WeekEnder: March 25-31
Saturday, March 31, 2007
SPECIAL MUSIC EDITION
NEW ARTISTS TO WATCH
Amy Winehouse
This English jazz and soul singer is a force to be reckoned with. She's getting major press here in the states for her sound that you'd swear is straight out of the '60's.
Download: "Rehab," "You Know I'm No Good"
Mat Kearney
This Oregon-born singer/songwriter is the headliner for Vh1's "You Oughta Know" concert tour. His first single "Nothing Left to Lose" is a catchy pop song, but you may be surprised that many of his songs feature some hip hop flavor.
Download: "Undeniable"
Lily Allen
There are few artists whose albums I can listen to from start to finish without getting bored. But Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" is a rare exception. She's been around in the UK for awhile, hitting number one on the UK pop charts with her single "Smile" last July. Her lyrics are as clever as they are infectious.
Download: "LDN," "Nan You're A Window Shopper," "Knock 'Em Out"
Paolo Nutini
At only 20 years old, this Scottish singer is making waves around the world with his unique brand of rock music.
Download: "New Shoes"
Rocco Deluca and the Burden
Another VH1 "You Oughta Know" band with a flavor all of their own and a lead singer who can play a mean guitar.
Download: "Colorful"
GREAT SINGLES
Carrie Underwood "Wasted"
The American Idol winner shows why she's a superstar with her latest single. An amazing voice and a talent that will be around long after Idol is off the air.
Robin Thicke "Lost Without U"
This white R&B artist (and son of actor Alan Thicke) has been flouting around for awhile, but finally makes a name for himself with this smooth and sexy song.
Mika "Grace Kelly"
This foreign import channels Freddie Mercury in his infectious first single that's sure to get stuck in your head after he first time you hear it.
Avril Lavigne "Boyfriend"
Love her or hate her, Avril Lavigne proves she still knows how to make a catchy, chart-climbing pop song.
Modest Mouse "Dashboard"
Bloc Party "I Still Remember"
Dashboard Confessional "Stolen"
Kaiser Chiefs "Ruby"
Regina Spektor "Fidelity"
The Shins "Phantom Limb"
Ne-Yo "Because of You"
UNLISTENABLE
The songs that make The Daily Edition change the station whenever they're played:
Christina Aguilera "Candy Man"
The seasoned singer flops with this 1940s-inspired piece of shit song.
Gym Class Heroes "Clothes Off"
There's no need to sample this 1986 Jermaine Stewart song. The guy was a one hit wonder. But if you're going to steal his song, at least make it worth listening to.
Dandy "Because You Lied"
I don't know a thing about this artist and don't care to Wikipedia him for more. This song will give anyone an ear infection and makes Christina Aguilera's "Candyman" seem worthy of a Grammy.
Stone Sour "Through Glass"
The further pussification of rock music. This girly rock band steals a page from other shit bands like Hinder with this whiny song.
Bowling For Soup "When We Die"
This gag group should have been gone a long time ago, but is back on the radio with this song that strives to tug on our heartstrings, but instead leaves us hurling our cookies.
Kelly "Shoes"
This lyrically bankrupt techno song is playing on Sirius' Alt nation for some reason. How this can even be called music is beyond me. If you like this song, something is seriously wrong with you.
posted by jc @ 10:29 AM,
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"Reign Over Me"
Monday, March 26, 2007
Adam Sandler stars as Charlie Fineman who is distraught after losing his wife and three kids on Nine Eleven. Sandler lives his life blocking all memories of his family out, until he is reunited with his college roommate, Alan Johnson, played by Don Cheadle. Alan, who's become a succesfful dentist, tries to help Charlie move on, but Charlie doesn't want any help. The basic concept of "Reign Over Me" is a good and Cheadle does an excellent job portraying Alan Johnson. Sandler needs to be a little more convincing as Charlie. The acting issues were minor compared to some problems there were with the plot.
The main problem: Charlie clearly needs to be locked up in a mental facility, yet no one in his life seems to think so. The guy denies ever having a family and blasts music from his i-Pod into his ears whenever anyone brings the subject up. Charlie is also prone to violent fits of rage (which are some of the most uncomfortable parts of the movie) whenever someone tries to help him move on.
