The Remote Island : HBO

"True Blood": The Official New Season 2 Poster And Plotlines For The First 3 Episodes [PHOTO]

Jake Kalish — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:40:00 GMT

We may not be so pleased with True Blood, but it's not about us. Never forget that we're here for you - at least for these next two days, after which your humble correspondent will be here, serving only himself.

Check it out. And this thing we've had together has been fun, hasn't it? More fun than a show full of vampires...

June 14: “Nothing But the Blood”
A shocking murder outside Merlotte’s has Bon Temps reeling. Meanwhile, Sookie’s (Anna Paquin) relationship with Bill (Stephen Moyer) is tested when she learns about Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll), and of his involvement in her uncle’s death. Sam (Sam Trammell) recalls a shape-shifting encounter he had with Maryann (Michelle Forbes) as a 17-year-old. Jason (Ryan Kwanten) gets a sudden windfall that allows him to pay for a leadership retreat with the Fellowship of the Sun. Two adversaries find themselves sharing a mysterious dungeon and, possibly, the same fate.

June 21: “Keep This Party Going”
Sookie is forced to cope with Bill’s obligations to Jessica, as well as the romantic inconveniences the teen vampire’s presence creates. At the Light of Day leadership conference, Jason makes a favorable impression on its ambitious leaders, Steve (Michael McMillian) and Sarah Newlin (Anna Camp), though not on his jealous roommate Luke (Wes Brown). Maryann casts her spell on Merlotte’s patrons, and Sam proves helpless to stop the revelry.

June 28: “Scratches”
When Sookie is attacked by a mysterious creature, Bill must enlist Eric’s (Alexander Skarsgård) help to save her. At the Light of Day retreat, Jason has second thoughts about the sect’s anti-vampire agenda, but Sarah and Steve counter his doubts with flattery and promises. After snapping at Tara (Rutina Wesley) and new employee Daphne (Ashley Jones), Sam decides to cut and run. A bored Jessica heads over to Merlotte’s, where a smitten Hoyt (Jim Parrack) falls under her spell. At another Maryann-hosted party, Tara finds her attraction to Eggs (Mehcad Brooks) interrupted by a swirling, aphrodisiac fog.

Don't say we never did anything for you.

PREVIOUSLY:

"True Blood" Teaser Posters: Sexier The Second Time Around? [PHOTO]

Evan Rachel Wood Is Coming To "True Blood"

True Blood Spoilers: Sneak Peek Of Season 2 [VIDEO]

"Big Love": That's Ginnifer Goodwin? [PHOTOS]

Jake Kalish — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:23:00 GMT

Ginnifer Goodwin of Big Love is in W Magazine this month, looking about as un-Mormon as one possibly can. It's like she went right from the Church of Latter-Day Saints to the Justify My Love video.

Here's Ginnifer Goodwin on Big Love:

And here's Ginnifer Goodwin in W Magazine:

What would Joseph Smith think? Whuzzat? A character? Shhhh. It seems clear that she's acting now, unless this is like when the Amish do Rumspringa.

Anyway, we expect this from Chloe Sevigny - she was in Kids and performed oral sex onscreen in The Brown Bunny - but it comes as a bit of a surprise from Margene Heffman. Just saying.

PREVIOUSLY:

Is HBO For Girls Now? [VIDEO]

HBO Is Sorry About "Big Love", Just Not That Sorry

HBO Greenlights Fourth Season Of "Big Love"

The "Grey Gardens" Emmy Showdown Begins

Lindy Parker — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Okay, so here's how it went down...

HBO wanted to maximize their odds to take home as many Emmys as possible for their TV movie version of the acclaimed documentary Grey Gardens starring Jessica Lange and Remote Island darling Drew Barrymore. They figured the best plan for all involved was to split the difference and push Drew for the best actress category, and Jessica Lange for best supporting actress to try and ensure that both actors took home a shiny statuette, and HBO got to rack up a higher count of Emmys. Everybody wins! Apparently, HBO didn't count on Jessica Lange going all Norma Desmond on them...

But we're told Lange wouldn't go for it. "Her immediate reaction was that she's won two Oscars, and that she has equal screen time to Barrymore," says our insider. "She felt she wasn't a supporting character in the film, and that it'd be dishonest and a manipulation of votes. She didn't want a part of it."
After weeks of back and forth, HBO finally decided to allow Barrymore and Lange to go head-to-head in the lead category. "Now we have a scenario where either Lange will go home empty-handed, or neither will win," says our source. "It's unfortunate." (New York Post)

We like how the HBO source just assumes that it's Lange that will be left out in the cold. No wonder she got huffy.

Previously:

How Grey Gardens Cured Drew Barrymore of Weird Facial Ticks

Grey Gardens Trailer: Whimsical or Weird [VIDEO]

Golden Globes: Letter To The Stars

Our Continued Love Affair With Drew Barrymore

"Trouble The Water", Oscar-Nominated Hurricane Katrina Doc, Tonight At 8:30 On HBO [VIDEO]

Jake Kalish — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:44:00 GMT

"We're from New Orleans, the 9th Ward. Underwater."

