Archive: October 2010 (31-40 of 590)

Oct 29 2010 11:38 AM ET

Bye-bye, 'Big Love'

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Filed under: Television, TV and tagged: , ,

big-loveImage Credit: Lacey Terrell/HBOBig Love‘s upcoming fifth season will also be its final one, and while I’ll miss the Henricksons, this is definitely the right time to bring the series to a close. While its high points are still some of the best moments I’ve ever seen on television, its low points were more and more frequent, and the stories were getting repetitive. Plus I’ll miss Sarah.

Big Love sometimes struggled to figure out which story it was telling. It started as sort of an allegory for gay marriage, then pushed towards a family drama, but then flailed while searching for its true sustaining narrative. The store? The casino? Politics? The compound? Roman? Ana? Fundamentalism? READ FULL STORY »

Oct 29 2010 11:00 AM ET

PopWatch Rewind Week 11: 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'

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Filed under: Television, TV and tagged: , , , ,

God might be dead, but the Great Pumpkin will live forever. That’s one of many important life-lessons you learn from It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, the iconic Peanuts Halloween special in which Linus preaches his suspicious belief system to a community of big-headed skeptics. There is a lot to love about this special — the jazzy score, the gorgeously minimal animation, the lengthy tangent in which Snoopy play-acts a World War I melodrama (complete with an extended piano sequence that can only be described as Lynchian). But there’s one thing thing that sets Great Pumpkin apart from all other Halloween specials: It never tries to be scary. There are no spooky monsters, no shocks, nothing to make you afraid of the dark. There’s just a little boy, alone in a pumpkin patch, trying to fight away the creeping suspicion that humanity is actually alone in the universe. Actually, now that we think about it, that’s really scary. Join us as we read entirely too much into the story of a boy and his best friend: a pumpkin who doesn’t exist.

Darren Franich: This was the third Peanuts special. Personally, I think this blows all the other ones out of the water. (Looking at you, A Charlie Brown Christmas!) It’s fast. It’s funny. And for about seven straight minutes, it suddenly turns into The Adventures of Snoopy in Occupied France.

Keith Staskiewicz: The more I think about it, the less I think the Snoopy storyline is that divergent. Snoopy pretending to fight the Red Baron and Linus’ squash-based god-cult are both about the fine line between imagination and delusion. But while Snoopy’s pretend-time is fun, there’s something about Linus’ utter faith in the Great Pumpkin that is upsetting to the other kids. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 29 2010 10:57 AM ET

'Rocky Horror' 35th Anniversary Tribute: 'Glee' stars, Jack Nicholson, Tim Curry Time Warp for charity

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Filed under: About Last Night, Glee, Movies, News, Television, TV and tagged: , , , ,

Rocky-Horror-benefitImage Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesHundreds of creatures of the night — both famous, like birthday girl Jami Gertz and uber-composer Burt Bacharach, and fanatical, like the fan club president settling in for his 3,500th viewing — donned sequins, corsets, and white face paint and gathered at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles last night for a celeb-studded one-off performance to celebrate the 35th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and raise money for The Painted Turtle, a California camp for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

“It might be a little tamer at 8 than at midnight,” warned Lou Adler, the man who brought the musical to America in the early ’70s and executive produced the film, which has been in distribution longer than any film in the history of movies. “But it will be unlike anything anyone’s seen because it’s so three-dimensional. We’re showing the film. The shadow cast will be pantomiming on stage. Celebrities will come on and sing. We’ve got 900 fans in the balcony who’ll be shouting and surely will have snuck in some toast and rice. It will be an appropriate celebration of 35 years of a cult classic.” READ FULL STORY »

Oct 29 2010 10:36 AM ET

'Grey's Anatomy' vs. 'ER': How did the documentary-style episode stack up?

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Filed under: About Last Night, Television, TV and tagged: , ,

Greys-Anatomy-ER-docImage Credit: Bob D'Amico/ABC; NBCLast night’s Grey’s Anatomy was a faux documentary episode, and that for me screamed one thing: ER. If we’re going to go ’90s doctor shows (oh please, let’s), Grey’s more closely resembles Chicago Hope — melodrama, metaphor, more absurd patients, a slower pace. But going documentary-style for an episode is so classically ER in my mind that I can’t help but compare the two. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 29 2010 10:00 AM ET

Who is the most under-appreciated reality TV personality of 2010?

