Archive: December 2010 (291-300 of 304)

Dec 2 2010 07:00 AM ET

Jeff Probst blogs 'Survivor: Nicaragua': Episode 12

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

survivorImage Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSOkay, I’m not a lawyer, but it seems to me that there is a bit of an implied contract when you agree to be on Survivor.

On our side, we promise you the adventure of your lifetime. Something you have never experienced before and will probably never experience again. It’s a multi-million dollar, life-changing thrill ride that will test you on every level. We promise, and we always deliver. Always.

In exchange we expect only two things from you: Show up… and play. That’s it. When you fail to do one or both of those requirements you are not living up to your end of the bargain. One might say you are in breach of our implied contract.

That’s my new philosophy regarding quitters on Survivor. You’re breaking your contract. There are certainly exceptions to the rule, such as medical evacuations and family emergencies, but I’m talking about the contestants who just decide they don’t want to play anymore. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 2 2010 02:00 AM ET

Gail Simmons blogs 'Top Chef All-Stars': Episode 1

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Filed under: About Last Night, Food and Drink, Reality TV, Television, Top Chef, TV and tagged: , , , , , ,

Gail-SimmonsImage Credit: Kelsey McNeal/BravoHi, guys! Welcome to my very first Top Chef All-Stars blog!*

All too often, a fan favorite or a person who we know is really excellent doesn’t win. So I think Bravo thought, “Let’s bring back all those people—who we’re constantly being asked about, who are on our radar, who we know our audience loves—to compete against each other.” This season, there’s nothing separating the best from the weakest.

I have nothing to do with the casting process, but when All-Stars was announced, people were writing and tweeting me about Kevin Gillespie and Brian Voltaggio [from season 6], two of the most compelling characters and the most talented chefs we’ve ever had. It would’ve been pretty amazing to see them compete. And I’m sure Sam Talbot would’ve been a great competitor. There are so many people I would’ve loved to have seen who either weren’t available or perhaps weren’t even asked.

As for those who made it, I was curious to see how the familiarity factor played out. I became friendly with many of the contestants after they left the show, and the culinary world is a small place, so once you’re on Top Chef, you become a part of this family. When we first walked on the set in The Russian Tea Room and I saw them all, I had this instinct to run up to them — “Hey! How are you? How’s your wife? How’s your son?” — but of course I had to stop myself. But it’s almost easier to be impartial because there’s no one who can claim any sort of edge when they’re all that good.

The contestants also arrived in a different head space. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 1 2010 09:00 PM ET

'Survivor: Nicaragua': What the heck just happened?

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

Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Tonight’s episode of Survivor: Nicaragua was turned upside down when not one, but two people threatened to quit the game. But who were they and did they actually go through with it? My full recap will be up at midnight (UPDATE: Click over to read Dalton’s full Survivor recap), but if you’ve already seen the episode and can’t wait to sound off, then read on after the jump for more. [SPOILER ALERT: Read on only if you have already watched Wednesday's episode of Survivor: Nicaragua.] READ FULL STORY »

Dec 1 2010 07:35 PM ET

'Benji' will be back. Is there a role for Ron Burgundy's Baxter?

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: , ,

Benji-dog-huntedBenji is the latest franchise to get a reboot. According to Variety, Brandon Camp (Love Happens), son of Benji creator Joe Camp Jr., has partnered with Walden Media (the folks behind The Chronicles of Narnia films), to write, direct, and produce a movie resurrecting the helpful underdog mutt. His goal is to “screen test dogs in pounds” to find his star, which will make an awesome DVD special feature (unless the rejected dogs can sense the opportunity they’re missing, then you might as well just show me the Sarah McLachlan ASPCA ad).

Brandon Camp told the trade he wants to stay true to Benji’s “emotional journey.” Somehow, I’ve never actually seen anything Benji, which I know is wrong, particularly since I have seen Beverly Hills Chihuahua (for work!). I’m guessing having Baxter from Anchorman costar, in character, and making it a dog buddy flick isn’t in the cards? Then again, if this clip from 2004′s Benji: Off the Leash! is real, maybe it is!

What’s your vision for an updated Benji?

Dec 1 2010 06:35 PM ET

Johnny Depp says 'All my characters are gay.' Yes, but HOW gay?

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: , ,

prideImage Credit: Firooz Zahedi; Peter MountainIn an interview with Patti Smith in Vanity Fair, Johnny Depp talks once more about how his swishy, sloshy performance as Capt. Jack Sparrow in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie sent the suits at Disney into a minor panic during filming, going so far as to ask if the character was meant to be gay. “And so,” says Depp, “I actually told this [Disney exec], ‘But didn’t you know that all my characters are gay?’”

Needless to say, Depp is/was kidding — somehow I doubt that the married-with-kids FBI agent Joe Pistone (a.k.a. Donnie Brasco in Donnie Brasco) is meant to be read as a closet case. And yet, Depp’s career is indeed a trove of outré outsiders. They may not be explicitly homosexual per se, but they certainly live on the fringe of society and/or stereotypically manly, heterosexual male behavior — especially when he teams up with longtime companion director Tim Burton. To wit:

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 1 2010 06:25 PM ET

How do you like your Christmas movies? Funny? Sweet? Or with a Red Ryder BB gun?

