Preview of 'Lark Rise To Candleford':
The Fair has come to town, and the locals are celebrating - Alf has been crowned King of the Fair, while Queenie has won a whole pig! The Lark Risers start fattening up the pig in preparation for a sumptuous pig feast, but Twister cannot resist the temptation of selling off-cuts of the animal to the people of Candleford.
At the post office, Gabriel is proving to be a less than perfect house guest; can Dorcas adapt to having a man under her roof? And will Twister survive the wrath of Queenie when she discovers he has sold her pig from under her?
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 30th, 2011 - Sunday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 4
Episode Name: EPISODE: 4
Friday, January 28, 2011
Come Dine With Me Season 15 Episode 12
Preview of 'Come Dine With Me':
This brand new episode comes from West Lincolnshire, where Jo Allen takes on Nigel Reid, Justin Hussey and saleswoman Margaret Hope in a week of fights and tempers boiling over.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 30th, 2011 - Sunday
Channel: Channel 4
Episode Details: Season 15 Episode 12
Episode Name: EPISODE: 12
This brand new episode comes from West Lincolnshire, where Jo Allen takes on Nigel Reid, Justin Hussey and saleswoman Margaret Hope in a week of fights and tempers boiling over.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 30th, 2011 - Sunday
Channel: Channel 4
Episode Details: Season 15 Episode 12
Episode Name: EPISODE: 12
Countryfile Season 23 Episode 22
Preview of 'Countryfile':
Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury head for Yorkshire to explore the spectacular countryside on the doorstep of the towns and cities famous for the part they played in the industrial revolution.
Matt is on a mission to find to out why Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in Europe, and lends a hand to the team restoring the grounds of nearby Wentworth Castle.
Julia has a ticket to ride a train that doubles up as a pub, and goes head-to-head with Matt in Knurr and Spell - a traditional Yorkshire game, sometimes described as a forerunner to golf.
Airing Details: 7:00 PM on January 30th, 2011 - Sunday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 23 Episode 22
Episode Name: EPISODE: 22
Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury head for Yorkshire to explore the spectacular countryside on the doorstep of the towns and cities famous for the part they played in the industrial revolution.
Matt is on a mission to find to out why Sheffield is one of the greenest cities in Europe, and lends a hand to the team restoring the grounds of nearby Wentworth Castle.
Julia has a ticket to ride a train that doubles up as a pub, and goes head-to-head with Matt in Knurr and Spell - a traditional Yorkshire game, sometimes described as a forerunner to golf.
Airing Details: 7:00 PM on January 30th, 2011 - Sunday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 23 Episode 22
Episode Name: EPISODE: 22
Denise Richards 'Heartbroken,' Wants Charlie Sheen to Get Help for Kids' Sake
Within hours of being hospitalized Thursday morning, Charlie Sheen's ex-wife Denise Richards was at his bedside once again doing everything in her power to help the troubled father of their two daughters. Sources close to the actress tell me she has joined his famous father in calling for Charlie to enter rehab.
"Denise is heartbroken and fears the day when she gets the call saying Charlie is no longer alive," a friend of the actress tells me.
This time, I'm told, is different, and Denise has decided that she is going to do whatever it takes to make Charlie realize he needs help. First things first, she believes he needs a new inner circle of friends.
"Charlie surrounds himself with yes people," an insider tells me. "If you say no to him, then you are out of his life. Denise is one of the only people that could convince him. It wouldn't be the first time Denise has begged for him to get the help he needs, but everyone is hoping that this time he listens to her."
Sheen's dad, Martin, has also reportedly signaled that he wants his son to seek help immediately. "Martin is extremely upset, as you can imagine," a source close to the family told RadarOnline.com. "He's worried Charlie is going to kill himself."
Charlie left the hospital in secret Thursday night and his publicist, Stan Rosenfield, hinted that he has no plans to enter rehab. "He will be on the set of 'Two and a Half Men' on Tuesday," he said in a statement.
After three years of marriage, Denise and Charlie went through a bitter public divorce that was finalized in November 2006. At first, the couple agreed to shared custody of daughters Sam, 6, and Lola, 5, but last year Charlie signed parental rights over to Denise.
Charlie's prolonged meltdown, which came to a head during his rampage in a NYC hotel back in October, is putting the brutally honest Denise in an awkward position with her kids.
"It is becoming harder and harder for Denise to protect her daughters from what's going on as they get older," the star's close friend tells me. "She's an amazing mother and will not let Charlie leave these two beautiful little angels without a father. If she can't convince Charlie to get help simply because it's what he needs, then she hopes he will for the sake of his daughters."
It was a hernia that triggered the "severe abdominal pains" that sent Charlie to the hospital after a 36-hour party bender that reportedly included doing cocaine and watching porn with at least five women.
But Sheen's publicist tells me, "I have no firsthand knowledge of any of this. I have heard all of rumors you have. He [Charlie] has had a history of having this type of hernia, and the person who made the 911 call said he had severe stomach pains and said it was from a hernia condition. Since she is not a doctor, I did not extend her medical knowledge to the media."
According to PEOPLE, it was Dr. Paul Nassif and his wife Adrienne Maloof-Nassif, two stars of Bravo 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' and Sheen's neighbors, who called for help.
Good luck, Denise. The time has come for someone (and it's not going to be CBS as long as Charlie remains a ratings powerhouse) to save Charlie from himself.
"Denise is heartbroken and fears the day when she gets the call saying Charlie is no longer alive," a friend of the actress tells me.
This time, I'm told, is different, and Denise has decided that she is going to do whatever it takes to make Charlie realize he needs help. First things first, she believes he needs a new inner circle of friends.
"Charlie surrounds himself with yes people," an insider tells me. "If you say no to him, then you are out of his life. Denise is one of the only people that could convince him. It wouldn't be the first time Denise has begged for him to get the help he needs, but everyone is hoping that this time he listens to her."
Sheen's dad, Martin, has also reportedly signaled that he wants his son to seek help immediately. "Martin is extremely upset, as you can imagine," a source close to the family told RadarOnline.com. "He's worried Charlie is going to kill himself."
Charlie left the hospital in secret Thursday night and his publicist, Stan Rosenfield, hinted that he has no plans to enter rehab. "He will be on the set of 'Two and a Half Men' on Tuesday," he said in a statement.
After three years of marriage, Denise and Charlie went through a bitter public divorce that was finalized in November 2006. At first, the couple agreed to shared custody of daughters Sam, 6, and Lola, 5, but last year Charlie signed parental rights over to Denise.
Charlie's prolonged meltdown, which came to a head during his rampage in a NYC hotel back in October, is putting the brutally honest Denise in an awkward position with her kids.
"It is becoming harder and harder for Denise to protect her daughters from what's going on as they get older," the star's close friend tells me. "She's an amazing mother and will not let Charlie leave these two beautiful little angels without a father. If she can't convince Charlie to get help simply because it's what he needs, then she hopes he will for the sake of his daughters."
It was a hernia that triggered the "severe abdominal pains" that sent Charlie to the hospital after a 36-hour party bender that reportedly included doing cocaine and watching porn with at least five women.
But Sheen's publicist tells me, "I have no firsthand knowledge of any of this. I have heard all of rumors you have. He [Charlie] has had a history of having this type of hernia, and the person who made the 911 call said he had severe stomach pains and said it was from a hernia condition. Since she is not a doctor, I did not extend her medical knowledge to the media."
According to PEOPLE, it was Dr. Paul Nassif and his wife Adrienne Maloof-Nassif, two stars of Bravo 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' and Sheen's neighbors, who called for help.
Good luck, Denise. The time has come for someone (and it's not going to be CBS as long as Charlie remains a ratings powerhouse) to save Charlie from himself.
Tracy Morgan Causes Uproar With Lewd Sarah Palin Comments
In a true "Did he just say that?" moment, '30 Rock' star Tracy Morgan set the Twitterverse on fire Thursday night with lewd on-air comments about Sarah Palin, and broadcaster TNT is not happy about it.
According to USA Today, TNT issued an apology within minutes of being contacted by incredulous reporters. In a statement, Turner spokesman Jeff Pomeroy said, "It's unfortunate Mr. Morgan showed a lack of judgment on our air with his inappropriate comments. We apologize for any embarrassment or offense it may have caused."
The comments came during Morgan's appearance on 'Inside the NBA,' before the New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat game at Madison Square Garden. Kenny Smith asked Morgan to settle an argument he said he and co-host Charles Barkley "have all the time. ... Tina Fey or Sarah Palin?"
What Smith thought Morgan was going to say after that is anyone's guess, but as Morgan was mulling it over, Barkley quipped, "Sarah Palin, she's a good-looking woman, isn't she?" (Hey, who knew Barkley had a thing for the former Alaska governor?)
And that's when Morgan dropped the M-bomb: "Let me tell you about Sarah Palin. She's good masturbation material."
As he talked about fantasizing about Palin, Smith and Barkley laughed nervously and an uncomfortable-looking Ernie Johnson tried to change the subject. There's been no word from Palin yet, but it seems likely that Morgan won't be asked to appear on another live broadcast any time soon.
According to USA Today, TNT issued an apology within minutes of being contacted by incredulous reporters. In a statement, Turner spokesman Jeff Pomeroy said, "It's unfortunate Mr. Morgan showed a lack of judgment on our air with his inappropriate comments. We apologize for any embarrassment or offense it may have caused."
The comments came during Morgan's appearance on 'Inside the NBA,' before the New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat game at Madison Square Garden. Kenny Smith asked Morgan to settle an argument he said he and co-host Charles Barkley "have all the time. ... Tina Fey or Sarah Palin?"
What Smith thought Morgan was going to say after that is anyone's guess, but as Morgan was mulling it over, Barkley quipped, "Sarah Palin, she's a good-looking woman, isn't she?" (Hey, who knew Barkley had a thing for the former Alaska governor?)
And that's when Morgan dropped the M-bomb: "Let me tell you about Sarah Palin. She's good masturbation material."
As he talked about fantasizing about Palin, Smith and Barkley laughed nervously and an uncomfortable-looking Ernie Johnson tried to change the subject. There's been no word from Palin yet, but it seems likely that Morgan won't be asked to appear on another live broadcast any time soon.
Mega Python Vs. Gatoroid Original Telefilm
Preview of 'Mega Python Vs. Gatoroid':
Watch a sneak peek scene from "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid." Starring Tiffany and Deborah Gibson. Gigantic snakes and alligators battle in the Florida Everglades.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: SYFY Channel
Episode Details: Original Telefilm
Episode Name:
Watch a sneak peek scene from "Mega Python vs. Gatoroid." Starring Tiffany and Deborah Gibson. Gigantic snakes and alligators battle in the Florida Everglades.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: SYFY Channel
Episode Details: Original Telefilm
Episode Name:
Miley Cyrus Updates Fans from New Movie Set
Miley Cyrus may have hung up her 'Hannah Montana' wig for the last time, but there's no stopping her budding movie career, according to OK! Magazine.
She took to YouTube this week to give an update from the New Orleans set of her new movie, 'So Undercover,' giving fans a glimpse into her life on set and her rock and roll number with co-star Jeremy Piven.
"I can't believe how quick it's gone," she said of her time on the set of the sorority-centered flick. "We had a really good time. We actually just had a wrap party because the girls are leaving 'cause now it's getting into the relationship of me and my dad. So all the sorority scenes are coming to an end, so all my girls are leaving me." See the video after the jump!
"We've been working so hard," she continued. "Literally, I'm in every scene except one or two, so we've been here working really long hours."
During the wrap party, Cyrus let loose -- responsibly -- with her co-stars and enjoyed a live band, who let the singer take the stage with the 'Entourage' star.
"They let me and Jeremy Piven ... [he's] in this movie, and so he got up on the drums and we played 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll.'"
"I've had an awesome time shooting this movie," she said as she wrapped up her short video. "I'm excited for you guys to see it, really digging it."
The film also co-stars Kelly Osbourne, who recently tweeted in defense of her new friend.
"Just read in the rags that apparently my mum thinks Miley is a bad influence on me it could not be [farther] from the truth," she wrote. "...This really makes me mad. Miley is one of the most hard working respectful women I have ever worked with I am learning a lot from her!"
According to IMDB, Cyrus' character, Molly, is an FBI agent who is hired to go undercover as a college sorority girl.
She took to YouTube this week to give an update from the New Orleans set of her new movie, 'So Undercover,' giving fans a glimpse into her life on set and her rock and roll number with co-star Jeremy Piven.
"I can't believe how quick it's gone," she said of her time on the set of the sorority-centered flick. "We had a really good time. We actually just had a wrap party because the girls are leaving 'cause now it's getting into the relationship of me and my dad. So all the sorority scenes are coming to an end, so all my girls are leaving me." See the video after the jump!
"We've been working so hard," she continued. "Literally, I'm in every scene except one or two, so we've been here working really long hours."
During the wrap party, Cyrus let loose -- responsibly -- with her co-stars and enjoyed a live band, who let the singer take the stage with the 'Entourage' star.
"They let me and Jeremy Piven ... [he's] in this movie, and so he got up on the drums and we played 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll.'"
"I've had an awesome time shooting this movie," she said as she wrapped up her short video. "I'm excited for you guys to see it, really digging it."
The film also co-stars Kelly Osbourne, who recently tweeted in defense of her new friend.
"Just read in the rags that apparently my mum thinks Miley is a bad influence on me it could not be [farther] from the truth," she wrote. "...This really makes me mad. Miley is one of the most hard working respectful women I have ever worked with I am learning a lot from her!"
According to IMDB, Cyrus' character, Molly, is an FBI agent who is hired to go undercover as a college sorority girl.
Anne Hathaway, James Franco Bring the Funny in Oscar Promo
As the Academy Awards inch closer, a new promo for the big night shows co-hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco prepping for the ultimate hosting gig -- complete with dance lessons and wardrobe-malfunction preparedness.
In the new clip, Franco and Hathaway can be seen working on their fitness -- using Oscar statues as weights -- and brushing up on their seemingly rough dancing skills.
And, in an effort to prevent any wardrobe issues, Franco jokingly practices throwing a blanket over Hathaway as a strap on her dress breaks while on stage. See the video after the jump!
Franco recently opened up to PEOPLE about his hosting gig, promising some singing and dancing on Hollywood's biggest night.
"I'm just kind of going with the flow," he said, getting some helpful hints from a past host. "Billy Crystal said to wear tennis shoes, or something, but I don't think I'm going to follow that advice."
The 83rd Academy Awards air Feb. 27 at 8PM EST on ABC.
In the new clip, Franco and Hathaway can be seen working on their fitness -- using Oscar statues as weights -- and brushing up on their seemingly rough dancing skills.
And, in an effort to prevent any wardrobe issues, Franco jokingly practices throwing a blanket over Hathaway as a strap on her dress breaks while on stage. See the video after the jump!
Franco recently opened up to PEOPLE about his hosting gig, promising some singing and dancing on Hollywood's biggest night.
"I'm just kind of going with the flow," he said, getting some helpful hints from a past host. "Billy Crystal said to wear tennis shoes, or something, but I don't think I'm going to follow that advice."
The 83rd Academy Awards air Feb. 27 at 8PM EST on ABC.
Lisa Rinna a Possible Replacement for Regis?
Regis Philbin isn't ready to say who he thinks would be the best replacement for him when he leaves 'Live' at the end of the summer, but one of the names that keeps popping up in the executive suites over at ABC is none other than Lisa Rinna.
"Lisa has proved she can do the job," one exec tells me. "She has co-hosted the show with Regis, filled in for Joy Behar on her show and was even better than Billy Bush when she stepped into his shoes on 'Access Hollywood's' new daytime show."
Could she do it? Absolutely, but there are questions like what would her chemistry be like with Kelly, and would she be willing to move her entire family from sunny LA to the snowpocalypse that is NYC?
Always the class act, my friend Lisa wouldn't comment on any of the speculation but did tell me, "Regis taught me everything that I know. He is the king!"
[Fun Fact: Lisa and I were at the show the morning the magnificent Kathie Lee Gifford announced she was leaving.]
Now, with the idea of co-hosting 'Live' in her head, Lisa has started to exude some of her trademark confidence and pointed out that this wouldn't be the first time she's been up for the job.
"You know, back 10 years ago I filled in many times with Regis when Kathie Lee left," Lisa reminded me. "I've been so fortunate enough to co-host with him at least 10 times or more and was up for the job to replace Kathie Lee, but of course Kelly was the perfect choice for it."
Indeed she was, but now she needs a co-pilot. Paging ABC!
"Lisa has proved she can do the job," one exec tells me. "She has co-hosted the show with Regis, filled in for Joy Behar on her show and was even better than Billy Bush when she stepped into his shoes on 'Access Hollywood's' new daytime show."
Could she do it? Absolutely, but there are questions like what would her chemistry be like with Kelly, and would she be willing to move her entire family from sunny LA to the snowpocalypse that is NYC?
Always the class act, my friend Lisa wouldn't comment on any of the speculation but did tell me, "Regis taught me everything that I know. He is the king!"
[Fun Fact: Lisa and I were at the show the morning the magnificent Kathie Lee Gifford announced she was leaving.]
Now, with the idea of co-hosting 'Live' in her head, Lisa has started to exude some of her trademark confidence and pointed out that this wouldn't be the first time she's been up for the job.
"You know, back 10 years ago I filled in many times with Regis when Kathie Lee left," Lisa reminded me. "I've been so fortunate enough to co-host with him at least 10 times or more and was up for the job to replace Kathie Lee, but of course Kelly was the perfect choice for it."
Indeed she was, but now she needs a co-pilot. Paging ABC!
Britney Spears’ New Album Coming Out in March
The Ides of March are smiling on Britney Spears.
Billboard.com reported that the singer’s upcoming untitled album will drop on Mar. 15, based on a leaked sales sheet. Spears’ label, Jive Records, confirmed that the information on the sales sheet is correct to MTV News.
The sales sheet described the success of Spears’ new single "Hold It Against Me," which charted on Billboard at #1: “First week sales of well over 400k show the huge demand for her music, and all things Britney. In fact,” Hold It Against Me” enjoyed the biggest first week track sales for a female artist EVER, eclipsing the previous record holder Taylor Swift.
