BuzzSugar

Cows - and Roberto Orci - Promote Fringe in San Diego

BuzzSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:30:16 PDT

A herd of cattle grazing in a parking lot probably isn't the weirdest thing I saw during Comic-Con, but it's not too far off. The dozen or so cows had a purpose, though, serving as a clue along the way during a Fringe-related scavenger hunt in San Diego.

If you've seen the Fringe pilot - which several thousand more people now have seen following the San Diego screenings - you'll get the cow thing, which also came up at TCA; if not, stay tuned for Fall. But cute (though smelly) as they were, the cows weren't the best thing I found in the parking lot. Nope, that would be Roberto Orci, Fringe (and Star Trek) writer and executive producer, who chatted with me briefly about what Comic-Con has meant for Fringe. The entire show actually has its roots in the convention, so to hear about that, just

read more. Last year, when Orci, JJ Abrams, and Alex Kurtzman were at Comic-Con to launch Star Trek, they were also kicking around ideas for a new TV series they hoped to do together. "We actually ended up staying an extra night here because we were so close to figuring out the exact story for Fringe," Orci said. "We like to say that the show in a way was conceived here." The timing wasn't the only reason: The three also combed Comic-Con booths looking for old '50s sci fi comics ("We grabbed a handful of them and realized they all cost like $20 and were like, 'Whoa! Actually, we'll charge it to Warner Bros, it's fine.'"), pulling out images that they could use as inspiration. On their last day in San Diego, they hammered out the outline for the show, writing it down on hotel stationery. A year later, they were back to screen the completed pilot widely for the first time. They weren't worried about getting the Fringe name out there - the show already has a powerful advertising campaign from Fox, Orci said, along with a plum time slot after House. Instead, they were there for feedback from bloggers and other convention-goers who had seen the pilot and wanted to talk about it. "It used to be called focus groups," Orci said. Far from the types who claim not to read their own press, Orci and the Fringe team devour it. "You can always learn more," he said. For those who have now seen the pilot, a few teasers from Orci to keep you coming back: We might find out more about Peter (Joshua Jackson) and his childhood - things maybe even Peter doesn't know. We might meet the head of Massive Dynamic, the maybe-good, maybe-evil corporation at the center of the story. And, despite Abrams's promises that Fringe won't be as confusing as, say, Alias, every episode will drop a little clue of some sort for the next.

Tom and Suri Head Out Prior to Katie's Big Birthday Weekend

Katie Henry — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:43:10 PST

Tom and Suri Cruise left their Manhattan hotel today to run some afternoon errands. Suri seemed reluctant to cover up her colorful dress, but Tom brought along her red Dolce & Gabbana jacket just in case. The 6-year-old spent the last few days exploring the Big Apple with Katie, including a stop at FAO Schwarz, before Tom returned home yesterday. He racked up an impressive amount of frequent flier miles over the past few weeks traveling around the world promoting his latest blockbuster, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. Tom made it back to the East Coast in time for Monday's stateside premiere of the film and, more importantly, Katie's 33rd birthday! Katie turns 33 on Sunday, but we'll have to wait and see if, like last year, she celebrates by seeing a Broadway production.

7 Tips For Eloping Around the World

Emily Co — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:05:34 PST

If you want to save on your wedding budget, maybe cutting down on the guest list by eloping is a possibility you can explore. Further, if you pick a destination in another side of the world, you can combine both the joys of travel and the celebration of love all in one occasion! Lisa Tabb, the coauthor of Beyond Vegas: 25 Exotic Wedding and Elopement Destinations Around the World and who eloped 10 times with her coauthor husband, Sam Silverstein, while writing the book, is definitely an expert on this topic. Here are Lisa's seven quick tips for couples looking to elope around the world:

Check the marriage laws in the country that you want to get married. Some countries require that you are there for only a day, and others require that you be in the country for more than six months.
Go with the resort wedding packages, or wedding planners that do this for a living. Many countries like Bali and The British Virgin Islands do tons of elopements, and there are a plethora of experts to usher you through the process - it's worth the money. In fact, in countries like Kenya and Italy, it might be be virtually impossible for you to figure out how to get it done because it sometimes requires paying off government officials on the side to move things along.
Wear a simple dress that can travel and bend easily and doesn't need special care at all times.
Integrate local traditions when you can - it is part of the adventure. In Bali, we had a Hindu priest marry us, and we spent five hours getting outfitted in the local wedding garb. In Fiji, we dressed from head to toe in tapa cloth and drank Kava for good luck, and in Kenya, we had Chuka drummers encircle us as part of the ceremony.
See the bureaucracy of getting the marriage license as part of the adventure - not as a hassle.
Tell everyone along the way that you are getting married because there's always lots of perks like champagne and chocolates in your room or special tasty treats at dinner.
You can Skype the wedding if you want others to see it live or bring a friend and call it a destination wedding.

No TV or Video For Two Years? Tube Dangerous For Kids Under 2, Say Pediatricians

Yahoo Shine — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:33:38 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Yahoo! Shine:

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a stern warning to parents: TV is bad for kids under 2. And not just some TV shows, all moving screens with pictures.

That means "Yo Gabba Gabba", but also the football game playing in the living room or the Youtube clip buffering on your iPad.

A statement on the AAP website stops short of calling the glowing moving images on your iPhone that transfix your baby what it sometimes appears to be: kid-crack.

"The Academy is concerned about the impact of television programming intended for children younger than age two and how it could affect your child's development," says a statement on the AAP website. "Pediatricians strongly oppose targeted programming, especially when it's used to market toys, games, dolls, unhealthy food and other products to toddlers. Any positive effect of television on infants and toddlers is still open to question, but the benefits of parent-child interactions are proven." Keep reading for the rest of this story.

Tom Cruise Is Prepped and Ready For His Latest Shot at Acting

Katie Henry — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:29:26 PDT

Tom Cruise arrived on the One Shot set in Pittsburgh today carrying a script and wearing a fitted leather jacket. He's been busy filming stunts and hopping behind the wheel while his girls, Katie Holmes and Suri, explore the city's local coffee shops, museums, and milkshake establishments. Yesterday Katie and Suri visited Tom, who was all smiles upon their arrival. Tom's roles have taken the threesome around the globe for the last year. His next project, an untitled movie based on a graphic novel, pairs Tom with The Help's Jessica Chastain. Production for Tom and Jessica is schedule to start later this year, which means a busy rest of 2011 for Tom with Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol arriving in theaters Dec. 21.

Suri Brings Her Doll, Purse, and Katie Along to Pay Tom an On-Set Visit in Pittsburgh

Lindsay Miller — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:55:18 PDT

Suri Cruise held on to Katie Holmes's hand today as the pair visited Tom Cruise on the Pittsburgh set of his latest movie, One Shot. Suri toted her purse and a baby doll as she and Katie stopped by to see Tom, who seemed in good spirits during his workday. Tom has been driving around in both police cars and sports cars as he shoots the action movie, while the girls keep busy exploring Pittsburgh's museums and shops. Tom's dancing, rather than his driving, skills are currently making headlines. A video featuring Tom in a wedding dance-off is out, and in the clip, Tom busts out his best version of the Worm! The moment was captured on camera at a wedding in Palm Springs last weekend, before he, Katie, and Suri headed back to PA. The three will likely be back on the West Coast together in the coming months, however, as he promotes December's Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The latest installment in the franchise took Tom around the world last Fall and Winter, shooting primarily in Prague and Vancouver, and Katie and Suri often traveled with him as he reprised his role as Ethan Hunt.

Doctor Who Recap: The Wedding of River Song

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:53:42 PDT

We've been marching ominously toward the Doctor's fate at Lake Silencio in the second half of season six. The finale "The Wedding of River Song" does answer a lot of our questions, but in Doctor Who style, new threads and mysteries are added to the timey-wimey jumble.

