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Saturday, June 11, 2016

Latest Movie News From Moviefone

Latest Movie News From Moviefone


Upcoming TV Shows Reminiscent of the 'Grey's Anatomy' Golden Days

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Cast photo from 'Still Star-Crossed' (2017)Twelve seasons in, "Grey's Anatomy" is still delivering the drama on a weekly basis. However, as with many long-running series, the current show bears little resemblance to the show that premiered in 2005. Only four original cast members remain (Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr.) and the stories have matured along with the characters. These days, "Grey's" is less about bed-hopping and tequila-induced mistakes and more about custody battles and marriage proposals. For fans who still love "Grey's" but miss the wilder stories of the early seasons, these upcoming TV series could be right up your alley.

'Still Star-Crossed' (ABC)

"Still Star-Crossed" should earn an automatic spot on any "Grey's Anatomy" fan's must-watch list, thanks to the fact that it's from Shonda Rhimes herself. Based on the book of the same name, "Still Star-Crossed" picks up immediately after "Romeo and Juliet," as the Capulets and Montagues continue their feud. In an effort to bring peace between the families, Rosaline Capulet (yes, that Rosaline, for all you Shakespeare buffs) and Benvolio Montague are forced to wed. "Still Star-Crossed" promises to deliver all the staples of a Shondaland show: strong-willed women, hunky men, secret love affairs, and political intrigue. It's set against a lush period backdrop, making it "Grey's" meets "Outlander" with a dash of "Scandal" thrown in for good measure.

'Conviction' (ABC)

"Marvel's Agent Carter" fans need not mourn the loss of Peggy for too long, as Hayley Atwell returns to television in the legal drama "Conviction" (sporting an American accent). Atwell stars as Hayes Morrison, a hard-partying former First Daughter who takes a job at the Los Angeles Conviction Integrity Unit to avoid jail time. Much like "Grey's," "Conviction" will have a large ensemble, featuring the likes of Eddie Cahill, Emily Kinney, Merrin Dungey, and Shawn Ashmore. Hayes appears to be as messy and complicated a heroine as Meredith Grey, and the court cases will definitely tug on the heartstrings. Lastly, judging from the trailer, Eddie Cahill is poised to have his own "McDreamy" moment, banishing all memories of Rachel's puppy-eyed assistant Tag. Hello, silver fox!

'Pitch' (FOX)

"Pitch" tells the fictional story of Ginny Baker (Kylie Bunbury), the first woman to play for a Major League Baseball team. Any fan of the women of "Grey's Anatomy" will be drawn to the story of a woman trying to make her way in a male-dominated world. Ginny also appears to have an incredibly complicated relationship with her father, with shades of a Meredith/Ellis Grey dynamic. "Pitch" also stars television favorites Dan Lauria and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

'Pure Genius' (CBS)

For "Grey's" fans who are riveted by the patients of the week, "Pure Genius" will be right up your alley. From executive producer Jason Katims, "Pure Genius" follows a Silicon Valley tech magnate (newcomer Augustus Prew) who enlists a veteran surgeon (Dermot Mulroney) to join him in starting a hospital that relies on cutting-edge technology. Any fan of "Friday Night Lights" and "Parenthood" knows Katims will bring the same gut-punching and emotional stories "Grey's Anatomy" is known for.

'Doubt' (CBS)

If Dr. Izzie Stevens was your favorite character on "Grey's," this will be the show for you. "Doubt" is a legal drama from Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, two former "Grey's Anatomy" writers. It stars Katherine Heigl as a defense attorney who gets romantically involved with one of her clients, who may or may not be guilty of a heinous crime. "Grey's" fans can also appreciate how the premise mirrors the forbidden love story of Izzie and Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in Season 2. "Doubt" also stars Laverne Cox of "Orange Is the New Black" as a transgender attorney, a role created specifically for her. It marks the first time a transgender actor will play a trans character on a network series.

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Upcoming TV Shows Not Fit for Prime Time

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FOX's 'The Exorcist' (2016)It's that part of the TV season that giveth and taketh away. Basic cable networks have announced their 2016-2017 schedules, wounding fans of low-rated series with their cancellations but also promoting a new crop of pilots. The networks have released trailers, plot details, and casting for some of the shows that will be competing for your attention and DVR slots come the fall. And while many of those freshmen series look promising (fingers crossed for that "Star Trek" reboot), others are harder to wrap your head around.

What makes a TV show suitable for prime time? If networks and creators had that recipe down, no series would ever crash and burn in its time slot. The fall season is traditionally a period of trial and error, and if past ratios of success-to-flop are any indication, there will be blood. Time will tell if these five new series make it, but right now, their inclusion on the prime-time schedule is ever so slightly baffling.

'The Exorcist' (FOX)

Can a horror series thrive under the strictures of basic cable censors? If "The Exorcist" employs creative horror similar to the three-season run of NBC's "Hannibal," maybe. Still, the Fox serialization of the chilling 1973 movie looks like it could get more mileage out of its demonic possession plot if it could have the content freedom that comes with a premium cable home.

'Imaginary Mary' (ABC)

With a plot reminiscent of the 1991 movie comedy "Drop Dead Fred," the ABC pilot "Imaginary Mary" feels like a relic of that era. Jenna Elfman plays a single woman who starts a relationship with a single dad (Stephen Schneider) against the advice of the furry little companion she dreamed up in her childhood (voiced by Rachel Dratch). Cue the realizations about stunted growth and metaphorical security blankets. If two "Ted" movies weren't enough for you, you might be into this late-bloomer comedy.

'Designated Survivor' (ABC)

In every television season, there are a few shows with concepts that sound like actual "30 Rock" jokes -- never forget "MILF Island," "God Cop," or "Black Frasier." In the 2016-2017 season, the award for the series Jack Donaghy would be most likely to green-light is ABC's "Designated Survivor." It stars erstwhile tough guy Kiefer Sutherland as the only member of the president's cabinet not to be killed by an explosion, thus making him acting Commander-in-Chief. The political safeguard is real; but what are the odds that the man to inherit the most powerful office in the world would be the same guy who's made a career out of punching terrorists in the face on "24"?

'This Is Us' (NBC)

An ensemble dramedy with interlocking stories, "This Is Us" shows us the ordinary and extraordinary lives of several individuals who were born on the same day. Despite an interesting cast that includes Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, and Sterling K. Brown (Christopher Darden on "American Crime Story"), the NBC series is a little too reminiscent of those joyless, overstuffed, holiday-themed movies of the last few years to inspire much confidence.

'Kevin Can Wait' (CBS)

Kevin James is a proven quantity on television and a not unfunny guy, so it's disappointing that his return to series comedy comes in a carbon-copy of his first CBS sitcom vehicle. The beautiful wife has been swapped out and the kids are older, but James is playing the same lazy-but-loving "regular-guy" in "Kevin Can Wait" as he did for over 200 episodes of "The King of Queens."

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Steven Spielberg's Top-Rated Movies

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An image from Steven Spielberg's 'ET The Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)The name Steven Spielberg has become synonymous with "epic cinematic masterpiece," and with good reason. Over the course of his nearly 50-year career, Spielberg has made movies that have defined entire genres, explored dark corners of history, and created cultural moments shared by entire generations. Here are the ones you need to see first.

'Jaws' (1975)

"Jaws" terrified audiences with its perfect villain -- a great white shark with a vendetta. Aside from the suspenseful pace and artful cinematography, "Jaws" also changed movie-studio history. At the time, a big-budget summer horror movie was a gamble -- particularly one that took place mostly in the ocean. But the career-defining performances from all three of its leads (Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw) and the terrifying ending made "Jaws" the most profitable movie ever in 1975, ultimately creating the summer blockbuster phenomenon. In fact, "Jaws" had such an impact on its audience that vacationers stayed away from beaches for years afterward, ultimately hurting the East Coast tourism industry -- and its two-note musical theme still gives people the creeps, even decades later.

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

The first entry in the Indiana Jones franchise, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" established the look, feel, and tone for the entire series, all while delighting audiences with Harrison Ford's performance as the archaeologist-turned-adventurer. "Raiders" is a classic for many reasons -- its Capra-style romance, its trope-defining reluctant hero -- but above all, it's a fun ride. Although it spawned three sequels (not including the recently announced fifth installment) and a TV series, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" remains the best of them all: Who can forget his escape from a giant boulder, or the final warehouse shot?

'E.T.' (1982)

"E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial," Spielberg's classic movie about a lost alien who finds refuge with the children of a suburban family, defined '80s movies for a generation. "E.T." had it all: children outsmarting adults, a heartwarming alien who just wanted to get home, and an unforgettable score by John Williams. It was also where Spielberg perfected his ability to tell stories for and about kids -- starting a theme he would further explore as a developer of the story behind "The Goonies." And while Spielberg continued to tread the cinematic ground established by "E.T." throughout his career -- including the lens flare technique J.J. Abrams so frequently borrows -- he really got it all right the first time.

'The Color Purple' (1985)

"The Color Purple" marked the start of Spielberg's forays into historical fiction, as well as the acting career of then-unknown Oprah Winfrey. With its all-star cast (including Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Laurence Fishburne), "The Color Purple" explored the difficult, and often tragic, history of African Americans in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Although it was a far cry from Spielberg's typical adventure movies, audiences responded overwhelmingly positively to "The Color Purple," placing it alongside other important historical works such as "Roots." Social impact aside, "The Color Purple" was a moving and beautiful story, and demonstrated a new emotional depth for the director.

'Schindler's List' (1993)

"Schindler's List" found Spielberg exploring his own Jewish heritage, telling the true story of Oskar Schindler, a businessman secretly responsible for rescuing hundreds of Jewish refugees from the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. The movie -- mostly shot in black and white -- again found Spielberg shining a light on a dark era of world history, and is notable as the most historically accurate of Spielberg's work. Bring tissues for this one: Liam Neeson's performance is nothing short of powerful.

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Upcoming TV Shows That Will (Probably) Make You Cancel Your Plans

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'MacGyver' (2016) rebootPilot season is upon us -- which means viewers get a taste of the new shows coming to TV in the fall. This year's crop is especially good, with some familiar faces in new series, fresh takes on old favorites, and one new superhero show that promises to be much different than all the rest. Here are five of the hottest shows headed to your screen later this year.

'MacGyver' (CBS)

The franchise so popular its title became a verb, "MacGyver" returns to the small screen in the fall, this time following the son of the titular hero once legendary for being able to escape any situation using everyday objects. Although the tone of the show aims to be closer to "24" than the original "MacGyver," the modern-day setting will still play host to the campy trope of putting MacGyver into impossible situations and watching him escape week after week. Look for lots of action, procedural-style drama, and of course, intricate inventions that would never work in real life.

'The Great Indoors' (CBS)

After successful runs on "Community" and "Talk Soup," Joel McHale brings his trademark smarm-and-charm to "The Great Indoors," a sitcom about a celebrity outdoorsman forced to save his personal brand by managing the team behind his magazine's website. The premise allows McHale to play to his strengths -- being a middle-aged guy anchoring a cast of chaotic side characters -- while also poking fun at internet-obsessed millennials. While the laugh track and fixed sets may make "The Great Indoors" feel like a status quo sitcom, the edgy humor means it'll be anything but.

'Riverdale' (The CW)

The latest entry in The CW's long line of successful teen dramas, "Riverdale" brings the world of The Archies comics to TV in a darker, more modern context. It's actually not as crazy as it sounds. The Archie franchise has become massively popular in the last few years as the comics have taken some major chances, including forays into story lines involving zombies, and the Riverdale gang is likely to fit right in between "Gossip Girl" and "Supernatural." While the pillars of Archie comic stories will still be there (Archie will have to choose between Betty and Veronica, as always), producers promise the entire cast of characters from the comics will be around too, including fan-favorite fictional rock band Josie and the Pussycats.

'Good Place' (NBC)

"Veronica Mars" alum Kristen Bell comes back to network TV at last, with this offbeat comedy about a terrible person accidentally being let into heaven after dying. "Good Place" has a lot going for it: Producer Mike Schur (who brought us "Parks and Recreation" as well as "Brooklyn Nine-Nine") has created a world that's both silly and outrageous, and an incorrigible anti-hero we can't help but love already. Rounding out the cast is Ted Danson, once again showing off the comedic chops he honed on "Cheers" and "Bored to Death." "Good Place" looks so funny, you'll think you've died and gone to comedy heaven.

'Powerless' (NBC)

"Powerless" is a half-hour sitcom that takes place in the DC universe, but in a way we've never seen before: Emily (Vanessa Hudgens) is an insurance adjuster for the agency responsible for insuring and cleaning up after superheroes. The fast-paced comedy is a welcome addition to TV's superhero landscape, and promises a refreshing change from the heroes-and-villains motif on shows like "Arrow," "The Flash," "Legends of Tomorrow," and "Supergirl." Alan Tudyk from "Firefly" and Danny Pudi from "Community" also star, ensuring no one will question the show's geek credentials.

