On tonight's Extra, Heather Mills, the soon-to-be-ex of Sir Paul McCartney, revealed that indeed, she will be on the new season of Dancing With the Stars as the dance partner of Jonathan Roberts.
Mills, who lost her left leg below the knee in a 1993 motorcycle accident, joked, "I'm quite happy to be thrown around, and hopefully my leg will stay on."
She continued: "It's very unlikely my leg is going to fly off, although it would be quite funny. I'll have a strap on which I wouldn't normally in every day life."
The Hollywood Reporter is saying J.J. Abrams has signed on to direct the next installment of the Star Trek feature franchise. J.J., of course, is the man behind Lost, Alias, and Felicity. And get this: The movie's storyline is about a young James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, chronicling their first meeting at Starfleet Academy and their first space mission. So ... who will play a young Spock and a young Kirk? Here's our sug: Ben Affleck and Matt Damon! It makes total sense! The movie is due in Christmas 2008.
The Babyshambles rocker was with girlfriend Kate Moss at Cotswold Wildlife Park in Oxfordshire, England, smoking some bud and admiring the animals. When he finished his joint, he reportedly tossed it to a group of Humboldt penguins, one of whom gobbled it up and started acting "very wobbly."
Aside from being a childish, stupid thing to do, it also could have been deadly for the penguin. Way to go, moron.
Work started this week on the next section of the Katy Trail's soft-surface trail, right around Lemmon Avenue and Blackburn. I don't know if it's mostly mental, but the soft surface that's in place north of Knox seems to make running a little more bearable! Crews started installing landscaping in the section from Knox to Airline Road as well.
All the construction might be bothersome now, but it should help the Trail compete with White Rock Lake as the city's top running destination.
Body Worlds, an anatomical exhibition of real human bodies, has been a hit at the Museum of Science & Nature. But some say the huge crowds have detracted from the experience. So it sounds like the museum has a good idea: Starting Monday, the hours will be extended to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Click here for details on the exhibit.
Head over to Fine Line, where Cindy Chaffin has posted some pics of the innards of Bill's Records' new Southside on Lamar location. That place looks kind of organized. Give it time, I guess.
We're only a day and some change into the Quick Battle of the Bands, but there could be some upsets brewing.
The mighty Midlake, (above) whose Trials of Van Occupanther album was one of Dallas' best in '06, nabbed the No. 1 seed in the top left bracket. But they're trailing the upstart Coffee Nods, 69.88 to 30.12 percent.
The Dirty Dialect Click has inched ahead of second-seeded Sorta.
And the Deathray Davies are giving Headkrack a good run. Krack is just ahead by 51.43 to 48.57.
I'm not what you would call a "knife person." I have a few basics in the kitchen drawer, and that's it. So I was surprised by how oddly entertaining the TV shopping program The Knife Show (on Channel 227 on DirecTV) can be. Its host, Tom O'Dell, is to sharp objects what the late Crocodile Hunter was to deadly reptiles. His unbridled enthusiasm can make you think, "Is there a place in my living room for four giant medieval swords and 50 matching knives? After all, it's less than $100 if I buy in the next three minutes!" Then there are the walking canes that conceal razor-sharp daggers -- make sure they're legal in your state before buying, O'Dell cautions.
And this is clearly a man who occasionally lets his enthusiasm get the best of him. His hands have so many cuts and scabs that they look like street maps. But don't take my word for it; check out O'Dell's brilliance on YouTube (he's the one who comes onto the screen after the little mishap with a samurai sword).
There's been a lot of interest in Quick's online March Madness band battle so far, but also some confusion. We'll try to tweak the site to be more clear, but maybe this will help:
When you click VOTE on each individual matchup, it should bring up a smaller window in which you vote for one of the bands in the matchup to move on to the next round. If that window doesn't appear when you click VOTE, you might want to tell your browser to temporarily allow popups.
Step 1: Do breathing exercise.
Step 2: Click VOTE for the matchup of your choice.
Step 3: Marvel at small window that appears.
Step 4: Click in the circle beside the band that you want to move on.
Step 5: Click VOTE.
Step 6: Look at results of matchup. Tell everyone around you results of matchup.
Step 7: Take shot of Jager.
Step 8: Vote in another matchup.
Step 9: Rinse, repeat.
The good peoples over at the Neo Soul Cafe are presenting the Dallas Soul Music Conference on April 27 & 28. The conference will have panelists and artists showcases, plus Erykah Badu will host jam sessions at night.
There are also special "Neo Soul Cafe Group Rates" available for those who have no desire to leave Hotel Indigo all weekend long. Make plans to kick low-voiced Barry White game in Mama's ear that weekend. You can't miss!
The 100 percent whole wheat doughnut...has a caramel flavoring and is covered with the doughnut-maker's original glaze.
WHOLE WHEAT and DOUGHNUT do not go together, like meat-dripping toothpaste or wasabi toilet paper. The entire concept is just stupid. But I guess there's a silver lining: people who eat them can be fat and regular.
Good news: The Natural is making a comeback. Sony Pictures is releasing a director's cut DVD in April. Plus, MLB Productions is filming a one-hour special on how current major leaguers feel about the classic baseball film. That show will air on ESPN2 on April 1. As you can see, "Wonderboy" has been making the rounds at spring training. That's White Sox slugger Joe Crede.
I enjoy looking at the celebrity playlists on the iTunes music store. You can learn a lot about actors and musicians by taking a glimpse at their favorite songs. For example, Drew Barrymore has a hankerin' for indie rock, while Diana Ross only likes her own tunes.
There's a point to this, I promise.
I was looking at Gnarls Barkley's playlist the other day, and I noticed one pick of local interest -- Midlake's "Roscoe."
Here's what Gnarls had to say about it (I couldn't tell whether it was Danger Mouse or Cee-Lo doing the writing):
"A certain amount of rain must necessarily fall. And although they are easily taken for granted, the wise among us will think of the roofs over their heads, ponder how they came to be there, and be grateful to those who sacrificed for our abundance. When I get caught outside in the rain, I often whistle this song, and it always gives me comfort."
Listen to the track and form your own profound opinion here.
I couldn't help noticing that bald Nicholson is a dead ringer for Don Rickles. Which, by the way, is not a good thing. Grow some hair and find some crazy, please. I like you much better that way.
And a second comment about the Nicholson/Keaton photo: Thank GOD she apparently wasn't allowed to dress herself this year.
During Jennifer Hudson's acceptance speech, I said to the people at my party, "Is it just me, or does her hairstyle say, 'I just finished having a romp in the coat check room'?"
After they finished being horrified at my callousness, we got to wondering who her playmate might have been, if such an encounter had happened. The debate was over as soon as we saw Philip Seyour Hoffman.
No Sunshine after all. But a double victory for the long-neglected Scorsese's work. Guess I gotta break down and watch The Departed. Especially since it was due back to Blockbuster about six days ago.
OK, they should totally give this gig to Ellen until the end of time. She friggin' rocks. It's so great to see such a humble, non-kiss ass hosting. And the feat of keeping the president of the Academy's speech to under a minute? Well, she deserves her own Oscar for that. And a Pulitzer. And a Nobel Peace Prize.
So, yeah, she rocks. But what do you think Anne Heche is doing right now?
Jennifer Hudson seems to be the only person in the world surprised that she won for best supporting actress. Personally, I thought it was great that Alan Arkin won out for his supporting role in Little Miss Sunshine. Ian disagrees.
"I hate Little Miss Sunshine, everything it stands for and anyone who likes it. I spit on that movie. I also eat small infants for breakfast."
I'm telling you, people, Ian has no soul. Or any idea that I'm sitting next to him typing this.
I'm enjoying the way Ellen Degeneres is handling the lead role at the Oscars tonight. Her velvet pantsuit/white pantsuit are way more casual than past presenters and her humor is so off-the-cuff and improv. I think she is a breath of fresh air in the face of the ultra-fancy scene for the evening.
I seem to forget that the first two hours of the Oscars are mostly yawn-filled, but now I remember. We've only seen one major award. Ellen's doing fine, Naomi's looking lovely and Tom Hanks gets props for his backstage sarcasm to Chris Connelly.
...because he's at my house and didn't bring his computer and I'm not sharing mine. But he's still full of funny commentary. Says he: "Helen Mirren really is the biggest MILF among the nominees"
Am I the only Oscar fan who can live without the red carpet interviews? Forget the designer names and insipid questions, bring on the Ellen and statues.
Former NBA player John Amaechi, who recently announced that he is gay, will be in Dallas on Monday to sign copies of his new autobiography, Man in the Middle.
5:30 to 6:45 p.m.: Chic from Barcelona, 11909 Preston Road, Suite 1426.
7 to 8 p.m.: Barnes & Noble, 616 Preston Royal Shopping Center (northwest corner of Preston and Royal).
Before Ioan Gruffudd came to town to promote his new film, Amazing Grace, his people made one thing perfectly clear: his name is pronounced “Yo-an Griffith”. The Welsh actor often has his name butchered and it certainly shouldn’t come from a well-informed writer, should it?
Directed by Michael Apted (Coal Miner’s Daughter, The World Is Not Enough), Amazing Grace is the story of William Wilberforce (Gruffudd), who leads an abolitionist movement through Parliament in late 18th Century England.
Gruffudd ,33, is best known for his role as Mr. Fantastic in The Fantastic Four, which continues this summer with The Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer. He will also be seen in The TV Set opposite David Duchovny and Sigourney Weaver.
