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Archive: April 2009 (361-370 of 498)

Apr 9 2009 10:00 AM ET

Quote of the Day: 'Garden State' edition

"Oh, guys? Don’t stay in here all day. I had to take the batteries out of the carbon monoxide detector; it was beeping all night." — Carol (Jean Smart) in Garden State

Apr 9 2009 05:33 AM ET

'American Idol': On the scene for elimination night

by Lynette Rice

Categories: American Idol

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Florida_l All together now: "Awwwwwwwww." Yep, I know you’re disappointed — and notjust because the good-natured Scott got a (not-so-surprising) boot tonight.You’re sad to discover that Auntie Whitterz and The Beav (you know that’s what we callhim here in the EW offices, right?) are not here to blog the behind-the-scenes action from tonight’s show! Restassured, my newfound friends, the kids’ll be back next week. It’s just that The Beav (aka AdamB. Vary) was catching a flight back from New York today and the Whitterz wasresting up from days and days of maddening, post-Academy of Country Music Awardscoverage (dang you, Toby Keith!) so they just couldn’t be with you.

Now, if you revel in the notion that a fresh pair of eyes can only improve these weekly blog posts, then holy mackerel, you’re in luck: I’ve never been to live show! And I can honestly say that after spending two glorious hours at CBS Television City, it’s a damn shame that it’s taken me this long to get my arse into one of those exclusive seats. Who knew the judges spent less than 60 percent of the show actually sitting at their desk? And why didn’t someone tell me that half-nude hotties were greeting customers at the nearby Abercrombie & Fitch?

But I digress…let’s start from the beginning. Mindful of how many people (a good bazillion?) didn’t catch the judges’ comments for Adam’s showstopping performance on Tuesday, Idol’s warm-up guy told the crowd that Flo Rida (pictured) would be taping his segment before the live show began so we won’t miss diddly tonight. Now you’re talking, dude! Waiting in those seats a good 45 minutes before the show was set to begin became mind-numbingly dull fast, and the grade schooler sitting next to me was hacking up some nasty grunge that was sure to infect me by the time Kellie Pickler howled her tune. Bring on Flo, I say! Or maybe it’s Rida, or Flo Ride — however the kids are mangling the name that used to be associated with the southeastern region of the United States (seriously, what would Juan Ponce De Leon have to say about this?).

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Apr 9 2009 02:26 AM ET

'American Idol': Were you surprised by tonight's bottom three?

by Michael Slezak

Categories: American Idol

First things first…the group performance for Top 8 results night was liiiiive…and it was also pretty atroshe! But hey, if we have to be subjected to Up With People-style antics, I say we might as well get another chance to hear how our favorite contestants’ voices are holding up, rather than have pre-recorded tracks shoved down our throats (which has been the case the last four weeks). So thank you, producers, for that earsore. And I say that without the slightest hint of sarcasm. Well, almost. As for this week’s bottom three…[West coasters, SPOILERS are comin' atcha!]…I can’t say it was a huge surprise, although I felt Anoop Desai’s pain after Lil Rounds got sent back to the couches of safety, and he was left standing at center stage with Scott MacIntyre, waiting to see if America had voted to make him walk the Idol plank. In the end, though, it was season 8′s Mr. Congeniality who got sent packing, after a judges’ deliberation that was as disingenuous as it was anticlimactic. Quick question: Who do you think Simon was referring to when he said one contestant in particular was a good candidate for the Judges’ Save? I’d like to think he meant Anoop, whose "True Colors" last night towered over Lil’s "What’s Love Got to Do With It" like The rock facing off in a wrestling match against Dakota Fanning. But I’ve got a feeling it was the other way around. Anyhow, I’m off to write my full TV Watch recap, which will post in the wee small hours of the morning. In the interim, head to the message boards below and weigh in on tonight’s proceedings…but before you do, we just added two new Megan Joy interview segments (for a grand total of three) in the Idolatry player below. Ch-ch-check ‘em out…the season’s polarizing chanteuse was in a pretty candid mood, if I do say so myself!

More on ‘American Idol’
‘American Idol’ recap: Simon’s Spontaneous ‘O’!
‘American Idol’ Power List: Vote for your favorite from season 8′s Top 8!
‘American Idol’: Simon’s 12 Meanest Critiques
Idolatry: Megan Joy on rude judges
‘American Idol’ recap: This…is ‘Bizarro Idol’!
‘American Idol’ Style: All-time Best and Worst
‘Idol’ Cheat Sheet: The season so far…
EW’s ‘Idol’ Headquarters
Predict who goes home on ‘Idol’ this week!

