Archive: February 2009 (151-160 of 448)

Feb 19 2009 09:16 PM ET

Isla Fisher Q&A: 'Confident tapping into my inner idiot'

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Categories: Movies

Islafisher_lThe Confessions of a Shopaholic star talks about life after Wedding Crashers, comedy, nudity, living with Borat, and "dry humping the furniture."

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Your character in Confessions of a Shopaholic, Rebecca Bloomwood, is a plum role. How did you get cast in the film?
ISLA FISHER: I was a huge fan of the books and I was sent the script –- I think it was an early draft — but I didn’t really think about it again. The next thing I know, [Shopaholic producer] Jerry Bruckheimer wanted to meet with me. I was six months pregnant [Fisher and her comedian fiancee, Sacha Baron Cohen, have a young daughter] and had already gained about 50 pounds. I could barely walk. I waddled into the meeting and we spoke a little bit about the character. And I pitched a lot of jokes, which ended up being in the movie. Normally, you pitch ideas and people go, ‘Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah,’ and your ideas stay in the movie but somebody else gets the job. But Jerry picked me.

This is your first high profile role since Wedding Crashers. What kind of scripts did you get offered following that film’s success?
A lot off stuff I didn’t do. A lot of not funny ‘girlfriend’ roles in very commercial movies. That was frustrating. What’s great about today is that we have He’s Just Not That Into You, Sex And The City, Bride Wars, House Bunny, Baby Mama, Shopaholic. It feels like it’s a different time.

There’s been a lot of debate at EW about the current the movies you’ve just mentioned. On the one hand, they do frequently have great roles for women but, just as often, their message seems to be that what women should really strive for is a big wedding and a Prada handbag.
That’s a complicated topic. Am I disappointed occasionally by the lack of irony in some movies? Yes. I do consider myself to be a feminist, even though for some reason it’s considered to be a dirty word. And I do believe that Rebecca Bloomwood is a full, complete woman. She doesn’t spend the entire movie dreaming about getting a guy.

addCredit(“Lucas Jackson/Reuters/Landov”)

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Feb 19 2009 09:13 PM ET

Jimmy Fallon's first week: De Niro, Fey...and Donald Trump

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Categories: Television

Deniro_lNBC announced Jimmy Fallon‘s guests for his debut week, and it looks like a pretty good mix of big stars, people who are promoting stuff for NBC, and then some other…random people. Whattawegot:

Monday: Robert De Niro and Van Morrison
Consider the dad market cornered. De Niro is an A-List, class-act guest, but is that the same thing as being a big draw? It’s not at the box office — last year’s Righteous Kill barely cleared $40 million domestically. De Niro can be pretty, oh, let’s call it "low energy" on television (exhibit A), which might make the excitable Fallon seem even more fidgety, plus just about anyone is going to seem like a lightweight sitting next to Mr. Raging Bull. Hmmm.

Tuesday: Tina Fey, Jon Bon Jovi, and Santogold
I’m actually a little bit excited for a Fey/Fallon reunion. It’ll be like the old days! And at least Santogold is sort of current/newsy.

Wednesday: Cameron Diaz and Billy Crudup
So Crudup is promoting Watchmen. But what is Cameron Diaz doing on the show? Do other people find her interesting?

Thursday: Donald Trump, Serena Williams, and Ludacris
It’s an uphill battle for Donald Trump, trying to pimp the new season of Celebrity Apprentice in the wake of three of his casinos filing for bankruptcy. Oh, and also because everyone is super over The Apprentice. Serena Williams is usually a non-entity on television, but maybe Ludacris can keep things exciting?

Friday: Drew Barrymore and Mario Batali
Drew Barrymore is BFFs with Jimmy Fallon’s wife, her producing partner Nancy Juvonen, and she’s seriously one of my favorite talk-show guests because she’s so chatty and personable. Batals’ — as Gwyneth Paltrow calls him — recent buzz has been a little on the narsty side (that video contains some unpleasantly frank discussion of sex), but he’s a TV personality, which means he won’t need too much prodding from Fallon to keep the segment moving.