Here’s more from Gruffudd:
Q: Let’s get this out of the way first – how often do people mispronounce your name?
A: It’s an everyday occurrence. It’s kind of natural, though, having those three vowels together. It’s not just in America, either. Gruffudd is just “Griffith” spelled in the Welsh language. At the beginning of my career, people wanted me to change my name to at least an English spelling and I was very adamant about that. So, yeah, I have to live with that every day. [laughs]
Q: Was this the version of the story you were given growing up?
A: No. For me, I was sort of ignorant to this story and these facts and was coming to it for the first time as a 33-year-old. There is no doubt that it wasn’t just Wilberforce in Parliament that indeed got the bill passed. There was a team of people that were abolitionists and no one should stake a claim to this, we should just be celebrating the fact that this was an amazing change for humanity.
Q: Of course you sing the song "Amazing Grace" in the film, but your bio on IMDb lists you as an “accomplished singer” at 13. Will we ever hear any recordings from you?
A: Oh, gosh no. When I was younger I sang in competitions in Wales and in choir. I was in orchestra playing oboe, but it was just part of my upbringing – part of the culture, really. There are so many people out there more talented than me that I would never dream of trying to become a recording artist.
Q: Given your history of serious roles in mostly independent films, has it been interesting working on The Fantastic Four films?
A: It is strange, but this day and age it’s very competitive and to have an opportunity to play Mr. Fantastic in a potentially large franchise, I had to take that risk and it paid off. I had no idea it would be so successful. As an actor, it’s nice to have that guarantee that there’s more work. It’s raised my profile incredibly and it allows me to do projects like Amazing Grace that’s close to my heart.
Q: And people refer to you as Mr. Fantastic.
A: [Laughs] That’s not such a bad thing. It’s a lot to live up to, though, isn’t it?
I'm no film expert, and I'm certainly no celebrity, but I want to make my Oscar predictions public before Sunday's ceremony in case I end up being right. Feel free to post your own predix as a comment. Maybe I'll send a li'l prize to the most accurate commenter (and it won't be a strand of Britney's hair).
Picture:Little Miss Sunshine Director: Martin Scorsese, The Departed Actor: Forest Whitaker, Last King of Scotland Actress: Helen Mirren, The Queen Supporting actor: Mark Wahlberg, The Departed Supporting actress: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls
File this under "Um, duh." Suze Orman -- that obnoxious financial advice-giver who screeches at people to stop spending, start saving and to dump that debt -- is a lesbian. She comes out in the New York Times Magazine on Sunday, according to some reports out there.
Never been with a man -- that's where the 55-year-old virgin thing comes in. She might be great with a dollar, but I wonder whether she realizes that if she sleeps with her partner of seven years that it counts against the whole virginity thing.
The press is abuzz today with rumors that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have started the legal paperwork with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services to adopt another child. Supposedly their boy will come from the Tam Binh orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, which they visited late last year.
Quick contributor extraordinare Paul Salfen had a recent interview with Seth McFarlane, the brains behind the animated hit Family Guy. He attempted to include dear Seth in our celebrities-predict-the-Oscars package in today's Quick (along with Jason Terry, Jessica Simpson, Homer Simpson and the great Gordo). Here's what Seth replied:
“You know, I gotta tell you, I haven’t watched the Oscars in a decade. I don’t know. Is Cool Runnings up for best original screenplay or something? I’m of the opinion that it’s time to start having the Oscars every two or three years. There’s just not enough good stuff in one year. I’m probably the most out-of-it person you’ll run into. I couldn’t even tell you what’s in the running for best picture. I just don’t get out. It’s pathetic.”
Twisted Black was sentenced to 30 years yesterday. In a phone conversation we had with him several weeks back, he indicated that they'd appeal upon sentencing.
Check out Skin discussing global warming and national health care with Dallas rapper and beat-maker Da Dreak. Actually it's more about hip-hop, including some cool tracks you should hear, but isn't that just as important? Get the latest Gemini Disco Soul Party right here.
While you're there, check out Leah Shafer's latest edition of Girl Talk for all your dating needs.
For those who, like me, still miss Arrested Development, excellent news! The Hollywood Reporter this afternoon says that Jason Bateman and Michael Cera will pair up again in the Mandate Pictures' movie Juno.
The comedy also stars Allison Janney and Jennifer Garner. It's directed by Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking) and shot in Vancouver.
Bateman and Cera, who were paired as father and son in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development, are being reunited, though in very different roles. Bateman will play the emotionally stunted husband of Garner; the couple is interested in adopting Juno's unborn child. Janney, best known for her long-running role in The West Wing, will play Juno's stepmother. Cera will play Juno's loyal best friend and the one responsible for her pregnancy.
Sounds good to me. I only with David Cross could join the fun.
Remember when George Costanza convinced the Yankees to switch to cotton uniforms? And former Yankees workhorse Paul O'Neill delivered the classic line: "I never dreamed anything could be so soft and fluffy." It didn't end so well when the uniforms shrank.
But Major League Baseball is making a change this season. The wool cap -- you know, the one that stinks really good once you start sweating -- is being replaced by a polyester blend model. New Era designed the cap to be cooler and more comfortable. And it's not supposed to shrink.
My question, though, is what's the deal with the arch above the ear (as seen on Rangers manager Ron Washington)? Those caps may be just for spring training, but I'm not a fan.
You might have caught her documentary film with the same title on HBO last year. It is haunting and so are the 53 photographs, journals, interviews and video clips making up this show. I almost cried twice while looking at them. Ten million women in the United States suffer from anorexia, bulimia or related disorders and the destruction of their bodies, families and lives is hard to witness. Greenfield was respectful and sensitive in her exploration of these women and the overall feeling was hopeful, if sad. I recommend it highly.
If you get a chance, go to the opening reception tonight from 6-8 p.m. Greenfield will be there to discuss her work. Open through April 22. The Women's Museum, 3800 Parry Ave., Dallas. 214-915-0860.
Photo: Lauren Greenfield/VII/courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery
Karma Police is a film about a man, Charles (Chamblee Ferguson), who is recruited to join a secret organization called Karma Police, that closely monitors people and secretly rewards the good and punishes the bad. Things aren’t quite what they seem, though, as Charles finds out when asked to spy on his boss, Barrington (John Wesley Shipp).
This blog follows the film's shooting and the subsequent development process.
Week three wrapped on the set of Karma Police, and it was the most exhausting yet. The biggest name in the film, John Wesley Shipp (The Flash, Dawson’s Creek), arrived Friday night.
Saturday and Sunday ended up taking 26 hours on set, which seemed to wipe almost everyone out. Exhaustion and tension was seen on the set for pretty much the first time. Director John Venable laments, “On Saturday, we lost a few scenes which we'll have to pick up later because we fell behind. Easy to do, not so easy to recover from, but we'll make it.”
Saturday’s shoot was on the 50th floor of the Bank One building on Main Street, where a prominent lawyer lent his office, despite his valuable collection of Batman collectibles, centuries-old swords and original Picassos hanging within feet of heavy equipment. The only mishap, though, was the end of an industrial extension cord in a potentially dangerous situation.
Producer Brandon Jones explains: “We were shooting Shipp getting walked into an elevator in handcuffs. During the setup and rehearsal, we were holding the elevator and on the first take, the elevator overrode us, closed and went to the ground floor with our three actors, one in handcuffs. There was a light in the elevator plugged into the 50th floor and only so much cord.”
Sunday's shoot was at the Magnolia Hotel. Instead of shooting just at the back of the hotel, the front of the hotel and valet were taken over as well, causing a backup of traffic, which Jones referred to as “guerilla filmmaking.”
Next week should prove to be a little calmer, and hopefully less hours on set for all.
I hear that Christina Aguilera gave a shout-out to Houston in her show last night. The only problem? She was at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Oops.
We were all excited about the Heat returning to Dallas tonight, as you can tell by today's Quick cover, and then D-Wade has to go and dislocate his shoulder late last night.
What does that mean? He won't play. The Mavs will blow out the Heat. And they won't get any credit for it.
Relax, people. They're not gonna kill off Meredith tonight and make George the titular character.
But in other Grey's Anatomy news, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Grey's supposed spinoff show will star the so-very-hot Kate Walsh (above right), with Taye Diggs in the mix as well. Interesting.
The second annual Festival of Indian Cinema starts Thursday at SMU. The free four-day event is open to the public, and all films will have English subtitles. Here's the schedule:
7 p.m. Thursday: Lage Raho Munnabhai (Carry on Munna Bhai), a Bollywood blockbuster directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
7 p.m. Friday: Rang De Basanti (Paint It Yellow), directed by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra.
7 p.m. Saturday: The Malayalam film Thanmatra (Molecule), directed by Blessy.
2:30 p.m. Sunday: Omkara, an interpretation of Shakespeare's Othello, directed by Vishal Bharadwaj.
"Following a 2006 reunion, the Toadies, best known for the mid-'90s rock radio smash Possum Kingdom, will be back on stage for four shows next month in their home state of Texas. The group will play March 12-13 in Austin as part of South by Southwest, March 14 in Houston and March 17 in Dallas. The Toadies' current lineup features original guitarist/vocalist Vaden Todd Lewis and drummer Mark Reznicek, guitarist Clark Vogeler and bassist Mark Hughes."
A little early, but safe and sound: Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross has given birth in L.A. to twin girls, Eden and Savannah. Mother and babies are fine, her rep says.
