Archive: August 2011 (1-10 of 295)

Aug 31 2011 07:25 PM ET

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' re-edited premiere: Will you watch?

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Filed under: Television, TV and tagged: , ,
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Image Credit: Evans Vestal Ward/Bravo

There were so many reasons I loved the first season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. After sitting through a lackluster follow-up to the first season of Real Housewives of New Jersey and the utterly atrocious Real Housewives of D.C., Beverly Hills offered a cast of entertaining, eccentric, and lovable — or lovable to hate — characters. There was the constantly feuding Richards sisters. The near-divorcée Camille Grammer. The refreshingly normal — but incredibly plastic — Adrienne Maloof-Nassif. And, of course, Jiggy. Adorable, wonderful Jiggy!

Yes, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills was the ultimate guilty pleasure. But now, days in front of its Sept. 5 premiere, I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll feel even more guilty watching the series. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 06:30 PM ET

New 'Return of the Jedi' Blu-ray has questionable addition: Darth Vader screaming 'Nooooo!'

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Filed under: News and tagged: , , ,
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George Lucas has been tweaking the original Star Wars saga for so long now that it almost doesn’t make sense to complain anymore. At this late date, the tweaks have generally become so minor and unimportant (Oooo, now we’ll be bored by a digital Yoda in The Phantom Menace!) that the aging Star Wars fan almost feels the need to defend Lucas’ eternal tinkering: “Hey, so long as Lucas still lets us have our beloved original theatrical versions, with Han shooting first and John Motherfreaking Dykstra in the house, who cares if he turns the Max Rebo band from a badass space-jazz doo-wop band into an obnoxious late-90s swing-rock collective?”

And yet, there is something horrifically familiar about the decision — much-discussed on the Internet and officially confirmed by EW — to make Darth Vader squeal “Noooo!” during the climax of Return of the Jedi on the film’s new Blu-Ray edition. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 05:52 PM ET

'Hunger Games' Capitol site: Which district are you?

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Filed under: Movies and tagged: , , ,

You know, reading The Hunger Games, I always felt I had a lot in common with Foxface. Like the red-headed tribute, I like to avoid conflict and I love stealing cheese. So maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Capitol has placed me in her home, District 5.

What am I talking about? A new website — presumably operated by Lionsgate (who has not responded to EW’s queries regarding the site) and fictionally operated by the novel’s evil Capitol — allows users to randomly register in a Panem district. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 03:20 PM ET

Today in 'Huh?' Ideas: 'The Blues Brothers' TV show

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Filed under: Movies, Television, TV and tagged: , ,
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Image Credit: Everett Collection

Though I’m a sentimental guy, there are actually very few movies that are so revered in my own mind that a remake is immediately blasphemous. So I’m not offended by the news that Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s wife, Judy, are plotting to adapt The Blues Brothers into a television show. The original film was a rambling wreck of a road-movie duct-taped together by the magnetic Belushi and a series of thrilling musical sequences. But any remnants of the original film’s magic were trampled upon by 1998′s Blues Brothers 2000, the head-scratching sequel that co-starred John Goodman and a 10-year-old orphan in shades. (To say nothing of the frequent Blues Brothers reunion tours over the years.) The property is anything but sacred at this point.

Still, Variety‘s report about a revival — which is still just a concept at this point — was littered with enough screaming STOP signs that even Jake and Elwood might be inclined to take their foot off the gas. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 02:53 PM ET

'Dancing With the Stars': Are you happy with the season 13 cast? (VOTE)

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Filed under: Reality TV, TV and tagged: , , , ,
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Image Credit: Image Credit: Julie Brothers; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Scott Heavey/Getty Images; Michael Buckner/Getty Images; Michael Yada/Getty Images

Everyone likes to immediately complain once the Dancing With the Stars cast is announced. What I’ve gathered so far by fluttering around various posts and our photo gallery of the cast is that a bunch of people are scared of transgendered contestant Chaz Bono, and a large percentage of humanity really, really doesn’t like Nancy Grace. Overall, EW.com reader satisfaction ranges wildly, from “I actually like this lineup!” (RaRa) to “Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel” (Ma’at).

“They certainly upped the ‘interesting’ factor this season,” said Fred, referring to Chaz Bono and Nancy Grace. But later, what I presume is a different Fred shared with us that he “would rather get stabbed in the neck than watch Nancy Grace.”

The show “should be called ‘Dancing WITHOUT the Stars,’” said Feather, who at least got into the spirit of the show with his or her username.

I saw the usual threats of abandonment, like “DWTS has finally done it. My Monday nights are now free” from Connie, who is probably lying, and “Lame cast. Not watching” from Heather, who is definitely lying.

