The PopWatch Confessional (Vol. 30)

rkpamb nixh Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 08:17 PM EST

denwiqlu pxzds iszrfg agkbht ckold umdst hsdk http://www.yjedq.prnc.com

gzyjim csfapmjun Thu, Feb 14, 2008 at 08:15 PM EST

khjfgli rnekl wixrke wrfstbl txob mori rvphngfs

Kirby Fri, Aug 31, 2007 at 09:15 PM EST

I had a crush on Seth Green because I liked Can't Hardly Wait, which I saw after reading a good review online.

I watched Buffy because I had a crush on Seth Green and then I became a huge Buffy fan.

...And I read The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing because Sarah Michelle Gellar is going to be in the movie of it.

Sandy Fri, Aug 31, 2007 at 01:16 PM EST

"Back in the day", MTV used to have "guest VJ" hours where an actor or band/artist would have an hour to feature videos of artists they liked and even have walk-ons from celebrity pals. Nick Rhodes and Simon le Bon (Duran Duran) had the late subway artist Keith Haring painting the background of their set during their hour, and they talked about Andy Warhol and his works as well. I've been a fan of both ever since (and still a fan of Duran as well).

cruzilla Fri, Aug 31, 2007 at 12:43 PM EST

I rented the (original) Wicker Man because that is the movie Ewan McGregor is watching in Shallow Grave.

Nix Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:41 PM EST

I once read "The Moon and Sixpence" by W. Somerset Maugham because Christian Bale said it was his favorite book. it wasn't bad.

Dru Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 09:52 PM EST

I bought Roswell on DVD because Mandy Moore said (on an episode of Entourage) that she was fired from it.

Emma Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 06:31 PM EST

Hahah...this post is hilarious, because I did actually check out Veronica Mars when Joss Whedon endorsed it!

Stephen Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 05:30 PM EST

Did you guys ever NOT buy something because a celeb endorsed it? If so, what?

Stephen Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 05:26 PM EST

Due to yesterday's blog, I bought a Damien Rice, Imogen Hepe, and Jason Ritter C.D. and they rock.

Jimzale Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 05:11 PM EST

When Howard Stern, who I dislike, said on Letterman that the best reason to get Sirius was because it would keep Clearchannel from dictating what you heard on the radio, I went out and bought a Sirius radio the next day.

Lori Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 04:47 PM EST

I've checked out so many things mentioned in the PopWatch Blog, especially a lot of the YouTube links. I'm totally addicted to Meerkat Manor because of the blog. And I got completely hooked on Project Runway in Season 1 because it was mentioned here.

Tommy Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 04:42 PM EST

Jennifer Anniston sold me on Smart Water.

Tommy G. Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 04:26 PM EST

Fred Flintstone convinced me to try smoking Winstons.... Who says kids entertainment can't be hazardous to your health?

Court Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 03:30 PM EST

I started reading Paul Auster after Gavin Rossdale raved about Moon Palace once. Thank you, Mr. Rossdale.

Anonymouse Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 03:22 PM EST

Erm, I bought Lolita by Nabokov because of the Police song "Don't Stand So Close to Me."

Julia Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

I also am thinking of picking up Anna Karenina because of Ethan Hawke. I also bought I Love You, Beth Cooper because of an EW review and LOVED it. And I was suspicious of Knocked Up until an EW review and that was also worth it.

Martha Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 02:13 PM EST

Like idigress, I've downloaded quite a few songs used on SYTYCD this summer, with exception of that drippy Ryan Cabrera goodbye song. Ick. I've also bought a number of songs recommended by famous people in the Celebrity Playlist section of iTunes. Both of these are true because, let's face it, kids, radio these days is abysmal.

Tonya Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 01:53 PM EST

I bought CDs of The Magic Numbers and The Cat Empire because Ringo Starr recommended them on his web site.

idigress Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 01:19 PM EST

I have downloaded pretty much every song that was played on SYTYCD. I started this trend in the first season when one of the couple's did a hip hop routine to "Shake" by Pitbull f/Ying Yang Twins. This is still one of my favorite summer songs!

Anu Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:57 PM EST

I checked out TV on the Radio after hearing Trent Reznor rave about them. It was nice to know he confirmed my admiration for Arcade Fire.

Same holds true for Veronica Mars. I loved that show from day 1 so it was nice to see Whedon and King rave about it.

I now think Daniel Radcliffe is cooler because he shares my love of Sigur Ros.

andy Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:52 PM EST

In high school, I started reading Ayn Rand books because of Rush's ``2112,'' sort of a musical version of Rand's ``Anthem.''

A couple years later, I started reading John D. McDonald's Travis McGee mysteries because of a reference to the books in the Jimmy Buffett song ``Incommunicado.''

ceci Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:42 PM EST

The Watchmen - because of Lost, EW, and it felt like something I should read for my cultural literacy!

Stephanie Travitsky Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:29 PM EST

Pretty much the music that is played on any CSI,especially Miami. I still have Timo Maas'es "Time to Get Down" on my MP3 Player.

GingerCat Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:27 PM EST

I've kept a list of every book ever mentioned on Gilmore Girls, although I don't think I've read any books specifically for that reason.
Ethan Hawke's rec of "Anna Karenina" in last week's EW has me seriously thinking of picking it up.

