Another Superbowl has come and gone (Congrats to the Steelers, some of the calls notwithstanding), and — while I personallly preferred the FedEx cavemen and Hummer monsters — some new movie ads were scattered throughout the game, including new looks at V for Vendetta, MI:III, Poseidon, and Pirates of the Caribbean. (And, also in movie news, the increasingly over-stuffed Spiderman 3 picks up another marquee name with James Cromwell as Capt. Stacy, Gwen’s father.)
Category: Television
iMouse and the WUPNB.
Entertainment mergers abound of late, with Disney re-acquiring Pixar (a deal which plants Steve Jobs on the throne of the Magic Kingdom), and UPN and the WB combining to form one network, CW.
A Doctor in the House.
Program the Tardis and the TiVos: The Doctor Who revival will finally come to American shores this March, when the Sci-Fi Channel begins airing Season One. (Via Triptych Cryptic.) I guess this means I’ll have to give up the Sci-Fi boycott, but, then again, I guess I gave it up in principle when I bought the first season of the new Battlestar Galactica last weekend.
Bullock Bullish.
August commencement to George Hearst’s time in town: Before Season 3 is even aired (it’ll return in June, with The Sopranos), Deadwood looks to get a fourth time ’round. Huzzah.
Red Letterman Day.
“I’m not smart enough to debate you point to point on this, but I have the feeling, I have the feeling about 60 percent of what you say is crap.” Along the lines of (2006 Oscars host) Jon Stewart on Crossfire in 2004, a driven-to-anger David Letterman goes after guest Bill O’Reilly on Cindy Sheehan, the war in Iraq, and his “fair and balanced” drivel. “I agree to you, with you that we have to support the troops. They are there, they are the best and the brightest of this country…however, that does not eliminate the legitimate speculation and concern and questioning of ‘Why the Hell are we there to begin with?’” (Via Dumbmonkey.)
Mr. Burns & Mr. Brent.
“He caught our tone exactly, and then added his own Ricky Gervais/David Brent patheticness.” By way of Plasticbag, The Office and Extras mastermind Ricky Gervais has written and will star in a forthcoming Simpsons episode, and Matt Groening wants more. “[Gervais] moves into The Simpson household with Marge as the family take part in an episode of Wife Swap, while Homer moves in with his wife.”
All about the Hamiltons.
Wonder upon wonders, SNL actually had a decently funny sketch the other night (at least if you’re both fanboy and Beastie-inclined): Lazy Sunday (a.k.a. The Chronic!-les of Narnia)…cause Mr. Pibb & Red Vines = crazy delicious. Update: It’s a phenomenon.
McGarry Stands Down.
R.I.P. John Spencer 1946-2005, a quality character actor best known as Leo McGarry of The West Wing.
Showtime for Tobias?
Good news for AD fans: According to Variety, both ABC and Showtime are in talks to take over Arrested Development should FOX cancel it, “with Showtime said to be in particularly hot pursuit of the ratings-challenged laffer.“
Ya Gotta Have Faith.
“I think right now we’re trying in these next five episodes that we’re filming — it’s blatant that we’re begging people to view the show. Like Ron Howard will say something like, ‘Please tell your friends to watch this show.’ We’re just desperate at this point.” Here Comes Trouble points the way to an extensive interview with Michael Cera, a.k.a. Arrested Development‘s George Michael, on the show and its unfortunately probable early cancellation.