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Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:30:14 -0800

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points!

In the first season of the original Beverly Hills, 90210, what actor played Roger, the high school tennis pro who Brandon interviews and who turns out to be deeply troubled?

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:30:04 -0800

Hancock
Will Smith's Summer blockbuster has a clever premise at the heart of it: If we genuinely look at what life might be like for a modern-day superhero - especially one with rage issues - what challenges might this guy face? Smith manages to balance the humor of this role along with the badass superhero elements and the result is an all-around entertaining performance. I also think Jason Bateman who plays Smith's PR guy is a real highlight of the movie and reason enough to add it to your queue.

Special features include an unrated version of the movie with footage not seen in theaters, a stunts featurette, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Two more television gems up next, so read more.

Beverly Hills, 90210: Season 6
The farther we get into the new 90210, the more anxious I am to watch the original Beverly Hills, 90210 when I get the chance. I know for some purists the later seasons of the show got a little too nuts but I think the post-Brenda era (which includes Tiffani-Amber Thiessen as evil vixen Valerie Malone) is totally awesome in its own way.

Season six includes Donna's abusive relationship with that guy Ray, Brandon gets addicted to gambling again, and I'm pretty sure this is the season Kelly dabbles in coke. What's not to love?

Freaks & Geeks: Complete Series
Technically I'm not positive this special version of Freaks and Geeks is available on Netflix but I wanted to tell you about it anyway. For those of you who still yearn for more tidbits of your favorite McKinley High stoners, tough kids, bad girls, brains and dorks, this yearbook special edition of the complete series will probably do the trick.

In addition to all the original episodes, commentaries and special features of the regular complete series set, this special version comes with two bonus discs housed in a 40-page yearbook that includes exclusive photos, memorabilia and essays. These new features specifically include original cast auditions, a table read, Museum of Television & Radio Panel, deleted scenes and more.

Five Ways to Fix the New 90210

BuzzSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:30:00 -0700

Well, here we are, several weeks into the new 90210, and I don't think I'm alone in feeling that it could be better. Much better. Don't get me wrong-I want to root for this reboot! It's been a lot of fun seeing Brenda and Kelly together again on my screen, and there are moments every week that make me feel like things are improving.

But it's not happening fast enough - so I thought it through and came up with five ways to fix this puppy. There's so much potential and it's not too late, if the powers that be would just take these simple recommendations:

No. 5: Increase the wardrobe budget. I have a hard time thinking of another instance when the clothing on a TV show was this distracting. This is 90210! Annie and Dixon (and the rest of us) are supposed to be awed by the extravagant threads these rich kids sport each day! As it stands, they look like most people I know who have gone a little nuts at Forever 21. A few of the outfits have been worth noting, but in general, the clothes should be way more envy-inducing. Wardrobe is key to setting the right tone and context for a teen drama, especially one with a fish-out-of-Kansas theme central to its premise.

No. 4: Speaking of which, focus in on that fish-out-of-water stuff. So far, the show lacks a certain urgency that the first 90210 had (and Gossip Girl has in spades). We need to see how high the stakes are for Annie and Dixon to fit in with this uber-wealthy, fast-moving crowd. But Annie doesn't seem to want for anything the others have, and she's had an easy time fitting in and making friends (she and Silver resolved their "issues" in a single episode!). And Dixon's already got the girl, for Pete's sake.

To see my top three, just read more.

No. 3: We need a "queen bee." Naomi is at her best when she's insecurely wreaking havoc on other people's lives. I loved the energy the show got when the writers finally relieved the poor girl of her lame family drama and put her at the table with Silver and Annie to discuss virginity (or the lack thereof). There needs to be much, much more Naomi ruling the school and defending her territory from here on out.

No. 2: And while we're at it, give us a bad boy. Where's the dangerous yet insanely appealing guy who could drag Annie to the dark side? Ethan is a nonentity. This show desperately needs its Dylan, and even a Steve would help. If we're really lucky, maybe the writers could come up with something as deliciously tortured as Chuck Bass.

