Author: Richard Lawson

Kim and Kanye's Baby Name Is Not That Strange

AP

It's being reported that rapper Kanye West and his reality star girlfriend Kim Kardashian have named their brand-new baby, born this weekend, Kaidence Donda West. Donda was Kanye's late mother's name, so that makes sense, but, um, Kaidence? What's going on with Kaidence?

By Richard Lawson

Apr 11, 2013

The Call Sheet

Rachel McAdams Joining Hollywood's Weirdest Romantic Comedy

Today in show business news: Rachel McAdams may have a role in the bizarre-sounding new Cameron Crowe film, Patricia Arquette washes up on the Boardwalk, and a look at a new potential indie sensation.

Comments | 5,548 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 11, 2013

'The Shining' Prequel Is the Problem with Prequels

It's only been 32 years since The Shining first bathed America in elevator blood. Are we really so itchy (at best) or arrogant (at worst) that we need to put a 2013 spin on it? Hopefully Stephen King is right and there's something to be done about all this movement on The Overlook Hotel.

Comments | 4,994 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 11, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': Candice Land

Something was in the air on American Idol last night, some spirit of Idol seasons past that gave some of the contestants a little extra oomph, maybe even genuinely good, likable performances. Well, two, anyway. From the same person. But still.

Comments | 2,589 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 11, 2013

The Smart Set

Is Miranda Kerr Still a Lingerie Model?

Today in celebrity news: Is a popular Victoria's Secret Angel actually not that popular? Plus, everyone wants a Jennifer Lawrence sex tape, and Kate Upton is not dating Diddy, you guys.

Comments | 11,958 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 10, 2013

The Call Sheet

Adrien Brody to Become Magician

Today in show business news: History is doing a miniseries about Houdini with TV actor Adrien Brody, Julie Taymor gets her Spider-Man money, and fans of Zack Morris can rejoice.

Comments | 2,392 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 10, 2013

Movie Review

'To the Wonder': Twirling into Nothing

I've been something of a Terrence Malick apologist in the past, explaining to detractors why the plodding pace of The New World is just right, why the long origins-of-the-universe segment of Tree of Life is a vital burst of genius, but I'm afraid I'm out of excuses with To the Wonder.

Comments | 2,339 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 10, 2013

The Other Brad Paisley/LL Cool J Song Is Only Offensive In Its Badness

Two days after the Internet became aware of their godawful and actually racist collaboration, "Accidental Racist," we've been given the duo's second joint, the love tune "Live for You." Love songs are perfectly nice and harmless, right?

Comments | 3,679 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 10, 2013

What If the New 'Arrested Development' Is Not Good?

Fifteen new episodes of the beloved show will debut on the streaming site on May 26, an event that has many excited, yes, but many worried, too. What if it's not as good?

Comments | 7,756 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 10, 2013

The Smart Set

Lindsay Lohan Sheds a Lonely Tear

Today in celebrity news: LiLo and Letterman have a chat, Tom Cruise opens up about divorce, and Kate Upton must choose between Puff Daddy and Michigan's freshman hero.

Comments | 4,599 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 9, 2013

The Call Sheet

Can Saul Have It All?

Today in show business news: AMC is thinking about spinning off a beloved Breaking Bad character, Anne Hathaway lands a huge new role, and Chloe Sevigny has officially been made a detective.

Comments | 2,525 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 9, 2013

Why They Can't Ever Make 'Labyrinth' Again

Labyrinth is in many ways one of the last non-animated, spectacle films of the pre-computer age. Now, so many years later, it's been announced that Disney has acquired a pitch called Labyrinth, which is not quite a remake nor could it be.

Comments | 8,388 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 9, 2013

The Smart Set

The 'Teen Mom' Sex Tape Nobody Wants to See

Today in celebrity news: A Teen Mom-and-a-porn-star rumor is running rampant across the Internet, Kate Middleton has a new boat, and Brad Paisley will not say he's sorry for that "Accidental Racist" song.

Comments | 31,285 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 8, 2013

The Call Sheet

Judge Judy: Four More Years

Today in show business news: Judge Judy has just signed a new long-term deal, Disney is doing some layoffs, and new details about Captain America's next movie.

Comments | 543 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 8, 2013

Remember: Not That Many People Watch 'Mad Men'

The season six premiere attracted 3.4 million viewers, meaning that more people watched Wife Swap last week than watched Mad Men Sunday night.

Comments | 1,622 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 8, 2013

Brad Paisley and LL Cool J Have a Conversation About Racism

It seems that country singer Brad Paisley is having an identity crisis. See, he's from the South and he's proud of that, but one time a (presumably black, possibly invented for the purposes of storytelling) Starbucks employee was not a fan of his Confederate flag T-shirt. So he's written a song called "Accidental Racist."

