It's Quiet...Too Quiet

Okay, so maybe I've not been watching as much TV or reading as many entertainment or gossip blogs as I used to, but doesn't it seem like it's been a long time since someone like Paris Hilton getting another DUI or Britney Spears has been out of the limelight? Isn't it about time for us to hear about Britney's latest addiction treatment? Or maybe not. I'm kinda glad that things have settled down in that respect. Of course, there will always be some celebrity scandal brewing. But for now, it seems fairly quiet in Hollywood. Must be time for something big!

Tags: Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Hollywood, gossip

Paris Hilton's Grade Card

Tonight I saw this little report on Paris Hilton, and how well she's done on her pledges to help create halfway housing for women, do more for MS, work with children, not drive drunk, and not party as much. Well, she's actually cut down on the partying, and she hasn't driven drunk. But the other pledges? Hasn't done a thing with them. Oh well, I guess she can only do so much with her time and money, right? Damn. At least she hasn't been in alcohol rehab or anything, but still. You'd think she might have made a little more effort on some of the causes she said she'd champion. Maybe once she gets older, she will. Or is that too much to ask, too? Who knows.

Tags: Paris Hilton

My TV Is Back!

Woot! Next week, Grey's Anatomy comes back! And soon, House will be back! I'm already enjoying Lost being on. And now...when the television season is usually going to end, it's just beginning. With the weather getting warmer, that's going to make things difficult. Although...it's why I have a DVR, I guess. Ah, television...can't live with it, can't live without it.

Tags: Grey's Anatomy, Lost, House, DVR

I admit it...

I watch American Idol, despite my every intention NOT to watch it. But, I find myself getting sucked in every year by the auditions shows, which are like a train or car wreck...you don't want to watch people make complete idiots out of themselves, but you can't help it! So now, we're down to the final 10. Who will win, I really can't say. My personal favorite "dark horse" is Shikezie, who blew me away last week with his rendition of The Beatles "She's a Woman." Brooke is also good, but I'm not sure how long she can keep going with the whole Carly Simon vibe she has going. David Archuleta has an impeccable voice, but something about him annoys me. Michael Johns could be great...not sure why he hasn't blown us out of the water yet.

Anyway, so, I've been looking for forums and sites, besides the American Idol official site, to see what other people have to say, and I found this site called Idol Exclusive. It allows you to talk about the show through blogs, forums, pictures, etc. Heck, you can even access it through your cell phone, if you want. That's a bit much for me, but for the pure addicts (and I know you're out there!) it's sheer genius on their part to add that to their site.

Tags: American Idol, The Beatles, David Archuleta, Michael Johns, Shikezie

Donny and Marie - Back Again

So what...now Donny and Marie Osmond are famous again? I admit, I was in love with Donny when I was about 5 and they had their own variety show. That was in 1976. Now that Marie Osmond has appeared on Dancing with the Stars, it seems that she (along with Donny...because you can't have one without the other apparently) are making the rounds on talk shows. They recently appeared on Larry King Live, and got "blindsided" by him asking Marie if her son was in drug rehabilitation. Damn. I guess when you feel like you have to live up to the goody-two-shoes,"I'm a little bit country" persona you've built for yourself, any sort of information like this has to be kept hush-hush, because she said, "how did you know about that?" Um, he's a journalist (of sorts). They find out stuff, you know? And as it turns out, the tabloids were going to publish it, so I think Larry King kind of did her family a favor by getting it out in the open before the National Enquirer (or whatever rag was going to publish it) did. Anyway, I wish her son luck. Rehab, as we all know too well, often needs a few takes for it to work.

Tags: television, Larry King Live, Marie Osmond, Donny Osmond, Dancing with the Stars

Do Our Political Views Influence Our Taste in Entertainment?

