Well, our man Joey Chestnut may not have won the grits-eating contest in Louisiana over the weekend, but he did do something unprecedented.
Chestnut became the first hot dog — uh, guest selector — to beat the Quick staff in college and NFL picks. Chestnut is 16-10 going into Monday Night Football. No Quick staffer is above .500. That's absolutely stomach-turning.
Anyway, we congratulate Joey and wish we had a cool championship belt or something to give him. Look for a feature on Chestnut later this week in Quick.
Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon (Paris Hilton's co-star in that ever-famous sex tape, and Shannen Doherty's ex-husband) reportedly applied for a marriage license in Las Vegas this weekend, and could be getting married as soon as Monday. It'll be the third marriage for both. Anderson was most recently married to Kid Rock. That marriage lasted for about two seconds. Her first marriage, to Tommy Lee, lasted long enough for them to have two kids.
Hmmm.... Maybe Paris will send them a video camera as a wedding present.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban posted on his blog today about his Dancing With the Stars experience, including his marathon practice sessions for the mambo. Near the end, he says that the program has allowed him to show the world the real Mark Cuban. Interesting.
Oh, the guilty pleasure that is bad television. Tonight was the season finale of Rock of Love, VH1's attempt to help Poison's Bret Michaels find love. Because their other shows of same premise (Flavor of Love, I Love New York) have been so successful in doing so.
The finale came down to stripper Heather and partially pink-haired Jes. It aired at 8 p.m., with encores at 10 p.m. and 11:30 a.m. Monday. Will Bret and one of these women find love? Judging from past reality shows...no. But of course I'm still tuning in when I get out of work.
SNL: The season debut wasn't great, but LeBron James as a Solid Gold dancer was priceless. (Fast forward about halfway through this clip.)
Presidents Cup: Never mind that the U.S. won, or that Mike Weirscored a big triumph for Canada by beating Tiger Woods on the final hole, this competition was all about Woody Austin going for a swim.
Feeling queasy? Hot dog-eating champ Joey Chestnut could only muster a third-place finish in the buttery, goopy grits-eating competition at Louisiana Downs on Saturday. Pat Bertoletti won by downing and holding 21 pounds (gulp!) in 10 minutes. Chestnut, who ate 19 pounds, was our guest selector for football picks this week and is cleaning up. More on that later.
Paris Hilton appeared on Letterman Friday night, and he grilled her about being in jail. Paris got pretty annoyed. If you didn't catch it, check out the clip. Dave even samples her new perfume.
Video of the Bullet, the State Fair's human cannonball, showed up on CNN's home page this weekend. It's awesome to see him shoot out of there, but I can't help wondering how you decide you want to do this for a living! Here's a link to a longer video and the story that accompanies it.
Caught FOX's new Wednesday night food-related show, Kitchen Nightmares, featuring foul-mouthed British culinary star Gordon Ramsay, the star of FOX's other food-related show, Hell's Kitchen. Now I could never stomach Hell's Kitchen because Ramsay's expletive-laced rants at up-and-coming chefs were a bit too hard to watch, but on Nightmares, his potty mouth is used to great effect. In this show, adapted from a BBC version, Ramsay visits a failing restaurant and provides menu, decor and even staffing makeovers in an attempt to turn things around, all while ripping each staffer a new one!! This week, he turned an New York City Indian restaurant with a foul menu -- and even fouler kitchen -- into something approaching a gem. Turns out the manager who Ramsay blamed most for the restaurant's condition is now suing him! Drama in and outside the kitchen? Yummy stuff ...
A pet store in Norristown, Pa., has bought a two-headed turtle from a collector and plans to keep it on display. The 2-month-old turtleis smaller than a silver dollar and has two heads sticking out from opposite ends of its shell, along with a pair of front feet on each side. There's only one set of back feet and one tail.
Avril Lavigne, it's common for annoying teenagers to become less insufferable as they get older. Somehow, you're on an opposite track. Is it because you're Canadian? Happy 23rd.
And 35 macrobiotic cupcakes go out to Gwyneth Paltrow, the embodiment of the Oscar curse. But we're still jealous that she gets to spend every day with Coldplay dude.
At 56, Dallas native Meat Loaf is a little too young to be considered a musical legend. He's also a little too scary.
And Wilford Brimley, man. To reach 73 after a bout with diabetes (getting your supplies delivered on time is important!) AND having spent several hours a day with Shannen Doherty for years is nothing short of a miracle. Just try not to seem so grumpy all the time, K?
The Fab Five (it pains me to write that) are back for their final season, starting Tuesday night.
Yes, I love Bravo and all -- it was the gay channel before there was LOGO -- but Queer Eye seemed pretty passe in like 2005. (And I didn't realize the show was still on until I saw the promos during Top Chef. I'm not the only one, am I?)
Movin' 107.5 is sponsoring another Man Candy contest to find the hottest waiter in town, following up the hottest bartender and overnight delivery man contests. So if you know a hot waiter or you ARE a hot waiter, visit their Web site to send in a picture.
For now, he's safe. But his patchwork, ass-showin' self was in the bottom two, so he'd better do something even more outrageous next week. Who's going home? Josie Maran, better known as "the dancer on sedatives."
By now, most of you have probably seen the tirade by Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy. But have you seen the Mike Gundy e-card? This Web site lets you send one of six images of the fire-breathing coach with a customized message. The cards bear messages like "You make me want to puke!" and "You need to have a child!"
And if you don't know who Gundy is, then check out the video, which is also available on the site.
Got a sneak peek at the Baseball as America exhibit that will open with the State Fair on Friday. Hall of Famers Fergie Jenkins (above), George Brett, Jim Palmer and Billy Williams hung out to share memories of items in the traveling National Baseball Hall of Fame showcase.
The exhibit, which is at the Museum of Nature & Science, costs a buck with your fair admission. So go. Some of the unbelievable history on display (among 500 items) includes: record-breaking home run bats used by Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire; the famous Honus Wagner baseball card; a ball and ticket from Nolan Ryan's seventh no-hitter; Brett's pine tar bat; and one of my personal favorites, a 1978 Mattel Electronics handheld baseball game.
Phil Spector's murder trial has ended in a mistrial because of a deadlocked jury after 12 days of deliberations. Music producer Spector was on trial for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson in February 2003. The jury had heard about five months of testimony.
USAToday has an interesting game. It's the Candidate Match Game. They ask you 11 questions and match the top three candidates that best match you. Prepare for your match.
I never thought anything could make me gag at the thought of Oreo cookies, but Domino's Pizza has done it. Congrats Domino's. Your ad for the new Oreo Dessert Pizza is the nastiest thing on TV next to Nancy Grace and Steve-O. When I think of crumbly chocolate cookies and white creamy filling, I don't really want to think of male bonding and facial hair. Watch it here.
For the first time, an early version of the Magna Carta is being auctioned. The document, which dates to the year 1297, is expected to fetch $20 million to $30 million.
My initial thought was, "Shouldn't this be in a museum or something?" But if it has to be sold to a private owner, I'm hoping fashion designer Mark Ecko buys it. After all, he'll need a new publicity stunt after the Barry Bonds ball meets its ultimate fate.
Imagine the possibilities:
1. Donate the Magna Carta to the Smithsonian.
2. Stamp an asterisk on it, wad it up, and throw it at Queen Elizabeth. "Eat that with your bangers and mash, Your Majesty!"
3. Fold it into a paper airplane and blast it into space.
When you're in training, it's hard to resist going out to eat, and when you do, it's hard to find meals that taste good, but are still nutritious.