Comments | 12,795 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 8, 2013

The Smart Set

Jenna Jameson Might Have Battered Someone

Today in celebrity news: Former XXX movie star Jenna Jameson was arrested this weekend, Halle Berry is unexpectedly with child, and Chris Brown might be dating. 

Comments | 5,732 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 8, 2013

What We Watched

'Game of Thrones' Shows Us New Things

As a fan of the books, one of the constant worries of watching Game of Thrones is wondering what scenes the writers will have to cut out in order to meet the timing and narrative needs of series television.

Comments | 3,441 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 5, 2013

The Call Sheet

'Vikings' Will Pillage Again

Today in show business: History has renewed its first-ever scripted series, Jessica Chastain is headed to a haunted house, and the new Godzilla movie has a weird cast.

Comments | 3,936 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 5, 2013

'Veep' Is Even Better the Second Time Around

The most richly satisfying comedy on television, Veep is an assured, but manic, delight. And it benefits hugely from the second season settle, when a show has worked out the kinks and can truly hit the ground running come premiere time.

Comments | 4,294 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 5, 2013

Movie Review

'Trance' Loses Its Mind

Danny Boyle's new art heist/hypnotism picture Trance can't help but ooze a sense of dreamy soulfulness.

Comments | 1,430 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 5, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': Only the Weak Survive

Last night, after trotting out Carrie Underwood in some misguided attempt to remind us why we watch Idol in the first place, the awful, terrible, vain and aggravating Lazaro survived — either to keep us watching before he gets bumped off next week, or because this is really where America's at right now. Voting for dreadful Lazaro.

Comments | 5,129 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 5, 2013

The Smart Set

Tom and Gisele Are House Hunting

Today in celebrity news: Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen look for a place in Manhattan, William and Kate meet some Scottish people, and a real housewife has a real plane problem. 

Comments | 4,640 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 4, 2013

The Call Sheet

Ryan Murphy Wants to Get Sexy

Today in show business news: Ryan Murphy is selling a show about sex, Barbra Streisand wants to direct again, and a first glimpse at the new Carrie movie is not promising.

Comments | 1,249 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 4, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': Rock 'n' Roll Is Dead

Of the many silly ways that Fox and the show's producers have tried to shake up this season of American Idol, last night's was maybe the silliest. But we must press on, so let's do just that.

Comments | 3,735 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 4, 2013

The Smart Set

Major 'Girls' Cast Shakeup Stuns Fans of Cute Boy

Today in celebrity news: Charlie is leaving Girls, a Game of Thrones actress is completely broke, and big One Direction dental news.

Comments | 7,835 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 3, 2013

The Call Sheet

Who Should Play Cinderella?

Today in show business news: Disney is looking for the perfect Cinderella, Warner Bros. assesses the Giant damage, and Matthew McConaughey is a go for Christopher Nolan.

Comments | 2,671 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 3, 2013

Every Era Gets the 'Tonight Show' Host It Deserves

Now that it's official that Jimmy Fallon will take over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno next February, it's time to start thinking about what it all means for the entertainment powers-that-program-NBC are shifting form an old yukkity-yuk to a hip R.A. Well, if anything it shows us this generation is, for better or worse, getting the Tonight Show host it deserves. Just as the last one did.

Comments | 4,091 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 3, 2013

What We Watched

'Justified' Ends Season Four with Flair

As is usually the case with a Justified finale, most of the season's plot threads were tied up, with a main villain vanquished, but one major note of uncertainty hung in the air.

Comments | 2,137 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 3, 2013

The Smart Set

Matt Lauer's Horse Farm Trouble

Today in celebrity news: The embattled Today host recently had some Hamptons issues, a Glee actress is pregnant, and Justin Bieber is still upset about Selena. 

Comments | 8,726 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 2, 2013

The Call Sheet

'Game of Thrones' Season 4 Is Coming

Today in show business news: HBO has shockingly decided to renew Game of Thrones, NBC gets some good news and some bad news, MTV really needs to pull the plug on Buckwild, plus teasers and trailers and more.

Comments | 2,589 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 2, 2013

What We Watched

'Bates Motel' Is One Seriously Weird Show

The third episode of A&E's new thriller series Bates Motel aired last night and, man, is that show weird. A less affected Twin Peaks? An Oregon-based, incest-twinged Stephen King story?

Comments | 12,542 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 2, 2013

The Smart Set

Heidi Klum, Hawaiian Beach Hero

Today in celebrity news: Heidi Klum helped rescue her son and two nannies from the watery depths this weekend, Amy Poehler went on (gulp) a date, and Lindsay Lohan makes an April Fools' joke.

