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November 19, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 02:37 PM ET

Will Ferrell is Hollywood's most "overpaid" star, according to Forbes, in a study they posted Wednesday. His recent box-office flop, "Land of the Lost," had a lot to do with that. The Web site says that Ewan McGregor came in second.

Perennial "guest star" Heather Locklear did wonders for "Melrose Place's" ratings in the '90s, but how did she fare with her appearance on the new version? Not too well, says The Hollywood Reporter. Ratings were only up 14 percent from the series low the week before.

Reality cooking shows are starting to become as hot as dancing shows. NBC has ordered a new series called "United Plates of America," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The winner of the competition will launch a chain of restaurants - not a bad prize.

Jennifer Morrison spoke to EW.com about her apparent exit from "House" on Monday. As for a possible return in the future, she said that she was being paid for the rest of the season and didn't know anything else beyond that. Her character, Cameron, who has been with the show since the beginning, left her husband and the hospital in the most recent episode.

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November 17, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 03:21 PM ET
Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Disney's "Captain Nemo," a new version of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," won't be going forward, Variety reports. McG was attached to direct and will now tackle other projects.

Rachel McAdams, shown above, has shot down rumors that she will play the character Black Cat in "Spider-Man 4," EW.com reports. The sequel is planned for a 2011 release.

Tony Danza is still teaching, and took his class on a tour of Washington, according to The Washington Post. His experiences will be part of an upcoming A&E reality show.

Anna Faris has been cast as Robin Williams' daughter in the romantic comedy, "Wedding Banned," The Hollywood Reporter says. Williams' character will try to keep his daughter from making the same mistakes in marriage that he did.

New music out today from 50 Cent, Justin Bieber, Leona Lewis, John Mayer, OneRepublic, Norah Jones and a collection of "Number Ones" from Janet Jackson.

And on DVD today: sci-fi smash "Star Trek," "Borat" follow-up "Bruno," Cameron Diaz in "My Sister's Keeper" and the 70th anniversary edition of "Gone with the Wind" on Blu-Ray.

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November 16, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 03:13 PM ET
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Fans are already camped out as the premiere of "New Moon" approaches. As for the rumors of onset romance between stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke tells Time, "...In terms of what Kristen told me directly, it didn't happen on the first movie. Nothing crossed the line while on the first film. I think it took a long time for Kristen to realize, O.K., I've got to give this a go and really try to be with this person."

"My Little Pony" may return to TV, The Hollywood Reporter says. The 1980s toys from the makers of "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" are being looked at for a new show for the upcoming Discovery-Hasbro kids' channel.

Hollywood legends Lauren Bacall, Roger Corman and Gordon Willis were honored with honorary Oscars over the weekend. EW.com reports that this was the first time these Oscars were handed out at a separate ceremony. Kirk Douglas spoke in honor of Bacall, while directors Ron Howard, Quentin Tarantino, and Jonathan Demme paid tribute to B-movie king Corman.

Edward Woodward, best known for the movie "The Wicker Man" and the TV crime series "The Equalizer," died on Monday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The stage veteran was 79.

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November 13, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 01:56 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment:

"Charlie's Angels" is returning to TV, Variety reports. ABC wants to do a modern version of the 1970s show, after its remake of "V."

It turns out that former President Clinton is a fan of "Mad Men." The Chicago Sun-Times quoted him as saying, "You ever watch that TV series 'Mad Men?' If I keep watching this program, will I ever find a happy person? Great television. Good drama. But a lot of really painful reminders in that show about how black people were supposed to run the elevators... were supposed to ask permission before they get on an elevator. The way women were treated is appalling and only occasionally funny to me."

"Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" beat "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" in the ratings for the first time last week, Variety reports. "Late Show with David Letterman" has regularly been beating "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."

At the box office this weekend, John Cusack witnesses the world coming to an end in "2012," Philip Seymour Hoffman takes us back to the '60s in "Pirate Radio," George Clooney voices the animated "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and Woody Harrelson stars as a Casualty Notification Officer with the Army in "The Messenger." Share your movie reviews here.

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November 12, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 12:38 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment:

The Aerosmith saga continues: guitarist Joe Perry now tells People that Steven Tyler will be taking a break for two years, and in the meantime, the band's future is "up in the air."

Harvey Keitel has joined the cast of "Little Fockers," a sequel to "Meet the Parents" and "Meet the Fockers," The Hollywood Reporter says. Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson will all return in their original roles. "Parents" and "Fockers" were huge hits in 2000 and 2004, respectively.

Movie studio MGM will be auctioned off in the next few weeks, Variety reports. So far, the studio has only released the remake of "Fame" this year.

ABC has canceled Kelsey Grammer's new sitcom "Hank," according to The Hollywood Reporter. It was the only one of the network's four Wednesday night comedies to under-perform in the ratings.

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November 11, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 01:05 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Steven Tyler put the rumors of an Aerosmith break-up to rest while appearing on stage with guitarist Joe Perry in New York last night, EW.com reports. Tyler simply announced that he was "not leaving Aerosmith," despite statements by Perry on Twitter saying they were looking for a new lead singer. Yesterday he tweeted, "Aerosmith not splitting up."

