Constant Rotation: July 2009

1. My Life Would Suck Without You, Kelly Clarkson (yeah it’s back/never left)
2. Steal My Sunshine, Len
3. Good Girls Go Bad, Cobra Starship f/ Leighton Meester
4. How Long, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
5. I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
6. I Want You Back, Jackson 5
7. We Are Golden, Mika
8. Camilo (the Magician), Said the Whale (now available on iTunes)
9. Spiralling, Keane

Too true, Seth Rogen

"I gotta say it's not like we're the only people she said some bat shit crazy things about. That's kind of her bag now." -- Seth Rogen, on Katherine Heigl's criticism of their 2007 hit Knocked Up.

Rogen's new movie Funny People is in theatres today.

SYTYCDance of the week

So after last week’s gripe fest, I have to say I’m pretty pleased with the top six performances on last night’s So You Think You Can Dance.

It also kind of helped that at the top of the show judge Nigel Lythgoe acknowledged many of the same weaknesses I noted in the season.

Nothing had me jumping off the couch, but I have to give it up to Jeanine and Ade’s fun hip hop routine, Kayla and Brandon’s exhausting disco routine and Evan and Melissa's’s valiant effort at the quick step.

Still it was Kayla and Brandon’s contemporary routine by Stacey Tookey that left me most impressed. It had emotion and chemistry on top of technique. What a concept!

Tookey’s a Canadian choreographer whose work was featured last season on SYTYCD Canada. I’m glad SYTYCD brought her on to choreograph for the second time this season. I think it always helps to get fresh blood in the mix, and give some of the show’s more heavily worked choreographers a break before they lose all creative steam.

(*cough* Tyce Diorio’s Broadway routine).

If I had to call tonight’s elimination, I’d say Evan and Melissa are going home. Evan because, like I said last week, he’s out of his league. And though Melissa is immensely talented, she and Evan got dealt some less than inspiring choreography this week.

Jimmy Brooks' life is better than yours

Man, it sure is great to be Jimmy Brooks.

The Degrassi student and amazing rapper now has a new TV comedy series in development by Nightingale Co.

The series, called Us & Them, would star Jimbo and his Degrassi pal Mazin Elsadig (yeah, not yet a household name), and satirize their adventures in the entertainment industry.

It will also likely involve large breasts.

Not a lot of other details are avaialble about the series. My biggest question is, what name do you think will be used for the credits: Drake, Aubrey Graham, Jimmy Brooks, or something completely new and unexpected?!

Elle Woods knocks Priscilla out of the way

The touring version of Legally Blonde the Musical will come to Toronto as part of Mirvish's 2009 - 2010 season, bumping Priscilla Queen of the Dead to the 2010-2011 season.

Mirvish also announced the return of some fan favourites, including the touring production of Rent, with original Broadway stars Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart.

Mamma Mia!, Stomp, and Grease, starring American Idol's Taylor Hicks will also hit T.O. in the coming year.

All this exciting news (Rent and Mamma Mia! in particular) mean I'm going to be incredibly poor very soon.

Ryan Tedder responds

Ryan Tedder has responded to Kelly Clarkson's recent remarks that her new single Already Gone sounds way too similar to Beyonce's hit Halo, both of which Tedder produced:

“‘Already Gone’ is one of the best song I’ve written or produced since “Bleeding Love” and stands tall on it’s own merits apart from “Halo”. They are two entirely different songs conceptually, melodically, & lyrically and I would never try to dupe an artist such as Kelly Clarkson or Beyoncé into recording over the same musical track, the idea is both hurtful & absurd. I think when people hear “Already Gone” they will hear what I hear-one of the greatest female vocalists on earth giving her most haunting and heart-breaking performance on a song she helped write. I challenge people to listen and form their own opinions.”

Well he's certainly got one thing right -- Kelly is one of the greatest female vocalists, and Already Gone is a great performance! (Haunting and heart-breaking? If that's how you interpret it, sure).

Tiffani Thiessen's got a shit ton of stuff going on

Tiffani Thiessen is Busy from Tiffani Thiessen

Alright guys, time to cut Tiffani Amber Thiessen some slack.

