BuzzSugar

Link Time! 7/3

BuzzSugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:45:49 PDT

Cinematical points us to two places where we can find new images from the next Harry Potter movie.
In an effort to make me sob uncontrollably, TV Squad revisits the final six deaths on Six Feet Under.
TV with MeeVee wonders if America's Got Talent hit rock bottom with Busty Heart the other night.
The Underwire has a video tribute to Kermit Love, who designed the costumes for Big Bird and the Snuggle teddy bear, among others.
Popwatch is literally confused about whether or not Beverly Hills Chihuahua is a real movie, and I can't say I blame 'em.
Give Me My Remote found that The Secret Life of the American Teenager really, really wasn't for her.
In honor of the Fourth of July, Tuned In tries to think of TV shows set in various states. Wyoming, anyone?
I absolutely adore BellaSugar's Bella Donna this week: Mae West.

Link Time! 7/1

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:31:04 PDT

Popwatch writer Annie Barrett has a hilarious note that her mother passed to her father on a plane, explaining how to adjust the volume on an iPod, which prompted Annie to ask: What's the most basic technological instruction you've had to explain to the tragically unhip?
Best Week Ever is holding a quirk-off between Daniel Day-Lewis and Jeremy Irons.
LilSugar wants to know if you can handle any more Real Housewives.
Inspired by Amanda Seyfried's character's dilemma in Mamma Mia, FilmExperience wonders which of her three possible daddies would be your daddy: Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth or Stellan Skarsgård?
TV Squad names some of the best Six Feet Under corpses, including the one that makes me scared to ever put my head through the roof of a limo.
Cinematical ponders whether or not Robin has any place in Christopher Nolan's Batman movies.
Lucky TV with MeeVee has seen three hours of Generation Kill, and it sounds like everything I'd hope it would be.
One brave contributor to The TV Addict lays out some reasons for hating Lost.

Buzz In: Which Series Have You Hated to See End?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:30:00 PST

HBO's The Wire - many a critic's pick for the best show ever on television - will end its series on Sunday after five gut-wrenching and unabashedly bleak seasons. I sped through all the early seasons on DVD so I could be caught up in time for the finale, but now that it's here, I'm looking at Sunday with equal amounts of excitement and dread. While the show's only been part of my life for a short while, I have a hard time with the fact that it will just end.

I remember feeling the same thing when another great HBO series, Six Feet Under, ended its run in 2005; I believe its ending was utterly perfect, but even thinking about it can make me cry. There's just a special, can't-miss quality to a series finale: The BBC version of The Office needed a couple of specials to wrap up its story, and the 1983 series finale of M*A*S*H is still the most-watched US TV program of all-time.

So tell me, Buzz readers: Which favorite series have you hated to see go? Which could have wrapped up better than they did? Which got the endings they deserved?

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What's Buzzworthy? Your Holiday Wish List

BuzzSugar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:00:00 PST

For the past couple of weeks, I've been giving you some holiday shopping tips for the various people on your list. But I haven't heard much about what you're lusting after this holiday season.

So I've decided to make this week's Buzzworthy challenge all about your holiday wish lists. What entertainment-related goods do you want someone to wrap up for you?

To start you off, I've pulled a couple of items straight from my own wish list: the Six Feet Under and My So-Called Life, the two-DVD set of the Witch Mountain movies, and a new pair of fancy headphones. (Are you reading, mom? Just kidding!)

So, it's your turn: Just use BuzzSugar's cool bookmarking tool to find your wishlist-worthy entertainment items from around the Web, tag them with the phrase holiday wish list, and write a little blurb about why they've caught your eye. I'll feature a few picks here next week - maybe it will help us come up with even more gift ideas for the pop culture junkies in our lives!

Twin Peeps

GiggleSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 02:00:00 PDT

"Six Feet Under" actor Michael C. Hall and Matt Damon. (Thanks, Brian!)

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What's Buzzworthy: Addictive TV Shows

BuzzSugar — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 11:02:03 PDT

Wow, this was by far the most exciting Buzzworthy challenge ever! Asking about your favorite addictive TV shows yielded unprecedented results, and I can see you all feel as strongly as I do about your shows - you know, the ones you tell everyone about because they "just hafta see it as soon as possible!" Some of you bookmarked ones I've mentioned before for being the most gripping, cliffhanger-y shows in my collection, like "24" and "Alias." But there are many, many more TV shows bookmarked by you excited Buzz readers, so here are a few I've highlighted, and be sure to check out the widget after the jump to see all the bookmarked shows!