This doc follows Kimberly Rivers Roberts, a 9th ward resident, and her family before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina took the 9th ward underwater. Ms. Roberts started filming with her home video camera the day before the Hurricane struck, asking her neighbors what they were going to do with Katrina fast approaching. This film is built in part, on her home video footage. Check out the trailer...

PREVIOUSLY:

David Simon, Creator Of "The Wire," Takes On Hurricane Katrina

"The Witness: From The Balcony Of Room 306", Tonight At 8 On HBO 2

Bobby Jindal: "I Could Have Spoken Better"

Congratulations, Jill Scott!

Jake Kalish — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:20:00 GMT

The singer and star of No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency just gave birth to her first child, a boy! And if this boy's birthdate and birthtime are any indication, he'll be smoking weed within the week!

As for the name - it's a mode of transportation, but with funny spelling. Also, if you're superstitious, it might kinda maybe be bad luck...

Welcome to the world, Jett Roberts! You were born at 4:20 on 4/20 - being a newborn, you don't know what that means. But we sure do. Puff puff pass, young man.

So the name - Jett. Hmmm. Jett Roberts is a cool name - kind of sounds like a superhero's alter ego, or a soap opera star. Still, isn't it kind of bad luck, considering Jett Travolta just died? If you're a celebrity, would you give your kid the same name as another celebrity kid who died at 16 less than five months ago? Seems like bad mojo. Clearly, Jill Scott does not believe in the heebiejeebies.

Also, at the risk of sounding like Name Nazis, we must point out that a jet is an actual mode of transportation, and it is spelled "jet." You don't see any children being named Helicopterrr. Just saying.

All right, that last part was cranky and unnecessary. We may be overtired. Also, Helicopterrr would be an awesome name.

PREVIOUSLY:

"No.1" Reason We Love Jill Scott [VIDEO]

Congratulations Ellen Pompeo!

Crush of The Day: Idris Elba

Is HBO For Girls Now? [VIDEO]

Booyakasha! A Legal Victory For Ali G, Sacha Baron Cohen [VIDEO]

Jake Kalish — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:33:00 GMT

Score another one for the comedians, against the people offended by their comedy.

Judge Terry Friedman of Los Angeles County Superior Court dismissed a libel lawsuit brought against Mr. Cohen, HBO and the British broadcaster Channel 4 by a woman who said Mr. Cohen had used her name in a comedy routine.

Judge Friedman's ruling:

No reasonable person could consider the statements made by Ali G on the program to be factual. To the contrary, it is obvious that the Ali G character is absurd, and all his statements are gibberish and intended as comedy. The actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, never strays from the Ali G character, who is dressed in a ridiculous outfit and speaks in the exaggerated manner of a rap artist. Ali G’s statements are similarly absurd. For example, prior to the reference to Plaintiff, while ‘interviewing’ the author Gore Vidal, Ali G refers to the Constitution of the United States as having been written on two tablets, clearly intended to confuse the Constitution with the Ten Commandments. Altogether, the program is obviously a spoof of a serious interview program. No reasonable person could think otherwise.

It does kind of sound like Judge Friedman is an Ali G fan, no? Anyway, here's the "libelous" Ali G interview with Gore Vidal - the part that so offended is where Ali G talks about a former girlfriend who "amended herself"...

Ali G on American History - watch more funny videos

PREVIOUSLY:

"American Idol" Wants Sacha Baron Cohen For The Season 8 Finale

Sacha Baron Cohen Punks "Medium"

"Family Guy" Wins Court Battle [VIDEO]

True Blood Spoilers: Sneak Peak of Season 2 [VIDEO]

Lindy Parker — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:45:00 GMT

Here's the thing: We remain hopelessly conflicted about the second season of HBO's vampire drama, True Blood. We're still recovering from the mind-blowingly bad the season one finale, but we still can't quite let go of our hope that Alan Ball can turn this ship around and steer it to more awesome waters...

Previously:

True Blood Teaser Posters: Sexier The Second Time Around

True Blood Wants "Blood Hookers" For Second Season (SPOILERS)

The Five Worst Things About The True Blood Season Finale

True Blood Campaign Sucking All the Fun Out of Viral Videos

"The Wire": David Simon's Original Pitch To HBO

Jake Kalish — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:27:00 GMT

This is awesome. You know, a common question whenever people hear or read in-depth analysis of great art is "but did he mean all that?"

Turns out yeah, he meant all that...

This from a document dated September 6, 2000 and sent from David Simon to HBO:

The Wire is a drama that offers multiple meanings and arguments. It will be, in the strictest sense, a police procedural set in the drug culture of an American rust-belt city, a cops-and-players story that exists within the same vernacular as other television fare.

But as with the best HBO series, The Wire will be far more than a cop show, and to the extent that it breaks new ground, it will do so because of larger, universal themes that have more to do with the human condition, the nature of the American city and, indeed, the national culture.

