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Jennifer Weiner Brings Her Relatable Storytelling to ABC

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:32:33 -0700

In a smart and savvy move, ABC has struck a deal with bestselling author Jennifer Weiner to develop a television series, presumably focusing on what Weiner knows best - highly relatable women.

ABC already has many shows geared toward females like Grey's Anatomy, Samantha Who? and Desperate Housewives, and I give them kudos for thinking outside the box in their search for the next hit series. Handing over the reins to a known name like Weiner - an author who has built a career creating memorable (and often hysterically funny) characters - seems like a win for them, and for audiences (like me) who love to see a little bit of themselves in the female characters on TV. An ABC representative said of Weiner's fans: "They respond to her wry wit, embrace her smart characters and want to live in the worlds she creates."

Weiner's book In Her Shoes was adapted for the big screen in 2005 and her new book, Certain Girls (the sequel to Good in Bed) hit bookstores earlier this month. She's a hot commodity these days: in addition to her deal with ABC, two different studios are working on adapting her books Little Earthquakes and The Guy Not Taken.

Are you as happy as I am to see someone this talented get so much love? Will you check out a TV show if she's behind it?

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Movie Night: Good Cameron Diaz Movies

BuzzSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:32:34 -0700

Watching Shrek the Third this week I was reminded that I have, on occasion, been truly entertained by - and sometimes impressed with - Cameron Diaz. More often she annoys me, but for this week's Movie Night I'm highlighting three movies in which I think Diaz does a great job.

Being John Malkovich
Hands down, this is my favorite role I've seen Diaz play, perhaps because she doesn't rely on her wide goofy smile or generic beauty for it. In fact, she looks so totally not like Cameron Diaz, I always forget it's her. What's more, I get the impression from watching her that she forgets herself, which is extraordinarily refreshing. In this bizarrely entertaining film, Diaz plays Lotte, the dowdy, oddball wife to Craig (John Cusack), a puppeteer who discovers a portal to John Malkovich's brain.

Two more if you read more

Things You Can Tell Just By Looking at Her
Admittedly, Diaz's role in this film is fairly small, but I believe Diaz adds something sweet to the movie, which I love. The movie is like a compilation of short stories, told in a series of vignettes. In the one that features Diaz titled "Love Waits for Kathy," she plays a blind woman named Carol, who lives with her sister Kathy (Amy Brenneman). Carol ventures into the world of dating, forcing Kathy to confront her own sense of loneliness, particularly after a childhood friend commits suicide. The movie features several other amazing actresses, such as Holly Hunter and Glenn Close.

In Her Shoes
Diaz's character in this movie is often catty, thoughtless, immature and oh-so-easy to hate, which Diaz carries off perfectly. Based on the novel by Jennifer Weiner, the story follows two sisters: Maggie (Diaz) the childish party girl who can't hold down a job, and Rose (Toni Collette), the stable one with a quiet life. When Maggie manages to ruin Rose's relationship with her boyfriend, Rose declares it the last straw and throws her sister out. So Maggie tracks down a grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) she'd never met, and learns a thing or two about responsibility while living with her at an elderly community. The film has moments of cutesiness, but also a nice message about redemption and forgiveness. And as manipulative as it may be, the last part with the reading of an e.e. cummings poem makes me cry like a little baby.

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Buzz Interview With the Cast of Precious, Part 3: Gabourey Sidibe

BuzzSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Precious begins rolling out in theaters this Friday, and we'll finally see if it lives up to its Oscar hype. One performance that the Academy will definitely be talking about comes from newcomer Gabby Sidibe, who carries the film as the title character.

Playing an abused, pregnant teen is the sort of responsibility and heavy subject matter that could make even pros crack under pressure - so how is she coping with her big screen debut? I've already showed you my interviews with Paula Patton and director Lee Daniels, but for this third installment in my Precious series, check out my chat with the actress who already has Oprah and the rest of Hollywood buzzing.