The new album, according to the sales sheet, will also feature the production work of Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Fraser T. Smith, and Bloodshy & Avant.
The new album will be the follow-up to 2008’s Circus. “As is always the way with a new Britney release, look for a major TV event to launch the album, and of course the usual non=stop press coverage on all Things Britney…make no mistake that fans are ready and waiting for more Britney! She never disappoints and NOBODY comes close”
Spears’s manager, Adam Leber, recently went on Twitter to reveal that the singer did a photoshoot in anticipation of the new album. He wrote: “did a photoshoot for her album package yesterday. Photos are nothing less than spectacular. We'll share some soon....”
Billboard.com reported that the singer’s upcoming untitled album will drop on Mar. 15, based on a leaked sales sheet. Spears’ label, Jive Records, confirmed that the information on the sales sheet is correct to MTV News.
The sales sheet described the success of Spears’ new single "Hold It Against Me," which charted on Billboard at #1: “First week sales of well over 400k show the huge demand for her music, and all things Britney. In fact,” Hold It Against Me” enjoyed the biggest first week track sales for a female artist EVER, eclipsing the previous record holder Taylor Swift.
The new album, according to the sales sheet, will also feature the production work of Max Martin, Dr. Luke, Rodney Jerkins, Stargate, Fraser T. Smith, and Bloodshy & Avant.
The new album will be the follow-up to 2008’s Circus. “As is always the way with a new Britney release, look for a major TV event to launch the album, and of course the usual non=stop press coverage on all Things Britney…make no mistake that fans are ready and waiting for more Britney! She never disappoints and NOBODY comes close”
Spears’s manager, Adam Leber, recently went on Twitter to reveal that the singer did a photoshoot in anticipation of the new album. He wrote: “did a photoshoot for her album package yesterday. Photos are nothing less than spectacular. We'll share some soon....”
Boomtown Season 1 Episode 2 Ramblin' Man
Preview of 'Boomtown ':
From the grocery store to the hair salon, everyone is dreaming of oil. But not everyone's fortunes are looking up. Larry has a dispute with one of the oil rigs that puts his relationship with Jeanette in jeopardy.
Airing Details: 10:30 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: PLANET GREEN Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 2
Episode Name: EPISODE: 2
From the grocery store to the hair salon, everyone is dreaming of oil. But not everyone's fortunes are looking up. Larry has a dispute with one of the oil rigs that puts his relationship with Jeanette in jeopardy.
Airing Details: 10:30 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: PLANET GREEN Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 2
Episode Name: EPISODE: 2
Karaoke Brought Jewel Back to Her Undiscovered Days
Jewel knows what it’s like to be nurtured. And now the pop star and newly expectant mom will do a little nurturing of her own, both in and out of the recording studio.
Along with providing loving care to the upcoming arrival she and husband Ty Murray are expecting at home, Jewel will be tending to the careers of burgeoning songwriters as the co-host of Bravo’s new reality competition series “Platinum Hit” alongside ex-“American Idol” judge Kara Dioguardi.
The singer tells PopcornBiz that being in the family way hasn’t made her more motherly to the show’s undiscovered song scribes: “I've always been quite maternal towards young talent,” says Jewel. “I was that way on 'Nashville Star.’ I'm very protective of them. I don't pull punches. I'm a very straight shooter, but I'm not ever mean about it and I pull for these kids. I'm really pulling for them.”
Jewel says she was recently reminded of the care and support she got as an unknown singer-songwriter on the coffee house circuit in the early 90s after she donned a mousy disguise and sang karaoke incognito as the shy “Karen” at L.A.’s bar The Gaslite for a FunnyOrDie video that became a viral sensation last year.
“It was a neat experience,” she recalls. “It was like a social experiment, to dress up as someone else and still see if people react to you. It reminded me of when I started out. I was homeless when I got discovered. I wasn't trying to get discovered – that's a big misconception. I was just trying to get by and I started singing locally. The crowds just really pulled for me. It was really like a family.
They fed me, they gave me books to read and they really, really believed in me. That all came flooding back suddenly. I was anonymous in this little karaoke club and people really responded to my voice and they were high-fiving me – and it even kind of teared me up because they were wholeheartedly, genuinely happy for me. It was really sweet.”
She also knows that giving birth to a solid song can come with its own lengthy labor pains. “There was a song called 'The New Wild West' that I started writing at the Democratic Convention in '98 and I finished it in 2003. I didn't write it that whole time, but it just didn't work back then and then I dug it up and redid it.”
She’s taking inspiration from her pregnancy for her next musical project. “I'm working on a children's album,” she says. “I did an album called 'Lullaby' that I wrote kind of getting into the zone. It'll be based on 'Rocky Raccoon', The Beatles song, and will hopefully be a well crafted, well written album that adults will enjoy and also be whimsical for children.”
Along with providing loving care to the upcoming arrival she and husband Ty Murray are expecting at home, Jewel will be tending to the careers of burgeoning songwriters as the co-host of Bravo’s new reality competition series “Platinum Hit” alongside ex-“American Idol” judge Kara Dioguardi.
The singer tells PopcornBiz that being in the family way hasn’t made her more motherly to the show’s undiscovered song scribes: “I've always been quite maternal towards young talent,” says Jewel. “I was that way on 'Nashville Star.’ I'm very protective of them. I don't pull punches. I'm a very straight shooter, but I'm not ever mean about it and I pull for these kids. I'm really pulling for them.”
Jewel says she was recently reminded of the care and support she got as an unknown singer-songwriter on the coffee house circuit in the early 90s after she donned a mousy disguise and sang karaoke incognito as the shy “Karen” at L.A.’s bar The Gaslite for a FunnyOrDie video that became a viral sensation last year.
“It was a neat experience,” she recalls. “It was like a social experiment, to dress up as someone else and still see if people react to you. It reminded me of when I started out. I was homeless when I got discovered. I wasn't trying to get discovered – that's a big misconception. I was just trying to get by and I started singing locally. The crowds just really pulled for me. It was really like a family.
They fed me, they gave me books to read and they really, really believed in me. That all came flooding back suddenly. I was anonymous in this little karaoke club and people really responded to my voice and they were high-fiving me – and it even kind of teared me up because they were wholeheartedly, genuinely happy for me. It was really sweet.”
She also knows that giving birth to a solid song can come with its own lengthy labor pains. “There was a song called 'The New Wild West' that I started writing at the Democratic Convention in '98 and I finished it in 2003. I didn't write it that whole time, but it just didn't work back then and then I dug it up and redid it.”
She’s taking inspiration from her pregnancy for her next musical project. “I'm working on a children's album,” she says. “I did an album called 'Lullaby' that I wrote kind of getting into the zone. It'll be based on 'Rocky Raccoon', The Beatles song, and will hopefully be a well crafted, well written album that adults will enjoy and also be whimsical for children.”
Pit Boss Season 2 Episode 1 Shorty Breaks In
Preview of 'Pit Boss':
Shorty goes to extreme measures to save three pit bulls trapped in a house. Overwhelmed, Ashley and Sebastian try to take on the responsibilities of the recently fired Ronald.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ANIMAL PLANET Channel
Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 1
Episode Name: Shorty Breaks In
Shorty goes to extreme measures to save three pit bulls trapped in a house. Overwhelmed, Ashley and Sebastian try to take on the responsibilities of the recently fired Ronald.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ANIMAL PLANET Channel
Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 1
Episode Name: Shorty Breaks In
Kidnap & Rescue Season 1 Episode 1 Hostage Rescue Team
Preview of 'Kidnap & Rescue':
Brad Barker and his HALO group attempt to rescue a man ripped from his own bed at night and a girl kidnapped, drugged, and sold into sexual slavery, both across the US-Mexico border.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: DISCOVERY Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 1
Episode Name: Hostage Rescue Team
Brad Barker and his HALO group attempt to rescue a man ripped from his own bed at night and a girl kidnapped, drugged, and sold into sexual slavery, both across the US-Mexico border.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: DISCOVERY Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 1
Episode Name: Hostage Rescue Team
An Idiot Abroad Season 1 Episode 2 India
Preview of 'An Idiot Abroad':
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send reluctant Karl Pilkington to India to see the Taj Mahal. But before he can get there, he's forced to visit the largest religious festival in the world, stay in an Ashram with a living Saint, and play with cow poo.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: SCIENCE Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 2
Episode Name: India
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send reluctant Karl Pilkington to India to see the Taj Mahal. But before he can get there, he's forced to visit the largest religious festival in the world, stay in an Ashram with a living Saint, and play with cow poo.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: SCIENCE Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 2
Episode Name: India
The Graham Norton Show Season 8 Episode 12 Vince Vaughn, Sarah Millican, P. Diddy
Preview of 'The Graham Norton Show':
Multi-award winning comedy talk-show host Graham Norton returns to BBC America in the latest season of The Graham Norton Show, his talk show based on the people, trends, stories and aspects of celebrity culture that interest him.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBCA Channel
Episode Details: Season 8 Episode 12
Episode Name: Vince Vaughn, Sarah Millican, P. Diddy
Multi-award winning comedy talk-show host Graham Norton returns to BBC America in the latest season of The Graham Norton Show, his talk show based on the people, trends, stories and aspects of celebrity culture that interest him.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBCA Channel
Episode Details: Season 8 Episode 12
Episode Name: Vince Vaughn, Sarah Millican, P. Diddy
Nick Kroll:Thank You Very Cool Central Special
Preview of 'Nick Kroll:Thank You Very Cool':
Nick's first one hour special covering everything from the Cheesecake Factory to dating advice.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: COMEDY Channel
Episode Details: Comedy Central Special
Episode Name:
Nick's first one hour special covering everything from the Cheesecake Factory to dating advice.
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: COMEDY Channel
Episode Details: Comedy Central Special
Episode Name:
Boomtown Season 1 Episode 1 Winning the Lottery
Preview of 'Boomtown':
After oil is discovered under Parshall, North Dakota, a sleepy farming community, many residents are becoming millionaires virtually overnight. But for every new millionaire there's someone who won't benefit at all from the oil boom
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: PLANET GREEN Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 1
Episode Name: Winning the Lottery
After oil is discovered under Parshall, North Dakota, a sleepy farming community, many residents are becoming millionaires virtually overnight. But for every new millionaire there's someone who won't benefit at all from the oil boom
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: PLANET GREEN Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 1
Episode Name: Winning the Lottery
This Week's New Movies: Will "The Mechanic" Do "The Rite" Thing?
Yes, we're still slogging through the post-New Year movie doldrums, with little relief in sight, but there are two Oscar-nominated performances getting a limited release this week.
"The Mechanic"
Jason Statham stars in this remake of the Charles Bronson classic about a hitman who takes a young upstart, played by Ben Foster, under his wing.
"The Rite"
Based on a true story (aren't they all?) about a young seminary student sent to the Vatican to attend exorcism school, where he meets a strange old priest played by Anthony Hopkins.
"Biutiful"
Javier Bardem stars is this powerful film from Alejandro González Iñárritu, about Uxbal, a hustler who who deals on the fringes of Barcelona's black market. When he is diagnosed with cancer and finds himself in a mad scramble to get his affairs in order tso that his two kids will be cared for when he's gone.
"127 Hours"
James Franco stars in the true story of the guy who ultimately cuts off his own arm to escape the boulder that has him pinned deep in a canyon in the Utah desert. Nominated for Best Picture, Best aActor and four other Academy Awards.
"From Prada to Nada"
It's a modern Latina take on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility," in which two young women learn only after their father's death that they are in fact poor, and are forced to move in with their blue collar aunt.
"Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster"
Kung fu grandmaster Ip Man moves his family to Hong King, where he hopes to open a school where he can teach his special brand of Wing Chun martial arts. But first he must prove his mettle in a series of battles with local masters.
"Kaboom"
Director Greg Araki's latest is a comic sci-fi saga about a bisexual film student who starts dreaming about a pair of beautiful women, which is fine until he starts seeing them in real life.
"The Mechanic"
Jason Statham stars in this remake of the Charles Bronson classic about a hitman who takes a young upstart, played by Ben Foster, under his wing.
"The Rite"
Based on a true story (aren't they all?) about a young seminary student sent to the Vatican to attend exorcism school, where he meets a strange old priest played by Anthony Hopkins.
"Biutiful"
Javier Bardem stars is this powerful film from Alejandro González Iñárritu, about Uxbal, a hustler who who deals on the fringes of Barcelona's black market. When he is diagnosed with cancer and finds himself in a mad scramble to get his affairs in order tso that his two kids will be cared for when he's gone.
"127 Hours"
James Franco stars in the true story of the guy who ultimately cuts off his own arm to escape the boulder that has him pinned deep in a canyon in the Utah desert. Nominated for Best Picture, Best aActor and four other Academy Awards.
"From Prada to Nada"
It's a modern Latina take on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility," in which two young women learn only after their father's death that they are in fact poor, and are forced to move in with their blue collar aunt.
"Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster"
Kung fu grandmaster Ip Man moves his family to Hong King, where he hopes to open a school where he can teach his special brand of Wing Chun martial arts. But first he must prove his mettle in a series of battles with local masters.
"Kaboom"
Director Greg Araki's latest is a comic sci-fi saga about a bisexual film student who starts dreaming about a pair of beautiful women, which is fine until he starts seeing them in real life.
Casting Director May Have Spilled "Hobbit" Beans
Will Saoirse Ronan be heading to Middle Earth alongside her "Lovely Bones" director?
Peter Jackson may be laid up in the hospital right now, but that hasn't stopped his "Hobbit" casting director - Ros Hubbard - from dropping some big time casting hints about the Kiwi director's return to J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world.
In an interview with the Irish Film & Television Network, Hubbard let slip that "Saoirse’s family will go [to New Zealand] too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It’s not like typical studio movies at all."
Ronan's casting hasn't officially been announced, nor has it been revealed who, exactly, she's going to be playing - although the consensus seems to be that she'd be playing Itaril, a young Elf woman. If Hubbard is correct, then the young Irish actress (whose upcoming film "Hanna" is generating substantial buzz) joins an impressive "Hobbit" cast that includes Martin Freeman (as Bilbo Baggins) and the possible return of "Lord of the Rings" stars Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis (reprising their roles of Gandalf and Gollum, respectively).
Production on "The Hobbit" has been temporarily delayed while Jackson recovers from ulcer surgery.
Peter Jackson may be laid up in the hospital right now, but that hasn't stopped his "Hobbit" casting director - Ros Hubbard - from dropping some big time casting hints about the Kiwi director's return to J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world.
In an interview with the Irish Film & Television Network, Hubbard let slip that "Saoirse’s family will go [to New Zealand] too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It’s not like typical studio movies at all."
Ronan's casting hasn't officially been announced, nor has it been revealed who, exactly, she's going to be playing - although the consensus seems to be that she'd be playing Itaril, a young Elf woman. If Hubbard is correct, then the young Irish actress (whose upcoming film "Hanna" is generating substantial buzz) joins an impressive "Hobbit" cast that includes Martin Freeman (as Bilbo Baggins) and the possible return of "Lord of the Rings" stars Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis (reprising their roles of Gandalf and Gollum, respectively).
Production on "The Hobbit" has been temporarily delayed while Jackson recovers from ulcer surgery.
Sundance Reviews: "Attenberg," "All Your Dead Ones"
In this more enlightened age in which we live, one resists the temptation to say all Greeks are alike, but damn if “Attenberg” doesn’t bring to mind “Dogtooth,” one of the best films of 2010.
“Attenberg,” from director Athina Rachel Tsangari, debuted as part of Sundance’s Spotlight selections. It was nominated for the Golden Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival, with star Ariane Labed winning best actress. Labed plays Marina, a 23-year-old woman preparing for her father’s death from cancer. Oh, and she's never experienced sexual arousal. Her only friend is the “slutty” Bella (Evangelina Randou), with whom she practices kissing.
The film’s title is a riff on Attenborough, as in Sir David, whose nature films are an obsession of Marina’s. Like her favorite TV star, Marina is an observer of nature. But where Attenborough watches animals in the wild, Marina watches humans--from a distance. Marina engages in animalistic play-acting with both her father, Spyros (Vangelis Mourikis), and Bella, be it jumping up and down like gorillas or hissing at each other like cats.
Like “Dogtooth,” “Attenberg” features a female whose emotional and sexual development is hopelessly stunted. And over the course of both films we watch those characters grapple with and ultimately break free from their bubble. But where “Dogtooth” is about the dangers of statism, “Attenberg” is about the dangers of being an observer of life as opposed to a participant.
“Attenberg” is not for everyone—it’s very avant garde, and at times just plain weird—but it’s a smart and funny look at human nature. If you’re into that kind of thing.
"All Your Dead Ones"
Carlos Moreno first came to Sundance in 2008 with his comic gangster tale, “Dog Eat Dog” (“Perro Come Perro”). He returns this year with another darkly comedic tale, “All Your Dead Ones” (“Todos Sus Muertos”), about a farmer who one day discovers a pile of 50 corpses in his cornfield.
It’s a great conceit, a very simple and clever way to explore the shortsightedness and venality of people, particularly those in power. Much of the humor owes a debt to Hitchcock’s “The Trouble With Harry,” but it would be unfair to dismiss “All Your Dead Ones” as derivative.
“The film has a lot of black humor and deals with the position we take in the moment we are confronted with that kind of situation,” producer Edgar Ramirez explained to us earlier in the week. “It’s not only about what happens in Colombia, it’s about all conflicts. You hear every day, 200 people got killed in whatever place, and you get sorry for like 15 minutes and then your listening to the new Britney Spears song and you forget it because it’s not your people, it’s another person’s dead people.”
It’s a beautifully shot film, with a cool visual wit and Álvaro Rodríguez is great as “Crosseyed,” using his incredibly expressive face and silent-film-worthy physicality to the role. But much of the humor is torpedoed by atrociously translated subtitles that often require untangling, leaving the viewer a half-beat behind the action. Even the title is a tortured construction in English—“Todos Sus Muertos” may be perfectly reasonable phrase in Spanish, but no American would ever say, “Hey, come get all your dead ones.
