Daily Eye Candy

Sure, they're pretty damn close to being identical, but Shawn Ashmore is clearly the hot twin. If only he'd be in something I want to watch (VMars not included).

No more weird mustache? I approve!

I might have to go look for this issue tomorrow just to look at how pretty pretty pretty Brandon Flowers is minus the scraggly facial hair.

Oh, and The Killers have a new album coming out in November. YAY!!!

Roundup 7

Been busy the last few days. Here are some things worth noting:

• Ever wonder what Christian Bale and Kermit the Frog have in common? This post on ONTD tells us all.
• Wired has a whole list of "famous" Twitter accounts. I like the Buffy ones, myself.
• There's a cute interview on EW.com with James Franco and his brother that I missed back in April.
• EW.com also has 25 Things Pop Culture Taught Us This Summer.
• David Duchovney has gone to rehab for sex addiction.
• Jennifer Aniston will guest star on 30 Rock this season.
• Michael Phelps is making the TV rounds this fall. He'll be on the VMA's, hosting the season premiere of SNL, and popping up on Entourage.
• Michael Jackson turned 50 this week. The Daily Mail online has a guess as to what he might have looked like if he hadn't gone nuts and fucked up his face.
• Marcel, runner up on Top Chef season 2, was arrested on suspicion of a DUI.
• And finally, some wacko Brit thinks that Buffy the Vampire Slayer is to blame for less women going to church. WTF?
  

Do some T-Shirt shopping

Threadless, my favorite T-shirt seller, - other than my friend Dan's awesome shop Acme Prints in Scottsdale, AZ - is having a Back-To-School sale where you can get shirts for $12. I'm going to stock up. You should too.

American Idol News

Now that Nigel Lythgoe, longtime producer of American Idol, has left, there seems to be some changes happening. The first one: A fourth judge. Is this necessary? Does this mean the shows will be even longer? Or that we'll hear less singing and more bullshitty commentary from the "authorities"?

I think it means my American Idol Fatigue will kick in much earlier than normal.

Ugh. Not Ana-Lucia!

That's right. Awful, awful Ana-Lucia will be back for one episode of Lost this season. Prepare. Yourselves. For. Dialogue. Punctuated. By. Periods. After. Every. Word.

And more babies!

Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale have a new baby boy to add to their family. Born today and named Zuma Nesta Rock Rossdale. Seriously.

Ok, I make fun of celebrities and their name choices for their children, but what the eff is that name?! Zuma is a game I'd play online when I was bored! This one is up there with the weirdest names ever.

Congrats, anyway.

Babies babies babies.

Congratulations to Matt Damon and his wife Luciana on the birth of their second daughter (her third), Gia Zavala. She was born yesterday, and both baby and mama are doing well.

Gossip Girl Spoilers

From Ask Ausiello over on EW.com:

Question: You've seen the first two Gossip Girl episodes?! Spill! -- Melissa
Ausiello: As I mentioned in my Gossip Girl premiere wrap party video, I got the distinct impression that the show is laying the groundwork for a possible Rufus-Vanessa pairing. The signs are subtle, but they're there. I'm curious to see what you guys think. Elsewhere, there's a scene between Leighton Meester and guest cougar Madchen Amick in the second episode that was so good I nearly wept. No surprise that exec producer Stephanie Savage -- who's second only to Patrick Mulcahey (Santa Barbara) when it comes to writing bitchtastic dialogue -- penned the outing. Oh, and many words have been used to describe Chace Crawford's Nate -- hot, sexy, tasty, yummy, etc. Well, by the end of the second ep, you'll be able to add male prostitute to that list.

Let's discuss.

1. Rufus/Vanessa? First of all: gross. Yes, it will be hot because Matthew Settle and Jessica Szohr are hot people, but her best friend is his son. Sick sick sick.
2. Blair vs. the Cougar? AWESOMESAUCE.
3. Nate...male prostitute? Will he be naked? Will he look like this picture? Then I approve.

I won't sully this blog with a picture of that whore.

I'm the first to admit that I'm sick of hearing about Michael Phelps and his medals, but I also admit that it's a pretty fucking amazing thing that he's accomplished. I could give a shit that JLo is training for a triathalon or something. But apparently, she thinks that she's more important than an actual athlete winning actual awards for his actual athleticism. Just like she had a bunch of demands - as in give me money demands - before she'd agree to appear on that 9/11 telethon that George Clooney organized days after the towers fell (they refused to pay her; she didn't appear). She's a bitch and I wish people would stop seeing her movies, buying her music/clothes/perfumes and going to her concerts so she'd just GO AWAY with that horrifying husband of hers.

