Archive for The New York Times

May 27, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , on May 27, 2009 by sizzlemaker
What do you think makes a good cover?

What do you think makes a good cover?

PEOPLE: Want to know how they choose their cover stories?  We could tell you from our own experiences, but we’ll let The New York Times do it for us.  While they don’t exactly portray the mag in the best light, it is pretty accurate–which is an improvement from the article last winter.

Jon & Kate Plus 8: Not that we didn’t already know this, but a media firestorm can really drive up ratings.  The Jon & Kate premiere more than doubled last year’s audience.  Now let’s see if they can keep it–and their marriage.

Real Housewives: Planning another spin-off, this time in Washington, D.C.  How many do we need?  Aren’t they all the same after a while?

Twitter: Is all publicity good publicity?  Time will tell, especially now that Twitter is taking heat from users (including Ashton Kutcher) about it’s supposed reality TV plans.

Twitter Pt. 2: Just discovered TruthTweet, which looks to be a great resource for identifying real celebrities and impersonators on Twitter.

New York Times: Named its very first social media editor.  A step in the right direction for a traditionally traditional news outlet, no?

SIZZLED OUT: T.I.

STILL SIZZLING: This overseas singer who (arguably, of course) can barely dress herself will be designing a fashion line.

1 Comment »

March 20, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 20, 2009 by sizzlemaker
The latest example of Pixar genius

The latest example of Pixar genius

Chris Brown: The New York Times has a really interesting piece exploring why teens might be siding with him in the Rihanna case.  The court of law may decide his legal fate, but these kids get to decide whether to make or break his career.

Jennifer Lopez: Joined (ironically?) by a bunch of young C-list stars in a West Side Story photo spread in Vanity Fair.

Obama: Made some good quips with Jay Leno last night, but do people want a president that’s funny and taking time out for late-night appearances?  Or does that make him seem more “real”?

Family Guy: Here’s a nomination for weirdest cross-over in TV history.  Stewie will interact with David Boreanaz’s character on an upcoming episode of Bones.

VH1: Bringing back one of their old staples, Behind the Music.  Which is interesting considering they don’t seem to do much with music these days.  So far only Lil’ Wayne and Scott Weiland have been announced as the biography series’ subjects.

Pixar: The creators of Wall-E will have the honor of opening the prestegious Cannes Film Festival with their newest film, Up.  With their track record, it’s bound to be a hit.

Twitter: The staff at Good Morning America is so happy about their Twitter use that they released a statement saying how they more followers than competing news programs.  ‘Cause, you know, that’s what’s most important.

SIZZLED OUT: Kanye West

STILL SIZZLING: This comedian isn’t laughing now that he watched his own brother be indicted for stealing his money.

Leave a comment »

February 12, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2009 by sizzlemaker
Asking for trouble!

Asking for trouble!

Chris Brown: Some radio stations are refusing to play his (arguably) hit songs, part of the backlash for his alleged assault on (as far as we’re concerned) alleged victim, Rihanna.  Is it fair for the stations do this?  We think not.  Innocent until proven guilty!  Everyone’s just running on gossip right now.

Jennifer Aniston: In honor of her 40th birthday (which was yesterday), PEOPLE put together an on-line gallery of their magazine covers that featured her.  Most interesting: all the ones that feature her and Brad!

Jennifer Aniston, Pt. 2: The Daily Beast does its own tribute with a look at all the love lessons poor Jen should’ve learned from her movies!

A-Rod: In an article on how to save his reputation, The Daily Beast suggests staying away from Madonna.  We probably could’ve told him that!

Bruce Springsteen: Took to his blog to write a very lengthy post about his Superbowl experiences, including his now infamous crotch slam.  Not that we needed to be reminded of it.

ACMs: Nominations for the Academy of Country Music awards were revealed yesterday, with Carrie Underwood as the only female up for entertainer of the year.  Really, no other woman was worthy of consideration?!

Pushing Daisies: If you miss the underappreciated and prematurely canceled show, you can now catch it on TheWB.com!

Sirius XM: Not even a year since the satellite radio companies merged, and the conglomerate is already facing trouble.  The New York Times reports that the company will likely file for bankruptcy, and might lose big-name stars like Howard Stern and Martha Stewart.

