On the heels of the publicity circus surrounding “Different Strokes” actor Todd Bridges’ new memoir about how he’s been sober for nearly 2 decades and his gripe about how in spite of this very fact everyone still recognizes him as the “Different Strokes” star who turned junkie outlaw comes news today that his TV brother Arnold/Gary Coleman is being hospitalized in Utah. The most shocking detail of the story is not the fact that Coleman’s wife and family don’t want to leak to the press anything related to his health (especially given his wife’s predilection for abusive gestures) or that Gary is sick (he’s been sick a few times in the past year), but that the dude lives in a state where booze is a no-no, trusts his treatment to physicians who don’t drink coffee, and furthermore doesn’t take advantage of the whole polygamy deal the state has going on. Really Gary?
Well, we here at Bloggin’ With Amaldo hope that Gary makes a hasty recovery. The world would be a different place without the little dude.
Back in the day, Tina Fey aka Liz Lemon aka Sarah Palin was in her element alongside Amy Poehler aka Leslie Knope tearing it up on “SNL” with her weekend updates. The comic duo were sassy, sharp, and never missed a punchline. They represented a new prototype of feminist - they weren’t your mom’s brand of feminist whose extremist tendencies of either too traditional or too workaholic repelled you from the whole notion of “women’s lib.” Poehler & Fey proved that funny, smart, and confident with a hint of vulnerable could work and moreover, women could be successful at this shtick.
So imagine my disappointment this season as I watch Liz Lemon on “30 Rock” pathetically whining, mooning over past loves, and contemplating the concept of settling for the dreamy Michael Sheen over going at it solo. Her cynicism reaching new heights, Lemon’s once empowered femme drole is merely a shred of her former hip lady self. The compelling storyline involving Liz’s desire to adopt a baby (something many single, career-minded women in their late 30s might be able to relate too) which was ongoing for the past few seasons has all but vanished with her character shifting into more of a slapstick sidekick providing occasional comedic relief for the venerable Alec Baldwin. On a side note: Do I really care if Jack chooses Julianne Moore or Elizabeth Banks? Just bring Selma Hayek back! Note to network television: In case you didn’t notice from the ratings success of “Modern Family,” Latina relief is the only thing working on sitcoms these days…
On the other hand, Amy Poehler has managed to transform Leslie Knope, a rather plain yokel and no doubt the anti-Liz Lemon hipster chick into a comedic heroine by steering clear of the “SNL” footfalls of vitriolic NY-bred humor - the type of bagel humor that might have worked with “Seinfeld” 15 years ago but doesn’t do it for the iGeneration. In contrast to Liz Lemon, Leslie is kind and giving to a fault and like Liz, she is not without her ambitions and her desire to win at all costs. The difference is Poehler’s affable delivery - it’s her refreshingly candid demeanor that endears her to us and also at the same time represents a true shift in in what we want our female role models to look like.
Today’s Mary Tyler Moore doesn’t need to wear black, live in the 100- zip code, walk around all day muttering “oy vey” under her breadth, and sip soy lattes while dreaming up the wittiest retorts in preparation for their next rendez-vous. They can date park rangers, go hunting with the boys, and put it all on the line for a friend in need. They don’t need to arm themselves with sarcasm to shield themselves from being vulnerable or self-deprecation as a means to communicate with others for fear of actually conveying any shred of authenticity.
Today’s lady can be geeky, socially responsible, single, self-aware, and sassy. Welcome to the ’10s ladies. It’s a bold new world and you, too, can be cool in this one - even in NBC’s impossibly hip Thursday night line-up.
Everyone’s still talking Tiger Woods - especially in light of his imminent golf comeback at the Masters. Whether it’s our nation’s president laying to rest speculation of Tiger being the greatest golf player ever (seriously?) or marketing mogul Donny Deutsch going head-to-head with MSNBC’s resident “Gossip” gal Courtney Hazlett and “Today” show commentator Natalie Morales yesterday on subject of Tiger’s harried ethos, opinions are rampant and far too dime-a-dozen when it comes to whether Tiger’s infidelities will do any long-term damage to his career.
But let’s not forget that before he was every sponsor’s wet dream, Tiger was a golf prodigy and had talent to back his brand. This talent will carry him much further than the threat of illegitimate children, genital herpes, or perhaps a worse fate than all of these - the prospect of ending up on an episode of Dr. Drew’s “Sober House.”
In short, while not infallible and undoubtedly smarmy, the guy isn’t ruined, nor should he be condemned to the court of Oprah or any of the other celeb naysayers that try to back him into a sex rehab corner only to resurrect him from the grave of shame at some pre-ordained showstopping date to drive ratings through the roof.