It’s not that she doesn’t want to do the Saved by the Bell reunion on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. It’s just that she’s got a shit ton of stuff going on!

Allow her to explain for herself, by ch-checking out the above FunnyOrDie clip, released today.

It’s actually pretty funny, and makes me like Tiffani a lot more than I thought I did.

But seriously, she’s got to be joking right? If she could make time for People Magazine, she can make time for Fallon, right?

Surely she doesn't want to be clumped with the other Fallon holdout Dustin Diamond.

Magazine cover of the week

Now this is WAY more exciting than any Gosselin bullshit.

This week's People Magazine features a Saved By The Bell reunion, with five of the show's six main stars.

The big holdout? Dustin Diamond. Because apparently Screech is too busy for a major magazine like People. Pssh.

Let's break down what we're working with here:

Mark Paul Gosselaar: looking good, though this look is still hotter.

Mario Lopez: why is your shirt on?

Lark Voorhies: I certainly hope that’s a Lisa Turtle original design you’re wearing.

Tiffani Amber Thiessen: that weave is hurtin'. Fire your hair stylist.

Elizabeth Berkeley: still taller than everyone else. You’re going to have to slouch down for that dance contest at the Max later.

Dustin Diamond: too busy shooting and releasing another sex tape?

Dennis Haskins: too busy pitching Saved by the Bell: the Newest Class Ever Times Infinity?

Meth addict turned mom Jodie Sweetin: not on this cover, but I haven’t mentioned her in a while, so thought it was about time.

Oh how I've missed Bailey Salinger

Admit it. You have too.

Scott Wolf made an appearance at Comic Con in San Diego last week, to promote his new ABC scifi series V.

A rough cut of the show's pilot, based on the 1980s miniseries, received positive buzz at the annual comic book convention. Yay!

But more importantly, can we discuss how Scooter looks exactly the same as he did when Party Of Five went off the air in 2001? The man doesn't age -- and he's 41.

I repeat: Forty. One.

Dude was 26 when he started playing 16-year-old Bailey Salinger on Party of Five. Because he could.

He apparently convinced the V casting director he's no longer a teenager though -- he plays a TV reporter in the show.

Huge Amanda Lang news!

Alright, so I'm going to admit that I really only know Amanda Lang from hearing other people talk about her. I don't watch BNN, sorry.

But from what I understand Lang's hot shit. So hot that persistent rumours of her defection to CBC have now been confirmed.

Yes that's right. The now former host of BNN's SqueezePlay (does this show have anything to do with orange juice?) is moving to CBC News this fall. There she will host a business show for Newsworld and regularly contribute to the National.

In addition to BNN, Lang brings reporting experience for CNN, the Financial Post, and the Globe & Mail.

I can only assume that red blazer's making the jump to CBC too.

Coen Brothers, Moore, Barrymore films coming to TIFF

The Toronto International Film Festival announced today an additional two Gala Presentations and eight Special Presentations to this year's lineup.

Here's a rundown of the films set to screen, and the stars who may descend upon Toronto as a result:

GALAS:
Dorian Grey, United Kingdom (World Premiere), directed by Oliver Parker, starring Colin Firth

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, USA (North American Premiere), directed by Rebecca Miller, starring Robin Wright Penn and Alan Arkin


SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
Whip It, USA (World Premiere), Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, starrig Ellen Page, Marcia Gay Harden, Juliette Lewis and Barrymore.

Capitalism: A Love Story, USA (North American Premiere) a Michael Moore film (that we saw him shooting in NYC in March!)

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, USA (North American Premiere), directed by Werner Herzog, starring Nicolas Cage

Harry Brown, United Kingdom (World Premiere), directed by Daniel Barber, starring Michael Caine

Perrier's Bounty, Ireland/United Kingdom (World Premiere), directed by Ian Fitzgibbon, starring Cillian Murphy and Jim Broadbent

A Serious Man, USA (World Premiere), directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Triage, Ireland/Spain (World Premiere), directed by Danis Tanovic, starring Colin Farrell

Women Without Men, Germany/France/Austria, directed by Shirin Neshat


For full film descriptions, click here.

TIFF runs September 10 - 19.

How do we feel about . . .