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Quentin Tarantino's Top-Rated Movies

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Image from Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs' (1992)Quentin Tarantino's movies aren't for the faint of heart -- you're just as likely to see a bloody mess as you are an homage to 1970s film-making. But fans and critics alike flock to see each one, knowing Tarantino is a master of both style and substance on the big screen. Whether you're looking for a new take on a tired genre -- such as Westerns or heist movies -- or you're just in the mood for funny, remarkably profane dialogue, Tarantino's got you covered. Here are some of his flicks that earn their high marks.

'Reservoir Dogs' (1992)

"Reservoir Dogs" is the movie Tarantino honed his voice with -- the vulgar, clever tone would eventually become his trademark. "Reservoir Dogs" is a brilliant twist on the heist movie genre: We see everything before and after the crime, but never the actual heist itself, because the focus is on the relationships between a group of criminals who've never worked together before. There are plenty of reasons why the movie shouldn't work -- it's mainly monologues; the story is told out of sequence; the majority of it takes place in an empty warehouse -- but the movie uses these things as strengths, letting each actor play the character to the fullest. In the end, each thief is so easy to relate to, it's hard to know who to root for.

'Pulp Fiction' (1994)

The movie that resurrected John Travolta's ailing career, "Pulp Fiction" was Tarantino's first mainstream success to inspire catchphrases, copycats mimicking his disconnected storytelling, and a worldwide obsession with hearing Samuel L. Jackson swear profusely. Tarantino fanatics gush, and rightly so, over the movie's overlapping plots, mystery, and soundtrack. The ensemble cast -- which also includes Uma Thurman, Ving Rhames, Bruce Willis, Eric Stoltz, Tim Roth, Christopher Walken, and even a cameo by Steve Buscemi as a waiter -- makes every scene a thrill ride.

'Kill Bill Volume 1' (2003) and 'Kill Bill Volume 2' (2004)

A martial arts kill-fest that originally spanned more than four hours, "Kill Bill" was split into two separate theatrical releases dubbed "Kill Bill Volume 1" and "Kill Bill Volume 2." Part revenge story, part tribute to classic samurai cinema, "Kill Bill" follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she tracks down the leader of her former group -- The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad -- after he has left her for dead. "Kill Bill" stands alone among Tarantino's films for its carefully choreographed fight scenes that make a beautiful, violent ballet. Grossing nearly $200 million combined, both volumes were wildly popular, leaving fans asking for a rumored third movie.

'From Dusk Till Dawn' (1996)

Tarantino's script about fugitive bank robbers encountering Mexican vampires was helmed by then-fledgling director Robert Rodriguez. Taking the fun elements of Tarantino's previous work -- namely the sharp dialogue and funny gore -- "From Dusk Till Dawn" allowed Tarantino to explore his love for '70s horror movies. The movie's success eventually lead to DVD-only sequels, as well as theatrical follow-ups like Tarantino's tonally similar "Grindhouse." Later, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" appeared on the small screen. Not all Tarantino fans loved this entire phase of his career, but "From Dusk Till Dawn" remains a classic. Who can resist watching George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, and Juliette Lewis slay vampires like Salma Hayek and Cheech Marin?

'Django Unchained' (2012)

A fan of revisiting and revising classic genres, Tarantino tackled the Spaghetti Western with "Django Unchained," a movie that upended the tropes of classic Westerns by placing a former slave in the hero role. While the script is rife with Tarantino's trademark wit, the acting is what makes "Django Unchained" a masterpiece -- Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz each turn in career-high, award-winning performances. Although fairly controversial, the movie's revising of the history of slavery enthralled moviegoers, and led Tarantino to stick with the Western genre for his follow-up movie, "The Hateful Eight."

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Best TV Shows for Sci-Fi Fans

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The 100In the same way "Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones" made fantasy cool again, the return of classic franchises like "Star Wars" and "Battlestar Galactica" has brought sci-fi back to mainstream audiences in the form of big budget, concept-heavy prime time TV shows. If you're a sci-fi fan looking to delve deeper into the genre or a newbie ready to check out the fundamentals of TV science fiction, check out these shows -- and buckle up for some journeys into time, space, and other dimensions.

'The 100' (2014 - )

"The 100" (pronounced "The Hundred") is a post-apocalyptic drama that borrows heavily from predecessors like "Lost" and "The Walking Dead" -- only this time, the band of survivors is made up of teenage delinquents exiled from a space station thought to be humanity's last refuge from nuclear war. Naturally, when they return to Earth, they find they're not alone -- and the fun of "The 100" lies in the conflicts between the surviving factions. Like most shows on the CW, there's as much crying as there is action, but it works for "The 100," and the show remains grounded (no pun intended) by the harsh realities of post-apocalyptic survival. More fun than "The Hunger Games" and less brutal than "Lord of the Flies," "The 100" is great at keeping the pressure on and bringing its audience back each week.

'Doctor Who' (2005 - )

"Doctor Who" is a science fiction institution -- the BBC show has been on and off the air for more than 50 years, as well as kept alive in audio plays, comic books, novels, and of course, fan fiction. The show follows the Doctor, a brilliant yet goofy Time Lord traveling throughout space and time with a human companion, righting the wrongs of the universe one episode at a time. While "Doctor Who" is grounded in traditional sci-fi -- the Doctor is no stranger to aliens, time-travel paradoxes, or space battles -- above all else, the show is mostly lighthearted and fun. What's more, "Doctor Who" has one of the largest international fan bases of any show, so wherever you are, there are likely to be hardcore fans -- dubbed Whovians -- nearby.

'Rick and Morty' (2013 - )

Don't let the playful animation fool you: "Rick and Morty" is a dark, cynical, and hilarious sci-fi show that follows the adventures of a genius alcoholic sociopath and his idiot grandson. Created by Dan Harmon ("Community") and Justin Roiland, "Rick and Morty" has become a sci-fi classic as the pair explores multiple dimensions, space, and the occasional high school dance. Guest voices, including Stephen Colbert, David Cross, and Werner Herzog, delightfully augment off-the-wall characters. And be sure to keep watching after the credits -- each episode closes with a coda that takes a grim joke from the story even further.

'Firefly' (2002 - 2003)

Perhaps the most beloved sci-fi show in recent memory, "Firefly" is Joss Whedon's one-season wonder about a mercenary space crew surviving life after an intergalactic civil war. "Firefly" is half "Star Trek," half "Gunsmoke" -- while it's set in space, many of the costumes and story lines recall classic Westerns, giving the show a futuristic-but-timeless feel. Audiences rallied for the show after its cancellation, which eventually led to the follow-up feature film "Serenity." Even so, unsatisfied, passionate fans (who refer to themselves as "Browncoats") still circulate petitions around the internet begging producers to revive "Firefly," and cast reunion panels are the crown jewels of Comic-Cons lucky enough to host them.

'Quantum Leap' (1989 - 1993)

"Quantum Leap" told the story of Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), a scientist lost in time, occupying other people's lives. In each episode, Sam had to be someone new and work to fix a problem in that person's life in order to make his next leap -- forever hoping he would someday leap home. The show was satisfying both as a sci-fi show and a mystery show -- the drama revolved around protecting the timeline of history as much as it did keeping the audience wondering who was controlling where Sam leaped. After garnering four Emmys and a cult following, "Quantum Leap" ended with a finale that was well earned and worth the wait.

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Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling Join All-Female 'Ocean's Eleven' Spinoff

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88th Annual Academy Awards - ArrivalsThe roster for the all-female "Ocean's Eleven" spinoff is getting seriously A-list.

Showbiz411 confirmed the rumor that Cate Blanchett is joining fellow Oscar winner Sandra Bullock in the heist flick. They are also reporting that Mindy Kaling, Elizabeth Banks, and Helena Bonham Carter are jumping on board, as well. "Hunger Games" director Gary Ross is helming the spinoff, but the site confirms his former star, Jennifer Lawrence, will not be added to the cast.

Bullock is expected to play the Danny Ocean (George Clooney) of the movie, with Blanchett as the Rusty (Brad Pitt) counterpart. The spinoff is supposedly being called "Ocean's Ocho," indicating there will be eight heist participants versus 11, like in the original. So, what other Oscar winners can they bring into the pack? Dialing Brie Larson!

"Ocean's Ocho" is set to start filming in New York City late this year or early 2017.

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The Best Shows That Only Lasted One Season

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Freaks and Geeks (1999 - 2000) castEveryone's been there: You root for a freshman show, delighted by the new addition to your TV landscape, only to find that it gets mercilessly cancelled after a single season. While it hardly seems fair, not every show must go on, and some are destined to forever be one-season wonders. But before you take to Twitter to demand the return of your favorite, spend some time checking out these past shows that had a solid one-and-only year.

'Enlisted' (2014)

Military comedies are often a tough sell for audiences -- they can be hard to relate to, and they're often forced to create humor within the grim context of war. "Enlisted" approached this challenge by creating an ensemble comedy about the soldiers charged with supporting military families at home: The show's "Rear Detachment Unit" was a hilarious, military version of "The Bad News Bears." Emulating predecessors like "MAS*H" and "Community," "Enlisted" was stuffed to the gills with laugh-out-loud side characters who nearly stole the show each episode. But ultimately, "Enlisted" stood out because of its heart. The show focused on a soldier returning from combat, dealing with his complicated relationships with his brothers, and his difficulty coming home. Adept at both quick humor and emotional depth, "Enlisted" was discharged way before its time.

'Lucky Louie' (2006)

Years before Louis C.K. created the critical darling "Louie," he had another semi-autobiographical show, "Lucky Louie," where he also played an exaggerated version of himself, this time at an earlier stage in his life (and, weirdly, as a mechanic instead of a comic). The similarities end there, though -- "Lucky Louie" was a straightforward sitcom, filmed in front of a live studio audience, and it primarily depicted the struggles he faced raising his first daughter while living in poverty. The show featured a lot of the same players as "Louie," including Pamela Adlon and Jim Norton (as well as a very young Emma Stone), and the half-hour plots, while funny, were laced with a surprising level of vulgarity. Although it was probably doomed from the start -- HBO has never been a great home for sitcoms, and network TV would never have allowed "Lucky Louie" on the air -- it remains required viewing for fans of the comic.

'Wonderfalls' (2004)

"Wonderfalls" was witty, odd, delightful, and slightly surreal -- exactly what you'd expect from show creator Bryan Fuller (who also brought you "Dead Like Me" and "Pushing Daisies"). The show followed burnout Jaye Tyler (Caroline Dhavernas), a young gift-shop worker content to complain about life, who suddenly finds the tchotchkes at her job are talking to her, urging her to do odd yet meaningful things. Part rom-com, part foray into Magical Realism, "Wonderfalls" became more compelling as it got weirder -- getting viewers to care as much about the mystery of the show as they did about Jaye's love life. While criminally underappreciated, "Wonderfalls" maintains a cult following to this day, and is well worth a binge.

'The Muppets' (2015)

When "30 Rock" first aired, a lot of people noted that it felt like a live-action version of the original 1970s "The Muppet Show" -- the backstage hijinks of a variety show's wacky cast and crew. Given the similarities in the characters -- let's face it, Tina Fey is pretty much Kermit incarnate -- the comparisons were spot-on. Then, in 2015, Jim Henson Studios announced they would be producing an updated show featuring the Muppets in the mockumentary style of "The Office," following the gang as they produced a fictional late-night talk show -- and it ended up feeling like a modern version of "30 Rock." Oddly enough, the new show worked, giving more depth to newer characters like Pepe the Prawn and Bobo the Bear, and even breathing new life into the will-they-or-won't-they relationship between Kermit and Miss Piggy. Unfortunately, the show was too adult for kids and not unique enough for adults, and ultimately was given the ax by ABC after 16 episodes. Nonetheless, "The Muppets" remains a solid entry in the history of everyone's favorite group of oddball puppets.

'Awake' (2012)

"Awake" was both a crime procedural and a concept-driven sci-fi show, and it managed to be great at both. Detective Michael Britten (Jason Isaacs) was a man whose life was torn apart by a deadly car accident involving his wife and son. But after recovering, Britten finds himself living two lives -- one in which only his wife is still alive, and one in which only his son has survived. Each time he wakes up, he finds himself switching between realities, unsure of which is real, and at the same time being forced to solve crimes in both. Although "Awake" never got to blossom into a full-blown mystery, in a single season it managed to create compelling characters and a clever take on the crime-of-the-week genre. Also, unlike many one-season wonders, the season finale is a satisfying final chapter.

'Freaks and Geeks' (1999)

"Freaks and Geeks" marked the beginning of Judd Apatow's long-term, and well deserved, success. Set in early 1980s Michigan, it followed the lives of several unpopular teenagers in a typical suburban high school. Aside from showcasing its soon-to-be-all-stars cast of James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, Martin Starr, Jason Segel, John Francis Daley, and Busy Philipps, "Freaks and Geeks" struck a chord with audiences based on the show's realism. The kids on the show weren't the wealthy, well manicured teens of "90210" -- they were the awkward and insecure kids that everyone could actually relate to, living mundane, if entertaining, lives. While the show practically demanded a second season (as did its fans after the final episodes were never originally broadcast), you'll have to settle for just the single season.

