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Archive: December 2009 (121-130 of 461)

Dec 20 2009 10:00 AM ET

Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, and their valiant efforts to be Oprah

Categories: Television, Things That Are Awesome!

I screamed aloud “Noooooo!” when I learned that, due to the grim economy, Oprah had canceled her annual Favorite Things episode this year, which, as you may remember, was filled with amazing gifts and women shrieking at the top of their lungs. How would I know what to buy for the holidays? Where else could I see women going bonkers over crockpots? And what other talk show would lure me into signing up for an audience ticket?

Well, where Oprah stands, Tyra Banks can’t be far behind, and this year, the Tyra host gave deserving mothers—all of whom were wearing uniforms of some sort—Movado watches, Warren-Tricomi products and a three-day stay at Harrah’s resort, among other goods. It’s not quite the $3,700 digital recipe holder that Oprah gave her 2007 Favorite Things audience, but E for effort, Tyra.

Ellen DeGeneres is also making waves in giveaway land. DeGeneres has her own version of Favorite Things called 12 Days of Giveaways, where audience members have gone home with everything from flat-screen televisions to trips across the globe. Even better, viewers at home can enter to win the gifts, too. For the worldwide vacations, I give Ellen a B-.

Still, no one does it quite like the big O. But have no fear, Oprah fans; the Favorite Things episode may not be totally scrapped. Executive producer Sheri Salata told CNN that they’ll re-evaluate it next year for the show’s 25th anniversary. Woo hoo! Stainless steel refrigerators, here I (maybe) come!

For those who are in Favorite Things withdrawal, reminisce with this hilarious Saturday Night Live spoof.

Have you guys been keeping up with all of the swag? Which talk show host had the best loot this year?

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC

Dec 19 2009 11:40 AM ET

Style Hunter: Get the fashion from Syfy's 'Alice'

by Archana Ram

Categories: Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion, Television

I’m not a big science fiction fan, so it’s no surprise that I rarely watch the Syfy channel, but when the network aired an ingenious retelling of my favorite childhood story Alice in Wonderland, I had to tune in. The two-part series incorporates all sorts of futuristic and surrealistic updates, but as this behind the scenes video reveals, the look of the series reflects a definite ’60s vibe.

And as our Style Hunter inbox shows, plenty of you want a piece of Alice’s wardrobe for yourself—and I don’t blame you. From her plum velvet blazer to her simple blue sheath dress, it all screams vintage chic, which isn’t too surprising considering Moulin Rouge! costume designer Angus Strathie custom made most of the wardrobe, including the blazer, dress and even the Hatter’s hat. The only asked-about costume piece you can get you hands on, though, are Alice’s John Fluevog boots (fluevog.com; $300).

Bummer, I know! But if you’re still looking to get your tripped-out ’60s-era look, have no fear; Style Hunter has tracked down some similar looks.

For namesake character Alice, played by Canadian actress Caterina Scorsone, Strathie crafted a retro ensemble, starting with the unadorned blue dress. For a similar style, try The Limited’s structured sheath (thelimited.com; $80), Trina Turk’s “McKinley” dress (bloomingdales.com; $248) or J. Crew’s silk taffeta “Clemintine” dress (jcrew.com; $99) in a color reminiscent of Disney’s version of Alice’s tale. If you’re looking for the plum blazer (like me) try 57 T’s blazer (yoox.com; $165) or this Patrizia Pepe number (yoox.com; $215).

And for fans of the Hatter’s porkpie hat, you can score a similar look with Bailey’s “Charlie” straw hat (hats-plus.com; $49) or this Nice Collective linen porkpie (ronherman.com; $175).

Dying to find something you spotted on TV or in a movie? Email stylehunter@ew.com and visit the Pop Style area of EW.com to see what we’ve found.

Photo: James Dittiger/Syfy

Dec 19 2009 10:00 AM ET

I 'heard about the Morgans' and I have some new ideas for Hugh Grant...

by Wendy Mitchell

Categories: British Things, I Saw It, So You Don't Have To!, Movies, Things That Are Criminal

As an unashamed rom-com fan, I ignored the reviews and went to see Did You Hear About the Morgans? (horrible title!) on Friday – and let’s just say I had my fill of watered-down City Slickers jokes within the first half hour.

But moving on to the positives — for starters, Elisabeth Moss (our beloved Peggy from Mad Men) showed off a sleek modern style and a deliciously bitchy attitude as the assistant to Sarah Jessica Parker’s annoying character. And also, Hugh Grant was pretty lovable and had a few good lines that had me laughing two or three times. Sure he was playing the bumbling romantic British guy that we’ve seen him create over and over, but he was still good at it.

I can’t help but think Grant’s a good actor who’s been squandered in beneath-him material for the past few years. Anyone else agree?