. . . everything that's going on with Penn Badgley in this candid photo taken in NYC?

I'm talking the longer, slightly unkempt hair, the white shorts, and the blue shoes with sockless feet.

There's something not quite right about it if you ask me, but it's still oddly thrilling.

Work it, Neve Campbell

Neve Campbell looked bright and summery on the red carpet of the London premiere of Inglorious Basterds last week.

The Guelph, Ont.-born actress told press at the event not to count her out of Scream 4 just yet.

"Well they're gonna make it and they're trying to get me in," she said. "We're in negotiations, we'll see."

That's right, you get as much money as you can out of 'em, Neve. What would Scream be without a little Sidney Prescott?

Meanwhile, Neve will lend her lovely voice to an episode of the Simpsons next season. She's among a long list of guest stars lined up for the show's 21st year, including Chris Martin, Sarah Silverman, Eartha Kitt and Seth Rogen.

You may want to rethink that, Avril

Avril Lavigne's been talking up her new album to the press this week, but so far I'm not buying what she's selling.

“A lot of the songs are mainly the acoustic and my vocal,” she tells Billboard of the untitled disc, to be released November 17. “It’s a lot different from anything I’ve done before. It’s not a pop-rock record. This is more about emotion and feeling.”

Um, sorry. You may want to rethink that, Avril. 'Cause I'm really not too sure people listen to you for your vocal or emotion.

In fact, I'm not sure why people do listen to you. I mean, I know I do it. But I can't explain why. (Other than the fact that Girlfriend is the catchiest song, like, ever).

Mad Men yourself: guaranteed to be the best four minutes of your day

Ever watched Mad Men and wondered how you'd fit in with the suits and skirts of Sterling Cooper?

No? Well, play along with me anyway.

In anticipation of Mad Men's third season premiere on August 16th, AMC has launched this fun little website where you can dress up a cartoon version of yourself Mad Men-styles.

Yes, that is me third from the right, bringing my floppy bangs into the 1960s and waving them in Don Draper's face.

Brilliant little idea, really, as I'm already seeing Mad Men'd photos popping up as my friends' Facebook pics.

Click here to get in on the action yourself. You know you want to.

Taylor Momsen, is like, too mature for you

Taylor Momsen may play a high school student on Gossip Girl, but if you try to talk to the 16-year-old about teenager things she’ll probably look at you like this.

As season three of the CW show approaches, the stuck up star takes the September cover of Teen Vogue and reveals she’s even more annoying in real life than as Jenny Humphrey.

ON BEING A 45-YEAR-OLD IN A 16-YEAR-OLD’S BODY:
"I live a very adult life. What am I going to do, hang out with high school kids? I just can't relate to what they talk about – it seems so petty."

ON BEING REALLY, REALLY HUNGRY:
"Boys are so much less mature than girls as it is. I would eat a boy my age alive."

ON BEING TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL.
"I'm an artist; I'm not going to use trigonometry. For most people college is a place where you learn about yourself, and I feel like I'm doing that already. I'm already independent."

ON HAVING JUST AS MANY FRIENDS AS I DO:
"I have such trust complexes. I'm close to like, two people."

ON HER VOMIT-INDUCING HAIRCUT:
"I'm pretty, but I'm not, like, a 'pretty girl.' I know people were a little, um, taken aback. But it wasn't me that changed – it was just that I decided to start being myself."

HBO, ABC make GLAAD glad

HBO programs contain the most and best depictions of GLBT people, a new report by GLAAD finds.

In its third annual Network Responsibility Index, GLAAD found 42 per cent of HBO programming contained GLBT content, with Showtime placing second.

Of the big five American networks, ABC – home of my fave TV couple, Scotty and Kevin (Brothers & Sisters) – is tops, with 24 per cent of content containing GLBT content. The CW came a close second, with 20 per cent.

While all these networks received “Good” grades for their portrayals of GLBT people, FOX (11 per cent) received an “Adequate” ranking. “Problematic content,” including this shameful SYTYCD episode was noted.

Still, FOX did better than NBC (eight per cent), CBS (five per cent), and cable’s A&E, Syfy and TBS, who received “Failing” grades.

