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Author: Adam Markovitz (1-10 of 128)

Nov 20 2009 04:36 PM ET

First Look: 'The Addams Family' on stage

Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth star as Gomez and Morticia in The Addams Family, a new musical about the famously creepy family (now in Chicago until Jan. 10, then opening on Broadway April 8.) To develop his own take on the character of Gomez (famously played by Raul Julia in the 90s movies and John Astin in the 60s TV show), Lane dissected clues provided by the show’s script, which is based on the original New Yorker cartoons penned by Charles Addams. “[Gomez] obviously has family money, and he doesn’t have to work. So he has time for things like the tango and sword fighting. He’s around the house 24 hours a day, so he has time for everyone and their problems,” says the actor. “He’s sort of the very kinky version of Ozzie Nelson.”

Nov 19 2009 04:54 PM ET

'Gilda Live' now on DVD: Anybody else excited about this?

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: DVD/Video, Saturday Night Live

A few weeks ago, with zero fanfare, Warner Bros. released a DVD version of Gilda Live, the Mike Nichols-directed concert pic of Gilda Radner’s 1979 one-woman show. The disc — a bare-bones straight-from-video transfer — ended up under the piles of new releases on my desk until yesterday, when I found it, popped it in my computer, and smiled for 96 minutes straight. (Check out the clip below of Gilda’s inspired tap dance “audition.”)

I can’t judge Gilda Live in any sort of objective way. It replayed endlessly on Comedy Central when I was younger, and the skits, the songs, the characters — including golden-age SNL faves like Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner, and Roseanne Roseannadanna — are all too ingrained in my childhood memory. The only thing I can say without a doubt is that the movie gives ample space to the talent of one of the all-time great comediennes. And for that alone, it’s worth a watch. (Read full post)

Nov 19 2009 09:42 AM ET

A Flying Babies movie trailer: What will the French think of next?

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Apropos of Nothing, Awful Movie Posters, Have You Seen This?, HeadScratcher, Movie Posters, Movie Trailers

You heard me: Flying babies. Or “les enfants volants” as they’d say in the country that produced Ricky, a new French-language inspirational drama(?!) that appears to be about a kid born with wings. As far as I can tell, this movie has three things going for it.

1.)It was directed by François Ozon, who made the awesome Swimming Pool.

2.) It has a vaguely disturbing poster that just shows a closeup of the kid giving a sideways glance. (Is he wearing mascara?)

3.) Its trailer — in which Ricky’s parents discover his ability, try to hide him from the government, and then tie a string around him and fly him thereby creating the world’s first LIVE BABY KITE — will actually melt your brain a little. Not a ton, just like 5 seconds on defrost in the microwave. Behold:

(In related baby zen news, “Charlie Bit My Finger” has recently been auto-tuned, with Grammy-worthy results.)

Nov 15 2009 04:08 PM ET

SNL: Who makes a better Hoda?

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Saturday Night Live, Snap Judgment

Last night, SNL newbie Jenny Slate was put in the unenviable position of picking up a character created by Michaela Watkins, a one-season castmember who was let go earlier this year. Watkins had carved out a niche for herself on the show with a spot-on impersonation of Today show anchor Hoda Kotb—the straight woman to Kristen Wiig’s boozy, bawdy Kathie Lee Gifford. But the sketch was revived yesterday with Slate in the role, a slightly jarring change to those of us accustomed to seeing Watkins in the chair next to Wiig.

My colleague Ken Tucker thought the sketch was pretty underwhelming and took pity on Slate for having to “compete with the memory of Watkins’ original impersonation and sit by while Wiig did mugging that wasn’t freshened with anything new.” I actually laughed a few times, but I agree that it feels like Slate’s got her work cut out for her if she wants to outshine Watkins. Check out the bit below, and then let us know: Do you miss the old Hoda? Or did Slate manage to make the character her own?

Nov 12 2009 11:08 AM ET

Tina Fey and Steve Carell's 'Date Night' trailer has more gunshots, car crashes than expected

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Movie Trailers, Steve Carell, Tina Fey

When we started hearing about the new Steve Carell-Tina Fey comedy Date Night earlier this year, I kind of pictured a witty, domestic comedy of errors. Articles described the movie as a romcom about a couple whose night out goes laughably awry, so I immediately pictured something like a mix of Baby Mama and Dan in Real Life, with maybe a dash of Adventures in Babysitting from the parents POV.

Boy, was I wrong.

Judging by the movie’s just-leaked trailer, Date Night (coming in April) is as much an action pic as a comedy — like an earth-bound Mom and Dad Save the World, or Mr. and Mrs. Smith with fewer assault weapons. Take a look:

Your turn, PopWatchers: Were you guys expecting this much action?