T.G.I. Friday's might have the solution with its “Cooper Approved” Marathon Training Menu. It's the official food sponsor of the Dallas White Rock Marathon, and next month, restaurants in Texas and Oklahoma will feature a training menu with selections ranging from 360 to 750 calories that have a carbohydrate content of at least 35 grams per item, with an average of 60 grams, and contain less than 10 percent saturated fat and zero trans fats. All of the items on the training menu have been approved by a dietitian at Dallas-based Cooper Aerobics Clinic.
They haven't released the menu yet, but I'll keep an eye out. I also read that there's a new T.G.I. Friday's scheduled to open Nov. 12 at NorthPark, in addition to the West End location.
So, how did Mark Cuban do on his debut Dancing With the Stars performance? Hard to say. He seemed to enjoy it, and his feet didn't screw him too badly. But the dancing is beside the point, really. What's notable is that, in the rehearsal footage, he 1) slapped his ass and looked at the camera, seductively, 2) pulled up his shorts to show partner Kym a hip replacement scar ON HIS PASTY CHEEK, and 3) said the words "I touch my rod all the time" out loud. Furthermore, after the foxtrot (for which he and Kym received a score of 21 out of 30), judge Carrie Ann Inaba asked him not to use his tongue so much while dancing. Really, I couldn't be happier that I opted to watch this show. I think I'm hooked.
The best live-action drama about a gaggle of super-powered people had its second-season premiere last night -- squeee! Although it was fantastic to see the old gang return, the episode lacked some oomph. Spoiler alert: Sylar was nowhere to be seen, Hiro was lost in some 17-century samurai tale and nothing particularly exciting was going on with Claire, the cheerleader whose saving formed the backbone of the entire first season. So the ep was a mild yawn for me. It is the first episode, though, so let's see what else the writers have in store for us; hope it doesn't veer wildly off-track, quality-wise, from the first season. What did you think?
Barbara Walters, you're 78, which means you are way too old to spend several hours a week listening to the political non sequiturs of Behar and the incessant neocon chirping of Hasselbeck. We feel you, girl. Maybe you should take some time off and put together an interview special featuring your fellow birthday celebs:
Ask 39-year-old Will Smith if he'll attempt to start one more silly dance craze before he turns 40. That'd be jiggy.
Find out what kind of tree 46-year-old Heather Locklear would be if she weren't such a mediocre actress who couldn't even out-act Hilary Duff in The Perfect Man. But you digress.
And see how many viagras it takes for 63-year-old Michael Douglas and 38-year-old Catherine Zeta-Jones to really live it up on their shared birthday. The more the better, I say. Greed is good.
If you need a fix of The Office before the new season premieres on Thursday, see reruns at 9 p.m. on TBS. Tonight, it's "Basketball" and "Health Care," the classic episode with Dwight's "temporary workspace."
The fourth season premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday on Channel 5 with "Fun Run." Phyllis got married last season, are Dwight and Angela next?
When describing a film, it’s not often that an actor truly seems in awe of a film they’ve worked on. Proud, sure – but Johnathon Schaech has been touched by his involvement in the film and feels a personal connection to it. The themes of love, love lost and freedom were especially apparent to Schaech, 38, as he himself had experienced those very things throughout the cycle of Sea of Dreams, having ended his marriage to actress Christina Applegate.
The dark romantic fable was shot in Tlacotaplan in Veracruz, Mexico, a location previously unseen on film. Schaech explains, “We would have to drive an hour a day and it was untouched. You were thinking, “Put a resort here and people would be here every day.”
He beams, “It’s such a beautiful movie – every little frame. He’s [Jose Bojorquez] a first-time director and he’s exceptional. His vibrant belief in the film has made it what it is. I wish he was here. I swear I’m too cynical to create his positive energy. You can see it in his film, though.”
In case you've been hiding under a rock, here's your official notice that Halo 3 comes out Tuesday. I thought it was just a new kind of Mountain Dew, but apparently it's a big video game, too. Will you be staking out the store at midnight to get your copy? Maybe this will help you decide.
There are plenty of shows premiering this week, but there's still two weeks until season two of The Boondocks. Fifteen new episodes are set to air through January. Catch up with Huey, Riley and Granddad Monday, Oct. 8, at 10:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network. Don't miss it!
Starting today, MySpace is offering a free ad-supported version of itself on cellphones, and users can send and receive messages and friend requests, post comments and bulletins, and update blogs wherever they have phone service, according to the Associated Press.
This mini version of MySpace works on all U.S. carriers, and, of course, will be yet another reason why distracted drivers will rear-end you on your way to work, so brace yourself.
Check out Carrie Underwood's new video for "So Small." Apparently the special effects of the beat up truck in "Before He Cheats" worked so well they decided to do more car-crash graphics in this video. The song is good though. Carrie's voice continues to be a powerful force.
Today's list of people examining their own lives and questioning their relevance in the world includes:
- Bill Murray, star of the most re-watchable movie ever, Lost in Translation
- David James Elliot, commonly referred to as Jag by people who didn't actually watch or understand the context of the title of his hit television show
- Bridget Moynahan, Tom Brady's babymomma
- Luke Wilson, friend to bad movie scripts
- David Silveria, the token hot guy in Korn
- Ricki Lake, talk show host who perfected the "FauxMG" facial expression
Today’s random rankings: best quotes from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
1. “Don’t care how, I want it now!”
2. “Invention, my dear friends, is 93 percent perspiration, 6 percent electricity, 4 percent evaporation and 2 percent butterscotch ripple.”
3. “The danger must be growing for the rowers keep on rowing! And they’re certainly not showing any signs that they are slowing!”
4. “The strawberries taste like strawberries. The snozzberries taste like snozzberries!”
5. “The suspense is terrible. I hope it’ll last.”
6. “Oompa Loompa doompadee doo.”
7. “Violet, you’re turning violet, Violet!”
8. “Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker.”
9. “So I said, ‘Come and live with me in peace and safety away from all the wangdoodles and hornswogglers and snozzwangers and rotten vermicious knids.’”
10. “We have so much time and so little to do! Strike that. Reverse it.”
Trying to make a point about frivolous lawsuits, a Nebraska state senator last week sued God. State Sen. Ernie Chambers sought a permanent injunction against the Almighty for making terroristic threats, inspiring fear and causing "widespread death, destruction and terrorization of millions upon millions of the Earth's inhabitants." This week, he got a response -- allegedly from God. A court filing signed by "God" mysteriously appeared on the counter of the Douglas County District Court in Omaha, said clerk John Friend.
Personally, I'm a little dubious until I see lightning bolts.
Me neither. But still check out the Forbes 400 list of the richest people. Bill Gates leads with a net worth of $59 billion.
One interesting note: Hundreds of millions of dollars isn't enough to get you on the list anymore. You now have to be a billionaire. The lowest net worth on the list is $1.3 billion.
On their 40th, we pause to remember Matthew and Gunnar Nelson's musical glory days. We can't decide what was creepier, the fact that they were singing siblings or that they had identical frosty haircuts. But don't bring up the haircuts if you see them -- just wish them a happy happy. After all, they can't live without your ... wait for it ... love and affection.
Also 40 is Kristen Johnson. Oh, how we miss the days when we'd sit in front of the TV, not watching 3rd Rock. And lots of people probably have memories of Gary Cole, Yung Joc and Sophia Loren -- just not us.
If people are always complaining about your pack-rat tendencies, show them this video - I guarantee you're nowhere near the level of Ali, who collects random junk for art projects and completely clutters her place, which she shares with her boyfriend, a friend of mine from high school. Ali is one of three finalists in apartments.com's Possession Obsession contest, which will award $20,000 to the winner. Help Ali out with a vote if you have the time - even if what she's done is kind of insane, it takes a lot of effort and creativity!
I've written about my dumb little obsession with my alma mater's football uniforms. Rumors are that tonight, in Texas A&M's big bout at Miami, the Aggies will debut silver pants. There's loads of chatter over at Texags.com, the supreme Aggie discussion site.
