Author: Richard Lawson

The Call Sheet

Jennifer Hudson Returning to 'Idol'?

AP

Today in show business news: Jennifer Hudson might become an American Idol judge, Jon Stewart finds a leading man for his risky directing debut, and Tom Cruise walks away from a movie. 

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2012

The Call Sheet

'Dancing With the Stars' Stars to Dance!

Today: Get ready to see all your old favorites hoofing it once more, Alexander Payne plots his next move, and we find the catchphrase of the summer.

Comments | 1,897 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2012

Anne Hathaway Singing in 'Les Mis' Trailer Is Unsettling

Sacre blech! Reformed celebrity shamer Perez Hilton has tracked down some really grainy footage — someone filmed something off of a computer — that appears to be an early trailer for the Hugh Jackman/Russell Crowe/Anne Hathaway movie version of the big, bombastic musical Les Misérables.

Comments | 33,620 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2012

ABC Upfronts: A Big 'Revenge' Change

Network upfront presentations (in which the new slate of programming is bragged about to advertisers) continue today, with ABC unveiling their Fall 2012 lineup.

Comments | 3,655 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 15, 2012

What We Watched

'The Bachelorette' Has Terribly Begun

Last night was the big season finale of Smash, wherein America found out, finally, who was going to play Marilyn in the big Marilyn Musical and probably other things happened like intrigue and romance and, who knows, maybe Debra Messing took her shirt off again. The point is: We didn't watch. Why? Because we were watching the motherfreakin' Bachelorette instead. Yes, it's back.

Comments | 2,154 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2012

The Call Sheet

Chloë Sevigny to Get Her Comeuppance

Today: The Downtown diva heads to the stage, so does a swoon-worthy Englishman, and Taylor Lautner learns Parkour.

Comments | 6,912 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2012

Get Ready for a Very Jayden Future

The Social Security Administration has released data on last year's most popular baby names, and, as Entertainment Weekly points out, many of the names are tied to popular movies and TV characters and celebrities.

Comments | 2,800 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2012

Upfronts Roundups: NBC & Fox

This is arguably the biggest week of the network TV year, as the big five hold upfront presentations in New York, showing off their new schedules and series for advertisers. What's in, what's out, and what looks good? Let's take a look! First up are NBC and Fox.

Comments | 2,470 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 14, 2012

What We Watched

'Survivor' and 'Desperate Housewives' Finish Strong

Last night two veteran series reached their ends, one for just the season, the other forever.

Comments | 2,405 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 11, 2012

The Call Sheet

'Pan Am' Is Huge in Europe

The Call Sheet sifts through the day's glut of Hollywood news to find the stories even non-industry types care about. Today: ABC has an international hit in a Pan Am, The CW officially invites Carrie Bradshaw to the party, and Alec Baldwin is a busy man.

Comments | 5,690 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 11, 2012

NBC Goes Comedy Crazy

Let's get to the most important news first: NBC has renewed Parks & Recreation for a full season, not the truncated half-season it was recently rumored to be destined for. So phew. Well done, NBC. Now, moving on to everything else: NBC has lots of comedy shows all of a sudden!

Comments | 1,984 Views

By Jen Doll and Richard Lawson

May 11, 2012

Plot Twists

Alternate 'Mad Men' Plots We're Rooting For

It has come to our attention that some people are getting bored with this season's Mad Men. Everyone's a critic, right? But it's in our power to make television whatever we want it to be. Here's our bids for some new directions.

Comments | 4,197 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 11, 2012

Movie Review

'Dark Shadows': The Horror of Tim Burton

Today we review the new supernatural comedy Dark Shadows.

Comments | 5,392 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 11, 2012

What We Watched

'American Idol': Going Lightly

We are now two short weeks away from the end of this Idol madcappery, as the fourth place finisher was named last night and now only three remain.

Comments | 11,074 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2012

The Call Sheet

Conan and Letterman, Together Again

 Two old talk show pals reunite, NBC is keeping people employed and Dunder Mifflin, and Charlize Theron sounds funny.

Comments | 4,106 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2012

Cable Comes to the Rescue of 'Cougar Town' (and Good T.V.)

Word comes in today that TBS, already the noble shelter of NBC-banished Conan O'Brien, has decided to pick up the ailing cult-favorite comedy Cougar Town from ABC for a fourth season, which will air next year. "Hooray!" fans of wine comedy the nation over exclaim. In fact this is cause for celebration for everybody who watches TV, not solely Cougarheads.

Comments | 1,552 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2012

Andy Cohen Too Cool for the Little People Now?