“All Your Dead Ones” is very nearly great. With a nip and a tuck, and something other than Google Translate, it could’ve reached its potential. Anybody up for doing an American version?
“Attenberg,” from director Athina Rachel Tsangari, debuted as part of Sundance’s Spotlight selections. It was nominated for the Golden Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival, with star Ariane Labed winning best actress. Labed plays Marina, a 23-year-old woman preparing for her father’s death from cancer. Oh, and she's never experienced sexual arousal. Her only friend is the “slutty” Bella (Evangelina Randou), with whom she practices kissing.
The film’s title is a riff on Attenborough, as in Sir David, whose nature films are an obsession of Marina’s. Like her favorite TV star, Marina is an observer of nature. But where Attenborough watches animals in the wild, Marina watches humans--from a distance. Marina engages in animalistic play-acting with both her father, Spyros (Vangelis Mourikis), and Bella, be it jumping up and down like gorillas or hissing at each other like cats.
Like “Dogtooth,” “Attenberg” features a female whose emotional and sexual development is hopelessly stunted. And over the course of both films we watch those characters grapple with and ultimately break free from their bubble. But where “Dogtooth” is about the dangers of statism, “Attenberg” is about the dangers of being an observer of life as opposed to a participant.
“Attenberg” is not for everyone—it’s very avant garde, and at times just plain weird—but it’s a smart and funny look at human nature. If you’re into that kind of thing.
"All Your Dead Ones"
Carlos Moreno first came to Sundance in 2008 with his comic gangster tale, “Dog Eat Dog” (“Perro Come Perro”). He returns this year with another darkly comedic tale, “All Your Dead Ones” (“Todos Sus Muertos”), about a farmer who one day discovers a pile of 50 corpses in his cornfield.
It’s a great conceit, a very simple and clever way to explore the shortsightedness and venality of people, particularly those in power. Much of the humor owes a debt to Hitchcock’s “The Trouble With Harry,” but it would be unfair to dismiss “All Your Dead Ones” as derivative.
“The film has a lot of black humor and deals with the position we take in the moment we are confronted with that kind of situation,” producer Edgar Ramirez explained to us earlier in the week. “It’s not only about what happens in Colombia, it’s about all conflicts. You hear every day, 200 people got killed in whatever place, and you get sorry for like 15 minutes and then your listening to the new Britney Spears song and you forget it because it’s not your people, it’s another person’s dead people.”
It’s a beautifully shot film, with a cool visual wit and Álvaro Rodríguez is great as “Crosseyed,” using his incredibly expressive face and silent-film-worthy physicality to the role. But much of the humor is torpedoed by atrociously translated subtitles that often require untangling, leaving the viewer a half-beat behind the action. Even the title is a tortured construction in English—“Todos Sus Muertos” may be perfectly reasonable phrase in Spanish, but no American would ever say, “Hey, come get all your dead ones.
“All Your Dead Ones” is very nearly great. With a nip and a tuck, and something other than Google Translate, it could’ve reached its potential. Anybody up for doing an American version?
48 Hours Mystery Season 24 Episode 16 Every Picture Tells A Story
Preview of '48 Hours Mystery':
A woman is murdered, but cameras found in her closet reveal clues about her killer. "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: CBS Channel
Episode Details: Season 24 Episode 16
Episode Name: Every Picture Tells A Story
A woman is murdered, but cameras found in her closet reveal clues about her killer. "48 Hours Mystery" correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports
Airing Details: 10:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: CBS Channel
Episode Details: Season 24 Episode 16
Episode Name: Every Picture Tells A Story
"Cedar Rapids" Director Promises to Ask Ed Helms About His Weakness for Hookers
Director Miguel Arteta charmed the pants off an already fawning crowd following the Sundance screening of “Cedar Rapids,” his new comedy starring Ed Helms as a hopeless poindexter who gets caught in the bright lights of the big city.
“Thank you, Buenos Dias,” said Arteta as he took the podium at the Eccles Theater. “Thank you for coming out this early, and I'd love to hear any thoughts, questions…"
"Awesome!" came a shout from the balcony.
Watching the film, it’s easy to be reminded of Helms’ work in “The Hangover,” another film that found him swallowed whole by a city teeming with temptation. But Helms was a part of developing this project before “The Hangover" even opened.
“It all started with Phil Johnston the writer, he's a first-time writer he had this idea. He actually contact Ed Helms even before 'The Hangover,' he had Ed Helms in mind. And he contacted him before he wrote and said, ‘I have this idea about this guy who's terrified to go to the big city of Cedar Rapids. Ed loved it, he said, ‘Let's develop it together, I’m in.’ So there was a lot of love in the development of it, they came up with the script together and then they contacted the King of Midwest Films, Mr. Alexander Payne, and he loved it, and his wonderful producing team got involved. And then they said, OK, who can bring our Midwestern vision to life?"
and they said, ‘A Puerto Rican.’"
But what’s up with Helms and hookers?
“Well, you know, when you look at the hookers he's falling in love with (Alia Shawkat and Heather Graham), it's pretty hard to resist,” answered Arteta. “But that's a very good question, I'm going to ask him--where is he now?”
Supporting Helms is John C. Reilly, who goes all out as Dean Ziegler, a disgusting overgrown frat boy who likes to make cracks about “eating canned tuna from the bottom shelf”; Anne Heche as one of the film’s two femme fatales; and Isiah Whitlock Jr., best know for has role as corrupt politician State Sen. R. Clayton 'Clay' Davis on “The Wire.”
Whitlock’s character, Ronald Wilkes, is a huge fan of “The Wire,” something that was already in the script before Whitlock got involved.
“What's amazing is the ‘Wire’ lines preceded him being in the cast. Phil wrote those ‘Wire’ lines and then we had the absurdity of watching a guy from "The Wire" audition, and we were like, "I guess we're going to have to change that, it's gonna be too meta and then we were like, "Aw, screw it, it's great, let's just have it."
At one point a self-identified “Cedar Rapidian” asked how it was that her hometown became the setting for the film.
“This is, by the way, the first response I've gotten from a native,” began Arteta. "It’s the Quaker capitol of the world. I actually think Iowa is the insurance capitol of the world, all insurance companies have their home base there, that’s' probably why it was set up there. Our writer is from Wisconsin, and he used to do the weather in Iowa, actually. He was a weather reporter for a long time and I think he had a lot of affection for Cedar Rapids.”
A flurry of questions followed about the setting, the location and other matters of geography, forcing Arteta to finally surrender any depth of knowledge on the subject.
“I'm from Puerto Rico, and it was all the Midwest to me,” the director shrugged.
Arteta is another Sundance veteran, whose relationship with the festival has progressed from unknown hoping to make to an established talent returning to premiere a studio film.
“It was a beautiful experience for me as a filmmaker, because I was here one year ago with a movie I made from my garage with credit cards, you know, it was one of the many Sundance stories of somebody that comes out and they pick up your movie and sell it at the festival. And I sold it to the people that made this movie, and they're all still there at Fox Searchlight. It was very gratifying for me to work with the people who bought my first film.”
“What was your first film?” came a shout.
“It was called ‘Star Maps'," said Arteta, who then saw a chance for a plug. “And you can download it on iTunes.”
What about a sequel?
“For this? Cedar Rapids 2: Bugaloo? It's coming up, it's gonna be all about the future of Top Notch Insurance.
There’s a very brief scene, maybe four seconds, in the film with a Jack Nicholson impersonator doing a lounge act, but some poor soul in the audience mistook him for the genuine article and asked Arteta how on Earth he got Jack to take such a small role. You could argue that his answer was either very kind or very cruel. Either way, it was a pretty amusing bit of deadpan.
"Well, you know, Alexander work with Jack on About Schmidt, so we were able to pull him in and come and do that loge act for us."
“Do you do stand-up, too?” came one last shout.
“No. My dogs love hearing all my material.”
“Thank you, Buenos Dias,” said Arteta as he took the podium at the Eccles Theater. “Thank you for coming out this early, and I'd love to hear any thoughts, questions…"
"Awesome!" came a shout from the balcony.
Watching the film, it’s easy to be reminded of Helms’ work in “The Hangover,” another film that found him swallowed whole by a city teeming with temptation. But Helms was a part of developing this project before “The Hangover" even opened.
“It all started with Phil Johnston the writer, he's a first-time writer he had this idea. He actually contact Ed Helms even before 'The Hangover,' he had Ed Helms in mind. And he contacted him before he wrote and said, ‘I have this idea about this guy who's terrified to go to the big city of Cedar Rapids. Ed loved it, he said, ‘Let's develop it together, I’m in.’ So there was a lot of love in the development of it, they came up with the script together and then they contacted the King of Midwest Films, Mr. Alexander Payne, and he loved it, and his wonderful producing team got involved. And then they said, OK, who can bring our Midwestern vision to life?"
and they said, ‘A Puerto Rican.’"
But what’s up with Helms and hookers?
“Well, you know, when you look at the hookers he's falling in love with (Alia Shawkat and Heather Graham), it's pretty hard to resist,” answered Arteta. “But that's a very good question, I'm going to ask him--where is he now?”
Supporting Helms is John C. Reilly, who goes all out as Dean Ziegler, a disgusting overgrown frat boy who likes to make cracks about “eating canned tuna from the bottom shelf”; Anne Heche as one of the film’s two femme fatales; and Isiah Whitlock Jr., best know for has role as corrupt politician State Sen. R. Clayton 'Clay' Davis on “The Wire.”
Whitlock’s character, Ronald Wilkes, is a huge fan of “The Wire,” something that was already in the script before Whitlock got involved.
“What's amazing is the ‘Wire’ lines preceded him being in the cast. Phil wrote those ‘Wire’ lines and then we had the absurdity of watching a guy from "The Wire" audition, and we were like, "I guess we're going to have to change that, it's gonna be too meta and then we were like, "Aw, screw it, it's great, let's just have it."
At one point a self-identified “Cedar Rapidian” asked how it was that her hometown became the setting for the film.
“This is, by the way, the first response I've gotten from a native,” began Arteta. "It’s the Quaker capitol of the world. I actually think Iowa is the insurance capitol of the world, all insurance companies have their home base there, that’s' probably why it was set up there. Our writer is from Wisconsin, and he used to do the weather in Iowa, actually. He was a weather reporter for a long time and I think he had a lot of affection for Cedar Rapids.”
A flurry of questions followed about the setting, the location and other matters of geography, forcing Arteta to finally surrender any depth of knowledge on the subject.
“I'm from Puerto Rico, and it was all the Midwest to me,” the director shrugged.
Arteta is another Sundance veteran, whose relationship with the festival has progressed from unknown hoping to make to an established talent returning to premiere a studio film.
“It was a beautiful experience for me as a filmmaker, because I was here one year ago with a movie I made from my garage with credit cards, you know, it was one of the many Sundance stories of somebody that comes out and they pick up your movie and sell it at the festival. And I sold it to the people that made this movie, and they're all still there at Fox Searchlight. It was very gratifying for me to work with the people who bought my first film.”
“What was your first film?” came a shout.
“It was called ‘Star Maps'," said Arteta, who then saw a chance for a plug. “And you can download it on iTunes.”
What about a sequel?
“For this? Cedar Rapids 2: Bugaloo? It's coming up, it's gonna be all about the future of Top Notch Insurance.
There’s a very brief scene, maybe four seconds, in the film with a Jack Nicholson impersonator doing a lounge act, but some poor soul in the audience mistook him for the genuine article and asked Arteta how on Earth he got Jack to take such a small role. You could argue that his answer was either very kind or very cruel. Either way, it was a pretty amusing bit of deadpan.
"Well, you know, Alexander work with Jack on About Schmidt, so we were able to pull him in and come and do that loge act for us."
“Do you do stand-up, too?” came one last shout.
“No. My dogs love hearing all my material.”
Primeval Season 4 Episode 5
Preview of 'Primeval':
Connor and Abby come across myths, fraudsters and a deadly Labyrinthodont as they investigate odd anomaly signals in a small coastal village. Meanwhile, Emily's disappearance sets Matt on a journey to hunt her down.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBCA Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 5
Episode Name: EPISODE: 5
Connor and Abby come across myths, fraudsters and a deadly Labyrinthodont as they investigate odd anomaly signals in a small coastal village. Meanwhile, Emily's disappearance sets Matt on a journey to hunt her down.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBCA Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 5
Episode Name: EPISODE: 5
Derek Hough to Take “Dancing” Break for Film Role
“Dancing” pro Derek Hough is following his sister Julianne’s lead from the ballroom to the silver screen.
The three-time “Dancing with the Stars” champion will take temporary leave of the ABC hit to shoot a “Romeo & Juliet”-esque film about star-crossed lovers from rival dance clubs, Access Hollywood confirmed.
Hough will star in “Cobu 3D” opposite Korean pop star BoA, Deadline.com first reported.
“Save the Last Dance” scribe Duane Adler wrote “Cobu’s” screenplay and has also signed on to direct the project, according to Deadline.
In a statement to Access, “Dancing with the Stars” executive producer Conrad Green said he expected Hough’s return to TV by fall.
Hough’s sister, Julianne, twice won the reality dancing competition and has taken time off from the show to pursue her country music career and, most recently, to film the upcoming Paramount remake of “Footloose.”
The three-time “Dancing with the Stars” champion will take temporary leave of the ABC hit to shoot a “Romeo & Juliet”-esque film about star-crossed lovers from rival dance clubs, Access Hollywood confirmed.
Hough will star in “Cobu 3D” opposite Korean pop star BoA, Deadline.com first reported.
“Save the Last Dance” scribe Duane Adler wrote “Cobu’s” screenplay and has also signed on to direct the project, according to Deadline.
In a statement to Access, “Dancing with the Stars” executive producer Conrad Green said he expected Hough’s return to TV by fall.
Hough’s sister, Julianne, twice won the reality dancing competition and has taken time off from the show to pursue her country music career and, most recently, to film the upcoming Paramount remake of “Footloose.”
Dear Genevieve Season 4 Episode 5 Mark and Nellie's Living Room
Preview of 'Dear Genevieve':
Mark and Nellie's outdated living room serves a lot of roles for their family. For Nellie, it's a space to run her cake business. For Mark, it's a place to hang out and watch television. It's a playroom for the kids and a de-facto dining room most nights. Genevieve must update the dark faux-brick decor into a brighter room that can still serve its multitude of roles, but with a budget of only $3000 Genevieve and her team have got to stretch every dollar!
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HGTV Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 5
Episode Name: Mark and Nellie's Living Room
Mark and Nellie's outdated living room serves a lot of roles for their family. For Nellie, it's a space to run her cake business. For Mark, it's a place to hang out and watch television. It's a playroom for the kids and a de-facto dining room most nights. Genevieve must update the dark faux-brick decor into a brighter room that can still serve its multitude of roles, but with a budget of only $3000 Genevieve and her team have got to stretch every dollar!
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HGTV Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 5
Episode Name: Mark and Nellie's Living Room
Austin City Limits Season 36 Episode 13 Lyle Lovett / Bob Schneider
Preview of 'Austin City Limits':
Since his first headlining appearance on Austin City Limits in 1987, Lyle Lovett has been a dear friend and key figure in the show’s history. An iconic Texas artist with strong country-western roots, the scope of Lovett’s
musical appetites harvesting elements from gospel, jazz, pop, and folk has lent itself to a body of work that truly reflects the spirit of Austin City Limits.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: PBS Channel
Episode Details: Season 36 Episode 13
Episode Name: Lyle Lovett / Bob Schneider
Since his first headlining appearance on Austin City Limits in 1987, Lyle Lovett has been a dear friend and key figure in the show’s history. An iconic Texas artist with strong country-western roots, the scope of Lovett’s
musical appetites harvesting elements from gospel, jazz, pop, and folk has lent itself to a body of work that truly reflects the spirit of Austin City Limits.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: PBS Channel
Episode Details: Season 36 Episode 13
Episode Name: Lyle Lovett / Bob Schneider
Charlie's Other Porn Star: New Girls Are Idiots
Capri Anderson, the porn star from Charlie Sheen's other bender back in October, thinks the girls who went to party at Charlie's place this week are "out of their minds" for going to his house after what happened to her.
Capri tells TMZ she was "completely shocked" when she heard what happened -- not so much about Charlie going off the wagon -- but the fact that girls actually hung out at his place.
Capri believes the women are "idiots" and wonders, "Why would they take this kind of chance to hang out with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"
She also thinks Charlie is a "horrible father figure" --and she feels bad for his kids ... because she grew up in a situation similar to the one Sheen's twins are having to endure.
Capri tells TMZ she was "completely shocked" when she heard what happened -- not so much about Charlie going off the wagon -- but the fact that girls actually hung out at his place.
Capri believes the women are "idiots" and wonders, "Why would they take this kind of chance to hang out with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?"
She also thinks Charlie is a "horrible father figure" --and she feels bad for his kids ... because she grew up in a situation similar to the one Sheen's twins are having to endure.
America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back Season 24 Episode 14
Preview of 'America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back':
A decorated soldier is shot in the face by two men he had earlier stopped from harassing a woman outside a nightclub.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: FOX Channel
Episode Details: Season 24 Episode 14
Episode Name: EPISODE: 14
A decorated soldier is shot in the face by two men he had earlier stopped from harassing a woman outside a nightclub.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: FOX Channel
Episode Details: Season 24 Episode 14
Episode Name: EPISODE: 14
Color Splash Season 8 Episode 12 Beach Cottage Living Room Inspired...
Preview of 'Color Splash':
Designer David Bromstad designs a beach cottage living room inspired by Miami boutique restaurant and hotel Casa Tua. Included, a ceiling treatment, custom bookshelves and slip covered chairs.
Airing Details: 8:30 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HGTV Channel
Episode Details: Season 8 Episode 12
Episode Name: Beach Cottage Living Room Inspired...
Designer David Bromstad designs a beach cottage living room inspired by Miami boutique restaurant and hotel Casa Tua. Included, a ceiling treatment, custom bookshelves and slip covered chairs.
Airing Details: 8:30 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HGTV Channel
Episode Details: Season 8 Episode 12
Episode Name: Beach Cottage Living Room Inspired...
