Weekend To Do – News/Rumors 11/30/07

Goodaye Everyone:

Hope you all had a good week. Can’t believe it’s December this weekend! They are talking SNOW for Sunday night into Monday for the Boston area. Can I tell you how much I HATE winter!!!!????

OK, now that I’ve got that off my chest, let me say that I wish I could update you more frequently on ‘newsflashes’ that I hear/read, it seems that Fridays is the most convenient way to go.

Anyway, let’s see what’s happening this week:

In Theaters

Awake (wicked scary movie of a guy who goes in the hospital to be operated on and SUPPOSEDLY feels every cut!!!!)

The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (the director/actor of this movie has been signed to play the villian in the new Bond 22)

DVDs

Waitress (Keri Russell)
Mr. Bean’s Holiday (Rowan Atkinson)
First Snow (thriller starring Guy Pearce)

Alright, where do we go from here…how about:

TV News

Mini-Series
CBS has a new mini-series called Comanche Moon set to air on Jan. 13, 15 and 16. Many stars are connected to this prequel from Larry McMurty who wrote the Lonesome Dove mini-series years ago which garnered many Emmys. Sounds like a lot of $ went into making this but it also could be very good…especially for those of you who followed the other mini-series.

Chuck and Life have both been signed for full seasons.

Elizabeth Berkeley (Showgirls) has been signed for an occurring role in CSI: Miami. She will play David Caruso’s (Horatio) exwife who is the mother of his son, Kyle who he just found out about earlier this season.
Kyle, by the way, becomes part of an investigation when his mom’s billionaire hubby is murdered.

CD

August Rush soundtrack (I heard it is terrific – can’t wait to see the movie)

Movie News

The Weinsteins have signed Gong Li and are negotiating with John Cusack to star in SHANGAI. Mikael Hafstrom who directed John in 1408 will helm the film. This is a romantic period piece which takes place 4 months before Pearl Harbor. John’s character discovers his friend is killed and while trying to find out why, he falls in love and discovers a much larger secret that his government is hiding. Shooting will take place in Shanghai. No date on when filming will start.

Universal has signed Jake Gyllenhaal to play Joe Namath (Broadway Joe). The story will tell us how Joe started out from Beaver Falls, PA and rose to Rock Star status in the 60s as the QB for the New York Jets. In fact, in one of the Superbowls, when his team was the underdog, he predicted that the Jets would win…which they did. (Who can forget Joe a while back when the beautiful reporter was interviewing him at halftime and he was hitting on her….obviously he had had a few! It was funny).

Nic Cage (hey…a Nic Cage story!): Steve Buscemi, Tracey Morgan have all joined up to ‘voice characters’ in G-Force, an animated Disney film. They will join Will Arnett (SNL-Blades of Glory) and Bill Nighy (so good in Love Actually and also in the Pirates 2 and 3 as Davy Jones). I had to dig for that one!

OK, I think we can go for News/Rumors now.

Mr. Big – Chris Noth and his lovely girlfriend are expecting a “Mr. Little” in January.

Mary Delgado who was just on the After The Rose (The Bachelor) last week was arrested fo assaulting/punching her fisherman boyfriend. They’ve been together for 3 years, living as a family. Rumor has it she was under the influence…she had said they were going to get married in “November”…don’t think so!

Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and his BFF got married last weekend. He and Courtney Ford had been going together quite a long time.

For those of you ‘old’ people: Ronnie Burns (the adopted son of George Burns and Gracie Allen) died last week at the age of 72!!! (shoot me now!)

Joey McIntyre (New Kids..) and his wife Barrett, named their son Griffin Thomas. Congrats Joey…loved you on Dancing!

Speaking of Dancing, here’s a few for you that I’m sure you’ve heard already:

Helio and his fiancee have broken up. I guess the news came out after he won the crystal ball on Dancing. She came to the first week’s show and then he hadn’t heard from her since. He kept saying how ‘understanding’ she was and that they ‘postponed’ their wedding until after the competition was over. Well….I guess the ‘competition’ ended for her before it did for him. Helio was quoted as saying, “It is what it is”!

Mark Balas dislocated his shoulder while dancing with Sabrina the other night. He didn’t want to disappoint her though so he kept dancing. (what a trouper!) After the show, he was taken by ambulance to the hospital where, they popped(?) it back and he was seen with Sabrina going to the Afterparty for Dancing….

Julianne wants to be a country western star and has signed with a label. They played a little of her song last night and she has a really good voice. Is there no end to her talent!!!!

Donny may very well come on Dancing next year. He’s being coy.

Florence Henderson has supposedly been signed to Dance next season. Ohhhh, please say it isn’t so Carol Brady!!! Wayne, at 65, should give you an example of when to call it quits!!!

Maksim is saying that he may NOT be back next season. He has a show in Las Vegas that he is trying to get off the ground.

TV Reminder – Times

SCI FI – Tin Man, Dec. 2, 3 and 4
HBO – Sunday, Dec. 2 – a Don Rickles’ tribute
TBS, Tuesdays, Frank TV
BBC – Life on Mars returns for Season 2 (the final one) Dec. 10
TNT – Monday, Dec. 3rd, Saving Grace (special)
USA – Friday, Dec. 7th, Monk and Psych (both specials)

And…last but not least, the PATRIOTS are playing next Monday night at 9PM on Channel 5 – Dec. 3rd!!! (11-0)

One last thought, I heard this morning that Broadway has gone back to work. Let’s hope the Writers’ Strike will be over soon.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Joanie (you too, Robin Thicke…and Russell)

Dancing With The Stars Finale – 11/27/07

Hi Everyone:

I’m sure we’re all wiped out this morning after staying up until after 11PM last night watching what could have been a 20 minute show!!!!  God why do they do that to us????

