Mr. Pop Culture Report – March 11
Thursday, March 11th, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Another sports passing – Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69. Olsen was an All-American at Utah State and a first-round draft pick of the Los Angles Rams in 1962. He was part of the Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome” defensive line, which set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968. Olsen is still the Rams’ all-time leader in career tackles with 915. Olsen was later hired as a sports announcer by NBC, then moved on to acting with roles in “Little House on the Prairie” and later his own series, “Father Murphy,” which ran from 1981 to 1983. Olsen, who was well-liked by those who knew him, was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.
Top NASCAR - #1 is Jimmie Johnson followed by Kevin Harvick. Then in order –Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Juan Pablo Montoya, Paul Menard, Scott Speed.
Conan O’Brien has announced a 30-city theater tour. Joining him – sidekick Andy Richter and Conan’s TV band. Conan promises to be “a night of music, comedy, hugging and the occasional awkward silence.” The “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour” begins April 12 in Eugene, Ore., and concludes June 14 in Atlanta. O’Brien is set to appear at Phoenix’s Dodge Theatre April 30. The tour will visit theaters in at least 20 states and two Canadian provinces.
Pop Superstar Madonna and Iconix Brand Group unveil a joint venture to launch fashion brands globally, starting with a juniors collection to be sold at Macy’s department stores this August. The company, MG Icon, will be 50 percent owned by Iconix and 50 percent by the pop songstress and Guy Oseary, her manager, and it will hold a license to use the singer’s name for apparel, footwear and other products. A fast-fashion juniors collection, aptly called “Material Girl” after Madonna’s nickname early in her career when she scored hit songs such as “Lucky Star,” will be launched in about 200 Macy’s stores and online in time for back-to-school shopping in the United States.
This Week In 1977 – From This Site’s Archives –
Hustler magazine owner Larry Flynt is paralyzed from the hips down and has less than a 50 chance of ever talking again, according to the surgeon who removed a bullet from Flynt’s lower back.
Tracy Austin pulls off the tennis upset of the year, ending Martina Navratilova’s 37-match winning streak on the last pint of a third-set tiebreaker in the quarterfinals of the Maureen Connoly Brinker tournament in Dallas.
Playing in Las Vegas this week in 1977 –
Rick Nelson – Aladdin
Sammy Davis Jr. - Caesars Palace
Roy Clark – Frontier
Liberace – Hilton
Glen Campbell – Riviera
Don Rickles – Sahara
Doc Severinsen – Sands
Mr. Pop Culture Report – March 10
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Actor Corey Haim, 38, was pronounced dead at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., Wednesday morning after an apparent overdose, police said. The Canadian-born Haim found fame in the 1987 when he co-starred in numerous films with actor Corey Feldman, including “The Lost Boys.”
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, co-founders of rock band KISS, are developing a children’s show based on the band with Canadian production company E1 Television. The untitled program is said to “create a comedic half-hour kids television series that galvanizes the band’s iconic personas for its young fans.” Both Simmons and Stanley will serve as executive producers, along with E1’s senior vice president of kids and animation, Frank Saperstein.
And The Nobel Peace Prize Goes To The Internet? – Several nominees for the prestigious 2010 prize, which was awarded last year to President Obama, surfaced on Wednesday in news reports. Among them: “The Internet” and, separately, several of the Web’s creators, including Larry Roberts, Vint Cerf and Tim Berners-Lee.
Another rapper jailed - Authorities in Arizona say rapper DMX has been arrested for allegedly violating his probation by using drugs. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, had served about half of his 18-month supervised probation when he was booked Tuesday night into the downtown Phoenix jail. The rapper was released from jail in May after serving a 90-day sentence for felony convictions including cruelty to animals, theft and two drug counts.
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1997 -
Rapper Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) is gunned down in a Los Angeles parking lot via a drive-by shooting. He had just left a party celebrating his Soul Train Awards. It might have to do with the death of Tupac Shakur, who many considered a rival to Notorious. Wallace – originally from New Jersey – also went by the name of Biggie Smalls.
Snoop Doggy Dogg delays the start of his two-month concert tour in the wake of the Notorious B.I.G. murder.
