Altered States of Druggachussets," the foul-mouthed, bleakly satirical Muppets spoof "Kneehigh Park," with its feral, sourly philosophical parody of Oscar The Grouch, helps make episode 10 the series' pinnacle.
Runner-up season: The first season of Chappelle's Show is often wildly funny, and it shares many of the second season's strengths.
The Simpsons: Season Four
Why it's the best: Having mastered the art of the first-act fake-out in season three, the writers indulged their new storytelling confidence and started getting a little weird, in episodes where they give the town of Springfield a monorail, as well as an annual festival dedicated to beating the crap out of snakes.
Best single episode: "Krusty Gets Kancelled," which riffs on pop-culture fads and talk-show wars, and features guest appearances by Johnny Carson and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Runner-up season: The aforementioned season three. No, five! Six! Seven! Two!
Gilmore Girls: Season Three
Why it's the best: Love triangles, high-school angst, grown-up relationship turmoil… fire! This one had it all, and it found the best balance between the trademarked Amy Sherman-Palladino crackerjack dialogue and the less-commented-upon-but-still-trademarked Palladino warmth-without schmaltz—all without ignoring the fact that life can be really hard sometimes.
Best single episode: "A Tale Of Poes And Fire," in which an Edgar Allan Poe convention spills into town. This installment begins kookily, then ends with a character reversing a plan she's held her entire life. It's disarmingly funny until it suddenly turns moving. Call it the Palladino touch.
Runner-up season: The fifth season finds Rory coming into her own as a character, and not just a bright Everygirl, as she balances college and a boyfriend who may not deserve her yet. Meanwhile, Lorelai wrestles with an adult relationship that might just be for keeps. (The sixth season is pretty great too, until… well, fans know the moment.)
The Andy Griffith Show: Season Three
Why it's the best: Andy's string of girlfriends finally comes to an end when he meets standoffish schoolteacher Helen Crump, and the supporting actors each get multiple showcases for their talents, like "Class Reunion," where Barney feels nostalgic for high school, and "The Bed Jacket," where Aunt Bee expects something nice for her birthday and doesn't get it.
Best single episode: "Man In A Hurry," arguably the highlight of the whole series, in which a harried businessman breaks down in Mayberry and has to adjust to the town's slower pace. Sitcom or not, the last shot of this episode is just stunningly beautiful.
Runner-up season: It's hard to go wrong with any season between two and five—and even the non-Don Knotts color years are better than people recall—but it's also hard to ignore season four, which contains the one-two punch of "The Sermon For Today" and "Opie The Birdman."
Star Trek: Season Two
Why it's the best: While the first season undoubtedly contained some of the series' best episodes ("The Devil In The Dark," "The City On The Edge Of Forever") the second season takes the prize for consistency. Characters deepen, humor comes more easily, and the show gets comfortable, trying out even bigger ideas than in its freshman year.
Best single episode: The season-opening "Amok Time," (a.k.a. That One Where Spock Goes Into Heat) challenges everything we thought we knew about Mr. Spock, in the process redefining and intensifying the friendship between the show's lead characters.
Runner-up season: Between season one and the put-it-out-of-its-misery-already season three, there's really no contest.
Cheers: Season Four
Why it's the best: Because the on-again/off-again Sam-and-Diane romance was at its most entertaining low point, with Sam mad at her for running off to Europe, Diane mad at him for not showing up in time to stop her, and Frasier livid at everyone due to his new lot as a lovesick barfly. All this plus the introduction of Woody, and a season-ending three-parter that climaxes with one walloping cliffhanger.
Best single episode: "Second Time Around," which begins with a disastrous first date between Frasier and an uptight fellow psychiatrist played by Bebe Neuwirth (so good that she became a semi-regular the following season), and ends with him chasing after one of Sam's good-time girls, played by Jennifer Tilly.
Runner-up season: The best of the underrated post-Shelley Long run, season eight, which contains the saga of Rebecca and her British billionaire lover, played with bewitching smarm by Roger Rees.
The X-Files: Season Three
Why it's the best: The alien-invasion "mythology" that drove the central plot turned truly compelling in season three. Old mysteries deepened, and new wrinkles like the creepy black oil delivered the requisite chills. Better yet, it seemed like pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle of secret truths were falling slowly into place. (A couple of seasons later, the nagging feeling that series creator Chris Carter was just making it all up as he went along became inescapable.) Better still, though, were the rich, funny, multilayered contributions of writer Darin Morgan, including…
Best single episode: "Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'," featuring Charles Nelson Reilly as a Whitley Strieber-like crackpot author whose tawdry exposé of two teens' alien abduction is told repeatedly, dizzyingly, and hilariously, from several different perspectives. A comedy Philip K. Dick would have loved.
Runner-up season: Season four, with the banned-from-uncensored-broadcast "Home" (the one with the inbred hillbillies), Mulder's search for the "black cancer" in Russia, and Scully's own deathly disease—diagnosed by a cancer-eating monster apparently inspired by a Nirvana line.
Friends: Season Three
Why it's the best: Because the show's soapy plotlines start churning fast here, culminating in Ross and Rachel's painful breakup, Monica's abortive relationship with a millionaire, and Joey's unrequited crush on a fellow thespian. Friends burned through stories too quickly, but at least there was always something going on.
Best single episode: "The One The Morning After," in which Ross and Rachel hash out the end of their relationship while the rest of the gang eavesdrops from another room. It isn't Cassavetes, but the sting of unforgivable betrayal still plays as painfully true and surprisingly funny.
Runner-up season: Season four, where the boys and girls switch apartments, and they all wind up in London (except for Phoebe, pregnant with her brother's triplets).
NewsRadio: Season Four
Why it's the best: The creators shook up the office's dynamic, temporarily putting Lisa in charge instead of Dave, and briefly introducing an officious efficiency expert, hilariously played by a pre-Gilmore Girls Lauren Graham. Also, by the fourth season, the show had refined the character-running-through-a-static-frame gag into sublime comic art.
Best single episode: A toss-up between "Security Door," a tour-de-force farce in which Dave goes nuts trying to get employees to use their keycards, and "The Public Domain," in which he tries to cut down on all the "cunning schemes and crazy capers" on the day that Bill decides to try out his new satirical musical act.
Runner-up season: Season three, home of the series' finest half-hour, "Complaint Box."
The Shield: Season Three
Why it's the best: Because the Strike Team's decision to rob the Armenian mob at the end of season two sets up an extended recasting of The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre, with each crooked cop looking over the other's shoulder, right up to the nail-biting finale. Meanwhile, while running for city council, the unit's captain (well-played by Benito Martinez) is raped at gunpoint by a gangster, setting up plot complications and character kinks that continue to play out.
Best single episode: "Cracking Ice," where the previously infallible detective Wyms makes a mistake that leads to an undercover cop getting sexually assaulted. Hey, this show doesn't play around.
Runner-up season: The recently completed season five, not yet on DVD, in which an Internal Affair investigator (played with nutty menace by Forest Whitaker) leans on the cleanest member of the Strike Team, setting a trap that springs unexpectedly in the cliffhanger finale.
Angel: Season Three
Why it's the best: It's the season where the mega-plot finally kicked in and bulldozed over much of the whiny angst that was always the worst part of Angel's character. From Darla's pregnancy to Connor's birth, kidnapping, and return, more of moment happens in this season than in any other, and the series coheres into an almost novelistic experiment.
