BuzzSugar

Chuck and Blair Get a Visit From an Unlikely Familiar Face

Molly — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester were decked out in chic Winter wear on the NYC set of Gossip Girl yesterday. Joining them was a familiar but unexpected face - if you're curious, check out who it is after the jump. At the moment, the show has its hands full with a bigger controversy - The Parents Television Council is up in arms about next week's threesome episode, which will apparently extend into the week after too. The show is all about pushing the boundaries, but we'll have to wait and see whether this scene lives up to the hype, assuming it makes it on the air at all.

For more photos from the set just read more.

View 10 Photos ›

First Look: Gossip Girl Goes '80s in These "Valley Girls" Photos

BuzzSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:00:09 -0700

The '80s are coming! The '80s are coming! You have to get a load of these photos from the upcoming Gossip Girl episode that could launch next Fall's spinoff starring Brittany Snow as young Lily Rhodes.

We've seen the poster, but these are actual scenes from the May 11 episode. Executive producer Josh Schwartz explains how this episode, titled "Valley Girls," will introduce the new characters (including Andrew McCarthy as Lily's father and Krysten Ritter as Carol, Lily's older sister): "It'll be flashbacks that will sort of illustrate a crisis. It will resonate thematically with something that will be happening inside that episode."

I'm so intrigued! For now we'll have to settle for some radical visuals with the new show's stars decked out in '80s fabulousness - plus No Doubt performing as fictional band Snowed Out.

For even more shots of this valley world, just read more.

View 23 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of The CW

2009 Tribeca Film Festival Spotlight: The Good Guy

BuzzSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:30:46 -0700

I've been perusing the long list of interesting-looking movies scheduled for this year's Tribeca Film Festival, which starts this week. Some of them, like The Good Guy, are just starting to pick up buzz, and I'm anxious to find out what festivalgoers think once they've screened.

Gilmore Girl Alexis Bledel finds herself in a love triangle of sorts in a film by director Julio DePietro. The movie centers on a young Wall Street hotshot named Tommy Fielding (Scott Porter). The movie's description is intriguing:

[Tommy's] a rising star at his financial firm, and his budding romance with Beth (Alexis Bledel) could be the one. Then Tommy decides to take the new guy, Daniel (Bryan Greenberg), under his wing. Daniel - a quiet, stay-at-home, Banana Republic-wearing sort of guy - isn't exactly what you would call "Wall Street material," but Tommy sets out to teach him the ways of money and seduction. But as they each continue along their upward trajectories, their high-flying business lives complicate their personal lives, and money can't always fix everything.

Sounds timely and thought-provoking. Oh, Andrew McCarthy and Anna Chlumsky (My Girl!) appear in this as well. The movie will premiere at Tribeca on April 26 and I can't wait to hear what people have to say about it.

No trailer yet, but you can check out some photos from the movie if you read more.

View 6 Photos ›

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 3/6

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:30:26 -0800

Andrew McCarthy will play Lily's father in the Gossip Girl spinoff pilot. - The Hollywood Reporter
Michael Jackson is set to perform 20 to 25 shows at London's O2 Arena. - Billboard
Paramount Vantage and Comedy Central have jointly acquired the rights to Ghosts/Aliens, Trey Hamburger's supernatural comedy novel, and will develop as both a series and feature. - The Hollywood Reporter
Steve Carell will star in and produce the comedy Hi-T, about a man dealing with uncontrollable mood swings after an injury forces him to take testosterone injections. - ComingSoon
Universal is finalizing a deal for The Adjustment Bureau, a "contemporary love story with sci-fi overtones" that may feature Matt Damon in the lead role. - Variety
U2 is on track to score its seventh no. 1 album next week on the Billboard 200 chart with No Line On the Horizon. - Billboard
Bravo has renewed Shear Genius and picked up a series about fashion photographers. - TV Week
20th Century Fox has signed director Tom Dey to develop a big screen adaptation of the Marmaduke comic strip. - ComingSoon
Jackie Earle Haley has been tapped to star alongside Chi McBride in Fox's drama pilot Human Target, based on the DC Comics title. - The Hollywood Reporter

Source

Lipstick Jungle Rundown: Episode Six, "The Lyin', The B*tch, and The Wardrobe"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:30:37 -0800

The latest episode of Lipstick Jungle (and first on Fridays, so here it is if you missed it) brings our friends together for the big opening of Victory's store - which, naturally, threatens to become a disaster. Meanwhile, Wendy starts figuring out her post-Parador plans and Nico gets babies on the brain. To talk about it, just read more.

