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Jon Hamm Is a High Roller

BuzzSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:30:24 -0700

It's always a good morning when you wake up to Jon Hamm news! The dreamy Mad Men star is set to leave Madison Avenue for a bit to join the cast of Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch. He'll join Vanessa Hudgens, Jena Malone, and Abbie Cornish in a story that centers around a girl (played by Emily Browning) in a mental institution. Trapped there by her stepfather, she has five days to escape and avoid a lobotomy.

Details on Hamm's character are still under wraps, and all we know at this point is that he'll be named "High Roller." I have to admit I wasn't particularly interested in this project before, but I'll follow Jon Hamm pretty much anywhere. What about you - are you excited to see Jon shed Don Draper's suit again?

Buzz News Roundup, 4/22

BuzzSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:30:05 -0700

Vanessa Hudgens will reportedly star in Beastly, a Manhattan-set, modern-day take on Beauty and the Beast, based on Alex Flinn's young-adult novel. - ComingSoon
Christopher Gorham will return as Henry in the finale of Ugly Betty. - Entertainment Weekly
Simon Cowell claims he'd leave American Idol if it stopped being the No. 1 show. - The Hollywood Reporter
The 3-D "motion picture event," Disney's A Christmas Carol will screen at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 18. - ComingSoon
NBC is pulling Kings from the schedule starting this week; it's set to resume June 13. - Zap2it
A "major character from the first two seasons" will show up in the Desperate Housewives finale. - TV.com
Comedian Demetri Martin will star alongside Brad Pitt in the film adaptation of Moneyball. - Variety
ABC has announced the cast of The Superstars, which pairs athletes and celebrities for a competition. - The Futon Critic

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Vanessa Hudgens Rumored to Join Cast of New Moon: Discuss!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:30:00 -0800

Vanessa Hudgens, of squeaky clean High School Musical fame, is rumored to be up for the role of Leah Clearwater in the Twilight sequel New Moon. For those of you who haven't read the books, Leah is Native American (Quileute to be exact) and also the only female werewolf (hence my image!). If Hudgens lands the role she will join Taylor Lautner in filling out the werewolf pack.

Not that this doesn't happen all the time in Hollywood (see also: Jake Gyllenhaal as a Persian prince), but I wonder if fans of the books would prefer a Native-American actress to play the part (though Hudgens is partially of Native-American descent).

What do you think of this casting rumor? Is Hudgens right for this role?

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What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:30:09 -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's today's selections:

Guitar hero: I sort of forgot, what with all the press around the other stuff he does (i.e. girls), that John Mayer makes music. Today, though, his live performance at the Nokia Theater in LA is available for download, and most of his fan favorites are there, including "Waiting on the World to Change." He also does a mellowed-out cover of "Free Fallin'."

Change of tune: I've been a passing fan of the Chicago band Alkaline Trio over the years, but upon listening to their new album, Agony & Irony, their music sounded a bit different. I even thought, "This could totally be on an episode of The Hills." And sure enough, a quick search revealed that yes, this band has appeared on the show. So take from that what you will. Also, check out the track "Help Me," which is pretty decent.

One more guilty pleasure, so read more.

Squeaky clean: I'm not so sure about the rest of Disney star Vanessa Hudgens's second album, Identified, but I'm a wee bit addicted to the single "Sneakernight." It doesn't make a lot of sense, and it's totally hilarious lyric-wise, but I I've heard it on the promos for So You Think You Can Dance and . . . yeah, I kind of like it.

Buzz In: Who Are the Meanest Teens to Ever Hit the Screen?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:39:19 -0700

Lately there's been a glut of wholesome, good-natured teens (see Jonas Brothers, High School Musical, and Vanessa Hudgens's snuggly ode to sneakers). But this week's release of the 20th anniversary of the classic Heathers reminded me that onscreen teenagers can be really mean. Actually, they can be downright vicious.

The girl group in Heathers was so mean they were essentially psychopathic. And then there's the famous pack of mean teens that torments Lindsay Lohan in Tina Fey's Mean Girls. Rich girl Caroline Mulford in Sixteen Candles is incredibly cruel (well, until she spends an evening with the geeky Farmer Ted). And of course, they're not always girls: Ryan Phillippe's character in Cruel Intentions is about as scummy as it gets in terms of douchebag teen guys.

Clear your mind of Disney stars and tell me about the most memorable nasty onscreen teens.