Best single episode: Most of the episodes from this season don't stand out on their own, as they're all just segments of a much larger story; "Offspring" is particularly significant and plot-packed, though it can't compete with, say, the comic throwaway "Smile Time" from the much sloppier season five.
Runner-up season: Season four. More mega-plot, the return of Faith, and an Angelus who's actually scary for once. Plus, "Awakening" is a terrific mind-fuck, and Spike hasn't yet been awkwardly imported from Buffy.
M*A*S*H: Season Nine
Why it's the best: Throughout its 11-season run, M*A*S*H moved steadily away from the screwball comedy of its initial seasons, and into primetime-drama mode. By season nine, the series was running short on new ideas, but the quest for something innovative to try resulted in some of its most interesting episodes, including "Letters" and "No Laughing Matter."
Best single episode: "The Life You Save," in which stuffy Major Winchester becomes obsessed with death after a close call. More than any other M*A*S*H episode, this one uses the isolating fears of combat zones to speak to the isolating fears of all humanity in the face of the great unknown. Pretty damn ambitious for a sitcom.
Runner-up season: Season seven features terrific episodes like "The Party," "Preventative Medicine," and "C*A*V*E," plus one of the best mixes of comedy and dramatic innovation. Still, it's tempting to call out the significantly weaker season 11 largely on the strength of the heartbreaking series finale.
Alias: Season Two
Why it's the best: Two words: Lena Olin. As Sydney's diabolical mother, she spends most of the season doing a Hannibal Lecter routine under CIA custody, parsing out intel while toying brilliantly with her daughter's emotions. Where the first season features a lot of self-contained episodes, the second is structured so each episode functions as a piece in the grand design, which ends in one of those rare mind-blowing twists that hold up under close examination.
Best single episode: "Phase One." A blazing-hot Super Bowl ad with star Jennifer Garner in black lingerie was merely the opening to an episode that blows the lid off SD-6 and catapults the show in a completely different direction.
Runner-up season: Season one, which introduced a tight, entertaining, and exceptionally well-produced weekly thriller before the series grew too rote and grossly implausible in later seasons.
Nightmare on My Street
Do you remember that great song?
Anyways, Nightmare on Elm Street, the original, is coming back to theaters on 9/21 and 9/22! In addition to the movie, there's a reel of "Freddie's Best Kills" from all seven movies. Could be a good movie to go see drunk!
Anyways, Nightmare on Elm Street, the original, is coming back to theaters on 9/21 and 9/22! In addition to the movie, there's a reel of "Freddie's Best Kills" from all seven movies. Could be a good movie to go see drunk!
Check Out These Duds!
What every man will be wearing this fall. Well, at least that's what they're saying. Somehow I just don't see my husband sporting a pair of pointy-toed shoes.
Thursday, August 24
I think it has something to do with condom use
From ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES:
Simply put, liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them, they haven't for a long time, and their pool of potential new voters is suffering as a result. According to the 2004 General Social Survey, if you picked 100 unrelated politically liberal adults at random, you would find that they had, between them, 147 children. If you picked 100 conservatives, you would find 208 kids. That's a "fertility gap" of 41%. Given that about 80% of people with an identifiable party preference grow up to vote the same way as their parents, this gap translates into lots more little Republicans than little Democrats to vote in future elections. Over the past 30 years this gap has not been below 20%--explaining, to a large extent, the current ineffectiveness of liberal youth voter campaigns today.
Alarmingly for the Democrats, the gap is widening at a bit more than half a percentage point per year, meaning that today's problem is nothing compared to what the future will most likely hold. Consider future presidential elections in a swing state (like Ohio), and assume that the current patterns in fertility continue. A state that was split 50-50 between left and right in 2004 will tilt right by 2012, 54% to 46%. By 2020, it will be certifiably right-wing, 59% to 41%. A state that is currently 55-45 in favor of liberals (like California) will be 54-46 in favor of conservatives by 2020--and all for no other reason than babies.
Simply put, liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them, they haven't for a long time, and their pool of potential new voters is suffering as a result. According to the 2004 General Social Survey, if you picked 100 unrelated politically liberal adults at random, you would find that they had, between them, 147 children. If you picked 100 conservatives, you would find 208 kids. That's a "fertility gap" of 41%. Given that about 80% of people with an identifiable party preference grow up to vote the same way as their parents, this gap translates into lots more little Republicans than little Democrats to vote in future elections. Over the past 30 years this gap has not been below 20%--explaining, to a large extent, the current ineffectiveness of liberal youth voter campaigns today.
Alarmingly for the Democrats, the gap is widening at a bit more than half a percentage point per year, meaning that today's problem is nothing compared to what the future will most likely hold. Consider future presidential elections in a swing state (like Ohio), and assume that the current patterns in fertility continue. A state that was split 50-50 between left and right in 2004 will tilt right by 2012, 54% to 46%. By 2020, it will be certifiably right-wing, 59% to 41%. A state that is currently 55-45 in favor of liberals (like California) will be 54-46 in favor of conservatives by 2020--and all for no other reason than babies.
Chocolate
That's my new phone! Got it in the mail on Monday. Looks great, but I think Verizon still sucks a big one.
-Not compatible with iTunes
-Not compatible with Macs
This means I cannot use the music functions because I only work on Apples.
-Disabled Bluetooth capabilities
This means I cannot sync with my work or home calendar or address book.
-You have to pay extra for GPS functions
This means I'll continue to get lost in LA.
Lovely phone, but Verizon needs to stop turning off all the cool features.
-Not compatible with iTunes
-Not compatible with Macs
This means I cannot use the music functions because I only work on Apples.
-Disabled Bluetooth capabilities
This means I cannot sync with my work or home calendar or address book.
-You have to pay extra for GPS functions
This means I'll continue to get lost in LA.
Lovely phone, but Verizon needs to stop turning off all the cool features.
Pluto's not having a good day
It's been downgraded from PLANET to DWARF PLANET.
So now we only have eight planets. One less place to vacation....
So now we only have eight planets. One less place to vacation....
Real World Reunion
Did anyone see? Of course my TiVo didn't pick it up because it wasn't called "The Real World." It was called Fun in the Sun and Done or some stupid shit like that. Now I have to wait until Saturday to record it.
The Boss
He dumped his wife of 20 years (Patti Scialfa - also a wonderful musician) for a 9/11 widow. Not sure how I'm feeling about this.
Thank God for the 22nd Amendment
Fox News Headline: White House Dismisses Third-Term Talk
I used to actually think that it was possible they'd turn the U.S. into a police state and stay in power until the "war on terrorism" is over. But now I think they've lost hope and can't wait to get outta there!
By the way - did anyone see the video of Bush saying Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11? It was so funny, if only because you could tell he didn't mean to say it! I was laughing my ass off.
I used to actually think that it was possible they'd turn the U.S. into a police state and stay in power until the "war on terrorism" is over. But now I think they've lost hope and can't wait to get outta there!
By the way - did anyone see the video of Bush saying Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11? It was so funny, if only because you could tell he didn't mean to say it! I was laughing my ass off.
Wednesday, August 23
GQ's Favorite Movie Assholes
Nice list....
