Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Making It Work...For Nothing!


This is kind of an interesting tidbit:

Fashionista and resident cliche abuser Tim Gunn, worked for free on the first season of Project Runway. True story! He didn't earn one nickel for shelling out all of that advice, introducing the challenges, or breaking up fights between Wendy and Kara Saun, etc.

To the credit of the money-hungry producers, Tim Gunn had a real day-job as the chair of the Fashion department at the New School. And who knew the show would take off like it did?

During season two he earned $2,500 an episode, a siginificant increase but a paltry sum by reality show standards.

But I'm sure there's no love lost between Gunn and the Weinstein folks. He's parlayed a moonlighting gig into a book deal, spin-off TV show, and a cushy exec job at Liz Claiborne.


Oh, and since Bravo is done trying to get you to watch Project Runway, don't forget that it's on tonight at 9/8 central.

Photo: http://www.realityonbravo.com

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

9021-Nano


Ever wanted to express your love for you favorite long-running teen drama but didn't know how to do it?

Luckily, the folks at the CBS Store finally solved your problem: laser etched 90210 iPod nanos.

Get them quick because there are only 2,000 of these bad boys in the series, and that's before Tori Spelling buyS up half the lot for herself.

The only way I'd buy an iPod like this if it came pre-loaded with all of the episodes. Otherwise, it's kind of a random gift. Why not make a special edition iPod for all of my favorite things from the 1990s? You know why they don't? Because a limited issue snap bracelet, Color Me Badd, and Blank Check iPod probably wouldn't sell as well.


Photo: CBSstore.com

Sad News About Freddie Prinze Jr.


I know, it's not often you get the latest buzz on aging teen heartthrobs of the late '90s but this was just too good to pass up.

Mr. Sarah Michelle Gellar, I mean Prinze, just joined the creative team for WWE. That's World Wrestling Entertainment folks. Freddie will be hard at work behind the scenes to bring all of the drama, action and suspense of professional wrestling to life.

Oh even I had a hard time writing that. Giggles galore on this end of the computer.

What's next? Is Devon Sawa the new accountant for the MetRX World's Strongest Man competitions?

Photo: http://www.geocities.com/superlimpstar00/

Monday, July 28, 2008

Proof!


The following story is all the proof I need to know that not only does a higher power exist, but he or she has a sense of humor.

The King of the Coif, Ryan Seacrest, got bit by a shark over the weekend.

It was a baby shark, and it only nipped his foot, but apparently it left behind a tooth.

Best news I've heard all day. I don't hate the guy, but does anyone else smile a bit when pretty people with lots of money get theirs?



Photo: TheLifeofLuxury.com

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Getting Yourself Prepared For The Return of Mad Men!


Mad Men returns tonight. Every blogger, TV enthusiast and old-timey ad-man alike is anxiously awaiting the second season of this critically acclaimed drama.

Want to get into the spirit before tonight's brand new episode? Here are a few tips:

  • Make yourself a cocktail. Don Draper drinks whiskey old fashioneds. His lady friends tend to drink red wine or mai tais. Regardless of what you drink, hold it well. No one gets drunk at work, that's what election results parties are for.
  • Take up smoking. I tried to count how many ciggarettes appeared in one episode and lost count after the first scene. Can you imagine if that America still existed? Watching all of that huffing and puffing seems so foreign. And don't worry about the actors, according to this painstakingly thorough article from the New York Times magazine, the articles are smoking herbal cigarettes (no nicotine, no tar).
  • Read up. This season kicks off about 18 months from where we left off. It's Valentine's Day, 1962. So we won't get to see Pete Campbell's irreverent take on The Bay of Pigs, the beginning of the Berlin Wall, the Yankees winning the world series or the release of J.D. Salinger's Franny & Zooey. Tragic.
  • Listen to some good music. The top songs from this time period remain classics today. Add Runaround Sue, Stand By Me and The Lion Sleeps Tonight to your playlist to get yourself in the mood.
  • Buy the first season. iTunes is selling season one for $19.99, that's $20 off the retail prive everywhere else. If you don't mind watching it on your computer, that's certainly a steal.
Once you've done all that the only thing left to do is wait. You can read some of the "mad" press this show's received, especially in the past week. That might occupy your time. The season premiere airs at 10/9 central on AMC. Set your Tivos to stun.

