The Man Behind "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"

Steig Larsson, author of the Millenium triliogy that includes The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, died suddenly just after delivering his three manuscripts to a publisher.  Check out this interesting CNN article about the late author, who apparently "left behind a trail of intrigue that rivals the dark thrillers he created."  Read it here.

It's Gonna Be One "Wicked Summer": Jersey Shore Gets a Boston Makeover

As someone who lives in Boston, I obviously feel the need to post about the recent announcement of the upcoming Massachusetts version of Jersey Shore, to be called Wicked Summer.  I'll admit, I was a late comer to the Jersey Shore phenomenon.  The terms "guidette" and "GTL" became part of my vocabulary a little later than the average college student, as my roommates quickly became obsessed with the utterly ridiculous show.  And while my first reaction was general annoyance upon finally seeing an episode, I too got sucked in by the fist-pumping and crazy antics of "The Situation" and Co.  I suppose it was inevitable.  

Now it appears that Boston's "massholes" have decided that Jersey shouldn't get to have all the fun and fame--hence the recent casting call for "blue collar, hard working, harder partying, tough talking, damn good looking Mass natives" who are ready to "live togethah, laugh togethah, drink togethah and love togethah" for one "wicked cool summah" (and no I did not add the "Boston accent"...the entire casting call is actually written like that.  Check it out here).  

Against my better judgment, I'll admit that I think this is pretty hilarious.  I'm curious to see what kind of idiots people they'll get on this show, and whether the Boston version will become as insanely popular as the Jersey original.  So here's to "muscle cahs, hair products and little necks on the frickin half shell"--it's sure to be one wicked crazy time.  

How do you other Bostonians feel about this? Will you watch Wicked Summer when it airs? Do you think it will become as popular as Jersey Shore?   

Conan O'Brien Coming Back to Late-Night via TBS

Take that NBC.

Starting in November, Conan will have a new late-night show airing on the cable network station TBS, rather than FOX, which was highly rumored.  He'll be taking the 11 o'clock slot on Monday-Thursday nights, while George Lopez's Lopez Tonight will shift to midnight.  

Here's a great quote from Conan: “In three months I’ve gone from network TV to Twitter to performing live in theaters, and now I’m headed to basic cable. My plan is working perfectly.”

What do you think of TBS as the home for Conan's unnamed new show? Will you be watching? Comment below! Click here for the full announcement from EW.com.

New Sex and the City 2 Trailer Released!

Finally, a new, more detailed Sex and the City 2 trailer has been released, putting an end to the crazy rumors about what the fabulous four are up to this time around! One crazy rumor, however, actually turned out to be true...Aidan is back! Check out the trailer below and tell me what you think!

What Celebs/Scandals Are You Sick of Hearing About?

Every morning starts the same for me.  I roll out of bed after hitting snooze three times, finally accepting the fact that I do, in fact, have to get up.  I make a pot of coffee and sit at my computer, steaming cup in hand, while I browse the news stories on CNN and the Boston Globe.  Then I scroll down my list of bookmarks to my Google Reader page, and take in all the celebrity drama and entertainment news that it has collected over night.  As a pop-culture blogger, I enjoy reading about most of these Hollywood A-listers (and usually B, C and D-listers, as there always seems to be more news about them); however, there a few things I don't enjoy.  Today's announcement about Kate Gosselin's new show on TLC called Twist of Kate has me thinking about what other celebrity news/gossip stories I'm incredibly sick of seeing take over my RSS feed. 

Take Kate and Jon Gosselin for example. Why is everyone still so obsessed with this train wreck of a former couple?  Why are they still appearing in my feed four or five times a day?  I don't care that Kate changed her hairstyle or that Jon gained 20 lbs. (although he does look awful).  I don't care that Kate is on Dancing with the Stars or that people are saying she is a "total bitch" (How did you not know that already? Do you live in a cave?).  I almost care about the fact that Jon is suddenly seeking custody of the "plus 8," if only because I care about the welfare of the kids, but I do not care to hear their childish, bickering statements to each other via their lawyers.  Please, just take the spotlight off of these two so I don't have to read anymore boring and repetitive stories about them.  And maybe give custody of the kids to a loving aunt.

The other celebs I really can't stand to hear about anymore are Tiger Woods and Jesse James, because really, they're just two jackasses in a pod, are they not? We know that both Tiger and Jesse had numerous affairs.  I'm sure there will continue to be a parade of women who come forward claiming to have been one of the many mistresses (and side note: what is wrong with you women? Have you no shame?).   Yes it was a huge scandal, but it has been months since the Tiger Woods one started, and yet it's still on my news feed every day.  Enough already! How about we let Tiger get back to playing golf and worrying about whether his wife will attack him again with one of his own clubs (go Elin!).  And poor Sandra hardly had a second to enjoy her Oscar win before having to go into hiding thanks to everyone wanting to know about her lying, cheating dog-of-a-husband.  Elin and Sandra should really just cut their losses, take them for all they're worth and be done with it. 

So please, for the love of God, let's move on, beacuse I really can't stand to look at one more picture of Michelle "Bombshell" McGee. 

Which of these are you most sick of hearing about? Or is there another one constantly and annoyingly on your mind?  Answer today's poll and leave your comments!

Mixed Feelings on Baz Luhrmann Remaking Movie of "The Great Gatsby"

Over the past year, various entertainment news sites have confirmed that director Baz Luhrmann has acquired the rights to make a film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby.  Since this is quite possibly my favorite book of all time, I must say I have mixed feelings on Mr. Luhrmann being the one to helm this project.  While I love Moulin Rouge and Romeo+Juliet, I'm just not sure whether Lurhmann's somewhat trippy style will play well on such an iconic American masterpiece.  Similar to when rumors swirled about Tim Burton taking on the last Harry Potter movie, I'm incredibly intrigued about how this will turn out, and also incredibly nervous.  Either way, I'm already thinking about who will be cast as Nick, Daisy and, of course, the great Jay Gatsby, who was portrayed by Robert Redford in the popular 1974 version.  To be honest, I really wouldn't mind seeing Luhrmann's previous leads, Ewan McGregor or Leonardo DiCaprio, take part in what is sure to be an unforgettable adaptation.  

How do you feel about Baz Luhrmann as the director?  Who would you cast for the roles of Gatsby, Nick, Daisy and so on?  Comment below!     

Ellen Takes Us (and two really lucky kids!) Inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

 
I love Ellen.  And as you already know, I love Harry Potter.  So you can imagine my extreme happiness while watching this video, where Ellen takes two kids through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  Hogsmeade!  Ollivanders!  Honeydukes!  Zonkos!  Hogwarts!  Dumbledore's office!  A roller coaster! AHHH! Check it out! You can also see it on Ellen's webspage.