April 2008 Archives

Thank you, Paula Abdul. Your verbal slip on Tuesday night's episode of "American Idol" opened a can of worms about the show's street cred. You're still forever our girl, but what are you drinking out of that big pink straw?
Why is everyone so shocked? Were there still people out there who actually thought the show was 100 percent legit?
Anyway, as the seventh season of A.I. is rapidly coming to a close, I'm interested in what people are doing for the finale. Sounds like a perfect excuse to break out some pink straws and party.

"Grand Theft Auto IV" hit stores Tuesday causing the usual general uproar from concerned parents. Hint: The game, which is projected to sell 9 million copies in the first 24 hours, isn't rated E for Everyone. What would GTA be without prostitutes, drug addicts, simulated drunk driving, carjacking and other random acts of violence? Something along the lines of Mario Kart, the other big video game that hit shelves this week.
Madonna's new album "Hard Candy" dropped like it's hot Tuesday...because it is. Digital sales for her collaboration with Justin Timblerlake, "4 Minutes," already passed the million mark. Watch the video to see why.

Spring fever got the best of me this weekend. I happened to be back east for the majority of the illness. In between sleeping and consuming massive amounts of Gatorade, I was able to attend a friend's non-birthday party. The event involved Flyers hockey, a hammock and hiccups.
Upon returning to York, I discovered that the only prescription for the fever was "Dazed and Confused." It was also the only way to describe the weekend. Even a fever couldn't stop the fliff.
In the rest of the world, Miley Cyrus learned that she should think before she poses, Coachella rocked in California and "Baby Mama" brought home the box office bacon. One of the stars is with child for real.

For the past 3.5 years that I was a downtown York resident, I took for granted what food was a few footsteps away. Since our office moved out of the city, I haven't spent as much time there, even though it was where I laid my head. Until this weekend.

Trying to figure out what to do this weekend? We've got you covered.
Listen to the FlipSide podcast or sign up for the FlipSide Weekend newsletter. Looking for a recap of last night's episode of "The Office?" Check out the buisness blog.
Don't forget to check back in Monday for the Weekend roundup.

I've been waiting for tonight for forever (well, at least it seems that way). Tonight I will be parked in front of my TV watching one of my favorite shows -- Grey's Anatomy. I can't wait to see all of my old friends...... Meredith, Derek, Izzie, George, Bailey, Callie, Alex, Cristina, the Chief and the rest of the gang. It's been far too long. But they're back, and I'm anxious for the story lines to continue.

OMG. Is acting your age, like, so last year? Primetime teen drama "Gossip Girl" made its post-strike debut last night. It's never looked more like "Sex and the City". The female characters on G.G. wear designer duds, sip cocktails and frequent the hottest Manhattan haunts. They're also supposed to be in high school, while the SATC ladies were well over 30. What is wrong with this picture, besides a little thing called the legal drinking age?
= Hot= Not

I finally used the Borders gift certificate, which had been burning a hole in my wallet since Christmas, Friday. "The Darjeeling Limited" was nowhere to be found, but I was quite happy to buy "The Virgin Suicides" and "Rear Window." By midnight, my Grace Kelly and Sofia Coppola film cravings were put to bed.
Saturday featured dinner and drinks at Cobblestones in York. Then, I showcased my vocal stylings (via a loud rendition of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun") and my killer moves (via the Soulja Boy dance). After a sort search for my shoes (and dignity), I was off to Granfalloons, where The Tamboureens were performing. I dug their spiffy outfits, but not as much as the glorious weather.

The formula for fun = Grace Kelly + Soulja Boy

What is it with cable stations hosting their own award programs for their own shows? After about seven million seasons of "The Real World," MTV decided it would throw the first "Real World Awards Bash." There are three main problems here. First, Real Worlders aren't celebrities and should stop being treated as such. Second, should anyone ever be given an award for Biggest Playa or Best Meltdown? Third, MTV called this the first Bash, meaning there might be another one in the future. Bravo is hosting their own "A-List Awards" on June 12. They're dubbing it a celebration of all the biggest movers and shakers in the arts. Expect a lot of cameos from Bravo TV stars.

(Not celebs)

Did you catch the finale of "The Biggest Loser: Couples" Tuesday night on NBC? Did the contestant you were rooting for win? After 16 weeks, some amazing transformations took place. For the first time in "Loser" history, a woman walked away with the top prize. Regardless of the outcome, it's inspiring to see people change their own lives. Check out Popeye Thursday to read about local Biggest Loser groups.

