Archive: June 2009 (251-260 of 438)

Jun 12 2009 02:06 PM ET

What is TV's Best Ensemble Cast? 'BSG?' 'The Wire?' 'The Wiggles?'

by
Filed under: Television and tagged: , , , ,

Bg_l This week's news that Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff is bringing her brand of blond steel to 24 next season got me thinking. (No, not about THAT.) About how Battlestar, pound for pound, probably had the strongest ensemble cast of the past decade. Oscar-nominees (Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell), talented newcomers (Grace Park, Tahmoh Penikett, Tricia Helfer), seasoned veterans (Michael Hogan, Richard Hatch), and complete surprises (Sackhoff, James Callis) — while the writing on Battlestar Galactica was indeed the strength of the base of the pillar, the ensemble is what gave that pillar its height.

Given that assembly of talent, it's no wonder that people are being drafted for meaty roles: Penikett on Dollhouse, Helfer's run on Burn Notice, and now Sackhoff giving Kiefer Sutherland a run for his money.

But BSG isn't alone in building a powerful company of players: The Wire clan is incredibly strong, as was The West Wing's extended family, The Sopranos' brothers in arms, and Oz's inmates. 

Who's your favorite ensemble cast? And who from that cast would you like to see on a more regular basis? (No, not like THAT.)

Jun 12 2009 10:00 AM ET

Quote of the Day: Dr. Steve Brule Edition

by
Tagged:

“Ever wonder why ice cubes taste so boring? It’s cuz you make ‘em outta stupid water, you bimbo! Put some fruit juice in there and freeze it into ice cubes, and put THAT in your milk.” — John C. Reilly as Dr. Steve Brule on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

Jun 12 2009 01:12 AM ET

Exclusive: Joss Whedon on 'Dollhouse' -- 'Back with such a vengeance'

by
Filed under: Television and tagged: , ,

Joss-whedon_l Joss Whedon is two weeks into breaking stories for Dollhouse's second season, and we're happy to report that he sounds like a happy man even without that season 1 budget. Whedon wrapped his top-secret horror film The Cabin in the Woods on May 29 and hit the Dollhouse writers' room on June 1. "I just wanted to die of tiredness," he tells EW.com exclusively. "About two hoursafter starting to talk to the writers about story, I was back with sucha vengeance, and so energized and so pumped because we reallyunderstand the show now. We understand what works, and what didn't workso well or what we weren't so thrilled about. We don't have the onusof trying to be a big hit sitting on our shoulders. We can just beourselves. And so the stories we're breaking are pure, and exciting,and everybody's on-board in the room, and it's never flowed better."

What does that mean for Season 2? "I'm really proud of thesecond half of season 1, and we're justexpanding on that in a huge way: Finding out the different things that Eliza [Dushku] can be, at the same time as extending our mythology," Whedon says. "Really,just every meeting is like, 'What's the most fun we can have withthis actor?' about the whole cast. All I can say — 'cause I'm gonna be Mr.Un-Spoiler — is that we're having a crazy amount of fun, and usually, thattends to translate onto the screen."

Speaking slightly spoilery, Whedon tells us that season 2 won't pick up right with "We've got to find Alpha!" but alittle bit later. Alan Tudyk has a role on ABC's midseason series V, but Whedon hopes he'll be able to use the character sparingly: "Alpha will always be a part of the equation." Whedon's also hoping to work out a similar loan with the producers of ABC's Happy Town, who nabbed Amy Acker, aka Dr. Saunders/Whiskey. For more insider scoops, keep reading after the jump.

READ FULL STORY »

Jun 11 2009 10:26 PM ET

Homelessness in 'The Sims 3' creates a stunning story

by
Filed under: Videogames and tagged:

Alice-Kev-Sims_l Now that The Sims 3 has been out for a little while, nontraditional play has emerged — as it always does — in some cool and interesting ways. For example: The Tale of Alice and Kev, "an experiment in playing a homeless family in The Sims 3."

Game design student Robin Burkinsaw "created two Sims, moved them in to a place made to look like an abandoned park, removed all of their remaining money, and then attempted to help them survive without taking any job promotions or easy cash routes." Burkinsaw designed Kev, the dad, to be "hot-headed, mean-spirited, and inappropriate," and daughter Alice to be "a kind-hearted clumsy loser." What happened next illustrates some of the potential entrenched in the fascinating emotional intelligence woven into the game.

Alice tries to sleep at neighbors' houses, where she's met with a variety of responses, from pity to disgust. Kev's outlandish sexual behavior makes him the scourge of the neighborhood. As Alice matures, her frustration and desperation increase, and she and her father disagree even more than usual. Honestly, start at the beginning and read all the way through: Alice and Kev is as emotional and compelling as anything I've seen in a long time. The Sims 3 suddenly seems a lot more interesting.

Whaddya think, PopWatchers? Did you always know The Sims 3 had this kind of potential, or are you as gobsmacked as I am? What stories have come out of your Simulations so far?