Bruno Mars Dodges A Bullet in Cocaine Case
Bruno Mars has cut a deal with the Clark County District Attorney's Office, in which Mars will not have a conviction on his record for his Las Vegas cocaine arrest ... TMZ has learned.
Sources tell TMZ ... the D.A. has agreed to a "deferred adjudication" -- translation ... if he stays out of trouble for 12 months and does a little community service, it's like nothing ever happened.
Mars was arrested in September at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, after a bathroom attendant ratted him out and told security there was a man in a stall doing drugs.
Under the deal, which attorney Blair Berk orchestrated with prosecutors, Mars will do 200 hours of community service and undergo private counseling.
At the end of the 12-month period, the felony will be officially dismissed.
Sources tell TMZ ... the D.A. has agreed to a "deferred adjudication" -- translation ... if he stays out of trouble for 12 months and does a little community service, it's like nothing ever happened.
Mars was arrested in September at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, after a bathroom attendant ratted him out and told security there was a man in a stall doing drugs.
Under the deal, which attorney Blair Berk orchestrated with prosecutors, Mars will do 200 hours of community service and undergo private counseling.
At the end of the 12-month period, the felony will be officially dismissed.
It's Me Or The Dog Season 3 Episode 4 Bad to the Bone
Preview of 'It's Me Or The Dog':
Victoria Stilwell plays referee in a warring family's bitter fight, sparked by their unruly Pitbull and a painful history.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ANIMAL PLANET Channel
Episode Details: Season 3 Episode 4
Episode Name: Bad to the Bone
Victoria Stilwell plays referee in a warring family's bitter fight, sparked by their unruly Pitbull and a painful history.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ANIMAL PLANET Channel
Episode Details: Season 3 Episode 4
Episode Name: Bad to the Bone
Jason Davis -- Arrested For Drug Possession
Jason Davis -- the famously inebriated grandson of Marvin Davis and alum of "Celebrity Rehab" -- was arrested last night in Newport Beach, CA. for possession of a controlled substance ... TMZ has learned.
The arrest comes a day after the "Celebrity Rehab" live reunion show, in which Jason claimed to be clean.
Davis -- brother of Brandon Davis -- is otherwise known on TMZ as Gummi Bear. He's been busted for heroin in th past.
Davis is being held on $20,000 bail.
UPDATE: Dr. Drew, host of "Celebrity Rehab," tells TMZ, "Jason was honest about his struggles with his sobriety on the reunion show. Hopefully, now that there are legal conquesces, further treatment will be mandated, which he so desperately needs. As I said when I saw him Wednesday, we care for him very deeply and we are here for him."
The arrest comes a day after the "Celebrity Rehab" live reunion show, in which Jason claimed to be clean.
Davis -- brother of Brandon Davis -- is otherwise known on TMZ as Gummi Bear. He's been busted for heroin in th past.
Davis is being held on $20,000 bail.
UPDATE: Dr. Drew, host of "Celebrity Rehab," tells TMZ, "Jason was honest about his struggles with his sobriety on the reunion show. Hopefully, now that there are legal conquesces, further treatment will be mandated, which he so desperately needs. As I said when I saw him Wednesday, we care for him very deeply and we are here for him."
Mel Gibson -- Someone Stole My Beaver!
Mel Gibson's mailbox was broken into Wednesday ... and cops are now on the hunt for a beaver.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Summit Entertainment -- which is distributing Mel's upcoming movie, "The Beaver" -- gave Mel the final cut of the movie on DVD. Mel screened it at his home, and at 10:45 AM put the DVD in his mailbox so a courier could pick it up and return it to Summit.
We're told the courier showed up at 2:30 PM Wednesday, and the DVD was missing.
The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is now on the case. But here's the sad part -- It's being investigated as a petty theft.
But don't worry Mel -- it's petty theft because of the value of the DVD. We're sure the movie is awesome.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, Summit Entertainment -- which is distributing Mel's upcoming movie, "The Beaver" -- gave Mel the final cut of the movie on DVD. Mel screened it at his home, and at 10:45 AM put the DVD in his mailbox so a courier could pick it up and return it to Summit.
We're told the courier showed up at 2:30 PM Wednesday, and the DVD was missing.
The L.A. County Sheriff's Department is now on the case. But here's the sad part -- It's being investigated as a petty theft.
But don't worry Mel -- it's petty theft because of the value of the DVD. We're sure the movie is awesome.
Goodnight for Justice Original Telefilm
Preview of 'Goodnight for Justice':
John Goodnight has a crystal clear memory of the day that his family fell victim to ruthless outlaws. He and the wife of Circuit Judge Aldous Shaw were the only survivors of the attack; she would become his foster mother. Goodnight cannot forget the corrupt man who destroyed his family and he lives for a second chance encounter with the outlaw.
After Goodnight has a rocky start as a solicitor, the Governor swears him in as the Western Territories next Circuit Judge. Goodnight travels the West seeking protection for the innocent, until one fateful day, when his journey takes him to a place that is all too familiar. Starring Luke Perry, directed by Jason Priestley.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HMC Channel
Episode Details: Original Telefilm
Episode Name:
John Goodnight has a crystal clear memory of the day that his family fell victim to ruthless outlaws. He and the wife of Circuit Judge Aldous Shaw were the only survivors of the attack; she would become his foster mother. Goodnight cannot forget the corrupt man who destroyed his family and he lives for a second chance encounter with the outlaw.
After Goodnight has a rocky start as a solicitor, the Governor swears him in as the Western Territories next Circuit Judge. Goodnight travels the West seeking protection for the innocent, until one fateful day, when his journey takes him to a place that is all too familiar. Starring Luke Perry, directed by Jason Priestley.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HMC Channel
Episode Details: Original Telefilm
Episode Name:
Vietnam War Saves 'CHiPs' Star from Jail
Larry Wilcox – star of the '80s show “CHiPs” -- was spared a jail sentence for his role in a financial scheme ... partly because he fought in the Vietnam War.
Wilcox -- had recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and was facing up to five years in federal prison. Instead, Wilcox was sentenced to 3 years probation and 500 hours of community service.
After Wilcox shed a few tears inside the courtroom, the judge explained the actor was spared the slammer because of his service in Vietnam coupled with his extensive record of community service.
Wilcox joined the Marines in 1967 and spent 13 months in Vietnam as an artilleryman.
Semper Fi.
Wilcox -- had recently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and was facing up to five years in federal prison. Instead, Wilcox was sentenced to 3 years probation and 500 hours of community service.
After Wilcox shed a few tears inside the courtroom, the judge explained the actor was spared the slammer because of his service in Vietnam coupled with his extensive record of community service.
Wilcox joined the Marines in 1967 and spent 13 months in Vietnam as an artilleryman.
Semper Fi.
Cops Season 23 Episode 13 Coast To Coast
Preview of 'Cops':
A suspect on a bike tries to flee while being questioned by officers; a woman with a warrant out for her arrest claims she was assaulted; a man claims a neighbor chased him with a knife.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: FOX Channel
Episode Details: Season 23 Episode 13
Episode Name: Coast To Coast
A suspect on a bike tries to flee while being questioned by officers; a woman with a warrant out for her arrest claims she was assaulted; a man claims a neighbor chased him with a knife.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: FOX Channel
Episode Details: Season 23 Episode 13
Episode Name: Coast To Coast
'Golden Voice' -- The Secret Homeless Money Drop
Ted Williams just pulled off a HUGE surprise for the homeless man he shared a tent with on the streets of Ohio -- when he drove up to his friend's corner and dropped off a MAJOR wad of cash.
Sources connected to "Golden Voice" tell us ... shortly after Ted ditched rehab, he reappeared at his old stomping grounds Monday ... but this time he was being driven around in a black SUV.
We're told Ted located a man named Victor (pictured right) -- his best friend and tent-mate on the streets --and immediately pulled over the car.
The reunion was emotional -- and after the men exchanged a hug and some kind words, Ted gave Victor a wad of cash and promised to help him out once he gets his own life back in order.
Sources connected to "Golden Voice" tell us ... shortly after Ted ditched rehab, he reappeared at his old stomping grounds Monday ... but this time he was being driven around in a black SUV.
We're told Ted located a man named Victor (pictured right) -- his best friend and tent-mate on the streets --and immediately pulled over the car.
The reunion was emotional -- and after the men exchanged a hug and some kind words, Ted gave Victor a wad of cash and promised to help him out once he gets his own life back in order.
Candice Tells All Season 1 Episode 5 Contemporary Cultural Design
Preview of 'Candice Tells All':
Creating a space that evokes a unique and authentic cultural look requires a lot of planning. In this episode, Candice shares the secrets of cultural design to show a family of three lovely South Asian women how to transform their drab family room from dull golfer's den to a space with an exciting modern Masala vibe.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HGTV Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 5
Episode Name: Contemporary Cultural Design
Creating a space that evokes a unique and authentic cultural look requires a lot of planning. In this episode, Candice shares the secrets of cultural design to show a family of three lovely South Asian women how to transform their drab family room from dull golfer's den to a space with an exciting modern Masala vibe.
Airing Details: 8:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: HGTV Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 5
Episode Name: Contemporary Cultural Design
Charlie Sheen Checks In to Rehab
Charlie Sheen voluntarily checked himself in to an undisclosed rehab facility earlier today ... and his show "Two and a Half Men" has been placed on indefinite "hiatus" while he undergoes treatment.
"Two and a Half Men" producers released a statement saying, "Due to Charlie Sheen’s decision to enter a rehabilitation center, CBS, Warner Bros. Television and executive producer Chuck Lorre are placing “Two and a Half Men” on production hiatus."
The statement continues, "We are profoundly concerned for his health and well-being, and support his decision."
Sheen's publicist tells us, "He is most grateful to all who have expressed their concern."
As TMZ previously reported, Sheen had a briefcase of cocaine delivered to his mansion during a 36-hour bender earlier this week ... and was hospitalized early Thursday morning for a hiatal hernia.
"Two and a Half Men" producers released a statement saying, "Due to Charlie Sheen’s decision to enter a rehabilitation center, CBS, Warner Bros. Television and executive producer Chuck Lorre are placing “Two and a Half Men” on production hiatus."
The statement continues, "We are profoundly concerned for his health and well-being, and support his decision."
Sheen's publicist tells us, "He is most grateful to all who have expressed their concern."
As TMZ previously reported, Sheen had a briefcase of cocaine delivered to his mansion during a 36-hour bender earlier this week ... and was hospitalized early Thursday morning for a hiatal hernia.
Nurse Jackie Season 2 Episode 2 Twitter
Preview of 'Nurse Jackie':
Drama series about Jackie Peyton, a no-nonsense emergency room nurse based in New York, who has to balance her frenzied job with a complicated home life.
Jackie cuts through red tape to speed up a boy's diagnosis, irritating Dr. Cooper, who has taken to Twitter as a way to vent his anger. Mourning her mother's death, O'Hara shows up after a night of clubbing so Jackie covers for her while she comes down from ecstasy. Eddie visits the bar and continues his friendship with Kevin.
Airing Details: 10:40 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC TWO Channel
Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 2
Episode Name: Twitter
Drama series about Jackie Peyton, a no-nonsense emergency room nurse based in New York, who has to balance her frenzied job with a complicated home life.
Jackie cuts through red tape to speed up a boy's diagnosis, irritating Dr. Cooper, who has taken to Twitter as a way to vent his anger. Mourning her mother's death, O'Hara shows up after a night of clubbing so Jackie covers for her while she comes down from ecstasy. Eddie visits the bar and continues his friendship with Kevin.
Airing Details: 10:40 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC TWO Channel
Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 2
Episode Name: Twitter
Demi Lovato Leaves Treatment Facility
Demi Lovato has completed her stint in a treatment facility and is already back in L.A. ... TMZ has learned.
Sources close to Demi tell us ... the actress wants to focus on getting back into her "regular routine" and spend time with her family and close friends.
We're told Demi will continue to seek treatment for her issues while in L.A.
As TMZ first reported, Demi went to the treatment center after punching a backup dancer on a tour with the Jonas Brothers -- and claims she sought help for "emotional and physical issues."
UPDATE: Demi was spotted out this afternoon in Santa Monica.
Sources close to Demi tell us ... the actress wants to focus on getting back into her "regular routine" and spend time with her family and close friends.
We're told Demi will continue to seek treatment for her issues while in L.A.
As TMZ first reported, Demi went to the treatment center after punching a backup dancer on a tour with the Jonas Brothers -- and claims she sought help for "emotional and physical issues."
UPDATE: Demi was spotted out this afternoon in Santa Monica.
The Tudors Season 4 Episode 2
Preview of 'The Tudors':
Historical drama. Unaware King Henry is ailing, young Queen Katherine's growing resentment at how others treat her prompts a rash liaison.
Airing Details: 9:45 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC TWO Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 2
Episode Name: EPISODE: 2
Historical drama. Unaware King Henry is ailing, young Queen Katherine's growing resentment at how others treat her prompts a rash liaison.
Airing Details: 9:45 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC TWO Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 2
Episode Name: EPISODE: 2
CSI: NY Season 7 Episode 4 Sangre Por Sangre
Preview of 'CSI: NY':
When the leader of Harlem's El Puno gang is murdered, the CSIs initially suspect a rival gang. However Mac, who has previous dealings with the old head honcho, soon becomes to suspect that the killing and several that follow it are the work of a young upstart within the gang.
Airing Details: 9:10 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: Five Channel
Episode Details: Season 7 Episode 4
Episode Name: Sangre Por Sangre
When the leader of Harlem's El Puno gang is murdered, the CSIs initially suspect a rival gang. However Mac, who has previous dealings with the old head honcho, soon becomes to suspect that the killing and several that follow it are the work of a young upstart within the gang.
Airing Details: 9:10 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: Five Channel
Episode Details: Season 7 Episode 4
Episode Name: Sangre Por Sangre
The Million Pound Drop Live Season 4 Episode 2
Preview of 'The Million Pound Drop Live':
The new series of the high jeopardy interactive game show continues. Davina McCall is at the helm once again and viewers can get involved by playing the hugely popular game online.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: Channel 4
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 2
Episode Name: EPISODE: 2
The new series of the high jeopardy interactive game show continues. Davina McCall is at the helm once again and viewers can get involved by playing the hugely popular game online.
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: Channel 4
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 2
Episode Name: EPISODE: 2
Arsenal Transfer Update: There Could Be a New Center Back, but It'd Be a Shock
The January Transfer window will be closed in just a matter of days. That leaves Arsenal very little time to make what is a very necessary center back signing. Earlier this month Arsene Wenger said that the best option would be to loan a center back short term rather than buy one. This would prove to a good arrangement, as if Arsenal bought another center back they would “too many”. But why hasn’t Wenger acted on this.
At the beginning of January Arsene Wenger told the Official Arsenal website that he would only buy a center back if injured center back Thomas Vermaelen suffered a setback in his rehabilitation and was not able to come back before the end of the month. And guess what happened next. Vermaelen had a setback.
What’s more? Summer signing Sebastein Squillaci suffered a hamstring injury, leaving us with only two fit center backs. Wenger then made another statement saying he was looking for a center back to sign, but had made no progress in finding one.
Earlier this week Arsene told the Official Arsenal website that he would try to get a center back on loan to serve as cover for our two, soon to be three, fit center backs.
Now, it seems, Wenger has no intention of center backs at all, on loan or otherwise. Arsene Wenger says he would be "surprised" if Arsenal made a new signing before the transfer window closes. How would that surprise him? Isn’t that largely up to him? He said he would get someone, didn’t he?
Now Wenger says that he is confident that Arsenal will cope if they do not make a new signing before the transfer window closes.
Wenger has been seriously on the look-out for defensive reinforcements since Sebastien Squillaci joined Thomas Vermaelen on the injury list after the FA Cup tie against Leeds on January 8.
However the French defender has now overcome his hamstring problem and could return for Sunday's FA Cup tie against Huddersfield. The transfer deadline passes the day after but Wenger says he cannot foresee any activity before then.
“I would not see it as a missed opportunity,” said Wenger.
“Vermaelen looks to be making good progress, Squillaci is back available, so that was the only position we were short, at centre-backs. If I don't make any signings it is because I have not identified a special player who could strengthen our squad at the moment.”
"Transfer-wise there is no news and I would be surprised if there is any," he said.
At the beginning of January Arsene Wenger told the Official Arsenal website that he would only buy a center back if injured center back Thomas Vermaelen suffered a setback in his rehabilitation and was not able to come back before the end of the month. And guess what happened next. Vermaelen had a setback.
What’s more? Summer signing Sebastein Squillaci suffered a hamstring injury, leaving us with only two fit center backs. Wenger then made another statement saying he was looking for a center back to sign, but had made no progress in finding one.
Earlier this week Arsene told the Official Arsenal website that he would try to get a center back on loan to serve as cover for our two, soon to be three, fit center backs.
Now, it seems, Wenger has no intention of center backs at all, on loan or otherwise. Arsene Wenger says he would be "surprised" if Arsenal made a new signing before the transfer window closes. How would that surprise him? Isn’t that largely up to him? He said he would get someone, didn’t he?
Now Wenger says that he is confident that Arsenal will cope if they do not make a new signing before the transfer window closes.
Wenger has been seriously on the look-out for defensive reinforcements since Sebastien Squillaci joined Thomas Vermaelen on the injury list after the FA Cup tie against Leeds on January 8.
However the French defender has now overcome his hamstring problem and could return for Sunday's FA Cup tie against Huddersfield. The transfer deadline passes the day after but Wenger says he cannot foresee any activity before then.
“I would not see it as a missed opportunity,” said Wenger.
“Vermaelen looks to be making good progress, Squillaci is back available, so that was the only position we were short, at centre-backs. If I don't make any signings it is because I have not identified a special player who could strengthen our squad at the moment.”
"Transfer-wise there is no news and I would be surprised if there is any," he said.
Casualty Season 25 Episode 22 A Lion Roars
Preview of 'Casualty':
Medical drama series. After her last beating, Kirsty decides that enough is enough, and it is time to leave. But will she be able to get out of Holby without Warren and the gang finding out?
