Grandpa

[though uncharacteristically personal for this blog, Grandpa deserves to be known more than anyone who's appeared here before].


There are a number of traits I believe I got from Grandpa. Physically, his knobby knees. But also, the joy and reward of cracking a good joke.

Grandpa is known for his puns. He’s incredibly quick witted, and if you’re not paying attention his jokes will fly right past you. If he doesn’t make you laugh on his first try, that’s okay. He’ll try again, and when you break he’ll laugh too and give you a wink.

You can’t keep Grandpa still, nor would it make much sense to try. I like to believe my love of a good parade comes from him. He loves a good jazz show, a street fair, a trip to the library.

Grandpa’s the king of kitschy novelty items. You can’t imagine the joy he gets in showing off a singing Christmas tree, or flashing festive hat.

He has a hilariously bad temper, which I’m super excited to grow into. I became quite acquainted with it during camping trips growing up. This one time Grandpa got so pissed off trying to set up a tent that he just pitched the fucking pole into the woods and walked off, cursing all the way. I don’t get super angry too often, but when I do I think, “Yeah, that’s Grandpa!”

Grandpa’s strong, faith filled and unapologetic in his convictions. He quit drinking and smoking before I was born, or grown to an age when I could remember he did either. (Still, he kept drinking “fake beer,” which implies he actually likes the taste of the stuff. Strange).

***

Grandpa is giving, in hilarious ways. When he used to drive trucks, he would find ways for a few delivery items to “fall off” the back, so he could gift them to us. I got Beverly Hills 90210 and Batman posters out of that deal. We also still use cereal bowls that came from one of his deliveries.

One Christmas Grandpa bought all his grandsons Ninja Turtles action figures. I cried (as I was prone to) when he gave me Krang, the evil brain. (Who wanted the ugly bad guy when you could have one of the Turtles?!) In hindsight, I realize he gave me this one because he saw me laugh when he reached to hand this toy to my cousin Josh. Well played, Grandpa. That’ll teach me to laugh at someone else’s expense. (To be honest, I kind of wish I still had that Krang action figure).

Grandpa’s a social bugger. I imagine that’s why he’s known as Bud, though he was given the name John at birth.

***

Grandpa used to collect offertory at church.

He puts sugar on things like strawberries and cereal, the idea of which was pretty outrageous at our house growing up.

He also used to have a big stack of records, my favourite of which was songs from Sesame Street.

Grandpa doesn’t discriminate. In fact, he likes black liquorice and jujubes the best.

***

Most importantly, Grandpa has pride in family. He has two daughters and two sons. And 15 grandchildren, who all have vague childhood memories of sitting on his knee in his favourite brown LA-Z-Boy, rocking back and forth as he sang “here we go rockety rockety row. . . “

One Mother’s Day Grandpa bought Grandma, mom and my aunts rose corsages, with notes that said something like “Thank you for raising my grandchildren so well.” My mom had hers hung on the fridge for years, dried and beautiful.

At Grandma and Grandpa’s 50th wedding anniversary party in 2002, a minister was present to help them renew their vows. Through his tears, Grandpa couldn’t repeat the minister’s words, but instead choked out “. . . what he said.”

***

I’m a better person because of Grandpa. I laugh and explore and get angry and curse and move on and try to believe. I know family, responsibility, loyalty and love. And I appreciate the things I have that are good.

I’m incredibly blessed to be part of my family, and I know it. I’m so proud to know these people, and how good they are, and the talents they offer the world. I’m constantly in awe that we belong on the same family tree.

If I can offer such feelings of belonging and acceptance and unconditional love to my own children and grandchildren one day, it will undoubtedly be my greatest success in life. And I will let them know that Grandpa played no small part in ensuring that sense of family existed for all of us.

I miss you already, Grandpa. My heart hurts in incredible ways. But I’ll be laughing again soon, I promise.

[or, the official statement].

Constant rotation: August 2009

1. Thank U, Alanis Morissette
2. Surrendering, Alanis Morissette
3. Save You, Kelly Clarkson
4. Use Somebody, Kings of Leon
5. We Are Golden, Mika
6. Crooked Teeth, Death Cab for Cutie
7. The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, the Postal Service
8. Fire Burning, Sean Kingston
9. RoboCop, Kanye West
10. She Wolf, Shakira
11. Big Girl (You Are Beautiful), Mika
12. I Will Follow You Into The Dark, Amy Millan
13. Always, Blink 182
14. Waking Up In Vegas, Katy Perry

Free music's good music

As we discussed earlier this week, my iTunes is lacking a little bit of diversity.

But thanks to Mike's Bloggity Blog, it's now loaded with 22 new songs by the likes of Patrick Watson, Gossip, Thunderheist and Dragonette -- for free!

Click on over here to find out how you too can download such music for free (and legally to boot!)

Look of the week: Miss Piggy

Miss Piggy looked divine in Marc Jacobs at last week's 11th Annual Macy's Glamorama event, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Looking sleek in a white jacket fit to perfection, Piggy later slipped into a fierce and frilly leopard print number.

Piggy went to great lengths to look good for the event, meeting with Marc Jacobs at his Spring Street Showroom that week.

The thought and effort paid off!

