Nicole Kidman's rep says the actress is NOT pregnant, as London's Daily Mail reported over the weekend. "It is incorrect . . . she must have had about 30 babies by now," her Australian publicist told the Melbourne Herald Sun.
Kidman is married to country singer Keith Urban.
I've been watching a lot of Sesame Street lately, as my 2-year-old son has become more and more interested in Elmo. The "Elmo's World" segments were the last place I expected to see Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver referenced, but that's what happened on Wednesday's episode. Elmo hailed a cab, and a mohawked driver pulled up, accompanied by music that sounded like this.
This week's new releases were delayed two days because of Christmas. Expect the same next week because of New Year's.
The Amazing Spider-Man #545: Here it is, the finale to the tale that's supposed to change Spidey's life forever.
The Legion of Super-Heroes #37: In the late '60s, 13-year-old Jim Shooter broke into comics by submitting stories to DC about this team of 30th century heroes. He grew up to be Marvel's editor-of-chief and the founder of Valiant Comics. Now, he's back where he started.
Pax Romana #1 (of 4): Speaking of time travel, this new sci-fi series sounds cool.
I came across an interesting interview with Daniel Day-Lewis, who's done only four films in the last decade, yet wins critical acclaim for each one. The article explains how he gets so attached to his characters. His next role is as an oil prospector in There Will Be Blood.
Fantasy sports fans, I have a problem. Who should I play this last week? I think Tom Brady is good for two or three touchdowns, don't you? After that, I'm at a loss. Help me out sports fans.
As you may have heard, the NFL Network broadcast of the Patriots-Giants game on Saturday night also will be aired on NBC and CBS, so that the entire nation can watch New England try to become the first team to go 16-0 during the regular season.
Non-football fans, here's what you'll miss: NBC was scheduled to air Dateline NBC and a repeat of Law & Order: SVU during the time slot. CBS was to broadcast the movie Good Night, and Good Luck and 48 Hours: Mysteries. My guess is they're happy to have the football.
I came across these t-shirts, aprons and totes too late to give them as a holiday gift, but I might have to throw down the $20 and get one for myself. They promote a healthy lifestyle with funny sayings and such. Check them out here. My sister would love the strawberry one. I'm a fan of "veg out" and "rad."
Jamie Lynn Spears's hometown of Kentwood, La., recently lent their support to the pregnant teen, reports People.com. A close family friend said they'll embrace and love the baby. Apparently these Spears kids will be well-loved, but we still feel sorry for them.
According to the Associated Press, a Jewish group said today that it accepts Will Smith's explanation that he never praised Adolf Hitler in remarks the star says were misinterpreted. “We welcome and accept Will Smith's statement that Hitler was a 'vicious killer' and that he did not mean for his remarks about the Nazi leader to be mistaken as praise,” Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement. Foxman said words “can be twisted by those with hate and bigotry in their hearts.”
“You may be aware that I've not done a sequel before and the reason being that, generally speaking, I never like to repeat myself. In this case, I do believe that if you're going to do a sequel, it has to promise to be better than the original - or at least as good.” begins Nicolas Cage when describing taking part in his first franchise in his career. The Oscar-winning actor, 43, has done plenty of blockbusters and has made films that have turned into sequels without him, but Cage found something worth continuing in the National Treasure franchise with Disney.
He explains, “Having been a fan of Basil Rathbone and Sherlock Holmes, I thought, "Why not bring Ben Gates back as a modern version, if you will, an archeological version of a detective, looking for to unlock the mysteries of these treasures?" It seemed wonderfully positive. If [director] John Turteltaub has a genius, it's that he's made movies without a gun that are entertaining, and you can take the whole family.”
Cage also feels the role has had a positive effect on him personally. He says, “Because of playing Ben Gates, I really appreciate history now, and I also enjoy being in places where I feel the weight of past events. I like old architecture and old buildings and if you use a little imagination, you can time travel.”
Gordon Keith fans, there's more than just his column in today's issue of Quick. Go to our two-page spread in the middle of the paper, where you'll find an assortment of Santa Gordo images that can be used as wrapping paper.
Why?
Because you love Gordo. And because you're incredibly cheap.
There's a 5K this Saturday at 8 a.m., starting at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake. It's called the Dash for Cash, and it benefits the North Texas Region division of USA Volleyball.