Silver pants? I just threw up in my mouth. And all over my desk.
Sorry, Houston. You don't get to see Alicia Silverstone naked after all. At least, not on cable TV. Comcast pulled the much-hyped PETA ad, which had been scheduled to run several times today, just hours before its debut, reports EOnline.com. A Comcast spokesperson said the nudity tipped the scales in favor of pulling the commercial, despite the fact that it had been approved and paid for.
But fear not, says PETA president Ingrid Newkirk, who truly has a way with words: "Houston viewers can still go to PETA.org and get an eyeful, not only of the stunning Ms. Silverstone, but also of our free Vegetarian Starter Kit — chock full of delicious recipes — that will make them drool for an entirely different reason."
What would the world be without some cool O.J. Simpson T-shirts? Here are some, and other things, that have surfaced on eBay: The O.J. Simpson “If I only had a brain” T-shirt, the “When O.J. goes to Vegas, he stays in Vegas” T-shirt, an autograph supposedly signed “just hours before the alleged Armed Robbery,” a dozen decks of Palace Station casino cards and an assortment of Naked Gun DVDs.
50 Cent aka Curtis, has a new remix. It features the top three moneymakers on Forbes richest Hip-Hop Cash Kings. That would be Jay-Z, 50 Cent and Diddy.
Jigga banked a cool $34 million. While Fiddy and Diddy, took in $32 and $28 respectively.
It's a big one this week...the annual Tour des Fleurs, sponsored by Luke's Locker and a slew of other stores, restaurants and companies. The chip-timed 10K and the 20K start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at White Rock Lake near the Arboretum, which benefits from the event. Quick's Lesley Tellez ran the race last year and reports that the bag they give you is quality, with a technical top and a hat.
Head to any Luke's this week to register and pick up your chip, or register from 6 to 7 a.m. on race day. I'm a little concerned about parking because this race is so popular, so arrive early to park at Winfrey Point or check out the shuttle system from Garland Road, detailed on the Web site.
At GQ's 50th anniversary party Tuesday night, the buzz was all about the CD war between 50 Cent and Kanye West, who was performing at the event. But Diddy couldn't resist turning some of the attention on himself, pitching his new women's fragrance, Unforgivable, which hit stores yesterday.
In fact, he's taken a page from Fiddy and Kanye by releasing a video to YouTube in which he challenges Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Sarah Jessica Parker and any other female celebrity with a fragrance to a "scent off."
"I know mine will win," he told CNN. "I'm going to invite all of them to my penthouse suite, and if any of their scents smell better than mine I'll take 'em shopping and they can run up my credit cards." As of Wednesday, none of the women had taken him up on it.
Happy 33rd, Jimmy Fallon. Now that you're a big boy, you've probably realized that acting cute and flubbing lines on Saturday Night Live didn't provide enough fuel to launch a successful movie career. You could get back on track with a serious dramatic role that employs your hidden acting chops (snicker), or beg old pal Tina Fey for a role on 30 Rock (hey, it worked for Tracy Morgan) or you could just release a sex tape. Weigh your options carefully.
As for you, Adam West, don't change a damn thing. Do they make tights for 77 year olds?
Forty-one candles for Soledad O'Brien! Which one is she, again?
And to celebrate your 24th, Eamon, we'll tell our friends to buy your one hit off iTunes. That should give you enough royalties for a chicken buiscuit or two. A man's gotta eat...
I gots to love me some Beyonce, but her TV spot for Giorgio Armani's new Diamonds perfume is so over the top. Way too much shimmying and hair-flipping and lip-squirming for me to think that perfume smells like anything but sweat and too much hairspray. I much prefer the sweet-nothings whispered to me for Calvin Klein Eternity. What? No? Not a favorite? How about Obession? Now that's selling some perfume.
The Umbrella Academy #1 (of 6): For a review of this comic written by My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way, click here.
World War Hulk #4 (of 5): When the third issue ended, the Hulk was turning Madison Square Garden into a gladiatorial arena, where he plans to force the heroes who shot him into space to fight each other.
Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus Vol. 1: You can get the award-winning writer's first 25 issues of Captain America, including the one in which Cap is assassinated, all in one huge hardcover tome -- if you're willing to shell out $75.
JLA/Hitman #1 (of 2): One of my favorite writers, Garth Ennis of Preacher, pairs his own twisted creation, hired killer Tommy Monaghan, with those do-gooders in the Justice League of America.
Streets of Glory #1 (of 6): Ooh, it's a double shot of Garth Ennis goodness this week.
Army@Love #7: In today's Quick, I bestowed the "cover of the week" designation on Irredeemable Ant-Man #12. Perhaps this comic should have gotten that honor instead.
Marvel Comics canceled Robert Kirkman’s Irredeemable Ant-Man after only 12 issues, but the series is keeping its irreverent tone to the very end. Phil Hester’s cover to the final issue, which goes on sale today, shows Ant-Man being dragged away kicking and screaming by other failed concepts from throughout Marvel’s history. For an explanation of who these losers are, make the jump.
Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron, the High School Musical stars whom I had never heard of until a few weeks ago, have reportedly split up, OK! Magazine reports. Does this mean I can go back to not caring about High School Musical stars?
A news release from the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa reports that the Center wants to give "scary skinny" Amy Winehouse some tips on how to live well.
Apparently Winehouse has decided that to gain weight, she should just chow down on as much fast food as possible. Yeah, that'll work, and it will also give you congestive heart failure. Smart. So the Center is offering Winehouse and her new husband, Blake, a complimentary two-week stay at the resort, which is located near Miami in the town where they got married. I'll keep an eye out to see if Winehouse takes them up on the offer.
It's been a big week for NASCAR's most popular driver. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't be Budweiser's wheelman next year (that goes to Kasey Kahne), but Junior was in Chicago on Tuesday to unveil his new line of candy bars called Dale Jr.'s Big Mo.
The chocolate bars are creamy caramel and peanut butter, by the way, and the Big Mo name comes from Earnhardt's hometown of Mooresville, N.C., and a moniker he and his close friends have — the Dirty Mo’ Posse. Hey, we don't make this stuff up.
Today, Junior will show off his car and new sponsor for next year — when he'll drive for Hendrick Motorsports — at the Dallas Convention Center.
I keep reading fall TV previews in which critics write something along the lines of "NBC has finally come to it senses and moved Friday Night Lights to Fridays, where it belongs." In case you hadn't heard, the show will no longer air on Tuesdays.
Friday Night Lights is a show about high school football. Am I the only one who thinks people interested in high school football are not home on Friday nights watching television?
It's fun to have a little window into the office lives of others ... especially when it's anonymous!
What do people really think about their jobs, their co-workers and that certain individual who used all the paper in the printer and then didn't bother to refill it? It's all here at trueofficeconfessions.com.
Some recent submissions:
"People only talk to me at work because im a good looking female in my 20's. I think its hilarious because im advancing farther and faster than worse looking people. I love it."
"I need a valium."
"I'm 3 months pregnant and letting the gas pass like theres no tomorrow."
A 30-year-old man in China appears to have died of exhaustion after a marathon three-day Internet gaming session, state media reported today. As strange as it sounds, I've heard similar stories from Asia over the last year or so. This should serve as a reminder to all gamers that there can be too much of a good thing. So remember to take the occasional break. And while you're away from the console, check out Quick's video game coverage.
According to this press release, ESPN is about to combine two of my favorite distractions: Marvel Comics and the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s the most powerful team-up of the year—the nation’s most popular sport meets the world’s most popular comic company! Tonight on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, the popular sports channel examines Philadelphia Eagles record-breaking free safety Brian Dawkins’ love of Wolverine and how he’s integrated the X-man into his football life. Watch as Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada speaks about how Wolverine and Dawkins may not be that different, while industry legend John Romita Jr re-imagines two of Dawkins’ memorable moments. You’ll see the process of Romita sketching Dawkins as Wolverine from blank page to finished pencils right before your eyes, in this special segment filmed on location at the Marvel Comics offices!