The pregnancy was not written into the show and I've enjoyed seeing the creative screen shots to cover up her belly--she's always standing in front of a TV or a counter or a giant pound cake.
It got even more entertaining last month when Cross, 44, was put on bed rest as a precautionary measure. The DW crew built a replica of Bree Van De Camp's house in Cross's home and shot many scenes of her there, supine and beautiful, if a little bloated.
No word on when Cross will be back on the show. I hope they've got this week's done because the whole Orson/dead mother/dead ex-wife plot line is just weird without her.
The fraternal twins are the first kids for Cross and her husband, Tom Mahoney, 49. They married last June.
In a somewhat related vein, TV Guide is reporting that DW's creator Mark Cherry has signed on the ladies of Wisteria Lane through May 2011. Plenty of time for Bree to have more wacky hijinks. I wonder how many times they'll marry her off? She can be the Susan Lucci of Primetime TV.
I've been looking forward to this show all week. Jeremy Yocum is back in town and playing at the Cavern tonight.
Yocum’s taken a backwards approach to writing some stripped down country/folk/gospel gems. He grew up in Texas, played in a shoegaze band (Oceanographer), moved with the band to Brooklyn, and THEN got the itch to start writing songs in the vein of what he really loved listening to--Gillian Welch, Maybelle Carter and Townes Van Zandt.
That's how his new project, Jeremy Yocum and The Last Rounders, was born (the name is a hat tip to the fact that he tends bar in Brooklyn.)
Sarah Jaffee opens at 10 p.m., then Jeremy at 11 and local favorite The Naptime Shake at midnight. Door is $6. 1914 Greenville Ave.
It's bounce-back week for artists with Dallas ties. Norah Jones' Not Too Late jumps back into top spot on the Billboard album charts.
And lookee here, the Dixie Chicks rocket back up to No. 8 after their Grammy domination. Taking the Long Way sold 103,000 copies (compared to 12,700 the week before), says Billboard.
So that silly Britney reportedly left rehab after a few hours, says the AP.
I was hoping she'd escape. I was just hoping it would be of the Shawshank variety: Slowly carving a hole through the wall for a couple of decades, swimming through a river of filth, then disappearing to a distant coast where she could spruce up an old boat.
My wife told me today that Justin Timberlake, or "J.T." as she calls him, has "bar stool seating" available for his March 5 show at American Airlines Center. Here's how the Ticketmaster Web site describes it:
Here is your chance to feel like you are part of the show! Rest your drink on Justin's stage. A private bar is incorporated into the stage, and your bar stool is a front row floor seat where you will find yourself right in the center of the action.
All this for the low, low price of $501 a stool. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'd better go check my bank balance.
The comic book industry's January sales numbers are out. Civil War No. 6 smoked the competition, selling more than twice as many copies as the second-best seller, Civil War: The Return.
My Fanboy column wasn't nearly as dominant last month in picking winners. One of the comics I pimped -- RoadKill Zoo No. 1 -- didn't even make the top 300. Here's how the others did:
33. Daredevil #93: 47,124 copies
43. Superman and Batman vs. Aliens and Predator #1: 40,889
53. Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs. Nighthawk #1: 33,922
67. Iron Man: Hypervelocity #1: 28,630
100. Mythos: Ghost Rider: 22,163
194. Testament #14: 7,960
258. Se7en #2: 3,915
279. Pirates vs. Ninjas #1: 2,958
285. Lost Books of Eve #1: 2,632
2007: The year of the clinic. Lindsay goes to rehab, leaves, then returns. Miss USA. Isaiah Washington. Gavin Newsom (for those of you who don't follow politics, he's the SF mayor who started outpatient treatment after his affair with an aide's wife was revealed). Now goes Britney. Again.
Add them to the list of those in need of a little help from last year -- Mel Gibson, Mark Foley, et al.
Makes me want to join the in-crowd by calling it a week, figuring out some bonehead thing to do, blaming it on an addiction and finding a nice, quiet facility to take me in.
The owners of the salon where she shaved her locks have set up BuyBritneysHair.com. For a cool mil, you can be the proud owner of her hair, hair extensions, a lighter, the clipper she used, and her Red Bull.
Did you really think Jack Bauer's father was going to kill him at the end of last night's episode? I didn't, but I have to admit that I got a little scared for a second entertaining the idea that they might kill Jack off and try to replace him with Rick Schroder (who is signed up to guest star sometime this season). The twist was this: Jack, after pouring his heart out to evil ol' dad while on his knees waiting to be executed, turned around to find nobody there. He got up, ran outside, found a cellphone with a number saved on the screen, called the number, and was greeted by ex-President Charles Logan. YES! So glad to see Gregory Itzin back on the show, and with a Saddam-just-out-of-the-hole beard to boot! The one disappointing thing from the episode: I was dying for Jack's sister-in-law to tell him that the Josh kid is his son. She just had that look in her eyes.
I, for one, am thrilled that the greatness of Celebrity Death Match has returned to MTV2. Last night, I watched Jake Gyllenhaal, after accusing Tobey Maguire of stealing all the good movie roles, tear off Maguire's leg and beat Maguire to death with it. Referee Mills Lane then got hacked off at Gyllenhaal for killing Spider-Man. What fun.
For those who don't know ... it's claymation. If only CDM hosts Johnny Gomez and Nick Diamond were allowed to call the Super Bowl one day ...
Anyway, new episodes air each Friday at 9:30 p.m. on MTV2. A game on the Web site allows you to be part of the action, too.
If you, like me, are guilty of downloading illegal stuff on your home computer, this is going to have a major impact on your ability to break the law on a daily basis.
I've concluded in my own little brain that ESPN's Chris Fowler is the best at what he does in the sports broadcasting business. His work on the Daytona set over the weekend reinforced how versatile and inviting he is. It doesn't matter whether Fowler is trying to bring College GameDay analyst Lee Corso back to earth (above), discuss Roger Federer's greatness at the Australian Open or talk restrictor plates with Rusty Wallace on the NASCAR circuit, Fowler runs a smooth ship and always sounds prepared.
XM and Sirius, the only two players in the subscription-only satellite radio industry, have announced plans to merge. If federal regulators approve the deal, Howard Stern will get a big boost to his potential audience. It'll still be far smaller than what he had on terrestrial radio, though.
"Idol Records is proud to announce the signing of Glen Reynolds (above) for his first solo release. As most of you know, Glen Reynolds was the guitar player for Dallas rock / pop group Chomsky that rose to national prominence with their 2 albums on Idol Records including A Few Possible Selections for the Soundtrack Of Your Life and Onward Quirky Soldiers which spawned 2 radio hits '00:15:00' (fifteen minutes to rock) and 'Gravitate'."
Check out four songs from the forthcoming In Between Dayshere.
In unrelated news, the music schedule's up for SXSW here. Already got my highlighter workin' overtime.
The NBA pretty much had to have Wayne Newton involved in the all-star game yesterday, since it was Las Vegas and all. But his "performance" -- and looking into his gotta-be-surgically enhanced face -- was just plain painful.
Toni Braxton didn't fare much better at halftime, though she was certainly easier to look at.
Christina Aguilera outdid them all with "Ain't No Other Man" and a cleaned-up version of "Candyman" (no "panties" reference, smart move).
I've never seen Heroes, but I'm getting tired of these NBC promos that attempt to create buzz with a catchphrase. "Save the cheerleader, save the world" was the first one. The latest is "someone will fly, someone will die." Ya know, if I didn't make time for a show before, a cute little couplet isn't going to change my mind. It ain't cute, so give it the boot.
After a very brief stint in rehab this week, Britney Spears was spotted at a tattoo parlor last night shaved completely bald. Perhaps I should clarify: Her head was shaved completely bald. No word on whether she's been listening to a lot of Sinead O'Connor lately or reading up on the Manson Family. For details and a video, click here.
The ice cream will be vanilla with caramel swirl and chocolate-covered waffle cone pieces. As an already-fan of Cherry Garcia and Phish Food, I'm sure this will be positively addictive, as well.
Of course, the naming of those other flavors after Jerry Garcia and Phish (as well as peace activist Wavy Gravy) had the Comedy Central comedian spouting off.
"I'm not afraid to say it. Dessert has a well-known liberal agenda," he said. "What I hope to do with this ice cream is bring some balance back to the freezer case."
Ben & Jerry's higher-ups agree and plan to use ice cream as a tool of diplomacy: "Recognizing that we, as a country, are at a time in our nation’s history where we need to reach across the aisle to people of all political ideologies — the left-leaning liberals at the company’s headquarters in Vermont felt it was fine to combine forces with the media man-of-steel."
Proceeds from the new dessert goes to Stephen Colbert Americone Dream Fund, a charity that funds different causes.
As far as a cultural force at work in America, Colbert is pretty impressive if he's made it to the freezer section. Just sayin'.
TONIGHT Fresco presents DJ Steve Edwards at Minc. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5-$7.
4Visions presents the Valentine's Day Bollywood Ball at Clay Pit, with bhangra, trance, hip-hop, R&B and Hindi remixes. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. $10 singles; $15 couples.
SATURDAY Victory Entertainment presents The Jump Off at Absinthe Lounge, with Classick and Small Will. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. No cover before 10 p.m.; $5 after.
Dallas Upscale Events presents the All Star Watch Party & After Party at Nine7Two, with a barbecue grill on the patio and drink specials all night. 5 p.m. to 2.a.m. Free until 10.p.m.; after that, $10.