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'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' Drops Live Owls After Mid-Performance Escape

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harry potter, owl, hedwig, cursed child, harry potter and the cursed child, live owlsThe "Harry Potter" sequel play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" has opened to some magical reviews, but the production is already making a significant change: The play will no longer feature live owls.

The move came after an incident during the opening night of previews in London on Tuesday, when, according to the BBC, "an owl escaped into the auditorium" after it "had failed to return to its handler after making a brief flight during a scene." Following that mishap, the production decided to nix live birds altogether, instituting the change in time for the debut of part two of the play on Thursday.

Signs appeared outside the theater notifying patrons, "During the performance you will see some birds in cages but please note these birds are not real -- just very realistic pieces from our brilliant props department! There are no real birds featured in the production."

Producers also released a statement noting the nixing of the live owls:


"The production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently in its preview stage, with the process designed to allow the creative team time to rehearse changes or explore specific scenes further before the play's official opening.

"As part of this process earlier this week the decision was made not to feature live owls in any aspect of the production moving forward.

"The owls that were associated with the production were expertly cared for by a team of certified trainers and an on-site specialist veterinary surgeon (Steve Smith, MRCVS) who ensured the owls' welfare and enrichment needs were safeguarded at all times.

"This was of utmost importance to the production."


Representatives from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) praised the move, releasing a statement of its own:

"Peta commends the production team for coming to its senses and recognising that treating owls like props goes against every message of respect and kindness that JK Rowling's wonderful books taught us," director Mimi Bekhechi said.

"Harry Potter can now join the ranks of innovative stage productions like War Horse, The Lion King and Running Wild which prove that animals need not be exploited for the theatre - and that the possibilities of prop design are limited only by our own creativity."


Despite the lack of live foul, fans clearly were charmed by "Cursed Child," raving about the play on social media (but being careful to follow J.K. Rowling's instructions to #keepthesecrets). The sold-out production officially opens on July 30, and runs through May 2017.

[via: BBC News]

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It's Official: 'Nashville' Is Moving to CMT for Season 5

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"Nashville" fans have been on a rollercoaster ever since ABC cancelled the show, the series ended its fourth season on a cliffhanger, and was then shopped around to other networks, before CMT hinted that the channel would become its new home. Now, that last bit of news is officially official, with the country music network announcing on Friday that "Nashville" will indeed be moving to the cable channel for season five.

"CMT heard the fans. The wave of love and appreciation they have unleashed for 'Nashville' has been overwhelming," said CMT president Brian Philips in a statement. "Nashville is a perfect addition to our evolving line-up of big music specials, documentaries and original series. We see our fans and ourselves in this show, and we will treasure it like no other network. Nashville belongs on CMT."

The country music outlet certainly seems like the perfect fit for the program, though the channel certainly kept fans on their toes over the past few days: CMT was expected to officially announce the "Nashville" pickup during the CMT Music Awards show on Wednesday, but that word never came, leaving Nashies wondering if the deal had gone south. Thankfully, it seems that all the involved parties (which include Lionsgate, ABC Studios, and streaming home Hulu) just needed a few more days to hammer out a deal to keep the show alive.

Speaking of keeping things alive, season four closed with a major cliffhanger, as Juliette's (Hayden Panettiere) private jet went off the radar, leaving estranged husband Avery (Jonathan Jackson) worried sick. While it's unclear how new showrunners Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick ("My So-Called Life," "thirtysomething") will handle that curveball, fans should be happy that they'll get to see the resolution to that storyline at all.

Those fans are part of the reason the show was revived in the first place, according to Lionsgate Television Group chairman Kevin Beggs, who said in a statement, "#Nashies, you helped make this possible."

Now all that's left is an official premiere date for season five. Stay tuned. (And sign up for a cable subscription if you don't have one already.)

[via: TVLine]

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Top-Rated Movies From the '70s

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The Godfather (1972)In an era of post-Vietnam trauma, global energy crises, Richard Nixon, pornstaches, and fashions that are straight from the mind of peacock on LSD, movies finally busted out of their Technicolor shells to paint screens with the grainy, brutal, character-driven flicks that defined the 1970s. And after they defined the '70s, they went on to define every film buff's movie shelf. It was a decade of gut-punching greatness for film, and its beautiful bruises still sting.

Like they say: Bad times make good art. And good art makes for movies that'll go down in history as some of the best -- then, now, and forever. Here's a handful of reasons why the 1970s captured lightning in a Brut bottle.

Things Got Gritty

While there were always exceptions, movies well into the 1960s felt a little more plastic than their 1970s successors -- bad cowboys wore black hats; good cowboys wore white hats; John Wayne always saved the day.

In the '70s, people didn't always feel like winners. "Rocky" lost the big fight, "Apocalypse Now" lost the war, and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" lost its mind. Likewise, the anti-hero stepped into the neon-tinged spotlight. Sociopathic Travis Bickle of "Taxi Driver" would've been an antagonist in earlier decades, and "Dirty Harry" didn't give a single damn what "by the book" meant. America's apple pie suddenly got spiked.

Characters (and Actors) Came First

In 1975, Robert Altman's "Nashville" juggled 24 characters. They yelled, fought, talked over each other, and improvised more than struggling actors on Sunset Boulevard. Plot lines came and went like distracted kittens. But what shouldn't have worked on paper taught audiences something great: You don't need a clever plot, a chase scene, or a big twist -- just let that camera linger on dynamite actors playing flawed, idiosyncratic, and just plain realer-than-real characters; let it roll, and trust that it'll work.

And work it did. "The Godfather" and "The Godfather: Part II" sold its characters so much with the likes of Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando, Talia Shire, James Caan, and Robert Duvall that no one minded watching them meander around for six and a half hours or so. No one needed a pretty face or a CGI dragon; they just let Al Pacino loose for a few hours in "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Serpico" and called it a day.

The Arthouse Came Home

Some '70s flicks lived and died on New York-accented method actors and heroin-shooting cops. They kept it real. Others kept it very unreal. On one hand, you had beautiful, cigarette-smoking sweaty humanity; on the other, you had meditative works with a laser focus on immaculate aesthetics. Before people had access to Twitter to complain about everything, movie theaters took risks on dreamy arthouse titles like "Solaris" and "A Clockwork Orange," or the "Is this porn or is this art?" head-trip of "In the Realm of the Senses."

Terrence Malick said, "I'm gonna shoot a country daydream completely during the magic hour with a bunch of twangy, depression-era voice-overs, okay?" and audiences replied, "Groovy -- I'll buy that 'Days of Heaven' ticket, a six-pack of Bud, and these Virginia Slims."

The Blockbuster Began

So what happened to today's movies?, you might ask. Why do movies get by with spending $400 million dollars to give a robot testicles, which is a thing that actually happened in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"? The answer is that the '70s giveth, and the '70s taketh away -- the same decade that blew minds and elevated the cinematic arts gave birth to the mega-blockbuster popcorn film as the decade wound down. The likes of "Star Wars," "Jaws," and"Superman: The Movie" doomed moviegoers to superheroes punching each other through the sun forever. But it was the best type of doomed anyone could've asked for: Doomed to greatness.

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Larry David Wants to Make More 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'

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Premiere of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" Season 7 - ArrivalsA "Friends" reunion may never happen, but another beloved comedy could be returning to the airwaves: Larry David is reportedly interested in making a ninth season of his improvisational HBO show "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

That's the word from "Curb" co-star J.B. Smoove, who revealed in an interview on "The Rich Eisen Show" that he recently spoke with David about the possibility. According to the actor, he called David about a month ago, and the creator brought up the subject himself, telling Smoove, "I'm thinking about coming back" for more "Curb."

"He has not said no, which puts us in a great position," Smoove told Eisen. " ... And if Larry does not say no, there's a possibility he may say yes."

Smoove also said that David asked him if he'd reprise his "Curb" role if the series does indeed return. The actor told Eisen he was definitely on board.

"I'll move anything I'm doing to the side for 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,'" Smoove said. "Which would be a fabulous thing to do. Season nine would be fabulous."

And Smoove isn't the only one talking about more "Curb." David Mandel, who worked alongside David as a producer and director on the series, recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about the subject, and said the likelihood of a revival is high.

"The neat thing about Larry David is actually I do believe one day he will do it," Mandel told THR. "And if he picks up five years from now, it'll be really fascinating to see what 'Curb' is like in five years."

We agree. We'll try to curb our own enthusiasm while we wait for definitive word from David.

[via: The Rich Eisen Show, The Hollywood Reporter]

Photo credit: Getty Images

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Sorry, 'Friends' Fans, But a Reunion Is Never Happening

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Friends Television StillsIt's been more than 10 years since "Friends" left the airwaves, but fans still can't get enough of the sitcom. The love runs so deep that this year's NBC tribute to renowned comedy director James Burrows was immediately branded as "The Friends Reunion Show," thanks to the cast's (minimal) involvement. But aside from that gathering of five of the six stars, will there ever be a real, true "Friends" reunion on our TV screens?

The answer, sadly, is an unequivocal "no."

That's the latest word from "Friends" co-creator Marta Kauffman, who recently sat down for a lengthy roundtable Q&A with some fellow TV comedy showrunners for The Hollywood Reporter. Kauffman discussed what it was like being pigeonholed after the sitcom went off the air ("After 'Friends,' all they wanted me to do was create another multicamera show," she said), and her distaste for spinoffs ("I'd feel like I was cheapening the original," she added, though she graciously didn't mention "Joey" by name). But what about a "Friends" reunion special -- say, for Emma Geller's high school graduation, or Chandler and Monica's 20th anniversary -- instead?

THR jokingly broached the subject with Kauffman, and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" showrunner Aline Brosh McKenna also chimed in, but Kauffman remained staunchly unmoved. Here's the exchange:

THR: I know how much you enjoy the questions about a Friends reunion.

KAUFFMAN: Oh, oh, don't even. I don't know how many ways we can say no.

BROSH MCKENNA: It's a [testament] to the love of the show and the renewed relevance of the show.

KAUFFMAN: They can watch it on Netflix!


So there you go: It ain't gonna happen. At least, like Kauffman said, we'll always have Netflix. (And endless reruns on cable TV.)

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]

Photo credit: Warner Bros. Television/Getty Images

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'Raiders of the Lost Ark': 15 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Indiana Jones' First Adventure

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What's left to say about "Raiders of the Lost Ark?"

For 35 years, since the movie's release on June 12, 1981, we've loved Harrison Ford's whip-cracking Indiana Jones, we've argued about the relative quality of the sequels, and we've thrilled to the relentless machine of pure action that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas devised. We've watched the movie a zillion times without getting bored, and we've even familiarized ourselves with much of the behind-the-scenes trivia. And yet, there still remain secrets to be unearthed, buried under decades of mythmaking like so many ancient artifacts.

Here are some of them -- just watch out for booby traps. And snakes.
1. Indiana Jones's name really did come from the dog -- the dog owned by George Lucas's then-wife, Marcia. That Indiana had also been the inspiration for Ford's "Star Wars" pal, Chewbacca.

2. Spielberg took the directing job at a low point in his career. His World War II spoof "1941" had been a costly flop, and he felt he had to prove he could bring in a movie ahead of schedule and under budget. Indeed, he would succeed in doing so with "Raiders," which he managed to shoot for $18 million in just 73 days, despite locations in four different countries.
3. The giant boulder was made of plaster, wood, and fiberglass and weighed 300 pounds. It could have seriously injured anyone in its path. Spielberg agreed to let Ford film the stunt himself, from five different angles, each shot twice. Of Ford's ability to outrun the boulder, Spielberg later said, "He won 10 times and beat the odds. He was lucky, and I was an idiot for letting him try."
4. Karen Allen's character, Marion Ravenwood, got her first name from screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan's wife's grandmother, and her last name from a Los Angeles street he drove down every day on the way to the studio.
5. Yes, Paul Freeman (Belloq) really swallowed a fly as he uttered the line, "You're going to give mercenaries a bad name." Said Spielberg, "Paul was so absorbed that he didn't realize he'd swallowed the bugger." For his part, Freeman recalls his ability to stay in character despite the mishap earning him praise from feared New Yorker critic Pauline Kael, who otherwise didn't much care for "Raiders." ("What a trouper!" she wrote.)6. Spielberg had sketches drawn of Toht (Ronald Lacey), the bespectacled, Peter Lorre-like Gestapo interrogator, as a "Mad Max"-worthy villain, complete with a prosthetic hand that served as a flamethrower and a machine gun. "He was like the Terminator before 'The Terminator,'" Spielberg recalled. Lucas insisted that the conception of the character was wrong for the genre, and Toht became a normal (but especially sinister) man. "All that hard work just became refuse in the art department," Spielberg said.
7. The gag where Toht wields what looks like a torture device, but turns out to be a coat hanger, is a joke Spielberg recycled from "1941." He filmed a similar scene with Christopher Lee in that movie, but ended up cutting it when it didn't get laughs.
8. The food poisoning that afflicted nearly everyone on the Tunisian set (but not Spielberg, who brought his own canned Spaghetti-Os and bottled water from London) resulted in the improvisation of one of the most famous "Raiders" scenes, the one where Indy faces down an Egyptian swordsman.