The bulk of your personal brand is measured by how you interact with the people that come into your life on a daily basis - more so than how credible you are. If Tiger can abide by this and go on doing his humble, modest dude thing given enough time has passed and sufficient public statements of apology go by, his transgressions will all but be forgotten. This latter is merely a by-product of the short-term memory pandemic our nations falls prey to on an hourly basis.
So in the end whether Elin takes him back into her arms, sponsors will embrace this humbled Tiger because his golf game will walk the walk. And the rest of us continue to talk talk.
TMZ.com is reporting that actress Brittany Murphy died this morning after having been rushed to Cedars-Sinai in LA where she suffered from full cardiac arrest. The 32-year-old actress, best-known for her featured work and memorable roles in “Clueless” and “Girl Interrupted” was also once engaged to Ashton Kutcher. Media is still speculating on the exact cause of her death, though asthma is rumored to have been a catalyst.
This Friday, after more then 7 years, it’s about time to say goodbye to Adrian Monk, the detective with an OCD that actually helps him solve crimes, and getting him over and over into awkward situations.
The USA Network will air the Final episode of Monk on Friday.
The show was not an immediate hit in our home, and it kind of grew on us in the last couple of years. And even though we did not become addicted to it like we are to let’s say… The Office, we still tried to catch up here and there, and to follow up on the reruns.
So it’s a little sad but not too bad… Worth watching, if you have the time for it.
Last week’s season premiere of Season 3 of the hit AMC show, Mad Men, delivered on its promise of whetting our appetites just enough to have us waxing nostalgic about why we fell in love with the show in the first place.
Where Season 2 suffered from that second season plateau/slump that have befallen many great shows, Sunday’s exploration of Don Draper’s psyche and his relentless unyielding to rise above the multiple identities he cloaks himself in to complement his mood du jour teased us with the promise of a season where we’ll get to see more Draper, and subsequently more of Draper’s past revealed. And let’s face it. Don Draper is why we all watch this show. The man oozes self-assurance, confidence, and the know-how to navigate the treacherous waters of this world with the right balance of acumen - both in business and in people. He knows why people tick and just how to get them to yield to his agenda, whether it’s in the boardroom or in the bedroom.
Per usual, the show balances the heavy (glimpses into Don Draper’s humble beginnings and his unwanted birth and Don realizing that one of his co-workers is gay when he catches him with this pants down) with lighter fare (the hysterical pitting of 2 Account Managers against one another for title of “Head of Accounts” - when both are convinced they’ve solely snagged the title) and throws in the absurd just to make sure we’re all still watching as intently as before.
Newly engaged to up-and-coming media mogul and NY Observer owner, Jared Kushner, once one of NYC’s most eligible bachelors, Ivanka Trump must be feeling pretty good these days; that is when she’s not learning how to atone properly for her sins and feel the appropriate amount of guilt for every small action taken (Can you teach that?).
In all seriousness, the vivacious Ms. Trump - no country bumpkin herself - is prepared to going Jewish for love. It wouldn’t be the first time. The big D, otherwise known as Ivanka’s pop or the man of the orange coif, is publicaly thrilled by the news. Who wouldn’t be?
Donald Trump’s thoughts, according to Us Weekly: “I’m very happy about it. They make a magnificent couple.”
True to her generation’s exhibitionist tendencies (which can often manifest themselves in the form of a tweet), Ivanka shared news of her impending nuptials on Twitter first. Be sure to check out the July 16th entry.
As I drift off to the kitchen to tend to dinner, I wonder if all the $$ in the world can teach Ivanka how to cook a simple Jewish meal or as my friend, Hedy, would say, “That’s what all the maids are for.” She does have a point. It’s not like being Jewish is ALL about the food, after all.
Hearing about Michael Jackson’sdeath made me sad. Hearing about it constantly for almost a week angers me. Yes he died, yes he was the king of pop (and pop culture is what this blog is about,) but come on, give it a break. Does anyone remember what the main topic on the news was the day before Michael Jackson’s death? Well I do, it was Iran. The current Iranian regime could not have hoped for a better distraction, now, when no one is looking anymore, they can take care of the poor protesters old school middle eastern style, we won’t hear about it until after the funeral.
Billy Joel’s wife Katie Lee, 33 years his junior, and the former host of the hit Bravo reality TV show, Top Chef, is shagging Israeli fashion designer, Yigal Azrouel. Sidebar: Am I wrong in thinking this guy is a total arse schmuck? Then again, maybe my pragmatism and miserly disposition just don’t see the value in spending $1150 on a cotton dress with a zipper, which by any other name smells like shmatas.