As far as the next big race, I'm eyeing the Texas Half on Feb. 9. I think it'd be a good race to keep in long-distance shape. Last year after the marathon, I didn't do a race longer than a 5K until I started training again, and I don't want to let it go that long this year.
The Dallas Morning News' Cowboys Blog has an interesting -- albeit slightly unsettling, for Cowboys fans -- post on Terrell Owens. It seems T.O. isn't a fan of Tony Romo's relationship with Jessica Simpson. He says the singer-actress is messing up his quarterback's focus.
"Right now, Jessica Simpson is not a fan favorite in this locker room or in Texas Stadium," T.O. said. "I think with everything that has happened, and obviously the way Tony played and the comparison between her and Carrie Underwood, I think a lot of people feel like she's probably taking his focus away."
And that may not be the last we hear from T.O. on the subject.
"I've got a message for her when we make the playoffs," he said. "Just stay tuned."
I hate to admit it, but last night's season finale of A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila got the waterworks going. I was absolutely bawling when the MySpace pinup let stand-up firefighter Dani go and picked back-woods brute Bobby to take a shot at love with instead.
I actually liked Bobby quite a bit, but in my opinion he didn't hold a candle to Dani in terms of compatibility and sincerity -- plus it seemed like Tila and Dani's last date went way better than Tila and Bobby's. I thought Dani had it in the bag! But when she turned around and walked away from Tila and Bobby's exuberant celebrating, my heart just sank. And when she tried to hold back tears and explain how she felt, it was over for me -- the floodgates were busted open. Let's just call today Hung Over from Too Much (Tila) Tequila Day. Oh, Tila, must your reality show make me cry?!?!
Normally, I'm a proponent of alcohol at any venue. Especially elementary school plays, funerals and Sunday church services. But news that Six Flags wants to sell beer at their Arlington park made me rethink my stance. I'm just not sure that roller coasters and Miller Lite go that great together. It's bad enough that the kids are throwing up all over the place. Now we have to worry about the grown-ups, too?
Army@Love #10: Remember last week's Fanboy column about comics that satirize the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Special Forces #2 (of 6): Here's another one of those war comics.
Superman/ Batman #44:Michael Green, an executive producer of Heroes, takes over as writer.
Incredible Hercules #112: Since he apparently died at the end of World War Hulk, the green guy's series -- written by Hillcrest High grad Greg Pak -- temporarily has a new name and star.
World War Hulk: Warbound #1 (of 5): Also from Pak comes this story about the aliens who helped the Hulk fight the rest of Earth's superheroes.
Some New Kind of Slaughter #1 (of 4): In more heady matters, this series explores the causes and effects of floods, both modern and biblical.
Jerry Bruckheimer, the Hollywood producer connected to shows and movies such as CSI, Pirates of the Caribbean and Top Gun, will announce tomorrow a partnership with MTV to develop video games, The New York Times is reporting.
Not many details available so far, but since Bruckheimer is known for car chases and action-heavy fare and MTV for reality-TV crap du jour, combining the two does make for some interesting speculation ...
Numerous Internet outlets reported that the ending of I Love New York 2's finale was leaked well before the show's airing last night -- a friend of mine said he heard that Tailor Made would be picked as her suitor via New York City radio celeb Wendy Williams' talk show ... and he passed on what turned out to be accurate info to me! Argh!! I still found the show to be really suspenseful, though -- after all, the "leak" could've been a hoax? I'm glad it wasn't -- Buddha needed to be kicked to the curb!
In other New York news, the New York Post has reported that she and Tailor Made, whose real name is George Weisgerber, are living together with his tween-aged daughter in Queens. I sure hope their love is real and some manufactured bs doesn't go down at the Jan. 6 reunion show that forces her to come back with I Love New York 3. Here's an idea, VH1 -- how 'bout documenting Tailor Made and New York's life together?!
This has got to end. Sure, we're getting Leno and Letterman and Conan back (though how good can a writer-less show be?). We're still missing The Daily Show, which pains me to the depths of my soul.
Now comes news that writers won't be giving waivers to the Golden Globes or the Oscars. And residuals will have to be paid for clips played at the Academy Awards. And the LA Times points out that in 1980, when the Screen Actors Guild was striking, all but one of the nominees boycotted the Emmys.
I've reached bottom here. Please come to an agreement. Get the strike to end. I'm begging you. Because I don't know if I can stomach watching the Oscars if nobody shows up to get their statuettes.