Paul McCartney is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
Passing – Laverne Baker – R&B hitmaker of the1950’s. She was 67.
Unreleased works of Selena – the last of her work – is released this week on the soundtrack to the movie “Selena.”
Top TV This Week In 1997 –
ER is taking a five week hiatus.
Seinfeld – 29.75
Friends – 25.84
Touched by an Angles – 24.42
Suddenly Susan – 24.18
3rd rock From The Sun – 22.70
60 Minutes - 20.92
Home Improvement – 20.65
Movie-To Dance With Olivia – 20.21
20/20
Cosby – 18.01
Drew Carey – 17.57
Cybill – 17.23
Everybody Loves Raymond – 17.17
Mr. Pop Culture Report – March 9
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 | This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Lindsey Lohan has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit over an ad which allegedly used her name and parodied her life for profit. The “Mean Girls” actress is seeking $100 million in damages and compensation over the commercial for financial firm E-Trade, which depicts a baby girl called Lindsay as a boyfriend stealer and a “milkaholic”, reports the New York Post.
Betty on Saturday Night Live - The latest chapter has White confirming, on the record, that she will in fact be appearing on the NBC late-night series. “Yes,” the nearly 90-year-old legend told People magazine Sunday night, while attending the Elton John Oscar bash. This after thousands blogged about her appearance in a Super Bowl commercial – and said they wanted to see her on SNL.
And The Sequel To Phantom Is… “Love Never Dies” – the sequel to Lloyd Webber’s global hit “Phantom of the Opera” debuts in London “Phantom” is a tale of gothic romance set in the Paris Opera that has been seen by 100 million people around the world since it opened in 1986. It is still playing in London and New York, where it is the longest running show in Broadway history. “Love Never Dies” picks up the story 10 years on, with disfigured genius the Phantom relocated to the bright lights of New York’s Coney Island and still besotted with beautiful soprano Christine Daae.
Zero On The Richter Scale - Andy Richter who was sidelined as Conan’s sidekick on the “Tonight” show – says NBC just wasn’t cool about Conan’s ousting and Leno’s reclaim to “Tonight” show fame “NBC, definitely, everybody said they were going to do something and they didn’t,” said Richter, implying the network broke long-standing commitments it made to O’Brien. It all ended much quicker than he could have imagined, said Richter, who figured his “Tonight” job was “as good as it gets in show business.”
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1993 -
Cult leader David Koresh tells federal agents surrounding his Mt. Carmel fortress near Waco, that he is “ready for war” and controls enough firepower to blow armored personnel carriers “50 feet into the air.”
Michael Jackson has agreed to let three MTV winners into his Neverland Valley ranch – for an entire weekend. “My Weekend at Michael’s Neverland Valley” contest must make a video for Jackson’s song, “Who is it.” Jackson will select the best videos.
Michael Jackson, continuing his media blitz, will appear on the seventh annual Soul train Awards telecast, despite an ankle injury.
Michael Jackson announces the creation of Michael Jackson Productions Inc – an independent movie company, dedicated to improving “this troubled world.”
At the movies this week in 1993 –
Falling Down
Groundhog Day
The Crying Game
Homeward Bound
Amos and Andrew
Sommersby
Best of the Best 2
Mad Dog and Glory
Swing Kids
Aladdin
Mr. Pop Culture Report – March 8
Monday, March 8th, 2010 | Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Rapper Jailed - Lil Wayne gets sentenced to a year in jail in New York City for having a loaded gun on his tour bus in 2007, then was taken away in handcuffs to begin his term immediately.The Grammy Award-winning rapper, born Dwayne Carter, was sentenced in Manhattan after pleading guilty in October to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He admitted having the loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic gun on his tour bus.
The rapper will serve his sentence in city jails, not a state prison. He could be released in about eight months with good behavior.
Money Doesn’t Talk - This year’s best picture – “The Hurt Locker” hasn’t eve done $13 million in business. Good for the Academy Awards.
Smiley Miley - After months of being photographed smooching and holding hands, Miley Cyrus confirms that she and her Last Song costar Liam Hemsworth are an item (and are dating too).
