The Slug

It's Been Nice Knowing You

(AP Photo/HO/Disney/Gene Duncan)

In the year since launching The Slug, some unimaginable stuff occurred within the realm of popular culture. Anna Nicole Smith died. "Survivor: Cook Islands" divided their tribes by race. Bob Barker retired. And we blogged about it all. We hope we kept our original promise to "simultaneously investigate and celebrate all thangs pop culture." Even if you don't think we did, well, we've totally had a blast trying to, anyway. Remember folks: Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.

Happy Halloween from The Slug!

(AP Photo)

It's the day we've been excited about and/or dreading for months! Today is both Halloween and the death of our pimp: asap, The Associated Press' premium multimedia news service. Celebrate this bizarre day with this YouTube link to Tim Curry's performance from "The Worst Witch." For those of us privileged enough to have had HBO back in the 1980s, you can't deny you squealed fervently every time this came on.

Loose Ends

(AP Photo)

Look out! asap's endingstravaganza has begun! The Associated Press' premium multimedia news service is nearing its final hour with content all about conclusions. Online now, you can find a list of great literary outcomes, a story about the death of indie rock, an essay discussing the end of a meal and videos about the finales of wars and movies. Stay tuned. Later today, The Slug will reveal our favoritest TV finales.

"Star Trek" Shows Its Bones

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

The Enterprise is ready to engage. With the official announcement that Chris Pine will indeed play Kirk and that Karl Urban from "The Lord of the Rings" films has been cast as Dr. "Bones" McCoy, that means all the roles of the starship's senior officers have been filled. Honestly, we don't have a problem with any of director J.J. Abrams' hot young not-too-too-famous choices. We can't wait to see them in uniform— and find out what this big-screen reboot's secret plot is all about.

 

Meet (Most of) the New "Star Trek" Crew

(AP Photo/Reed Saxon/Matt Sayles/Jason DeCrow/Carolyn Kaster/Ahn Young-joon)

Spock. Chekov. Uhura. Scotty Sulu. The bridge of J.J. Abram's Enterprise is almost full. According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Simon Pegg from "Hot Fuzz" and John Cho from "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" have joined the new "Star Trek" film as Scotty and Sulu, respectively. Previously, Eric Bana was announced as the film's villain, Nero. And blue-eyed Chris Pine is reportedly in talks for the role of Kirk. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The lead roles remaining to be cast are Christopher Pike, Kirk's predecessor, and Kirk's parents." Hey, what about Dr. McCoy!?

"Kane & Lynch: Dead Men" at Work

(AP Photo/HO/Eidos)

Already finished "Halo 3" and ready to move on to another first-person shooter? Well, The Slug recommends "Kane & Lynch: Dead Men," which comes out Nov. 20 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. Earlier today, game publisher Eidos gave us a firsthand sneak peak at the game's violent action, inspired by the likes of "Heat" and "Pulp Fiction." We like that "Kane & Lynch" feels more like an interactive movie than a sprawling game. And we're sorta sick of battling aliens and German forces, so bring on the hasty hoodlums and contemporary coppers!

Favoritiest Photo of the Week: Buy a Vowel

(AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

Our mother thinks photos featuring folks with closed eyelids are automatically bad. However, we think if Vanna White, Pat Sajak and a giant "Wheel of Fortune" cake are involved, all is forgiven. However, there's one thing that does bug us about our Favoritiest Photo of the Week this week. How come there's no "Bankrupt" or "Lose a Turn" spaces on that cake?! Whatever. You know we'd still eat a slice. Take the original caption for a spin:

"Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak and co-host Vanna White arrive at Radio City Music Hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Wheel of Fortune" sponsored by People magazine in New York, Thursday Sept. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)

One Way to Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day

(AP Photo/HO/Disney)

It's Sept. 19. Happy Speechify Like a Freebooter Day! If you're unsure o' how ter actually speak like a buccaneer, check o' this nifty "Pirates o' th' Caribbean Online" buccaneer translator. Arrr! All here this blog post was run through the translator. That's probably why ye weren't able ter savvy any o' it, ye mute frog-lickin' scallywag. Yes, it e'en translates ill language.