New Line Cinema has issued a press release saying it will join forces with MGM to produce the long-discussed movie of The Hobbit (the prelude to Lord of the Rings), and a sequel (?). Peter Jackson's on board as executive producer. It's unclear if he'll direct.
Regardless, it's good news for Rings fans, though you'll have to wait til 2010 at least.
(It's not as bad as some make it out to be, though maybe I say that because I had to watch it every year on "movie day" in elementary school. That, and Secret of Nimh. Good times.)
It appears that Wild Bill Shatner may still land a cameo in the new Star Trek movie, which is in production. But since Capt. Kirk was previously killed off, it could be kinda difficult.
Word is that Oprah's longtime squeeze, Stedman, is jealous of her attention toward Barack Obama, for whom she's campaigning. Come on Oprah, don't you know he's taken?
The Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association voted the Texas crime drama NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN as the best film of 2007, according to the results of its 14th annual critics’ poll released today.
Rounding out the composite list of the top 10 films of the year were JUNO (2), THERE WILL BE BLOOD (3), ATONEMENT (4), MICHAEL CLAYTON (5), INTO THE WILD (6), THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (7), THE KITE RUNNER (8), THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (9) and CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR (10).
Two inmates in New Jersey stole a play from Andy Dufresne's book in The Shawshank Redemption.
The inmates escaped from jail by removing cement blocks from walls and hiding the holes with photos of bikini-clad women, according to the Associated Press. They squeezed through the openings and then made it over a 25-foot-high fence. Authorities haven't yet found the two men.
Brody Jenner, L.C.'s on-again, off-again snuggle buddy on The Hills, was allegedly kicked off an America Airlines flight from Dallas to Chicago over the weekend, according to celebrity Web site TMZ.com. An American Airlines spokesperson told TMZ that Jenner was one of "several passengers (who) refused to comply with flight attendant's requests to turn off electronic devices. They became verbally abusive toward the flight attendants and were removed from the plane by airport police."
Jenner, who was scheduled to make an appearance at Ghostbar on Friday, also appeared at a nightclub in Chicago on Saturday.
Annie came up with the ideal holiday for today when she greeted me with a joyous "Happy I Love New York Season Finale Day!" Yay, I love it -- and it sure beats Wright Brothers Day in terms of fun!!
You know you love New York, and I know you'll be watching tonight's crizazy-looking finale, when New York takes her last two lunatics, er, suitors to Jamaica and picks the one who will be her man. Until I Love New York 3, that is.
Will she pick the nutty, devoted and well-dressed Tailor Made, or the muscle-bound, women's-tank-top-wearing Buddha? Will her mom scare off both of them? Which guy deserves her more and who would be best for her? Considering her luck with men, New York may just end up with that glittery 2 she's huggin' on up there (they look happy). I guess we'll all find out on VH1 at 8.
According to the Associated Press, Tila Tequila's MTV reality show, A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila, is rabidly popular -- so much so that the MySpace pinup has reportedly been offered a shot at a second season. That's pretty surprising, considering Tequila says of her ongoing relationship with this season's winner, "Right now, I’m just happy where I am."
Even more surprising is the news that the music network is offering a matchmaker show to lovable Italian Shot at Love reject Domenico, called That's Amore. Yay, I hope that sweet guy finds the romantic eqivalent of mocha dusting to his tiramisu ...
High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale made her first public appearance since have a nose job on Nov. 30. I have to say I like the old nose better. This just doesn't look natural.
Paul Schrader is finally closing the book on his “lonely man” series. Best known for writing Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and writing/directing American Gigolo, Schrader, 61, says of his new film, The Walker, “In my mind, The Walker is the progression of a character that I’ve been fooling around with in my mind for a while. When he was 20, he was angry and he was a taxi driver, at 30 he was narcissistic and a gigolo, at 40 he was an anxious drug dealer and at 50 he’s a walker. There’s a kind of progression in my mind about these characters. What interests me as a get older is to make a film about a superficial character. I found myself interested in these occupational metaphors like “service industry” types. It started out with Taxi Driver, then American Gigolo, then Light Sleeper and now a “society walker”. These are marginal people that are in society but out of it at the same time.”