[photos via JustJared]

Hot mess of the week

Oh Sandra Bullock.

I have to tell you, I was pretty impressed when I read earlier this week that you're 45 years old. You don't look a day over 39.

And let's be honest. You've got it pretty good. Every six months you put out a romantic comedy in which you get to make out with a hot young thang.

But whoever told you the outfit you wore this week to the All About Steve L.A. premiere was a good idea should be shot.

The mini dress by Lanvin looks haphazard on its own. Combine it with that unkempt hair and those black mini boots and we've got one major fashion disaster.

Oh Sandra Bullock. You hot mess.

SYTYCD Canada's Michael Jackson tribute

Though I wasn't thrilled with who the judges chose to eliminate this week on So You Think You Can Dance Canada, I was pretty darn entertained by the top 20's Michael Jackson tribute, choreographed by Gil Duldulao.

Love the moves, love the costumes, and love the fact that the camera stays still long enough to actually take in the dancing. (The American version is notorious for its too-spastic camera work).

So, who's up for practicing these moves and bringing them out for a night on the town?

If/when CTV removes the YouTube vid, you can catch it on the official Dance website here.

Magazine cover of the week

The cast of Seinfeld joins show creator Larry David on the cover of this week's Entertainment Weekly, to promote their reunion on HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Looks like Jerry's got a few more chins these days, but can we talk about how smokin' fine Julia Louis Dreyfuss looks? LOVE her.

In the seventh season of Curb, premiering September 20, Larry decides to stage a Seinfeld reunion as part of a plan to win back his wife, played by Cheryl Hines.

And though the cast enjoyed their time back together on the original Seinfeld set, Jerry warns not to be too optimistic about another reunion.

“As far as I’m concerned, we did do it, and in a better way than I ever imagined,” he says. “This exceeded my expectations, so there’s no chance I would revisit it now.”

Colbie Caillat keeps it short and a bit too sweet at Mod Club

Last night Colbie Caillat played a short (and perhaps too sweet) set to a crowd of contest winners at the Mod Club, in support of her new album Breakthrough.

I didn't know a ton of Colbie going into the show, and though she sounded decent I'm not completely sold to seek out any more of her mellow, generic pop ditties.

"Her lyrics are a little too precious," my dear friend Diana noted at the end of the 45-minute set. I agreed.

Her songs would work perfectly as the soundtrack to a modern day Saved by the Bell. But they're a little too bland and superficial in a "one day I'll meet the man of my dreams" kind of way to really grab you.

(In case you missed it, my iTunes is already filled with worthy female pop acts who rock a little harder, as I like it).

That's not to say I didn't have a good time. Trust that I turned the show into a dance party at every possible moment. (Though I didn't quite go this far. I was missing Renee).

And kudos go out to Mod Club for releasing bubbles from the ceiling all too appropriately during Caillat's performance of her first ever single Bubbly, capping off the night.

SYTYCDance of the week

Great news blog readers!

Last night's top 20 So You Think You Can Dance Canada performance show was not only entertaining, but kind of impressive!

And either Leah Miller's getting better at her job, or I've become completely desensitized to her. Either way, great for me!

Natalie Lyons and Danny Lawn impressed with a hard hitting hip-hop routine choreographed by Sho-Tyme.

And while the judges loved Nicolas Begin and Jenna Lynn Higgins' disco routine by Melissa Williams, I was more sold by Nicolas' ridiculously contagious smile.

Once again I was completely impressed by the contemporary choreography of Stacey Tookey, above, whose routine was executed gorgeously by Melanie Mah and Cody Bonnell.

It's my pick for SYTYCDance of the week!

WWIB: Melrose Place vixen edition

The cast of the CW's Melrose Place posed for paparazzi at the show's launch party in L.A. last weekend.

Among those in attendance, Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, who plays Violet, a small-town girl who knows how the play the "sex kitten" role.

Original Melrose cast member Laura Leighton, who reprises her Sidney Andrews role in the new show, also showed up.

Despite being frighteningly thin, Ashlee's looking pretty good. I like the dress!

Still, no one can mess with Sidney Andrews. Take notes from Laura Leighton, young ones.

Everything All The Time tonight at the Horseshoe

So about a month ago my dear roommate Devon and I hit up Craft Beer Fest at U of T's Hart House.

I'm not going to lie. Things were looking a bit bleak when we showed up, and saw this horrendous offense:


Yes, those would be some sort of single-toed water shoes.

Let me be clear that we were nowhere near a body of water, a raft, a beach. This guy was wearing water shoes on pavement. Ugh.

We were surrounded by slobs like this guy, and worthy candidates for LATFH. It was great for a good ol' fashion game of judgement corner.

Luckily the food and drink was delish, and at one point I actually exclaimed "Oh my god, I just saw someone with style walk by!"


Turns out that someone was Alanna Stuart, lead vocals for the night's entertainment Everything All The Time.

The six person band's uptempo indie pop provided a lovely cap to an evening of stuffing face. And tonight they're playing an album release party for their new EP at the Horseshoe in Toronto -- highly recommended.

Ch-check out the band's MySpace for more.

Vijaya for VJ

After losing a few on-air personalities earlier this year, MuchMusic is finally getting around to casting a new VJ.

