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Sarah

MTV Drops Lauren Conrad’s Reality Show

The fact that MTV has decided not to pick up Lauren Conrad’s documentary reality show about working in the fashion industry because it is supposedly too “high brow” for MTV viewers says a great deal about the network.

After discovering Lauren and her friends during their high school years in Laguna Beach, MTV transformed a blonde girl from California into a Hollywood starlet. Lauren was for The Hills what Carrie Bradshaw was for Sex and the City – the girl that every girl either wants to be or wants as their best friend.

Since her television debut, Lauren has become a role model for millions of youth and inspired fans to pursue their dreams. The Hills co-star Stephanie Pratt shares this sentiment and acknowledged the potential of Lauren’s now cancelled show, adding that she “was really shocked [after hearing the news] and thought it would have been great for kids to watch.”

Without Lauren returning to reality TV as planned, who does MTV want their viewers to emulate instead – Ke$ha? Lindsay Lohan?

In her statement to the press, Lauren reiterates that it’s a shame that MTV doesn’t think their viewers are “savvy enough to appreciate” her show. I suppose that means MTV viewers can expect to see renewals of current MTV reality shows such as Teen Mom and I Used To Be Fat instead, as they don’t require much critical thinking. After all, how savvy must one be to sit on a couch and watch as a fashion designer selects fabrics, makes sketches, or sells dresses?

February 11, 2011 by

RT @muchmusic has a new #trending TV show.

MuchMusic is continually increasing their social media presence, such as by making their New Music Live (NML) show a trending topic in itself this past week. With their latest show, #trending, now on the air, Shit My Dad Says is less distinguishable as a Twitter-inspired TV show.

The pink graphics on the show’s webpage explicate that it’s a show geared primarily towards female fashionistas who admire MIT grad Liz Trinnear’s style. During her first “shopping haul” segment, Liz shares some great fashion finds with viewers, such as tie-dye tights and jewellery.

Their new show also has an interactive component, wherein they invite viewers to submit their own 5 minute-long videos about what’s trending in fashion and beauty.

#trending reminds me of other local shows that tell viewers about new places to find the coolest knick-knack or accessory, so I’m curious to see how MuchMusic maintains interest on a national scale.

February 4, 2011 by

Retro is Always in Style

Pepsi

Get ready for a blast from the past, Canadians. Pepsi Throwback is heading north, so you may want to cut back a bit on your sugar intake in preparation.

Forget corn syrup, or ingredients you can’t pronounce; this drink is made with real sugar and it has the same packaging your parents and grandparents enjoyed in the 70’s. Vintage is in, folks. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that high waisted wide leg jeans are coming back in style too.

“Our brand is all about bringing joy and enjoyment to our consumers, and we know this was an era of a lot of fun,” says Pepsi marketing manager Neetu Godara.

So have a drink. Have a Pepsi.

(Just keep in mind that it’s going to be available for a limited time only.)

You’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not it’s cooler than drinking Coke from a glass bottle.

January 28, 2011 by

Come Laugh, It’s For Charity!

Several Western students and their families from Toronto bundled up for a great night of comedy on Sunday to support hungry, underprivileged children. Thanks to the UWO chapter of Canadian Feed the Children, comics Arthur Simeon, Marty Adams, Jeff Leeson, Lars Classington, and host Al Val offered patrons plenty of reasons to laugh and forget about the shivering temperature outside, until Arthur joked about Canadian winters, that is.

Opening acts Jeff Leeson and Lars Classington, from late night comedy talk show London Tonight with Jeff Leeson, both enjoyed poking fun at the elderly. Jeff shared an amusing anecdote about a man who mistook a portable phone for a cell phone and brought it on a road trip, then acted out an old woman counting her change at a grocery store checkout. Lars entertained the crowd by sharing his “million dollar idea” for a new poutine diet, whereby cheese and gravy shall be added to every meal. The Poutine Zero diet is his solution to making weight loss a new year’s resolution.

Second City alum Marty Adams offered the most interactive performance, by asking audience members to write down pet peeves and things that annoy them. Chewing loudly is clearly something that gets on everyone’s nerves, but almost nothing compares to the frustration of watching someone text while you’re in the middle of a conversation. I’ve read books and heard songs about nut allergies, but I have never heard someone put such a hysterical twist on them before Marty. One can only imagine what Letterman would say in a top ten list about people like the girl in the front row who are allergic to fruit.

While Lars concluded his time on stage by conducting a symphony of sex noises, thus distinguishing who was shy in the audience, Arthur sure knew how to end the show. With his candid discussion about racist stereotypes, including a funny story about a late night on the TTC, among other tales about dating, living in Africa, and celebrating Christmas, Arthur ensured that it was a memorable evening for everyone at London Music Hall.

January 24, 2011 by

No Strings Attached

In Canadian director Ivan Reitman’s latest romantic comedy, No Strings Attached, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman play Adam and Emma, two young and naive professionals who try having a casual relationship.

All relationships have rules, both explicit and unspoken, and friends with benefits are no exception. Adam’s neighbour reinforces this in passing, knowing very well that it’s foolish of Adam to think his friendship with childhood crush Emma is any different. Even Pinnocchio knows that there are always strings, but these two stubborn lovers would rather explore the benefits of their friendship. As if their fate wasn’t predictable from the trailer, Emma and Adam quickly realize that having “no strings attached” is unachievable.

Furthermore, its use of symbolic moments and holidays support critics’ motives for passing it off as another formulaic chick flick. Must there always be a wedding or Valentine’s Day to motivate the characters to make a move or realize they’ve made a mistake? Then there’s the Hugh Hefner like age gap between Adam’s famous father and his girlfriend, as well as the romance between Adam’s roommate and Emma’s best friend. Kudos to them for being entertaining while doing what several supporting actors have done before them.

Nevertheless, there are several witty lines, including a metaphor about an 8-track. Among its humorous scenes are one in which Adam makes Emma a mix CD and lists a number of song titles that can be construed to have a subtext about menstruating. Like many modern movies, there is also Adam’s debate with his friends about the best way to respond to a late night text. As for what first resembled Britney Spears’ ‘Baby One More Time’ music video’, Reitman’s parody of Glee was clever and amusing. Finally, while it may be surprising that a Jewish widowed mother would date a boorish man nicknamed Bones, Reitman subtly references his and Portman’s Jewish heritage a few times throughout.

Most romantic comedies leave room for criticism, but this one is definitely worth renting. If its plot is a topic of interest, then stay tuned for the upcoming summer blockbuster, Friends with Benefits, starring Justin Timberlake. I wonder if there will be any references in it to Nsync’s ‘No Strings Attached’ album.

Update: Re-watched the film, this time recognizing New Girl actor Jake Johnson who plays Adam’s roommate! [January 2013]

January 23, 2011 by