Congratulations, JLo. You got me to write about Michael Phelps just like the rest of the world. I hope he starts winning medals in sports he's not even trained in just to show how much more awesome he is.

Why can't people just leave things alone?

If you know me, you know how much I loved Veronica Mars - I even posted about how much I miss it last week! But, do I miss it enough to want a movie? I...don't know. I don't think so, though. Just because Sex and the City worked out fairly well for all involved doesn't mean that even that movie needed to be made. Or that everyone whose show has ended needs to jump on the bandwagon and make a movie too.

For the record, TV shows that I passionately feel don't need movies:

Friends
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel
Veronica Mars
The X-Files

Show that I think DOES need a(nother) movie: Twin Peaks. I need answers!


But if the VMars movie does get made, of course I'll see it, even if it sucks. Just like The X-Files movie.

The Hobbit + Peter Jackson = Awesome

It's official: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens, the Oscar winning team behind the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, will be working with Guillermo Del Toro on writing the script for The Hobbit movies. (I didn't realize this was going to be TWO movies). I love the LOTR movies and the book, but couldn't get very into The Hobbit when I tried to read it. Hopefully with Team Pete behind it, the movie will show me why the book is worth reading too.

Yes, it's brave.

I know millions of women get breast cancer every year, and many of them have mastectomies, but that doesn't stop me from thinking that Christina Applegate is very brave, and very strong for getting a double mastectomy to insure she doesn't have a relapse of the cancer she was diagnosed with recently. Being a girl, I think I'd have a hard time making that decision, and I admire her for it.

And she's cancer free now! Yay!

I'll see this, definitely.

Tina Fey and Steve Carell have signed on to do a movie together called Date Night. I can't imagine that those two won't be funny together.

*sigh*

To fill the hole that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is leaving now that it's been moved to next summer, Twilight has been moved up a month, now coming out on November 21st.

Whatever. I'm still pissed about having to wait 11 more months for Harry Potter. Vampires aren't going to make that any better.

Here, have the teaser trailer.

Hey look! It's Brenda and Kelly!

Marriage reports

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi got married this weekend. Congrats to them.

In opposite news, Donnie Wahlberg and his wife filed for divorce.

I'm sorry.

I had to post it. It's ridiculous and a cheese fest, and yet...the song grew on me.

Hey! I know that guy!

I've hung out with him at a bar I used to frequent. I still have his number in my phone.

And now he's been arrested on felony drug charges. Way to go, Craig. Jesus.

Worlds collide in a great way

My favorite band, Nada Surf, will be performing at the Democratic National Convention, along with other indie artists. Wish I could go.

From the press release:

All Star Line Up Of Indie Bands To
Headline Manifest Hope Gallery
Party Wednesday Night Of
Democratic National Convention

Manifest Hope Gallery -- Hosted By Shepard Fairey And MoveOn -- Will Display Obama Art During The Convention Week


Artist Shepard Fairey, MoveOn.org Evolutionary Media Group and Upper Playground will join forces to host the "Manifest Hope Art Gallery" (www.manifesthope.com) at the Democratic National Convention. The gallery will open to the public from Sunday, August 24 through Thursday, August 28 2008, will feature artists supporting Senator Barack Obama for President.

On Wednesday, August 27th at 6:00 pm, Manifest Hope and partner San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will host Unconventional '08 with musical performances on an outdoor stage to feature artists such as: Silversun Pickups, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cold War Kids Nada Surf and DJ Z Trip. Tickets are free and a limited amount will be available by visiting Manifest Hope Gallery in Denver.

Additionally, there will be an intimate invite only VIP performance songwriter in the round performance featuring Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie, Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley, Zooey Deschanel of She and Him, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf and singer/songwriter Jonathan Rice.

The Manifest Hope Gallery will showcase both known and new artists, some of the finest modern contemporary artists, acclaimed NY painters and sculptors, activated grass roots and street artists, and present the most widely recognized pieces seen throughout the 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as newly commissioned works and previous works on loan from some of the United States top artists.

In addition to the professional artists, five artists selected from submissions in a MoveOn sponsored art contest will show their work for the first time at the Manifest Hope Gallery. These five pieces will be chosen by a panel of judges include famed artists Ross Bleckner, April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Shepard Fairey, musicians Moby, Thurston Moore and DJ Spooky, and Cydney Payton; Executive Director & Chief Curator MCA Denver, and Nancy Spector; Author & Guggenheim Curator of Contemporary Art.

