Archive: November 2009 (31-40 of 429)

Nov 27 2009 12:18 PM ET

'Beyonce: I Am...Yours': Um, you are?

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“I am very unpredictable,” Beyonce said on last night’s concert special about her, and, uh, that is just not true. She is a lot of things — talented, beloved, a non-stop hit-maker — but she’s also one of our most reliable celebrities. We count on her to be beautiful, to make top-40 jams we’ll shout along to in the car, to be essentially scandal-free. “Beyonce: I Am…Yours” was one giant (fun!) infomercial for her brand of lovely diligence, but its title, like its star’s declarations about herself, wasn’t quite accurate: Are there performers less “ours” than Beyonce? I can’t think of one. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 27 2009 11:37 AM ET

Gadget Grab: Phone-friendly headphones

Filed under: Gadgets and tagged: , , ,

Headphones are the wallet and watch of the gadget world: You never leave home without them, you find one you like and stick with it forever if you’re lucky, and they’re really hard to buy for other people. But if your gadget giftee listens to their jams on a smartphone, headphones with a built-in microphone are a no-brainer, and the Klipsch Image S2m headset with mic is the way to go.

I have Klipsch headphones, and they’re the best I’ve ever used — I’ve hated most other in-ear buds, and I’ve broken countless sets of cheaper pairs. (And…a few more expensive pairs, too. Ugh, those wires need to be stronger!) These have withstood my abuse and then some, plus they sound fantastic and are astonishingly comfortable. And the ear tips don’t fall off in my bag, which had been a major issue with other removable-tip headphones.

These aren’t just headphones, though: They’re specifically for use with a phone, and they’re a far more elegant (and comfortable) solution than the ubiquitous Bluetooth headset. A common complaint among iPhone users, me included, is that the phone part leaves something to be desired, and unfortunately, there’s not an app for that, but there are accessories, and a decent pair of headphones has saved me from phonelessness on many occasions. At $59.99, these are a tad pricier than other options, but, like that wallet or watch, it’s worth it if it’s actually better. And these are better.

Nov 27 2009 11:00 AM ET

This Week's Issue: Jaclyn Smith remembers Farrah Fawcett

Filed under: Television and tagged: ,

As part of our Late Greats tribute package, EW asked the friends and colleagues to share their memories of the stars we lost in 2009.

Farrah Fawcett
Feb. 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009

By Jaclyn Smith

I think what made Farrah work was that she was so sexy, yet there was that girl-next-door quality about her, so she didn’t alienate people. Girls loved her, guys loved her. Farrah was an original, always her own person in her personal life as well as in her career. Her choices were unexpected. I am in awe of the bravery she showed in facing her disease. Her strength, her resilience, her utter lack of self-pity. Her disease did not kill her spirit. She will live in my heart forever. (Fawcett died of cancer in Santa Monica.)

For more Late Greats tributes — including Matthew Broderick on John Hughes, Keith Carradine on David Carradine, and Kenny Ortega on Michael Jackson — pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands now.

Photo Credit: Everett Collection

Nov 27 2009 09:30 AM ET

'America's Funniest Home Videos': The groin gag you WON'T see on Sunday's 20th anniversary special

Filed under: Television and tagged: ,

If you’re like me, you’ve waited 12 years for this. If you’re not like me, could you just fake it for a minute? Check it out: Bob Saget makes his return to the stage of America’s Funniest Home Videos for a special 20th anniversary episode (Sunday, 7 p.m., ABC)! The original host will share the emcee duties with the current host, Tom Bergeron, as they whisk us through classic clips ranging from nut cracks to animal attacks. (FUN FACT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Coming into this season, AFV had aired 287 different groin-hit videos.) But the one thing you won’t be able to see on Sunday night is Bob Saget uttering the phrase, “Bury my groin at Wounded Knee.” But oh, he said it, and you can see for yourself how and why below, as EW.com brings you an exclusive outtake that was too hot for TV! Okay, maybe it was just a busted take. But in any case, enjoy this historic joining of AFV forces.

Are you planning to watch the Saget-Bergeron spectacle? And what clip are you dying to see during this 20th anniversary episode? (You know me—I can never get enough of Frightened Man Punches Halloween Scarecrow.)

Nov 27 2009 09:00 AM ET

This Week on Stage: 'Fela!' rocks, Matthew Broderick disappoints

Former American Idol contestant Syesha Mercado may be the biggest known name in the revival of Dreamgirls that kicked off its national tour at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theatre this week, but it’s an unknown named Moya Angela who’s generating all the buzz as Effie “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” White, according to EW’s Tanner Stransky. Also this week, the booty-shaking biographical Afrobeat musical Fela! (pictured at left) opened on Broadway to widespread raves (including a B+ from EW), while a fine cast headed by a lifeless Matthew Broderick struggled in director/playwright Kenneth Lonergan’s disappointing new Off Broadway comic drama, The Starry Messenger.