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 25 Episode 22
Episode Name: A Lion Roars
Medical drama series. After her last beating, Kirsty decides that enough is enough, and it is time to leave. But will she be able to get out of Holby without Warren and the gang finding out?
Airing Details: 9:00 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 25 Episode 22
Episode Name: A Lion Roars
Bayern Munich News: German Cup Semifinal, Clash Against Werder Bremen and More
Bayern Munich won two games in a row this week as they booked a spot in the German Cup semifinal.
Borussia Dortmund drew against Stuttgart and Bayern made up some lost ground. As second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and third-placed Hanover go head to head this week, Bayern will go up to third with a win over Werder. Last week, the demolition of FCK truly displayed the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Bayern.
They took the lead through Arjen Robben, and Mario Gomez scored a second to put them 2-0 up. However, the defence then fell asleep allowing FCK to come back into the match. Bayern looked nervous at 2-1. However, Gomez then scored two goals and Thomas Mueller added one at the closing stages to wrap up the match and take Bayern up to fourth spot in the Bundesliga table.
Dortmund found out this week that they will have to do without influential midfielder Shinji Kagawa for the rest of the season. Dortmund's profligacy in front of goal cost them against Stuttgart. Lucas Barrios' form is poor and Robert Lewandowski isn't putting away his chances either. Due to Barrios' fitness, there was a bit of a disagreement between Juergen Klopp and the Paraguyan. Barrios feels he is fit enough to start but Klopp disagrees.
Bayern's confidence was further boosted by a win over Alemannia Aachen. Gomez once again opened the scoring and Thomas Mueller put in a stellar performance. Mueller scored twice while substitute Robben added a late goal to send Bayern into the German Cup semi-finals. They will know their opponents on Sunday. Their opponents might be Duisburg, Energie Cottbus or Schalke. Uli Hoeness wants to play Schalke, a side his Bayern lost to not too long ago.
What conspired before the match against Alemannia was the talk amongst the media and the fans. Dutch midfielder, fan favourite and Bayern captain Mark Van Bommel said a painful goodbye to the club. Disagreements between him and Louis Van Gaal (who else?) apparently led to Van Bommel leaving Bayern. His contract at FCB was terminated and he joined AC Milan on a six-month deal. Van Bommel didn't produce his best this season but will surely be missed. He will perhaps be seen supporting Bayern at the San Siro in February. Who knows?
Edson Braafheid has also left Bayern for greener pastures. He has joined Hoffenheim. David Alaba is currently at Hoffenheim on a loan spell. The rumours of Diego Contento being sent on loan seems to be over. Bayern has been linked with a move for Juan Manuel Vargas. The move might not materialize as Fiorentina has firmly refused to allow Vargas to leave.
Werder Bremen is Bayern's next league opponent. They play the relegation-threatened Green and Whites at the Weser Stadium on Saturday. Bayern will be without the services of Toni Kroos, Ivica Olic, Diego Contento and Franck Ribery. Werder will have to do without Sebastian Boenisch, Christian Vander, Marko Arnautovic, Naldo, Daniel Jensen and Wesley. Tim Borowski has returned to the scene on the positive side.
Werder's poor defence has not been covered for by the offence this year. The offence has failed to produce since Mesut Ozil's sale to Real Madrid. Werder has purchased a Schalke youngster called Predrag Stevanovic. Could he be the next Ozil?
Bayern is playing too well to fail to beat Werder. A couple of goals from Mario Gomez and a masterclass by Robben seems to be on the cards in this one, despite Bayern's poor away form.
Borussia Dortmund drew against Stuttgart and Bayern made up some lost ground. As second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and third-placed Hanover go head to head this week, Bayern will go up to third with a win over Werder. Last week, the demolition of FCK truly displayed the Jekyll and Hyde nature of Bayern.
They took the lead through Arjen Robben, and Mario Gomez scored a second to put them 2-0 up. However, the defence then fell asleep allowing FCK to come back into the match. Bayern looked nervous at 2-1. However, Gomez then scored two goals and Thomas Mueller added one at the closing stages to wrap up the match and take Bayern up to fourth spot in the Bundesliga table.
Dortmund found out this week that they will have to do without influential midfielder Shinji Kagawa for the rest of the season. Dortmund's profligacy in front of goal cost them against Stuttgart. Lucas Barrios' form is poor and Robert Lewandowski isn't putting away his chances either. Due to Barrios' fitness, there was a bit of a disagreement between Juergen Klopp and the Paraguyan. Barrios feels he is fit enough to start but Klopp disagrees.
Bayern's confidence was further boosted by a win over Alemannia Aachen. Gomez once again opened the scoring and Thomas Mueller put in a stellar performance. Mueller scored twice while substitute Robben added a late goal to send Bayern into the German Cup semi-finals. They will know their opponents on Sunday. Their opponents might be Duisburg, Energie Cottbus or Schalke. Uli Hoeness wants to play Schalke, a side his Bayern lost to not too long ago.
What conspired before the match against Alemannia was the talk amongst the media and the fans. Dutch midfielder, fan favourite and Bayern captain Mark Van Bommel said a painful goodbye to the club. Disagreements between him and Louis Van Gaal (who else?) apparently led to Van Bommel leaving Bayern. His contract at FCB was terminated and he joined AC Milan on a six-month deal. Van Bommel didn't produce his best this season but will surely be missed. He will perhaps be seen supporting Bayern at the San Siro in February. Who knows?
Edson Braafheid has also left Bayern for greener pastures. He has joined Hoffenheim. David Alaba is currently at Hoffenheim on a loan spell. The rumours of Diego Contento being sent on loan seems to be over. Bayern has been linked with a move for Juan Manuel Vargas. The move might not materialize as Fiorentina has firmly refused to allow Vargas to leave.
Werder Bremen is Bayern's next league opponent. They play the relegation-threatened Green and Whites at the Weser Stadium on Saturday. Bayern will be without the services of Toni Kroos, Ivica Olic, Diego Contento and Franck Ribery. Werder will have to do without Sebastian Boenisch, Christian Vander, Marko Arnautovic, Naldo, Daniel Jensen and Wesley. Tim Borowski has returned to the scene on the positive side.
Werder's poor defence has not been covered for by the offence this year. The offence has failed to produce since Mesut Ozil's sale to Real Madrid. Werder has purchased a Schalke youngster called Predrag Stevanovic. Could he be the next Ozil?
Bayern is playing too well to fail to beat Werder. A couple of goals from Mario Gomez and a masterclass by Robben seems to be on the cards in this one, despite Bayern's poor away form.
Take Me Out Season 2 Episode 7
Preview of 'Take Me Out ':
Matchmaker Paddy McGuinness tries to arrange dates for 30 loveless ladies. But will Cupid's arrow strike with his new battalion of bachelors? A Scottish hockey champion, a dreadlocked drummer, a graphic designer and a cheeky gym manager go all out to battle for the girls' affections. But who will keep their lights turned on and win themselves a date? Plus find out how last week's couples fared on their dates on the sunny Isle of Fernandos.
Airing Details: 8:15 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ITV1 Channel
Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 7
Episode Name: EPISODE: 7
Matchmaker Paddy McGuinness tries to arrange dates for 30 loveless ladies. But will Cupid's arrow strike with his new battalion of bachelors? A Scottish hockey champion, a dreadlocked drummer, a graphic designer and a cheeky gym manager go all out to battle for the girls' affections. But who will keep their lights turned on and win themselves a date? Plus find out how last week's couples fared on their dates on the sunny Isle of Fernandos.
Airing Details: 8:15 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ITV1 Channel
Episode Details: Season 2 Episode 7
Episode Name: EPISODE: 7
National Lottery - In It to Win It Season 12 Episode 7
Preview of 'National Lottery - In It to Win It':
Dale Winton hosts the quiz show where five contestants compete to be in the right place at the right time in a bid to win a big money jackpot. All five could share it or just one of them could take the lot.
Includes Thunderball, Dream Number and Lotto Draws live from Lottery HQ with Jenni Falconer.
Airing Details: 8:10 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 12 Episode 7
Episode Name: EPISODE: 7
Dale Winton hosts the quiz show where five contestants compete to be in the right place at the right time in a bid to win a big money jackpot. All five could share it or just one of them could take the lot.
Includes Thunderball, Dream Number and Lotto Draws live from Lottery HQ with Jenni Falconer.
Airing Details: 8:10 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 12 Episode 7
Episode Name: EPISODE: 7
Andy Murray Fights Past David Ferrer Into Australian Open Final
The British Empire is one win away from finally breaking its Grand Slam drought.
On Friday night down under, No. 5 Andy Murray put on a masterful display of "tennis geometry," to defeat the aggressive, fiery David Ferrer4-6, 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-6(2), and reach the Australian Open finals, where he will take on Serbia'sNovak Djokovic.
It is Murray's second straight Australian Open final, and his third in four years. Using his long frame to flick balls just outside of the feisty Ferrer's reach, Murray dominated the fourth-set tie-breaker, seeming to move in slow motion to push one last shot past his opponent's racquet.
It was Ferrer's 10th straight tie-breaker loss at the Australian Open.
Murray's own mental error might have been his saving grace. Down 6-4, 5-4 in the second set, he rallied to break Ferrer and tie the set on his way to a 7-6(2) victory. However, Murray was surprised when he realized he had tied the set at 5-5.
"You might not believe this, but I actually thought it was 4-3," Murray said in his post-match interview. "I didn't know until the umpire called it 5-5. That probably helped me, I wasn't as nervous."
No player from Great Britain—Murray is Scottish—has won a Grand Slam since Fred Perry went back to back at Wimbledon and the US Open since 1936.
It's been tough for UK players to even make a final since. Bunny Austin lost in the finals of the French Open in 1937 and Wimbledon in 1938, then no player made a Grand Slam final until John Lloyd lost the 1977 Australian Open crown.
It was another 20 years until Greg Rusedski made the finals at the US Open in 1997, falling to Patrick Rafter in four sets.
After that, no British player reached a final until Murray lost the 2008 US Open final to Federer. He reached the Australian Open final last year, losing to Federer again.
Ferrer's tenacity proved his place in the semifinals was far more than just a by-product of Rafael Nadal's injury status. It was the first Grand Slam semifinal he had ever reached.
"He's an unbelievable athlete, he works so hard," Murray said, praising his Spanish opponent. "He was dictating most of the points early on."
On Friday night down under, No. 5 Andy Murray put on a masterful display of "tennis geometry," to defeat the aggressive, fiery David Ferrer4-6, 7-6(2), 6-1, 7-6(2), and reach the Australian Open finals, where he will take on Serbia'sNovak Djokovic.
It is Murray's second straight Australian Open final, and his third in four years. Using his long frame to flick balls just outside of the feisty Ferrer's reach, Murray dominated the fourth-set tie-breaker, seeming to move in slow motion to push one last shot past his opponent's racquet.
It was Ferrer's 10th straight tie-breaker loss at the Australian Open.
Murray's own mental error might have been his saving grace. Down 6-4, 5-4 in the second set, he rallied to break Ferrer and tie the set on his way to a 7-6(2) victory. However, Murray was surprised when he realized he had tied the set at 5-5.
"You might not believe this, but I actually thought it was 4-3," Murray said in his post-match interview. "I didn't know until the umpire called it 5-5. That probably helped me, I wasn't as nervous."
No player from Great Britain—Murray is Scottish—has won a Grand Slam since Fred Perry went back to back at Wimbledon and the US Open since 1936.
It's been tough for UK players to even make a final since. Bunny Austin lost in the finals of the French Open in 1937 and Wimbledon in 1938, then no player made a Grand Slam final until John Lloyd lost the 1977 Australian Open crown.
It was another 20 years until Greg Rusedski made the finals at the US Open in 1997, falling to Patrick Rafter in four sets.
After that, no British player reached a final until Murray lost the 2008 US Open final to Federer. He reached the Australian Open final last year, losing to Federer again.
Ferrer's tenacity proved his place in the semifinals was far more than just a by-product of Rafael Nadal's injury status. It was the first Grand Slam semifinal he had ever reached.
"He's an unbelievable athlete, he works so hard," Murray said, praising his Spanish opponent. "He was dictating most of the points early on."
Primeval Season 4 Episode 6
Preview of 'Primeval':
While investigating an anomaly at a stately home, the team stumble across a wedding - that of ex-ARC member Jenny Lewis. Things go to plan until Matt and Emily inadvertently let a savage Hyaenadon through an open anomaly, and Connor becomes trapped with its pups in the cellar. As the creatures run riot, Jenny falls back into ARC mode and helps with the attempt to return the creatures and restore order. With Ciaran McMenamin, Andrew-Lee Potts, Lucy Brown, Ruth Bradley, and Hannah Spearitt.
Airing Details: 7:15 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ITV1 Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 6
Episode Name: EPISODE: 6
While investigating an anomaly at a stately home, the team stumble across a wedding - that of ex-ARC member Jenny Lewis. Things go to plan until Matt and Emily inadvertently let a savage Hyaenadon through an open anomaly, and Connor becomes trapped with its pups in the cellar. As the creatures run riot, Jenny falls back into ARC mode and helps with the attempt to return the creatures and restore order. With Ciaran McMenamin, Andrew-Lee Potts, Lucy Brown, Ruth Bradley, and Hannah Spearitt.
Airing Details: 7:15 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: ITV1 Channel
Episode Details: Season 4 Episode 6
Episode Name: EPISODE: 6
2011 Australian Open Final: Just the Beginning of Something Special, Not the End
This was supposed to be a sports obituary.
Early Thursday, my favorite tennis player, my favorite athlete really, Roger Federer, lost in the Australian Open semifinals to Novak Djokovic. For the first time since I was in high school (which I promise you, was quite some time ago), Federer didn’t hold a single Grand Slam title, and more importantly, hasn’t even made a Grand Slam final since last year’s Australian Open. In Fed’s world, four straight losses before—at the very least—a major final, is four too many.
Granted, there’d been signs of Federer’s decline for a while now, some dating all the way back to 2008. But whenever we counted him out, it always seemed like he bounced back with another dominating title at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, and once even in Paris.
Finally though, it seemed like the loss in Australia, where for the second time in two majors he couldn’t get by Djokovic, was the nail in the coffin. The guy I had watched grow from quirky upstart with a bad ponytail to the No. 1 player in the world, and ultimately to the best player of all time was officially washed up. Needless to say, it left me more depressed than one of the girls on The Hills if she hasn’t taken her Valium in a week.
But then a funny thing happened: I actually sat down and watched a replay of the Djokovic-Federer match. It wasn’t nearly what I expected it to be.
Then again, this is also why I always feel obligated to watch every match, tournament or game that I plan on writing about. Because a box score or recap only tells a part of the story, seeing everything in living color, with your own two eyes, can often show a different one.
Well, when I sat down to watch the Federer-Djokovic match, I was expecting the worst. I already knew that Djokovic had won in straight sets, and I was expecting it to be ugly. Like Tyson vs. Spinks or JWoww vs. Sammi kind of ugly. Going into the match, we knew that Novak was the younger, sprier and stronger player, and I assumed sitting down and watching a replay would be a two-and-a-half-hour verification of that.
Except that’s not what happened at all. Yes, Djokovic won, but not only was it not one-sided, you could make the case that Federer was the better player through a big part of it. Roger didn’t lose on serve once in the first set, and easily could’ve taken it in the tiebreak.
Then in the second set, he was up 5-2 and cruising, before taking his foot off the gas, and letting Djokovic back in. Within minutes it was 5-5, Djokovic had again seized control, and Federer was left with the same glaze in his eyes my grandma gets when you try to explain the internet to her. Novak cruised in the third, and won the match.
But while all the match reports said one thing, Federer-Djokovic wasn’t the one-sided beat down everyone made it out to be. Instead, it was hard-fought and back and forth for the first 60 percent, before Federer lost focus and control. And even as great as Federer is, you just can’t do that against someone as skilled as Djokovic.
Still, as I took everything in after the match, I couldn’t help but think that my idea for Federer’s obituary was way too premature, because the truth is much better: tennis is in the midst of a golden age.
Looking across the board right now, there appear to be four guys that are head and shoulders above everyone else: Djokovic, Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. Sure others have their moments given the right circumstance or surface, but ultimately, after years of “Roger or Rafa,” we now have four guys that you’re comfortable saying, “I could see this guy winning this tournament,” every single tour stop.
What makes things really cool though, and what ultimately makes this the golden age of tennis, is that these four guys are all at slightly different points in their careers. And with that, a cool converging of eras has occurred.
Starting with Federer, he’s no longer the dominant force of nature he was in his prime, when I fell in love with his game. He’s a bit older, and a step slower, and with two young kids, undoubtedly no longer a young man, but instead just a man.
As we saw in Australia, he’s also no longer the guy that can go into Grand Slams, play flawless tennis for long stretches and not drop a set for matches at a time. More increasingly, there seems to be one or two early round matches that give him trouble, and draw him into five sets. Ultimately though, that’s ok. Time stops for no man. Even the Fed Express.
Still, what Federer is—even closing in on 30 years old—is a guy that should be favored against everyone other than Djokovic, Murray and Nadal, and can absolutely lay waste to any of the non “Big Three,” on any given night. That’s exactly what happened in the Australian quarterfinals against Stanislas Warwinka, where what was supposed to be an exciting match, turned into a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 Federer laugher. It was over before it began and had less drama and excitement than a Friday night in Salt Lake City. Federer might not be able to turn on the fifth gear every night, but can still get there often enough.
That match was also why I believe Federer still has at least one major title left in him. On the right surface, in the right circumstances, is there any doubt Federer can take down seven matches in a row and hoist a championship trophy? It not only seems feasible to me, but probable.
Early Thursday, my favorite tennis player, my favorite athlete really, Roger Federer, lost in the Australian Open semifinals to Novak Djokovic. For the first time since I was in high school (which I promise you, was quite some time ago), Federer didn’t hold a single Grand Slam title, and more importantly, hasn’t even made a Grand Slam final since last year’s Australian Open. In Fed’s world, four straight losses before—at the very least—a major final, is four too many.