GLAAD evaluated 4,901 hours of primetime broadcast programming and 1,213 hours from cable from June 2008 through May 2009 to come up with these rankings.

To which I ask: How do I get that job?!

And now a very important message from Chace Crawford . . .

“It wasn’t intentional! I was over in London and someone cut it too short and I had to go to an event and I threw it back and it turned out to be some big deal. [I] showed up on [the Gossip Girl] set the first day and said, ‘Listen…can we do my hair this way for the first episode? Because it’s a little short…’ . And it kinda stuck. It was good to switch things up, though.” -- Chace Crawford, on his new hairstyle.

I'm definitely feelin' it. You?

[photo via Chace Crawford Online]

This shit's big . . .

You guys. I have huge news.

TVTropolis has confirmed via its Fall 2009 programming highlights the debut of new episodes of Whatever Happened To? (i.e. the only show to watch on a Sunday afternoon when you’re feeling particularly self-loathing and can’t bring yourself to get off the couch and grab a DVD from the shelf).

I’m actually pretty surprised to discover this will be the fourth season of the show. I always assumed they made like five episodes they just kept rerunning.

Thank goodness for archive footage.

I was going to make a joke about holding out for renewal news on that god awful Look-A-Like show on Star . . . then I logged onto its website, and discovered they recently held a casting call for its sixth (sixth!?) season. Shitson.

Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone music video

I spent the weekend with my roommate in her hometown of Midhurst, Ont., where some choice eats on Saturday night put me to sleep for a good 12 – 18 hours.

Upon my return to Toronto I discovered Kelly Clarkson’s video for Already Gone had hit the internet – what a lovely welcome home!

Kelly looks glam and gorge in the vid for her third single from All I Ever Wanted.

Check it!

Stay home, Perez Hilton

Bahahahah.

Well, he wasn’t punched in the face (again), nor was he was called a homophobic slur of the nature he likes to throw around.

But Perez Hilton's likely feeling a little less than loved by us Canadians as of late.

Ch-check out Mike’s Bloggity Blog to find out what I'm talking about.

(And I apologize for frightening you with this photo of Perez first thing on a Monday morning. I’ll throw some Monday Deliciousness up here soon to counter it).

Telefilm to make Canadian comedy popular

Telefilm Canada is partnering with the Canadian Film Centre and Just for Laughs to produce five original feature length comedies, under its new Features Comedy Lab program.

The program will bring Canadian film producers and writer/director teams with comedy scripts together with expert comedy minds to develop their films for critical and commercial success.

The goal is to have the five films in production by 2011 - 2012.

Eugene Levy is the first mentor attached to the program.

As long as this doesn't result in the production of American Pie: Canadian Edition, I'm all for the idea of creating popular Canadian film.

Already Gone released without Kelly Clarkson's consent

Kelly Clarkson says she tried to stop her label from releasing Already Gone as the third single off her latest album, after discovering the similarities to Beyonce's recent single Halo.

Both songs were produced by OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder, and Kelly sounds none too pleased with their extreme likenesses.

“Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else,” she says. “He’s from Oklahoma, I’m from Texas; we got along really well and had some of the same influences. We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called Halo. Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’”

Kelly says she fought to prevent the record label from releasing the song, out of respect to Beyonce -- and lost.

“In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent,” she says. “It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a shitty situation, but . . . You know, you learn.”

Though Kelly might not be happy with the record label's choice, Already Gone was a natural choice for third single. It really is one of the most brilliant tracks off Already Gone, and it's already enjoyed exposure on the Hills, and as the exit song this season on So You Think You Can Dance.

And don't get it twisted: Already Gone is way better than Halo.

Does this look awkward to anyone else?

The CW has released three promo posters for its upcoming Melrose Place reboot.

I think they're going for sleek and sexy, but I just can't wrap my head around what's going on in the picture above.

First of all, can someone explain why dude has his fully-clothed left leg in the pool? I'm no Michael Phelps, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to wear shorts if you're going swimming.

Secondly, at what point do you think that prostitute showed up and said "Wait! Before you take a dip, let me straddle your leg!"

I mean, I imagine that's why she's so awkwardly perched at the side of the pool, having her ass grabbed and her chest used as a pillow.

