Spaced Remake Snubs Creators
Posted by Shannon Bennett Categories: Comedy, Editorial,
For fans of the original series - some of us still finding it hard to accept that there will never be a third season - the announcement that an American remake of Spaced was on the way probably didn’t raise cheers of joy.
In fact, it’s always been assumed that Granada (as it will be called) would be Americanized and Hollywoodized beyond recognition from the original genius upon which it’s based, which makes this latest piece of news all the more infuriating.
Wonderland and Warner Brothers, more specifically McG, have apparently cut Simon Pegg, Jessica (Stevenson) Hynes, and show’s director Edgar Wright out of any participation with the show, crossing lines from avoidance to clear expression that their creative input is undesired. A foolish gesture considering Pegg and Wright’s phenomenal American success with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and morally just all sorts of wrong.
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The Oscars Backup Plan
Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Award Shows, Prime Time, Specials, ABC, Gossip, Rumors,
The Academy has consistently promised that, writers strike or no, the annual Oscars ceremony will in fact take place. Statements have been released. Comments have been made. And until recently, the Academy seemed to be sticking to its guns. But…just in case, they’re working on a contingency plan.
Scheduled for Feb. 24, the Oscars show we expect may not at all be the one we see. For now, the Academy is working on two different shows. The usual awards spectacle is still in the works, but now a second show is being planned that will include “history and packages of film and concepts” that aren’t “normally ones that we would have.” Gee, sounds great. But no matter what, they say, the show will go on. It must! How else will Hollywood honor itself?
The Academy has made contact with the Writers Guild in hopes of inking some sort of deal.
MSNBC
Jon Stewart Repeats as ‘Oscar’ Host
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, Comedy, Late Night, Prime Time, ABC, Cable, Daily Show, The,
After cranking out a bloated and boring Oscars ceremony last February (Sorry, Ellen!)—the producers have gone back to square one. The Daily Show‘s Jon Stewart, who helmed an extremely witty telecast two years ago, has been asked to host The 80th Annual Academy Awards. This will be Stewart’s second time at bat.
Anyone who read our coverage of his stint knows how giddy I was about Jon Stewart’s performance. All this time has passed, yet I can still remember him telling the audience ‘Good Night and Good Luck’ was how George Clooney ended most of his dates. (Okay—I actually read that in the previous post…but I swear it was etched in my brain).
It’s obviously too soon to say which movies will be nominated at this point—but I’m already imagining the movies Stewart could parody in his opener. Maybe he could be deserted with Captain Jack Sparrow? Or he could party with the boys of Superbad? Better yet—maybe he could do a musical number from Hairspray?
The ballots will be read Sunday, Feb. 24th on ABC.
Read More | People
A Thumbless Ebert & Roeper?
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Syndication,
For nearly 30 years, Roger Ebert has been sealing his movie reviews with a signature Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down. Unfortunately, potentially-heated contract negotiations between Ebert and his distribution company have forced (temporary?) changes to the Ebert & Roeper program. Now both sides are pointing fingers at those allegedly responsible for pulling the digits.
Viewers of the most recent episode may have noticed a slight change in the program. No thumbs! Richard Roeper and his guest co-host made their opinions on such movies as The Nanny Diaries and Resurrecting the Champ as clear as possible without a ‘pointed’ summary. (For the record—they disliked
bothfilms).
Disney-ABC Domestic Television claims the renowned critic put the copyrighted move on hold during negotiations (Ebert and the estate of the late Gene Siskel hold the rights to the critiquing method). But through a statement posted on his website, Roger denies making that request. In addition, he says that Disney (as of 8/24) had not gotten back to him after what he feels was an ‘offensively low’ offer.
As most you already know, health problems have kept Roger Ebert from fronting an episode of the show for over a year. But he has been contributing in other ways and still posts through his own site. I just pray that the distribution company isn’t trying to take advantage of his current status during their contract talks. But then again—they wouldn’t do something like that, would they??
Read More | RogerEbert.com
The 2007 Academy Awards: Live Commentary
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Award Shows, Specials, ABC, Editorial, Features,
Welcome to our live coverage of the 79th Annual Academy Awards! During our live-blog of the 2006 Oscars, I made what may now be considered an eerie prediction about Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe:
“For some reason, I keep getting this nagging feeling that their relationship will dissolve sometime soon, but that discussion is for another post.”
I’d like to say that I’m psychic (if so, that Oscars pool at work is all mine)...but I’m going to have to chalk it up to nagging intuition. What is that little voice inside me saying this year? While some races may have been locked up months ago (I’m talking to you, Helen Mirren), there will be a shocker this year. I can’t pinpoint the category, but I think it will be come riding in on a big yellow bus…
To find out who will be going hog-wild tonight during the Year of the Pig, stay tuned here for the live results!
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Read More | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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