Once again, Sam is channeling Anna Nicole, not that that’s a bad thing…

I heard that Donny and Marie are taking Jonathan Roberts and his wife, Anna (who danced with Albert Reed) on tour next Summer.  Donny says he’s even going to ’shake his booty’.  I’d like to see him next Season!

One couple will go home in the next few minutes (where have we heard that before?!!!)  But FIRST, here’s Celine Dion to sing the song from Titanic…oh joy.  Alec and ?, Cheryl and Mark, Tony and Edyta do a very nice dance routine to it.  She sounds and looks good too.

OK…commercials – I confess, after watching the trailer for Alvin and the Chipmunks, I have to say that it looks cute…..didn’t think I’d have it in me to say as much…..

OK, back to the show….who’s going home first…cue the scary music, why it’s Marie and Jonathan.  Actually it kinda scared me cause she’s got such a strong fan base but I’m glad the public voted correctly.  She was a riot in her ‘farewell’ speech saying she felt like Cinderella and the judges were the Step Sisters!!!  She had Donny cracking up in the audience.  They danced their favorite dance…the Tango and did flashbacks, etc.  Bye, Bye Marie…go sell some dolls on QVC now.

Now we go to ‘flashbacks’.  Ohhh, please say they’re not going to do this.  It looks like they are going to have ALL the booted couples come back and dance they’re favorite dance.  Talk about fillers!!!!

First up is Albert Reed (the hot model) and Anna (Jonathan’s wife).

He did his Elvis thing and we all swooned, they took a bow, said how much they enjoyed being on the show, blah, blah, blah.

Then Wayne and Cheryl came on.  Now we know that Wayne has heart problems so he couldn’t dance but he was very gracious and said that he WAS going to do the Tour at the end of the month…first we’ve got Marie fainting, now we’ll probably get Wayne going to the floor…hope not.

Next came Floyd and Karina.  Floyd also chose NOT to dance since he is training for his big fight in a few weeks.  Have to admit he looked really cool in the glasses!

Then we had Mark Cuban and Kym Johnson.  He still looks good.  I bet he’s trying to keep that weight off he lost during all the weeks of rehearsing.

Now we’re talkin’…here’s Mark and Sabrina to dance their steamy Cha Cha Cha.  They are soooo good.  It’s a sin she didn’t go further.  And, while I have them here…let me say that they are soooo a couple!!!!

Side Bar:  Did you know that Julianne, Mark and Derek all danced together as kids?  I would have liked to have seen more of those videos.

Sam went over and talked to Drew and Apolo (both past winners) and Drew was giving her (while looking over at Tom too) some grief cause he said, all season long, the Judges kept saying that this was the best season ever!!!  Tom said that they had the BEST Guest Host this season….cute back and forth.

Here we are in the second hour.  I’m fading fast but I’ve got to keep my eyes open so I can write my ‘review’!!!!  Hang in there Joanie….

Jane and Tony dance their waltz number, gracefully.  Jane looks like the hair is a little lighter tonight (or is it my eyesight going on me?).  They are lovely and I think Tony is my favorite pro dancer.

More flashbacks that aren’t as good as the first ones….

Here’s “hot” Cameron and Edyta doing the Superman routine.  WOW, still love it.  Also, loved Samantha pulling his shirt off.  That was cute.  I’m sure he was well aware that that was going to happen considering he said he’d do it if he was in the Finals (which of course he isn’t but….hey, it’s just a technicality!).

Tom commented that it was more skin than we’ve ever seen on free tv!

Derek and Jennie were next and they danced her ‘warm’ rumba.  She’s very sweet but never quite got over the shy factor.  Maybe Derek will have better luck next year.

Hey…Celine’s back to sing a number from her new CD.  Whoa, what’s with the short dress?  and…those ‘hooker’ shoes are pretty wild!

While she was singing, they showed ‘emotional’? pics of the season.

Alright, we’re almost there.  They’re actually talking about Helio VS Mel and they share their thoughts (which Sam asked them like 10 times during the course of the evening!!!), etc….filler….

Commercial:  L&O, SVU is on.  Love that show.  Hey, it’s Stephen Bauer (Scarface…ex of Melanie (lips) Griffith!).  Boy does he look old.  Get some botox quick Stephen…looks like a pretty emotional show.  Hate to turn it back but I have to.

Here we go…one more dance for the Judges to scrutinize (God I’m almost off the couch and the eyes are closing!).

Mel and Maks choose (after they’re annoying bickering) the Mambo which they danced like real Pros.  Mel was great, scimpy outfit and all.  I’m really going to miss Maks’ butt; in fact, I think that’s a bonus for all these guys.  Maybe they have to squeeze the butt while they’re dancing????

Judges loved it…natch.  10-10-10 for 30 for a grand total of: 85/90

Here’s Helio and Julianne talking about what dance they will do.  He wants to do the quickstep (she said….”Oh the Banana dance!”)  She wanted lifts; he said, they got 30 last time, why mess it up…good thought.  They were great.  Boy does he have a personality or what…..do you know why I think Helio will win tonight???….cause when he started this show, he knew nothing about dancing and look how far he’s come.  Julianne, once again, did a terrific job all season, bringing him along each week to learn more and more.  Judges loved it:  10-10-10 for 30 for a grand total of: 84/90

Big hand for the musicians for all their hard work this past season.

IT’S FINALLY TIME TO ‘CROWN” THE WINNER OF SEASON FIVE!!!

It’s Helio and Julianne…how nice is that????  He can put that lovely crystal ball in between his Indy trophies!!!  Did you see his buddies in the audience tonight?  And some (I think she said she had like 14 brothers and sisters???) cheering Julianne on.  She’s now tied with Cheryl Burke.  She’s trained 2 athletes to stardom!!!  Apolo and now Helio…hmmmmm, check out the list next year Julianne and get someone whose name ends in “O”!!!!!!!

