BuzzSugar

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:30:51 -0700

Something I never thought I'd write: David Archuleta and Bob Dylan's dueling Christmas albums! - Vulture
The dreamy Adam Brody takes a pop culture personality quiz. - PopWatch
Rebecca Hall has been cast as the lead in Richard Linklater's latest flick, Liars A-E. - Coming Soon
Here's some help deciphering Diablo Cody's brand of slang. - Cinematical
Eclipse director David Slade wants his Twilight installment to be gorier and more guy-friendly. - MTV Movies Blog
Check out the first 18 minutes of Flash Forward - TV.com
The return of VH1 Divas prompts a dissection of the term "diva." - TrèsSugar
Not a joke title: TLC's upcoming reality show is called "My Monkey Baby." - Best Week Ever
Rich Sommer dishes on how he gets that Harry Crane hair for Mad Men. - Pop Candy
Good news! The Real Housewives of New York City are all definitely coming back for a third season. - TV Squad

Buzz News Roundup, 11/19

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:35:31 -0800

Legendary superhero creator Stan Lee has won the National Medal of Arts. - Washington Post
Thanks to ongoing legal wrangling, Project Runway most likely will be off the air till Spring - or beyond. - New York Times
Taylor Swift has topped this week's album sales chart, followed by David Archuleta. - Billboard
The release date for The Soloist has shifted again, this time from March 13 to April 24. - Variety
Beauty and the Geek could move to MTV. - The Hollywood Reporter
The 15 finalists for documentary film Oscar nominations have been selected. - LA Times
Patricia Heaton will star in a comedy pilot called The Middle for ABC. - Zap2it
Young adult literature is all the rage for film adaptation lately: The comedic novel Vibes about a 17-year-old cheerleader who suddenly gets the ability to read minds, and the "vampyre" series House of Night will both be made into movies. - Variety
Does nobody want the Daytime Emmy Awards? - The Hollywood Reporter
Warner Bros. will produce the movie Control-Alt-Delete, which "is described as Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure meets The Matrix." - ComingSoon

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What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:30:46 -0800

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here's what's on my list this week:

Free sneak peek: This list is usually all about music, but I got a heads up today about some never-before-seen clips from the upcoming Twilight movie. There's been many a trailer out already, but there's some extended stuff in here that we haven't seen before, so enjoy! You can download the free clips here to savor until the movie hits theaters Nov. 21, and don't forget you can also grab the soundtrack now.

My kind of X-mas: This year when you're gathered around the fire sipping eggnog and mom reaches for the same old Christmas album, perhaps you can intercept her choice and convince her to give this album a try. This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday, Vol. 1 is a laid-back holiday album with songs from some great artists including "Christmas" by Rogue Wave, a Mason Jennings cover of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," and "Someday at Christmas" by Jack Johnson.

Two talented teens up next, so read more.

Sweet sensation: You know what? I like Taylor Swift. She could be in danger of being overlooked as just another Jonas Cyrus Miley Lovato Brother, but she's actually something all her own, and her new album showcases her talent for songwriting. "White Horse" was featured on Grey's Anatomy and is a pop-country heartbreaker that I've personally downloaded. I'm also really enjoying a song called "The Best Day."

An idol gets his album: Hmm. How do we feel about young Archuleta's album cover? I feel like he could have used some under-eye makeup and perhaps a smile. But that's neither here nor there - how's the music? I've only taken a cursory listen through his new album, but it's pretty good. "Touch My Hand" is one of his better up-tempo tracks, "You Can" is a little ballad that showcases his pretty voice, and his single "Crush" is cute, of course. Enjoy!

Link Time! 11/11

BuzzSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:38:15 -0800

Beyonce to play Wonder Woman? For reals? - Popwatch
Absurd rumors I hope are true: Could Pushing Daisies end after 13 episodes this year but still return for a third season? - Defamer
Check out the seven best Bond theme songs. - Cinematical
Teen star faceoff: Taylor Swift vs. David Archuleta. - Vulture
Booted Stylista contestant Cologne has her own fashion line. - FabSugar
Sometimes movies really do make people want to smoke. - Premiere
Breaking down the "Tao of Michael Cera." - The TV Addict
Do you waste a lot of time channel surfing? - geeksugar
For our neighbors to the North who get rejected by Hulu: A list of sites where Canadians can watch US TV shows online legally. - TV Squad

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:30:44 -0700

Idol voice: Despite that goofy-looking picture and the fact that this isn't necessarily my favorite type of music, David Archuleta's first post-Idol single, "Crush" isn't half bad. I could imagine a me in another universe wistfully looking out over the ocean on a beach, thinking of that special someone with this tune blazing in my earphones.

Futuristic R&B: If David A. is a bit too saccharine for your taste, check out this super-weird, super-awesome album from Janelle Monae. You may know this artist from OutKast's movie soundtrack for Idlewild. Take a listen to the fun and funky track "Many Moons." I'm also enjoying her surreal cover of the standard "Smile."

One more selection that stood out to me this week, so read more.