Granted, there’d been signs of Federer’s decline for a while now, some dating all the way back to 2008. But whenever we counted him out, it always seemed like he bounced back with another dominating title at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, and once even in Paris.
Finally though, it seemed like the loss in Australia, where for the second time in two majors he couldn’t get by Djokovic, was the nail in the coffin. The guy I had watched grow from quirky upstart with a bad ponytail to the No. 1 player in the world, and ultimately to the best player of all time was officially washed up. Needless to say, it left me more depressed than one of the girls on The Hills if she hasn’t taken her Valium in a week.
But then a funny thing happened: I actually sat down and watched a replay of the Djokovic-Federer match. It wasn’t nearly what I expected it to be.
Then again, this is also why I always feel obligated to watch every match, tournament or game that I plan on writing about. Because a box score or recap only tells a part of the story, seeing everything in living color, with your own two eyes, can often show a different one.
Well, when I sat down to watch the Federer-Djokovic match, I was expecting the worst. I already knew that Djokovic had won in straight sets, and I was expecting it to be ugly. Like Tyson vs. Spinks or JWoww vs. Sammi kind of ugly. Going into the match, we knew that Novak was the younger, sprier and stronger player, and I assumed sitting down and watching a replay would be a two-and-a-half-hour verification of that.
Except that’s not what happened at all. Yes, Djokovic won, but not only was it not one-sided, you could make the case that Federer was the better player through a big part of it. Roger didn’t lose on serve once in the first set, and easily could’ve taken it in the tiebreak.
Then in the second set, he was up 5-2 and cruising, before taking his foot off the gas, and letting Djokovic back in. Within minutes it was 5-5, Djokovic had again seized control, and Federer was left with the same glaze in his eyes my grandma gets when you try to explain the internet to her. Novak cruised in the third, and won the match.
But while all the match reports said one thing, Federer-Djokovic wasn’t the one-sided beat down everyone made it out to be. Instead, it was hard-fought and back and forth for the first 60 percent, before Federer lost focus and control. And even as great as Federer is, you just can’t do that against someone as skilled as Djokovic.
Still, as I took everything in after the match, I couldn’t help but think that my idea for Federer’s obituary was way too premature, because the truth is much better: tennis is in the midst of a golden age.
Looking across the board right now, there appear to be four guys that are head and shoulders above everyone else: Djokovic, Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. Sure others have their moments given the right circumstance or surface, but ultimately, after years of “Roger or Rafa,” we now have four guys that you’re comfortable saying, “I could see this guy winning this tournament,” every single tour stop.
What makes things really cool though, and what ultimately makes this the golden age of tennis, is that these four guys are all at slightly different points in their careers. And with that, a cool converging of eras has occurred.
Starting with Federer, he’s no longer the dominant force of nature he was in his prime, when I fell in love with his game. He’s a bit older, and a step slower, and with two young kids, undoubtedly no longer a young man, but instead just a man.
As we saw in Australia, he’s also no longer the guy that can go into Grand Slams, play flawless tennis for long stretches and not drop a set for matches at a time. More increasingly, there seems to be one or two early round matches that give him trouble, and draw him into five sets. Ultimately though, that’s ok. Time stops for no man. Even the Fed Express.
Still, what Federer is—even closing in on 30 years old—is a guy that should be favored against everyone other than Djokovic, Murray and Nadal, and can absolutely lay waste to any of the non “Big Three,” on any given night. That’s exactly what happened in the Australian quarterfinals against Stanislas Warwinka, where what was supposed to be an exciting match, turned into a 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 Federer laugher. It was over before it began and had less drama and excitement than a Friday night in Salt Lake City. Federer might not be able to turn on the fifth gear every night, but can still get there often enough.
That match was also why I believe Federer still has at least one major title left in him. On the right surface, in the right circumstances, is there any doubt Federer can take down seven matches in a row and hoist a championship trophy? It not only seems feasible to me, but probable.
Kim Clijsters, Li Na Clash in Women's Final Saturday Night
If the match-up of Saturday's Australian Open women's singles final looks familiar, it's probably because the heavily-anticipated matchup has already happened once in the early days of 2011.
Just 14 days ago, China's Li Na defeated Belgium's Kim Clijsters to win the title at Sydney, stunning more than a few who had determined the tournament to be a mere warm-up for Clijsters' ascension to No. 1 and her second straight Grand Slam title.
Two weeks, 548 miles and six matches apiece later, Na and Clijsters face each other again with history on the line.
For Clijsters, it would be a second straight Slam victory, her first outside of Flushing Meadows. Clijsters will take over the No. 1 spot in the world regardless of whether she wins or loses the title against Na.
For Na, it's the chance to make history as the first Asian woman to win a Slam, and capture the imagination of a nation of 1.33 billion that takes it sports very seriously.
If you don't believe that, consider that Chinese basketball star Yao Ming was voted into the NBA All-Star game on Thursday thanks largely to his online support from home, despite the fact that he suffered a injury likely to end his career earlier in the season and has played in only five games the last two seasons combined.
If Na wins the title, she will leap from 11th to third in the rankings as the Top 10 will completely jumble from its previously look, largely based on Clijsters and Na's ascension. Even if Na loses, she will move up to sixth.
Clijsters leads the all-time series, but Li has won two of the last three, both on hard courts similar to what tonight's match will be played on.
Here's a look at the match-up.
Just 14 days ago, China's Li Na defeated Belgium's Kim Clijsters to win the title at Sydney, stunning more than a few who had determined the tournament to be a mere warm-up for Clijsters' ascension to No. 1 and her second straight Grand Slam title.
Two weeks, 548 miles and six matches apiece later, Na and Clijsters face each other again with history on the line.
For Clijsters, it would be a second straight Slam victory, her first outside of Flushing Meadows. Clijsters will take over the No. 1 spot in the world regardless of whether she wins or loses the title against Na.
For Na, it's the chance to make history as the first Asian woman to win a Slam, and capture the imagination of a nation of 1.33 billion that takes it sports very seriously.
If you don't believe that, consider that Chinese basketball star Yao Ming was voted into the NBA All-Star game on Thursday thanks largely to his online support from home, despite the fact that he suffered a injury likely to end his career earlier in the season and has played in only five games the last two seasons combined.
If Na wins the title, she will leap from 11th to third in the rankings as the Top 10 will completely jumble from its previously look, largely based on Clijsters and Na's ascension. Even if Na loses, she will move up to sixth.
Clijsters leads the all-time series, but Li has won two of the last three, both on hard courts similar to what tonight's match will be played on.
Here's a look at the match-up.
The Magicians Season 1 Episode 5
Preview of 'The Magicians':
Lenny Henry hosts as three of the world's greatest magic acts team up with celebrities to bring us jaw-dropping illusions and classic tricks with a contemporary twist.
Illusionist of the decade Luis de Matos is partnered by Neil Morrissey; winners of Best Comedy Illusionists at the World Comedy Awards, the dark and twisted Barry and Stuart, team up with Angela Griffin; and the king of close up magic, Chris Korn, is joined by George and Larry Lamb.
Airing Details: 7:10 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 5
Episode Name: EPISODE: 5
Lenny Henry hosts as three of the world's greatest magic acts team up with celebrities to bring us jaw-dropping illusions and classic tricks with a contemporary twist.
Illusionist of the decade Luis de Matos is partnered by Neil Morrissey; winners of Best Comedy Illusionists at the World Comedy Awards, the dark and twisted Barry and Stuart, team up with Angela Griffin; and the king of close up magic, Chris Korn, is joined by George and Larry Lamb.
Airing Details: 7:10 PM on January 29th, 2011 - Saturday
Channel: BBC One Channel
Episode Details: Season 1 Episode 5
Episode Name: EPISODE: 5
NBA Halftime Show Video: Watch Performer Send Himself through the Rim
During Thursday’s Suns vs. Bobcats game, fans were treated to a performance by the Verve Sol Patrol, the Suns’ acrobatic dance team. However, what they weren’t expecting was Verve Sol Patrol member Nick Corrales nearly killing himself.
Corrales used a trampoline to launch himself towards the basket and ended up not only dunking the basketball, but also himself.
My question is, why do teams have this sort of thing?
It seems like something you would see at a minor league baseball game, not one of the most popular sports leagues in the entire world.
Are fans really going to decide not to come out to Suns games because the Verve Sol Patrol was not performing? That is ridiculous. Especially a team as exciting as the Suns.
The Verve Sol Patrol was founded in 2000. Did fans not come to games in Phoenix before then? Was Charles Barkley playing in empty home arenas?
Honestly, if you are going to an NBA game for the entertainment during timeouts and halftime, just stop going to games. It is because of people like you that the NBA has turned into a jumbotron league.
People sit in their seats and stare at the jumbotron. When the magical jumbotron says to stand up and make noise, the lemmings listen.
Gosh, it just makes me sick.
The NBA thrived in the 1980's when most teams didn’t even have jumbotrons. I wish we were back in those days when people would pay attention to the games and not some silly acrobatic display where someone goes flying through a hoop.
Corrales used a trampoline to launch himself towards the basket and ended up not only dunking the basketball, but also himself.
My question is, why do teams have this sort of thing?
It seems like something you would see at a minor league baseball game, not one of the most popular sports leagues in the entire world.
Are fans really going to decide not to come out to Suns games because the Verve Sol Patrol was not performing? That is ridiculous. Especially a team as exciting as the Suns.
The Verve Sol Patrol was founded in 2000. Did fans not come to games in Phoenix before then? Was Charles Barkley playing in empty home arenas?
Honestly, if you are going to an NBA game for the entertainment during timeouts and halftime, just stop going to games. It is because of people like you that the NBA has turned into a jumbotron league.
People sit in their seats and stare at the jumbotron. When the magical jumbotron says to stand up and make noise, the lemmings listen.
Gosh, it just makes me sick.
The NBA thrived in the 1980's when most teams didn’t even have jumbotrons. I wish we were back in those days when people would pay attention to the games and not some silly acrobatic display where someone goes flying through a hoop.
Brian Wilson Video: Watch Giants Closer As Sailor, Talk Thai Massage
I'd be lying if I said I found Lopez Tonight even remotely entertaining, but if there's one person who could change my perception of that show, it's Brian Wilson.
The World Series-winning closer of the San Francisco Giants appeared on George Lopez's show to premiere the first MLB 2K11 digital short film, starring and written by Wilson himself.
Hilarity soon ensues.
Wilson (dressed as a sailor, I might add) compares himself to Chuck Norris and even dropped a phenomenal sexual innuendo, saying he "wanted to closely relate to a seaman."
Can't say I've been there, Brian.
The charismatic closer also explained his take on "Thai massages" that were "strictly sexual." Dane Cook should take notes.
But the classic line of the entire appearance was when Wilson compared warming up then not actually coming in for the close to a "dry hump."
Trust me, nothing is as bad as a dry hump. That's karma's way of saying, "Screw you."
Still, Wilson had a little rant that related his love life to pitching.
This was comedic gold here. Few times have I watched an athlete on a talk show and been legitimately entertained the entire time.
Instantly, Wilson moves up into my top three funniest athletes, alongside Shaq and Charles Barkley (unintentionally, of course).
If you appreciate a dry, straight-to-the-point sense of humor, Wilson is your man.
And if he's anywhere near as good on the diamond as he was on Lopez, Wilson will be the best pitcher in baseball in 2011.
I mean, the guy had 1.81 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 2010. I'm thinking 1.50 and 55 saves next season.
Chuck Norris said so.
2011 MLB Story Lines: Do Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn Have Ten More Years?
In professional baseball, unlike the other major professional sports, twenty years is a benchmark of sorts for a career.
Sure, a player can go to the Hall of Fame having played 18, 15, or even 10 seasons, but 20 seasons is generally held out as the symbol of full career as a major league baseball player.
To that end, then, the 2011 season represents the beginning of the second half of the careers of three of the most unique players of all time: Ichiro Suzuki, Adam Dunn, and Albert Pujols.
It is hard to believe that it has already been ten years since the 2001 baseball season.
With President George W. Bush only recently inaugurated, and before Barry Bonds set the world on fire and then turned it on its head, Suzuki, Dunn, and Pujols all reported to camp in the spring of that year hopeful for things to come.
For Adam Dunn, spring training 2001 was just the next step in the progression towards inevitable super-stardom.
Drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1998 draft, Dunn had ripped apart Single-A in 2000, hitting 16 home runs and scoring 101 runs in 122 games. He also had 100 walks and 24 stolen bases. His batting average of .281 was fine, but his .428 on-base percentage jumped off the page.
Dunn pretty much knew he wouldn’t be joining the Reds out of camp, but he knew his days as a minor leaguer were numbered.
Ichiro Suzuki entered spring training of 2001 as a Japanese superstar and a burgeoning international celebrity. Already a veteran of nine seasons of Japanese ball by the age of 26, Ichiro came to the U.S. with nothing left to prove in Japan but everything to prove to an excited but slightly skeptical American public.
All eyes were on Ichiro as a curious Mariners fanbase wondered what to expect.
All eyes were not, however, on Albert Pujols in the spring of 2001.
Drafted in the 13th round of the 1999 draft, Pujols an excellent season split between Single-A and A-plus ball, with a cup of coffee at Triple-A. But at 21 years of age, Pujols came into the spring just hoping to find a spot on a team that was coming off of a division title and trip to the NLCS the previous year.
Indeed, that spring all eyes would have been on the aging and injured Mark McGwire, who’d hit 32 home runs in just 89 games, and was hoping to be able to stay healthy for one more great season.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In his first game as a major leaguer, Ichiro went 2-for-5 with two singles, a strikeout, and a run scored. He would end up living up to every top billing, leading in the American League in plate appearances, at-bats, hits, and stolen bases and winning the batting title with a ridiculous .350 batting average while leading the Seattle Mariners to an absurd 116 wins.
He also became only the tenth player since 1901 to win a batting title while leading the league in plate appearances.
For his 2001 performance, Ichiro won the American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Awards, the second player in history to accomplish that feat.
Dunn did, in fact, start the season in the minors, with the Reds’ Double-A affiliate. But he wasn’t there long; in 39 games Dunn hit 12 home runs, scored 30 runs, and batted .343 with a 1.113 OPS.
Progressing to Triple-A, he then hit 20 more home runs in 55 games with 53 RBI and 44 runs scored, while batting .329 with a 1.117 OPS. By late July, he was in Cincinnati, where he hit 19 more home runs with 54 runs scored in only 66 games.
Dunn had arrived.
As for Pujols, he did break camp with the big club, and in his major league debut he went 1-for-3 with one caught stealing while playing left field in an 8-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
The next day he went 0-for-5 while playing right field.
Two days later, he went 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored, and two days after that he was moved to third base full time.
By the end of April, the rookie was batting .370 with a 1.171 OPS and eight home runs.
By the end of May, he was still hitting .351 and had 16 home runs.
The 21 year old kid no one had ever heard of stay hot all summer and into the fall, and by the end of the season he had 47 doubles, 37 home runs, 130 RBI, 112 runs scored, a .329 batting average, a 1.013 OPS, and a Rookie of the Year Award.
A new era of major league baseball had begun, just in time for the 21st Century.
Incredibly, what began as an amazing and delightful 2001 season for Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn has essentially continued for ten years.
Ichiro has continued to rack up hits, score runs, and hit .300 or higher at a record breaking pace.
Dunn has become one of the purest expressions of all-or-nothing power in baseball history, hitting 38 or more homeruns for each of the last seven seasons while drawing 100 walks and striking out nearly 200 times, seemingly, every season.
Meanwhile, Pujols has emerged as nothing less than one of the greatest overall hitters of all time, already having hit 408 homeruns in only 10 seasons, while batting .331 with a 1.050 OPS, and nearly 300 fewer strikeouts than walks for his career.
The Baseball Hall of Fame's requires a player to have ten years of playing time at the major league level to be eligible for entry into the Hall, which means that Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn all became eligible when they played their first game last season.
Incredibly, Ichiro and Pujols are almost certainly already slam-dunk Hall of Famers.
And so on this, their collective 11th season, it would be tempting to ask the question “Where are they going?” and to attempt to answer that question by simply multiplying their stats by two.
Incredibly tempting, in fact. Afterall, if Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn can do for the next ten years what they have done for the last ten years, they will put up the following staggering statistics:
Ichiro : 4,488 hits; 2094 runs scored; 788 stolen bases.
Dunn : 1,730 runs scored; 1,660 RBI; 708 homeruns; 1,980 walks; 3,264 strikeouts.
Pujols : 2,372 runs scored; 3,800 hits; 852 doubles; 816 homeruns; 2,460 RBI; 1,828 walks; 7,060 total bases.
It simply boggles the mind.
But “simply” is an appropriate word, because this kind of analysis is far too simple.
After all, we’ve all been here before.
What was it that we thought Ken Griffey, Jr., was on his way to accomplishing as he entered his thirties.
Every statistic Sandy Koufax ever compiled came by the age of 30; he retired before he turned 31 because of a chronically injured elbow.
Addie Joss died at the age of 30. Dale Murphy simply stopped hitting at the age of 32. Shawn Green stopped hitting at 31.
Dwight Gooden went over 200 innings for the last time at the age of 28.
Darryl Strawberry played over 63 games only once after the age of 29.
And there are, of course, other factors.
Ichiro, for example, is already 37 years old. While we wouldn’t put it past him to play ten more years, it would certainly be surprising.
Dunn, meanwhile, has a style of play that seems tailored to the previous power-centric era in a league that appears to be moving into a pitchers’ era.
As for Pujols, well, it would appear as though only injuries can stop this guy.
Albert Pujols is the 21st Century’s answer to Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, and Rogers Hornsby—guys who never stopped being able to hit, and just got too old, tired, or sick to keep going to the ballpark every day.
Pujols is Musial’s only challenger for greatest Cardinal of all time, Gehrig’s only challenger for the greatest first baseman of all time, Hornsby’s only challenger for greatest right-handed hitter of all time, and Williams’ only challenge for greatest hitter of all time.
And after that, there is only one thing left to challenge, and only one player left to challenge for it.
Might Albert Pujols one day surpass Babe Ruth as the Greatest Player of All Time?