On landing the role: "When I got hired, I was pretty sure it was just a joke. I wasn't an actress - I was a receptionist before this. I was like, there's no way they're interested in me. Since then, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop, but this joke has gone pretty far!"
On how she handled the first-time pressure: "I was sure I would look like a complete novice, like I didn't belong there, or that I didn't fit in, but once I got there and saw all the people involved - grips, electric, camera operators - I thought, okay, there are a lot of people whose paychecks are on my back, so I can't spaz out. So immediately all of my nervousness fell away from me, and I had a job to do."

To hear more from Gabby (including her thoughts on Mariah Carey and the Best Actress gossip), read more.

On the award buzz: "It's weird, because I have no idea what it is to be a part of an Oscar-winning film or any kind of accolade-winning film, because this is my first go-around. So I just take every day as a gift! I'm thankful that anyone sees the film and feels something - and if the awards come, they come, or if they don't, they don't. But what I've done so far, I'm absolutely proud of myself."
On working with Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz: "It was insane. They're all people that I absolutely idolize. The first time Lenny Kravitz came on set, I was standing very, very still, and I knew he was around, and I couldn't wait for him to come upstairs. Then he did, and it was like, well, there is Lenny Kravitz. There was nothing to be scared about, because he was very cool. And Mariah, I met her the night before we started shooting. She was like the last to be hired, so we had done most of the movie. I kind of felt like a veteran - Mariah is stepping on to my turf. [laughs]"

On her next project: "It's a Sundance Lab Film [Yelling to the Sky], and it stars Zoe Kravitz. I play a girl who is really loud and obnoxious, the queen of the school. It's really fun because it's so far from Precious - I like playing the bad girl! And the film has a first-time director, Victoria Mahoney, who's a lady. The DP is a female, the camera operator is female, so it's all females. It's empowering in a weird way. I've never been all super feminist, but it's really cool."
On her new career: "It's so weird to have a 'Hollywood career.' I just want to do things that make me happy. There are so many people that I look up to as far as actresses go, but I just want to go as far as I can."

Love her! I'll be keeping a close eye on Gabby when the film opens, especially once award nominations start flowing in. Will you be checking out Precious?

Photos courtesy of Lionsgate and Source

SYTYCD's Brandon and Ariana Talk About Being Cut First

BuzzSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:30:15 -0700

This week's ousted dancers from So You Think You Can Dance were the first to go since the top 20 were selected. Brandon Dumlao and Ariana Dubose got on the phone with a few reporters this morning, including me, to chat about how they feel after last night's elimination.

Brandon

On the timeline of replacing Billy Bell: I got the call on Friday at 11 in the morning and they told me that I was able to replace another dancer, and it was Billy, in this case. I got on a plane two hours later, it was an hour flight, I landed, got picked up, I went to the studio, found out Pauline was my partner in front of everyone, and then we went straight to rehearsal for Smooth Waltz with Jason Gilkisen. It was such a whirlwind; it was really crazy, but it was such an amazing experience.
On Russell being in the bottom with him: I was so surprised because Russell is of course a fan favorite, and I’m sure the judges love him too. When he was announced, I kind of knew in a way that I might have been going home, because he is amazing and this cast is amazing. Billy - his were such big shoes to fill that I felt it was unfair to take another guy’s spot. I was happy the way it turned out, because I didn’t think it was unfair for me to come in and take another guy’s spot.

To hear what else Brandon had to say and Ariana's thoughts on her dismissal, just read more.

On Nigel's offer of coming back for season seven: I did not expect him to say that. I really thought that that was my only chance to be in the top 20, and I wanted to make the most of it, so for him to propose that to me and let me come back for season 7, if that’s possible, that’s really crazy. Right after I got cut, I went and got into some ballroom classes and took some more hip hop. I’m ready and I’m going to keep taking classes if I can come back next season.
On whether he thinks he may have done better if he'd originally been in the top 20: I think I might have had a better chance just because the judges would have known I’d set the same standard as everyone else, because when I did the waltz they kept saying "you didn’t have enough time," "you didn’t have enough time," because they knew I’d replaced Billy. So I feel like I would have done a better job, and they would have seen I’d done a better job, and would have taken that into consideration with the results. But I’m really happy the way I did and I'm really happy the way everything turned out, because this cast is so amazing; I can’t pick who’s going to win - everyone is going to do so well.