I have three quick thoughts of what I’d like to see him try next:

1) Play the British love interest opposite – radical idea – a British woman. Not SJP, not Drew Barrymore, not Sandra Bullock, not Andie Macdowell. That way, his character’s accent and cute expressions and tea jokes aren’t enough to coast on, and we’ll have to see real chemistry between Grant and his leading lady. I know there’s an age difference, but I would die to see him playing opposite Emily Blunt in an acid-tongued comedy (romantic or otherwise).

2) Go darker again. Grant got some of his career’s best reviews as the self-obsessed Will in About a Boy. Okay, the film wasn’t pitch black, but he didn’t play that bumbling charming guy, he played a very flawed, egotistical, immature guy and he was great at it. Daniel in Bridget Jones’ Diary was more one-dimensional caddish, but even caddish is more interesting than foppish romantic.

3) Get some edgier material. I’d like to see him in something less frothy, say a George Clooney-esque political thriller or some kind of really well written indie film. I can see the Coens writing a great leading role for him — even a rom-com in their hands would be a winner for Grant.

What do you think, PopWatchers? I know there are plenty of other Hugh Grant fans out there who will go see Morgans this weekend – so let us know what you thought of the film, and our leading man’s performance, in the comments below. And sound off about what kind of project you’d like to see Hugh take on next!

Photo Credit: Barry Wetcher

Dec 19 2009 09:00 AM ET

This Week on Stage: Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury star in 'A Little Night Music'

by Thom Geier

Categories: Stage/Theater, This Week on Stage

In the past week, two new shows have opened in New York City: A Little Night Music, a musical revival starring Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones (at left), and The Orphans Home Cycle, Part 2 — The Story of a Marriage. EW reviewers enjoyed both of them. Thom Geier gave A Little Night Music a B+ and said that star Zeta-Jones comfortably commanded the stage “as if it were just another red carpet to be conquered.” Meanwhile, Melissa Rose Bernardo also gave The Orphans Home Cycle, Part 2 — The Story of a Marriage a B+ and made the powerful proclamation that “it would be criminal to miss any of this epic journey.” Orphans Home Cycle, Part 2 is, as the title suggests, the second part of a three part play that will eventually rotate in repertory.

Even with those two openings, are you looking for something else to see on—or off—Broadway? 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 4/8/2010

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

Burn the Floor — Musical; opened 8/3/09 – 1/10/2010; EW grade: A-

Bye Bye Birdie — Musical Revival starring John Stamos; opened 10/15/2009 – 1/24/2010; EW grade: C+

Chicago — Musical Revival; opened 11/14/1996; EW grade: A+

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 18 2009 08:12 PM ET

Your favorite 2009 holiday TV episode?

by Annie Barrett

Categories: Awwwwww So Cuuuuuute, Bones, Community, Happy Holidays, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, Television, The Office

For me, it was a toss-up between The Office and Modern Family this year. The Dundler-Mifflin Christmas party was sort of like Halloween in that the outfits were so festive they could have counted as costumes. Stanley the mailman’s Christmas sweater was the best, though the Dunphys’ knit-based monstrosities on Modern Family, issued on high via webcam from half of Fred Willard’s face, were a bit louder. Don’t miss this holiday greetings e-card from 20th Century Fox, featuring two executives posing as a Modern Family married couple along with confessionals from the real MF cast.

There were follies aplenty at Parks and Recreation‘s Pawnee’s Winter Wonderland. Community attempted to engage in non-denominational holiday spirit with Dean Pelton’s Mr. Winter (“It ’tis the season!”) even though Shirley insisted everyone wear What Would Baby Jesus Do bracelets and attend her Christmas party. She’d get along well with former santa Michael Scott, who tried his hand at “healing leopards” as Jesus Christ. The Christmassy parts of 30 Rock mostly revolved around gift-giving…speaking of which, a very special holiday episode of Bones gave us the gift of shirtless Booth, not to mention Emily Deschanel’s sister Zooey as a guest star. Take it from Mandi: “Santa teeth and bones as shrapnel = kinda awesome.” Old Christine finally left her house to attend a holiday party hosted by Molly Shannon. The band Train and a Santa Claus popped up in CSI: NY, but the episode also featured Kim Kardashian so that one’s kind of a wash. I could be missing plenty of other Christmas episodes from scripted series — let me know what they were in the comments.

What’s been your favorite holiday episode, P-Dubs? And who destroys a Christmas tree better: Phil or Dwight?

Dec 18 2009 06:01 PM ET

High hopes for James Franco on 'SNL'

by Margaret Lyons

Categories: Saturday Night Live, Television

James Franco returns to SNL this week for the last show of 2009, and despite the rocky season, I’m optimistic: Franco has hosted before and done a solid job, plus he’s a naturally funny dude whose comedic style and sensibility lean toward goofy and Internet-friendly, which is SNL‘s jam.