Also, if you consider yourself stylish (not necessarily talking labels here, but a unique look that you call your own), come on out to a few clubs this weekend so Quick can get a picture of you! We want your smiling -- or scowling -- face in our March fashion issue. This is this weekend only. We'll be at the Daiquiri Dump tonight at 10 p.m., Cosmo's in Lakewood tomorrow at 10:30 p.m., and Reno's Chop Shop tomorrow at midnight. Sunday we'll be at Club Che at 10:30 p.m.
Fans of the funny guy who recently made it to the Top 24: check out the Myspace page of his band before American Idol makes him take it down, or something.
Interesting event presented by the South Dallas Cultural Center tonight. It's a screening of Freedom Never Dies, about teacher and activist Harry T. Moore. It's narrated by the late, great Ossie Davis (whose voice just kills me) and his wonderful acting wife, Ruby Dee.
It's at 8 p.m. at Black Forest Theater, 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. $5.
Also: Jammin' at the Center open-mic session for jazz folk is tonight at midnight at South Side on Lamar, and it's free.
Lost plummeted in the ratings this week, hitting an all-time low for a new episode. The drama about plane crash survivors stranded on a mysterious island drew an estimated 12.8 million viewers Wednesday, according to preliminary figures from Nielsen Media Research. At its peak, the show drew more than 20 million.
An upcoming movie will chronicle the rise and fall of '80s pop duo Milli Vanilli, Variety reports. It will be written and directed by Jeff Nathanson, who apparently has a soft spot for con artists. He wrote the Leonardo DiCaprio movie Catch Me If You Can. If Nathanson wants to make it authentic, he'll have the lead actors lip sync their lines and then dub the sound in later.
Okay, I know the folks over at Grey's Anatomy would like for us all to be on the edge of our seats right now, wondering if Meredith Grey could actually be dead. But, come on. The name of the show is GREY'S ANATOMY! This would be like killing off Bill Cosby of The Cosby Show or Ray Romano of Everybody Loves Raymond. You can't have a Primetime show without the title character, can you?
I did enjoy seeing Dr. McDreamy all emotional and teary. He plays grief well.
Rob, I like your whole "help your fellow man" suggestion. I will not flip anyone off on the way home in an effort to comply.
I also like the sound of this: Tomorrow during lunch is the 8th annual Empty Bowls at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. For a $25 donation at the door, all of which benefits the North Texas Food Bank's hunger relief efforts, you get to nosh on yummy soups, breads and desserts from more than a dozen restaurants. Participants include Blue Mesa, Bread Winners Café & Bakery, Veuve, Kitchen 1924, Clay Pit and Ferrari's Italian Villa.
Empty Bowls is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2301 Flora St., 214-330-1396.
Beyonce is on the cover of the Sports Illustrated that most people will be looking at today. UT freshman star Kevin Durant (above) is on the other. In a story about the elite freshman class in college basketball this year, Durant says he wants "to be one of the best players to ever play the game" when he's through.
"D/FW Idol artists Black Tie Dynasty (above) and PPT have been officially confirmed for showcases at SXSW. I’ll forward dates and venues in the next few days."
Good news, good news. Local artists and label peeps, keep those updates pouring in, please ...
Saturday’s Karma Police shoot was a long and hard one. The 15-hour day consisted of making the Candlewood Suites in Dallas appear to be a motel in Atlanta, Georgia. It began at 7:30 a.m. and wrapped up at 10:45 p.m.
The shoot, as usual, wasn’t without its funny moments. Cameraman Brandon Knapier provided a laugh by running into a bed and falling over.
Sunday’s shoot at City Hall, to which producer Brandon Jones quips, “Yes, we had a permit,” brought out 40 “protesters” (extras) who braved the cold weather. Director John Venable admits, “We got a bit cranky towards the end, but that's to be expected.”
He was grateful to the talent, telling those that didn’t have as many lines, “Non-actors don't realize how difficult it is to be interesting, realistic and not a distraction when you're not saying a word -- and do so without overacting [facial tics, sighs, hand motions, etc.]”.
This weekend, the biggest name in the cast, John Wesley Shipp (The Flash, Dawson’s Creek) comes in to film at the Magnolia Hotel. Stay tuned for a Q&A with him that will give a bit more insight to the film and his involvement in it.
For the previous entries in this series, scroll around here.
Former Heat and Mavericks point guard Tim Hardaway said on a Miami radio show yesterday he hates gay people and is homophobic. Needless to say, commissioner David Stern doesn't want Hardaway to have anything to do with NBA functions any longer.
A study out yesterday says that desks at the office are havens for bacteria.
Not that we didn't know that, but it's still worth shuddering about, especially since the study also says that your cubicle probably has more germs than the restroom at work.
That's disgusting and discomforting, and I hope they're wrong.
In addition, female workers' desks have three to four times the amount of cooties found on male workers' workspaces.
Don't miss our Q&A with Gordo today as we all sit in front of our televisions, waiting desperately for 10 p.m. to arrive so we can watch The Gordon Keith Show on KFWD (Channel 52).
For the funny funny tonight, here's a solid lineup:
* NBC's comedy block with My Name Is Earl, The Office, Scrubs and 30 Rock, starting at 7.
* Comedy Central's one-two punch of South Park and our new favorite, The Sarah Silverman Program, at 9.
* Switch over to KFWD (Channel 52) for Gordon Keith (today's Quick cover boy) in The Gordon Keith Show at 10. (Remember to TiVo The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.)
* Back to Comedy Central for the newly Ben-and-Jerry'd Stephen Colbert at 10:30. Then go back and watch The Daily Show.
Or you could do something else, like read a book, go out on the town, or find a way to help your fellow man somehow.
The two-day finals of the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament will air at 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday. If you tune in, keep your ear cocked for profanity from Stephen. I'm certain I heard him drop a F-bomb under his breath after he missed a question during Wednesday's semifinals.
I'm seriously obsessed right now with Dog: The Bounty Hunter on A&E. This has to be the best reality TV I've ever seen. (Other than Armed & Famous, of course.) I never took it seriously before I actually started watching it. Duane "Dog" Chapman has the world's worst mullet, a bulletproof vest, tons of tattoos and holsters full of weaponry, but ends up being so sweet, philosophical and inspirational -- he should run for president.
I'm pretty sure I'm only seeing reruns right now since the Dog is in the midst of a legal battle with Mexico (best of luck), but you can get the schedule at www.aetv.com.
WNBA players will make their video game introduction in the upcoming NBA Street Homecourt by EA Sports. It will come out February 20. Catch your homegirl Tamika Catchings in the game.
One of my favorite local artists, Jennifer Morgan has just announced that she'll be spending an evening speaking and showing off her art next week at Design Within Reach in Uptown.
She'll be discussing her new series, "we're all pink," which she describes as "a body of work in celebration of connectedness...as every artist grows, vision and work changes. we're all pink is the first body of work in an exploration of a different style and a new idea."
I enjoy her work because it bright and fun and brimming with personality. Check out the examples on her site.
One of the bright spots of every afternoon this month is taking in Donovan Lewis' black history minute on BaD Radio on the Ticket (1310 AM). Not only will you be educated, but you'll probably laugh your pants off, too. Check it out around 1:50 p.m. if you're not listening already.
"It's Valentine's Day, my ass is freezing, and I'm single," I grumbled to myself as I waited for the train at Mockingbird Station. But then I perked up. "I think I'll listen to my iPod ... musical therapy." I positioned the buds into my ears so they would stay in more than five seconds, worked my clickwheel magic, and found "Shuffle Songs." And what started playing, out of the 3,000 possible selections in my iPod? Effing "Desperado."
I shouldn't wait until Friday's column to tell you that teenage Krumite (Krumian? Krumbum?) Baylie Brown didn't make it past the Hollywood round of American Idol. In last night's group auditions, she flubbed her part of "This Old Heart of Mine" badly, going several seconds without even singing because she couldn't remember the words. Probably just nerves. After her San Antonio audition, Simon Cowell called her "commercial with a capital 'C'" So, chances are we haven't seen the last of her. I wouldn't be surprised if Idol brought her back as a wildcard.
That water bill is going to be one chunk of change. But just wait till curious, serial-flushing Gizmo learns to unravel the whole toilet paper roll, too.
If you're still searching for the perfect Valentine's gift, you can always check the grocery stores. I found a big, decorated heart-shaped slab-o-steak at a local Kroger. I kid you not.
Love will surely bloom when your sweetie sees that you've brought home the beef.
Another comic book movie, Ghost Rider, hits theaters Friday. To familiarize people with the rather obscure title character, Marvel Comics has been flooding the market with Ghost Rider books.
The one that should be of most interest to people intrigued by the movie is Mythos: Ghost Rider, which hit stores Jan. 10. The Mythos series, written by Paul Jenkins and painted by Paolo Rivera, retells the origins of characters who’ve been adapted to films, blending their debut stories with elements of the movie scripts. Previous issues dealt with the Hulk and the X-Men, and the next will focus on Spider-Man.
The latest issue of Rolling Stone has an interesting read on the top 20 "new guitar gods." The first one listed (though they're not ranked 1-20) is John Mayer. I would have thought that was laughable a few years ago when I couldn't escape "Your Body is a Wonderland" on the radio, but after watching him perform on the Grammys, I won't argue.
It's nice to see John Frusciante get some love on the cover. He often gets overshadowed by Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Will Ferrell (that is Ferrell on drums, right?), but he's the heart and soul of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Remember the dark days of Dave Navarro? "Aeroplane" -- not exactly their creative apex.