Ariana

On her next plans and whether she'll pursue a career in L.A.: Actually, I’m more focused on New York. I want to dance on Broadway. I also sing and act, and I was singing and acting and dancing before I even auditioned for the show, so the show was just really another path for me. So I’m going to head to New York for a little bit and audition for shows and commercials and movies and just see what happens.
On rumors she could replace Noelle, who was injured this week: I have not heard from Noelle; I hope that she’s doing well. Noelle and I come from the same studio, so honestly I would probably feel a little funny about taking her place. I mean, who doesn’t want a second chance, but honestly I wouldn’t want to be eliminated again.
On her predictions for the season six winner: Honestly, it’s a crap shoot - forgive my language there. Everyone’s fantastic and I don’t think you can count anybody out; it’s going be a week-by-week thing.

Photos courtesy of Fox

Desperate Housewives Rundown, "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:30:30 -0700

This week's episode of Desperate Housewives is all about judgment (though it's also a little bit about monkey attacks, but more on that later). The Bolen family continues with their shady behavior, while Julie is having some trouble adjusting to life on Wisteria Lane after her attack. Meanwhile, Gaby is accused of being a bad mom and Bree has a showdown with a motel housekeeper.

Ready to talk about it? Just read more.

Gaby: Gaby gets the comic relief once again this week as she tries to prove her mothering skills to the other snippy ladies at school. In order to regain their trust, she lures their children to Juanita's birthday party by pulling out all the stops. Of course things go awry when the trained monkey starts attacking the clown while Gaby is busy having drinks with Susan. In the end Carlos comforts her, but I have to admit - Gaby isn't exactly the greatest mom in the world. That said, Carlos isn't exactly a model parent either - where was he during his daughter's birthday party?

Susan: Susan and Katherine's rivalry reaches new heights this week, when the ladies have a mini-showdown at their neighborhood watch meeting. Susan is paranoid about Katherine coming on to Mike, and it culminates when Susan accidentally shoots Katherine through a window. Susan wouldn't be Susan without her usual clumsy antics, but couldn't she just ignore Katherine? Katherine seems so desperate, but Susan is kinda sinking to her level. Not to mention that calling Katherine a "loon" isn't exactly the best method of telling your friend that she probably needs to see a professional.

Angie: Most of Angie's problems take place without her even knowing it this week, as Danny gives the family gun to Julie for protection. Danny also confronts Dominic about his affair with Julie, and Dominic responds in a typically creepy manner, telling Danny to go ahead and spill to Angie. Angie keeps her distance for most of the episode, but then she plays a big factor in keeping Katherine crazy, to keep Katherine from turning in the Bolen family gun. I know Angie is a tough cookie, but somehow I feel like she may be the moral member of her family.

Lynette: Lynette's "twins" situation (both of 'em) is put on hold this week as she tries to help out her friend Mrs. McCluskey. First of all, McCluskey talking about her sex life - eeew. Lynette agrees to hire McCluskey's boyfriend Roy as the Scavo family handyman, but Roy won't stop going over Lynette's head and turning to Tom for ultimate decision-making. When Roy basically tells Lynette that she's emasculating her husband, Lynette loses it and fires him. But how sweet is Tom explaining to Roy that he lets Lynette have control so that she can feel safe? By far my favorite moment of the episode.

Bree: I thought Bree's storyline was kinda lame this week. The maid at the motel starts judging Bree's cheating ways, so of course Bree does all she can to defend herself. In the end, the housekeeper is just trying to warn Bree that she was once in her shoes, and that everything went awry. (Lesson to all: cheat on your husband and you'll end up a maid?) The maid does get one awesome one-liner: "Cheating's not a sin when you do it in pearls?"