Jun 11 2009 08:57 PM ET

'Twilight': Why are Bella and Edward really attracted to one another?

by
Filed under: Movies and tagged: , , ,

Kristen-stewart_l Michael Sheen, who plays Aro in the The Twilight Saga: New Moon, has said how seriously Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson take their roles in the franchise, and after reading this Metro World News interview with Stewart, I'm starting to believe him.

• Explaining Bella's role in the second film, she says, "She loses the man she's in love with, but she also loses her entire life plan, and she's so young to have to be forced into a decision like that. It's just a glorified, elaborate version of the worst breakup you've ever been through. All of a sudden you question everything. All of a sudden you know nothing and you're dropped in the middle of a freezing cold ocean.Oddly, we have a character that's warm enough and bright enough to bring her out of that, and it's truly gut-ripping. Because as perfect as Jacob is for her, she holds on to an ideal, the ultimate fiery love that she has for Edward even though it's not comfortable, it's not practical and it's not a good idea. So it's really a very strong thing to do. It takes someone who really trusts themselves."

• Asked if Bella is introverted or just seeking an ideal, she says, "It's not that she's incredibly introverted. She's just yet to have found a connection that is truthful. She's a seeker of the truth. She's not one to get wrapped up in something that is a fantasy. She doesn't set herself up for disappointment. So that's what makes the story with her and Edward so compelling, in that this is a girl that normally wouldn't do something this crazy."

All this talk about Edward being "an ideal" and a "connection that is truthful" made me think back to a conversation I had with a friend who didn't understand why Bella and Edward were actually drawn to one another — besides the fact that he's hellahot and her blood is like his own personal heroin. Is it more romantic if a love is somehow destined — like in a scent or an imprint — or if the connection is actually explained? Do you feel like it's explained in Twilight? Is it as basic as a lion wanting to take care of a lamb, and the lamb wanting to feel protected? (Probably not, right, since Bella isn't actually safe with Edward?) Maybe Bella is the only teen in Forks who ever wanted to listen to Edward's Debussy CD?

Read more: EW.com's 'Twilight' Central

Jun 11 2009 08:47 PM ET

'DWTS': Who would be in your Ultimate Barbie Dream House cast?

by
Tagged: ,

Dancing-with-the-stars-casting_l Some gossip queen associated with Vera Wang let it slip that the designer has signed on for Dancing With the Stars‘ season 9 (yes, really) cast. Neither ABC nor Wang’s camp are commenting, but if it is true, I can’t wait to hear what Vera has to say about the show’s ridiculous costumes. I fear she might quit after realizing you’re required to wear 27 layers of makeup on show nights. Meanwhile, I’ve put on my feathered DWTS Thinking Cap. Brace yourselves for…


ANNIE’S ULTIMATE BARBIE DREAM HOUSE ‘DWTS’ CAST!

The Enormous Athlete: Michael Jordan. To be partnered with tall new pro Anna Demidova. Duh. I could wear a different XXXXL early ’90s Chicago Bulls tee for each episode. Because that’s what watching this show is all about. What I’m wearing.

The Cutie Pie Olympian: Matthew Mitcham. I don’t care if he’s Australian. If Australia doesn’t want him on its own DWTS, we’ll take him here. (And this way, the Olympian won’t win!)

The Woman of a Certain Age: Jessica Walter. They could play “Misty” for her, and TV’s Lucille Bluth could tell her partner, “I don’t understand the steps, and I won’t perform them.”

The Old Guy: Richard Jenkins. He almost won an Oscar! Crappy reality TV should clearly be his next move.

The Comedian: Neil Flynn, the janitor from Scrubs. So charming in person, and his deadpan delivery would kill in such a ridiculous setting.

The Actor Who Isn’t Doing Much These Days: Danica McKellar, a.k.a. The Wonder Years‘ Winnie Cooper. Her brief West Wing run wasn’t nearly enough.

The Diva: Annie Lennox. Just because I love her and she’d never do it. Or Vanity! What Would Jesus Do? Put on something sequined. Oh yes He would.

And just for the hell of it: Daphne Zuniga, Emmanuel Lewis, Bruce Jenner or any of the featured players on menwholooklikeoldlesbians.blogspot.com, and any of the Designing Women, including Meshach Taylor.

What about you, DANCMSTRs — who would be in your ultimate cast?

Jun 11 2009 08:14 PM ET

Carrie Prejean's leaked emails: Diva alert!

by
Tagged:

Oh, what a tangled web we weave…when first we leave a big ole electronic trail of evidence showing that we are kind of a huge pain in the ass.

While Carrie Prejean continues to claim she was fired from her position as Miss California USA due to her outspoken politics and position on same-sex marriage, a series of email exchanges published by Fox News (fair and balanced!) allegedly show an increasingly hostile Prejean corresponding with Miss California director Keith Lewis, and giving credence to pageant officials’ claims that she was disrespectful and uncooperative.

Wrote Prejean to Lewis: “I expect you to be forwarding me ALL email requests and interview requests to me. I know how you are and it’s not right if you are selecting things for me. Thanks for your cooperation. And fyi I am a presenter of medals at the special olympics in a few weeks for the summer games. So now u know I am doing this and I expect your full support. Also I was asked to fill in for a dj on a local radio show.. Ill be reading from a show biz script monday. I am doing this.”