"Star Trek" Adds Another Crew Member

(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster/Gus Ruelas/Chris Pizzello)

Is it us or is the emerging new crew of the Enterprise looking way hotter and younger than the original? Zoe Saldana from "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" and "Haven" is the most recent addition to the cast of J.J. Abram's "Star Trek." As Uhura, she'll join Anton Yelchin's Chekov and Zachary Quinto's Spock. Wowie zowie. We can't wait to see who'll be beamed up as Sulu, Scotty, Dr. McCoy and Captain Kirk — and what they'll be wearing. 

Meredith Taking Some Time to Enjoy "The View"

For the first time, Meredith Vieira will return to "The View" as a guest. The only way this appearance won't illicit a yawn from this pop-culture blog is if good ol' Meredith truly dishes the dirt on what's gone down since she left for "Today." When she was moderator, "The View" was good-natured fun. Now, it's daytime's biggest train wreck. Hopefully, Vieira won't be all phony. She does have a Photoshopped dog, you know.

Hmmm. Now that "The View" dust has settled, The Slug has a new "View" dream. For November sweeps, we want every loud-mouth who's ever been a co-host on the show — Barbara, Joy, Debbie, Star, Meredith, Lisa, Elizabeth, Rosie, Whoopi, Sherri and , um, Lassie —  to converge around one ginormous half-table for the hottest Hot Topics segment ever. It'd be like daytime's Justice League (or maybe the Legion of Doom). Make it happen, Babs!

Bringing M.C. Hammer Down

(AP Photo/Olga Shalygin)

When The Slug was just a lil' worm, like everyone else in the early '90s, we loved us some M.C. Hammer. We were "2 Legit 2 Quit." We had to "Pray" just to make it to today. And we loved nothing more than to "Turn This Mutha Out." Despite all that, we often wonder what time is Hammer Time? Apparently, it's 8:15 p.m.

"Price is Right" Set Makeover is a Winner

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

We're not too excited about Drew Carey taking over Bob Barker's role as "Price is Right" host. We were disappointed in his game show prowess after attending the first "Power of 10" taping. However, if these photos originally posted on Golden-Road.net are totally true, we're flipping out over the new "Price is Right" set — in a good way! Luckily, the traditional layout remains, but the new colors and icons are deliciously retrotastic. If you wanna see this baby in person, you can get tickets from CBS.

We're Getting a "Dirty Dancing" Fever

(AP Photo/Max Nash)

As if "Dirty Dancing — The Video Game" and WE's "Dirty Dancing" reality series didn't shake you enough, now comes news that "Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story on Stage" will premiere in Chicago in September. Don't get in line just yet. That's Sept. 2, 2008. For some reason, the stage version has been selling out for years in London's West End. Wowie zowie. We're probably not too far off from "Dirty Dancing — The Clothing Line." Oh, you so know you'd wear some Johnny Castle trousers.

Merv, We'll Miss Ya'

(AP Photo/Doug Pizac)

Naturally, as a blog who loves game shows, we admired impresario Merv Griffin, the father of "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" Nowadays, we rarely see innovators like Merv making TV better. Perhaps it's because creativity by committee is the Daily Double in Hollywood now or maybe we're just too hung up on trying to figure out what the heck Britney Spears' assistant has to do with a legal matter involving Kevin Federline. Anyway, hope you're resting in peace with all the vowels you want, Merv.

It's "Mr. Big" Time!

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

To all those cosmopolitan-drinking fans wondering if Mr. Big would be included in the "Sex and the City" movie: Abso$%&#inglutely. Chris Noth has signed on the dotted line and is ready to report to set in September. In a statement from HBO, "Sex and the City" director/mastermind Michael Patrick King says that Mr. Big will be a "very 'big' part" of the movie. Cute. See what he did there? He said Mr. Big will be a big part of the movie. Ugh. Let's hope King is storing up all his creativity until September.

