New Dark Knight Trailer - In HD
Some of you may have already caught a glimpse of the new trailer for Batman flick, The Dark Knight, but for those others, here it is for your "behind closed doors" enjoyment - did I mention, it's in HD!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OmOA5msKrs
TV Comebacks
Paula Marshall who recently starred in the fifth season of Nip Tuck has been tapped to star alongside Jay Mohr and Jaime King in Ed Yeager's untitled CBS comedy pilot. The project, currently called "The Untitled Ed Yeager Comedy" centres on a middle-class dad trying to navigate new waters with his kids, his ex and his newfound romantic life - we're thinking The Love Boat meets Cheaper By The Dozen...
In other news, Angela Bassett gets her groove back as she boards medical drama ER as a regular next season...(will it ever end?) In addition to Bassett, and because they couldn't get Clooney, original cast memeber Noah Wyle will return on the series' 15th season.
Judge Extracts More Humour From The Workplace
From the man who practically invented workplace comedies (Office Space and Idiocracy), Mike Judge teams up with Arrested Development star Jason Bateman to direct another feature that mines the office for comic material. The film entitled Extract follows a flower extract plant owner (Bateman) dealing with workplace issues and a stream of bad luck, including his wife's affair with a gigolo.
Judge is perhaps best known for creating the animated classics Beavis and Butt-head and King of the Hill. Watch it on FX.
Scarlet
I will admit to being behind the curve on this one. This is the first time that Scarlet has cropped up on my radar and given that it launches in a few days in the US... well lets just say it is not an inside scoop. Doesn't stop me from poking fun though. If, like me, this has passed you by, despite having peeps from Smallville and Supernatural involved, then check out the trailer below.
http://scarletseries.tv/main.aspx?lang=us_en
Two things worth noticing. First, surely an oscar winning delivery from voiceover man. Second, how can a show be a "hit new series" when it has not launched yet? Zen.
Vote Jericho
You may not have noticed but it is campaign season in the US right now. No, not the Clinton vs Obama smackdown that is providing such a wealth of comic material for the Daily Show and Colbert Report, instead I am talking about the campaign, nay, crusade to bring back Sci Fi drama, Jericho - made "special" by the ad that fans are now running on variety.com. Ah, I love the smell of desperation in the morning.
Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against this mediocre sci fi fest, it filled up airtime until proper telly came on and it sure was cheaper than sleeping tablets but there is something undeniably pathetic about these fan campaigns. Oh sure, I have been there. I was at the barricades man, when Fox so callously destroyed Firefly and my innocense in one fell swoop. I fought the man, and the man won. Big time. You see, and this is the inside scoop, those TV execs in their Hollywood mansions actually enjoy your pain. Oh yes. Why else would you finish the last season of something on a cliff hanger? Why would announce that you are remaking Spaced in American and without the input of Simon Pegg?
The more you rally fans, and mail weird meaningless objects (in the instance of Jericho, the surreal of the day is peanuts) to the studios the more they howl with the delight (In between taking sips from glasses of baby tears). It doesn't matter if the show of your misplaced adoration rates, or is critically acclaimed or has the potential for big DVD sales (if only they would bother to release it with behind the scenes footage and the director talking over the top of it), no these decisions are actually made to bring you down and the more you struggle, well the more you encourage them to do it again with your next "loved one".
So Jericho fans, face it. Its dead. It had a good life... if by good you mean mediocre. Deal with it. Now go find something else to watch and try not to jinx it.
As a footnote and biblical reference. Naming a show after a something that was destroyed by trumpets.... not a great omen.
Michael Moore Backs Obama
American filmaker and liberal political commentator Michael Moore desperately wants to support Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. But, due to the lack of a valid primary in his home state of Michigan, his vote wont count. But this didn't stop The Big Man. Moore posted a letter on his website pleading the good people of Pennsylvania to cast his vote for Obama...
"My Vote's for Obama (if I could vote) ...by Michael Moore
April 21st, 2008
Friends,
I don't get to vote for President this primary season. I live in Michigan. The party leaders (both here and in D.C.) couldn't get their act together, and thus our votes will not be counted.
So, if you live in Pennsylvania, can you do me a favor? Will you please cast my vote -- and yours -- on Tuesday for Senator Barack Obama?"
Read the rest of the letter on his website www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php : The guy can write!