And though the official online VJ search doesn't launch until September 8, Vijaya Selvaraju is getting a head start with the above video.

Seems that while I was busy running in fear from the crazy JoBros fans lined up for MMVA wristbands in June, Vijaya took a little initiative and put together this fine demo.

A blogger and pop culture enthusiast herself, seems she'd love nothing more than to join the ranks at Much. And lucky for the rest of us -- she's good!

Her fan interviews remind of the good ol' days on MuchMusic, when interactivity on the street wasn't uncommon.

And with total YouTube views playing a part in the ultimate winner of the new VJ search, I highly recommend you press play.

Come on guys. Let's try to avoid another Tim Deegan situation. Please.

While we're talking MuchMusic . . .

Seems the music station was hoping no one would notice that it's turning 25 this month!

"We will be doing absolutely nothing for the 25th anniversary," Brad Schwartz, senior vice-president and general manager of Much MTV Group, tells the Canadian Press. "You will not see a press release from us, they will not do anything special on air, there will be nothing going on, you will never know that Much turned 25, because for us it's not a story.

"We are in the looking-forward business, we are in the looking-at-today business, we are in the young-person business. We are not in the looking-back business."

Well holy shit, don't I feel stupid for throwing myself a 25th birthday party last month! I didn't know it was the new cool thing to not celebrate one's history and accomplishments.

Click here to check out the full Canadian Press story. It's a really interesting read that addresses MuchMusic's evolution from a music station to a teen soap dumping ground, including some healthy criticism from musicians and a past VJ.

CBC to sweep up Men With Brooms series?

And they say there's nothing original left on TV . . .

CBC is considering a pilot order for a show based on the 2002 Canadian film Men With Brooms.

Though the network refuses to confirm details, Media In Canada is reporting the film's star and producer Paul Gross would also executive produce the half hour curling comedy.

The CBC is also reportedly considering a series based on the film Bon Cop, Bad Cop.

Which leaves me wondering, when the hell are we going to see a TV series adaptation of the 2000 Sandra Bullock hit Miss Congeniality?!

What's that you say? That would be completely unnecessary? Oh, silly me.

Quick hits, in case you missed it

MTV has acquired the rights to produce an American version of Skins, which I hear is like a better, riskier, British-er Degrassi.

Oshawa really wants to KISS to come to town. KISS is choosing to ignore that fact.

MuchMusic is looking for the next Matte Babel. Sure, I fit the "urban" and "cool" qualifications, but sadly I'm officially too old to follow in his illustrious footsteps. Fuck.

TLC is reuniting for a benefit concert organized by Justin Timberlake. This is big news for me, as a major TLC fan, whose claim to fame on the playground in 1996 was knowing all the words to Left Eye's rap in Waterfalls.

Kathy Griffin, Meghan McCain, LaToya Jackson and Victoria Beckham are among those who will fill Elisabeth Hasselbeck's cohosting chair on the View next month, while she's on maternity leave. Yes, they are all less annoying than Hasselbeck and sadly no, I doubt we're lucky enough to have any of them permanently replace her.

Sighting! I had such a mediocre celeb sighting last week I totes forgot to blog it. I passed by Degrassi star Argiris Karras (this guy) walking down Queen St. He was wearing a black tank top, an unnecessarily large chain and looking generally scruffy. We both kept walking.

Mika tour starts in Toronto

My latest music obsession Mika is kicking off a North American tour in Toronto come October, in support of his upcoming CD Boy Who Knew Too Much.

The We Are Golden singer will also make stops in Montreal and Vancouver throughout the month.

So, who's in for the Toronto show with me? Public onsale starts Friday!

October 12 – Toronto, ON – The Sound Academy
October 13 – Montreal, QC – Place Des Arts
October 15 – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
October 16 – New York, NY – United Palace
October 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
October 20 – Chicago, IL – Riviera
October 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
October 24 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
October 26 – Seattle, WA – The Moore
October 27 – Vancouver, BC – Orpheum Theatre

Flashpoint, the Tudors, Being Erica lead 2009 Gemini nominees

Flashpoint leads this year's Gemini nominees, with 19 nods in writing, directing and acting categories, as well as Best Dramatic Series.

The Tudors followed with 11 nominations, while Being Erica, Diamonds, Less Than Kind, and The Border each received nine.

As per usual, nominees for the awards that honour the best in Canadian television contain the noteworthy, as well as a few headscratchers:

• Season one of So You Think You Can Dance Canada is nominated as Best Music, Variety Series, alongside the Junos, the Geminis, and the MuchMusic Video Awards. The Best Reality Series nominees, meanwhile, are Project Runway Canada, Dragons' Den, disBAND, GoldMind, and the Week The Women Went.
  
  
• Instant Star is nominated for Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series. I was under the impressions this show was canceled years ago and Much was just running reruns into the ground.
  
  
• MTV's the After Show will compete for Best Talk Series alongside the Hour With George Stroumboulopoulos and the recently cancelled Steven and Chris. Last year's winner MTV Live was not nominated.
  
  
• It's a battle of the talking heads as Peter Mansbridge, Kevin Newman, Diana Swain, Janet Stewart and Heather Hiscox compete for Best News Anchor.

