Steven Spielberg (via Dreamworks TV) and Showtime are in talks for a new scripted series chronicling the production of a new as yet untitled Broadway show. One of the composers for the show is Marc Shaiman, who worked on the movie South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut so I view that as a plus.
A similar casting concept has been done as reality television a few times already for various musicals including Grease, The Sound of Music. and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Much as I don't like the genre, this concept sounds better as a reality television show, possibly on Bravo.
On the other hand, cable is the bolt-hole for scripted television nowadays. Perhaps this is the chance for Spielberg and Showtime to prove that scripted TV is the superior type. I'm secretly hoping that the show they choose is Dracula the Puppet Musical, unlikely as that may be.
At first I thought Jeremy Piven's story about how he got so sick from mercury poisoning he couldn't finish his Broadway stint doing Speed The Plow (an arbitrator ruled in Piven's favor last week) would be interesting and funny, but then it just went on. And on. And on. And on.
At one point, Piven talks about viewers changing channels, and he's probably right.
Could the departure of Paula Abdul from American Idol actually result in a revitalization and renewal of the Fox monster hit? I ask that question because in the past couple of days, guest judges have been announced to sit in Paula's place and I'm absolutely psyched by the choices. The other day it was How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris. Today, Pushing Daisies'Kristin Chenoweth has been snagged as an American Idol guest judge. She's currently filming auditions in Orlando, Florida.
Of all the names bandied about as replacement judges and guest judges on American Idol, I can honestly tell you that today's name made me smile. How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris is filling in as a guest judge on American Idol as they conduct auditions in Dallas, Texas.
Neil is not only one of the funniest talents around, but he is a legitimate singer who has appeared on Broadway, hosted the Tony Awards (and the upcoming Emmys, too) and knows what it takes to sing professionally. And let's not forget Dr. Horrible.
Having trouble staying awake today? This high-spirited trailer for Spike Lee's vibrant documentary/musical, Passing Strange, should help get you going.
We told you about Passing Strange back in May when PBS picked it up as part of its Great Performances series. Lee's doc is a filmed version of the theatrical stage production of the Tony nominated Broadway musical of the same name. It's about a young black man who travels to Europe in the 1970s to become an artist and live a bohemian lifestyle.
Neil Patrick Harris is hosting the Tony Awards this Sunday on CBS, and he stopped by The Late Show with David Letterman last night to deliver the Top Ten List, "Ten Signs You've Hired A Bad Tonys Host." My favorites are number five and number one.
I know it's only May and hardly the time to start thinking of egg nog and holly and Ebenezer Scrooge or any of the other Christmas standbys, but forgive me if I let out a whoop of happiness about the news that Kristin Chenoweth will star in The Twelve Men of Christmas TV movie. The romantic comedy is slated to be part of the Fa La La La La Lifetime lineup (try saying that three times fast!), and while another holiday film doesn't usually make me gleeful, this one does.
Kristin Chenoweth is a gem. I'm still bereft that we'll probably never see her Olive Snook again because Pushing Daisies is gone unless there's a movie, and I was tiffed that the David E. Kelly NBC pilot Legally Mad was not picked up only because La Chenoweth was in it.
It was really nice of you guys not to write scathing shout-downs in the comments of my story about how Kris Allen was going to be sent home from American Idol the other day when it turned out I was wrong. Well, thanks for that, everyone, but I'm here to tell you that I was wrong. America voted and they want the cute guy to be in the finals. It didn't matter that he didn't rock out with the Beatle song that would have shown him off better.
What did matter is that at this stage in the competition, Allison Iraheta had impressed with her voice but not her personality. Ultimately, that seems to be what we've got with the three finalists -- Kris, Adam and Danny.
"You look like Buddy Hackett after a bad clam." "Why don't you and I get a couple of whores?
This is why I love David Letterman.
Regis Philbin showed up on The Late Show last night, dressed as Shrek, part of a Broadway celebration he's doing on Live with Regis and Kelly. He says it took 2 1/2 hours to get into the makeup and then he had to wait while Letterman did other things. He looks a little like a green Joe Torre. More stunts like this and I think it could kill Reege.
Who knew this was George W. Bush in reflection week? I must have missed the memo. But when I tuned in to watch the HBO debut of Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America, his take on President Bush since the end of this presidency, I couldn't help but recall that just a couple of days ago on Hard Ball, MSNBC's Chris Matthews was going at Bush's former press secretary Ari Fleischer hammer and tongs as Fleischer defended his old boss.