How absurd!

The only thing right about this scenario is Michael Mancini lurking on the other side of the pool.

I can already tell the new Melrose is going to be just as great as the new 90210. Here's hoping for a Shenae Grimes crossover episode.

SYTYCDance of the week

A few of my friends have told me that this is the first season of So You Think You Can Dance that they’re actively watching.

For that, I give myself credit.

But it’s actually kind of interesting, because this is the first season I’ve watched that I’m really not attached to any specific dancers. They’re all good, but I’m pretty indifferent to who’s eliminated and who sticks around.

Nothing on last night’s episode had me jumping out of my seat in excitement, but there was some good. I’ll give it up to Jeanine and Brandon, who brought energy to the stage in a Laurie Ann Gibson pop jazz number, danced to Jordin Sparks’ new single Battlefield. (That move at 1:11 is HOT!)

For me this season is really lacking dancers with character. The dancers I remember from past seasons – Neil, Mark, Twitch, Comfort, Travis, Danny, Lacey, Donyelle – are those who danced well, but also had personality I could grab onto.

At this point, the four female dancers left are of equally high ability. So who goes home, when not one stands apart from the others? I’m betting on Jeanine to go all the way, if only because she was so endearing during her top 20 week package, all teary-eyed about how much she loves dancing. But that’s going back over a month to somehow connect to her personally!

The guys have slightly more personality, but the girls are totally outdancing them. Jason’s Franklin the Turtle face loves the camera, and Ade’s smile after every dance is infectious. Brandon’s got skill, but his personality annoys me. And sadly, it’s time for cute and endearing Evan to go home. He’s out of his league.

So what do you think -- Is it just me? Have I become harder to impress now that I’ve been around the SYTYCD block a few times? Or is anyone else hoping the new fall season will bring some more excitement?

Toronto Burlesque Festival starts now

Looking for something to do in the city this weekend?

If so, the second annual Toronto Burlesque Festival kicks off tonight, and goes until Sunday, with performances and other festivities at the Gladstone, Mod Club, Cadillac Lounge and Centre of Gravity.

"Burlesque is striptease with layers and the layers might be comedy, it might be glamour, it might be a political message," Jo “Boobs” Weldon, a festival performer and instructor at the New York School of Burlesque, tells the Toronto Star.

In addition to performances, the festival includes “Burlesque University” workshops to learn from the best, a retrospective art show, and a photography exhibit.

For more info, ch-check out the festival’s website.

Being a comedy actress is no laughing matter

Emmy nominated comedy actresses Amy Poehler, Sarah Silverman, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Jane Krakowski, Mary Louise Parker, and Christina Applegate recently shot a roundtable interview for the Hollywood Reporter.

A lot of it involves them complaining about their schedules and Applegate rolling her eyes at not receiving residuals from Married . . . With Children. (I’m not sure why, but she’s getting on my last nerve. SMILE, dammit!)

Thank God Silverman was in the room though to liven things up! I promise if you stick with the vid, she’ll have you laughing in no time. (And specifically at the 2:55 mark).

Part two (which should be titled “Dammit, we’re older than Lindsay Lohan”) is here.

Part three (which should be titled “Christina Applegate is incapable of smiling”) is here.

So long, E!

Canwest announced today it will close its E!-branded stations in Victoria and Red Deer, Alta. by the end of August, and rebrand its Kelowna, B.C. station into a Global affiliate.

Last month Canwest reached a conditional agreement with Toronto company Channel Zero, who agreed to buy its E!-branded stations in Hamilton and Montreal. Channel Zero plans to radically change the direction of the stations.

If Channel Zero decides to drop all E! programming, I certainly hope another Canadian network will pick up Chelsea Lately.

I'm looking at you, MuchMoreMusic and Star. It's not like you currently play anything of interest. Why not change that?

Quick hits, in case you missed it

Harbourfront Centre’s lined up a whole bunch of great performers for its Canadian Voices festival this weekend. Ch-check out Hey Rosetta! and Jenn Grant on Friday, Gentleman Reg and Amy Millan on Saturday, and the Dears on Sunday. Did I mention it’s all free? Check out the full lineup here.