When Lewis reiterates politely that she needs to go through proper protoctol and provide details so that events can be placed on a master calendar, Prejean responded: “You do not cooperate with me, and you pick and chose the things YOU want me to do. That is not happening anymore. Stop speaking for me. I have MY own voice. What are u gonna do fire me for volunteering for the special olympics hahaha ur crazy No I am doing this appearance. You do not need details. Its for the SPECIAL OLYMPICS!!! You just need to know I will be doing it alright.”

Honestly, she sounds like pretty much any 22-year-old (or perhaps tween) chafing at the rules and requirements of big, bossy grown-ups. But memo to Carrie: You’re a pageant queen. Under Donald Trump. Not Che Guevara in a bikini, attempting to overthrow a hostile government through sheer force of will and some great separates from Bebe.

Maybe I’m being too hard on her, Popwatchers, but doesn’t it seem that Prejean should have been more aware of the job requirements before accepting the crown? Or will the new spokeswoman for opposite employment not be down for long? Maybe getting fired — and its attendant publicity blitz — is what she hoped for all along?

Jun 11 2009 07:53 PM ET

David Beckham's new Armani underwear campaign: I'm over him

by
Tagged: , ,

David-beckham-armani-ad_l Emporio Armani has unveiled its new fall/winter underwear campaign starring David Beckham. I don’t believe I’m typing this: I’m not impressed. The body is beautiful, obviously. But the use of the rope, particularly in the image on the left, feels a little too Top Model to me. And that hair, particularly in the profile view on the right…I know I’m overly sensitive to bad hair on men — again, it’s why I’ve missed so many recent Nicolas Cage and Tom Hanks movies — but come on now. To quote my friend Eva: “How are you looking at his head??? “Looks a little too…Adolf.” “Damn you for making me look at his head! You’re determined to ruin it for me.”

I don’t know what I’ve been looking at that has numbed me to the charms of David Beckham — perhaps if that head-on photo would have featured white briefs it would have “popped” for me — but it’s official: I am over him. Crazy talk or are you also underwhelmed? Let the Great Underwear Ad Debate of June 11, 2009 begin and vote in the poll below.

P.S. Also up for debate: Mike Bruno says it looks like a “plastic hair thingy” that is upsetting me, not Beckham’s actual hair. I cannot bring myself to call his publicist and ask for a definitive answer to that question. What do you think? Hair, right? Bad, bad hair.

Jun 11 2009 07:44 PM ET

Are you ready for the YouTube fund drive?

by
Tagged: ,

Online video: what a pickle. Everyone loves watching stuff on YouTube or Hulu or any of the other zillions of places we send our eyeballs, but no one's really figured out a way to make money off of it. Even the professional joyologists at Google are set to hemorrhage $470 million in loses on YouTube for 2009, according to some analysts.

Jordan Levin, former CEO of The WB, said at a Web content conference yesterday that "Current production and distribution margins simply cannot support the overhead required to produce premium online content." And he thinks the solution is to have more strongly-branded content, "like the Texaco Star Theater and the Colgate Comedy Hour," with those brands footing more of the bill than current Web advertisers are, a la old timey TV.

I'm not opposed to that — I prefer that kind of blatant advertising to a subtle product placement, but maybe that's me and my stupid hippie values. (Just kidding, I hate hippie values.) That said, I'm not convinced this is the only way sites can make money. If we're going to stick within the TV finance structure, there's a public television format of asking viewers for moolah to support programming (and keep the totebag industry afloat) but keeping it free to watch. Or there's a premium cable format, which would require viewers to pony up for ostensibly superior content. Those seem just as viable to me as superbranding.

What about you, PopWatchers? Put on your thinking berets and lets monetize online video! ¡Whatever's the opposite of Viva la Revolucion!

Jun 11 2009 05:27 PM ET

'So You Think You Can Dance': Holy Mary Murphy Botox meltdown!

by
Tagged: , , ,

Wait. Really? We're just openly acknowledging our Botox now? Oh. Okay, fine. At this point, Mary Murphy's bats— craziness is still better than Nigel Lythgoe's INCESSANT RAMBLING. Seriously! Just stop talking!

I loved getting this tweet from Mandi last night: "This is the first season I'm watching SYTYCD. What is the hot tamale train, and why do they seem to want on it?" The explanation she deserves is so devoid of any meaning whatsoever that I can't even bring myself to attempt it. So feel free.

Which SYTYCD judge has annoyed you more after just one week — Nigel or Mary? Her screaming was terrifying, but he did wear sunglasses indoors. Tough call.

More 'So You Think You Can Dance'
TV Watch: Adam B. Vary recaps the Top 20 performance show
'So You Think You Can Dance' finalist and 'Growing Pains' nanny were separated at birth
Play EW.com's SYTYCD Prediction Challenge!

Advertisement

TV Recaps

Powered by WordPress.com VIP