Simon is actually underselling there. Later, he gets into what he then believed would make his show great, and what in fact did make it great:

But more than an exercise is realism for its own sake, the verisimilitude of The Wire exists to serve something larger. In the first story-arc, the episodes begin what would seem to be the straight-forward, albeit protracted, pursuit of a violent drug crew that controls a high-rise housing project. But within a brief span of time, the officers who undertake the pursuit are forced to acknowledge truths about their department, their role, the drug war and the city as a whole. In the end, the cost to all sides begins to suggest not so much the dogged police pursuit of the bad guys, but rather a Greek tragedy. At the end of thirteen episodes, the reward for the viewer -- who has been lured all this way by a well-constructed police show -- is not the simple gratification of hearing handcuffs click. Instead, the conclusion is something that Euripides or O'Neill might recognize: an America, at every level at war with itself.

Yeah, he meant all that.

PREVIOUSLY:

Britain, Still Reeling From The Revolutionary War, Ranks American Television Shows

David Simon, Creator Of "The Wire", Takes On Hurricane Katrina

David Simon, Former Reporter, Kicks Baltimore's Ass In Print

Today In Deals: Get "The Wire" Complete Series For Only $82

The 2008 Presidential Election Will Be An HBO Movie [VIDEO]

Jake Kalish — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:59:00 GMT

HBO is making a film about the 2008 Presidential Election, based on a not-yet finished book by political writers Mark Halperin and John Hieleman. No pressure, though, guys.

Our old friend Sarah Hepola on Salon invited readers to speculate on who would play Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin. From where we're standing, it seems like the toughest part to cast is the lead - Barack Obama. Will Smith always seemed like the feature-film choice down the road (the ears help him there) but the biggest movie star in the world probably wouldn't do a TV film. Terrence Howard? Great actor. Jeffrey Wright? Maybe even a better actor. Might not be good-looking enough; is that mean to say?

Regardless, with all the twists and turns, it's a great story for a movie - so finish that book, fellas. It's remarkable, in seeing the recent photos of President Barack Obama and Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton meeting at a picnic table, that this happened just last February...

PREVIOUSLY:

Details On Kal Penn's White House Gig

Today In WTF: Turkish TV News Anchor Dons Blackface To Report On President Obama

Obama On TV: Bad Strategy?

Maverick Sarah Palin Bravely Takes On Teenage Boy

Can Clinton/Blair Compete With "Frost/Nixon"?

David Simon, Creator of "The Wire," Takes On Hurricane Katrina

Olivia Purnell — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:00:00 GMT

We've said it before, we'll say it again: The Wire is the shit.

And we are gonna keep saying it over and over until David Simon comes up with something else for us to obsess over and adore like it's the best thing since sliced bread dipped in honey spread with chocolate and wrapped in love. That day may come very soon.

He's back at HBO working on a new series called Treme that focuses on a group of New Orleans musicians reassembling their lives after the devastation of Katrina. But, Simon says, the show is not about the Hurricane.

Say what?

Mr. Simon says “Treme” is not only about the storm, or even the aftermath. “It’s reductive to say so, but it is really a show about why New Orleans matters.”

This is why The GD Wire was so fucking good. The creators insisted on tackling the social metanarrative without sounding preachy or overly "reductive." But The Wire's low ratings and eventual demise make us wonder if larger social questions are viable fodder for popular television. Will audiences gravitate to Treme? Simon's collaborator, Tom Piazza, author of the appropriately titled book Why New Orleans Matters, says hell yeah:

“It’s a pretty good message right now when you think of it,” said Mr. Piazza. “This show is about a culture trying to rebuild and survive, something we are all facing right now one way or another. The strength that people showed here is the most inspiring thing that I have ever witnessed in my life, but it is not sentimentalized on the show.”

We hope he's right. Cause we'll be happy to start shouting "Treme is the shit" from all the blog rooftops in all the blog world.

(nytimes.com)

Previously:

David Simon, Former Reporter, Kicks Baltimore's Ass In Print

Crush of The Day: Idris Elba

Are The Writers of "The Office" Obsessed With "The Wire?"

Idris Elba Joins "The Office": The Girl Version

Idris Elba Joins "The Office": The Boy Version

"No. 1" Reason We Love Jill Scott [VIDEO]

Lindy Parker — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Deep down, we truly believe Jill Scott is destined to be our funny, sassy, stunningly beautiful BFF. We were obviously meant to go on long, leisurely shopping trips in which we sip hazelnut lattes, and then go home to give each other pedicures, and watch Ellen. We love Jill Scott. And, as Rob Lowe taught us, true love lasts a lifetime. You can imagine how psyched we were for her new HBO series based on the best selling novel. In fact, there's only one way we could be more excited about The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and that's if we were actually watching it. Truly, we've never been more depressed that we can't afford HBO. Do we really have to wait for the DVD? Why isn't this show on itunes?

Here's a clip...

See? Jill Scott is so beautiful and fabulous! How can this not be the best show ever? We're kind of surprised that so far the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency seems to be getting mixed reviews...

It moved with the speed of an elephant taking a stroll. It actually sort of felt like Murder, She Wrote but even less dramatic. And that show starred a senior citizen! I'm hoping that as this show progresses, the plot lines become a teensy bit more suspenseful. (Entertainment Weekly)

Whoa, whoa. WHOA. What's wrong with Murder, She Wrote? We love us some J. Fletch (not as much as we love Jill Scott, but still). That show was classic, and why is a MSW similarity unacceptable, and yet nobody complains when Burn Notice recycles the entire pantheon of 80's CBS crime shows? Also, just for the record, we recently saw Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit on Broadway and our girl was bringing it like Beyoncé all over that stage. Trust us when we say that being a "senior citizen" has not slowed her down any, but we digress. Back to Jill Scott...

