Jimmy Fallon's Wonderful 'Game of Thrones' Parody Previews Late Night's New King

NBC

Jimmy Fallon released a brilliant Game of Thrones parody on Friday's episode of Late Night and, really, the whole thing is fantastic. But it really served as an introduction for the next king of the remote control throne.

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 12, 2013

How to Watch the MTV Movie Awards if You Are an Adult

While you are almost definitely skipping the annual handing out of golden popcorn statues for kissing and shirtless acting—Mad Men and Game of Thrones are still happening, after all—the Oscars of absolutely nothing will, in fact, provide some moments of movie geekery and/or humor. Here are some of those things.

Comments | 1,312 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 12, 2013

California High Schools Are Sick of the Coachella Cut Day 'Mess'

Administrators and teachers at some of the top schools in Los Angeles have struggled to contend with the empty classrooms of Coachella Fridays, but they're learning how to deal with absence in the age of the music festival. The rite of Southern California spring, these educators say, is now something of an acknowledged right.

Comments | 5,519 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 12, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol' Finally Gets It Right

Well, I believe I may owe America an apology.

Comments | 3,747 Views

By Dashiell Bennett

Apr 12, 2013

Comedy Actor Jonathan Winters Has Died at Age 87

Comedian and lovable character actor Jonathan Winters died last night at the age of 87, according to family sources who said he passed away peacefully of natural causes. 

Comments | 546 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 12, 2013

What We Watched

'Glee' Shoots and Misses

Ryan Murphy and the rest of the Glee writers are seemingly determined to make at least one Very Special Episode for every current issue affecting America's teens. And so it glumly came as no surprise last night that Glee tackled the terrible and all too real issue of school shootings. Not surprising, but certainly not welcome, either.

Comments | 4,122 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 12, 2013

Update: The 'Matilda' Marketing Team's Very Bad Day

The Broadway production of the new musical Matilda got a rave review from Ben Brantley in The New York Times today, but if you only looked at the banner ad that ran above that review, you wouldn't have known. 

Comments | 9,655 Views

By Richard Lawson

Apr 12, 2013

The Smart Set

Lindsay Lohan Will Survive Coachella

Today in celebrity news: La Lohan is in Indio, Gwyneth Paltrow reveals her guilty pleasure, and Duchess Kate has a trashy TV addiction. 

Comments | 6,843 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 12, 2013

The Stories of the Rest of Roger Ebert's Life

Thursday night's memorial service was an evening of stories, and private memories, and funny moments over meals, even if Ebert's longtime colleague Richard Roeper wondered: "How do you tell a story about the best storyteller you ever met?" Here are some of those stories.

Comments | 1,110 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 12, 2013

Jon Stewart on the GOP's New Yada Yada Yada Strategy

Jon Stewart used a famous Seinfeld joke to explain how Republicans are approaching trying to woo black voters.

Comments | 2,731 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Apr 11, 2013

The BBC's Not Sure How to Deal with the Sudden Popularity of 'Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead'

In the handful of days since Margaret Thatcher's death, there's been no indicator of her opponents' satisfaction more troubling than the resurgence of the near-century-old song, "Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead."

Comments | 40,134 Views

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 Esther Zuckerman

Apr 11, 2013

Newtown Is Not Okay with Tonight's School Shooting Episode of 'Glee'

Thursday's episode, which creator Ryan Murphy calls "the most powerful emotional Glee ever," is "pretty intense" and, according to the Newtown Bee, it's also "a little soon for the subject to be covered by a show with such a young fan base."

Comments | 6,473 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 Esther Zuckerman

Apr 11, 2013

Here's the Plot of Hangover 3, from the New Trailer

Warner Bros. has released another clip for The Hangover Part III, the sequel you never knew you needed, and while it's more of the same hijinks, the clip does actually provide some plot for this thing. It's not the same formula; it's just the same jokes.

Comments | 7,819 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 11, 2013

'Man of Steel' Sounds More and More Like a 3-Hour Superman Therapy Visit

Superman officially has issues. He's going to have more on his mind this summer than anybody expected — Fear! Loneliness! Emotional engagement! — and Man of Steel might have reached the point where everyone else really should start worrying about the big blue boy scout's new blues.

Comments | 10,542 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 Esther Zuckerman

Apr 11, 2013

James Franco to Pay for Stealing 'Spring Breakers' Character... on a Soap Opera

Rapper Riff Raff is taking his issues with James Franco into the world of daytime television.

Comments | 4,511 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 11, 2013

'Hunger Games' Has Mastered the Art of the Modern Movie Tease

Even though the second installment is seven months away and even though every other blockbuster has gotten desperate on social media, they're whetting the appetites of rabid young fans, one would-be viral Catching Fire image at a time. 

Comments | 4,254 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Apr 11, 2013

Jay-Z's 'Open Letter' Is Addressed to These People

While Jay won't say who he's rapping about in his (timely) new song, here's a news analysis based on the recent Hova headlines on his trip to Cuba, his new sports agency, and more.

Comments | 6,301 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 Esther Zuckerman

Apr 11, 2013

Jon Stewart Says GOP Opposition to UN Arms Treaty Is Pro-Bond Villain

On last night's Daily Show Jon Stewart explained how the Senate blocked the U.S. from signing on to a UN arms treaty — a treaty that is decidedly anti-Bond villain.

Comments | 1,104 Views

By Dashiell Bennett

Apr 11, 2013

'Django Unchained' Pulled from Chinese Theaters at the Last Minute

An edited version of Quentin Tarantino's latest revenge-murder fest, Django Unchained, was supposed to open in China today, but was yanked from all its theaters—in some cases, even after the opening credits had already started rolling.