There's also a bizarre and needless subplot involving one of Alan's patients. The woman keeps booking appointments in the hopes of having sex with him. Even though Alan wants nothing to do with this woman, she winds up staying in his life and even gets involved in Charlie's life. If you've seen the movie, you know that this woman serves no point.
At about two hours long, you'd think "Reign Over Me" is building up to some great lesson or dramatic conclusion. But no. The movie ends rather abruptly with no sense of closure. Charlie is just as sad and miserable at the end of the movie as he was in the beginning. If you're in a good mood, this movie will depress you. If your depressed, you'll stay that way.
GRADE: B-
Labels: movies
posted by jc @ 4:07 AM,
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Letterman Regular Calvert DeForest Dies
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Calvert DeForest who became an instant classic on the Late Show with David Letterman as Larry Bud Melman has died at 85 years old. DeForest made dozens appearances on Letterman starting back in 1982. David Letterman released a statement saying:
“Everyone always wondered if Calvert was an actor playing a character, but in reality he was just himself - a genuine, modest and nice man. To our staff and to our viewers, he was a beloved and valued part of our show, and we will miss him.”
Sadly, there will be no funeral for DeForest at his request. He left no survivors.
Labels: obits
posted by jc @ 9:20 PM,
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ABC Renewals
ABC announcing a bunch of shows they've renewed today. Established shows "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Dancing With the Stars," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Bachelor" will all be back for new seasons. Freshman series "Brothers and Sisters," "Men in Trees" and "Ugly Betty" have also been picked up for another go. ABC previously announced new seasons for "America's Funniest Home Videos," "Supernanny" and "Wife Swap." While "According to Jim," "George Lopez" and "What About Brian" haven't been officially cancelled, the ax will likely swing soon.
Labels: television
posted by jc @ 8:54 PM,
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Howard Stern Says: Vote For Sanjaya!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
American Idol may be screwed this season because Howard Stern is encouraging all of his listeners to vote for the worst contestant, Sanjaya Malakar. "We're going to make a real concerted effort to make sure that kid's the next American Idol," Stern said on his show today. Stern says it would be funny for the worst contestant to win, not to mention it would make Simon Cowell lose his mind. So far, it looks like Howard's campaign is working. The 17-year-old singer made it through to another week.
Labels: american idol, howard stern
posted by jc @ 9:32 PM,
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Daytime Emmy Noms
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
The Daytime Emmy nominations were announced today and for once, Oprah is not leading the pack. "The Ellen Degeneres Show" was the most nominated talk show this year, with 12 chances to take home awards. "The View" has the second most nominations with 10. Freshman show "Rachael Ray" is up for 12 awards, while the "The Tyra Banks Show" is up for six and "Martha Stewart" is is up five awards. The highest-rated talkers, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Dr. Phil" are both nominated for four Daytime Emmy's.
"Live with Regis & Kelly" was not entered in the talk category. Instead, it's competeing for an Emmy in the mornig show category with "Today," "GMA," "The Early Show" and Univision's "Despierta America." "Judge Judy," cancelled daytime reality show "Starting Over," MTV's "Made," "Animal Rescue," and TLC show "A Baby Story" will compete for Outstanding Special Class Series.
"The Price is Right", "Millionaire" and "Jeopardy!" are all going after the Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show Emmy. The hosts of all of those shows are up for Outstanding Game Show Host, along with "Wheel of Fortune's" Pat Sajak and "Cash Cab" host Ben Bailey.
The Daytime Emmy's will be handed out live on CBS on June 15.
Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 10:29 PM,
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Former Idol Accused in Masturbation Lawuit
Monday, March 12, 2007
TMZ reports that former American Idol contestant Mario Vazquez is being sued for allegedly tried to masturabtae in front of an employee while he was still a contestant on the FOX reality show. The suit claims Vazquez allegedly "sexually harassed" Magdaleno Olmos, who's an assistant accountant for Fremantle Media, the company that produces American Idol. According to TMZ, Olmos claims "Vazquez stared lasciviously, smiled lasciviously ... and on one occasion followed him into a bathroom ... knocked on the door of the plaintiff's stall and made eye contact through the space in the stall door." When he tried to leave the bathroom, he allegedly saw Vazquez in front of him with is pants down masturbating. The suit then claims that Vazquez pushed Olmos into a stall, but he fought to get away.
