BuzzSugar

Sam Raimi Readies Horror Movie-Style Reality Show

BuzzSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:31:30 -0700

Sam Raimi, writer/director of The Evil Dead, A Simple Plan and Spider-Man 3 (among other stuff), is a busy guy. In addition to directing a horror flick (Drag Me to Hell) and creating an action/fantasy TV series (Wizard's First Rule), he's decided that the world also needs another reality TV show. A reality show that's kind of like Fear Factor, but shot like a horror movie. Or something.

Airing on the CW, the eight-episode summertime series titled simply 13 will "utilize horror-themed challenges to knock players off one by one, until just one is left, having survived all that bloodshed." Reality show producer Jay Bienstock will executive produce alongside Raimi.

According to Bienstock, "We want to cast it like a horror movie, and shoot it a little differently as well. Think about those old movies - we want to put people in a place like that, where they have to deal with their fears and anxieties. They'll end up surprising one another."

As casting begins for the 13 contestants, producers are also deciding in "which classic horror setting" the show will be placed: "An evil small town? A lakeside retreat with a creepy secret? An abandoned cabin in the forest?"

What do you think about this 13 show? Is it decent summertime programming, or totally dumb? Is the idea of living inside a horror movie kind of cool, or lame-o?

Source

"Traveler" Will Get a Prime Thursday Try-Out

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 08:28:24 -0700

I have high hopes for ABC's summer series "Traveler," which centers around two buddies who get framed for a terrorist act by a third friend. So I was excited to see that the show - which wasn't scheduled to start until May 30 - will be getting a special premiere after the May 10 episode of "Grey's Anatomy." The show will then move to its regular 10 p.m. Wednesday slot on May 30 with a second airing of the pilot episode.

The move means that "Men in Trees" is done for the season, but it's expected that the remaining five episodes will be shown in the fall, giving the show an extra-long second season.

"Traveler" is directed by David Nutter, who also directed episodes of "X-Files" and "Roswell," and it has a similarly mysterious plot. Three friends are on a road trip when they decide to prank an art museum in New York by rollerblading through it. Two take off down the stairs; the third, Will, stays behind to film them. But as soon as the other two make it out of the museum, they get a call from Will, who says "I'm sorry I had to do this." The museum immediately blows up, and within minutes, the video of the two friends running away is plastered all over television. It looks pretty heavy for a summer series, but it could be a welcome change of pace from all the reality fare the networks have planned. I got my hands on a copy of the pilot, so I'll check it out and let you know what I think; for now, you can see a preview video if you read more

Zachary Quinto to Raise Eyebrows as Leading Man in Whirligig

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:30:39 -0800

It seems I wasn't the only one to think that Zachary Quinto's Spock stole the hot man show in Star Trek last Summer. Quinto is attached to the upcoming indie film Whirligig, playing a guy who becomes friends with the adopted son of the woman he's pursuing.

Not only would this be Quinto's first major role post-Star Trek, but he'd be the leading man in a romantic comedy-drama. I make no attempt to hide how smitten I am with Quinto, and can definitely see the tall, sexy actor take on a role that's less of a sci-fi than Star Trek and Heroes. We only got a teeny smidgen of his romantic side when his Spock wooed Uhura - I'd love to see that extended to a couple hours.

Twilight Leads the People's Choice Awards Nominations

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:43:12 -0800

The 36th annual People's Choice Awards nominees are here, and last year's Twilight is leading the charge! American Idol's Kris Allen was among the announcers this morning for the nominees, which also include lots of nods for The Proposal - but of course, everyone's favorite bloodsucking love story landed in many categories, including favorite on-screen movie team.

Why didn't they look to 2009's New Moon? Because last year's nominations debuted before the first movie in the Twilight saga.

To see the full list of nominees, just read more.

MOVIES

FAVORITE MOVIE
Twilight
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek
The Hangover
The Proposal

FAMILY MOVIE
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Up
Where the Wild Things Are

COMEDY MOVIE
17 Again
Bride Wars
He's Just Not That Into You
The Hangover
The Proposal

INDEPENDENT MOVIE
(500) Days of Summer
District 9
Inglourious Basterds
Paranormal Activity
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

FAVORITE MOVIE FRANCHISE
Twilight
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Star Trek
Transformers
X-Men

FAVORITE MOVIE ACTOR
Brad Pitt
Hugh Jackman
Johnny Depp
Robert Pattinson
Ryan Reynolds

FAVORITE MOVIE ACTRESS
Anna Hathaway
Drew Barrymore
Jennifer Aniston
Kristen Stewart
Sandra Bullock

FAVORITE ACTION STAR
Christian Bale
Gerard Butler
Hugh Jackman
Shia LaBeouf
Vin Diesel

