September 2008 Archives

Get well J.J.

Janet Jackson was rushed to the hospital Monday night after falling ''suddenly ill'' during sound check before a Montreal concert, according to her publicist.

Jackson, 42, is currently on a North American tour to promote her latest album, "Discipline."

Goodbye, blue eyes

This weekend was like riding a roller coaster -- there were a lot of ups and downs and it left me with a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Friday night, I ducked the Bike Night crowds and headed to the first CapLive show to see Hoots & Hellmouth. The band burst onto the stage with its foot stompin' blend of folk and blues. I kept using the word "hootenanny" to describe the experience since it contained "hoot." Did I ever mention how clever I can be after two $4 beers?

The band performed sans a drummer and relied on wooden boards and tambourines for percussion. The lead singer, Sean Hoots' powerful vocals rivaled those of any R&B diva. I was bummed to see that the crowd was a bit sparse. i was glad that those who did attend not only clapped, but got up and danced.

We'll be missing you.

Academy Award-winning actor and Hollywood ledgend Paul Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer. He was 83.

Some of his most famous roles included "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Sting."

Things you shouldn't do with your boss:

Don't get caught under the weather this weekend, there are a lot of events to keep you mind off the clouds. Click here, here and here for details.

For a recap of Thursday night's premiere of "The Office" from the YDR business blogger click here. For a "Grey's Anatomy" recap, click here.

"It was so good."

That could be my whole blog, but I guess you need a little more detail.

My friend Kelly and I are both avid runners and exercisers who have slightly fell off the wagon lately and are trying to get back on the healthy eating and exercising track. We decided that for one night we would just be carefree and not worry about what we ate. She has a 10-mile race coming up and I, well, I just want my pants to fit.

Back to the subject of good food.

My beloved friends are scattered all over Central PA and beyond. Many of them are close enough that we can meet in the middle for dinner, which I do often.

In fact, tonight I am meeting my best friend Kelly who lives in Palmyra. Even though it's not quite in the middle (it's closer to her but who cares), we decided on the Lancaster Brewing Co. on Eisenhower Drive in Harrisburg (yes, it's in Harrisburg).

I met my other Palmyra-based friend there earlier this year and it was TASTY!

Check back tomorrow to see how the meal goes. It's her treat. She made me promise I wouldn't order a chicken sandwich or turkey sub. That shouldn't be too hard. Look at the menu.

Music to my eyes
Pop some crazy pills and strap in for another wild "Project Runway" ride.
The Parsons posse had to design outfits for (pause for effect) each other. Oh. Snap.
And then they were each assigned a random musical genre to interpret with their looks. Holy. Crap.
Yes, the fabric definitely hit the fan Wednesday night. The runway looked like the United Nations -- MTV TRL (R.I.P.) style. All musical cliques were represented -- the probably insecure pop stars, the glam goths, the ghetto gangstas, the country bumpkins and the heroine-chic rockers.

President Bush will deliver a prime-time televised speech at 9:01 p.m. Wednesday to bully Congress into passing the $700 billion plan to bail out Wall Street. The speech will supposedly take less than than 15 minutes.

There has been speculation about the sexual orientation of "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken for years. Tuesday, he revealed he is gay via the cover of People magazine. The cover is a powerful declaration, and it's adorable to boot.

So, I haven't seen a movie in a real movie theater since, well, probably the last "Pirates" flick. I convinced, persuaded and then dragged my husband to see "Burn After Reading" the other weekend.

The Coen brothers' latest was stupidly hilarious, and with hardly a plot no less. It's only 96 minutes, so even if you leave your sense of humor at home, it won't be painful for long.

John Malkovich is the crazed CIA agent who jumps off the deep end when he's fired and his memoirs are stolen. The lady from "Fargo" will beg, borrow and steal for a new body. Nympho George Clooney looks wonderful (oh, and he can act, too). And Brad Pitt, well, he embodies a fitness instructor. Let the violence begin!

It's a good day for me in the music world thanks to two of my favorite bands. On one end of the spectrum, prog-rockers Rush are releasing a live DVD Nov. 25 of their Snakes & Arrows tour.

And for something completely different, funk/bluegrass/rock band the Bridge was added to the CapLive series for Oct. 25.

I saw Rush in 2007 at Nissan Pavilion and earlier this year in Philadelphia. After more than 30 years together, these guys still rock.

Here's a clip of "YYZ" from Philadelphia:

Bars are for beers, not for feet.