Before the Real Housewives came along, America's gay cousin Andy Cohen was merely a Bravo television executive with a mildewing degree in broadcast journalism (from Boston University). Now he is Andy Cohen the TV personality.

Comments | 2,992 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 10, 2012

What We Watched

'American Idol': If Wishes Were Horses

Damned interminable Idol!

Comments | 2,534 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2012

The Call Sheet

'SVU' Forever!

Today: NBC decides to keep a beloved show around, VH1 renews a be-hated show, and Cameron Diaz smartens up.

Comments | 2,624 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2012

Could Desperate Housewives Really End Any Other Way?

The series finale of ABC's she-business show Desperate Housewives airs on Sunday, and so the days leading up to it are filled with sweet, poignant stories about the cast and crew saying goodbye to one another after eight long years. Well most of it is sweet and poignant (not actually, but in theory at least, or thematically). One story is instead mean and hilarious!

Comments | 2,620 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2012

Inoffensive Gay People on TV Continue to Not Offend

In his much-noted Meet the Press appearance Joe Biden praised Will & Grace for furthering the gay rights cause and NBC has picked up a show about gay men having a baby called The New Normal, so that means it's time for some sort of glancing trend piece about how gay people are on TV now and no one's fussing about it and isn't progress wonderful. Sigh.

Comments | 2,938 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 9, 2012

What We Watched

'The White Room Challenge' Will Have to Do

As the regular TV season winds down, a desperate scramble begins, a race toward the upper edges of the dial, to seek out alternative programming to keep us entertained.

Comments | 1,276 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2012

The Call Sheet

Ben Affleck Is Back in Charge

Ben Affleck's new film looks good, Nicolas Cage goes on a wild ride, and Sanjay Gupta has a show.

Comments | 3,023 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2012

A Chinese Company Might Soon Own a Lot of U.S. Movie Theaters

The New York Times reports today that AMC Theatres, America's second-biggest movie theater chain, may soon be purchased by a Chinese company, the Wanda Group, which, as one of the biggest theater operators in China, is no stranger to the Chinese government's longstanding practice of censoring American movies. So what happens if they come to own such a large part of the American movie market?

Comments | 3,883 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2012

Red Carpet Highlights from Last Night's Met Gala

Last night was New York's most fabulous social event, the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit. It's a chance for numerous celebrities to don daring, avant garde looks and show off to their friends. Let's take a look at some of the red carpet highlights!

Comments | 2,699 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2012

There Will Be Half As Many Laughs on NBC Next Season

As NBC gets ready to debut its new lineup at its upfront presentation next week, word is trickling in that an order for the final season of 30 Rock is imminent, but that it will likely be a truncated season of only thirteen or fourteen episodes instead of the standard twenty or so.

Comments | 4,384 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 8, 2012

What We Watched

Checking Back in with '2 Broke Girls'

When we watched the first couple of episodes 2 Broke Girls, that sitcom all about Brooklyn living in the Great Recession that, back in the fall, we thought it got a lot of things wrong. In some ways it's satisfying to report, after its one-hour season finale, the show has gotten even worse.

Comments | 3,057 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2012

The Call Sheet

Americans Can't Get Enough British Television

Today: PBS has another British hit, Lifetime renews a sexy series, and NBC makes some early orders.

Comments | 4,216 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2012

Lena Dunham Elaborates on 'Girls' and Race

Amid the heaping vat of Girls-related blog outrage stew, show creator/star/writer Lena Dunham has remained relatively mum regarding her show's much criticized/discussed treatment of race.

Comments | 3,621 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2012

See This Kids Ballet Documentary While You Can

If you find yourself, in the midst of all the summer movie season noise and effects, in dire need of something quieter, more human, but no less awe-inspiring, perhaps find the time to check out the new documentary First Position.

Comments | 2,720 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 7, 2012

What We Watched

Letting 'Game of Thrones' Be Its Own Show

As HBO's wonderfully intricate Game of Thrones gets further and further into the dense and expansive world that George R.R. Martin has created, it's inevitably going to become harder to follow.

Comments | 4,990 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 4, 2012

The Call Sheet

Jonah Hill Is Staying Serious

Today: Jonah Hill takes another dramatic role, Kellan Lutz heads to the jungle, and Brad Bird wants to work with real people again.

Comments | 2,885 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 4, 2012

Movie Review

'The Avengers': Teamwork Pays Off

Since the olden days of 2008, Marvel Studios has been laying the big, heavy groundwork for what comes blasting into American movie houses today.