The script had Indy fighting the assassin with his bullwhip, but Ford's diarrhea kept him from filming the long, elaborate sequence. Also, as Ford would tell the audience at a 2011 LA Times Hero Complex screening, the production has already shot a fight scene with Indy disarming a group of baddies with his whip. Lest the film get repetitive with all this whip fighting, Ford suggested: "Why don't we just shoot the son of a bitch?" To shorten the scene, Ford and Spielberg agreed Indy should just pull out a pistol and shoot the man.
9. For the Well of Souls sequence (above), shot on a British soundstage, the producers rustled up 2,000 snakes, but they weren't enough to cover the floor. Scouring pet shops across Europe, the filmmakers found thousands more; different accounts say there were ultimately between 6,500 and 10,000 snakes in the scenes, plus lizards and lengths of rubber hose.

Medics wearing hazmat suits and carrying syringes of anti-venom stood just outside camera range. Unlike his character, Ford was unfazed by the snakes, but Allen was freaked out. Animal handler Steve Edge had to complete some of her scenes, shaving his legs and putting on Marion's dress.10. Much of the truck-chase sequence involves Ford himself being dragged behind the vehicle. "I'm sure it's not dangerous," he said of the stunt. "If it was dangerous, they would have waited 'til we got more of the movie done."
Director Steven Spielberg on a miniature set for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, 1981, (c) Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection11. One way Spielberg saved money was by incorporating stock footage. Shots of the passenger plane in mid-flight came from 1937's "Lost Horizon," and a 1930s street scene came from 1975's "The Hindenburg."
12. Also borrowed was the German submarine (above), which had been rented from the makers of the then-recent "Das Boot," Wolfgang Petersen's soon-to-be-classic World War II drama. The "Raiders" climax was shot in what had been an actual Nazi submarine base in France.
13. Michael Sheard auditioned for the role of Toht, which went to his pal Lacey. Instead, he got to play the U-boat commander. He'd play a more prominent Nazi role -- Adolf Hitler himself (pictured) -- in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
14. Toht's melting face was made of a combination of gelatin, colored yarn (to simulate muscles and veins), and alginate (what dentists use to make impressions) -- all molded over a skull made of stone. It took 10 minutes to melt under the onslaught of propane space heaters and a hair dryer; the footage was then sped up.
15. A fan theory -- mentioned prominently in "The Big Bang Theory" and elsewhere -- suggests that, despite being the protagonist of "Raiders," Indiana Jones has no real impact on the story's outcome. Had he not been involved, the Nazis would have found the Ark on their own (they wouldn't have dug in the wrong place because they'd have had the actual medallion), opened it, and been destroyed. Do you think this is a fair criticism? Discuss.

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David Letterman Thinks 'The Late Show' Should Have Gone to a Woman

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The 75th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony - Press RoomWe haven't heard too much from David Letterman since he retired from "The Late Show" (and subsequently grew a magnificent beard) in May 2015. Now, he's speaking out about life after leaving late night, and in true Letterman fashion, he's not mincing his words -- especially when it comes to who he thinks really should have gotten the job.

The interview, conducted by Tom Brokaw for a "Dateline" segment set to air this weekend, features Letterman getting candid about how he doesn't actually miss the job that went to Stephen Colbert.


"I thought for sure I would," Letterman admitted. "And then the first day of Stephen's show, when he went on the air, an energy left me and I felt like, 'You know, that's not my problem anymore.' And I've kind of felt that way ever since. ... I couldn't care less about late night television."

The former host also said that he's happy for Colbert, and admires what the show's become under his successor's guidance. But why, Letterman wondered, wasn't a woman considered for the job instead?

"There should be more women," he said of the current late night landscape. "I don't know why they didn't give my show to a woman. That would have been fine."

While Letterman's statement certainly isn't an indictment of Colbert, it's not exactly a ringing endorsement, either. And his point about the lack of female-fronted late night programs is a valid one.

As Uproxx notes, Colbert has been having a bit of a rough time lately. Looks like he can add his predecessor's interview to the pile, too.

The entire Letterman segment will air on "Dateline" on Sunday at 7 p.m.

[via: Uproxx]

Photo credit: Getty Images for Peabody

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'Ferris Bueller's Day Off': 10 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About This '80s Classic

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Alan Ruck, who played Cameron Frye in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," once had an idea for a sequel that would have been set decades later, with an ancient Ferris breaking Cameron out of the rest home for one last day of fun. It doesn't seem that far-fetched anymore, given that 30 years have already passed since the teen comedy's release on June 11, 1986.

The John Hughes classic continues to have an outsized impact on pop culture; even this year's superhero hit "Deadpool" featured a "Ferris" shout-out. Yet there are still things you may not know about Ferris, Sloane, and Cameron's epic day of hooky in Chicago -- who almost starred in it, what was left out, and its various life-imitates-art moments. So fire up your friend's father's Ferrari as we fly through these forgotten Ferris factoids.
1. Hughes (pictured left) wrote the script in a week, trying to get it done before the onset of a Writers Guild strike.

2. Matthew Broderick was Hughes's first choice for Ferris; nonetheless, the filmmakers considered John Cusack, Michael J. Fox, Tom Cruise, and the then-little-known Jim Carrey.
3. Hughes refused to cast his regular leading lady Molly Ringwald as Sloane, arguing the part was too small for her. He was impressed, however, with Mia Sara's air of maturity, even though she was just 18.

4. Alan Ruck was 29 when cast as high school senior Cameron. He remains grateful to Hughes's "Breakfast Club" star Emilio Estevez for turning down the role that made Ruck's career.
5. Ferris and Cameron's camaraderie came easily to Broderick and Ruck, who had co-starred on Broadway in "Biloxi Blues." Ruck's pushy, authoritative telephone voice when he's imitating Sloane's father is actually his impression of "Biloxi" director Gene Saks.

6. Cameron's Detroit Red Wings jersey with Gordie Howe's No. 9 on the back was Hughes's tribute to the hockey icon of his youth. In fact, he got Howe himself to send him the jersey used in the film.
7. Some of the parade scenes were staged for the film, but the close-ups of Ferris performing "Twist and Shout" required Broderick to crash an actual parade, Ferris-style.

8. Left on the cutting room floor were all the scenes of Ferris and Jeanie's (Jennifer Grey) kid brother and sister. Never filmed was a scene that would have had the three school-ditching teens visit a strip club.
9. The film cost a mere $5.8 million to make. It earned back $70.1 million to become the 10th-biggest hit of 1986.

10. Lyman Ward and Cindy Pickett, who played Ferris and Jeanie's parents, met on the "Ferris" set, fell in love, and got married in real life. They played a couple again in the 1992 horror movie "Sleepwalkers."

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The British TV Show Invasion: The Weirdest Alien Species Found on 'Doctor Who'

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The Zygons from DOCTOR WHOFans of the iconic, long-running "Doctor Who" can all agree on one thing -- a lot of strange aliens have appeared on the series since it started back in 1963. While most of the time, viewers are getting lost in the "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey" parts of the show -- watching Peter Capaldi and Jenna Louise Coleman take on the Daleks, or Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill try to mend the crack in the universe -- the aliens on "Doctor Who" are an entertaining mainstay.

It doesn't matter which of the 12 Doctors is your favorite, since there's no denying that the aliens help keep the tension alive and the show intriguing. Sure, there are some human-looking species, like the Time Lords, but the writers and special effects designers continue to go bigger and get stranger. Case in point -- these six creepy, crawly, mind-boggling aliens.

The Abzorbaloff

Viewers met this species during David Tennant's time as the Tenth Doctor in the episode "Love & Monsters." The Abzorbaloff does as its name says and consumes people by absorbing them. While the species is incredibly unsettling, there's a fun fact about its inception: A 9-year-old named William Grantham designed the alien, and it was used in the show after he won a contest. He did a great job -- the boy succeeded in creeping out just about everyone who watched the episode.

The Silence

Popping up during the Eleventh Doctor's reign and proving they're in it for the long haul, the Silence are among the creepiest aliens around, because the characters who come into contact with them later forget them completely. A good thing, though, since they look like the personified mask from "Scream" with its mouth removed -- and a thousand times scarier. Thankfully, Amy Pond, Rory, and the Doctor overcame the Silence, eventually. Just be on the lookout for any stray tally marks on your body -- a sure sign you've come in contact with one, but you've forgotten about it.

The Zygons

This species of "Doctor Who" aliens first came about in the original series way back in 1975 and they've made quite the impression ever since. The Zygons can replicate another human being as long as that person is still alive, which is good, because in their natural form, the species are basically octopus tentacles who can walk and talk. This alien made its triumphant return to modern-day, or Nu-Who, in "The Day of the Doctor," which celebrated the show's 50th anniversary, coming back to scare a whole new generation of fans.

Adipose

The Adipose may be among the cutest alien species in "Doctor Who," but don't let that fool you. When the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate, discover the adorable species, they eventually find out the little critters are composed of -- wait for it -- human fat. Gross. If you can forget that small fact, then sure, they're the most adorable aliens around.

Sontarans

Ahh ... a species of walking potatoes -- that's what the Sontarans look like. They're essentially pint-sized walking, talking spuds that only think about war. To be fair, their world values military smarts above all else. They regard discipline and honor as the two best virtues, but it's their appearance that's most unsettling -- especially since they only have three fingers on each hand. Military smarts plus potato plus three fingers equals a majorly eerie alien species.

Lady Cassandra O'Brien

Including Lady Cassandra O'Brien on this list is kind of cheating, because technically, she's a human. However, when Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and viewers meet Lady Cassandra, she is the last "pure" human, which has resulted in her using any means she can to stay alive. Instead of being a walking, talking, breathing woman, she's a flat, amorphous face that has been stretched thin and needs to be "moisturized" by her minions as much as possible. Even though she's human, Lady Cassandra embodies creepiness to the umpteenth degree.

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The Best Shows to Turn Into Drinking Games

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ArrowSome TV shows are tailor-made for drinking games -- alcohol can sometimes be the only way to make it through episodes when your favorite show is phoning it in, or it's wallowing in its own clichés. Invite friends over for these specialized drinking games for a few of your favorites -- get your shot glasses ready, and definitely don't plan on driving or operating any heavy machinery after playing.

'Empire' (2015 - )

Everyone loves watching the music-mogul Lyon family on "Empire" -- the weekly drama between Cookie and Lucious is almost as good as the rap, hip-hop, and soul soundtrack the show delivers. Naturally, songwriting plays a big part in the stories, but what's amazing is each character's ability to write fully produced songs on the spot. Each episode, someone will have an idea for a new song, or be challenged to deliver a new rap, and inevitably, one of the Lyons will step up to deliver a radio-ready track without blinking. No demos, no drafts -- they get behind the mic, and the song comes out perfectly the first time. That's worth drinking to.

How to play: Drink once every time a character writes a new song that's finished the first time they play it. Drink twice each time a studio musician on the show magically knows how to accompany the new song.

'Downton Abbey' (2010 - 2015)

Audiences across the globe have reveled in the drama and historical fiction of "Downton Abbey," the first show on PBS to gain mainstream popularity in years. But the stilted language, stiff costumes, and British class struggles of "Downton" aren't for everyone -- so for those who are not completely sold on the period piece, drinking makes the whole experience a little easier to swallow.

How to play: Drink every time there's an uncomfortable silence. (Please note: Each episode may require multiple trips to the liquor store.)

'Supergirl' (2015 - )

"Supergirl" holds its own amid some stiff competition on the comic-book show landscape -- star Melissa Benoist has truly risen to the challenge of being the only female super-powered lead on prime-time TV. That said, the show loves to constantly remind viewers that she's Superman's cousin -- as though the giant "S" on her chest wasn't enough of a hint -- to the point that it gets distracting when the characters are constantly discussing a hero who isn't there. So a drinking game was inevitable, right?

How to play: Drink once every time someone refers to the fact that Superman is Kara's cousin. Drink twice whenever Superman is mentioned directly (calling him Clark or Kal-El counts).

'Arrow' (2012 - )

The original staple of the DC television universe, "Arrow" has grown into an action soap opera with more love stories than a telenovela. Between Oliver Queen, his ex-girlfriend, his other ex-girlfriend (who's also the sister of his first ex-girlfriend), his assistant-turned-girlfriend, and the mother of his illegitimate child, there's always fresh heartbreak. It's enough to drive fans to drink.