No. 1: Embrace (or ditch) the school. If West Beverly High is going to be such a big part of things, then give us some actual school-based plot lines - more focus on Navid's news program, say, or actually explaining what Ryan's doing there most of the time. If it's going to be just a backdrop, a la GG, then they should make it less ugly - those locker colors are not good.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Link Time! 9/2

BuzzSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:38:23 -0700

Five reasons why Scott Porter should play Ryan on Brothers and Sisters. - The Ausiello Files
Dr. Horrible lives on with comics and a soundtrack. - Give Me My Remote
Have your pop culture tastes ever mortified you on public transportation? - Popwatch
New Neko Case songs? Why yes, my day has been made. - Stereogum
What other Chuck Palahniuk novels are headed for big-screen adaptations? - Cinematical
Wentworth Miller talks about Prison Break's latest reinvention. - The TV Addict
Republican National Convention viewing alternative: TCM's political movie night. - TV Squad
Hey, why weren't Brian Austin Green and Luke Perry talking in the New York Times oral history of 90210? - Vulture

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90210 Revives Brenda Walsh?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:39:30 -0700

There's a lot of chatter today about this Entertainment Weekly item that Shannen Doherty is in talks to join the new 90210, reprising her role as Brenda Walsh and theoretically joining Jennie Garth as the second original cast member to appear in the show's new generation.

The deal is far from done: Doherty has reportedly told the show's producers that she's interested, but 1) she wants to know what the story is first, and 2) she wants more money. There's also the little issue that she and Garth weren't exactly BFF back in the day, but Garth told Michael Ausiello that "A lot of time has passed, and I'm a big girl. I'd have no problem with her coming on the show." But it's interesting to contemplate: How would 90210 work Brenda into the story? And would you want to see it?

Also, is anyone else starting to think that all this focus on the old 90210 is the wrong tactic for promoting the new show? They've got Garth. They've got Jason Priestly directing a few episodes. They might have Doherty. They even have the Peach Pit. So what's going to make this 90210 different or worth watching? Will it all just feel like a rehash of the original, but with older cast members at (let's face it) worse times in their careers? I hope we get some signs of the new show's personality soon.

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First Look: The New 90210 Gets a Promo Video

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:24:42 -0700

"You wanna live in the zip. . . you gotta live by the code."

Yup, that's the super cheesarific tag line at the end of this new promo video for the CW's resurrection/retooling of 90210 (which just found a dad in former Melrose Place guy Rob Estes). The beginning of the promo made me howl with laughter as the classic theme music starts up again and the new kids basically reenact parts of the original 90210 intro. This quickly ends, though, and we launch into the little interviews with the cast of the show.

The most bizarre part of all is seeing Jessica Walter in this setting, since she will always and forever and ever be Lucille Bluth from Arrested Development in my eyes. I hope she gets to provide a lot of the funny lines in this show.

Anyway, to get a glimpse at the new Beverly Hills kids (and parents), read more.

Photo courtesy of the CW

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 17 May 2008 07:30:35 -0700

We appear to have a mellow movie weekend ahead of us in terms of new releases, but there is still lots out there to keep you busy. Which movie are you headed to this weekend?
Holy cow, it was a busy week for TV! The network upfronts gave us a lot of good stuff to look forward to this Fall. Fox added some cool-looking sci-fi shows to its roster while the CW charts a clear path forward, littered with rich kids.
Speaking of the CW's rich kids, are you excited for the new 90210 now that we've got some pictures? And what do you think about the series Surviving the Rich (based on the book How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls)?
Hooray for Reaper! It will not be canceled, which I assume is a great relief to its star, Bret Harrison, who I had the honor of interviewing!
There were a lot of trailers out on the Web this week some good, some not so good. I thought Edge of Love looks breathtakingly gorgeous (and so romantic!) and I'm really intrigued by Woody Allen's latest all-star flick.
Is it just me or does it seem like only people raised in the '80s are running the show down in L.A. right now? They're bringing Fraggle Rock to the big screen and. . . wait for it. . . a cereal box mascot movie (yeah, it's odd, just read the post).
James Frey, author of the bestselling memoir A Million Little Pieces (which later turned out to be more fiction than anything else) has a new book out and it's getting stellar reviews. Are you open to reading his stuff?
Definitely make time to check out what's new on iTunes because there's some great stuff out this week, including Duffy and Death Cab for Cutie. And if you're curious about who's singing that sweet little tune on the diamond commercials, I have the entire song here.
Also, the new Flight of the Conchords video for "Ladies of the World" is. So. Funny.