I read a New York Times blog item about how fashion designer Marc Ecko won the Sotheby's auction for Barry Bonds' 756th home run ball, bidding $752,467. But why did he want it so badly? Ecko is putting the fate of the ball in the hands of the people, with a Web site at which people can choose one of three options for the ball - give it to the Hall of Fame, brand an asterisk into it before giving it to the Hall, or send it into space, the idea being "Out of sight, out of mind." He's voting for the asterisk, and so am I. Voting ends Sept. 25.
There wasn't enough time in the day to a) see everything I wanted to at ACL or b) e-mail Hunter about all the great stuff I was seeing. Sunday was easily the best day of music - there were multiple times I wondered what I was missing at the other stages. I started the day with The National and, like Hunter, didn't want to leave, but I was happy to catch the last bit of STS9, whose instrumental grooves were danceable and a crowd pleaser.
From there I headed to see Dallas' Ben Kweller. He didn't mention anything about the wicked nosebleed he suffered during his set at last year's ACL, at least not while I was there, but he mentioned he'll be spending some time recording in Austin.
I'm sure Brandon's got photos that'll be spreading like wildfire on the Internet soon, but here's our take on yesterday's Pride celebration. Including the first-ever Orientations Awards. (Which will, from now to eternity, be called the Brandos.)
Great weather, long parade. It didn't get down to our end of Cedar Springs (at the corner of Oak Lawn -- we were on the front lawn of the Melrose) until about 2:15 p.m., and it lasted for at least an hour and a half. Paul J. Williams, a familiar voice to anybody who's ever been to a Dallas piano bar, was the host at our end, and he was fantastic -- knew when to throw in a snide joke but didn't overdo it on the humor.
Awards after the jump. No trophies to give away....just the honor of knowing that we noticed you.
Why 45 seconds? Because the NFL only allows 45 seconds worth of online video content by media outlets.
So keep coming back each day for this brief bit of good Cowboy goodness. It'll be the best 45 seconds you have all day. Unless, you know, better things happen to you during the day. But let's be real, that's not all that likely.
* Terrell Owens now refers to running back Marion Barber, who scored two touchdowns, as "Marion the Barbarian."
* T.O., by the way, blamed the sunny Miami sky for two dropped balls.
* Corner Terence Newman sat out again because of his right foot injury.
* Quarterback Tony Romo led the NFL last season in yards per pass attempt (8.6). Through two games, Romo is averaging 10.0 yards per attempt.
* Quotable, from Romo: "A quarterback's greatest friend is never his O-line or receivers or running backs — it’s the defense. When you know that your defense is going to get you the ball back in good field position, that's a huge advantage for the quarterback."
O.J. Simpson, former football star and Naked Gun actor, is being held without bail in connection with an armed robbery in Las Vegas. He faces multiple felony charges in the robbery of some of his old sports memorabilia. Simpson says he's innocent, which begs the question: When will O.J. catch the real armed robbers?
I just came from Robert Earl Keen's set, a crowd pleaser to say the least. As I walked away he was explaining the reason for performing his funny holiday song, "Merry Christmas From the Family": "Hell, I saw a car commercial the other day talkin' about Christmas in September, so I knew it'd be OK to do this song."
Before that I'd walked up on the National's set, and once I heard a few songs, I couldn't leave. Highly impressed by the '80s-but-not-cheesy vibe of the music. I'm sure they packed 'em in at the Granada the other night.
Last night's late acts, Indigo Girls and Arcade Fire, delivered sets faithful to their recorded material, which is definitely a good thing. Wish I could tell ya more, but Common is calling me from the Dell stage. Stay tuned.
I'm actually functioning well enough to share with you a dispatch I received from the phone of Quick staffer Jamie Dougher, who's at the fest with friends:
"I am relaxing at Stephen Marley. I just love the positive energy he brings. It
makes for a happy crowd. Looking forward to Andrew Bird next. This is
random, but was it me or did the Killers sound off last night? They
were entertaining but their radio stuff seemed a half step or beat
behind."
She may not have enjoyed the Killers, but she texted me a few hours ago to tell me how much fun she was having listening to Zap Mama. She didn't realize that I was at the same set, having just as much fun. These gals bring in African and Latin influences in a way that makes you want to dance, even in gajillion-degree heat. Good on 'em.
Before that I stumbled onto the tail end of the Blue October set at the AMD stage. Man, they've got a lot of fans. You should have heard half the park sing along with "Hate Me." And when I got up to leave and it took 15 minutes to move 100 feet, I did kinda hate them.
I lurve the Arctic Monkeys, currently playing loud 'n' fast. The band members look 14, but they're consummate pros, skipping the banter and trying to get through as many songs as they can. Perhaps they should have been offered the White Stripes' closing timeslot, but instead it'll go to Muse. But I won't see that, because I'll be all up in Arcade Fire's grill.
Actually, it's afternoon, the most oppressive part of the day, and to make matters even worse, this festival is more crowded than I've seen during any of the previous three times I've been. There are no natural pathways from stage to stage -- you just have to squeeze between packs of sweaty bodies and hope you're going the right direction.
Surprisingly, I've seen a little bit of music when I haven't been schlepping across Zilker. I just got back from St. Vincent's performance on the Austin Ventures stage -- the second smallest in the park. St. V. (a.k.a. Dallas' Annie Clark) made sure to give a shout-out to her hometown. She didn't have her band with her, so she made all the sounds with her electric geetar and a cool little drum/effect sampling machine. She also kept the audience laughing with her between-song comments. "I'm always bleeding," she complained after she cut herself while crazily plucking out guitar strings at the end of "Now, Now." She then played her blog-sational cover of "Dig A Pony," and on finishing said "That's a song I wrote back in 1969."
As we warned you on Tuesday, it's gonna be HOT out there tomorrow. So down a water or two among those Cape Cods.
And you might wear what a friend told me last night he was going to shop for: Something cute and sleeveless. Because nothing says Pride like showing a little skin.
... House was excellent, even making it sprinkle a little with the lyrics to "Fall at Your Feet": "You let your tears rain down on me." Of course, the audience got most excited when it got to sing along with "Hey Now (Don''t Dream it's Over)." But something much more exciting is going on right now to keep talking about that. U.K. world beat rapper M.I.A. is on the Dell stage, and she just let a bunch of people from the front row up on stage with her. I've never seen anything like this at ACL fest. There's M.I.A. in her hot pink getup, surrounded by the most excited fans in the park. As for the music in her set, let's just say she owes a lot to her DJ, because her rhythmic chants probably wouldn't be much without the thumping beats. She has quite a bit of energy though. One of the better sets I've seen today.
Alright, this wireless conection's crappin' out on the regs, so I should go. Queens of the Stone Age is next. Hey ... is that Josh Homme that just walked by? ...
I've seen two sets since I last checked in. First up was Will Hoge, a Southern songwriter who began his set by commenting on the clouds of smoke from a nearby trailer fire: “I don’t know whose trailer is on fire but we’re from Tennessee so we totally understand.” Then came the Southern rock -- his band sounded a lot like the Black Crowes, but his voice might be a little better than Chris Robinson's. You almost want him to drop the whole rock thing and start up a soul revue. That reminds me of how bitter I am about the Winehouse cancellation. Breathing, breathing. OK, better.