Movie Record - Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s “Alice in Wonderland” earned a whopping $116.3 million in its opening weekend — a record for a 3-D film. The surprisingly huge total easily surpassed all other films in release and gave Walt Disney Studios an even bigger opening than that of the hugely popular 3-D film “Avatar.” It also marked the biggest opening weekend for a non-sequel.
Wishing On A Star – Brooke Burke has been named the new co-host of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Host Tom Bergeron announced that Brooke would take over for Samantha on “Good Morning America.” She has previously hosted “Rock Star: INXS,” “Rock Star: Supernova,” TV Land’s “She’s Got the Look,” and E!’s “Wild On.” As an actress she has made appearances on “Less than Perfect,” “Las Vegas,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” the new “Melrose Place” and “Monk.”
Johnny Cash On Top Of the Pop Album Charts/Top Albums:
American VI: Ain’t No Grave – Johnny Cash
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
Soldier of Love – Sade
The E.N.D. – Black Eyed Peas
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1970:
John Chancellor and Frank McGee will replace retiring Chet Huntley as the New York anchormen on NBC’s early evening news program. The program, now titled the “Huntley-Brinkley Report” will be renamed “NBC Evening News” after Huntley leaves July 31.
Passing – Erle Stanley Gardner, author of Perry Mason. He was 80 and lived in Temecula, CA.
Music news –
Joe Tex, The Beach Boys and Evie Sands appear on ABC-TV’s “Get It Together” on Saturday morning.
Saturday night – NBC presents the “Switched-On Symphony” which includes Bobby Sherman, Jethro Tull and Ray Charles (see ad).
Grammy Awards – some winners:
Song of the year – “Games People Play” – Joe South
Best album – Blood, Sweat & Tears
Best new artist – Crosby, Stills, Nash
Best male vocalist – Harry Nilsson – “Everybody’s Talkin’”
Best female vocalist – Peggy Lee – “Is That All There Is?”
Best original score – Burt Bacharach – “Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid”
Best R&B male – Joe Simon – “The Chokin’ Kind
Hot Pop Culture – March 7 – Mr Pop Culture Report
Sunday, March 7th, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Conan O’Brien is reportedly planning a live tour and it should kick-off in April. Per his exit agreement with NBC, the comedian cannot return to TV until September.
Pop songwriter producer Mikkel Eriksen and partner Tor Erik Hermansen (AKA Stargate), who provide a ton of pop hits, are in NY working with Rihanna, and getting ready to do some work for Beyonce.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s trip down the rabbit hole drew huge crowds, as “Alice in Wonderland” earned a whopping $116.3 million in its opening weekend — a record for a 3-D film. The surprisingly huge total easily surpassed all other films in release and gave Walt Disney Studios an even bigger opening than that of the hugely popular 3-D film “Avatar.” It also marked the biggest opening weekend for a non-sequel.
Brad Paisley is recovering after he tripped on stage and took a tumble during a concert in South Carolina.Spokeswoman Darlene Bieber said in a news release that the country star was singing his encore finale – “Alcohol” – when he fell Saturday night, but he got back up and finished his show. He was checked out at a Charleston hospital and released early Sunday morning.Paisley was left with only some bad bruises, but he wrote on his Twitter page that he “hit hard. And I mean freaking hard.”
Long Island – Millions of cable subscribers faced the prospect of Oscar night without the Academy Awards broadcast Sunday after ABC’s parent company switched off its WABC-TV signal to Cablevision customers and the two companies blasted each other for failing to reach a deal in a dispute over fees. In dueling statements dispatched early Sunday, the two companies traded blame for the stalemate ahead of one of the most-watched nights of television. “Cablevision has once again betrayed its subscribers,” said Charissa Gilmore, a spokeswoman for the Walt Disne Co. and ABC Television Group, in a statement. “Cablevision pocketed almost $8 billion last year, and now customers aren’t getting what they pay for … again.”
Hot Pop – Saturday March 6… Mr. Pop Culture Report
Saturday, March 6th, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Swift Scorn – Country’s Taylor Swift has warned ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas to expect more songs about their failed romance — because the heartbreak has provided her with “albums” full of material. The “You Belong With Me” hitmaker, 20, dated the Jonas Brothers singer for several months in 2008 — but she was left devastated when he dumped her in a 27-second phone call. Swift poured out her emotions in her song “Forever & Always” and went on national TV in the U.S. in November that year to publicly chastise her ex — but she insists she’s not quite done targeting Jonas just yet.