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Are You Excited for the New 90210?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:30:01 -0700

It's official: The 90210 spinoff - now known as simply 90210 - will be on our TVs this Fall. Jennie Garth is absolutely on board to reprise her role as Kelly Taylor, now a Beverly Hills High guidance counselor, confirming some buzz we heard a while back. And there are still rumors that Tori Spelling could join the show as well.

The news about this spinoff has been coming fast and furious from the moment it was announced, so now that we know so much about a show that hasn't aired even a single episode, I have to ask: Are you excited for 90210? Or are you sick of it already?

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What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:30:58 -0700

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to the titles below, you can now rent or own the fourth season of Beverly Hills 90210, which - according to Netflix and my memory-includes moments like Andrea finding out she's pregnant and Brandon meeting Bill Clinton!

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is based on an astonishing true story of Jean-Dominique Bauby, the one-time glamorous editor of Elle France living the high life when he suddenly suffers a stroke and is rendered paralyzed except for the movement of one eyelid. From a premise that sounds unspeakably bleak, director Julian Schnabel (nominated for an Oscar for his work on this film) takes Bauby's own words and whips them into a film imbibed with gorgeous images and touching performances to tell what is actually a very hopeful and life-affirming tale.

I enjoyed this movie very much and think you should consider bumping it up to the top of your queue today. Special features include a featurette titled "Submerged: The making of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"and a Charlie Rose interview with Julian Schnabel.

Two more titles after the jump, so read more.

27 Dresses
It seems as if we are about to get somewhat bombarded with fun films to see with girlfriends (Sex and the City, Made of Honor) but if you're looking for a head start, you can pick up 27 Dresses this week starring Katherine Heigl.

It's probably no surprise that this is a formulaic romantic comedy; however, despite how predictable the plot was, I couldn't resist its charms and found it extremely enjoyable. You have to be in the mood for love and romance (and wedding cliches) but Heigl is charming as the eternal bridesmaid whose 26th and 27th turn standing beside a bride catch the eye of a journalist even though she's deeply smitten with her boss (Ed Burns). Love triangle! Silly moments! Gather the girls, microwave some popcorn, and settle in for a night of fabulous movie escapism.

The DVD is packed with deleted scenes and special featurettes, including titles like "The Wedding Party" and "You'll Never Wear That Again."

The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass is many things, but at the top of my list of reasons to see this film are the amazing, Oscar nominated visual effects that completely bring to life the world Philip Pullman has created in his novels. The story follows an orphan named Lyra who is given a golden compass that allows her to see the truth of things. Her adventure leads her to an evil icy lady (Nicole Kidman) who claims she wants to help kids by taking away their ability to think freely, and it is up to Lyra to save the children from this plan. Definitely appropriate for anyone looking for a new family friendly rental this week.

Special features include clips that explore the origins of the film and how the filmmakers approached adapting the popular novel for the screen.

Jennie Garth Leaves CBS Pilot . . . For 90210?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:30:55 -0700

Could the 90210 spinoff be getting one of the original residents of the zip code to join the cast? That's the speculation after Jennie Garth left her CBS pilot suddenly after a read-through on Monday.

Garth was supposed to play the female lead in My Best Friend's Girl, a comedy about tension that develops between two best friends when one starts dating the other's wife, but she left in what was described as "a mutual decision." And the Hollywood Reporter says Rob Thomas, who wrote the original script for the spinoff, had been courting her to return as Kelly Taylor - possibly playing a fashion design teacher at Beverly Hills High.

The story notes that Garth might have left the CBS show for other reasons, including the recent death of her father. But let's just go with the 90210 speculation for a moment: Would that be a step up for the show - or a step down for Garth? Would you be more or less inclined to watch the spinoff if Kelly Taylor were a regular on your TV screen again? After all, she was one of your favorites . . .

Meanwhile, Tori Spelling desperately wants to join the show, which seems like it just spells disaster all around. No word yet on whether she's been contacted by the producers, but for some reason, I'm going to guess no.

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