Trailerpalooza

I have not had much time to blog today, so this will probably be my only posting. I am not feeling full of energy and sparkle like normal, so if this seems a bit lackluster, I apologize in advance. I noticed this week that there are a bunch more great trailers online, so I figured I would tell you about a couple. The first trailer is for Match Point, the latest movie from Woody Allen, that stars Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers. Jonathan plays a tennis pro that falls for Scarlett even though she is dating someone else. Just as an FYI, in real life Scarlett is dating Josh Hartnett (don't really care for some reason) and Jonathan is super hot and was AMAZING in the TV movie about Elvis earlier this year. If you want to read more about it and watch the trailer, click here. Next up is the trailer for The Producers. If you haven't heard of or seen the original movie or the play, you must have been living under a rock. The original movie with Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel is pee in your pants funny. I assume that Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick will knock this one out of the park (just as they did on Broadway). If you want to watch the trailer, click here . That's all for now, but I am sure to be in a better mood and have new trailers to post next week.

Doogie Is Back On TV

I think most of the new shows this season just aren't all that great. Some of the ones that are being hyped to DEATH are okay, but have premises that can't sustain over time. One new show that I do like is How I Met Your Mother on CBS. I am pretty excited because Neil Patrick Harris is in it. I don't really care if that makes me seem like a dork. Doogie Howser, MD. was a great show and if you don't think so, I dare you to track me down and we can take it outside. If you want to read more about the show, click here
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Extreme Tab Makeover

I was a big Tab drinker back in the day (wow -- that makes me sound old), so I could not pass up posting about this. Coca-Cola has decided that Tab needs a little work done. Well, that isn't exactly true, as far as I understand regular Tab will still be sold in the few markets you can find it in, but they are also going to create a Tab Energy Drink to compete in that heavily saturated market (have they ever heard of Red Bull?). It seems that the plan is to capitalize on Tab's retro vibe and the nostalgia people might feel for it. I love Tab, but I'm just not so sure that there will be a big demand for this. I am not a big energy drink girl, so maybe I have it all wrong.

Glass Glass Baby

On the Martha Stewart Show the other day there was a woman who sells these really chic, simple, blown glass candle holders (it has other uses as well) that come in a variety of amazing colors. The company is called Glassybaby. They are relatively inexpensive and would make a nice gift for a variety of occasions. The woman that started making them had no intention of making a full scale business out of it, but this year her sales will likely hit a million dollars. I know, no laugh in this posting (except for the title), but really there is no joke to make, just making a unique gift suggestion. Come on, this blog can be useful and make fun of stuff, can't it?

Apatow Diary

I admit it, I couldn't think of a witty title for this one. Judd Apatow, the director of the 40 Year Old Virgin, one of the creators of the much hailed show Freaks and Geeks and writer of the upcoming remake of Fun with Dick and Jane is doing an online diary this week for Slate. It is pretty honest and funny. He is a talented guy, so if you get a minute, check it out Many people don't know that he is married to actress Leslie Mann (who had a small role in 40 Year Old Virgin, but is better known for her roles in The Cable Guy and Big Daddy).

This Has To Be Seen To Be Believed

The Neiman Marcus special Christmas Book catalog just showed up on line complete with a section of fantasy gifts. More like gifts for the sickeningly wealthy and crazy who really have some cash burning a hole in their pocket. In case anyone is wondering what I want for my upcoming birthday or Hanukkah (besides an agent, a script sale and a boyish, brainy, kind, smart guy), I have listed a few of the items that caught my eye:

An Elton John concert for you and 500 of your friends (cost - $1.5 million)

His and Hers Custom Photobooths (a bargain at $20,000)

Skycar Prototype (this has to be seen to be believed - $3.5 million)

I know it sounds like I am making this stuff up, but even I am not that good. If you don't believe me, click here to check it out.