• Degrassi stars Paula Brancati and Stacey Farber are both up for Best Performance in a Childrens' or Youth Program or Series.
  
  
• And in the biggest headscratcher, Canadian Idol season six winner Theo Tams has been nominated in the category of Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series. We can blame the overly inclusive category title for the fact that his co-nominees are actually all hosts -- Leah Miller (SYTYCD Canada), Adam Beach and Tina Keeper (2009 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards), Russell Peters (Juno Awards) and Jason Priestley (Gemini Awards).

The 24th annual Gemini Awards will take place November 14, 2009 from Calgary.

For a full list of nominees click here.

Trend spotting

So I've noticed a little bit of a trend in my top 10 most played songs on iTunes.

1. My Life Would Suck Without You (official release), Kelly Clarkson, 473 plays
2. Girlfriend, Avril Lavigne, 459 plays
3. Hands Clean, Alanis Morissette, 334 plays
4. Thank U, Alanis Morissette, 322 plays
5. My Life Would Suck Without You (pirated, pre-release), Kelly Clarkson, 312 plays
6. Promiscuous, Nelly Furtado f/ Timbaland, 308 plays
7. Surrendering, Alanis Morissette, 307 plays
8. You Learn, Alanis Morissette, 284 plays
9. I Do Not Hook Up, Kelly Clarkson, 277 plays
10. Underneath, Alanis Morissette, 265 plays

I guess when people ask what kind of music I listen to I should stop saying "a little bit of everything" and just say Alanis Morissette and Kelly Clarkson.

With the amount of times I've listened to these songs on repeat, I should invite my neighbours over for a sing along. They surely know all the words by now too.

How do we feel about . . .

. . . a (fake) tattooed Chace Crawford in the new issue of Interview Magazine?

His look is apparently modeled after Viggo Mortensen’s character in the 2007 crime drama Eastern Promises. (Not a teenage comedy, so didn't see it).

I think the photos are pretty hot, but I could really do without the ink.

Sounds like thanks to his training for the Footloose remake we'll have lots of hot Chace to look forward to!

"It’s like you’re naked up on a stage or something," he tells the mag about dancing. "I’m going to try to get shredded. And my flexibility has already gone up like double. Really, what it’s so much about is core strength and flexibility. Its not just dance practice, I mean it’s a lot of movement work. There’s some kickboxing, some Muay Thai. And I’m learning fundamentals like breakdancing."

Oh my, we all know I love me a dancer!


[photos via Chace Crawford Online]

It's about damn time!

Ever since the April 7 release of Beverly Hills 90210 season seven on DVD, I've been eagerly anticipating season eight. It does, after all, only take me about 2.5 days to speed through a season.

Well good news today, as TVShowsOnDVD.com reports a November 24 release for season eight.

This is totes the season Kelly gets shot on the way back from Hawaii, gets amnesia, and can't remember she's in love with Brandon.

I particularly love how Hilary Swank is front and centre on the box art, even though she was let go as a series regular halfway through the season. (Her character Carly was a major Debbie).

Kelly Clarkson loves Bette, Alanis and . . . Michael Bolton?

Kelly Clarkson names Bette Midler, Mariah Carey, and Etta James as her musical influences in this fun "Pop Star Playlist" segment from Nightline last month.

She also names my personal fave Alanis Morissette as an inspiration.

"The major impact for me was the song Perfect, which I loved off Jagged Little Pill, which is one of the greatest CDs of all time," she says. "I thought it was awesome that this female rock alternative chick was just laying it out there."

Press play to hear Kelly talk about more of her musical influences, including her love of Michael Bolton! (Not going to lie, I had his CD in '92 too).

It's still Monday, and Zac Efron's still delicious

Well isn't this becoming a lovely Monday trend.

New photos of Zac Efron strutting, stretching and doing push-ups sans shirt on the Vancouver set of the Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud have hit the internet.

Does anyone know what this movie's about? Does anyone care?


[photos via zachary-e.org]

Update: John Krasinski still melts my heart

The Office star John Krasinski looks cute in a suit in the pages of the latest FHM Magazine.

But, he tells the mag, he shouldn't be trusted to make his own fashion forward choices:

Do I look fashionable? Jesus, I am so ignorant about fashion, as is probably way too obvious. I think I might have been that kid in college who wore sweat pants too much. It was that ‘I’m cool, I’m casual’ kinda deal, and people were like, ‘No, you need to make a fashion decision.'

Chances are, most of us would forgive Johnny Boy's fashion offenses, if he continues to squish his face up all cute like that.

The sixth season of the Office premieres Thursday September 17 at 9 p.m. on NBC. And if you don't want to see some super spoilery photos, I suggest you not click here.




[photos via ONTD]

Monday deliciousness

In celebration of the SYTYCD Canada top 20 being announced, why not take a moment to admire show choreographer and sometimes judge Blake McGrath.

I could really do without that cross tattoo, but I'm willing to overlook it thanks to everything else going on here.

Happy Monday!

[photos via Blake McGrath's MySpace]

SYTYCD Canada Top 20 - Season Two

Last night's episode of So You Think You Can Dance Canada revealed the top 20 competing in season two.

