Author: Richard Lawson

The Call Sheet

'American Horror Story' Gets Another Witch

AP

Today in show business news: Emma Roberts has joined the Ryan Murphy family, CBS hires a Bad Teacher, and a glimpse of the next Vince Vaughn movie.

By Richard Lawson

4:55 PM ET

Movie Review

Loving Liberace in 'Behind the Candelabra'

Behind the Candelabra, premiering Sunday on HBO, is a strangely sweet and refreshingly honest depiction of a gay relationship, rococo and ridiculous as the setting might be.

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By Richard Lawson

11:39 AM ET

'American Idol' Is Too Old and Bad for Old and Bad Contestants to Save It

The latest wacky plan is to hire former contestants to judge the competition. And while Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson might be worth tuning in for, Fox should accept the natural death of a show that had a long and fabulous life and let Idol die gracefully.

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By Richard Lawson

11:07 AM ET

The Smart Set

Justin Bieber Will Sue You for $5 Million if You Gossip About Him

Today in celebrity news: Justin Bieber has a pretty strict social contract, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Swift have a hang, Madonna's daughter goes on a date with Finn from Homeland, and Ellen buys her Oprah house. 

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By Richard Lawson

May 21, 2013

The Call Sheet

Reese Witherspoon Is Really Going to Space

Today in entertainment news: Reese Witherspoon's first sci-fi movie seems to be a go, Leo DiCaprio reteams with an old friend, and Steven Spielberg is adapting a video game.

Comments | 2,681 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 21, 2013

What We Watched

How 'Bates Motel' Won Me Over

A&E's truly strange drama/mystery/thriller/horror series Bates Motel finished its first season last night, in typically bizarre and gruesome fashion. With the doldrums of summer television almost upon us, why not spend a couple weeks catching up with this masterfully wacky show?

Comments | 1,650 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 21, 2013

The Smart Set

Chelsea Clinton's Secret Job

Today in celebrity news: Chelsea Clinton has been working at NYU somewhat undercover, Arnold and Maria aren't quite over, and Ashton meets the parents.

Comments | 7,011 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 20, 2013

The Call Sheet

Kate Hudson Teams Up With Zach Braff

Today in show business: Zach Braff has put Kate Hudson in the movie you bought him, the Angry Birds movie really is happening, and Claire Danes has a teen daughter.

Comments | 2,887 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 20, 2013

What's Missing in the 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Now

Saturday Night Live will look pretty different in September, as this past weekend's season finale saw the departure of mainstay favorites Fred Armisen and Bill Hader. There are, come September, going to be a lot of new faces around Studio 8H.

Comments | 6,393 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 20, 2013

The Smart Set

Kate Learns to Cook

Today in celebrity news: Duchess Kate is learning how to cook, Justin Theroux maybe had a bachelor party, and Faye Dunaway made a very important phone call. 

Comments | 3,299 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 17, 2013

The Call Sheet

The Dramatic Demise of 'American Idol'

Today in show business news: Not many people watched the American Idol finale, The Voice is still going strong, and Pete Campbell takes to the stage. 

Comments | 5,155 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 17, 2013

Why We Should Get Excited for J.J. Abrams's 'Star Wars'

While attention is, understandably, mostly on J.J. Abrams's newest film Star Trek Into Darkness, I'm suddenly more interested in his next film, 2015's Star Wars: Episode VI, which could actually be quite good.

Comments | 3,918 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 17, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol' Finale: The End of an Era

It's over. After all of that pain and struggle, all that we have endured, it's done. Randy Jackson has left the show. Ha, mean. I'm just kidding, Randy. But yes, the twelfth American Idol competition came to a close last night, a surprisingly rousing and spirited finale to a season that's been anything but.

Comments | 7,217 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 17, 2013

The Smart Set

Rihanna Sues Topshop

Today in celebrity news: Rihanna doesn't want Topshop selling T-shirts of her, Gywneth does some doublespeak, and Kimye is taking their baby on tour. 

Comments | 3,299 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 16, 2013

The Call Sheet

Look at These Old Men Wild 'N Out

Today in show business news: Here's our first look at the old Oscar winners in Vegas comedy Last Vegas, HBO is heading to Silicon Valley, and The CW is trying to figure out Wonder Woman.

Comments | 1,237 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 16, 2013

The Unfulfilled Promise of 'The Office'

NBC's long-running, quietly groundbreaking sitcom The Office ends its gentle roller coaster of a run tonight, capping off nine season. Will we miss The Office? Sure. But I think what we really should celebrate, or mourn, is what The Office represented, an era in television it helped usher in that seems, much to our dismay, nearly over.