1. Billy Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
"The Karate Kid", 1984
2. Bradley Cooper as Zachary "Sack" Lodge
"Wedding Crashers", 2005
3. James Daughton as Greg Marmalard
"National Lampoon's Animal House", 1978
4. Eriq La Salle as Darryl Jenks
"Coming to America", 1988
5. Robert Prescott as Cole Whittier
"Bachelor Party", 1984
6. Ted McGinley as Stan Gable
"Revenge of the Nerds", 1984
7. Matthew Glave as Glenn Guglia
"The Wedding Singer", 1998
8. Craig Sheffer as Hardy Jenns
"Some Kind of Wonderful", 1987
9. Craig Kilborn as Mark
"Old School", 2003
10. Billy Zabka as Chas
"Back to School", 1986
11. Michael Bowen as Tommy
"Valley Girl", 1983
12. James Spader as Steff
"Pretty in Pink", 1986
1. Billy Zabka as Johnny Lawrence
"The Karate Kid", 1984
2. Bradley Cooper as Zachary "Sack" Lodge
"Wedding Crashers", 2005
3. James Daughton as Greg Marmalard
"National Lampoon's Animal House", 1978
4. Eriq La Salle as Darryl Jenks
"Coming to America", 1988
5. Robert Prescott as Cole Whittier
"Bachelor Party", 1984
6. Ted McGinley as Stan Gable
"Revenge of the Nerds", 1984
7. Matthew Glave as Glenn Guglia
"The Wedding Singer", 1998
8. Craig Sheffer as Hardy Jenns
"Some Kind of Wonderful", 1987
9. Craig Kilborn as Mark
"Old School", 2003
10. Billy Zabka as Chas
"Back to School", 1986
11. Michael Bowen as Tommy
"Valley Girl", 1983
12. James Spader as Steff
"Pretty in Pink", 1986
Some SERIOUS Lost Spoilers
May not want to read these. Taken from the Television Without Pity forums. And it manages to, if correct, give quite a bit away.
Here goes.... (close your eyes!)
- Fake HENRY real name is Thomas Radzinsky
- Chris Shephard is both Jacks and Claires Father
- Kate chooses Sawyer
- Rose dies this season of Cancer
- Sayid manages to rescue Kate & Sawyer but not Jack
- There is no Walt/Michael in the mini-series start to the Season
- There will be a Danielle flashback this season
- Locke leg injury was never a physical injury
- Libby's last name is Winchester
- Libbys husband was killed in the decking accident that Hurley thought he caused
- Libby was after Hurleys money as revenge
- Locke was responsible for Shannons Fathers death
- Karen DeGroot and DR Marvin will be found in the Flame Station
- The Flame station is Partly underwater
Episode Flashbacks
E01 "A Tale of Two Cities" - KATE
E02 "380 Baht" JACK
E03 "Admission" LIBBY
E04 "11-80" LOCKE
E05 "Désolé" Danielle
E06 "Last Man Standing" DESMOND
E07 "Missing" Penny/Realtime off island
E08 "An Englisgh Rose" EKO
E09 "Remission" Rose/Bernard
E10 "He can never know" Sun
The BLOW us away MOMENT is!!
"This is quite good actually. We have a flashback or so we think to Penny watching the news just after the phone call she recieved from the artic monitoring station. It shows that Flight 815 is still "missing" one week after its disappearence and the previous couple of months have actually taken place in a week. The time on the island runs a lot quicker than the outside world. It's a real wtf moment."
Here goes.... (close your eyes!)
- Fake HENRY real name is Thomas Radzinsky
- Chris Shephard is both Jacks and Claires Father
- Kate chooses Sawyer
- Rose dies this season of Cancer
- Sayid manages to rescue Kate & Sawyer but not Jack
- There is no Walt/Michael in the mini-series start to the Season
- There will be a Danielle flashback this season
- Locke leg injury was never a physical injury
- Libby's last name is Winchester
- Libbys husband was killed in the decking accident that Hurley thought he caused
- Libby was after Hurleys money as revenge
- Locke was responsible for Shannons Fathers death
- Karen DeGroot and DR Marvin will be found in the Flame Station
- The Flame station is Partly underwater
Episode Flashbacks
E01 "A Tale of Two Cities" - KATE
E02 "380 Baht" JACK
E03 "Admission" LIBBY
E04 "11-80" LOCKE
E05 "Désolé" Danielle
E06 "Last Man Standing" DESMOND
E07 "Missing" Penny/Realtime off island
E08 "An Englisgh Rose" EKO
E09 "Remission" Rose/Bernard
E10 "He can never know" Sun
The BLOW us away MOMENT is!!
"This is quite good actually. We have a flashback or so we think to Penny watching the news just after the phone call she recieved from the artic monitoring station. It shows that Flight 815 is still "missing" one week after its disappearence and the previous couple of months have actually taken place in a week. The time on the island runs a lot quicker than the outside world. It's a real wtf moment."
Quiz Time
You are on a horse, galloping at a constant speed. On your right
side is a sharp drop off, and on your left side is an elephant traveling at
the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo
and your horse is unable to overtake it. Behind you is a lion running at
the same speed as you and the Kangaroo.
What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous
situation?
If you don't know, check the commens section to see the answer.
side is a sharp drop off, and on your left side is an elephant traveling at
the same speed as you. Directly in front of you is a galloping kangaroo
and your horse is unable to overtake it. Behind you is a lion running at
the same speed as you and the Kangaroo.
What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous
situation?
If you don't know, check the commens section to see the answer.
More SNL Changes
So Tina Fey and Rachel Dratch are gone. Now rumors say Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz (finally!!!!), and Will Forte (so sad because he's awesome as the Prez and as Zell Miller) are out.
Lorne Michaels has lost his damn mind, if you ask me.
Although he supposedly promoted Seth Myers to head writer, replacing Fey.
Lorne Michaels has lost his damn mind, if you ask me.
Although he supposedly promoted Seth Myers to head writer, replacing Fey.
Is This For Real?
To appease the nation's anti-smoking lobby, Turner Broadcasting will edit out smoking in classic Hanna-Barbera cartoons
that air in the U.K., such as Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo, as well as completely erase from existence the character of Mr. Spacely, George Jetson's cigar-chomping boss.
--What's next? I shudder to think....
that air in the U.K., such as Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, and Scooby-Doo, as well as completely erase from existence the character of Mr. Spacely, George Jetson's cigar-chomping boss.
--What's next? I shudder to think....
One More Thing For Me To Worry About
Another potential body part recall.
Just when I thought the donor bone surgically implanted in my body was safe....... Click Here
Just when I thought the donor bone surgically implanted in my body was safe....... Click Here
Tuesday, August 22
Billy Graham
You know, I usually get a little freaked out by the religious "leaders" in this country. Maybe it's the call for the assassination of Venezuela's democratically elected President, or the villifying of gays and lesbians, or any other number of quirks - including that they think God is a man with a shiny white beard sitting on a thrown in the sky. But I read an article in Newsweek about Billy Graham. What a great man who doesn't judge others who are different (including Muslims and gays, by the way) and admits that he doesn't know what God's plan is. How humble. And how Christian.
Weeds!!!
H-O-L-Y S-H-I-T ! ! ! !
EW said, "It's all about the last ten seconds." And let me confirm. It's all about the last ten seconds. Brilliant. And scary.
Truly the first "holy shit" moment on TV, probably since the finale of Lost.
