Archive: June 2009 (231-240 of 438)

Jun 12 2009 09:13 PM ET

Denzel Washington: Would he make a good Obama?

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Denzel Washington has successfully transformed into many memorable characters over theyears with his portrayals of Malcolm X, Coach Herman Boone (Remember theTitans), John Quincy Archibald (John Q), and even Humpty Dumpty (Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special). So who's left for the star of the summer blockbuster Taking of Pelham 123 to play? How about the president?

On Letterman this week, the 54-year-old actor was asked about the rumor that President Obama had said he'd be a good choice to play him on film. And how did the Oscar winner respond? He simply stuck both his ears out with his fingers.

"Now I'm in trouble with the president," he said. "The only reason I did that was because he said maybe Will [Smith], 'cause Will's ears were bigger and closer to his."While we don't know how well either Denzel or Will would do in accurately nailing Obama's nuances and voice intonation, we do know of one actor who even the president wouldn't approve of: Fred Armisen. If you, fellow PopWatchers, had the diplomatic task of casting the perfect Obama for a future biopic, who would get your vote?

Jun 12 2009 08:30 PM ET

Taylor Lautner Bicep Watch: The inaugural post

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As long as behind-the-scenes footage of The Twilight Saga: New Moon keeps surfacing that reveals little more than Taylor Lautner's biceps, we thought we might as well make a separate PopWatch category for it. Ergo, the Taylor Lautner Bicep Watch. We launch with the video below. Taylor Lautner's biceps make their appearance at 2:10. (Robert Pattinson appears at 2:53, for eight seconds. Wah waaaaaah.)

For more: EW's 'Twilight' HQ

Jun 12 2009 08:00 PM ET

Facebook's new URLs get personal

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The race for your very own vanity URL on Facebook starts tonight at midnight. From here on out, you can have facebook.com/yourname (assuming the other people with your name don't beat you to it), just like you've had on MySpace for years. Ha, ha, remember MySpace?

Vanity URLs are sort of a long time coming for Facebook, and it fits in with the your-whole-life-exists-here vibe the site has long embodied: How long until instead of giving someone your e-mail address, you give them your Facebook URL? Or you slap that bad boy on a business card? It's how people are using their Twitter handles — it's a safe bet that's how some Facebookers will use their new URL. And oh yeah: It's a lot more search-friendly, so expect your personalized Facebook URL to make its way to the top of the Google search on your name.

I get why Facebook is launching this, and I get why people are a little excited, sort of. But if you want to control your identity online, buy yourself a domain and make something that's yours.

What do you think, PopWatchers? Will you be rushing to register your URL tonight?

Jun 12 2009 07:30 PM ET

Brittany Murphy got a job...does anyone care?

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Brittany-murphy_l So it seems Brittany Murphy has been cast in Something Wicked, a psychological thriller about a guy whose girlfriend's parents are killed. Well, hey — good for little Murph. We all have bills to pay. And maybe this flick will be a rockin' schlocky good time that people will actually see. Then again, it's directed by Darin Scott, a multi-hyphenate who peaked producing 1993's Menace II Society, and it stars Shantel VanSanten and John Robinson. Who? Exactly. Let's be honest. In all likelihood, Something Wicked is gonna end up another tombstone in the graveyard that has become Brittany Murphy's career.

With her filmography now riddled with stuck-on-the-shelf stuff like The Ramen Girl and a Lifetime Nora Roberts MOW (Tribute), it's easy to forget that there was a time when Murphy was, as they say, on the verge. She showed real, honest-to-goodness acting chops in Girl, Interrupted and 8 Mile, and scored a modest hit in 2003 with Just Married. But then…it all started to crumble away. Sure, Robert Rodriguez threw her a bone with Sin City and she did voice work in the mega-hit Happy Feet, but she's a long way from being the star Hollywood was once grooming her to be. Reports that her role was cut from Sly Stallone's The Expendables certainly don't help.

I wonder, then, is Murphy over? Does anyone care about her anymore? If so, what remedy would you prescribe her career? She says she's recording an album. Good idea? While you ponder all that, join me in reminiscing about happier times by checking out this clip from my personal favorite Murphy joint, Clueless. Rollin' with the homies!

Jun 12 2009 07:10 PM ET

Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett: This could be interesting...

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Kristen-Stewart-joan-jett_l I confess I was a little skeptical when I first heard that Twilight's Kristen Stewart would be playing Joan Jett in the big screen rock bio The Runaways. I've liked Stewart since her turn as Jodie Foster's no-nonsense kid in 2002's Panic Room, but her more recent incarnation as Twilight's damsel in distress didn't exactly scream "rock goddess" to me. (I will state, for the record, that Joan Jett could kick Edward's ass from here to that eternity he's living in.) But after seeing the latest photo of Stewart with her new black, shaggy rocker 'do, I will admit: It really does suit her, and I'm maybe, possibly beginning to see it. What about you? Are you starting to like the idea of Stewart as a Runaway?