Alright, that’s it.  Another season comes to an end.  It was grueling.  I had to put HOUSE aside.  Now I’ll have to play catchup.   And, of course, we’ll have to watch Bruno and Carrie Ann’s new show in January (hosted by our fave, Drew!).

Hope you’ve enjoyed these reviews over the season.  I know I had fun doing them…..think I’ll go take a nap….my boss will never miss me!!!!

Talk to you later.  Joanie

Dancing With The Stars – Finals – 11/26/07

Hi Everyone:

Well last night certainly was a disappointment considering all the weeks of training these 3 participants had.

First of all, let me ask one little question…..’Was Samantha Harris channeling Anna Nicole Smith last night with that halter top dress?’  Just wondering….

There will be 2 dances tonight and one final one tomorrow night.  The first dance is one the Judges chose for the couples and the second one is the ‘freestyle’ which can be fun or a disaster.

First up is Mel and Maksim who danced a Cha Cha Cha.  The first time they did this dance they received a 24 (I believe that was like 3 weeks into the contest).  I like that they chose CAR WASH to dance to.  That’s a fun song.  They just seemed a little tired though and they were trying too hard.  I have to admit though that I am going to miss Maksim’s butt and I know the guys will miss Mel’s hot outfits.  Judges weren’t overly impressed. Hey there’s the Spice Girls encouraging Mel!  Her hubby was there too (he’s there every week).  9-9-10 for a 28  Again…with the grabbing, hugging, kissing of Tom!!!!

Next we had Marie and Jonathan who were asked to dance the Samba again.  This is the dance that Marie fainted on and the Judges never got to critique it.  Marie works soooo hard and, for someone who’s almost 50, she does an admirable job.  Just wasn’t there tonight though.  Judges were hoping for more:  8-8-8 for a 24

Lastly we had Helio and Julianne who performed the Jive.  People didn’t think (Donny Osmond) that Helio had a chance dancing an American dance but he and Julianne certainly pulled it off.  LOVED the 50s theme of pink and black outfits and the dance THE TWIST    I thought they did a good job.  Judges were tougher to impress though:    25

(I have to admit that I was surfing cause I just get soooo frustrated with some commercials…like the one with the lady at Lowe’s(?) who needs help decorating.  AGHH!  Anyway, I jumped to How I Met My Mother and Big Bang Theory (which is wicked funny).

OK…here we go with the Freestyle Dance.

First up is Mel and Maksim They had flips, splits, jumps, rollovers, you name it…they did it.  Didn’t care for her costume though which is surprising cause she usually has cool outfits.  Remember, they get to do everything here…choose the music, the outfits, the routine.  The Judges were really let down by their effort even though they gave them decent marks (probably because of their overall dances during the contest).

9-9-9 for a total of 27 which gave them 55 out of 60 for the night.

Next we had Marie and Jonathan.  Now Marie had said earlier that she was going to do a routine dedicated to her many fans; especially ones who are her doll collectors.  What can I say…she tried.  They danced to the Stones’ Start Me Up and she came out in a ‘doll outfit’ with a big turnkey on the back to ’start her up’.  It was inventive, cute, different and somehow just didn’t do the trick.  The Judges were dumbfounded.  Bruno was beside himself.  He said it was like watching BABY JANE and the BRIDE OF CHUCKY (how funny is he?).  Marie didn’t think so.  She said she gave it her all and…after all….she’s a doll designer who didn’t have to do this!  Len and Carrie Anne were also at a loss for words.

They gave her:  8-7-7 for a 22 which gave her a 46 out of 60 for the night.

Lastly we had Helio and Julianne who came out in racing costumes.  Very clever.  They pulled them off and were dancing the Watusi!  Julianne deserves so much credit for her choreography again this season.  She had Helio flipping over her back, and then they locked arms and picked each other up.  How hard is that?  I’m thinkin’ that this is the couple to beat.  I can see that Crystal ball in Julianne’s house now…next to the one she won last year with Apolo.  Excellent job guys.

Judges loved it too:  9-10-10 for a 29 which gave them a total of 54 out of 60 for the night….come on Carrie Anne!  a 9!!!

So there you have it.  Not exactly what you would have expected for the Season 5 Finals.  Some (Sabrina) should have been there who weren’t.

Tomorrow night, the Judges give them one more dance to do and then they will choose the winner.  The votes cast tonight will count as 50% and the Judges 50%.

The whole group will be back together….everything short of fireworks I’m sure!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Joanie

Weekend To Do – Rumors/News 11-16-07

Goodaye Everyone:

This is probably going to be a short ‘update’ since I took Tuesday off and I’m doing this on Thursday afternoon….however, I’ll try not to disappoint.

Out on DVD this week:

-Christmas Time in South Park

-Ghost Rider (Extended Cut) with premium item gift set (WOW!)

-LaVieEnRose (look for an Oscar nod for Marion Catillard who plays

Edith Piaf in this excellent bio pic)

-Miami Vice (complete tv series) – Don Johnson…Need I say more!

-Ocean’s 13 (George, Brad, Matt..can it get any better!?)

-The Princess Bride (20th Anniversary Edition) – Mandy and his quest

-Shrek The Third (I heard this wasn’t as good as the first two but that’s OK. Any movie with Mike Myers in it can’t be all that bad!!!)

In Theaters

-Beowulf – Angie and Ray Winstone (cool digital stuff too!)

-Love in the time of Cholera – Javier Bardem (who is having a great year)

-Margot at the Wedding – Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Lewis – this is written and directed by Jennifer’s hubby, Noah Baumbach

-Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium – Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman

TV News

Not much this week as the Writer’s Strike is still going on.

