Still on my Must List this week: My favorite late night host, Craig Ferguson, delivering the annual comedy monologue at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. (Yes, I know, this is a week old, but I was on vacation last week. Sue me.) The Scottish-born immigrant does remarkably well before a notoriously tough crowd, mixing pointed humor with heartfelt but unsentimental appreciation of his new American citizenship. Okay, I doubt anyone will ever top Stephen Colbert’s fearless performance at this event two years ago, but Ferguson strikes a tricky balance between paying respect to his hosts and tweaking those who deserve it. (Part 1 is embedded below; watch parts 2 and 3 after the jump.)
In the spirit of the event, it’s time for you to vote for your top three Must List items this week, your favorites among the current crop of movies/TV/music/books/videogames/Internet/etc. Please include your e-mail address so that we may contact you if we decide to include your choice in the magazine. Deadline is Thursday, May 8, at 10 a.m. ET.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Comments (1-30) of 40 Add your comment
TEETH on DVD. This is the Gone With the Wind of carnivorous-female-genitalia movies.
‘unnecessary censorship’ segments from Jimmy Kimmel on YouTube: Jimmy’s weekly tribute to the FCC is seriously some of the funniest stuff you’ll see on TV or the internet.
Mario Kart WII: Use the classic controller cause it’s easier, but this piece of videogame utopia is ten times better than Grand Theft Auto.
Carrier on PBS. My husband and I have been making our way through this stunning look at life aboard the USS Nimitz. The intimate look at the life aboard this ship has made us laugh, cry and make us proud to be Americans.
I’m thrilled for the new season of The Graham Norton Show on BBC America. Where else can celebrities tell such raunchy stories such as Tony Curtis’ tale of a guy wanting to kiss his…uh, member…because he slept with Marilyn Monroe? Being allowed to drink and swear helps too, of course!
The World Ends With You for the Nintendo DS – Highly addicting RPG with great artwork and catchy soundtrack.
The Shadow Isle by Katharine Kerr – The latest in Kerr’s Deverry series which in my own opinion, is the greatest fantasy series of all time.
1) Robyn’s self-titled album. I didn’t want to believe the hype at first, but the “Show me Love” and “Do You Know (What it Takes)” singer has put together a catchy and addictive album.
2) Augusten Burroughs’ “A Wolf at the Table” AUDIOBOOK. I know Burroughs has been getting beat up in the press for his new vicious and padded memoir, but the audiobook is like something I’ve never heard before. With original songs based on the book by Ingrid Michaelson, Tegan Quin from Tegan and Sara, Sea Wolf, and Patti Smith, Burroughs has reinvented the audiobook for an iPod generation.
3) Unmasked on XM radio. Think of it like Inside the Actors Studio for comedians. This hour-long radio show takes an uncensored behind the jokes look at some of the greatest comedic minds. Season 2 kicks off with Lewis Black, Margaret Cho, the kids in the Hall, and Janeane Garofalo on tap so far. Hosted by Ron Bennington, it’s worth the subscription to XM, believe me.
A new Stephanie Meyer book! “The Host” was picked up on my way home, and I can’t wait to delve into. Hopefully, it’ll tide me over until her next Twilight book is out.
“The Tudors” on Showtime. Don’t stop watching now, it’s getting good, and heads are rolling!
“Grey’s Anatomy” — The return of Addison was just the thing to get GA headed back into the right direction.
Jeff Bridges’s bald-top and bearded face. I was so mesmerized by his facial hair and lack of head-hair that I didn’t realize it was Jeff Bridges until about half-way through. Would he have been as scary or intimidating or wonderful without? Probably not. The hair (and lack thereof) should have gotten their own credits, their own dressing room, (etc etc) right above his own name. Could they get their own spin-off? Prequel?
Doctor Who on the Sci-Fi channel! Now in its fourth season (of the new incarnation), the show is still in top form. David Tennant is as brilliant as ever, and Catherine Tate is proving to be a welcome addition to the cast. One of the most thrilling, twisty, fun, silly, dramatic, and surprisingly thought-provoking shows on television!