Apr 9 2009 01:47 AM ET

Larry Charles to direct sex comedy 'Winter's Discontent'? Time to get happy

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Movies

Larrycharles_l I was already counting the minutes until Bruno hits theaters on July 10 (that would be 139, 4 — whatevs, math is too hard), and now comes word that its director, Larry Charles, is nearing an agreement to helm Winter’s Discontent, a big-screen comedy about a widower who transplants to a retirement community with his buddy in hopes of getting some geriatric lovin’. Old people + Larry Charles = My butt in a multiplex seat. Let me explain that: Charles (pictured, sans trademark beard) boasts a killer comedy pedigree (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, Borat, etc.) and there simply aren’t enough comedies focusing on the Centrum Silver set. By the way, Larry, I know you’re busy, but if you could find a little time to develop a TV comedy for next season, that’d be swell. What say you, PopWatchers? Are you craving an old-school laugh or three?

Apr 9 2009 12:59 AM ET

'American Idol': Dish the Top 8 results show with your fellow readers!

by Michael Slezak

Categories: American Idol

A quick snapshot of my thought processes over the last hour: "Please don’t let it be Kris Allen. Please don’t let it be Kris Allen. Please don’t let it be Kris Allen. What’s for dinner tonight? Blerg. I think I ate everything that wasn’t chained down in the fridge while I was writing last night’s column. Wait! Leftover quesadilla. Mmmm. Please don’t let it be Kris Allen. Please don’t let it be Kris Allen. Please don’t let it be Kris Allen. Think positive, Slezak! It’s gonna be Scott MacIntyre. And quesadilla." Aaaaand…scene! Anyhow, do post your faces off (Randy-ism alert!) in the comments section below during tonight’s results show telecast. I’ll be back at 10 p.m.(ish) with my snap judgment, and then working till the wee small hours to get you my full TV Watch recap. Holla! Hey-ey!

Apr 8 2009 11:56 PM ET

Leonard Nimoy and 'Fringe': A match made in geek heaven?

by Dan Snierson

Categories: Fringe, Television, Things That Are Awesome!

Leonardnimoy_l Many, many moons ago, I was waiting anxiously for the elevator here at the L.A. bureau of EW. When the doors whooshed open, I nearly crashed into the person who was trying to exit. That person was none other than…Leonard Nimoy! He proved to be a delightful gentleman, especially given my poor elevator etiquette. I guess what I’m trying to say is: I should get used to seeing Nimoy pop up in cool, unexpected places. As my esteemed colleague Michael Ausiello has learned, J.J. Abrams will beam up the Star Trek vet to his Fox drama Fringe.

Nimoy — who also appears in Abrams’ big-screen reboot of Trek — will play the role of…William Bell. Yes, that oft-referenced founder of the shady corporation Massive Dynamic who used to be lab buddies with Walter Bishop (John Noble). Now, I’ve been wondering who might wind up in this role (Donald Sutherland? William Devane?), but Nimoy wasn’t on my guess list. But you know what? I’m in. I can see Nimoy infusing William with an air of reserved mystery that could provide a nice counterbalance to the freaky, filter-free Walter. The opportunity for a geektastic showdown on this increasingly addictive sci-fi drama also looms large. But enough of my conjecture — what do you think, PopWatchers? Will you tune in to see the joining of forces between Nimoy and Fringe?

Apr 8 2009 09:18 PM ET

Facebook logs its 200 millionth member

by Margaret Lyons

Categories: Tech

Facebook_l Facebook announced today that it recently notched its 200 millionth "active user." Which…is a whole lot of sixth-grade crushes. In fact, that’s more people than live in France. Hell, it’s more people than live in Brazil, which is the world’s fifth-most-populous country. If every Facebook member bought a $1 ticket to see the same movie, it would be the top-grossing movie of 2009. (Suck on that, Paul Blart: Mall Cop!) If Facebook users created a Facebook language, it would be roughly the sixth most-spoken language on Earth. If Facebook were a religion, it would be one of the 10 most-widely practiced. Amen! Take that, Twitter!

I could play this game all day. How many football fields, school buses end-to-end, distances to the moon, etc. Your turn, PopWatchers….