The most glaring omission on the list is Josh Homme. I know he's been goofing around as a drummer lately, but when he's towering over the stage with Queens of the Stone Age, he's Top 5 material.
Cowboys quarterback and Pro Bowler Tony Romo made an appearance on Best Damn Sports Show Period tonight. He said the botched hold up in Seattle during the playoffs will make him work with a chip on his shoulder next season. He also said that Bill Parcells was in contact with him seven or eight days after the loss to see how Romo was doing. The Best Damn guys ended the segment by learning from Romo how to put a deep snap down. Footballs were dipped in water, mayo and vegetable oil. Romo only had to catch a dry ball though. Good times.
Maybe Tiki Barber took a few too many hits during his NFL career? Nah, the guy seems genuinely thrilled about his new gig with NBC. He called working as a Today correspondent a dream and said Matt Lauer has been his idol. That came out of nowhere. Check out this story from last month on Tiki "growing up." A good read.
Just got the following e-mail from the House of Blues folks, about a hard-hat tour of the future Dallas location on Feb. 27.
"In May 2007, House of Blues (HOB) is slated to open its newest club, a multi-faceted entertainment component of the $3 billion+ Victory Park urban core development in downtown Dallas. Be among the first media professionals to see what's planned for the White Swan Building with a hard hat tour personally conducted by HOB founder Dan Aykroyd. Witness the traditional 'Mississippi River Mud Ceremony,' a symbolic infusion of blues-enriched river mud into every HOB stage in the U.S. Enjoy live blues music and HOB-southern-style hospitality!"
I have only three questions:
1. Will there be food samples?
2. Will Mr. Aykroyd have his proton pack with him, in case any ghosts pop up?
3. Is blues-enriched river mud available in special souvenir containers?
I got into the habit of watching it years ago with a roommate who adored dogs, but was always grumpy about the tendency of poodles to win the show. What do you all think? I'm rooting for the Bison Frise. Dang, those fluffy babies are cute.
The Police are going to tour. And they're coming to Dallas (see, we don't need you Madonna). GoTickets.com says they're coming June 26 to American Airlines Center (thank God it's not Smirnoff), but ticket prices have not been announced as far as we can tell. But does anyone want to take bets on how much they will cost? Wait, we can't officially take bets, but I would guess they're going to give Paul McCartney a run for his money. Either way, you can sign up at GoTickets and have them e-mail you when tickets are available. But beware -- I will draw blood over these things.
Have you ever wanted to star in a TV commercial? Well, word on the street (where talk often turns to air fresheners) is that Febreze is conducting auditions for an upcoming spot during a mall tour that will arrive in North Texas this weekend. The auditions at Irving Mall will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and will be held in conjunction with something called the Febreze Freshness Challenge Mall Tour. Contestants will be asked to perform their best "freshness lover" impression on camera. One finalist will be chosen in each of the 10 cities on the tour, and then the winner will be chosen and immortalized on camera.
But remember, this could really come back to haunt you if you're a big star appearing on Leno in 15 years.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Phillies slugger and NL MVP Ryan Howard lives off an allowance from his mother, who happens to regulate his finances. Howard will make an appearance on HBO's Real Sports at 9 tonight to explain himself. Think of the money he's saving.
... Check out the new Hourly Radio video for "Deaf Ears." It imagines Harold and Maudewithout Maude. Or at least that's what I think it does. Maybe. I can at least say with authority that it's a more interesting video than J-Lo's Flashdanceknock-off.
Thanks for the tip! I missed SNL this weekend, so I just watched that Sloths! thing here. Going in, I expected revisionist fiction starring the guy from The Goonies ("BABA-OOOTH!!"). Although he makes a cameo, it's mostly about the animals.
Either Forest Whitaker blew the SNL brass away with his singing voice or they were plum out of ideas on Saturday. The Oscar nominee sang in three different segments of the show. He has a very nice voice, but come on.
Of better humor: the SLOTH! video montage at the end of the show.
While doing light grocery shopping at the Super Target on Abrams and Skillman this weekend, I meandered over to the Proenza Schouler line, hoping to find something to wear that evening. (PS is the new hot designer in their “GO International” line.)
Even though the clothes just arrived a week ago, the entire section had already been picked clean. The only sizes left, except for T-shirts and one jean skirt, were extra large and extra small. In the ENTIRE line! We’re talking at least a dozen items.
How could they disappear so quickly? Do all these fashionistas have an “in” at Target, who calls them when the inventory arrives? Is it already like a freakin’ designer boutique up in here?
Whatever the case may be, I need to find my in, too, because I really want that palm-print minidress I saw last month. But I will not give in to Target’s manipulation and visit the store twice a week just to check and see if it's arrived.
Haha, fooled you! This post has NOTHING to do with the Grammys. I just started the headline that way to draw all you suckers in. Actually, I just wanted to point out that Scarlett Johansson must be a damn fine actress to come out of this piece of trite crap smelling like a rose.
Before last night, I'd never laid eyes on the group Rascal Flatts. During their performance with Carrie Underwood, I told my wife that their doughy lead singer looked more like your average bank branch manager than a nationally known musician.
The ladies of The View are currently having an Anna Nicole Smith discussion. Rosie is in rare form, having just won massive applause for comparing celebrities to balloons in the Macy's parade. This hot topics segment might go on forever.
Scott McCloud, the author and star of the graphic nonfiction Understanding Comics and Reinventing Comics, has a new book: Making Comics. To promote it, he's driving to all 50 states with his wife and two daughters, ages 13 and 11.
Their tour brings them to the University of Texas-Arlington tonight, where McCloud will speak at 6 p.m. at Nedderman Hall, 416 Yates St. He'll touch on subjects covered in all of his books, "plus some stuff you won't find in any of the books."
"It's an hourlong talk, but there's literally about 700 images," McCloud said. "They go by pretty fast. It's kind of a visual blizzard of information."
Awesome to see the Dixie Chicks honored so much for such a brave, awesome, raw album, “Taking the Long Way.” It was also nice to see them win for song and record of the year for “Not Ready to Make Nice.” It was a gutsy song - not mention risky career move - and those were well-deserved wins.
I liked how lead singer Natalie Maines saw the best album win as a sign of people supporting the First Amendment.
“I think people were using their voice the same way this loudmouth did,” she said on stage.
No. 1 reason I hate the Grammys: Overhyped performances. They totally should have been drumming up more interest in the Chris Rock presentation of the Chili Peppers instead of the dozen or so promos for Anthony and the gang. But Brandon, you beat me to that post.
Ian, while I can't disagree more about Gnarls, I couldn't agree more with your disdain for the Dixie Chicks' outfits. And their acceptance speeches seem a little half-hearted even if the awards are deserved. Mary J., on the other hand, knows how to make a speech.
It may be a man's, man's, man's, man's world, but it's certainly been a ladies' night. Gnarls Barkley: Eew -- give me the album instead. Whoever that was butchering the Eagles: Ugh. But Christina, the Chicks and Mary J? Those performances have made it worth the hours spent so far watching the Grammys.
The only knocks against the X-chromosome set? Those getups the Dixie Chicks are wearing. And Jennifer Hudson yammering about the "chance" to sing with Justin. Girl.....
Leah, haven't watched yet (it's on TiVO), but that syndrome is not limited to women over 30. I don't get it either, but I have girl friends who start acting that way in their 20s (Kim in Denton, I'm talking to you).
And it's not just women, either. It seems single guys in the gay community look at turning 30 as if it's turning 60. Personally, I can't wait to turn 30. If for no other reason other than I'll know I can survive anything if I can survive what I've pulled in my 20s.
I missed the first two hours of the Grammys, so I'm zipping through on TiVo. Stop to watch Gnarls Barkley, John Mayer and the Dixie Chicks, zip right past Rascal Flatts as fast as humanly possible.
Brandon, sorry to interrupt your Grammython, but I have to ask a question about tonight's Desperate Housewives. What is up with Gabrielle's "I'm turning 31 and I'm single and will have to get a subscription to Cat Fancy magazine" attitude? What year is this, 1963? As a member of the post-30, single-female demographic, I can promise there's nothing lame about it. Well, except the tired clichés about being post-30, single and female.
Among the early winners – Christina Aguilera for best female pop vocal performance, John Mayer for best male pop vocal performance, Black-Eyed Peas for best pop group performance, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland for best dance recording, Red Hot Chili Peppers for best rock group performance, Carrie Underwood for best female country performance and the Dixie Chicks for best country group performance.
Pick up the March issue of Glamour magazine (on stands now) for a stunning article on too-thin models. The new term is 'starved,' and the photos are enough to make anyone want to eat a whole pizza, extra cheese. Why do some designers think this extreme thinness makes their clothes look good? Protruding ribs and collarbones take a little something away from an outfit, I would think. If you want people to just see the clothes, then send them down the catwalk on a hanger.
The first week of shooting concluded on Karma Police with mostly interior shots done at director John Venable's uptown apartment and Jay Gormley's South Dallas home. A lot of work was put into making the scene appear to be at the "magic hour" of sunset, even in the middle of the day. The tedious details of artwork in the background and contents of the kitchen were addressed for the sake of the scene looking like "home" to the characters.
The mood was kept light thanks in part to Venable, who often prefers shouting "Shut it!" rather than "Quiet on the set!" One scene that involved baking proved to be a highlight, with a bizarre "cookie soliloquy" that had the crew in hysterics.