Joel and Lee announced their split just this week amidst rumors of infidelity. While the Joel-Lees are denying the rumors, it would seem that the age difference was a major factor in their split. Joel’s former “Uptown Girl,” Christie Brinkley was in the news last year when news of her former hubby’s scandalous shacking up with their nanny hit the fan.
Now that they’re both older, anyone else think that Joel and Brinkley should just reunite and stop trying to reclaim their youth by marrying adulterous klumniks?
When everything is said and done, and the dust will settle, Al Roker will ask himself, “How did I get here?” It all started on Monday, when these two clowns whom I’ve never heard of before (Well maybe I have heard of them, but never on purpose,) Heidi and Spencer Pratt (A.K.A Speidi,) showed the entire nation how smart they really are while on TheToday Show. Roker, who seems to have something against idiots, threw a couple of punches, then wrote about it on Twitter. The couple, while going from one TV station to another, complained about how he treated them, now everyone is talking about it because it’s not like there is anything that are more important in our world then this, and the interview will surely make its way to The Soup. There you have it, Al Roker is in reality TV world. Next thing you know, will be the star of a show Called “Being Al Roker- The Life Of A Weatherman” which is actually not a bad idea!
Because it’s never too late to think about “trialing” new vocations and you’ve got nothing but time on your hands when your producers are picking up your $3340/night villa tab (not to mention the $410/day on handlers), Amy Winehouse has taken to a bit of volunteerism - setting her mind on healing the inhabitants of St. Lucia.
WInehouse has been in the news lately for making even more random, off-colored comments (no pun intended) than usual, but then again, envisioning Amy as a candy striper prepping meals, visiting expectant mothers, and handing out medicines seems the most far-fetched role to date.
Whatever the case may be, here’s hoping that Amy keeps her head up amidst the trashy news of her husband’s bastard baby. Focusing on people who have learned to live with a little less might be just what the doctor ordered.
NBC canned “Medium” and the lovely Patricia Arquette only to have the show brought back to life by those silly “Ghost Whisperer”(s) over at CBS. Now all we need is Roma Downey to join the cast and we can exit stage right and proceed directly to heaven.
CBS takes death very seriously. In fact, all this repetitive ghost stuff makes me think that they just don’t know when to kill a decent storyline when they see it. In other words, get rid of J.Love and keep Allison Dubois.
David Faustino, better known as “Married with Children’s” Bud Bundy, is attempting a comeback in an online show called Star-Ving.
From Crackle: With the money from “Married… with Children” gone, Faustino’s short stature, alcoholism, and sex fueled Hollywood life has kicked him squarely in the cubes. “Star-ving” follows his second attempt at stardom. Pulling along his old buddy Corin Nemec (“Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”)
Guest staring in this hilarious yet extremely vulgar and rude show, are the entire “Married With Children” cast, Gilbert Gottfried, Coolio, Ron Jeramy, Ed Asner and many more.
How far does the show goes? Well let’s just mention that in one episode Christina Applegate’s answer to Faustino’s cry for help is: Leave me alone, I had Cancer (!) and in another he literally eat shit. We’ll stop there…
So we hear that Michal Vick is going to spend the rest of his jail time at home. This amazing decision comes because There is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told The Associated Press. Of course Vick will be under home confinement and will probably be force to finish all of his meals, or he will go to his room, which is much worst then a prison cell. But on the other hand, if he can access his back yard, maybe he can have a dog! Or two, otherwise you can’t really make a dog fight himself right? And if the dog doesn’t fight, you can’t make any money.
Grade-A actor and resident hunk Ryan Gosling has a new career these days as frontman and pianist for the band, Dead Man’s Bones. His deep, throaty voice lends itself to a brooding crooner style (hence the Leonard Cohen reference) and I’m digging G’s moxie in the video. He’s come a long way from the Micky Mouse Club. Then again, so have Brit and Christina A.
So without further adieu, here’s Ryan belting it out with his break-out single, In the Room Where You Sleep.
Paul Newman lost his battle with Cancer today at the age of 83. He will be sorely missed, especially by the bloggers here at Amaldo.com who loved his films, his salad dressing, and most of all his signature charm. The smoldering smile and kind-hearted giver went hand-in-hand.
I’ve made no secret my distaste for the stale humor of Sarah Silverman, but she did recently win an Emmy for spouting vulgarities at Matt Damon, so apparently the chick holds some mass critical appeal or is one very lucky gal. In this video clip below, here she is telling us why we should all vote Obama. You know…In case there weren’t enough Hollywood celebrities wearing their status like a piece of chintzy Obama shwag these days.