Comments | 10,311 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 16, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': One Last Song Before I Go

Candice beat Kree last night on the penultimate episode of this, our 109th season of American Idol. But can she win?

Comments | 3,712 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 16, 2013

The Smart Set

David Beckham to Begin His Beautifully Boring Retirement

Today in celebrity news: Becks has quit footy, Prince Harry leaves one last sexy impression on America, and Gwyneth Paltrow has sold herself on Groupon.

Comments | 2,475 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2013

CBS Is Still a Shimmering Pile of Junk

CBS may be strutting around at upfronts, all proud and cocky because their shows are wildly popular. But their shows, both old and new, are also wildly awful.

Comments | 4,124 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2013

The Call Sheet

Zach Braff Didn't Really Need Your Money

Today in show business: Zach Braff's Kickstarter movie just got some real funding, two non-singers are joining the Into the Woods cast, and Bradley Cooper is headed to the kitchen.

Comments | 5,155 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2013

The Angelina Jolie Gossip Complex Can't Stop Won't Stop

When Angelina Jolie — actress, humanitarian, one half of the most scrutinized couple since Sam and Diane — announced earlier this week that she had undergone a preventative double-mastectomy, a strange thing happened. The Internet, the great and terrible sea of bile, was nice. Of course the period of civility won't last long.

Comments | 4,124 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2013

The Smart Set

Leonardo DiCaprio, Art Mover

Today in celebrity news: Leo DiCaprio had a huge art auction this week, J.Lo has purchased a huge house, and Prince Harry is huge. 

Comments | 2,062 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2013

ABC Can't Stop Looking in the Mirror

While ABC's upfront presentation on Thursday evening didn't seem like NBC's bloodbath, well, copying a successful formula isn't going to produce the best results. And all of ABC's new shows — yes, even Rebel Wilson's — feel derivative of something else.

Comments | 1,441 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2013

Sarah Palin Refuses Move to Elite Media City to Film Talk Show

Palin turned down a national syndicated talk show by reality TV mega-producer Mark Burnett, reportedly because of location. So stop being so culturally elite, New York and Los Angeles. You're scaring her off.

Comments | 1,234 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2013

The Smart Set

Sean Parker's Big Fat Nerd Wedding

Today in celebrity news: Sean Parker's fantasy Game of Thrones wedding plans progress, Prince Harry is in the East making everyone tingly, and Jaden Smith wants out. 

Comments | 3,290 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 13, 2013

Fox Is Not Afraid of Cable

Though the network execs admitted to having a bad year at Monday afternoon's upfront presentation, the point was clear: You might hear a lot about The Walking Dead or Mad Men, but far more people are tuning into the Big Four. For now.

Comments | 2,669 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 13, 2013

This Is the Not-So-Bright Future of NBC

I just sat through NBC's upfront presentation, which teases the new season lineup for advertisers and other assorted looky-loos, and boy, does the future not look bright for the struggling Peacock network.

Comments | 6,976 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2013

The Call Sheet

NBC Cancels Everything

Today in show business news: NBC is cleaning house while CBS is adding more clutter, including a Robin Williams/Sarah Michelle Gellar show. Yes, you read that right. 

Comments | 18,734 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2013

'Family Tree' Is a Quiet Success

It's been seven long years since we last entered the world of Christopher Guest, the brilliant satirist/mockumentarian behind the comedy masterpieces Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. While his new HBO show Family Tree mostly registers at a low-key murmur, it's nonetheless a warm and funny little oddity worth spending some time with.

Comments | 611 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': A Late-Season Surprise

Everyone was pretty certain that Thursday night's Final 3 results would play out a certain way. But no! A real humdinger of a shocker came bouncing through the Idoldome, briefly reinvigorating a tiresome season. Well played, American Idol

Comments | 2,444 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2013

Zach Braff Has No Problem Taking Your Kickstarter Money

Yesterday the filmmakers behind a new documentary called Kickstarted, all about Kickstarter and the so-called crowdfunding movement, released a clip of actor/writer/director Zach Braff explaining the motivations behind his successful but somewhat troublesome Kickstarter campaign.

Comments | 815 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2013

The Smart Set

The Prince Harry Surprise

Today in celebrity news: Prince Harry's American tour continues, Amy Poehler is dating, and Justin Bieber drank a beer.

Comments | 4,276 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2013

The Call Sheet

Rejoice: 'Parks & Rec' Shall Return!