Well, I think it's pretty clear who "the b*tch" of the episode title is. I never warmed up to Dahlia, and I won't miss her, but her deviousness is impressive. Loved her myriad attempts to ruin Victory's show: having only part of the set delivered, blackmailing the models, sending over press kits for Victory Fork.
On that note: I know I once said I'd recast Lindsay Price if I could, but I'm enjoying her work as Victory this season. It helps that the writing of her stories has improved, but I'm also getting into her ditzy-but-ruthless-when-it-counts style. I'm sorry, Lindsay.
So much good Victory and Joe stuff in this episode! Joe decides to help Victory by pitching a story about himself to Nico; Nico suggests maybe he try just dealing with Victory like a normal person; he heads to a ring store to buy a massive rock.
Too bad Victory has another knight in shining toolbelt: Rodrigo builds her a new set, and when he gets Victory's special thanks at the end of the show, Joe flees, ring box and all.
But things aren't destined to be with Rodrigo, either, because even while tipsy, Victory realizes that her socialite life will always be a problem for him. Wonder if Joe's surveillance cameras picked up that exchange?

What did you think of Victory's clothes? I liked that one purple number, but the wedding dress she so artfully saved with a glass of wine and a paintbrush was just a bit . . . much.
Meanwhile, Kirby embarrasses Nico by working at Victory's show. Not exactly the night she had in mind. Finally, he confesses that the photo he sold was to a tabloid and admits that since he's worked all his life, it's going to take a while to get used to having someone around to make his life easy.
The state of their relationship is extra-interesting at the moment because Nico's starting to think about having a baby. When she runs into little Charlie on the street, it's like looking at the kid she never had. Megan's suspicious of Nico's generous behavior, but I think Nico's intentions are pure. A box full of memorabilia from Charles is only going to remind Nico of how unfulfilling her marriage was, but in Megan's hands, it can show her son that "his father was an impressive man."
Speaking of babies (heh), I loved watching Wendy's reaction to the junior executive at Parador. It doesn't help that she gives exactly the same feedback on Wendy's pitch that her teenage daughter had or that she uses words like "ginormous." She's, in Wendy's words, "a fetus in Ferragamos."
But now Wendy has a new passion project: the screenplay by the copy shop girl. Of course Wendy is starting her own production company; I'm surprised she didn't do that the instant she got fired.
Fun fact: Wendy got engaged with a plastic ring from a Coney Island vending machine. ("Shut up, it was romantic!" "Yeah, just because the claw didn't pick up a troll doll.")

Loving all the scenes with the three friends lately? Ready to meet Kirby's mom? And what does one do with a 14-carat diamond ring if not proposing with it?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Pop Watch: Lipstick Jungle, Episode Five, "Dressed to Kill"

PopSugarUK — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

This week each of our main Lipstick Jungle characters messed around in someone else's business (or had someone else mess around in theirs). Victory's ex-assistant came back to make Victory's life miserable, Wendy tried to kick-start her husband's music career, and Nico and Kirby continued alternately embracing and stomping all over each other's hearts. And that was just the basics.

We saw the result of Victory's assistant stealing her sketches! I loved the scene with her banging on the window of the store, yelling "Those are my dresses!" as very confused Joe tried to figure out what on earth was going on. "And they will be. Tomorrow. I'll even throw in a handbag!" Hmm, you've got the wrong end of the stick there Joe.
Also, nice airing for the "fashion design isn't considered art, so it's not protected under copyright law" debate.
Colour me relieved when I realised Reese was lying in the scene where she apologised to Victory, because otherwise, she would be the worst actress on earth. Luckily, she was supposed to be bad.