Videos A Go - The band “OK Go” is more famous for their videos than their songs or music sales. When these guys put out a video, you can be sure it’ll make your jaw drop at least once or twice. “How did they do that,” is a typical reaction. Check out OK Go’s “this too shall pass” and “ok go new video.” Why? They do the videos once! Are these guys crazy?? (Yahoo)
These Cats Are Fed-Up - The Pussycat Dolls has finally broken up, as Kimberly Wyatt told Great Britain’s The Daily Mirror. “The girls and I have just finished our huge world tour and are taking a break from the band and doing our own thing. We’re all concentrating on our own projects and deciding what the future will hold.” No one in the group got along with lead Nicole Scheringer!
Taking A Bite From Knight - The government wants want over $6 mil from former rap mogul Suge Knight. According to court docs, a tax lien originally filed in 2003 — against Suge’s 1996 tax return — was re-filed again in January to the tune of $6,578,696.31. (TMZ)
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1994…
The Bosnian government and Croatian separatists – two of the parties in the three-sided war – sign a peace agreement to form a federated state. The U.S- brokered deal hopes that will put pressure on Serbs to reach a settlement.
Hugh Rodham – brother of the First Lady – is making a run for the senate in Florida. He’s trying to unseat Republican Connie Mack.
Passing – In Mexico - Comedic actor John Candy (43). Candy was stricken with a heart attack during his sleep and was found dead in his trailer. The production of “Wagons East,” in which Candy was playing the drunken wagon master of an 1860’s prairie schooner heading the wrong way, was suspended. He most recently completed the Fox television movie comedy, “Hostage for a Day,” his directorial debut.
Overdose – Kurt Cobain, lead singer for Nirvana, is rushed to a hospital in Rome after collapsing into a drug-induced coma.
Hot Hits This Week In 1994 –
The Power of Love – Celine Dion
Whatta Man – Salt-N-Pepa
So Much in Love – All-4-One
The Sign – Ace of Base
Cantaloop – Us3
Bump “n” Grind – R. Kelly
Gin and Juice – Snoop Doggy Dogg
Hey DJ – Lighter Shade of Brown
Mmmm Mmmm… Crash Test Dummies
You Know How We Do It – Ice Cube
Mr. Pop Culture Update – March 5… Mr. Pop Culture Report
Friday, March 5th, 2010 | This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Ice Ice Baby – ABC will feature a skating version of “Dancing with the Stars.” The as-yet-untitled series will follow a similar format to that of Dancing, which is also produced by BBC Worldwide. Taking a cue from Dancing’s first season, the spin-off will start off small, pairing six celebrities with six pros. The show is based on Strictly Ice Dancing, a 2004 Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing, the British Dancing equivalent.
John Lennon In New Commercial – A new Citroen commercial that’s airing on U.K. television features old footage of John Lennon.In the ad — made for Citroen’s new “anti-retro” DS-3 model — Lennon is shown criticizing people who rehash the past in their own work. “Once a thing’s been done it’s been done, so while this nostalgia — I mean for the ’60s and ’70s, you know, looking backwards for inspiration, copying the past — how’s that rock ‘n’ roll?” Lennon says. “Do something of your own. Start something new, you know? Live your lives now. Know what I mean?”
Martha’s Reality – Martha Stewart is reteaming with producer Mark Burnett for the new reality series Help Me, Martha! The show will follow Stewart, 68, and a cast of other home and lifestyle experts as they help ordinary individuals tackle difficult tasks at home and in the workplace, such as redecorating a home and organizing last-minute events.
Lip’s Aren’t Syncing – Ke$Sha who sang with Britney Spears on “Leather And Lace,” is calling out the pop princess for lip-syncing. “I don’t think that’s fair at all for people who are going to see the show. I think if you are going to be a singer, you should sing. If you are going to be a dancer, you should dance. If you are going to do a combination of the two, you should make it very clear when you are singing and very clear when you are dancing. I would never do that to my fans,” Ke$ha told Scotland’s Daily Record.