Comments | 5,065 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 1, 2013

The Call Sheet

Jesus and 'The Walking Dead' Had a Big Night

Today in showbiz news: Basic cable ratings were huge last night, FX has got a big miniseries in the works, and a look at Teen Wolf season three.

Comments | 1,418 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 1, 2013

What We Watched

The Odd End of 'The Walking Dead' and Just a Beginning for 'Game of Thrones'

One show's third season came to an end last night while another's began, but if we're trading gore for lore, that tradeoff might just work.

Comments | 4,072 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 1, 2013

The Smart Set

Cory Monteith Checks into Rehab

Today in celebrity news: A Glee star seeks help, Chris Brown makes a slightly awkward Today show appearance, and Lena Dunham likes PDA.

Comments | 3,364 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 29, 2013

The Call Sheet

'True Blood' Really Is Coming Back

Today in showbusiness: HBO has announced the return date for long-in-the-tooth True Blood, NBC is pushing back Girlfriend in a Coma, and a look at Max Irons in something. 

Comments | 7,431 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 29, 2013

The State of 'Game of Thrones' Is Great

Prepare yourselves! HBO's blood 'n' boobs 'n' Baratheons fantasy series returns on Sunday night, meaning the long wait of the superfans is nearly over. And based on what we've already seen, that wait was worth it — and the third season is a thrill.

Comments | 7,328 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 29, 2013

Movie Review

'The Place Beyond the Pines' Is a Stunner

Unfolding like a juicy, sprawling novel, Derek Cianfrance's expertly pitched melodrama trades in a haunted feeling of inexorability and the regret that follows. A deeply felt, classically tinged saga, The Place Beyond the Pines is, for my money, so far the best film of 2013.

Comments | 4,579 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 29, 2013

The Smart Set

Patrick Schwarzenegger Is in an Ocean

Today in famous people news: Arnold's kid was seen smooching in the ocean, J.Lo has been disinvited from India, and Miss Canada does not like Justin Bieber. 

Comments | 6,879 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 28, 2013

The Call Sheet

At Long Last, 'Before Midnight'

Today in show business news: The first trailer for Before Midnight is here, Matthew McConaughey may have received a hell of an offer, and Taylor Swift heads to television. 

Comments | 4,208 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 28, 2013

What I Learned Hate-Reading the Internet

Richard Lawson: Manically scrolling through the comments section on National Review Online and Fox Nation and, occasionally, less one-sided outlets has taken up a lot of my idle (and, yes, some working) time this week. Boy do people have a lot of awful things to say about gay marriage!

Comments | 8,188 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 28, 2013

Just What Is FX Doing?

The popular but slightly faded FX comedies The League and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia will move over to FXX (the double X, as I'm sure we'll all soon be calling it) to help get things started and attract advertisers, and then a new spate of programming will begin. So what's the reasoning behind this? Let's speculate.

Comments | 2,632 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 28, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': The Eight Singer Itch

Top 8? More like Bottom... everything. I'm afraid it happened last night, folks. The point that comes in every American Idol season, but usually arrives a little bit later. This is typically a Top 5 problem. But this year, it came at eight.

Comments | 1,053 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 28, 2013

The Smart Set

Lindsay Lohan and Kristen Stewart Are Totally Hanging Out

Today in famous person news: LiLo and KStew have become pals, Amanda Bynes took a trip to Times Square, and Maria Shriver hasn't taken down her Christmas lights yet.

Comments | 10,001 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 27, 2013

The Call Sheet

CBS Renews Everything

Today in show business news: CBS has announced the return of fourteen shows, NBC wants more hunks, and Bravo is trying to figure it out.

Comments | 4,016 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 27, 2013

A 20-Year-Old Dinosaur Movie Is Making a Strong Case for the Future of 3D

Though the not-going-away-apparently trend of 3D movies is largely an irksome one, prizing cheap aesthetics over anything else, there are times when it can be used for good. Such is the case with Jurassic Park 3D, which is being released on Friday.

Comments | 3,328 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 27, 2013

The Smart Set

Justin Bieber, Neighborhood Menace

Today in celebrity news: Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber is causing trouble, Jon Hamm doesn't want you talking about his privates, and Chris Christie brags about Prince Harry.

Comments | 6,880 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 26, 2013

The Call Sheet

People Are Still Watching 'The Voice'

Today in show business news: The return of The Voice is good news for NBC, Katherine Heigl takes a dark new role, and Pretty Little Liars is getting a spinoff.

Comments | 3,352 Views

By Richard Lawson

Mar 26, 2013

A Guide to Catching Up for the Third Season of 'Game of Thrones'

If you're showing up late to Game of Thrones, you have only a little time to prepare for the third season premiere this Sunday. To aid you in your epic journey, we've put together a little primer to help you understand what you're watching in the first two seasons without having to read the damn books.

Comments | 5,407 Views

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