I have to discuss Jill Scott's performance as Precious: It was fantastic. Perfect casting. She was warm but conveyed such intelligence and strength. I've always been a fan of her music, but I think she's really evolving into a great actress. (Entertainment Weekly)

First stop: amazing actress/singer/songwriter, next stop: our new shopping buddy/BFF.

Previously:

The Angela Lansbury Sex Tape Has A Name: Positive Moves

No Seriously, Angela Lansbury Sex Tape

Crush of the Day: Idris Elba

Brothers and Sisters: True Love Lasts a Lifetime

Can Clinton/Blair Compete With "Frost/Nixon"?

Jake Kalish — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:04:00 GMT

Peter Morgan, the writer of Frost/Nixon, has written an HBO movie about the political relationship between Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. If The Special Relationship (not so crazy about the title, btw) gets greenlighted, HBO viewers will see a couple of bonafide movie stars as the Clintons...

Dennis Quaid as Bill, Julianne Moore as Hillary.With Michael Sheen, who played David Frost in Frost/Nixon, portraying Tony Blair, as he's already done in two Stephen Frears movies written by Peter Morgan - The Deal and The Queen.

Quaid as Bill Clinton? He seems a bit chiseled for the role - makeup will have to make him doughy. Dennis Quaid's a better actor than people usually give him credit for; maybe he can pull it off. But Julianne Moore as Hillary? Great actress. Way beautiful for the role. Much respect to Hillary Clinton, a brilliant lady - but makeup will have to do some serious work on Julianne Moore to get the lovely out. Damn, that sounds mean. We'd much rather have Hillary as Secretary of State than Julianne Moore. Is that a little better?

Dennis Quaid and Julianne Moore were great together in Far From Heaven, though, so maybe they can both pull it off. If this happens, we'll definitely tune in.

PREVIOUSLY:

Bill Clinton On Letterman: The Video

...Followed By Chris Rock: "Hillary's Not Running!"

Bill Clinton Talks About His Sax Life Wednesday At 9 On "Elvis Costello: Spectacle"

"True Blood" Wants "Blood Hookers" For Second Season (SPOILERS)

Lindy Parker — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:23:00 GMT

Are "blood hookers" like "blood diamonds"? You know, you can't purchase them without a form certifying their ethical integrity? Regardless, it seems the good folks at HBO have put out their feelers to cast a number of guest roles for True Blood's second season. True Blood is kind of like that asshole ex-boyfriend that we've mostly broken up with, but still can't totally stay away from and/or occasionally cyber-stalk.

We may have claimed irreconcilable differences with the first season, but we can't help but be curious about the casting calls for season 2...

SPOILER ALERT!

Here's a couple of the roles we can expect to see cast in the upcoming season (Spoiler TV via io9.com)...

[HUGO] Early 30s to 40, a buttoned-down accountant or lawyer type, he is Isabel's human boyfriend. He is locked up with Sookie in the bomb shelter of the F.O.T.S. Church...GUEST STAR (3) WILL APPEAR IN TWO EPISODES. PLEASE SUBMIT CAUCASIAN ONLY.

[MIDDLE-AGED MAN] Seen in flashback, middle-aged, and drunk when we meet him, he and his beautiful companion are enjoying the music at a 1920s Art Deco House. He is shocked but intrigued by Lorena's invitation to enjoy the scandalous after-hours partying. Later, we watch as Lorena and Bill have their way with the terrified Middle-Aged Man...1 speech & 6 lines, 2 scenes (5)

[FEMALE HUMAN BLOOD HOOKER] This human blood hooker is allowing a clearly disinterested Eric to drink from her...4 lines, 1 scene sptv050769(1)

For the full list visit Spoiler TV.

Previously:

The Five Worst Things About The True Blood Finale

Life Imitates Art: Anna Paquin Dating Her True Blood Love Interest

Did True Blood Tank?

HBO Is Sorry About “Big Love,” Just Not That Sorry

Olivia Purnell — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Did HBO apologize to the Mormon Church for an allegedly offensive scene that will air in this Sunday’s episode of Big Love? Yes.

Will HBO be scrapping, re-edttting, or changing said scene in any way?

No.

Big Love will air unchanged as planned on Sunday at 10pm. The scene in question goes a little something like this:

A character portrayed by the actress Jeanne Tripplehorn undergoing an endowment ceremony, a religious rite in which members recite religious teachings and reenact scenes from the Bible in preparation for their places in heaven.

The church was none-to-happy about this depiction because:

The church considers the rite sacred, and only members in good standing may participate in or view it

HBO was super understanding of the church’s concerns and issued an apology. But again, the Home Box Office will not be changing the scene. We too are very sorry for any offense, but are excited about a show that is willing to cross a few lines in order to (in their, and our estimation) write and shoot a show that portrays something truthful and raw. We’d be offended by provocation for provocation’s sake. But Big Love seems to be creating a thoughtful and interesting representation of polygamy, idealism, marriage, childhood, etc.

