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October 29, 2009
Posted: 12:39 AM ET
"I think that most people who know me know that I'm pretty reasonable, chill... and a not so angry a guy." That sounds funny coming from a guy who calls his blog angryasianman.com. "I adopted the name Angry Asian Man for the website because it's very provocative, and it's very in your face," he says. And although he writes with anger when Hollywood stereotypes Asian-Americans, he also writes with joy about the up-and-coming entertainers from that community who could breakthrough to big time success someday. We asked him to pick five who may do just that. If they do, remember, you heard it here first! 1. Far East Movement "I can't stop listening to the single, "Girls On The Dance Floor" by FarEast Movement, otherwise known as FM. It's just the greatest, coolest dance track and everytime it's on, I just turn it up. So, FarEast Movement are definitely guys to watch in hip hop." 2. David Choi "A guy I really like is a guy named David Choi on YouTube who is just creating really fun, creative, quirky songs. It's funny because he started off as a songwriter and he hasn't really done much live performing and now that his music is sort of taking off and he's gotten fans through YouTube, he's become much more of like a legit musician, playing, and actual shows and stuff like that." 3. Brenda Song "For the Disney generation, there's certainly Brenda Song, who started on the show "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody." I think in a place like Disney, which has such a huge impact on popular culture, especially among the younger generation that's just coming up, someone like Brenda Song, who is just being a really cute, funny, and engaging actress in TV shows and movies is going to really show that Asian Americans have a a place in mainstream media and kids are going to be able to see "Oh, look, there's a really appealing, normal Asian-American person on TV." 4. Aaron Yoo "I really like an actor named Aaron Yoo. He was in 'Friday the 13th,' 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist' and a bunch of other stuff. He's just like a regular dude, who's in these, smaller roles up 'til now, but I think audiences really like him. He was in the movie 'Disturbia', which opened a couple years ago at number one at the box office. But I remember the week after that movie came out, I got all these hits on my website from people searching for Aaron Yoo, and people wanting to know who this guy was and what he was all about and searching for photos of him. I think he's definitely a guy to watch in Hollywood." 5. Wong Fu Productions [The trio of 20-something film-makers creates short movies that have developed a sizable cult following on YouTube.] "The really cool thing about their story is they are just friends who started making videos for fun, and then it caught on. I think a lot of people see themselves reflected in the Wong Fu guys. You know, it's like, 'Hey! these guys are just having fun and doing their thing" and so, I think it really relates to that young, energetic, hip sensibility where they're having fun and they're showing everybody what they're doing." Posted by: Douglas Hyde -- CNN Entertainment Producer October 5, 2009
Posted: 09:17 PM ET
(We reported earlier that Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell had been diagnosed with H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, upon arriving in New York just prior to the release of the band's new album. Littrell wanted to write something about the experience. Here are his comments, in his own words.) I knew something was way wrong on the plane ride home from Japan. I mean, I was miserable, but I didn’t expect anything like this. You always hear about this stuff but you never think it will hit you. (See a video of Brian on the Backstreet Boys' Web site.) When we got to the hotel in NYC I knew I needed to see a doctor. Then the doctor said I had all the symptoms. Swine flu? It all still seemed so surreal. I mean – I got a record coming out, why me? Why this week? I couldn’t sleep. The body aches were tremendous. This morning it reached a new level. It felt like I was hit by a truck. I mean it took me awhile to even get out of the bed, or even move at all. (CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta describes his own bout with H1N1 here.) Then it really hit home when the doctor confirmed it was definitely swine flu. He told me I had to be responsible and do my best to make sure nobody gets it from me. You can feel that pressure. I was supposed to see a lot of fans today at the signing.I’d have to tell the hotel staff here to leave room service, towels, etc., at my door. And tell my wife she couldn’t come see me for a few days. It’s a very lonely feeling. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. Posted by: Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell September 24, 2009
Posted: 05:27 PM ET
Hi there Marquee blog readers! I wanted to let you all know about something brand new that we are going to be doing on Showbiz Tonight. Each Friday on the show, we’re going to name the most provocative celebrity of the week- and we want to hear from you! Here is your chance to weigh in. Beginning each Thursday, tell us who you think it should be. Who was totally outrageous? Who did something so controversial it makes your head spin? Email us, write to us on Facebook or call Showbiz On Call: 888-SBT-BUZZ. We can’t wait to hear from all of you! Posted by: Showbiz Tonight's Brittany Kaplan August 27, 2009
Posted: 07:22 PM ET