Would anyone still care about Lady Gaga if she didn’t show up to interviews wearing shit like this?

Jennifer’s Body, Diablo Cody’s followup to Juno, will premiere as part of TIFF’s Midnight Madness program this fall. This probably means we can expect Megan Fox to grace Toronto with her overrated presence come September.

Meanwhile, the White Stripes, Islamic extremists, Mormons cleaning up Hollywood, and African-American hair culture are the subjects of just some of the documentaries to be screened at TIFF’s Real to Reel program.

Canwest has greenlit a half hour comedy pilot from Mary Walsh, formerly of This Hour Has 22 Minutes. In it, Walsh plays an ex-punk rocker who moves her fam from Newfoundland to Toronto after winning the lottery. Is moving to Toronto a common "I just won the lottery!" dream? I wasn’t aware.

I was recently featured multiple times on this entertaining and influential blog. Check it. (There's a great chip eating picture in there).

The federal government has denied Montreal’s pride festival $155,000 in funding, five days before it is to begin. Not cool.

You don't have to convince me

"Glee gets things that are untouched in high school. You'll never see a prom segment, some of that stuff is so played out. We have so many original and fresh takes on things. There's a little bit of outsider in everyone; I think it'll touch a lot of people." -- Matthew Morrison, on what sets Glee apart from other high school shows.

[Glee's season premiere airs September 16 on FOX].

Songs of summer: We Are Golden

Pop sensation Mika released his brand new single We Are Golden today, and it's just so deliciously high energy, light-hearted, love-your-life-and-let-the-world-know, I can't handle it!

This song is destined to become my summer anthem before a full album by the same name is released in September and helps me through the fall!

I triple loved Mika's debut release, 2007's Life In Cartoon Motion, and this certainly gives me high hopes for his followup!

Tuesday deliciousness

Um, how have I never blogged about the hotness that is Ryan Phillippe before?

Clearly dude was just dying to make his first outisthrough.com appearance, and figured the surest way to accomplish that was by being photographed shirtless in L.A. this weekend.

He figured right!

Happy Tuesday! And, you're welcome.

Popstars, yes. Divas, I’m not so sure.

Kelly Clarkson, Adele, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus will headline VH1's Divas Live concert, after the network's four year hiatus from the special.

Premiering in 1998, previous Divas performers have included Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Cher, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, and Chaka Khan.

Now y'all know I love me some Kelly Clarkson, and Adele was great in concert. But I'm really not so sure about this lineup for a "Divas" show. Pop stars, sure, absolutely. But as it stands, I'm thinking this slate needs a little more edge, experience and diversity.

If you added any one of these performers to a lineup that included the likes of, say, Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Pink, Beyonce and No Doubt, I'd say yes, let's call that Divas. (And even then, Miley Cyrus -- really?!)

But right now this special is a little bit heavy on the fluff.

(Not saying I won't watch. Are you kidding me? I love three quarters of this lineup. Just taking issue with the name of the special they're performing on, really).

Kelly Clarkson tourdates

Kelly Clarkson announced a 32-stop North American fall tour today, with four Canadian stops set to promote her latest album All I Ever Wanted.

Parachute and the Veronicas are set to open for the first ever American Idol.

Sadly for me, Kelly is slated to play Orillia and not Toronto for her sole Ontario stop on the tour.

I'm tired and cranky today, so this news really doesn't please me.

Tickets for the Orillia show are already on sale at Ticketmaster, so jump to it if you're willing to make the drive!

Here are Kelly's Canadian tour dates:

October 15 Orillia, ON Casino Rama Entertainment Centre

November 18 Victoria, BC Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

November 20 Calgary, AB Saddledome

November 22 Kelowna, BC Prospera Place

Full tour dates here.

Summer fun list #18, (inevitably sweaty) apartment dance party

My goodness. I just wrapped an incredibly spoiled weekend, which saw a whole bunch of my favourite people come to town for my 25th birthday party on Saturday night.

We started things off at Southern Accent for dinner, where we ate, drank, and tested which side of the table could look happier for their photo:


The food was good, but the service was slow, resulting in a one-hour-late arrival to my own house party. (Whoops!)