Ticketmaster: Planning a merger of its own, with LiveNation.  But for it to actually happen, the companies have to prove they’re not breaking any anti-trust laws.

Digital T V: If you thought you caught a break when Congress approved a delay in the switch from analog signals, you may have been mistaken.  Almost 500 stations are still planning to make the change prior to the extended deadline.  Good luck everyone!

SIZZLED OUT: Will Smith

STILL SIZZLING: This singer-actress recently got back together with her musician boyfriend–and now they’re engaged!  Guess she has a crush on him still!

Leave a comment »

February 4, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 4, 2009 by sizzlemaker
We could've been sisters!

We could've been sisters!

Britney: Apparently those restraining orders come with a price.  Sam Lutfi is suing Brit Brit for defamation.  Wonder if the court will rule him a public figure?

Miley Cyrus: They’ve both dated a Jonas Brother (more on them below!) and now they’ll have something else in common: Grammy performances.  Cyrus will duet with Taylor Swift on this Sunday’s show.

Obama: The Sasha and Malia dolls are being renamed Sydney and Mariah.  Obama wins again!

Twitter: Ashton Kutcher is peeved that media outlets are taking some of his Tweets and misrepresenting him.  Or so he says on his blog.  Which he took to because “140 characters works for some things. Sometimes you need more space.”

TV: The Los Angeles Times is reporting that a new study shows watching TV can lead to depression.  That’s funny, because TV is what keeps us out of it!

HBO: In yet another example of art imitating life, the cable network is developing a new series that will explore the current finanial crisis.  Are they sure spending money on this series is a wise idea given the crisis in the first place?!

Gawker: With newspapers failing and even online sites suffering, Gawker asks: would people rather pay to read the current level of NYT journalism, or have it go away? Not an easy question when you love The New York Times but can’t afford to “waste” money like that.

Gawker Pt. 2: They also put up a hilarious poll asking which Jo Bro you’d lay off.  We know, we know…all of them!

SIZZLED OUT: Justin Timberlake (Jessica Biel)

STILL SIZZLING: Though rarely seen in public, this actress–and close Madonna friend–is denying she, too, is having marriage troubles with her own Brit.

2 Comments »

January 21, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2009 by sizzlemaker
Wish him a happy birthday!

Wish him a happy birthday!

Lost: Premieres tonight.  Too bad we never jumped on the bandwagon.  It’s probably why we can’t enjoy this Lost/Heroes spoof.

Lost, Pt 2: But whether you watch the show or not, The New York Times has fascinating read on the guy in charge of keeping track of every single character and plot development.

Mad Men: Here’s another we haven’t gotten into.  But it’ll be back for a new season!  Never too late…

Ashlee Simpson: Who’s more desperate?  Ashlee and babydaddy Pete Wentz or CSI for employing them?

Oscars: We’re only a day away from the nominations and we finally know who will be doing the big reveal: Forest Whitaker!

Shia LaBeouf: Though he never faced charges from his summer crash, his license was still suspended for refusing a sobriety test.  Know what that means?  One year of being chaffeured around!

Jennifer Hudson: As news surfaced that she’ll perform at the Grammys, the alleged killer of her relatives plead not guilty to murder.

Obama: There’s no doubt that the question of our generation will be where were you when he was inaugurated?  But The St. Petersburg Times points out some other key and relatively recent historical events covered by the media.

Facebook: Had more than 1.5 million status updates related to Obama yesterday.  Wonder what Twitter had?

Twitter: They probably did pretty well, at least according to this.

Spongebob Squarepants: It’s been 10 years since we first met he who lives in a pineapple under the sea.  Nickelodeon is celebrating with a documentary.

TMZ: Large TV audience —-> constant episodes—-> spin-off —-> more terrible TV.  Any questions?

STILL SIZZLING: This ABC star confirmed today that her husband–and father to her two young twins–is suffering from cancer.

Leave a comment »

January 9, 2009 Pt. 2

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 9, 2009 by sizzlemaker
Forget Spiderman. There's a new hero in town!

Forget Spiderman. There's a new hero in town!

Patrick Swayze: In the hospital with pneumonia.  This can’t be good.