Are we wrong?

While you reflect, let’s watch a little clip of “The Happiest Girl”, shall we?

It’s just good. That’s all there is to it.

(nytimes.com)

Previously:

HBO Greenlights Fourth Season of "Big Love"

Joe Buck Replaces Bob Costas At HBO

Buscemi, Scorcese, HBO: What Could Go Wrong?

Upcoming HBO Animal Cruelty Special Has U.S. Pork Producers Scared

Jake Kalish — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:29:00 GMT

We were going to show a really cute picture of a pig, but we remembered we ate pork this morning, and felt sad. Then we were going to show slaughtered and/or mistreated pigs, but that was way too disturbing and upsetting. So tattooed pigs it is.

An upcoming HBO doc, Death On A Factory Farm, which depicts harrowing animal cruelty in an Ohio factory hog farm, has pork producers real worried. The film, which will premiere March 16 and air 20 times by April 1, is an undercover investigation of practices at the Wiles Hog Farm. Practices which, without getting into graphic descriptions, are inhumane.

Now pork producers, already worried about the high prices for their product in the current economy, are frantically telling anyone who'll listen it's not really like that, you know, everywhere:

Steve Weaver, president of the National Pork Board, told the forum on Thursday that "our detractors and special interest groups have begun to focus on specific production practices and to challenge our industry on our commitment to animal care."

Weaver conceded that some producers do not adhere to the best industry practices, "and sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot."

But Cindy Cunningham of the National Pork Board said "there are 75,000 hog farms across the country and what happened on this farm is not common practice."

We certainly hope not.

"Flight Of The Conchords" Poster Contest Winner Announced [UPDATED]

Jake Kalish — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:27:00 GMT

This was our fave... and it didn't win. Well, sure, they didn't want to cut Milt Glaser a check. But the winner is pretty good too -- click through to see for yourself!

Flight Of The Conchords had a poster contest, and the finalists' work is surprisingly great. Bret and Jemaine pick their winner today. We go back and forth, but the poster above, by "jetter", is probably our fave. Although this one, by "catherinepeach", is pretty great too...

Check the Conchords Fan Wiki today for the winner. Although, in looking at the finalists, there are no losers! (Sorry, lame. But really, these posters rock the party.)

UPDATE: Winner!

PREVIOUSLY:

"Flight Of The Conchords" Is All About The Music Now, People

Here Comes Larry

Jake Kalish — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Curb Your Enthusiasm is coming back. Production starts next week, and the show's seventh season will premiere in September. Which means along with being the co-creator and head writer of TV Guide's greatest show of all time, Larry David is the creator and star of HBO's longest-running series ever. He better step it up, or he'll never make it in the television biz. Nobody needs to help this bald brother out...

Anthony Kiedis + John Sayles = HBO Series

Jake Kalish — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:11:00 GMT

Good team. Sayles will write HBO's upcoming series, tentatively titled Scar Tissue, based on Anthony Kiedis' childhood - which, we gather from Kiedis' autobiography, his songs, and the description of this show, was way different from ours...

Drama, tentatively titled "Scar Tissue" (the name of Kiedis' autobiography), centers on the rocker's early years living in West Hollywood with his father. At that time, Kiedis' dad, known as Spider, sold drugs and mingled with rock stars on the Sunset Strip, all while aspiring to get into showbiz.

The series will be set in 1970s West Hollywood and Los Angeles and include the rockers encountered by Kiedis and his father (who, according to legend, was a drug dealer for the Who and Led Zeppelin, among others).

Apparently, Spider first introduced a preteen Anthony to drugs by mashing them into bananas. Of course he did. Anyway, even if they change the title of this series, it won't become Californication. Because that one's already taken. Which, if you recall, is the subject of a tidy little lawsuit. Eh, at this point Kiedis and Sayles probably wouldn't want to be associated with David Duchovny's sex fantasy, um, we mean television series. Although it would be awesome if the two shows faced off, and Kiedis and Sayles destroyed David Duchovny and all the women he'd like to sleep with, if he hasn't already.

We hope they stick with Scar Tissue as the title. It's a good title. And a great song:

"The Witness: From The Balcony Of Room 306", Tonight At 8 On HBO 2

Jake Kalish — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:22:00 GMT

Witness is a firsthand account of the MLK assassination, from Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles, who was standing next to Dr. King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, when James Earl Ray shot him. It's a half-hour doc, and it's up for the Oscar for Documentary Short Subject this year. Check it out.

"Eastbound And Down" Is Like "Bad Santa", But Worse

Jake Kalish — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:15:00 GMT

We watched the series premiere of Eastbound And Down, and it's dark. really dark. In fact, for a comedy, it's a little angry, and depressing. Main character Kenny Powers (Danny McBride) gets drunk, does blow, hates Jews, loves hookers, curses at children, curses at adults, curses his fate, just curses. Upsets a family. We've seen the show called a more angry, morally repugnant Talledega Nights, perhaps because of the Will Ferrell connection - but, if the premiere is any indication, this show is a lot more like Bad Santa, right down to the fat kid crying. Except Danny McBride is no Billy Bob Thornton. Still, Eastbound did have one of the funniest lines we've heard on TV this year. It happens about midway through the ep. Kenny Powers, former star relief pitcher, now a substitute gym teacher, strolls into the teachers' lounge, where one female teacher says this to another female teacher:

He made a pentagram out of penises. I'm an art teacher, not a psychologist.

