Author: Richard Lawson

The Call Sheet

The Dramatic Demise of 'American Idol'

Fox

Today in show business news: Not many people watched the American Idol finale, The Voice is still going strong, and Pete Campbell takes to the stage. 

By Richard Lawson

Jan 25, 2013

The Call Sheet

The Weirdest TV Pilot of the New Season

Today in show business news: A surprising talent gets involved in the network pilot game, bad news for Breaking Bad, and our first look at Michel Gondry's latest.

Comments | 4,740 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 25, 2013

A Survival Guide to the Worst Weekend of the Year

It's cold out there, and the new movies don't look great, and there's no football. But don't despair! There's plenty else you can do to entertain yourself between now and the next time you work.

Comments | 4,177 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 25, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': The Louisiana Letdown

Last night Ryan Seacrest got on his big, bejeweled fanboat and whirred on down to the bayou. American Idol was headed to Louisiana!

Comments | 2,069 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 25, 2013

The Smart Set

Bill and Hillary's Hamptons House Hunt

Today in celebrity gossip: The Clintons are looking to buy in New York's vacationland, Natalie Portman is moving to France, and American Idol faces some serious accusations. 

Comments | 4,889 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 25, 2013

Voice of 'Lennay Kekua' Was a Woman After All, Which Makes Actual Sense

The New York Post is reporting today that the voice of supposedly duped Notre Dame football player Manti Te'o's non-existent girlfriend belongs not to admitted hoaxer Ronaiah Tuiasosopo but to Tuiasosopo's (female) cousin, Tino.

Comments | 4,593 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 24, 2013

The Call Sheet

What Will a J.J. Abrams 'Star Wars' Look Like?

Today in showbiz news: Discussing the J.J. Abrams/Star Wars news, Joaquin Phoenix and Paul Thomas Anderson are teaming up again, and a first look at the Coen Brothers' new film. 

Comments | 4,013 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 24, 2013

The Manti Te'o Interview Just Leads to More Questions

Well that was strange, wasn't it?

Comments | 5,218 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 24, 2013

The Year When Everyone Actually Was Sick

At some point every year someone will say to you, "It seems like everyone's sick, huh?" Except! Right now, everyone really is sick, aren't they? Walking around town is like the "before" part of a DayQuil commercial. Sniffling and sneezing and coughing and hacking. It's everywhere.

Comments | 1,828 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 24, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': Nicki Storms Out

Last night the Idol wagon headed to Charlotte, bringing that sleepy Bank of America town its first bit of joy since the Hornets packed up and flew off. Though, sadly, it wasn't much joy.

Comments | 1,285 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 24, 2013

The Smart Set

Lena Dunham vs. Rihanna

Today in celebrity gossip: Lena Dunham has said negative things about Rihanna, Bethenny Frankel's divorce gets uglier, and all the Bonds might soon be together. 

Comments | 7,991 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 23, 2013

The Call Sheet

Fox Eliminates 'Ben & Kate'

Today in show business news: A Fox comedy gets the axe a day after an ABC comedy did, Showtime is developing a potentially controversial new show, and an American Horror Story alum returns to the show.

Comments | 4,484 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 23, 2013

How to Watch TV When Nothing's On

Last night I was faced with a terrible dilemma. There I was, safely inside after braving the miserable cold, ready to sit down on the sofa and settle into a cozy night of TV-watching. But then, to my horror, I realized something awful: There was nothing on.

Comments | 2,102 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 23, 2013

'Mad Men' Returns in April, the Hype Fatigue Starts Now

So it's been announced that Mad Men, perhaps the most-beloved show of the current Quality TV age, will be returning for its sixth (and likely penultimate) season on April 7th. Most people are reacting to the news with excitement but we're feeling a little more subdued. Not because we don't like the show. But because we know where too much hype can get us.

Comments | 1,083 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 23, 2013

The Smart Set

The Calm Before the Boy-Band Storm

Today in celebrity gossip: An important summit of '90s boy bands goes unnoticed, some important details from private inauguration parties, and Kelly Osbourne is engaged. 

Comments | 6,215 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 22, 2013

The Call Sheet

The 'B--- in Apartment 23' Has Been Evicted

Today in show business news: ABC cancels its bitchiest comedy, TBS cancels its wedding band comedy, David Fincher considers getting Gone Girl, and the first big Sundance hit. 

Comments | 5,819 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 22, 2013

Let's Go Easy on Beyoncé

Yes, there are reports that Beyoncé decided to use a dreaded pre-recorded backing track rather than sing live, which is alternately breaking hearts and confirming suspicions the nation over. But really, why should we be upset? It still sounded great, didn't it?