Life for Nikki Blonsky hasn’t been the same since she landed the lead in this year’s Hairspray movie. And things got a little sweeter today for the one-time ice cream parlor employee – she’s up for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Tracy Turnblad in the film.
Lucky for us, she was kind enough to sit down and chat earlier this week. A full Q&A is in tomorrow’s print edition of Quick. Of course, I’ve got some tidbits after the jump to tide you over until then.
Fans of the New Zealand comedy-folk duo will be delighted to hear Billboard's news: The Conchords will have a full-length album on SubPop in April. (Hooray!) And they are working on the second season of their HBO show. (Also hooray!)
It's official: I'm a pop culture dunce. For the first time ever, I have not seen anything nominated for a film Golden Globe, which were announced today. And I'm not a regular viewer of anything nominated for TV. I expect this with the Grammys, but the Globes?
Here are films I wish I had spent the time to see:
--No Country For Old Men (it just sounds so good)
--Charlie Wilson's War (oh, Julia Roberts, I love you)
--Sweeney Todd (this uplifting musical will be my family's holiday movie)
--Hairspray (because I'm oh so gay)
--The Kite Runner (if you haven't already, you need to read the book)
The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with Japanese star outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. I know we're not pronouncing his last name the way it's supposed to be pronounced, but it got me thinking of other silly names such as Dick Trickle and Boof Bonser. Anybody else have one?
Helio Castroneves is still partial to the two Borg-Warner Trophy replicas he received for winning the Indianapolis 500 — we think. He was at the Brickyard on Tuesday for a promotional shoot, and the Dancing With the Stars champion brought along his mirror ball trophy for show-and-tell.
"I never thought I would have a mirror ball in my house, and now I do have it," he told the Associated Press. "But I meant it when I said when I look at that trophy, it means I can do it if I put my heart and soul in it, my determination.
“In spirit, the baby Borg is still bigger,” Castroneves said of his two wins at Indy. "Nothing is going to compare with Indy.”
Green Lantern #25: While Marvel stole the headlines all year with World War Hulk, DC was waging its own war, the Sinestro Corps War. Here's the 64-page finale.
Wonder Woman: Amazons Attack: Wait a second, DC was waging two wars in the shadow of World War Hulk. Here's a collection of the other one.
Wonder Woman #15: Speaking of Wonder Woman, here's the second issue from the Amazon princess' new writer, Gail Simone.
Welcome to Tranquility Vol. 1: Speaking of Simone, here's the first collection of her series about a superhero retirement community.
Astronaut Dad Vol. 1: I'd been wondering which space endeavor would overcome its delays first: the launch of the shuttle Atlantis or the release of this graphic novel written by Arlington's David Hopkins. Looks like Hopkins won.
The Darkness #1: One of Image's flagship properties is relaunched with a new ongoing series, and in true Image fashion, it's available with three covers.
* Buddies II's women's Christmas party and parade of lights will feature live DJs, dancing and karaoke. 6 p.m. Thursday. 4025 Maple Ave. www.buddiesii.com.
* The Round-Up Saloon will hold its annual Christmas stocking auction at 6 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds from the auctioning of more than 100 baskets, stockings, wreaths and centerpieces will benefit the Legacy Founders Cottage. 3912 Cedar Springs Road. www.roundupsaloon.com.
* Edna Jean Robinson presents her Trailer Park Christmas show benefiting the Sam Houston School Christmas Project. Monday night at JR's. 3923 Cedar Springs Road. www.caven.com.
Here are the 16 songs performed by Led Zeppelin on Monday night, according to the reviews filed by the Associated Press, Bloomberg News and the Los Angeles Times:
Led Zeppelin performed its much-anticipated reunion show in London today before a sell-out crowd of 18,000 people. Those lucky few were selected from the 1 million worldwide who applied. The band was playing its first full-length concert since before drummer John Bonham died in 1980. His son, Jason, played drums this time around, alongside the three surviving original members. Rumors of a tour have been circulating, but for now the band sounds noncommittal.
Stuart Scott (above) and the ESPN gang are going to poke some fun at themselves Tuesday night with a best-of show on those hilarious "This is SportsCenter" spots featuring anchors, athletes and mascots. The show airs at 7 p.m. on the original.
Here is a classic one featuring the late Steve Irwin. Or how about Peyton and Eli Manning acting like ... well, brothers. Then there is Evander Holyfield taking offense to something said about his boxing career.