The five finalists selected to show in the Manifest Hope Gallery will hang alongside well-known artists such as Shepard Fairey, Sam Flores, Ron English, Chris Pastras, Mel Kadel and Date Farmers. Other artists included in the exhibition include: Justin Bua, Todd Lockwood, David Choe, Maya Hayuk, Cathie Bleck, Cro (Go Tell Mama), MAC, Evan Hecox, Lukas Ketner, Henry Lewis, Scot Lefavor, Lisa Congdon, Amy Martin, and more to be added. Resident DJ Jeremy Sole will on hand all week to inspire music inside the art galleries.

The Manifest Hope Gallery will be open to the public in Denver, CO at the Democratic National Convention, between Sunday August 24th, 2008 and Thursday, August 28th, 2008 from 10am – 5pm daily.

It's like a celebrity baby boom!

Busy Phillips, of Freaks & Geeks and Dawson's Creek and most recently ER - also godmother to Matilda Williams-Ledger - gave birth to her own daughter this week. And the new baby's name: Birdie Leigh. Um. Well, I guess it's ok since mama's name is Busy. Anyway, congrats!

No, this wasn't an excuse to post a picture of James Franco...ok, yes it was.

Oh for fuck's sake.

Warner Bros. has decided to move Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to NEXT JULY. NEXT JULY! Eleven months from now.

That is bullshit.

Not pop culture related at all

A fellow blogger friend of mine posted this one her site, and I thought, well, holy shit.

Huge Propane Tank Explodes in Toronto.

Huge Propane Tank Explosion and Shockwave - Watch more free videos

Seriously. Holy shit.

Maybe we can will it into happening

Joss insists there won't be a Serenity sequel. But then, no one thought there'd be a Serenity. So...I'll keep holding out hope, just in case.

Oooh, Pretty!

I really love the dress Katharine McPhee wore to the Teen Choice Awards. A lot.

Big week for QB1

Firstly, isn't Jeremy Sumpter British? Secondly...I'm out of stuff. Peter Pan has been cast as Matt Seracen's rival QB. His parents will be played by Janine Turner and D.W. Moffatt.

Pop Culture Politicians

Remember in 1992 when Bill Clinton was running for his first term? He went on MTV and was interviewed by young voters, something that had never been done before, and changed the way, for a while, young voters were viewed. Eight and twelve years later the young vote would largely be ignored, especially by Bush and the Republican party.

This time around, it's looking like both candidates are at least trying to appeal to the young voter. Recently they've both done Pop Culture Q&A's with Entertainment Weekly, and chosen their Top Ten Songs for Blender. McCain also tried - and failed - to take Obama down a notch by unfavorably comparing him to Paris Hilton, a move which backfired when her parents got super pissed since they'd given his campaign a shit ton of money. The Funny or Die response is, I hate to admit because I despise Paris Hilton, hilarious.

Honestly, I think Obama has the edge in almost all areas, but then, I'm supporting him and I really dislike McCain. But really, when a candidate's name is built in for campaign t-shirts that say Barack the Vote, how can you lose?

OK, OK, I'll go see The Rocker

Just let Jenna go, Rainn. Kidnapping is wrong.

It's the summer of Franco

I just love him.

LOL.

I love me some Gossip Girl, but I have to admit, I'm kinda on Team Ferrera after seeing this clip of Blake Lively and America Ferrera on Good Day L.A. They were there to promote the new Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movie, but the host really wanted the scoop on Gossip Girl.

Ugly Betty was NOT amused.

Is this the new thing in Hollywood...finally?

It's lesbian chic, I'm guessing? Once Lindsay Lohan is pretty much openly in a relationship with a woman , all the "lesser" actresses can jump on the bandwagon...or something. Or maybe now they can just be OUT, much like T.R. Knight and my gay TV Boyfriend Neil Patrick Harris. Either way, it doesn't matter. Sexual orientation isn't "chic" or "hip", it just is. The sooner we stop making an issue out of it, the better off we'll all be.

But I didn't know that Jena Malone is a lesbian. If she actually is. You just never can tell what's real and what's a stunt these days. She arrived at the Tropic Thunder premiere holding hands with a former co-star, but let's be honest, that's not what's bothering me.
It's the horrible haircut. What is that? Jena, you're such a pretty girl and a fantastic actress. Why would you do that to your head?!

Cylon toast!

Remember before Comic-Con, NBC started selling the exclusive Battlestar Galactica Toaster, which makes Cylon Toast? Well, people have started receiving theirs in the mail. i09 has a report on how good the toast is.

