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Archive: June 2009 (1-10 of 438)

Jun 30 2009 10:12 PM ET

And June's Entertainer of the Month is...

Categories: Movies, Things That Are Awesome!

What do you get when you combine three alcohol-soaked dudes, Mike Tyson, and a baby named Carlos? Why, EW’s Entertainers of the Month, of course: the cast of The Hangover!

Yep, that’s right — Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and company became instant, if unconventional, matinee idols this month when they headlined the little comedy that could, turning it into a blockbuster that managed to top even a Pixar favorite its opening weekend. (Its tally at this point? $183 million.) And there’s even a sequel in the works: The Hangover 2 was put into production before the first movie was even released.

Of course we shouldn’t be that surprised that The Hangover was a hit. If you can remember back to a time before Michael Jackson took over the airwaves, brainwaves, and probably even the microwaves, you’d recall that we’ve been quoting the movie since the first trailer hit months ago. (Based on the mind-boggling hilarity that comes out of Galifianakis’ mouth during the film, that may or may not be a good thing.) And how can we not give props to a cast that jumpstarted the latest fashion trend, baby aviators? (Not to mention man satchels.) So we really only have one question for our boys: Can we join the wolf pack?

Jun 30 2009 10:06 PM ET

'American Idol' re-run: Did you like anyone better the second time around?

by Kate Ward

Categories: About Last Night, American Idol, In Memoriam, Michael Jackson, Quentin Tarantino, The 'Eh' List

I know. I’m obsessed. I couldn’t help myself. When Cat Deeley announced on last Thursday’s So You Think You Can Dance results show that American Idol would re-run an episode for the first time in eight seasons, I couldn’t help but set my DVR right away. Sure, I had already seen the season 8 Top 13 telecast, featuring songs from Michael Jackson’s catalog, but like any Idol-obsessed TV watcher, I had to see it again. Not just because re-running the show was a fitting way to remember the King of Pop (it was). But also because this was a landmark in American Idol history, and I’m just fanatic enough to force myself to follow through and celebrate it.

And before I get to the episode itself, I should mention something: Like any Idol fan will tell you, it is an incredibly stressful experience to follow the show. You constantly root for your favorites, hoping that they won’t get knocked out by some lark (think Scott Savol besting Constantine Maroulis back in season four). When a contestant you don’t care for garners praise from the judges, your heart knots up a little in fear for whatever non-pimped underdog you’re hoping makes it past the week. That’s what made watching last night’s top 13 show so interesting. Knowing that my favorites (Kris Allen, Anoop Desai) had made it into the top 11, I was able to actually enjoy contestants that I loathed the first time around. Most notably, Michael Sarver, whose “You Are Not Alone” I found to be boring, average and not worthy of the praise he received the first time around. But since I went into last night’s viewing knowing full well that Anoop made it past the travesty that was “Beat It”—and two deserving contestants went home—I decided to put my bias aside and actually listen. And you know what? When I closed my eyes (I still can’t tolerate the boy band hand movements, sorry), Michael was really good. He actually delivered a sincere, above average performance (embedded below).

My newfound respect for Michael made me wish that Idol would choose to re-run other episodes. Would I change my poor opinion about Syesha Mercado? Nikki McKibbin? John Stevens? (Okay, probably not). But some performance shows were so stellar, I’d love to see them again in their entirety. (Especially since some performances are still not on YouTube.) A few of my favorites: season one’s big band night (see Kelly’s awesome performance after the jump), season two’s movie soundtracks night, season three’s movie soundtracks night (with Quentin Tarantino as judge!), and season seven’s first Beatles night.

Tell me, PopWatchers: Did you watch last night’s Idol re-run? Who was better on the second listen? Worse? And which performance night would you want to see Idol re-run?

READ FULL STORY »

Jun 30 2009 09:35 PM ET

Dolly Parton remembers Michael Jackson

by Mandi Bierly

Categories: In Memoriam, Michael Jackson, Music

If you'd like to see what a solemn Dolly Parton looks like (no, this woman should never be sad! or wear black!*), watch the video she just posted remembering Michael Jackson. If there's anyone who could honestly say that they always thought he had "the heart of angel," it's Dolly Parton, who sees the good in everyone. In it, she also encourages us to live every day as though it's our last and make sure the people in our lives know how special they are to us. She starts by thanking her fans.**

* I find the splash of color and those earrings hopeful.
** I will be in the fetal position under my desk if anything ever happens to this woman.

More Michael Jackson remembrances:
Francis Ford Coppola
Steven Spielberg
"Scream" video director Mark Romanek
Elizabeth Taylor
Lisa Marie Presley
More friends and family

Jun 30 2009 08:42 PM ET

Hey, how about a reminder that Maksim Chmerkovskiy is on 'The Superstars'?

by Annie Barrett

Categories: 100% Pure Cheese, Dancing With the Stars, Sexytimes, Sports, Strange Bedfellows, Television

I mean why not?

