Eye Can Picture It

Well, there'll never be another Garbo. That much is certain if you've been watching any of her films showing all this month on TCM in celebration of her 100th birthday. She was so revered in her day - even by other Hollywood stars - that there continues to be a hush whenever her name is mentioned among those old enough, or learned enough about acting, to know and to remember. Her's was a face that was made for the camera. She could speak volumes without uttering a single word. As the character Norma Desmond states emphatically in the movie Sunset Blvd., "we didn't need words - we had faces" - and of course, she's talking about herself (Gloria Swanson) and the illustrious Garbo. She had a one word name long before, and perhaps more deservedly, than Madonna or Britney. Do yourself the favor and see what all the fuss was about. Check out her films on cable or DVD, especially Camille and Queen Christina. Watch how the camera can stay on her face for more than one minute, two minutes even. Unheard of today. And yet, you as the viewer won't find yourself bored as you watch the subtle movements in her mouth, her eyes. You become entranced, and intrigued. Garbo has a way of drawing you in, creating a desire in you to know her, what's she going to say, what's she feeling and thinking as you watch. It all plays out there on her face. That face.

Surprise! The lead-in was supposed to get all the applause but it was the show in the second spot - in this case 8:30 p.m. Thursday night that really made an impression, a GREAT impression. It is Love, Inc. a new 1/2 hour comedy from UPN that really ROCKS! Everybody Loves Chris has been promoted practically to the point of annoyance. Chris Rock IS a VERY FUNNY comedian, BUT... and it's a big BUT, can he cross over to series television? Especially the Sit-Com?
In Hollywood circles the Sit-Com is known to be THE MOST DIFFICULT type of show to make a success. It must bring together just the right combination of acting, writing, and producing talent - all without letting the 47 other network executives involved water down the concept into a blurry mess. One thing Love, Inc has in its corner is ex-NBC President Warren Littlefield. Yes, many in the biz think he's a putz, but you can't argue with his success record (Friends and ER came about under his watch.) And, his experience guiding this show through the network maze of bureaucracy (and you thought FEMA was bad - they've got nothing on the botch scale compared to the major television networks) really shows. Watch for BUSY PHILLIPS (tell me this role did not almost go to Shannon Doherty!) to break out as a real STAR. She's charasmatic in a way actors either have or they don't.
Plus, the show is FUNNY in a way everyone, EVERY ONE, can relate to, something that is NOT TRUE for Chris Rock's show. The first clue on the problems with Everybody Loves Chris? The use of voice-over. As any film or television student can tell you, using voice over is a attempted solve for a weak plot and weak characters. Sure, it allows us to hear Rock's familiar delivery and jokes, but it still seems like a show who's trying too hard. I did not laugh one time. Okay, like you probably, I did not grow up a black kid in an all white school, so maybe I can't relate but will such limited appeal carry it to those 99% of the population? Maybe it'll improve.
Hah! Based on my personal experience in the Sit-Com network stew, I say no. UPN - you listening? Bank on Love, Inc. instead. The Sit-Com is not the right vehicle for Chris Rock. It all comes down to the right mix of chemistry, something Bernie Mac has mastered over on Fox. There the jokes are based in common experiences of parents and kids - black, white or purple. Bernie's talking to the camera in a removing the fourth wall device DOES work there. Here Rock's jokes are hard to relate to - comedy is based on shared experience between the performers and their audience, and in this case his show may be too situation specific.

We all heard last week that Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney have filed for an "annulment." Their marriage is Ka-Put! Done! Finito! That was quicker than J-Lo on speed!

Here's the skinny of reasons from the gossip-mongers and for those of you who have nothing else to do but spend long hours contemplating these things:
1. Kenny Chesney is gay and/or bisexual and she just couldn't deal (uh... duh! Not after George Clooney - manly man!)
2. He wanted a "housewife" who was going to stay home, barefoot, preggers, you get the idea. (Like that's gonna happen!)
3. He neglected to tell her about his a) drug use b) alcohol abuse c) intention to have 6 of his best buddies live with them

Those in the know are leaning toward the REAL ANSWER - a not so dramatic one- but it seems they simply did not truly get to know each other before tying the knot, and now that the rush of infatuation's worn off, they MUTUALLY decided to step back, take a deep breath and agree to call the whole thing off, read: annulment!