Folk singer grows up: I've always been a fan of Dar Williams's pretty, lyric-driven songs, so I anxiously await her new album (her first original material in over three years) Promised Land, which is due for release in September. Today I'm excited to report a little EP of hers, a kind of preview of what's to come, is available on iTunes. Check out "It's Alright," a track that might feel right at home on a Cameron Crowe movie soundtrack. It's lovely!

What Kind of Album Should Archuleta Make?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:31:50 -0700

It will come as a surprise to no one that this year's American Idol runner-up, David Archuleta, has officially inked a record deal.

After I thought, "Well, good for him," I had a head-scratch moment. See, I can't for the life of me figure out what kind of album he could make.

Based on the types of songs he tended toward on the show, the logical fit would be adult contemporary. But does anyone really want to hear that from a 17-year-old? Then again, remember how awkward things got when he tried to do something more up-tempo?

So what what do you think? What kind of album is the best bet for David A.?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Whose Post-American Idol Album Are You Most Interested to Hear?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:15:25 -0700

As I watched all of those sparkling song and dance numbers during the American Idol finale, I couldn't help but remember the good old days when Michael Johns had a shot at winning and Carly Smithson was surely destined for the top three. It was good to see them again!

The producers of the show proclaimed all year long that this was the most talented group on Idol ever. I don't know how much I agree with that, but while watching the finale I realized there were more contestants this year whose albums I would be interested in hearing - and perhaps even spend money on. Despite Brooke White's implosion on the show (starting and stopping her song, etc.) I think she has the potential to make the kind of music I might dig. Does anyone think Chikezie could make an interesting contemporary album? And what about Kristy Lee Cook? Do you see a country album in her future?

Of the this year's top ten, whose album are you most excited to hear?

Photos courtesy of Fox

American Idol: David Cook Takes the Crown

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:45:36 -0700

Depending on your perspective, the American Idol finale is either the best two hours ever or the most excruciating two hours of your year. Either way, it never fails to be a kind of crazy, psychedelic blend between a televised award ceremony and a giant Ford commercial that brings the season's contestants back to the stage for one last time (until the tour that is).

America smashed all Idol records with 97.5 million votes, 56 percent of them for David Cook. Simon admitted that he called it wrong, that upon viewing the show at home he realized the night before was not a blowout. Which is what many of us were feeling. I'd still call the result an upset. There was a lot to cover so let's get down to it. To see my thoughts on the night, read more.

The opening act was cool and the kids sounded great but it was really hard to tell the So You Think You Can Dance dancers apart from the Idols. At one point I thought, "Hey, look at that. Brooke White doing the splits. Oh wait, no."
Jason Castro once again sounded gorgeous singing "Hallelujah." It's one of, say, two songs he should ever sing. And that doesn't include anything from Cats.
You know who should avoid choreographed dancing at all costs? Amanda Overmyer. And we heard about Donna Summer's new single. Um, yay?
I'm sorry, did I see Ryan Seacrest attempting to break dance? Surely I was a bit delirious and the So You Think You Can Dance kids were just blending in again, right?!
Sigh. Michael Johns' duet with Carly Smithson (who looked and sounded great) and then more Michael Johns when the six guys sang. . . Keep the Michael Johns coming!
An American Idol theme park: "You too can live the dream." Just. . . wow.

David Cook rocking out with ZZ Top was really cool. It's hard not to look smoking hot with those bearded legends playing backup for you.
Pairing Brooke White with Graham Nash to sing "Teach Your Children" was really smart and probably a dream come true for her. But why not Carly Simon? She has a new-ish album out and those two on stage together would have blown my mind.
Grrr. . . why do they bring the crazies back every year? I hate it! This is what you take up my time with waiting for the results?! Renaldo Lapuz, one my Caption It people? However, I admit the whole spectacle was worth it to see Paula get on up there with the crazies to dance. And Renaldo kept singing even when the music stopped. Yeah, it's time for a commercial break.
I did not like Jordan's song nor did I like her outfit. What the heck was she wearing? I felt bad for her that she had to follow that One Republic/Archuleta goosebump-fest but still, yikes.
Robert Downey Jr. as a back up dancer to Gladys Knight was so freaking cute, I thought I might faint. Oh yeah, Ben Stiller and Jack Black were there, too.
Did Carrie Underwood borrow her outfit from Renaldo? Regardless, she took on that stage like the pro she has become and brought down the house.

It all ended with a big tribute to George Michael and then the man himself showed up to sing "Praying for Time" (the song Carrie Underwood sang on Idol Gives Back). And of course Paula shed some tears and rambled something about dreams and hope. David Cook was crowned. Both guys should feel proud, but I'm so happy with the results! You?

Photos courtesy of Fox

Do You Agree With the American Idol Results?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:45:23 -0700

So David Cook is our new American Idol! Do you think it was the right call?

Photo courtesy of Fox

Who Will Be the Next American Idol?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:40:41 -0700

We're down to the two Davids after weeks of competition and, just like last year, I actually think we have two good, different options on our hands with these finalists. Will it be the squeaky clean kid with the pretty voice, or the rock-and-roll bartender with a knack for turning any song into his own?

Photo courtesy of Fox