EW said, "It's all about the last ten seconds." And let me confirm. It's all about the last ten seconds. Brilliant. And scary.
Truly the first "holy shit" moment on TV, probably since the finale of Lost.
Monday, August 21
Lost Spoilers
Sun has a dream of her future, featuring her 9 year old daughter.
According to pictures that leaked on the net, there will be a flashback where Jack performs the Heimlich manoeuvre on a little blond girl in a park. [Note: This flashback was surely shooted out of order to accomodate Matthew Fox who is rumored to have asked time off (to shoot another movie?).]
Jack was just shooting a flashback all decked out in his hospital scrubs. Kate will be making a choice in the first six episodes. Jack is inside something you’d find in a science class. Kate is on something we’ve seen before. And Sawyer is surrounded by something through which he shares a connection with Jack’s father.
According to pictures that leaked on the net, there will be a flashback where Jack performs the Heimlich manoeuvre on a little blond girl in a park. [Note: This flashback was surely shooted out of order to accomodate Matthew Fox who is rumored to have asked time off (to shoot another movie?).]
Jack was just shooting a flashback all decked out in his hospital scrubs. Kate will be making a choice in the first six episodes. Jack is inside something you’d find in a science class. Kate is on something we’ve seen before. And Sawyer is surrounded by something through which he shares a connection with Jack’s father.
Survivor Spoiler
Rumors circulating on the Internet suggest that the tribes for Survivor Cook Islands will be separated in an entirely different and somewhat controversial way. (Warning: Potential spoilers ahead about the game’s structure, but not about results.)
There have been persistent rumors, supported by photographs of challenges, that there will be four tribes at the start of the game. However, those won’t necessarily be dissolved immediately: instead, they’ll be split in brand-new way, “divided up into 4 groups by race, 5 white, 5 black, 5 hispanic, and 5 asian,” according to a rumor sent to both SurvivorFever.net and the True Dork Times.
At the end of last season, Jeff Probst said, “we’re hoping to do something that we’ve never done before in a huge way,” and the tribe split may allude to that. Of course, this isn’t really that different from last season, when the show separated tribes by sex and age for Survivor Panama. Splitting them by race may seem to be more controversial, but really is a no less arbitrary distinction than sex or age.
With the show debuting Sept. 14, the cast should be revealed on The Early Show sooner than later, and with that, we’ll probably have confirmation about this rumor’s validity.
There have been persistent rumors, supported by photographs of challenges, that there will be four tribes at the start of the game. However, those won’t necessarily be dissolved immediately: instead, they’ll be split in brand-new way, “divided up into 4 groups by race, 5 white, 5 black, 5 hispanic, and 5 asian,” according to a rumor sent to both SurvivorFever.net and the True Dork Times.
At the end of last season, Jeff Probst said, “we’re hoping to do something that we’ve never done before in a huge way,” and the tribe split may allude to that. Of course, this isn’t really that different from last season, when the show separated tribes by sex and age for Survivor Panama. Splitting them by race may seem to be more controversial, but really is a no less arbitrary distinction than sex or age.
With the show debuting Sept. 14, the cast should be revealed on The Early Show sooner than later, and with that, we’ll probably have confirmation about this rumor’s validity.
Required TV Viewing
Spike Lee’s four-hour documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts debuts tonight on HBO. The first two hours air tonight at 9 p.m. ET, and the film concludes tomorrow night at 9.
HBO calls it an “intimate, heart-rending portrait of New Orleans in the wake of the destruction [that] tells the heartbreaking personal stories of those who endured this harrowing ordeal and survived to tell the tale of misery, despair and triumph.” It does so via interviews with more than 100 people.
It’s those interviews, The New York Times’ Stephen Holden argues, that have an impact. “What breaks your heart is the film’s accumulated firsthand stories of New Orleans residents who lost everything in the flood after Hurricane Katrina, and the dismaying conclusion that a year after the disaster, the broken city has been largely abandoned to fend for itself,” he writes.
The New York Daily News’ David Bianculli says he “expected it to be his version of a Michael Moore frontal attack,” but instead “what Lee delivers, is a nonfiction work in which he is virtually invisible — and one that uses music, images, historical research and the onscreen testimony of close to 100 interview subjects to explore its subject thoroughly, honestly and rivetingly.”
The Times-Picayune’s Dave Walker says the film is “unfinished” because it “locks in on the black Katrina experience” and doesn’t also include “the stories of Lakeview families whose losses were every bit as tragic as the stories told so movingly in this film” nor “the Asian families in eastern New Orleans, the Central American workers literally putting roofs over our heads again, the doctors and nurses who risked their lives to stay with patients in drowned hospitals, the tourists who suffered alongside locals in the Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.” But he adds that the film “packs an overall impact that will move anyone who invests the time to see it through.”
-lifted from RealityBlurred
HBO calls it an “intimate, heart-rending portrait of New Orleans in the wake of the destruction [that] tells the heartbreaking personal stories of those who endured this harrowing ordeal and survived to tell the tale of misery, despair and triumph.” It does so via interviews with more than 100 people.
It’s those interviews, The New York Times’ Stephen Holden argues, that have an impact. “What breaks your heart is the film’s accumulated firsthand stories of New Orleans residents who lost everything in the flood after Hurricane Katrina, and the dismaying conclusion that a year after the disaster, the broken city has been largely abandoned to fend for itself,” he writes.
The New York Daily News’ David Bianculli says he “expected it to be his version of a Michael Moore frontal attack,” but instead “what Lee delivers, is a nonfiction work in which he is virtually invisible — and one that uses music, images, historical research and the onscreen testimony of close to 100 interview subjects to explore its subject thoroughly, honestly and rivetingly.”
The Times-Picayune’s Dave Walker says the film is “unfinished” because it “locks in on the black Katrina experience” and doesn’t also include “the stories of Lakeview families whose losses were every bit as tragic as the stories told so movingly in this film” nor “the Asian families in eastern New Orleans, the Central American workers literally putting roofs over our heads again, the doctors and nurses who risked their lives to stay with patients in drowned hospitals, the tourists who suffered alongside locals in the Superdome and Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.” But he adds that the film “packs an overall impact that will move anyone who invests the time to see it through.”
-lifted from RealityBlurred
Fall 2006 Reality Show Debut Schedule
Below are the shows and their airtimes that have been announced for debuts this fall. All times are ET and p.m., unless otherwise noted. And since networks like to change their schedules just to mess with us, check your on-screen guide before DVRing.