Make It Work

(AP Photo/HO/Bravo)

By "it" we mean "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style." We really wanted to like the dry-but-tasty "Project Runway" mentor's new Bravo makeover show, but after watching a preview screener of the first two episodes, we felt the same way about "Guide to Style" as we felt about anything Vincent Libretti ever designed: Ehhhhhhh. In each episode, Tim Gunn and Veronica Webb teach a fashion victim some rules, let her make some bad decisions in a fancy store, correct her, give her an expensive haircut then encourage her to make her friends and family feel jealous and/or ugly. Touching!

The whole show is scandalously reminiscent of "What Not to Wear" — the slight bland American version on TLC, not the biting British version on BBC America. Such copycatting makes us wonder if Keith Michael had anything to do with this venture. The biggest difference in "Guide to Style" is that Gunn has this hand-dandy checklist of clothing items that every woman must own. Trenchcoat? Who knew?! Beyond that, there's not much innovation here. As Gunn might say himself, "It's a little ahhlarming." Hopefully, this makeover show gets a makeover if it continues.

Set Your Wii Remote to Stun

(AP Photo/HO/Bethesda)

Here's some news that will surely please Trekkers and Wii geeks alike: Bethesda Softworks has announced that the first "Star Trek" game is coming to the Nintendo Wii (and Sony PlayStation 2) this fall. "Star Trek: Conquest" is set in "The Next Generation" era. The strategy space game will allow Wii captains to maneuver their starships throughout the galaxy with Wii remotes. What? No using your Wiimote as a phaser? 

Comic-Con Jealousy

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

As you could probably tell, we weren't at Comic-Con this year. Boo. However, we don't want to leave you out in the cold if you weren't able to get down to San Diego for all the hot geekiness. So let us point you in the direction of our colleague (and "Up Down Left Right" co-host) Ryan Pearson's asap dispatches from the convention floor. We're so jealous! He was hanging by Jessica Alba's side, found five really cool things, watched awesome teaser trailers and interacted with fans.

"Transformers" Should've Just Stayed a Movie

(AP Photo/HO/Activision)

More doesn't meet the eye when it comes to the "Transformers" games. In case you haven't been following along at home, all summer long The Slug has been comparing big-screen blockbusters with their video game counterparts. Sure, it's electrifying to control an Autobot or Decepticon and, you know, transform into a car or chopper or whatever. However, both the next-gen and cell phone versions of "Transformers: The Game" are nowhere near as compelling or jaw-dropping as the movie.

So, to review, The Slug liked "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and "Spider-Man 3" better than their movies, thought the "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" game was just as bad as the movie and believes "Transformers: The Game" doesn't have the same spark as the movie. Guess Hollywood doesn't need to prepare for an epic intergalactic civil war just yet.

Reunited and It Feels So Spice

So now that we know the Spice Girls are getting the band back together, let's speculate on the set list for their 11-city world tour. Obviously, "Wannabe" and "2 Become 1" are must includes. They'll probably throw "Say You'll Be There" and "Spice Up Your Life" in, too. We'd personally like to hear them belt out "Mama" and, um, what else? Maybe they'll let Ginger Spice do "Look at Me" from her first solo album, and, well we can't think of anymore Spice Girls songs! Uh oh. 

TV Land Makes Our Sick Dreams Come True

(AP Photo/Ira Gostin)

At last year's MTV Networks upfront presentation, the preview clip that thrilled us most (in a guilty pleasure sorta way) was TV Land's "Back to the Grind." The original reality series — yes, TV Land doesn't just show reruns, anymore —  features actors from classic sitcoms trying their hand at the jobs they portrayed on TV. Loni Anderson answering phones at a real radio station? We're so there. (Remember when Loni graced tabloid covers long before Jennifer Whatsherface? Ah, memories.)

More than a year later, TV Land sent us a preview of the first episode, which premieres July 18 and  features Anderson as well as Erik Estrada as a California highway patrol officer. Unfortch, "Back to the Grind" ain't nearly as juicy as we originally suspected. The first episode fell flat. It'd be better if the TV legends did the gigs for more than just a couple of days. However, we'll reserve judgment until we see episodes starring "Golden Girls" Bea Arthur and Betty White. Canyoubelievetheysignedupforthisthing?! Arthur makes like Dorothy and becomes a teacher while White hosts a cooking show à la "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Mmmm. Could be delicious!