Mary Jane Spills The Beans

While promoting Cameron Crowe's new movie Elizabethtown, Kirsten Dunst accidentally spilled the beans about some upcoming Spiderman 3 villains. Many had speculated, but now that Mary Jane said it, I guess it is true that both Thomas Haden Church and Topher Grace will be in the next Spidey flick. Thomas Haden Church plays Sandman and Topher Grace will play Venom. I think both of these guys are pretty good actors and well, I can admit that I think Topher is cute (by now you get that the sweet, boyish thing is my type), but it will be interesting to seem them play bad guys. Most people have seen Thomas Hayden Church on the TV show Wings and in the movie Sideways, but Topher has also had some cool roles in movies like Traffic, In Good Company and a smaller movie I liked called P.S. If you want to read more these Spiderman 3 villains, click here and here.

Google Gives Away G And Becomes Oogle

Obviously I am kidding, but what is with Google and giving away everything for free. I am not complaining, I LOVE my gmail account, but now they are giving away a free wireless Internet service, called Google WiFi (right now it is only in two areas near their headquarters). If you want to read more about it, click here or here. Speaking of all things free, I just read about a new service called Free 411 that gives you the 411 for free, but you have to listen to a 10 second ad. If you want to try it call 1-800-FREE-411.

So Many Trailers, So Little Time

Seriously, I don't have a ton of time to be my witty, irreverent self today, so this posting might be informative instead of funny. I have a meeting to go to and anyone who knows me at all is aware that I will likely arrive early, so I have to make my postings this am relatively quick. Blah, Blah, Blah, even I know I sound annoying at this point, so on with the posting. Let me just say up front, I love trailers. I recently saw quite a few interesting trailers online and because I am a generous person, I am sharing them with you. The first trailer is for the movie Derailed which is about two strangers who have an affair (both are married) and fall prey to a blackmailer. The film stars Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen. Click here to see the trailer. If that isn't up your alley, click here to see the trailer for The Squid and the Whale. Squid stars Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels as a dysfunctional couple that is divorcing. There is even a Baldwin in it, but surprise, surprise, it is Billy and not Alec. Noah Baumbach (the director/writer of The Squid and the Whale) is talented and cute in my favorite brooding, boyish, intellectual kind of way, but I have no chance because he is dating Jennifer Jason Leigh. For those of you that have been missing Sarah Jessica Parker, trying watching this trailer for The Family Stone. Sarah stars in this flick about a family that reunites when one of their sons brings home his uptight girlfriend. Lastly, if you like remakes, check out Fun with Dick and Jane which stars Tea Leoni and Jim Carrey (the original had Jane Fonda and George Segal). If you don't know what this movie is about, shame on you -- it is a classic! Try watching the trailer or renting the original from the late 1970's.

I Can't Seem to Curb My Enthusiasm For this Show

I love Curb Your Enthusiasm. I have found that it is one of those shows people either totally get and LOVE or can't stand. Anyone who doesn't like it, is nuts in my book. It might just be one of the funniest shows on TV. I am so excited that the new season starts on Sunday. Even with all of Larry's cranky and sometimes rude behavior, I have to admit that I kind of find him charming. Check out the HBO main page for Curb here , but you might be shocked when you see that Larry is dressed like a woman in some of the images. If you want to read a bit more about the real Larry David, click here .

Bong Up On A New Vodka

I have to credit to my brilliant and creative cousin Leah for the title of this posting. As hard as it is to imagine that this Bong Vodka exists, the website seems pretty legit. To really get the full impact, click and look at the bottle. It would have been cool to be a fly on the wall when this product was pitched in a room. The question is, was it a room full of smoke?? I thought the Ed McMahon vodka was crazy, but this is insane in a whole different way. Speaking of celebs, I wonder who would be the right person to pitch this product? My top three ideas for celebs to rep the vodka would be Snoop Dog, Willie Nelson and Ziggy Marley.

Do You Know Who The Carver Is?