Music passing – Ron Banks, whose silky falsetto helped give the Dramatics one of the most enduring careers in R&B, has died at home in Detroit. He was 58. Banks died possibly of a massive heart attack, said Billy Wilson, president of the Motown Alumni Association. The group had their biggest hits during the early 1970’s with such favorites as “In the Rain,” and “What You See Is What You Get.”
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 2009 –
Rock band U2 is getting official recognition for its stint this week on David Letterman’s show. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is temporarily renaming part of West 53rd Street in New York City as “U2 Way” on Tuesday of this week, the day the group’s latest CD is being released. The band is performing an unprecedented five consecutive times this week on the Letterman show over CBS.
New Orleans – Britney Spears kicks off her world tour — her first concert tour in five years.
Jimmy Fallon debuts as host of NBC’s “Late Night.”
Top movies this week in 2009 –
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes To Jail
Slumdog Millionaire
Jonas Brothers 3D Concert Experience
Taken
He’s Just Not Into You
Coraline
Paul Bart: Mall Cop
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
Fired-Up!
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Gran Torino
The Reader
Top Pop Culture – Today – March 4 & This Week In 1959… Mr. Pop Culture Report
Thursday, March 4th, 2010 | This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Today Is Good For Meredith – “Today” co-host Meredith Vieira has signed a new deal with NBC that keeps her in the co-anchor seat alongside Matt Lauer until the end of 2011. The fact that Vieira re-upped with ‘Today’ isn’t surprising (she has settled in quite nicely over there), though it is a little surprising that she only signed on for one more year. I don’t know what type of contract Lauer has with the show. (TVS)
NBC removes Conan O’Brien Messages on Leno Board – . The Conan fans not only posted messages about Conan (that they wanted Jay “to see”), they also posted pictures of Conan like the one on the right (both bearded and clean-shaven versions). I’m going to side with NBC here. Hey, you’re bound to see that stuff online and there’s a history of people doing things like this to get 
their point across, but it’s their forum and they can do whatever they want with it, especially if it’s overrun with messages and photos from fans of someone who doesn’t even have a show on the network anymore. Of course, this doesn’t excuse NBC from the other “let’s delete Conan” stuff they pulled, including taking down all of his ‘Tonight Show’ clips from the site and the dumping of Conan Collectibles from the NBC online store. (TVS).
Marie’s Back - Singer Marie Osmond is preparing to return to the spotlight in Las Vegas- just one day after she lays her tragic son to rest. Osmond was left devastated when her 18-year-old adopted son Michael Blosil was found dead outside his Los Angeles apartment building in an apparent suicide last month. She and her brother Donny subsequently called off a string of concert dates as part of their Donny & Marie in Las Vegas residency to be with family after the tragedy.
Apple’s Astounding App - Those fine folks at Apple are now offering an app that causes your text messages to disappear. If Tiger Woods had this last year he’d still be married and shaving with Gillette. Ironically, the app is called TigerText. It allows users to set a time limit on how long their text messages remain. This can be anywhere from days to sixty seconds. (Ken Levine)
Seven & Eight Are The New Six – More than 100 people, many of them dressed in black, are expected to gather around a coffin Thursday to say goodbye to an old friend. The deceased? Internet Explorer 6. The aging Web browser, survived by its descendants Internet Explorer 7 and Internet Explorer 8, is being eulogized at a tongue-in-cheek “funeral” hosted by Aten Design Group, a design firm in Denver, Colorado. Google Docs and Google Sites discontinued support for the browser Monday, and YouTube will follow suit March 13.
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1959:
Passing - Lou Costello (left) (52) of a heart attack – three days before his 53rd birthday. His former partner, Bud Abbot said of his friend: “My heart is broken. I’ve lost the best pal anyone ever had. I’m not making sense. But, I’m trying to compose myself.”
Verve Records demands a judicial order be nullified, ordering them to pay singer Ricky Nelson $31,064.47 in royalties for three records he made in 1957. Verve says it was taken by surprise and didn’t have time to object to the approval order. Nelson had already jumped to rival Imperial Records by the end of 1957. Under the settlement, Imperial Records and MCA Artists are to pay Verve $22 thousand for termination of services.