FX has renewed DAMAGES for 2 more seasons

Here is the status of some of your favorite tv shows:

ABC:

Brothers and Sisters         6 new episodes

Dirty, Sexy Money            6 episodes

Lost                                 8 episodes

NBC:

Chuck                              6 episodes

Heroes                             4 episodes

The Office                         2-3 1/2 hour episodes

Fox

House                              5-6 episodes

The Simpsons                   17 episodes (!)

CBS

Criminal Minds                    6 episodes

The CW

Gossip Girl                         6 episodes

Let’s hope that all parties come to an agreement soon.  It’s not like the writer’s are being unreasonable.

Movie News

The first footage of the Jackie Chan/Jet Li collaboration is out on YouTube.  Look under FORBIDDEN KINGDOM.  Maybe Jamie will show it to us if he has time.

Speaking of movies:  I watched 2 last weekend and, might I say, one was probably the most annoying movie I’ve seen in a very long time and the other was just OK.

BECAUSE I SAID SO…sounded pretty good.  After all, Diane Keaton usually picks good movies and Mandy Moore is sweet.  However, Diane plays one of the WORST mothers I’ve ever seen.  I wanted to go thru the tv screen and smack her!  (Much like the father on The Amazing Race who talks down all the time to his daughter!).

The other one was a fantasy, ERAGON.  Not bad but I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it!

Rumors/News

Nancy Grace was rushed to the hospital over the weekend and was found to have 2 blood clots near her lungs.  This was following the 2 month early birth of her twins:  Lucy Elizabeth and John David.  Her hubby said she is doing fine and will be back home soon.  Be Well Friend.

Looks like a little trouble coming up in the Angie Jolie and Brad Pitt household.  They have been invited to Brad’s folks house for Thanksgiving and mom saw fit to invite Jennifer too….how stupid is that?  I read that she was there last year but THAT was different.  Talk about driving a wedge between your girlfriend and your family!!!

Portia DeRossi was worried that her current role in Nip/Tuck as a lesbian would hurt her career….HELLO Portia….are you not living with Ellen?  Do we all not know this?????

Carlos Santana and his wife of 34 years are divorcing.  Hey Carlos, let me give you the same advice I gave to Ed Asner last week….WORK IT OUT!!!

Steven Spielberg will receive the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 65th Golden Globe ceremonies to be shown on January 13, 2008…congrats Stevie!

Wait til ya hear this one:  RUMOR HAS IT:  that Tom Cruise is thinking of starring as Hugh Hefner in a biopic to be directed by Brett Ratner.  If his career hasn’t gone down the tubes yet, this should do it.

Matt Damon was voted Sexiest Man Alive this week by People mag.  He wasn’t much interested in receiving this award.  I’m sure that George and Brad will have a field day with him now!!!!

As if Marie Osmond doesn’t have enough on her plate, her 16 year old son, Michael has entered rehab.  Don’t know why.  She and Donny as well as other Osmonds were on Larry King last night.  Let’s hope Michael gets all the help he needs.

It was announced last night that OJ Simpson will go on trial.  Unfortunately it will probably be a year before the trial starts.  I’m sure he will make bail while awaiting trial.  Ohhhh, to be a fly on the wall when they at last convict this guy.  AND it will happen this time.  Too much evidence against him.

A few last thoughts:  Congrats to Dustin Pedroia for winning the American League Rookie Of The Year (he plays for the World Series Champs Red Sox!).  Josh Beckett lost the Cy Young award by 33 votes.  Terry Francona was passed over for Eric Wedge of the Cleveland Indians as American League Manager of the Year….

OK, that’s it for this week.  All the New England teams are doing really well.  How exciting!!!

Have a great weekend everyone.  Talk to you next week.

Joanie

Dancing With The Stars – Wk 8 – 11-12, 13-07

Hi Everyone:

Hope you’re all doing well. I went to Twin Rivers in Rhode Island on Monday with a good friend of mine and had a good time. By ‘good time’, I mean that I came home with the same amount of money I went down with! There’s a lot of 1 cent and 2 cent machines. Fun, inexpensive day.

OK, Week 8 of Dancing – 5 Couples left – Who will go home this week???

(By the way, Donny Osmond does comments on ET and said tonight that he thought it was time for Jennie Garth to go home – I agree but ya never know!)

We will, once again, do a ballroom and latin dance. They have 8 dances behind them so the ‘end of the tunnel’ is in sight….along with that gorgeous crystal ball!!!!!

First up we have Jennie and Derek who are going to dance a jive. Now we’ve all known from watching the show each week that Jennie just doesn’t have any confidence in herself. She’s come a long way. Her biggest, concern, in my way of thinking, is that she finds it hard being ‘romantic’ with Derek and getting close to him. With that thought in mind, who comes ‘waltzing’ thru the door but Richard Simmons (naturally in his tight shorts!!!). He gives Jennie a pep talk to have more confidence in herself and off he goes…flying into the night. (Luv Richard..remember him from GH years ago when he used to have exercise classes on the soap).
Sooo, here we go – Jive – Cute outfit. It was green and Tom said it reminded him of vegies! It just wasn’t good enough at this point in time and the judges thought the same: 8-8-8 for a total of 24

Next we had Cameron and Edyta who danced a Viennese Waltz. Len was jumping on Cam because he had no bowtie! It was very smooth but just didn’t do much for me…however, the judges did like it: 9-9-9 = 27

Then came Marie and Jonathan (what a week poor Marie had but she’s a trouper). Can I say right here that I don’t think I’ve seen a man cry more than Donny???!!!! Anyway, they danced a rhumba. Jonathan’s wife, Anna came to visit to help Marie. She told her it was OK if she got up close and personal with Jon…even kissing him if necessary. She’s a cutie. I think she danced with Albert Reed earlier this season. Anyway, Marie’s outfit was sexy and she tried as best as she could considering the amount of time she had to practice. Judges were kind: 8-8-8 = 24