FAVORITE COMEDIC STAR
Adam Sandler
Ben Stiller
Jim Carrey
Ryan Reynolds
Vince Vaughn

FAVORITE BREAKOUT MOVIE ACTRESS:
Anna Kendrick
Emily Osment
Ginnifer Goodwin
Miley Cyrus
Zoe Saldana

FAVORITE BREAKOUT MOVIE ACTOR
Chris Pine
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Sam Worthington
Taylor Lautner
Zachary Quinto

FAVORITE ONSCREEN TEAM
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, The Proposal
Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, Twilight
Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan and Daniel Henney, X-Men Origins: Wolverine

TELEVISION

FAVORITE TV DRAMA
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Grey's Anatomy
House
Lost
NCIS

FAVORITE TV COMEDY
Desperate Housewives
How I Met Your Mother
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
Two and a Half Men

FAVORITE TV DRAMA ACTOR
Hugh Laurie
Kiefer Sutherland
Mark Harmon
Matthew Fox
Patrick Dempsey

FAVORITE TV DRAMA ACTRESS
Anna Paquin
Blake Lively
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Katherine Heigl
Mariska Hargitay

FAVORITE TV COMEDY ACTOR
Alex Baldwin
Charlie Sheen
Jim Parsons
Neil Patrick Harris
Steve Carell

FAVORITE TV COMEDY ACTRESS
Alyson Hannigan
America Ferrera
Amy Poehler
Eva Longoria Parker
Tina Fey

FAVORITE TV OBSESSION
Dexter
Gossip Girl
The Hills
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
True Blood

FAVORITE TV TALK SHOW
Chelsea Lately
Live with Regis & Kelly
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Tyra Banks Show

FAVORITE TV SCI-FI/FANTASY
Heroes
Lost
Supernatural
The Vampire Diaries
True Blood

FAVORITE TV COMPETITION SHOW
American Idol
Dancing With the Stars
Project Runway
So You Think You Can Dance
Survivor: Samoa

FAVORITE ANIMAL SHOW
Animal Cops
DogTown
Dog Whisperer
It's Me or the Dog
Rescue Ink

FAVORITE NEW TV DRAMA
Eastwick
FlashForward
Melrose Place
Mercy
The Forgotten
The Good Wife
The Vampire Diaries,
Three Rivers
NCIS: Los Angeles
V

FAVORITE NEW TV COMEDY
Accidentally on Purpose
Brothers
Community
Cougar Town
Glee
Hank
The Cleveland Show
The Middle
Modern Family

MUSIC

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Eminem
Jason Mraz
John Mayer
Keith Urban
Tim McGraw

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Beyonce
Britney Spears
Carrie Underwood
Pink
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE COUNTRY ARTIST
Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Rascal Flatts
Taylor Swift

FAVORITE BREAKOUT MUSIC ARTIST
Adam Lambert
Demi Lovato
Kris Allen
Lady Gaga
Susan Boyle

FAVORITE HIP-HOP ARTIST
Eminem
Flo Rida
Jay-Z
Lil' Wayne
T.I.

FAVORITE ROCK BAND
Daughtry
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Muse
Paramore

FAVORITE MUSIC COLLABORATION
Cobra Starship & Leighton Meester, "Good Girls Go Bad"
Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat, "Lucky"
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West, "Run This Town"
T.I. & Rihanna, "Live Your Life"
The Lonely Island & T-Pain, "I'm on a Boat."

FAVORITE R&B ARTIST
Alicia Keys
Beyonce
Jennifer Hudson
Mariah Carey
Usher

FAVORITE POP ARTIST
Britney Spears
Katy Perry
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
The Black Eyed Peas

FAVORITE WEB CELEB
Andy Samberg
Ashton Kutcher
Miley Cyrus
P. Diddy
Will Ferrell

Mad Men, "Shut the Door. Have a Seat": This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:53 -0800

Wow. The biggest surprise of the third season finale of Mad Men isn't actually a plot point, but how light and almost exciting it manages to be. For a show that's normally so tense and tightly wound, this week's episode has a quick pace, and at times, a sense of humor. Of course, there is still disappointment and heartache; some of our predictions for the finale come true, but some go sadly unfulfilled.

Without further ado, let's talk about the door that closes and the one that opens this week, and as usual, the finale's five maddest moments, when you read more.