What'd you think of this week's episode? Are Katherine and her crazy antics starting to bug you? Are you more creeped out by Dominick than ever? Let's dish in the comments!

An Education: A Wonderful, World Weary Coming of Age Tale

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:30:00 -0700

There's very little time left for Carey Mulligan to be an unknown. She plays the central character in An Education, and it's a mesmerizing, star-making turn.

Nick Hornby is behind the screenplay, which follows 16-year-old schoolgirl Jenny as she navigates her strict school-minded parents and the affections of a man twice her age in '60s London. Though some might be turned off by the Lolita-esque premise, this isn't a movie about a May-December romance but the story of Jenny's discovery of the world and adulthood.

To see what I liked about the movie, just read more.

Peter Sarsgaard is the older man, whom he plays with the seductive blandness the role calls for. It's not Sarsgaard's character, David, who tempts Jenny; it's the idea of him. Before David shows up, Jenny has a path set forth by her parents and her English teacher: Oxford.

When David enters the picture by chance, Jenny suddenly has a choice: Oxford or the glamorous life David exposes her to that doesn't require a college degree. She declares her first date with David as the best night of her life. It's easy to see why: fabulous dinners and concerts in London with David's friends, played by Rosamund Pike and Dominic Cooper. Pike is really too worldly looking to be playing such a dim bulb, but she's luminous as a representation of Jenny's possible future.

Jenny soon learns that David’s seemingly easy life may not be what she truly wants, and she finds herself at a crossroads. The movie does an excellent job at making you live the conflict too - it's not obvious what life Jenny will choose, even though a traditional Hollywood movie would make it clear what the "right" thing to do is. Instead, you find yourself in Jenny's shoes thanks to the engrossing performance of Mulligan, whose angelic face and throaty voice shift easily from dedicated student to London sophisticate.

Mulligan's likability is matched only by her Oxford-pushing father, played by Alfred Molina. Some of the most entertaining scenes are those in which Molina is either brusquely insulting one of Jenny's suitors or being entranced by David himself. At first I wondered why Jenny's parents would let her go off so easily with David when I watched the trailer, but it plays out plainly: David is irresistible. Like a snake-oil salesman, that is. He feeds Jenny and her parents what they want to hear, and when things go awry, Jenny angrily confronts her father about how he could have been so seduced by David. This is one of the lessons Jenny learns from her affair with David; that despite education, maturity, and age, authority figures are fallible.

The other authority figures of this movie are compelling as well: Olivia Williams plays Jenny's encouraging teacher (whose radiance can't be hidden by a pair of horn-rimmed glasses) and Emma Thompson has a cameo as a rigid headmistress who seems to take pleasure in threatening Jenny about her future.

However, no one shines brighter than Mulligan. Her Jenny is a strong, bright young woman who never completely loses her way, despite the situation she gets caught up in. It's her performance in An Education you'll be talking about when you leave the theater - and maybe in a few months when awards season begins.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Glee-Ful Highlights and Video From This Week's Episode!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:30:00 -0700

This week's Glee is all about Kristin Chenoweth's guest performance. She is unbearably adorable (not to mention hilarious) as a former glee club star and Mr. Schu's high school crush. Seriously, can Glee just keep her? We also got some more relationship drama between Rachel and Finn, and one showstopping ensemble number.

As always, be sure to check out the Glee Club in the Buzz Community for even more gleeky fun. Ready for some highlights? Just read more.

