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Buzz In: Who Should Have His or Her Own Talk Show?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:30:33 -0800

With all the Jay Leno news and Jimmy Fallon buzz lately, it was interesting to read this story suggesting that Joel McHale of The Soup would be a good candidate for a late-night talk show of his own.

According to the story, McHale wouldn't want the job anyway (he'd rather do movies), but I think it's a great idea. From everything I've seen, he's definitely funny enough to hold down a weeknight slot.

That got me thinking about other people whom I'd love to see get their own talk shows. Amy Poehler has that whole NBC sitcom gig coming up, so that will probably keep her busy for a while, but I bet she'd be great behind a late-night desk. And while she's certainly divisive, Kathy Griffin is so funny when she's riffing off other people (say, Anderson Cooper) that I think she'd be a hilarious talk show interviewer.

What about you? Is there anyone you've always thought deserved a daytime or late-night talk show of his or her own?

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Rosie O'Donnell Says Bye-Bye to "The View"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 09:45:47 -0700

After a brief stint with plenty of controversy, Rosie O'Donnell announced today that she's leaving "The View," according to the Associated Press. The cause - or at least, the official cause - was that the host and ABC failed to come to a contractual agreement amenable to both of them. O'Donnell will leave the show in June.

As for the real reason, it's anyone's guess, since O'Donnell has been a lightning-rod of somewhat trivial scandals since joining the show. The AP reports:

Walters was frequently left to clean up the damage after O'Donnell. She did it most recently Monday, when O'Donnell was criticized for using bad language and attacking Rupert Murdoch from the dais of the annual New York Women in Communication awards luncheon.

To me, the Rosie controversy always seemed totally overblown; I mean, aren't talk show hosts supposed to get people talking? Plus, she was hardly any more ridiculous than Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and she gave "The View" a huge ratings boost.

I'll be most interested to see who the daytime talk show will get to host next. For a show with such ridiculously high personnel turnover, "The View" always seems to stumble when it comes to new hires. Who would you like to see fill Rosie's seat?

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TV Tonight: "Shut Up! It's Stacy London"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:09:53 -0700

As a dedicated fan of "What Not to Wear," I was thrilled to hear that Stacy London, the show's fashion diva, is getting her own talk show. But the even better news is that we don't have to wait till the fall to check it out. TLC is showing a "sneak peek" of the premiere episode of the show tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, right after a special behind-the-scenes episode of "What Not to Wear." Among the guests dropping by tonight: Jane Krakowski of "30 Rock," Lisa Rinna, and shoe designer Kristin Lee.

I'm excited to see how London's bubbly-yet-snarky personality translates to a talk show format, and I can never get enough Jane Krakowski, so I'll be tuning in for sure. Now, we just need to get the incredibly lovable Clinton Kelly a show, too - maybe a cameo on "Project Runway"? And hey, whatever happened to original "What Not to Wear" co-host Wayne Scot Lukas, anyway?

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Jimmy Fallon, Late-Night Host?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 13:00:56 -0800

Before he became incapable of making it through a skit without giggling, I liked Jimmy Fallon on "Saturday Night Live" and as Weekend Update host. However, I'm not sure how I feel about Fallon as an actual talk-show host, but now I have two years to ponder the possibility.

The New York Times is reporting that NBC is considering Jimmy Fallon to take over Conan O'Brien's spot on "Late Night," after O'Brien assumes Jay Leno's post on "The Tonight Show" in 2008. According to the Times story: "One move is expected to involve signing Jimmy Fallon, a former star of NBC’s 'Saturday Night Live,' to what is known as a holding deal. It would bring him back to the network and put him in position to be a prime contender for Mr. O’Brien’s job..."

What do you guys think: Would you like to see Fallon on "Late Night"? If not, who else would you like to see in the role? For my two cents, read more

While I understand NBC's thinking here, I just hope the network expands its search a bit beyond Fallon, who I personally think is overrated. With his over-reliance on that whole cute, giggly shtick, Fallon just doesn't seem to have the grace-under-pressure qualities required of late-night hosts. Why not look to Jon Stewart or Spike Fereston.

Or, dare I suggest that a major network actually consider a woman for a late-night hosting gig?

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Oprah's Getting in Bed With HBO

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:39 -0800

Well, kind of. The days of Oprah Winfrey's talk show may be numbered, but don't expect her to disappear anytime soon. Just a few days after her big announcement, the media mogul already has a project with HBO in the works - and she's kicking things up a notch. Her company Harpo films is working to develop a steamy hour-long pilot about a woman who abandons her family in LA to explore her sexual fantasies and desires.