Now I'm enjoying the hits of the blogosphere courtesy of Swedish group Peter Bjorn & John. Despite the facts that the crowd in front of the stage is out-of-control large and they are all melting like the Wicked Witch, it's a pretty exciting show. I've heard all my faves -- "Amsterdam," "Paris 2004" and, of course, "Young Folks." [Beginning to whistle as I make my way to AMD stage for Crowded House.]
I've been at Zilker Park for a little under two hours, but I'm already soaked from head to toe. I feel like I'm at Wet N Wild (or whatever it's called these days). As your grandmother would say, it's not necessarily the heat that's killing everyone, it's the humidity. I knew this wouldn't be a comfortable experience when I started sweating five minutes after a friend dropped me off at the bridge leading to the park (yeah, I don't do shuttles).
But enough bitching. I'm at one of the greatest music festivals in the world. And from the crowds already gathered 'round the stages, you'd think it was a Saturday night. Not as encouraging is the smell in the air -- a combination of marijuana, sweat and excrement. But like most smells, you get used to it. Or the music distracts you.
Speaking of music, I just saw Ohio group the Heartless Bastards play a catchy rock n roll set at the AT&T Blue Room stage (which you can probably catch online at blueroom.att.com). Lyrics that spoke to me included "I can't do the things I used to because I feel old" and "Help me get through this day." They spoke to me a little too much.
OK, my clothes are finally drying out a little under this luxurious media tent. Time to get back out there and sweat off ten more pounds.
After weeks -- months, even -- of anticipation, Dallas Pride is finally here. Here's the rundown...
Tonight:
Sirius OutQ's Derek and Romaine broadcast live from the Sue Ellen's patio, 5-9 p.m. Kinsey Sicks (my favorite dragapella group...as if there's any other) perform at Lakewood Theater, 8 p.m. Perez Hilton hits House of Blues at 10:30 p.m. DJ Corey Craig spins at S4's Fire Island Friday party.
Saturday:
Gay Days at Six Flags.
Gay Bingo at Lakewood Theater, 5 p.m.
Sunday:
Parade at 2 p.m. Duh. (See our Pride primer from this week's Orientations.)
T-minus 9 days and counting until the season premiere of Family Guy. It's going to be a one-hour episode that recreates the first Star Wars film, with Peter as Han Solo, Lois as Leia, Cleveland as R2-D2, etc.
In the meantime, I wish I could be in Chicago tomorrow night for this.
The Primetime Emmys will air at 7 p.m. Sunday on FOX. Host Ryan Seacrest does little for me, but there’s a lot of good contests.
Of course, Emmy voters and I don’t always see eye to eye. Medium’sPatricia Arquette does nothing for me. And Monk'sTony Shalhoub, a three-time winner, gets on my last damn nerve. Oh yeah, I said it.
The best dramatic actress is a six-way race that could go anyway. You’ve got perennial favorite Edie Falco’s swan song performance in The Sopranos. But then there’s critically-acclaimed Kyra Sedgwick’s turn on The Closer. And let’s not forget Brothers & Sisters powerhouse Sally Field. I hate to see what this category will look like next year, when Damages star Glenn Close is eligible.
As for best comedy series, that’s also a tough one with competitors like 30 Rock and Ugly Betty. Who knows, this could be the year of the tie.
In any case, here’s a list of who should win the big races, IMHO.
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy: Jenna Fischer (Pam Beesly), The Office Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Kevin Dillon (Johnny “Drama” Chase), Entourage Best Supporting Actress in a Drama: Rachel Griffiths (Sarah Walker Whedon), Brothers & Sisters Best Supporting Actor in a Drama: Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti), The Sopranos Best Actress in a Comedy: Felicity Huffman (Lynette Scavo), Desperate Housewives Best Actor in a Comedy: Steve Carrell (Michael Scott), The Office Best Actress in a Drama: Minnie Driver (Dahlia Malloy), The Riches Best Actor in a Drama: James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano), The Sopranos Best Comedy:Entourage Best Drama:The Sopranos
If you read my Fanboy column on a regular basis, you probably know what a big fan I am of Watchmen. The 12-issue series is widely regarded as the finest comic book ever published, both for the story itself and the innovative ways that Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons told it.
Every time I read it, I notice something new. But here's something very cool that never occurred to me until it was pointed out by Brian K. Vaughan during a Watchmen roundtable discussion arranged by Wizard magazine.
The fifth issue of the series, "Fearful Symmetry," is completely symmetrical, in terms of layout and subject matter. The second panel shows Rorschach's foot outside Moloch's apartment, as does the second-to-last panel. The eighth page is divided into seven panels that show Nite Owl and Silk Spectre, including one wide panel in the middle of the page. The same is true of the eighth page from the end.
That's just one of the many cool aspects of Watchmen that the Dallas Museum of Art's Comic Book Club can discuss tonight.
Kanye West's new album has a big sales lead over 50 Cent's latest offering, according to newly released first-day sales data. West's Graduation sold an estimated 437,000 copies, while Fiddy's Curtis sold 310,000.
It looks like this may be the last solo effort we ever see from 50 Cent, who vowed to quit making solo albums if outsold by West. He may be bound for retirement, never to be heard from again. Just like Jay-Z.
Jennifer Hudson, it's amazing that at 26 you already own an Oscar statuette and can rightfully say you raised the arm hairs of an entire nation of moviegoers. Hell, I even lip-synched to your Dreamgirls song in my bathroom mirror one night, and TOTALLY KILLED IT. That's my birthday gift to you, gf -- admitting to the whole world that I'm a closet Broadway diva. Twenty-six hair swishes in your honor.
And you might want to throw some of that luck you've got at your fellow Idol alum Ruben Studdard, who turns 29 today. The Season 2 winner has taken off some weight, but it'll take more than that to outshine his runner-up, otherwise known as He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
We've got gifts for the rest of the birthday boys, too: A Fast and the Furious DVD for Paul Walker ("I live my life a quarter mile at a time"), a brick for Ben Folds and a poster of Mischa Barton for Ben McKenzie (R.I.P., Marissa Cooper).
The surviving members of Led Zeppelin say they'll perform a one-time comeback concert in memory of Ahmet Ertegun, the founder of Atlantic Records, who died in December. The concert -- their first show in 19 years -- is set for Nov. 26 in London. Organizers say singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist John Paul Jones will headline the show, with late drummer John Bonham's son, Jason, on drums.
Scalpers should have a field day with those tickets.
Looks like America’s favorite Dreamgirl just signed on for one of her first post-Oscar gigs. Word on the street is that Jennifer Hudson is joining the cast of Sex and the City: The Movie. She’ll reportedly play the assistant to Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw. The movie begins shooting in New York next week.
Series regulars Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon and Chris Noth have all signed on to reprise their roles from the acclaimed HBO series.
Hooray, Jon Stewart will host the Oscars next year. He did a bang-up job in '06, though it took him a little while to loosen up (thank you, Three Six Mafia).
Ellen DeGeneres was fun at this year's, and Chris Rock was terrific in '05. Maybe the three of them should set up a Oscar-hosting rotation.
Booster Gold #2: I enjoyed the first issue of this series. The premise is that Booster Gold, a glory hog who got into the hero game for fame and fortune, has been tasked to fix inconsistencies throughout the timeline -- without history ever recording that he saved the day.
Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag #1 (of 8): Speaking of cool premises, writer John Ostrander revives a series he helmed in the '80s. The Suicide Squad are convicted supervillains who go on secret missions for the government to shave time off their sentences.
Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness: Meanwhile, Marvel has collected its disgustingly funny five-issue series about Bruce Campbell fending off a bunch of flesh-eating superheroes.
Drafted #1: What's the one thing that could ensure peace among all the Earth's nations? According to this book, an alien invasion.
Thor #3: Perhaps we'll find out why Thor is rebuilding Asgard in southwest Oklahoma.
JLA Wedding Special: DC is really milking the impending marriage of Green Arrow and Black Canary for all it's worth.