Honestly, I haven't really watched the audition episodes, but I'll be on board once the competition actually begins, tomorrow at 8 p.m. with the top 20 performance show.

Here's a rundown of who's competing. (Emanuel Sandhu made it this year!)

Amy Gardner (21) is a contemporary dancer from Calgary, AB.

Anthony Grafton (24) is a ballroom dancer from Calgary, AB.

Austin Di lulio (19) is a contemporary dancer from Mississauga, ON.

Cody Bonnell (19) is a hip-hop dancer from Unionville, ON .

Corynne Barron (18) is a classical Contemporary dancer from Edmonton, AB.

Daniel Dory (23) is a hip-hop/house dancer from Montreal, QC.

Danny Lawn (21) is a contemporary dancer from Brockville, ON.

Emanuel Sandhu (28) is a contemporary and Ballet dancer from Vancouver, BC.

Everett Smith (25) is a tap dancer from Glen Morris, ON.

Jayme Rae Dailey (21) is a contemporary dancer from Montreal, QC.

Jenna Lynn Higgins (18) is a jazz and lyrical dancer from Toronto, ON

Kim Gingras (23) is a hip-hop dancer from Montreal, QC.

Melanie Buttarazzi (22) is a Latin ballroom dancer from Woodbridge, ON.

Melanie Mah (19) is a contemporary dancer from Richmond Hill, ON.

Natalie Lyons (23) is a hip-hop/krump dancer from Halifax, NS.

Nicolas Bégin (24) is a B-boy/hip-hop dancer from Quebec City, QC.

Tara-Jean Popowich (20) is a contemporary dancer from Lethbridge, AB.

Tatiana Parker (21) is a hip-hop dancer from Toronto, ON.

Taylor James (22) is a contemporary dancer from Vancouver, BC.

Vincent Desjardins (20) is a ballroom dancer from Trois-Rivieres, QC.

Katherine Heigl sucking hard

Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl was photographed in Beverly Hills this weekend sucking on a lollipop.

I'm posting the unflattering photos because I'm sure anyone who's ever had to work with her, then listen to her gripe and complain about it, would appreciate them spreading as far as possible.

(Also, they're just pretty damn funny).


[photos via Socialite Life]

Be on the lookout, Toronto

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced its ridiculously long list of celeb guests expected to attend this year's festivities.

Here's a few attendees I wouldn't mind running into, and the conversation starters I'm working on, should they choose not to flee my crazy stalker eyes.

DREW BARRYMORE
[Whip It]
"I just need to tell you, it's sick how many times I watched Never Been Kissed in my adolescence. Granted, I was never egged on prom night, but I still relate to Josie Gellar a little too much."

MICHAEL CERA
[Youth In Revolt]
"So how many more years do you think you can make a career off playing the same character?"

ADAM BRODY
[Jennifer's Body]
"Are Ben McKenzie's biceps as big in person as they appear on TV? Yeah? Did you ever touch them?"

OPRAH WINFREY
[Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire]
"So . . . mind pimping my blog on your show?"

LISA KUDROW
[Love and Other Impossible Pursuits]
"Fuck, that Jennifer Aniston sure is desperate eh? How did you handle working with her for ten years?"

MATT DAMON
[The Informant]
"So I'm just going to cut to the chase. You should come home with me. . . Why are you laughing?"

AMANDA SEYFRIED
[Chloe]
"So, you're gorgeous, and I'd really like to be your GBF. Here's a list of references of women whose fashion choices I've affirmed, made bitchy comments alongside, and accompanied to weddings where I don't know a damn person."

MARIAH CAREY
[Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire]
"Okay, you've got to explain the thought process behind that Forever ad. Did ya fart? You can tell me."

SHERRI SHEPHERD
[Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire]
"Alright, spill it. Which lady of the View would you smack if you had the chance? Is it Barbara? I bet it's Barbara."

MICHAEL MOORE
[Capitalism: A Love Story]
"Remember me?"


Ch-check out the full list of guests expected to attend:

Aaron Schneider, Abbie Cornish, Abhay Deol, Adam Brody, Adam Scott, Adrián Biniez, Ahmad Abdalla, Aidan Quinn, Aksel Hennie, Alan Jacobs, Alejandro Amenábar, Alex Craig, Alexander David, Alexander De Jordy, Alexander Siddig, Alexandre Franchi, Alexia Fast, Alfred Molina, Alia Shawkat, Alla Kovgan, Ally Sheedy, Amanda Seyfried, Amber Heard, Ameríca Olivo, Amos Gitaï, Amy Kirwan, Ana de la Reguera, Ana Kokkinos, Anatole Taumban, André Dussollier, Andrea Arnold, Andrew James, Andrew Nikiforuk, Andrew Wilson, Anne Dorval, Anne-Marie Caicco, Annet Malherbe, Anthony LaPaglia, Anurag Singh, Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, Arnaud Larrieu, Arnobio, Salazar Rivas, Arsinée Khanjian, Ashutosh Gowariker, Asli Özge, Atef Yousef, Atom Egoyan, Aya Soliman, Barbara Sukowa, Barry Levinson, Ben Barnes, Ben Bruhmuller, Ben Hollingsworth, Ben Russell, Ben Whishaw, Bernard Émond, Bill Murray, Bill Nighy, Blaine Thurier, Bob Richman, Bobby Del Rio, Bong Joon-ho, Brenda Blethyn, Brian Cox, Brigitte Berman, Brendan Gleeson, Bruce Beresford, Bruce Raino, Bruce Sweeney, Bruno Dumont, Bryan Brown, Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Bui Thac Chuyen, Caitriona Cantillon, Cam Cronin, Candice Breitz, Carey Mulligan, Carl Bessai, Carlos Carrera, Carlos Saura, Caroline Monnet, Carter Gunn, Catherine Corsini, Celines Toribio, Cesc Gay, Charles Kernaghan, Chelsea McMullan, Chris Chong Chan Fui, Chi Cao, Chris Kennedy, Chris Landreth, Chris Rock, Chris Smith, Christian Carion, Christopher Plummer, Cillian Murphy, Ciro Guerra, Claire Denis, Claire McCarthy, Clive Owen, Coleen Fitzgibbon, Colin Farrell, Colin Firth, Colm Feore, Connie Nielsen, Cordell Barker, Corey Adams, Cornelia Foss, Corneliu Porumboiu, Cristian Mungiu, Cristin Milioti, Dagur Kári, Damjan Kozole, Dan Fallshaw, Daniel Barber, Daniel Ellsberg, Daniel Monzon, Daniel Stern, Danis Tanovic, Dany Boon, Danny DeVito, Danny Glover, Danny Lerner, David Duchovny, David Fox, David Gatten, David Kross, Deborra-Lee Furness, Demi Moore, Denis Côté, Denise Quiñones, Derrick Borte, Detlev Buck, Dev Benegal, Dev Khanna, Diablo Cody, Dilip Mehta, Dima El-Horr, Do Hai Yen, Dominic Cooper, Don Argott, Don Hahn, Don McKellar, Don Roos, , Doron Paz, Dorothée van den Berghe, Drew Barrymore, Dror Keren, Dusty Mancinelli, Dyana Gaye, Dylan Akio Smith, Dylan Reibling, Ed Gass-Donnelly, Ed Mendoza, Edward Norton, Elias Koteas, Elipidia Carrillo, Ellen Page, Émile Proulx-Cloutier, Emily Blunt, Emily Hampshire, Emily Lape, Emily Mortimer, Emmett Malloy, Erik Gandini, Erin Cummings, Ermek Tursunov, Ernie Dingo, Ernie Gehr, Ethan Coen, Eva Green, Eve, Ewan McGregor, Fatih Akin, Félix Dufour-Laperrière, Félix Lajeunesse, Felix van Groeningen, Frances O'Connor, Francesca Gregorini, François Ozon, Frederick Wiseman, Friedl vom Gröller, Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, Friedl vom Gröller (Kubelka), Gabourey Sidibe, Gabriel Thibaudeau, Gabrielle Rose, Gary Magness, Gary Yates, Gaspar Noé, Gaspard Ulliel, Geoffrey Fletcher, Geoffrey Smith, George A.Romero, George Clooney, Georgina Reilly, Giuseppe Capotondi, Giuseppe Piccioni, Giuseppe Tornatore, Glendyn Ivin, Golam Rabbany Biplob, Goran Paskaljevic, Gordon Pinsent, Granaz Moussavi, Grant Heslov, Gregory Smith, Gulsharat Zhubayeva, Xiaolu Guo, Guy Maddin, Haim Tabakman, Hannu-Pekka Björkman, Hany Adel, Harman Baweja, Harmony Korine, He Ping, Hélène Florent, Hemky Madera, Henrique Goldman, Hiam Abbass, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Ho Yuhang, Horacio Camandulle, Hugh Hefner, Ian Fitzgibbon, Igor Drljaca, Isaac Cravit, Isabella Rossellini, Ismail Necmi, Ivan Grbovic, J Blakeson, Jack White, Jacob Tierney, Jacques Audiard, James Purefoy, Jamie Travis, Jan Kounen, Jane Campion, Jason Lehel, Jason Reitman, Jaume Balagueró, Javorn Drummond, Jay Baruchel, Jean Yoon, Jean-Marc Vallée, Jean-Marie Larrieu, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Jeff Bridges, Jennifer Connelly, Jennifer Garner, Jérémie Renier, Jesper Ganslandt, Jessica Romero, Jessie Marchessault-Brown, Jim Jennings, Jimmy Smits, João Pedro Rodrigues, Joe Dante, Joe Raico, Joel Bissonnette, Joel Coen, John Greyson, John Hillcoat, John Powers, John Pyper-Ferguson, Johnnie To, Johnny Hallyday, Jon Amiel, Jonathan King, Jools Topp, Jordan Scott, Josef