Archive: January 2009 (181-190 of 354)

Jan 16 2009 08:30 PM ET

Josh Schwartz's OTHER new show: 'Rockville, CA' (check out the trailer!)

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Categories: Snap Judgment, Tech, Television

This week has already brought news of the Lily-focused spin-off of Gossip Girl. But GG executive producer Josh Schwartz also has another show in the works, although you won’t be seeing it on network television. Rockville, CA is a Web-series set to debut on The WB.com on March 17. Schwartz was nice enough to give EW the trailer for the series (embedded below), and it looks like a good time based on the footage. The show is set entirely in the fictional Club Rockville and focuses on its clientele. Basically, imagine an entire series set in The OC‘s Bait Shop but with a better line-up of performers. Music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas (The OC, Grey’s Anatomy) is producing with Schwartz so the line-up of rockers is pretty impressive: Phantom Planet, Kaiser Chiefs, Travis, The Kooks. I’ve never been a huge fan of online series, but with Schwartz and Patsavas signed on board, I trust that it will be more interesting than lonelygirl15.

Watch the trailer below and tell us what you think. Will you watch Rockville, CA?

More Gossip Girl:
‘Gossip Girl’ spin-off is a go
EW.com’s All About Gossip Girl page
Gossip Girl recap: The Son Also Rises

Jan 16 2009 08:00 PM ET

'30 Rock': Everybody dance now that it's flu season

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Categories: 30 Rock, Food and Drink, PopWatch Dance Party, Television

Last night’s 30 Rock — with its focus on flu shots, sick zombie people hissing germs in your face and thwarted daydreams of lounging around fantasy island "St. Bartleby’s" in dark socks — was a triumph in January-themed programming. Has Tina Fey trumped Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as the NBC TV lady who aggressively can’t dance? Tough call. Press play below.

Jan 16 2009 07:46 PM ET

Five ways Kate Hudson can earn back my trust

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Categories: HeadScratcher, Movies

Katehudson_lI went into Bride Wars with low expectations but a semi-open mind (word to the wise: be sure to check your feminist principles at the door), hoping I might recognize a hint of someone I used to love — the dazzling Penny Lane, or rather, the actress who played her. Way back in 2000, Kate Hudson was my newest girl crush after I saw her stellar performance as a "band-aide" in Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical ode to rock-n-roll (and one of my all-time personal faves) Almost Famous. Ms. Hudson was absolutely captivating as the naive and vulnerable adolescent hiding behind a free-spirited, rock-chick bravado (check out a clip after the jump, if you forgot). So what happened to the budding actress I saw and loved nine years ago? She all but disappeared. So far, despite plenty of attempts, Almost Famous is the pinnacle of her acting accomplishments, and after a string of movies like My Best Friend’s Girl, my girl Kate has lost her special place in my heart. I am, however, willing to forgive and forget, so I’ve put together this quick list of five ways the bubbly blonde could earn back my love and trust:

1. Lay Off the RomComs: Seven, yes SEVEN, of her films since Famous have been Romantic Comedies or some variation of that genre. None of the seven are particularly good; most are cliché-ridden duds. Now is the time to experiment with different roles (her upcoming role in Nine may be a promising start) before she gets pigeonholed a la Meg Ryan. Mix it up!! Take some risks! And for the love of God, never, ever do another movie with Dane Cook.   

2. No More Matthew: While we’re on the subject of costars to avoid, let’s talk Matthew McConaughey. I like the shirtless wonder just as much as the next girl -– hell, I’ll even admit that How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days has its (minor) charms — but my affection quickly soured after the mess that was Fool’s Gold. In fact, MM’s track record as a romantic lead is, to put it kindly, crap (um, Failure to Launch or The Wedding Planner anyone?). In fact, it’s probably best that all actresses heed this advice.

Three more tips, after the jump.

