Archive for November, 2008

November 21, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Was this foreshadowing?

Was this foreshadowing?

Ashlee Simpson: Gave birth last night to a boy named Bronx Mowgli.  We have a feeling dad Pete Wentz picked the name.  At least he wasn’t kidding earlier this week when he said fatherhood was “imminent.”

PEOPLE: That Sexiest Man Alive issue will feature scratch and sniff.  Even WE are creeped out.

Reese Witherspoon: Now we know for sure not to believe any tabloid that says Reese and Jake are headed to the altar.  The star herself says she’s not ready to remarry now, if ever.

Jennifer Aniston: Admits she’s computer illiterate and thinks Facebook is like “dancing with the devil.”  Sure she wasn’t talking about Angelina?

Jennifer Aniston Pt. 2: Loves watching FRIENDS repeats.  Ego trip?  She also says she watches some of the episodes and doesn’t actually remember doing them or what they were about.   We never understand celebs when they say that!  We remember every little detail of every little episode and we didn’t even make the damn things!  What’s your excuse?

ABC: The ax has fallen on not one, not two but THREE shows: Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money.  Is there anything left?!

CW: Did some cancellations of its own but none that we really care about.  Just the out-sourced shows that aired for a millisecond on Sunday nights.  In are repeats…of Jericho?  Weird.  That show was prematurely canceled itself!

Gossip Girl: To be honest, we don’t really understand this.  According to Ausiello, Connor Paolo (Eric) declined an offer to become a series regular yet will still stay on the show and somehow this is better for his career.  Whatevs.

SNL: People are speculating why Justin and Beyonce’s Single Ladies sketch isn’t available on-line.  Some say it’s JT’s fault because he wanted to be paid residuals.  Others say it’s just a “music clearance issue.”  How long til somebody caves?

SNL Pt. 2: Did last week’s show seem especially ‘gay’ to you?  Headwriter Seth Meyers was asked that very same question.

Heroes: The creator is blaming the show’s decline on DVR.  And now a TIME writer is taking him to task for not accepting responsibility.

Obama: Shows are seizing on the opportunity to name-drop the president-elect.  It’s actually kinda cool and makes them seem more real, we think.

Obama Pt. 2: The Washington Post takes an interesting look on whether it really matters if O has in fact quit smoking.

Roger Ebert: We love self-deprecation!  Ebert shows how good he is at it–and how he can be poignant at the same time–when he looks back on how his appearance has changed over the years.

Rosie O’Donnell: We LOVE her response to Babs’ insults on yesterday’s View.  Classic Ro.

Twitter: Now being used by Shaquille O’Neal.  Does that mean it’s time for us to stop?

SIZZLED OUT: Winona Ryder

STILL SIZZLING: This guy is the latest to be caught on camera with his pants down. But what will the queen say?!

November 20, 2008 Pt. 2

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 20, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Oh, Brandon, you're too pretty to be angry!

Oh, Brandon, you're too pretty to be angry!

Madonna: Reportedly reached a settlement with soon-to-be ex-husband Guy Ritchie.  How many of you are disappointed there won’t be a long, drawn-out court fight?

90210: No new episodes until January.  We think this is a good thing.  Buddy TV just wrote a pretty fair assessment of the first half of the season, though we probably would’ve been a bit harsher.

90210 Pt. 2: Up for Favorite New Television Drama at the People’s Choice Awards.  Absurd.  Totally absurd.  See above.

DWTS: When Julianne Hough was eliminated the other night, we had no idea it would be her last time on the show, like, ever!  She says she doesn’t plan on returning next season, and singing will be her primary focus.  Blasphemous!

Salon: Named Robert Downey Jr. the Sexiest Man Living.  Blatant rip-off of PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive.

Wall-E: Quite possibly more popular with adults than kids.  Considering the film went over even our heads a little, we can believe that.

The Killers: What happens when you misquote one of their lyrics?  Brandon Flowers gets very, very angry.

PC Magazine: Will be on-line only in the future.  On the one hand, this makes complete sense for a mag all about computers.  On the other hand, it’s just more bad news for the industry.

Rosie O’Donnell: Promises controversy-free fun on next week’s Rosie Live.  “The job description here is to entertain. … It will be an hour of fun, laughter, singing and dancing,” she said.  We wish we were in the audience!