Next came Helio and Julianne who danced a pasa doble. I found that there was too much Julianne and not enough Helio in this dance. That’s not a bad thing but it’s HIS competition, not hers. A couple of the dancers came to help Helio out. Tony, Alec and someone else. (that was fun). After all was said and done, Judges loved it: 9-9-9 for a total of: 27

Last we had Mel B. and Maksim who danced a tango. I have to admit it, but she is good. The outfit, once again, was hot and so was Max! Loved the music. Judges thought it was great: 9-9-9 for a total of: 27

Round Two:

Jennie and Derek danced a foxtrot. It was better than the first dance but still not good enough at this stage of the competition. Jennie said, it’s time for her to have a fourth baby….could be sooner than she thought.
Judges were kind: 9-9-8 for a total of: 26 50/60 for the night

Cam and Edyta danced a cha cha cha. OMG…could Cam’s pants be any tighter!!!!!!!! He is sooo hot. And, he dances pretty well too. I enjoyed it and the Judges not so much: 8-8-8 for a total of: 24 51/60 for the night

Marie and Jonathan danced a Jive and did a very good job. She’s pretty limber for her age and she really put her heart into this one. It may have saved her from the ‘chopping block’ this week…who knows.
Judges were, once again, kind: 8-9-8 for a total of: 25 49/60 for night

Helio and Julianne danced a quick step and did a GREAT JOB. He looked like a big banana from that Jim Carrey movie, The Mask!! Loved the music too. Did the Judges like it?….yes they did: 10-10-10 for a total of: 30 57/60 for the night!

Last dance of the night went to Mel and Maksim who danced a mambo. It was sooo good. Judges loved it too: 9-10-10 for a total of: 29
(Max was funny…”Come ‘on Carrie?”) total for the night: 56/60
May I say, at this point, that it seems to be impossible for Mel to stand next to Tom and not pinch his ‘cheeks’. Tom said, “I’m just a piece of meat in a suit!” Even Max pinched him tonight!!!!

So there you have it. No need to recap the marks, we know that this competition is now between Helio and Mel! If I had to choose who goes home, it would be Jennie (with Marie a close second…but stranger things have happened on this show!).
——————————————————————————————
Dancing – Results Show – 11-13-07

OK, let’s see who the Judges choose to dance again….Helio and Julianne doing their Quick step, natch! Another great job. Nice guy that Helio.

Gloria Estafan is singing a Spanish song. Not feeling it and I love Gloria. Saw her in concert like 20 years ago with the Miami Sound Machine and she was excellent. In fact, come to think of it, the act that opened for them was a young boy group named: NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK. I turned to my friend and said, “Boy are they awful! They’ll never go anywhere.” How wrong I was!!!! Even after the the group broke up, most of them are doing great in Hollywood.

OK, now we get to the point where we start the ‘filler’s for the hour. Asking the audience how they feel. OMG…it’s Bruce (Botox) Jenner and his equally Botox wife!!! (she’s the mom of Kim Kardashian and they’ve got a reality show on MTV AND she’s on the cover of Playboy!)

OK, let’s save someone:

Marie and Jonathan!!!!! (a little bit of a surprise…I’d say so)

Now we do a bit with Jimmy Kimmel and Guerrmo talking to Tom and how he keeps his 2 shows separate in his mind…America’s Home Videos and this one. It was cute…but needless.

Here’s some gal who hasn’t danced in like 6 years with her dance troupe. Have no idea who she is…they do a hip hop(?) number. Another waste of time.

We now have a look at the pro dancers who remain. That part of the show was interesting.

Commercial: Look…it’s a promo for AUGUST RUSH (I’m goin’ to see it!)

OK, it’s Gloria again. At least this time she’s singing a song we all know, Conga. WOW! What’s with the big shoes!!!???

Mark/Max/Julianne and someone else danced to it. Good job.

Skip a channel: WHOA! What’s with Hank Philipa Ryan??? Another Botox customer? (that’s a New England reporter reference people)

Oh boy, it’s Samantha with her stupid questions…will someone PLEASE tell her to go home!!!!

OK, enough with the stretching out of an hour show that could easily be done in half an hour (reminds me of AI!)

Saved: Helio and Julianne

This leaves:

Jennie and Derek
Mel and Maksim
Cameron and Edyta

(by the way, another observance, was Sam talking about the Hi and Lo votes and how it is no reflection on who is going home….Marie’s face was priceless!!!!!)

Who will go home of these 3????? It’s Cam and Edyta. I’m very sad. I loved Cam and really thought it would be Jennie….next week?

Ohhhh, and NOW when you are voted off the show, they do highlights like on AI!!! Unbelievable. All they need is that song they played on AI last year!

Next week is MICHAEL FLATLEY….can’t wait for him. (also a one on one with Len for the 4 remaining dancers.)

Talk to you later,

Joanie

Weekend To Do – Rumors/News 11/09/07

Goodaye everyone:

Boy the Boston Celtics have come alive this week winning their first 3 games…haven’t seen this much life in them since the ole’ Bob Cousy, Larry Bird days!!!!

Let’s see what’s on tap for the weekend:

In Theaters

Fred Claus - w/Vince Vaughn, Paul Giammatti, Kevin Spacey

Lions for Lambs – w/Tom Cruise, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep

No Country for Old Men – w/Javier Bardiem, Tommy Lee Jones

On DVD this week

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry – w/Adam Sandler, Kevin James

Ratatouilee - animated

Sicko – w/Michael Moore – health insurance in this country

X Files – The Ultimate Collection *While I’m mentioning this, I read that the X Files is filming the long awaited movie #2!!!  Can’t wait for next year!

