Archive: March 2009 (111-120 of 518)

Mar 25 2009 07:57 PM ET

'Where the Wild Things Are': We finally get a trailer! Goosebumples!

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Categories: Have You Seen This?, Movie Trailers, Movies

A week after its poster hit the net, the first trailer for Where the Wild Things Are is finally (finally!) upon us. And thankfully, unlike the poster, is isn’t coy at all about those Wild Things’ unmistakable, Maurice Sendakian mugs. Enough preamble — here’s the clip:

Don’t know about you, but from the Arcade Fire song to the glimpses of director Spike Jonze’s particular brand of magical realism to the implication that the story will revolve around our monster-PJ’d Max’s struggles with absent father issues, this trailer’s got me all with the goosebumples. The film has been delayed for nearly a year as director Spike Jonze reportedly toiled over and tweaked the project. But based on this first look, P-Dubs, do you feel it will be worth the wait?

Mar 25 2009 07:01 PM ET

Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore to play the Clintons for HBO. Just hand them Emmys now.

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Categories: Politics as Entertainment, Television, Waiting

Quaidmooresheen_lAs we’ve mentioned, Dennis Quaid will play Bill Clinton, Julianne Moore will play Hillary Clinton, and Frost/Nixon star Michael Sheen will play Tony Blair in The Special Relationship, a forthcoming HBO film set specifically around the time the former British Prime Minister first took office. The movie, it’s said, has not been given a formal greenlight, to which I say, why? I promise you Emmy voters have already checked their names on their ballots. Plus, this will be swoon-worthy Sheen’s third time playing swoon-worthy Tony Blair (see also: The Queen and The Deal). Quaid still looks hellagood in a suit, and I’d really like him to star in something that I’d actually like to watch (which hasn’t happened in roughly five years). And who doesn’t want to see what Moore does with Hillary? She’s so good at stoic characters — there’s always something bubbling underneath.

Are you in? Does it help to know that it’s written by Oscar nominee Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen), who’s also expected to direct? Emmys, people. Emmys.

Mar 25 2009 05:20 PM ET

Roseanne's new sitcom: Could she be resurrecting the Connors?

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Categories: Television

Rosannebed_lEarlier this week, the Hollywood Reporter revealed that Roseanne Barr was plotting a return to primetime; she’s working on developing a new sitcom for Fox in which she’d play the matriarch of a family. Sound familiar? Barr is famous for her spot-on portrayal of working class clan leader Roseanne Connor from the ground-breaking ’80s-’90s sitcom Roseanne, which centered on a hard-up family in the fictional town of Lanford, Illinois.

After hearing this exciting news, I recalled a back-and-forth I’d had with the actress recently. Last fall, for the 20th anniversary of Roseanne, I pulled together an exhaustive oral historyof the show. One interesting tidbit that came out of my two-hoursit down with Barr was a comment she made about where the Connor family would be today: "I’ve always said now that if they were on TV, [son] DJ would have been killed in Iraq and [the Connors] would have lost their house," she told me. When I asked for more details on where the rest of the Connors—Jackie, Becky, Darlene, David, and Mark—would be, Barr clammed up, telling me, "Your question is intellectual property that may be developed later, so I don’t want to get into that." I pressed a bit further, but she wasn’t having it: "No preview, absolutely not."

Given that she’s developing another family sitcom—with former Roseanne executive producer Caryn Mandabach, no less—and that she’s clearly thought about where the Connors would be now (a subject she views as "intellectual property"), my question is: Are the Connors coming back to TV? Could Roseanne be plotting a rebirth of the family with her as the grandmotherly matriarch ruling over a brood of fully-grown children and young grandchildren?

Armed with all this information, PopWatchers, I ask you: Would you want to see Roseanne Barr launch a reboot of the Connor clan? Would it even make sense, given all the craziness with the final season (Dan dying, Mark with Darlene, Becky with David, etc.)? What do you think all of the characters would be up to today? Would such a working-class comedy fly in today’s wealth-obsessed prime time landscape? Sound off!

More Roseanne on EW:
A ‘Roseanne’ family reunion
Roseanne Barr plotting primetime return with family comedy
Defending Roseanne Barr by Ken Tucker
Review: ‘Roseanne’
Roseanne Barr’s national blunder

Mar 25 2009 04:26 PM ET

Megan Mullally: The EW Pop Culture Personality Test

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Categories: EW Pop Culture Personality Test, Television

Meganmullally_lEmmy winner Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) returns to series TV March 26 with the premiere of the new ABC comedy In the Motherhood (Thursdays, 8 p.m. ET). We celebrated the best way we know how: by making her take an EW Pop Culture Personality Test.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What show makes you yell at the TV?