What’s wrong with being an equal opportunity offender within the confines of comedy? If you asked me before I saw Tropic Thunder last night I might have answered, “Not much.”
Not the case anymore.
I went to see the much-anticipated Ben Stiller flick after a few months of heightened anticipation. I had read many enticing reviews, including David Ansen’s glowing accolades of Ben Stiller’s comedic rise to genius from his days on the Ben Stiller Show to his fall in The Heartbreak Kid to his present-day redemption.
I like Ben Stiller most of the time. I used to get annoyed with his shtick but ever since Zoolander (which people I either love or hate), I’ve been singing a different tune. It was a silly commentary on the fashion world, models, and the media that exploits every facet of pop culture. It was so over-the-top, it was hard to offend. Unless you’re a self-obsessed, dumb model, that is…Or just an incredibly dim-witted, kind-hearted model like Stiller’s Derek Zoolander.
So given Stiller’s penchant for poking fun at various groups in his work (and most notably “slow” people) and his 2-D labels, it’s not surprising that the President of the AAPD (Association of American People with Disabilities) came out denouncing Stiller’s portrayal of a character playing the part of mentally retarded individual, even going so far as to call out the film as “tasteless” and “offensive from start to finish.”I know what he meant because I, too, cringed every time I saw Stiller stutter in his “Simple Jack” character, wondering how this brand of cruel humor managed to see its way through the DreamWorks editing suite.
And I felt doubly ashamed and irate with Tom Cruise’s cameo as a money-grubbing, fat, and vulgar Hollywood Executive named Len Grossman.
Robert Downey, Jr.’s portrayal of a white man playing a black man was meant to be funny and self-deprecating because it was poking fun at someone who was pretending to be someone he wasn’t. It didn’t involve colors so much as one actor’s self-absorption and what he put himself through to be an artiste. The make-up and phony accent were all part of the gimick.
The joke ended there.
But with Cruise’s Jewish character and Stiller’s mentally disabled character there was no foil. There were stereotypes that were magnified and blown up at the expense of these groups. The joke was entirely on the people that comprise these groups.
I’ve never been fond of the mantra that it’s ok to insult and joke about a group if you’re a member. We all have the responsibility to uphold a degree of ethics and social responsibility in our work and our daily conduct. Besides, the majority of people attending such a mainstream flick aren’t necessarily Jewish nor Special Needs so you’re depicting these groups in an unfavorable light to a broader audience for the sake of what? To fuel the fire of discrimination and spread hate?
It’s quite possible I have a giant rod up my butt and just don’t “get it” but “it” seems like such infantile and low-brow humor that I’m not sure I ever want to get it. It makes me long for the comic brilliance of Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor - men who valued a level of sophistication in their cultural commentaries and knew that the best kind of laugh sometimes came with the price of of a tear in that it held a mirror to our own ignorance and short-comings. And at the end of the day we were better people for having listened to them and chuckled at our own expense - not someone else’s.
On the heels of the publicity circus surrounding “Different Strokes” actor Todd Bridges’ new memoir about how he’s been sober for nearly 2 decades and his gripe about how in spite of this very fact everyone still recognizes him as the “Different Strokes” star who turned junkie outlaw comes news today that his TV brother Arnold/Gary Coleman is being hospitalized in Utah. The most shocking detail of the story is not the fact that Coleman’s wife and family don’t want to leak to the press anything related to his health (especially given his wife’s predilection for abusive gestures) or that Gary is sick (he’s been sick a few times in the past year), but that the dude lives in a state where booze is a no-no, trusts his treatment to physicians who don’t drink coffee, and furthermore doesn’t take advantage of the whole polygamy deal the state has going on. Really Gary? 
Everyone’s still talking Tiger Woods - especially in light of his imminent golf comeback at the Masters. Whether it’s our 
TMZ.com
Last week’s season premiere of Season 3 of the hit AMC show, 
Newly engaged
When everything is said and done, and the dust will settle, Al Roker will ask himself, “How did I get here?” It all started on Monday, when these two clowns whom I’ve never heard of before (Well maybe I have heard of them, but never on purpose,) Heidi and Spencer Pratt (A.K.A Speidi,) 
Because it’s never too late to think about 
NBC canned “Medium”
amazing decision comes because 
What’s wrong with being an equal opportunity offender within the confines of comedy? If you asked me before I saw Tropic Thunder last night I might have answered, “Not much.”