I am a self-proclaimed "Media Girl" who would like a job editing TV shows and films. Ironically, I'm on the radio right now and can be heard Saturday mornings on News 95.7. I also freelance as a web-designer, and am the girl behind The Gube.
It looks like Matt LeBlanc is making his return to prime time comedy. After playing Joey Tribbiani for 10 years on NBC’s fan favorite “Friends”, then spending two years on the less than favorite spin off “Joey”, LeBlanc seemed to have disappeared from acting. Word has it he was focuing on producing, but after some digging I discovered he is set to star (as himself) in the upcoming Showtime comedy series “Episodes”.
“Episodes” is single camera comedy about a couple who bring their successful British comedy to American television and hire LeBlanc to star in it. Not much of a premise, and I’m not certain the show will work, but it might be worth a try…that is if Showtime decides they will actually air it.
Some of the biggest names in the music industry have come together to record a remake of “We Are The World” in the studio the original was produced in 1985. Artists include Justin Timberlake, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Jennifer Hudson and Gladys Knight.
The song will debut on February 12th on NBC during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
The original raised $30 million to help hunger relief in Africa. Funds from the 2010 version will go to help Haiti earthquake relief.
Are you one of those people who hums to themselves while on the bus, walking or at home in your living room? Have you always wanted to turn those hums into a song with guitars, bass and drums?
Well, now you can.
If you have an iPhone.
A company based out of Chicago called WaveMachine Labs created an app that allows anyone to make their own music. It’s $2.99 through the iTunes App store, and it’s worth every penny. I can’t do the app justice by explaining it through text, so I’ll let WaveMachine Labs show you:
Soundgarden is set for a reunion this year, according to news releases over the past few days. I’m excited, however I am questioning Matt Cameron’s role in the reunion.
Cameron became a member of Soundgarden in 1986 and played with the band until their demise in 1997. In 1998, Cameron joined fellow grunge heavy weights Pearl Jam, whom he had worked with earlier that decade in Temple of the Dog. Cameron has been Pearl Jam’s longest lasting drummer, playing with the band for 12 years.
Will Matt leave Pearl Jam and their current tour to rejoin Soundgarden? And, is Soundgarden reuniting for a tour, new album or for good?
“Modern Family” is one of the latest additions to ABC’s prime time line up. The pilot aired on September 23rd and introduced audiences to the extended Pritchett/Dunphy Family. They are truly a modern family.
Let me break it down for you…
Jay Pritchett is married to Colombian immigrant Gloria, who has a young son, Manny.
Claire Dunphy, Jay’s daughter, is a mother of 3 and the wife of inept, childish Phil.
Mitchell Pritchett, Claire’s brother, is in a relationship with Cameron Tucker and the two recently adopted a baby girl from Vietnam.
Did you follow that? The show is so well crafted that during the pilot you don’t suspect any of the characters are related until they meet for a family gathering.
The writing on “Modern Family” is quick witted, deft and as true to life as a network sitcom can get. Not only does the show focus on parenthood and family, it examines what makes a family. Like the title suggests, “Modern Family” is about 20th century families, many of which are far from the typical nuclear, picket fence family.
The show is filmed with a single camera, without a laugh track or live audience, a technique that is becoming popular in modern sitcoms. Characters in “Modern Family” also break the forth wall, speaking directly to the audience. Part of the reason “Modern Family” works so well as a sitcom, is the use of these techniques. Had the show been recorded with a multi-camera, audience/laugh track setup, it would have most likely failed or never made it to air.
By taking an premise that decades of television comedies have used, “Modern Family” takes it to a new level with a, pardon the pun, modern take on the American sitcom.
Low down
“Modern Family” is a comedy to be celebrated. A superb cast, including “Married with Children” alum Ed O’Neill, takes the typical family sitcom to a new level.
Adam Lambert, the black nail polished, eyeliner wearing American Idol runner up. Middle America wasn’t prepared for Lambert, and it it a wonderful thing he didn’t win Idol. Left to his own devices and inspiration, Lambert’s debut album “For Your Entertainment” is one fantastic ride.
Lambert blew Idol audiences away with his powerful, soulful voice on ballads like “Mad World” and “The Track of My Tears”, but it is his high energy, musical theatre-esque vocals that shine on this album. I will fully admit I am not a fan of dance or pop music, and it takes a very special talent to make me love a dance-influenced album. Lambert is one of those few talents.”For Your Entertainment” is as magical as it is lively. It will blow you out of your seat and make you dance.