This seems like a tough opening-week line-up; Fallon won’t havemastered the hostly "just relax, I can steer this ship" skills thatmake even dud guests fun to watch on Letterman or The Daily Show.What say you about these guests, PopWatch Nation? Whose cheeks would you plant on Fallon’s couch in his first week? And what makes a good late-night guest, anyway?

Feb 19 2009 08:37 PM ET

Watchmen virgins: Here's your movie primer!

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Categories: Watchmen

Watchmen2_lWatchmen is coming! Watchmen is coming! And…you don’t know a darn thing about it! Well, here we come to save the day: Check out our forthcoming cover story about Zack Snyder’s controversial superhero epic — or just peruse these introductory talking points.

1. Watchmen was published in 1986 by DC Comics as a 12-issue mini-series. Though set in an alternate-world America, the comic’s creators, writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons, are both English. Both were key members of a vibrant British comic book scene that reveled in smart, irreverent, “post-modern” takes on classic superhero archetypes. That sensibility would inform their vision of Watchmen.

2. Originally, Moore and Gibbons envisioned a revisionist superhero saga/murder mystery that used existing superhero characters owned by DC Comics. Their ambition: an ultra-realistic depiction of superheroes and how such characters might actually shape and affect the real world, from politics to pop culture to religion. But when the publisher realized the creators’ irreverent and edgy treatment of the company’s valuable intellectual properties would either destroy or tarnish them, Moore and Gibbons were told to create their original characters for their story. And they did.

3. Fearful he didn’t have enough story to fill 12 issues, Moore decided to add issues devoted to deep, probing origin stories and alternate them with issues of forward-moving plot. This interchanging rhythm would become one of Watchmen’s distinguishing and most successful characteristics — and, ironically, contributed to the massive scope that has made the comic so challenging for filmmakers to adapt.

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Feb 19 2009 08:19 PM ET

'Lost': The EW Easter Egg Hunt begins!

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Categories: Lost

Lost316_lWe’ve got something we think all you Losties will like: an Easter egg of exclusive Lost content. Want to read an interview with Lost exec producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, discussing this season’s creative direction and a hint of how next week’s episode fits into the master plan of the season? Start looking for the URL for this bonus bunch of fun somewhere in our message boards for today’s recap around 4 P.M. EST. If you like, and you think it’s cool, we’ll see about doing more each week.

Feb 19 2009 08:14 PM ET

Would you buy this 'new stupid piece of s--'?

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Categories: Apropos of Nothing, Clip du Jour, Have You Seen This?, Ridiculata, Viral Video!!!

Sony_onion_2We bow to The Onion for recognizing that, even in a tough economy, people will buy… well, you check it out. (Warning: hilarious video with lots of bad language, after the jump.)

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Feb 19 2009 08:12 PM ET

Dr. Dre's 'Topless' leaks: Now let's hope it actually gets released

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Categories: Hip-Hop/Rap, Music

Seasoned fans know better by now than to get too excited when material that’s destined to appear on Dr. Dre’s Detox leaks. No matter how dope a track may sound, there’s no guarantee that it’ll really end up on the good doctor’s infinitely delayed album. Indeed, the very fact that you’re hearing a Detox demo may make it less likely that that song will ever see the light of day: Rumor has it Dre has scrapped months of studio work in frustration at seeing snippets leak to the public in unfinished form. So take all that as a word of caution before listening to "Topless," the totally awesome alleged Detox demo featuring T.I. and Nas that leaked yesterday. (Check it out below; some NSFW language.)

