House of Cards is perhaps the most popular reboot of an ancient failed TV show since the 2009 movie version of Star Trek. Let’s look back at the trippy oddball period piece that inspired the Netflix hit, the 1975 ABC series that was based on Rex Jackson’s novels about ruthless politician Frank Underwood. Continue reading
Television
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Reveal that it’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever witnessed.
When you think about how your Congressperson’s office is decorated, if you think about it at all, don’t you kind of think there would be a lot of brass and flag centering, perhaps a few busts of the American Eagle or Ronald Reagan? Perhaps a candy dish with the Constitution emblazoned on it, or a letter opener made of steel and fired from George Washington’s very own musket metal? How about Downton Abbey? Do you think there should be inspiration from Downton Abbey? And by inspiration we mean down to the color of the walls and a chandelier? Well, Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock has done exactly that, but he doesn’t want you to know about it. Continue reading
Oy, if you’re a network television executive you really need to be having a deep-down, soulful conversation with yourself about what the hell you’ve been doing all year. Continue reading
Oh, Hollywood, when you’re not screaming at the top of your lungs about Angelina Jolie daring to do that land-farce of a spectacle Cleopatra, again, because how dare she want to make a big, behemoth epic movie that will probably bankrupt Sony, haha! Yes, you’re giving out awards and pats on the backs for all the wonderful movies and television you’ve zapped into the eyeballs of the viewing public. It’s SAG award nomination time. Let’s see what graying, old filthy codger of a television show is still hobbling down the carpet to pick up an award. (Modern Family) Continue reading
As the numbers of rape victims at the hands of Bill Cosby increase, the nation sits stunned as the revelations mount and our collective consciousness tries to wrap its mind around what to do with this 77 year-old predator and, for many of us, life-long entertainer and educator. Continue reading
Two regular Joes off to detect some stuff; a cat named Audrey; NBC is what goes bump in the night; The Stallone of Rage; I’M MATT DAMON; We know what you did, and we don’t care; butter biscuits with racism jam; and nobody puts Shonda in a corner. This week’s Caller is a Careless Whisper. Continue reading
This is my ideal day. Saturday morning: I love to get up to go to a museum. I always take a taxi, and only open the door into the bike lane. Because I love to see how many Citi Bike riders I can pick off. I love to spend mornings at MoMA, where I eat M&Ms and I sneeze on Jackson Pollocks, just to see who can tell. I try to get to a Mets game if they’re in town, because they have a great ticket plan: If you buy one, you get one free; if you buy two, they let you pitch. — Joan Rivers [Vulture]
Joan Rivers was an icon. She was controversial, acerbic, offensive sometimes, spot on often, and the last of the real “take no crap” broads in showbiz. No, not in Hollywood or the movies, or on television…showbiz. Showbiz meaning that she was a consummate performer. Brooklyn born, a Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College educated, and one of the quickest wits to walk the planet even at the age of 81. Rivers could get up on a stage in her twilight years and make the biggest “man’s man” blush as she regaled an audience with raunchy and ribald humor while dressed to the nines, heels in place, hair perfected, and face…a work of dizzying craftsmanship. And that’s all we’re going to say about that. Continue reading
So, there’s a new season of Dr. Who, the decades-long BBC series aimed at delighting simple children and providing marginal employment to barely-employable minor Shakespearean character-actors. As surly Scottish grumpus Peter Capaldi takes over the role, let’s look back at some of the other unfortunates who have played this time-traveling weirdo. Continue reading
For the third year in a row, I’m going to volunteer myself for a liveblog of the MTV Video Music Awards. I will disclose now that I am traveling and if I’m delayed, this will just turn into a VMA OT. I hope to be with you all for this shit show. ETA: Flight was on time! I’m here. Let’s do this, bitches!
Here are the nominees for a few of the most coveted awards:
Video of the Year:
- Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Drunk In Love”
- Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
- Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”
- Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
- Sia, “Chandelier”
“You do an eclectic celebration of the dance! You do Fosse, Fosse, Fosse! You do Martha Graham, Martha Graham, Martha Graham! Or Twyla, Twyla, Twyla! Or Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd, Michael Kidd! Or Madonna, Madonna, Madonna!… but you keep it all inside.” This is the scene among many that made me laugh out loud during The Birdcage starring the wonderful Robin Williams. I can still see him doing every single one of those dance steps as he paraded hilariously across the stage. The other great scene had to do with a pot full of shrimp and a dinner not going to plan, and Williams, whom you could tell, ad libbing the entire thing. And that’s what he did. Robin Williams was a genius at improv — one of the best there ever was — but when it was time to get serious, he knew just how to break your heart as he did in Good Will Hunting, earning him the Oscar, and earlier in The World According to Garp among other stand out roles. And that’s just his dramatic work; he was a king at the animated voice, and had the timing of the Gods. Continue reading