BuzzSugar

TV Tonight: SpongeBob SquarePants Documentary

BuzzSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:30:48 -0700

I can't believe it's been 10 whole years since SpongeBob SquarePants came bounding enthusiastically into our living rooms, but it's true! To mark the occasion, tonight VH1 will air Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants, an original SpongeBob SquarePants TV documentary. Then, from July 17-19, Nickelodeon will air a 50-hour "event," hosted by Patchy the Pirate, which "will include an unprecedented 11 SpongeBob premieres and a top-10 countdown of celebrities' favorite SpongeBob episodes."

Here are a few more details on tonight's documentary, produced by Wordplay's Creadon O'Malley:

Commissioned by Nickelodeon to commemorate the anniversary of the series' first episode, the documentary chronicles the beloved character's journey to international pop culture icon status and showcases the series' impact on everyone from President Barack Obama, kids across the globe and San Quentin inmates who readily sing its catchy theme song. The one-hour documentary, features an opening song from Avril Lavigne and commentary from creator Steve Hillenburg, cast and crew members, industry experts, fanatics and celebrities like LeBron James, Ricky Gervais and Rosario Dawson.

Aww. I can't wait to tune in for this. Technically SpongeBob SquarePants is a kids' show, but it's so clever and witty, I actually watch it fairly regularly with my friends because it often makes me laugh way more than certain adult comedies do. I used to think Squidward was my favorite character but I also have a major soft spot for the evil schemer, Plankton.

Are you a SpongeBob fan? Do you have a favorite character or episode?

Buzz In: Who Should Get Their Own Behind the Music?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 06:30:56 -0700

There once was a time, long before Real Housewives reruns on Bravo, where you could count on VH1's Behind the Music series to be on the air at just the moment you're too lazy to do laundry or pay bills. Those were the good old days (between 1997 and 2006, to be specific) when you could learn all kinds of things about people like Leif Garrett, Billy Idol, and Red Hot Chili Peppers from the cable channel's rock documentary series.

Well now, the network is bringing the series back, and its first subject will be - yes! - Lil Wayne. Great first pick. This revamp is apparently going to "focus more on contemporary artists than the veteran talent of previous incarnations." Which brings me to my question: Who do you want to see get their very own Behind the Music? I think a Jonas Brothers one would be kind of hilarious (I just imagine the little one saying something like, "I struggled my whole life until I found the music!") and I think Kings of Leon would make a good subject as well.

Now it's your turn! Who would be your picks?

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Scream Queens Spotlights Women in Horror

BuzzSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:30:00 -0700

Starting tonight, VH1 is searching for the next queen of horror film. In Scream Queens, 10 unknown actresses will put their shrieking, crying, and butt-kicking skills to the test for the chance to win a feature role in the upcoming Saw VI. (Yes, there's going to be a Saw VI.)

The trailer for the show looks kind of hilariously awesome, in that White Rapper Show-esque, self-aware kind of way. But it's also gotten me thinking about women in horror generally and whether this show is a good or a bad thing.

On the one hand, well, the title says a lot: The show's looking for someone who can scream all damsel-in-distress-style, presumably while being attacked by some menacing thing. So often in horror movies, female sexuality and violence go hand-in-hand. You certainly would never see a competition looking for male screamers, right? But on the other hand, the trailer seems to be playing up the ass-kicking aspect of being a horror star, and show judge (and original Saw gal) Shawnee Smith has said there's a lot more to being a "scream queen" than just playing the victim.

In this Halloween month, it's as good a time as any to get talking about women in horror - so I invite you to post your thoughts on that below. You can check out the Scream Queens trailer if you read more.

Photo courtesy of VH1

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:30:31 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: 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 are today's selections:

The provocateur: Finally the album that made headlines long before it was ever released is here, and getting fairly good reviews. The album seems intense, and while I'm already bouncing my head to some of the melodies and rhymes ("Queens Get the Money" and "Make the World Go Round" featuring Chris Brown), other tracks are so thick with messages and insinuations it will take more than a quick listen to suss it out ("Sly Fox," for example, is an all-out attack on Fox News).

A new songbird: Every once in a while I flip on VH1 while I get ready in the morning because that's one of the few times I'm able to find actual music videos on the television. On one such morning, I caught this young Aussie singer (and former star of the TV show Neighbours), Delta Goodrem, and she sounded alright. Kinda reminded me of a slightly more upbeat Sarah McLaughlin. Check out the tracks "In This Life" and "Brave Face" from her self-titled album now available in the U.S. and let me know what you think.

One more pick to go (hint: it's a soundtrack) so read more!

Teen angst: This soundtrack might be to today's youngsters what Empire Records soundtrack was to me back in the day. It's a cute, timely mix of songs from a great little movie, and includes tracks from a range of artists including MGMT, Cat Stevens, and The Ting Tings. And while I may not be a teenager, I'm definitely loving this mix. The folks behind this movie have excellent taste in tunes.

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TV Tonight: I Love the New Millennium

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:30:10 -0700

Apparently, VH1 is so smitten with the pop culture touchstones and trainwrecks of the past eight years, the network couldn't wait to talk about them. Tonight, VH1 debuts I Love the New Millennium, the latest in its series of I Love the [Insert Decade Here] specials - despite the fact that this decade is still far from over.

The odd timing is no problem for VH1's team of comedians and culture mavens, who will be turning their lovingly sarcastic eye on everything from the "Thong Song" to Big Mouth Billy Bass. I Love the New Millennium will showcase two years from the decade each night from tonight through Thursday, going all the way back - as the network put it - to "a time when Brad Pitt was happily married to Jennifer Aniston." VH1 has called on its typical I Love the . . . team, including comedians Michael Ian Black and Lonny Ross, to do the job, with an assist from a couple of dozen folks who have benefited (or suffered) from the whims of the new millennium firsthand: Shaggy, Kat Von D, even Jenna Von Oy!