Heh. This is exactly what the episode needs to do: Let Franco make fun of himself, give Fred Armisen the giggles, and remind everyone that there is such a thing as too much plaid.

Are you with me, PopWatchers? Could you watch this all day, like I could? What do you want to see Franco do?

Dec 18 2009 04:52 PM ET

'Survivor's' Shambo to Russell: No hard feelings, ya big galoot!

by Lynette Rice

Categories: Survivor

Now that her time in Samoa is over, Shambo has something pretty important she’d like to accomplish – and no, it doesn’t involve slugging that slimy oil man Russell. She’d like to dance with Ellen DeGeneres on her talk show! Here, the mullet-topped ex-Marine (otherwise known as Shannon Waters) talks to EW.com about what she described as a “not-so-surprising” ouster, her chronically chipper attitude and her signature hair style – now coiffed and perfected for Sunday’s finale in Los Angeles.

Added bonus: now that Dalton Ross is on Christmas vacay, you get an interview with a Survivor castoff in the flesh and in high definition, baby!

Dec 18 2009 04:01 PM ET

Weekend Box Office Poll: Any chance you're NOT seeing 'Avatar' this weekend?

by Tanner Stransky

Categories: Movies

A big, shiny, really expensive monster descends into movie theaters this weekend, and its name is Avatar. EW box office expert Nicole Sperling predicts that, without question, the blue beings in James Cameron’s masterpiece will dominate the dollars at multiplexes this weekend — to the tune of $87 million!

But: Is that the case? Are all you EW.com readers definitely going to see Avatar? Or is there a chance that something else — like say, maybe, The Princess and the Frog or The Blind Side or even (gasp!) Did You Hear About the Morgans? — could slip into your movie-going weekend? I’m dying to know. Let me know in EW’s weekly, totally unofficial Weekend Box Office Poll below. And then tell us why you’re seeing what in the comments below!

Dec 18 2009 03:41 PM ET

Metacritic's best- and worst-reviewed movies of the decade: How many have you seen?

by Missy Schwartz

Categories: Movies, The Dark Knight, Things That Are Awesome!, This Could Be Interesting...

Here’s the perfect illustration of how critics and mainstream audiences don’t always coincide. The site Metacritic has posted a list of the top-reviewed films of the past decade, and according to their data, Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth is No. 1 with a score of 98. Just below it is the Romanian drama 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days (97). It’s a great list, packed with terrific movies like The Hurt Locker (No. 5), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (No. 9), No Country for Old Men (No. 23) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (No. 42). But with the exception of a few titles — Pixar (duh) and The Lord of the Rings trilogy — the list is pretty slim on massive box office hits. Pan’s, for instance, grossed just $37.6 million. Compare that to the most-seen movie of the decade, The Dark Knight, which got a Metacritic score of 82. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 18 2009 03:00 PM ET

Videogame face-off: 'Assassin's Creed 2' vs. 'Left 4 Dead 2'

by Steve Heisler

Categories: Tech, Videogame Face-Off, Videogames, Zombies

Gore. Action. Sequels. Lots of solid, inventive games came out this year, but if you were going to narrow your list to the cream of the crop, Face-Off has you covered. Today, it’s Assassin’s Creed II against Left 4 Dead 2. Check back each weekday through Dec. 24 for a new match-up.

In this corner: ‘Assassin’s Creed 2‘
The original Assassin’s Creed in 2007, set during the Third Crusade in the late 1100s, was addicting. The sequel is life-encompassing. Once again, the main character Desmond in the year 2012 must use a virtual reality machine, called an Animus, to stop a world-domination plot by modern-day Templars. Desmond uses the Animus to view the memories of his assassin ancestor Ezio in the late 1400s, gathering ancient Templar clues and gaining skills he can use in his own time. The vibrant Italian Renaissance cityscape includes a host of new assassination missions (completed third-person sandbox-style, like Grand Theft Auto) and plenty of cutlasses and sabres — some stolen from enemies, some provided by the game’s gadget expert, a young Leonardo DaVinci. As you dodge hunters by bribing informants and tearing down wanted posters, you’ll marvel at how the hours just simply… vanish.

In the other corner: ‘Left 4 Dead 2‘
You want violence? Get it in oh-so-many-spades with this sequel to last year’s Left 4 Dead. Once again, you and three others have survived a terrifying disease that turned most of the world’s population into zombie-like horrors. You traverse post-apocalyptic wastelands — most of which are on fire — toting guns, chainsaws, and frying pans, facing hordes of disgusting enemies — including one who literally blinds you with vomit. With a new “scavenge” mode option and an improved AI that presents dynamic challenges as you play (rearranging walls, upping enemy count), this L4D iteration is just as engrossing and wonderfully creepy as the original.

And the winner is… READ FULL STORY »