How to play: Drink every time someone cries on "Arrow." Caution: For safety reasons, it may be better to not watch an entire episode at once when playing.

'The Big Bang Theory' (2007 - )

After nine seasons, "The Big Bang Theory" is still a ratings juggernaut, despite the fact that it continues to mine the same territory of jokes year after year. We're not knocking it: Predictable sitcoms can be TV comfort food. Or, in this case, comfort drink.

How to play: Drink once every time one of the following things happens -- Penny is referred to as being promiscuous; Leonard makes a joke about his own sexual insecurities; Raj is teased for being of Indian descent; Sheldon insults someone.

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Best TV Shows to Watch for Adults Who Love Cartoons

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bob's burgers familyThere was a time when you actually wanted to get up early. Getting up with the sunrise meant you got to eat pizza with the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," beat down Skeletor with "He-Man," or rock out with your rainbows out alongside "Jem and the Holograms." It was a glorious time of 7,000-calorie sugar cereals, rainbow-emblazoned Underoos, and pajamas with the little feet built in.

Then you grew up, and everybody said it was going to be terrible. There would be mortgages, and bills, taxes, and other things that are too boring to make sense. But what they didn't tell you is that there would still be cartoons. And that they'd be made just for you -- cartoons so good and so wrong and so smartly funny, you had to hide them from kids. Cartoons you can watch whenever you want, because you have no bedtime. Saturday mornings are now for sleeping, but these grown-up 'toons are for savoring.

'Bob's Burgers' (2011 - )

Like visiting Arlen, Texas, from the sublime, ever-underrated "King of the Hill," watching "Bob's Burgers" feels like watching a too-smart-for-prime-time sitcom that just happens to be animated. And like the burgers slung by H. Jon Benjamin's Bob Belcher, the show itself has become something of a soul-warming, working-class comfort food. Yeah, burgers might be fattening, but they taste delicious. And yeah, Bob's kids might be unpopular and his business might be in a perpetual state of distress, but it all feels so good.

If that's too much reality for you, the show's willingness to dip into absurdity while deftly avoiding pretension should do the trick, like the tangy pickles on a meaty patty of damn fine TV.

'Archer' (2009 - )

Believe it or not, H. Jon Benjamin did not write this list -- it just turns out that the guy is the chosen one of modern adult animation. And while his work on "Bob's Burgers" stays grounded in the blue-collar funnies, "Archer" doesn't even know what the word "grounded" means. Which is probably because Archer doesn't know what a lot of words mean.

Still, he's somehow a super spy. With all the STDs of James Bond and none of the IQ, Archer subverts the genre while managing to showcase legit action set-pieces and honestly slick art direction. But the stellar presentation just wraps up a show full of mommy issues, sex puns, political incorrectness, and enough frenetic dialogue to give "Arrested Development" a run for its money in the jokes-per-second category. Somebody give Jessica Walter an award for that, already.

'BoJack Horseman' (2014 - )

Will Arnett. Amy Sedaris. Aaron Paul. Alison Brie. This is not the cast of a future sitcom destined to become a cult classic. It is the cast of a cartoon about a talking horse destined to become a cult classic.

Sure, "BoJack Horseman" struggled a bit before finding its identity partway through the first season, but that's all oddly appropriate for an experimental show about a washed up, misanthropic actor-slash-horseperson trying to find his place in an increasingly cynical film industry. As the Black Keys' Patrick Carney strums the credits, you'll come to the same conclusion as BoJack: "I need to go take a shower so I can't tell if I'm crying or not." But you'll also realize why Paste Magazine calls the show "one of the most underrated comedies ever made," and why you'll definitely call it "the deepest and funniest show about an animated horse-human-actor hybrid ever aired in my lifetime."

South Park (1997 - )

Ten years ago, "South Park" was ragging on R. Kelly and Tom Cruise. In 2015, its 19th season tackled everything from police violence to gentrification when Officer Barbrady straight-up shot a kid and a Whole Foods moved into Kenny's house. The thing about "South Park" is that the longer it's on TV -- and it's been on TV so long that kids born during Season 1 are in college -- the more you take it for granted. It's easy for this deeply disturbed cartoon Colorado to recede to the back of your mind, until you remember that its satire is just as shocking and just as solid as it's ever been. With each passing year, Trey Parker and Matt Stone show us that they've got the balls to take on social issues like no other show on television. Chocolate, salty, socially relevant balls.

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Charlize Theron's 'Fast 8' Villain Is Like Hannibal Lecter (But Not a Cannibal)

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fast 8, fast and furious 8, charlize theron, cipher, villainAs the latest installment of the "Fast and Furious" franchise revs up for its 2017 release, fans are no doubt curious about new addition Charlize Theron, who's playing a mysterious villain with the appropriate moniker Cipher. Now, a member of the "Fast 8" creative team is dishing some details about the character, directly comparing her to none other than the notorious Hannibal Lecter.

But before you go assuming that Cipher is a cannibal, you should let "Fast" franchise composer Brian Tyler explain. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Tyler said that Theron-as-Cipher is really more of a Lecter in spirit, infusing her villain with an underlying humanity that viewers can't help but admire.

"It's like a siren kind of thing," Tyler told EW. "There's no question the havoc and villainy she brings [but] you're attracted to it. There's something where you can kind of see yourself in this villain that makes it more disturbing and, at the same time, more interesting. It's the sympathetic villains, in a way, who really get under your skin."

The composer added that it's Theron's skill as an actor (she has an Oscar, after all) that helped her bring Cipher to life, and told EW that moviegoers will find themselves struggling with how much they like her, similar to how fans of Jonathan Demme's "Silence of the Lambs" felt about Lecter.

" ... [You'll be] like, 'Wait, why am I doing that? I shouldn't be rooting for this person,'" Tyler explained to the magazine of the reaction to Theron's performance. "She has that ability to do that."

Fans will get to see for themselves when "Fast & Furious 8" opens on April 14, 2017.

[via: Entertainment Weekly]

Photo credit: Universal

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'Cursed Child': See New Photo of Harry, Ron, Draco in Part 2

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harry potter, harry potter and the cursed child, play, cursed child, harry, ron, draco, malfoy"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" -- the new "Potter" sequel play that's already earned rave reviews in its preview debut earlier this week -- continued its rollout in London's West End on Thursday, with the premiere of the play's second part. In celebration, the production has shared yet another photo, this time reuniting grown-up pals Harry and Ron with their Hogwarts nemesis, Draco Malfoy.
The image comes directly from the "Cursed Child" social media team, and debuted on Twitter on Thursday afternoon (or late evening, if you're working on London time). And while it doesn't tell fans very much (after all, J.K. Rowling and co. have implored the lucky theatergoers who've seen it so far to #keepthesecrets -- and they've obeyed), it does offer a bit of a puzzle to unpack: Just why are Ron (Paul Thornley) and Harry (Jamie Parker) hanging out with Draco (Alex Price)? Could this unlikely trio be forming an alliance against whatever new threat has entered the Potterverse?

Whatever the reason for their union in this image, it's certainly an enticing photo opp, and should make fans even more eager to see the play (or read its soon-to-be-published script) for themselves. Not that we needed another excuse to get excited about the continuing adventures of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the rest of our favorite wizarding world folk, anyway.

"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" continues its preview performances this month ahead of its official opening on July 30.

[via: Harry Potter Play]

Photo credit: Harry Potter Play/Twitter

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Norman Reedus Wants to Star in a 'Ghost Rider' Reboot

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Norman Reedus, daryl, daryl dixon, walking dead, the walking dead"The Walking Dead" star Norman Reedus plays a motorcycle-riding badass on the AMC zombie drama, and he's also a motorcycle-riding badass in real life, which he'll showcase on a new reality series. But for his next role, Reedus wants to take that motorcycle-riding to a fiery new level.

In an interview with Uproxx promoting his new show, "Ride With Norman Reedus," the actor was asked about the ultimate biking icon: Marvel hero Ghost Rider, who was brought to life on the big screen by Nicolas Cage in the eponymous 2007 flick, and its 2012 sequel, "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance." There's nothing official in the works yet, but Reedus -- who's a self-proclaimed fan of Cage's "Ghost Rider" flicks -- had an enthusiastic response to taking on the role of Johnny Blaze in a future reboot.

"Hell yeah," Reedus told Uproxx of his interest in the hypothetical project. "It would be a blast. Do I get a skull face that's on fire and all that stuff? F--k yeah. I'm down."

While it's worth repeating that there is no such film in development just yet -- and no one from Marvel has reached out to Reedus -- it's still a fun bit of speculation. As anyone who's watched him on "The Walking Dead" can attest, he's a magnetic onscreen presence; that he has the bike skills to back up the demands of the fiery superhero only further makes him a natural fit for the part. Here's hoping the folks at Marvel are paying attention, and give the actor a call.

[via: Uproxx]

Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC

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Top Rated Movies That Should've Won Oscars

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Robert De Niro in RAGING BULLThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences -- that group of secret film wizards most known for handing out naked golden statues to very pretty people once a year -- is made up of plain old human beings. Just like you have opinions, and just like your Aunt Bertha who tries to communicate with her cats using telepathic crystals has opinions, these movie-making humans have opinions too. And when you've been around as an organization for 90-ish years like the Academy has, you're bound to throw out some, uh, questionable opinions now and again. And again. And again. Time to grit those teeth and embrace the snubs.

Facts to Tick Off Your Film Professor

Let's start with the big one: "Citizen Kane" did not win Best Picture in 1942. Ever heard of "How Green Was My Valley"? Well, now you have, because that's what won. It's not that John Ford's "Valley" is a bad movie by any stretch -- it's just a question of horrendously bad foresight. Ask yourself which film left a bigger mark on film classes, cinema, and pop culture over the next 70 years, and you'll understand why this is the "should've won" to beat all "should've wons."

And while you're giving your film professor a stroke, feel free to rattle off this list of filmmakers who, like Orson Welles for "Kane," never took home Best Director awards: Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Akira Kurosawa, Quentin Tarantino, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, Robert Altman, Ingmar Bergman, and Charlie Chaplin. And that's the tip of the Oscar-fail iceberg.

And the Oscar Goes to ... the Safest Choice Possible

The Academy might not be a hive-mind, but it has most definitely displayed some strong preferences over the last nine decades. It likes drama. It loves history. It has a thing for biographies. Tears are unequivocally good. And, as "Tropic Thunder" taught us, a mentally challenged protagonist translates to trophies. When the '95 ceremony rolled around, a little flick called "Forrest Gump" conveniently ticked just about all of those boxes. Another critical contender, "Pulp Fiction," ticked just about none. Take a guess at what won.

Now, "Gump" is a beloved film. But few will argue that "Pulp" not only inspired a slew of post-Tarantino imitators, it left a mark on cinema bigger than any box-of-chocolate-inspired anecdotes possibly could. But at least Oscar's predilection for safe choices wasn't without precedent -- back in '81, the Wonder Bread family drama of "Ordinary People" managed to rob the Best Picture prize from more brutal movies like "Raging Bull" and "The Elephant Man." That year, Robert Redford's directorial prowess -- which can best be described as "sort of like a made-for-TV movie" -- defeated the combined forces of Martin Scorsese and David Lynch.

Fun fact: Both the Three 6 Mafia and Roberto Benigni ended up with statues before Scorsese. Poor Marty.

Snub Like It's 1999

Snubs are subjective, and to some extent or other, they happen every year. But 1999 will go down in Oscar history as the Ultimate Snubstorm. In any other year, "Shakespeare in Love" would've been remembered as a sharply written romantic comedy with neat Shakespearean trappings and smoking hot leads. But something in the Academy's drinks said otherwise; not only did "Shakespeare" steal the spotlight from "that other" Elizabethan movie -- "Elizabeth," which gave the world the too-talented-to-exist Cate Blanchett in the title role -- Academy voters somehow forgot that "Saving Private Ryan" was also a Best Picture nominee. To this day, World War II buffs, Steven Spielberg loyalists, and Tom Hanks enthusiasts can't even glance at a Joseph Fiennes movie without breaking into irrational tears. It's like a movie-nerd "Fight Club" -- you just don't talk about the "Saving Private Ryan" snub.

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'Supergirl' Star Thanks Fans for Help to Free Cousin From Anti-Gay Facility

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33rd Annual Paleyfest - "Supergirl"UPDATE: Late Thursday night (6/9), Jeremy Jordan updated with good news: "It's with absolute delight that I can announce Sarah has been released this afternoon from the boarding facility where was being held. Your help and support has been instrumental in this achievement! We still are not sure what the next steps will be but we had a huge victory today. Thank you all for your love and acceptance of my dear cousin." Get more details here.

Original story:


Jeremy Jordan, who plays Winslow "Winn" Schott, Jr. on the TV series "Supergirl," is asking fans for help to free his 17-year-old cousin Sarah from a Christian boarding facility where she was allegedly placed by her parents in an effort to change her sexuality.