We kept things pretty respectable at the party's outset. There were balloons, chips, candy, one huge Dairy Queen ice cream cake, and happy smiling people.


But eventually, we just couldn't hold it in any longer. We were feeling the music, and had to do something about it.

The dance party started with some excessive pointing . . .


Which soon gave way to some hardcore arm extensions . . .


And after that all bets were off!


As per usual, our spontaneous dance outbursts alienated half the party guests, who slowly moved to the exit, or at least out of the way of our flailing arms.

But honestly, when there are literal dance moves to be made to Kelly Clarkson, B4-4 and Spice Girls lyrics, you have to be pretty dead inside to hold still.

I probably couldn't have loved life much more than during that (inevitably sweaty) apartment dance party. With all my fave people in attendance, it brought me back to life on McLeod St. in Ottawa. Oh the mems!

Thanks to those who came from far, wide, and up the street to celebrate my entrance into senior citizenship. I felt so loved!

And thanks to my neighbours for sitting tight while we sang Wannabe at the top of our lungs on the balcony in the wee hours of the morning. You're real troopers.

Monday deliciousness

Weeds star Hunter Parrish is looking absolutely scrumpsh in this new photo shoot for GQ Magazine.

Asked about taking off his clothes for the series, the 22-year-old actor tells the mag, "It’s not contractual, it’s just where my storyline is. I had to show my butt last season for the first time. And I had a hard time deciding whether to do it—we didn’t decide until the morning of the shoot."

[photos by Peggy Sirota for GQ]





Oh, and you may also enjoy this Weeds promo still:


Happy Monday!

Sighting!

Well this is exciting! The lovely and amazing Sarah has contributed outisthrough.com's first international sighting:

Whilst watching the annual Gay Pride Parade in London a couple weeks ago, I was having a jolly good time when suddenly I spotted Boy George. He was on a float dancing away next to a woman who was struggling to remember the words to karma chamelion, even though she was holding the microphone.

She continued to belt out the wrong words. What was most funny was the fact that he was trying to sing into the mic with her without being too angry that she quite clearly only knew 1 line of the song. He looked like a bit of a tool.

I also saw Brian Paddick, who used to be the chief of the Met Police in London and was on i'm a celebrity get me out of here a couple years ago.

All in all it was a good day.


[photos by Sarah]

Summer fun list #17, turn 25

Despite having the day off, I woke myself up at 7:37 this morning to document the minute I turned 25 years old.

I'm pretty sure this is also how hot I looked when I slid out of the womb.

As my birthday gift to the world, I encourage you all to take three minutes and 10 seconds to enjoy one of the best music videos ever made.


How can you not love Jesse and the Rippers' video for Forever?

It's got Uncle Jesse shirtless in a bed in the middle of nowhere; two naked babies sitting on an awful fake sky backdrop; footage of Jesse rocking out with the Beach Boys; and a choir in a candle-filled room!

No wonder this song was such a hit in Tokyo! How did it not catch on elsewhere?

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch daytime TV in my new Vuarnet tshirt.

NBC leaves the Listener behind

NBC will pull the CTV original program the Listener from its schedule after this month, and replace it with reruns of Law and Order.

Ouch.

The series about a telepathic paramedic with lovely blue eyes has failed to grab an audience on NBC, though it’s faring slightly better in Canada on CTV.

NBC will burn this season’s remaining five episodes on its website in August, while CTV will continue to air it Thursdays at 10 p.m.

Roundup! Emmy Nominees edition

In an attempt to expand the field of honourees at this year’s Emmy Awards, organizers increased the number of nominees in each category from five to six.

30 Rock (22 nominations) and Mad Men (16) still walk away with the most nominations, but there are indeed a few pleasant surprises in the mix. Here’s what I’ve decided you need to know about this year’s nominees:


GETTING ANIMATED
Family Guy is nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, the first animated series to do so since the Flinstones in 1961. It’ll compete against How I Met Your Mother, the Office, 30 Rock, Weeds, Entourage and Flight of the Conchords,

TAKING FLIGHT
Yes, you read correctly -- Flight of the Conchords is nominated for Oustanding Comedy Series, in addition to five other awards. Jermaine Clement is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor – Comedy.

