Jude's Thursday's Dish - Your Weekly Serving of Pop Culture Scoop!

Okay, the title is still a work in progress. Still taking suggestions.


1.) So, it beat the 3-day opening weekend record and made $158 million dollars. Everyone loves it. John, Jimmy, Steve, Libby, Leslie and Liz have all told me I've got to go. They say the violence isn't really shown and is more implied (but that's always scarier for me -- the psychological stuff freaks me out). Heath Ledger is getting Oscar buzz. But look at that poster! That's reason enough to keep me away. I've been afraid of clowns ever since I saw Stephen King's "It" and Ledger looks like one scary ass clown in that. I don't know. The truth is I'm totally weak when it comes to peer pressure, so I'm sure I'll cave. Stay tuned...

Oh, and on a side note, what's up with Christian Bale getting arrested for allegedly assaulting his mom and sister the night before the movie opened? Was he just drunk and excited for the opening? Or was he drunk and pissed that Heath Ledger is getting all the good buzz? Maybe he wasn't drunk at all and is just a psycho. You're used to hearing about these kinds of incidents with maybe an ex or at a bar. But really? Assaulting your mom and sister? He was in "Newsies" for crying out loud. I hope it's not true, because he's a looker and a good actor. I like to think he's a nice guy in real life, don't you?



2.) I should've written about this right after I saw it and was on a Colin buzz. The more separation I have from this film, the more I'm disappointed. ***Spoiler Alert: this review is a downer. If you love the movie or are hoping to love it, don't read on!!!



(But first, don't you love this German poster? Cut out the weird Sky in the corner and it would be perfect.)


Libby, Jennie, Brad and his kids, and I went on Saturday night after the reunion. Libby's sister, Tori, met us there. Thank heaven there was a group of us. I think that's what made the experience so fun. Going with a group masked that it really was a mediocre film. Now, I know a lot of this is I had "Hairspray" and "Chicago" like expectations for the movie. I was just setting myself up for letdown. Parts of it were really enjoyable. Amanda Seyfried was a revelation. Most of the supporting cast was great, although Stellan Sarksgard (Bill) was a little too aloof for my taste. The big numbers were a lot of fun, but Libby made a good point -- it was roadshow choreography. And some of the numbers were laughable. The guys dancing on the pier with their flippers? And that weird aborginal looking guy who was after Tanya? That "Take it Easy" number creeped me out. I could definitely have done with different casting for the Sky character. And don't get me started on Pierce Brosnan. Whenever he started to sing, everyone around me started to laugh. That's never a good sign. Jennie said he looked like he was making fun of it, but then we agreed he just looked terrified. His voice wasn't terrible, but he didn't have the charisma to pull it off. I think of Nicole Kidman in "Moulin Rouge". Her voice wasn't great, but she was much more natural and knew how to sell a song. Pierce just look pained. And I hate to say it, but Meryl was hit and miss. I can't deny she's got amazing versatility, but sometimes, she looked like she was trying to hard to have fun. The dramatic songs were just uncomfortable, especially that one on the cliff. Jennie turned to me and asked, "What is she trying to say?" Honestly, I had no idea.



So, my sum up is that I'm sure this is excellent on the stage, but it definitely lost something in translation. Musicals are hard enough to watch on film, because it seems so corny when people burst out into song. But bursting out into ABBA? Really corny. And I love me some ABBA, so that's hard for me to admit. So, if you haven't seen it yet, you still should. It's fun while you're there, just don't think too much about it after.



3.) It's official! Amy Poehler (who I heart a lot) signed on for an NBC sitcom headed by Greg Daniels, the creator of "The Office". It was supposedly going to be an Office spin-off, but I read on E! online that they are going to create something new just around her. But, it will have a similar style as "The Office." She's pregnant with GOB's baby (hubby, Will Arnett), so it won't be on the air until March. It's going to be on Thursday night (curses -- one more show I'll have to juggle) and I'm bummed Amy P. won't be on SNL anymore, but other than those tiny details, I'm VERY excited.


I've read different reports on whether they still are going to do the Office spinoff and having it air after the superbowl. Some say it's still happening. I said this in last week's comments, but I think the spin-off is a bad idea. First, it's weird they announced it without any real premise or cast members on board. Rashida Jones (Karen) has a holding contract with NBC, so she might be back. Karen was a good supporting character, but I wouldn't watch a show based around her as the star. I just don't think they'll keep the original fresh if they do a spin off. Oh well... until then, check out Creed's "blog" -- remember the one Ryan set up for him: http://www.creedthoughts.gov.www/creedthoughts. Here's the real link: http://blog.nbc.com/CreedThoughts/


4.) Can I just say how bugged I am with the CW? I think my bitterness started when they cancelled the ever-so-awesome "Veronica Mars" (that show broke my heart). They replaced it with the Pussycat Dolls show and keep adding and adding more trash. (Two exceptions: "Reaper" is really funny and I'm a sucker for "America's Next Top Model", well -- that's trashy, but I love it!). And, I guess I better give them props, because I do love watching "Everybody Loves Raymond" at 10 p.m. My sister, Jennie, loves "Gossip Girl", but I just haven't gotten into it. Anyway, I digress.



My latest annoyance comes from when I was watching said Raymond and saw that commerical for the new 90210. It's EXACTLY the same as the old opener. With two guys doing the hand slap even! Why are they remaking that show? I watched the old one and at times, even liked it. But can't they think of anything new to do? I hate to say it, but I'll probably tune in, only because Lucille 1 will play the boozy grandmother. Okay, I'm a sellout when it comes to anything having to do with "Arrested Development" alumni. But, it still bugs me -- and makes me feel old.


5.) In honor of my brother, Jimmy, let's take a moment to recognize the passing of Estelle Getty, who died on Tuesday. She was 84 and suffered from advanced dimentia. Here's a classic Sophia quote from "Golden Girls" -- Rose: Sophia, why are you in such a bad mood? Sophia: Excuse me Rose, but I haven't had sex in fifteen years and its starting to get on my nerves.


And I stand corrected. "Golden Girls" was on Saturday nights, not Thursday.

That's it for this week. More next Thursday!