Celebrity Duets [FOX, Aug. 29 at 8, Thursdays and Fridays at 9]
The Biggest Loser 3 [NBC, Sept. 20, Wednesdays at 8]
Dancing with the Stars 3 [ABC, Sept. 12, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8]
Survivor Cook Islands [CBS, Sept. 14, Thursdays at 8]
The Amazing Race 10 [CBS, Sept. 17 at 8:30, Sundays at 8]
Wife Swap [ABC, Sept. 18, Mondays at 8]
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition [ABC, Sept. 24, Sundays at 7]
America’s Next Top Model 7 [The CW, Sept. 20, Wednesdays at 8]
Next Level: Vince Young [BET, Oct. 4]
Committed: The Christies [BET, October]
House of Carters [E!, October]
The Bachelor 9: Rome [ABC, Oct. 2, Mondays at 9]
Celebrity Duets [FOX, Aug. 29 at 8, Thursdays and Fridays at 9]
The Biggest Loser 3 [NBC, Sept. 20, Wednesdays at 8]
Dancing with the Stars 3 [ABC, Sept. 12, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8]
Survivor Cook Islands [CBS, Sept. 14, Thursdays at 8]
The Amazing Race 10 [CBS, Sept. 17 at 8:30, Sundays at 8]
Wife Swap [ABC, Sept. 18, Mondays at 8]
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition [ABC, Sept. 24, Sundays at 7]
America’s Next Top Model 7 [The CW, Sept. 20, Wednesdays at 8]
Next Level: Vince Young [BET, Oct. 4]
Committed: The Christies [BET, October]
House of Carters [E!, October]
The Bachelor 9: Rome [ABC, Oct. 2, Mondays at 9]
Thursday, August 17
Interesting developments in politics
Apparently the White House uses technology that detects chemicals in liquids, but the White House scrapped funds for this type of technology in airports. Feel safer?
Also, a judge ordered a halt to WARANTLESS wiretappping, which clearly violates the illegal search and seizures covered off in that little document called the BILL OF RIGHTS. (And anyone who says this shows weakness against terror is a fucking idiot... and quite possibly a traitor. Everyone should be for WARRANTED wiretaps.)
Also, a judge ordered a halt to WARANTLESS wiretappping, which clearly violates the illegal search and seizures covered off in that little document called the BILL OF RIGHTS. (And anyone who says this shows weakness against terror is a fucking idiot... and quite possibly a traitor. Everyone should be for WARRANTED wiretaps.)
Fountain of Youth
"David Copperfield claims he found the fountain of youth, and it's conveniently located in his backyard. What luck!" - Lifted from A Socialite's Life
Real World/Road Rules Challenge on the other hand...
So good!
Love Derek and Diem gettin' nasty. They actually make a cute couple. Very yin/yang.
Next week it will be interesting to watch the two toughest teams in the inferno.
Love Derek and Diem gettin' nasty. They actually make a cute couple. Very yin/yang.
Next week it will be interesting to watch the two toughest teams in the inferno.
Real World
God, how draining. These people are just pathetic! Jose and John are such genuinely nice guys, and I really like the white-trash anerexic girl, but other than that, my God!
Thankfully, the season ended. And thankfully, Tyler made a complete ass out of himself. First, he gets on stage at this drag contest "dressed" like a woman. Even though Tyler is 100% woman, he is in boxer briefs, a terrible afro wig, and goes shirtless so he's obviously not a woman. Then he proceeds to do the worst dance in the history of gay clubs (lots of high kicks, but that's all) and then falls on his ASS in front of the entire crowd.
Yes, that basically sums up this season of The Real World.
Thankfully, the season ended. And thankfully, Tyler made a complete ass out of himself. First, he gets on stage at this drag contest "dressed" like a woman. Even though Tyler is 100% woman, he is in boxer briefs, a terrible afro wig, and goes shirtless so he's obviously not a woman. Then he proceeds to do the worst dance in the history of gay clubs (lots of high kicks, but that's all) and then falls on his ASS in front of the entire crowd.
Yes, that basically sums up this season of The Real World.
Sweeney Todd
Wow, I've always loved this musical. It's about to become the next Tim Burton/Johnny Depp collaboration!! That is going to be awesome.
Please Stop!
Would the media quit giving the Ramsey murderer so much press coverage already??? Do we really need to know all the fucking intricate details? You know the bastard is totally getting off on this shit.
Tuesday, August 15
Star, People, Us, In Touch, etc etc etc
From medialifemagazine:
"In magazines the one indisputably hot category of recent years had been the celeb newsstand titles, with booming circulations and ad pages for new titles entering, one after the other, where People alone once ruled. But the category has become overcrowded, and the looming question is: Is the boom over?
"The answer is a resounding yes, in the view of media planners and buyers."
43% of readers rate People as the best, with Us magazine at 41%. Everyone else was way behind.
The Star = 7%
In Touch = 6%
OK! = 2%
Life & Style = 1%
"In magazines the one indisputably hot category of recent years had been the celeb newsstand titles, with booming circulations and ad pages for new titles entering, one after the other, where People alone once ruled. But the category has become overcrowded, and the looming question is: Is the boom over?
"The answer is a resounding yes, in the view of media planners and buyers."
43% of readers rate People as the best, with Us magazine at 41%. Everyone else was way behind.
The Star = 7%
In Touch = 6%
OK! = 2%
Life & Style = 1%
Crying with Dad
Well, not exactly. But I came close when we watched the last few episodes of Six Feet Under. Even my dad, not the biggest TV watcher, thought it was an excellent closer. And I was on the verge of crying like a baby several times. After a year, that show still gets me!
Monday, August 14
Wisdom comes with age
I fucking love Madonna, but have to admit she hasn't been great in more than one or two movies....
"I hate to admit it, but I've decided to give [acting] up. How can any film survive if everyone says it's going to be a flop from the very day the project is even conceived? It's already dead in the water."
"I hate to admit it, but I've decided to give [acting] up. How can any film survive if everyone says it's going to be a flop from the very day the project is even conceived? It's already dead in the water."
A Morning Thought
What about trains and subways? Are they allowing (gasp) baby formula and lipgloss on board?
Just asking.....
Just asking.....
Sunday, August 13
Saturday, August 12
Here's Something To Think About
From AmericaBlog:
How can they give the confiscated airport items to the homeless if they don't know if they're explosives or not?
I'm talking about the new things they're confiscating at the airport. They say the products are unopened, but they're giving them to the homeless in Phoenix. Okay, then how do you know they're not explosives that you're handing to the homeless, since you haven't opened them? Apparently, the airport people, in Phoenix at least, know quite well that the stuff they took off of the passengers in line were not explosives. So why did they take it in the first place?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport planned to give 11 boxes of surrendered items to the city's human services department, which will give the unopened bottles of shampoo, toothpaste and other items to homeless shelters, airport spokeswoman Lexie Van Haren said.
Same thing in Pennsylvania - seems YOU can't take it on the plane because it might be a bomb, but THEY can sell it on eBay without knowing if it's a bomb, or they're sure it's not a bomb, so then why did they take it in the first place?:
In Pennsylvania, state officials were considering pulling some discarded items for a state program that resells on eBay any items of value relinquished at airport security checkpoints, said Edward Myslewicz, spokesman for the General Services Department.
How can they give the confiscated airport items to the homeless if they don't know if they're explosives or not?
I'm talking about the new things they're confiscating at the airport. They say the products are unopened, but they're giving them to the homeless in Phoenix. Okay, then how do you know they're not explosives that you're handing to the homeless, since you haven't opened them? Apparently, the airport people, in Phoenix at least, know quite well that the stuff they took off of the passengers in line were not explosives. So why did they take it in the first place?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport planned to give 11 boxes of surrendered items to the city's human services department, which will give the unopened bottles of shampoo, toothpaste and other items to homeless shelters, airport spokeswoman Lexie Van Haren said.
Same thing in Pennsylvania - seems YOU can't take it on the plane because it might be a bomb, but THEY can sell it on eBay without knowing if it's a bomb, or they're sure it's not a bomb, so then why did they take it in the first place?:
In Pennsylvania, state officials were considering pulling some discarded items for a state program that resells on eBay any items of value relinquished at airport security checkpoints, said Edward Myslewicz, spokesman for the General Services Department.
