Archive: November 2010 (1-10 of 486)

Nov 30 2010 08:32 PM ET

Michael Urie joining, Zachary Quinto leaving revival of 'Angels in America'

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Categories: Casting, Stage/Theater, Zachary Quinto

Michael-UrieImage Credit: Janet Mayer/PR PhotosUgly Betty star Michael Urie is taking on the towering lead role of Prior Walter in the ongoing Off Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Angels in America, according to The New York Times. Urie will start Feb. 2, 2011, replacing actor Christian Borle when the production launches a new five-week extension through March 27. Also leaving the production, which opened in October: Star Trek and Heroes star Zachary Quinto, who will be replaced by theater actor Adam Driver (Mrs. Warren’s Profession) in the role of Prior’s erstwhile boyfriend Louis Ironson. Actresses Robin Bartlett (Hannah Pitt), Zoe Kazan (Harper Pitt), and Robin Weigert (the Angel) will depart the show as well, but only Bartlett’s role has been re-cast (with theater actress Lynne McCollough). According to the Times, the departures are all due to schedule conflicts with the unplanned additional five weeks of performances. Tickets for the extension will be $85, a steep hike from the underwritten $20 price for the initial run of the show.

More on Angels in America:
EW’s A- review of the revival
Zachary Quinto on Angels in America: “This is the culmination of a long-term plan.”

Nov 30 2010 07:29 PM ET

Trend Watch: Is ballet suddenly the new 'Twilight'?

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Categories: Casting, Movies, PopWatch Dance Party, Trend Watch

ballerinasImage Credit: Tatiana Beller/PR Photos; Niko TaverniseOkay, I know, I know. But bear with me here: Both surround beautiful things that can cause bodily harm (Twilight: vampires; ballet: pointe shoes), both involve glitter (Twilight: sparkly vampires!; ballet: sparkly costumes!), both involve forbidden love (Twilight: between vampires and humans; ballet: between ballerinas and Hostess products), and both are enjoying their moment in the spotlight. That’s right: Ballet is so hot right now. Or, I should say, the dark underbelly of the ballet world is so hot right now.

Let’s run it down: For months now, chatter has surrounded Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, a ballet thriller about the art form’s dangerously competitive nature that has ignited Oscar talk for star Natalie Portman. Then a pack of black leotard-clad ballerinas toasted the a-hole that is Kanye West in his “Runaway” video. Furthermore, New York City Ballet principal Jenifer Ringer made headlines yesterday after The New York Times‘ Alastair Macaulay said the dancer “looked as if she’d eaten one sugar plum too many” in his review of the company’s Nutcracker. (Dude, as a writer, I love me my puns, but that was way harsh, Tai.) And finally, news broke today that Chloë Moretz, Jackie Earle Haley, and Bailee Madison have joined Kristen Bell in Dance of the Mirlitons, a film about a curvy ballerina with a stage mom (Bell) who attempts to make it in the tough business. (Producer Daniel Dubiecki’s rep confirms The Hollywood Reporter‘s report with EW; Madison will play the ballerina, Moretz will play the class’ ace pupil, and Haley will play a sadistic Russian ballet teacher in the film, which will be helmed by Evan Greenberg.)

And yet, I’m conflicted about ballet’s trendy, dark turn in pop-culture: READ FULL STORY »

Nov 30 2010 06:14 PM ET

'Star Trek' sequel: 'We're looking at a lot of old episodes for inspiration,' say writers

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Categories: Geekery, Sci-Fi, Star Trek

Star-Trek-new-movieImage Credit: Inset: Albert L. Ortega/PR PhotosScreenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are still in the early stages of writing the sequel to 2009′s Star Trek reboot (likely due in the summer of 2012), and given the general fog of secrecy that hovers over every J.J. Abrams project, you won’t be surprised to find out that their recent interview with the Los Angeles Times is very light on any specific plot revelations. However, if you sift through the writing pair’s jaunty obfuscation, you can spot two key bits of wisdom that may indicate the shape of Star Trek 12/2/Whatever.