To read more of my thoughts, just read more

I'm not sure I totally understood Victory's scheme at Nico's party, but either way, I don't think it worked as planned. Did she want to confront the designer? Reese? Both? Because I don't think the plan was to be out in the freezing cold, entrenched in a girlfight with her ex-assistant. Now, as for how Reese managed to rip one piece off Victory's dress during their catfight without leaving her naked, I can't explain that, either. The magic of TV.
I'm surprised we haven't seen Lipstick's in-show blog before now. Hello, "Gotham Gazer"!

The overlong montage of Shane playing piano in the club was a little too much, but it gave us yet another opportunity to see what kind of bad decisions Wendy can make when she thinks she's doing the right thing. Her heart is always in the right place, but the follow-through doesn't quite work sometimes. There was just no way that director didn't feel pressured into giving Shane the job, and I can't imagine Wendy will be able to keep that secret for long.
Nico and Kirby: still pulled together, then drawn apart, over and over and over again. Love that Kirby had a chalkboard mounted in his living room - so convenient when your illegitimate girlfriend needs to suddenly write the rules of your relationship. Good thing Kirby didn't bring the actress home, though; I bet that list would have been a hard thing to explain. Still. He's SO hot.
Interesting, though, that they both broke the "no emotional attachment" rule within the same episode. Come on, that was never going to last.
From the mixed-metaphor department: Shane saying giving the director the CD was an executive decision like "buying mittens for our son." Yeah. Mittens. Big decision.
Loved the Salty Tears fake movie poster in Wendy's office. Fab!

I'd love to hear your thoughts, so let me know in the comments below!

Photos courtesy of NBC

Pop Watch: Lipstick Jungle, Episode 4, "Bombay Highway"

PopSugarUK — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

In this week's Lipstick Jungle, I really liked how the way the three women's stories tied into each other. Nico confiding in her friends about her affair (with handsome, handsome Kirby) set into motion several other threads for the rest of the characters: Wendy's worry about keeping her own marriage alive, Wendy and Nico's assumption that Victory can't understand their lives because she's not married, and Wendy's frustrations with Nico spilling into a conflict with Victory. Basically, their reactions felt more based in reality. Here's some more of my thoughts on last night's episode:

Nico was clearly never going to be able to lie her way out of the lawsuit so it's a good job Kirby dropped it. Of course, it's not like telling the truth was ever really an option.
Do you think Kirby really just wanted Nico, not the money, all along? I do think he wants to be with her, but when he asked Nico how many other men she'd done this to, I found myself wondering how many other women he'd gotten involved with like this.

To read more of my thoughts on last night's episode, just read more.

Meanwhile, the writers are giving Nico an easy - or, at least, easier - out by insinuating that Charles might be having an affair with one of his students. I suppose it's easier to feel sympathy for her if she's not the only one cheating. Also: Was it implied that Nico was one of Charles's students once upon a time, with that line about her still owing him a paper?

I'm glad we've seen more complex sides of Wendy in the last few episodes. She's a micromanager, which can annoy her friends and family, and she's not thrilled when things don't go according to plan. I'm glad she found a balance, letting both Victory and her star have their moments after things got really ugly.
The drama of Wendy's reaction shot made me think Victory's dress was going to be hideous. But no, it was just a tiny bit low-cut.
Two funny alcohol-related moments: Victory's "Does this room have a minibar?" and its echo later with the starlet hunting for Victory's bourbon.
Victory and Joe are still the weak link for me. On the one hand, I'm glad he didn't try to fly her anywhere dramatic and, like, buy her her own personal Alp this week. On the other hand, they're kind of boring in New York.

So, what did you think of this week's episode? I'm curious... let me know!

Photos courtesy of NBC

Lipstick Jungle Rundown: Episode Three, "Let It Be"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:58 -0700

Wow, Lipstick Jungle gets intense this week. There's another death - our second in three episodes! - and a hearty dose of workplace drama. Even Victory's storylines, which are usually the comic relief, get heavy. There's a lot going on, and a lot set up for the future, so to talk about it, just read more.

