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Buzz News Roundup, 6/9

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:32:17 -0700

FX has canceled Courteney Cox's tabloid drama Dirt, TV Guide reports.
The Weinsteins have acquired the rights to adapt Allison Winn Scotch's novel Time of My Life for the big screen, writes ComingSoon.
Meanwhile, Variety has the news that House executive producer Katie Jacobs has nabbed the rights to the New York Times bestseller Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon - And the Journey of a Generation.
Amber Tamblyn has taken the lead in an ABC drama pilot called The Unusuals, about the crazy characters at a New York police precinct, Zap2it reports.
If you want AC/DC's new album, you'll have to go to Wal-Mart to get it, Billboard reports.
Despite declining ratings, TV networks are actually bringing in more money from advertisers after this year's upfronts, writes the Hollywood Reporter.
The Chicago Tribune finally found a premiere date for the final season of The Shield: Sept. 2.
According to Variety, David Schwimmer will head to Chicago to star in a stage production of Our Town.

Photo courtesy of FX

TV Tonight: Dirt

BuzzSugar — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0800

As has now been pretty well documented, I didn't make it all the way through the first season of Dirt. That's the bad news. The good news is, when I say I really enjoyed the first episode of the new season, it really means something.

Lucy (played, of course, by Courteney Cox, who I recently interviewed) is back after being stabbed at the conclusion of the first season. Don is getting his schizophrenia under control. And there's a host of new characters entering the Dirt atmosphere to make things interesting. Here are the top five things that worked for me in tonight's premiere:

Lucy is back - and she has a reason to be a little nice sometimes, or at least a little more conflicted about what she's doing. After all, it got her stabbed. She's still tough, and she'll still do anything for a picture, but now she's seen the dangers of it close up, which I think makes her a more interesting character.
Don is a little less crazy. He's on medication for his schizophrenia, which means fewer faux-artsy visions - though, at least
in the first episode, he still talks to his cat.
Farber Kaufman. This new character, played by Ryan Eggold, is my favorite of the new additions - both because of his journalism-golden-boy-gone-to-the-dark-side story and his flirty relationship with Willa.
The ripped-from-the-headlines plot lines are an improvement, as far as I'm concerned - including one that introduces the recurring character of a starlet who seems like Paris, Britney, and Lindsay all rolled into one teeny blond body.
A character points out that Don Konkey's name sounds like "Donkey Kong." It's a little thing, sure, but it immediately made me like the show about three degrees more.

Dirt premieres tonight at 10 p.m. To check out a preview and a clip from the first episode, just read more.

Photo courtesy of FX

Courteney Cox Dishes Dirt on Dirt

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:32:08 -0800

Dirt, the FX series starring Courteney Cox as a tough-talking tabloid editor, returns Sunday for its second season. I've already admitted I wasn't a huge fan of the show in its first season, but having checked out the way this season starts, Dirt may have gotten me back. The show seems lighter this year, with more self-contained plots and a few intriguing new characters. I'll write more about the show before Sunday's premiere, but today, I wanted to share some of what Cox had to say about the show in a recent conference call with reporters, where she touched on her own relationship with the paparazzi, how Lucy changes this season, and this season's new approach to celebrity stories. Here are highlights:

On why they're going for the ripped-from-the-headlines approach: "We usually do a hybrid of celebrities and then add to the story maybe what happened to cause this to happen to them or sum it up in a different way, just for fun. It’s definitely relatable this year and I think it makes for just a more exciting television show. . . . I think there’s a fine line that the producers, even me as a producer, will take. We don’t ever intend to hurt anyone. And as a matter of fact, sometimes we make the characters sympathetic just by showing our creative version of what their life must be like or how they got to the place where they did something outrageous. It’s all in fun. It’s much lighter this year and it’s funnier, and I don’t think anyone’s going to get upset. And if they do, it wasn’t intentional."

Lots more from Cox, so read more.

On keeping the show from being too outrageous: "You would think that that would be a problem, but really, if you just look at any magazine or follow any celebrity that people are fascinated with, they seem to do the outrageous things on their own. We’ll come up with something that we think 'OK, now that’s really shocking,' because we want to make good television, so obviously we want to shock people. But then, lo and behold, it ends up happening or something. Life is outrageous enough."
On how being stabbed and nearly dying changes Lucy: "She is ruthless, but she definitely has a different outlook on life. She doesn’t take it quite so seriously. I think she’s a little more appreciative of what she has and . . . she just likes her job more as opposed to needing to tell the truth for some personal reason. It’s more like hey, I’ve got a great job. This is fun. I want to be the best I can be at it. And I think that she’s a little more daring in certain ways, but for a better reason, just for a more fun outlook as opposed to for, like I said before, some personal vendetta against people."