Jun 12 2009 07:09 PM ET

Happy 10th anniversary, Jon and Kate Gosselin! I got you a present!

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Congratulations on the ability to barely tolerate each other in public on your 10th wedding anniversary, you guys! I got you the best gift. It's a single sip of water for your dehydrated child. No, it's okay, the camera chipped in for the gift and said it would seriously love to be turned off for just a second while your daughter fights the good fight to stay alive. Then the camera begged me to smash it. I'm considering it.

Sometimes, with major decisions, it's best to really think things through.

Jun 12 2009 06:50 PM ET

Harry Smith dancing: The reason to watch 'The Early Show' summer concert series

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Harry-Smith-dancing_l CBS' The Early Show kicked off its summer concert series this morning on the USS Intrepid with multiple performances by Lionel Richie. We've been waiting all day for CBS to post a video of "Brick House" online because Harry Smith busted a classic upperbody shimmy that should not be missed. The Internet Gods, however, have not cooperated and CBS has uploaded every performance but "Brick House." (Criminal on so many levels.) So, we are forced to present you with this link to "All Night Long," which Lionel said is the song in his catalog guaranteed to make everyone move. It definitely got Harry going: When he wasn't serving as one of the backup singers (see: the top photo, which doesn't even begin to capture how much Julie Chen loves Lionel), he was in the crowd shaking it. Because of this, The Early Show will be my televised summer concert series of choice. Who's with me?

Jun 12 2009 06:48 PM ET

Megan Fox: Breaking the Internets, one site at a time

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This woman, apparently, can do no wrong. Even when she’s saying the wrong stuff — all that recent guff about Scarlett Johansson’s big words, or being “ubersexual,” or teasing creepy old dudes at Hollywood parties — the Internet all but throbs in anticipation of her next splashy whatever. So, here you go — the next splashy whatever:

As my colleague Mandi Bierly said, “the boob shot at :33 is quite special.” What do y’all, think? Is her hotness of the can’t-get-enough variety (and, if so, check out our exclusive photo gallery)? Or have you, actually, had enough?

More Megan Fox:
Megan Fox: 8 EW exclusive pics from our photo shoot for this week’s magazine cover story
Megan Fox Q&A: ‘Fallen’ Angel
Megan Fox and her little black dress: Hotter than Angelina Jolie?

Jun 12 2009 05:56 PM ET

The world's most popular TV show is...'House'?

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House-Hugh-Laurie_l Really? I'm not sure why I'm surprised exactly, but ratings agency Eurodata TV Worldwide announced that Fox's medical drama House was the most-watched show in the whole wide world last year, with more than 81.8 million viewers in 66 countries. Those numbers smoked previous years' winners CSI and CSI: Miami. It makes sense to me that the CSI dramas would triumph — the flashy, yet straightforward whodunits don't need all that much translating. (And David Caruso's sunglassed scowl is an international language in and of itself.) But I would've guessed Hugh Laurie's caustic caregiver would be a tougher case. What do you think: Does House's win surprise you? Or does it make sense that he's a doctor without borders?

Jun 12 2009 05:51 PM ET

After the 'Hangover': What should the sequel be about?

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I finally saw The Hangover last night, which I was worried could never live up to all the highly hilarious expectations I had for it. But it did. When I finally finally stopped laughing, and [SPOILER ALERT!] pondered whether that was really Zach Galifianakis in all his glory that we glimpsed in the credits, my second question was, what could they possibly do to top this? We know that a sequel is already in the works, but director Todd Phillips wouldn’t give up any details when he talked to our own Nicole Sperling earlier this week.

Looks like we have to dream up our own sequel possibilities. So, did you notice during the last scene that as the bachelor party gang discussed their missing night, the bride was off to the side talking to her friends? Maybe the girls were up to some hijinks of their own — could a second movie be about her bachelorette party? But given that Phillips was also behind Old School, which, like the Hangover, didn’t exactly dwell on any female characters (or at least any that you’d want to spend 90 minutes with), that seems unlikely.

If we assume they’re going to stick with the dirty-boy genre, I’d put my money on a plot revolving around Bradley Cooper’s character’s job. Just think: The English teacher at an all-boys school takes the kids on a field trip and invites his wolf pack along….I bet they could even figure out a way to work in Mike Tyson (or at least the Bengal tiger). But that’s just me. What do YOU think would make a Hangover-worthy sequel?

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