Thursday, August 10
I'm A Little Freaked Right Now
My boss and her family are in Europe right now, London specifically. And, it's just not her, her husband and their 2 kids, it's her sister, brother-in-law, two nieces and some other extended family members.
And, it's totally not funny that all of this terror shit is going on right now. Let's just hope the major hoopla is over by Monday and she and her entire family can get home without too many delays or, heaven forbid, terror incidents.
--And Dan... I totally "get" what you're saying about the RED ALERT thing. It's complete crap. But, I'm still like way freaked out about Stephanie, my boss.
And, it's totally not funny that all of this terror shit is going on right now. Let's just hope the major hoopla is over by Monday and she and her entire family can get home without too many delays or, heaven forbid, terror incidents.
--And Dan... I totally "get" what you're saying about the RED ALERT thing. It's complete crap. But, I'm still like way freaked out about Stephanie, my boss.
I feel like I'm in elementary school
And by that, I mean, we have a RED ALERT. It must mean a real Democrat beat Joe Leiberman. It must mean that the Democrats are about to take back the House and Georgie is scared. Seriously, when is the last time we had one of these. Oh wait, NEVER! This is the first one. (Update: I think our last alert, ORANGE, was immediately prior to the 2004 election - John Kerry was about to win.)
I'm all about taking this shit seriously, but come on. This is just so obvious. George Bush is scared that Democrats are going to impeach him. I'm calling it now. There will be a police state in 2008 due to threats (wonder if we'll be magenta by then) and they're too scared to leave the White House. They'll be forced to stay to protect us until... 2010? 2012? Will it be more like Fidel and be 2040?
Am I being cynical? Because I truly believe this is all bullshit.
I'm all about taking this shit seriously, but come on. This is just so obvious. George Bush is scared that Democrats are going to impeach him. I'm calling it now. There will be a police state in 2008 due to threats (wonder if we'll be magenta by then) and they're too scared to leave the White House. They'll be forced to stay to protect us until... 2010? 2012? Will it be more like Fidel and be 2040?
Am I being cynical? Because I truly believe this is all bullshit.
Wednesday, August 9
Rampant Rehab
It appears that the stars are taking pre-emptive strikes against possible bad behavior. It's been announced that Robin Williams has entered rehab for excessive drinking; which should significantly reduce his chances of having a "Mel Moment".
Whoa! Stop The Presses!!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Definitely can be used in conjunction with the item below... but still.... who thinks up this stuff?
Definitely can be used in conjunction with the item below... but still.... who thinks up this stuff?
Tuesday, August 8
Old News: Lance Bass is Dating Reichen
New News: Us Weekly asked which is hotter. 91% said Reichen. Ouch.
2006 Photo(Shop) Awards
In light of the recent acknowledgement that Reuters Photoshopped a few photos.....Click Here and see what else they've been doing.
Just Sayin'....
I know everyone thinks I'm a redneck for liking Nascar.....
"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" opened at No. 1 at the box office over the weekend, bringing in an estimated $47 million.
"Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" opened at No. 1 at the box office over the weekend, bringing in an estimated $47 million.
Amy Sedaris
She cracks me up. Just in general. Even her name makes me laugh. She'll be on Letterman tonight. I'll be Tivo'ing it.
Lost: Season 3 (Minor) Spoilers
From ABC:
Jack, Kate and Sawyer open the season in captivity as prisoners of "The Others." Just who these "Others" are and what they want are primary questions Season Three will explore. Michael Emerson joins the regular cast in his ongoing role as Henry Gale, leader of "The Others." Romance looms on the horizon as Jack's interests veer towards a mysterious new woman, whose motives may be questionable. Sun and Jin will continue to celebrate their pregnancy - but is the child really Jin's? Locke and Sayid will band together with some of the other survivors and journey across the island in an attempt to free Jack, Kate and Sawyer. Charlie will attempt to return into the good graces of Claire and her baby, Aaron, but can he be trusted to stay clean and sober? The fates of Locke, Desmond and Mr. Eko in the aftermath of the implosion of the hatch are answered. Will Penny Widmore find the island and her long, lost love, Desmond, and can the survivors find a way to interact with the outside world? The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must continue to work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain if they want to stay alive. But as they have discovered during their 60-plus days on the island, danger and mystery loom behind every corner, and those they thought could be trusted may turn against them. Even heroes have secrets. "Lost" stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko, Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Henry Gale, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke
Jack, Kate and Sawyer open the season in captivity as prisoners of "The Others." Just who these "Others" are and what they want are primary questions Season Three will explore. Michael Emerson joins the regular cast in his ongoing role as Henry Gale, leader of "The Others." Romance looms on the horizon as Jack's interests veer towards a mysterious new woman, whose motives may be questionable. Sun and Jin will continue to celebrate their pregnancy - but is the child really Jin's? Locke and Sayid will band together with some of the other survivors and journey across the island in an attempt to free Jack, Kate and Sawyer. Charlie will attempt to return into the good graces of Claire and her baby, Aaron, but can he be trusted to stay clean and sober? The fates of Locke, Desmond and Mr. Eko in the aftermath of the implosion of the hatch are answered. Will Penny Widmore find the island and her long, lost love, Desmond, and can the survivors find a way to interact with the outside world? The band of friends, family, enemies and strangers must continue to work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain if they want to stay alive. But as they have discovered during their 60-plus days on the island, danger and mystery loom behind every corner, and those they thought could be trusted may turn against them. Even heroes have secrets. "Lost" stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Mr. Eko, Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Henry Gale, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet, Dominic Monaghan as Charlie and Terry O'Quinn as Locke
The OC
Scoop from E!:
From toliver63: Ryan gets a stripper job?
Yes! How did you hear!? Wait, were you not talking about Seacrest? Oh! Sorry, yes, Ryan from The O.C. (And by the way, Ryan's not the only major character on a TV show to be in a cage this season...think on that one!) Okay, are you ready? You sure? You sitting down? Here's what my mole just emailed me about The O.C. season premiere: (1) Julie Cooper develops substance abuse problem after losing Marisa, straining her and Dr. Robert's relationship. (2) Summer is at college, and becomes all Green Peacey. (3) Marisa's ex-boyfriend Luke is back on the show, and he has twin brothers who befriend Kaitlin Cooper. (4) And my favorite part, Ryan is so distraught by Marisa's death, he moves away and is cage fighting. He lets people kick the you-know-what out of him, because he doesn't give a damn anymore." To which I say: The O.C. might be the Best. Show. Ever.
From toliver63: Ryan gets a stripper job?
Yes! How did you hear!? Wait, were you not talking about Seacrest? Oh! Sorry, yes, Ryan from The O.C. (And by the way, Ryan's not the only major character on a TV show to be in a cage this season...think on that one!) Okay, are you ready? You sure? You sitting down? Here's what my mole just emailed me about The O.C. season premiere: (1) Julie Cooper develops substance abuse problem after losing Marisa, straining her and Dr. Robert's relationship. (2) Summer is at college, and becomes all Green Peacey. (3) Marisa's ex-boyfriend Luke is back on the show, and he has twin brothers who befriend Kaitlin Cooper. (4) And my favorite part, Ryan is so distraught by Marisa's death, he moves away and is cage fighting. He lets people kick the you-know-what out of him, because he doesn't give a damn anymore." To which I say: The O.C. might be the Best. Show. Ever.