I dunno.
Ask me again in ten years.
Sure, a player can go to the Hall of Fame having played 18, 15, or even 10 seasons, but 20 seasons is generally held out as the symbol of full career as a major league baseball player.
To that end, then, the 2011 season represents the beginning of the second half of the careers of three of the most unique players of all time: Ichiro Suzuki, Adam Dunn, and Albert Pujols.
It is hard to believe that it has already been ten years since the 2001 baseball season.
With President George W. Bush only recently inaugurated, and before Barry Bonds set the world on fire and then turned it on its head, Suzuki, Dunn, and Pujols all reported to camp in the spring of that year hopeful for things to come.
For Adam Dunn, spring training 2001 was just the next step in the progression towards inevitable super-stardom.
Drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1998 draft, Dunn had ripped apart Single-A in 2000, hitting 16 home runs and scoring 101 runs in 122 games. He also had 100 walks and 24 stolen bases. His batting average of .281 was fine, but his .428 on-base percentage jumped off the page.
Dunn pretty much knew he wouldn’t be joining the Reds out of camp, but he knew his days as a minor leaguer were numbered.
Ichiro Suzuki entered spring training of 2001 as a Japanese superstar and a burgeoning international celebrity. Already a veteran of nine seasons of Japanese ball by the age of 26, Ichiro came to the U.S. with nothing left to prove in Japan but everything to prove to an excited but slightly skeptical American public.
All eyes were on Ichiro as a curious Mariners fanbase wondered what to expect.
All eyes were not, however, on Albert Pujols in the spring of 2001.
Drafted in the 13th round of the 1999 draft, Pujols an excellent season split between Single-A and A-plus ball, with a cup of coffee at Triple-A. But at 21 years of age, Pujols came into the spring just hoping to find a spot on a team that was coming off of a division title and trip to the NLCS the previous year.
Indeed, that spring all eyes would have been on the aging and injured Mark McGwire, who’d hit 32 home runs in just 89 games, and was hoping to be able to stay healthy for one more great season.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In his first game as a major leaguer, Ichiro went 2-for-5 with two singles, a strikeout, and a run scored. He would end up living up to every top billing, leading in the American League in plate appearances, at-bats, hits, and stolen bases and winning the batting title with a ridiculous .350 batting average while leading the Seattle Mariners to an absurd 116 wins.
He also became only the tenth player since 1901 to win a batting title while leading the league in plate appearances.
For his 2001 performance, Ichiro won the American League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year Awards, the second player in history to accomplish that feat.
Dunn did, in fact, start the season in the minors, with the Reds’ Double-A affiliate. But he wasn’t there long; in 39 games Dunn hit 12 home runs, scored 30 runs, and batted .343 with a 1.113 OPS.
Progressing to Triple-A, he then hit 20 more home runs in 55 games with 53 RBI and 44 runs scored, while batting .329 with a 1.117 OPS. By late July, he was in Cincinnati, where he hit 19 more home runs with 54 runs scored in only 66 games.
Dunn had arrived.
As for Pujols, he did break camp with the big club, and in his major league debut he went 1-for-3 with one caught stealing while playing left field in an 8-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
The next day he went 0-for-5 while playing right field.
Two days later, he went 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored, and two days after that he was moved to third base full time.
By the end of April, the rookie was batting .370 with a 1.171 OPS and eight home runs.
By the end of May, he was still hitting .351 and had 16 home runs.
The 21 year old kid no one had ever heard of stay hot all summer and into the fall, and by the end of the season he had 47 doubles, 37 home runs, 130 RBI, 112 runs scored, a .329 batting average, a 1.013 OPS, and a Rookie of the Year Award.
A new era of major league baseball had begun, just in time for the 21st Century.
Incredibly, what began as an amazing and delightful 2001 season for Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn has essentially continued for ten years.
Ichiro has continued to rack up hits, score runs, and hit .300 or higher at a record breaking pace.
Dunn has become one of the purest expressions of all-or-nothing power in baseball history, hitting 38 or more homeruns for each of the last seven seasons while drawing 100 walks and striking out nearly 200 times, seemingly, every season.
Meanwhile, Pujols has emerged as nothing less than one of the greatest overall hitters of all time, already having hit 408 homeruns in only 10 seasons, while batting .331 with a 1.050 OPS, and nearly 300 fewer strikeouts than walks for his career.
The Baseball Hall of Fame's requires a player to have ten years of playing time at the major league level to be eligible for entry into the Hall, which means that Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn all became eligible when they played their first game last season.
Incredibly, Ichiro and Pujols are almost certainly already slam-dunk Hall of Famers.
And so on this, their collective 11th season, it would be tempting to ask the question “Where are they going?” and to attempt to answer that question by simply multiplying their stats by two.
Incredibly tempting, in fact. Afterall, if Ichiro, Pujols, and Dunn can do for the next ten years what they have done for the last ten years, they will put up the following staggering statistics:
Ichiro : 4,488 hits; 2094 runs scored; 788 stolen bases.
Dunn : 1,730 runs scored; 1,660 RBI; 708 homeruns; 1,980 walks; 3,264 strikeouts.
Pujols : 2,372 runs scored; 3,800 hits; 852 doubles; 816 homeruns; 2,460 RBI; 1,828 walks; 7,060 total bases.
It simply boggles the mind.
But “simply” is an appropriate word, because this kind of analysis is far too simple.
After all, we’ve all been here before.
What was it that we thought Ken Griffey, Jr., was on his way to accomplishing as he entered his thirties.
Every statistic Sandy Koufax ever compiled came by the age of 30; he retired before he turned 31 because of a chronically injured elbow.
Addie Joss died at the age of 30. Dale Murphy simply stopped hitting at the age of 32. Shawn Green stopped hitting at 31.
Dwight Gooden went over 200 innings for the last time at the age of 28.
Darryl Strawberry played over 63 games only once after the age of 29.
And there are, of course, other factors.
Ichiro, for example, is already 37 years old. While we wouldn’t put it past him to play ten more years, it would certainly be surprising.
Dunn, meanwhile, has a style of play that seems tailored to the previous power-centric era in a league that appears to be moving into a pitchers’ era.
As for Pujols, well, it would appear as though only injuries can stop this guy.
Albert Pujols is the 21st Century’s answer to Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, and Rogers Hornsby—guys who never stopped being able to hit, and just got too old, tired, or sick to keep going to the ballpark every day.
Pujols is Musial’s only challenger for greatest Cardinal of all time, Gehrig’s only challenger for the greatest first baseman of all time, Hornsby’s only challenger for greatest right-handed hitter of all time, and Williams’ only challenge for greatest hitter of all time.
And after that, there is only one thing left to challenge, and only one player left to challenge for it.
Might Albert Pujols one day surpass Babe Ruth as the Greatest Player of All Time?
I dunno.
Ask me again in ten years.
McKidd dishes on what's coming up on 'Grey's'
Get ready for some more love-polygon hijinks, "Grey's Anatomy" fans!
That's the word from Kevin McKidd (Dr. Owen Hunt) about next week's episode, which marks the actor's TV directorial debut—and answers the most important question of all:
How do you tell your on-again, off-again girlfriend that you've impregnated your on-again, off-again sex friend who, by the by, is currently separated from her lesbian lover?
Q&A With Grey's Anatomy Star Kevin McKidd
What can you tell us about the episode—titled "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)"—you directed?
Mark (Eric Dane) has things to deal with Lexie (Chyler Leigh), like how's he going to tell her about Callie's (Sara Ramirez) pregnancy. That plays out in a big way.
The episode revolves around the very first day of Derek Shepherd's (Patrick Dempsey) clinical trial for Alzheimer's, which then plays out for the rest of the season. The trial very important to Derek.
That's the framework, and also during that day Callie has a meltdown—her hormones are up. She's very anxious...about how things are going to go down with Arizona and Mark. So she has an OB doctor, Rachael Taylor, who is a new castmember—Callie drives her around the bend because Callie basically becomes hypochondriac, which is very funny but also very touching and moving.
How much acting do you do in the episode?
They wrote my character to basically be at the dentist for most of the episode which is great, so I got a chance to take the foot off the gas—I did have to act in one scene.
Do you get to direct Sandra Oh as Cristina in this episode? Is she fully back on her feet?
She's back, she's healthy again, and she's not paralyzed in the way that she was, and it's fun. She's back and fighting, pushing people out of the way to get into an OR, all that stuff. It's great to see Cristina back to her old tricks.
How did your fellow castmembers react to you being behind the camera?
Everyone in the cast, everyone, came up to me and they were just so supportive. Patrick [Dempsey] said to me, 'I've got your back.'
Everyone knows it's a lot of stress and you've taken on a whole new thing and there are millions of dollars riding on your shoulders and all that stuff--and everybody was amazing and I am very thankful to all of them. They just came to work and just supported me in the most loving way, and I will be eternally grateful to all of them for that, I have to say.
What's it like behind the scenes these days?
It's really a very good place to come to work. We all have other actor friends, a lot of people in this industry are finding it hard to get work because of the economy, so we all are very painfully aware of how lucky we are, and we're just blessed to come to work every day and get to act and get to do the thing we love so.
Everybody has their lives, a lot of people have kids, and it's almost like we all come to work and have fun catching up with each other and find out how things are going with each other...it's almost like a getaway from our real lives. That's the way it should be--being an actor is all about make-believe and about transporting yourself from this real world, and that's what I love about acting. I think it's a really fun and healthy and warm place to work.
Where did your directing ambition start—have you done it before? How did you approach the executive producers with your interest?
I have worked with some great directors, I've been very lucky over the years to watch some great directors make real visions come alive, but I've always been too busy really as an actor to pursue it. But I approached [the "Grey's Anatomy" producers] about a year and a half ago to ask if I could shadow directors maybe and start to learn. So I did that and then they said, look, we have these webisodes and we would like you to direct some.
I think the webisodes were my tryout or my audition, and it seems like I passed it because they offered me an episode pretty quickly after that.
I feel very lucky about how it's all gone. I am still pinching myself.
What elements of this episode are you most proud of as a director?
Everyone, including the guest stars, gives good performances, and I am very pleased with the teaser, this little two-minute sequence before the title card comes up. And I am also very pleased with the montage of act five and the montage of act six, where the music kicks in. I am just really pleased with how those all came out emotionally and the transitions from scene to scene, how all that edited together in the way that I hoped it would—I'm proud of those moments.
Be sure to tune in to "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC next Thursday at 9 p.m. for Kevin McKidd's television directorial debut, "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)."
That's the word from Kevin McKidd (Dr. Owen Hunt) about next week's episode, which marks the actor's TV directorial debut—and answers the most important question of all:
How do you tell your on-again, off-again girlfriend that you've impregnated your on-again, off-again sex friend who, by the by, is currently separated from her lesbian lover?
Q&A With Grey's Anatomy Star Kevin McKidd
What can you tell us about the episode—titled "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)"—you directed?
Mark (Eric Dane) has things to deal with Lexie (Chyler Leigh), like how's he going to tell her about Callie's (Sara Ramirez) pregnancy. That plays out in a big way.
The episode revolves around the very first day of Derek Shepherd's (Patrick Dempsey) clinical trial for Alzheimer's, which then plays out for the rest of the season. The trial very important to Derek.
That's the framework, and also during that day Callie has a meltdown—her hormones are up. She's very anxious...about how things are going to go down with Arizona and Mark. So she has an OB doctor, Rachael Taylor, who is a new castmember—Callie drives her around the bend because Callie basically becomes hypochondriac, which is very funny but also very touching and moving.
How much acting do you do in the episode?
They wrote my character to basically be at the dentist for most of the episode which is great, so I got a chance to take the foot off the gas—I did have to act in one scene.
Do you get to direct Sandra Oh as Cristina in this episode? Is she fully back on her feet?
She's back, she's healthy again, and she's not paralyzed in the way that she was, and it's fun. She's back and fighting, pushing people out of the way to get into an OR, all that stuff. It's great to see Cristina back to her old tricks.
How did your fellow castmembers react to you being behind the camera?
Everyone in the cast, everyone, came up to me and they were just so supportive. Patrick [Dempsey] said to me, 'I've got your back.'
Everyone knows it's a lot of stress and you've taken on a whole new thing and there are millions of dollars riding on your shoulders and all that stuff--and everybody was amazing and I am very thankful to all of them. They just came to work and just supported me in the most loving way, and I will be eternally grateful to all of them for that, I have to say.
What's it like behind the scenes these days?
It's really a very good place to come to work. We all have other actor friends, a lot of people in this industry are finding it hard to get work because of the economy, so we all are very painfully aware of how lucky we are, and we're just blessed to come to work every day and get to act and get to do the thing we love so.
Everybody has their lives, a lot of people have kids, and it's almost like we all come to work and have fun catching up with each other and find out how things are going with each other...it's almost like a getaway from our real lives. That's the way it should be--being an actor is all about make-believe and about transporting yourself from this real world, and that's what I love about acting. I think it's a really fun and healthy and warm place to work.
Where did your directing ambition start—have you done it before? How did you approach the executive producers with your interest?
I have worked with some great directors, I've been very lucky over the years to watch some great directors make real visions come alive, but I've always been too busy really as an actor to pursue it. But I approached [the "Grey's Anatomy" producers] about a year and a half ago to ask if I could shadow directors maybe and start to learn. So I did that and then they said, look, we have these webisodes and we would like you to direct some.
I think the webisodes were my tryout or my audition, and it seems like I passed it because they offered me an episode pretty quickly after that.
I feel very lucky about how it's all gone. I am still pinching myself.
What elements of this episode are you most proud of as a director?
Everyone, including the guest stars, gives good performances, and I am very pleased with the teaser, this little two-minute sequence before the title card comes up. And I am also very pleased with the montage of act five and the montage of act six, where the music kicks in. I am just really pleased with how those all came out emotionally and the transitions from scene to scene, how all that edited together in the way that I hoped it would—I'm proud of those moments.
Be sure to tune in to "Grey's Anatomy" on ABC next Thursday at 9 p.m. for Kevin McKidd's television directorial debut, "Don't Deceive Me (Please Don't Go)."
U.K. police charge son of Pink Floyd guitarist
Police filed charges against the son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour on Thursday for his role in last month's violent protest against the British government's decision to raise university tuition fees.
Charlie Gilmour, 21, shocked many in Britain when he was photographed swinging from the Union Jack attached to the Cenotaph, Britain's most important war memorial, during the Dec. 9 demonstration.
The picture of Gilmour swinging from the flag featured prominently in the country's tabloid press and ran over captions reading "vile" and "shame."
Gilmour was originally arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, theft and "attempted criminal damage of the Union flag on the Cenotaph."
Police said Thursday that they weren't charging Gilmour with attempted criminal damage to the flag. They are however filing charges of violent disorder and "theft of a mannequin leg."
Police said they also had cautioned or charged 11 other protesters in relation to the disorder and other protests that hit London in the run-up to the government approved the controversial tuition hike.
Although most student protesters marched peacefully, the demonstrations often descended into violence amid clashes with riot police. The Dec. 9 march was particularly fraught, with some protesters even attacking the luxury car carrying Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.
Gilmour has apologized for what he called a "terrible insult" to Britain's war dead. But he drew widespread ridicule when he claimed not to have known he was swinging from the Cenotaph.
Gilmour is a history student at Cambridge, one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Charlie Gilmour, 21, shocked many in Britain when he was photographed swinging from the Union Jack attached to the Cenotaph, Britain's most important war memorial, during the Dec. 9 demonstration.
The picture of Gilmour swinging from the flag featured prominently in the country's tabloid press and ran over captions reading "vile" and "shame."
Gilmour was originally arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, theft and "attempted criminal damage of the Union flag on the Cenotaph."
Police said Thursday that they weren't charging Gilmour with attempted criminal damage to the flag. They are however filing charges of violent disorder and "theft of a mannequin leg."
Police said they also had cautioned or charged 11 other protesters in relation to the disorder and other protests that hit London in the run-up to the government approved the controversial tuition hike.
Although most student protesters marched peacefully, the demonstrations often descended into violence amid clashes with riot police. The Dec. 9 march was particularly fraught, with some protesters even attacking the luxury car carrying Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla.
Gilmour has apologized for what he called a "terrible insult" to Britain's war dead. But he drew widespread ridicule when he claimed not to have known he was swinging from the Cenotaph.
Gilmour is a history student at Cambridge, one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Who Had the Most Awful Onstage Moment?
Parrotheads had good reason to be upset this week.
Beloved "Margaritaville" singer Jimmy Buffett was released from an Australian hospital on Thursday, a day after he took a horrifying fall off the stage during a concert in Sydney.
"Jimmy has been released from the hospital and is doing well," reads a statement on margaritaville.com, though a concert planned for Saturday in New Zealand has been canceled.
In video footage, the 64 year-old singer is seen stepping off the front of the stage at Hordern Pavilion and falling to the concrete floor.
Dr. Gordian Fulde, head of the emergency department at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, said Buffett "really took a very nasty tumble."
"He just didn't see the drop in front of the stage," Fulde, who was at the concert, told Australia's Seven Network.
"I heard the crack and I thought this guy has broken his neck. He had a head injury and he lost consciousness ... [but] scans show that he's OK," Fulde added.
Whew -- sounds like it was a close call. Buffett had just finished singing the line, "It's been a lovely cruise, I'm sorry it's ended," when he fell off the stage and was rushed to a hospital.
Audience member Dan Bateman, 30, told The Daily Telegraph that Buffett fell face first off the stage.
"We were in the 10th row and it looked like he did a massive face plant after his encore and pretty much didn't get up,'' Bateman said. "Everyone was pretty horrified.''
Buffett is the latest celebrity to have a frightening, disturbing or just plain embarrassing on-stage moment circulate through the media.
From Buffett's fall to Ashlee Simpson's lip-syncing disaster to Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," let us know: Who had the most awful onstage moment?
Beloved "Margaritaville" singer Jimmy Buffett was released from an Australian hospital on Thursday, a day after he took a horrifying fall off the stage during a concert in Sydney.