Forbes reported that Simon Cowell is the top-earning man on primetime TV. Forbes.com said that Cowell made $75 million between June 2008 and 2009. Donald Trump is second with $50 million, and fellow "American Idol" star Ryan Seacrest earned $38 million.

Movie theater exhibitors are angry again at one of the studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Previously, they were upset with Paramount Pictures for releasing "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" and "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard" on DVD early. This time, their ire is directed at Sony Pictures, for announcing that the hit animated family comedy "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" will get an early DVD release on December 8. Normally, there is a four-month window between theatrical release and DVD.

Denzel Washington is returning to Broadway, Variety reports. He will star in a revival of "Fences," a Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

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November 10, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 01:15 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Oscar buzz continues to build around "Precious," and movie studio Lionsgate plans to expand it to 1,200 theaters over Thanksgiving, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The studio's president told the paper that the word of mouth for the movie is higher than that of most "prestige films" this early on.

Speaking of Oscar buzz, the chances for this past summer's "Up" to be nominated for Best Picture continue to look good. The Hollywood Reporter says that if that happened, it would be the first time a movie has been nominated for both Best Picture and Best Animated Feature. "Beauty and the Beast" was the last animated movie nominated for Best Picture in 1991.

Donald Trump and first season "Apprentice" contestant Omarosa are getting back together, Variety reports. The pair are working on a reality dating show called "Omarosa's Ultimate Merger." Omarosa also appeared on the first season of "Celebrity Apprentice."

Another one bites the dust: ABC has decided not to renew new series "Eastwick," EW.com reports. However, another new series, "The Forgotten," just got an additional five episodes ordered.

On DVD today: the aforementioned "Up," "The Ugly Truth," starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, Ashton Kutcher in "Spread," "Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series" and "Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days."

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November 9, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 01:27 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Is Steven Tyler leaving Aerosmith? EW.com asks that question, reporting that Tyler gave an interview last week where he said he would be pulling out of the band's South American tour, while guitarist Joe Perry has since said that Tyler has stopped returning his phone calls.

Jonas Brothers fans, take heart: another season of the sitcom "Jonas" has been ordered up by The Disney Channel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show has been winning in its Sunday night time slot in key kids demographics.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" is heading into cable syndication, The Hollywood Reporter says. The long-running HBO comedy starring Larry David will air in reruns on the TV Guide Network and TV Land starting in February.

Fox's new Saturday night talk show "The Wanda Sykes Show" debuted over the weekend, and it improved on now-canceled "Mad TV's" ratings last year, Variety reports. However, "Saturday Night Live" still scored better with viewers.

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November 6, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 01:16 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

The Hollywood Reporter says that GLAAD is protesting Wednesday night's episode of "South Park" which dealt with the "F-word." Their statement reads in part, "Though this seems to represent a well-intentioned effort by the creators of South Park to delegitimize a vulgar anti-gay slur, the fact is that the word is and remains a hateful slur that is often part of the harassment, bullying and violence that gay people, and gay youth in particular, experience on a daily basis in this country."

Jellystone Park is getting a little more crowded as three actors are in talks for the live-action/CG-animated "Yogi Bear Movie," Variety reports. Anna Faris, Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake will be part of the film's cast, with Aykroyd looking at voicing Yogi himself, with Timberlake as Boo-Boo. Faris is negotiating to play a documentary filmmaker (not CG-animated in this case, one would assume).

Popular satirical website/newspaper "The Onion" is coming to TV, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Comedy Central is partnering with "The Onion" on a half-hour scripted comedy, based on the website's video sports "coverage."

In theatres today: Jim Carrey gets animated in Robert Zemeckis' state-of-the-art version of "A Christmas Carol," George Clooney in the quirky "The Men Who Stare at Goats," Cameron Diaz in the psychological thriller "The Box," alien close encounters of "The Fourth Kind," and finally, "Precious," which is getting a lot of Oscar buzz of late.

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November 4, 2009

Your pop culture cheat sheet

Posted: 01:30 PM ET

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

The cut "Bruno" scene featuring LaToya Jackson will be part of the movie's upcoming DVD, People reports. It was removed from the film at the last minute due to Michael Jackson's death, which occurred days before the movie's release. In the 90-second scene, Sacha Baron Cohen interviews LaToya in character as Bruno.

Tuesday night's highly-anticipated premiere of "V" paid off in the ratings for ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It was the highest-rated premiere for a new scripted show so far this season.

James Franco will not only appear in several episodes of "General Hospital," he also plans to guest star on "30 Rock," according to EW.com.

Variety reports that Sigourney Weaver and John C. Reilly have joined a cast which includes "The Hangover's" Ed Helms and Anne Heche for the comedy "Cedar Rapids." Weaver will play Helms' former seventh-grade teacher in the movie, which has already begun shooting.

Now on DVD: action blockbuster "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," Denzel Washington and John Travolta in "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3," Bush stage spoof "You're Welcome, America" starring Will Ferrell, teen comedy "I Love You, Beth Cooper," family fare "Aliens in the Attic," documentary "Food, Inc.," Hitchcock classic "North by Northwest: 50th Anniversary Edition," plus TV sets "Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One," "G.I. Joe: Season 1.2" and "Ruby-Spears Superman."

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