I know the roundup is running late this week. Monday totally snuck up on me, so back off. But seriously, last weekend was packed and writing a recap seemed a bit daunting. Here goes.

My freaky Friday began with a drink at the Westgate Lounge in West Manchester Township. It was strange to be at a bar outside the city. It was also kind of weird how much equipment the band Second Guess was trying to cram into such a small space. Talk about some serious sound check.

Joseph Arthur & The Lonely Astronauts was added to the CapLive music series. The Brooklyn-based indie rock band will perform on Oct. 16 at the Capitol Theatre, 50 N. George St. in York. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $19. For details and tickets, visit www.caplivemusic.com. For details about the band, which releases a new album 'Temporary People' Sept. 30, visit www.josepharthur.com. To learn more about CapLive, click here.

Check out a quirky interview from Religion News Service with an Episcopal priest who might look familiar to you old-school "90210" fans:

When we first met Ann Gillespie back in 1990, she was playing Jackie Taylor on "Beverly Hills, 90210." Her first scene found her snorting cocaine in the women's room during a mother-daughter fashion show. It wasn't pretty.

. . . then you need to see this one. My favorite Frenchman has wowed me yet again. I finally rented Michel Gondry's "Be Kind Rewind," starring Jack Black, Mos Def and Danny Glover.

Best show on TV gets an Emmy to prove it

I had the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday night, but I have to admit that I wasn't paying too much attention.

When, I did sit down to watch, I found myself cringing at the awkward political comments made in acceptance speeches and the schmaltzy flashbacks to great shows from days of yore. ("MASH," "The West Wing," etc.)

Metallica's new album, Death Magnetic, just might be too loud -- even for metalheads. Fans have been petitioning to get the album re-mixed, claiming it is overly distorted.

According to this sound engineer, they're right. The album was heavily compressed, or clipped, to make it sound louder. This reduces the dynamic range of the album (the difference between the loudest and softest sounds), and really diminishes the sound quality. It's the same technique that makes some TV commercials really loud so they stand out. Sad but true.

Pardon his puppets

There are a a ton of events going on this weekend. Click here, here or here for the lowdown.

Comedian/ventriolquist John Dunham is performing at Hershey's Giant Center. For tickets and details, click here.

I don't write about chains in my biweekly column because there are just too many local gems to waste time writing about large cookie-cutter establishments.

But it's hard to ignore Sheetz as a cheap eat.

Presenting the new "Project Runway" podcast! YDR staffers Cathy Hirko, Susan Haller, Angie Mason and Erin McCracken sit down and discuss Wednesday's episode.

Work it, reuse and recycle.

Senior fashion marketing students at the Art Institute of York presented their "Chain Reaction" fashion show Tuesday night at Martin Library in York.

The designers put together outfits from local consignment shops for the benefit show. Watch a video above and listen to a recap from YDR entertainment reporter Erin McCracken and YDR business reporter Jessica Milcetich below.

Want more fashion? Read the "R.Runway" recap Thursday and listen for our staff commentary on the show, which is coming soon.

Apparently, I have something in common with President James Buchanan.

We both love(d) sauerkraut. I'm not sure if he would approve that I eat it cold out of a can, but he might. Who knows?

Anyway, to celebrate the former president's love of the rotten cabbage, Wheatland in Lancaster County is holding President Buchanan's Second Annual Arts & Sauerkraut Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 27 and noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 28 on the Grounds at Wheatland, 1120 Marietta Ave., Lancaster.

You can eat sauerkraut, listen to music or watch the sauerkraut cook-off which is sure to feature some crazy recipes like the chocolate sauerkraut cake from last year. The competing chefs have to cook on site over a charcoal grill. Sounds like fun. The cook-off begins at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Festival admission is $5; children ages 8 to 11 are $3; children under 8 are free. For details, call 392-8721 or visit www.wheatland.org

It seems like Kanye West keeps it fresh to death when he's fresh out of the slammer. I'm loving his new single "Love Lockdown." Listen to it here. Click here if you want to see him perform the single on the MTV VMAs. (I'm still wondering why he was wearing a broken heart.)

Farewell cherished friend!

MTV's Total Request Live, aka TRL, is ending after 10 years. Teeny boobers feel free to bust out a box of Kleenex. *sniff, sniff*

Read about the rise and fall of the music-video-countdown-turned-pop-culture-phenomenon here.

Rihanna makes rain look good.