"Jimmy has been released from the hospital and is doing well," reads a statement on margaritaville.com, though a concert planned for Saturday in New Zealand has been canceled.
In video footage, the 64 year-old singer is seen stepping off the front of the stage at Hordern Pavilion and falling to the concrete floor.
Dr. Gordian Fulde, head of the emergency department at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, said Buffett "really took a very nasty tumble."
"He just didn't see the drop in front of the stage," Fulde, who was at the concert, told Australia's Seven Network.
"I heard the crack and I thought this guy has broken his neck. He had a head injury and he lost consciousness ... [but] scans show that he's OK," Fulde added.
Whew -- sounds like it was a close call. Buffett had just finished singing the line, "It's been a lovely cruise, I'm sorry it's ended," when he fell off the stage and was rushed to a hospital.
Audience member Dan Bateman, 30, told The Daily Telegraph that Buffett fell face first off the stage.
"We were in the 10th row and it looked like he did a massive face plant after his encore and pretty much didn't get up,'' Bateman said. "Everyone was pretty horrified.''
Buffett is the latest celebrity to have a frightening, disturbing or just plain embarrassing on-stage moment circulate through the media.
From Buffett's fall to Ashlee Simpson's lip-syncing disaster to Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," let us know: Who had the most awful onstage moment?
Tracy Morgan Calls Sarah Palin 'Good Masturbation Material,' Network Apologizes
Cable television network TNT issued an apology late Thursday for a comment made by "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan about former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin during a live broadcast.
Morgan made a crude remark about the key Republican’s looks during an appearance Thursday on “Inside the NBA."
During a pre-game chat ahead of the Miami Heat-New York Knicks clash, co-host Charles Barkley asked the actor, “Sarah Palin’s good looking, isn’t she?”
Morgan replied, "Let me tell you something about Sarah Palin, she's good masturbation material. The glasses and all of that... She is great masturbation material."
TNT issued the apology within minutes amid outraged phone calls and emails about Morgan's comments, USA Today reported.
"It's unfortunate Morgan showed a lack of judgment on our air with his inappropriate comments," said Turner spokesman Jeff Pomeroy in a statement.
Morgan made a crude remark about the key Republican’s looks during an appearance Thursday on “Inside the NBA."
During a pre-game chat ahead of the Miami Heat-New York Knicks clash, co-host Charles Barkley asked the actor, “Sarah Palin’s good looking, isn’t she?”
Morgan replied, "Let me tell you something about Sarah Palin, she's good masturbation material. The glasses and all of that... She is great masturbation material."
TNT issued the apology within minutes amid outraged phone calls and emails about Morgan's comments, USA Today reported.
"It's unfortunate Morgan showed a lack of judgment on our air with his inappropriate comments," said Turner spokesman Jeff Pomeroy in a statement.
John Travolta -- Junior Gotti Rats on Daddy
John Travolta got the scoop on John Gotti during his Monday night powwow with the mafia boss' son -- we're told the conversation covered everything from Gotti's favorite food to his giant diamond watch.
According to inside sources, the dinner was very informal ... and rather than talking contracts for the upcoming biopic, Travolta prodded Junior for the nitty-gritty on Gotti's life.
We're told Junior Gotti talked about his dad's favorite things to order at restaurants -- the Italian classics, obviously -- but the most interesting talking point was his dad's diamond watch ... which the mob boss would wear so it would stick out prominently from his sleeve ... for all to see.
As we first reported, the sit-down at Amici restaurant in L.A. was a summit meeting to convince Travolta to play Gotti in the new movie -- the film's director Nick Cassavetes and producer Marc Fiore were also there.
According to inside sources, the dinner was very informal ... and rather than talking contracts for the upcoming biopic, Travolta prodded Junior for the nitty-gritty on Gotti's life.
We're told Junior Gotti talked about his dad's favorite things to order at restaurants -- the Italian classics, obviously -- but the most interesting talking point was his dad's diamond watch ... which the mob boss would wear so it would stick out prominently from his sleeve ... for all to see.
As we first reported, the sit-down at Amici restaurant in L.A. was a summit meeting to convince Travolta to play Gotti in the new movie -- the film's director Nick Cassavetes and producer Marc Fiore were also there.
Kim Richards -- Boozin' and Pill Poppin' at Airport
"Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Kim Richards was confronted by cops at an airport recently after terminal staff complained she was TOO WASTED to fly ... and it was all caught on tape.
TMZ obtained footage of a boozy Kim slurring, stammering and popping pills at San Francisco International airport back in July.
After repeatedly bothering staff about a flight delay -- airport security arrives to the scene to help control the situation ... and cops soon discover Kim was in the wrong terminal all along.
At one point cops say to Kim, "Have you had anything to drink today ... [the staff] is kind of concerned about your sobriety."
We're told Kim was eventually escorted out of the airport without further incident.
Family sources tell us they've been dealing with Kim's "issues" for a long time.
TMZ obtained footage of a boozy Kim slurring, stammering and popping pills at San Francisco International airport back in July.
After repeatedly bothering staff about a flight delay -- airport security arrives to the scene to help control the situation ... and cops soon discover Kim was in the wrong terminal all along.
At one point cops say to Kim, "Have you had anything to drink today ... [the staff] is kind of concerned about your sobriety."
We're told Kim was eventually escorted out of the airport without further incident.
Family sources tell us they've been dealing with Kim's "issues" for a long time.
Charlie Sheen Wants to Create 'Porn Family'
Charlie Sheen wants to be the patriarch of a HUGE "porn family" -- composed of his favorite adult stars -- and he wants them all to live in a mansion down the street from his own house ... TMZ has learned.
Sources connected to Charlie tell us ... during the infancy stages of Sheen's most recent bender Tuesday night, the actor brought his realtor and some of his XXX lady friends to dinner with his neighbor George Santo Pietro -- Vanna White's ex-husband.
We're told the meal was served in the wine cellar at George's home -- located just two miles from Sheen's place -- and Charlie drank ... A LOT.
During the boozefest, Charlie agreed to rent out George's giant estate for four months -- at the rate of $250k per month -- while George goes away on an upcoming trip to Thailand.
And why does Sheen need an extra mansion? Charlie explained that he wants to start a "porn family" -- and he wants the "actresses" to all live in the same house. One big, smutty family.
The next morning, Sheen's people found out about the deal and were "furious" -- and immediately put a stop to the plans.
So, we gotta ask ...
Sources connected to Charlie tell us ... during the infancy stages of Sheen's most recent bender Tuesday night, the actor brought his realtor and some of his XXX lady friends to dinner with his neighbor George Santo Pietro -- Vanna White's ex-husband.
We're told the meal was served in the wine cellar at George's home -- located just two miles from Sheen's place -- and Charlie drank ... A LOT.
During the boozefest, Charlie agreed to rent out George's giant estate for four months -- at the rate of $250k per month -- while George goes away on an upcoming trip to Thailand.
And why does Sheen need an extra mansion? Charlie explained that he wants to start a "porn family" -- and he wants the "actresses" to all live in the same house. One big, smutty family.
The next morning, Sheen's people found out about the deal and were "furious" -- and immediately put a stop to the plans.
So, we gotta ask ...
Adam Dell's Custody Battle with Padma Lakshmi Gets Nasty
Earlier this week, Adam Dell the father of 'Top Chef' host Padma Lakshmi filed a suit for the full custody of their child 11-month-old daughter Krishna. And it seems Dell decided to get nasty by claiming that Lakshmi told him she had hoped he has nothing to do with the pregnancy.
According to the Daily Mail, in a 16-page suit filed in court Dell is claiming that when he and Lakshmi were dating in 2009, she was also dating 70-year-old IMG boss Ted Forstmann.
Lakshmi is currently in a relationship with Forstmann.
Dell is claiming that Lakshmi had hoped Forstmann was the father to Krishna and not Dell. He said Lakshmi refused to put his name on the birth certificate, "to minimize, if not eliminate [Dell's] role in Krishna's life and to install Forstmann as Krishna's father."
Dell also mentions that Lakshmi launched a cruel attack on him during a phone call in September 2009, calling him an 'unambitious' man with an 'uninteresting' career and 'unmemorable' friends.
The suit also claims that, "Forstmann declared that Lakshmi, Krishna and he are a "family" and they wished (Dell) would f*****g disappear."
However, Lakshmi's lawyer, Jay Silverstein, called Dell's suit "inaccurate and misleading" and is quoted saying, "We were in the process of negotiating permanent visitation rights when Dell terminated negotiations and this suit was filed. He remains more interested in garnering media attention than focusing on the welfare of his daughter."
Silverstein added that Lakshmi was looking forward to correcting the record in the courts and not in the press.
He said "'She (Lakshmi) is saddened and gravely disappointed that Mr. Dell has chosen a very public means of filing his petition with the court rather than doing so in a confidential or sealed manner which is customary in cases involving a very young child."
According to the Daily Mail, in a 16-page suit filed in court Dell is claiming that when he and Lakshmi were dating in 2009, she was also dating 70-year-old IMG boss Ted Forstmann.
Lakshmi is currently in a relationship with Forstmann.
Dell is claiming that Lakshmi had hoped Forstmann was the father to Krishna and not Dell. He said Lakshmi refused to put his name on the birth certificate, "to minimize, if not eliminate [Dell's] role in Krishna's life and to install Forstmann as Krishna's father."
Dell also mentions that Lakshmi launched a cruel attack on him during a phone call in September 2009, calling him an 'unambitious' man with an 'uninteresting' career and 'unmemorable' friends.
The suit also claims that, "Forstmann declared that Lakshmi, Krishna and he are a "family" and they wished (Dell) would f*****g disappear."
However, Lakshmi's lawyer, Jay Silverstein, called Dell's suit "inaccurate and misleading" and is quoted saying, "We were in the process of negotiating permanent visitation rights when Dell terminated negotiations and this suit was filed. He remains more interested in garnering media attention than focusing on the welfare of his daughter."
Silverstein added that Lakshmi was looking forward to correcting the record in the courts and not in the press.
He said "'She (Lakshmi) is saddened and gravely disappointed that Mr. Dell has chosen a very public means of filing his petition with the court rather than doing so in a confidential or sealed manner which is customary in cases involving a very young child."
Nicki Minaj Opens Up About Parental Abuse and Drug Use
It's been quiet a week for Nicki Minaj who caused big waves on her first trip overseas, she inciting a near-riot outside of her London hotel and got thrown out of the establishment. But, in an interview with U.K. newspaper The Sun, the singer got deep, discussing her troubled past and revealing that her father's abuse and mother's subsequent addictions caused her to "act out."
"All of my young and teenage early years we lived in fear that my mother would be killed by my father," Nicki explained. "It was ridiculous. It made me act out to guys and be evil to them when I was growing up."
While her father's abuse may have damaged her early relationships, Nicki also said that her difficult childhood made her stronger. "It made me tough. Of course it did," Nicki continued. "I am an emotional person, but I am a tough person. It was very tough emotionally for me to have a parent who was an alcoholic and a drug addict. I had a mum with no money."
Ultimately, the lesson Minaj said she learned from her mother was to "keep it moving" and be prepared to walk away from any situation when things aren't working out.
"I will cry about something but I never let anything stop me. I can't be like my mum. I know I can cut ties and still make it," Nicki said. "She didn't cut ties when I felt like she should have done. That's been my whole thing. I've been able to say, 'This isn't working anymore. You need to get out of my life.' I keep it moving and it has worked."
Recently, Minaj was asked about her rumored relationship with rapper Drake and whether they indeed were a couple. She toyed with the idea jokingly, "I think (our children will) definitely have my personality," she said. "My mother-in-law will be super beautiful, so that's good 'cause Drake's mom is freaking amazing. I love her. (Our kids will) have Drake's intelligence. They'll have his sarcastic wittiness that I love about him, and they'll have his songwriting skills."
"All of my young and teenage early years we lived in fear that my mother would be killed by my father," Nicki explained. "It was ridiculous. It made me act out to guys and be evil to them when I was growing up."
While her father's abuse may have damaged her early relationships, Nicki also said that her difficult childhood made her stronger. "It made me tough. Of course it did," Nicki continued. "I am an emotional person, but I am a tough person. It was very tough emotionally for me to have a parent who was an alcoholic and a drug addict. I had a mum with no money."
Ultimately, the lesson Minaj said she learned from her mother was to "keep it moving" and be prepared to walk away from any situation when things aren't working out.
"I will cry about something but I never let anything stop me. I can't be like my mum. I know I can cut ties and still make it," Nicki said. "She didn't cut ties when I felt like she should have done. That's been my whole thing. I've been able to say, 'This isn't working anymore. You need to get out of my life.' I keep it moving and it has worked."
Recently, Minaj was asked about her rumored relationship with rapper Drake and whether they indeed were a couple. She toyed with the idea jokingly, "I think (our children will) definitely have my personality," she said. "My mother-in-law will be super beautiful, so that's good 'cause Drake's mom is freaking amazing. I love her. (Our kids will) have Drake's intelligence. They'll have his sarcastic wittiness that I love about him, and they'll have his songwriting skills."
Cheryl Burke Reveals Trauma of Being Called Fat
'Dancing with the Stars' pro Cheryl Burke recently made headlines revealing she was molested as a child. But now the famous figure is opening up about her own self image issues.
In the summer of 2008, a tabloid published photos of Burke looking heavier. "One night I was supposed to go out with my friends but I couldn't do it," she told PEOPLE. "Every time someone looked at me I was like, 'That person thinks I'm fat.'"
Burke estimated she gained 5 to 10 lbs while on hiatus from the show, and the 5'4" dancing star fought back when tabloids called her fat, saying, "You don't have to be anorexic to be beautiful."
The 26-year-old two-time 'Dancing With the Stars' champ confesses she was devastated by the public scrutiny, and tried everything from staving herself to diet pills.
The weight came off gradually, as a result of her rigorous dancing regimen and eating plenty of vegetables. "I love carbs and I love chips," she says. "I'm not going to deprive myself---but instead of eating potato chips I'll eat Triscuits or low-fat Cheez-Its."
Now the lifelong dancer says she feels good about her body. "There are moments when I'm like, 'Ugh- the camera adds 10 lbs,'" she admits. "But as long as I work up a sweat and eat clean I feel great about my body."
In the summer of 2008, a tabloid published photos of Burke looking heavier. "One night I was supposed to go out with my friends but I couldn't do it," she told PEOPLE. "Every time someone looked at me I was like, 'That person thinks I'm fat.'"
Burke estimated she gained 5 to 10 lbs while on hiatus from the show, and the 5'4" dancing star fought back when tabloids called her fat, saying, "You don't have to be anorexic to be beautiful."
The 26-year-old two-time 'Dancing With the Stars' champ confesses she was devastated by the public scrutiny, and tried everything from staving herself to diet pills.
The weight came off gradually, as a result of her rigorous dancing regimen and eating plenty of vegetables. "I love carbs and I love chips," she says. "I'm not going to deprive myself---but instead of eating potato chips I'll eat Triscuits or low-fat Cheez-Its."
Now the lifelong dancer says she feels good about her body. "There are moments when I'm like, 'Ugh- the camera adds 10 lbs,'" she admits. "But as long as I work up a sweat and eat clean I feel great about my body."
Katy Perry Talks Diet and 'California Dreams' World Tour
Katy Perry is preparing for her 'California Dreams world tour, and 'the 'California Gurl' told Rolling Stone just how she plans to get in shape.
"After this interview Im going to have a nice healthy breakfast," the 5'8" star said. "I'm on a meal plan, which absolutely sucks, but on Sundays I get to have a cheat day where I go buck wild and eat In-N-Out Burger. Then I'll work out, go to a vocal lesson, run through the entire set at rehearsals, go to dance rehearsal until 10:00 pm, and then go home and sort through e-mails concerning the production. I feel like I'm training for the Olympics!"
"Touring is no longer an ordinary thing where you play an instrument in jeans and a T-shirt," Russell Brand's new wife admits. ""It has some pizazz these days, and I'm definitely bringing the pizazz with a lot of bells and whistles. This show has a Broadway feel to it. It's got a story line that's going to be very interesting, kind of loosely based on my life, but a cartoon version."
The 26-year-old is determined to make her first arena headlining tour on par with Lady Gaga and Pink's recent shows. She says she's most excited about the newest addition to the California Dreams show: smell-o-vision. "It's the first concert that's going to smell good," she said. "It's going to smell like you're in cotton candy heaven. It's a fun little nuance. I am a woman of detail, and you will be seeing that--- even down to the 15 outfit changes I am doing in concert."
She recently shot a guest appearance on 'How I Met Your Mother' and while she won't fess up to the part she plays, she admits, "I just did it basically because I'm obsessed with Neil Patrick Harris. He's really sweet, and the cast of the show was really nice to me and forgiving of my bad acting skills."
"After this interview Im going to have a nice healthy breakfast," the 5'8" star said. "I'm on a meal plan, which absolutely sucks, but on Sundays I get to have a cheat day where I go buck wild and eat In-N-Out Burger. Then I'll work out, go to a vocal lesson, run through the entire set at rehearsals, go to dance rehearsal until 10:00 pm, and then go home and sort through e-mails concerning the production. I feel like I'm training for the Olympics!"
"Touring is no longer an ordinary thing where you play an instrument in jeans and a T-shirt," Russell Brand's new wife admits. ""It has some pizazz these days, and I'm definitely bringing the pizazz with a lot of bells and whistles. This show has a Broadway feel to it. It's got a story line that's going to be very interesting, kind of loosely based on my life, but a cartoon version."
The 26-year-old is determined to make her first arena headlining tour on par with Lady Gaga and Pink's recent shows. She says she's most excited about the newest addition to the California Dreams show: smell-o-vision. "It's the first concert that's going to smell good," she said. "It's going to smell like you're in cotton candy heaven. It's a fun little nuance. I am a woman of detail, and you will be seeing that--- even down to the 15 outfit changes I am doing in concert."
She recently shot a guest appearance on 'How I Met Your Mother' and while she won't fess up to the part she plays, she admits, "I just did it basically because I'm obsessed with Neil Patrick Harris. He's really sweet, and the cast of the show was really nice to me and forgiving of my bad acting skills."
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