Valerie Cherish
I just love Lisa Kudrow. Her Valerie Cherish is so pathetic. And funny. And annoying. Here's a YouTube video... which is a DVD extra. Check it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la5LK5vLzS4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la5LK5vLzS4
Entourage
Did I alread say this? Entourage is so good lately! (OK, the Vegas episode kinda stank.) Seth Green is hilarious... and more than a little annoying. I like when celebrities make fun of themselves. Speaking of... when is Extras back on?
Lieberman
If you haven't been paying attention, you should. We're witnessing an ENORMOUS shift in politics right before our eyes. And - after years of wondering what the fuck it would take Americans to wake up - we're watching a small state (Connecticut) start a nationwide movement. Lieberman will likely lose today because he supports the Iraq war, because he supports Bush way too often, and because he's been in the Senate for 18 years and has forgotten his principles. Did you know he is one of the largest recipients of lobbyist $$$$? I think his wife is even a lobbyist. They are DC-insiders. People want other people like them in Congress --- FINALLY!
The Democrats are going to take control of this country again in November. There is no doubt about it. People are fed up. Americans can be lazy motherf'ers, but once you piss them off, they are an angry bunch.
So pay attention. FireDogLake, AmericaBlog, DailyKos, etc all have great coverage. Here is what the WSJ says:
WASHINGTON -- Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman's political fate will be decided Tuesday in the state's Democratic primary, but the race's focus on public opposition to the Iraq war and President Bush has put other incumbents on notice that a voter revolt could be in the making.
The 18-year incumbent's battle reflects a trend this year: An anti-incumbent mood is striking hardest against politicians aligned with the president, regardless of their party. One of challenger Ned Lamont's most potent weapons is a photo of Mr. Bush planting a kiss on Sen. Lieberman's cheek after the 2005 State of the Union speech. A poll released Monday shows Mr. Lieberman making up ground, but Mr. Lamont is still ahead 51% to 45%.
The Democrats are going to take control of this country again in November. There is no doubt about it. People are fed up. Americans can be lazy motherf'ers, but once you piss them off, they are an angry bunch.
So pay attention. FireDogLake, AmericaBlog, DailyKos, etc all have great coverage. Here is what the WSJ says:
WASHINGTON -- Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman's political fate will be decided Tuesday in the state's Democratic primary, but the race's focus on public opposition to the Iraq war and President Bush has put other incumbents on notice that a voter revolt could be in the making.
The 18-year incumbent's battle reflects a trend this year: An anti-incumbent mood is striking hardest against politicians aligned with the president, regardless of their party. One of challenger Ned Lamont's most potent weapons is a photo of Mr. Bush planting a kiss on Sen. Lieberman's cheek after the 2005 State of the Union speech. A poll released Monday shows Mr. Lieberman making up ground, but Mr. Lamont is still ahead 51% to 45%.
Monday, August 7
Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic
What a let down.
She's funny for about 5 minutes, and it's because she's this cute little Jewish girl talkin' all dirty and using words I haven't heard since Andrew Dice Clay. It wears thin. Quickly.
Not recommended.
Same with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Just could not get into it! Next up: Memoirs of a Geisha, which I've had trouble watching for more than 5 minutes, but I'll give it another try.
What have you been watching recently that's worth your time?
She's funny for about 5 minutes, and it's because she's this cute little Jewish girl talkin' all dirty and using words I haven't heard since Andrew Dice Clay. It wears thin. Quickly.
Not recommended.
Same with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Just could not get into it! Next up: Memoirs of a Geisha, which I've had trouble watching for more than 5 minutes, but I'll give it another try.
What have you been watching recently that's worth your time?
God of War
Seriously, if any of you have a PS2, this is a must-play game. It is so addictive, and that is not usually the case with me and videogames.
Warning: there is language, nasty violence, and lots of boobies. In other words, this game is rated R.
Warning: there is language, nasty violence, and lots of boobies. In other words, this game is rated R.
Friday, August 4
The Eagles Have Landed
Word on the street is that Don Henley and crew are reuniting for their first new album in like 25 years. Woot! Woot! Supposedly due out in about a year.
Thursday, August 3
Direct TV Sucks
They totally suck ass. I hate them.
I get my bill. Sure enough, I've been charged a $70 service fee. Oh sure, the first service call was waived, but when that idiot failed to figure out the problem but simply TESTING the receiver ("oh, chop half your trees down, it'll work"), Direct dispatched another technician and promptly charged me to do so.
How is it MY responsibility to pay for their inability to troubleshoot a simple problem?
Well, after speaking with three operators, I finally get some chick who is "willing to file a dispute" and will "see what she can do." I would have liked to tell her what she could do, but instead I flat out told her there was no need to file a dispute because I WASN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THEIR STUPIDITY!
About 30 minutes later the fee was waived but not before she gave me the spiel on their "product guard" offer of $5.99 a month. Bitch.
God I hate them.
However, if anyone so desires to sign up for their service, let me know. I can get $100 bucks for it.
I get my bill. Sure enough, I've been charged a $70 service fee. Oh sure, the first service call was waived, but when that idiot failed to figure out the problem but simply TESTING the receiver ("oh, chop half your trees down, it'll work"), Direct dispatched another technician and promptly charged me to do so.
How is it MY responsibility to pay for their inability to troubleshoot a simple problem?
Well, after speaking with three operators, I finally get some chick who is "willing to file a dispute" and will "see what she can do." I would have liked to tell her what she could do, but instead I flat out told her there was no need to file a dispute because I WASN'T GOING TO PAY FOR THEIR STUPIDITY!
About 30 minutes later the fee was waived but not before she gave me the spiel on their "product guard" offer of $5.99 a month. Bitch.
God I hate them.
However, if anyone so desires to sign up for their service, let me know. I can get $100 bucks for it.
Speaking of bananas...
I happy to have a list of songs that have the word "banana" in them:
Hollaback: Gwen Stephani
Banana Boat song (Day O): Harry Belafante
I’m Going Bananas: Madonna (Dick Tracy Soundtrack)
Banana Wind: Jimmy Buffett
Banana: Miss TK & The Revenge
Banana Tree: Sergio Mendes
Lorna Banana: The Specials
Nana Banana: U-Roy
Banana Pancakes: Jack Johnson
Banana: Alpha Blondie
Banana Republic: Jimmy Buffett
Banana Joe: DJ Happy Vibes
Banana Baby: Space Monkey’s
Banana Splits: The Dickies
The tra la la song – Liz Phair
Bananas – Queen Latifa
Toast and Bananas – Blink 182
Bananas – Deep Purple
30000 pounds of bananas – Harry Chapin
Banana: Joe King Carrasco
Banana: Jolly Boys
Banana: Vieux Diop
Banana Man: Clifton Chenier
Yes, we have no bananas: Sabrina Soundtrack
Everybody Eats when they come to my house: Cab Calloway
Liberate (Bananas) – Slip Knot
Guru Banana – Kevin Ayers
The Name Game - Nancy Sinatra
Hollaback: Gwen Stephani
Banana Boat song (Day O): Harry Belafante
I’m Going Bananas: Madonna (Dick Tracy Soundtrack)
Banana Wind: Jimmy Buffett
Banana: Miss TK & The Revenge
Banana Tree: Sergio Mendes
Lorna Banana: The Specials
Nana Banana: U-Roy
Banana Pancakes: Jack Johnson
Banana: Alpha Blondie
Banana Republic: Jimmy Buffett
Banana Joe: DJ Happy Vibes
Banana Baby: Space Monkey’s
Banana Splits: The Dickies
The tra la la song – Liz Phair
Bananas – Queen Latifa
Toast and Bananas – Blink 182
Bananas – Deep Purple
30000 pounds of bananas – Harry Chapin
Banana: Joe King Carrasco
Banana: Jolly Boys
Banana: Vieux Diop
Banana Man: Clifton Chenier
Yes, we have no bananas: Sabrina Soundtrack
Everybody Eats when they come to my house: Cab Calloway
Liberate (Bananas) – Slip Knot
Guru Banana – Kevin Ayers
The Name Game - Nancy Sinatra
Wednesday, August 2
Ricky Bobby
I admit I'm a Nascar fan and I'll even admit I think Will Ferrell is funny.... in a goofy, ridiculous sort of way. So, it's not much of a stretch to say I'm actually looking forward to the movie, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, which premieres on Friday.