"America's Got" Leonid the Magnificent Again

(AP Photo/HO/NBC)

Sitting through two hours of NBC's "America's Got Talent" is becoming torturous, what with the bad boy bands, slow-mo backstage footage and continued fakery of audition locales. However, this is one of the highest rated shows on TV this summer, according to Nielsen Media Research, and The Slug must stay in touch with this great nation of ours. Luckily, we were treated to the return of Leonid the Magnificent, the  giant drag queen who told the judges last year, "Yes, for you I'm Christmas tree, but for somebody else, I can be a God."

This time around, Leonid had longer locks, backup dancers and a bigger chip on his shoulder. Of course, campy Sharon Osbourne, who wasn't a judge last year, loved him, and David Hasselhoff now hates him. (Hoff, last week you flipped out over Boy Shakira and this week Leonid. What's your prob with drag, Dave?) The Slug actually wasn't as impressed with Leonid this time around. He simply did a little dance and then told the judges to "go to hell." Our advice to Leonid: Ditch your skinny backup dancers and teamup with the Glamazons, who stole last night's show. 

New Batvehicle to Be Revealed Next Week

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Bah. Forget about what the new Batsuit looks like from the upcoming "Dark Knight." We want to see the new Batmobile, you know, unless they're using the same rad tank from "Batman Begins." We'll get a peeksie when The Slug attends the Licensing International show next week. We think. A press release from Warner Bros. ominously teases the unveiling of an "all new Batman vehicle" at the show. Vehicle!? That could be a Batboat, Batcopter, Batcycle, Batplane or Bathotairballon!

"So You Think You Can" Make Us Nostalgic

(AP Photo/HO/Fox)

We've never seen one step from "So You Think You Can Dance," currently in its third season, until this week. We usually like our dancing reality shows flavored with B-list talent and not to have titles that start with the word "so." Despite this, we actually enjoyed "SYTYCD" — try saying that five times (or just one time) fast — because it made us feel sorta nostalgic. We're not alone. "SYTYCD" has been the highest-rated reality series since Jordin Sparks was crowned "American Idol," according to Nielsen Media Research.

If you've never seen it, "SYTYCD" has this bubbly late-80s, early-90s Nickelodeon aesthetic peppered with a "Soul Train" groove. The judges aren't annoying. Mary Murphy, in fact, is an affable Paula Abdul type. And, unlike "Dancing with the Stars," everyone here can really, really move. Maybe this will be the reality show we become addicted to this summer? Oh, who are we kidding! Once "Big Brother" returns, we know exactly where we'll be planting our feet.

Remembering Mr. Wizard

(AP Photo/David Pickoff, file)

The Slug was never really into science when we were just a worm, but Don "Mr. Wizard" Herbert did manage to pique our interest with his potato batteries, three-story-tall straws, exploding balloons and that trippy opening sequence for his edutainmentasical Nickelodeon show. Naturally, we don't remember what any of it means, but we'll fondly miss good ol' Mr. Wizard, who died Tuesday.

Supergirl Flying to "Smallville"

     (AP Photo/HO/USPS)

Oh, brother — or should we say "oh, cousin." The CW has announced that a yet-to-be-cast Supergirl will be joining the cast of "Smallville" this fall. The seventh season premiere will revolve around rebellious 19-year-old Supergirl — aka Kara — awakening on Earth and taking an interest in Jimmy Olsen. She'll have all the powers of Clark except she'll actually be able to fly. You know what this reminds The Slug of? Cousin Oliver's arrival at the end of "The Brady Bunch."

The Slug to Paris Hilton: Call Us! Collect!