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Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: , , ,

Cat-DeeleyImage Credit: Phil McCarten/FoxYesterday, you logged onto PopWatch in droves to tell us who you thought deserved the title of 2010′s most under-appreciated TV and movie actors. Well, now it’s time to tell us who you think should be crowned the most under-appreciated reality personality of 2010. As So You Think You Can Dance‘s resident recapper, it’s tough for me to avoid nominating the fantastic Cat Deeley, whose cheery demeanor and unabashed love for the contestants has given us, well, Cat Deeley chills season after season. Yet, the host has yet to be awarded for her more-than-respectable duties on the series. As I’ve said, so you think you can snub her, Emmy?!

Also, some other of my favorite cast-aside reality personalities of the year: the consistently funny Wipeout co-host John Henson, the fabulously bitchy Olivia Palermo in the now-dearly departed The City (R.I.P.), the deviously and deliciously annoying Matt Hoffman (would the The Brigade’s three other cardboard cut-outs have been as entertaining without him?), and, yes, the incessantly belittled Angelina Pivarnick — a.k.a. the hero of Jersey Shore, according to recapper Darren Franich — who single-handedly turned season 2 of the MTV series into the dramah-tic mess it needed to be.

Who do you think is the most under-appreciated reality personality of 2010, PopWatchers? Still insist that American Idol‘s Tim Urban will one day be a chart-topper? That the much-hated Coach is one of Survivor‘s finest — and most entertaining — players? That Enthusiastic Chimes Lady is headed towards reality TV domination? As Deeley would say, you be the jidge!

Read more:
Who is the most under-appreciated TV star of 2010?
What film actors have been under-appreciated in 2010?


Oct 29 2010 09:40 AM ET

'Vampire Diaries': Michael Trevino talks Tyler's transformation (and his first leather jacket)

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Filed under: Television, The Vampire Diaries, TV and tagged: , , ,

Michael-Trevino-VampireImage Credit: Patrick Ecclesine/The CWEven before season 2 began, producers of The Vampire Diaries were talking about Michael Trevino’s beefed up role as a werewolf. So SPOILER-THAT-ISN’T-ACTUALLY-A-SPOILER: Last night, in episode 7, Tyler Lockwood finally (accidentally) killed someone and activated the family curse. (Read our recap.) Shortly after the episode aired on the East Coast (which Trevino watched while flipping back and forth from the World Series), he phoned EW to talk about what’s next for young Mr. Lockwood, which scene he’s yet to shoot that’s making him nervous, and why episode 210 is already one of his favorites.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Watching this episode, I was like, finally! We’ve known it was coming for so long, and now it’s on. Did you have a bit of that reaction to?
MICHAEL TREVINO: Yeah. It’s official now. It’s just a hint of it. It’s at the point where the next few episodes are going to be about preparing for the next full moon that comes. You’re gonna see Tyler do more research, because now he realizes he’s not going to be able to stop himself — it’s just inevitable.

Have you shot that full transformation yet? Are we going to see you shirtless and chained like Mason was?
We have not shot that. I think we might shoot that next week. It’s gotta be soon. I’m not sure how exactly it’s gonna happen, to be honest with you. I would think that he’s gonna go down to those old ruins were Mason was and probably do what he was doing and just lock himself up. And hopefully he doesn’t hurt anybody. He won’t be able to control himself, especially the first time.

Are you doing anything special to prepare for that? Are you bulking up even more?
I’m trying to, yeah. [Laughs] As far as hitting the weights and dieting, it’s hard to do. So just a little bit, nothing extreme.  READ FULL STORY »

Oct 29 2010 12:15 AM ET

Reminder: Send us your pop culture Halloween costumes

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Filed under: Movies, Television and tagged: , , , , , , , , ,

Horror-movie-DVDsWe know you’ve been working hard to put together your best pop culture Halloween costume prior to the 31st. You know, the one that will dazzle and impress your friends based on your accuracy, humor, and originality (Where did you find that authentic blouse a la Joan Harris? My, your Liz Lemon shoes are so…bi-curious!). So while you’re at it, why not impress your anonymous friends and foes here on EW.com for a chance at eternal internet fame and some pretty cool DVDs (Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist Extended Director’s Cut, Pan’s Labyrinth Special Edition, The Shining, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Collector’s Edition, courtesy of Warner Home Video)? Sounds like fun! Remember, we’re calling for your pop culture Halloween costume photos and are will crown 5 winners. Go to our Facebook page (don’t forget to like us first, this is a two-way street!) and “attach” your photos to our wall. Much like your judgmental friends, we’ll be judging on accuracy, creativity, and humor. Be sure to include your name, location, and what you’re supposed to be.