It strikes me as a little soon for VH1 to be so reflective; I think some of the most absurd and memorable pop culture moments only get better with time, as we saw with I Love the '80s. Still, it's really never too soon for me to listen to VH1 personalities snark about trucker hats. Are there any particular culture milestones you hope make an appearance in this week's specials? And will you be watching? To check out a clip of a rant about Fear Factor, just read more.

<a href="www.vh1.com" target="_blank">Fear Factor Stupidity</a>

Fear Factor Stupidity

Photo courtesy of VH1

VH1 Looking for a Few Good Screamers

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:36:57 -0700

Think your scream could top the wailing of the legendary Fay Wray? VH1 just might be looking for you. The network has teamed up with Lionsgate for Scream Queens, a new reality series searching for the next great horror film actress.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the series - set to premiere in the Fall - will gather 10 unknown actresses to compete for a "major" role in a Lionsgate horror film, for a director to be named later. (Should I be concerned that even the Reporter put "major" in those possibly ironic quotation marks?) The contestants will compete in various challenges and be schooled by acting coach John Homa, with one winner presumably going on to scream loudly on the big screen.

The series doesn't sound entirely unlike Sam Raimi's 13 for the CW, though so far as I know, the winner of 13 won't get to continue living out the horror-movie fantasy in a film. On the one hand, I'm intrigued to see how VH1 puts this show together; on the other hand, I'm not sure if watching 10 wannabe actresses screech loudly sounds like my cup of tea. What's your take?

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Buzz In: Which Former Teen Idols Would You Put on VH1?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:30:55 -0700

It's a weird world where Scott Baio can become a programming tycoon, but I guess that's what two successful "celebreality" shows can do these days. Following the success of Scott Baio is 45 . . . And Single and Scott Baio is 46 . . . And Pregnant, Baio is launching a reality show that aims to do for others what VH1 did for him.

Here's the idea: Eight teen idols from the '80s and '90s, all guys, will live in a house together and reflect on the best and worst parts of their short-lived fame. With help from life coaches and experts in the entertainment industry, they'll come to a decision by the end of the show: either pursue fame again, or promise to stay far away from Hollywood for good.

So now, here's the key question: Which eight male former heartthrobs would you want to see in the house? Frankly, after The Two Coreys, I would veto both Haim and Feldman. But an appearance by Kirk Cameron could be great, if only because I'd love to see what he's saying these days. Fred Savage might be doing too well to qualify, but what about Corin "Corky" Nemec of Parker Lewis Can't Lose?

OK, your turn! Which teen idols would you put in that house?

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Miss Rap Supreme: Delicious Reality Show, Online Now

BuzzSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:32:22 -0700

One of my surprise favorite TV shows of last year was VH1's The White Rapper Show. In the sea of reality competitions, it was great to see a show be so utterly self-aware, with touches like the Ice Ice Chamber (where contestants on the verge of elimination would go to write their raps) and "Mayo" (video mail). I have to respect a show that was so committed to its own over-the-top kitsch factor.

Naturally, I was thrilled to see VH1 would be back with another round - but this time, instead of promoting white rappers, they're looking to get some female MCs into the mix. Miss Rap Supreme, which sounds like a delicious snack food, will premiere Monday at 10 p.m., with 10 rappers of the female persuasion (including Khia, whom you might recall from that "My Neck, My Back" song) getting schooled by MC Serch and Yo-Yo.

VH1 has put the show's premiere online early, and within 30 seconds of the first part - an old-school beauty pageant setup featuring Serch in a powder-blue tuxedo - I was sold all over again. Anyone else willing to admit to watching this one? To check out the trailer, just read more.

Photo courtesy of VH1

American Ugly Pilot Heads for VH1 - with Jane Pratt

BuzzSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:31:18 -0800

A while back, I bemoaned the potential existence of a VH1 reality show following "ugly ducklings" in the glam worlds of fashion and modeling. Now, it sounds like the show is a go - and it's going to be even more like Ugly Betty than the initial description made it sound.

The show, now called American Ugly, will reportedly follow unfashionable women trying to run a fashion magazine. Their advisers: stylist Phillip Block and Sassy and Jane founder Jane Pratt - who, apparently, came to the show only after a couple of other editors turned it down.

Update: Pratt is only appearing in the pilot as a favor, but if the show gets picked up, another editor will take over going forward.

Granted, I haven't seen the show, but my gut reaction is that it's going to be demeaning, and it bugs me that Pratt's signed on - even if it's just for the pilot. Isn't this the woman who started a magazine empire around the idea that women should love who they are? Maybe it will turn out to be an empowering, uplifting thing - Betty is the hero of Ugly Betty, after all - but this is the network that brought us I Love New York, so I have my doubts.

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What Are the Top 10 Songs of the '90s?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:37:35 -0700

Scrolling down the list of top 100 songs of the 1990s - according to VH1, where they're asking us to vote on our favorite 10 songs - was pretty funny. I was forced to recall exactly what life was like when I was a young'un with my Fiona Apple, En Vogue, Jane's Addiction, Nirvana and Garbage CDs on repeat in my very first CD player. Picking just 10 was tough, and I'm not convinced the songs I chose were really reflective of the decade's best.

Also, as Popwatch points out, the 100 songs we have to choose from don't really include every single stand-out tune from that bygone era. I especially agree with their suggestion of The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony," and I would add to their missing songs "Wicked Games" by Chris Isaak and "Constant Craving" by k.d. lang, among others. What are your top 10 songs from the '90s? You can vote for your top 10 from VH1's preselected 100 here.