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Aziz Ansari Gets Three Thumbs Up From Judd Apatow

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:03 -0800

Am I asleep? Because this sounds like a match made in heaven - Judd Apatow (along with Universal Pictures) has just picked up not one, not two, but three comedies starring Aziz Ansari. The yet-to-be-written ideas were pitched by the Parks and Recreation star as well as Jason Woliner, who is on board to direct. So what kind of hijinks are in store? Here's the rundown:

Project No.1: For now, it's called Let's Do This, and it's about two guys who work for a motivational speaking company and a road trip. Sounds familiar, but still has potential to be very funny.
Project No. 2: In this one, Ansari will play an astronaut (already hilarious) who has to clear his reputation by heading back to outer space.
Project No. 3: The three projects are unrelated, but the third one is actually a spinoff of Apatow's Funny People, focusing on Ansari's character Randy.

When asked about the pitches, Ansari quipped, "We didn’t expect all three to work. We had a breakfast meeting with Judd and pitched them. We were like, 'Which one do you like?’ He wanted all three.' We are hesitant to say too much about our ideas. A few years ago, we announced our new idea about a film where the world ended in the year 2014. We have since had to stop developing this movie."

Are you looking forward to seeing Ansari join Apatow's band of merry comics? Which project sounds most promising to you?

Least Funny Strip in the History of Comics?

GiggleSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Cartoon Brew claims to have found the least funny comic strip ever produced: "Uncle Funny Bunny and Chumpy" by Jack Pierce. (At least it had a promising name!) I don't know what it is about things labeled "worst," but I can't help loving them. You gotta be good at something, even if it's the best at being the worst! Click here to see more.

Zombieland: The Feel-Good Zombie Flick of the Year

TresSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:30:23 -0700

A Note From Buzz: With so many new movies this week, my friend Très was nice enough to apply her scary-movie expertise to review the box office's newest zombie flick.

In the United States of Zombieland, zombies outnumber people. A mad-cow tainted burger tipped the population in favor of the drooling, limping, and grunting set, and now zombies roam a crashed-car littered, empty-minimall-blighted zombiescape.

Columbus (Adventureland's Jesse Eisenberg), the virginal antihero of horror-comedy Zombieland, has learned to survive this zombie apocalypse by keeping a list of necessary survival skills. Rule #1? Cardio. If you don't want zombies gnawing on you like an hors d'oeuvre, you'd better be fast and limber. In addition, beware of bathrooms, practice the "double tap" (make sure your zombie's actually dead after you kill him), and don't be a hero. (Regarding this last rule - some rules were made to be broken.)

When Columbus meets up with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a swaggering cowboy type with a penchant for tank-like cars, shotguns, and Twinkies, and the spitfire sister duo of Wichita (Emma Stone) and Arkansas (Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin), Zombieland takes off like a scary/fun amusement park ride. To find out what happens on this motley crew's wild road trip from hell, read more

There's something funny about zombies and the zombie genre, and in his first feature film, director Ruben Fleischer plays their comic possibilities to the hilt. Zombies don't have what you'd call well-rounded personalities; they're pretty predictable. They have bad attitudes, come out of nowhere, grunt, and see all nonzombies as food to feast on. They're the perfect foil (or straight men, even) to a cast of characters with more than enough personality to make up for the zombies' boorish one dimensionality.

Take nebbishy Columbus. The world changed for him, he tells us in an early voice-over, when a pretty neighbor he calls #406, asks to stay over because a crazed homeless man tries to bite her. Sadly, although she falls asleep on Columbus's shoulder, she wakes up as a rabid zombie and begins chasing him around his apartment, forcing him to repeatedly knock her over the head with a toilet lid. "The first time I let a girl in my life," deadpans Columbus, "and she tries to eat me."

This kind of witty dialogue abounds in Zombieland, and although fans of gore and violence against zombies will be more than satisfied (Tallahassee's scenes of zombie-killing, especially, have a Tarantinoesque choreography to them), it's really the mismatched goofball characters and how they bond and evolve, surprisingly, that hold the film together. A hilarious cameo from Bill Murray in the Beverly Hills sequence of Zombieland, also, is practically worth the price of admission.

Harrelson chews the scenery as Tallahassee, but as we find out, part of the reason he's hell-bent on killing zombies is because they took away his baby boy. As for the sisters, tough-girl Wichita just wants to take care of her little sister Arkansas (who, as a good shot, doesn't seem to need much help), but a beautiful girl has needs, too, and before long she develops feelings for Columbus. Will he or won't he finally be able to live out his nerd-boy fantasy of brushing the hair over a girl's ear?

You probably know the answer to that question, but just because Zombieland adheres to certain formulas doesn't mean that it doesn't revive them in witty ways. Although the zombie-killing gore fest may not be for everyone, Zombieland's amazing visuals, charming characters, and witty dialogue may leave a goofy grin on your face as you leave the theater.

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

The Invention of Lying: Sweet, but Unsteady

BuzzSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:45:37 -0700

In his Hollywood directorial debut, Ricky Gervais takes us to an alternate universe where honesty makes the world go round. It's not just that lie-telling is an impossibility; everyone can't help but speak their minds at all times, no matter how personal, embarrassing, or brutal their innermost thoughts may be. The premise of The Invention of Lying is rife for comedy, but the film is also a commentary on religion and has its sad moments as well.