Comments | 920 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 10, 2013

Carson Daly Is Safe from Alec Baldwin (For Now)

Contrary to crazy reports, Alec Baldwin will not be on your television while you are fast sleep—at least not yet: NBC announced this afternoon that Last Call with Carson Daly, the show you did not know was still on, has been renewed for a 13th.

Comments | 368 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 Alexander Abad-Santos

Apr 10, 2013

Jay-Z Is Making Philadelphia Good Again

Today in viral videos: the festival that turns Philly nightlife from terrible to pretty fun, Kim Jong-un with makeup, and the chillest seal in the world.

Comments | 552 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 Esther Zuckerman

Apr 10, 2013

Alec Baldwin at 1:35 in the Morning Is Good for Everyone but Carson Daly

The wee hours of the morning may be welcoming none other Baldwin into NBC's new late-night lineup, which leads to a bunch more questions, all with very sensible (if provocative and potentially dangerous) answers.

Comments | 1,840 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 Alexander Abad-Santos

Apr 10, 2013

MTV Is at Muddy War with 'Buckwild' Because It Refuses to Die

MTV will cancel the show, a little over a week after of one the show's star cast members died of carbon monoxide poisoning. But does a network known for its questionable taste in reality TV owe it to the rest of the kids to keep the show on the air? That's what Buckwild​'s show runner is arguing, vehemently, as he vows to keep filming.

Comments | 2,202 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 10, 2013

'Elysium' Is Ready to Be Your Favorite Summer Blockbuster

Neill Blomkamp's District 9 followup — about which we knew next to nothing until this week, and which, as of last night, has a full trailer out in the wild — is officially going to be the next great sci-fi movie. Yes, the buzz is that good. 

Comments | 1,835 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Apr 9, 2013

Highlights from the Met's New Billion Dollar Donation

Leonard Lauder, the heir to cosmetics mogul Estée Lauder's massive fortune, just donated 78 Cubist paintings to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. That adds up to a lot of Picassos: 33 to be exact.

Comments | 2,753 Views

By Adam Clark Estes

Apr 9, 2013

Obama Fails to Croon to the Crowd at White House Memphis Soul Party

It's always fun to watch President Obama go to music-related events, most especially because there's usually a good chance that he might get on stage to sing. Tuesday night was one of those nights. Except he didn't sing a thing!

Comments | 4,379 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 Jen Doll

Apr 9, 2013

Y.A. for Grownups

Meet the 17-Year-Old Who's Already Got a Three-Book Deal with Random House

Beth Reekles has a three-book deal with Random House, is working toward her physics degree, and is 17 years old. What have you done lately?

Comments | 6,058 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 Elspeth Reeve

Apr 9, 2013

Brad Paisley Is Still Happy About His 'Accidental' Racism

Why did country star Brad Paisley write the song "Accidental Racist"? Because he thinks it's time musicians step in to have a national conversation about race.

Comments | 3,260 Views

By Alexander Abad-Santos

Apr 9, 2013

Here Is Beyoncé's New Song — 12 Whole Seconds of It

Today in viral videos: Beyoncé teases "Grown Woman" again, a raccoon pleases, and everything that's wrong with Les Miserables including Anne Hathaway. 

Comments | 4,221 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 9, 2013

How Convenient: 'Accidental Racist' Just Disappeared from YouTube

Less than 24 hours after the, shall we say, misguided Brad Paisley and LL Cool J song went viral, YouTube videos featuring the song appear to have been taken down — but it might not be YouTube doing the pulling, exactly.

Comments | 8,392 Views

The Only White House Correspondents' Dinner Seating Chart You Need

All of the invite news leading up to DC's Nerd Prom can be a confusing batch of pomp and absurdity, so we'll be updating this handy, interactive, and officially unofficial guest list of media outlets and celebrities until that grandest of evenings is finally upon us.

Comments | 2,720 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 9, 2013

Lena Dunham Is Probably Going to Win a Webby for Pissing Off Republicans

The closest thing the Internet has to its own version of the Oscars now has its nominees and, well, Dunham might have to clear some room on her starting-to-be-very-full shelves: she's been nominated for that Obama video. Yeah, that one.

Comments | 2,874 Views

By Jen Doll

Apr 9, 2013

Spelling Bee Champs Will Now Also Need to Know What Words Mean

There is a change in the venerable Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will take place May 28 to 30 near Washington, D.C. Spelling is not enough. There's a vocabulary portion of the competition, now, too.

Comments | 1,834 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 9, 2013

London Theater Audience Votes to Kick Thatcher When She's Dead, in Song

An audience at the West End production of Billy Elliot last night didn't really care that a song in the show slandered the name of the recently deceased — and still reviled — former prime minister. Last night, a show of hands said so.

Comments | 917 Views

By Esther Zuckerman

Apr 9, 2013

What's Baz Luhrmann's 'Gatsby' Surprise?

You would think that a movie adaptation of a book as widely read as The Great Gatsby wouldn't really have a spoiler. Apparently, director Baz Luhrmann came up with one. 

Comments | 3,742 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 Esther Zuckerman

Apr 9, 2013

Will the 'Man of Steel' Trailers Ever Get Less Existential Than This?

The new Superman movie's new TV spot doesn't really have much new footage, but it doesn't prove that Zack Snyder is prepared to beat us over the head with almost religious sounding music and questions of identity. When do we get more than that?

Comments | 3,664 Views

By Jen Doll

Apr 9, 2013

Telling Parents to STFU for Fun and Profit: A Q&A with Blair Koenig

Blair Koenig is the 30-year-old Brooklynite behind the four-year-old blog STFU Parents, which is now also a book. I talked to Koenig about what it's like to see her Internet baby grow up into print.

Comments | 4,120 Views

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