MEGAN MULLALLY: [Laughs] My husband and I — and this is very atypical for my husband, so just know that he’s not gay — but my husband and I were watching The Bachelor in a way that was, like, unhealthy. We hadn’t watched The Bachelor or Bachelorette for years, pretty much since Trista and Ryan, and we just got really absorbed in it. We’d TiVo it, and we’d be watching like, "No, no, no. Go back. Go back. Go back." Like, somebody would say something or somebody would give somebody a look, and we’d be like, "Rewind it!" Just a lot of really invested, mutual, crazy behavior over The Bachelor.

Have you forgiven Jason?

We weren’t as mad at him as America in general was. Even though it all seemed a little odd. I heard he was America’s most-hated person there for a minute, which is really sad. [Laughs] Can you imagine? You never want to be America’s most-hated person. That’s just terrible. All he did was go on a dating show. He didn’t kill anybody. It really seems unwarranted. And you know what, who cares? Melissa’s on Dancing With the Stars now, she’s America’s sweetheart. Leave him alone.

The movie you have to watch every time you spot it on cable?

Let’s see. I’m not a very good repeat viewer of movies. But I think — and this is sad — probably Mary Poppins. That’s really pathetic. How could you not watch that?

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Mar 25 2009 03:57 PM ET

George Lopez's late-night gig: The host you've been waiting for?

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Categories: Deals, Television

Georgelopez_l"If change can come to the White House, then change can come to late night," comedian George Lopez told The Hollywood Reporter about his new TBS talk-show. "Yes I can!"

TBS. George Lopez. Late night.

Is that really change we can believe in?

TBS ordered 34-weeks of the show, which will attempt to generate a more spontaneous and interactive spark with its live audience, and hopes that an 11 p.m. start time will give Lopez a cushion before Dave and Conan come on at 11:30. But don’t forget that Leno’s new prime-time show will air at 10, and Lopez is still slated opposite Jon Stewart, though his show would seeming target a different demo than The Daily Show. But just how much couch-patter can viewers be expected to consume?

For TBS, it’s worth the gamble. Their instincts on Tyler Perry paid off, and Lopez might fill a similarly under-served niche. Technically, they have nothing to lose: Frank TV was a pretty stale imitation of a late-night variety show.

But is Lopez the right guy? His eponymous ABC sitcom had a nice run, ending after 118 episodes in 2007, but how many George Lopez fans are there really? Leno at 10 has a curiosity factor. Jimmy Fallon had a curiosity factor. George Lopez? I’m not feeling the curiosity factor. Maybe Lopez should pick a fight. In 2007, he lashed out at Leno, called him “two-faced” and the “worst interviewer on TV.” Now, it’s put-up time, and if I were Lopez, I wouldn’t necessarily run away from controversy.

Can George Lopez keep your attention four nights a week? Do you give him a prayer of lasting 34 weeks, or is a repeat of Chevy Chase’s late-night trainwreck a distinct possibility?

Mar 25 2009 03:27 PM ET

Mel and Mike White made our Must List, how about yours?

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Categories: Middle-Aged Butt-Kicking, Must List

Amazingrace_l_2What’s that you say? You don’t watch The Amazing Race, aka the best reality show ever (sorry, Biggest Loser)? Well, you should. And there are two very worthy reasons why: Mel and Mike White. The father-son team, comprised of Christian author/gay activist dad Mel and screenwriter Mike, land firmly at the top of my Must List this week. I was afraid the elder White’s days on the show would be numbered after he pulled pulled his groin in the very first episode, but the duo has managed to consistently beat their opponents while maintaining an upbeat attitude, polite demeanor, and constant stream of self-aware commentary. If you ever wanted an example of how to portray yourself on reality TV and not look like an asshole, use the Whites as your template.

Of course, I hope I haven’t jinxed them by mentioning them here. Help reverse my curse by checking out all our Amazing Race coverage (Josh Wolk’s recaps, Phil Keoghan’s blogs) and then sharing your Musts for this week. List up to three items from current TV/movies/music/books/games/online. Don’t forget your e-mail address, in case we decide to use your submission in the magazine. Deadline is Thursday, March 26 at noon ET.

Mar 25 2009 03:13 PM ET

Amanda Bynes: Has she taken our career advice?

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Categories: Pilot Season, Television

Amandabynes_l

Last year, when Amanda Bynes was looking for new representation, PopWatch graciously offered to play interim agent and suggested what she should do next: return to series TV and find a smart role that doesn’t require a pratfall. Well…Bynes has been cast in the ABC pilot Canned, a comedy about a group of friends who are fired on the same day. According to Variety, she’ll play Sarabeth, a "naive Midwesterner who’s being exploited by her boss — and doesn’t realize it." Also in the cast are Carpoolers cutie Tim Peper (what, I watched a couple of episodes) and Cavemen‘s Stephenie Lemelin (okay, even I didn’t go there). While I’m more than a little nervous that "naive" is code for "adorkably clumsy," I’m crossing my fingers that the agent Bynes replaced us with knows what he or she is doing. Do you think this pilot stands a chance?