The View: In response to another part of the above interview, where Rosie reflects on her frustrating times at The View, Babs said today (on-air) that Rosie needs to move on with her life.  She kinda is, though, no?  It’s not Ro’s fault the interviewers keep asking her questions that rehash old shit!

November 20, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 20, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Soon this all will be just a bad dream!

Soon this all will be just a bad dream!

Paris Hilton: At first “sources” were saying that she and Benji Madden are no longer together but we weren’t sure whether to believe it.  They made huge declarations of their love as recently as last month.  Turns out, the Associated Press got official confirmation from Hilton’s publicist.  You win some, you lose some…

Miley Cyrus: Wants to be on a reality television show beacause they’re “crazy” and it would be cool “to be in a really nice house with cameras following me around.”  Lucky for her, MTV is casting for season 22 of The Real World.  Be careful what you wish for, Miley!

Rob Lowe: Chinese delegates, in California to discuss global warming with the governator, got the pleasure of witnessing Lowe film a scene for Brothers & Sisters.  Lowe even got them directors’ chairs and headsets.  What an inefficient use of time!

Gawker: Categorizes the 4 different ways magazines have been killed lately.  Funny and sad at the same time.

OK! Magazine: They’re practically the only mag out there hiring.  Too bad we don’t want to work for them!  (Yes, we know one day we will regret saying that!)

Jossip: The aforementioned regret has already begun.  Internships at some pretty desirable mags are now for sale, as in YOU PAY TO DO THEM.  This truly is a “New America.” One in which we stay in bed under the covers all day.

Soap Opera Digest: You know times are bad when a publication starts asking for “volunteer writers.”   At least they’re not auctioning the spots off to the highest bidder!

24: The two-hour telepic, airing Sunday, is a “dry-run” for a full-length feature in theaters.  Ratings and DVD sales will be the deciding factors.

Blink-182: Mark Hoppus admits to talking a lot lately with former bandmates Travis Barker and Tom DeLonge.  The best news: a music reunion, though not yet discussed, isn’t totally out of the question!

Beauty & the Geek: May have a second life on MTV, with D-list celebs participating as the beauties.  Hard to believe Ashton Kutcher is involved with this crap.

AR2: What if there was a second American Revolution?  That question is the subject of a new series in the works at FX.  The “incendiary” plot will revolve around college students who stage a revolt and try to re-define the meaning of patriotism.

Judd Apatow: His next movie won’t be out til next summer at the earliest and it’s already getting press play.  We’re not surprised considering, a, his track record and, b, the stars lined up (Adam Sandler, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jason Schwartzman and wife Leslie Mann).

SIZZLED OUT: Josh Schwartz

STILL SIZZLING: This actress spent an hour in the hospital after getting sick on a plane.  Realizing the best days of our career were behind us would make us sick, too.

November 19, 2008 Pt. 2

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 19, 2008 by sizzlemaker
A surprising choice, no?  Can't wait to see how it sells on newsstands.

A surprising choice, no? Can't wait to see how it sells on newsstands.

PEOPLE: Named Hugh Jackman the 2008 Sexiest Man Alive.   Not a bad choice, though we probably would’ve gone with someone a little younger.

Britney: In previews for her upcoming documentary, she finally admits she married for the “wrong reason.”  And how long til she does it again?

Star Trek: Admittedly we know nothing about Trek but this video really made us smile.  It’s a mash-up of the movie’s new trailer and the 90210 theme song.  Works quite well!

Brian Austin Green: Still with Transformers star Megan Fox and planning their wedding.  We’ve been hoping for a reunion with babymama (and former 90210 co-star) Vanessa Marcil but it doesn’t look like that’ll be happening.

Ashley Dupre: No surprise that the former call girl’s first interview is with PEOPLE.  Will Spitzer issue a response?

DWTS: Cody Linley (NOT Miley’s BF) cried after being voted off last night.  Julianne Hough is calling him the next Brad Pitt but we dont think Bradley would cry about this.

Reality TV: Who would’ve thought that all we needed was a recession to start reality TV’s decline?  As much as it pains us to say this, keep it coming!

Newsweek: Here’s a new one.  Rather than flat-out canceling their Christmas party, they’re just moving it to April.  Riiiiight.

Beauty and the Beast: It’s a tale as old as time, and it’s going 3-D.  Our favorite Disney movie EVER is being remade into 3-D format, all with its original footage.  We can’t wait!

