Keep up With the Kardashians is Fake?! — The Cheap Wine Says Yes

A friend of mine avidly watches Keeping up With the Kardashians, and I regretfully admit I catch it from time to time.  I got an email from her this morning after she engaged in some very serious detective work.  On the last episode of Kourney and Khloe Take Miami, Kim Kardashian came home to discover that Scott drank her “amazing” and “expensive” wine.  Kourtney denied it, but the bottles were later found on the roof (the shot of the bottles revealed the label).  So what was this very expensive wine?  Get ready . . . it’s called Oak Creek Merlot and it’s $3 dollars a bottle at CVS.  No, that is not a typo.  In fact, you can get three bottles for the grand total of $10.  So what does this mean, and is this a smoking gun?  All signs point to yes.  I’m guessing that a producer came up with the idea to have Scott drink Kim’s “very expensive” wine, and then instructed a production assistant to pick up the cheapest wine he could find for the shoot, forgetting not to let the label show on television.  Translation? — it’s a prop.  If you watch the video below, with the idea that the scene was set-up, you might pick up on the bad acting.

Update: To see a screen-shot of the bottle from the show, click here.

‘The Switch’ Bombs — Are High-Concept Movies Doomed at the Box-Office?

Jennifer Aniston’s film, The Switch, tanked at the weekend box-office, and many are citing it has her fall from grace.  Since I loved the film, I’m left scratching my head as to why it failed.  My guess?  High-concept films are doomed from the start.  Though it didn’t bother me that the entire plot was given away in the trailer, I’m guessing it bothered others, who didn’t feel the need to watch the movie, fully knowing how it would play out.  Remember Jennifer Lopez’s recent flop, The Back-Up Plan?  That was another high-concept movie, which also revealed too much in the trailer.  There was a time when movies didn’t need these over-the-top concepts to gain financial success.  When Harry Met Sally, for example, was a little film about platonic friendship, and it’s one of the greatest romantic comedies in history.  It didn’t need a woman who was impregnated with the wrong sperm  — the dialogue and characters were enough.  But without all this useless plot-glitter, films just don’t get made these days.  An action film needs $100 million worth of CGI created explosions, and romantic comedies need sperm issues.  I yearn for the good-old-days of high quality writing, when the most complicated concept was meeting at the empire state building at the same time (if you don’t know what movie that is, you should be ashamed of yourself).

Today’s Question — Is Carson Daly Still Alive?

The very bitchy part of me could not resist that title (I apologize for digressing from my consistent positivity).  The news that Carson Daly’s NBC show got renewed for a 10th season shocked me, primarily because I had no idea he was still on the air.  There’s a very specific reason that Carson Daly annoys me.  He made his mark by hosting MTV’s  Total Request Live, at a time when bubble-gum pop music was exploding.  While many complained that the boy-bands and pop-tarts were destroying music, Carson stood firm, never letting his judgment show.  Then, he got his show on NBC.  He used his show as a platform to promote “real music,’ and constantly bashed the same artists that he used to promote.  Ever wonder why you have never seen Britney Spears perform on his show?  Weren’t they bosom buddies on TRL?  I also once heard him say (during one of his pompous rants) that he felt American Idol was just a “shortcut,” to making it in the industry.  How dare he insult such a monumental show!  As an aside, I’d actually like to extend a special thanks to NBC for renewing Last Call With Carson Daly — you gave me an excuse to explain my Daly-anger.

Movie Review: The Switch

I loved this movie, which surprised me considering the reviews are so terrible. Much of these ridiculous critics call the movie “predictable.” Explain to me how you make an unpredictable romantic comedy. Does someone have to die at the end? Because that’s all I can think of, and in that case it’s more of a Greek tragedy than a romantic comedy. Yes, It’s predictable that they will end up together, and the trailer pretty-much gives the entire movie away. None of this bothers me in the slightest. In fact, if I ever go to a romantic comedy that throws me an uninvited curve-ball, I often find myself so infuriated that I want to kill the writer. Remember that horrific ending to My Best Friend’s Wedding? Or how about The Break-Up? The true star of The Switch is Jason Bateman, and everyone else is merely a catalyst for him to show that he’s finally hit his stride as an actor. Jennifer Aniston, whom I usually love, came across as relatively cold, and I found myself biding my time in all of her scenes, waiting for the return of Bateman and Thomas Robinson, his adorable on-screen son.  Robinson’s insane resemblance to Bateman had me wondering who’s responsible for such a genius casting selection.  We all know the plot, so I won’t bore you with the details.  All I will say is that the movie is worth seeing in the theater.