That title will only make sense to you if you watch Nip/Tuck on FX. If somehow you have insider info and know who The Carver is, please let me know. The season premiere of Nip/Tuck airs tonight. If you haven't been watching it, you should rent the old seasons and starting watching the new season. It is an incredibly engaging show that has a bit of everything (love, violence, plastic surgery and sex). Last night I went to a seminar at the Museum of Television and Radio about Nip/Tuck that had the creators of the show and the three leads in attendance. It was really interesting to hear about why Ryan Murphy got interested in the subject matter and how Julian McMahon had to fight really hard to get his role. We learned that in the new season Julia starts her own business, at one point her and her mom will share a bong, Matt will shave his head, Joan Rivers will be back and we won't find out who The Carver is until the last episode. If you want to find out more about the show, go here , here or here. One of the funniest, but strange (and I imagine slightly uncomfortable for Julian) things that happened last night was the fan who was wearing a Mrs. McMahon t-shirt in the audience. When she got her chance to ask Julian a question -- she ended up asking about three and seemed a bit overzealous. Oh well, I guess crazy fans are the price you pay for being rich and famous.

You Can Count On Him To Give A Great Performance

I am looking forward to seeing the movie Just Like Heaven. I know it will be a fairly sweet, semi-predictable romantic comedy, but I think I will enjoy it. If you want to read a review, click here . Did you know the movie is based on a novel by a French architect? I didn't. Reese Witherspoon is always good and Mark Ruffalo seems to keep getting better and better. I know people are more familiar with seeing Mark as the king of cool indie flicks, but I think his easy charm, good (but not so pretty he looks like a girl) looks and genuine humanity lure you in no matter the role. I liked him just as much in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and You Can Count On Me as I did in 13 Going on 30. If you want to read a profile on him, click here. Seriously, how can you not dig a man that has a super cool wife named Sunrise and kids named Keen and Bella. Sunrise, by the way, owns a popular by appointment only boutique in LA called Kaviar and Kind.

Anyone Who Submits Me For This Show Is In Big Trouble

What Not To Wear on TLC is a fun show to watch, as long as you aren't the person being featured. If you have never seen it, check out the explanation and link below:

- It is on the TLC Channel
- Someone submits you for the show because you dress badly
- The show films you without your knowledge for 2 weeks
- Clinton and Stacy (the 2 hosts) come and surprise you and offer to give you $5000 for a shopping spree with the only catch being that you have to give over to them and their rules about how you should dress. They make you throw out clothes of your own that they don't like.

That is the basic gist of it. If you want to read about it in more detail, click here. I know that there are a few people that have admitted (not necessarily to my face) that they want to submit me for this show because of the fact that I wear a ton of black (Johnny Cash did it -- what the hell is so wrong with it) and clothes that are a bit big on me that might not be super flattering. All I can say is that anyone that does this to me will literally be DEAD TO ME. I know I sound like a Jewish Mafia hitman or something, but I am not kidding. Being on this show would be my worst nightmare come true. I don't like looking at myself in the mirror at HOME and the idea of trying clothes on with a television audience getting to see it is unbearable. I rarely use this blog to be mean or threatening, but in this once instance, I felt I had to take a stand.

A Happy Desperate Housewife & A Few Cute, Brainy Men

I could discuss all of the outfits from the Emmy Awards last night, but a million people will do that, so I am just going to share a few of my general thoughts. One of the best moments of the night for me was when Felicity Huffman won for her role on Desperate Housewives. She is such a talented, versatile actress. If you never saw her on Sports Night with Peter Krause (before Six Feet Under) and Josh Charles you really missed out. If you have never seen it, you should rent it, as it is really entertaining. I only wish it had stayed on the air longer. I loved the part of her speech where she thanked her husband (gifted actor William H. Macy). Other highlights included seeing the always cute Patrick Dempsey and his still unbelievably fabulous hair and getting to see a few of the boyish, brainy guys I like (Zach Braff, Jon Stewart and David Letterman). If you want to read more extensive coverage of the awards, click here or to read a more concise wrap up, click here .

I Pity The Fool Who Watches This Show

My friend Jordan is going to think this is my best posting ever. He LOVES Mr. T (so much so that he often chooses a Mr. T icon for his instant messenger) and clearly will watch Mr. T's new reality show on classic-TV network TV Land. I might give it one viewing only because he will likely pressure me into it, but I can't imagine watching much after that. I suppose there could be a huge audience that likes Mr. T and wants to watch him, TV Land better hope so. These guys are pretty into Mr. T, so I might be way off base.