Aha! I knew it! Conservatives by and large don't have a sense of humor, and they're less likely to watch "cerebral" material like documentaries and educational programming...or at least that's what a poll conducted by Zogby and the Norman Lear Institute found. Here are a few bullet points from the poll:

• Who has a sense of humor? Not only do liberals give Comedy Central a big thumbs up (31% watch it daily, compared to 6% of all other respondents), you are more likely to find them watching comedies than moderates or conservatives.
• While liberals are more likely to be found watching drama, comedy, documentaries, and arts and educational programming, those are the genres that conservatives are more likely to avoid.
• Cerebral material like documentaries and arts and educational programming all appeal more to liberals, who are 57% female.

It also confirmed my suspicions about music:

• Out of 15 musical genres, conservatives were more likely than the rest of the respondents to listen to only two of them: country and gospel.
  
• Liberals, on the other hand, are more likely than other respondents to enjoy almost every music genre, including world, punk, Latin, hip-hop and rap, blues, reggae, electronica, R&B and soul, jazz, folk and traditional music. Rock was the most popular genre among liberals (67%).

And here's the kicker when it comes to games and sports:

• If you play Grand Theft Auto, it’s more likely that you’re a liberal. But if you like auto racing, we’d bet you’re conservative. Conservatives are four times more likely than liberals to follow NASCAR (5% vs. 20%).

But, to be fair, there are some things that everyone seems to enjoy, too:

• House: one of the very successful TV shows with almost an equal number of adherents across the political spectrum.
• News: over 70% of each political group said they watch the news everyday
• Football: in almost every demographic category, and across the ideological spectrum, football is the most popular sport. Sunday Night Football has a stronger conservative following, but it is very popular among moderates and liberals, as well.
• Movies: although moderates like them best, movies were the most popular type of TV programming for every political type.
• Classical music: although moderates are less enamored with it, classical music barely nudged ahead of rock as the most popular music genre overall.

Of course, this is just a poll. And we all know polls can't be taken without a grain of salt. But I do find this one particularly interesting, and in some ways disturbing. Why aren't conservatives watching as much educational programming or documentaries as liberals? Is it because they feel it could be liberally biased? Maybe. Who knows?

Tags: politics, Zogby, entertainment, Comedy Central, NASCAR, football, arts, music

Third Time's a Charm?

So on the Today Show this morning, they covered Lindsay Lohan's latest release from drug rehabilitation. This is her third stint in it, although she stayed in it much longer than the 30 days it seems stars take to deal with their drug or alcohol addiction problem. Will it take? Who knows? Only she is in control of that. She says this time it was humbling, and that she'd be in denial if she thought she weren't in danger of relapse. Oh, and she's more aware that the people she spent time with weren't helping her. Of course, this goes against some of the tabloid rumors that someone was supplying her with alcohol while in rehab, but we all know how reliable tabloids are. As someone whose mother was an alcoholic, I can only hope that this time it takes for her.

28 Days

Last night, I watched a movie I hadn't seen in a long time, 28 Days (no, not the horror movie...that scarred me for life, I tell you). It stars Sandra Bullock as a carefree writer with a drug and alcohol problem that lands her in drug rehab. What did she do to end up in rehab? She came to her sister's wedding, got extremely drunk, destroyed the wedding cake, and took off in the limo to go get her sister a new cake. She plowed into a house. So, it was either jail or rehab...so rehab it was. Made me wonder if it was anything like what the stars of today put themselves into (although I doubt they made Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears clean the toilets). If you ask me, rehab needs to be longer than 30 days. Not sure if the statistic in the movie of only a 30% chance of success (i.e., no relapse) is correct. If it is, that's depressing. Of course, rehab is only the first step in a long process of changing one's life. But really, does a hot rock massage really belong in rehab?

Okay, I Admit It...

I read blogs like D-Listed, Popsugar, and TMZ.com. It's one of my vices, like caffeine and good chocolate. It's just so sad to read about all the stars who are constantly going in and out of drug rehab. I mean, yeah...when it's the 10th time of going, then I start to wonder if these places actually work. But then I think...nah, it's probably the personality of the person, and being constantly surrounded by the life that lead them to being an alcohol or drug addict. I look at someone like Lindsay Lohan and shake my head and wonder if she'll ever be able to kick the habit. However, there are success stories like Drew Barrymore. She's a bit flaky, but she seems so happy with everything. Guess that's one of the secrets to battling addiction, finding your inner happiness. Sappy, but true.