The "Everything Else" category on eBay is such an interesting place. It's like this giant catch-all for crap. Or The Find of a lifetime. This is totally your decision. And your money.
I watched the series premiere of Father Hood starring Snoop Dogg last night on E!. Gotta say, I wasn't too impressed.
I like Snoop. He's funny and a great rapper. But Father Hood feels more staged than any family reality TV show I've seen thus far. Honestly, the only one on the show that seemed like she'd be exactly the same if there were no cameras in her face was his wife.
I'll give it one more try next week because I expected better. But it's on a short leash ... fo shizzle.
Lauren's making a "life-changing" decision tonight in the third-season finale of The Hills. Is it about Brody? Is she leaving L.A.? Is she taking Heidi back? Speaking of L.C.'s former BFF, TMZ.com is reporting that Heidi and Spencer's wedding is off, though they are still together. My DVR is set to record it all tonight.
December is Learn a Foreign Language Month -- jeez, you'd think they'd give that endeavor more like a year, but, whatevs. Got a jones to parler a smidge of francais? Or italiano or espanol? Head on over to the BBC's fantastic language education Web site, where you can take a test to gauge your level of expertise. Once you find out where you're at, the site offers a virtual cornucopia of resources, from interactive video lessons and audio tutorials to foreign-language crossword puzzles to boost your skills. How do you say "that's soooo cool" in Greek?
My knee-jerk reaction: That equals about 14 dog years, if my math skills are remotely accurate. How about splitting the difference between 23 months and 14 years for his sentence?
Yes, everyone in Dallas can puff out their chests and beam with pride today: We are the 15th most eventful city in the country, according to eventful.com. NYC and LA top the list, predictably. Austin is two spots behind Dallas. But Houston checks in at No. 7. What's up with that?
There was sniping and snarking, power struggles and even a terrific impersonation of Tim Gunn, but somehow, last night's episode of Project Runway was short of fabu ...
Scanning the full list, I noticed a handful of local/Texas links:
--The Chemical Brothers’ “We Are The Night,” which features Denton band Midlake on one track, was nominated for best electronic/dance album.
--Houston rap duo UGK (which this week mourns the death of Pimp C) was nominated in the rap duo or group category for the song “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)”
--Miranda Lambert and LeAnn Rimes are competing with others in the best female country vocal category.
--Kelly Clarkson was nominated for best country collaboration for her duet with Reba McEntire, “Because of You.”
--Texans Steve Earle and Patty Griffin got nods in the best contemporary folk/Americana album category.
--Denton polka kings Brave Combo got a nomination in the polka album category for “Polka’s Revenge.”
I’m sure there are more locals in the list, and will certainly update you as I get the “I can’t believe you missed so-and-so” e-mails.
Nominees for Best Rap Song are:
"Ayo Technology" -- N. Hills, Curtis Jackson, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (50 Cent Featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland)
"Big Things Poppin' (Do It)" -- Clifford Harris & Byron Thomas, songwriters (T.I.)
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" -- A. Davis & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West)
"Crank That (Soulja Boy)" -- Soulja Boy Tell'Em, songwriter (Soulja Boy Tell'Em)
"Good Life" -- A. Davis, F. Najm & K. West, songwriters (Kanye West Featuring T-Pain)
Soulja Boy? Really? REALLY? I’m kind of disgusted right now. This might be worse than when Steely Dan won Album of the Year.
Best Rock Album nominees are:
Daughtry -- Daughtry
Revival -- John Fogerty
Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace -- Foo Fighters
Magic -- Bruce Springsteen
Sky Blue Sky -- Wilco
One of the most solid categories announced this morning. You’ve got critically acclaimed comebacks (Fogerty, Springsteen), back-to-basics ear-pleasers (Foo Fighters, Wilco) and the most popular artist this year of any genre (Daughtry), who lent some warmth and credibility to the Nickelback formula. Since Daughtry was snubbed in the top categories, I’d say he (they?) are a lock for this category. Not that it’s the correct logic for picking a winner, but hey, we’re talking about the Grammys.