Funny Ferguson

I am not sure if you have trouble sleeping and stay up late like I do, but one of the real joys of being up late is that I can watch the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Craig is the perfect host for a nighttime talk show. Imagine a younger David Letterman with an accent. He is witty, irreverent and a ton of fun to watch. One of the things I like best about his interviews is that they don't seem scripted the way the interviews on Leno do. If the guests are pre-interviewed, it is hard to tell because the conversations he has with them just seems like banter. There is an ease and an authenticity that he has that makes the guests comfortable and the show very engaging. If Ferguson looks familiar it is because he is an actor that has been in movies like Saving Grace (which he wrote) and The Big Tease (which he also wrote). He also had a long run on the Drew Carey show. I am rarely this emphatic with my recommendations, but I truly implore you to check out the show. I know you won't regret it. If you want to see who might be on soon, click here. If you don't tend to stay up late, try renting one of his movies. By the way, he is pretty cute, but I swear that is not why I wrote this whole posting.

IPOD, You Pod, We All Pod

Believe it or not, I don't have an IPOD yet. It is strange because I love technology and I'm generally an early adopter of such things, but I am sure I will get around to getting one at some point. Everyone and their mother has been writing about the new IPOD Nano which is going to replace the IPOD Mini that Apple currently makes, so I guess I have no choice. David Pogue who does a great job writing about technology for the NY Times did an interesting write up about it, click here to read it (free registration required). This article talks about the Nano and the new ITunes phone, so you might want to check it out. Since by now we all know that I am kind of obsessed with brilliant, semi-geeky, boyish men, let me admit that I do find Steve Jobs fascinating, but I am still on the fence about whether he is geeky hot. If you have never seen the TNT movie The Pirates of Silicon Valley (which stars Anthony Michael Hall as Bill Gates and Noah "ER" Wyle as Steve Jobs), try to rent it or buy it, as it will fill you in on the history between these two complicated and smart pioneers of the tech industry, as well as entertain you.

Toronto Film Festival

For some reason I can't think of something funny to say about the Toronto Film Festival, so this posting will be purely informational -- what a shocking idea. There are a bunch of movies that are coming out later this year that have been seen and reviewed at the festival. It is also interesting to hear about the movies that do get distribution at the festival and the fights that sometimes ensue over who gets them (like Paramount and Fox fighting over who actually made a deal for Jason "Son of Ivan" Reitman's first feature film Thank You For Not Smoking -- which by the way is supposed to be great). If you want to read about the festival, click here. There was also an interesting article in the NY Times about the festival, so click here if you want to read that (free registration required). If you want to find out who actually acquired the Reitman movie in the end read this, but it would likely be more interesting to click here and read about Jason Reitman.

Here's The Story Of One Hot Brady

People who know me are aware that I am a person of many contradictions. I love NPR and Charlie Rose, but I also like to listen to Howard Stern. I am sometimes prone to discussing politics, but I can also be happy spending time watching South Park. I will read a fluffy, fun novel to pass the time, but I also read all kinds of fiction, books about business and I even once read a book about string theory (written by a dorky hot professor from Columbia, but still). I keep thinking it is going to get easier admitting to some of the less intellectual stuff I am into, but it still makes me cringe to confess that I am watching My Fair Brady on VH1. I wish I had a good excuse about why I am intrigued by this show, but I really don't. Christopher Knight who played Peter Brady is still boyishly cute (even at 47) and has an incredibly good body, so I can't seem to tear myself away. I have no idea if the relationship he has with his girlfriend (a model he met on VH1's Surreal Life who is 22) will last, but I think I am going to have to keep watching to find out.

Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading

Don't be insulted, I'm not aiming the comment at you the reader, it is the title of a new book by Maureen Corrigan. Maureen is the book critic on one of my favorite shows on NPR called Fresh Air. Maureen is also a professor of Literature at Georgetown University. She is an incredibly interesting and insightful book critic. I don't know about you, but I LOVE to read! It might make me sound like a dork, but I think reading is truly one of the great pleasures of life. I am extra excited to read the book because it is all about her love of reading and experience with books during her life. Terry Gross (the host of Fresh Air) interviewed Maureen about the book, if you want to listen, click here. Go here to buy the book.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Vodka

I couldn't make this next one up if I tried. I just read that Ed McMahon has his own vodka, click here to check it out. Pretty soon Bob Dylan will have his own wine and Sammy Hagar will have his own tequila.. oh, wait.. both of those things actually exist. If you want to read about the Dylan wine, click here or if you want to read about the Hagar tequila, click here. I suppose in some way, Francis Ford Coppola started this trend with his winery, but somehow he has a bit more credibility since he actually lives up near where the wine is made and is a bit of a wine aficionado.

Click At Your Own Risk

Just run across this site called Spoiler Fix that lists information/spoilers about shows currently on the air like Gilmore Girls, The OC, Grey's Anatomy, etc. I am warning you ahead of time, so don't complain if you look at and find out stuff that you didn't want to know yet. I can't be worrying about whether you have the discipline not to look. Seriously, I am stressed out as it is, so don't put that on my shoulders -- I am not Atlas and the weight will certainly crush me.

The Constant Gardener

If The Constant Gardener doesn't get nominated for some awards this coming season, I don't know what should. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, the movie is an intriguing thrill ride from start to finish with some love and romance added in for good measure. The acting is great, the visuals striking and the subject matter is both fascinating and frightening because of how it seems as though it could actually be happening. If you want to read a review, click here. If you want to see the trailer, go here . I am a bit jealous that Rachel Weisz is dating director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain) who is the brooding, intellectual, geeky hot and incredibly talented type I love, but she is such a gifted actress that I will forgive her.

The Court Is Blue And So Is Agassi

I swear this is not a tennis blog. You would think so lately with all the tennis postings I have been writing. Truthfully, I am not even a super huge tennis fan most of the time, but when the player match ups are as good as they were last week (especially with the men), it is impossible not to watch. I went into the Agassi vs. Federer match yesterday desperately hoping that somehow Andre could pull it out and beat Federer. There were times during the match that I actually thought Andre would win, but it was not to be. Federer is an amazing player and might just be the best tennis player who ever existed, but I really wanted to see Agassi win. I know you are sitting there saying I was just rooting against Agassi last week when he played Blake, but that is a rarity. If you want to read more about the match, click here.

My Love For Ponyboy Curtis Still Strong After All These Years

All I can do is reiterate, I was the one to spot this 80's trend first. A special 2 disk edition DVD of the movie The Outsiders is coming out this month. I must admit that I loved this movie. When you put Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze and all in one movie there isn't going to be a ton of complaining from most women I know and Diane Lane was there for the guys. I loved C. Thomas Howell (who played the lead Ponyboy Curtis) the most. A bunch of Rob Lowe's scenes were cut out of the original, but they are restored in this version. Didn't really seem to hurt his career. Most of the actors in this movie, in fact, are still working in entertainment in some capacity. If you want to read where some of them are now, click here. The movie is based on a S.E. Hinton novel and I swear I just realized that the writer is a women this week. It is embarrassing to admit, as I usually know such things, but that is what this blog is for at least some of the time -- I make fun of myself and you get to laugh with me or at me, depending on your perspective.

From Goodfella To Good Father

Click here to read a great article about Ray Liotta. He is a truly amazing actor with tremendous range. I think people often only think of him as a tough guy, but if that is all you think he can do, rent Corrina, Corrina . In the article, he talks about how different his life his now that he has a child. It really shows a sweet side of him. I am happy that he is having a bit of a career resurgence in the past few years. I find him so charismatic and interesting to watch that I would go see him in just about anything.