I really, really want one of these.

Where's the clever combo of their names?

So, this week my favorite quarterback Tom Brady and his beautiful supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen - who I hated when she was with Leo but somehow like a lot with Tom - have moved in together.

But more importantly, Tom is on the cover of Esquire Magazine looking gorgeous.

Almost missed it.

Happy Birthday Casey Affleck.

If you haven't seen my favorite movie of last year The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, do yourself a favor and rent it. It's fantastic, and you will have a whole new opinion on Casey Affleck's acting. He's phenomenal.

Football season hasn't even started, but the Super Bowl schedule is already out. The Office has secured the coveted post-superbowl episode slot, and Bruce Springsteen is rumored to be doing the half-time show.

Now if only the Patriots can get their asses in the game. Oh, and actually win it this time.

Another 90210 post?

OK, I admit it, I'd really like to see Tori Spelling reprise her Donna Martin role. There, it's out there. Sure, Tori's not a good actress, but how can it be 90210 without Donna's drama?

Apparently, Jennie Garth is upset about it. And Shannen Doherty says they didn't "get the numbers right" so maybe the reports are wrong. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Oh, and I'm still holding out hope for a Dylan appearance.

Oh, Matt Seracen, how I love you.

If you're an avid Friday Night Lights watcher like me, you may have wondered where little Matt's mom is. He lives with his grandma and his dad's in Iraq (again, after a brief furlough home), but nothing's ever been said about Mama Seracen.

Until now.

Kim Dickens, from Deadwood - a show I've sadly never seen - and from a couple episodes of Lost, where I liked her a lot, is the lucky actress cast to play Matt's mom. I hate that I have to wait until 2009 to see my show. :(

Heroes just might get awesome again

Seth Green and Breckin Meyer are set to guest star on this season of Heroes. As comic book nerds. OMG. It almost doesn't get better than that!

One time, I met Breckin Meyer's dad. How random.

9021-uh oh.

Apparently things aren't going so well over at the CW if they're planning on basing the fate of the network on whether the new 90210 is a hit.

Strangely, I had a dream last night that had Brenda Walsh in it. I need to stop watching old re-runs on SoapNet.

Not taking the awkward guy roles from Tobey anymore.

So, Jake Gyllenhaal is filming this Prince of Persia movie, based on a video game, right now. Big action probably summer tentpole movie.

And he looks like this in it:


Damn, boy.

Ah, it's contract negotiation time.

Yawn.

It happens every year. One or two cast members of a popular show decides that he or she or they deserve more money than they're currently making - because, you know, $150,000 an episode isn't nearly enough money to live on comfortably. Anyway, every time this happens, especially when a show is a true ensemble, I think: "Why don't these people band together like the cast of Friends did. If one got a raise, everyone got a raise. Everyone was paid equally and there was never any behind the scenes drama or in-fighting." (Are you listening, Katherine Heigl?)

So, this year it's Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly. Do either of them carry Lost on their shoulders alone? No. Would the show survive without either or both of them? Possibly, but probably not. Do they deserve more money? I guess...but so do Terry O'Quinn, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Naveen Andrews, Elizabeth Mitchell, Henry Ian Cusick (if he's still on the show) and Michael Emerson.

I hate money. It makes everyone and everything ugly.

I miss Veronica Mars

If for no other reason than that the cast seemed to really like each other. *sigh*

Seriously?

...Wait. The Olympics have mascots? And these are them? I thought the Olympics were taking place in China. Why, then, do we have these goofy Anime mascots? Fine, I admit, they're kinda cute.

I need to do some research, obviously, on whether there were goofy mascots in Olympics past. And also why The Thorpedo retired, because he was pretty much the only thing I was looking forward to watching.

Ok, that and gymnastics. As if you're surprised.


Edited to add: There have been Olympic mascots ever since 1968. Where have I been? Oh, right. Not watching the Olympics because I largely don't care.

Kate Hudson is pretty.

And she looks like my friend Michelle.

Another one gone.

Yesterday it was Bernie Mac, today it's Isaac Hayes. WTF is going on?!

Baby moose!

Meese? Moose.

Daily Eye Candy

One time, when The OC had just barely hit the airwaves but wasn't a hit yet, I stood in line next to Adam Brody at Buzz Coffee on Sunset. He was tall, super cute, and really down to Earth. It almost made me want to watch his show. I resisted.

I did, however, just watch In the Land of Women, and highly recommend it.