"Six Feet Under"
From the first amazing episode of "Six Feet Under" I was completely hooked. It looks like I'm not alone: Linda McP and firedancyr7 both bookmarked this one as a highly addictive series. Linda McP calls this "A masterpiece for sure. Oh how I miss the Fisher family and their dysfunction!"

"My So-Called Life"
gruaig_rua and yiddidea bookmarked this beloved series, and I must say it's probably about time I got another fix of Angela Chase. yiddidea writes, "Not many shows that only lasted one season have the following this show does. I loved it and was heartbroken when it was cancelled. I was definitely addicted and can't wait for the new DVD to be released!"

Lots more addictive TV if you

"Lost"
One of the best shows ever for a long rainy weekend, every episode of "Lost" seems to end with that screechy violin music and a major cliffhanger. Many of you bookmarked Season 1, including yoWassup15, and smorzalli. Phil claims "Without a doubt the best first season of television that's ever been put out by a drama," while WhiplashGirlchild writes "This is probably the most addictive TV show EVER. The first season especially had me biting my nails, counting the minutes till Wednesday night. Although I think the show will never be as good as it was that first year, I still can't wait for February."

Mainly Obsessed, however, recommends this latest season, Season 3, saying, "Yet another 3rd season DVD of a hit show. Lost was intense this season. I would totally recommend pre-ordering it."

"The Office"
Somehow Steve Carell and the rest of the gang make painfully awkward situations hilariously addictive. Clearly there are some "Office" fans out there, seeing as this show was suggested by smorzalli, firedancyr7, CupcakeGal10 and Whiplashgirlchild. CupcakeGal says, "It makes you laugh while putting your own work life in perspective...all while making you fall in love with endearingly nutty characters."

"The Wire"
About her suggestion, Fab_Kitty writes, "Each season of the Wire has included a focus on a new subject (the shipyards, the public school system, etc.) and I'm especially excited about its fifth and final season which apparently will involve a closer look at mass media."

"Veronica Mars"
Sensing a trend here, many of the most addictive shows do tend to have an element of mystery to them that keep you feverishly watching. "Veronica Mars" is all about mysteries which makes it a most compelling - and satisfying - series. Of her pick, KerryG says, "My cousin and I watched the first season together on her days and evenings off and had a grand time speculating together about who killed Lilly Kane. (Neither of us got it right, which just goes to show what lousy private eyes we'd be.)"

All the addictive TV shows bookmarked:

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"Six Feet" Creator Brings Vampires, Paquin to HBO

Molly — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:23:53 PDT

Great news for "Six Feet Under", vampire and Anna Paquin fans alike - "SFU" creator Alan Ball is coming back to HBO and bringing a little bit of all those things with him. Ball is signed on to create a new series, "True Blood" about modern day vampires who live among humans in Louisiana and survive on a Japanese-manufactured synthetic blood. The show will be a mix of horror and humor, which is exactly the kind of awesome combination that only flies on pay cable. The pilot has already been shot and stars as mentioned Anna Paquin alongside smaller names like The Starter Wife's Stephen Moyer.

I absolutely adored "Six Feet Under" and can't wait to see Ball's trademark dark humor back on HBO. I also love seeing recently Emmy-nominated and Oscar-winning Anna just about anywhere. I had just about given myself over to Showtime exclusively in terms of my favorite cable dramas, but "True Blood" may draw me back to HBO.

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Where is the Fisher Family Now?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:28:38 PDT

With today's news that Freddy Rodriguez is joining the cast of "Ugly Betty," nearly every actor who played a main character on "Six Feet Under" is now back on TV somewhere. Here's a look at where the Fisher and Diaz folks have ended up:

Peter Krause (Nate Fisher) will star in ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" this fall as Nick George, an attorney who takes over his father's role as counselor to the absurdly wealthy Darling family.
Michael C. Hall (David Fisher) has reinvented himself as a blood spatter analyst-turned-serial killer in Showtime's "Dexter," for which he already received a Golden Globe nomination.
Lauren Ambrose (Claire Fisher) has been cast as Parker Posey's sister in "The Return of Jezebel James," a Fox comedy from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino that is currently scheduled to air as a midseason replacement.