Let's start with the obvious: Kristin Chenoweth! The Emmy winner covered all the bases this week, providing the perfect blend of comedy and powerhouse performances as April Rhodes. She is so impressive taking on country with the whole glee club, and I also loved her side-by-side sing-off with Rachel. However, the winner of the night goes to her duet with Mr. Schu to Heart's "Alone." So good, so classic. Check it out below.
Though Kristin stole the show this week, the New Directions' Rachel situation was also a big theme. The glee club can't survive without her, but Rachel will settle for nothing less than stardom. Finn eventually decides to use his powers of persuasion (aka shameless flirting) to get her back. Finn's pulled some douchey (though typically high school) moves on Rachel before, but this week he reaches new heights. The look on Rachel's face when she finds out that Quinn is pregnant is too sad.
Glee always has some great one-liners, and Puck has one of my favorites this week: "That Rachel chick makes me want to light myself on fire, but she can sing." Well said, Puck.
Back to Kristin Chenoweth, who also had some of the funniest moments. I love her opening scene at her "house," but the best is when she teaches Kurt to drink. Biggest laugh-out-loud moment of the night? A tipsy Kurt tells Emma, "Oh Bambi, I cried so hard when those hunters shot your mommy." He then proceeds to puke all over her shoes. Priceless.
Finally, the finale. The episode's final performance of "Somebody to Love" gives me goosebumps and is very much reminiscent of the pilot's "Don't Stop Believin.'" Plus, it's so sweet to see Rachel finally reunited with her gleeks and I love Mercedes's solo. I've admittedly watched this video more than a few times this morning already, and I'm not surprised that the single is climbing the iTunes charts. Check out the video for yourself!

What did you think about this week's episode, and which performances are your favorites?

Photos courtesy of Fox

First Look: Heather Locklear Back at Melrose Place!

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:30:19 -0700

Last week Heather Locklear confirmed her return to Melrose Place, and here are the first photos as she reprises her role as Amanda Woodward. It's been 10 years since she wreaked havoc on the famous apartment complex, but Locklear still looks fabulous and fierce in her little red dress. Katie Cassidy may step right into Amanda's shoes on the new Melrose Place, but I can't wait until the original bitch is back! Are you as excited as I am?

View 5 Photos ›

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:15:03 -0700

So how did this year's Emmy winner for Outstanding Drama Series follow up its win? With a shocking turn of events that made me stop and wonder if I was on the right channel.

Even the pun-y title, "Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency," was sort of un-Mad Men-like. But with an episode loaded with the visit from Sterling Cooper's British owners, Joan's last day, and Sally's aversion to her baby brother, there was a lot going on.

To see what I thought of this week's episode (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The bloody British invasion: Eeeeeeeeeew! In the grossest Mad Men scene ever, secretary Lois runs over visiting Guy's foot, splattering blood all over employees and the walls. (Did it really need to spray like that?! It was like an episode of Dexter.) I wanted to make like Peggy and pass out, though Sterling does get points for his "foot in the door" joke.
The Mad Men laugh factory: The second funniest joke of the episode is Joan's "One minute you're on top of the world, the next minute some secretary's running you over with a lawn mower." Don laughed! A full-on chortle! And early on, John dryly punks Kinsey by telling him he should shave his beard. "That was a joke," he tells an irate Kinsey. I needed the assurance myself - and for the whole episode. I was thrown off; this is usually a giggle-free hour of TV.
More Joan, please: I was happy to see so much screen time for Joan. Even though I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop with her husband, I like that he's humanized when he doesn't receive his residency. Likewise, that prompts more of Joan without her standard her steely office manager facade as she offers sympathy and comfort to her devastated husband. It's an obvious contrast to Don and Betty's relationship, where communication is not a strong point. Later, she tears up when Sterling Cooper celebrates her contribution, and then once again shows how much the office needs her when the accident strikes.
Don and Roger's barbershop date: Sure, Don tells Roger he looks like a fool earlier in the season, but unlike Burt Cooper I didn't really sense that they need to patch things up. I still love that Burt sends Don and Roger on a date in an effort to get them to be buds again.
What's in a name? Sally's inability to gain closure over Grandpa Gene's death is all wrapped up in her new brother. I gotta say, I was a little weirded out myself that Betty chose to name the baby after her father. There's a clear winner in parenting this week - Betty tries to solve Sally's problem with a Barbie doll "from" baby Gene, while Don tenderly shows Sally that the baby's life is a new start. I couldn't help but swoon.

What moments stood out to you in this week's episode? Were you as beside yourself as I was over the foot/lawnmower scene? And what did you make of Conrad Hilton's summoning Don to a meeting?

Photo courtesy of AMC