Archive for Chicago Tribune

January 23, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 23, 2009 by sizzlemaker
And another one bites the dust...

And another one bites the dust...

PEOPLE: Another predictable cover: Barack Obama on Inaguration night.  At least it’s not as flashy as the other O covers out there.

Oscars: After shutting out The Dark Knight from all but one category, the Chicago Tribune wonders if the award show’s ratings will suffer.  Is there really any use in speculating, though?  We’ll find out soon enough!  (In one month, to be exact!)

NBC: As ratings continue to dive, the Peacock network is looking to reband itself (think: Must See TV).  We’ve got no ideas.  How ’bout you?

Obama: Television ratings estimates of the inaguration could be way off, says The Washington Post, since Nielsen doesn’t take into account all the people watching on the web, in school or at the office.  So, in reality, this probably was the most-watched program in history!

Obama, Pt. 2: Apparently the White House isn’t too up-to-date on the technology front.  How is that even possible?  Or acceptable?!

Sex and the City: Now that the sequel is supposedly a “go” (once again!), everyone’s wondering which of the supporting cast will be back.  Evan Handler (Charlotte’s hubby) says he hasn’t been approached yet and jokes (at least we think he’s joking!) that they could kill him off!

Katy Perry: Says give her celibacy or give her death.  Think she got the quote confused?

Backstreet Boys: Did you know Brian Littrell’s son suffers from Kawasaki disease, the same thing that afflicted Jett Travolta? And we never even heard of it before this month!

TEEN: So first they stopped home subscriptions (several years ago) and now the magazine is folding altogether.  Seventeen, you really are queen!

SIZZLED OUT: Michael Cera (Arrested Development)

STILL SIZZLING: This ailing-actor is planning a memoir on his film career and “life journey.”

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December 15, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 15, 2008 by sizzlemaker
He will never NOT look good!

He will never NOT look good!

Michael Phelps: “Out of shape” but “having fun.” Can’t blame the guy.  That’s how we live!

Bush: Who knew throwing shoes was an insult?  We’ll have to try that sometime!

David Paterson: No idea why he was targeted on this week’s SNL.  Totally uncalled for.

The Media is Dying: One of our favorite Twitterers is getting some press play.  Love the irony.

OTH: Nooooooooo!  Why is Mark Schwahn signing on for the Melrose Place remake?  We don’t want anything to take him away from One Tree Hill!

Facebook: At Barnes and Noble yesterday, we saw a bunch of how-to books.  Still to come: a book on the social network’s founding–and possibly, a movie!

Gawker: Putting its own spin on the year-end top 10 lists with the worst pop culture bits.  Pretty dead-on except we actually liked 27 Dresses!

Chicago Tribune: Here’s a good test of journalism ethics.  The paper actually knew about the Blago stuff back in October but held off on going public to help the FBI.  That ended, obviously, this past week–too soon, if you ask the Justice Department who wanted them to keep quiet for longer.  Who was right and who was wrong?  Tough calls all around, we thinl.

SIZZLED OUT: Jesse McCartney

STILL SIZZLING: Christian Bale will have his hands full now that this movie series is moving forward.  And, no, it’s not a Dark Knight sequel!

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December 13, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 13, 2008 by sizzlemaker
One of the best songs ever. Try to convince us otherwise!

One of the best songs ever. Try to convince us otherwise!

90210: If we dislike the new show show so much, how come we get chills every time we see a promo for its January return?

The CW: Notoriously shut out from awards, just like its predecessor The WB.  So Kristin over at E! Online is holding her own CW-only awards.  Pretty cute.

TV Guide: We don’t get this AT ALL.  TV Guide the magazine and TVGuide.com the web site are now owned by different companies.  So one of our favorite writers, Matt Roush, will no longer be on the site.  WTF?

Eminem: Denying reports that his new album will include a follow-up to one of our favorite songs, Stan.

Tara Reid: Checked into rehab but no word on what she’s there for.

Tommy Hilfiger: Reportedly got married last night.  Most interesting to us: he gave his fiance an 8.2 carat engagement ring!  So how sparkly is the wedding band?!

American Idol: If they cancel their hugeeeeeee charity event, Idol Gives Back, will they lose credibility?  Or will people understand given the economy?

Economy: Who has a clever name for the current recession/depression/doomsday?  The New York Times are looking for it!

Gawker: Can now comment on their blog through your Facebook accounts.  Kudos actually goes to FB, we think.

Rod Blagojevich: Deleted his Facebook account after his arrest–but not before getting slammed with insults from other users.

Rod Balgojevich Pt. 2: The Chicago Tribune has a pretty funny animation based on the governor’s profanity-laded conversations.

John Ritter: Got a really good tribute on last night’s Family Entertainment Awards, 5 years after his death.

SIZZLED OUT: Jonathan Safran Foer (schadenfoer!)

STILL SIZZLING: This musician says he wants to follow in Justin Timberlake’s footsteps.  With his own hit song last summer and writing a hit for another new star, we don’t think he’ll have any problem finding more success.

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December 10, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 10, 2008 by sizzlemaker
One governor's "web of deceit"

One governor's "web of deceit"

Mark Ruffalo: His brother, who was shot in the head last week, has died of his injuries.  The suspect finally turned herself in and will likely face a murder charge.

Grey’s Anatomy: This has been burning up the web the last few hours.  Apparently T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract.  Not all that surprising but still should be interesting to see how it unfolds.

Gossip Girl: Getting some buzz for their clever episode titles.  If memory serves us correctly, The O.C. (also by GG creator Josh Schwartz) had some pretty good ones, too.  Can’t forget The Chrismukkah Bar Mitz-vahkkah or The SnO.C.!