The episode begins in an earth where everything is askew; time stopped ticking and remains set on April 22, 2011 at 5:02 p.m., the Doctor's death date. All of time and history are happening at once because the fixed point of the Doctor's death was rewritten. River Song, the impossible astronaut of the Utah lake refuses to kill the Doctor. The Doctor, with the aid of Amy, Rory (again as a soldier), and River herself must kill the Doctor to save the universe from the Silence.

Check out my most memorable moments from the finale.

How to Be Romantic If You Can't Get Away

Annie Scudder — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:24:26 PDT

Tight on time or money? You can still fit some romance into your Summer itinerary. It's amazing to look forward to a one-on-one trip out of town with your significant other, but there are plenty of travel-free ways to escape everyday life together and make meaningful memories. You can plan for a special meal in or out, or take advantage of the sentimental offerings of your own town or city. Here are more specific ideas to help you feel the excitement of escape without ever leaving home.

Plan a fancy dinner out. Without waiting for a special occasion like a birthday or an anniversary, make a reservation at one of the best restaurants you can afford at least a few weeks in advance. The intimate dining experience will give you something to look forward to, and you can count down the days just like you would for a vacation.

Play hooky together. It might be impossible to fly away to Hawaii or Paris, but you can still enjoy some time off from work together. Schedule a vacation day and spend it sleeping in and cuddling, lounging on the couch in your PJs, or picnicking in the park. Promise each other you won't do your laundry, clean the house, or worry about any errands that normally take up your free time.

Get nostalgic. To feel like young kids in love, grab a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone and enjoy it hand in hand, head to a bowling alley for some friendly competition, or pack a blanket and catch a drive-in movie. The old-fashioned fun will likely put you in a flirty mood.

Do something new in your town. Pretend you're a tourist in your own city, and do what a couple on a romantic vacation would do if they were visiting your hometown. If you're in San Francisco, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, or in New York promise to meet each other at the top of the Empire State building after work à la An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle. As a local you may sometimes scoff at tourists participating in clichéd activities, but playing romantic traveler for a day can fill your Summer quotient of unabashed love. And exploring a part of town you've never seen can give you the feeling you've traveled far away.

Cook a special dinner at home inspired by your last romantic vacation. Did you bond over a mutual love of paella on your last trip to Spain or fall for gumbo on a weekend away in New Orleans? Plan a night in with each other based on your last vacation or the destination you're dying to explore together with a menu to match. From a local cocktail to a traditional dessert, there are plenty of ways to experience a different place and culture together from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Source: Flickr User Tohr, l'Alkimista

Katie Holmes Hits the NYC Shops Then Heads Out With Suri

Lindsay Miller — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:31:52 PST

Katie Holmes wore her current favorite piece, a Max Mara camel coat, today in NYC as she left Barneys and headed back to her apartment with a bodyguard toting her new purchases in a shopping bag. She spent time at home then reunited with Suri to head out of town via helicopter. The actress has been exploring the city and seeing Broadway shows with Suri this week following their most recent trip to Vancouver, where the mom and daughter visited Tom Cruise on the set of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. The girls have enjoyed downtime in Manhattan, but Katie will likely be back to work soon to promote her miniseries The Kennedys. She's also rumored to be making a return to the stage in the upcoming Broadway show Extremities.

Katie and Suri Shop and Eat Their Way Around Vancouver While Tom Works

Allie Merriam — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:35:00 PST

Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise kicked off their Saturday getting pastries in Vancouver. The girls went home and changed outfits before heading back out to shop in the afternoon, and yesterday they swung by the bakery once more then visited Tom Cruise on the set of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Katie and Suri also stopped by to say hi while he filmed last week, with the married duo exchanging a sweet hug. Their stint in Canada has allowed Katie and Suri to explore many of the city's retail and dining options, though the gang frequently jets home to California. Katie and Tom even had a recent date at an LA production of Rock of Ages, which Tom is starring in the movie adaption of alongside Julianne Hough.