HBO Takes on Hanging CHADS

Posted Apr 4, 2007 by Walt Belcher

Updated Apr 4, 2007 at 08:25 AM

  But who will play Katherine Harris? Who will play Jeb Bush?

  HBO is revisiting one of the most dramatic events in U.S. election history with “Recount,” a film about the 2000 turmoil in Florida.

Oscar winner Sydney Pollack will direct the film, which is targeted to premiere in spring 2008.

  According to HBO: “Recount” chronicles the weeks after the 2000 duel between George W. Bush and Al Gore, and goes behind the scenes of the recounts in Florida to explore the human drama of ordinary people caught in an extraordinary event that would decide the leadership of the country.

While “Recount” takes on one of the most controversial and politically charged episodes in recent history, the film has no political agenda, HBO Films president Colin Callender said.

Right. But that won’t stop yahoos on the right and the left from complaining if the movie doesn’t reflect their views.

 

 

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CNN Plans James Brown Tribute

Posted Apr 4, 2007 by Walt Belcher

Updated Apr 4, 2007 at 08:21 AM

  Over the weekend of what would have been James Brown’s 74th birthday, CNN will document the rise from poverty to prosperity and from petty criminal to musical icon of the man known by many titles: “The Godfather of Soul,” “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business” and “Soul Brother Number One” among them.  CNN’s Don Lemon reports the story of the James Brown that most people never knew for “CNN: Special Investigations Unit – James Brown, Say it Proud” premiering on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. 

Through interviews with the Rev. Al Sharpton, music legends Little Richard and Bootsy Collins, bandmate Bobby Byrd and superstar Usher – as well as Brown’s family members, business manager Charles Bobbit and biographer Bruce Tucker, Lemon reveals the sensitive and complicated character behind the cultural legend.  Usher, who considered Brown one of his mentors, recounts how much Brown’s personal advice meant to him..

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CNN Drops Morning Anchors. Goodbye Soledad

Posted Apr 4, 2007 by Walt Belcher

Updated Apr 4, 2007 at 07:58 AM

It’s not clear if CNN is cutting costs, like every other media outlet, or if the morning team wasn’t working.

The television industry is buzzing this morning over reports that CNN is replacing both of its morning show anchors with recent recruits from other networks.

Soledad O’Brien, formerly of NBC,  and Miles O’Brien (who once worked at WTSP, Channel 10 ) are out at “American Morning,” which has struggled recently in the ratings.

The two are not related.  Soledad was once a rising star at NBC but apparently she felt she wouldn’t rise high enough.

She jumped to CNN with much fanfare.

Replacing them in the morning will be John Roberts, a former CBS anchor and correspondent, and Kiran Chetry, who recently jumped to CNN from Fox News.  Soledad and Miles will be reassigned.

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Dancing with the Stars: The Results—- 04.03.07 (aka Who Are You Again?)

Posted Apr 3, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Apr 3, 2007 at 10:01 PM

It’s time to find out who’s going home tonight in the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars (ABC). We see a montage of last night’s performances and the judges pick their favorite for this week’s encore – actor-singer Joey Fatone and his partner Kim dancing a Star Wars tribute to the tango. They are as fun and energetic as last night and they are definitely one of my three favorite teams, along with boxing champ Laila Ali and partner Maks as well as Olympic medalist speedskater Apolo Ohno and partner Julianne. Let’s just get rid of all of the rest right now and simply watch these three exciting couples for the next seven weeks. Can we? Can we?

We get to listen to (or not) a song from R&B artist Sierra (who I’ve never heard of before) and I am grateful, because I’m watching this on tape and can fast-forward. Aah. After hearing comments from last night’s studio audience who agree with me that Leeza is boring, Billy Ray is horrid and Clyde is gangly, it’s time to find out who’s safe. We learn that Joey and Kim are safe this week, as well as Apolo and Julianne.

Now I’ll admit that I’ve been waiting for this moment. The group Survivor is here to belt out their classic Eye of the Tiger while several couples treat the audience to a paso doble. I love this dance because it’s so dramatic and bizarre and the boxing theme adds an interesting take. I love watching the dancers but the band’s performance is really disappointing. That can’t possibly be the original lead singer, can it? He looks really haggard. I remember the “High on You” video and he didn’t look or sound anything like that. Yikes. Life’s been hard on this poor guy.