1. Judith Light on Ugly Betty…I light up every time she comes on-screen…hahahaha
2. Annie’s “I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me” video…thought unfortch I couldn’t find it again on YouTube after the first day I saw it
3. Gywneth Paltrow in Iron Man…with any other “starlet of the moment” the scene where she literally gives Robert Downey Jr. a heart would have flatlined…
Robert Downey Jr. in “Iron Man”. He was excellent. Nothing was overdone, the comedic timing was spot on and he was convincing as an action hero.
– LOST Season 3 Soundtrack (2-Discs) by Michael Giacchino – with 67 songs(!), see why LOST is far and away home to the best music on television, and why Giacchino (Ratatouille, The Incredibles) is well on his way to becoming the next household (composer) name, like “Elfman” or – dare I say it – “Williams”.
– The Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca – Tony Stark’s second solo title for Marvel Comics may indeed solely exist because of the release of the “Iron Man” film, but damn if the first issue isn’t an enjoyable read for fans both old and new.
ROBYN!
Her self-titled album was released in Sweden (and on iTunes) in 2005, garnered tons of critical praise, was released in the UK last year, and just released here (finally!), and if it is at all possible for the best album of 2005 to be the best album of 2008 as well, this album does it! If there’s any justice, she would blow the current crop of boring/past-their-prime divas out of the water and off the top of the charts.
Wire in the Blood on BBC America. One of the best shows on TV yet no one seems to know about it!! And Robson Green – love him.
The new eps of HOUSE!!
1. Reaper- The writing as been stellar poststrike. Plus D from Battlestar and Lucy Davis are guest starring.
2. Georgina on Gossip Girl- She has no real motive. She just does things because she can. Now that’s dangerous.
3. The Black Keys “Attack&Release”- There is a reason their tour is selling out like hot cakes.
thewestside.tv is an amazing on-line drama that just won a Webby. This is so different than anything else out there.
1) Russell Brand as Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall – this Brit lights up the screen as the hilarious rocker who steals Sarah Marshall. his timing is amazing, and what’s even better is that in real life he’s almost exactly the same as his character–only crazier. research him. he is really awesome!
2) 30 ROCK–best comedy on television and completely underappreciated
The current season of Doctor Who with David Tennant and Catherine Tate is simply glorious. It gets better every week.
I love Craig Ferguson.
I vote once again for THE WEASEL MCPUPPY LETTERS. Check out a small dog’s correspondence with celebs at http://weaselmcpuppy.blogspot.com/
Craig Ferguson is going to replace Letterman soon than later.
“Small Favor” by Jim Butcher
The Dresden Files died a premature death on the SciFi Channel, but it couldn’t compare to the source material anyway. Check out the latest in the series about a detective that advertises in the yellow pages under “Wizard.” Enough said!
1. Twilight teaser trailer. I think I’ve watched it 8935897505 times already. I <3 Rob Pattinson!
2. Days of Our Lives. It's on FIRE! EJami (EJ+Sami) is here!
3. Twilight. After watching the teaser trailer, I dove back into the book to read a fave scene of mine, and before I knew it… I read the whole thing again!
1)Turner Classic Movies. With the Essentials on Saturdays, the guest host (Alex Trebek!), great movies like Brief Encounter, it’s a must watch channel.
2)Dr. Hahn and Callie on Grey’s. Two Amazon women representing on tv.
3)Beverly Hills 90210 on Soapnet. Must watch the original gang before the “new” generation 90210 comes on.
Carrier – the high point so far of the actual-reality, documentary reality TV shows that started with Deadliest Catch and Ice-Road Truckers.
Samantha Who? Am I the only one who watches this show? I hope not! Christina Applegate and all the supporting cast members are truly funny. I know it’s only the first season, but they’ve been successful, so far, in keeping the momentum going on a premise that could have been played out after the first episode.
The supporting cast of Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr is fantastic, but let’s throw a little love to Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrance Howard
Flight of the Conchords live shows – Bret and Jemaine totally rocked the party in Philly. If you don’t have tickets for the shows in your area already, I highly recommend finding some.
I know I’m late to the party, but we just got a Wiii — it’s fantastic!
And Craig F is hilarious!
1) the Twilight teaser trailer – it makes anyone who has read the book, all the millions of us, excited for the movie!!
2)officetally.com – i don’t think this sight gets enough credit but for any Office fan, it is without a doubt the best source. she is always up to date and the first person with any new Office news.