Vazquez mysteriously dropped out of idol shortly after all this happened in 2005. He cited personal reasons. So far, Vazquez has not commented.
Labels: american idol
posted by jc @ 9:40 PM,
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Regis Philbin to Undergo Bypass Surgery
Regis Philbin announced he'll be having heart bypass surgery sometime this week. The longtime talk show host made the announcement on "Regis & Kelly" this morning. The 75-year-old told the audience he had been having some chest pains lately and after a few tests, doctors agreed the bypass would be the best option."Darn it, I don't want to do it," Philbin said. "Nobody wants to do it, I guess. And I had a second opinion, I did all those things, and so they're all in agreement that it should be the bypass. And so that's what I'm gonna do."
Regis also revealed that he spoke with fellow talk show host David Letterman about the surgery recently. Letterman underwent a quadruple bypass in 2000. Regis said that Letterman highly recommended the procedure.
A very supportive Kelly Ripa joked with Reege upon hearing his big announcement, saying she'll be his nurse and give him sponge baths as he recovers. At the end of the show, Regis thanked the New York audience and everyone at home for their kind words of support.
The show's spokesperson expects Regis to be out for at least five weeks as he recovers. A long lineup of guest hosts has already been announced. It includes celebrities like Anderson Cooper, Howie Mandel, Neal Patrick Harris, Pat Sajak, Jeff Probst, Martin Short and Donald Trump.
Let's hope all goes well for Regis. He's a class act and mornings would not be the same without him.
Labels: daytime tv
posted by jc @ 9:26 PM,
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WeekEnder: March 4-10
Saturday, March 10, 2007
American Idol Top 12
Four more American Idol contestants were sent packing this week. Antonella Barba, who's been the subject of some racy Internet pictures, was one of them. Standouts Sabrina Sloan and Sundance Head were voted off way too early. Jared Cotter has also been voted off, while the tone deaf Sanjaya Malakar has made it into the top 12.
QUICK HITS
Labels: weekender
posted by jc @ 9:34 AM,
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Everybody Hates Rosie
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
The executive producer of "American Idol" is lashing back at Rosie O'Donnell who called the show's methods "racist." On Tuesday's episode of "The View," Rosie said "Idol" is "weightist and racist" over the way it handled the Antonella Barba picture scandal this season compared to the way it booted Frenchie Davis off the show of few seasons back. Idol's Nigel Lythgoe has realeased a statement saying...
"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that 'American Idol' is racist and/or weightist...Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that 'American Idol' constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."
"American Idol" has also banned "The View" from using clips of the show.
Labels: fights and feuds
posted by jc @ 9:42 PM,
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"Reno 911: Miami"
Monday, March 05, 2007
When some television shows are made into movies, they lose whatever it is that makes them a hit on TV. Such is the case with Reno 911: Miami.
The group of officers from the Reno police department are invited by default to Miami for a police convention. When the convention center full of cops is put in lockdown because of fears of a terrorist attack, the Reno P.D. is called in to save the day.
There are some laughs in this movie. When a huge whale washes up on the beach, the officers are called into move it. As they try to push the beast, one of the officers falls into the dead whale and is covered with ooze. Not to mention a pool scene where the cops are called into to get rid of a few unwanted visitors. But the genuine laughs in this movie are few and far between. It often realies on crude, sophomoric and repetitive humor to win over the audience. (Deputy Clementine gets a tattoo of a man on her breast and spends the whole movie trying to figure out who it is.)
Reno 911's quick wit and fast segments make the TV show a success. But dragging out a half-hour TV show to a full length movie does not work in this case. It's like a joke that doesn't end.