Writers’ Strike

With the writers’ strike going on, there have already been changes in schedules.  (I bet lots of people will be going back to the movies!)

LOST-Half a season has been shot.

HEROES -Already filmed this season’s finale

‘24′ – on hold

FOX:  Has announced changes in it’s schedule:

AI will premiere with a two night event on Jan. 15 and 16.

Bones and Til Death will move to Friday night starting Jan. 4.

House will stay in it’s regular timeslot, following AI.

FYI:  New Amsterdam will begin on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 at 9PM!!!

TV NEWS

NBC has greenlit a new series called “Kings”.  It’s a modern version of David and Goliath set in a future New York City (think Gotham only not as dark).  City belongs to a wealthy entrepreneur who benefits from the constant war.  The first season will have a young soldier becoming famous when he does heroic acts and then becomes the king running the kingdom.

FOX: (again) – Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku have paired for a new series named DOLLHOUSE which follows a top secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories – depending on their mission.  When the mission is accomplished, memories are wiped clean.  Seven episodes in the can so far.  No release date as yet.

NBC – Justin Bruning (AMC) has been chosen for the lead role in Knight Rider.  He will play Mike Knight’s son (Mike, as you know, was played by David Hasselhoff who – when not packing them in at concert halls in Germany – is a talent judge on America’s Got Talent).  No Date Set

Rescue Me (on FX) has been picked up for a 5th season.  Denis Leary and his partner must be thrilled with that news.  Each year this show gets better and better.

MOVIE NEWS

This just in…Sly Stallone is thinking of doing a remake of Charles Bronson’s movie DEATH WISH (can ya feel Charlie rolling over in his grave over this one!!??)

Anthony Hopkins has been signed to play Alfred Hitchcock in a new biopic about the famous director. – No other news as yet.

SHOWTIME

Looks like Showtime has another winner on its hands.  Forrest Whitaker (so great in the Last King of Scotland – Oscar!) has decided to work with author, Marc Levin on a series entitled Mr. Untouchable (based on Levin’s book).  The series will tell the story of Leroy “Nicky” Barnes who built a drug empire in the 70s that rivaled the Italian mob.  He rose to great heights but not without great losses to the Harlem people.  It will also detail the government’s war on drugs and how it failed for years to convict Barnes (Cuba Gooding played Nicky in American Gangster but has nothing to do with this project).  Sounds intriguing…

By the way:  I saw AMERICAN GANGSTER last Sunday and it was excellent.  Both Denzel and Russell did great jobs in their roles as druglord Frank Lucas and good cop, Richie Roberts.  Both had great losses in their lives and are friends now…interesting.  I HIGHLY recommend it.

Rumors/News

Over 120 Osmonds flew to Chicago yesterday to tape the Oprah Winfrey show which will air this coming Friday (Nov. 9th).  They must have flown back right after the taping because they will have the memorial service for their dad, grandad, etc. this Friday.  I truly hope that George got to see Marie do her dance which she dedicated to both he and Olive.

Ed Asner (Lou Grant) and his second wife of 9 years have decided to separate.  Ed….you’re 77!!!!  Why not try and work it out????

Bruce Greenwood will play Christopher Pike, the Starship’s First Captain in the JJ Abrams’ movie Star Trek which is filming now.  Jamie must have the whole story on Pike!

Kate Hudson and Owen Wilson giving it another ‘go’?  Hope it works this time.  She recently broke up with Dex Shephard and decided to give Owen another try.

Christina Applegate and Johnathan Scheath – on again/off again.  Who can keep track???

J LO finally announcing to the crowd at a Miami concert that she is indeed 4 months preggers – we hear it’s twins!

Hey, I just heard that Sabrina Brown and Mark Ballas are getting married!  That was fast….

OK, one more thing:

Thanks everyone – Have a great weekend – No Patriots this Sunday.

Going to Twin Rivers on Monday – wish me luck!

REMEMBER THE VETERAN’S THIS COMING WEEKEND.

Talk to you next week,

Joanie      
(have a great weekend Robin Thicke)

Dancing With The Stars – Week 7

Hi Everybody:

What a great Sunday we in New England had…the Patriots beat the Colts, the Celtics are winning and the Bruins are coming along!!!

Here we are in Week 7 of Dancing With The Stars.  Only 6 couples are left.  Tonight they will be dancing 2 dances; one ballroom and one latin.

 

1.  First us is Helio and Julianne who will dance a Tango.  Helio isn’t comfortable with this dance because of all the steps and movements but Julianne works very well with him so that he will know the routine.

Love the jacket on Helio; it is very sexy.  Julianne is so cute.  They did a good job.  Helio tried very hard to get the steps.  Judges said he didn’t do the proper steps though – 9-8-8 for a total of:  25

2.  Marie and Jonathan were up next and danced a Quick Step.  They had uniforms on from World War II and danced to an Andrews Sisters song.  I thought they did a great job.  Marie was terrific, keeping up with Jonathan. She said she dedicated the dance to her mom and dad (in fact, her hairdo was just like how her mom wore it back then) who met during WWII and they used to dance for money to put food on the table for the family.  Very touching – Marie found out that her dad passed away shortly after the show aired.  Hopefully he got to see Marie do the dance.

Judges LOVED it:  (in fact Tom Bergeron said, “I Smell Good Ones”.  With the writer’s strike going on….did he steal my ‘phrase’, I Smell…?)

10-9-9 for a total of:  28  (good for them!!!)

3.  Mel B. and Maksim did a Foxtrot.  Wasn’t their best routine.  Mel said that the Foxtrot is her least fave dance.  They were showing everything that is going on in her life right now and it’s a wonder she holds up!  They asked her if she was distracted because of all the work she’s doing with the Spice Girls and she said No and Maksim shook his head Yes.