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: ,

christmas-moviesImage Credit: Everett CollectionWhile my local Target happily broke out its festive red-and-green decorations before Halloween this year, personally, I’m just not all that comfortable finding Bing Crosby unironically cool, untangling a twisting string of tiny lights, and watching my favorite Christmas movies until after my calendar reaches its final page. And whaddaya know, today is December 1! Happy holidays, PopWatchers!

So: What movie should I watch? Actually, if you’re my boyfriend or my mom, that’s a terribly silly question, since the obvious answer is that 2003 ensemble British gem Love Actually, which I believe I watched at least three times last year. If you’re my dad, meanwhile, the answer is clearly 1989′s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation; I can still vividly recall him laughing harder than I think I’d ever seen him when we saw it together in the theater. But while I certainly do enjoy watching Colin Firth speak halting Portuguese to his beloved with an entire village watching behind him, or Chevy Chase defy the laws of physics riding a metal disc snow sled, in my own heart of hearts, I will always hold 1983′s A Christmas Story as my all time favorite Christmas film. From the frozen tongue to the sexy leg lamp, the Red Ryder BB gun to “Oh fudge,” it is sheer holiday perfection.

But that’s me. READ FULL STORY »

Dec 1 2010 06:00 PM ET

'Beyonce: I Am... World Tour' DVD giveaway

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Filed under: Music and tagged: , , ,

Beyoncé, the female version of a hustler and one of the most powerful women in the world, can do it all. She starred in Academy Award-nominated film, inspired her own comic book, and has led millions to aspire to be able to rock a black leotard. Of her millions of adoring fans around the world, even high-powered adults turn into shrieking messes whenever B’s around. Demand has always been high, and now she’s bringing her public and private life into the comfort of your own home.

We’re giving away 10 copies of her concert video Beyoncé: I Am… World Tour, on sale now. The DVD includes footage from the international leg of her I Am… World Tour, capped by an emotional “Halo” encore, as well as a candid look at the diva herself (hey, a Jay-Z cameo!). In addition to the DVD, one lucky winner will receive a six-foot tall version of the poster to the left, to the left, signed by Queen B. The DVDs are courtesy of Music World/Columbia Records and are available while supplies last.

You love Beyoncé, I love Beyoncé, we all love Beyoncé, PopWatchers. Check out the rules below and enter to win your own Beyoncé experience:

1. Go to our Facebook page.

2. Click “Like” at the top of the page.

3. Find the post on our Wall announcing the giveaway, click Comment, and explain which Beyoncé song is your favorite, and why. (Note: Commenting on this post won’t enter you in the giveaway; see the official rules after the jump.)

4. If you’re a winner, we’ll contact you via Facebook message to request your mailing address.

Get creative! The giveaway starts NOW!

READ FULL STORY »

Dec 1 2010 05:34 PM ET

Beat this caption: 'When 28-year-old George Lucas first set out to make 'American Graffiti' in 1972...'

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

When 28-year-old George Lucas first set out to make American Graffiti in 1972, the only time he smiled during the five-week shoot was when Wolfman Jack made armpit noises.

Kenny Loggins admitted that “Playing With the Boys” was not the song that “Danger Zone” was, but he couldn’t help but grin every time that Top Gun check arrived.

Once Greg Evigan tried to shove Paul Reiser into oncoming traffic, there was no repairing that relationship and My Two Dads quickly sank.

When evidence surfaced that Stephen Colbert was really Yusef Islam who was really Cat Stevens who was really Steven Georgiou, Bill O’Reilly quickly labeled the disgraced comic a Pinhead.

These alt-captions for this old picture of Stephen Colbert(!) write themselves, but I know you’ve got better ones up your sleeve. Try and top each others’ witty comic stylings below.

Read more:
The McRib is back! And Stephen Colbert says it’s political
Stephen Colbert storms off ‘The View’

Dec 1 2010 05:10 PM ET

Michael Urie picks 'Brain Trust' TBS pilot

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

Michael-UrieImage Credit: Charles Norfleet/PR PhotosIt’s a busy few days in Michael Urie news. Longtime EW fave Urie has been cast in a TBS pilot, Brain Trust, the network confirms. It’s a “comic detective series” about a disgraced cop who turns to three “hyper-smart geniuses” (none of those dumb geniuses, please!) from a think-tank to help him solve cases. Urie is one of the geniuses, and D.B. Sweeney is the detective.

Urie, who’s set to take over as Prior in the current revival of Angels in America, stood out amongst the awesome cast of Ugly Betty, and I can’t wait to see him back in a regular gig. As someone who devoutly endured The Lone Gunman once upon a time, I’m not immune to the charms of geek trios, either.

Does Brain Trust sound fun, or were you hoping Urie would land on a different show?

Read more:
‘Ugly Betty’: 10 Quippy Gems!
Michael Urie joins ‘Angels in America’

Dec 1 2010 05:05 PM ET

Excess Hollywood: Catherine Hardwicke dashes to 'Maze Runners'

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Filed under: Movies, News, Reality TV, Television, TV and tagged: , , , ,
  • Catherine Hardwicke is set to direct the adaptation of James Dashner’s Maze Runners, which centers on a boy with amnesia who finds himself in a mysterious place called the Glade, where children attempt to escape via labyrinth. Hopefully they don’t run into one of these. [The Wrap]
  • Going, going, going… sold to Spike TV! The network’s Auction Hunters has been renewed for second season. [Deadline]
  • Jez Butterworth, Mick Jones, and Paul Simonon are ready to rock the casbah, teaming to develop a feature about The Clash called London Calling. [Variety]
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