Age Before Beauty

If you didn't see the match between Andre Agassi and James Blake last night, you really missed out. My crush (James) sadly got crushed. It was some of the best tennis I have ever seen. I was on the edge of my seat for much of the time. At the beginning Blake was ahead and it seemed like he was going to quickly cream Andre in a short period of time, but then all of a sudden the old man came back to life. The thing is that even though I was rooting for Blake, I do still like Agassi and think he is one of the best players who ever lived. Generally I am rooting for Agassi, so that also made watching emotional and complicated. When it ended, I was exhausted, as the last 10 minutes or so of the game were literally almost heart stopping. If you want to read about it, click here. Meanwhile, my crush on Blake is still going pretty strong, but I better get over it because they showed his beautiful girlfriend on TV last night and I doubt she is going anywhere.

Arrested Development Loves Chachi

I keep thinking that my postings about Tiger Beat cover boys from the 80's has to end soon, but every time I am ready to shut the door, it opens back up. I just read that the TV show Arrested Development is going to feature Scott Baio this coming season as the family lawyer. In an odd twist of fate he is replacing Henry Winkler who had been playing a similar role, but is now going on to his own show called Out of Practice. If you want to read more about Scott Baio's new job, click here. I think this whole career resurgence for male stars from the 80's is becoming a full blown trend. If I am the first one to spot it, don't forget to give me credit when you start seeing headlines like: BRAT PACK BACK IN ACTION, TIGER BEAT YOUR WAY BACK TO THE A-LIST, 80'S STARS AND LACOSTE SHIRTS ARE BACK, CAN ACID WASH JEANS BE FAR BEHIND? Since everyone from Emilio Estevez to Anthony Michael Hall is getting a second chance at stardom, my vote is for Andrew McCarthy to be next.

A Better Brokeback Mountain Trailer

There is finally a better Brokeback Moutain Trailer online. I linked to one before, but the trailer wasn't always working. Here is the link.

Agassi vs. Blake

I am not into all sports, but at times I can kind of get into tennis. Right now the US Open is in full swing. Tonight there is going to be one great match between old pro Andre Agassi and young phenom James Blake. They are both great players and I would imagine it will be one intense and emotional match. Blake has recently been through some very difficult events in his life (the death of his father, an injury and a debilitating stress related virus that paralyzed half his face), so as much as I love Agassi, I am kind of rooting for Blake. If you want to read more about the match up of these amazing players, click here. In addition to being a great player and a trooper (Blake had Scoliosis as a teenager and had to wear a brace 18 hours a day for many years), James Blake is cute and Harvard educated. If you are interested in learning more about him, click here.

Silent Bob Auctions Stuff for Hurricane Relief

I knew I liked Kevin Smith. He is a good filmmaker, but also seems to be an all around pretty chill, cool guy. My favorite flick of his is still Chasing Amy. I wrote about Kevin's blog in one of my first postings, but I just read that he is auctioning off some cool stuff to raise money for Hurricane Katrina. Two items from that auction that I assume will raise a ton of cash are a visit to the Clerks 2 set and a BBQ party with Kevin at his house (the bidding for this is already at $5000). If you want to see the auction or bid on an item, click here.

Fashion For Those Who Love Geeks

I would totally wear this I Love Nerds shirt. I am a girl who LOVES a guy with brains. For me Dreamy McDreamstein would be the guy who has brains, glasses and a dry wit (being a little bit cute in that brooding intellectual way would not hurt either). I am a girl who likes guys who are slightly dorky or geeky, but even with me there is a line. Hot Semi-Dorky Guys: Rivers Cuomo (lead singer of Weezer), Patrick Dempsey (once a Can't Buy Me Love dork), David Krumholtz (plays a math genius on the CBS show Numbers), Tobey Maguire (plays a slightly dorky Peter Parker in Spiderman), Anthony Michael Hall (once a Breakfast Club dork, but now hot -- have you seen him on Dead Zone?) and writer/columnist Joel Stein. Not Hot Dorks: Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters, the guys in Revenge of the Nerds and Paul, Kevin's friend on The Wonder Years. Wait, I have to retract part of that, Anthony Edwards was in Revenge of the Nerds and is/was kind of dorky hot, but he is the one exception in that movie. All dorks have potential I suppose, I mean you never know who might go from Totally Geek to Totally Chic with the right makeover. If that movie reference sailed right past you, don't worry because another one will come along soon.