EW gives it a B. If anyone sees it, post your review!
EW gives it a B. If anyone sees it, post your review!
The Chicks on Mel
At their recent Madison Square Garden concert, here's what Natalie had to say:
"This next song is about how we live our lives, and how we make the excellent career decisions we make,” Maines smiled at the start of their album’s title track, “Taking the Long Way.” She dedicated “White Trash Wedding” to Mel Gibson, dropping deep into her Texas twang to giggle, “You know how it is when you’re drunk!” She explained that while the song doesn’t pertain to Mel, per se, she just wanted to send him a shout-out -- and (wisely) observed that “All of our controversy would have been over if I’d only checked myself into rehab...” That got a nice-sized cheer from the crowd."
"This next song is about how we live our lives, and how we make the excellent career decisions we make,” Maines smiled at the start of their album’s title track, “Taking the Long Way.” She dedicated “White Trash Wedding” to Mel Gibson, dropping deep into her Texas twang to giggle, “You know how it is when you’re drunk!” She explained that while the song doesn’t pertain to Mel, per se, she just wanted to send him a shout-out -- and (wisely) observed that “All of our controversy would have been over if I’d only checked myself into rehab...” That got a nice-sized cheer from the crowd."
Yes, We Have Bananas
I could say a lot of things here, but I'll just let the picture do the talking. Feel free to add your own snarky caption in the Comment section.
Blind Item
Which hunky actor who once picked up a young man and brought him back to the Mercer Hotel for oral sex is now hanging out with a top athlete? The two are said to be more than just workout buddies.
Jake? Matthew? Who could it be!?
Jake? Matthew? Who could it be!?
How does HBO do it?
Interesting industry article in MediaLife:
HBO’s “Entourage” seems to have everything going for it: good-looking actors, critical cachet and major buzz, with the media dubbing it this summer’s breakout hit.
The only thing the show does not have, oddly enough, is numbers. While "Entourage” is up 29 percent over last season, it still only averages 2.4 million viewers.
That’s compared to the 8.9 million that HBO’s “Sopranos” averaged in its most recent season, and that's down from the previous year. It’s not even half the more than 6 million that “Sex and the City” averaged in its final season two years ago. In fact, it’s far less than the 3.8 million the network’s “Rome” drew in its debut a year ago, and that show has been canceled following the upcoming second season.
Those 2.4 million viewers are hardly enough to justify the huge amounts of attention “Entourage” receives in the press. But that certainly is not an issue for HBO, and in some ways the show almost defines an HBO hit: cachet, cachet, cachet. Never mind the numbers.
HBO is in the business of attracting new, paying subscribers while holding onto existing subs, and that is driven by cachet. How many people are actually watching “Entourage,” or any other HBO show for that matter, lends nothing to that effort. Since the network carries no advertising, audience size in itself matters little.
What does matter is the perception of hipness.
“Entourage” is currently the one HBO show advancing that perception, but it's doing it in a big way. Already this summer, the “Entourage” boys have appeared on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and received writeups in TV Guide and Time, which referred to the show as a boutique hit.
Other media are less restrained. There are some 700 articles about “Entourage” available via Google News, and nearly a quarter refer to the show as a hit.
This is all helping HBO enormously, despite the flops of “Lucky Louie,” “Carnivale” and “K Street” over the past four years. Its subscriber base rose 2.6 percent during first-quarter 2006, to 28.2 million subscribers, according to Kagan Research.
And while HBO, a unit of Time Warner, does not give out money figures, some estimate that the network has seen profits of $1 billion over the past year. That's through subscriptions, which average $10 to $15 per month, but also DVD sales of “Sopranos,” “SATC” and other shows.
"Entourage" follows a rising Hollywood superstar and his three best friends from back home as they navigate the absurdities of the movie industry and encounter lots of celebrities along the way. It's executive produced by Mark Wahlberg.
HBO’s “Entourage” seems to have everything going for it: good-looking actors, critical cachet and major buzz, with the media dubbing it this summer’s breakout hit.
The only thing the show does not have, oddly enough, is numbers. While "Entourage” is up 29 percent over last season, it still only averages 2.4 million viewers.
That’s compared to the 8.9 million that HBO’s “Sopranos” averaged in its most recent season, and that's down from the previous year. It’s not even half the more than 6 million that “Sex and the City” averaged in its final season two years ago. In fact, it’s far less than the 3.8 million the network’s “Rome” drew in its debut a year ago, and that show has been canceled following the upcoming second season.
Those 2.4 million viewers are hardly enough to justify the huge amounts of attention “Entourage” receives in the press. But that certainly is not an issue for HBO, and in some ways the show almost defines an HBO hit: cachet, cachet, cachet. Never mind the numbers.
HBO is in the business of attracting new, paying subscribers while holding onto existing subs, and that is driven by cachet. How many people are actually watching “Entourage,” or any other HBO show for that matter, lends nothing to that effort. Since the network carries no advertising, audience size in itself matters little.
What does matter is the perception of hipness.
“Entourage” is currently the one HBO show advancing that perception, but it's doing it in a big way. Already this summer, the “Entourage” boys have appeared on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and received writeups in TV Guide and Time, which referred to the show as a boutique hit.
Other media are less restrained. There are some 700 articles about “Entourage” available via Google News, and nearly a quarter refer to the show as a hit.
This is all helping HBO enormously, despite the flops of “Lucky Louie,” “Carnivale” and “K Street” over the past four years. Its subscriber base rose 2.6 percent during first-quarter 2006, to 28.2 million subscribers, according to Kagan Research.
And while HBO, a unit of Time Warner, does not give out money figures, some estimate that the network has seen profits of $1 billion over the past year. That's through subscriptions, which average $10 to $15 per month, but also DVD sales of “Sopranos,” “SATC” and other shows.
"Entourage" follows a rising Hollywood superstar and his three best friends from back home as they navigate the absurdities of the movie industry and encounter lots of celebrities along the way. It's executive produced by Mark Wahlberg.
Tuesday, August 1
Another thought about MTV...
I remember when I was young, very uncool and listened to Raffi. My older cousin, Susan, would visit and spend hours watching MTV. God, she was cool! I think I was still at the age when I hid behind the couch when Thriller came on.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)