Lots more - including Rico's new role - so

Freddy Rodriguez (Rico Diaz) is newly cast in "Ugly Betty" as Gio, an ambitious blue-collar sandwich maker who just might complicate the burgeoning love between Betty and Henry.
Rachel Griffiths (Brenda Chenowith) now plays Sarah on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" - and is a big part of the reason I hope the women of that show will pull in some Emmy nominations.
Jeremy Sisto (Billy Chenowith) had a short-lived stint on NBC's "Kidnapped" last fall, but this year he'll be back as the new detective on "Law & Order."
Lili Taylor (Lisa Kimmel Fisher) starts a starring turn this Sunday as a mixed-up therapist on Lifetime's "State of Mind."

As for the others, Frances Conroy (Ruth Fisher), Mathew St. Patrick (Keith Charles) and Justina Machado (Vanessa) are currently filming movies, while James Cromwell (George) starred this past season as Jack's dad on "24."

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Top 5 TV Moments That Always Make Me Cry

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:29:34 PDT

I've said before that I'm a bit of a sap, and it's never more evident than when I break into tears while watching TV. There are a bunch of moments that always make me lose it - no matter how predictable or silly they are, no matter how many times I've seen them - and so, just in case you're feeling mopey today, I'm counting down a few of the scenes most consistently guaranteed to leave me drowning in a pile of soggy tissues.

No. 5: The final moments of "A Wedding Story"
There was a period in my life when I worked nights and had days free, and so my morning routine went a little like this: Wake up late, make lunch, turn on TLC, cry. The whole "A [Something] Story" block of programming could make me weepy - yes, even "A Makeover Story," in my weaker moments - but "A Wedding Story" was by far the worst. No matter what squabbles the couples had on their way to the ceremony, no matter how many disasters with the caterers or the parents, the couples always made it down the aisle just fine, looking beautiful and ready to say "I do."

No. 4: The crowning of the "American Idol"
It's one of the most predictable events in television, at this point. Most of the time, it's not even surprising to learn which of the final two "Idol" contestants is going home with the crown, and we've already heard the cheesy coronation song at least twice. But there's still something about an overwhelmed teen or 20-something getting showered with confetti and balloons, singing in front of an audience of millions and somehow holding it together despite the overwhelming emotions, that gives me chills - regardless of whether I even like the winner.

Three more, including my No. 1 scene guaranteed to bring the tears, so

No. 3: The big reveal on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
My gym used to show ABC's programming block on Sunday nights, and I'd go early to make sure I snagged a treadmill in time for "Desperate Housewives." But I had to stop, because getting there early meant catching the part of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" where the family in need gets their first view of their new house. I don't even like the show, but as soon as the kids of the family began screaming at the sight of their new racecar- or dolphin-themed bedrooms, I became mayor of Waterworks City - while simultaneously stumbling through a jog.

No. 2: The end of the "Grey's Anatomy" pilot
I was hooked on "Grey's" the moment the very first episode revealed that Meredith's narration had actually been a speech to her mother, who is so ravaged by Alzheimer's Disease that she no longer knows who Meredith is. There's this one perfect shot when Ellis looks up at Meredith blankly and asks "Are you a doctor?" that just makes me feel like I've been socked in the stomach - no matter how many times I watch it, even now that I know it's coming.

No. 1: The final moments of "Six Feet Under"
I always say that the ending of "Six Feet Under" is my favorite series finale ever, but to be honest, I didn't really even see it until the day after it aired - simply because I was too busy sobbing the first time through to see much more than a blur of shapes and colors. I don't want to say too much about it so as not to spoil it for anyone who might still be catching up on DVD, but it's the perfect mixture of satisfying moments and heartbreaking revelations. Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I dug up the YouTube video, but I seriously advise against watching it in public.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Grey's Anatomy" photos copyright 2007 ABC, Inc.
"Six Feet Under" photo Source
"A Wedding Story" photo Source
"American Idol" photo courtesy of Fox

Interview: Peter Krause of Civic Duty and "Six Feet Under"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 23:15:34 PDT

From Casey McCall on "Sports Night" to Nate Fisher on "Six Feet Under," Peter Krause tends to play the everyman. In his new film, Civic Duty, Krause turns that everyman identity on its head as Terry Allen, who starts out as an Average Joe in a media-saturated world and eventually turns into a paranoid vigilante after becoming convinced that his young Muslim neighbor is a terrorist. The film - which is both a tense thriller and a political statement about prejudice and paranoia - opens in limited release today.