ABC's revival of The Superstars premiered last week, and it's on again tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who dabbles in both ballroom dancing and dropping by our office, is currently in first place with his partner, freeskiing star Kristi Leskinen. (He's the "celebrity" and she's the "athlete," which must really boil his blood, so it's a good thing he's in the water.) I watched the premiere out of devotion to my fake DWTS boyfriend, assuming it'd be incredibly lame. The whole thing is basically an advertisement for Atlantis Resort and Casino disguised as a giant obstacle course, so it's already ridiculous just on principle. And it is pretty dumb, to be honest, but in a totally benign, Wipeout-y kind of way — so stupid it's oddly calming. At one point, I realized I was willingly spending my life watching 16 random people "white water raft" down a man-made lazy river and thought to myself, "Why would you do this?" But maybe a better question, especially during these troubled times, is "Why wouldn't you do this?" After all, silly self, it's Maks. [BIG SPLASH.]

Anyone else tuning in to Superstars tonight? Joanna Krupa and Terrell Owens are back because Jennifer Capriati got injured, so maybe Joanna can completely wig out on T.O. again for being too big and slow to navigate his behemoth body through a complicated barricade. Just be sure to hit mute whenever Ali Landry appears on-screen. God, her voice is annoying.

I'm not doing a great job selling this show, huh? Should've just left it at "I mean why not?"

Jun 30 2009 08:24 PM ET

Megan Fox and Harry Smith: Our new favorite couple

by Mandi Bierly

Categories: Morning Madness, Sexytimes, Strange Bedfellows

My summer romance with Harry Smith continues! If you missed Megan Fox's chat with him on CBS' The Early Show this morning, you must watch below.

Watch CBS Videos Online

First, Harry establishes that Megan, star of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, is not actually a motorcycle mechanic. Then he admits he went to see the movie in IMAX — "with actual human beings"! — and didn't follow it.

Harry Smith: I'm not sure I understand it all. Are you supposed to literally understand what every scene is or what it means? [Note: This is now my favorite question ever.]

Megan Fox: I don't know if that's — I mean, I'm in the movie, and I read the script, and I watched the movie, and I still didn't know what was happening. So, I think if you haven't read the script, and you go and you see it and you understand it, you may be a genius…. This is a movie for geniuses.

Suddenly, I'm crushing on Megan Fox as well. But wait. There's more. Harry shows her a clip of the kind words costar Shia LaBeouf said about her when he stopped by the show.

Smith: "Phenomenally gorgeous" and "like kissing a unicorn."

Fox: Hmm. [Looooong well-played silence]

Smith: What do you think that means?

Fox: I think he was trying to say that he thinks I'm special. I think. I think.

Smith: Right. OK. I'm, you know, I'll go with that.

Fox: Thank you. I remind you of a unicorn, also? [CORRECTION: This is now my favorite question ever.]

Smith: I would — I just — I've never…

Fox: What about a woodland nymph fairy?

Smith: Yeah.

Fox: OK. OK.

Is anyone else finding themselves liking Megan Fox against their will? What about Harry Smith?

More Megan Fox:
EW cover story Q&A with Chris Nashawaty
Megan Fox on her comic-book obsession, raging libido, and more…
Photo Gallery: Megan Fox's EW shoot
Photo Gallery: We grade Megan Fox's style
Video: Behind-the-scenes of Megan Fox's EW photo shoot

Jun 30 2009 08:04 PM ET

NSFW websites...or are they?

by Kerrie Mitchell

Categories: Ridiculata, Tech

I recently bonded with a colleague over our shared admiration for the blog F— You, Penguin. In a nutshell, the writer finds the cutest animal pictures he can, then proceeds to trash them with lots of comic vitriol. (A sample aimed at the pictured flying squirrel: “I know you think your curled up little tail is going to melt hearts everywhere, but it just looks to me like you're trying to make us forget you can't actually fly. STOP TRYING TO GET AWAY WITH AN INFLATED SENSE OF SELF.”) Aside from the liberal swearing, the site's content is actually kind of tame — rated PG-13, I'd say — but sometimes I hesitate sharing the site because the blaring profanity of the title makes it sound worse than it really is. The same goes for another site I go to, Look at This F—ing Hipster. It got me thinking: I’m sure there are lots of sites or blogs out there with NSFW titles, but relatively SFW content. They don't even have to have the f-word in the title. What are your favorites?

Jun 30 2009 08:01 PM ET

Elsewhere on EW.com...

by EW staff

Categories: Things That Are Awesome!

Missed last night's Bachelorette? Read Kristen Baldwin's recap of hometown week here.

The last Jon & Kate (for now): sweet and bitter, says Ken Tucker.

He might have signed with Lil Wayne's label, but rapper Drake will always be known as Jimmy from Degrassi in my heart.

It's a girl, and another girl! Check out the first picture of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick with their newborn twin daughters.

Turn up the summer heat with our list of the 25 sexiest movies ever.