There seems to be a dark aura surrounding the Denver Broncos the past couple of years.
It all started in 2005, when 49ers lineman Thomas Herrion collapsed shortly after an exhibition game against Denver. He later died in the hospital.
Then in the early morning this New Year’s Day, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shoot and killed while leaving a birthday party in downtown Denver. Less than two months later, Broncos reserve running back Damien Nash died of cardiac failure after a charity basketball game in St. Louis.
And then last Sunday, Buffalo tight end Kevin Everett suffered a “catastrophic” spinal injury during the season opener against Denver. (Although there is some good news on that front as Everett was reportedly able to move his arms and legs Tuesday.)
Certainly this is all just a strange coincidence. But, it's kind of eerie.
Mark Cuban finally has his ring — a mixed-martial arts ring, that is. Cuban's HDNet is the vehicle he'll use to show off his latest venture. Cuban has hired former UFC fighter Guy Mezger to find talent, and has visions of owning a stable of fighters.
Cuban says the first event will be Oct. 13 at American Airlines Center. More details will be provided at a news conference today.
“I was a casual fan, but over the last 18 months, I've really gotten into MMA," Cuban told The Dallas Morning News.
On Wednesday night, Sept. 12, Texas de Brazil is hosting a dinner to benefit Cell Phones for Soldiers, a program that raises money to send phones and phone cards to soldiers. This flier has information about the event, which takes place at the Dallas location on Cedar Springs Road from 7 to 10 p.m. A buffet of meats, sides and Santa Rita wine costs $50, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the organization. Reservations are recommended.
MEDIA ALERT
For Immediate Release
September 11, 2007
White Stripes Cancel Austin City Limits Music Festival Date
Medical reasons cited for cancellation of ACL Festival show and Austin after show.
(Austin, Texas) Producers were informed today that Grammy-award winning band The White Stripes are canceling their Austin City Limits Music Festival performance, scheduled for Saturday, September 15. As of the time of this release, medical reasons have been given for the cancellation. When more information is available, C3 Presents will notify media with any appropriate news.
The White Stripes were scheduled to play on the AT&T stage at 8:30 pm to close out the night at the Festival. At this time, a replacement has not been announced. C3 Presents will keep media apprised of schedule updates, and post information on www.aclfestival.com .
Former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders and his wife, Pilar, are jumping on the reality TV bandwagon. They'll star in a new Oxygen show, tentatively titled Deion and Pilar Sanders: Prime Time Love, that's set to debut in February. Hopefully we'll get to see Deion haggle over some auto repairs.
Ludacris, you turn 30 today, but you've already been making some mature choices in your career. More movies, fewer booty jams: Good call. But, you know, one more sex-themed track with plenty of empasis on vowel sounds wouldn't be too bad an idea. The public needs one now that 50 Cent and Kanye West are more obsessed with each other than the opposite sex. Think about it.
Or you could let Harry Connick Jr., who celebrates his 40th, try to get the ladies to act freaky. Just think of how many times we've heard the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack at a Spring Break party! Good times.
In other candle-blowing news, Moby is 42 (Let's see if Eminem can think of a new age-related insult), Kristy McNichol is 45 (Pirate Movie rawks) and Virginia Madsen is 46 (we love wine too, girl).
According to Warner Bros., the Harry Potter franchise is now the top-grossing film franchise in the history of forever. The five films have brought in an amazing $4.47 billion worldwide, passing the 22 James Bond films and the six Star Wars movies.
As Harry might say: "Seems you've got an admirer."
In light of Rob's Fun with Lists a couple weeks ago on college helmets and his column today on college football uniforms, I give you the Helmet Project. It's a site that catalogues the helmets worn by nearly every football team from 1960 to the present. We're even talking NFL Europe, the NAIA and the XFL here. It's a work in progress, but it's already pretty impressive.
Big Love's season may be over, but that doesn't mean you can't still have a little polygamist fun. Here's a quiz to find out which sister-wife you're most like. For the sake of your significant other(s), I hope it's not Nicki.
Has anyone seen iGoogle? It's a site you can set up as your home page with links to basically whatever you want. You can add a map of the lowest gas prices in your area, movie times, news, sports and gossip Web sites, a calendar, a to-do list, and more. It's so convenient to have everything right there in one place! I want to figure out how I can add a link to quickdfw.com, though. Dallasnews.com was available.
Sounds kinda crazy, an iRing. Well, Newlaunches.com shows a concept of the gadget. It's a Bluetooth-enabled device that controls the volume and playback of your Apple media device.
In case anybody missed it at the MTV Video Music Awards, the title of the new Indiana Jones movie has been revealed. Shia LaBeouf, who co-stars with Harrison Ford, announced that the film will be called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It's set to be in theaters May 22.
It's your 33rd birthday, Ryan Phillippe, and we offer you the gift of positive thinking. Stand in front of a mirror and repeat after us:
"The entire 54 movie was built around my physique.
My ex-wife may have an Oscar, but I have better hair.
I worked with Robert Altman.
I became a B+-list actor, despite having appeared in I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Did I mention that I have beautiful hair?"
There, there, that should make you feel better. The rest of you birthday boys can make it on backhanded compliments:
--Big Daddy Kane, at 39, you are considered to be one of rap's grandfathers!
--Guy Ritchie, you're 39 too, yet you sacrificed your youth and your film career to be with someone much more famous than you. Congrats!
--Joe Perry, you're pretty crusty at 57, but at least you reclaimed that youthful naivety when you said "yes" to that Sanjaya collabo.
--Colin Firth, we loved you in the first Bridget Jones. That's it.
At the end of last week, Quick staffers got to talking about what the first tape or CD they ever bought was.
There were a lot of interesting answers. I couldn't remember which one I bought first until I did some research this weekend. I didn't really have to go out my way to figure this out though since my fiancée, who I moved in with two weekends ago, insisted I get rid of things we didn't need. (I didn't realize cassette tapes fit into the "things I didn't need" category, but then again I also still HAD photos from magazine articles from the late '70s boxed up in my closet.)
Anyway, as I threw away about half of my 200 or so tapes, I came to the conclusion that the first tape I ever bought myself was Def Leppard's Pyromania.
I wasn't sure which tape it was last week, because all I could remember about my first tapes was my mom sending off for one of the BMI-type deals where you'd get 9 tapes for a penny. My three picks were Michael Jackson'sThriller, Men At Work's Business as Usual and Quiet Riot'sMetal Health (which my mom obviously would have never let me listen to if she would have only known). However, I didn't buy any of them.
Now that I've embarrassed myself, any one else out there want to spill the beans on their first?
Nelly told everyone he was wearing a ridiculously expensive white T-shirt on the red carpet at the VMAs. "It's a two-hundred-dollar white T," Nelly said. "It's got to be the most expensive white T I've ever had in my whole life. I'll be sure not to spill anything on it."
Judging from his sloppy introduction of Alicia Keys later in the night, complete with half-empty glass, that $200 shirt's going to the cleaners, and possibly the trash.
It's a movie about the Ten Commandments. Borrrr-ing. I know. That's what I thought too.
But, it turned out to be really funny in an off-beat, dark sort of way. Of course, anything with Paul Rudd can't be too bad. The ensemble cast also includes Jessica Alba, Rob Corddry, Liev Schreiber and Winona Ryder (who has a hilarious, if somewhat unsettling, scene with a wooden doll) among others.
This movie probably isn't for everyone though. I can see deeply religious people having serious problems with it. But, no one in our crowd was hit by lightning ... that day.
That Alicia Keys is alright, now. Not only did she come out from behind the piano for new single "No One" (which I guarantee you'll be hearing on the radio every hour for the next 18 months), but she finished off with a little ode to Dallas' own George Michael. And we thought we'd never hear "Freedom '90" on MTV again. Alicia should've opened.