I recently sat down with Krause to talk about the film - which he also produced - and its message, life outside of Hollywood, and why he almost said no to his new TV pilot. In person, Krause is fiercely intelligent, quietly thoughtful, and refreshingly unafraid to express his political opinions. Here's how our conversation went:

I didn't realize you lived in the Bay Area. What's it like being away from the LA crush?

I should have done it long ago. I really love what I do. I love being on a sound stage. I even love the city of Los Angeles. But in terms of a home, I'm much more comfortable in a rural setting. I know I'm sitting here in a suit right now, but I'm usually wearing a pair of bib overalls and a hat to keep the sun off my face.

So, about Civic Duty. Almost six years past 9/11, do you think there are still people like Terry? Or do you think we've turned off the media more and become desensitized?

I think that it's exhausting, obviously, to stay in a heightened state of panic. I'm not sure that it's anything except a function of nature, that it's the way we are as animals that we can only remain that vigilant for so long before we start to go crazy or batty. I think we also have a built-in mechanism - nobody wants to live in that world. Nobody wants to live in paranoia, they really don't. I do think that there are fewer people out there who are this afraid. I don't know if it's becoming desensitized or if it's just because of a lack of terrorist activity that that sense of paranoia is diminished.

Lots more about Civic Duty, his acting roles and his upcoming projects, so

I read that when you became involved in the project you changed Terry a little bit.

I did, along with [director] Jeff Renfroe and the blessing of the writer, Andrew Joiner. He understood what I was trying to do by bringing Terry to the middle and making him a member of the silent majority rather than being conservative. We weren't going to alienate anyone by having conservative people feel like they were being made fun of or let liberal people off the hook, let them lean back and say, "Oh, this crazy conservative." Because the truth is, we were all very paranoid for good reason after September 11.

What drew you to the project?

I didn't feel at the time - we made this almost two years ago - that there had been enough response from the artistic community about what was happening now in our world. Also, there was no real response from the artistic community about what was happening to the mental landscape of your average American. It was an incredibly frightening time immediately following September 11. The media kept reflecting our fears, saying there could be thousands of these terrorist cells, there could be thousands of these terrorists here in the country. I think that our worst fears were being reflected back to us - orange alerts and red alerts. The flames of fear were definitely being fanned by the media, by the government, and we became a paranoid nation.

You play really interesting, complex characters. When parts come your way, are there things you look for?

I don't like to be bored, so that's part of it. When I read something and I'm not into the story, or the character's not - there's not something there that I'm like "What? What's going on here?" - then I don't tend to gravitate toward it. There was a miniseries I just did for the Sci Fi Channel called "The Lost Room," which was really a refreshing change for me. I got to play a classic hero who knew right from wrong and was very uncomplicated. His daughter gets lost in another dimension, and he's got to get her back. It was that simple, and I understood when I did that how I could get sucked into playing those sorts of roles, because it's psychologically very easy. It's healthy. It feels good to know right from wrong and to get the job done. It's so unlike life.

I haven't said that before, but it's very true. It's true about the movies. The movies that do really well are the movies that are so unlike life, where characters know right from wrong and they get the job done. That definitely is a part of life - we want our heroic ideals, and we want to strive for them. But real life is a lot more messy and complicated. Civic Duty is in the spirit of that attitude. It's not a simple look at the world, and it's definitely an extreme look at the possible output of paranoia and the possible output of a government that hasn't taken very good care of its people.

Is Civic Duty the first truly political thing that you've done?

Mm-hmm

Were you nervous about doing that at all?

I guess at the time I was, and now I feel less nervous about it. The film is really a jumping-off place for conversation, for talk, for communication. There are things that I think the majority don't know. I don't think the majority know that they don't get to vote on foreign policy, that they get to vote on elected officials who then get to represent them to other countries without much of their say. If we want to be a different country we have to step forward and be a different country.

I wanted to ask about your new TV pilot ["Dirty Sexy Money," which is being developed for ABC]. I thought it was funny, as a "Six Feet Under" fan, that you were once again playing a guy who took over his dad's business.

Yeah, that was one reason I almost didn't do it. But Craig Wright, who wrote it, was a writer on "Six Feet Under," and he had a long talk with me about what "Dirty Sexy Money" is and what "Six Feet Under" was and what similarities they share and how they're different. If it goes, it will be a very different show. It will have a lot more comedy than "Six Feet Under," but it will also examine some of the more wobbly things in the world - greed, division between rich and poor, that sort of thing. But a laugh a minute!

First, third and fourth image Source
Second image courtesy of Freestyle Releasing