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Dear Paris: If you can somehow read this on a smuggled-in Sidekick or your mama is printing out blog posts for you or whatever, call us! We'll accept the charges! We desperately need to know if you were acting dumb when we interviewed you in your hotel room in 2005. If so, how would you have really answered our questions, you know, now that you're vowing not to act dumb? Also, forget everything we said in this asap story. We totally wrote it during your briefer-than-brief house arrest last week. Now that you're back in the clink, we think you're gaining street cred each passing day. Seriously! Now that you're in with Babs, you just may get Rosie O'Donnell's spot on "The View."

Building a Virtual World Out of Legos

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

The Slug received a startling press release from Denmark today announcing that the Lego brand is being turned into a new massively multiplayer online game titled "Lego Universe." WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD?! Legos are supposed to be a tangible toy used to build castles, cars, pirate ships or other insanely blocky primary colored structures that hurt if you accidentally step on them. Lego-themed video games and online celebrity paper dolls are one thing, but an online world made of digital Legos with mini-fig avatars running around is taking this whole virtual world trend a brick too far.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Bye, Bob

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Slug knows how this guy feels. We're so sad that Bob Barker's taped his last episode of "The Price is Right" that we're dedicating this week's Favoritest Photo of the Week to him — and his sobbing fans. Though we're trying not to be too blue because we know there's a whole stockpile of new episodes that haven't aired yet. The Slug is also still waiting for the episode we attended to be rerun since President Bush interrupted it last December. Photo caption, come on down:

Fan Joshua Salisbury cries as legendary game show host Bob Barker, 83, finishes taping his final episode of "The Price Is Right" in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 6, 2007. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Winner Gobbles Up "Pac-Man" Championship

(AP Photo/HO/Microsoft)

The Slug just got back from the Xbox 360 "Pac-Man" World Championship and boy is our mouth tired. (Get it? 'Cause "Pac-Man" eats stuff.) In a surprise twist, the players actually competed in the brand-new "Pac-Man Championship" edition for Xbox Live, featuring new mazes and modes. We tested it out and "Championship Edition" is just as fun as the original. The 1980s will not be stopped. You can download this fast-paced widescreen friendly version for your Xbox 360 beginning tomorrow.

In the final round of the World Cup-style competition, Carlos Romero, 27, from Mexico defeated Robert Glashuettner, 28, from Austria. The tension in the room was so thick, you could cut it with Pac-Man's teeth. As winner, Romero will receive a one-of-a-kind "Pac-Man"-themed Xbox 360, 100,000 Live points and free subs for the next 26 years from event sponsor Quizno's (or a check for about $14,000). Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde, meanwhile, will get nothing. 

We've Got "Pac-Man" Fever

(AP Photo)

Don't expect any power pellets from The Slug tomorrow.  We'll be attending the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship in Times Square for most of the day. The top 10 Xbox Live Arcade "Pac" players will attempt to devour each other in World Cup-style tournament. Among other things, The Slug will be interviewing "Pac-Man" creator Toru Iwatari for asap. Got any questions (in English or Japanese) for this gaming icon? Shoot 'em to The Slug at theslug@ap.org.

Excuse Us While We Sip This Drink

(AP Photo/Hillary Rhodes)

Everybody knows rock icon Jimi Hendrix lived hard. Maybe that's why the samples we received of The Jimi Hendrix Liquid Experience energy drink arrived at The Slug's desk dripping and beaten up. No matter. We popped open the gorgeous surviving cans for a taste test. (The back reads: "This new energy drink is a tribute to Jimi's legacy, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and their everlasting influence on music and those who play it.")  Unlike other flavorless energy drinks, the deep purple Voodoo Vibe flavor actually tasted like something. Unfortch, that something was grape-flavored cough syrup. However, we are happy to report we typed this blog post in 10 seconds. Thanks, Jimi.

Nobody Puts This Game in the Corner

(AP Photo/HO/Lionsgate)

We hope you're sitting down — or at least standing on a log — for this tidbit. "Dirty Dancing" is being turned into a PC video game simply titled "Dirty Dancing — The Video Game." Since this news is so bizarre that we're feeling a little faint, The Slug will let the press release do the talking: "Through this action puzzler, Dirty Dancing enthusiasts now have the opportunity to experience the life of Baby, learn to dance with the resident dancing couple, Johnny and Penny, and work alongside the team at the renowned Kellerman’s Mountain House Resort." Now if only we could get someone to make "Ferris Bueller’s Day Off — The Game."