Mariah Carey turns the tables on Eminem by dressing as the rapper for a scene in her new video for ''Obsessed.''

Do your homework, EW U students: Prof. Leah Greenblatt's new course collects 15 of the best coming-of-age movie soundtracks.

Jun 30 2009 07:34 PM ET

Angelina Jolie: A star at age six!

by Chris Nashawaty

Categories: Those Crazy Kids!

Buried amidst the scads of new DVD releases hitting stores today, is a long-forgotten 1982 comedy directed by Hal Ashby and starring Jon Voight called Lookin’ To Get Out. I’ll warn you right up front, the movie isn’t very good — it was forgotten for a reason. But it is actually worth checking out for one reason: It’s the film debut of Voight’s then-six-year-old daughter, Angelina Jolie.

Now, we could get all snarky here and take Voight to task for the blatant nepotism involved with the casting choice. But Jolie’s actually pretty decent, not to mention impossibly cute with her saucer eyes, sundress, and adorable little Easter bonnet. She only has a couple minutes of screen time (she plays Ann-Margret’s daughter), but if you squint hard enough, you might be able to make out something else in those big peepers of hers: a kid who’s having a ball playing dress-up. So much fun that, who knows, maybe one day she’d, you know, do this kind of stuff for a living….

Check out Jolie’s big-screen debut in the video below:

Jun 30 2009 06:50 PM ET

Amy Adams: Will she break her own mold in 'The Fighter'?

by Henning Fog

Categories: Career 911, Casting, Movies

You all know Amy Adams, right? Bubbly redhead with the perenniallysunny disposition? Yeah, her. Well, prepare to say goodbye — Variety reports thatthe actress is in talks to play a "gritty bartender" in the David O.Russell-directed drama The Fighter. So no cute glances. No singing. Andno Meryl Streep to get her back. This is Amy Adams: RAW.

…I mean, I think. Besides the casting blurb, we've got little info on what Adams' role entails. But "gritty bartender" — that's a complete 180 for theOscar nominee, who has spent the last few years perfecting her "doe-eyedinnocent" role. In everything from Junebug to Enchanted to Doubt, Adams has been like a masterclass in cuteness. GREAT cuteness (she's an exceedingly talented actress) but still safe, and maybe all too comfortable. Imagine her in a bar fight, or using foul language!

Of course, Amy Adams is far from the only star who could stand to mix it up a little bit. All over town and in every genre of movie, talented actors discover their ideal role…then never escape from it, due to typecasting or their own complacency. Consider the following:

Denzel Washington
The man never met a Tony Scott movie he didn't like. Crimson Tide, Deja Vu, Man on Fire, Pelham 123 — Denzel and Tony are like the non-Oscar-winning Leo and Marty, pumping out hyper-kinetic adult thriller after hyper-kinetic adult thriller. Mix it up, man! You're too talented! I'm not suggesting a Judd Apatow comedy, but maybe something a little lighter — a script without the note "he scowls furiously" — could remind us why you're so esteemed. Take it under advisement.

Zooey Deschanel
I love practically everything about you, Zooey. Your eyes. Your flirtatious grins. You could sing a song about cotton products and I'd still want to marry you (if you weren't, you know, engaged). Ours is a real love. But it's beyond time for you to break out of those "endearingly quirky love interest" roles and begin to show us that range we know you've got. Call me, we'll discuss.

Michael Cera
I mean, duh.

How about you, PopWatchers? Which of your favorite "comfort actors" needs to break free from their Groundhog Day-ish sensibilities and take on a new role? Bill Murray? Diane Keaton? Share, share, share!

Jun 30 2009 06:50 PM ET

MacGyver, where were you when I got locked in my bedroom last night?!

by Jean Bentley

Categories: Ooops!, PopWatch Confessional

I got locked in my bedroom last night. A potentially hilarious situation, made even more ridiculous by the fact that the door locks from the inside (and I sure as hell didn't lock myself in). It was 1:30 in the morning, and after spending 15 minutes deluding myself by thinking, ''If I twist the handle hard enough it'll totally open this time!'' I finally woke up my roommate, who couldn't free me from the outside either. My brand-new Ikea tool set was safely stored…in the living room.

So I asked myself, like any self-respecting TV fan left with minimal resources and the pressing need to free herself from impending danger, ''What would MacGyver do?'' In my case, he would use purple-handled scissors and a key chain to pry open the door lock, then duct tape the lock down so he couldn't get trapped again. I'm not the only one who's used the brains-over-brawn approach to emulate everyone's favorite resourceful secret agent. On last week's Nurse Jackie, Edie Falco stuck a piece of gum on the end of a pen to retrieve a pill from her sink drain (hey, anything goes when you have to feed that under-the-radar prescription drug addiction).

Have you ever MacGyvered yourself out of a sticky situation? In the absence of a Swiss Army knife, what normal household items did you use to solve your problem? And how much fun is it to use MacGyver as a verb?