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals nods go to:
"Steppin' Out" -- Tony Bennett & Christina Aguilera
"Beautiful Liar" -- Beyoncé & Shakira
"Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" -- Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
"The Sweet Escape" -- Gwen Stefani & Akon
"Give It To Me" -- Timbaland Featuring Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake
As much as I liked the video for “Beautiful Liar” (its cheesy diva-tude should have won it the top VMA), the song wasn’t all that great. Not nearly as good as “The Sweet Escape,” one of the most perfect pop songs ever recorded (just try not to sing along in the radio, folks). I love the beat and the bravado of “Give It To Me,” but come on – its lyrics are about how cool its three singers are. That should never be honored. Well, maybe it should in the rap categories.
Song Of The Year nominees include:
"Before He Cheats" -- John Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
"Hey There Delilah" -- Tom Higgenson, songwriter (Plain White T's)
"Like A Star" -- Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriter (Corinne Bailey Rae)
"Rehab" -- Amy Winehouse, songwriter (Amy Winehouse)
"Umbrella" -- Shawn Carter, Kuk Harrell, Terius "Dream" Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z)
If this award goes to the song that will make me scratch my eyes out if I hear it ONE MORE TIME, I’d pick “Hey There Delilah,” but “Before He Cheats” and “Umbrella” are also in the running. Winehouse definitely deserves this one 1) because it was everywhere and most people didn’t get tired of it and 2) because it reflected the overall theme of the entertainment industry (looking significantly at Britney).
Best New Artist nominees are:
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse
Why do I have a feeling that the Apple commercial played a role in Feist’s nomination? Still, the Apple folks have good taste. I’d almost prefer if they decided who wins the Grammys. As for the others, I apologize for not having heard of Ledesi, I know there are better young rock acts out there than Paramore, Brits would tell you there’s nothing new about Amy Winehouse (as would anyone who has seen pictures of her), and Taylor Swift is cute but I don’t consider a sugary-sweet ode to Tim McGraw Grammy-worthy.
Just caught the top two categories of nominations of the 50th Grammy Awards (as announced on E!) and here’s what they look like:
Record of the year
Beyonce, “Irreplaceable”
Foo Fighters “The Pretender”
Rihanna feat. Jay-Z, “Umbrella”
Justin Timberlake “What Goes Around (Comes Around)”
Amy Winehouse, “Rehab”
Album of the year
Foo Fighters, (really long title with lots of words to come)
Vince Gill, “These Days”
Herbie Hancock, “River: the Joni Letters”
Kanye West, “Graduation”
Amy Winehouse, “Back to Black”
Looks like Kanye leads the pack with 8 nominations and Winehouse trails him with 6. “Irreplaceable” and “Umbrella” seemed like shoo-ins for Record of the Year, but don’t be surprised if Amy gets this one, to make room for someone else (Kanye) winning in the Album category. “Graduation” was a little weaker (in my mind) than “Late Registration,” though – the two more deserving albums are “Back to Black” (which gave us a new take on a classic musical style) and “These Days” (Gill made four discs of solid tunes – not exactly hip but damn impressive). More later when I can get my grubby little hands on the full list.
If you celebrated yesterday's super-fun holiday, Bathtub Party Day, you've already kind of gotten into the spirit of this week's (slightly) more serious observance. This is National Handwashing Awareness Week, and in case you wondered, I couldn't possibly have made that up. There's even a Web site touting the benefits of healthy handwashing, and seeing as it's about to be cold season, the site offers some pretty timely tips. Although its mascot, Henry the Hand, is rather creepy -- he's a hand, with a face and feet, tucked into a T-shirt. Could he flip us the bird in that thing?? Whatever. Y'all just wash up before you come near me ...
Something good is coming out of the writers' strike. A judge today sentenced Kiefer Sutherland to 48 days in jail in his drunken driving case, according to the Associated Press. The 24actor reported to jail a couple hours later.
What's good about this, you ask? First, Fox decided last month not to air season 7 of 24 because of the writers' strike. So Sutherland's incarceration won't screw up production since the season's already be delayed.
And second, he's Jack Bauer. In season 3 he helped someone escape, so you know he won't be in that long.
The DMN posted a story about the warmer-than-average temperatures expected for Sunday's White Rock Marathon. Tips include wearing cheap layers of clothing you can discard and filling up on water now so you won't dehydrate, which I think most runners know to do. I've also heard that you should dress for temperatures 15 degrees higher than they actually are during a race, so I doubt I'll head out in anything more than shorts and a tank.