After getting the takes, Venable concluded, "I'm like Larry Bird. It's not pretty, but I get it done."
Producer Brandon Jones later expressed his satisfaction with the dailies, stating that the scenes between the main character, Charles, and his mother, Barbara, were especially impressive to him. The next weekend of shooting will take place in the Candlewood Suites and at City Hall. Stay tuned for more as the shooting becomes more in-depth and a lot more complicated.
Maybe it's because I was born in Lubbock. Maybe it's because I like folks with a rebellious streak. Or maybe it's just because I think their album absolutely rocked. In any case, I'm pulling for the Dixie Chicks to take home a statue or two from tonight's Grammyaward ceremony. Of course, it would be nice if the guy who filed a restraining order against me won, too.
Willie Nelson headlines the AetheriA fundraising event this weekend. The 73-year-old legend will perform with the Fort Worth Symphony during a special set, along with an array of other entertainment. The singer asked Jessica Simpson to perform with him when the two were recently working on their second film together, Blonde Ambition. Says Willie about his role: “I play her grandfather or her great-grandfather depending on how I looked that day.”
Here’s more from Willie:
Q: This has been advertised as a Willie concert unlike any other. What can people expect from this show?
A: Well, the show is a mixture of circus acts, a symphony, Jessica and me and my stuff. The way I understand it the way things are laid out, it’s gonna be pretty neat. The circus stuff will be first then the music will start around 10:30, which will make the show kinda late, but there will be plenty to see before that. It’s not just me, though. My band will be there, too. I’ll play with the symphony and then we’ll take a break and I’ll come back and do a set with them.
Q: Jessica recently said you two are like “frick and frack”.
A: We are. We’re old soul mates. We get along fine. And, you know, I look for every excuse to see her.
Q: With the constant touring and recording you do, you don’t get much of a break, do you?
A: The break I take is the two hours I’m on stage every night. The other two I spend duckin’ and dodgin’. [Laughs]
Q: You’re known as a great joke-teller as well. Do you have a good clean one for us?
A: This guy was mad at his wife and he said, “How come whenever we get in these discussions you always seem to hold your temper better than I do? How do you do that?” She said, “Well, I clean the toilet bowl.” He said, “How does that help?” and she said, “I use your toothbrush.”
Willie Nelson performs tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the AetheriA benefit at Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. $54-$1,004. Ticketmaster.
TONIGHT
Party with Antwon Tanner of One Tree Hill at the Daiquiri Dump. Doors at 9, but get there early, the place is packed by 11. Cover's around $10, with ladies free before 10:30.
TOMORROW
West Coast DJ Hipp-E (who recently performed in festival with Groove Armada and Grandmaster Flash), and Swedish DJ Style of Eye at Minc. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cover's $10.
SUNDAY
If you’re a whiz on the laptop, bring it to the Amsterdam Bar for a night of improv, shredding, jamming, cutting, pasting, solo and glitch in 20 minute rounds. Laptop Deathmatch hosts. 9 p.m.
We commissioned a love song from PPT (today's cover guys), and we shot a video for it, and the results are pretty freaking fantastic. Check it out on our homepage.
While you're at it, don't miss our Valentine's Day special section today, with all the tips, hints and info you need for your romantic plans. Plus our roundup of celebrities' favorite love songs.
There are also some, um, how to describe this ... "tainted love" cards from dear Gordo.
Rock Star: Supernova singer Lukas Rossi’s life has changed drastically. The singer was chosen among a mass of hopefuls as the winner of the show Rock Star: Supernova to become the lead singer for a rock supergroup which includes Jason Newsted (Metallica), Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) and Tommy Lee (Motley Crue).
He says of the experience of being on the road with the group, “It’s amazing. It’s gets better and better every night and we get tighter. It’s cool to be able to go out and touch the fans that we didn’t get to on the internet or whatever.”
The group has been in the news in recent months for a lawsuit filed by a California punk band called Supernova against the members of the group and the producers, which he calls “crap,” simply saying, “It’s so stupid, man.”
Also of note for the group is bassist Newsted’s departure due to an injury, leaving former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt to fill the void on tour, but possibly beyond. Rossi reveals, “Johnny is a full member right now. Who knows, though, in the future? Johnny is a great asset to the band right now.”
Here’s more from Rossi:
Q: So do you feel like a “rock star”?
A: People keep calling me that, but I don’t pay too much mind to it. I just want to get up there and have fun. I don’t care about all of that.
Q: In this case, the singer is probably the least famous of the group. Is that kind of strange?
A: I don’t care about that [expletive], I don’t care about being famous. I play in a band with guys who happen to be famous, but I just think of them as my friends.
Q: When will we hear a record from you and/or the band?
A: Right after the tour. Tommy and I are writing songs right now. It should be rad, dude. It will be heavier than the first stuff because I’m writing a lot more on it. Not too long. I have a lot of music that I don’t think that fits Supernova. I’d like to spread my wings.
Q: So will this last?
A: This is a real band. We’ll be together as long as we can. Just like any other band, we’ll be together as long as it lives. We love it and a lot of people out there love it so we really want to do it for them.
Q: Will you ever play any songs from any of the members’ former bands?
A: No way, man. We have too much original music. I don’t know why we’d need to throw any covers in there. Expect something original. We’re not trying to pull out all the stops. We’re a rock band giving you what we’ve got and not what’s not. Not too toot my own horn, but there’s nothing boring about our live show. We keep it real and loud as hell.
Q: How has your life changed the most?
A: I’m getting to reach a lot of fans that I never got to before I had this power. I’ve got a lot of fans telling me that I’ve helped them. People that are sick have told me that I’ve given them hope when there was none in the heart left, so making a difference in their lives has been great. If it all ended tomorrow, at least I could say that I’ve made a difference in people’s lives.
Rock Star: Supernova performs with The Panic Channel on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. $39-$69. Ticketmaster.
Sorry it took me a day to finally post these. South by Southwest released its first big list of artists yesterday -- there may be more to come, so the dream ain't exactly over for bands not on this list. I included some acts with connections to this area. View the complete SXSW list here.
Astronautalis (Jacksonville FL)
Best Fwends (Ft Worth TX)
Bavu Blakes (Garland TX)
Bosque Brown (Ft Worth TX)
Bowling For Soup (Denton TX)
Burden Brothers (Dallas TX)
Doyle Bramhall (Dallas TX)
Deadman (McGregor TX)
The Drams (Denton TX)
Fair to Midland (Dallas TX)
David Garza (Austin TX)
Robert Gomez (Denton TX)
Hogpig (Denton TX)
The Hourly Radio (Dallas TX)
Marked Men (Denton TX)
Midlake (Denton TX)
Money Waters (Dallas TX)
The Mullens (Dallas TX)
Nayrok (Dallas TX)
Bobby Patterson (Dallas TX)
Patrice Pike (Austin TX)
Play-N-Skillz (Dallas TX)
Radiant (Dallas TX)
Rapid Ric's Whut it Dew Family feat. Magno, Chalie Boy, Bavu Blakes, Black Mike, Gerald G, Rob da Ryno (Austin/Houston TX)
Rocket Summer (Ft Worth TX)
Carmen Rodgers & Geno Young (Dallas TX)
Ray Sharpe (Dallas TX)
The Strange Boys (Dallas TX)
St Vincent (Dallas TX)
The Theater Fire (Ft Worth TX)
I'm interested to see if the season-cliffhanger firing of Ari (whose portrayer just won an Emmy) pays off. Could be a goldmine. Could be a jumping of the shark. I am pulling for the former. We'll find out which direction the HBO comedy goes when it returns April 8.
So the Associated Press gave Factory Girl a big fat "C," but I'm going to see it anyway. Why? To see if these hotstuff young actors can really fit into the elevated art world weirdness of Andy Warhol. Hayden Christensen as 'Bob Dylan'? C'mon. At least he looks hot. And Jimmy Fallon? Neither hot nor in any way an actor. I'm rooting for Guy Pearce to steal the show as Andy and for Sienna Miller to do something besides put together a nice outfit. For now, I shall get in the mood for the movie by wallpapering my house in tinfoil.
I watch Smallville every week. I hated Lex Luthor with a passion, but now I don't hate him as much. He's been so evil, he's almost cool. He took Clark's girl and doesn't care. He even gave Clark an invitation to his wedding. Smallville watchers, let me know what you think.
Be sure and read Skin's hip-hop column in Quick tomorrow, but just to give you a li'l sneak preview of the good stuff, here's a recommendation from Skin that didn't make the column's final cut (yo.)
"Plan on hitting up Monkey Bar on Feb. 28 for the first installment of Beatdown, a producer contest in which the participants have to put together a track right on the spot. The maiden voyage features Picnic, One Self and S1. Go here for more details: www.myspace.com/ thebeatdowndallas."
Remember what happened on Sept. 7, 1979? SportsCenter was born on ESPN. The cable network will be producing its 30,000th episode of the highlights show at 9:30 Sunday night. That means we've probably heard about 30,000 too many "Berman-isms."
Catch Dallas band Radiant if you can tonight at ellum:Onstage. I admit I first saw the guys on the Jimmy Kimmel show a few weeks back when they performed the catchy "That Girl." I got ahold of their CD, We Hope You Win, and didn't expect much. Wrong. Songs such as "The Kid With a Knife" and "Way You Make Me Feel" expertly work their way into your brain. Expect big stuff from this band.