When I occasionally complained last year that I wanted the show to be more focused on the women's work and how they got there, this is basically what I meant. This episode really shows how these characters' personal lives can have serious repercussions in their professional lives - and vice versa - whether it's Nico's hesitancy with Kirby or Victory's pressure to date the "right" kind of man.
And obviously nobody feels bigger repercussions than Wendy after Noah's death. I'm still surprised this storyline came up so fast, especially since we just met Noah and it seemed obvious that something big and tragic would happen - but that doesn't mean it's not working for me. Because, ultimately, it's not about Noah. It's about Wendy's compulsive need to meddle with everything and everyone around her, which we've seen since the show started. At first, I thought it was a problem that Wendy was so nice, but now her niceness is getting her into trouble in all kinds of major ways.
Major like "no longer head of a major studio" major. I mean, yikes. That shot of her standing on the street, clearly baffled by everything happening around her, is quite the cliffhanger.

Wendy and Nico both have drama with Gordon in this episode, and since Nico still has her job - for now - hers is admittedly more minor. But I see the two of them facing off in all kinds of ways in the upcoming episodes (probably with that squirrelly Mike character in the middle). To Gordon's credit, though, a "demented chic" fashion layout does sound heinous.
Nico's bigger problem is that she doesn't know how to handle Kirby in her professional life - considering that he, you know, sued for sexual harassment and it wasn't exactly a secret. He wants to go out (and not to weird clothing-switching clubs) and not be some sort of stashed-away dirty laundry. It'll be interesting to see how he emerges.
Victory's store is coming together, but that's about the only thing, since she gets two big relationship shockers this episode: first, her publicist is trying to control her dates, and second, Rodrigo has a daughter. (And third, Joe Bennett is going to great lengths to make her jealous - but that's just not working, as Victory tells him in no uncertain terms to " stop playing these little games and move on with your life.")
At least Victory got one light moment (someone had to this week!), draping her shirt over Joe's security camera so she and Rodrigo could do their nasty in peace (but not without giving Joe one last look at what he was missing).

Are you surprised the Noah fallout came so fast and so hard? Does Gordon have a point, or are you squarely on Wendy and Nico's side in their various disputes? And was anyone else happy to see Joe's sassy assistant back (and railing against dressing rooms that only have curtains - sing it, sister)?

Photos courtesy of NBC

Pop Watch: Lipstick Jungle, Episode 2 "Nothing Sacred"

PopSugarUK — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

We're now two episodes in, and I've got to say I'm warming up to Lipstick Jungle a little more. I did find my attention drifting a couple of times, but... well... then Kirby and his hot body arrived and everything was OK. There are a whole bunch of strands that I liked about the episode, and the show looks like it's capable of sustaining a plot line week to week, so I'm definitely carrying on with this New York-set series! Here's some of my thoughts on the second episode:

Wendy's character troubled me a little in this episode. I really like Wendy and I do feel a lot of sympathy for her. Basically - she does not seem to be the kind of person who deserves to have an expose written about her.
They kept telling us that Wendy is a heartless ice queen, but she seems like the opposite of that to me. We saw her in the last episode as a hugging executive, a good mother, and a tough negotiator, but not somebody harsh or ridiculously self-involved the way this book made her out to be. I realise it would have been exaggerated, but... it still didn't quite work for me. In the context of the show it's hard not to be on Wendy's side, to the point that I find it hard to understand why anybody wouldn't like her (Example? Even her own daughter said, "You have enemies? Sweet!").

For more of my thoughts, and to share yours, just read more.