That made us spit up our chicken dinner a little. There were other funny moments, too - namely any time Kenny listens to his own audiobook, I'm Fuckin' In, You're Fuckin' Out. But that title brings us to another problem with the show - not to act like the profanity police, but there's just too much cursing on this show, to diminishing effect. It seems like, when no joke was forthcoming, writers just threw in an f-bomb, to emphasize the main character is crude. We get it, we got it immediately. Ease back. There's something about that much profanity at or around kids that feels cringy. Which, honestly, is the predominant vibe you get from the whole show. Hey, some people loved it, but most of us felt a little gross.

PREVIOUSLY:

NPR Is Not Really Down With "Eastbound And Down"

Joe Buck Replaces Bob Costas At HBO

Jake Kalish — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:20:00 GMT

Well, this didn't take long. Joe Buck will replace Bob Costas as HBO's star sports guy, a day after Costas left. But what HBO's got planned for Joe Buck sounds kind of cringy.

It's 4 90-minute sports specials a year, and:

Development of the new show is still very early in the process and will debut in May. While it will be sports based, Buck says the show will also feature comedy sketches and elements.

Oh no. This is exactly what Joe Buck should not do. He's already way too shtick-heavy as an announcer; half the time, you expect Fozzie Bear to pop up behind him and yell "Waka Waka!" There was a time, not very long ago, when Joe Buck was a very good baseball announcer, and pretty darn good on football too.

And then it happened. Someone told him he was funny. And he is. For a sports announcer. When the situation calls for it. Those are two very huge caveats. But now the guy thinks he's Dave Chappelle.

Honestly, what is Joe Buck going to do, suddenly break into George Carlin's "Baseball vs. Football" routine?

PREVIOUSLY:

Bob Costas Leaves HBO For The MLB Network

Bob Costas Leaves HBO for the MLB Network

Jake Kalish — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:29:00 GMT

This won't affect his contract at NBC at all. But it does mean Costas Now, his HBO show, has become Costas Then. Baseball's always been Costas' first love, so this isn't that much of a surprise. But is this a move that's better for Bob Costas than it is for the American viewing public?

It's like this: Bob Costas is a great interviewer. Not good, great. Maybe the best around, and not just for sports personalities. He's neither an ass-kicker like Mike Wallace nor an ass-kisser like Larry King; he's tough when he needs to be, appropriately respectful, a great listener, and always well-informed. Plus, he's open to surprises in a way all great interviewers have to be; he doesn't overwhelm his audience by needing to show everyone how much he knows; rather, his questions leave open spaces his subjects can fill in interesting and unexpected ways. On HBO, Costas got to interview people - more so with On The Record With Bob Costas, which ran from 2002-2006, but also on Costas Now, which dealt with all sports. Plus, on HBO, his contract called for him to do a number of specials; basically, if Bob Costas thought something was interesting and wanted to talk to somebody about it, he said so to HBO execs, and it made it on air. He didn't have a lot to do at HBO, but he did have a lot of freedom. Will he get to do interviews like that on MLB TV, which is owned by Major League Baseball? Is baseball a large enough subject for a wide range of compelling interviews with all kinds of different people? (Maybe.) If some other huge, non-baseball related sports story breaks, won't we want Costas discussing it in an in-depth way he can't really do on NBC? (Yes.) The reason Costas is leaving HBO is that the station demands exclusive cable rights for its TV personalities. And, as anyone who has heard his rants about the wildcard or steroids knows, Bob Costas loves baseball way too much to not have something to do with a baseball network. Still, it's an odd move, in that the MLB Network, while it can reach 50 million viewers to HBO's 30 million, is really small potatoes right now - a fledgling network that not a lot of people know about, without any big-time personalities besides Costas. This is kind of like A-Rod joining your softball team.

Costas, when he entered professional broadcasting right out of the womb (okay, at 22), wanted nothing more than to be a baseball play-by-play guy; his dream was to be Vin Scully. And his contract with MLB TV allows him to call a certain number of their 26 baseball games. Except here's the thing: Bob Costas is not a great baseball play-by-play guy. Don't get us wrong, he's good - just based on his overwhelming knowledge of and enthusiasm for baseball, he's better than the vast majority of play-by-play announcers out there. But the precise things that make him good prevent him from being great. He knows too much about the game, cares too much, to just let moments speak for themselves, to let the game breathe. He's overexcited. So the concern is that this move takes him from what he does best (interviewing) to what he loves the most, but is less good at - calling baseball games and pontificating about baseball. Of course, after 35 years in the sports broadcasting, and a good quarter-century as the man in the biz, Bob Costas owes us exactly nothing. So good luck, Bob Costas, and congratulations, MLB Network.

PREVIOUSLY:

Top Ten Moments With Bob Costas During NBC's Super Bowl Pregame Coverage

Wanna Watch Ellen Barkin Get Revenge on Her Ex, Ron Perelman?