Dabernig, Josh Crook, Joshua Ligairi, Juan Fernandez, Juan José Campanella, Judith Ehrlich, Julia Voth, Julianne Moore, Juliette Lewis, Julio Andrade, Juno Temple, Karyn Kusama, Katarzyna Roslaniec, Kate del Castillo, Kazik Radwanski, Keanu Reeves, Keir Gilchrist, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Kevin McDonald, Kevin Spacey, Kerry Washington, Khaled Abol Naga, Klaus Lutz, Koji Yakusho, Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, Kristen Hager, Kristin Booth, Kristin Scott Thomas, Kyle MacLachlan, Laara Sadiq, Laxmikant Shetgaonkar, Laz Alonso, Lea Nakonechny, Leanne Pooley, Lee Daniels, Leon Prudovsky, Liam Neeson, Linda Theodosakis, Lisa Kudrow, Lisa Ray, Lluís Homar, Landon Pigg, Lou Ye, Lu Chuan, Luca Guadagnino, Lucas Black, Luis Ortega, Lynda Topp, Mads Mikkelsen, Maneel de Oliveira, Manny Perez, Marc Bendavid, Marc Levin, Marcia Gay Harden, Marciano Martinez, Marco Bellocchio, Margaret Corkery, Margarethe von Trotta, Margreth Olin, María Valverde, Mariah Carey, Marina Gioti, Mark A. Krupa, Mark Lewis, Mark Rendall, Martin Pieter Zandvliet, Matt Damon, Matthew Bissonnette, Matthias Emcke,Matthias Schoenaerts, Megan Fox, Meghan Greeley, Mehran Tamadon, Michael Caine, Michael Cera, Michael Douglas, Michael J. Bassett, Michael Moore, Michael Sheen, Michael Snow, Michael Spierig, Michael Tucker, Michèle Hozer, Miguel Arteta, Mika Kaurismäki, Mike Escareal Sandejas, Mike Hoolboom, Min Sook Lee, Minae Noji, Mio Adilman, Miranda Otto, Miranda Richardson, Mogens Hagedorn, Naomi Watts, Natalie Lisinska, Natalie Portman, Neil Diamond, Neil Jordan, Niels Arestrup, Nick Stringer, Nicky Hamlyn, Nicolas Cage, Nicolás Pereda, Nicolas Winding Refn, Niki Caro, Nikos Theodosakis, Nina Ivanišin, Niv Klainer, Ole Bornedal,Olga Kurylenko, Oliver Hermanus, Oliver Parker, Oprah Winfrey, Oscar Ruiz Navia, Ounie Lecomte, Pablo Stoll, Paco Plaza, Paprika Steen, Paramita Nath, Pat Mills, Patricia Clarkson, Patricia Ellsberg, Patxi Amézcua, Paul Anthony, Paul Bettany, Paul Dano, Paul Fierlinger, Paul Raphaël, Paul Schneider, Paula Patton, Pedro González-Rubio, Pedro Pires, Pen-Ek Rataruang, Penélope Cruz, Peter Berg, Peter Mettler, Peter Raymont, Peter Sarsgaard, Peter Spierig, Peter Stebbings, Peter Wellington, Petra Epperlein, Petra Woschniak, Pham Linh Dan, Phil Gordon, Philip Hoffman, Philippe van Leeuw, Priyanka Chopra, Qin Lan, Rachael Scdoris, Rachel Korine, Rachel Ward, Rachel Wilson, Radha Mitchell, Ran Danker, Randall Okita, Rani Mukherjee, Raoul Peck, Raphaël Nadjari,Rebecca Miller, Reginald Harkema, Renato De Maria, Renée O'Connor, Ricardo Darín, Riccardo Scamarcio, Richard de Klerk, Richard Kerr, Rick Goldsmith, Rick Jacobson, Ricky Gervais, Sir Ridley Scott, Rigoberto Perezcano, Rob Lowe, Rob King, Rob Stefaniuk, Robert Connolly, Robert Duvall, Robert Perry, Roberto Hernández, Robin Wright Penn, Rodrigo Garcia, Rodrigo Vélez, Romalito Mallari, Romola Garai, Ron Melendez, Ross McDonnell, Rossana Torres, Rossif Sutherland, Ruba Nadda, Rupert Friend, Ruth Gruber,Ruth Nirere, Ryan Mullins, Ryan Robbins, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sacheen Littlefeather, Samantha Morton, Samer Najari, Sami Khan, Samuel Maoz, Sandra Fierlinger, Sapphire, Sarah Ferguson, Sarah Siegel-Magness, Sarah Watt, Satoko Yokohama, Scandar Copti, Scott Hicks, Sean Byrne, Sebastián Cordero, Sebastjan Henrickson, Serge Bromberg, Shahidul Alam Shacchu, Shalizeh Arefpour, Shanti Roney, Shauna Cross, Sheila McCarthy, Sherri Shepherd, Sherry White, Shirin Neshat, Sissy Spacek, Snoop Dogg, Soi Cheang, Sonya Di Rienzo, Sook-Yin Lee, Spencer Maybee, Stan Herman, Stephen Poliakoff, Steven Soderbergh, Susanne Schneider, Suzana Amaral. T. Marie, Suzanne Clément, Tahar Rahim, Tatiana von Furstenberg, Ted Kotcheff, Terry Gilliam, Tiio Horn, Til Schweiger, Tilda Swinton, Tim Blake Nelson, Timothy Olyphant, Todd Solondz, Tom Ford, Tom Hooper, Tracy Wright, Trevor Anderson, Tsai Ming-liang, Tygh Runyan, Tyler Perry, Ute Aurand, Valery Todorovsky, Vera Farmiga, Vic Sarin, Victoria Thaine, Viggo Mortensen, Vikram Jayanti, Vimukthi Jayasundara, Violeta Ayala, Wan Ma Cai Dan, Werner Herzog, Willem Dafoe, Woody Harrelson, Xavier Dolan, Xavier Samuel, Yaron Shani, Yoav Paz, Yoichi Sai, Yorgos Lanthimos, Yousry Nasrallah, ZippiBrand Frank, Zoe Sandejas.