"Guitar Hero" Striking Another Sequel

(AP Photo/HO/Activision)

Video game publisher Activision and developer Red Octane announced that a third installment of "Guitar Hero" will be available for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii this fall, featuring new tracks and multiplayer options. Already? And we were just starting to get warmed up on "Guitar Hero II" for the Xbox 360, too. (Not really. See our horrible performance in this asap video.) Our only complaint about this franchise has always been the lack of fan-favorite classics, but the press release is teasing that new tunes like Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black," Heart's "Barracuda" and Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" will be included. Consider us amped.

Now Playing at the Peach Pit After Dark

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Every now and then, Entertainment Weekly delivers a delicious lesson. (Full disclosure: We once interned at EW a long time ago during a summer far, far away.) In this week's music section, as a sidenote to EW's review of Maroon 5's "It Won't Be Soon Before Long," the magazine teaches us that the band's previous incarnation, Kara's Flowers, played the Peach Pit After Dark in a "Beverly Hills 90210" episode from 1997. Luckily, the clip is available on YouTube, along with Tori Spelling delivering this line: "Wow, the band sounds great. It's too bad there's not a bigger crowd." Ha! Look who's attracting bigger audiences now, Donna Martin!

Calling Sarah Silverman

(AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)

Viral videos. User-generated content. Social networking. Podcasts. Sigh. Remember the good ol' dayz when a toll-free number equaled high-tech fun times? Naughty comedian Sarah Silverman does. You might have heard she's hosting the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. When we passed by this MTV billboard emblazoned with her face and the number 1-877-SARAH-07 on 34th Street in Manhattan, we immediately whipped out our celly phone and dialed. Here's what we heard:

Stock Up on Bob Barker

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

If you love Bob Barker as much as The Slug does — or at least want to pretend like you do — start faking a big ol' grin because the Game Show Network is scheduling a slew of Very Special Episodes starring "The Price is Right" host except, well, vintage "Price is Right" episodes themselves. (We know why. Sigh.) From May 15 to May 18, Barker will appear as a celebrity panelist on old "Match Game" episodes from the '70s and alongside Rod Roddy and his beauties in "Family Feud" episodes from '91. On May 19, GSN will air editions of "I've Got a Secret" and "Tattletales" that feature Barker cameos. Sniff. We miss him already!

LucasArts is Giving Us a "Fracture"

(AP Photo/HO/LucasArts)

Good news! Vanguard video game publisher LucasArts is coming out with a new game that's not based on the "Star Wars" franchise! Bad news: It won't be one of their old-school adventure games like "The Secret of Monkey Island." Instead, "Fracture" will be yet another first-person shooter set on an alien world. Sigh. The big diff? They're introducing some next-gen technology that will allow players to physically alter the ground with grenades and such. Oh, just watch the trailer. It looks cooler than it sounds. If you still have a hankering for one of those click-and-point adventure games, try the new episodic "Sam & Max." We discuss it in full detail (with our Welsh corgi in our lap!) in this week's Up Down Left Right, asap's weekly gamer video.

Have a Cow, Man

(AP Photo/HO/Fox)

Is it 1994 again? "The Simpsons" movie is driving into multiplexes this summer and now Universal Studios Orlando officially announced that a "Simpsons" motion-simulator ride will take over the space previously occupied by the "Back to the Future" ride. The new attraction will thrust visitors into an adventure through Krusty Land. Sounds totally rad, dude.
   
We remember a time when we were much younger when "The Simpsons" lived alongside "Married with Children" and "In Living Color" on Fox. Bart Simpson was plastered everywhere. And although we didn't get the jokes back then, we appreciate them now. With these new — or maybe late? — forays into expensive new mediums, the 20-year-old franchise is experiencing a most interesting pop cultural renaissance.