Apparently, the legal papers must list a reason and "fraud" was checked, when perhaps they should have just chosen "irreconcilable differences" and avoided all this speculation. However, her attorney suggested "fraud" because there does seem to be some FINANCIAL reason behind the break-up. She has assets, he has debts (supposedly). She doesn't want to be on the hook for his "obligations." My money is on this reason for the break-up. It has more to do with the extent of his debts, which came as a shock to Rene, plus he's been know to have some gutter-clutter as "friends."

Many rumors swirling around but rest assured, as usual - We will FIND OUT SOON! Stay tuned.

Apparently Emmy didn't succumb to the desperate Housewives over-hype. This year's Best Comedy Series winner was...(drumroll, please) Everybody Loves Raymond. Emmy voters are notorious for sentimental streaks when it comes to the last season of a well loved show or star (like Michael J. Fox, and Frasier). But, Lost brought home the statue for Best Dramatic Series and it's new - so go figure. Felicity Huffman beat out the other housewives for Best Actress in a comedy including odds on fav, Teri Hatcher. Show highlight? Donald Trump in overalls, with pitchfork, singing "Green Acres." Hilarious.
Best tribute? David Letterman on Johnny Carson. There'll never be another Carson.
Most Beautiful? Eva Longoria ties with Halle Berry.
Ellen's jokes? Uh... ho-hum. What was with all the back stage trips with inane props? Who cares about the women's bathroom? I mean, really.
Now, it's on to the new season! NBC looks weak, although I hold out hope for Martha's Apprentice-show. ABC has several copy-cat shows (what's new? Joey? C'mon folks...). Fox is out to shock us once again. UPN doesn't know WHAT to do - are they BET, or CBS-lite? (They should call that network "Lost"). WB is recycling stars from other shows into new series -don't know if the audience will follow however. CBS? Well, what can you expect from a network whose President is married to the host of Big Brother. Doesn't exactly lead to confidence in exceptional programming, now does it? Hopefully, we'll see SOME good stuff. There's always HBO.
Check in here next week for our discussion of some of the new fare out there in TV land.

In honor of tomorrow night's Emmy Awards... Here's my take on what you should be watching (or at least know about) on television. We'll rate the new shows next month after they've all premiered.

1. Jon Stewart - for those who've been living in a cave... His Daily Show irreverent humor on topical subjects in this tongue-in-cheek faux news show manages to be extremely biting and funny without being offensive. How those interviewed by Samanta B. or Steven Cobair in on the street segments don't catch on to the joke is hard to imagine. Makes its point (often the hypocrisy of politics) through humor.
2. Gilmore Girls - fast talking, wise cracking, witty, and wry - all at the same time, those girls seem to always come up with just the right line, often skewing current cultural icons. Oh yeah, they have writers. No wonder their DVD's of previous seasons are best-sellers. It's hard to keep up with all the jokes in one viewing. TiVo and watch it again and again. Something for the under 20's and the over 30's too. Quite a trick.
3. Medium - from the producer who brought us Moonlighting, Patricia Arquette manages to bring the supernatural into the super natural. She's the Medium who can read minds, see the past, and future, and be Mommy to her three kids, and lover to hubby without skipping a beat. Has a compassion to its characters. No cookie cutter formulas here. Has spawned a whole new batch of paranormal series elsewhere on t.v. for fall.
4. 24 - a great idea that's continued to hold our interest even in its third season. Like a page-turner on steroids, each episode saves the day and then leaves us hanging with the fate of the world in the balance each week. Adrenaline rush appeals to more than just 14-year old boys.
5. The Shield - Nobody was more shocked than FX when Chiklas won the Emmy last year. This year Glenn Close joined the cast and brought the same intensity we saw in Fatal Attraction when she refused, "to be ignored!"
6. CSI - of course, you've heard of this one, and probably watched it or one of the 97 spin-offs (oh, it's only 2?, seems like more). Still, top notch performances and cool effects, but (yawn) I'm so over it.
7. Arrested Development - at last the folks at Fox have put something fresh - not seen since - Married With Children days. We can't count those dumb reality shows like... well, you know.
8. Desperate Housewives - Primetime soap opera with dark twist. As if America didn't know housewives have lives beyond baking cookies and soccer practice. Overrated and may burn out this season.
9. Curb Your Enthusiasm - Larry David brings his Seinfeld-esque style to his own show this time. Loosely based on his own life, Larry makes mountains out of molehills in each episode, much the same way he wrote episodes for Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George. He takes on the entrenched in show biz and often says and does things many others in the biz wish they had the nerve to do too.
10. Flip This House - A & E brings us this new take on the Home Remodeling show with real characters, Richard, the real-estate developer, and Kevin, the building contractor. The show manages to capture the drama, conflict, and intensity of the speculative home real estate market. And, it does so without the "staging" so often seen in this type of reality show. Kudos!
11. Okay, I know I said 10 but since I'm missing these shows I'll give them honorable mention...
Sopranos. It's all been said before but this show is really, really good. The characters ring true. The dialogue seems off the cuff. Never talks down to its audience. Obviously, we get it.
And lastly, Deadwood. True, it took me a while to warm up to this one. The profanity seemed so gratuitous in the beginning. But now I'm hooked and can't wait for it's return. Ian McShane plays by far the best villain on television. He's deliciously despicable!
AND LASTLY:
If you find yourself channel surfing- er, slumming late at night and you happen across DList starring Kathy Griffin, you're in for a horrific experience. Like a train wreck, one with multiple casualties, vomit-inducing and yet... you find it hard to turn away. One wonders why this kind of fame appeals to her? Pathetic for all to see.