I have no plans to see Justin Timberlake when he comes to American Airlines Center on March 5. But if it's anything like his show in New York last night, it might be worth the price of admission.
That I am a Netflix superfan is well established--I love their selection. But all too often, some of the foreign/obscure pictures I read about will never make it to their holdings.
That's why I was excited to hear about Film Movement; there was an ad for it at the beginning of the movie I was watching last night. It's a DVD movie-of-the-month club for award-winning independent and foreign films and for about $15 a month, you get one movie that's yours to keep. This month's Madeinusa looks fantastic.
Also on the Web site are DVDs for sale and members pay about half what nonmembers do. All are picked by an advisory board that has directors from the American Film Institute; Roger Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival; New York Women’s Film Festival; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; Miami International Film Festival; and the Southwest Film Festival. Sounds good to me.
If you get a chance, swing by Club Dada tonight to see Dirty Leg, Robbie and the Robots and my new fascination in local bands, The Felons. It's indie rock greatness.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and cover is $5 (I think). 2720 Elm St., 214-744-3232.
Wade Phillips as the new Cowboys coach? Yawn. Give it to the kid (Jason Garrett), the ripe-for-a-top-spot guy (Ron Rivera) or the inspired motivator (Mike Singletary).
The hubby and I went to the newly renovatedTillman’s Roadhouse in the Bishop Arts District last night, spur-of-the-moment. The place was packed. (On a Wednesday?) Saw people with gray hair, same-sex couples, groups of friends… there was really good energy in there, if I can get all yoga on you.
My meat-loving husband looked at the menu and was in heaven — among the entrees were BBQ chipotle ribs, grilled pork chop, venison Frito Pie, beef tenderloin (pictured above), a hamburger… I don’t think I saw a salad listed. I got the pork chop, which came with a side of goat-cheese coffee polenta and crispy fried green beans. He got the Frito Pie. Both were fabulous. (Prices skew kinda high — pork chop was $20, I think; Frito Pie was a bit less. But it’s worth it!)
For dessert, we split the table-side s’mores, served with homemade maple, coffee and lemon marshmallows. Did I mention you get spicy truffled popcorn and hot peanuts when you sit down?
I know I’m going into insane detail, but hopefully some food porn lovers out there will appreciate it. This is just another example of the really great independent restaurants the Bishop has to offer. No chains down there to date!
Tioga, Texas, isn't just known for being the hometown of cowboy legend Gene Autry. It also got some of the best-dang barbecue in the universe.
Don't ask me what I was doing up there, but I came across Clark's Outpost, a fine restaurant with friendly folks and even better beef brisket. (Think Rudy's, then think better.) The place is as authentic as it gets, and it's no secret either. Newspaper and magazine articles posted in the entrance rave about the menu, which, besides the slow-cooked meat, includes fried corn on the cob and tall, tall slices of chocolate pie.
God, the pie.
Clark's is off the beaten path, but if you should ever find yourself between U.S. 75 and Interstate 35 close to the Oklahoma border, it's worth swinging by for some fantastic grub.
One of the oddest stories of the day comes courtesy of Kings forward Ron Artest. According to the Associated Press, animal services took Artest's Great Dane named Socks from his estate outside Sacramento because the dog was underfed. Artest had previously been warned, the story said. By the way, he's making more than $7 million this season. So you'd think he could afford a bag of dog food.
1. “Not Too Late,” Norah Jones
2. “Katharine McPhee,” Katharine McPhee
3. “Daughtry,” Daughtry
4. “A New Journey,” Celtic Women
5. “Late Night Special,” Pretty Ricky
6. “Konvicted,” Akon
7. Soundtrack: “Dreamgirls.”
8. “Wincing The Night Away,” the Shins
9. “The Evolution Of Robin Rhicke,” Robin Thicke
This might be the most diverse Top 10 we've seen in a while: Two Idols, two R&B acts, a blue-eyed soulman, an indie rock band, a collection of showtunes, some women who are Celtic (I assume) and, best of all, sweet li'l Norah Jones at No. 1. I had a weird thought that the country would get a case of the McPheever and that Norah would get served, but that hunch was a bad one. I should have had faith in the girl with the Grammys.
I am so stoked: I got invited to see Bill Clinton speak tomorrow night. And I get to sit in a suite. AND there's free booze! OMG!
I did not even know that our rock-star ex-president was gracing North Texas with his presence. But then, I'm busy reading about Jennifer Aniston's nose job and other riveting stuff like that.
It's being billed as a "special evening" with a speech and moderated Q&A after.
Clinton is at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are here (looks like they range from $30 to $255).
CNN's coverage of diapered astronaut Lisa Nowak this afternoon included contributions from "space correspondent" Miles O'Brien. This gave me a giggle because Miles O'Brien was the name of Colm Meaney's character on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
You’ll have to buy tickets to FOUR OTHER FC Dallas games. I just called, and they’re not selling single tickets to the July 31 game vs. the LA Galaxy. (Well, they are, but they’re only offering them up to season ticket holders, and that’s later. You know they’re going to sell out in like five seconds, and end up on Ebay for hundreds of dollars.)
Pretty smart of them. Tix start at $80 for the seats in the corner and behind the goal, and go into the hundreds after that. That’s still not too bad of a deal though, for five games.
The games they’ve selected are the season opener, April 26 against the NY Red Bulls, May 20 vs Salt Lake, the July 4 game and the Galaxy game. If you’re interested call ‘em up.
We've all seen the Proactiv infomercials starring Jessica Simpson and Vanessa Williams. But did you know Diddy has been added to the face cleanser's list of celebrity endorsers? I stumbled upon his testimonial while flipping channels and giggled when he said, "I can't be having no bumps on my face, you know what I'm sayin'?"
A guitar is naturally a phallic-looking instrument. His Royal Badness always thrusts it out in front of himself while playing. The man moves around, and dancing with a guitar ain't easy. It's not to boast of genital supremacy (which might make a good band name, actually). Sure, back in the day, the "Dirty Mind"/assless-pants Prince might've done that, but not now.
So yes, everything was made bigger because of the silhouette effect. If that's the only thing you took away from a brilliant performance, you got problems, Copernicus.
Get in on the "Dirk for MVP" hype by hittin' up this Myspace page set up by the kind PR folks over at the Mavs. It's also a great way to connect with fun people who really like to party!
Just like our buddy T.O., former Ranger and current Yankee Alex Rodriguez has written a children's book: Out of the Ballpark. No word yet on whether "little Alex" comes up with a clutch hit in the book.
At 5 p.m. -- that's like in 10 minutes -- you can head to the Lakewood Bar and Grill and bid adieu to your old friend the East Dallas Minyard. (It's turning into a Whole Foods, in case you haven't heard the chatter that's taken over the entire neighborhood, downtown, and Oak Cliff.)
Anyway: Local neighborhood folks have organized the event, which will feature a Hy-Top buffet (!!) and the chance to give a donation to Russell Plunk, a former Minyard's manager who's suffering from brain cancer.
It's on until 7:30. Go now, and give something if you can. (This was originally posted here, by the way.)
Interesting that Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, according to CNBC, turned down the "I'm going to Disney World!" endorsement after Super Bowl XLI. It traditionally goes to the game's MVP. I haven't seen the spot yet, but it went to coach Tony Dungy and running back Dominic Rhodes, who rushed for 113 yards and the go-ahead touchdown against the Bears. I guess Manning has enough commercials.
"Tickets to the 2007 edition of Ozzfest will be free, organizers said today (Feb. 6). The 25-date tour will begin July 7 in Los Angeles; details have yet to be announced regarding distribution of tickets. The event, which will be headlined by Ozzy Osbourne, will be underwritten by a host of sponsorship deals."
I couldn't find a Dallas date on the Ozzfest site, and as far as I know, Ozzy is the only one on the list of bands right now. I'm sure it'll be a who's who of hard rock, so you guys have fun.
Me? I'm gonna skip it. The last free concert I attended was 1997's Blockbuster Rockfest, and I spent half the day dodging flying beer bottles. Not fun.
Tomorrow, Marvel Comics will release the first issue of Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, a seven-issue prequel to Stephen King's novels about gunslinger Roland Deschain. But in what is being billed as an industry first, more than 100 comic book stores will open at midnight tonight to satisfy the anticipated demand.
According to Marvel, here are the Dallas-area stores who will be open late tonight:
One of the things that make me laugh about the commercial for The Astronaut Farmer -- other than the movie's premise -- is the clip of Jay Leno playing himself.
It seems like I've seen dozens of movies in which the Tonight Show host appears, commenting on the films' fictional events as if they were the news of the day. But when I checked IMDb.com to see how many times Leno is credited with playing himself on the big screen, I found only 16 examples.
And I'd seen only a handful of those 16. You couldn't pay me to watch Meet Wally Sparks, Juwanna Man or First Daughter.
Last night's A&M-UT game proved two things: First, the Aggies are the real deal. Beating Kansas at their place, then the Longhorns at home, that's huge.
Second, Kevin Durant is s-c-a-r-y. Yeah, he faltered down the stretch, but he was unstoppable for much of the game. Those silky smooth 3s were unreal. Enjoy him while you can, Horn fans. He'll be the top pick in the NBA draft.
Well, this only took two decades to resolve: Apple Corps, created by the Beatles in '68, and Apple Computers, have finally laid down the pairing knives and agreed on the legal division of logo/name dispute/songs on iTunes.