The contest runs through the end of the day and winners will appear on the site in our Readers Halloween Costume gallery over the weekend. If you’re a winner, we’ll also message you on Facebook requesting your mailing address so we can ship you your loot (and go trick-or-treating at your door…juuust kidding).

What are you waiting for? The contest is liiiive! Check out the official rules after the jump. READ FULL STORY »

Oct 29 2010 12:01 AM ET

TV Insiders podcast: EW experts explain why 'The Walking Dead' will scare the beejezus out of you, and pick the best Halloween TV episodes ever

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Filed under: Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Image Credit: AMC; ABC Photo Archive/Getty Images

BEWARE! Zombies are everywhere this Halloween! At least on TV they are. On Sunday, IFC will air the entire run of Dead Set — which, in the most genius plot device of all-time, centers on a zombie outbreak outside the Big Brother house. (Finally!) That same night, AMC will debut the first episode of The Walking Dead, the Frank Darabont-directed adaptation of the popular comic book. Zombie aficionado (zombionado?) Clark Collis joins the TV Insiders (Michael Slezak, Annie Barrett, Michael Ausiello, and yours truly) to rip, tear, and sink our teeth into both shows. Exactly how scary — and gory — are they? We’ll tell you on our latest podcast. Not only that, but Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and star Andrew Lincoln pop by to give us their unique, blood-splattered perspective. (Kirkman also gives his pick for the best zombie movie ever — and the choice may surprise you.) But that’s not all we have up our spooky sleeves. We’re also offering our picks for the best Halloween TV episodes ever, discussing the future (or lack of it) for The Event, breaking down Survivor etiquette when it comes to peeing in a pool, and sharing Annie’s picks for the best and worst Dancing with the Stars hoofers ever. You can download all the insanity straight to your mp3 player, or click on the video player below to enjoy all the podcast magic on your screen right here, right now. And if you have a question for the TV Insiders, you can tweet it to @EWDaltonRoss. Listen now…if you dare!

Click here to read Clark Collis’ extensive history of the ultimate zombie film: Night Of the Living Dead

Oct 28 2010 07:09 PM ET

Eric McCormack goes back to TV in new TNT series 'Perception'

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Filed under: Television, TV and tagged: ,

Eric-McCormackTNT announced that former Will & Grace star Eric McCormack has officially been cast in the network’s new drama Perception. The Emmy-award winning actor will play Dr. Geoffrey Pierce, a crime-solving neuroscientist, who works with the federal government to solve complex cases using his knowledge and imaginative view of the world. The series comes from executive producer Kenneth Biller (Smallville) and co-executive producer Mike Sussman (Star Trek: Voyager). McCormack will also serve as a producer for the series.

What do you think, PopWatchers? Who else would you like to see join the cast of The Perception? McCormack is great, but this news makes me miss Will & Grace, both the show and the characters. Was there anything better than chemistry between McCormack and Debra Messing? I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Dr. Pierce will have a zany teaching assistant who keeps him in check (preferably one with red curly hair and issues with men? A girl can dream!). Are you liking his dramatic turn, or should he stick to comedies?

Read more:
Eric McCormack in talks for TNT pilot
EW Reunions ‘Will & Grace’ stars Debra Messing and Eric McCormack reveal that fake breasts can lead to bronchitis
Who Is Clark Rockefeller? He’s Will with glasses!

Oct 28 2010 07:00 PM ET

Five Things That Make Me Die Inside in ABC's 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' rap promo

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Tagged: , , , , ,

The masterful It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown airs in just an hour, and ABC has been inexplicably airing those horrifying “Pumpkin Rap” promos all week. Had we not suffered enough in 2009?! I don’t see how a blog item could be more sincere than this one! To quote Linus, “Nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see!” EWWWWW.com. Without further ado…

‘Pumpkin Rap’ promo: Top 5 Things That Make Me Die Inside

5. “Hey party people, it’s Charlie B. / Bringing Halloween Thursday to ABC.”
4. “Rakin’ leaves and rollin’ on a pumpkin / Trick or treat, then the party gets thumpin’!”
3. “But where is Linus? This party is posh. / He’s waitin’ in the field for a mythical squash.”
2. Charlie Brown’s super-smug “Word.” at the end. Charlie Brown is not smug!
1. HIS LIPS DON’T SYNC AT ALL.

Are any of you blockheads tuning in tonight despite this travesty?

Annie on Twitter: @EWAnnieBarrett

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