All I Wanna Do Is Marry Lance

All she used to do was want to sing, but now all she wants to do is marry Lance Armstrong. Yes, the inevitable has happened and Sheryl Crow and Lance have gotten engaged. Good for them. He will need something to do now that he has given up the Tour. Sheryl has a new album coming out later this month that you can get on Amazon, click here to check it out. I would encourage anyone to go to Lance's website and donate money or buy a wristband. If you want to read about some of Lance's Team Discovery team members (one of who might be the next person to win the Tour), click here . Not that this is relevant, but I first got interested in cycling and the Tour when I saw Greg LeMond on a bike. If you want to read more about him, click here .

Is Fox Really This Hard Up For Shows?

I wish to god I could have been a fly on the wall when someone came in to pitch Skating With Celebrities or when it was brought up in a meeting of execs at Fox. Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill are judges, but the celebrities, well... does Todd Bridges really still count as a celeb? The thing is that I know I will get sucked in and end up watching at least once. I think it is my ever undying love for the movie Ice Castles and Robby Benson that keep me interested in ice skating. If you want to read more about the show, click here.

Surfing Giants

Another cool posting from my writing partner Jessica, but this time not a music related one. Check it out:

I have a lot of passions in my life: writing, art, music, the perfect mac & cheese, books. But, after watching Riding Giants -- the documentary about big wave riders by Dogtown and Z-Boys filmmaker Stacy Peralta -- I'm wishing I had that one big love in my life. That one big passion. They'd forfeit comfy salaries, a nice house, even clean clothes just to live their lives in the ocean; to experience the adrenaline it gives them. In the interviews they were so zen about being one with the ocean, the feeling of nothing else but the wave, and the life-and-death rush. I have to admit, I was smitten with envy. Click here for more details about the movie or go to your local video store and rent it.

Outsider Back On The Inside

There seems to be an 80's trend in my postings and/or in the entertainment business lately. In the last few weeks I have posted stories about Robert Downey Jr. and Emilio Estevez, but who knew the best was yet to come today with a Ralph Macchio story. Those who are loyal watchers of the HBO show Entourage know that he recently did a guest appearance (that I would guess made every girl who loved The Outsiders spaz out), but today comes the news that he is actually developing TV shows for a teen network. If you want to read about it, click here. All I can say is that I am glad the Karate Kid is back in the business, even if he isn't a kid anymore.

Ok Go Watch This Video

I was recently listening to NPR and I heard a story about the band Ok Go. Click here to listen to the piece. The gist of the story is that the band recorded a video in their backyard doing a fairly complicated dance routine that was not intended to be aired on television, but to be used for a fun last moment at the end of their performances. They did end up giving out a few copies of the video to friends and fans who then sent it on to two friends and they sent it on to two friends, well you get the point. Eventually it was posted on a bunch of websites and the video was downloaded 500,000 times. Click here to go to their website and view the video (the npr piece has it as well). Just in case NPR is not a cool enough source for you (which makes you lame because NPR rocks!), read this story from MTV.com about it.

Don't Be So Shocked That I Can Do Good With This Blog

Hey, don't be so surprised that I can use this blog for the greater good, as well as to inform and mock people. As many of you likely already know, NBC is having a televised event to raise money for the Hurricane Katrina victims on Friday night. Damn, they got that together quick! Read about it here. Morgan Freeman who lives in the Mississippi Delta is planning an online auction to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims. The auction starts on Friday and runs until the 16th of September. Click here to read about it. Some of the other networks are now getting their acts together and also plan to have televised events to raise money, read this article in the LA Times to find out more about it. You all know about the Red Cross, but if you want to investigate some other good organizations you can donate to, click here to go to the AmeriCares website (they provide relief shipments of cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products, and other basics) or go to America's Second Harvest website (they provide hunger relief).