Olivia Purnell — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:50:00 GMT

Yeah, we do too.

Why and How after the jump . . .

Why:
Why not? Ellen Barkin’s cougar magnetism is too fabulous. She’s always giving you that pouty glower. It’s half collagen, half pure unadulterated sex. She’s the kinda woman who should always, always wear a trench coat with a popped collar (undergarments optional) and theme music should follow her everywhere she struts. May we suggest: Ooooooh Barracuda!

How:
Ellen will be executive producing and starring in a series for HBO that is “based on her life as a sizzling cougar after [her] bitter divorce.” According to scriptwriter Shauna Cross, the main character is a 50 something woman whose “nerve and life experience allows her to tell the world to go screw itself, and they love her for it.” We do! We do love her for it.

We’re anxiously awaiting the on-screen rendition of Ellen’s chance meeting with her ex Ron Perelman at the Waverly Inn. You know, the time she threw a drink in his face and told his new lady “I feel sorry for you that you have to f*ck him tonight.” Yowza.

(pagesix.com)

HBO Executive Freaks Out Mid-Flight Over Missing Obama's Inauguration Speech, Cops And Lawyers Get Involved

Jake Kalish — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:30:00 GMT

So Shiela Nevins, the head of HBO's documentary films division, was flying Delta firstclass with her husband Sidney Koch to Sundance Tuesday, January 20th at noon. You know, when Barack Obama became President and gave that speech to the world. Nevins made the Delta people guarantee she'd be able to watch Obama, and things were going fine for a while. Until the stupid pilot of the stupid plane decided to make some stupid announcement, and the stupid TV monitors in first class started failing. That's when Koch and Nevins, in industry terms, "went batshit crazy." Here's a fellow passenger's rundown of what happened:

“Sidney had been watching Obama’s speech and a couple times when President Obama was speaking, the airplane pilot made a public address interrupting Obama’s speech,” said Jean Frost, an assistant executive director at the Directors Guild, who was also in first class. “Sidney got very upset at that happening and went to talk to the stewardess.”

Ms. Frost said that Mr. Koch eventually admitted he lost his temper, for which he apologized.

Yeah, apparently this wasn't any sort of normal "talk" with the stewardess. Because when Nevins and Koch deplaned (always wanted to type that word), cops were waiting for them, and they were detained and questioned for being verbally abusive. This further infuriated the couple, who called their attorney - and now they might sue Delta for calling the cops on them. Okay:

1) January 20th at noon is when we get a new President. Plan your flight accordingly, Shiela Nevins and Sidney Koch.

2) If the speech is that important to you - verbal abuse important - and you've already booked the flight, reschedule. Maybe you have to pay extra, but that's better than screaming on a plane.

3) Tivo. You might not know this, Sheila Nevins, because you're only the head of a division at HBO, but television is a recordable medium. Catch it later. You can even pause, rewind, discuss that way.

4) If you fail to do these three things and wind up throwing a babyfit on a plane, don't tell anybody. That shit is shameful. Deny, deny, deny. Certainly, don't threaten a lawsuit and have your attorney give a statement. Damn.

PREVIOUSLY:

NBC: Your In-Flight Entertainment

Why Is Sean Hannity At Nevada's Bunny Ranch Brothel?

Jake Kalish — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:44:00 GMT

I mean, the answer would seem to be obvious. He was probably lecturing the hookers on morality, for an upcoming "family values" episode of HBO's Cathouse. Photo courtesy of Buzzfeed; interesting to see how this story develops, and if Hannity comments...

PREVIOUSLY:

Sean Hannity Is One Sore Loser

"Flight Of The Conchords": These Fake "Dave's Pawn Shop" Ads Are Amazing

Jake Kalish — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:29:00 GMT

We always liked Arj Barker as Dave Mohumbai, who runs the pawn shop Bret & Jemaine inexplicably visit a lot. And now HBO is answering our calls for more Dave. They've released three hilarious phony ads for the Mohumbai & Sons pawn shop, and they're chock-full of catch phrases - "What you want we got it!" Here they are:

PREVIOUSLY:

FOTC NEWS: Conchords Songs Will Be On ITunes The Day After Broadcasts, And Coco's Got An Album Coming Out

The Cowboy From "The Village People" Will Appear On "Flight Of The Conchords"

It's Business Time: "Battlestar," "Conchords," "L Word," "Secret Diary," "Big Love" Back This Weekend

Bryan Christian — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:36:00 GMT

Our rundown, after the jump.

While we are still heartsick over our total lack of the being-rich-ness required to light our next cigar with an Adama family heirloom, we are nonetheless insanely excited that Battlestar's 4.5th and final season starts tonight. Will we learn the identity of the final Cylon? Will we get confirmation that our intrepid heroes in fact landed in the ruins of Brooklyn Heights? Will we get to see some Number Six skin even though her budding relationship with Saul Tigh is, by Michael Hogan's own account, a relatively chaste one? Most importantly, will one of you lend us 6 grand so that we can buy that lighter we mentioned earlier? We're guessing none of these questions will be answered tonight, but except for the last one, we're fine with that.

