Pop Culture Roundup, March 11

Welcome to this week’s collection of fun pop culture stories.

• In Memoriam
• The Movie Biz
• TV Happenings
• Random Stuff

In Memoriam

Losing a Lost Boy
Yesterday morning, I was saddened but not surprised to hear that 80s teen heartthrob Corey Haim had died of an apparent drug overdose. I had a huge crush on Haim after The Lost Boys and License to Drive. It is too bad that he was never able to get is substance abuse under control. Read another personal reaction here.

Merlin Olson, Football Star, Commentator and Actor, Dies at 69
Little House on the Prairie was one of my favorite shows (and book series) as a young girl. I remember the calming influence Johnathan Garvey often played. I am saddened to hear that he suffered from mesothelioma, a cancer often caused by exposure to asbestos. Find out more about the disease.

Movie Stuff

Behind the Scenes of “The Runaways”
I am typically not a theater-goer these days. I used to work in a theater (for five years in high school and college), so I am well aware of the joys of the crowd, the isolation, and the overall theater experience. But, I don’t always like the crowds, and I’d rather watch a movie on my big screen with my home theater system and with my dogs sitting on the couch with me. But this little movie about Runaways is almost enough to lure me out of my cocoon. I LOVE the Runaways. Are you planning to see it, either in the theater or on DVD? (Compare the movie girls with the real thing here.)

The MPAA Says the Movie Business Is Great. Unless Its Lousy.
The MPAA released a report about the state of the movie industry. Grosses are up. More technology is in theaters. But, of course, they never want to talk about the fact that grosses are only up because of inflation.

TV Stories

Comedy Leads the Way among 86 Pilots for Fall TV Season
It never fails. When one show succeeds, the copycats come out of the woodwork, and the networks bite. With the success of the ABC comedies this season, everyone wants to make a new 30-minute comedy. Hopefully, they won’t try to rip off Modern Family too much or focus on the things that don’t matter to viewers. (Really, do you care whether the show is a one-camera or multi-camera comedy?) Make good shows, and people will watch them.

The Mouse That Roared: Turning to the Internet to Catch a Favorite Show
I still think this is the way of the future, even though it is challenging now. For network shows, it’s easy. Pay cable, possible. Sports, nearly impossible. And the lack of easy access to sports online is why we keep the DirecTV subscription for now. Mr. Pop Culture Curmudgeon will not go without his sports.

Random Stuff

Exclusive: Co Co a-Go-Go: Conan Tour Starts April 12!
The rumored Conan O’Brien tour is a go. And it is starting in my old place of residence, Eugene, OR. That is weird to me. Are you gonna go see Conan live?

BTW, only two weeks until a new episode of Supernatural.

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Related Posts:

• Pop Culture Roundup, January 21
• Pop Culture Roundup, April 29
• Pop Culture Roundup, February 11
• Pop Culture Roundup, January 28
• Movie Theaters Are the Newest Addition to the Endangered Species List

Pop Culture Roundup, February 11

So, my laptop spent some time in limbo these past few days, deciding whether it would die or whether it just needed a good reformat. The reformat worked, but I still need to do some work to get it to recognize that it does, indeed, have a DVD drive installed. The joy of technology!

• Movie Stuff
• TV Stories
• Supernatural
• Random 80s Flashback

Movie Stuff

Dune Film Finds a New Writer
I haven’t decided if I want to see the new Dune movie. I was such a fan of David Lynch’s version (and, yes, I would sit through the entire 13 hour director’s cut) that I am afraid to read the books because they may ruin my perceptions of that movie. I love Lynchs style, and Dune was a great early example of the director who would create my favorite TV show of all time. But, I really enjoyed Taken, so I think this writer has a good chance of making a film I could enjoy. That Sci Fi Channel adaptation was booooooooring.

TV Stories

Why I Caved, Bought Cable TV, and Gave Up on My “Hulu Household”
We’re not there yet, but man, when we can get all of our television content over the Internet, I am so there.

Women Can’t Create, White Men Can’t Jump: Worst Network Pilot Season for Women Pt. 2
Nikki Finke looked at the dearth of female writers in this season’s pilot pickups in this post. Neely Swanson posted an interesting response/further research on the issue. It’s a nice look at the realities of the Hollywood system and the fear that women are not reliable at bringing in audiences.

Dancing with the Scars
Leave it to Chelsea Handler to make me want to read a story about a washed-up Playboy bunny and her stint on a reality show I have never and will never watch.