Judges were not impressed with this one:  8-8-8 for a total of:  24

4.  Then we had Tony and Jane who danced a Quick Step to a Johnny Cash song…Walk The Line which meant a lot to Jane because she and her husband knew Johnny and June for many years (in fact, her husband, James Keach (bro of Stacey) was a producer for the movie, Walk The Line in which Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash and Joaquin Phoenix received an Oscar nom for his role as Johnny..which was awesome!)  Lovely story but they weren’t all that good.  Judges:  8-8-8 for a total of:  24

5.  Jennie and Derek were up next and danced a Viennese Waltz.  To tell you the truth, I zoned outta this one.  She’s a very sweet girl but no matter how hard Derek tries to push her to get romantic on the dance floor, she falls short every week.  Can’t understand it cause she’s an ACTRESS!!

Judges thought it was so-so:  8-8-9 for a total of:  25

6.  Finally we have Cameron and Edyta who are going to dance a Quick Step.  Cam was so excited about getting this routine good that he completely lost it in the middle.  The judges asked him to calm down.  Len said, “Superman, we will have to put some kryptonite down your pants to slow you down!!!”  Judges saw all the wrong moves: 8-8-8 for a total of: 24

That was Round One…now let’s go to Round Two:  The Hot and Spicy Latin Dances!!!!

1.  Helio and Julianne danced a Samba which Helio has been dying to do all along cause he’s from Brazil where the dance originated.  Julianne had a video of his mom and dad wishing him well and telling him to hang in there.  He got all emotional – then went to the dance floor and was AWESOME!!  Boy does he love this dance.  Len was very funny in his comments afterwards.  Judges gave them: 9-9-9 for a total of 27

So they now have 52 out of 60 for the night.

2.  Marie and Jonathan were up next and danced a Cha Cha Cha.

I thought she was a lot of fun doing this and that they both did a good job.  (By the way…is her boyfriend (sitting beside Donny) HOT or what!!!)

Judges:  8-8-8 for a total of: 24  So they now have:  52 out of 60 also.

3.  Then came Mel B. and Maksim who danced a Pasa Doble.  Could she get an outfit any hotter???  Those kicks were terrific too but I gotta tell ya, I’m getting the same feeling as I did with Sabrina…great dancers BUT they DO THIS for a living….maybe it’s just me.  AND…what’s with Mel always grabbing Tom????  Can’t figure that one out.  Judges:  10-10-10 for a total of: 30 (trust me, it was the outfit!)  They have 54 out of 60

4.  Tony and Jane did a Cha Cha Cha and boy did I think it was sexy, in a classy sorta way.  The way that Tony would do a few steps and then pause was sooo hot.  The Judges liked it to although they said she should be getting a lot more ‘down to earth’ and wild at this point.

She received:  8-9-9 for a total of:  26 which gave them 50 out of 60

5.  Jennie and Derek danced a Rhumba.  He was hot; she was lukewarm.  Come On Jennie…get with the program here or you’re gonna find yourself sitting next to Sabrina in the audience!!!  She did have a very pretty gown on.  Judges however LOVED it:  9-9-10 for a total of: 28 which gives them 53 out of 60 for the night.

6.  Finally we had Cameron and Edyta who danced a Jive and boy were they terrific!!!  The lifts—the jumps—WOW!  It was soooo good.  Judges thought it was good too:  9-9-9 for a total of:  27 (tought they should have received 10s!) This brought them to 51 out of 60 for the night.

Comment:  SAMANTHA….will you puhleez go home to tend to your child?  Asking stupid questions like…Do you want to stick around???  They came back to Tom and he said, “I want to stick around!”

Actually…the first interesting thought that came outta her head this week, or any week, was that Viewers probably tune her out on her 30 second interviews.  Didn’t you love it when they came back to Tom and he said, “I’m sorry.  I turned you out!!!”

More Comments:  MICHAEL FLATLEY will be on in two weeks!!! Can’t wait. – Dancing With The Stars will be on tour starting in December.

If I had to choose who to send home this week it would be either:

Jane or Jennie…..

—————————————————————————————–

Dancing – Results Show 11/06/07

OK…let’s see if I can move thru this a little faster.  Marie is not on tonight because her dad passed away last night.  She and Jonathan are SAFE however so we will see them back next week.

Which couple will dance again tonight??? That would be Mel B. and Maksim dancing the Pasa Doble (oh joy!).

Here’s Leanne Rimes singing – “How Do I Live Without You?” Tony and Julianne danced along  =  very good.

Saved:  Cameron and Edyta  (good choice)

Kenny Maine/Jerry Rice/Len Berman do some schtick calling themselves: Dance Center…move on.

Another Leanne song from her new CD – Nothing Better To Do – Could the dress be any shorter????  The dancers were terrible on this song.

OK, here we go:

Mel and Maksim – saved

Helio and Julianne – saved

Jennie and Derek – saved

Jane and Tony – Bye Bye Bye (as the old NSync song goes…)

I’ll miss Tony and Jane was starting to get tired.

Comment:

Derek and Mark Ballas have another talent besides dancing.  They have a band called Almost Amy.  They were performing the other night and a lot of the dancers came to see them and he dedicated a song to his ‘girlfriend’…My Beautiful Sabrina who was either mesmerized watching him or up on the dance floor, dancing along to the songs.  Cameron said, “I think that it is so cool that they are dating.”  Now…will they last as long as Mario Lopez and Karina…?  Who knows.  Or, for that matter, will they last as long as some of these Bachelor’s hookups!!!

——————————————————————————————

That’s it for another week of Dancing….talk to you later.

Joanie

Weekend To Do – Rumors/News 11-02-07

Hi Everyone:

Here’s “What’s Happening” this weekend….

In Theaters (now WHY would I put this first???)