Apple Computer made out sweet in the deal, getting ownership of all relevant logos and trademark, like the famous apple, for example. But Apple Corps "will license some back to Apple Corp - the music label."
As the article points out, "The Fab Four decisionmakers -- Paul McCartney; Ringo Starr; Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon; and the estate of George Harrison -- have been notoriously gun-shy about embracing new technology."
But they have finally let it go! Finally we can download Beatles music on iTunes (only solo work was available before) at some point TBA. Court warring will end with each company ponying up for its own legal bills.
Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs said, "We love the Beatles, and it has been painful being at odds with them over these trademarks."
I bought the Zac Crain for Mayor 2007 benefit CD last week and I am loving it--double CD with 32 songs from Rhett Miller, Pleasant Grove, Dove Hunter, Rose County Fair, Salim Nourallah, Radiant, Sorta, Centro-Matic, The Crash That Took Me and Pilotdrift, among others. Get your own copy here or here. It's totally worth a listen.
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Joss Whedon (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame) is no longer doing the Wonder Woman movie. That news comes on the heels of a report that Warner Bros. is trying to buy a spec script from two new scriptwriters, but reportedly only so there aren’t two scripts floating around.
The future of a big-screen debut for the Amazon princess is now about as visible as her plane.
Great college basketball game tonight in College Station: The Longhorns visit Aggieland (on ESPN at 8 p.m.).
The Aggies are riding high after their huge win at Kansas on Saturday. Acie Law nailed a 3 to clinch the victory (the first Big 12 South team to ever win at Kansas).
But the 'Horns have arguably the best player in the country in the holy-crap-he's-ridiculous Kevin Durant.
I agree with Skin here. The halftime show rocked. Best thing about the whole evening.
I'll admit I get annoyed at Prince's medley-o-hits treatment, especially when "Purple Rain" gets cut short, but the Foo cover and "All Along the Watchtower" segment was a thrill. He can really rock when he wants to.
Turns out it was a good business move, too. This just in from Amazon.com on his overnight sales increases:
* The Very Best of Prince greatest hits album moved from No. 710 to No. 71 on Amazon.com’s Top Sellers list for music.
* The Hits/The B-Sides sales increased 887 percent, rising from No. 2,211 to No. 224.
* Purple Rain moved from No. 432 to No. 53.
* Ultimate Prince rose from No. 516 to No. 82.
* 3121 moved from No. 488 to No. 145, giving the album an overnight increase of 236 percent.
Don't know if the kids still recognize his genius or not, but Prince left no doubt in my mind that he's still the best performer in the world - the one most worthy of catching live.
I actually levitated when he gave my favorite Foo Fighters song a "Gimmie Shelter" vibe.
If you didn't see all the Super Bowl commercials, you either need to get online or turn in your citizenship documentation. Myspace put together the best site for viewing all the spots, but I gotta say: None of them beats this ad from more than 20 years ago. Maybe I wasn't watching closely enough, but I didn't see any commercials for the iPhone. Missed opportunity to steal K-Fed's thunda? Yeppers.
My friends who introduced me to Super Bowl bingo, Tim and Susan Attel, added a new wrinkle yesterday: Super Bowl commercial bingo. You fill a bingo card with terms like:
-- talking reptile
-- talking mammal (non human)
-- ad for new movie
-- ad parodying old movie
-- shameless promotion for network show
-- midget
-- giant
-- girl in bikini
-- Envisioning all the Americans who bought a hi-def TV for the Super Bowl, which was primarily documented with a camera that had water droplets on its lens.
-- Phil Simms' response when Jim Nantz said "it feels like" Peyton Manning was getting his rhythm: "I don't know if I can feel it, but I can see it."
-- Prince's 'do rag.
-- The Emerald nuts commercial featuring a wall-crawling Robert Goulet.
-- The FedEx Ground commercial featuring Mr. Turkey Neck.
-- The guy in the postgame mob who was strugg-a-ling to keep an umbrella over Tony Dungy and Manning. Dude, they'd just stood in a driving rain for four hours! Your bumbershoot wasn't going to help them.
Martin Scorsese took one step closer this weekend to finally getting an Oscar: The Directors Guild of America gave him their award for outstanding feature film directorial achievement.
To piggyback on Lesley's earlier post, here are my picks for great weekend shows.
TONIGHT
Local musician Salim Nourallah opens for Texas songwriter David Garza at Bend Studio, 5014 McKinney Ave., Dallas, 214-841-9642. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
My favorite all-girl rockers Lovie are playing at the Cavern at 10 p.m. with with Desiree Anastasia. Cover is $6. 1914 Greenville Ave., Dallas.
Black Tie Dynasty, The Crash That Took Me, Faux Fox and Smile Smile play at the Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., Dallas, 214-824-9933. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m.
The Mumbles and Colin Boyd play at 7 p.m. at the Barley House. Proceeds benefit the Rainbow Room for Kids, where the caseworkers of Dallas Child Protective Services can go to provide their families in need with supplies like baby formula. 5612 Yale Blvd., Dallas, 214-824-0306.
Caught part of Prince's Super Bowl "news conference" this morning on NFL Network. I'm guessing it was a replay. I think he was supposed to take a few questions, but he just rocked out for a while. He was pretty cool, but it's an odd scene when media members are just kinda sitting there with their arms crossed. Some snapped pics with their camera phones.
Verbal Seed and Bruh-N-Law at Absinthe Lounge, with Big J of the Clever Monkeys. 11 p.m. 1409 S. Lamar. No cover with the password "I Love the Clever Monkeys." (Or so they say...)
SUNDAY
Super Bowl Watching Party at Nine7Two (this is the new lounge next to Vue, formerly Veuve), with lots of plasma screen TVs and drink specials. 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. 5100 Belt Line Road, Suite 410. No cover.
Super Bowl parties always attract people who are indifferent to the Super Bowl. To get them interested in the football game, turn it into a bingo game.
Create 5x5 bingo cards on which each square contains a football play, such as “interception” or “rushing touchdown.” Just be sure to create enough different cards so no two partygoes get the same one. Come up with four cheesy prizes, and you can play a round of bingo in each quarter of the Super Bowl.
You may want to appoint one serious football fan as the official bingo caller. One man’s false start is another man’s encroachment.
Karma Police is a new film that begins shooting this weekend in Dallas. While the film features a who’s who of Dallas theater professionals, it will also include some recognizable film and TV faces in John Wesley Shipp (The Flash, Dawson’s Creek), Chamblee Ferguson (A Scanner Darkly, The Chase) and David Sullivan (Primer).
Written and directed by John Venable, the story revolves around a worldwide secret organization that keeps tabs on the good and bad deeds of people, quietly rewarding those that are truly good people and punishing those that are bad. The group recruits Charles West (Ferguson) to join, but he quickly realizes things aren’t what they seem.
That’s about the extent that can be revealed at this point without giving “spoilers”. This blog will follow the production of the film over the next seven weekends during filming and will then follow post-production up until the release of the film. Venable’s goal is to have Karma Police finished in time to enter the film in the running for the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
This week Venable organized a “meet and greet” and read-through for the cast at a borrowed penthouse in Las Colinas. The 22 people in attendance read though the script in its entirety with Venable, producer Brandon Jones and production manager Greg Beauchamp filling in for those missing. Venable kept the read-through lighthearted, but had to take the reins when the room got the giggles towards the end.
He also gave the room his expectations. He said, “Expect things to move quickly, but that doesn’t mean the creative process will be aborted. There will be a 20 minute transition between shots and that’s when we’ll go over blocking and do some dry rehearsals.” He then asked everyone to be “off the book” by the time shooting begins, noting, “We can’t require you to rehearse,” but added, “I’m available if your husband, wife or 12 year old isn’t cutting it.”
Venable concluded, “Come and have fun. The hope is that we can create and still experiment in the amount of time we have to do this.” Afterward, many of those already familiar with each other mingled over pizza and beer, which Venable noted might be rare given the tight budget.
Stay tuned for the next entry, which will cover the first weekend of the shoot.
Not smart. Or maybe it's brilliant. Think of how many fuddy duddy TV anchors were forced last night to say the words "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," and possibly "Meatwad."
The Aqua Teen gang couldn't have asked for more publicity. Better publicity, yes. But not more.
The Christopher Martin Gallery in Uptown is having their second Martin Gallery Mixer for local singles tomorrow from 7-10 p.m. There's an open bar, no cover and lots of intelligent conversation.
I did this a few months ago and it was fun, even if the women outnumbered the men three to one (note to guys, this is a great way to meet women. Odds are way in your favor). 1933 Cedar Springs Rd., 214-880-9667.
I was driving through Deep Ellum around 8:30 last night when I noticed the neon “Open” sign still on in front of Rush Patisserie. It’s the new French bakery on Elm and Malcom X, where Sweet Endings used to be.
Of course, because I’m insane about chocolate and sugar and anything sweet, I went in. Picked two things: The chocolate ganache tart topped with dark chocolate shavings (pictured above -- fabulous!) and a black and white cookie, which was more (as Ms. Rush nicely explained) like a thin cake, topped with a sheet of half-chocolate, half-vanilla icing. Tasted perfect with my coffee this morning.
The tart was around $6, and the cookies were a few bucks. Very worth it. I’ll definitely be back to try everything else she’s got — croissants, danish, fruit tarts with bavarian cream and raspberry mousse filling….
Luckily for all us worker bees, she’s open until 8:30 p.m. during the week and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The shop’s closed during the afternoons, but open in the mornings starting at 6 a.m.
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