Photo: AMCtv.com

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Christian's Fierceness Finally Released


Got a spare $520 burning a whole in your cashmere lined pockets?

Then this puffy shirt can be yours. You saw how well it worked for Seinfeld.

Wanna guess who designed it? Your favorite designer and mine, Mr. Christian Siriano.

His first collection is for sale on Bluefly and most of the pieces already sold out.

It's pretty solid and the stuff looks like a lot of the work he did on the show; sharp, tailored, black.

It's nice to see he's doing so well so soon. What have you been up to Jay McCarroll?


Photo: Bluefly.com

Thursday, July 24, 2008

I'm So Exicted! I'm So...SCARED!


I fucking love Saved By The Bell. I use love in present tense because my crush on Zach Morris has yet to end.

And it looks like it won't anytime soon thanks to this. Dustin Diamond, aka Samuel "Screech" Powers, is writing a tell-all book about the goings-on behind the scenes of Saved By The Bell.

Behind The Bell (I know, best title ever right?) will detail the casts' sexual exploits, boozing, and (cross your fingers) drug use, and not those lame caffeine pills either.

I know what you're thinking: This is awesomely awful. You want so badly to hate this idea, but yet you can't wait to read it on your next vacation. I will be buying five copies. One for me, and four more for my next few gift occasions. Nothing says "Happy Birthday Grandma" like a chapter on Belding doing lines off a hooker's stomach.

Photo: Katfm.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Leave The L Word Alone


I love The L Word. It's a well-written television show that focuses on women. Gay or straight, it's about time somebody took a look at our perspective without all of the crying. I was sad to hear the show will have it's final season in 2009, but at the same time I understand that six seasons is a long run for any show, and the longest run for a Showtime program.

Now, I may have to choke a bitch.

First, I hear a rumor today that Elizabeth Berkley has a multiple episode arc next seaosn. THIS Elizabeth Berkley. She will play the straight girl that got away from Bette in her college days.

If that wasn't unfortunate enough, apparently Showtime has an L Word spin-off in the works.

Let my show have a graceful and meaningful death. It lived a long and full life and in this case, I don't think a brand new work-up will do it any further justice. It's like burying someone in a novelty casket...a novelty casket with advertising that makes you a boatload of money. Maybe something like this.

Do you want that on your conscience Showtime? Then let the L Word die with dignity.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

De-Mystifying The Office Spin-Off


Let's clear things up.

Amy Poehler is NOT going to star in The Office spin-off. Apparently she's going to be on a different NBC show, similar to The Office (single-camera, maybe a mockumentary) but totally unrelated and set to debut in the spring. Poehler is having a baby this fall after all.

However, there is still going to be an Office spin-off and it's still debuting after the Super Bowl. Poehler just won't be in it.

Sad.

Maybe Will Arnett can still be in. Or anyone else from Arrested Development.

Photo: Vulture

Estelle Getty Died. Let's Laugh Through The Darkness.

Estelle Getty died today. She was 84 and very sick. She had a rare form of Alzheimer's Disease and had been sick for some time. Because she'd been out of the limelight so long, most people probably thought she was already gone.

But instead of feeling sad for losing another great actor this year (seriously 2008! Why?!) let's just laugh for awhile okay?

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Who Wants To Be A Phone-A-Friend?


As some of you know, I am in the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire contestant pool. This means that at any moment in time the good folks at WWTBAM can call me up and tell me I'm on the show.

I've been in the pool for two years now and the initial anticipation of that call has worn off. I hadn't thought about the show in ages but yesterday I got an e-mail.

"...You should begin to prepare yourself for the possibility of being a Contestant by gathering photos either electronically or physically of the people you would like to serve as your Phone-A-Friend."

