Pop Cultural District

Tuesday round-up

Once again, we're double-blogging here and at DFW.com. You'll find the new version of Pop Cultural District, now just the Pop Blog, here. Star-Telegram pop music Preston Jones, who used to post on Pop Cultural District, now has his own blog at DFW.com, where you can also find ramblings from Christopher Kelly and others. There are some bugs to be worked out, but get used to going there for entertainment blogging, because this double-blogging isn't going to last all that much longer.

--Robert Philpot

Friday round-up

--Once again, we're double-blogging here and at the new DFW.com, which is where you'll find the morning round-up. Eventually, Pop Cultural District will move there permanently, but for now, we're in both places.

--Robert Philpot

Thursday round-up

We're double-blogging here and at the new dfw.com -- which, let's say, can be a little time-consuming. So if you want some updates on former WFAA anchor Macie Jepson, Fringe, Dollhouse and even Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, go here.

--Robert Philpot

Wednesday roundup

--CMA Award nominees are announced. This list also includes broadcasting nominees, none of which is from Dallas-Fort Worth, which isn't the country-radio power it used to be. Sigh.

--Broadcasting & Cable reports on the ratings for premieres of new syndicated shows, noting that The Bonnie Hunt Show was really big in Dallas-Fort Worth, which B&C apparently believes consists only of Dallas even though a Fort Worth-based station airs the show.

--Josh Groban will sing classic TV theme songs at the Emmys, USA Today reports. I can't wait to hear him sing the theme to Mission: Impossible: "Bump-bump-ba-ba-bump-bump." OK, he probably won't sing that, but he will sing the lyrics to the theme from The Andy Griffith Show. Usually, you just whistle.

--One Tree Hill cast and creators tell The Associated Press why they're surprised they've entered their sixth season -- and why they're surprised that they even got past a sixth episode.

--Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester, who is pretty good doing double-duty in Entourage this seen, now wants to be a singing girl, TVGuide.com reports.

--Robert Philpot

A couple of overblown Jessica Simpson moments

Not overblown by Jess, but in what's being said about her (and putting me in the odd position of defending her). The first is from this morning's Good Morning America, and although I could do without ever hearing the song again, I think Internet comments that Jess had a "meltdown" are kind of exaggerated (at least she didn't break into a jig or anything). The second is from E! Online, which makes a big deal about a couple of things from Simpson's Grand Ole Opry debut. -- Robert Philpot

Tuesday roundup

--Gary Cole, who's a good addition to any show, gets added to Chuck, Entertainment Weekly reports.

--Mark Cuban's HDNet goes inside the House of Blues -- but not the one in Dallas (yet) -- for a concert series, The Hollywood Reporter says.

--NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas, the third in a string of hip-looking hotels, is holding an art competition through the end of October. Prizes vary, and winners get a chance to have their work displayed in the hotel. "Artwork should reflect local Texas culture, nightlife and urban or industrial elements and will help create the inspiration for NYLO Las Colinas as its own destination for visitors to the hotel," says part of the release, and you can read the whole thing here.

--This Variety item gives new meaning to the term "blue movie."

--Entertainment Tonight has Jessica Simpson talking about Tony Romo. Again.

--And Minnie Driver is a mom, and the kid even has a relatively normal name.

--Robert Philpot

 

Monday round-up

--We didn't live-blog the MTV Video Music Awards, which I didn't watch live because I was watching the women's final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament -- but I did record the VMAs, and let me tell ya, tennis was more entertaining, but who would have guessed that Britney Spears would be the class act of the VMAs? Of course, compared to Forgetting Sarah Marshall's Russell Brand, who hosted the show, anyone would look classy. Let's just say that Preston's "skating the edge of good taste" comment is being kind. I did like Rihanna's opening Disturbia and Kanye West's closing number, though.

--ABC gets Sarah Palin -- the real thing, and not a Desperate Housewives subplot spoofing her, although I'm sure that's coming (from The Associated Press). Meanwhile, MSNBC doesn't exactly muzzle Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, but puts them in their place (from The New York Times).

--Eli Stone scores Seal as a guest star, TVGuide.com reports. We've all said that show's never gonna survive unless it gets a little crazy.

--The Washington Post and author Paul Grushkin ask "Whatever happened to car songs?" Yeah, Bruce Springsteen doesn't even do 'em anymore. They're just out there haunting dusty beach roads in the skeleton frames of burned-out Chevrolets. Or something like that.

--Robert Philpot

Wednesday roundup

Briefly ...

--I haven't had any luck reaching Macie Jepson, the former WFAA/Channel 8 afternoon co-anchor who was laid off along with several other staffers a couple of weeks back. But she did reach out to D Magazine's Front Burner blog with an open letter that I'm happy to share.

--E! Online chats up Jessica Simpson about her "comeback." How can it be a comeback when she just won't go away?

--LeAnn Rimes speaks out about her battle with psoriasis in People.

--Robert Philpot

Tuesday roundup

Or, what I can cram in before I resume working on the fall TV preview:

--Fort Worth's Lone Star International Film Festival makes a couple of announcements, including that Martin Sheen will return this year to present the Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received last year. And Bobbie Wygant, the longtime entertainment reporter/film critic for KXAS/Channel 5, will be honorary chairwoman. Festival dates are Nov. 12-16 at various downtown and Cultural District locations. Festival passes go on sale Sept. 8. Want more? Here's the release.

--The thing about Cher as Catwoman? She probably already has the costume. (From Fox News)

--Stop the presses: Jon Stewart slams cable-news networks. Which he does practically every night on The Daily Show, but this time it's in print. Again. (From The Washington Post)

--Speaking of cable news networks, have a drink on CNN. (From The New York Observer)

--The fall season hasn't even started yet, and ABC is already talking future series with many familiar names. Um ... Amber Tamblyn in a cop drama? (From TelevisionWeek)

--Variety asks whether relentless promos during the high-rated Summer Olympics will help NBC's new fall shows. It would probably help if they weren't all premiering at least three weeks after the Olympics.

--Star-Telegram contributor Ed "Uncle Barky" Bark will chat up Mark Cuban during his live Uncle Barky Show in a couple of weeks at Stratos Greek Global Taverna in Dallas. Details in the release or you could just click the "Uncle Barky" link.

--Robert Philpot

Wednesday roundup

--Valeri Bertinelli has signed on to do an upcoming TBS sitcom, Variety reports. She'll play a single mother of two. Suggested title: One More Day at a Time.

--Also from Variety: They're heeerrrreeee ... and they're working on a Poltergeist remake.

From The Hollywood Reporter: It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Supermanny!

--Big changes at MSNBC, The New York Times reports.

--Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello gives Veronica Mars fans reason to rejoice. Now if we can just do something for the Jericho and Moonlight fans.

--Robert Philpot