Sylvester Stallone Says Tim Burton Ruined Action Stars

Sylvester Stallone discussed his new film, The Expendables, on Howard Stern, and he explained his very interesting theory that the Michael Keaton and Tim Burton Batman film, ruined action stars.  The reason? — body suits.  Stallone contends that Tim Burton introduced the body-suit, which comes with built-in muscles.  That means that scrawny guys like Michael Keaton and Tobey Maguire can play action heroes, and guys like Stallone, who were valuable because of their real muscles, are no longer needed.  Who knew Stallone was so darn cerebral?  The theory actually had me scratching my head for a bit, and then I asked myself a very important question.  If I was about to be attacked in a dark alley, would I want a spandex version of Tobey Maguire to rescue me, or a muscle clad Stallone dressed in ordinary clothes?  I’d pick Stallone.  Something tells me Tobey’s unitard wouldn’t help me much. // ]]>

Kings of Leon Say No to Glee — Won’t “Sell-Out” — Or Make Money

Kings of Leon have standards.  In fact, their standards are so high that it might force their career into an early grave.  They recently said that they don’t watch Glee, and they have no interest in having their songs featured on the show.  They also turned down a very lucrative movie opportunity to have their song featured in a trailer, presumably based on some bull-shit principle.  I’m not sure what the problem is with expanding your music resume, particularly on a great show like Glee, which draws attention to some of the best songs ever written.  I guess that Kings of Leon know something that Paul McCartney doesn’t, because the legendary Beatle didn’t seem to have an issue with “selling-out,” given that he asked to have his songs featured on the hit show.  Are these uber-proud douches better than Paul?  And what’s wrong with having your song in a movie?  Did Simon & Garfunkel sell-out with The Graduate?  I would encourage lead singer Caleb Followill to change his attitude before his pride swallows his career.

Celebrity Look-Alikes: Paul Newman and Josh Lucas

Before I get a call from my brother telling me to remove my celebrity look-alike posts, as I’m “terrible at it,” I’d like to say that I didn’t think of this one. I was watching the DVD for Sweet Home Alabama, and I heard director Andy Tennant say it. But the resemblance is uncanny. For the life of me I cannot figure out why Josh Lucas doesn’t have a bigger, leading-man career. The man is insanely good-looking, and Sweet Home Alabama is one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies. Perhaps it’s time to get a new agent? After all, someone advised him to do Stealth.

Update: Evidently, Josh Lucas is constantly compared to Matthew McConaughey, and it pisses him off. He once said he doesn’t want to be “mentioned in the same breath” as him, because he “has his own career.” Well, perhaps it’s true that I’m not very good at this, because I don’t think Lucas looks anything like McConaughey.

The Daily Dish — Senseless News Review

  • Spencer Pratt is writing a tell-all book about Heidi Montag.  Gossip Cop
  • Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood broke up.  She Knows
  • Hilary Swank says her marriage to Chad Lowe was successful.  You Tango
  • Jude Law and Sienna Miller bought a house together.  Daily Mail
  • Kat Von D doesn’t think Jesse James will cheat on her.  Star Magazine
  • Christina Aguilera is singing at weddings and Bar Mitzvahs now.  The Grape Juice
  • The CW released the Season 4 trailer for Gossip Girl.  Entertainment Weekly
  • Jenny McCarthy’s new, male model boyfriend is flaunting their relationship on his facebook page.  Facebook
  • Did Brittany Murphy’s mother share a bed with Simon Monjack?  TMZ
  • Sherri Shepherd is taking over for Carnie Wilson as host of The Newlywed Game.  The Futon Critic
  • Betty White signed a book deal.  Examiner
  • Russell Brand and Katy Perry are going to counseling together.  One Wed
  • Taylor Momsen is an asshole.  Pop Dash
  • Naomi Campbell needs to pay her taxes.  Monsters and Critics

Jennifer Aniston Says “Retard” — Calm Down People

I’ve just begun to write about this story, and I’m already exhausted.  Jennifer Aniston referred to herself as a “retard,” causing a ridiculous public outcry.  I’d like to take a moment to explain the difference between the “r-word” and the “n-word,” because people seem to confuse the impact of each.  The word “retard” used to be an accepted, politically correct term that was not offensive.  In fact, the Association of Retarded Citizens, still goes by the name “ARC,” because they did not want to confuse people by changing the name after the term became offensive.  That is much different from the “n-word,” which was never socially acceptable and comes with a very painful American history.  Furthermore, I’m confused about the actual source of this “outrage.”  Is the problem that she used a word people no longer like, or that she made light of mental issues?  Do people even know what they are mad about?  What if she instead said, “Yes, I play dress-up! I do it for a living, like a mentally-challenged person!”  Would that have been acceptable?  The only reason the word retard even became offensive is because people were making fun of others using the word.  So if school-yard bullies started making fun of nerds by saying, “You’re a mentally challenged person,” would we then ban saying “mentally-challenged?”  I’m guessing so.  This reminds me of when it used to be horrible to say that someone is “black,” and “African American” became the acceptable term.  Many of my black friends protested, telling me they weren’t fucking African, and my Haitian friend corrected everyone who said it.  I suppose if my Haitian friend is “African,” then I am Israeli.  But I digress.