On how the relationship between Lucy and Don will change this season: "I think they’re kind of the core of the show, and that relationship is really important. And Don . . . he’s on medication now, so his schizophrenia has been toned way back, and he’s much more in control, which makes him have to look at what he’s do for a living and how far he goes for Lucy. So they’ve kind of reversed roles a little bit. As opposed to her taking care of him, he’s taking care of her more."
On whether the show has changed her own perspective on paparazzi and tabloids: "Playing this character and working on this show has definitely shown me how hard it is and how competitive it is. It’s just really hard to run a successful magazine. I get that. And I’ve gotten just how many paparazzi there are out there and how hard it is to get the exclusive picture. So yes, I guess I’ve learned. It doesn’t mean that I agree with it all, and I definitely don’t agree with the obsession on certain celebrities. I understand the fascination, but when it gets obsessive I think it gets dangerous. So I haven’t changed my view, but definitely I’ve learned all sides of it, for sure."

Photos courtesy of FX

First Look: Dirt's Second Season

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:30:06 -0800

Lucy Spiller is back and more ruthless than ever when Dirt returns March 2 for its second season. This time around, the show is pushing hard on the celebrity scandal angle, with each episode focusing on a story ripped directly from the tabloid headlines. (I'm pretty sure one of them's Britney Spears - just sayin'.)

I think it's interesting to see Dirt moving in that direction when there are so many ripped-from-the-headlines shows already, from the Access Hollywood-style news shows to True Hollywood Story to even Law & Order and CSI (remember L&O's take on Anna Nicole Smith?). Still, it seems like a good fit for the show - and a reason to get me to tune back in after I stopped watching partway through the first season. Another good reason: Farber Kauffman (Ryan Eggold), a new character who comes to Dirt straight out of journalism school and has a tough time adjusting to the celeb-gossip world - while also developing a romance with Willa. From the previews I've seen, I'm really going to like that guy.

You can hear the Dirt cast talking about the second season and see the celebrity scandal from the first episode if you just read more.

Photo and videos courtesy of FX

"Drive" Gets Parked, While FX Shows Get Good News

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 15:50:55 -0700

Well, the 37 of you who said "Drive" would be off the air within five episodes were right: Fox slammed the brakes on the show today, according to Variety. None of the four episodes that aired got good ratings, but this week's situation was particularly dire: The show finished fourth in its time slot, with the fewest viewers yet.

I didn't think the first episode was that bad, but it also didn't compel me to watch again. I guess it's official that Tim Minear + Nathan Fillion + Fox = early death, as I'm sure "Firefly" fans can attest. Two more episodes of "Drive" were produced, and Fox hasn't announced whether they'll be shown on TV or only online. In the meantime, reruns of "House" will be filling "Drive"'s spot.

Fans of "Dirt" and "The Riches" got better news today, though: The FX president said he expects both shows to get second seasons. While I like "The Riches" more than I liked "Dirt," I'm glad to see FX continuing its tradition of supporting unusual, edgy shows.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Which FX Show is Your Favorite?

BuzzSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 05:59:32 -0700

From "The Shield" - which starts its sixth season tonight - to "The Riches" and "Nip/Tuck," FX has become known for edgy dramas unlike anything else on TV. Which of the network's shows is your favorite?

Photos courtesy of FX

TV Tonight: "Dirt" Season Finale With Jennifer Aniston

BuzzSugar — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:12:35 -0700

Even if you - like me - haven't really watched "Dirt" since the first episode, tonight's season finale is worth checking out: It brings the long-awaited guest appearance by Jennifer Aniston and, of course, the much-discussed girl-on-girl kiss.

Aniston plays rival editor Tina Harrod to Cox's Lucy Spiller, and one TV reviewer suggests that Jen even upstages her "Friends" co-star. The preview for tonight's show, which airs at 10 p.m. EDT, looks pretty juicy. In one scene, Cox says "You and I were a one-time thing," and Aniston smiles coyly. To watch the promo, read more