For Wendy to be that person, she would've had to be way more like Janice. Even when it seemed like Wendy would get her to back down, Janice had another trick - the paparazzi photos - up her sleeve.
So Shane leaked the info which made it into the nanny script? I mean, I understand that he thought he was just having a conversation - but still, wouldn't he have been a little more careful?
While we're in that area of thought, erm, Nico letting Kirby take those photos? Come on, those have to get leaked everywhere. Weren't you thinking, "You know how this ends!" as it happened?! Two of our three ladies are now tabloid material.
Those Pilates machines looked like torture, but... I kind of want one.
I've got to say Victory's "finding a hat" storyline was the weakest again, and I didn't enjoy Joe sweeping in to save the day. It did give us the "Vera Fang" reference, though, so maybe it wasn't all bad. However, I'm growing to Lindsay Price in the role, slowly but surely. Give me a couple more episodes and I think I might have warmed to her.
However Victory's stealing cheat of an ex-assistant really perked up my interest. That storyline should create something good for Victory, when she finds out.

The best part about Nico's Royals storyline was watching her half-embarrassed, half-smitten face as the photographer prattled on about "legs, nipples, lips" while Kirby stared at her.
Oh, did I mention I am so loving Kirby. He is ridiculously hot. That body... Possibly my favourite part of the show, I'd watch just for him...
I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I really do think the music on this show is fab.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the show, so leave them below!

Photos courtesy of NBC

Pop Watch: Lipstick Jungle, Episode 1, "Pilot"

PopSugarUK — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Last night the pilot of Lipstick Jungle aired on Living - that glossy New York setting felt oh so familiar but the faces (Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, Lindsay Price) were different. The series kicked off at New York fashion week, where - mostly - I wasn't really feeling Victory Ford's designs. And neither were the press. Ouch.

I've already shared a few of my thoughts on the first episode, but as I watched the show again, a few more things struck me. Do jump in with your own thoughts in the comments!

So, the series opened with Wendy dropping her bag on the floor, which instantly took me back to Carrie and Big (last reference, I promise, and so unfair on any other show), but Wendy's bag contents were a little different to Carrie's, with kids' toys and a script falling out of Wendy's designer tote.
I found the friendships in Lipstick believable and I liked seeing all sides to their relationship - talking work, shopping and being there in a crisis. Talking tough and shopping are not mutually exclusive, so this made it easier for me to believe that these women actually like each other.
I can't say I've ever had much of a thought out opinion on Brooke Shields, but I do like her as Wendy and I found the character sympathetic. She's definitely not the ruthless, backbiting woman I thought she might be. Instead she's someone who "hugs and fires." It's nice to see a character who's both powerful and motherly, although for TV conflict's sake she can't have it all.

To see more of my thoughts on last night's first episode, just read more.

I also liked Kim Raver's performance as Nico Reilly, but I had a couple of problems with her story, beginning with the "Do you know how old I am?" line. Really? If you're being flirted with / kissed passionately by a hot 20-something, are you going to ask that? Hmm.
Also, she's stuck in a loveless / sexless marriage, and the series certainly wasted no time jumping right into her first-ever affair. I get that the show's trying to make an impact, but I can't help thinking it might have been a little better to have an episode of flirtations first.
But then, Nico's younger man (played by Robert Buckley)? Cute. I can kinda see why she can't keep her hands off him.
As I said in my preview, I'm not loving Victory yet. Every moment that called for emotion felt a little soapy. But, as a postive, she does gets to date 80s heartthrob Andrew McCarthy.
She also gets my vote for worst outfit: that shimmery, 80s-prom-meets-baby-ballet-tutu getup. Is she really in fashion? Hmm.
We're supposed to be annoyed at Joe Bennett not doing anything for himself - including opening his champagne - but I didn't understand why Victory was so confused when he sent a car for her? Wouldn't she get picked up in cars all the time?
Nico's husband is really so unobservant that he didn't notice the phone number written on her leg in permanent pen?
Who knew Leonardo DiCaprio could cause so much stress? These stars and their flip-flopping... tsk...
But Wendy played total hardball, and I was nervous for her. Clinching Leo in a movie deal, and making a school meeting. Nice.
So, generally I enjoyed this first episode. It's always hard to judge a series on its pilot as really it's all about scene setting and getting to know characters, though this one fitted in a fair bit of story too. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where it all goes.

What did you think? Will you give it another episode to make an impression (if it hasn't yet)? And which character's story was the most interesting to you?

Photos courtesy of NBC