Wrapped Around Their Fingers

When I heard that the band The Police was going on tour again, I could hardly contain my excitement. I've always been a fan of The Police and Sting. In fact, I've been to every show Sting has done in my area...but I was too young to go see The Police in concert before they disbanded. So I feel like this is my opportunity to go see them before they really do get too old. The last time I saw Sting, it was an unplugged concert of sorts, so he did a TON of stuff from his days with The Police. Now, the only Police CD I have is Synchronicity. The rest of the songs I like, I have downloaded from iTunes. But now, there is a Police CD with just about every song I could possibly want from them (a 2 CD set, actually).

Here's a listing of what's on each one:

Disc: 1
1. Fallout
2. Can't Stand Losing You
3. Next to You
4. Roxanne
5. Truth Hits Everybody
6. Hole in My Life
7. So Lonely
8. Message in a Bottle
9. Reggatta de Blanc
10. Bring on the Night
11. Walking on the Moon
12. Don't Stand So Close to Me
13. Driven to Tears
14. Canary in a Coalmine

Disc: 2
1. Do Do Do de da da Da
2. Voices Inside My Head
3. Invisible Sun
4. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
5. Spirits in the Material World
6. Demolition Man
7. Every Breath You Take
8. Synchronicity I
9. Wrapped Around Your Finger
10. Walking in Your Footsteps
11. Synchronicity II
12. King of Pain
13. Murder by Numbers
14. Tea in the Sahara

I would absolutely love, love, love to have these CDs, especially before I go see them in concert (which I'm hoping to do in Louisville, the closest place they're visiting). I have some, but not all, of these songs on my iPod. If could get all, I'd be thrilled! It's rare when a day goes by at work, and I don't flip to either a Sting or Police song on my iPod. So I can't imagine anything much better than having all their best songs at my fingertips (and without iTunes DRM!).

Who's Your Daddy?

That's what everyone keeps asking Danilynn Smith...okay, she can't answer because she's 5 months old, but if she could she'd shrug and say, "I have no clue!" Seriously, the fight over the paternity of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter is amazing. I mean, how many men have come forward to claim her as their daughter? I have a gut feeling that it is not Howard K. Stern, but that it is Larry Birkhead. Only DNA testing will tell us that for sure. Can't believe I'm actually following this story, but it's hard to miss when it's considered major news in this country (I mean, it's made it to NPR, I think). Although as soon as this story's over, I'm sure there will be some other sensational entertainment news that will take it's place. Never fear, Hollywood is here!

Tags: Anna Nicole Smith, Dannilynn Smith, Larry Birkhead, Howard K. Stern, paternity testing, DNA testing

Oy, Enough with Britney and Anna Nicole Smith Already!

I just read a post on DListed.com that said she's going to need rehab to get over all of the Britney Spears and Anna Nicole Smith coverage. I'm with her! Seriously, it's getting ridiculous. Why I can understand the fascination with all of it (it's like a car wreck you can't look away from), I'd really rather not have the custody hearing over Anna Nicole Smith's body be a top news story that flashes across the screen, or comes after a segment on how the Dow had a correction yesterday.

Even worse, where she should have the ultimate privacy, and her condition should not be making it into the press...it seems that Brit-Brit (as some blogs call her) might just have post-partum depression. Totally makes sense to me. While I do think she has other issues, namely not being able to handle fame well and turning to substance abuse because of it, PPD could be an underlying issue no one thought about. Maybe it's a ploy by her publicist...but if it isn't, then I'm glad they discovered it. She can get help for the PPD and for the substance abuse while she's there and hopefully get her act cleaned up. Because, while we all are drawn to celebrities out of control stories, it's the celebrities who overcome substance abuse/depression/PPD (what have you) that make the best stories.

Tags: Britney Spears, Anna Nicole Smith, post-partum depression, substance abuse

Dear Britney...