This e-mail could mean positively nothing but it got me thinking; what goes into making a good phone-a-friend. Do I need to go outside of my friend circle and seek experts? Or do I stick with my more qualified friends since they're trustworthy and internet savvy?

And then there's the issue of categories. My trivia base covers TV (duh), recent movies, song lyrics, current events and throwaway facts. This means I need to cover religion, history, science, sports, literature, old movies and general trivia between my five Phone-A-Friends. It's like a mind-boggling Sudoku puzzle; I just can't get the pieces to fit.

Lucky for me, I don't really have to...yet.


Photo: http://david23q.tripod.com/

Friday, July 18, 2008

Emmy Nominations! Finally!

So there's a lot to say about the Emmy nominees and I may not be able to get it all in this post.

First, if you take a quick look at the list (which is impossible by the way, there are a lot of categories) you'll discover a few shows/actors/etc that were really surprising. Best Week Ever took a look at some of the shocking inclusions but I made a list of my own.

-Take a look at this list of Emmy nominees: Canterbury's Law, Disney Phineas And Ferb, Kid Nation, Pirate Master, Saving Grace. Please note that the list includes Pirate Master and one of my favorite shows of all time, Kid Nation. Can you guess what category this is? Outstanding shows no one watched? Worst shows ever according to the NY Times Arts section/the rest of society? Nope? Outstanding Original Main Title Music. I know! Who knew? If Kid Nation wins an Emmy...in anything, it will be the best day ever.

-John Adams smoked every single mini-series category. The HBO miniseries earned a mind boggling 23 noms. 23. Expect to hear their patriotic theme a million times on show night.

-Tina Fey and the rest of the 30 Rock gang scored 17 nominations, granted four of those are in one category (Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series). This show still doesn't get enough love. I think the only way people will watch it is if it can sweep the comedy, actress in a comedy series, and actor in a comedy series. The thing is, I think it can and will.

-Bryan Cranston got nominated for his superb work on Breaking Bad. My roommates hated this show and to them I say, " I told you so."

Other than Two and a Half nomination (seriously?) the list is pretty much exactly as I'd hoped. You can read the whole thing right here. Despite the strike, it looks like it's going to be an excellent awards season.

Kashou Gets Assaulted


Rami Kashou was attacked at a nightclub late last night.

Rumor has it that someone chucked a bottle at his head and he got pretty roughed up.

I'm curious to see if this is the work of a homophobic coward; an idiot who hates reality-TV; or Sweet P.

PS: Yes, the title of this post is a play on the fact that Kashou sounds like cashew and assaulted sounds like salt. Eat it.


Photo: http://hautelikefire.files.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

STOP THE PRESSES: Office Spin-Off News



This is still a rumor but if it comes to fruition, consider it the best thing to happen to The Office since the Schrutebuck. It's so exciting that I am writing it in a larger font.

Amy Poehler (SNL wonder-woman and comedy movie cash cow) may star in the new Office spin-off.

I know, I know, I am also having trouble containing my excitement. If she can find a role for her husband, (Will Arnett, better known as GOB from Arrested Development) then this show may end up improving on the original. Did I just write that? I think I did. And I am standing by it.

My enthusiasm level for the spin-off has now been elevated to orange. Please adjust your behavior and actions accordingly.

Photo: Electricity & Lust

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

I Don't Watch CSI But Apparently This Is Big News



The grizzly looking guy above (William Petersen) is leaving the show.

Q. What will we do without poorly timed puns and dramatic pauses?


A. Tune to CSI Miami.

Ba-Dum Ching!


Photo: The Remote Island

Four Reasons I Love Sesame Street...And Feist

The Children's Television Workshop has done it again. Sesame Street continues to entertain another generation and their parents with catchy pop ditties turned educational.

Here's Feist and a bunch of monsters, penguins and chickens teaching us how to count to four.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Three Reasons Project Runway May Suck This Season

1. Tim Gunn had this to say about this season's crop of contestants, "They're from different parts of the country and their personalities are so potent that I'm exhausted when I leave them." Translation? These people are annoying as fuck.