Perry Como signs a television contract for $25 million over two years – the largest in TV history. Under the deal, Como will star in 66 color-TV shows sponsored by Kraft Foods Co. The shows will be produced by Como’s production company Roncom. The sum includes all productions costs plus paying guest stars. It was not disclosed just how much Como will get out of the contract.
Golden Globe awards go to Rock Hudson and Deborah Kerr as film favorites. Best acting (for movies) went to David Niven, Susan Hayward, Danny Kay, Rosalind Russell, Burl Ives and Hermione Gigold. Best acting TV – Ann Southern, Loretta Young, Paul Coates, Red Skelton, William Orr and Ed Sullivan. Picture of the year: “The Defiant Ones” … Best Musical – “Gigi” … Best Comedy – “Auntie Mame.”
Comedian Bob Hope flies to New York to consult a doctor in order to save his right eye. Hope has a blood clot in the eye vein and clouding of the cornea. The situation became serious the first week of February when he had to cancel a Miami benefit appearance. Hope will visit with Dr Algernon Reese of Columbia
Hot Pop Today – March 3 & This Week In 1997… Mr. Pop Culture Report
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 | Hot Pop Culture, This Week In Pop Culture History, Today In Pop Culture | No Comments
Hurt Hurting - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces that “Hurt Locker” producer Nicolas Chartier will not be allowed to attend the March 7 awards show because of an e-mail that has been deemed in violation of the Academy’s campaigning standards. “Chartier had recently disseminated an e-mail to certain Academy voters and other film industry figures in which he solicited votes for his own picture and disparaged one of the other contending films,” the Academy said in a statement Tuesday evening.
Apple Doesn’t Google - Apple has filed a lawsuit against Google phone manufacturer HTC, claiming many of the company’s popular smartphones infringe on patents related to the iPhone. Apple alleges HTC violates as many as 20 patents, including multi-touch support, screen rotation and “unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image.” “Apple is seeking treble damages for willful infringement, punitive damages, interest, and attorney’s fees in addition to a permanent injunction barring HTC from making, using, importing and selling devices that infringe on Apple’s patents.”
Let’s Go To Google, Kansas – Mayor Bill Benton of Topeka, Kansas, In a formal proclamation Monday, Bunten announced his city will be known as “Google” — Google, Kansas. Only for a month! “It’s just fun. We’re having a good time of it,” he said of the unofficial name change, which will last through the end of March. “There’s a lot of good things that are going on in our city.”
Stern’s Latest Rant - Howard Stern, appearing on CBS’ “The Early Show,” called Jay Leno a “lapdog” and a “thief” who steals bits from him and David Letterman. “Jay Leno pushed Johnny Carson out of The Tonight Show.” Stern toned down the uncensored commentary for CBS, framing his loathing for Leno another way: “Just the mere mention of Jay Leno’s name makes me want to vomit.” Leno, he said, is “the kind of showbiz animal that will not let go.” Stern said Leno should have walked when NBC decided to move him to 10 p.m. – the way Letterman did when the network picked Leno to take over “Tonight” instead of him. “Jay should’ve dusted himself off and gone to another network and beat [Conan].”
Speaking of Leno’s show – Appearing on the “Tonight” show – Sarah Palin poked fun at some of her favorite things including herself. Palin said the White House health care plan reminds her of acrobatic flips done by snowboard champion Shaun White. And she joked that it’s so cold in Alaska it’s “5 degrees below Congress’ approval rating.” Palin told Leno’s audience she planned to speak at a gun-rights convention: “Be there or else,” she warned them. She said Alaska is different from California. In Los Angeles, “when people have a frozen look on their face, I find out it’s Botox.” And she’s happy she’s not vice president. “I would not know what to do with all that free time,” she quipped.
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 1997…
The Dallas Morning news reports that Timothy J. McVeigh told his defense team that he alone drove the Ryder truck in the Oklahoma City bombing and decided on a daytime attack to ensure a “body count.”