READ FULL STORY »

Jan 16 2009 07:42 PM ET

John McCain won't let Cindy dance -- or, specifically, wear this costume

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Categories: Dancing With the Stars, Politics as Entertainment, To Care or Not to Care

Cindy_mccain_dwtsAccording to the New York Post, Cindy McCain was in talks with Dancing With the Stars producers to join the season 8 cast until her husband Johnny flat-out nixed the idea. As a person, I believe this was absolutely the right call — the idea of anyone associated with the McCain camp attempting to score a 9 on the samba during the first few months of Obama’s presidential term would be so embarrassing and awful. As a "journalist" who must cover DWTS for money, however, I am devastated for the same reason. John McCain was probably jealous because he wanted to learn how to do West Coast Swing in a red sequined vest. (No shirt.) Oh, well.

Jan 16 2009 06:52 PM ET

The 'Lipstick Jungle' must be saved!

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Categories: Have You Seen This?, Television

Lipstickjungle_lAccording to reporting by EW’s own Lynette Rice, it seems NBC’s power-femme drama, Lipstick Jungle, might not be headed to Canceled TV Show Heaven like we had previously been led to believe.

I’m just going to go right out and say it: HALLELUJAH!

Okay, so the show, which stars Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, and Lindsay Price, got off to a bit of a shaky start when it premiered last February. Much like the short-lived ABC series Cashmere Mafia, it felt like it was hanging on a little too tightly to the (expensive) shoe strings left behind by our beloved Sex and the City. Only the story lines on Lipstick weren’t nearly as relatable as the ones on SATC, instead they were unrealistic (seriously, who goes to all the way to Paris just to have dinner?) and just plain annoying.

Then, as the first season was wrapping up, I got majorly sucked into the show. The women started to have smarter and more engaging story arcs that kept me wanting more. I mean, how couldn’t I feel sympathetic for Nico (Raver) when her husband suffered a heart attack while she was out fooling around with her much younger beau? Talk about guilt.

My love for Lipstick continued to grow throughout its second season, and while I’ll admit that mostly has to do with the fact that I am obsessed with Victory’s (Price) eclectic and chic style, it’s also because the show is actually a lot of fun to watch. Needless to say, the buzz that the series still has a chance to be renewed has given me a buzz as well.

So fellow Lipstick fans, now’s your chance to share the reasons why you’re passionate about the show below, and then all we have to do is convince the suits at NBC not to make a huge mistake. Oh, and if you’re a hater — please, enlighten us.

READ FULL STORY »

Jan 16 2009 05:51 PM ET

Kid gets his tongue stuck to a pole (and yes, it's news)

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Categories: Happy Holidays, News You Can Use, Ridiculata, Things That Are Awesome!, Those Crazy Kids!

Christmasstory_lA 10-year-old Indiana boy was (triple-dog) dared to stick his tongue on a steetlight pole earlier this week, and, it stuck. A cop at the scene, who asked to remain anonymous, expressed his amazement to the local paper: "You’d think everybody in the country had seen A Christmas Story by now. Remember what happened to Flick [pictured]." Adding to the comedy is the fact that the incident took place in Hammond, Ind., the hometown of Christmas Story writer Jean Shepherd. He renamed the town Hohman in the film. Hohman is the name of one of Hammond’s main drags — and the one police were called to on Tuesday night.

Before you laugh too hard at this fourth-grader, take our pole poll below…

 
Jan 16 2009 05:30 PM ET

'Battlestar': It's Back!

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Categories: Battlestar Galactica, I'm Just a Geek, Ninjas, Sci-Fi, Television

So, tonight’s the night. At 10 p.m., the sprint to the end of one of the best shows on TV begins. And, I’ve gotta admit, I’m a little nervous. Will this first episode back rock my rocks off, or will it leave them on my feet, woefully unrocked? I dunno. (Okay, I do know, as I’ve seen the hour in question and have already dealt with my footwear.) So check back on EW.com tomorrow morning for my TV Watch recapping the evening’s events…until then, here’s a guided tour — led by Tricia Helfer, Michael Hogan, and Michael Trucco — through the goodies on sale at the Battlestar Galactica Live Auction taking place this weekend in Cali.

What would you want from the show for your very own? If anyone out there really loved me, they’d get me Adama’s desk.

More ‘Battlestar Galactica’:
EW’s ‘Battlestar Galactica’ headquarters
‘Galactica’: Missed season 1?
Eric Stoltz tapped for ‘Battlestar’ prequel
Comic-Con ’08 ‘Battlestar Galactica’: Who’s the last Cylon?
‘Battlestar Galactica’: Crack the clues!