2. Didn't this show just go off? It seems like I just made a Christian Siriano joke yesterday.

3. Because Bravo is deeming it so. Sore losers? Heck yes.

Big Brother Bounces Back


My entire family was really into Big Brother a few summers ago. It's not our proudest moment. To our credit, the show used to be kind of interesting. There were twins playing as one person, a brother/sister combo that didn't know they were brother and sister, etc. It was low-brow, high-fun TV.

Then it just got bad.

I left Big Brother behind and never really thought twice about it.

Last night, I thought twice. I watched the season premiere of Big Brother 10. For the first time in a few years there are no pre-existing relationships on the show, no crazy secrets, etc. Just a bunch of people living in a house with hundreds of cameras and wacky challenges.

BB is also a little different this year because the folks over at CBS are finally discovering that this show succeeds or fails because of the cast members. They're diversifying from their usual suspects of 20-something muscle heads and blonde bartenders. There are a few more middle-aged people in the house and even a super old guy named Jerry (pictured in his old-timey workshop). How old? "He fought in the Korean war and he has great-grandchildren," old.

So between Jerry, some annoying middle aged woman with a jackal's laugh named Renny and some great alliances already in place I may just give Big Brother 10 a fighting chance. Will I watch 3 times a week? Probably not but getting me to come back once or twice is a pretty big step.


Photo: CBS.com

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Tony Snow Dies


Former Fox News Correspondent and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow passed away today after a second battle with colon cancer.

Snow worked for the elder President Bush as a speech writer and in other roles in the media affairs department.

He hosted his own show on Fox in the early '90s before joining Fox News in 1996. He anchored Fox News Sunday and hosted The Tony Snow Show, a syndicated program on Fox news radio.

He faced his first bout with colon cancer in February 2005 but it went into remission after six months of treatment.

Snow replaced former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan in the spring of 2006. He combined his skills as a journalist and politico and seemed to excel at the position.
When the cancer returned in spring 2007, Snow stayed positive. He continued to work until September when he left the White House to find a new position.

Tony Snow is survived by his wife and three children. He was 53-years-old.


Photo: ChicagoTribune.com

Friday, July 11, 2008

Getting Your Dunder Mifflin Fix

The "new season"of Office webisodes are back this week. You can watch the two-minute episode below.



I think they're kind of off to a slow start but I remain optimistic. Those 120 seconds were still better than 90% of the summer TV I subject myself to.

If you really miss the Dunder-Miffling bunch, check out the cast on this week's edition of Celebrity Family Feud. If you can stand to watch the folks from My Name Is Earl the pay-off is pretty fantastic.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

A New Dr. Cox For Scrubs?


Since Dirt just got the axe and that Friends movie is out of the question what's Courteney Cox up to?

Apparently she's doing a three episode arc on Scrubs when the show makes the jump to ABC this fall. Cox will be playing Sacred Heart's devil-may-care Chief of Medicine.

It's not often enough I get to write devil-may-care, by the way.

Welcome back to fun TV Courteney!

Photo: BergProperties.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Really Following Through On That "Giving Big" Business


Pro-Bowl Tight End for the Kansas City Chiefs and Oprah's Big Give judge, Tony Gonazalez, solidified his status as resident good guy when he saved a stranger's life last week.

Apparently, Gonzalez was out to eat when he saw a man sputtering and turning blue. He leapt into action and performed the Heimlich maneuver, despite not having any formal training in the lifesaving procedure.

Mr. Modesty wasn't planning on the news of his heroism getting out. He didn't even tell some members of his family.

What a class act.

Oprah's probably going to eat this up!

Photo: Kansas City Chiefs

Monday, July 7, 2008

File This Under Too Soon


So rumor has it there's a Tim Russert TV biopic is already in the works. Did you clock it folks? That's less than a month since his passing.

Anyway, the super-sleuths over at Defamer found this posting on Craigslist casting for an unknown actress to play Russert's wife, Maureen Orth.