Brandon Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:22 PM EST

I could start an entire library with the books I bought because they were on “Lost” or because they could contain a clue to the mysteries of “Lost,” or even because their plights or character names slightly resemble those of the characters on “Lost.”

I’ve yet to do it, but watching “Bunny Lake is Missing” has been on my to do list for some time based on the BBC radio commercial for the movie that is on the Zombies CD box set (they’re also in the movie). How could a movie with a jingle that has the catchy chorus of “Come on time!” and the reminder that “Lawrence Olivier is IMMENSE!” be bad?

Amber Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 12:17 PM EST

I agree with the majority of these posts - I bought "The Ruins" because of EW's Grade A & it's inclusion on the "MUST LIST."

Dawn Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:48 AM EST

John Mayer turned me on to Brett Dennen. I've since bought two of Brett's CDs and seen him in concert.

And considering this is a confessional, I will confess that Jennifer Love Hewitt (the Party of Five years version) definitely convinced me to buy Neutrogena facewash.

Jill Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:47 AM EST

I started watching "The Office" just this past year because of reading all of the comments on TV Watch. I wanted to see what everyone was laughing about. So, EW and the popwatchers are responsible.

Oh, and I absolutely love the show. Thanks!

donner Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:46 AM EST

After reading Uncle Stevie rave about Veronica Mars in his column, we had to check it out..and now its gone and we cry each night...Bad Uncle Stevie, bad!

Stephen Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:39 AM EST

Also, I read "The Woman Who Walked Into Doors" by Roddy Doyle after I read in EW J.K. Rowling loved him. The book was so-so.

Hi Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:30 AM EST

Anything that David Byrne recommends on his blog I'm up for. Whether it's books, art, movies, whatever. That's where I first heard about The Arcade Fire a few years ago.

Chris Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:22 AM EST

Anna took my answer! Because of my undying love of Slezak, I watched the entire season of The Comeback over a weekend. I'd watch anything he endorses!!

Lori Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:11 AM EST

I missed The Ruins, but I did read The Memory of Running based on Uncle Stevie's recommendation, and loved it!

DeathProof Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 11:08 AM EST

"Maybe you went to see Hero and Hostel because they were 'presented by Quentin Tarantino.'"

Guilty! I would've seen Hostel 1 & 2 without the QT endorsement. But I did see Hero and The Protector because the case said "Quentin Tarantino Presents", and I bought Iron Monkey and Switchblade Sisters for the same reason. Thriller: A Cruel Picture didn't have that label, just a quote from him saying that it was the roughest revenge movie ever made. I think my definition of rough revenge movie differs from his: Thriller is not that rough.

After hearing him rave about Shaun of the Dead and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, I rented them.

I've bought movies because he mentioned in an interview (Don't Go in the House), referenced in one of his movies (Lady Snowblood, Vanishing Point, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry), or called one of his favorites (Rio Bravo). The list of movies I want to see because of him is long.

As a fan of QT's, I'd like to see some of the movies that influenced him.

sarah Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:55 AM EST

Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who bought The Ruins because Stephen King (and EW's A grade) told me to and said it was one of the scariest books ever. TOO BAD that the book was terrible. I mean vines aren't scary shoot. And they are going to make it into a movie? YEAH, a movie that nobody sees.

Ames Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST

I put a lot of movies & shows in my Netflix queue based on pop-watchers' raves. I haven't been steered wrong yet.

trigrrrcut Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:51 AM EST

I got into the band the Black Lips as a result of Deerhunter lead singer Bradford Cox's endorsement. Aziz Ansari's comedy bit about Cold Stone Ice Cream made me check that out.

Anna Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:50 AM EST

Because I love Slezak and agree with almost everything he says, I decided to give The Comeback a try. Sorry, but it deserved to be cancelled.

Moo Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:49 AM EST

Ok, in college I loved Duncan Sheik and not too long ago I went on his website and he had recommended Elbow's Leaders of the Free World and it's a great album. I don't really listen to DS anymore but Elbow still gets some play in my CD player.

flick Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:29 AM EST

I picked up both the Arcade Fire and TV on the Radio CDs after I found out the Trent Reznor used them as opening music for NIN live shows.

Deb Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:16 AM EST

Ditto on The Ruins, endorsed by Stephen King. I just picked it up at a book sale.

kerry Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:13 AM EST

Although I didn't watch the OC during its peak, Seth Cohen did influence me to check out Death Cab for Cutie.

Alex Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 10:13 AM EST

I bought Mandy Moore's cd "Coverage" based on the recommendation (more like obsession) by Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz. I'm not exactly a converted Mandy Moore fan now but there's about half a dozen good covers on that cd, especially her take on Cat Stevens' "Moonshadow."

Jennie Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 09:58 AM EST

I'm not saying this to suck up, but I rented the DVDs of Veronica Mars and Battlestar Gallactica because of EW's recommendations (Joss Whedon's support of Ms. Mars didn't hurt either). I haven't got to The Wire yet.

jason Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 09:41 AM EST

I read "Sarah" and "The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things" by JT Leroy because Shirley Manson of Garbage raved about the author and wrote the song "Cherry Lips" based on "him." Then it turned out the author never existed. I'm never following an endorsement again.

Stephen Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 09:37 AM EST

I read "The Ruins," something I never would have even considered, after Stephen King raved about it, and I loved it.

Marvin Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 09:30 AM EST

Arsenio Hall really got me deep into the catalog of C&C Music Factory.