Apr 8 2009 07:09 PM ET

What's on your Must List? The 'Adventureland' soundtrack tops ours

by Jean Bentley

Categories: Must List

This week’s Must List is brought to you by the soundtrack to Adventureland. While the coming-of-age movie is set in 1987, the understated soundtrack relies on carefully chosen indie rock and lesser-known pop favorites to tell its story instead of going for a Wedding Singer-esque nostalgia-fueled dance party. Think: the Replacements, the Velvet Underground, and Husker Du, not Culture Club, Flock of Seagulls, and Kajagoogoo. Lou Reed’s ”Satellite of Love,” in particular, plays a minor role in the film (and was a welcome addition to the ”Lou Reed/Velvet Underground songs in recent soundtracks” playlist I started after hearing ”I Found a Reason” at the end of this season’s Big Love finale).

What’s kicking around your Must List this week? Listen to ”Satellite of Love” (embedded after the jump), watch Jessica Shaw rap some Beastie Boy songs in the latest episode of Must List Live (embedded below), then share your Must List picks. 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, April 9 at noon ET.

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Apr 8 2009 05:31 PM ET

Clip du jour (part 2): 'Everyone Poops' trailer

by Mike Bruno

Categories: PoopWatch

I dig the trailer for Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are . But if I’m to be totally honest, I think I’d sooner plunk down my $12 to see him do an adaptation of this whimsical coming-of-age tale about dancing potties, floating toilet brushes, and a little girl’s struggle to make No. 2.

Apr 8 2009 05:30 PM ET

'Eastbound & Down' is coming back: Get your F-bombs ready!

by Josh Wolk

Categories: Eastbound & Down, Television

Eastbound_l Fans of hilarious, unrepentantly crude, and life-lesson-phobic television rejoice: HBO has just picked up Eastbound & Down for a second season, which will air sometime in 2010. I’m thrilled, because I was worried about its future. When Danny McBride’s comedy about a foul-mouthed, steroid-sticking, drug-gobbling, incomprehensibly arrogant, washed-up baseball phenom-turned-gym teacher began, HBO barely gave it any press at all. Usually, they send out multiple episodes of their series in advance (as they did with season 2 of Flight of the Conchords, which was premiering at the same time), but with Eastbound there was deafening radio silence. It seemed odd that they wouldn’t be bragging about having a Will Ferrell-produced project featuring a rising star like McBride, who had just appeared in two comedy hits, Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express. And yet we had to request a screener, just so Ken Tucker could give it an A-. It was as if Eastbound was the fat, racist family member the network didn’t want anyone to know about. When, in reality, Eastbound was the fat, racist family member they should have introduced to everyone.

I loved the show as soon as I saw it: McBride’s Kenny Powers was a masterwork of crudeness, so much so that I can’t really quote anything he said here. (Though I am partial to this statement from his motivational tapes: “If there’s one thing I hate, it’s losing. If there’s two things I hate, it’s losing and cancer.”) But I was amazed at how many other people discovered it on their own; it was so good that HBO couldn’t keep it a secret. I went to a dinner party during the show’s second week, and three different people, knowing I cover TV for EW, came up to me in a kind of weird daze, and said, “Have you seen this show Eastbound & Down? It’s hilarious!” They had this weird disbelievingly look on their face as they said it, as if they’d made this really weird and wonderful discovery and wanted to share it, but weren’t quite convinced it hadn’t just been a bizarre dream. I imagine this is the same look people have when they’ve just been abducted by aliens and seduced by a really hot martian.

I’ll be curious to see where season 2 goes. Kenny seemed humbled last season, even before his offer to come back up to the majors fell apart. Will he go back to being his self-centered self? We last saw him driving away from town, having dumped April — the old girlfriend he convinced to leave her husband and run away with him — at a gas station. Will he come back to town and get his gym teacher job back, allowing him to call a whole new class of kids some variation on the word "wuss"? Will creepy car salesman Ashley Schaeffer (Ferrell) be waiting for him with a crowbar? At least we can hope for a tearful reunion with his vaguely brain-damaged acolyte, Stevie.

Did you join the Eastbound cult? And how did you discover it? And do you have trouble quoting it in mixed company?

More ‘Eastbound & Down’:
Ken Tucker: TV Review: ‘Eastbound & Down’
Snap Judgment: ‘Eastbound & Down’ premiere
Danny McBride: The next Will Ferrell
Ken Tucker: ‘Flight of the Conchords’ and ‘Eastbound & Down’: Which ended funnier?