Scrubs, Cougar Town casting additions

Michael Mosley (left) and Kerry Bishe (centre) have joined Dave Franco as new series regulars on the ninth season of Scrubs.

Mosley, who appeared in this summer's the Proposal, will play a 30-something med student who's returned to school after dropping out a decade ago.

Bishe, whose resume holds a string of TV guest spots, will play an overwhelmed young med student, the first in her family of fishermen to attend college.

Meanwhile, over on Bill Lawrence's other ABC comedy Cougar Town, Nick Zano has been cast as the first of Courteney Cox's recurring love interests.

In case you aren't aware, this is what Nick Zano looks like without a shirt:


Solid casting, if you ask me.

Smell like Mariah . . . FOREVER!

Mariah Carey released the above ad for her new fragrance Forever this week, telling People the perfume "captures that glamourous feeling that I want to share with my fans.”

Granted, I'm not really the target market for the product, but my train of thought when looking at the ad took me in a completely different direction:

1. That is very likely the most unnatural pose I've seen photographed in a long time. Like, when I wake up with a sore neck, I imagine it's because I've just slept in that position.

2. I wonder if that jewelery is a free gift with purchase.

3. Who photoshopped Mariah's face, and did they intend to make her look like a Madame Tussauds wax figure?

4. I wonder if I'll ever have a house with a room of wall to wall satin to lounge in.

5. Who am I kidding. I probably will.

6. If I had to guess, I'd say Mariah farted right as this photo was taken.

7. I don't think I'd want to smell like that.

Help me help you, Avril Lavigne

Oh Avril. Why do you have to make it so hard to support you?

Lavigne was one of the only names to show up to an Axe Lounge Party in Southampton on Friday, and she showed up looking like that.

I can get behind the shoes. But that hair, that prom dress from hell, and those cheap accessories are just offensive.

Someone please nominate this girl for What Not To Wear.

Forever Uncle Jesse

Wondering what John Stamos has been up to since the finale of ER this spring?

Of course you've been wondering.

Well last night in New Jersey he slid right back into his Uncle Jesse persona to sing Forever at a Beach Boys concert.

I mean, he wasn't wearing his classic Uncle Jesse leather vest, which is a disappointment. And the acoustics in the Smash Club are probably a lot better than that auditorium. But I'm glad to see Stamos throwing back to his Beach Boys-loving roots.

Jimmy Brooks likes older women. Period.

Remember Jimmy Brooks' rocky relationship with Ashley Kerwin on Degrassi?

Well turns out Jimmy was probably just hot for teacher the whole time.

"I like older women, period," the 22-year-old up-and-coming rapper tells MTV. "I never end up dating -- seriously -- women that are my age."

And why would you, Jimmy Brooks? You left your youth on the Degrassi set with that wheelchair.

"I used to talk to this woman that was 35-plus," he says. "I'm a mature individual."

Okay seriously, what is up with people claiming they're mature individuals? At what point is that just something you're allowed to decide for yourself?

Also, do you think that Jimmy and Taylor Momsen would be compatible as a couple, since they both claim to be so mature? Would two fake 45-year-olds make for a great love connection?

WWIB: Rick James' hair edition

Beyonce was photographed in New York City last weekend, strolling around looking like a wet poodle.

Now personally, I make it a point not to look overly moist in a photograph if I can help it. It's just not a good look for anyone.

So really, I'm not sure if I'm impressed or disgusted that Beyonce would let herself be seen like this.

Girl, you are famous, and surely have a grand collection of respectable weaves! Leave the Rick James locks at home next time.

Magazine cover of the week

Amanda Seyfried's looking sleek and beautiful on the cover of September's Allure Magazine.

The 23-year-old actress, who stars in Atom Egoyan's Chloe, set to premiere at TIFF next month, told the mag about working on her breakout movie Mean Girls.

"I liked Lindsay [Lohan] fine," she says, "but we were never friends. Like, Lacey Chabert, me—we never hung out with her."

Um, who would hang out with Lindsay Lohan when they have the chance to hang out with Claudia Salinger instead?! I wonder if she brought her violin to set . . .

Gossip Girl season two bloopers

Gossip Girl season two was released on DVD yesterday. If you're already caught up on last season, why not ch-check out the 10 minutes of bloopers that come with the season set, above.

Watch as Leighton Meester sneezes, Blake Lively does her best pteradoctyl impression, Ed Westwick speaks with his sexy British accent, and Kelly Rutherford reveals that pregnant belly they were hiding all season. And shock of all shocks, Taylor Momsen even cracks a smile once or twice!

Also, because there's no time like the present to start looking to the future, check out the first promo photo released for season three:


Hell-o Blake Lively!