Comments | 3,449 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 4, 2012

What We Watched

'American Idol': Missed Mississippi

As has been said before, democracy just doesn't work. It just doesn't.

Comments | 4,483 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 3, 2012

The Call Sheet

Finally, a TV Show About Pirates

Today: Starz heads to the seas, The CW renews some fan favorites, and Jewel books a big acting gig.

Comments | 2,414 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 3, 2012

What We Watched

'American Idol': Songs for an Old World

Last night's American Tune Bag was a strangely dark episode, one full of angry songs and pained singing, a blast from the turbulent past that overcame our brave, noble tributes and reduced them to the small quivering children that they are at heart. Well, mostly. There was some good singing! But it all felt tinged with a bit of madness, didn't it?

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 2, 2012

The Call Sheet

'The Avengers' Is Already Huge

Today: Marvel has another hit on its hands, Lifetime gets a new look, and HBO lost big.

Comments | 3,365 Views

By Eric Randall and Richard Lawson

May 2, 2012

For Pop Chips, Ashton Kutcher Is a Man of a Thousand Faces, Zero Laughs

Ashton Kutcher's new ad campaign for Pop Chips does a pretty unfunny caricature of an Indian guy, and has thus, understandably, riled up some folks.

Comments | 10,985 Views

By Jen Doll and Richard Lawson

May 2, 2012

Lies Hollywood Told Us: Love and Romance Edition

Love is hard. Romantic movies make it harder.

Comments | 19,161 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 2, 2012

What We Watched

'Glee' Adds Another Issue

Whoopi Goldberg began a multi-episode guest stint on Glee last night, playing an imperious admissions representative from the drama school of Kurt and Rachel's dreams, so that was kind of fun.

Comments | 2,242 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 1, 2012

The Call Sheet

HBO Drops Something Big, Picks Another Up

Today: Some new series drama on premium cable, NBC goes gay again, and Angus T. Jones is very rich.

Comments | 6,039 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 1, 2012

Is 'Spider-Man' In Trouble?

There's a rumor floating around the Web (heh) that Sony is none too pleased with its latest superhero picture, The Amazing Spider-Man, an ostensible reboot of a franchise that debuted only ten years ago.

Comments | 3,858 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 1, 2012

'The Dark Knight Rises' Is Still Looking Good

Last night Warner Bros. released a third trailer for the gut-twistingly anticipated summertime movie The Dark Knight Rises, and it is good. Like, "this is definitely the movie of the summer, right?" good.

Comments | 7,761 Views

By Richard Lawson

May 1, 2012

What We Watched

From the On Demand Files: 'Missing'

Monday night remains a petty bleak night for television. What were we to watch to while away the hours? Well, in our case it was on demanded episodes of ABC's Missing. Turns out that show is really fun.

Comments | 705 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 30, 2012

The Call Sheet

HBO Likes 'Girls'

HBO invites two shows back for next year, Teri Hatcher is slumming it, and E! gets an awkward new makeover.

Comments | 4,760 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 30, 2012

Getting Anxious About 'Prometheus'

A new extended international trailer for Ridley Scott's upcoming Alien sorta prequel Prometheus (it seems to take place far enough in the past that it's, like, a paleo prequel?) has been released.

Comments | 3,966 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 30, 2012

Judd Apatow Isn't Dead Yet

As we noted this morning, the new romantic comedy The Five-Year Engagement, which was produced by comedy impresario Judd Apatow, didn't do well at the ol' box office over the weekend. In fact it did pretty badly, placing a meager fifth in a weekend it should have easily won.

Comments | 3,099 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 30, 2012

What We Watched

'The Good Wife' Leaves for Vacation

As the days grow longer and the weather (for the most part) warmer, there is one terrible thing happening. Yes, network seasons are wrapping up. For example, The Good Wife, smart sudsy show that it is, ended its third season last night. We're gonna miss it!

Comments | 1,402 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 27, 2012

The Call Sheet

Paul Rudd Is Getting Old

Paul Rudd and Leslie Manna are feeling their age, Tina Fey gets a boyfriend, and Jane Fonda returns again.

Comments | 2,599 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 27, 2012

Movie Review

Love's Labors: 'The Raven' & 'The Five-Year Engagement'

Today we review two contrasting films, The Raven and The Five-Year Engagement.

Comments | 2,998 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 27, 2012

What We Watched

'American Idol': The Sixth Sent

Well, we are now down to the top 5! Which means we are so close I can almost taste the confetti.

Comments | 4,138 Views

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