AMERICAN GANGSTER (8.8 outta 10 stars) – “I Smell Oscar”!

The Martian Child w/John Cusack

The Bee Movie (w/Jerry Seinfeld and many other stars)

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead (w/P.S. Hoffman, E. Hawke, A. Finney, M. Tomei) – Limited Release

Darfur Now (Don Cheadle)

Out On DVD this Week

Twin Peaks – The Definitive Gold Box Edition (The Complete Series)

Spider-Man 3 (2-Disc Special Edition)

License to Wed (Widescreen and Full-Screen) (Mandy Moore)

TV News

Bones on Fox – For those of us who ‘worshiped’ Freaks and Geeks years ago, the little boy who the show centered on (along with his family), has been signed on to Bones as a new, permanent member of the group. John Francis Daley plays Dr. Lance Sweets, a therapist, who tries to see if Bones and Booth should continue on as partners. He originally was signed to do a few shows but his character was so good that they decided to add him as a permanent fixture! Good for you Ben (I believe his name was Ben!).

Back To You – Signed for a full season

Pushing Daisies - Signed for a full season

Nip/Tuck is back on FX – Tuesdays at 10 (watch the timing though cause it tends to run over the hour mark). As well as Fridays and Sundays.

Fox has another drama up it’s sleeve and ready to go. Jeremy Renner will star in a drama called THE OAKS. The premise of this series is about 3 families – 1968 – a young couple living in THE OAKS lose a child; 1988 – a family of 4 and in 2008 – a couple who are pregnant. All living in the house named THE OAKS. The 2008 couple are haunted by a restless spirit. Renner will play Dan – the expectant dad. His wife is played by Bahar Soomekh.

MOVIE NEWS

Jonathan Rhys Meyers (can’t wait for August Rush to come out) has been signed to play the magician MANDRAKE (the King Features comic strip character). He will be directed by Chuck Russell. Mandrake is an extreme escape artist embroiled in international espionage. No date on when filming will start. Maybe after he tapes next season of The Tudors? (Jamie says…remember Billy Zane as The Phantom???? – ye of little faith, Jamie!)

OK, let’s go to NEWS

Mel Gibson showed up at the AMERICAN GANGSTER premiere this week. (hope you got to see Russell on Leno the other night…). Mel has been behind the scenes the past few years directing movies but has decided to step in front of the camera again. He will be starting a new film next year entitled, Under and Alone - a new police thriller.

Daniel Craig has signed a $60M deal for 4 James Bond films. He’s now filming Bond 22 (and will do 3 more). This could keep the franchise going for another ten years.

Peter Jackson (LOTR) has fired Ryan Gosling from his movie, The Lovely Bones and replaced him with Mark Wahlberg because he was too demanding. I’m sure Jackson will find Wahlberg easier to ‘mold’ into his role. It also stars Rachel Weisz. (after writing this item, I noticed that Ryan put out a statement saying that it was NOT because he was demanding but the fact that he is 26 and Wahlberg is 36 and the character is an older guy and it just wasn’t working). I’m sure there’s truth in both statements….

NEWS/STORIES/RUMORS

No Nic Cage story this week; however I DO have a Russell Crowe story.

Back in 1995, when Russell was doing a screen test with Denzel Washington to get a part in Virtuosity, they had a cyclone wire fence between them. Well Russell was really into the scene when some spit flew off his tongue onto Denzel’s lips. Russell was mortified but kept going and when the director called CUT, Denzel was heard to have said, “I love the taste of saliva in the morning!” Russell always remembered how cool Denzel was about it….

Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) and Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) have named their daughter, Olive.

Angie preggers???? – She was supposed to appear in Italy this week at a Conference near Rimini and canceled at the last minute. “Rumor” has it that she is expecting. This would be child #5 for Angie and Brad who have both said they want a large family.

Ashley Olsen (21) and Lance Armstrong (36) an item???? Puhleez!

Owen Wilson and Jessica Simpson - another Puhleez!!!!!

Lane Garrison (of Prison Break - he played the young kid who escaped with the rest of the guys in Season One) – has been jailed for 40 months in relation to the vehicular manslaughter charge from December of 2006 in which a 17 year old girl was killed.

Lindsey Lohan was at a bar(!) last weekend and seemed to be having a fun time sipping on water…then her friends started to get a buzz on and she asked the bartender for a vodka. He refused because…are you ready for this one….her ‘people’ warned him that she would be there and not to serve her. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE??? What the heck is she doing at a bar in the first place after spending most of the summer in rehab getting clean?????

New Trailer out on WANTED with Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McEvoy… looks very exciting.One last thought…I watched CHILDREN OF MEN and CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER last weekend, On Demand. Clive Owen is the only good part of Children… don’t know what all the buzz was about it being a ‘great’ pic. Flower had Chow Yun Fat in it and I love him. However, it was subtitles (which I’ve come to shy away from in recent years) and the story line fell apart in the end. The scenery and photography were breathtaking though and a couple of the fight scenes were phenomenal. Too bad the story didn’t hold up!!!

Another thought – we lost Robert Goulet this past week. What a wonderful voice he had. I remember my older son Jonathan walking thru the house singing the “French” (C’est Moi?) song from Camelot years ago (he studied French in high school!). Will we ever forget the story of Elvis shooting up his TV with Robert on the Ed Sullivan show….he was really jealous of the guy!!!

Robert in the Salute to the 1962 Broadway Season

Guess that’s it for this week – It’s been a great one with the RED SOX winning the World Series. Papelbon is tooooo funny. Now, on to the PATRIOTS…do I see another Super Bowl in their future???? You betcha.

Have a great weekend everyone….I’ll be in the FRONT ROW on Sunday watching ‘my’ Russell!!!!!

Joanie

(hope all is well with you Robin Thicke!!!)