1. They’re not thinking trilogy.

The last decade of blockbuster Hollywood storytelling has been defined by trilogies. The Matrix, The Lord of the Rings, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man series, Christopher Nolan’s Batman series, even seemingly open-ended franchises like Blade and The Bourne Identity all reached for the curious magic of a three-part cycle. So it’s interesting to note that Orci and Kurtzman seem to be pretty okay with just making a regular old sequel. “I don’t know that we’ve ever thought of [the new Star Trek series] in terms of a trilogy,” says Orci. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 30 2010 06:00 PM ET

'Glee' countdown: The Dog Days are Over

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Categories: Glee, Television

glee-sectionalsSectionals are here! After last week’s lovefest, the group is back to business minus SPOILER ALERT one of its strongest members. Yes, Kurt has flown the coop to become a Dalton Academy Warbler, and tonight he’ll be joining Blaine and the rest of his group on Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” (with help from the Tufts Beelzebubs!). Even for someone who’s griped about the song’s ubiquity (especially in advertising), those cute little Warblers managed to leave me humming along all afternoon. Damn this show for overpowering everything I once stood for!

When the stakes are high, Glee doesn’t disappoint. But Will New Directions come out on top? What can we expect from third group, The Hipsters? Are you psyched for a Gleeky version of Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over”? After you watch “Special Education,” head back here to let us know what you think. Plus, be on the look-out for Tim Stack’s full recap and performance grades after midnight.

More on Glee:
Latest Glee recap: Going to the Chapel
Watch Darren Criss and the Warblers sing ‘Hey Soul Sister’
Get to know the Tufts Beelzebubs, the real group behind New Directions’ newest rivals

Nov 30 2010 06:00 PM ET

Which cartoon character do have you as your Facebook profile picture?

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Categories: Animation, Movies, Things That Are Awesome!

LuciferImage Credit: DisneyLast night, 28 of my closest Facebook friends (I barely know most of them) changed their profile pictures to cartoon characters, according to my news feed. After a quick Google search, I’ve concluded that the madness can be attributed to one of the following: 1) To show your support for the fight against child abuse because someone out there on the internets said it would make a difference. (As one of my friends posted: “Change your profile picture to a cartoon character for da month to make a stand against child abuse! Keep it gooooin’!!!!”) (Um, I mean former friends.) 2) To get all the photos of ugly people off of Facebook. Or 3) To honor your childhood.

Regardless of the reason for the meme — all are good causes, especially No. 2 — I was game.  READ FULL STORY »

Nov 30 2010 05:05 PM ET

Excess Hollywood: Sarah Jones locked into J.J. Abrams' 'Alcatraz'

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Categories: Casting, Deals, Excess Hollywood, Movies, Television
  • Sarah Jones (Sons of Anarchy) is set to head to the island (no, not that one) with Jorge Garcia in J.J. Abrams’ Alcatraz pilot, Fox confirms to EW. The actress will play an obsessive police officer.
  • Mimicking its own name, Gus Van Sant’s Restless has changed its release date from Jan. 28 to sometime in late 2011. The Sony film follows a girl (Mia Wasikowska) who romances a boy who enjoys attending funerals. Chaz? [Variety]
  • The lights go out on Broadway Dec. 12 for The Scottsboro Boys, which will perform its final show after 49 performances, the producers announced via press release.
  • Get yourselves in the Danger Zone: The second season of Archer is set to premiere on FX on Jan. 27, while the network’s Lights Out will debut on Jan. 11. [Deadline]
  • The Town screenwriter Peter Craig will adapt Fathers and Guns for Columbia. The French-Canadian hit film follows a father-son cop team who are “assigned to investigate an outdoor adventure group for fathers and sons.” Oh, I know, I know! Cheney did it. [Variety]
  • Lifetime mini-series Marry Me — starring Lucy Liu as a woman who must choose between three “Prince Charmings” — will premiere on Dec. 12, the network announced via press release. I know of a way she can keep all three.
Nov 30 2010 05:05 PM ET

Keeping up with the Kardashian Kard investigation: E! stars disavow debit card

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Categories: Celebrity Scandals, Documentaries, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Reality TV, Sarcasm, Television

KardashiansImage Credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage.comThe State of Connecticut is investigating the prepaid debit card endorsed by the Kardashian sisters for its alleged “predatory fees,” according to The Hartford Courant. The state’s Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told the paper that users of the Kardashian Kard were charged with numerous and excessive fees not normally associated with legitimate debit cards. Though the sisters believe the card, which is issued by the University National Bank in Minnesota, has conformed to all laws and regulations, they have now withdrawn their endorsement of the card bearing their name due to the investigation. A statement from their lawyer reads, “The Kardashians have worked extremely long and hard to create a positive public persona that appeals to everyone, particularly young adults … Unfortunately, the negative spotlight turned on the Kardashians as a result of the Attorney General’s comments and actions threatens everything for which they have worked.”