P.S. Did anyone else watch Dollhouse Friday night and wrack your brain trying to think whose voice Agent Ballard’s neighbor’s reminded you of and realize it was Amanda Bynes’? (Really? Just me? Their inflections are so similar.)

More Amanda Bynes:
Be Amanda Bynes’ new agent
Does Amanda Bynes need a career time out?

Click here for more of our pilot season coverage, with news on Peter Krause and Alex O’Loughlin.

Mar 25 2009 03:00 PM ET

David Lynch is having a Web TV party! Paul and Ringo are invited!

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Categories: Movies, Tech, Television, This Could Be Interesting..., Weblogs

Davidlynch_lToday, David Lynch launched David Lynch Foundation Television (dlf.tv), a new online venture that he calls a "celebration of consciousness, creativity and bliss." As you probably know, in addition to being one of the most envelope-pushingly creative filmmakers working today — I still get freaked out thinking about Bob from Twin Peaks — Lynch is a devotee of Transcendental Meditation with 35 years experience. His foundation is dedicated to teaching at-risk youngsters to meditate as a way of coping with stress. Now, he’s got this new site dedicated to all things Transcendental Meditation — or just TM for those in the know — and it’s chock-full of videos, docs, and other odds and ends that Lynch fans will gobble up.

Among the video offerings, there’s "Daily David," where you can see the Blue Velvet director pontificate on such topics as silence, how to make a good movie (he talks a lot about props), and "cleaning the machine," i.e. meditating. Under the awesomely named "David Doing Stuff" channel, there’s a video of Lynch jamming with Moby. (Personally, I prefer these rando fly-on-the-wall vids, even if my "high-speed connection" here at work reduces them to a sputtering, jittery mess.)

Aaaaaand, on April 4, dlf.tv will also host its very first webcast, a concert at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall headlined by Paul McCartney and featuring Ringo Starr (two Beatles under one roof!), Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, and Lynch’s jamming buddy, Moby. You still have to mosey on over to davidlynch.com  to watch the guy’s daily weather reports for the L.A. area or buy his coffee (all organic all the time!), but tell me PWAAFL — that’s PopWatchers Who Are Also Fans of David Lynch — are you into the idea of dlf.tv? Could it be your ticket to consciousness, creativity and bliss?

Mar 25 2009 02:57 PM ET

Mary Tyler Moore on Letterman: Ed Asner -- 'enormous'

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Categories: About Last Night, Television

Comedy goddess and all-around TV royalty Mary Tyler Moore sat down with newlywed David Letterman last night to promote her new book, Growing Up Again: Life, Loves, and Oh Yeah, Diabetes.* Here, she tells Dave about accidentally walking in on a nude Ed Asner.

"He was glistening. From the shower. I just want to say that…uh, I know he’s admired for his enormous talent, but — " Heyo! Can we get this woman back on a sitcom, please? She’s still got it.

*When I hear "oh yeah" I think "Kool-Aid guy." Sorry, diabetes.

Mar 25 2009 02:55 PM ET

'Real Housewives of New York City': Fashion Week descends

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Categories: Misc.

Last night’s episode was one of many revelations, all of them either unnecessary or upsetting. We now know that Brad doubles as a makeup artist. Jill is a 32 G. Simon had a vasectomy. Kelly has many charities, and yet none. Arthritis is one of those "cute" conditions. And Ramona may soon be starting a foundation in honor of Avery’s right heel. Also, Bravo may be trying to turn the ubiquitous Russell Simmons into the next Housewife.

Kelly is turning into quite the stoned villainess. There is something so vacant and vaguely cruel about her that she manages to make LuAnn, who always seems the voice of level-headed reason in comparison, seem positively divine. Kelly droned to the Countess about how she doesn’t even have time to support her own charities, how can she be expected to lend her name to Jill’s fight against arthritis? "What charities?" LuAnn sensibly inquired. "Uh, I don’t do charities," said Kelly. Later the leggy advertisement against spray-tanning gave a tutorial to all budding hack journalists out there on the art of the interview. Make it about you, marvel over platitudes, print puff pieces on your fabulous friends, accept expensive gifts (in this case, a Jill Stuart watch) in return.

Bethenny wants to bitch-slap Kelly. Apparently, Kelly once flirted with Bethenny’s rock and roll photographer boyfriend and our girl, who we know has a hard time letting go and moving on (get thee to a therapist!), is not over it. So when Kelly droned on about her fabulous friends and this fabulous party that they had to go to together, Bethenny gave her the heavily-lined stink eye. Then Kelly showed up to Jill’s charity meeting 30 minutes late, only to smile insincerely at a mystified Ali and call her arthritis adorable, and pitched a fit over the idea of her name being included on the event’s invitation. Welcome to the shark tank, girl. Bethenny accused her of coming from "a place of no" and this all set the scene for next week’s heavily anticipated confrontation between the two. "We’re not friends," Kelly says in the trailer. "Correct," spits Bethenny. Bring it.

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