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Bad Idea of the Week: High School Musical With Real People

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:29:52 -0800

I can understand how the people in charge of the making-money part of show business are blinded by dollar signs when anyone says the words "High School Musical." The Disney Channel's made-for-TV movie starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens is a goliath that quickly moved from a massive ratings success to a global franchise phenomenon. It's not surprising that the powers that be are eager ride this tween wave for all it's worth. However: a reality show? Really?

There's already plenty of HSM to go around with the original and HSM 2 on TV, HSM3: Senior Year in the works for Fall 2008, and the live stage production and ice tour currently making their way across America. Plus, actual high schools can now license the musical for performances, and Showtime is working on a documentary about the "cutthroat world" of musicals at Southern Indiana high schools. Might this proposed reality show - which would show young singers competing for a still-mysterious grand prize - be the point when even the most die-hard HSM fan just says no?

For more details about the show and why I think this is where the folks in charge should practice some restraint in the brainstorming room, read more.

Variety reports that while the deal is not finalized, some aspects of how the show would work are known and include:

A nationwide talent hunt followed by a group of contestants studying at a music conservatory to hone their skills
A summer airdate on ABC
Weekly eliminations of contestants
A grand prize - though the prize itself is still confidential.
Appearances by franchise stars (does that include the ice skaters?)

I'm probably not the demographic ABC is targeting for a show like this, and I realize there are others who could be entertained by this concept. However, I've generally come to believe that giving the reality tretament to popular musicals should be avoided (thanks to Grease: You're the One That I Want for that lesson). Issues of HSM overload aside, I think people are attracted to these musicals because it allows them to escape to a sincere and earnest world where most problems can be solved with spontaneous bursts of song and dance. Reality show competitions are rooted in the exact opposite: a cynical place in which there are always winners and losers (and boatloads of drama), and no matter how hard you try, sometimes the cards just don't fall your way. The two just don't mix well, and I can't imagine millions of Americans lining up to watch young hopefuls Buffalo-two-step their way into oblivion.

Then again, maybe the HSM gravy train truly knows no bounds. I think this is one very bad idea, but what's your take?

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HSM 3 Heads to Big Screen; Senior Year Is Tough, Step-Ball-Change

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:31:18 -0800

According to a Disney press release, the High School Musical kids are heading to the big screen for their senior year. High School Musical 3: Senior Year will hit theaters Oct. 24 and reunite teeny bopper faves Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman.

Walt Disney Studios Production president Oren Aviv stated, "This latest musical adventure delivers lots of great new entertainment on an even grander scale. Kenny Ortega brings his enormous talents to this project and Peter Barsocchini has come up with a wonderfully inventive script that delivers plenty of delights and surprises."

Surprises! What kinds of surprises? "[The movie] finds high school seniors Troy and Gabriella facing the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future." If there's anything to be learned from the HSM movies it's that there's nothing in life - or high school! - so difficult it can't be resolved with a reflective musical.

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Buzz News Roundup, 1/11

BuzzSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:35:14 -0800

Reuters reports that the Writers Guild of America has canceled its own awards show, promptly after announcing this year's nominees.
According to ComingSoon, Salma Hayek will play the bearded lady in the horror drama Cirque du Freak, which also stars John C. Reilly.
First Reuben and Taylor, now this: Former American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee has also left RCA Records, Billboard reports.
Vanessa Hudgens will star in the coming-of-age dramedy Will, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
Variety reports that Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci are starting a production company together.
Forbes wonders: Why so many save-our-show campaigns these days?
The Hollywood Reporter has new details on Sons of Anarchy, a new FX pilot about motorcycle clubs from an executive producer of The Shield.
Variety reports that Olivia Wilde (who plays 13 on House) will star opposite Jack Black in the Judd Apatow-produced "biblical-era comedy" Year One.
Networks are going overboard to make sure people know they have new shows, writes the Wall Street Journal.

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Did You Watch "High School Musical 2"?

Molly — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 09:00:00 -0700

Friday night's premiere of "High School Musical 2" on The Disney Channel brought in 17.24 million viewers, which makes it the most watched basic cable program ever. Yes, you read that right - ever. Not only that, but it was the most watched Friday night television program in five years. So I'm guessing it wasn't only tweens and their parents watching those spunky kids dance and sing their hearts out. I'm totally curious - did you watch High School Musical 2?

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