Here’s one glaring hint that "Topless" is an incomplete demo: Dr. Dre doesn’t actually rap on it. Instead, the song opens with T.I. delivering a sick verse that’s evidently meant to come out of Dre’s mouth. ("Look, Eazy, ain’t a damn thing changed, I promise/Still live like we did back on Straight Outta Compton…") It’s widely known that Dr. Dre gets the best lyricists in the game to draft verses for him — check how he flowed exactly like Eminem on "Forgot About Dre," or like credited cowriter Jay-Z on "Still D.R.E." How cool is it to hear T.I. demonstrating his ghostwriting contribution first-hand? Nas’ guest verse, on the other hand, seems intended to be rapped by Nas as-is, and it’s another winner, packed with the kind of intricate imagery that only God’s Son can pull off.

And the beat? Well, it’s one of the best things Dre’s done in years, all dusty piano keys and boom-bap drums. Those sounds have more in common with the golden age of New York hip-hop than with the glossy synth melodrama of most post-2001 Dre productions — a welcome evolution for an NY head like yours truly. But like I said, I’m going to cut myself off before I get too psyched about this track, only to be disappointed when a completed version never materializes. How about you?

More on Dr. Dre:
The Chronic is one of EW’s New Music Classics
"California Love" is one of EW’s Top 25 Summer Songs
Snap Judgment: Listening to music Dr. Dre’s way
Detox was one of EW’s most anticipated albums…in 2002

Feb 19 2009 07:36 PM ET

Don't fear the reefer: 'The Martha Stewart Show' goes to pot!

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Categories: Television

M4099_625_2Attention, stoners! It seems somebody has finally given Martha Stewart the right kind of viewer research—you know, the kind that lets her know that plennnnty of you are at home watching her daytime talk show and hittin’ the pipe on a regular basis. At least, that’s my guess after receiving an e-mail this morning that included an announcement that next Monday’s episode of The Martha Stewart Show will be "entirely dedicated to the world of pot."

I’m not really sure how this will go over with Martha’s dedicated fan base of type-A closet reorganizers and guppies in search of the perfect cassoulet recipe—I mean, do those people even know what pot is?—but the e-mail release had some pretty smokin’ (sorry) teasers. For instance, Monday’s episode will feature Martha talking about her stash of pots while an onscreen crawl highlights every word she uses that includes "pot." She’ll hang out with some pot-bellied pigs, chat with some professional plant potters, and welcome guest Jimmy Fallon, who brings Martha a plate of brownies upon entrance (while cracking an already-tired Michael Phelps joke) and later cooks his favorite chili in, yep, a Crock-Pot.

Haha. Pot. Get it? You know, this isn’t the first time our Martha has flirted with pot culture—plenty of us recall our jaws hitting the floor when she made her uproarious appearance alongside Busta Rhymes at the 1997 Video Music Awards. For all the times we’ve heard rumors of nasty, cutthroat behavior, Martha’s her own best lampoonist, and it’s pretty admirable that she plays along so well. Or maybe, after all those months in prison, the girl’s just got a need for weed. Weed HUMOR, I mean! (Seriously, Martha, don’t sue me. I in no way presume that you toke up on a regular basis.)

So, stoners and non-stoners alike, does this episode sound like fun to you? Will you be watching?

Feb 19 2009 07:26 PM ET

Keshia Knight Pulliam: A Q&A with the former Cosby kid...who's playing a hooker now

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Categories: Movies

Keshiaknightpulliam_lYes, onetime Cosby Show moppet Keshia Knight Pulliam plays a prostitute named Candy in Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail. Here, she talks about living down the Huxtables and joining Perry’s band of players.

You really play a prostitute?
She also has a little drug problem. Like all of Tyler’s movies, it’s really good at getting you laughing, but it also gets a message in there. Her story’s a universal one about choice. It was definitely the most dramatic role I’ve played to date.

But Rudy Huxtable as a prostitute — really?
What people forget is that I’m an actress. That’s the wonderful thing about what I do. I get to play different roles. And Rudy was a really, really long time ago. I will be 30 on April 9.