Erin Cressida Wilson is on board to write, which seems fitting since she also penned the S&M-themed flick Secretary. Oprah will be one of the executive producers.

HBO has never shied away from racy shows (True Blood, anyone?) - but it still feels kinda strange to see Oprah's name attached to a project that's centered on overtly sexual storylines. Then again, it's not like Winfrey will be the one starring in it, and I'm always game for something new from HBO.

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

In case you haven't heard, a little movie called New Moon came out this week. I showed you where you can find them next, and I gave you my review of the movie, quizzed you on the book, as well as an exclusive interview with Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene.
Robert Pattinson continues to make non-Twilight waves at the movies: the trailer for his drama Remember Me debuted, and news that Uma Thurman has been cast as his love interest in Bel Ami surfaced.
This week was a trailer treasure trove: there was Nicholas Sparks adaptation and Miley Cyrus vehicle The Last Song, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jeff Bridge's surefire Oscar bait Crazy Heart, and Edward Norton taking on a dual role in Leaves of Grass.
At least you'll save on tissues: Oprah announced that her talk show will go off the air in 2011.
I interviewed some of the funniest men in prime time: Eric Stonestreet gave me the scoop on Modern Family, while Joel McHale and Ken Jeong bantered about Community.
The reality TV winners were crowned! Irina ruled Project Runway, and Nicole is America's Next Top Model.
The holidays are here! I gave you a sneak peek of holiday episodes as well as more gift guide suggestions.
The BuzzSugar Community is the place to be to chat about everything pop culture, and as an extra incentive, you could see your community posts on the Buzz home page, like polkadot38's awesome Stefan Vs. Damon poll.

Photos courtesy of Summit Entertainment

Link Time! New Moon Breaks Midnight Sales Records

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:38 -0800

New Moon tops Harry Potter and The Dark Knight for its midnight showing ticket sales - PopSugar
Is Taylor Kitsch taking an early departure from Friday Night Lights? - Ausiello Files
Top 10 star-crossed lovers in film - Rotten Tomatoes
30 Rock's Judah Friedlander talks about his hat collection and his plans to save NBC - TV.com
Steven Spielberg and Stephen King team up to frighten the bejesus out of us with Under the Dome - MTV Movies Blog
Vampire Weekend debut their new video for "Cousins" - Stereogum
Jason Segel sings about how he wants to give you his phone number - and bed you - TresSugar
Imogen Heap writes songs for Zach Braff - Spinner

The Vampire Diaries "The Turning Point": The Good, The Bad and The Bloody

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:15:00 -0800

I was already bummed knowing this was the last week of new episodes of The Vampire Diaries until January; and now, having seen it, I'm freaking out a little bit. I knew there was going to be an epic cliffhanger, I just didn't know how epic!

With new vampires, violence and passion come "The Turning Point" - a title that would apply to many things that happened this week. So as usual, let's break down the good, the bad, and the bloody of this week (plenty of spoilers ahead!) when you read more.

The Good

Stefan and Elena finally gave up on their "are we or aren't we" dance and got together. I mean, together together. Vampire boots were knocked, but there wasn't a happy ending. More on that later.
Logan's vampiric turn made for gruesome excitement, especially now that Damon is trying to be on his best behavior. It also brought forth new mysteries; why did Sheriff Forbes bury Logan and write emails on his behalf instead of saying it was an animal attack? And who did turn him? My money was on Alaric, but now I'm not so sure. I also enjoyed his interactions with Damon, despite their constant shooting of wood bullets at each other.
OK, fine: I do like Caroline and Matt together now. Their coupling is just kind of sweet, and the fact that they bonded over So You Think You Can Dance?! I felt like it was my birthday.
I'm a fan of cool guy teacher Alaric, even if he is probably a vampire. I like to think he's more exciting than that - could he be a good vampire like Stefan? Interestingly, I don't think that Stefan or Damon has actually interfaced with Alaric yet, which is telling to me. If I had to guess, I'd say they knew each other. And what of him also being a "daywalker," when Stefan and Damon are so secretive about their rings?
I need to know more about the Gilbert family legacy, especially since Jeremy discovered an ancestor who wrote fiction about monsters. I like that the show made me care about more side characters I hadn't previously, like Jenna, Jeremy, and even Tyler. About Tyler. . . I don't want to speak too soon, but I think there's something very interesting happening with him.