I missed "Fliff Friday" festivities in York since I had to head back east for the night. I did have my first Rock Band experience. I missed my chance to sing "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs due to a lingering cold, though.
I was drawn back to York Saturday to continue the tradition of drinks and '80s videos at White Rose Bar & Grill. I was barely able to refrain from making a fool out of myself and busting out into The Electric Slide.
In the rest of the world, Little Ivory Blues Band won Penn State York's Blue and White Society's Battle of Bands Saturday night. Cate Blanchett gave birth to a son and Ashlee Simpson could be pregnant.

Anybody see NBC's ads for this year's Miss USA Pageant?

Instead of going with the standard "watch beautiful, talented woman with blinding teeth strut around a stage in bikinis and evening gowns" route, NBC took a slight detour, deciding instead to celebrate pageant mishaps.

It's as if the ad execs were all sitting around a table going, "Let's be honest, nobody cares about world peace, they want more Miss South Carolina and chicks falling on their face."

And I'm not going to lie, I am a bit tempted to subject myself to two hours for sequins and petroleum jelly for the chance to see Miss Alabama take a dive on national television. But then again, I can probably save myself the anguish and just catch the juicy parts on YouTube.

Winter hibernation ended last night in York. It was the first time that people could sit outside at the bars all night without freezing, and many took advantage of it. While I was out and about, there was a sizeable group who stayed in for one main reason: Thursday night comedies returned to NBC.
If you are constantly wondering W.W.J.H.D. (What Would Jim Halpert Do?) like I am, find out by visiting the business blog. There, you can read all about the latest episodes of "The Office." Even more shows will be returning this weekend and next week. Word.

Friday, like so many other great nights in York, began at the Harp & Fiddle. One thing led to another and I found myself in the Waterway Raw Bar & Grill's Blue Room listening to Harrisburg rockers The Thrives. Saturday was all about celebrating good times and UNC's Final Four loss at Granfalloons. Turning Point's performance was an added bonus.
In the rest of the world, "Leatherheads" tanked, "Project Runway" might move to Lifetime and Kathie Lee Gifford is back on NBC. Like the rest of the weekend, that news is just nonsense.

Sigourney McCleaf of Hanover was selected as one of 10 finalists for a video she submitted to the Upromise Tuition Tales contest. All of America can now vote to select the winner, who will be awarded $25,000 for college expenses. Click here to make Sigourney's Dream come true. Voting is open until midnight April 16.

Early '90s boy band sensation New Kids on the Block is back together and preparing to go on tour. Just because the Spice Girls did it doesn't make it okay. I'm getting sick of bands from back in the day trying to make a buck off moldy pop singles. I'm officially calling them Old Kids on the Block.
= Totally awesome
= Totally lame

NBC will unveil a spinoff of "The Office" after the 2009 Super Bowl. That is not a good idea. When in the last decade has a spinoff been successful? Speaking of "Office"-related things, I'm still up in the air about whether "Leatherheads" is worth the cost of a movie ticket. I like John Krasinski as much as the next person, but I'm concerned about his choice of films. Did anyone actually see "License to Wed?"

Every month, members of the York Daily Record Teen Takeover staff review all sorts of entertainment.

Get their perspective on what's worth watching (and listening) and what is a waste of time.
This month check out:

* Laura Dzwonczyk's take on "Big Shots" (preview: With the writer's strike over, she's sad to see her favorite wry CEOs off the air)

* According to Annie Swade, "Vantage Point" is totally worth watching. Find out why.

* If you're in the market for a new album, Dylan Shiffer says Chris Walla's (Death Cab for Cutie) "Field Manual" is worth a spin.

Stay tuned in to teens at www.yorkteentakeover.com.

Where to begin? "Fliff, aka cash money, Friday" got underway when Davidson beat Wisconsin and continued with "Arrested Development" and other assorted festivities.
On Saturday, I got the chance to listen as violinist Joshua Bell rehearsed with the York Symphony Orchestra. Afterward, Bell and I chatted in his dressing room backstage. It turns out the classical music star is into Genesis, the New York Giants and interior decorating.
Sunday included more basketball. CBS lucked out this year. Between the writer's strike and Stephen Curry's jump shot, they have to be cleaning up in the ratings department.
In the rest of the world, Branjelina did not get hitched and "21" ruled the weekend box office.