John Travolta: Is it wrong that we have such intimate details of his son’s memorial service when Jett himself wasn’t even a celebrity or public figure?

Golden Globes: Not airing til Sunday night but PEOPLE wants you to get jealous now by reading about all the planned celeb parties.

Neil Patrick Harris: Doogie and the rest of the How I Met Your Mother cast not only extended their contracts but more than doubled their salary.  Not bad.

The View: The co-hosts were on a special panel held by the New York Times.  Why?  We still don’t know.

HSM: KayCee Stroh (the pop and lock it girl) got married today.  Zac and Vanessa were not present.

Blagojevich: Finally impeached but still not resigning.  Makes for another awesome animation by the Chicago Tribune.

Obama: Featured in a special issue of the The Amazing Spiderman comic.  Apparently Obama himself is a comic book collector.  Who knews?!

Obama Pt. 2: Everyone seems to think Michelle will have this huge impact on fashion.  We don’t see it happening but maybe that’s just because we didn’t live through Jackie O?

Miranda Cosgrove: The up-and-coming tween star will get to scope out her competition when she hosts MTV’s countdown of the top 12 teen “cribs.”  Insert your own tween/crib joke here.

Facebook: There’s a war on nipples.  ‘Nuff said.

Leave a comment »

January 7, 2008

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 7, 2009 by sizzlemaker
Think anyone did this to her while she was preggers?

Think anyone did this to her while she was preggers?

Jennifer Garner: Gave birth yesterday to daughter number two.  No word yet if the name will be another crayon color.

John Travolta: Predictably, John, Jett and Kelly Preston are on the cover of this week’s PEOPLE.  Will probably be a big seller.

American Idol: Telling people not to believe a letter they may receive in a mail claiming they’ve won prize money.  Gotta love scams.

Nip/Tuck: Got a scathing review from the Sun-Sentinel.  While we wouldn’t be quite as harsh, we agree the show doesn’t seem as fresh and cutting edge (no pun intended) anymore.

Sarah Palin: After praising her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law for working hard, word comes that new father Levi Johnston has quit his job after a newspaper discovered he wasn’t eligible for the position.  Ah, investigative journalism at its finest!

The Real World: The Brooklyn edition premieres tonight.  Kind of over it.  How ’bout you?

iTunes: Changing their pricing so that songs cost differently depending on how “popular” they are.

Forbes: T’was their turn for yesterday.  Lucky them.

The Atlantic: Wrote a piece speculating on what would happen if The New York Times went out of business and, let us tell you, it ain’t pretty.

SIZZLED OUT: Lindsay Lohan (Samantha Ronson)

STILL SIZZLING: This singer is offering a contest where fans can submit videos to air during her performance at the Grammys.  Will they try it and will they like it?

1 Comment »

January 2, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 2, 2009 by sizzlemaker
Travolta and son Jett in an undated photo

Travolta and son Jett in an undated photo

John Travolta: His only son with wife Kelly Preston died today at the age of 16.  A cause of death has not yet been determined.  The family was vacationing in the Bahamas.  Tragic.

Katy Perry: No longer with Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, according to PEOPLE.  Maybe she’ll kiss a girl next?

Slumdog Millionaire: Finally saw it.  Pretty good, but don’t see why it’s been named again and again the best of ’08.

The Reader: Incredibly moving.  Adding the book to our reading list.  You should, too!

EW: Even with today’s double feature, we still haven’t finished seeing all of 2008’s big pictures.  And yet entertainment Weekly is already scoping out the upcoming biggies for 2009.  We’ve got some work to do…

Ben Lyons: Everyone’s dissing him and his reviews but we ask this: are there any genuinely good and objective critics out there still?

Michael Cera: May play Gilligan in a big screen adaptation of Gilligan’s Island.  Don’t know about you but we like our Cera in quirky rom coms only, thankyouverymuch.

Vogue: Has the iconic fashion mag become “stale and predictable”?  The New York Times thinks so.  We’ve never been and never will be an Anna Wintour fan, anyway.

STILL SIZZLING: Despite protesting in a recent major interview that he’s single, this guy has been seen around town with a new lady.  But what will his ex say?

SIZZLED OUT: Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony

2 Comments »