November 19, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 19, 2008 by sizzlemaker

One of the cutest--and apparently most influential--tots around

One of the cutest--and apparently most influential--tots around

Obama: Is it offensive to rewrite The Jefferson’s theme song with the new first family in mind? An elementary school principal in Tennessee is taking a lot of heat for doing just that. To be fair, the song is pretty catchy.

Obama Pt. 2: Inauguration plans are already underway. Not known yet is which music superstars will get to perform but E!Online is already rounding up the troops. (No, not those troops.)

NBC: Developing a new show called Making Friends With Black People. Yeah, cause that isn’t offensive at all.

Lipstick Jungle: Brooke Shields wasn’t lying! NBC either never canceled the show at all or, at the very least, is giving it another chance. Take two, everyone!

Jennifer Aniston: The chica just can’t catch a break. The latest: Alec Baldwin called kissing her on 30 Rock “painful.” Aw, leave the poor girl alone! Losing Brad was bad enough.

South Park: The show isn’t ending til 2011 but we already know the format: another full-length movie. Lucky us. Or not.

Dreamgirls: Embarking on a tour sans the famous names that made it such a success.  Broadway could be next.

Forbes: Okay, they’ve officially taken their most influential lists too far. Most Influential (celebrity) Infants is just so not necessary. But, for the record, the adorable Shiloh Jolie-Pitt took the top spot.

The Roots: They’ll be the house band when Jimmy Fallon takes over The Late Show. Guess that’s more interesting than a band plucked from nowhere.

Miley Cyrus: Says she can’t predict the future (no, really??) but wants Hannah Montana to continue “as long as it can.” How much is Disney paying her to say that?

Cars 2: It’s coming but, sadly, without the late Paul Newman. We’ll see Doc Hudson again, though the creators still haven’t figured out how.

Meh: It’s one of our favorite go-to words and now it’s officially in the dictionary. And, by the way, you can thank The Simpsons for that. Or just, you know, go meh.

Fall TV: If by some chance you actually liked one of the canceled shows, this handy list suggests alternatives that don’t actually suck.

Arianna Huffington: The blogger extraordinaire promises to raise funds to keep investigative journalism alive and well. Entertainment journalism never gets any love.

Facebook: How far is too far? In a new interview (conducted over instant message!), Mark Zuckerberg says he dreams of a day where the social networking site is even more personal than it currently is. We thought that already happened. It’s called The Patriot Act.

Variety: Is it really Oscar season if there’s no campaigning? What, you didn’t know the studios actually shell out tons of cash for ads to sway the Academy’s votes? They do. (Just like real politics!) But not anymore. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn.

Journalism: So there’s no future in magazines. And now the blogging future is looking bleak, too. Good thing we gave up yesterday.

SIZZLED OUT: Mark Cuban

STILL SIZZLING: Riding the wave of superhero flicks, X-Men: First Class will be written by this wunderkind who is best known to teen girls.

November 18, 2008 Pt. 2

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2008 by sizzlemaker
He can handle terrorists but prison's a different story.

He can handle terrorists but prison's a different story!

Obama: If you name it, they will buy.  Assuming you = Obama.  After he referenced a book about FDR during his 60 Minutes interview, bookstores and buyers are scrambling to find out which book exactly it was.

Obama Pt. 2: Does the First Lady’s body type make you wanna stand up and cheer?  This writer does, giving praise to Michelle’s derriere.

Newsstands: Speaking of butts, should they (as featured on raunchy mags) be prominently displayed on newsstands next to other more “respectable” publications?  What ever happened to the First Amendment?

Theme Songs: How much do they really matter?  Apparently enough to warrant a top-40 countdown.

TiVo: It’s the gift that keeps on giving!  Soon you’ll be able to use it to order pizza!

Kiefer Sutherland: One of the 24 star’s complaints about jail: no smoking.  Oh, the horror!

Lipstick Jungle: We thought it was canceled.  Brooke Shields says no.  Fans send lipstick to network.  In sum: totally bizaarre.

Fox News: They’ve set up a Facebook page.  Totally uncool.

Rihanna: Had 8 singles from on album on the Billboard charts!  Ri-dic!

GQ: Why have a man of the year when you can have MEN of the year?  Leo, Phelps, Obama, and Mad Men’s John Hamm.  Not too shabby.

Mickey Mouse: We’re not sure if this makes us feel young or old.  Mickey turned 80 today!

Seth Rogen: He really likes making pornos.  Zack and Miri was just the tip of the iceberg.  Rogen is working on a new show for Showtime about…making pornos.  Classy, as always.