I am not sure what is going through your mind right now, Britney Spears, but I am glad you are finally getting help, perhaps in an alcohol detox center, or just plain old rehab. And, it seems you've stayed for more than 24 hours. That's great! I've never really been a fan, but as someone who grew up with a parent who was an alcoholic and went through alcohol detoxification successfully, I understand the pain you're causing yourself and your family. I hate to see anyone go through what you seem to be going through.

For what it's worth, I wish the paparazzi would leave you alone, as I can't imagine going through something as personal as rehab with cameras following your every move. Please, for the sake of your two children and your family, stay in the alcohol rehab program (or wherever it is you are). Don't let yourself be fame's bitch, as I like to say. You can control your own fate. It's up to you to stop your downward spiral. You were once highly successful and seemed to be in control. That person still exists somewhere in your psyche. Dig down deep and find her again. You will be so glad you did. Trust me.

Tags: Britney Spears, Britney Spears rehab, Britney Spears detox, rehab, detox, alcoholic

File this under "Oops!"

Some residents of a small Texas town got a late notice from their electric company, saying they owed 24 billion dollars. And here I was whining about my $100 electric bill. Think I might have actually had a stroke or a heart attack if I had been one of the recipients...

Even better...a New Zealand arborist who got stuck in a tree was slammed into another tree by his rescue team. Methinks they need remedial rescue training? Ow.

And, what "oops" news item would I be remiss in leaving out? Oh yes, the whole Britney Spears ordeal. People, just leave her alone. Maybe then she might be able to finish a stint in rehab? At least that is what I'd like to think. She needs a lot of help. But all the help in the world won't save her from herself. I'd hate to see her succumb to the same fate as Anna Nicole Smith.

Fame. It's a bitch, if you don't know how to handle it.

Tags: Britney Spears, Anna Nicole Smith, entertainment, news

It's a Mystery

Not that I was a huge fan of Anna Nicole Smith, but I am sad to hear that she passed away yesterday. No one's sure yet of the cause of death, but my guess is she probably was on so many anti-anxiety drugs to cope with the loss of her son, the paternity "scandal" over her 5-month-old baby, and then this whole Trimspa mess, she just took the wrong combination and paid the ultimate price for it.

What's so weird is, one of the potential fathers (Larry Birkhead, not Howard K. Stern, I think) wants some of her DNA before she's buried so that it can go to one of those DNA testing services to determine the paternity of her daughter. Huh? Wouldn't they need his DNA for that? I find this all very weird. But then, she led a less than normal life, so I guess the circus will continue even after her death. It's all very sad and tragic, especially for her 5-month old daughter, Dannielynn. I just hope they can get it all straightened out quickly, for everyone's sake.

Tags: Anna Nicole Smith, Dannilynn Smith, Howard K. Stern, Larry Birkhead

Why I Love Hugh Laurie (House)

This past summer, I officially became hooked on House when Fox repeated the entirety of season 2 by showing a double dose every Tuesday. I know a lot of people don't like this show, but I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Why? It's simple. Hugh Laurie is quite possibly one of the finest actors I've seen in a long time. He was very famous in the UK for his stints on Wooster & Jeeves and Black Adder, where he got to show his comic genius.

But then came House, which is unlike any other show I've seen. It poses the question, would you rather have a doctor with great bedside manner who wasn't a strong doctor or diagnostician, or would you rather have a doctor with dreadful bedside manner (downright rude and mean in House's case) who knew his stuff? Because in this case, Hugh Laurie plays a rather famous diagnostician who takes on only the most baffling cases that no one else can seem to solve. But, he's got a bum leg from an infarction that took place in his thigh (apparently they're not just limited to your heart), and is constantly popping Vicodin to manage the pain. On top of that, he hates people and doesn't relate well at all to anyone.