Today in show business news: NBC remains in the Amy Poehler business, Randy Jackson is getting out of the Idol business, and Adam Brody is a gay best friend.

Comments | 2,641 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2013

How to Meet Prince Harry in America

The most eligible bachelor in the solar system, has arrived in the United States — fully clothed this time, unfortunately. Yes, the ginger Windsor started a week-long American tour in DC on Thursday afternoon. To level the playing field for everyone, here are some universal tips on how to get to Harry while he's on his grand Yankee bride hunt.

Comments | 2,031 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': Homeland

The annual Top 3 of American Idol is always such a big episode, crowded as it is with the home visits and the producers' choice song and, of course, that ever-present feeling of the season being almost over. It's a good episode, and a lot of the singing last night was quite good, too, if you can believe. Let's discuss.

Comments | 1,219 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2013

The Smart Set

Harry Styles Has New Lady, Teens Upset

Today in celebrity gossip: A One Direction star gets frisky in Norway, the Vampire Diaries love affair is over, and Kim Kardashian really might move to Paris. 

Comments | 40,969 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2013

The Call Sheet

Robb Stark to Charm 'Cinderella'

Today in show business news: A Game of Thrones hunk gets a hunky role, Jurassic Park 4 might be in trouble, TNT has another new show, and more Coen Brothers.

Comments | 3,440 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2013

The Smart Set

Gwyneth Paltrow Has Angry Neighbors

Today in celebrity gossip: Gwyneth has private gate issues in Los Angeles, Wills and Kate get a new housekeeper, and Justin Bieber may be in some legal trouble.

Comments | 10,727 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2013

The Call Sheet

Michael Bay Is Coming to Television

Today in show business news: TNT is now in the Michael Bay business, Andrew Garfield books a prestigious role, and another movie musical is in the works.

Comments | 2,224 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2013

Ben Affleck Refuses to Re-'Gigli' His Career

Affleck's next film will be an adaptation of Dennis Lehane's Prohibition-era crime epic Live By Night. Production is now set to start at the end of the summer. That's a pretty quick turnaround time since Argo's golden glow, but it's a pretty smart move, too.

Comments | 2,829 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2013

The Smart Set

Well, Rihanna Sure Made Boston Angry

Today in celebrity gossip: Rihanna started a concert way too late, that Teen Mom sex tape is quite popular, Joe Francis might be going to jail, and scenes from Anna Wintour's house before the Met gala.

Comments | 20,378 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 6, 2013

The Call Sheet

Alec Baldwin Goes Bust On Broadway

Today in show business news: Alec Baldwin's latest Broadway play is closing early, Steve Carell returns to The Office, Winona Ryder is making a comeback, and The Newsroom goes back in time again.

Comments | 2,213 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 6, 2013

What We Watched

There Might Be Big Changes Ahead for 'Game of Thrones'

One scene last night represented maybe the biggest change from page to screen that we've had so far, in this third season full of misdirection from the most exciting stretch of the books to the unpredictable adaptation by HBO. Or at least the oddest.

Comments | 9,626 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 6, 2013

The Smart Set

Lauryn Hill Might Go to Jail

Today in celebrity gossip: Lauryn Hill faces sentencing on nearly $1 million in unpaid taxes, Patrick Schwarzenegger flips out, and Lindsay Lohan says she doesn't need rehab. 

Comments | 7,630 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 3, 2013

The Call Sheet

'Men in Black 4' Is Happening

Today in show business  news: Universal is making a "fourquel," Michael Caine is in the new Christopher Nolan movie, and a not-so-encouraging look at White House Down.

Comments | 4,150 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 3, 2013

The Superhero Movie Era Won't End

Iron Man 3 comes out today, making it the fourth movie featuring Iron Man in the past five years. And as a character, Iron Man seems to be winding down. Meaning, we ought to be in for a lull in the superhero onslaught, right? No. For good or bad, the superhero movie era shows no signs of ending.

Comments | 1,797 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 3, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': The Goodbye Girl

Well that's more like it. After last week's lamesville no-elimination cop out, Ryan Seacrest finally got to satisfy his insatiable bloodlust last night as a competitor was eliminated and the field was winnowed down to just three surviving souls.

Comments | 1,391 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 3, 2013

The Smart Set

Lindsay Lohan Has Been Accounted For

Today in celebrity news: Lindsay Lohan is at the Betty Ford Center, the fascinating Reese Witherspoon arrest footage has been unearthed, and Lance Bass thinks that someone in One Direction is gay.

Comments | 3,578 Views

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