Gossip Girl Pt. 2: We’ve been seeing a lot of speculation that Bart Bass isn’t actually dead.  Thoughts?

Rod Blagojevich: Most interesting to us about the arrested governor is that he actually thought he could have the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune fired!  Looks like he failed overall but still managed to cause some trouble for the paper.

Rod Blagojevich Pt. 2: If that chart above (by Gawker) is any indication, the soon-to-be former governor had a lot of connections.  Who will emerge unscathed?  Let’s hope Obama!

Rod Blogojevich Pt. 3: RedEye nominates Rick Astley to replace him.  We. Love. It.

Oprah: Admitting how much weight she’s gained–and how its fluxated through the years makes us feel a lot better!

According to Jim: Everyone’s quick to bash this show without realizing it has been leading the ratings for years.  Obviously, someone out there likes it!

Holiday TV: A fun look at the best and worst holiday-themed episodes of our favorite shows.  Oddly, there’s only two listed for the ‘worst.’  Surely there’s a lot more!

NBC: Ya know how General Motors is failing more and more each day?  So is NBC, says Newsday.  And no, they’re not being too harsh.

Yahoo: Massive layoffs happening today.

Rolling Stone: Already did theirs.

Twitter: Did you know we’re on there?  Yep, we are.

SIZZLED OUT: Wanda Sykes

STILL SIZZLING: This rapper was just arrested for the umpteenth time this year alone.  Doesn’t he ever learn?

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November 7, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 7, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Can history PLEASE repeat itself?

Can history PLEASE repeat itself?

SATC: Sarah Jessica Parker is clarifying co-star Kim Cattrall’s announcement yesterday of a Sex and the City sequel.  “All the deals are not done yet,” SJP says.  We’ve never thought of Carrie as a party pooper before but we might have to reassess that view.

Britney: How’s this for a letdown: Brit Brit did appear on-stage with Madonna.  Just not at the same time as Justin.  Disappointing but we remain hopeful for a future reunion.

OTH: We are RUNNING to get the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, which features a multi-page article on One Tree Hill!  Did you know OTH gets better ratings that Gossip Girl?  Damn straight, it does!

American Idol: The new season starts January 13.  Let the countdown begin!

Grey’s Anatomy: The show needs some positive buzz right about now and this might get it for them: they’re planning a February cross-over with Private Practice.   These are usually quite cheesy, though, so we’re curious to see how it’s gonna work.

Chicago Tribune: The official election may be over but the rumor of it isn’t.  The Trib has come up with joke covers showcasing different results.  Pretty funny.

NYT: The Times are taking some steps into the future: first with their own social network, and also with Times Extra, which will link to rival publications.  Which papers will follow suit?

SIZZLED OUT: The Simpsons

STILL SIZZLING: This old fellow is giving one of his many ex-girlfriends away to be married…a mere few weeks after they split!

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November 5, 2008 Pt. 2

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 5, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Hell hath no fury like a lover scorned...

Hell hath no fury like a lover scorned...

Chicago Tribune: Has a handy-dandy slideshow of newspaper front pages from across the country on this historic day.  Very cool.

Newspapers: Speaking of the dailies, you better a copy of yours while they’re are still some left.  Newspapers are selling ridiculously fast as everyone wants a momento from this historic occasion.

U.S. News & World Report: It’s officially a trend.  The iconic mag is going monthly.  This comes just months after switching from weekly to bi-weekly.  Sigh.

The White House: If the lives of past First Families are any indication, Obama’s kids can look forward to some awesome perks for living in the White House.  Not to mention a new puppy!

Election Laws: Did you know Obama’s grandmother’s vote will still count even though she passed away the other day?  Not to sound cold-hearted, but we don’t know how we feel about that.

Gay Marriage: While a court battle could be in the future, it looks like Californians have successfully passed Proposition 8, banning gay marriage.  The discrimination is ironic considering Obama’s accomplishment yesterday.  Here’s hoping one day we conquer this, too, and have a gay man or woman as president.

Madonna: It’s okay if you chose to go Madge’s concert last night rather than watch election results at home.  She kept the audience informed with choice lines like “this is a motherfucking important evening!.”

Taylor Swift: Used MySpace to call out ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas on his immature break-up tactic: doing it over the phone!  Ah, the trials and tribulations of young love in the age of the internet!

Michael Crichton: The Jurassic Park author died yesterday at age 66.  The death comes as a surprise, despite the Emmy winner’s battle with cancer.  He’s also responsible for the creation of ER.

The View: This was THEE post-election show to tune into.  Our award for best reaction goes to Sherri Shepherd.  Very emotional. Funniest reaction?  Whoopi predicting there will be lots of, um, whoopee in the White House!

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October 19, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 19, 2008 by sizzlemaker
Guess they won't be so close anymore.

Guess they won't be so close anymore.

Sarah Palin: Funny on SNL last night but funny doesn’t make a great vice president, does it?

Obama: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has endorsed Obama, breaking party lines.  Surprising?

Obama Pt. 2: Also got three media endorsements last week–two of them also quite surprising.  This is the first time the LA Times and the Chicago Tribune have endorsed a Democrat!

Variety: Has a great article on the incestuous relationship between film and television.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles got a surprise full-season pickup.  The bad news: It means Brian Austin Green will still be too busy for a 90210 cameo!

Spamalot: Even Clay Aiken couldn’t save it.  The show will close in January.

SIZZLED OUT: Mad Men

STILL SIZZLING: Which celeb–who was shortchanged in her father’s will not too long ago–is selling her home for nearly 2.4 million?

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