I have this habit where I’ll read something on the Internet and react by shouting at my computer as if it can hear me. Sometimes I’ll come to the dinner table and start rambling at my husband. Mr. PCN finally said, “Why don’t you put your thoughts in a post so I don’t have to listen to them anymore?” The word “crazy” (pronounced as three syllables: cruh-AY-zee) might have been used but I don’t remember.
So, here’s my first pop culture purge, where I just throw out random thoughts I had this week about the entertainment I consumed or read about. If you all don’t find it too strange, I might do it again next week. My husband would be thrilled.
- Javier Bardem is in talks to play the next Bond villain. Assuming he signs on, I hope producers will give him a memorable role like Jaws or Oddjob, not a lame one like Le Chiffre, who just sits around playing cards and bleeding from his eyes. Oooh, that’s sooo intimidating. But what makes a bad guy memorable? Why does Alfred Molina only have about 5 minutes in Raiders of the Lost Ark but we all remember him as the guy who yelled, “Throw me the idol!”?
- Grey’s Anatomy this week had doctors live-tweeting a difficult surgical procedure. But aren’t cellphones banned in hospitals due to interference with machines? Lexie was tweeting right in the OR and I kept expecting one of the monitors to fail mid-surgery.
- Loved this bit from last night’s 30 Rock episode. Jack (Alec Baldwin) was pitching a TV prototype to his new Kabletown boss (Ken Howard). The TV was voice-activated so viewers would no longer need remote controls. Problem was, it was a little too sensitive and responded to everyone’s command, including actors on TV. After his boss walked out, Jack muttered, “Crap.” Behind him, the TV switched over to Keeping up with the Kardashians. Haha! Also loved when Liz gave Jack sex advice and said, “Sometimes ladies like to keep their blazers on.” Oh, and Brian Williams needs his own sitcom. So what if he already does the news at NBC? He’s hilarious every time he pops up on Rock. Ryan Seacrest has 17 jobs; so can Williams.
- Colin Firth has chosen his follow-up to his sure-to-be-Oscar-winning role in The King’s Speech: a remake of a Michael Caine movie called Gambit which will co-star…Cameron Diaz. Seriously? Because Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet, Rachel McAdams, and all other superior actresses are busy? I don’t think Diaz is the worst out there, but when’s the last time she made a really good movie?
- Though this week’s American Idol auditions took place in L.A., the judges kept saying, “You’re going to Hollywood!” Shouldn’t they just say, “You’re going up the street!”?
What pop culture tidbits occupied your mind this week? Got hot Super Bowl plans?
16 Comments
Christine
February 4, 2011 at 5:32 amI don’t watch 30 Rock, but the bit you recounted with the “Crap” statement is hilarious!
Written right, Bardem’s Bond villain would be really entertaining. He could have one of those bad guy roles where you enjoy watching their scenes almost as much, if not more, than the hero’s. (Alan Rickman in Die Hard immediately comes to mind.)
Cameron Diaz with Colin? Boring! Ooh, Colin with Cate Blanchett would be a strong pairing!
Honestly, I keep forgetting that it’s even Super Bowl weekend. Normally, I’d be a Steelers supporter, but gotta root for the Packers this year. They’re do for a big win, I think…plus, Roethlisberger is still in the doghouse as far as I’m concerned.
The other pop culture news this week that made me think, “What the hell?!” was that article you highlighted on Facebook about the Wonder Woman script. David E. Kelley’s version of one my favorite superheroes sounds like a big old mess. I think the Justice League needs to have heart-to-heart with DEK.
I think Mr. PCN can breath a sigh of relief…I kinda dig this pop culture purge!
le0pard13
February 4, 2011 at 9:18 amI missed the WW script news! But of course, I’m not a Facebook… er (though I watch The Social Network ;-). This female comic hero character is well deserving of a great treatment to live action film. BTW, did you happen to see DC’s animated release of the Wonder Woman film to DVD they did in ’09? It was damn good, IMO. Plus, it had a fantastic voice cast. Keri Russell as WW, Nathan Fillion as Steve, Alfred Molina, Rosario Dawson, Marg Helgenberger, Oliver Platt, and Virginia Madsen. If you haven’t, I recommend :-).
Christine
February 4, 2011 at 9:41 amMichael-
Here’s the link for that script review:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-02-02/wonder-woman-a-sneak-peak-at-david-e-kelleys-script/
I had seen something about that animated release, but forgot to go back and check it out. You’re so right about the voice cast. But, of course, your seal of approval is enough for me to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
le0pard13
February 4, 2011 at 9:52 amThanks for the link, Christine. Ugh! What a train wreck of a script and characterization of this iconic hero! It reads like the antithesis of that DC animated release. If you can’t get it on Netflix or something, let me know and I’ll lend you ours. When you see it, let me know your thoughts. Thanks.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 4, 2011 at 3:44 pmI have seen that animated movie, lp13. It kicks butt. I liked Keri Russell as WW. In fact, I’d be happy if she plays her in live-action, too, though not in David E. Kelly’s version.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 4, 2011 at 3:42 pmOh, good, I’m glad you didn’t call the local asylum on me, Christine. Hubby might actually be able to get some peace and quiet.