Comments | 2,462 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 22, 2013

What We Watched

'The Following': Someone Kill the Serial Killer

Isn't it twisted how twisted we all are? This is a boring, dumb question that the hacks of film and television have been asking us since David Fincher's operatically grim film first rattled us nearly two decades ago. And boy do I wish they would stop.

Comments | 5,517 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 22, 2013

The Smart Set

Sundance's Scandalous (Simulated) Sex Party

Today in celebrity gossip: CAA's seedy party at the Sundance Film Festival has tongues wagging, Taylor Swift heads to London, and Lindsay Lohan says no to reality TV. 

Comments | 13,942 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 21, 2013

The Call Sheet

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Is a Hit at Sundance

Today in show business news: JGL sells his directorial debut for big money, Jessica Chastain had a good weekend, and a look at two new films that you'll probably watch on your couch.

Comments | 5,983 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 21, 2013

What We Watched

Learning to Love an Overdose of Inauguration Coverage

We've been watching inauguration activities for some six hours now. Wolf Blitzer has basically been muttering a tone poem since 11 a.m., Chris Matthews has snapped his tether and is floating around the studio, and Brit Hume spent the morning reminding us, with no small amount of hope in his gravelly voice, that second terms are often hobbled by unforeseen catastrophes.

Comments | 2,337 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 21, 2013

What We Watched

'Downton Abbey' Gets Cooking

Downton is heating up! Last night's episode marked the arrival of a new servant to the Abbey crew, a fine-lookin' fella named Jimmy Kent who has caught the eye of everyone both upstairs and downstairs.

Comments | 3,784 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 21, 2013

The Smart Set

Selena Gomez Sings Breakup Song About Justin Bieber

Today in celebrity gossip: Teen sensation Selena Gomez gets serious at a concert, John Galliano finds himself back in fashion's good graces, and Leo DiCaprio is ready for a rest.

Comments | 15,855 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 18, 2013

The Smart Set

Lance Armstrong Kinda Saves Oprah

Today in show business news: The ratings are in for the big Oprah/Armstrong interview, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg head back to war, and a look at the pilots currently in development for next season. 

Comments | 7,902 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 18, 2013

Movie Review

Some Serious Questions About the New Horror Movie 'Mama'

Oscar contender Jessica Chastain has a new ghost movie, Mama, out this weekend, and we have so many questions.

Comments | 26,638 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 18, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol': The Great Chicago Fire

Today we recap American Idol's second episode, a Chicago auditions installment that featured, among others, a terrible stutterer who sings like a dream.

Comments | 2,088 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 18, 2013

The Smart Set

Is Mel Gibson the Father of Jodie Foster's Children?

Today in celebrity gossip: There's a big rumor about Jodie and Mel going around, an odd new wrinkle in the Manti Te'o story is revealed, and see a list of what the Royal Family got as gifts last year. 

Comments | 16,997 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 17, 2013

The Call Sheet

Nicki and Mariah Fail to Draw a Crowd

Today in show business news: American Idol's premiere ratings were significantly lower than hoped, a good actress gets a good gig, and Karl Rove will be back for more.

Comments | 2,692 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 17, 2013

The Most Intriguing Sundance Descriptions

Entertainment Weekly has created a handy primer highlighting thirteen of the most intriguing films unfurling at the 3,000th (approx.) annual Sundance Film Festival. In case it's all maybe too much to read, we've gone and taken the most interesting or head-scratching sentence or phrase from each writeup and listed them below.

Comments | 1,460 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 17, 2013

What We Watched

'American Idol' Returns with a Vengeance

American Idol is back on! Join us as we recap this season in song-based competition.

Comments | 1,124 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 17, 2013

The Smart Set

Britney Spears to Become Vegas Lounge Act

Today in celebrity news: Britney may soon have a lucrative deal in Nevada, her sister may soon be engaged, and Lena Dunham and Howard Stern make amends. 

Comments | 6,640 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 16, 2013

The Call Sheet

Sarah Jessica Parker Deemed Unfit for the Porn World

Today in show business news: Carrie Bradshaw is left on the cutting-room floor, Betty White gets another big birthday party, and USA wants its own Andy Cohen show.

Comments | 22,071 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 16, 2013

GLAAD Defies Jodie Foster, Nominates 'Honey Boo Boo' for an Award

Foster, bumbling around a contemporary pop culture reference at the Golden Globes, said "I'm not Honey Boo Boo child" to emphasize how highly she values her own privacy. But GLAAD seems intrigued enough in its annual Media Awards.

Comments | 4,479 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 16, 2013

The Smart Set

Jeremy Renner Is Having a Baby

Today in celebrity news: Hawkeye will soon be a daddy, Naomi and Liev have left New York, and Prince Harry is more eligible than anyone else.

Comments | 4,841 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 14, 2013

The Call Sheet

Everyone Watched the Golden Globes

Today in show business news: NBC had a big hit last night, Showtime did pretty well too, and a deserving actress gets a big role.