I feel for all the people who carry the K-Kard and feel blindsided by the excessive charges. Normally, when I sign up for a financial card associated with reality TV stars, I expect it to be as pure and straightforward as the Bailey Savings & Loan. If you’re a fan — or a Kard holder — will the investigation affect your positive opinion of the Kardashians? Vote below: READ FULL STORY »

Nov 30 2010 04:40 PM ET

Richard Branson launches iPad-only magazine, The Dude abides

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Categories: iPhone/iPad apps

projectRichard Branson unveiled his latest venture today: an iPad-only magazine called Project. First, conquer space. Then, iPad apps. ¡Viva!

Project, which costs $2.99 per monthly issue, comes as Rupert Murdoch is readying an iPad-only newspaper, The Daily. The inaugural issue features Jeff Bridges on the cover and some snappy graphics, plus interactive elements like “shaking” dirt off a page. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 30 2010 04:15 PM ET

Do you HATE a TV show that other people love?

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Categories: 30 Rock, Bored to Death, Glee, Made Us Think, The Big Bang Theory

Glee-Big-Bang-Theory-BoredImage Credit: Ray Mickshaw/Fox; Robert Voets/CBS; Barry Wetcher/HBOPopWatchers, ain’t love grand? Last week, I wrote a post asking about the TV shows you love that everyone else hates. You bravely responded with a list of supposed travesties (Shasta McNasty), forgotten curiosities (Strange Luck), and much-insulted reality shows. (I’m so glad to discover that I’m not the only person who unabashedly enjoys the trash-tastic Real World/Road Rules Challenge series.) However, one thread on the comment boards turned the question upside down with a slightly more insidious question: What shows do you hate that everyone else loves?

Quite a few commenters turned their attention to one show in particular: Glee. Sam said, “I hate hate hate hate Glee. I don’t see how anybody about the age of 12 could stand watching it.” Strong words — but arguably harsher were ex-Gleeks like Janet, who said, “Glee is hands-down the worst show on television, and this is coming from someone who enjoyed the first season.” (All the anti-Glee feeling reminds me a little bit of the counter-buzz that developed during the sophomore seasons of The OC and Heroes. Although we can all agree that Glee hasn’t reached the depths of Bisexual Marissa Cooper and the Terrible Tears of Death…right?)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, since comedy is a highly subjective art, most of the other shows mentioned were sitcoms. READ FULL STORY »

Nov 30 2010 02:33 PM ET

'Glee': Get to know the Tufts Beelzebubs, the real group behind New Directions' newest rivals

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Categories: Glee, Guess Who!, Reality TV, Television, Things That Are Awesome!, Those Crazy Kids!

beelzebubsThe members of The Beelzebubs, Tufts University’s oldest all-male a cappella group, have their hands full this semester. Along with recording a new album and performing on campus in Medford, Mass., the group landed the high-profile gig of providing the arrangements and background vocals for Glee‘s newest music group, the Dalton Academy Warblers. After the success of “Teenage Dream” (with Darren Criss on lead vocals) earlier this month, the musical stylings of The Beelzebubs return tonight as Blaine and the Warblers perform Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister” in New Directions’ Sectionals showdown. Beelzebubs President Eli Seidman, Business Manager Evan Powell, Music Director Penn Rosen, and Historian Kent McCann spoke with EW about lending their voices to a hit television show, their admiration for Criss, and why they won’t be pursuing careers in music.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you guys end up on Glee?
EVAN POWELL: They basically approached us. I was in class and got a bunch of phone calls from numbers I didn’t recognize. Once I got out of class, I discovered they were all voicemails from producers on Glee. We called them back pretty quickly, they asked us if we were interested in doing a track on the show, and we said yes, and here we are.

Did producers know about you because of your appearance on The Sing-Off last year? Or was it more from the college a cappella circuit?
EP: Originally they had thought about doing [Glee] as more of a cappella focused show, so they had already done a lot of research into a cappella and various college groups, and listened to a lot of our albums. Eventually they decided to take the show in the more high school choir direction, but when they had an opportunity to bring an a cappella group onto the show, they revisited all of their research from before and decided that they’d like to try to go with us. READ FULL STORY »

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