Crazier news? Randy Quaid is playing the big man himself, Tim Russert. No not the Dennis Quaid. Randy. The chubby one whos acting chops are kind of touch and go.

This one.

Yes he's kind of a doppleganger for Russert. But that guy?

What a fitting tribute this will be.

Photo: Defamer

It's Time To Return To TV Mr. Fox!

Michael J. Fox may be coming back to the small screen. He's in talks to do a recurring role on the FX drama Rescue Me.

Heck yes! I feel like this is in order:

For Your Consideration: I'm Not Here To Make Friends

I fuckin' love cliches. Reality show cliches are even better. Thanks Videogum!




Favorite part? "This is not America's Top Best Friend."

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Trading One Star For Another


I'm watching Next Food Network Star and it's official...I don't want any of these people to have their own television show.

On the other hand, DesignStar is blowing my socks off. These people are creative, funny, daring and a pleasure to watch. I'm not even that much of a home and garden nut, but that's just it...they make the stuff compelling. Ever wonder why the "top-rated food show on cable" isn't even on Food Network? Look no further. If this is their mine of talent, then pickings must be slim.

Sorry old friend, but I think I'm all about your sister channel now..even if the designers are crying all the time.

It's a risk I'm willing to take.


Photo: HGTV.ca

Saturday, July 5, 2008

My Embarassing Life In Season Passes


I'm a little under the weather so I've spent a lot of time sleeping and watching TV over the weekend.

It's actually given me a lot of time to catch up with some of my favorite shows on the old Tivo. For those of you unfamiliar with my favorite gadget, Tivo lets you record Season Passes of your favorite shows. You can get all the new ones, the re-runs, etc. I have a relatively high capacity DVR so these shows tend to pile up and I forget about them. Today I took some time to clean-house and watch some of the crap I've been subjecting the Tivo too.

Needless to say the whole process was quite revealing. I've been recording Dawson's Creek, King of Queens, and Family Feud. I've also got the Tivo set to record anything with Ethan Embry or anytime Meatballs comes on. If I were to die today, this would probably be the most embarassing part of my life.

I deleted the Meatballs stipulation, and even the Family Feud order. I haven't been able to cancel the Creek though. Some habits are hard to break.

Photo: HighbridNation.com

Friday, July 4, 2008

Fox News: It's Like Entering A New Circle of Hell



We didn't need anymore proof that Fox News is ridiculous and spins stuff faster than my washing machine, but for those of you still on the fence, take a gander.

Fox aired a story about some writers at the New York Times who weren't saying very nice things about the network. Imagine that? People with less than complimentary things to say about what can only be described as the worst cable news network of all time. I digress.

To essentially prove the writers were correct in their claims, some genius at Fox News decided to Photoshop the hell out of the writers photos and make them look atrocious.

Here's a video of the incident in question. Try not to throw up listening to these guys talk.





Photo: The Remote Island

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Finally!


Just in time for the conclusion of Pride Month, Bravo made a little TV history and ran the first lube commercial targeted at the gay community.

If you missed the spots when they ran on Monday night, you can check them out here.

The commercials aren't that amazing but it's still a nice step forward. And who's the ad genius who thought of Boy Butter? They're going to make a killing.


Photo: Someecards.com

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Life-Size Imitating Art

Remember that movie Life-Size? It was about a doll who comes to life and befriends a girl in need. The doll? A young Tyra Banks. The girl? An even younger Lindsay Lohan.

Yea...this is kind of like that.



That is Tyra's new likeness at Madame Tussauds. Creepy.

Photo: HipHop.Popcrunch.com

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Score One For The Little Guy!

So for my other blog I get to watch America's Got Talent. (I know, the perks are outrageous!)

There was the usual amount of crap on tonight but there was also a little old man named Paul Salos. Since most of you don't watch the show, I thought I'd take the time to share his talent with you.



He's adorable, he's actually got a talent, it would be fun to watch him perform in Vegas and I think it would make for a great story. Please join my campaign to help Paul become the winner of AGT. What the hell else do you have to do?