So this season, we are taking a look at if House is out of control because of his "addiction" to Vicodin. Now, he is an addict, but he's a functioning addict. That is, the Vicodin kills his pain enough for him to be able to function normally. The question is, does he abuse it? Probably. But he is a very powerful person who gets what he always wants. Only this season, there's a detective who wants to see to it that he doesn't anymore, because he thinks House is an out-of-control addict who answers to no one. We'll see how this all plays out.

It's been interesting so far...making the lives of everyone except for House miserable in order to get House to do what he wants (basically, freezing all of their assets, or in one case, suspending their DEA number, thereby preventing him from writing prescriptions). Now, it seems that one of them is actually going to turn him in, only because in this past episode, he was way more out of line than normal. He actually punched one of his staff, and was totally and unnecessarily mean to his superior. Granted, his Vicodin level had been cut down due to all of this, and he was in pain...but still, he is way out of line. Something does need to be done before he actually kills a patient.

Kate-lite and Sawyer-lite: New Lostaways?

Unfortunately, I didn't get to watch Lost on its regular night, so I turned to my trusty Tivo unit to catch up. Little did I know that Mr. Eko would bite the big one, meet his maker, kick the bucket...or more to the point, "shaken and stirred" to death by the island's totally ominous and spooky black smoke monster. It's a shame, because I really liked him, and his back story seemed the most interesting out of all of them.

And I'm not thrilled with the introduction of what appear to be Sawyer and Kate wannabees, who seem pretty useless. I mean, they get to come along on the search for Eko/The Pearl Station? Sawyer-lite's contribution was to use the bathroom. Kate-lite's apparent skill is to notice the totally obvious...that they were surrounded by TV screens, and that those screens might show the other stations!! And Locke just now noticed them? He said he was feeling pretty stupid, but really. Why do we need more characters? We already have all of the Others to worry about.

I am intrigued by the blonde woman basically telling Jack to kill Ben during his spinal tumor surgery. It's clear she can't stand Ben...and I'm wondering if she wants to take his place. Will she be as evil and cruel? Whoever it is that plays Ben has my vote for the creepiest guy on TV, that's for sure.

Anyway, there are only two more episodes of Lost...then they go on some 13-week hiatus? What the hell is up with that? What happened to showing all of your new episodes consecutively? Oh, that's right...there aren't as many episodes of shows now, and they have to stretch them out over as long a time as possible. Sucks, if you ask me...and a lot of other people I know. Guess my Wednesday nights will suddenly be free, which isn't such a bad thing...but 13 weeks? Boooooo! That's right...booooooooo! Maybe I won't come back to it after the hiatus...that's how mad I am about it. We'll see.

Tags: Lost, tv, television, ABC

The Daily Show in Ohio!!!

Yes, The Daily Show is here in the lovely state of Ohio, gracing the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus for Indecision 2006, or as they're calling this week, the "Midwest Midterm Midtacular." Hee! Why are they here, you may ask? Well, in case you haven't heard, Ohio is the battleground state. Apparently, no president has been in office without Ohio's vote, so according to Jon Stewart, we are either the deciding state (are we *gasp* "The Decider(s)?")...or we're...from the future! Too funny.

Anyway, it should make what is normally one of the most snarky, satirical, and sarcastic shows on TV even funnier to those of us who live here in Ohio. I mean, they've already pinned us as high school football freaks who think Applebee's is the place to be (just for the record, Applebee's is not that great IMHO). Oh, and to see the montages of the political ads...excellent! Democrats, "It's Time for a Change" and Republicans, "They Love Terrorists and Will Raise Your Taxes." Both are so true...it's insane how many ads are on right now. I think I'll just watch TDS to get a synopsis of them this week, rather than subjecting myself to the torture that is the onslaught of political commercials...which I think would eventually make my ears bleed!

Sooooo...thank God for Tivo! Thanks to it, I can record my beloved TDS whenever I want. That, or watch clips on the Motherload (seems they're trying to put each episode in its entirety, divided into parts). In either case, I can't wait to watch Jon Stewart and his "reporters" work their magic. I will definitely stay tuned!

Tags: midterm elections, elections, politics, The Daily Show, Ohio, Democrat, Republican