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Link Time! 1/16

BuzzSugar — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 16:22:34 -0800

The Watcher has the scoop on more "Ugly Betty"/"Project Runway" crossover: Tim Gunn will guest-star on two February episodes.
Stereogum has the clip of the Hold Steady rocking out on Letterman.
Hecklerspray dishes that Jennifer Aniston will play a rival magazine editor on "Dirt."
Rolling Stone Daily points out that the Shins' SNL appearance is a first for Sub Pop.
You Ain't No Picasso gives us a taste of the new Ted Leo and the Pharmacists material.
TV with MeeVee chats with Margaret Cho before her appearance on "'Til Death."
Idolator introduces us to a sultry-voiced British chanteuse named Charlotte Hatherley.
Cinematical reveals that Tara Reid is eyeing a private-eye role.
The Movie Blog says Sundance is cracking down on ticket scalpers.
TVgasm wonders: Will "The View" serve calamari when Kellie Pickler guest hosts?
"Alias" and "Lost" creator J.J. Abrams may be involved in a Star Trek movie, says Film Rotation.
Popwatch reports you can already own the first 4 hours of this season of “24” on DVD

Buzz News Roundup, 1/5

BuzzSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:52:14 -0800

Indie-rock darlings The Shins ready a new album, a tour, and an SNL appearance.
Courtney Cox's new FX Drama "Dirt" holds its own in ratings, reports Zap2It.
Busta Rhymes is charged with misdemeanor assault for reportedly beating up his former driver, according to Billboard.
Three-time Oscar nominee Lasse Hallstrom is directing a cop drama pilot for Fox, says Zap2It.
BusinessWeek reports that concert-promoting company Live Nation is cleaning up since splitting from Clear Channel.
The Bonnaroo Festival hits the big-time by buying a massive piece of land, reports NME.
Guest star Rob Lowe extends his run on "Brothers & Sisters," promising possible ratings gold, says Zap2It.

"Dirt": All Guilt, No Pleasure

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:37:47 -0800

"Dirt," which debuted last night on FX, should have been a winner. Focused on a cold-hearted editor at a gossip magazine, it's the perfect setup for giddily over-the-top plotlines and fizzy dialogue - like The Devil Wears Prada on speed, or maybe like what would happen if the kids on "The O.C." grew up and moved to Hollywood.

But based on the first episode, "Dirt" is just bafflingly bad. The scandalous sex and special effects that should make "Dirt" edgy just feel sloppy and pointless, and the writing is dull where it should have been frothy and fun.

The show is supposedly all about Lucy Spiller (Courteney Cox), the face behind the two most important magazines in Hollywood: a fluffball mag called Now that makes careers, and Drrt (yes, two "r"s), the gossip rag that breaks them. Lucy's every bit the fiery editrix: She turns every party conversation into a snarky headline and uses a stun gun on a guy she sleeps with when she decides he's using her to get famous. I liked Lucy, and Cox should get kudos for taking on such a tough role - even though her speeches about Real Journalism and her attempts to display emotions beyond "frigid" seemed off. If the show were just about her, I might keep watching. The real trouble with "Dirt" is its messy subplots. To see what I mean, read more

The first major misstep is with Don Konkey (Ian Hart), a supposedly brilliant photographer who is schizophrenic and off his medication. His illness comes through on screen in a variety of hallucinations: His sick cat talks to him; his words float in the air and crawl away like inchworms; he sees the faces on the Clairol bottles talking to him in the drugstore. It might have been more subtle to have flashing lights reading "Don's Crazy!" on screen, and yet we don't learn anything more about him. "Dirt" was originally written to focus on Don, so I can guess at least we can be thankful that it doesn't.

The other subplot is a classic Faustian dilemma: Floundering actor Holt McLaren (Josh Stewart) overhears some gossip about a young starlet and agrees to sell the story to Drrt in exchange for a puff piece in Now. That starlet then blames Julia, her best friend and Holt's girlfriend, for leaking the story. Because there's no such thing as an overblown metaphor for good and evil, the young starlet overdoses on cocaine, and Holt runs to Lucy to say he's had a change of heart and won't ever work with the devil - er, Drrt - again. Lucy shows him footage of his girlfriend cheating on him and tells Holt no dice: He's one of her sources now.

The story actually gets more ridiculous from there: The starlet dies, and when Holt finds out, he starts driving like a madman across the LA freeways, wrecking his car in a sequence of terrible "Dukes of Hazzard"-ish special effects. He pulls Julia from the wreckage, carries her from the scene as the car explodes in the background, and appears on the nightly news as a "real-life action hero." Oy.

Nobody on "Dirt" seems to have any fun doing what they do - not the actors vying for fame, not Crazy Don, and not even Lucy, who we see at the end of the episode alone in bed, surrounded by larger-than-life proofs of Drrt. "Dirt" could have been my new guilty-pleasure show, but judging from the pilot, there's not a lot of pleasure (guilty or otherwise) in watching it.

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