But Battlestar's not the only TV show coming back to our DVR's this weekend. Sunday night, Showtime's bringing back The L Word for its swan song, wrapping things up with the whole "Who Killed Jenny" plotline and, presumably, paving the way for a new ladyjail-set spinoff, which, you know, just, wow. And Belle, our favorite British prosty, is back for another quick turn in Secret Diary of a Call Girl, a show that took a while to grow on us, but grow on us it did. This year, Belle is, well, still a working girl and all that, but Billie Piper, the former Who-mate who plays her, got pregnant during filming, meaning, you can expect an even more acute glow -- and deeper cleavage -- from this already appealing actress.

And over on HBO the same night, Bret and Jemaine are back with another season of Flight of the Conchords, which is awesome even though you've probably already seen the season premiere online. IOHO, it's the best premiere of the year, so don't miss it. Also returning: Big Love, a show that has some pretty fervent followers -- and, this year, some excellent promos -- but has always struck us as a little muddled. Will it break wide or break down this year? Fans -- let us know what you think!

PREVIOUSLY:
The "Battlestar Galactica" Prop Auction Catalog Is Awesome And Thoroughly Depressing
Caught Up On "Battlestar"? So, You Know That Gaeta Is [SPOILER], Right?
Watch The "Flight Of The Conchords" Season Two Premiere! Right Here! Right Now!
FOTC News: Conchords Songs Will Be On ITunes The Day After Broadcasts, And Coco's Got An Album Coming Out
The Cowboy From The Village People Will Appear On "Flight Of The Conchords"
"The L Word" Spinoff Will Be Set In A Women's Prison
"The L Word": Who KIlled Jenny? Was It Xena The Warrior Princess?
Jennifer Beals: Hotter Now Than Before?
We Officially Like "Secret Diary Of A Call Girl"
Liked The "Secret Diary Of A Call Girl" Premiere? Double Your Pleasure!

Musicians Will Be Limited To One Song Each At HBO's Inaugural Celebration

Jake Kalish — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:31:00 GMT

Performers will include Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen, U2, John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Herbie Hancock, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, James Taylor, Josh Groban, Usher, Garth Brooks, Renee Fleming, John Legend, and, of course, Obama's personal fave, Stevie Wonder. And each will be limited to one song. So what will they play? Your guess is as good as ours...

So Barack Obama's HBO-televised Sunday night concert will be called We are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial. The event starts at 2:30 p.m. (here's a full list and schedule of inaugural activities) but HBO will broadcast starting at 7 Eastern time. This is made even more interesting by the news that each performer will be limited to one song. So what will they play? We like this game, guess with us.

Springsteen - The Rising. Easy call. Next.

Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Easier call. Now it gets tricky.

U2 - We were going to say Beautiful Day, but given the name of the concert, they might go with One, in which case Mary J. Blige could sing with them. But then, we suppose, she couldn't do her own song, lest she exceed the one-song limit and promptly get kicked out of the country for life. We like Mary J. Blige, we don't want to see her deported.

Usher - We hope he goes with Yeah!, if only because that would get Lil' John onstage, And anytime Lil' John and Hillary Clinton are in the same place, anything can happen.

And so on. Mellencamp has a whole lot of America songs, most of which seem inappropriate for the inauguration of a black guy from a big city. But he can make it happen. John Legend can't do America The Beautiful because Aretha's doing that on Inauguration Day. This is tricky - what are your guesses?

PREVIOUSLY:

HBO'S GOT THE OBAMA INAUGURATION CEREMONY

OUR OBAMA ARCHIVE

HBO's Got The Obama Inauguration Ceremony

Jake Kalish — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:44:00 GMT

HBO has acquired the rights to the Obama Inauguration opening ceremony. But non-subscribers may not be left out, which seems appropriate, as you wouldn't want everything to go to us corporate fatcats who have cable. The network's discussing airing the festivities for free, without commercial interruption, for everyone.

Huh. Sounds like some socialist television policy to us. What would Joe The Plumber think?

Oakland Mayor Doesn't Want Everybody To Think His City Is Full Of Pimps

Jake Kalish — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:32:00 GMT

The upcoming HBO drama Gentlemen Of Leisure, slated to begin production in Oakland in 2009, will focus on a pimp in his 40's who's trying to get out of the oldest business. It's based on the sweet-ass Hughes Brothers 1999 documentary American Pimp - which, incidentally, is well worth Netflixing. Gentlemen Of Leisure sounds pretty good, right? Not if you're Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums. Here's what Dellums' chief of staff David Chai had to say about pimps and hoes in Oakland:

It is the mayor's view that this project goes against our vision of Oakland as a 'model city' and does a disservice to residents and visitors alike. While the mayor understands that there are certain benefits to having a major film project in our city, he is not willing to support this project at this time. The people of Oakland have come too far to have our city's name trampled upon in the name of entertainment.

Dellums' sentiments are certainly understandable, but they're probably also bad business. Ami Zims, Oakland's film coordinator, pointed out how The Wire, somewhat counterintuitively, was really good for Baltimore's tourist economy - and help funnel money into a city that desperately needed it. So, in an attempt to preserve Oakland's image, might Dellums be hurting his constituents? See, pimpin' ain't easy, but mayorin's hard.