Does anyone know if Stonehenge is still standing? I have my doubts, after hearing the dim-witted dudes of Spinal Tap recently paid a visit. The faux metal band's journey to the prehistoric monument is chronicled in a new short film called "Stonehenge: 'Tis a Magic Place" (available for $1.99 on iTunes). The title, of course, is borrowed from one of the band's signature tunes which contains these brilliant lyrics: "Stonehenge! Where the demons dwell Where the banshees live and they do live well" In the short, aging band-mates Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer) set out to visit the place they have celebrated in song. They get lost along the way, at one point landing at Legoland in Southern California. Ah, Legoland. 'Tis a magic place. Posted by: CNN Entertainment Senior Producer Matt Carey Posted: 03:53 PM ET
Way back in May of 2001, John Mayer was arrested in Georgia for driving without a license, but that's hardly news. ![]() What IS news, however, is that a mugshot was taken of the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter... a mug shot that has been rather elusive... until now. TMZ.com posted the coveted Mayer photo Thursday afternoon. So why is this eight-year-old mug so compelling? Here's the backstory: Wednesday Fall Out Boy singer Patrick Stump was arrested in Los Angeles for driving without a license and later released on $15,000 bail. Thursday, Jon Mayer tweeted that he was arrested for the same offense as Stump and posted the following message on his Twitter page to TMZ.com's Harvey Levin: "Challenge: if Harvey Levin at TMZ can produce my mugshot, I will donate 25k to the charity of his choice." Well, TMZ delivered... and it sounds like the celebrity website is serious about making Mayer deliver on his challenge. The website wants to donate the cash to an animal charity... saying they're close to saving a puppy's life. Do you think Mayer will cough up the cash? Posted by: CNN Entertainment Producer Jack Hannah August 25, 2009
Posted: 07:04 PM ET
What is a model? Is it a pretty face? A ‘good’ body? If it is someone with a ‘good’ body, what is that? A girl who is skin and bones? I know that isn’t me, and it definitely isn’t the majority of America where the average size is a 14. It is hard growing up as a girl in this country and being bombarded with those images. It takes a toll on young women- I know it did on me. Some companies are taking steps to help- Glamour magazine put this picture of Lizzi Miller in their latest issue to illustrate what a real woman looks like. Lizzi is a “plus size” model- although at a size 12/14 she is hardly plus size, in fact, in America, she is average. So I don't get it, is average the new plus?
Lizzi Miller
I applaud Glamour for putting Lizzi in their magazine and showing us real women but clearly we still have a ways to go. On the cover of the same issue that Lizzi proudly shows off her soft belly, the magazine teases an article inside about “3 Flat Belly Secrets.” Now isn’t that sending a bit of a mixed message? I remember vividly being about 8 years old and posing in front of my mirror in my bedroom like a model- Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ was big back then (don’t judge me). At the time I thought I was pretty; my parents told me I was and I was too young to be affected by things in magazines and on TV. I also remember that blissful ignorance disappearing at an early age as I entered what is now commonly referred to as my ‘tween’ years as I was barraged with images on television, in magazines, in ads at my favorite clothing stores and on my favorite pop singers. I wanted to get a perm because I wanted curly hair like Stephanie Tanner on Full House; then a few years later I had to have a straightener because I needed my hair to be as straight as Britney Spears. I was the first of my group of girlfriends to go through my growth spurt and as I struggled to fit into the teeny tiny clothes that they still squeezed into from stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, I would sit at home and look at the catalogue and wish I were as skinny as the bony models. I was 14. I look back now at the pictures of myself and think, ‘if only I could go back and talk to that girl and tell her…’ What do you think? Should more magazines show realistic images of women like Lizzi Miller? For much more on this fired up model debate tune in to Showbiz Tonight at 11pm ET/PT on HLN- don’t miss it! Posted by: Showbiz Tonight's Brittany Kaplan August 24, 2009
Posted: 11:06 AM ET
As evidenced by last week's blog comments, many of you are growing restless with "Entourage." I am no exception. The many comments ran the gamut, from "the show is just alright", to "lose Ashley/she's terrible", to "I need more Ari" and finally, a personal favorite, "It's the only reason I have HBO". I agree with all of the above, and alas, the pressure for the show is on. ![]() In this week's episode, Vince is awakened to the panic of some "thing" that went bump in the night, while Arnold, the boys' "guard dog" is un-phased by the disturbance. I'm unphased too, for now... Elsewhere, Eric's first day at Murray Berenson is packed with stimulating dialogue, and I'm officially a fan of George Segal. He runs the place with a brash brand of unforgiving honesty and cynicism, yet he still seems to show genuine care for the business and for the people who make it successful. Then, the show suddenly takes an interesting turn. Wait, is that Bob Saget? Now, I don't know about you, but I was taken aback by THIS Bob Saget's personal mojometer. It was pretty much the size of a Cadillac Escalade and I like it! (cue my "Yeah Bob!" shout to the TV). Saget is the man, and this is NOT "Full House" version either. This alter-ego is like Bob Saget "remixed". Let's call this guy "Bobby Saget". He's slick and a likable tad bit full of himself, laying down the law for exactly what HE sees as the benefit of having HIM for a client. Meanwhile, another show newcomer, cocky agent/insecure hotshot Scotty Lavin (aka Scott Caan of the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise) tries to woo him and Bobby's not feeling him in the least. Simply