So long, Connie: It's eccentric hotelier Conrad Hilton that breaks the news to Don that rival agency McCann is buying PPL, and Sterling Cooper along with it. Don's plenty irate, as it's Hilton's fault that he was signed into a three-year contract and is thus, trapped. However, Don's bitterness quickly turns to ambition, when he rallies Burt, then Roger, to buy back Sterling Cooper from PPL. Pryce is unhelpful in even supplying the purchase price for the men, quashing the buyback plans, but then another scheme is launched: Pryce fires Don, Roger, and Burt so they can form a new agency.
Draper Dissolution: While an exciting change is happening for Don in his career, back at home a bleak change is coming. Betty informs Don that she's seen a divorce lawyer and advises him to do the same. It's painful watching these two spar, and I wanted so much for them to figure out how to fix it - but the ball is clearly in Don's court and he does nothing to sway Betty to call off the divorce. Sure, he tells her to, and even suggests that she might need psychiatric help. Oh, and he tells her that he gave her everything she wanted materially, insinuating that should be enough. Don may know what his clients want, but in his marriage, he has no idea what Betty wants.
Irreconcilable differences: Don sheepishly tolerates the divorce talk until he's having drinks with Roger, who spills the beans about Betty taking up with Henry Francis (I do have to say, it is rather nice to see these two getting along, acting like buds). This sends a drunken Don home to wake up Betty for a confrontation about her indiscretion, and things get nasty and uncomfortably physical. Again, Don manages to push Betty into even more resolve, and she tells him that she's going to Reno to initiate the divorce. Don and Betty devastate the kids with the news of their separation, and Betty makes good on her threat to go to Reno after Don softens a tiny bit - to tell her that he won't fight her.
Don, at your service: One of my favorite parts of this episode? Seeing Don put through the paces by Pete and Peggy. He's always treated them like underlings, and they finally have the opportunity to assert themselves. Don obliges them both and tells them how valuable they are, but not before Peggy pushes back. Her backbone straightens when she's first told of the new company and assures Don that she's had "other offers." Luckily, Don doesn't take no for an answer, and visits Peggy at home, telling her he'd spend the rest of his life trying to hire her if she turned him down now. It's so touching to see Don put aside his ego to acknowledge these others, and it makes me sad that he can't do something similar for Betty.
Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce: The gang's back together! It's thrilling good fun watching the new company assemble - Roger and Don get the agency's most prized employees one by one, plus my favorite: Joan! She's a necessity to help find all the files and materials in the office, and, they realize, a force that had been holding the company together. Her role in Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (can you say "Michael Scott Paper Company"? I told you these two shows have a lot in common!) is a given. With everything coming together so perfectly, though, I wondered why Sal isn't also called in. I suppose we have next season to look forward to for that. Speaking of, next Summer can't come fast enough.

It's interesting that the finale also weaves in flashbacks of Don's early childhood, as this season's premiere did. What Don is remembering now, though, is how his father died. The elder Whitman was faced with losing his home, and after breaking free of the cooperative, readies a trip to the city to sell his crop. His spooked horse kicks him in the head, killing him, with the young Don as witness. It's an obvious parallel to Don's circumstances, who's losing his home, as in his marriage; and, losing his home, as in his life's work. Of course, he only manages to take control of one of those.

So what did you think? Did this season wrap up the way you wanted it to? And even though we won't see the Draper family or the worker bees of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce until the fourth season returns, you can still join the Mad Men group in the community to chat about the show year-round.

Photo courtesy of AMC

ABC Brings TV Show From the Writers of (500) Days of Summer

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:30:26 -0700

What if the Friends loft and Central Perk were infiltrated by hipsters? We might find out soon, because ABC has just struck a deal to make a sitcom called Friends With Benefits from the writers of this Summer's indie rom-com (500) Days of Summer.

Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber have been given the green light to bring their show to TV, saying, "It's about a group of twenty-somethings at a point in their lives that everyone can relate to, when they ask questions like: 'Is this your girlfriend or someone you just hang out with? Is this a job, or is this a career?'"

It's a familiar concept, but a pretty timeless one - relationships can always be mined for fodder, and when you add young, good-looking actors, you have a recipe for potential success. It's not a far cry from (500) Days, which finds a new way to detail what happens when boy meets girl. I thought the movie was sweet despite its too-hip leanings, so I'd probably watch this. Oh, and the Wedding Crashers director is attached to shoot the pilot. Intrigued yet?

Photos courtesy Fox Searchlight and Getty

Video of the Day: Summer Lives on Thanks to Thao With the Get Down Stay Down

BuzzSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:15:16 -0700

This weekend I'll be heading to the Treasure Island Music Festival for two days of music just outside of San Francisco. The awesome lineup includes MGMT, The Flaming Lips, The Decemberists, and Yo La Tengo just to name a few. I'm also excited to see Thao With the Get Down Stay Down, whose front-runner rocks out on her guitar to catchy, upbeat tunes that always make for a fun live show. In a new video for "When We Swarm," the band dances happily lakeside with a bunch of friends, making it the perfect pick-me-up if you're still in denial that Summer is long gone and Fall is here. Check it out below.