There's also a 30 percent chance of rain, which could either hurt or help. Sometimes it cools you off during a run, but when it stops, the humidity hits you. I'm a little concerned about it, but I'm not trying to set a PR or anything, so I'm just going to go slower than I had planned. It's not worth becoming ill or not being able to finish.
Any Pop-Up Video fans out there? VH1 Classic has a new section on its site with some "classic" clips. Watching A-Ha's "Take on Me" was totally worth the time. Do I even need to mention Olivia Newton-John's "Physical," or "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham? You'll thank me later.
Quick's own movie reviewers, Pikahsso and Tahiti, get some big ol' recognition from VH1's "eCritic" contest. People made their own movie reviews by video, and submitted them for this contest. Pik is one of three finalists for the top critic, and Tahiti manned the editing for his entry, which you can see here.
You can also see a couple of classic Quick Movie Time With Pikahsso and Tahiti episodes on the site.
And, of course, you can see all of them right here.
Today is Bathtub Party Day -- why not send an Evite and welcome your favorite people to your crib for Bathe-apalooza? People you know. If you plan on celebrating solo, there's no reason you can't send an e-card to your pals.
Comedian Dave Chappelle has broken his own laugh factory endurance record by telling jokes for six hours and 12 minutes. He was reportedly trying to head off an attempt to break the record by Dane Cook, who went for nearly four hours in early April in what must have been a positively hellish evening.
Entertainment Weekly has unveiled its list of worst holiday movies. Some of the personalities on the list include: Hulk Hogan, the Kranks, Ben Affleck (twice), "Pinky Tuscadero," martians and that dorky Ernest guy who used to fall off ladders and stuff.
I disagree with Jim Carrey's How the Grinch Stole Christmas being on the list though. And I'd like to nominate every Tim Allen movie.
In the spirit of today's wacky holiday, I'd like to say be nice to your dice -- it's National Dice Day!! Who comes up with this stuff??! Anyway, celebrants are supposed to ooh and aah over the multifaceted wonder that is the dice. I think since we're all wordsmiths, the Quick staff should get a nice, heated game of Yahtzee going after the aftenoon meeting. Or craps. Whatever ...
After months of training, many Dallas runners will compete in the White Rock marathon, half marathon or marathon relay this Sunday. Registration was capped at 15,000, and it has sold out. But they might still need volunteers, and runners would love more people to come out and cheer them on.
I hope there are lots of lively people out supporting runners because it will be the longest race I've done without headphones, which are banned per USA Track & Field regulations. I was worried at first, but now I'm actually looking forward to the challenge. I'm curious to see what I might have missed last year, absorbed in my music. Anyone out there have any opinions on the no-headphones rule, or want to share your training experiences?
Today was Don Imus' return to radio, and he's back with a cast that includes a black woman, Karith Foster, who was raised in Plano. The New York Post also mentioned her Web site, on which she describes Plano as having “the ethnic diversity of a Klan rally." Ouch!
If a “down and dirty” musical comedy with sexually charged themes starring the man known to most as Tony Soprano sounds a little strange but intriguing, then Romance and Cigarettes writer/director John Turturro is a happy man. “The whole idea of the film was to make something accessible that was imaginative and uses sexuality and music in a way that people do in everyday life,” says Turturro.
The New York native, 50, is best known for his acting work in the Coen Brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou? and The Big Lebowski, and Spike Lee’s films Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever. He was recently seen by millions this summer in the blockbuster Transformers and currently appears in the indie buzz film Margot at the Wedding.
Writing and directing the film, though, was a passion project for Turturro. “I’ve been all around the world with this film and the response is pretty consistent. Music is universal and you can travel all around the world and people listen to music in English even if they don’t understand exactly what they’re saying.”
A few weeks back we published a rather brilliant letter to the editor from one Alibaster K. Abthernabther. Today, we proudly present Alibaster's weekly column, which will run Mondays in Quick.
Knocked Up star Seth Rogen is trying to get himself in some kind of shape to play the Green Hornet on the big screen ... when writers can write scripts, of course. "You should believe that I can do some physical activity," Rogen told MTV News.
Looks as though Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson are digging deep into the playbook to keep whatever is going on between them. After the Cowboys’ win at Texas Stadium on Thursday, a TMZ cameraman caught the couple boarding a jet at Love Field, on their way to Hollywood.
The couple also were spotted together in Dallas, and at the Waco home of Simpson's grandparents, over the Thanksgiving holiday.
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