Comments | 3,036 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 14, 2013

What We Watched

'Downton Abbey': The Punishment of Lady Edith

Last night wasn't just a night of teary triumph in Hollywood. It was also a night of teary heartbreak in rural England, as the second installment of Downton Abbey's third season aired on PBS and further punished an already terribly mistreated character. Read no further lest ye want spoilers.

Comments | 9,910 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 14, 2013

What Do the Golden Globes Mean for the Oscars?

Now that this year's Golden Globe Awards have come and gone, it's time to re-focus on the really important prizes of the season, the Academy Awards. What do last night's victories and losses tell us?

Comments | 3,150 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 14, 2013

The Smart Set

The Mild End: Golden Globes After-Parties

Today in celebrity news: Some staid reports from the post-Golden Globes party scene, Will and Kate announce a vague due date, and Ann Romney says no to reality TV. 

Comments | 3,830 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 13, 2013

The Golden Globe Awards Recap

What we learned on Sunday night: Argo has serious awards potential, there are brewing Oscar face-offs for Best Actress and even Best Actor, and Jodie Foster is kind of strange. Re-live the whole ceremony (and the red carpet) with GIFs, jokes, video, and more.

Comments | 55,844 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 11, 2013

The Call Sheet

Louis C.K. Is Becoming a Movie Star

Today in show business news: Louis C.K. is getting some big big-screen work, The Vampire Diaries universe is expanding, and a 3-D version of Jurassic Park 4 is coming soon.

Comments | 4,114 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 11, 2013

Some Very Important Golden Globe Predictions

The Golden Globe Awards arrive Sunday with a laid-back night full of drunken millionaires handing glorious trophies to each other. Here are some predictions about who will really come out on top on Hollywood's second-biggest night.

Comments | 3,176 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 11, 2013

'Girls' Returns to Earth

In the second season, Lena Dunham's show is blessedly less concerned with defining an era or a generation and more relaxed in its own particular conventions. And that's a good thing.

Comments | 2,586 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 11, 2013

The Smart Set

The Taylor Swift-Harry Styles Fallout Gets Ugly

Today in celebrity news: TayTay and Harry's breakup gets nasty, Lindsay Lohan weighs in on her big New York Times Magazine piece, and Kate Middleton celebrates her birthday. 

Comments | 17,808 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 10, 2013

The Call Sheet

Christopher Nolan Plans His Next Picture

Today in show business news: Christopher Nolan has found his followup to The Dark Knight Rises, Ali Larter gets a plum TV role, and Godzilla gets a guy.

Comments | 2,541 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 10, 2013

Movie Review

The Senseless Violence of 'Gangster Squad'

Gangster Squad, the new film from Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer, got some undue attention this summer when it hastily moved off its original September release date. It really wasn't worth all the fuss.

Comments | 2,278 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 10, 2013

Making a Movie with Lindsay Lohan and Other Poor Life Decisions

This Sunday's New York Times Magazine features a long piece by Stephen Rodrick about the filming of The Canyons, a low-budget make-it-or-break-it movie starring Lindsay Lohan. You must give the entire thing a read, but in case you just don't have time today (it's long), here are our favorite selections.

Comments | 6,379 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 10, 2013

The Smart Set

Katie Holmes and the Baby-Shaking Trial

Today in celebrity news: Katie Holmes heads to a trial in Queens, Britney Spears is leaving television, and Charlie Sheen sends a strange, sad check. 

Comments | 6,897 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 10, 2013

Ben and Bigelow's Shut-Out and Other Oscar Reactions

This morning, in irksomely bit-y fashion (it's too early for bits, guys), Emma Stone and Seth MacFarlane announced the nominees for this year's Academy Awards. As always there were some surprises, some disappointments, and some definite snubs.

Comments | 5,025 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 9, 2013

The Call Sheet

Everyone Is Listening to 'Les Misérables'

Today in show business news: The big movie musical's soundtrack is the hottest disc in the land, Jimmy Kimmel makes a pretty good 11:35 debut, and Days of Our Lives has more sand in the hourglass.

Comments | 2,491 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 9, 2013

The 2013 Oscar Nominations, Predicted

Who will get picked? Who will get snubbed? The Academy Awards are never entirely predictable, but we have some educated guesses in the so-called major categories, before we bring you the full roll call bright and early Thursday morning.

Comments | 4,757 Views

By Richard Lawson

Jan 9, 2013

The Smart Set

Michael Moore vs. An Eloquent Troll

Today in celebrity gossip: The controversial documentary filmmaker got in a spat with a notorious critic, Kim and Kanye go on an expensive trip to Paris, and the Mary-Kate/Olivier snaps you never knew you needed. 

Comments | 5,000 Views

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