Dan Lyons: The Newsweek writer is having a hissy fit over the resignation of Yahoo’s CEO.  Apparently Lyons, in an interview just last month, was told that wouldn’t be happening.  It’s called spin, Lyons.  You of all people should know about it.

Robert Murdoch: Ouch!  The media titan is blaming the industry’s decline not on the economy but the suckiness of editors and writers.

Natalee Holloway: The case has been reopened.  Maybe we’ll actually get answers–and closure for the family–this time around.

November 18, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Look familiar?  You just saw it reimagined (aka poorly copied) on last night's OTH!

Look familiar? You just saw it reimagined (aka poorly copied) on last night's OTH.

Gossip Girl: Last night’s ep was the second with Wallace Shawn, known to most of us as the teacher from Clueless.  He seems out of place, but then again, that is precisely the point.

Gossip Girl Pt. 2: Nate turned his father in to the Feds.  How original.  Oh wait.  Dawson’s Creek did that back in 19-freakin-99!

One Tree Hill: Speaking of biting off of a original (and arguably better) teen drama, did Chad Michael Murray seriously pen a scene that was a direct copy of Toni’s death in Dylan’s arms (in the rain, no less!) on 90210?  And that was from 1996, people!  We don’t care what they say: imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery!

Obama: Gave 60 Minutes its best ratings in 9 years.  So when will the attraction begin to fade?

Obama Pt. 2: Newsweek is predicting a baby boom directly tied to Obama’s win.  Everyone gettin’ busy on election night?  Stranger things have happened.

Stephen Colbert: You know you’re big when D.C.’s elite gets together to roast you.  Will Obama be next?

TRL: This pays better tribute to the finale than we ever could.

TV Guide: Also making staff cuts.  We. Give. Up.

Scarlett Johansson: Apparently she was Katy Perry’s inspiration for I Kissed a Girl.  Are we the only ones that don’t find her (or her lips) attractive??

Viewer Habits: Unhappy?  Likely you watch more TV.  No shame in that!

Rosie O’Donnell: Her variety show is fast approaching and we’re totally psyched!

House: Will Thirteen die?  That’s what E!Online is suggesting…

Heather Locklear: Officially charged with DUI–a misdemeanor.  No word yet on the possible reprecussions if found guilty.

Cloris Leachman: We told you that an 82-year-old on DWTS wasn’t a good thing!  The former contestant was in the hospital recently for a “bad cold.”  Is that what they’re calling it these days?

SIZZLED OUT: Ashlee Simpson

STILL SIZZLING: This tough guy is accused of pulling a  Martha!  Or so the government says.  The former DWTS contestant–and current owner of the Dallas Mavericks–has been charged with insider trading.  He plans to let justice “do its job,” whatever that means.

November 17, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on November 17, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Alive and well!

Alive and well!

Miley Cyrus: If you went to the tween’s MySpace yesterday, you might’ve seen a freaky message: that the 16-year-old Miley was dead.  Alas, it is not true (as evident by her appearance on the TRL finale last night) and her page was actually hacked.  Not cool!

Britney: In case you missed it on MTV last night, a preview of a Britney-focused documentary has hit the ‘net.

NYT: One of their own is under fire for using Facebook as a way to contact teens to be interviewed for a story.  And a new ethics debate begins…

NYT Pt. 2: And here the paper mulls the possibility of it’s own demise if the economy doesn’t improve.

SIZZLED OUT: Lindsay Lohan

STILL SIZZLING: Rumor had it that this star–who still looks like she’s 17, if you ask us–went into labor.  Not true, though, if you ask her rocker husband, fatherhood is imminent.

11/16 BONUS POST

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 16, 2008 by sizzlemaker

trl1

AFTER 10 YEARS AND A 3-HOUR FINALE, TOTAL REQUEST LIVE IS OFFICIALLY OFF THE AIR.

The last TRL, renamed Total Finale Live for this special event, was a jam-packed celebration of the show that defined our childhood afternoons.

SOME THOUGHTS

Carson Daly returned to emcee the event with current host Damien Fahey.

The show actually started with a performance by Beyonce.

Weird that it was held on a Sunday night, and not a weekday, like the normal TRL.

Appearances from celebs ran the gamut from Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Jonathan Davis, Snoop Dogg and…Samuel L. Jackson?!

First on-air (and live!) interview with Travis Barker post-plane crash.  Very subdued, not that we blame him.

