Lorelei Gilmore, er, I mean Lauren Graham will be returning to TV, this time in NBC’s upcoming series Parenthood, replacing Maura Tierney–New York Times
TLC is suing Jon Gosselin, from the enormously popular Jon & Kate Plus 8. Wow, TLC and the Gosselins will stop at nothing to stay in the headlines. What’s next, a hot-air balloon fiasco?? –Associated Press
Yes, I’m still sad that Reno911! got canceled, but I’m excited that the guys behind it are committed to a pilot for NBC –The Hollywood Reporter
Matthew Perry has had enough of living off his millions, he’s heading back to TV, where he’ll play a “self-involved manager of a second-rate sports arena blah, blah, blah” –The Hollywood Reporter
Where the Wild Things Are opens this weekend, which probably means that come Monday Couples Retreat will no longer be the #1 movie in the country…we hope. — New York Times
According to an article on CNN.com, Michael Jackson costumes will be the big hit at Halloween gatherings. Since trend stories must contain statistical back up, here’s what CNN found out:
“When you go to a party there will be a person dressed as Michael Jackson, no doubt,” said Jalem Getz, president and CEO of Buyseasons Inc., the parent company of BuyCostumes.com.
Searches for the costume, which generally includes tight black pants, a leather jacket and, of course, a glittering glove, have gone up more than a 1000%, according to Getz.
Other popular dead celebrity costumes include Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and infomercial pitchman Billy Mays.
…by the way, is it just me, or does the phrase “other popular dead celebrity costumes” creep you out? Anyways…
Meanwhile, die hard Twilight and True Blood fans have breathed new life into classic vampire attire, and reality celebs John and Kate Gosselin will likely be well represented on the trick or treat circuit.
“People like to be current,” Getz said of the current top choices. And no matter how grim, “we don’t judge our customers,” he added.
Oh, and the other thing about this year’s Halloween? Here come some more stats…
According to the National Retail Federation’s 2009 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, total Halloween spending is estimated to fall 18% to $4.75 billion, down from $5.77 billion last year.
“The economy has caught up to Halloween this year,” Tracy Mullin, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, said in a statement. “Since retailers know that Americans will be looking to celebrate on a budget, there’s no doubt we will see creative costume and decorating ideas in every price point imaginable.”
The report found that the average consumer plans to spend $56.31 on Halloween merchandise this year, down from $66.54 in 2008.
That’s right, I’m putting it out there–-Glee is the best new comedy of the fall TV premieres. A musical comedy about high school, primarily through the eyes of the members of glee club, which includes kids from various stereotypical cliques, as they not only try to get through their own issues, but navigate through the club’s moments of glory and humiliation, and actually win their singing competitions
Unfortunately, the adults around them aren’t all that helpful as they are caught up in their own dysfunctional entanglements, demonstrating the notion that even grown ups aren’t grown up. Glee is full of over-the-top characters and antics, and brims with sharp dialogue. And the musical performances–varying in genres and decades–kicks up the energy and of course help move along the narrative.
And above all that, it’s got Jane Lynch, and every single scene she’s in—bullying her way through the halls of William McKinley High School as the cocky and abrasive cheer coach, the Cheerios as they are called, sparking a confrontation, scheming with her cheerleaders, ridiculing her archenemy, Spanish teacher and director of the glee club, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), giving that unflinching stare while brilliantly delivering some of the most absurd yet whip-smart lines in TV history—she steals it.
Lynch is primarily known for her performances in Best in Show and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, but watching her as the tough-talking, ball-busting, manipulative, extremely competitive, political-correctness-what’s-that Sue Sylvester, I can’t imagine her in anything else. And for that I not only expect that she will be nominated for an Emmy, but that she will probably win.
Below is an eight minute clip from last night’s episode…the first part includes Lynch, but of course I recommend watching the whole clip…
Hey readers! I’m going to try something new here at the blog…every Friday I’ll post links to some of the entertainment/pop culture stories of the week that I either didn’t get to or will revisit later. This new feature is just one more way to keep you in the know and to fulfill my destiny: to tirelessly provide invaluable fodder for fellow pop culture fanatics everywhere.
For those of you who follow celebs on Twitter, Tracy Morgan (30 Rock) is now Twittering, thanks to a viral campaign.–The Wall Street Journal
One of my favorite TV shows, Southland, has been canceled. Of course.–The Hollywood Reporter
Another one of those extended 15 minutes…not only is Levi Johnston (Bristol Palin’s baby daddy/thorn in Sarah Palin’s side) going to pose in Playgirl, but he’s now in an ad for…wait for it…nuts.–dlisted
Speaking of Playgirl, Marge Simpson is going to be in Playboy, and on the cover no less! Yes, the same Marge Simpson from the Fox animated cartoon series–E!Online
Another Vacation movie is in the works, but here’s how this one is going to differ from all the other Vacation movies: it’s going to be a sequel to the very first one…mmkay.–The Hollywood Reporter/HeatVisionBlog