Jeremy posted about his cousin on Facebook, and linked to a GoFundMe account created by his brother Joey; in the past few days, they have raised $58,000 out of a goal of $100,000.




If you click on the link, it takes you to the GoFundMe page, with FAQ answering some of the major questions, like, "Where is the money donated going?" Here's that answer:

"It is going to pay legal fees for the lawyers trying to get Sarah released from the Christian boarding facility that her parents placed her in. Sarah's aunt, who brought the suit, hired Christine Andresen, a well-known family law attorney with a lot of experience litigating LGBT issues. Christine's law firm is called CHA Law Group, PC, and its website is ChaLaw.com. Any money collected will go first toward paying Christine's legal fees and our portion of the amicus attorney fess, which thus far have totaled approximately $20,000. Christine has generously agreed to give us a discount from her usual hourly rate, but we still expect the fees to prepare for and conduct the hearing in July to be a multiple of what's been spent so far. If there is any money from the Go Fund Me campaign left over, it will be placed in a college fund for Sarah, since we do not expect her parents to contribute to her college costs if we are successful in having Sarah released."


Jeremy has been steadily tweeting about Sarah, too, and updating fans on her story:

The story has been spreading, and -- so far -- People magazine's post on Jeremy Jordan's effort has more than 190 comments, with fans taking strong stands on both sides -- with the parents and against.

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The British TV Show Invasion: 6 Things That Will Bug Every 'Doctor Who' Fan

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Doctor Who star Peter CapaldiDoctor Who is a franchise perfect for the detail-oriented: Full of in-series rules, long-running inside jokes, and a history that goes back more than 50 years, it's the kind of show that's tailor-made for fans to obsess over. If you want to beef up your "Doctor Who" geek cred, or just want to know how to avoid irritating the show's most avid fans, here are the six things that bug Whovians the most.

1. Expecting Perfect Continuity

Time travel is a tricky topic. With paradoxes built into the concept, writing a show where the logic tracks all the time is nearly impossible. With "Doctor Who," this is especially difficult, given the show's 50-year history and constant revising. All of which is to say: Expecting a single, infallible canonical story line isn't really reasonable with "Doctor Who," and to a degree, enjoying the show means going along with a certain amount of contradictions -- what the Doctor himself calls "wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey" logic. Each episode follows the same general rules ... until it doesn't, and that's half the fun. In contrast, spending time asking questions that ultimately don't matter in the long run -- like, "So which is it, is the doctor hundreds of years old, or thousands?" -- can take the fun out of the whole experience. Your best bet: Don't sweat the small inconsistencies.

2. Watching 'Torchwood' First

"Torchwood," itself a strong sci-fi franchise with legions of fans, is actually a spinoff of "Doctor Who" -- the former's title being an anagram of the latter's. "Torchwood" is a "Men in Black"-style show about a secret agency charged with protecting London from alien threats. And while the show can be enjoyed as a standalone entity, it borrows heavily from the "Doctor Who" mythology, to the point that it's far more enjoyable after you've watched at least some of the Doctor's adventures. In addition to a few outstanding crossover episodes, "Torchwood" borrows villains, protagonists, and at one point, the Doctor's detached hand, as critical plot points -- making "Doctor Who" practically required viewing for hardcore fans.

3. Calling the Doctor 'Doctor Who'

Despite the title, the hero of the show is known as "the Doctor." While some fans are quick to point out that the credits of the first few seasons in the 1960s listed the character's name as "Doctor Who," on-screen, he only goes by "the Doctor," and thus calling him "Doctor Who" is inaccurate. Within the show, it's become a bit of a running joke. When he introduces himself to someone new, saying, "I'm the Doctor," they frequently respond with "Doctor who?", to which he responds, "Quite right."

What's more, the show frequently mentions that the Doctor has a real name that he's kept a secret, and it cannot be pronounced by humans. Just like the Doctor himself, debates about what to call him and the etymology of his name will likely last for centuries, but one thing's for sure: Calling him Doctor Who isn't correct.

4. Comparing 'Doctor Who' to 'Star Wars' or 'Star Trek'

Not all science fiction is the same, and fans take the differences very, very seriously. Because the stories in "Doctor Who" happen across space and time, their scope is far broader than the space colonization of "Star Trek" or the galactic Jedi-opera of "Star Wars." An episode of "Doctor Who" is just as likely to take place in 16th-century England as it is on another planet in the future, thus giving it a much bigger palate of colors to paint from than the straightforward contexts of "Star Wars" or "Star Trek." And while it's pretty likely that all three franchises have a lot of fan overlap -- let's face it, they're all terrific in their own ways -- fans are quick to remind the uninitiated that "Doctor Who" is truly unique in its ability to take place in any time period.

5. Forgetting About the First 40 Years of the Franchise

"Doctor Who" first premiered on TV in 1963, and has been on and off the air ever since. The show's biggest gap was from 1996 to 2005, at which point producer Russell T. Davies regenerated it into its current incarnation (commonly known as "NuWho" by fans). While "NuWho" isn't a reboot, it certainly represents the modernization of "Doctor Who." For younger fans, it's the only version of the franchise they know. Nonetheless, longtime fans frequently bristle when they encounter others dismissing or forgetting about everything the first eight iterations of the Doctor went through in episodes prior to 2005. Fans who start with the 2005 series are still getting the cream of the crop when it comes to "Doctor Who," but nonetheless, the experience is that much richer for those familiar with the first 40 years of the franchise -- not to mention, it gives them a leg up in any Doctor Who-related trivia game.

6. Calling the TARDIS a Phone Booth

The Doctor's ship for traveling through time and space -- "Time And Relative Dimension In Space," or TARDIS -- is a vessel he stole from his own people, the Time Lords. Originally, the Doctor disguised the stolen property as a police call box, and, according to his not-exactly-consistent version of events, the chameleon circuit broke, making the disguise permanent. Those not in the know commonly refer to the TARDIS as a phone booth, which is incorrect on multiple levels, as it's a spaceship, and British phone booths are typically red and not blue. If you're looking to impress a "Doctor Who" fan, make sure you mention the TARDIS's defining feature: It's bigger on the inside.

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Watch the Original and New 'Ghostbusters' Casts Unite (and Dance)

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Last night, "Jimmy Kimmel Live" welcomed four original "Ghostbusters" stars -- Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Annie Potts -- and four newbies -- Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones -- for one giant 'busting session. Also, Guillermo dressed as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, so maybe he counts for both teams.

JKL shared a new clip from the 2016 movie, which is coming out July 15. That movie features cameos from the OG stars, and all of the guests danced to the theme song, and discussed the original and new "Ghostbusters."

Jimmy asked Bill Murray what drew him to this project, vs. the other "Ghostbusters" movie pitches over the years. "It was only 'cause I knew these girls were funny," he answered. "When you see the film, you'll delight in the film. It sort of rumbles along in the beginning, and you go 'Oh God, are they going to pull this thing off?'" Everyone laughed, but Murray added, "There is just no quit in these girls." He has worked with a few of the actresses before. "This is a tough movie to pull off because it's a big concept, there's a lot on the plate, there's a lot of expectation." He said, by the end, he, Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts, and Ernie Hudson were "screaming and cheering like we were at a sporting event."

They also talked about criticism of the new film, and other tidbits, so watch all of the videos from the show:



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Watch the Haunting Trailer for Winona Ryder's Netflix Series 'Stranger Things'

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The truth is out there -- way out there -- in the spooky first trailer for Netflix's new original series "Stranger Things." We don't just want to believe Winona Ryder's '80s return will be supernaturally badass, we already believe!

Ryder stars as Joyce, the mother of a boy who goes missing under very mysterious circumstances. The eight-episode series, which premieres Friday, July 15, is set in Indiana in 1983.

Watch the trailer:

Here's the full rundown from Netflix:

"A love letter to the supernatural classics of the 80's, Stranger Things is the story of a young boy who vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.

Stranger Things stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Natalia Dyer, Cara Buono, Charlie Heaton, and Matthew Modine.

Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer (Wayward Pines, Hidden) serve as writer, directors and co-showrunners of the series, and are executive producers along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen via their 21 Laps entertainment banner (The Spectacular Now, Night At The Museum, Real Steel, Date Night). Shawn Levy also serves as director."


Winona Ryder talked to People about the series last month, when the site shared a few first-look photos:

"I think the audience will love the nostalgic voyage back in time before technology had completely took over. Kids were asked to put their toys away at dinner – not their phones. Yet, there were astronauts were going to space and government conspiracies loomed. It was just such a different world back then."

In the same interview, Ryder said this is a genre she enjoys watching but hadn't explored before, and that drew her to the project. "It's all about trying something new."

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Hear Why Simon Cowell Just Called Grace VanderWaal 'the Next Taylor Swift'

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AMERICA'S GOT TALENT -- "Auditions Pasadena Civic Auditorium" -- Pictured: (l-r) -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)Remember the name Grace VanderWaal. The 12-year-old singer-songwriter and ukulele player auditioned to her own original song on "America's Got Talent" Season 11, earning an immediate Golden Buzzer pass to the live shows from Howie Mandel, and the highest praise from judge Simon Cowell.

VanderWaal's song, "Don't Know My Name," earned a standing ovation, with a surprised Mandel calling her "original" and "a living, beautiful, walking miracle."

After Mandel hit the buzzer, Cowell added to the budding star, "Grace, you know what I predict for you? I think you are the next Taylor Swift." Later, when the judges were talking among themselves, Cowell said he "100 percent" believed they had found a star, saying,"this girl is special," adding that he was annoyed that he didn't hit the Golden Buzzer himself. (He probably wants to take credit for her later success.)


VanderWaal's audition video already has more than 2 million views on YouTube, which is more than most AGT clips get (although this 82-year-old rocker can match her, and Laura Bretan now has 10 million for her intro video, and Tape Man has 22 million for his.)

The talented young singer thanked her supporters on Twitter after the show aired:


Taylor Swift herself hasn't responded yet, but this will probably find its way to her, and we can only imagine she'll be pleased (and flattered?) to be paired with this future star.

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'Game of Thrones': How Will Arya Stark Survive 'No One'? Fans Share Theories

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Arya Stark was left in a bad way at the end of "Game of Thrones" Season 6, Episode 7 (or was she?), and she would appear to be the "No One" of the Episode 8 title. But all may not be as it appears.

Here's HBO's synopsis for the Sunday, June 12 episode, "No One": "While Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) weighs his options, Cersei (Lena Headey) answers a request. Tyrion's (Peter Dinklage) plans bear fruit. Arya (Maisie Williams) faces a new test."

"New test" being how to recover from being stabbed by the Waif?

Arya is suspiciously absent from the photos HBO shared to promote Episode 8, but she and the Waif are shown in the promo:

If Arya has enough strength to jump like that, and basically be a Bourne/Bond/Avenger superhero, is she really that damaged? Maybe it's not even her...?

There are theories out there about Arya's fate -- some of them are wild, one or more of them may be true. Perhaps Arya wasn't Arya when she was stabbed. Maybe she was Jaqen H'ghar, testing the Waif to see if she would follow his instructions and make Arya's death painless. After all, where was Needle during all of this?

Others think that the Waif doesn't even exist, and Arya is Tyler Durden-ing with the Waif as her darker inner self, and she is killing off what is left of Arya Stark to truly become No One. That one's heavy. But the argument on Reddit has merit. #WaifClub
There's also the possibility that Arya could seek help from Lady Crane to be healed, although those were some serious stab wounds to just patch up ... unless she was fake bleeding, using props, to lure out the Waif and set a trap? Our Arya would've known better than to be that naive and slow on the bridge, so that never smelled right from the start, but would she have been so forward-thinking as to know she'd be stabbed in the belly? Eh.

If that was Arya, and she was really stabbed, and she does need help, maybe she too can be revived Jon Snow-style. (Red priests and priestesses specialize in stabbing revivals -- ask about their June specials!) Or perhaps Jaqen can help her, and give up his own life for her since she did say his name as a life to take, way back when. No idea.

A new batch of Episode 8 photos just came out, including one with the Waif, and a mysterious man in shadow behind her. Doesn't this look like Syrio Forel?


The Powers That Be usually avoid major (or even minor) spoilers in photos, so maybe we're just supposed to think that's Syrio?

What's your theory on how Arya not only survives that stabbing, but manages to do the stunts shown in the "No One" promo?

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Upcoming TV Shows Based on Foreign Hits

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animal kingdom castYou're home from work. You've officially de-pantsed, and you've got your sock-monkey slippers at the ready. The night is thoroughly mapped out: You're going to microwave some leftover tikka masala, snuggle on your IKEA couch, watch a bit of the BBC's "Doctor Who," and partake in the Nintendo-flavored frenzy of "Mario Kart 8" with the S.O.

Congratulations -- you might be in your jammies, but you just had a cultural tour of India, Sweden, England, and Japan. That's just one beautifully lazy night living in a connected world.