Lambert collaborated with established pop artists and song writers, including P!nk, Lady Gaga and Linda Perry, and was involved in writing several songs on the album. Expecting a pop album, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the musical theatrical / Bowie influenced opening track, “Music Again” written by former lead singer and guitarist of The Darkness. It is a perfect opening song for the album, and sets the mood for the energetic 51 minutes that follow.
Fans of Lambert’s sensitive side that shined through on many of his Idol performances will enjoy the handful of slower songs, including “Aftermath”, “Time for Miracles”, and “Soaked”, all of which are equally powerful and unique. “Aftermath” is perhaps the most typical, top 40 track on the album, where as “Soaked” falls on the other end of the spectrum as a theatrical, epic ballad, written by Matthew Bellamy of Muse.
Track Listing
“Music Again”
“For Your Entertainment”
“Whataya Want from Me”
“Strut”
“Soaked”
“Sure Fire Winners”
“A Loaded Smile”
“If I Had You”
“Pick U Up”
“Fever”
“Sleepwalker”
“Aftermath”
“Broken Open”
“Time for Miracles”
“Down the Rabbit Hole” (iTunes bonus track)
“Master Plan” (iTunes bonus track and AdamOfficial Bonus track)
Standout Tracks
“Music Again”, “Strut”, “Soaked”, “If I Had You”
Low down
“For Your Entertainment” is as unique as Lambert himself. An eclectic mix of pop, dance, rock, and progressive rock.
*Black eyeliner sold separately.
Rating
9/10
Listening Booth
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In 1992, Pearl Jam released a track on Cameron Crowe’s “Singles” soundtrack.
That song was “Breath”.
That song would become my favorite song for 17 years.
It seems that Pearl Jam has created another musical journey that has come to knock “Breath” off the top of my favorite songs list.
“Amongst The Waves” is the sixth track on the band’s latest release “Back Spacer”. It is one of the most uplifting songs I have heard from the boys. (”Given to Fly” & “The Fixer” come closely behind). From it’s soft opening guitar rift, and Vedder’s opening line, what used to be a house of cards has turned into a reservoir, “Amongst” the Waves takes you on an inspirational journey through love and life leaving you wanting more.
In it’s mere three minutes and fifty nine seconds, “Amongst the Waves” is all I have ever wanted in a song.
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What used to be a house of cards
Has turned into a reservoir
Save the tears that were waterfalling
Let’s go swim tonight, darlin’
And once outside the undertow
Just you and me and nothin’ more
If not for love I would be drownin
I’ve seen it work both ways
But I am up
Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can feel like I’ve
Put away my early grave
I gotta say it now
Better now than too late
Remember back the early days
When you were young and thus amazed
Suddenly the channel changed
the first time you saw blood
Cut to later now you’re strong
You’ve bled yourself the wounds are gone
It’s rare when there’s nothing wrong
Survive and you’re amongst the fittest
Love ain’t love until you give it up
Riding high amongst the waves
I can feel like I
Have a soul that has been saved
I can see the light
Coming through the clouds in rays
I gotta say it now
Better now than too late
I work an early shift at News 95.7 tomorrow, but as of noon my duties are done and I will be curled up in the basement watching a marathon of Halloween movies. What will I be watching? Here’s what I have lined up.
1. Beetlejuice. I classic comedy for Halloween. Alec Baldwin has always been a favorite of mine and I love going back and watching his old movies.
2. Sleepy Hollow. Not the best “horror” movie ever made, but a favorite of mine. One of two Johnny Depp movies I have set up for Halloween.
3. From Hell. The second of the Depp Duo for Halloween. Again, not a stellar film, but it’s graphic and Jack the Ripper is always a Halloween pleasure.
4. The Shining. A classic. This is a must on anyone’s Halloween movie list. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
5. The Silence of the Lambs. One of my favorite films of all time. I watch it only once a year and this year, instead of including it in my New Year’s Eve movie marathon, it’s coming out for Halloween.
6. Ernest Scared Stupid.Finishing up the night with a light hearted comedy. I grew up on the Ernest movies, and am bringing my 30th Halloween full circle with a favorite from my childhood.
It looks like Matt LeBlanc is making his return to prime time comedy. After playing Joey Tribbiani for 10 years on NBC’s fan favorite “Friends”, then spending two years on the less than favorite spin off “Joey”, LeBlanc seemed to have disappeared from acting. Word has it he was focuing on producing, but after some digging I discovered he is set to star (as himself) in the upcoming Showtime comedy series “Episodes”.
Green Day