"You are bidding on a mint condition sourdough grilled cheese sandwich that Barry Bonds' 756 home run ball bounced off of. This piece of history is quite possibly baseball's most sought after grilled cheese sandwich," the auction claims.
Happy bidding. Oh, did we mention the authentic lightsaber we have signed by Darth Vader?
... while Chris Brown was doing his best Michael Jackson impression, we thought MJ himself might pop out from backstage, but no. Why would we expect anything exciting from MTV at this point? There was just more lip-synching from the little dancing shrimp. We will give him props, though, for that weird choreography he did with Rihanna as she sang "Umbrella" live for, like, the 49th time on TV. At least she didn't lip-synch. But then again, maybe she should have.
This is quickly becoming the worst VMA show ever. And, considering the last few years, that's saying a lot. The awards themselves don't make much sense ("Best Quadruple Threat"?), and the performances are just parts of songs taped in hotel rooms around Las Vegas. ... Oh wait, Kanye and Fiddy are on stage. This could be good... Oh, they are just presenting an award ... Beyonce and her dangerously exposed cleavage are accepting an award for her red hot collabo with Shakira. ... Now Adam Levine is performing, and he gets cut off by some advertiser shout-outs.
One word for Britney Spears' "performance": Snooze. Actually, scratch that -- it was quite interesting for all the wrong reasons. Britney's sparkly bikini showed more oomph than she did. It should have had a label on it reading "Do not operate under heavy medication." She did manage to keep up with the recorded track (Eee!), but the dancing did nothing .. for anyone. Did you see 50 Cent's face? Expressionless, even for 50 Cent. Rihanna and her friend appeared to be talking about Britney and giggling during the performance. It was all just kind of embarrassing. Maybe next time, Brit.
Can MTV hosts hype this Britney performance up enough? I mean, three times a minute may be underselling the thing, guys. I'll just say this: It better be freakin' good. It's all anyone has been talking about (inside my head) for days now, and I'll be pissed if there's not at least one "WTF" moment. There better be a see-through garment, an aging pop star, an ex-boyfriend or two and some sort of reptile on stage. Smoke, explosions, magic. Confetti, glitter and Cheetos better fall from the ceiling. Mmmhm. I'm expecting a lot.
Comments heard as some Quick staffers watched the first moments of the red carpet coverage:
--"Sway needsta go, with his alien-shaped dread head."
--"It's Lil Mama, and she looks like a lil baby!" (The "Lip Gloss" singer, above, later explained her get-up: "This is the birth of hip-hop, and I'm basically the baby of that." Whatever. She didn't have to rock the pacifier.)
--"Rihanna has two streaks in her hair. That's sort of skunkish."
In about five minutes, the red carpet special starts, and then Britney hits the stage at 8 p.m. It'll be interesting to see if fewer awards and a shorter show this year will help bring relevan... excuse me ... shock appeal back to MTVs main event. Come back after the madness starts. I'm here for you, boo.
The picture shows her smiling and standing naked directly in front of the camera in what appears to be a bathroom.
"This was a photo which was taken privately," Hudgens' representative said in a statement. "It is a personal matter and it is unfortunate that this has become public."
Hudgens is dating her co-star and teen heartthrob Zac Efron, who bared some – but not all – skin for a recent Rolling Stone cover. High School Musical 2’s premiere earlier this summer became the all-time highest-watched cable program in history. A third film is already in the works. Disney reps declined to comment on how the photo scandal could affect Hudgens’ future in the franchise.
Bought this yesterday at Macy's, of all places. Apparently they're now carrying T-shirts from NaCo, the hip Mexico City-based T-shirt company. I really liked another one that had a quinceanera cake...
Macy's ran into trouble with this NaCo T-shirt, though.
The shot was snapped at the NLGJA national conference in San Diego last week. But just to clarify – because my phone has already been ringing off the hook – no, that’s not me standing directly on Ian’s right. It’s an honest mistake, as people who meet me often assume that I am a “showboy.”
Although to be honest, I’m not exactly sure what a “showboy” does. Hmm. Maybe Ian can explain it since he runs in their circles. McCann?
At a meeting of the Quick staff a few days ago, one of my colleagues made the point that the media had been too hard on Britney Spears in recent months. And I was inclined to agree -- let's face it, she's been through a lot. The divorce, the head-shaving, the rehab, the wild-eyed umbrella attack on an unsuspecting automobile. Maybe we should all just leave the poor woman alone.
So I will. Just as soon as I show you this photo of her apparently sniffing a book while exiting a gas-station restroom.
If you haven't been training for Sunday's PrairieMan tri at Joe Pool Lake, how about trying the Freedom Run next Tuesday at AT&T Plaza at American Airlines Center? It is held in recognition of the Sept. 11 attacks and benefits the Dallas police. The 5K and the mile run start at 6:30, and there's a concert afterward by Le Freak. That's right, as in Le Freak, C'est Chic. Not sure what that has to do with running, but I'm sure it'll be a good time.
Got a passive-aggressive note from a neighbor, co-worker or roommate?
Post it at passiveaggressivenotes.com, which showcases a parade of highly entertaining notes anonymous people have received from others, such as ...
"Many thanks to whoever opened up a package that was addressed to me, and stole $19 worth of cat food. Opening up someone else's mail is a federal offense. I hope your cat chokes on the food."
Or the tiff between two female roommates over hideous placemats and interior decorating: "... This house sometimes feels like it is full of your stuff while mine is crammed in my bedroom."
And wow, the hilarious demands of a fed-up college guy who's sick of finding his dormmates' hair everywhere in the shower.
We of the house of Quick proudly designate the sixth day of September “Strangely Irritating Voices Day.” Why? Because it’s the day Rosie Perez turns 43 (“BEELY! GOD MADE ME OLD. HOW COOD HE DO DAT?”). Also, Macy Gray is 37 (“I tryy to blow tha candles out but I can’t, cuz I’m outta breath and I crumble …”) And that sound-effects dude from the esteemed Police Academy film collection is 49 (“Bloop! Bleep bleep bleep! I’m funny!”). Could you imagine all those people in the same room without shedding a few tears?
Others expecting e-cards today include Jeff Foxworthy, Foxy Brown and Roger Waters. There are jokes for all of them, but that's what you're here for. Comment away.
Dallas' gay community is gearing up for the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade later this month. But the boyfriend pointed out something quite important last night: Who scheduled Dallas' gay pride parade for the same day as the primetime Emmy Awards?
Why does Apple have to make every cool song sound creepy, as in "We're slowly taking over the world, but aren't you just so happy about it?" The TV spot for the new squarish iPod Nano features the song "1234" by Canadian band Feist. It's a breathy, lighthearted, running-through-sunflowers kind of song but still slightly ominous. Aside from the music (which is what iPod ads are all about, right?), the commercial is easily recognizable as Apple -- hypnotizing. Has anyone played these commercials backwards yet?
After reading yet another They Might Be Giants MySpace bulletin about the dozens of cities they'll be hitting on their upcoming tour and not seeing Dallas, I shot them back a message. "What, you can play Durham and Grand Rapids, but not Dallas?"
I got an answer back: "Probably Feb or March!" Hooray!
NFL fans have been waiting for Thursday night for what seems like an eternity. The Saints and Colts open the regular season. The game -- it doesn't get much better than Peyton Manning vs. Drew Brees -- is on NBC at 7:30 p.m.
On a side note, it seems Giants running back Brandon Jacobs have given the Cowboys some ammunition for their Sunday matchup at Texas Stadium.
Halle Berry has told Access Hollywood that she's three months pregnant. The 41-year-old actress identified the father as her boyfriend, model Gabriel Aubry.