Bush's Deal Or No Deal Surprise
Does it surprise anyone that President Bush made an appearance on TV game show "Deal or No Deal?" in the US? During his appearance, the President sought advice from the host Howie Mandel on how to deal with the federal budget in upcoming talks with Congress. "Howie, I don't know if you're free to come to Washington anytime soon but I have to reach an agreement with Congress on the federal budget. How'd you like to host a $3 trillion dollar 'Deal or No Deal,'" Bush joked. Surely he is aware Deal or No Deal is a show where contestants use the wonder of guessing to win money.
Silverstone Hones Bad Mother Handbook
Clueless actress - she starred in the movie - Alicia Silverstone is set to star as the lead in ABC's new comedy pilot Bad Mother's Handbook. It looks like Alicia may have fired her agent who made some bad decisions for her in the past -Scooby Doo 2 and The Crush. In "Handbook", she plays a 32 year old mom with a 16 year old daughter who has to care for her 48 year old mother. If you do the maths, I take it the daughter should be getting knocked up soon...
Nip/Tuck's McCord Swaps Villain For Prom Queen
Nip/Tuck actress AnnaLynne McCord (plays Nip/Tuck Villain Eden Lord) will star in the upcoming 90210 spin-off as Naomi, a hot, rich and popular high-school student (sound familiar?)
Published reports have said the spinoff will revolve around the Mills family, whose matriarch, Tabitha, is a 60-something has-been actress and alcoholic. Tabitha's son, Harry, moves back home to care for his mother. Joining him are his wife Celia, an Olympic athlete-turned-personal trainer, and their two 16-year-old kids who will make up the new 90210 crew.
Nip/Tuck continues Tuesday nights 10pm.
Clinton Vs Barack, Mrs.
In more Colbert news, the presidential hopeful Hilliary Clinton is making her first guest appearance on the satirical news programme The Colbert Report. She hopes the Colbert bump will help propel her to victory in Pennsylvania. Rival Barack Obama (That's Barack, not Osama) declined Colbert's invitition however Mrs. Obama will appear on the show for an all-ladies scrap.
The Incredible Hulk Poster Revealed
The one-sheet poster for new version of The Incredible Hulk has been released, and MY doesn't Ed Nortonlook like he's channeling Bill Bixby in that poster (What? How OLD are you people! Bill Bixby played
Dr Banner in the original TV version you whippersnappers). I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that
Ed's love interest in the film, Liv Tyler, has a topless wrestling scene. And here's hoping that director
Louis Leterrier does a better job than Ang Lee. Of course, for joke purposes, Ang is the winner
because you can work his name into the pun "Don't mess with him, you wouldn't like him when he's
Ang Lee".
Reality Show-Tunes
In more reality show news, Mark Burnett (Creator of The Apprentice and a number of other reality shows),has just announced "Jingles", a new reality show in which contestents have to, er, write, um, jingles..
Who said there were no new ideas! Here's my attempt.
"When you're sad and want to vex, just be sure to tune to FX".. I'm wasted here really.
Big Brother 10
The Americans seem to be digging the Big Brother (Which works for me because I am, quite sadly,an avid Big Brother fan.).. Not content with sticking an extra season of the show in that started in January
and can be seen on E4, they have just announced a (In it's regular spot) 10th edition to start in July.
Survivor Affords HD
According to Reuters, reality show Survivor finally makes the switch to high definition this summer. The very long-running show, coming into it's 17th, yes 17th season, will bring you bugs, bites and beaches in HD. Other top-shelf reality shows that have upgraded from standard definition are Dancing With The Stars and Fox's American Idol.
Colbert Takes Centre Stage
Although his bid to be added to the South Carolina Presidential primary failed somewhat, Stephen Colbert is still determined to influence the current race. The Colbert Report, launching in May on FX, will broadcast in Philadelphia starting tonight for the whole week where the all-important Democratic Pennsylvanian primary will be held. This is the first time the show will be aired outside of its New York based studio but Colbert hopes the relocation will send him back to the electoral centre stage. In an interview with the comedian, he repeated, "I don't need to be president. I don't need to be president," as if trying to convince himself. " If somebody else needs that, if Hillary Clinton or John McCain or Barack Obama need that title to make themselves feel good, that's fine. I just want the power to decide who will be President and I'm going to Philly to help exercise that."
In other news, Stephen Colbert was among many of celebrity guests who gathered at Sunday's "Night of too Many Stars: An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Education." The Comedy Central two-hour special raises money for autism programmes, hosted by Colbert's pal Jon Stewart who believes "If we can convince people we're just kidding, maybe they think they're giving us fake money". Other comedians who who attended and performed short stand up sketches were Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silver, Tina Fey, Conan O'Brian and Steve Carrell.