After a week of writing up a storm about the York Fair Breaking Benjamin and ZZ Top concerts, I was looking forward to a chill weekend. (Excuse all the shameless plugs.)

With another dreary day on Friday, I got my wish. I grabbing some grilled cheese at Cobblestones, splashed around in some puddles and went to see the new Coen Brothers comedy "Burn After Reading."

In case you haven't heard, Dover native Jeff Koons has a solo exhibit of his art in the Palace of Versailles.

To celebrate, we're asking you to create your own Koons-inspired art and upload it, complete with title, to our online gallery.

The piece above, created in the YDR newsroom as an example of the caliber of work we're looking for, is titled "Recycling Bin with Paper Balling Out atop Trash Can with Lobster, Monofilament Line and Red Exercise Ball."

We're thinking what with labor and materials and creative processes and brainstorming and such, it ought to be a bargain at $2.5 million. Any takers?

Of course, we know you can do better.

Check out this video of Wednesday's Breaking Benjamin and Seether concert at the York Fair.

Get the scoop on the last weekend of the York Fair and other weekend events here, here or here.

Season five of "Project Runway" continued it's reign of fashion terror with this week's challenge: Create an avant garde look based on a sign from the zodiac.

Re-capper Erin McCracken was on Fair duty Wednsday covering the Seether/Breaking Benjamin show so I'm subbing with the review.

I'll get this out of the way, Joe won, although there will be no more immunity for the designers.

The episode's surprise twist: Designers who had been given the boot earlier in the season were paired with the remaining eight. There was plenty of drama and cattiness to be had, especially with the return of sad, injured Keith and his mini ponytail, who was paired with rightfully bitter Terri.

It looks like West is already used to life behind bars.

Seems like the savior of hip-hop, aka Kanye West, was arrested at LAX Thursday morning. He got into a scuffle with the paparazzi. No word yet if his famous shades or super-sized ego were damaged in the altercation.

I was watching the "Today" show when this came on. Cracked me up!

Watch this video of kids making vegetables into celebrities at the York Fair.

Brooks & Dunn canceled their Thursday night York Fair performance because Ronnie Dunn is ill, according to Gene Schenck, vice president of the fair.

The duo also canceled their next two shows in Pittsburgh and Chicago. Ticketholders will receive a full refund at the York Fair box office, 334 Carlisle Ave. in West Manchester Township. Call 848-2033 for details.

Gavin DeGraw's hoop dreams:
I continued the trend of starting the weekend out on Thursday night to help my friend celebrate her birthday. We hit up the Harp & Fiddle for dinner and drinks. Besides making a hand-crafted super hero cape and tap dancing, I tried to catch some of John McCain's speech. I got distracted from reading the captions by local jam band Mad Banter.

Paris Hilton announced that Britney Spears won Best Pop Video. MTV must be really trying to make up for what they did to her at last year's show.

What was up with the trivia, the to-the-minute updates on what was coming up on the show and the Pepsi promos?. It was a little a lot much, but still not enough to keep the crowd interested.

After a quick cut of "Shut Up And Let Me Go" by The Ting Tings, a masked Slipknot entered with a trashed McLovin'.

Then, Jordin Sparks called out all the "sluts" in the house and her and John Legend announced T.I. He shared the stage with Rihanna, who sported major A Flock of Seagulls hair. Girlfriend needs to rethink her stylist.

Russell Brand kind of bombed with the crowd, but that's probably because all the Hollywood airheads couldn't understand his British accent. I thought he was hilarious -- a foul-mouthed breath of fresh air.

Rockers Paramore brought the noise with an amped-up performance of "Misery Business."

Demi Moore announced that Chris Brown won Best Male Video for his song "With You."

Taylor Swift announced the Jonas Brothers performance. Does that mean that she's dating one of them? Girls screamed a lot as the brother band broke out into an impromptu rock show in the middle of Paramount's back lot.

Britney Spears kicked off the 25th year of the VMAs with a lame comedy sketch with Jonah Hill and a short announcement. (The folks at MTV trusted her to read a teleprompter, but not to perform.)

He's gonna buy you a drank.

The 2008 MTV VMAs are about to kick off at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles.
The red carpet featured some awkward moments.

T-Pain arrived on an elephant.
Miley Cyrus and Katie Petty walked in together.
Kid Rock and Michael Phelps did an interview.

MTV pulled out all the stops this year. VJ Sway was on limo watch in a helicopter. Apparently, it's go big or stay home.