Friday Night Lights: 10 Reasons Why Season 4 Is the Series’ Best
I know that not everyone agrees with me (and that’s okay, Katie), but I think season 4 has been a return to what makes FNL great. It has felt like season 1 to me, with the depth of storylines and the great acting. I hope all of you who haven’t been watching this show on DirecTV catch it when it premieres on NBC this April. Last night, we said goodbye to some favorite characters and saw others get hurt, get punished, and play some football.

Supernatural

Let’s Talk Supernatural, The Song Remains the Same
Maureen Ryan’s recap and review of last week’s episode. She also includes information about a charity auction to benefit the relief efforts in Haiti.

Supernatural: The Song Remains the Same
Another recap/review of last week’s episode, this one from the San Diego Tribune blog.

Supernatural: The Song Remains the Same
Suzanne has our final recap over at Damsel Undistressed. She loved the episode, but I think she might have been basking in the afterglow of the amazing season premiere of Last last week.

Supernatural and Vampire Diaries Taking a 5-Week Hiatus
Sadly, My Bloody Valentine is our last episode of Supernatural for a while.  They had best come back from this hiatus with an episode in which we get to see Death. That was my biggest disappointment with this set of episodes. They didn’t resolve the cliffhanger.

Two Previews of Supernatural’s My Bloody Valentine
Need to get the scoop on tonight’s episode? Here are two clips to whet your appetite.

From Smallville to Capain America
More rumors that Jensen Ackles might be Captain America. Make of it what you will. 

Supernatural: Preview of Episode 5.13 “The Song Remains the Same”Get ready for tonight’s episode with a synopsis and a clip.

Random 80s Flashback

Secret Admirer
Most movies from the 80s just don’t hold up. The humor was too steeped in the time frame, and the jokes no longer work. The exceptions, though, are great. All of the John Hughes teen films remain awesome. And Secret Admirer, starring a very young Lori Loughlin, Kelly Preston, and C. Thomas Howell (we called him Tommy and looked at his dreamy photos in Bop and Tiger Beat back then), is another timeless comedy. It centers around misplaced love letters, and the stellar cast of adults and teens help keep it from being too formulaic. Rent it from Netflix or catch it on the Reelz Channel.

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Related Posts:

• My Fall TV Viewing Schedule
• Pop Culture Roundup, January 28
• The New Year of TV
• Pop Culture Roundup, May 27
• Countdown to New Shows: Spring 2010

Pop Culture Roundup, January 28

• The Biz
• Supernatural
• Random Stuff

The Biz

Fox, ABC Give out Pilot Orders
The Hollywood Report describes a couple recent pilots ordered by ABC and Fox. ABC ordered a comedy based on an Israeli show (because that worked so well for CBS ad The Ex-List), and Fox ordered a show about a police psychologist turned bounty hunter. Not sure I’m up for either of these shows.

Sundance, the Gifting that Keeps on Giving
It’s always funny that the wealthier you are, the less stuff you actually have to buy. Find out just a little bit of the free stuff Sundance attendees were lapping up.

Special Focus on the iPad

As if there is any pop culture story other than the unfortunately named iPad. Here are some links.

• 4 Reasons iPad will Kill the Kindle, 4 Reasons It Won’t
• iPad Name Draws Feminins Hygeine Jokes
• Steve “Moses” Jobs Delivers Apple’s Holy Tablet
• Apple iPad Charges at Kindle and Netbooks

Supernatural

Supernatural Episode Recap: “Sam, Interrupted”
Read TV Guide’s synopsis of last week’s episode.

Supernatural: Two Clips from Episode 12, “Swap Meat”
A couple fun previews for tonight’s episode.

Fight the Apocalypse
Play the online Supernatural game.

Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles Do Not Have Twitter, Facebook, Etc.
The boys confirm that all social media accounts in their names are fakes.

Supernatural Spinoff in the Works
Will you watch it, though?

Supernatural Drinking Bingo
This looks like a way fun drinking game.

Drinking with the Stars: Supernatural’s Misha Collins
Speaking of drinking, Korbi Gosh (from Zap2It) takes Misha Collins out for drinks and some questions.

Random Stuff

Valentine’s Day Gifts Inspired by the Men of Chuck
This is quite the collection of potential gifts for your man. Personally, I dig Awesom’s vegan soap and Jeffster’s Employee of the Month runner up shirt.

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Related Posts:

• Pop Culture Curmudgeon, May 21. Special Upfronts Edition.
• Pop Culture Roundup, April 15
• Pop Culture Roundup, February 11
• Visions of Winchesters: The Supernatural Blog Carnival, Nov. 18
• Visions of Winchesters: Supernatural Blog Carnival, Oct. 14