Check out the EW.com Stage hub for up-to-date news and reviews; or consult this handy guide below, which includes links to all of our stage reviews of current shows. (Note: The reviews are typically of the show’s original casts.)

BROADWAY

The Addams Family — Musical; opens 2010

After Miss Julie — Drama starring Sienna Miller; opened 10/22/2009 – 12/6/2009; EW grade: C

Billy Elliot — Musical; opened 11/13/08; EW grade: B+

Burn the Floor — Musical; opened 8/3/09 – 2/14/2010; EW grade: A-

Bye Bye Birdie — Musical Revival starring John Stamos; opened 10/15/2009 – 4/25/2010; EW grade: C+ READ FULL STORY »

Nov 27 2009 08:00 AM ET

Your Thanksgiving TV marathon guide: Friday

It’s as much of an annual tradition as turkey, football, and awkward family dynamics — the Thanksgiving weekend TV marathon. With Thursday behind you, why not go to the fridge, get some leftovers, and settle in to that nice groove in the sofa. And look, we’ve already done the hard part for you. Here’s our guide to the best marathon programming for Friday, Nov. 27.

*Bravo is running The Real Housewives of New Jersey all day long. I don’t know why exactly this qualifies as “special” holiday programming since they pretty much air the various Housewives incarnations all the time anyway. But hey, that doesn’t mean it ain’t still tasty. Watch these well-mannered ladies and their tastefully decorated homes…Ah, who are we kidding? Let the catfighting and kitsch begin!

*For a classier (but just as bawdy) bunch of dames, head over to WE for its Golden Girls marathon.

*Nothing will make you feel lazier than spending a whole day watching brawny men risk their lives to catch Alaskan King Crab. That’s right, Discovery is trotting out a mess of Deadliest Catch episodes. So bust out the Slanket and heat up some crab dip. Yummo!

*We would never actually advocate watching E!’s “Kardashiathon“, but we do like the cute name they came up with. Instead, why not check out a much better show from another L.A. hip zip, SOAPnet’s “Chillin’ with Dylan” Beverly Hills, 90210 marathon?

*Thursday’s James Bond marathon over on Syfy continues on Day 2 with Thunderball, From Russia With Love, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, Casino Royale, Goldeneye, Goldfinger, and Never Say never Again.

*Finally, TV Land gets a gold star for its nostalgic block of Sanford & Son episodes. Interesting footnote: When my brother and I were kids, we named our cats Fred and Lamonte. Just saying. Oh, and by the way, best…theme song…ever.  I’ll tell you what I’m thankful for this holiday, Quincy Jones!

What will you be watching?

Nov 27 2009 12:05 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs his Thanksgiving thoughts

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No blog this week.  I’m having Thanksgiving with the family. Hope you are all having a good holiday and enjoyed the “recap” show.

If you didn’t enjoy it, don’t blame me!  I don’t really like them either but sometimes they’re a necessary evil, because…
INSIGHT: In the television world, Thanksgiving evening is a tough night to get people to watch television.  So often networks will air re-runs or “specials” and save their original episodes for the following week.

Same thing often happens with Survivor during March Madness when college basketball takes over the airwaves.

We just don’t want any of our loyal fans to miss out on an episode of Survivor. Especially this season with so much great stuff happening.

I hope you’re ready for a great finish.  So many questions…

Can Foa Foa continue their run?  Or is Galu going to figure out a way to stop them?

How much longer can Russell avoid the vote?

And the big one….

Will Shambo cut her hair for the live show?

Talk next week.

Nov 26 2009 09:00 PM ET

'Survivor: Samoa': Recapping the recap!

Ah, the formerly-dreaded Survivor recap episode. We used to mock it even more than gratuitous Palm Pre product placement. But then something unusual happened during the Tocantins season. The recap episode became less of a recap and more of a collection of deleted scenes and storylines. And some of those deleted scenes and storylines were actually pretty decent. So it was with moderate hope as opposed to unwavering boredom that I approached the Survivor: Samoa Thanksgiving recap episode. And that moderate hope was rewarded…with moderate entertainment! In case you were too busy stuffing your face with, um, stuffing, click below to read the full post and see what you missed, as we were treated to previously unseen sabotage, threats, tears, and vomit! READ FULL STORY »

Nov 26 2009 05:50 PM ET

More fun with Thanksgiving clips: 'Seinfeld,' 'Gilmore Girls,' 'WKRP in Cincinnati,' and more

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PopWatchers, there are so many fun Thanksgiving clips, I couldn’t narrow down the list. Enjoy.

C.J. asking Bartlet to pardon another turkey:
READ FULL STORY »

Nov 26 2009 03:15 PM ET

Clip du jour: 'Man vs Toddler'

Perhaps if you’re spending today with your family, you can work in some awesome contests to test your skills against members of the kids’ table.

I like the algebra part the best. What about you, PopWatchers? Grape juice FTW?

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