You have a recurring role on Perry’s TBS series House of Payne. Is that how you got this job?
Actually, he had me in mind for a different role, Derek Luke’s character’s fiancée, the young DA from a good family. The sort of Huxtable trajectory. But being the Keshia that I am, I said, "I’m thankful. However, I really want to play Candy."

And he just handed the role over to you?
He said, "If you believe you can do this, I believe you can." But of course I did a table read before it was officially offered to me, because there were a lot of naysayers. They were like, "Rudy as a hooker?"

What’s your dream role then?
If Janet Jackson does the story of her life and I’m still young enough, I am there. No one can pull her off like I can. I have a dance background. I’m definitely not cutting an album anytime soon, but I can lip-synch all day. I can’t sing, but I can act like it very well.

Feb 19 2009 06:24 PM ET

Site of the Day: TheWB.com's 'Love Hangover' programming

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Categories: Buffy, Site of the Day, Television, Who Else Remembers This?

If you’ve had enough of the lovey-dovey, head over to TheWB.com, which is featuring a post-Valentine’s Day "Love Hangover" programming block through March 1. You can currently catch the devastating "Innocence" episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (embedded below). It’s one of creator Joss Whedon’s and fans’ favorites because it takes the whole "sleep with a guy and he turns evil on you" thing to a whole new literal level. Then there is the "I Will Remember You" episode of Angel (embedded after the jump), when Buffy visits Angel in L.A. and for a few brief chocolate-and-peanut butter-filled moments it looks like they might actually be able to be together. Also noteworthy: A bunch of buzz-killing Janice episodes from Friends.

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Feb 19 2009 04:01 PM ET

Can we please just stop trying to revive the variety show?

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Categories: PopWatch Petition, Television

Nelly_lNews broke this morning that Nelly, of all people, is in talks with the producers of The Biggest Loser to produce a new variety show called Nelly’s Night in Vegas. To which I say: Um, for realz, let’s just stop while we’re ahead, Nelly. And The Osbournes. And John Mayer. And just in case you ever try it again, you too, Rosie O’Donnell. I don’t know how many times a celebrity has tried to revive the tired, past-its-prime variety show as the baby boomer generation knew it–Carol Burnett and Friends, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour–but Variety‘s explanation has me worried that we could be in for another Dolly-sized mess. "Nelly’s Night in Vegas is currently being pitched to networks as aweekly series that would feature Nelly performing and interacting withcelebs." Oh, no. "Show would look like a talkshow-variety hybrid…with asidekick and house band, as well as guests and performances. Because itwill shoot in Vegas, there may also be an in-studio gaming element." Oh, HELL no!

See, here’s the thing: I like Nelly a lot. But I don’t know how badly I want to see him front a show, week in and week out, that plays like a variety hour. Because I can’t really name you a "variety show" that has been worth keeping around for all that long. In fact, so much of TV already tilts toward the ol’ variety genre in one way or another these days. I can gorge on American Idol, a week’s worth of Ellens, some Chelsea Lately, and an episode of America’s Best Dance Crew and get all the celebrities, dancing, singing, wisecracking and general fanfare that I need. Why limit it to just one hour?

There’s one caveat here, of course: Jay Leno is about to walk away from his Tonight Show desk and plop himself down in the 10 p.m. time slot at NBC, every single night of the week, to front…a variety show. But Jay’s a different case. He is, by extension of his training as a stand-up comedian and late-night talk show host, the natural fit. His celebrity does not outshine his ability to do the job. I expect he’ll be pretty comfortable in the role of ringleader, though it’s anyone’s guess what the ratings will look like. But Nelly? Fronting a variety show? Adding himself to the long (and frankly, kind of sad) roster of artists and entertainers who keep flogging a past-its-prime format? I’ll pass.

What about you? Do you think artists and entertainers should be keeping the variety TV series alive? Or is it too little, way too late?

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