Jimmy Kimmel returns to give us a lesson in the Paso Doble and once again he and his partner, Guillermo the parking lot security guard demonstrate. It is truly hideous but strangely fun to watch. Maybe Jimmy Kimmel should host this show instead of bumbling fool Tom Bergeron and his phonetically challenged co-hort Samantha Harris.

But there can be some talent and class on the singing stage once in a while. Tonight, that classy gent is Josh Groban. Mmm. I’m going to stop typing now and. Can’t form sentences. Must watch.

Here’s an interesting twist on the show. Producers chatted with a clairvoyant and numerologist before the show began and they gave their predictions on how well couples were matched, who would do well, who would struggle and most importantly, who will win. Most of the comments are to be expected – generalities that could apply to just about anybody, but the numerologist predicts Laila will win the show and the clairvoyant expects actor Ian Ziering will be the victor. (What a stretch for that guy – Ian’s paired with the two-time champ, Cheryl Burke! Doh!)

But let’s return to the whole point of this show and find out who else is safe, and it’s: singer Billy Ray Cyrus and dance buddy Karina and Laila and Maks. But a couple in peril who might be going home tonight? Former Miss USA Shandi Hennessey and partner Brian. No surprise here. No one in America knows who the heck she is. Still. Even after three weeks!

Now, we’ll find out the fates of the remaining teams. Ian and Cheryl are safe, as are actor John Ratzenberger and partner Edyta. Fundraiser Heather Mills and dance partner Jonathan are safe, as well as NBA legend Clyde Drexler and partner Elena. This means, talk show host Leeza Gibbons and partner Tony are vulnerable and join Shandi and Brian in the bottom two. One of them will be going home. And we’ll be bidding farewell to…Shandi and Brian. I’m not surprised and I see the relief on Leeza’s face but she’s gracious to the big forgettable loser. And already, America has forgotten her name.

As Shandi and Brian perform their last dance, we’re reminded that next week we’ll get to watch the couples do the paso doble or the waltz (zzzz). What did you think of tonight’s results? This was by far one of the most predictable shows but at least we got to enjoy a little Josh Groban. And that, my friends, was quite worth it. Sigh. Stay tuned…

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American Idol—- 04.03.07 (aka The Universe Of Sanjaya)

Posted Apr 3, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Apr 4, 2007 at 10:19 AM

It’s time for this week’s competition on American Idol (FOX) and of course, everyone is wondering how Sanjaya will wear his hair tonight. Oh and how will the contestants do singing standards. Tony Bennett is the guest mentor this week and says he likes them all. (Are you sure about that, Tony? Have you hard Haley and Sanjaya?)

As usual, I’ll be blogging away and offering my take on the performances as well as the comments and craziness of judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Remember to chime in with your thoughts here or at the American Idol Forum. We can agree to disagree –and I certainly don’t mind hearing from those who agree, too!

So let’s enjoy the smooth sounds of the classics (maybe) and get this show on the road…

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Blake Lewis
“Mack the Knife”

I Say – He’s off key fresh out of the gate. I give him credit for not adding his own beat-box routine but unfortunately he never finds the right melody and is off the whole time. I think he could have sung this really well, too, but he just doesn’t do it. Still, the audience seems to like it despite the key troubles.

Randy – Calls him a funky, jazzy kind of guy and he liked it.
Paula –  Says he personified pizzazz and is a hip cat.
Simon – Tells him it was a good song choice and he did it well. (How did they miss the key struggles?)
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Phil Stacey
“Night and Day”

I Say – It’s a bit drowsy and a quiet performance. He gets a bit drowned out by the music. The tone is nice and when he hits the middle, he sounds really good. I know this guy won’t win but he’s refreshing compared to the other guys. What a wonderful finish! I hope he receives the props he deserves.