"Gabriel and I are beyond excited, and I've waited a long time for this moment in life. Now the next seven months will be the longest of my life!" Berry wrote in an e-mail.
Michael Keaton, you are 56 today. Unlike Harrison Ford, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone, you won't be able to revisit your finest action role. Why? Because nobody wants to see a saggy, wrinkled, pasty man in a Batsuit. But perhaps you could do a sequel to The Paper, a movie that made me want to become a journalist just so I could stand in a newsroom and shout obscenities at co-workers. [Stops typing to shout obscenities at co-workers.] Yep, Keaties, we love ya. Happy birfday.
Oh, and you too, Rose McGowan (please don't shoot me with your leg!), Dweezil Zappa (I'll either get you a weasel or an easel) and Raquel Welch (cougar-licious!).
The Apple iPod Nano was upgraded and now has video. It also looks like a small version of the video iPod. The new iPodtouch looks like the iPhone and has WiFi and the ability to download songs. Check them out.
Captain America: The Chosen #1 (of 6): No, Captain America isn't coming back to life already. But he is starring in this out-of-continuity tale penned by novelist David Morrell, the creator of Rambo.
Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm: I'd never heard of rapper M.F. Grimm until I heard about this autobiographical graphic novel. Anybody know this guy's music? Am I missing something here?
She-Hulk #21: This is the final issue written by Fanboy favorite Dan Slott, who's been with this series since its beginning. Pardon me while I stand up and clap slowly, with a tear trickling down my cheek.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 #6: Another Fanboy favorite, Brian K. Vaughan, takes over this series from its creator, Joss Whedon, for an arc focusing on fugitive slayer Faith.
The Pro: Because you demanded it -- it was you, right? -- Garth Ennis' story of the world's first prostitute superhero has been reprinted in a paperback edition.
Ms. Marvel #19: Click this link to see the hands-down best cover of the week, courtesy of Greg Horn. Me-ow!
This Saturday is A Sister's Gift, a 2K walk/run sponsored by a foundation that tests, identifies and provides HIV positive women with resources to enhance and prolong their lives. You could participate in the walk/run, which starts at 9 a.m. at Reverchon Park in Dallas, but the event is also looking for volunteers to help with registration, setup, cleanup, decorations and logistics. Contact Cheryl Edwards at 214-421-4274 or at cledwards@asistersgift.org for more information.
Bill Murray has offered an explanation for his recent golf cart/drunken driving incident in Sweden: He was just giving people a ride home from a party. He says he had six people loaded onto the cart, circus clown-style, before he began making his rounds. He dropped one couple off at a 7-Eleven.
I had the same reaction upon reading this as Murray: "I didn't know they had 7-Elevens in Stockholm."
It's last week's news, but it's so totally wrong that I've GOT to mention it: Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan will star in the film version of Mamma Mia!, quite possibly the most pointless musical ever created. So plug your ears and get ready for some ABBA sung by people old enough to remember when it was first released. Ugh.
And in other pop news....I got to dance to the new Britney on Sunday at a club (Rich's) in San Diego. And though I was sweating to death -- imagine an entire city that somehow never learned to properly use air conditioning -- it was still spectacular. Almost made me forget about that Mamma Mia! thing. Almost.
Let's all shake what our mamas gave us a few times to honor the birthday of Young B, a.k.a. Beyonce Knowles. Though she's had quite a life already (the first Destiny's Child CD dropped when she was 17), there are only 26 candles on her diamond-encrusted cake. Both the ice and the icing are deserved, for she's brought us much joy over the years with her bootylicious bubblegum pop, her Dreamgirls divadom and her arm-rasing paparazzi poses. Jay-Z ought to use this occasion to go ahead and get on one knee, or else his bird might follow through on the words of her annoyingly ubiquitous hit single, "Irreplaceable." Wouldn't that have him looking so crazy (right now)?
Other birthday wishes go out to Wes Bentley (Look! A floating grocery bag!), Shar Jackson (officially K-Fed's coolest ex) and Damon Wayans (Was he the one in Mo' Money?).
You gotta listen to Britney's new song, "Gimme More." I'm not that fond of the recycled dance beats and breathy "I used to be able to sing" vocals. Check it out for yourself.
People reports Brit-Brit will perform it "live" at the VMAs. Getting ready for the performance it what first linked her to Mind Freak Criss Angel. But they're just friends, right?
The Colombian pop star's new single "Me Enamora" (loosely translated, "I'm in love") was released worldwide today. Listen to it here. He's not exactly treading new ground -- it's got the same bouncy pop hook as his previous hits -- but the song's catchy. Plus it's Juanes, and I will listen to anything the man records.
Yet another new book about President Bush is out and hits bookshelves today, and in it, journalist Robert Draper writes that the prez has shed tears many times during his presidency.
Yes, we are familiar. We have, too.
In Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush, Draper quotes W as saying, "I've got God's shoulder to cry on. And I cry a lot. I do a lot of crying in this job. I'll bet I've shed more tears than you can count, as president."
Not only that, Bush mentions he'd like to build a "Fantastic Freedom Institute" in Dallas once he leaves office.
According to one of Bush's imaginary friends, early blueprints have this fantastical place looking something like this.
I am, frankly, the last person on the Quick staff who should be commenting on music. But I'm gonna anyway. I went to a tribute bands show at Firewater over the weekend, not knowing what to expect. If you ever get a chance to see Escape, performing anything and everything that is Journey, do it. Lead singer Terry Murphy belted out hit after hit, and they were really strong. It was a fun show.
So there. My two cents on a band wanting to be a classic rock band.
I was surprised to see Halloween rake in $31 million to lead the box office this weekend. Was the horror remake (or "reimagining") that good, or was the competition (No. 2 Balls of Fury included) that bad? Either way, it looks like Halloween director Rob Zombie has come a long way since his early White Zombie days.
Two guys from Belgium who make up the comic duo Circoripopolo have made one of the funnest Web sites seen in awhile.
Go here, and your browser window suddenly shrinks to a small black box ... But watch as the silent funnymen work to expand your browser in entertaining fashion, pushing the edges of the screen, wedging them open and shaking the browser window when they explode a huge balloon.
Dylan McDermott (left), Christopher Titus, Michael Vartan and Joshua Malina star in Big Shots.
BIG SHOTS
Premeires 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept., 27, on ABC
Men seem to be the hot ticket for this fall. In Big Shots, ABC introduces us to four big-time New York executives who are best friends ... and have to deal with relationships with women who drive them crazy.
This looks like the perfect show to follow Grey's Anatomy on Thursdays. Kind of a mix between Sex and the City and Grey's, but geared toward men. As Dylan McDermott's character says, "Men. ... We're the new women." Although I'm having a hard time seeing Joshua Malina (The West Wing) in a role as a powerful womanizer.
Carter Albrecht, the guitarist/keyboardist for the Dallas band Sorta, was shot and killed early this morning by a neighbor who thought he was an intruder. That's him above in the back row, center.
The DMN has a few more details here. My heart goes out to his family and friends.
AP tells us that Diddy threw a "White Party" at his home in Long Island, and the dress code mandated guests wear white. Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes and Tommy Lee apparently played along.
But Billy Joel's wife, Katie Lee, was reportedly turned away for dressing in "a shade of cream."
This has the potential to be my favorite new show. Life stars Damien Lewis as Charlie Crews, a cop who's convicted of a triple murder he didn't commit, and released a few years later when DNA proves his innocence. After winning a huge settlment and getting his job back, he has to figure out how to get live outside of the prison walls.
You'll remember Damien Lewis from his powerful performance as Maj. Richard Winters in Band of Brothers. Life also stars Dallas native Sarah Shahi (The L Word); Adam Arkin (Chicago Hope); and Robin Weiger (Deadwood).
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