Brought to you by asap and The Associated Press, The Slug tastes pop culture for you — just in case it's been poisoned. E-mail us at [email protected].
(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.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
(AP Photo/Cheryl Hatch)
So how much did you love "Pushing Daisies" last night? And who won "Top Chef"? You'll have to tell us later because The Slug is on assignment in Seattle for the rest of the week. Posts will be more sporadic than usual. In our absence, keep yourself busy with some AP reading material about a reality TV tussle, a "Desperate Housewives" controversy and the latest chapter in the Britney Spears custody trial. Check back later for our first report from the World Cyber Games Grand Final, which is being held at the Qwest Field Event Center this weekend.
Wowie zowie. "Heroes" fans, have you heard the news? We're kinda glad "Veronica Mars" got canceled if it means Kristin Bell will appear on "Heroes" in multiple episodes this fall. (Yeah, we said it.) That's two great tastes that taste great together! The "Heroes" rumor mill is already speculating that her character, who has "ties to Peter's apparent death, H.R.G.'s past and Claire's future," will be eeeevil once Zachary Quinto trades his Syler stare for some Spock ears. Could she be the villain Molly Walker hinted about in the finale? Nah. Kristin Bell is too lovable. TV Guide has a fun Q&A with her about the news.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Seacrest in. The "American Idol" and "American Top 40" host has been tapped to transcend his E! red carpet duties and actually host the 59th annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Fox. Isn't this like the nerdiest guy in school being crowned prom king? The Slug thinks the folks who ask "What are you wearing?" should stay outside the awards. Now we have a sinking feeling that Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell will get front-row seats, a conference table and some Coca-Cola to drink during the ceremony.
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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.
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Get ready for another groundbreaking first on ABC's "All My Children." In recent years, the 37-year-old soap — the one with Susan Lucci, if you're not familiar — has featured daytime's first woman-on-woman kiss, daytime's first transgender character and The Slug's first TV cameo (as a member of the paparazzi crashing Erica Kane's 10th wedding). Now, "AMC" is introducing its first deaf character: Walter Novak, to be played by deaf actor and musician Bob Hiltermann. Pine Valley sure has mastered diversity, but just how come the residents can't figure out how to stop cheating on each other?
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Surprise! Kail "Mrs. Robinson" Harbick was booted last night on "Big Brother" instead of Eric "America's Player" Stein. Now we have our jury members and finalists all living together in the "Big Brother" house. That's because next week's evicted houseguest will be the first to be sequestered, according to a CBS spokeswoman. Hmmmm. Does this mean America will get a vote on the jury if Eric doesn't make it to the end? Or will he be relieved of his duties once evicted?
Also, you may have noticed Amber Tomcavage's controversial comments weren't included in the show. CBS issued a statement saying they would never broadcast Amber's "offensive" remarks. That makes sense because, as Andy Dehnart of reality blurred wisely points out, they've never included such racially charged comments in past seasons. Check back later today for The Slug's interview with Kail where we'll ask her about the feud between Eric and Amber.
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We still have to wait until 2008 for new episodes of "Lost," but the producers are shocking fans with some news: Michael will actually return next season. Of course, those teasers behind "Lost" ain't saying whether he'll appear in flashbacks, flashforwards, as an apparition, if Walt will be alongside him or otherwise. Whatever happens, The Slug thinks Michael will come back as a very, very changed man. After plugging bullets into two castaways to escape the island, he's got a lot of redeeming to do. Does this mean he wasn't the one in that casket?
(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Any time police officers and clowns are gathered together in one place and an AP photographer snaps a photo, it's probably a good bet it'll be The Slug's Favoritiest Photo of the Week. We love such striking and funny imagery. You can see more photos of these clowns over at our sister news blog, asap's Far and Wide. Here's the original caption. We promise it won't squirt at you:
Clowns pass near police officers at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. Hundreds of clowns of all ages ended their annual pilgrimage to the Basilica to pay their respects to the Virgin of Guadalupe. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)