Diddy pretended to (or perhaps really??) choke up when he was honored for making the most appearances on TRL.

Awkward moment: Carson referring to ex Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Co-hosted by all the former VJs, including three of our faves: Hilarie Burton (yay One Tree Hill!), Dave Holmes and Jesse Camp, from the very first I Wanna Be a VJ contest.

Fall Out Boy performed…minus Pete Wentz.  He later called into the show and said he was in California prepping for imminent fatherhood.  Will it really be that soon?!

Soundbyte: “I bought Twilight on bootleg and watched it like 72 times”–Pete Wentz.  Setting a great example, as always.

Did Hilary Duff run into ex Joel Madden?

Kid Rock insisted on smoking a cigar on stage.  And here we thought it was illegal to smoke in New York venues…

Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez represented NSYNC but it would’ve been cool if the whole band returned AND performed.

X-Tina, Chris Brown, Ben Stiller and others spoke via satellite.

Disappointing moment: Eminem, on the phone, refuses to give any details about his upcoming album, Relapse.

Quintessential window references and segments with the Times Square crowd.

KoRn was hailed as the first rock band of TRL; brought back memories of the KoRn (number 3) spot.

A short segment looked back at the top MTV News moments, giving due respect to 9/11.  Wish they also mentioned Aaliyah.

Many shameless plugs: Bolt, Diddy’s new cologne (who was made fun of for hyping the most stuff over the years), Last Call, FNMTV and more.

East Coast and West Coast rap/hip-hop came together in medley featuring Nelly, Snoop and Ludacris.

Unnecessary moment: knocking LFO.

Soundbyte: “One of the finer moments of my life”–JT recalling when Halle Berry surprised him on a TRL ep.

Backstreet Boys given lots of praise, though we wish former member Kevin returned for the performance.

Soundbyte: “They outlived all the other boy bands and they outlived TRL“–Carson on BSB.

Noticeably absent: 98 Degrees, Jessica Simpson, Destiny’s Child, Mandy Moore, Jay-Z, Avril, Sum-41, Linkin Park and others.

Are all the TRL employees without jobs now?  After all, MTV (and parent Viacom) are doing lay-offs…

Soundbyte: Britney is “the queen of TRL“–Carson on Brit Brit who “couldn’t be here.”

Loved that some of our favorite moments were re-aired: the debut party for BSB’s Millenium album, Mariah and her ice cream truck, countless others.

Speaking of counting, the TRL finale wouldn’t be complete without a final countdown. The Top 10 videos from TRL history, as decided by the producers: Hey-Ya (Outkast), What’s My Age Again (Blink-182), Yeah (Ludacris, Usher, et. al.), Crazy in Love (Beyonce), Bawitdaba (Kid Rock), Dirrty (Christina Aguilera), Bye Bye Bye (NSYNC), I Want It That Way (BSB), The Real Slim Shady (Eminem), and, at number one, Baby One More Time (Britney).

Soundbyte: “Goodnight from New York and goodnight TRL“–Carson.

TEAR!

November 16, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on November 16, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Standing up for her rights

Standing up for her rights

Wanda Sykes: The actress-comedian admitted, for the first time in public, that she’s a lesbian at an anti-Prop 8 rally.  Good for her!

TRL: Don’t forget to watch the last episode EVER tonight at 8 (eastern time) on MTV!  In the meantime, check out this interview with original host Carson Daly.  Find out which boy band was his favorite!

Obama: Two steps forward, one step back.  May be the first president to have a laptop in the Oval Office.  But he’ll probably have to give up his BlackBerry and all e-mail communications.

Reality TV: Following the death of a former Idol contestant, TV Guide takes a look at the damaging–and sometimes life-threatening–affects of reality television.

David Cook: This is very sad.  He’s still with Kimberly Caldwell! We’re overwhelmed with jealousy.

Holiday Films: A look at how all Christmas movies revolve around family dysfunction.

Green Hollywood: It exists.  Surprisingly.  Celebs came out last week to celebrate all the eco-friendly ways they go about their business.

SIZZLED OUT: Kanye West

STILL SIZZLING: This celeb angered animal rights activists this weekend when she wore what appeared to be fur.  The consequence?  A “flour bomb.”  Says the star’s girlfriend–who had her own animal controversey just a few weeks ago–“I think there are plenty of families that could have used that flour for a meal. Nice job, lady.”