put: Wow. These two Entourage rookies actually bring new flavor to the episode. When you throw in a third new player with a solid contribution from studio exec Dan Coakley (Matt Letscher), his masterfully executed torture of Johnny Drama has me on-board with this new trifecta. These three fresh faces look promising and I think the show got it right with these guys. I'm not certain exactly how much Bobby Saget we'll get, but Scotty Lavin's newly-minted rivalry with E should be entertaining. Drama's "fury-turned-groveling" unto Dan Coakley was a somewhat entertaining train wreck that shouldn't have cost me any Drama "respect" points, but it did and I'm not sure what side-effects I'll experience as I see Drama in future episodes. Rounding the show out, Vince's need for security at the hands of a possible stalker made for a compelling lead-in to next week. As for me, I was happy with the show this week. I'm excited to see how things move from here, but wait a second...Where's all my underwear? Loved, hated, or kinda liked the show? Let us know. Posted by: CNN.com writer Dereyck Moore Posted: 10:05 AM ET
Editor’s Note: This post contains spoilers for the Sunday, August 23 episode of HBO’s “True Blood.” Religions based on the worship of space aliens, The Dude from “The Big Lebowski” and spaghetti monsters? Seen ‘em all - old news. ![]() But Jason Stackhouse in a gas mask with antlers made out of a tree branch? I think that’s a spiritual leader we can all believe in. The segment with Jason, Sam Merlotte and Andy Bellefleur fighting their way through Sam’s bar in Sunday’s “True Blood” episode, “New World in My View,” was a highlight. Basically, we were served up a short zombie movie in the middle of a vampire show. Sure, there was no gore-splattered hacking and slashing, but all the key elements were there. Chainsaw? Check. Mindless horde of your former friends banging on the door? Check. Hapless buddies working their way through the mob in increasingly creative ways? Check. And Jason’s shirtless appearance to fool the black-eyed horde was classic. Who didn’t laugh at a “god” who doesn’t know what the word “smite” means and serves up such eloquent pronouncements as, “I am the god who comes! I have come … and now I am here!” (We’ll step slowly away from the possible double entendre’ there as it applies to Jason, OK?) Maryann haters, and indeed there are many, can take heart in the fact that Sam’s escape, combined with Sookie’s newfound face-zapping ability, suggest there are some chinks in the armor of Dionysus’s No. 1 gal – even if her decidedly non-tasty blood means Bill might not be much help. Only two episodes left this season, which means there’s not much time left for Maryann to become this season's Rene Lenier (hopefully). Who knows? If they’re lucky, they may make it out of this mess before Maryann’s meat tree goes bad. Posted by: CNN producer Doug Gross August 21, 2009
Posted: 11:55 AM ET
Part of the danger of starting off the season with lots of battles and wig pulling is that Thursday night’s regular episode of “Real Housewives of Atlanta” came off a little blah. The show wasn’t at all helped by the fact that it was preceded by the director’s cut of the “Unbeweavable” episode from the week before, which featured the scream-fest between Kim and Sheree. There were even more taunts and insults between the pair in the director’s cut, and just when you thought that fight couldn’t get any better, Lindsay Lohan’s father Michael showed up in a totally inexplicable moment. First Jon Gosselin and now Kim? Does Michael Lohan somehow make a living hanging out with reality stars? NeNe was priceless as she yelled “Hey, Mr. Lindsay Lohan’s daddy, you take your ass back to Malibu!” So by the time we got to the regularly scheduled episode of “Housewives,” it all felt kind of staid: more heartbreak for Kandi as her mother continues to refuse to accept her fiancé, sadness for Lisa about possibly visiting her brother’s grave and outrage for Kim that her nanny left her kids alone to go buy sanitary products. I found the most entertainment with Dwight and Sheree’s attempt at speed dating. I swear Dwight needs his own spin-off show. The Real Divos of Atlanta perhaps? Check out Essence for more on the "Real Housewives of Atlanta." Posted by: CNN.com writer Lisa Respers France August 20, 2009
Posted: 07:00 PM ET
Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz are taking aim at internet diet claims using their names. They have filed a trademark infringement complaint against 40 internet marketers claiming they are using their names and likenesses to sell products. Showbiz Tonight has just received the following statements: "Harpo, Inc. has filed this lawsuit to let consumers know that these internet marketers are willfully using the names of well-known figures to deceive the public. Neither Ms. Winfrey nor Dr. Oz has ever sponsored or endorsed any acai, resveratrol or dietary supplement product and cannot vouch for their safety or effectiveness. It is our intention to put an end to these companies’ false claims and increasingly deceptive practices." -Marc Rachman, attorney on behalf of Harpo, Inc. "The companies that are using my name to hawk these products are duping the public. I do not endorse any of these products. By falsely presenting products as ‘scientifically proven’ and endorsed by well-known figures, these companies do a gross disservice to the public health and could even pose a danger to those who believe their false and unproven claims. I am taking this step in the interest of public safety. I feel compelled to stand up against these companies and their deceitful practices." -Dr. Mehmet Oz For all of the latest breaking developments, be sure to tune in to Showbiz Tonight at 11pm ET/PT on HLN- don’t miss it! Posted by: Showbiz Tonight's Brittany Kaplan |
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