General – Page 123 – The Dishmaster

American Idol Premieres: New Judges, New Look

It takes a sharp eye to discover the subtle changes in this season’s American Idol, but it’s enough to elevate the show to its former powerhouse status. For years, the show felt dated. It felt as if the producers were stuck in time, and they rested on their laurels in an attempt to use nostalgia as edge over it’s competitors. Its only attempt at redirection was the Mariah Carey/Nicki Minaj experimental panel, and we all know how that ended. But this time, they got it right.

This year’s panel of judges includes Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. While Jennifer Lopez is a key component for the show’s classy, contemporary status, Harry Connick Jr. is the new star. His musical knowledge is immediately apparent, and he’s less inclined to favor the vocal acrobatics that has become the show’s enduring staple. Plus, it sure is nice to rid American Idol of Randy Jackson’s infamous “pitchy” critique. This is a singing competition, and it finally feels as if the judges have something to offer the contestants. To see their chemistry in action, watch the judges on Ellen below.

Lena Dunham Covers Vogue — Explains Nudity

You can put a pretty bow on your controversial choices with a stock-house explanation, but that doesn’t make it any less questionable. ‘Girls’ Executive Producer and Writer, Lena Dunham covered Vogue, and she explained her decision to bare all for the HBO series, saying, “It’s a complicated thing. I want people ultimately, even if they’re disturbed by certain moments, to feel bolstered and normalized by the sex that’s on the show.” She also added that, “Seeing somebody who looks like you having sex on television is a less comfortable experience than seeing somebody who looks like nobody you’ve ever met.” While I understand the argument, I must still lay into it’s lunacy.

I’ve followed ‘Girls’ since it’s debut, and the excessive nudity has almost pushed me to flee the show. I never questioned Samantha Jones’ nudity, because it made sense for the character. Kim Cattrall’s promiscuous Sex and the City character broke down barriers for women. It put our gender on par with men, who are socially allowed to sexually misbehave, while women are not. Her nudity was also appropriately played into each scene, and the artistic blend kept me immersed in the story. Unlike ‘Sex and the City,’ it’s as if Lena Dunham is proving a point at the expense of the scene. Sure it’s possible that she adequately represents “real life,” but if I wanted my television to be that real, I’d watch a documentary. There’s a delicate dance between art and reality, but the former is just fine with me.

Jim Carrey v. Shia LaBeouf: The War Rages On

At this year’s Golden Globes, Jim Carrey poked fun at Hollywood hot-topic Shia LaBeouf, saying, “Dying is easy. Comedy is hard. I believe it was Shia LaBeouf who said that.” Shia returned the bite with a boulder, posting a YouTube video of Carrey’s daughter’s band, saying, “At least I don’t get arrested for indecency on major LA highways! Or abandon love child’s.” He later deleted the tweets, saying, “Jim Carrey states that he is deeply involved in his daughter’s life—I accept that. Regret tweet on the matter. Apologies to both parents.” The first attack and the subsequent apology are predictably plagiarized, or as Shia might say, “artistically inspired” by Rupert Murdoch’s twitter feud with Hugh Grant. Jenny McCarthy came to Carrey’s defense, insisting that her ex-boyfriend was deeply involved in his child’s life, and all feud’s should be sans family attacks.

It’s become strikingly clear that Shia LaBeouf is adamantly out to prove some point on plagiarism. I have yet to discover what that point is, but that’s neither here nor there. His abstract attempt to defend his “art” (or the art of others, depending on your perspective), will likely sink his career. And while it’s fun to hit an easy target, when that target’s mental health becomes questionable, it’s imperative to relent. I’m on the fence about Shia’s state of mind, but this might be my last post about the star, given my moral standards. Watch below for Jenny McCarthy’s defense of Jim Carrey.

Howard Stern’s Headliners: Jon Bon Jovi, John Fogerty, & Steven Tyler

Howard Stern will celebrate his sixtieth birthday at the Hammerstein Ballroom on January 31st, and he has officially announced some of the evening’s hottest headliners. Hosted by superfan Jimmy Kimmel and presented by SiriusXM, the powerhouse event will have performances from some of Stern’s most-loved musicians, including Jon Bon Jovi, John Fogerty, & Steven Tyler. As for the other A-listers, confirmations are coming, but Stern has hinted at some big names. And though it pains The Dishmaster to divulge this, I tried and failed to get tickets to the King’s big day. Rumor has it I’m not the only person who’s been listening for more than half my life, so I’ll take the hit with my head held high. There’s still hope, so I’d encourage all my readers to keep their fingers crossed on my behalf.

Tina Fey & Amy Poehler Win the Night — WATCH THE MONOLOGUE

Tinseltown’s leading ladies took the stage at the Golden Globes last night, and true to form, they topped themselves. The opening monologue took some predictable pokes at Hollywood A-listers, including George Clooney, who would “Rather float away into space and die than spend one more minute with a woman his own age,” and Leonardo DiCaprio who, “Like a supermodel’s vagina, [got] a warm welcome.” There’s a reason Lorne Michaels originally scouted these superstars, and it’s because they know how to avoid the standard pitfalls of joke-telling in favor of creative comedy. And they need not take on a male persona to play with the top dogs. In fact, they are the top dogs.

Watch their Golden Globes opening monologue below, and let this be a lesson to all roasters. One can ride the line of laughter without crossing it.