I was disheartened by that Wonder Woman script. It’s so horrible I’m kind of hoping the pilot won’t get a series order because WW deserves better treatment. I’m speaking as a fan who owns a WW bath robe, address book, journal and note cards.
As for your football speak, you might as well be an adult talking to me as Charlie Brown. You know, “Wah wah wah wah, Steelers.” I know next to nothing about football.
Laura Benedict
February 4, 2011 at 7:38 amHysterical! You’re absolutely right about Javier Bardem needing to be a cool villain–maybe even a little raw, like a freedom fighter turned super-rich-evil. With really great abs.
And Cameron Diaz? Blech. I like the Firth/Caine parallel. Will be interesting to see if Firth can sharpen his edge. I love how–no matter what his role–Caine seems morally ambiguous. Makes for excellent suspense.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 4, 2011 at 3:50 pmWhy, yes, of course Bardem’s villain would have to take his shirt off, preferably during fight scenes with Bond (also shirtless), because fight scenes get sweaty.
Interesting thought about Caine’s roles having moral ambiguity. I never considered it but I think you’re right. Except for maybe Alfred in the Batman movies.
Jann
February 4, 2011 at 7:39 amToo funny! Please, keep spewing this stuff. I don’t watch TV, but love reading your spin.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 4, 2011 at 3:51 pmThanks, Jann! Spewing is about right. Good thing it’s only words instead of…never mind.
Elizabeth Duncan
February 4, 2011 at 8:32 amWhat would make Bardem really scary as a James Bond villain would be the reprise of the No Country For Old Men haircut.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 4, 2011 at 3:52 pmYup, that would do it.
le0pard13
February 4, 2011 at 8:57 amWhat a great stream of pop consciousness, Elyse! Made for enjoyable reading.
• Bardem would make an excellent Bond villain, especially given his Old Country… and Collateral creds. This is splitting hairs on my part, Jaws and Oddjob are bad guys in the Bond films, but they were considered the henchmen for the lead villains Curt Jurgens as Karl Stromberg in The Spy Who Loved Me, Michael Lonsdale as Hugo Drax in Moonraker, and Gert Fröbe as Goldfinger. The recent movies have seemingly moved away from the old model of henchman + villain, but Javier would be good at either.
• I believe that is still true in regard to wireless interference of monitoring equipment in hospital with cell phones. Good catch.
• Can’t believe I’m about to do this, but I’m going to defend Cameron Diaz (not that she needs it). I have to say, I’m enjoying this actress more now that she isn’t the hot 20-something actress. To me, she was the best thing in Knight and Day & the recent Green Hornet flick. She really started to win me over with Vanilla Sky and her acting there — though I will admit she’s had some clunkers in-between the films I mention.
• Since I don’t watch 30 ROCK or AI, I’ll take your word on the these.
Thanks, Elyse.
Pop Culture Nerd
February 4, 2011 at 4:03 pmYou’re absolutely right about them being henchmen, Michael, but they’re more memorable to me than the lead villains. Just like Satipo in Raiders (though more a greedy double-crosser than true villain) is more memorable than Belloq for some reason. That’s why I was wondering: What makes some bad guys stand out more than others?
I don’t hate Diaz but she, like Jennifer Aniston, has a penchant for being in movies that aren’t very good (I don’t dislike Aniston, either, just her movies). I did think Knight & Day was fun but I think you and I are in the minority. Being a big Firth fan, I’m wary of Diaz bringing along her bad track record (Shrek movies aside) to Gambit.
le0pard13
February 4, 2011 at 6:10 pmGood point about some henchmen being more interesting than their lead villains. Jaws was more memorable than Stromberg and Drax. As was Archie Cunningham compared to Montrose in Rob Roy. I do appreciate Gert Fröbe’s Goldfinger as much as I do Harold Sakata’s Oddjob, though.
I’d also agree with you about Diaz having a Aniston-like streak in the last few years. But, she does have more Cameron hits than Jennifer misses overall, I think.
Shell Sherree
February 4, 2011 at 6:53 pmHeh! I often talk to my TV about such matters. It hasn’t complained yet. I have a little quirk of not wanting actors I’m smitten with to play bad guys. Not seriously bad guys, at least. Just enough naughty to make them smoulder. So I’m afraid I’ll have to skip that Bond movie. {No, I didn’t watch No Country For Old Men, and I won’t, damn it.}