Jan 16 2009 05:00 PM ET

Steve Carell owns a general store in Massachusetts. Really.

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Categories: Deals, Steve Carell, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Steve_carrell_lNot that anyone needs another reason to like Steve Carell, but the Office star has given us one: He recently purchased the Marshfield Hills General Store in his native Massachusetts. The actor and his family spend their summers in Marshfield Hills, and, as Carell told the Boston Globe in an email: "This is much more of an emotional investment than a business one….I saw an opportunity to help to preserve a little piece of history. I also felt that places like the Marshfield Hills General Store represent a gathering place, and give people a sense of community. These spots are growing more and more scarce. I hope to keep this particular one alive and well."

While Carell’s local sister-in-law will man the shop most of the time, Steve expects to pitch in when he’s in town: "I will be manning the cash register and stocking the shelves as time permits!" he said. We’re all thinking road trip, yes? What would you say to Carell if you saw him behind the counter? After I asked him how much the Atomic Fireballs cost (look casual!), I would probably launch into the story about how my friend Christa, a photo editor on a shoot he did for TV Guide years ago when he was still on The Daily Show, framed one of the outtakes and hung it in her bathroom. I think he would appreciate that.

Can we possibly love Carell any more, PopWatchers? Who’s planning this road trip?

addCredit(“Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images”)

More on Steve Carell and The Office:
Alynda Wheat recaps last night’s Office
Just in: The Office and 30 Rock renewed
Ausiello’s latest Office scoops (including the return of Amy Ryan)
Office gallery: Jim’s best pranks!
EW’s 2006 Office cover story
Steve Carell one of EW’s 2005 Entertainer of The Year
Is Steve Carell’s beaver named Mr. Hat?

Jan 16 2009 04:04 PM ET

Keanu Reeves in live-action 'Cowboy Bebop'

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Categories: Deals, I'm Just a Geek, Movies, Things That Are Awesome!

Keanureeves_lKeanu Reeves is set to play futuristic bounty hunter Spike Spiegel in a live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series Cowboy Bebop, Variety reports. You don’t have to be a fan of the show to understand why Reeves was cast: It’s set in 2071. Spike wears cool clothes and packs heat. Done. I’m down with Reeves’ casting because I’ll watch Keanu in anything (I see emotion even when you don’t), and because my attachment to Spike began roughly 10 minutes ago when I watched the ending of the 26-episode series on YouTube. Bang! (I’d recommend spoilerphobic newbies settle for the opening of Ep 1, below.)

What do you diehard fans think? Who would you like to see cast as paternal cyborg Jet, sassy femme Faye, and girly techno-savant Ed?

More on Keanu Reeves and Cowboy Bebop:
Keanu Reeves: 24 career highs and lows
EW reviews Reeves’ movies
Keanu Reeves confesses his comic book obsession
Lisa Schwarzbaum reviews the 2003 Cowboy Bebop movie
Marc Bernardin reviews the Cowboy Bebop movie DVD (from which, I confess, I stole my description of the supporting characters)

Jan 16 2009 03:58 PM ET

Joaquin Phoenix's rap career the subject of debate (and a Casey Affleck-directed documentary)

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Categories: Deals, Documentaries, Movies, Music

Affleckphoenix_lLast October, the news that Joaquin Phoenix was abandoning his acting career to pursue a musical one was met with mixed reviews and our own Michael Slezak penning Phoenix’s first single. I’m far more intrigued by Phoenix’s change of heart now, after reading in The Hollywood Reporter that he wants to be a rapper and will have Diddy produce his album — and that his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, is filming a documentary following his efforts. Shooting "officially" begins today in Las Vegas, the trade says, though Affleck was spotted filming Phoenix in action in November. (TMZ also got some footage.)

Will I buy a Joaquin Phoenix rap album? Probably not. Will I watch a documentary on Joaquin Phoenix’s attempt at a rap career? Definitely. Who’s with me?

More on Joaquin Phoenix:
Joaquin Phoenix wants to be a singer? We’ve got the perfect lead single for him!
Joaquin Phoenix: His most memorable roles

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