Just like you, TV networks aren't blind to what's happening across those big ponds -- if they see something that works overseas or over the border, they're more than happy to try to make it work in the States. While you were busy doling out blue Koopa shells, they were busy getting these foreign hits ready for your TV screen.

'No Tomorrow' (The CW)

Irony of ironies, the CW's upcoming "No Tomorrow" had a yesterday, and it's going to have a whole lot of tomorrows. That's because it already had eight episodes as "Como Aproveitar o Fim do Mundo," a Brazilian TV miniseries.

Just like its Latin American mama, "No Tomorrow" examines the life of a realist quality-control professional romantically invaded by a conspiracy theorist who claims to know the date the world will end. Just think of it as "The X-Files" meets "This Is the End" meets a quirky rom-com, and you'll do just fine.

'Maniac' (Netflix)

Man, how many times did you think, "I wish this series director would give us a "Superbad" reunion with Emma Stone and Jonah Hill" while watching the first season of "True Detective"?

Probably zero -- but you're going to get it anyway, when director Cary Fukunaga reboots Norway's "Maniac" into an English-language show of the same title. If you really were hoping for that "Superbad" reunion, though, be prepared for a lot less underage drinking and wiener jokes, and a lot more psychiatric patients who inhabit complex fantasies they've built inside their heads. Close enough.

'3%' (Netflix)

A few years ago, shows like "The Office" and "The IT Crowd" wound down, and so ended American TV's British Invasion. Fast forward to 2016, and it seems like Brazil might be the new England -- like "No Tomorrow," "3%" has Brazilian roots, this time as a three-part web series from 2011. And though it'll stream in the U.S., it's staying true to its roots as a completely Brazilian production.

Speaking of sticking to what you know, that's exactly what director Cesar Charlone is doing -- the "Blindness" cinematographer is heading up this equally dystopian tale, in which only 3 percent of the population makes it past the age of 20. You know, on account of those soul-shattering, government-mandated life-or-death trials they're destined to endure. Just a tad different from the fake IDs and sophomore-year drama most people had to worry about.

'Feed the Beast' (AMC)

For better or worse, "Feed the Beast" is not about the inevitable carbo-loading that happens after you binge "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." It does have plenty to with restaurants, it just has a little more to do with the seedy industry underbelly than it does with the corndog-fueled beer belly. When two desperate best friends risk everything to make their restaurateur dreams come true in this drama -- inspired by the Danish series "Bankerot" -- AMC promises a heaping helping of the two essential Bs: betrayal and backstabbing. Better make your reservations.

'Animal Kingdom' (TNT)

"Animal Kingdom" isn't actually mining an overseas TV series -- don't get the wrong idea. "Animal Kingdom" is mining "Animal Kingdom," which was a feature-length Australian movie in 2010. Totally different thing. And you said Hollywood doesn't have any new ideas.

While the cast is a whole lot less Aussie-fied -- Ben Mendelsohn and Joel Edgerton are out in favor of Ellen Barkin and Shawn Hatosy -- and the story is moving from Melbourne to California, the movie's core remains intact. Barkin steps into the role of "Smurf," a crime-family matriarch who runs the gamut from coddling her sons to wreaking complete emotional havoc on their lives -- Sundance critics compared the original movie to an Australian "Goodfellas." Sounds smurfy.

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Don't Watch These Top Movies Before Bed: 5 Box Office Thrillers

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The Silence of the LambsWatching a thriller before bed is rarely a good idea, but it's always fun: Snuggled up on the couch under a blanket, shivering with horror and delight -- then being unable to get up and turn the light on -- because what if something grabs you?

But no matter how much these films convince people of monsters under the bed or serial killers in the closet, thrillers can be addictive. It's like being on a roller coaster -- scary as hell while it's happening but you know when the ride ends, everything is going to be alright.

So which movies should you really avoid before bedtime? These thrillers not only scared the pants off people but killed it (so to speak) at the box office, too. Not only that, but every movie on this list received critical acclaim and award nominations. The standout star is, of course, "The Silence of the Lambs," which won the "big five" Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The only other two movies to have done this are "It Happened One Night" (1934) and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975).

1. 'Fatal Attraction' (1987)

Remember that scene in "Sleepless In Seattle" when Tom Hanks uses "Fatal Attraction" as an example of why it's not a good idea to randomly date strange women? "It scared the shit out of me! It scared the shit out of every man in America!" his character, Sam Baldwin, tells his son. And he was right -- the movie did scare the living daylights out of every man, woman, child, and probably pet, in America. Glenn Close's bunny-boiling lunatic who's obsessed with Michael Douglas has turned out to be one of the most enduring villains in cinematic history. On the plus side, lots of people probably thought twice about cheating on their significant other after that movie.

2. 'The Sixth Sense' (1999)

There are ghost stories, and then there's "The Sixth Sense," a box office smash with one of the most jaw-dropping story twists of all time. Haley Joel Osment is heartbreaking as the little boy being relentlessly harassed by ghosts who want to use him as a sort of telephone line to their loved ones. Apparently, decades of being deceased haven't helped these stubborn spooks realize kids don't respond well to pushy, horrendous-looking apparitions who randomly show up in the middle of the night. Bruce Willis is wonderfully somber as the child psychiatrist who -- well, let's stop there, just in case you haven't seen it yet. Be prepared for graphic, violent imagery to stay with you well into the night.

3. 'Gone Girl' (2014)

Ben Affleck has been a very naughty boy. No, this isn't a reference to his real-life marital strife, but to his on-screen spousal troubles in "Gone Girl." In this gloriously twisted movie, Ben is a husband accused of murdering wife Rosamund Pike, who turns out to not be what she seems. This is a movie with no clear-cut heroes and villains, so it's tough to know who to root for -- although that's also what makes this dark thriller so much fun to watch.

4. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' (2011)

Nordic noir has become very popular lately (think "The Killing" and "Wallander"), and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" doesn't disappoint fans of the genre. A remake of the 2009 Swedish original, Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig are riveting in this chilling movie about a girl who goes missing and the people who try to find her decades later. This is not a cheerful movie -- it's explicitly violent and often hard to watch, even for a thriller. Save it for an evening when you've already spent all day listening to Radiohead, so you're mentally prepared for the bleakness.

5. 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)

Arguably one of the top 10 thrillers of all time, "The Silence of the Lambs" is brilliant, gruesome, captivating, and utterly terrifying. Jodie Foster's Agent Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter have become firmly entrenched in modern pop culture, as has Ted Levine in his chilling turn as Jame "It rubs the lotion on its skin" Gumb. This movie is about a serial killer who murders women for his own deviant purposes, and another serial killer helping an FBI agent track him down. So in other words, a perfect bedtime choice -- if you never want to sleep again, that is.

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5 Worst Comedy Roasts Ever

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Comedy Central Roast of Charlie SheenA good roast is practically irresistible: Everyone loves seeing a famous person teased mercilessly by equally famous peers. A bad roast, on the other hand, can be a cringe-fest, as the guest of honor bristles at an evening of poorly written jabs. These five roasts are the bottom of the barrel -- the times where "funny and mean" turned to "sad and awkward" almost immediately.

1. Justin Bieber

"The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber" is painful to watch, mostly because it feels like a rich kid's birthday party where his parents have paid people to pretend they like him for a day. The roast was filled with an odd mix of celebrities (Martha Stewart, Snoop Dogg, Shaq) and celebrity hopefuls (Chris D'Elia, Pete Davidson, Jeff Ross) who mostly spent the evening making height jokes about roastmaster Kevin Hart.

While the jabs pointed at Bieber didn't hold anything back, the Biebs himself ruined the evening by closing with a speech that made it clear the event was a PR stunt ineptly designed to win back the public's favor after months of highly publicized bad behavior. As Bieber intoned, "This was a moment for me to show people where I am at in my life right now. Right now I'm in a moment of change. As I said, I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of, but we're turning a new leaf here," the night became even less fun -- exposed as a poorly thought-out stop on his apology tour.

2. Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson's Comedy Central roast, believe it or not, was a charity event: The evening raised money for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which was perhaps the only positive outcome of the whole night. It wasn't just that the jokes retreaded the same territory over and over -- half of them were about her appearance, the other half about her sex tape -- it's that the roast was nearly unwatchable thanks to Courtney Love, who spent the entire time intoxicated and writhing in her chair, pausing only to incoherently argue with her co-roasters or flash the audience. Despite all that, seeing the late Bea Arthur read aloud from Anderson's autobiography remains a must-see clip to this day.

3. Chevy Chase

The best comedy roasts have one thing in common -- a shared fondness for the person being roasted. That's what's fun about them: When Rob Reiner got roasted, it was obvious that everyone in the room actually loved him. The Friars Club roast of Chevy Chase, however, is cringe-inducing thanks to the obvious lack of respect from his peers. The most common joke topic of the night was Chase's former drug addiction, and watching him squirm, and sometimes openly heckle, the presenters bordered on the tragic. Whether it was that Chevy Chase wasn't "in on the joke," or that the jokes seemed unnecessarily cruel to a man in the twilight of his fading career, this roast is one to be avoided. And unlike Chase's film "Karate Dog," his roast was never even released to DVD.

4. David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff's roast is the polar opposite of Chevy Chase's -- where Chase acted like a schoolyard kid getting bullied, the Hoff basked in the attention, making sure he was the one laughing loudest at every joke. The result was almost as creepy: It's less fun for the audience when the person being roasted acts like they wrote all of the gags. Nonetheless, roasters Hulk Hogan, Jerry Springer, Lisa Lampanelli, and Whitney Cummings all took respectable shots in the Comedy Central event that ultimately amounted to new B-listers roasting an old B-lister.

5. Charlie Sheen

"The Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen" took place at the height of Sheen's most controversial career phase -- the actor was simultaneously a crowd favorite and public train wreck as he famously quit his show "Two and a Half Men" and went on a national tour to talk to crowds about his escapades with porn stars. While the roasters' jokes were dark, mean, and often hilarious (Jeff Ross's jab, "If you're winning, this must not be a child custody hearing" was particularly good), what made the roast rough overall was the overwhelming sense that the whole thing was enabling a man who was obviously in the midst of a personal crisis. As Sheen was proclaiming his own virtue, the public was watching him lose his TV role, custody of his children, and ultimately, his public relevance. Not that he minded: Despite the comics kicking him when he was down, at the end of the night, he still declared himself "winning."

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Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'Celebrity Apprentice' Gets Premiere Date

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BRAZIL-SPORT-SCHWARZENEGGER?He'll be back ... next January.

NBC announced the premiere date for the "Celebrity Apprentice" reboot headlined by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It will debut Monday, January 2 at 8 p.m.

The show not only is replacing its previous star — you may have heard of him? — but it's moving from New York City to Los Angeles. A new set of boardroom advisors is also coming on board, including Warren Buffett, Tyra Banks, Jessica Alba, and Schwarzenegger's nephew, Patrick Knapp Schwarzenegger.

The previously-announced cast consists of: boxer Laila Ali; TV personality Brooke Burke-Charvet; former running back Eric Dickerson; singer Boy George; "American Ninja Warrior" host Matt Iseman; actress/host Carrie Keagan; celebrity stylist Carson Kressley; WNBA champ Lisa Leslie; actor Jon Lovitz; singer Vince Neil; reality TV star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi; reality star Kyle Richards; MMA fighter Chael Sonnen; reality star Porsha Williams; former running back Ricky Williams; and singer Carnie Wilson.

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'Game of Thrones' Season 6, Episode 8 Photos Reveal a Menacing Mountain

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Game of ThronesSparrows, beware the Mountain!

"Game of Thrones" released five images from season 6, episode 8, which is titled "No One." Yesterday, the show revealed the episode's synopsis, which teased the return of Tyrion Lannister after an absence in the last two installments.

One of the episode 8 photos shows Tyrion walking and talking with the ever-clever Varys in the streets of Meereen. Though both look skeptical, the scene around them seems almost peaceful, indicating that the unrest in Meereen may finally be over:
Game of Thrones
The other images are paired off. One set previews the action at Riverrun, where Brienne reunites with Jaime. However, these former allies may find themselves on opposite sides, since Jaime is there to besiege Brynden "Blackfish" Tully, while Brienne is sworn to the service of the Blackfish's niece, Sansa Stark:
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones
The last two photos hint at a major confrontation between Cersei's champion, the revived Mountain, and the Faith Militant's Sparrows, including Cersei's cousin/former lover Lancel Lannister:
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones
With only three episodes left in the season, "Game of Thrones" appears to be gearing up for some major conflicts. The all-important episode 9's title was announced earlier today as "Battle of the Bastards," which likely refers to Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton.

"No One" airs Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO.

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TV Series to Watch for the Animation Alone

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The Legend of KorraThere's no shame in a little TV eye candy -- it worked for "Baywatch" and it's the CW's sexy, young, six-packed bread and butter. Television is a visual medium; it's totally alright to answer "Why are you watching this?" with a tried-and-true "Because it looks pretty."