Howard Stern is in Los Angeles for the premiere of “Private Parts.” He’ll do his radio show and reportedly, tickets to the premiere, which Stern will attend along with his radio crew – are going for $1000. He’ll also do the Tonight show on Friday night. He’s been plugging the movie for months on his radio show – to the extent that – some are just sick of the plugs. Howard can plug himself to death – for sure. But, the movie is getting decent reviews.
Brandy, LL Cool J and Gladys Knight host the 11th annual Soul Train Music Awards this week.
Don’t miss Tina Turner’s “Wild Dreams” tour.
The soundtrack for “Private Parts” starring Howard Stern is #1 this week.
Six month guessing game – The talk of the industry – seems to be the impending “coming out” episode of “Ellen” – in which Ellen tells us she’s a lesbian. The episode tapes this week and will air April 30.
Passing – David Doyle – Bosley on “Charlie’s Angels.” He was 67.
Top Movies This Week In 1997 –
The Empire Strikes Back
Donnie Brasco
Star Wars: Special edition
Booty Call
Absolute Power 
Dante’s Peak
Vegas Vacation
Fools Rush In
Marvin’s Room
Rosewood
Top Pop Culture – Today – March 2… Mr. Pop Culture Report
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 | Uncategorized | No Comments
They Call The Wind Mariah – Mariah Carey left fans waiting for two hours at a Las Vegas concert after demanding a doctor examine her throat before she went on stage, according to U.S. reports. Revelers had turned out to see the “Hero” hitmaker on the final date of her Angels Advocate tour at The Colosseum on Saturday night. But they became restless when Carey delayed her stage appearance until she received the all-clear from a physician after suffering problems with her vocal chords. The star turned up two hours later, and waited in her car until Ciara, who was also performing at the venue, had finished her show – so as not to upstage the R&B star.
“Tonight” Reverts Back To Jay Leno - He returned Monday night with renewed purpose. “It’s good to be home,” he told his NBC “Tonight Show” audience. Leno is reclaiming his old job just nine months after giving it up to Conan O’Brien, and only 19 days after NBC pulled the plug on Leno’s own prime-time misadventure.
Like the pair of jeans it depicts, a billboard poster in downtown Newark (NJ) is coming down. The ad for Akoo jeans shows a woman kneeling in front of a man and facing the camera. The man’s jeans are unbuckled, and the woman appears to be pulling them off. The billboard, which hovers over a busy intersection, sparked criticism after a local columnist questioned its taste.
General Motors Co is recalling 1.3 million compact cars in North America to address a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes and one injury, the company said on Tuesday. U.S. safety regulators opened an investigation on Jan. 27 into approximately 905,000 Cobalt models in the United States after receiving more than 1,100 complaints of power steering failures.
Music passing – Tom “T-Bone” Wolk, who played bass for nearly 30 years with Daryl Hall and John Oates and also recorded with Elvis Costello and Billy Joel, died of an apparent heart attack. Wolk was to have performed with Hall and Oates yesterday as part of the one-year anniversary show for NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.” The musician played bass on Kurtis Blow’s early rap classic “These Are the Breaks” and between 1986 and 1992, served as the bassist for the “Saturday Night Live” house band, where he became familiar for his omnipresent black top hat. Wolk also collaborated and recorded with Carly Simon, Rosanne Cash, Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Jewel and Shawn Colvin throughout his career.
Not Surprising – Ford Beats Rival GM – Ford had a good month in February, with sales rising 43.1% to 142,285 last month, higher than expectations of a 30.1% gain. It was the first time since 1998 that Ford’s sales topped rival General Motors’ sales.
Mr. Pop Archives – This Week In 2006..
NBC says it is purchasing the female-leaning Ivillage for $600 million.
Jessica Alba wants Playboy to pull its March issue – that her image on the cover may mislead readers into believing she appears nude or partially nude in the magazine.
CBS Radio sues Howard Stern and Sirius Satellite Radio for $218 million alleging Stern misused the company’s airtime he received when he moved to Sirius in January. CBS says while it employed Stern, he spent more than a year hyping is switch to Sirius and as a result, enriched himself.
At the movies this week in 2006 –
Madea’s Family Reunion
Ultraviolet
Aquamarine
Dave Chappelle’s Block party
Eight Below
The Pink Panther
Capote
Curious George
16 Blocks
Date Movie
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