Microbrew fans passing through my hometown in Chester County make a point to stop at the home of Victory Brewing Co.

Hidden in an industrial block in Downingtown, the brewery isn't very pleasing to the eye from outside, and the parking lot leaves much to be desired; however, recent renovations to the restaurant, bar and menu make Victory worth the hour-and-a-half trip from York County.

Who ya gonna call?

The York Fair is in town! Click here, here and here to see what's going on this weekend. Check out the YDR's new York Fair blog for even more fair stuff.

Could there be a new "Ghostbusters" in the works? Click here to find out.

Check back Sunday when I live blog about the 2008 MTV VMAs. I'm expecting some fireworks. Check back Monday for the Weekend roundup.

York Fair officials were informed Thursday afternoon that Danity Kane and special guest Jada will not perform Sept. 12 at Toyota Grandstand due to a scheduling conflict.

Tickets will be fully refunded at the York Fair Box Office, 334 Carlisle Ave. in West Manchester Township.

For details, call the box office at 848-2033.

Git-R ... oh, nevermind, you know how it goes. Larry the Cable Guy, redneck comedian extraordinaire, will return once more to the Grandstand to kick off this year's York Fair.

Larry has transcended the stage during his career as a stand-up, finding success in multiple mediums including movies, comedy albums, a book and multiple television specials.

Tickets are $40 and $45, and the York Fairgrounds is at 334 Carlisle Ave. in West Manchester Township. For details, visit www.yorkfair.com.

A North Codorus Township woman who overcame years of panic attacks will be featured on "Secret Lives of Women" at 10 p.m. Tuesday on the WE channel.

Melissa Straub, 46, (above, at left) struggled with panic and agoraphobia for years. At times, she ventured no more than a mile from her home, dreading situations that might trigger her panic. She had stopped working, traveling and, eventually, leaving the neighborhood.

Using a technique that included elements of visualization, hypnosis and conditioning (the modification of thinking patterns), Straub overcame her fear, and has been panic-free for two years.

Dress me, dahlings

Of all the shameless plugs in "Project Runway" history, Wednesday night's was by far the worst. Apparently, if you don't own an American Express card, you're worthless. Excuse me, but Visa is everywhere this girl wants to be.
Anyway, the designers wandered through New York's Meatpacking District, speculating about who they were going to meet. Blayne's creepy Mary-Kate Olsen surfaced for the first and hopefully last time. Instead of MKO, the giddy gang was introduced to none other than fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg. (Yes, the same lady from those American Express commercials they run all the time on Bravo.)

I rented "There Will Be Blood" the other day. According to a co-worker, I'm into "fancy" films such as this one. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for movies that dig at the depths of human flaws, that unearth the greed and rivalry in people, that feature a crazed Daniel Day Lewis screaming about drinking milkshakes.

See this music video for a sneak peek into the deep drama of "There Will Be Blood." You'll be moved by its profundity.

We don't need any more of this. Ever. Seriously.

Is Britney Spears going to get another shot at the MTV VMAs? She's already been used in the promos, but remember what happened last year? (Maybe you'd rather not.) Is this a good idea when she seems to finally be getting back to normal?

Hollywood's most well-known movie trailer voiceover artist Don LaFontaine (you know, the "in a world ..." guy) died Monday at age 68. We'd like to know who in Central Pennsylvania could be his replacement. Check out the story here and find out how to enter.

I rushed home last night to catch the two-hour premiere of "90210" the strange re-make of the now-classic 90s hit "Beverly Hills 90210".

I'm not ashamed of it.

OK I'm a little ashamed of it. My fiance, who was (and let's face it, still is) Brandon Walsh's No. 1 fan got me hooked to the original a couple years ago, when it was finally released on DVD (sans the original music, which probably made the show even more likeable).

I've since looked forward to each new season. And while I can't relate to the likes of Brandon, Brenda, Kelly, Dylan and the rest of the gang, the reliably over-dramatic plotlines keep me coming back to the teen soap opera.

While the CW's re-make contains the ghosts of the West Beverly gang, I'm just not sold on it.

M.I.A. makes better music than Miley.

No double entry necessary this time, despite the long weekend.
I ate dinner at the new downtown restaurant MB & Company Thursday night. I put on my fancy pants and fliffed. (I used that phrase way too much when I started the roundups, so I retired it temporarily. But I missed it a little. Consider it back in action now.) It was a little strange to dine at a place where I didn't have to order at a counter, but I managed to keep it classy...at least for one night.