Don't these post-mortems usually take a few years to take place? But this post isn't about politics. It's about Will Ferrell, and my thoughts are mainly about Ferrell's show, which has a certain raunchy charm, which apparently offended quite a few people when it played on Broadway. All the raunch is still in place in the HBO version, so if you're curious about Bush's little George (allegedly), check it out.
The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:
I have Verizon FiOS at home, and when I watch any On Demand ABC show, they play the same trailer of Race to Witch Mountain during every commercial break. It has made me hate the idea of this movie more than anything. You can see if it's actually any good by checking out Cinematical's review of Race to Witch Mountain.
I don't really like the idea of movies being turned into Broadway musicals, so I don't know what to think about Heathers getting the musical treatment. It could be the worst idea ever, but on the other hand, putting "I love my dead gay son" to music? May be brilliant.
This news has part of me saying "great, this should be fun!" and the other part of me saying, "oh God, please don't have Mr. Slate making a sex tape with Wilma."
Marco Pennette is writing a Broadway musical version of The Flintstones, and this version is supposed to involve modern-day topics such as marriage problems, adoption, and the environment. Now, this could be good, in a Brady Bunch Movie sort of way, if they really play it for laughs. It could be horrible if they don't.
Okay, now that it's behind us, we can say that Lindsay Lohan's turn on Ugly Betty was pretty lame. However, I have hope that other guest stars will do much better. Therefore, the news that Broadway star -- multiple Tony winner -- Bernadette Peters will appear on Ugly Betty is a good thing. Just the name of the character she's playing, Jodie Papadakis, is funny.
Please, please, let this be a sign of good things to come, because Ugly Betty could use an injection of good stuff. So far this season, the show has lurched around searching for its comedic soul.
Here's some news that I'm ready to sing about! One of my favorite TV actresses is heading to Broadway. Gilmore Girls'Lauren Graham will star in the revival of Guys and Dolls that opens in New York next March. She's not only going to be making her Broadway debut, she'll be doing it in one of the greatest musicals of all time. And she'll be playing not the ingenue role (Salvation Army missionary doll Miss Sarah Brown). No, she's smartly taking the very funny, very distinctive comic role as Miss Adelaide, lead singer/tootsie at the Hot Box nightclub!
For fans like me who always lamented the fact that Lauren never got the Emmy recognition she most definitely deserved for Gilmore Girls, the prospect of her doing Guys and Dolls could also mean she's got a shot at a Tony award.
Things that make me go WTF?: Will Ferrell is still one of the hottest names in comedy movies right now, despite duds like Blades of Glory and Semi-Pro, and yet the former SNL star is slumming to Broadway to do a one-man show. I don't get the logic.
I think You're Welcome America is a decent idea. It just seems too soon in execution. In 20 years, when Ferrell's career ain't what it is today, he should play an elderly W. who is unrepentant to his bad leadership decisions for humorous effect. Mind you, this could just be an experimental phase for him, like the Funny or Die videos that he's also popular for. Perhaps he just views Broadway as another untouched frontier for himself.
To tell the truth, while I question the career move, I have to admit that at this moment I want to buy a ticket to see You're Welcome America. He's from an improvisational background and I have no doubt he'd be fun to watch live on stage.
Steven Spielberg (via Dreamworks TV) and Showtime are in talks for a new scripted series chronicling the production of a new as yet untitled Broadway show. One of the composers for the show is Marc Shaiman, who worked on the movie South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut so I view that as a plus.
Of all the names bandied about as replacement judges and guest judges on American Idol, I can honestly tell you that today's name made me smile. How I Met Your Mother's 
I know it's only May and hardly the time to start thinking of egg nog and holly and Ebenezer Scrooge or any of the other Christmas standbys, but forgive me if I let out a whoop of happiness about the news that 
Who knew this was George W. Bush in reflection week? I must have missed the memo. But when I tuned in to watch the HBO debut of Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America, his take on President Bush since the end of this presidency, I couldn't help but recall that just a couple of days ago on Hard Ball, MSNBC's 
The folks at our sister site 
This news has part of me saying "great, this should be fun!" and the other part of me saying, "oh God, please don't have Mr. Slate making a sex tape with Wilma."
Okay, now that it's behind us, we can say that 
Here's some news that I'm ready to sing about! One of my favorite TV actresses is heading to Broadway. Gilmore Girls' 
Things that make me go WTF?: Will Ferrell is still one of the hottest names in comedy movies right now, despite duds like Blades of Glory and Semi-Pro, and yet the former SNL star is 
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