Believe it or not, the cast of DWTS has never mattered to me right away. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 01:55 PM ET

Don Cheadle plays Captain Planet, turns everybody into trees. The power is yours to watch!

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If there was still any question left on how to bring the beloved ’90s animated series Captain Planet to the big screen, Don Cheadle and Funny or Die just answered it. Just bring together the plot of the classic series (i.e. finding ways to teach kids about the importance of recycling), the theme song, and all the characters, including the Planeteers and their respective powers (Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart!), and of course, Captain Planet. Only this time make Captain Planet into a power-abusing, homicidal superhero who replenishes the Earth’s natural resources by turning people, pets, and even babies into trees and shrubbery. Also, change his catchphrase “The power is yours!” to “The power is mine, bitches!” and you’ve got, arguably, the best remake ever on your hands. Watch the full, NSFW clip below: READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 01:30 PM ET

Broadway’s longest-running single show performer George Lee Andrews to exit 'Phantom'

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Image Credit: Tina Fineberg/AP Images

Sean Connery may have played James Bond seven times. Jerry Orbach starred in 274 episodes of Law & Order. Yet, neither can equal the stamina or patience of George Lee Andrews, who’s appeared in a single Broadway musical, Phantom of the Opera, for 9,382 performances in just over 23 years. Now, after playing four different parts, he’s finally ready to say goodbye, announcing yesterday that Sept. 3’s evening performance will be his last.

The 68-year-old, Milwaukee-bred Andrews has been with Phantom since its opening night on Jan. 26, 1988, and originated the roles of Don Attilio and Passarino in the musical’s show-within-a-show. Back in 2010 he took a three-month leave from the production to star in Paradise Found in London. In a fitting turn, he hands over his current Phantom role as opera manager Monsieur André to his son-in-law, Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Ragtime), who begins his stint on Sept. 5. Also joining the cast are opera singer Christian Šebek (as Piangi) and Sister Act’s Kevin Ligon (as Firmin). 

Aug 31 2011 01:26 PM ET

Alec Baldwin introduces girlfriend, talks mayoral run during 'Letterman' visit

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

No couch jumping to be found here. Rather, Alec Baldwin stayed put in his seat during his visit to The Late Show with David Letterman (well, before he tossed around a pig skin with Dave and football legend Joe Namath), to properly introduce his girlfriend, 27-year-old yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas. (Now before we all go getting upset about their 26-year age difference, just remember this. There. Better?)

After delving into talk that he’s contemplating running for mayor of New York City, Baldwin — who joked “I would like to be the mayor, I don’t know if I want to run for mayor” — said his 30 Rock schedule and personal life could alter that. “I’ve got a woman in my life now. My girlfriend, who is very important to me,” he said. Baldwin later introduced Thomas, who waved shyly from the green room. Watch the clip with highlights from the interview, including when Baldwin explains how he plans to spend his 30 Rock money on Thomas (guess we know what that “fantasy” was all about now), below. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 11:32 AM ET

Your grandparents just sent you another email about last night's 'America's Got Talent'

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Filed under: Reality TV, TV and tagged: , ,
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Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Getty Images

Dear sport,

Since we still can’t figure out how to change the channel on our television, your grandmother and I simply haven’t been able to stop watching that wonderful series America’s Got Talent since the last time we wrote to you. And boy, it’s been such an exciting summer here in our living room! Last night got off to an exciting start with The Connecticut Kid. I’m not sure what his talent was, but your grandmother appreciated the specific instructions of “Whoo Hoo’ since she rarely knows what to say to the television! READ FULL STORY »

Aug 31 2011 10:15 AM ET

Bryan Buckley, the director behind Krasinski-Baldwin New Era ads, explains how the rivalry came to be

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

As any fan of the long-rivaled Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees can attest, those New Era commercials that pit John Krasinski (the Sox purist) and Alec Baldwin (the Yankees diehard) against one another perfectly encapsulate the trash-talking banter and deep-seated contempt that the followers, even friendly ones, of the two teams feel towards one another. In fact, Bryan Buckley, the director behind those ingenious ads, sees the spots as almost a metaphor for the generations-spanning rivalry. “It’s always been interesting to me that [the commercials] are in black and white,” he tells EW. “Because that’s exactly what the rivalry is: Black and white. You either go one way or the other: Red Sox or Yankees.”

While Krasinski and Baldwin both stand strong on which side of the battle line they fall on, the actors (and real-life friends) were more than happy to step up to the plate and work together once more (they first collaborated on the 2010 comedy It’s Complicated) to represent their respective teams. Buckley, who has worked on other memorable promos over the past few years, including the oft-repeated “What Happens in Vegas” campaign, spoke with EW about how the wildly popular New Era ads featuring the two stars came to be and why its struck such a chord with baseball fans… and even some of the players! READ FULL STORY »

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