November 9th, 2009
04:15 PM ET

"New Moon" behind the scenes

Yes, it’s true, “Twi-hards” – I spent my Friday and Saturday surrounded by all things “New Moon.” This included conversations with Robert, Taylor and Kristen – in the flesh. But first things first: if my event a few weeks ago with the Kardashians was as chaotic as the President coming into town, then no doubt about it, the process of screening “New Moon” Friday night was like trying to get a tour of the White House.

For press screenings, it’s usually protocol to check our cell phones and any recording devices with security. However, not once have I encountered a metal detector before entering the theater. Yup, you read correctly, metal detectors. The steps I went through before entering the theater began with checking in, driver's license in hand, and receiving a yellow wristband, then waiting in a very long line as security checked our wrists. Then we had to hand over our cell phones, BlackBerries, cameras, etc. Next, a line to check any bags we carried. Last but not least, two lines in front of theater number seven’s door, as two men with hand-held metal detectors scanned to check what we might still be carrying. Then began my two hours and 10 minutes of “New Moon.” By the way, Team Jacob fans: Taylor Lautner has a very nice six-pack, and it is seen plenty throughout the movie! (More on that in a later blog.)

Saturday, I spent about five hours talking (and waiting to talk) with 17 cast members from the movie: Rob, Kristen, Taylor, Chris the director, five members of the Cullens, four from the Wolfpack, and four Volturi members. I’m sure plenty of you would have loved to trade places with me, but this process is not what I would call an ideal day. Yes, Taylor and Robert shook my hand – and despite what many of you might have done, I did wash my hands later. Saturday certainly did not disappoint in the chaos department for me either. The number of press outlets present was amazing – from multiple online outlets all the way to the Hungarian channel, and of course CNN. I could really see the star status of the “Twilight Saga.” I shouldn’t be complaining – Kristen Stewart was my first interview of the day, but for her, I was number 31. About four hours in, Rob Pattinson was my second to last interview; he still had an hour of press after me. Coffee in hand and looking drained, he smiled and said, “I’m starting to speak a little rubbish.”

While I wouldn’t trade my job for anything, Friday and Saturday was still work for me. How big a fan of the “Twilight Saga” are you? And what would you have traded to be in my shoes?

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Filed under: movies • New Moon • Twilight
November 9th, 2009
03:49 PM ET

'Twilight' producers sue fanzine

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The producers of the “Twilight” movie franchise are suing a fan magazine for publishing unauthorized photos of the film’s stars in their fanzine aimed at teens.

Summit Entertainment, the producers of the films based on Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling teen vampire novels, claimed in a lawsuit filed in U.S. Federal Court on Friday that Beckett Media is using unauthorized publicity stills from the movie that feature images of the film’s stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

Summit alleges it has sent Beckett a cease-and-desist letter according to TMZ.com, but the company still released a second unauthorized magazine. Summit is seeking an unspecified amount in damages from Beckett, which specializes primarily in collectible gaming magazines.

The second installment in the Twilight series, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," will hit the big screen on November 20.

Fans who are looking for authorized behind the scenes information can tune into the November 13 episode of "Oprah," where Meyer will give her one and only media interview to promote “New Moon.”

“You know I've been doing the hermit thing this last year, in so far as media is concerned, and I'm not changing that now, but I am making an exception," the reclusive Meyer wrote on her website. " I'm doing this for a good reason: I am so pleased and amazed and thrilled with what Chris Weitz has done with ‘New Moon’ that I want to talk about it, and to show my support for him."

"And since I'm only doing one interview, better make it big. Really big. So....I will be on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday, November 13th," the note on the Web site went on to say.

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Filed under: New Moon • Twilight
November 9th, 2009
02:06 PM ET

Carrie Prejean and her sex tape: the biggest hypocrite of them all!

I am seriously over Carrie Prejean’s ridiculous high-horse shenanigans! Since her comments against gay marriage during the Miss USA pageant, this former Miss California has been a walking contradiction of “family values” and boob-job blond mediocrity. And now, with her brand spanking new sex tape mixed with her new tell-all book decrying pornography, I am hoping we can officially crown this woman Miss Hypocrisy and move on with our lives.

The moment Prejean took a stance against gay marriage she has been a media magnet for the political right who hailed her as a new role model for the young conservative movement, symbolizing beauty and values in one fell swoop. But there were big time alarm bells a-ringing from the get-go that little Miss California wasn’t quite the moral princess she was made out to be. Sure we ignored the topless photos that surfaced of the blond beauty… I mean, we ALL know how bad the wind can get when standing on a cliff in nothing but a vest. Yes, she lost her Miss California title because she wasn’t keeping her end of the deal with the pageant – but it didn’t stop her career on the speaking circuit espousing her conservative family values to America – and probably making a pretty penny while she did it.

Now we find Prejean has a sex tape – not a traditional sex tape à la Paris Hilton. But that's not the whopper in this whole story. Are you ready? TMZ is reporting that in Prejean’s brand new tell-all book, she has a section where she actually bashes pornography, writing:

"Unfortunately, pornography has become mainstreamed - it rushes at us through big screens, portable screens; soft-core porn is on mainstream TV cable stations, hard-core porn is just a mouse click away on the internet… the result is that girls grow up in a culture where it is hard to have an innocent, healthy, normal view of themselves, how they should behave, how they should act, and how they should dress."

She then addresses her own topless pictures saying, "Our bodies are temples of the Lord. We should earn respect and admiration for our hearts, not for showing skin to look sexy ... I have since learned that your outer beauty can only get you so far in life."

And I think Prejean has gone far enough on her outer beauty and her ridiculous family values shtick. So far, the sex tape cost her a spot as key speaker at a conservative event on family values in New Jersey this past weekend . Hopefully, that’s the beginning of the end for Prejean. She doesn’t deserve to make money off the conservative speaking circuit.

From this point forward, her career should focus solely on being the butt of as many jokes as possible.

November 9th, 2009
01:27 PM ET

Your pop culture cheat sheet

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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