Hollywood Nepotism — Famous Family Trees

Everyone knows that Hollywood plays favorites, and I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing. After all, isn’t the entire world based on connections — Hollywood or not? Some of our greatest actors come from famous families, and most of them have proven themselves worthy. Plus, isn’t it better to use a family connection than to sleep your way to the top? Obviously those are not the only two options, but I’m all for arbitrary comparisons to prove my point. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites below. Enjoy!

Michael Douglas and Kirk Douglas are two of my favorite actors. Though they went through some troubles at one point, they kissed and made up and are now very close.  Michael Douglas recently told Letterman that he’s suggested that Kirk should retire and enjoy his old age, but Kirk refuses.  Good for him.


Anjelica Huston makes history, coming from a family with three generations of Oscar winners. That includes Anjelica, her father, director John Huston, and her grandfather, actor Walter Huston. Her father won twice, as a director and writer of The Treasure of Sierra Madre, and her grandfather won as a best supporting actor in the same film.

Nicolas Cage always tells the story about he changed his last name from Coppola to Cage, as a way to proving himself on his own. Personally, I think that story is an old wise tale that Cage started. I can’t imagine that he actually auditioned for roles without anyone knowing he was Francis Ford Coppola’s nephew. He probably just changed his last name to deceive the public. Not to pick on Cage though, because Family Man and It Could Happen to You are two of my favorite films (Seriously).


Kiefer Sutherland and Donald Sutherland are also two favorites of mine. Kiefer once said in an interview, that he took an entire day to watch his father’s movies, and he was overwhelmed by what a great actor he is.  He said he was embarrassed he had not done it sooner.


Liv Tyler is a real life example of that show My Two Dads. Her mother, Bebe Buell, led her to believe that musician Todd Rundgren was her biological father, and she found out that Steven Tyler was really her father at age nine, after noticing her strange resemblance to Steven’s other daughter, Mia. That story is so insane, I’d like to interview Liv to get to the bottom of it.

I first noticed Scott Caan as the good-looking guy from Oceans 11. When I looked him up, I was shocked to discover that he is James Caan’s son. I just don’t think they look anything alike.  But as I’ve previously mentioned, I’m not very good at spotting resemblances.


Christian Slater got his start in the industry through his mother, who was a high-powered Hollywood agent. That might be an even better connection than having a high-powered actor parent.

Gwyneth Paltrow was destined to have both good looks and a good career. Her mother is the very beautiful actress, Blythe Danner and her father is director Bruce Paltrow.


There’s not much to say about Colin Hanks and Tom Hanks. They both look alike, and they are equally charming. Colin is Tom’s son from his first marriage, before he met Rita Wilson. I’ve also heard that they are both very nice guys. Though that might not seem like a big deal, please keep in mind that most actors are total douchebags.

Kate Spade is obviously a designer and not an actress, but I just could not resist adding her to list, and revealing that she is actually married to David Spade’s brother. Now there’s an interesting factoid. Update: People I forgot the first time around


I’ve received a lot of criticism for forgetting to include the Stiller family in my original post. I simply forgot, which is no excuse, as I’m a huge fan of the entire family. I loved Ben Stiller since Reality Bites, and his father, Jerry Stiller had one of the greatest roles in television history, as George Constanza’s father on Seinfeld. His mother, Anne Meara, is also immediately recognizable as Steve Brady’s quirky mother on Sex and the City.  I can’t leave without also mentioning his wife, Christine Taylor, who played Melody on Hey Dude — another one of my favorite shows.

The story of name-changing in the Sheen family is much different than I originally thought.  Apparently, Martin Sheen’s birth name is Ramon Antonio Gerard Estevez, and he changed it to Martin Sheen, as a stage name.  His son, Charlie Sheen, was named Carlos Estevez, but he changed it to Charlie Sheen, presumably to intentionally associate himself with his father’s fame.  Emilio didn’t get the memo, and chose to stick with his birth name, which was probably not the best idea.  If I were trying to make it in Hollywood, or even to resurrect my dormant career, I would have no problem riding my father’s acting coat tails.


George Clooney’s father, Nick Clooney, once said, “I spent the first half of my life as Rosemary Clooney’s brother, and the second half as George Clooney’s father.” For those of you that don’t know of Rosemary Clooney, aside from being ashamed of yourself, you should know that she was a famous singer and actress. She starred in White Christmas with Bing Crosby, and later appeared with him on television multiple times.  It’s nice to see Hollywood connections based on a famous female.