GRADE: D+
Labels: movies
posted by jc @ 10:03 PM,
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Springer to Host America's Got Talent
Regis Philbin has stepped down as host of America's Got Talent and will be replaced by talk show host Jerry Springer. Regis says the heavy traveling schedule between New York where his morning show is taped and Los Angeles where AGT is taped was just too much. Jerry Springer appeared on the last season of Dancing With the Stars and has hosted the syndicated Jerry Springer Show for 16 years. Regis always seemed out of place on Amercia's Got Talent. The show is a circus, often with bizarre performances. Springer is not stranger to outrageous guests, so he'll likely be a better fit for the show.
Labels: reality shows
posted by jc @ 9:21 PM,
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Zodiac
Sunday, March 04, 2007
The Zodiac killer went on a random killing spree in California in the late 1960's. For years, he sent taunting letters to the press, threatening to kill again and again. This movie, directed by David Fincher, chronicles the horror and chaos that gripped California at the height of Zodiac's killing spree.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle who becomes obsessed with unmasking the Zodiac killer. Graysmith befriends the report who's assigned to the case, Paul Avery, played by Robert Downey Jr. As Zodiac's threatening letters continue to pour in, investigators follow lead after lead. They even come close to making an arrest, but the years go by and the case grows cold. The hunt for the Zodiac becomes yesterday's news, but Graysmith is still interested. He digs up files, works with police and goes on numerous interviews in the hopes of finding the mysterious killer. As he dedicates his life to finding Zodiac, he loses his job and his marriage crumbles.
The casting of "Zodiac" is right on. Gyllenhaal flawlessly performs as an amateur detective and Downey Jr. is amazingly good as a self-destructing reporter. With a running time of 158 minutes, "Zodiac" is a bit long. Some of Graysmith's detective work gets arather confusing and could have been cut shorter. Despite the time issue, "Zodiac" is a great film. The murder scenes make you pray for the Zodiac to be caught and the injustice of knowing that an arrest was never made makes you hope that the Zodiac is long dead and buried.
GRADE: A-
Labels: movies
posted by jc @ 11:15 AM,
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WeekEnder: February 25-March 3
Saturday, March 03, 2007
MyNetworkTV Gets Rid of Telenovelas
The struggling MyNetworkTV is not planning to produce any more telenovelas. The new News Corp-owned network has failed to draw much of an audience since it debuted last fall. The network will run its final two telenovelas next month, but only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. MNTV will air a martial arts show on Mondays and movies on Thursdays and Fridays. MNTV brass are now looking into airing reality shows and have already scheduled some specials, which include an Elton John birthday concert and an Anna Nicole Smith special.
QUICK HITS
SAY WHAT?!
"They (Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson) loved him. I couldn't stand him. I didn't get it...At the end of the day you have to find a bona fide recording artist. Just because you win the show doesn't mean you will sell a lot of records. Chris (Daughtry) is the one who sold the albums, not Taylor." - Simon Cowell slamming American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks
Labels: weekender
posted by jc @ 8:47 AM,
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American Idol Pick 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
Melinda Doolittle is The Daily Edition's pick to win American Idol this season. The 29-year-old is a professional background singer who's recorded with many stars including Aaron Neville, CeCe Winans and Idol's own George Huff. Her amazing singing voice coupled with her humble personality make her the perfect Idol. Let's hope she goes far. Labels: american idol
posted by jc @ 7:50 PM,
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WATCH THIS
CATFISHMTV, Mondays 10pm/ET
Based on a popular documentary film, this weekly series follows people who are in online relationships. They meet their longtime loves with the help of the show, but things aren't always what they seem.
FAST FOOD MANIA
DESTINATION AMERICA, Sundays 10pm/ET
If you listen to the Howard Stern show, the you already know that Jon Hein is the biggest fan of fast food around. Join Jon as he checks out the best places to chow down for cheap on this new show on the new network, Destination America. If you're not craving something greasing after watch this show, then something is wrong with you.
TRISHA
Syndicated, Weekdays/ET
Trisha Goddard hosted talk shows overseas for years. Now, she's the star of her own show, a spin-off of Maury, here in the states. Topics have included a man with 5 wives and women who eat strange objects like drywall and dirt.
About THE DAILY EDITION
The Daily Edition blog brings you the stories you'll be talking about at the water cooler. Follow The Daily Edition on Twitter: @JCers.