For more on the latest music, check out the Music Review group in the Buzz Community - and be sure to check back for updates on my Treasure Island weekend!

Mad Men: This Week's 5 Maddest Moments

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:30:23 -0700

It's Summer in the '60s in this week's Mad Men, and the latest episode, "Souvenir" is all about getting out of dodge or being left behind, and how it affects relationships.

Pete, Don and Betty are the focus of this week, though for once, Don isn't the one getting into trouble. Lots of mad moments from this episode, so to see what I thought (spoilers ahead!), just read more.

The kiss: Betty lets Henry kiss her after the reservoir victory at city hall. For all her previous flirtatiousness, she acts reluctant as Henry butts his head into the car aggressively - not that she doesn't kiss back or anything. Later, she tells Sally how special first kisses are and that you can never have the first one with someone again. This wistful speech sounds like it's coming from a blushing 15-year-old, and you know she's thinking of her own encounter. "I'm done with that," she says to Francine about the reservoir, but she means Henry, and I believe her - not because her guilty conscience will stop it, but because of Betty's immaturity. She got chased by a boy she liked, kissed him, now she's over it.
Roman holiday: How glam were Don and Betty arriving in Rome? The '60s Italian movie star getup on Betty is a bit jarring, but I was into their sexy "strangers in Rome" game. As much as these two hurt each other in their marriage, I still find myself rooting for them, and when things are going great, their Ken and Barbie perfection is impossibly romantic. But when they come home and back to their real lives and real problems, it's heartbreaking to see Betty's bitterness.
The affair of the party dress: Pete, Pete, Pete. The German au pair next door first brings out Pete's decent side, when he kindly offers to help the distraught girl with a stained dress. That is, until booze, loneliness, and general Pete Campbell-ness propel him into dirtbag territory. How far do things go? We can guess, but either way, it's horrible and a new low for Pete. Ugh, and how smarmy is the neighbor from next door when he comes over to confront Pete? It's totally OK to sexually assault nannies, bro, just not my nanny! Great advice.
Willful wifely ignorance: I didn't completely hate Pete toward the end, because his sullen face when Trudy comes home actually showed shame, which is more than you can say for Mr. Donald Draper. Trudy seems to know exactly what went on in her absence, but stalking off and then accepting Pete's proposal that she not leave town without him again are all she needs to move past her husband's infidelity. Some things in this show are pretty hard to watch as a woman, and the relationship behavior is one of them. It's a bummer: the women are doormats because they were expected to be.
Joanie & Petie: I was thrilled when Joan shows up at the department store to help Pete, looking all gorgeous and chic. Her interaction with Pete is a little more relaxed than it was at the agency, but the whole thing is still a little awkward. She's got to come back to Sterling Cooper, and I hope we don't have to wait too long; she's one of my favorite characters.

There was a lot of action for a show that's not usually known for it, and I love when we get to see the 1960s in another setting; in this case, Italy. What did you think? Do you really think Betty is done with Henry? What's your opinion of Pete now? And to talk more about the show, check out the Mad Men Group in the BuzzSugar community!

Photo courtesy of AMC

Link Time!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:30:42 -0700

Get ready for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: the musical! - Pop Watch
The funniest scenes in zombie movies - Moviefone
The top 10 reasons Letterman confessed to affairs on The Late Show - Zap2it
Summer Heights High's Chris Lilley has a new comedy series in the works called Angry Boys - TV.Com
Artists celebrate Stanley Kubrick in Dublin - Cinematical
Sam Raimi launches his own family friendly horror label - MTV Movies Blog
Check out the new Dead Weather video for "I Cut Like a Buffalo" - Stereogum
Learn to make the classic cocktails of Mad Men - YumSugar

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:30:02 -0700

Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette were all confirmed to appear in Scream IV, set to begin shooting in the Spring.
Bad news for House fans (and Chase?): Jennifer Morrison was possibly fired from her role as Cameron on the show.
We said good-bye to Summer, so I tried to squeeze in one last look at some shirtless Hollywood actors.
The artists for the New Moon soundtrack were finally announced, and we took a look at the other anticipated albums for Fall.
While we're talking about music, what TV shows have your favorite tunes?
The new season of Desperate Housewives airs on Sunday! Take one last look at my sneak peek.
Heather Locklear announced that she's returning to Melrose. Doesn't she remind you of Katie Cassidy's character in the new version?
Fame is out in theaters this weekend. Whether or not you plan on seeing it, you should definitely take a look back at these awesome dance flicks.
The Emmys were on Sunday night, and we debated the highs and lows of the evening, including the night's most surprising upsets.