Randy – Says he didn’t feel any connection but the big notes sounded good.
Paula – Tells him he’s reminiscent of a young Sinatra but she wants him to have more warmth in his voice.
Simon – Calls it gloomy and dark, with all of the joy of singing it in a funeral parlor. HUH? Are these people nuts?!
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Melinda Doolittle
“I’ve Got Rhythm”

I Say – I completely don’t recognize the song by the opening but it is nice to hear her singing something upbeat and fast. Even her voice sounds younger. It’s probably my favorite performance by her so far – much lighter on the vocals, almost like a Natalie Cole. I really liked this performance.

Randy – Tells her she comes out every week and does it.
Paula – Says it’s like a master class and calls the performance flawless.
Simon – Tells her he liked the last half of the song but found the first half dull.
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Chris Richardson
“Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”

I Say – Unfortunately, the song is too low for him but as he moves into the higher register, he sounds better. It’s not his best performance but he’s a lot less nasal than previous weeks. Definitely a weak start but a very nice finish. I hope the judges are kind. I really like this kid.

Randy – Says it’s one of his best performances of the season.
Paula – Tells him that he didn’t compromise and kept it young and hip.
Simon – Calls it a very believable, very good performance that he made it hip.
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Jordin Sparks
“On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”

I Say – She looks so comfortable on stage and is a real natural. It’s a bit breathy a performance but she nails it. I like how she kept her young, fresh look and sound and still did an old standard. She has such control and power and then you remember that she’s only 17 and it simply blows your mind.

Randy – Says she’s like a pro and she created some real heat.
Paula – Tells her she exudes joy and is so frickin’ proud of her (yes, she really said that)
Simon – Says she sang it very well but she sang it very old-fashioned and not as fresh and young as Chris Richardson did.
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Gina Glocksen
“Smile”

I Say – It’s a really slow version of the song but she sounds nice. What I don’t like is that it doesn’t capitalize on her rock edge that I love so much. I think she could have chosen a better standard that might have still highlighted this element of her performance style. She sounds nice but it’s not her strongest.

Randy – Calls it a nice, controlled performance from the rocker girl.
Paula – Tells her it was flawless, understated and beautiful.
Simon – Says he can’t rave about the vocals because the other girls before her out-sang her.
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Sanjaya Malakar
“Cheek to Cheek”

I Say – He’s back in his rare form of being dull and has even slicked back his hair. He goes out into the audience, even dances with kooky Paula and he definitely is a confident kid. Still, he is one truly boring performer but I don’t think the rendition is bad enough to get him knocked out of the competition.

Randy – Says he’s become an entertainer.
Paula – Thanks him for the dance.
Simon – Tells him he’s going to try a different tactic and calls it incredible (with rolled eyes of course).
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Haley Scarnato
“Ain’t Misbehavin’”

I Say – Every week I say the same thing. She’s okay but she has no soul. This is just another demonstration of that. Imagine Olivia Newton-John performing this jazzy, soulful classic. You get the point. Lately, it’s become all about the dresses and how short they’ll be each week. Pretty forgettable.

Randy – Says absolutely nothing and defers to Paula.
Paula – Says absolutely nothing and defers to Simon.
Simon – Tells her she has great legs and that while it was a good style of music for her, it was a bit too “pageanty.” And I thought I made up too many words.
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LaKisha Jones
“Stormy Weather”

I Say –.This song should be a good choice for her but it sounds really awkward. I’m sure Melinda or prematurely ousted Sabrina would have performed it beautifully – heck, even Jordin probably. She gets better as she gets going but I’m still not convinced she’s as good as the judges think.

Randy –  Says it started rough and pitchy but he loved it at the end.
Paula –  Applauds her performance and tells her she is the most beautiful she’s been all season.
Simon –  Tells her it was a sassy, great performance and she’s back in form.
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So that’s it for now, folks. What did you think of tonight’s performances? I’ve vowed to finally vote. I figure if people like me who’ve always voted every season yet haven’t this year finally hit those phones and vote for our favorites, maybe we’ll have a greater chance knocking out the no-talents like Sanjaya and Haley. Let’s call this a wrap because I have many calls to make. Don’t worry Phil, Chris, Jordin and Gina – I’ll save you. Stay tuned…

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