Nov 12 2009 09:52 AM ET

Andre Agassi wigs out on 'Letterman'

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: David Letterman, Sports, Talk Show Tomfoolery

Tennis, drugs, Brooke Shields, blah blah blah. There was only one truly great revelation in Andre Agassi’s new memoir Open: An Autobiography: The tennis star’s famous tresses were actually a “weave system.” (Somewhere, Tyra Banks is cursing herself for not landing this interview.) “I was at a time in my life too where i was kind of in a bit hiding myself,” explained Agassi on Letterman last night. “What better way to hide yourself than to wear a mullet?” Wise words, Andre. Check out the clip below, in which Agassi bids adieu to his ‘do.

Weird as it may sound, Agassi’s candor kind of makes us feel like he shouldn’t have to be embarrassed about his hair. Just because I guy decides to wear a blond, highlighted, feathered, shoulder-length mullet wig with color-coordinated headband…Okay, let’s get real. That’s humiliating.

Nov 5 2009 05:27 PM ET

Natalie Portman and Nicole Kidman: Who looks tougher?

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Celebrity News

portman-kidman-covers_l Ladies and gentleman! In this corner, we have Nicole Kidman — Oscar winner and mother of three — gracing the cover of this month’s GQ in a a push-em-up corset, thigh-highs, and a single black glove, not to mention one serious “bring it” stare.

And in the other corner, Miss Natalie Portman — Star Wars royalty, Harvard grad, and vegetarian foodie — bursting through the V Magazine logo with a Brian Setzer pompadour and half a studded jacket, her jaw ready to bite a finger off the hand that feeds her.

It’s up to you to call this fight, PopWatchers: Who would you be more afraid to bump into in a dark alley?

Nov 5 2009 09:03 AM ET

William Shatner reads Levi Johnston's tweets on 'Conan'

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Talk Show Tomfoolery

Ah, the sweet, sonorous voice of William Shatner. It has tempted us to the darkest depths of space, borne us through the perils of justice, and…well, I never know quite what to say about this.

And now Mr. Shatner’s golden pipes have performed another feat of pop culture alchemy: Turning Levi Johnston’s tweets into beat poetry. Those of you who saw Shatner’s masterful performance of Sarah Palin’s resignation speech in July will recognize the format of Shat, a bass, and a bongo. So simple, so right. Check out the clip below.

UPDATE: It turns out that the Tweets read in the following clips were actually from a Levi Johnston impostor, so read with caution. Shatner returned the following night to read Johnston’s real Tweets.

Oct 29 2009 03:00 PM ET

'The Office' webisode 'Subtle Sexuality': 'Male Prima Donna' premiere

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: The Office

You got a taste yesterday, but now the full first chapter of The Office’s new web series, Subtle Sexuality is here — and it’s pretty amazing. A quick refresher before the clip: With most of their coworkers gone, Kelly (Mindy Kaling) and Erin (Ellie Kemper) decide to shoot the first music video for their new girl group, Subtle Sexuality. The track, “Male Prima Donna,” is a not-so-subtle slam aimed straight at Ryan (B.J. Novak), who also raps a few lines as his alter-ego, Mr. Understood. But the real scene-stealer is Andy (Ed Helms), who busts a serious move as ‘Nard Dog. Okay, enough explanation. Time to get your mind blown:

You can watch the three short webisodes that accompany “MPD” at NBC.com. What do you think, Pop Watchers? Is Subtle Sexuality headed to the Top 40? And who’s the breakout star of the group?

ADDENDUM: I now have this song stuck in my head for real. Would an actual, buy-able Subtle Sexuality album be too big a wish for this Christmas?

Oct 29 2009 09:40 AM ET

'Green Zone' trailer No. 2: Now with more exploding helicopters

by Adam Markovitz

Categories: Matt Damon, Movie Trailers

The first trailer for Green Zone, the new Matt Damon thriller directed by The Bourne Ultimatum’s Paul Greengrass, just hit the Web two days ago. But apparently there was a surplus of kick-ass, leaving the filmmakers no choice but to release a second, equally awesome trailer today.

The new trailer packs a lot of the same plot set-up — Damon is an army warrant officer who butts heads with a cagey journalist (Amy Ryan) and a shady government dude (Greg Kinnear). But this time around, we’re served even more intense action, including some jaw-dropping shots of a flaming helicopter spiraling toward the ground after being hammered by a missile. Check it out:

How about it, Pop Watchers? Does Green Zone look red hot to you?