The Wolf of Wall Street Film Review

There’s a cinematic and a moral component to this review, and I’ll begin with the former. The Wolf of Wall Street tells the tale of famed crook Jordan Belfort, who made a fortune with white collar theft. Belfort began his corrupt career by taking a commission off penny stock sales to poor people, only to unload the inflated stock immediately prior to its plight. This “pump and dump” scheme ultimately escalated to the rich, making Belfort a bloated, multi-millionaire. 95% of the film follows his depraved journey to the top, and only 5% depicts his downfall.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays the perfect Jordan Belfort, a good-looking criminal with enough charisma to carry on his corruption for an alarmingly long period of time. The details of his schemes take a backseat to his antics, most notably his use of hookers, drugs, parties, and cartoonish purchases. Bad behavior can be hypnotic to watch, especially when it’s this ridiculous. After all, we’re all voyeurs, and if we’re not participating in the criminal activity, is it wrong to view it from afar? That question brings me to the moral component of this review.

Jordan Belfort is a real person, and the studio bought the rights to his self-penned story that he wrote from prison. In fact, there’s controversy as to whether Belfort is delivering on his obligation to repay his victims, with sources claiming he’s only paid back $10 million of his $100 million debts. While The Wolf of Wall Street is certainly an enjoyable cinematic experience with impressive performances from its stars, it’s morally questionable to pay a criminal for his story. What if the studio paid a blue collar criminal for an equally entertaining story? Where’s the line? And because the story is such a hypnotic look inside the gluttonous greed of Belfort, it begs the question of whether we’re glorifying his antics. Before you explore that, take some time to watch interviews with Belfort himself, who seems less than contrite. Perhaps if the post-prison Belfort seemed a tad more reformed, this would sit more calmly with me. I have more questions than answers, but my stars for this review are based on the film itself. The surrounding controversy is for you to judge.

RATING: 4/5 STARS

Lena Dunham Bares All — Addresses ‘Girls’ Nudity at TCA

There comes a point in every performer’s life where they’re so used to unconditional accolades they’ve forgotten the sound of genuine criticism. Judd Apatow, Jenni Konner and Lena Dunham should all take a moment to self-reflect on the TCA reporter who asked about Dunham’s gratuitous nudity in ‘Girls.’ According to Entertainment Weekly, the reporter specifically said, “I don’t get the purpose of all the nudity on the show — by [Dunham] in particular . . . . I feel like I’m walking into a trap where you go, ‘Nobody complains about all the nudity on “Game of Thrones,”’ but I get why they do it. They do it to be salacious and titillate people. And your character is often nude at random times for no reason.” Judd Apatow quickly pounced, sarcastically asking the man if he had a girlfriend, followed by Jenni Konner’s very public “rage spiral” for “accus[ing] a woman of showing her body too much.” Dunham herself seemed less enraged, saying, “I totally get it. If you’re not into me, that’s your problem and you’re going to have to work that out with professionals.”

While it’s easy to shout from the rooftops with rage, I’d be more impressed with a legitimate answer. Dunham stated that her choice to bare all is a “a realistic expression of what it’s like to be alive,” and while that makes for a good sound bite, it doesn’t go to the heart of his point. First, the nudity in ‘Girls’ is extremely distracting. It’s certainly realistic to be naked during a sex scene, but if you watch the show, it’s as if Dunham is deliberately getting naked to prove a point to the audience rather than furthering a scene. Sure she’s a refreshing, non-anorexic protagonist. But let’s go for a drink before I see your goods.

Watch the season three trailer below.

Chris Christie Changes Lanes: Fires Staff

For those who have missed the very public scandal surrounding Chris Christie’s, here’s the abridged version. Christie’s staff intentionally closed lanes in Fort Lee, New Jersey to punish the mayor for not endorsing Christie in his 2013 bid for reelection. In response, Christie has fired Bridget Anne Kelly, the deputy chief of staff, insisting she “betrayed” him, and further emphasizing his ignorance about the events. He has also publicly admonished his former campaign manager, Bill Stepien. It’s believed that Christie’s former associate, David Wildstein, used his power at the Port Authority to execute the arbitrary closures, which ultimately stalled both school buses with children and EMT vehicles.

While it’s certainly possible that Christie had no knowledge of the events, that’s even more disturbing. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and when we chose those weak links to be a part of staff, we are responsible. While Chris Christie’s charm can certainly take him far, it won’t take him across the finish line in a Presidential campaign. How did he ignorantly surround himself with such awful people? And why didn’t he uncover this with independent investigation? Is he blind to the antics of his entourage? Watch below for Jon Stewart’s take.

Dennis Rodman v. Chris Cuomo: Kim Jong Un a Friend for Life?

If Dennis Rodman formed a friendship with Hitler, how would the media handle it? Rodman ultimately benefits from any inquiry into his antics, and his avoidance of a “political discussion” begs the question of why he agrees to interviews at all. After all, if there’s nothing to defend, why defend yourself? As for Chris Cuomo, this is beneath both his and CNN’s pay grade. We are all voyeurs, but it’s up to our news stations to rise above it.

Linked In — This Week’s Celebrity Gossip

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are at it again. PEOPLE

Chad Michael Murray rebounds fast. Us Magazine

‘Mean Girl’ Lacey Chabert got married. WetPaint

Jennifer Hudson bought her assistant a house. Huff Post

Charlize Theron and Sean Penn might be dating. E! Online

Fashionista Olivia Palermo is engaged. Contact Music

Eve got engaged to the Gumball 3000 founder. Digital Spy

Ricky Martin is single. Los Angeles Times

Michael Douglas and Katherine Zeta Jones might have reunited. Mirror

Dwayne Wade and Gabrielle Union have some baby mamma drama. Miami Herald

Does Mariah Carey sing for dictators? Guardian

Shia LaBeouf & Lena Dunham are in a twitter war. Just Jared