It's even more alright when the show in question is a moving work of art. Some cartoons, like "Gravity Falls," skew toward kids and still manage greatness. Others, like "BoJack Horseman," cater to grown-ups with an emphasis on substance over flashiness. And then there are those that marry style and substance like deliciously animated peanut butter and jelly. Here are five of those brilliant substance-and-style sandwiches from TV animation's present and past.

'Attack on Titan' (2013 - )

Within the first 20 minutes of the first episode of "Attack on Titan," the choir swells and 60-meter high skinless humanoid titans ravage the defenses of the safe haven, Wall Maria, in a manic fever dream of writhing tendons, bloomy lighting, billowing dust clouds, and blood floating on the breeze like rose petals. Two things become immediately clear: This is not for the young or faint of heart, and its production values are just as high as its dramatic tension.

You could watch "Attack" for the uber-cinematic, hyper-violent, and nightmarishly surreal animation alone, and you'd be just as happy as as a Colossus Titan munching on human flesh. But there's no reason to content yourself with style alone when the substance stacks up too. Imagine your favorite dystopian zombie show, but every zombie is suddenly a grinning, naked giant who likes to pop people in half. It's the stuff of "just-one-more-episode" nightmares.

'Samurai Jack' (2001 - 2004, 2016 - )

What do "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Hotel Transylvania" have in common, aside from hitting that sweet spot of watchability that sucks in both kids and adults? They share a wild-eyed creative force in a man named Genndy Tartakovsky. His thick, bold outlines and angular style was imitated on kids' TV as soon as he hit the scene -- and "Samurai Jack" is his Mona Lisa, combining equal parts Art Deco, Japanese kakejiku painting, and '70s kung-fu flick into a pop-cultural punch to the brain. There's a reason that Nerdist calls the show, "very possibly, along with 'Batman: The Animated Series,' the finest American-produced action cartoon ever made."

Good news: You get to find out what that reason is when Jack returns to TV in 2016. Maybe 12 years is just a regular vacation for a samurai?

'Star Wars: Rebels' (2014 - )

Fans who love the original trilogy will want to watch "Star Wars Rebels" for appearances from galaxy-trotting Lando Calrissian and enough Darth Vader to make Kylo Ren geek out -- complete with Billy Dee Williams and James Earl Jones voicing. Fans of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" will want to watch "Rebels" to tie up the loose ends left behind by ass-kicking apprentice Ahsoka Tano and the resurrected, Obi-Wan-obsessed Darth Maul. Everyone else will want to watch "Rebels" because its Lucasfilm Animation-produced visuals are like watching a miniature Dreamworks movie on TV every week, from the streamlined character designs to the soft, realistic lighting. And let's not forget that the show's art direction channels the vision of iconic Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie -- father of everything from the Stormtrooper helmet to the arrowhead-shaped Star Destroyer -- which lends "Rebels" a fittingly pulpy vibe.

Let the prequel healing commence.

'The Legend of Korra' (2012 - 2014)

Before 2005, American TV basically had two kinds of cartoons: Cartoons without swearing and cartoons without four-letter words. Then "Avatar: The Last Airbender" came along and, shall we say, bent the rules. Sorry. Couldn't help it.

Like its predecessor, "The Legend of Korra" is still safe for kids, but it draws on everything from ancient China to Joseph Campbell to Buddhist philosophy. It just happens to wrap all of those heady themes in an amazingly choreographed, anime-inspired visual package that moves more fluidly than a waterbender.

'Batman: The Animated Series' (1992 - 1995)

Remember that Nerdist quote about "Batman: The Animated Series" being the best American-produced action cartoon ever made? Let's talk about that one.

It's hard to believe such an intricately crafted work of art aired during a kid-focused animation block in the '90s. While Robin-aged viewers will be happy to watch Kevin Conroy's Batman slug Mark Hamill's Joker, more mature viewers will revel in a hand-drawn style absolutely dripping with atmosphere. This Batman's Gotham City exists in a time out of joint, where villains wear fedoras and shoot lasers, the Art Deco style rules all, the men look like Cary Grant, and the women look like pinups from the nose of a WWII bomber. Artist Bruce Timm's masterwork is so film noir, its backgrounds had to be drawn on black paper. Somewhere, Batman's smiling about that -- but only very briefly, and definitely not in front of anybody.

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Look at How Jacked J.K. Simmons Is Getting for 'Justice League'

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Daaaaaamn. Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons is breaking out the big guns to play Commissioner James Gordon. The 61-year-old actor seems to be training Hugh Jackman-style for his role in the DC Comics movie "Justice League."

Simmons has been working out with celebrity trainer/U.S. Marine Aaron Williamson, with the teacher sharing proud photos of his star pupil. "Every time we train together I forget he's 61 years old. So much respect for this guy," Williamson wrote.

Check out some photos:

Saturday morning, 61 years old & making the young generation jealous. This is what dedication looks like. #JKSimmons

A photo posted by Aaron Williamson (@aaronvwilliamson) on

He's making me look bad. #JKSimmons #AintPlayinNoGames

A photo posted by Aaron Williamson (@aaronvwilliamson) on


Gary Oldman never trained this hard when he was Gordon. Just saying.

"Justice League," directed by Zack Snyder, will bring together Ben Affleck's Batman, Henry Cavill's Superman, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman, Ezra Miller's The Flash, Jason Momoa's Aquaman, and more, with Part One coming out November 17, 2017 and "Justice League: Part Two" currently scheduled for June 14, 2019.

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'Game of Thrones' Season 6 Final Two Episode Titles Confirm Epic Spoilers

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It's official: The "Battle of the Bastards" is coming to "Game of Thrones" Season 6. Please assume the fetal position for the next 2.5 weeks, sweet summer child, and let the hype warm you in its womb.

HBO just confirmed the final two episode titles, beyond this Sunday's Episode 8, "No One."

Here's what's next:

Episode 9: "Battle of the Bastards" (June 19)
Episode 10: "The Winds of Winter" (June 26)


Here's the screen capture saved by Watchers on the Wall:


See it for yourself here.

The "Battle of the Bastards" (too on the nose for a title, or perfect?) should be Jon Snow vs. Ramsay Snow Bolton. (Tommen also applies, even if he doesn't know it. And what about The Hound vs. The Mountain, aka Cleganebowl?)

Will this be like the Battle of the Blackwater in Season 2, i.e. the whole episode following one battle, or will it be like Hardhome, where we spend a huge chunk of time there but also follow other stories? It's hard to know which option would be better when there are so many stories to tell, but we've been told that this is the biggest battle they've ever staged on the show.

As writer/producer Bryan Cogman told Entertainment Weekly, "It's definitely the biggest [action sequence yet]. We've always wanted to get to a place – story-wise and budget-wise and time-wise and resource-wise – where we would be able to do a proper battle, with one army on one side, one army on another side."

The final episode of the season carries the title of George R.R. Martin's sixth book, which has yet to be released.

How will we leave Season 6, and prepare for the (shortened) Season 7 -- with the White Walkers poised to enter the North, maybe even breaking down The Wall? With Daenerys Targaryen finally making for Westeros, or at least meeting up with various Iron Islands contingents? With more Stark family reunions? With Dorne finally doing something else, perhaps invading King's Landing while everything there is falling apart with the Faith Militant? With Ser Pounce and Nymeria claiming the Iron Throne for themselves? Please?

Here are the running times for the final three episodes:

Episode 8: 59 minutes
Episode 9: 60 minutes
Episode 10: 69 minutes


Episode 7 was only 51 minutes, so it's good to see more being stretched out. Get yourself prepared for the June 12 Episode 8 by choosing (violence) to rewatch the "No One" promo.

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Famous TV Shows That Launched Stars' Careers

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Freaks and GeeksEvery famous actor has one performance that served as a breakout role, and for many, that role was in a television series. Inviting the actors into your home on a daily or weekly basis is one of the most magical things about television. So you feel invested in those moments you see a star being born. From low-rated shows that only ran a season to ratings behemoths that remained popular for more than a decade, these series launched the careers of some beloved stars.

'Friends' (1994 - 2004)

It's easy to forget that the cast of "Friends" were all unknowns at the start. Courteney Cox was easily the most famous at the time, thanks to her prominence in Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" video, a gig on "Family Ties," and a handful of movie roles. Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer were all working actors but none had yet found a project that took off. Everything changed when the six of them sat on that orange velvet couch at Central Perk, drinking oversized lattes. Despite some spectacularly awful 1990s fashion and those distinctive haircuts, "Friends" doesn't feel dated and remains one of the classic sitcoms of all time. The cast has not stopped working since the show went off the air, proving they will always be there for us.

'My So-Called Life' (1994 - 1995)

Critically beloved and tragically canceled after one season, "My So-Called Life" launched the careers of Claire Danes and Jared Leto. Danes was only 15 when she won the Golden Globe for her portrayal of Angela Chase, a sensitive teen trying to assert her own identity for the first time. "My So-Called Life" was groundbreaking and ahead of its time in regards to how it presented story lines focused on abuse, alcoholism, and homosexuality. Jared Leto's Jordan Catalano introduced girls of the '90s to the danger of the aloof dreamboat. (That hair and those giant blue eyes!) Both Danes and Leto have gone on to massive success, with Danes picking up multiple Emmys for her work on "Homeland," while Leto, among other achievements, won every Supporting Acting award possible for his work in "Dallas Buyers Club."

'Freaks and Geeks' (1999 - 2000)

Cult classic "Freaks and Geeks" was a veritable talent farm, launching the careers of Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jason Segel, and Busy Phillips. It was also created by Paul Feig ("Bridesmaids") and executive produced by a little-known guy named Judd Apatow. So how exactly did this dramedy last for a mere 15 episodes on NBC? That's one of television's most enduring mysteries.

'ER' (1994 - 2009)

Best known for stints on "The Facts of Life" and "Roseanne," George Clooney's career exploded when he was cast as pediatric surgeon Doug Ross on "ER." It's a perfect example of the right actor being cast in the right role at the right time. Clooney brought an immense amount of charm to the role, and Doug became the quintessential bad boy with a heart of gold. His chemistry with co-star Julianna Margulies was electric, making Doug and Carol Hathaway one of the iconic TV couples of the '90s. And don't forget -- he brought the Caesar haircut back. Clooney left "ER" in 1999 to pursue movies, but returned as a guest star several times, proving that he never forgot where he came from.

Lest you think Clooney and Margulies were the only stars to emerge from County General, don't forget that Noah Wyle, Ming-Na, Alex Kingston, and Maura Tierney all had breakout roles on "ER" as well, making it a destination show for dramatic talent in the '90s.

'Dawson's Creek' (1998 - 2003)

Joshua Jackson had "The Mighty Ducks" franchise under his belt, but James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams were completely unknown when they were cast on "Dawson's Creek." Holmes even famously delayed her audition so she could star as Lola in her high school's production of "Damn Yankees." While the entire cast delivers fantastic performances, the one to watch is future three-time Oscar nominee Williams. Her portrayal of the troubled Jen Lindley displays a maturity well beyond her 15 years.

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'Nashville' Expected to Announce (Perfect) New Home During CMT Awards

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"Nashville" is TV's latest Jon Snow. ABC canceled the series, and ended Season 4 on a tantalizing cliffhanger, but -- according to multiple reports -- the show's producers are close to a deal with CMT, where the musical drama would live for (at least) a fifth season. According to TVLine, "a formal announcement is expected to be made during Wednesday's CMT Awards." That's tonight, airing live at 8 p.m.

Entertainment Weekly added that there is also a Hulu streaming component to the deal, which makes sense since Hulu also carries the show's previous seasons. EW also noted that it's not clear yet if the stars -- including leads Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere -- will be returning for the CMT version; however, they are both said to be under contract, and considered by producers Lionsgate to be "essential" to the show. (The whole main cast is pretty essential, and they should all two-step over to CMT.)

The Season 4 finale just aired in May, so if there's already a pickup then it's like the show was never canceled at all -- unless some ABC viewers don't have the cable channel CMT. But "Nashville" is all about country music, so a country music channel is the perfect home, right?

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Tom Cruise Looks Bloody Good in First 'Jack Reacher: Never Go Back' Photos

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NY Premiere of "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" will never stop never stopping, and he's back for more in "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back."

People shared two first look photos from the sequel to 2012's "Jack Reacher," with Cruise returning as the titular Lee Childs novel character. In "Never Go Back," ex-Army investigator Reacher helps an Army major (played by ) who is accused of spying. He also deals with his own personal issues. And since it's a Tom Cruise movie, there's no way he won't have at least one extended running sequence.

Here are the two first look photos, showing the New Orleans location:



Look at that expression. (Mona Lisa mini-smirK?) You have to feel a bit sorry for those officers, they are obviously entering a world of pain.

Director told People that both Cruise, 53, and Smulders, 34, did their own stunts. "I've never seen anybody more prepared both physically and mentally than Tom," Zwick said. "He's tireless and unbelievably focused."

"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" is scheduled for release October 21.

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