The Bad

Isn't it a little too early to be saying "I love you," Elena? She even wants to see and make out with his scary vampire face when he gets turned on. Weeeird.

The Bloody

Newborn Logan is literally out for blood, but that pile of hoarded bodies that Logan was keeping made me sick to my stomach.
Anyone else feeling sorry for Caroline? Girlfriend's always getting bloodied up. Someone give her a self-defense lesson.
So basically unless you're Stefan or Damon, if you're a vampire you will only last one episode before being staked. Logan gets staked by Alaric by the end of the hour, which is unfortunate for Damon, because Logan had just promised him there was another way to break the spell holding Katherine and the other vampires under Fell's Church. Guess we'll just have to wait to meet little Miss Vixen.
It might have been time for Stefan to hide the Katherine photo, or at least have come clean about their resemblance. Lord knows finding a photo of my doppelganger at my undead boyfriend's house would freak me out too. That's what happens for Elena, who leaves Stefan's in a devastated rush. When someone stands in front of her car, she has a gnarly crash, which is terrifying in itself. It gets much more horrifying when the "person" she hit uncracks their limbs to stand up and come toward her. Yeesh! (BTW, did that scene remind anyone of Tara in the first season finale of True Blood?)

I don't know how I'm going to deal with the show's hiatus for two long months, let alone waiting that long to find out what was coming for Elena. Or, who Alaric is; did he kill Logan to protect Jenna, eliminate a problem-causing newborn, or something more insidious? To talk more about the show (especially in the next few weeks without new episodes) join the Hooked on Vampire Diaries group in the Buzz Community!

Photos courtesy of The CW

The Blind Side: An Unexpected Delight

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:30:42 -0800

It's not that the trailer for The Blind Side isn't compelling; the problem is that it combines Sandra Bullock's twangiest, most-over-the top lines with a heartrending song, which makes it seem schlocky. That's exactly what I expected from the movie, but I have to admit that I was wrong - to my surprise, I found it to be a sentimental gem that's actually quite restrained.

The Blind Side is the true story (based on Michael Lewis's book) of NFL player Michael Oher, who grew up in Memphis's projects with his drug-addicted mother and landed in and out of foster homes. He ended up in a fancy private school and in the home of a wealthy family, the Touhys, led by tough-talking Leigh Anne (Bullock). The weaving of Michael's newfound life in the movie is effective, with sweet bits of humor and just enough emotion.

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

The movie is full of many surprises: first, it looks like it's going to be mainly about football, but it's not all sports. There is proper attention given to Michael's life before he's taken in and the development of the relationships between the Touhy family members and Michael.

Another nice thing is how smoothly Bullock slides into her role. It's not just her wardrobe and hair that transforms her into the high-maintenance Southern matriarch; her manner as the tough mom who's not completely comfortable showing emotion is very natural - not what I'd expect from the laid-back actress.

Quinton Aaron is also impressive as a sad-eyed orphan turned well-adjusted student and son over the course of the movie. It's not an incredibly complex performance, but his teddy bear presence is irresistible. The supporting players are equally as enjoyable: Tim McGraw, whom I didn't expect much from, is charming, while the Touhy children win you over with their affection for their new brother. The late addition of Kathy Bates (whose role is basically an extended cameo) is hardly needed to bolster the movie, but she adds a nice touch as well.

At two hours and six minutes, the movie is a little too long; director John Lee Hancock seemed intent on fitting in nearly every detail of Michael's journey. Then again, at the end you're rewarded with the payoff: footage and photos of the real-life Touhys and Michael. It's an emotionally satisfying ending to a movie that makes no apologies for being so uplifting.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Oprah Will Say Goodbye to Her Talk Show in 2011

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:22:18 -0800

If getting a chance to sit in on Oprah is something you've always wanted to do, you'd better start looking into tickets - the queen of daytime talk shows is closing up shop. Winfrey will announce on her show tomorrow that her last episode will air on Sept. 9, 2011. Harpo president Tim Bennett released a statement saying,

"Tomorrow, Oprah will announce live on The Oprah Winfrey Show that she has decided to end what is arguably one of the most popular, influential and enduring programs in television history. The sun will set on the Oprah show as its 25th season draws to a close on September 9, 2011."

Oprah's show has been on the air for as long as I can remember, and while I'm more of a sporadic watcher, it's hard to imagine the television industry without her favorite things and high-profile interviews with A-listers and beyond. What do you make of this news - will you miss Oprah or is it time for her to go?