Epcot Goes Back to the Future

(AP Photo/HO/Disney)

Mickey Mouse is sucking more 1980s goodness out of Epcot. Just days after opening a Donald Duck-infused version of the boat ride in the Mexico pavilion comes news that Walt Disney World and sponsor Siemens AG are teaming up to update the time travel-themed ride inside Spaceship Earth (aka The Giant Golf Ball). The renovation will include new lighting, audio effects and touch screens that allow riders to create their own visions of the future. What if your version of the future includes Disney rides that retain their old-school kitsch factor!?

Proud to Watch "American Gladiators"

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

The Slug has been a little under the weather lately (end, winter, end!) and have been watching waaay more TV than usual. Case in point: We've been reveling in the early '90s awesomeness of "American Gladiators" since ESPN Classic began rerunning the first season. We forgot all about the over-the-top Spandex costumes  and redonkulous competitions, such as Human Cannonball and Joust. (You know, the one with the giant Q-Tips.) Of all the Gladiators, we're most entertained by Malibu, the muscley California surfer dude Gladiator who sorta reminded us of Ahhnold but mysteriously vanished after the first season.

Aye Carumba!

(AP Photo/HO/Disney)

Rest in peace, El Rio del Tiempo. The cheesy boat ride inside Epcot's Mexico pavilion at Walt Disney World reopened under the name Gran Fiesta Tour last week. Featuring a a catchy mariachi tune throughout, the so-kitsch-we-loved-it indoor ride was a combination platter of Mexican culture, trippy projection videos, animatronic dolls and fiber-optic fireworks. It was a time capsule. It was it's a small world with salsa dumped on top. Although some of the original details remain, much of the ride has received an injection of Donald Duck. Unofficial Disney fansite Laughing Place has detailed coverage of the makeover.

For Sale

(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Spring is here and it's time to go on an around-the-country shopping spree! First up is Las Vegas where 1,100 Jackson family items will be up for bids by Guernsey's auction house including Michael Jackson's gold record for "Thriller" and handwritten lyrics for the Jackson Five hit "ABC." Those are great and all, but The Slug is most interested in snagging Marlon Jackson's glitter jacket.

Next stop is Dallas where Heritage Auction Galleries is hocking two diaries penned by Anna Nicole Smith in the early 1990s. One entry apparently ends with five hand-drawn smiley faces. Don't bother shopping 'til you drop for famous goodies in Nashville, Tenn. The attorney general there has halted the sale of a Georgia O'Keeffe painting. Guess we'll go to Thomas Kinkade instead!

Linderman is Getting Around on "Heroes"

(AP Photo/HO/NBC)

Remember that show "Heroes" ? It's been awhile since it was last on. (Thirty days to be exact.) Yeah, we were starting to forget it, too. But NBC released this photo of Linderman and Niki (and another one of Linderman and Nathan that you can see after the jump) this week and we received the following oh-so-cryptic e-mail from Primatech Paper. Then we totally remembered we were once totally obsessed with "Heroes." In case you were wondering, the show returns April 23. Any guesses what directions we need to "be ready" for next Monday? Send 'em to The Slug at theslug@ap.org.

I¹ve found a file of great importance. Gonna need your help soon. Kinda on the run right now. I¹m connecting some major dots. Be ready next Monday (4.09) for directions.

What's in the Trunk?

(AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)

Wowie zowie. What a night. The Slug spent part of the evening in the back of a pickup truck driving down 34th Street in Manhattan, in front of an elephant. The 137th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to town. And it's become an annual tradition for the circus elephants and horses to be paraded into the city through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and over to Madison Square Garden. We were in the back of the truck shooting footage for an upcoming asap video series about a real-life circus family. The father is an animal trainer. It was without a doubt the most insane New York traffic jam we've ever been in.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Easter Eggs

(AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

If you loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the late '80s and early '90s like we did and/or you're interested in the brand-new "TMNT," be sure you download our asap podcast, dude. It's all about Ninja Turtle nostalgia. Oh, and we couldn't fit this in the podcast, but "TMNT" writer-director Kevin Munore personally told The Slug about four things he hid for die-hard fans within the animated flick. Sorry, Vanilla Ice fans. No "N