DRAMA KINGS AND QUEENS
I don’t have a bad word to say about the nominees for Outstanding Drama Series – Big Love, Damages, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Lost, House and Mad Men. Mostly because out of this crop I’ve only ever watched Mad Men and Dexter (both are quality).

NORA WALKER FOR THE WIN
Sally Field earned herself a much deserved nomination in the Lead Actress – Drama category for Brothers and Sisters. It’s the show’s only nomination this year, meaning voters somehow missed Calista Flockhart’s amazing performance in that special two-hour episode in March.


THEY CAN DANCE, AND SO CAN THEIR TEACHERS
Four of the six nominees for Outstanding Choreography come from So You Think You Can Dance – Tabitha and Napoleon’s Bleeding Love (my fave, as you know!), Mia Michaels’ Mercy, Tyce Diorio’s Adam and Eve/Silence and Dmitry Chaplin’s A Los Amigos. The other two noms are for a Hugh Jackman Oscar number, and the an irrelevant Dancing With The Stars routine.

ALL IN THE FAMILY
Grey Gardens costars Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange will compete for Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries or Movie. The HBO original movie picked up 17 noms total, including Outstanding Made For TV Movie.

SERIOUSLY?
WHO is nominating these people for Emmys?! Charlie Sheen (Comedy Actor, Two and a Half Men), William Shatner (Supporting Actor, Drama, Boston Legal), and Tony Shalhoub (Comedy Actor, Monk) are all keeping worthy performances from being nominated.

GREY DAYS
Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson represent Grey’s Anatomy in the Supporting Actress – Drama category, with the rest of the ensemble being shut out of acting awards. (What do you think about that, Katherine Heigl?!) The once mighty Desperate Housewives, meanwhile, received just two nominations this year.


EMMY LOVES KATHY
Kathy Griffin is a double nominee once again this year, for her reality show My Life On the D-List and her Bravo comedy special She’ll Cut A Bitch. Griffin will also host the Schmemmy’s this year – her affectionate term for the Creative Arts Emmys.

NOT DEAD YET
Scrubs received a single nomination for its fantastic (almost final) eighth season – Outstanding Sound Mixing.

DEAD, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
ABC’s cancelled-too-soon Pushing Daisies received five nominations, including an acting nod for Kristen Chenoweth.

SVU SELLS
Brenda Blethyn, Carol Burnett and Ellen Burstyn claimed three of the five spots in the Guest Actrerss in a Drama category, for their appearances on Law & Order: SVU.


THANKS, TINA
Jennifer Aniston, Alan Alda, Steve Martin, Jon Hamm, and Elaine Stritch owe Tina Fey big time. They all received acting nominations for their guest appearances on 30 Rock.

SPEAKING OF 30 ROCK
Supporting players Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer and Tracy Morgan all received acting nominations, as did last year’s lead acting winners Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin.

OPTIMISM WORKS
Michael J. Fox received his 11th career Emmy nomination for his five-episode guest stint on Rescue Me.


THAT’S A MOUTHFUL
Joss Whedon’s internet miniseries Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog, born during the writers’ strike, is nominated for Outstanding Special Class Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program.

FUNNY WOMEN
Kristin Wiig and Amy Poehler picked up nods for Oustanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for their work on SNL. (Poehler failed to receive a nod for Parks and Recreation). Meanwhile, Tina Fey’s take on Sarah Palin earned her a nod for Outsanding Guest Actress in a Comedy.

I STILL LOVE YOU
Not that it’s a surprise, but my fave TV addiction Gossip Girl was completely shut out by Emmy.

CONGRATULATIONS
Let’s end this thing on a happy note – big congratulations to Toni Collette (Comedy Actress, United States of Tara), Bryan Cranston (Drama Actor, Breaking Bad), Neil Patrick Harris (Supporting Actor, Comedy, How I Met Your Mother), Betty White (Guest Actress, Comedy, My Name Is Earl), Sarah Silverman (Comedy Actress, the Sarah Silverman Program), and Michael C. Hall (Drama Actor, Dexter) on your nominations!

For the full list of Emmy nominees, click here.

Neil Patrick Harris hosts the 61st Annual Emmy Awards live from L.A. September 20.