JOHNNY DEPP was immortalized today in a Hollywood landmark when he placed his hand and footprints in cement in the forecourt of the world-famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Honorary Mayor of Hollywood Johnny Grant emceed the event.
Johnny joins a venerable crop of Hollywood legends including Groucho Marx, (who left an imprint of his cigar), Betty Davis, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, and about 100 others. For you youngsters who don't know, the "Sid" all these stars wrote thanks to above the imprints in the cement back in the 30's and 40's was the then famous impresario theater owner, Sid Grauman. Thankfully, the Chinese has officially returned it's official name to "Grauman's" instead of (horrors!) "Mann's" as it was known by newbees in town during the 80's and part of the 90's causing countless tourists to remark, "Hey, who's Sid?" as they gazed at the footprints blocks at their feet. Sacrilege! Yes, it's tacky. Sure, it's crass commercialism, but if you've yet to visit you haven't a clue about what makes Hollywood tick. Grauman's Chinese Theatre: It's the stuff - Hollywood and - legends are made of.
Depp, who's voice is used for the lead character, Victor Van Dort in Tim Burton's latest foray into stop animation The Corpse Bride. The film which opened today in limited release in LA. & NYC goes wide next week on Friday, Sept. 23. The film looks good - but is said by those who've attended screenings at Warner Bros. to be quirky, as all Burton fare is.

Yahoo Entertainment scored by inking a deal with veteran news war correspondent Kevin Sites. His reports as he was literally in the crossfire during the earliest days of the Iraq War brought viewers unique sense of reality and immediacy. Sites is obviously quite skilled at immersing himself in the local culture and gaining the trust of the local people in far-flung locations throughout the world. Thus, his reports demonstrated and reflected a genuine compassion and intelligence sometimes lacking from other on-the-scene competitors. This guy is smart and his journalistic acumen is reminiscent of another era of war correspondent. Hopefully this venture with Yahoo will result in a different-from-the-norm take on areas of the world that don't usually make it onto the front pages or World News Tonight.
Sites isn't the only television reporter to jump on the internet video programming bandwagon. Just today the LA Times reported Harvey Levin, formerly of Celebrity Justice, signing on with TSZ, the new entertainment site from AOL / Time Warner. Head honcho Terry Semel (ex-WB studio chief) apparently sees the internet video business as the "next big thing" and he and others are not about to be left in the dust. Levin says he's looking forward to getting in on the ground floor of this new medium, although all involved with TSZ remain mum on what exactly are the details of their programming or eventual portal. We'll just have to wait and see.