The film tells the story of Mark Bellison, an average joe who just can't seem to get ahead in a world where his mediocrity is ridiculed day after day. His co-workers can't stand him and women reject him based on his looks alone. When he loses his job as a screenwriter, Mark is ready to give up - until he mysteriously becomes the world's first liar.

To see what else I thought of the film, just read more.

Ricky Gervais stars as Mark, living in a world that's mostly free of flair, frills, and aesthetics. Mark's house and office are plain and boring, complementing his every-day appearance. Those who stand out are the people who are naturally attractive, like the object of Mark's affections, Anna (Jennifer Garner) and his snarky co-worker Brad (Rob Lowe). Anna can't help but show her shallow side on her first date with Mark. She immediately rejects him on the basis that she doesn't want to have "fat, snub-nosed" children someday and must find a "better genetic match." Once Mark starts to stretch his newfound talent though, he decides he can have whatever he wants - and begins a quest to win Anna's affections.

Gervais surprised me with his performance because he finally takes a break from his typical British dry humor. As affable, down-on-his-luck Mark, Gervais proves that he doesn't need his signature sarcasm to be witty. The most important scene of the movie requires a lot of raw emotion from Gervais, and he absolutely nails it, showcasing a sweet side that we rarely see from the actor.

There are two major aspects of the movie that wore me down: the cameos and the product placement. I love a good celebrity appearance, but after Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ed Norton, and Jason Bateman pop in, it starts to feel like Gervais is trying to use his comical buddies to keep the storyline afloat when it starts to lose focus. Seeing a familiar face is always fun, but this isn't a Judd Apatow movie.

The product placement is funny and fitting at first; there's not much room for advertising in a world of stark truth. With only a reputation to rely on, Coke and Pepsi are left with the slogans "It's very famous" and "When they don't have Coke," respectively. The film goes way overboard from there though, and suddenly Mark is surrounded by Budweiser bottles at all times and at the film's climax he's standing in front of a group clutching a pair of cardboard Pizza Hut boxes.

The movie's biggest problem is that it tries to appeal to too many genres. It's packaged as a comedy, but Mark becomes a god-like character once the world gets wind of his lies. His peers literally take everything he says as gospel, and Mark becomes a blatant modern-day Moses (complete with long hair and beard). Just as the audience begins to wonder where it's all going, the movie quickly ditches the religious aspect and finishes up as a love story. The ending is satisfactory, but what's the point of satirizing religion when it doesn't hold much water for the overall message of the movie?

Like I said, the premise is rife for comedy and starts us down a path that's packed with laughs - I just wish Invention of Lying didn't wander off before finding its way back home.

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.

Jon Hamm Keeps Things Light After the Emmys

PopSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:30:50 -0700

Jon Hamm had his plaid shirt unbuttoned just enough to show a little chest yesterday morning as he stepped out of his LA home. While things got a little gruesome on Sunday's episode of Mad Men, Jon was busy celebrating with his costars at the Emmys afterparties. The cast and crew toasted to their series receiving the Best Drama award for the second year running. Jon switched gears from the serious to the comic for a special Funny or Die video, in which he and Will Ferrell take a sarcastic look at healthcare reform. It's nice to see Jon's lighter side, but we'd also like to catch a glimpse of him shirtless.

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FabSugar Exclusive: Rachel Zoe, The Morning After

FabSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:01:50 -0700

Thrilling. That best describes The Rachel Zoe Project premiere last night. The glamour, the gowns, the jewels, the tension - I knew I would be hooked the second time around, what about you? Last night we witnessed the countdown to the Golden Globes, saw Team Zoe's new studio, met some new staff, and bit our nails over the lost pink Chanel haute couture dress. Or was that just me and Rachel? I caught up with the stylist extraordinaire this morning for some coffee talk. We mostly gushed about the gorgeous gowns on last night's show, but we also chatted Brad and Taylor. Here's last night's rehash . . .

Eva's white Dior was my favorite from this year's awards season. It wasn't on the runway, how did you find it?

"The PR people sent me photos even though it wasn't sent down the runway. I'll know that Eva has something coming up, I call it a check note. That necklace is probably my favorite piece of jewelry - ever. When I worked with Keira Knightley for the Oscars in '06, there was this vintage Bulgari piece and this brought that memory back to me. There's nothing like an incredible blob of turquoise. It's a dream scenario."

Speaking of jewelry, how did emeralds call out to you for Debra's navy Vera Wang?

"I love to see color. I don't want to do anything expected, or odd. The idea of emeralds with the navy is a younger, modern way to make something glamorous. You don't need diamonds for glamour. I love mixing colors, the less perfect the better."

To read about asking Karl to alter the Chanel and for some Brad and Taylor scoop,

Cameron's pink Chanel - have you asked designer's to alter before? Just not Karl? Why were you so nervous?

"Yes, I have, but Karl Lagerfeld is up there with my three heroes of all time. When you ask to make a change to an already-brilliant design, it's scary. What if it doesn't work? At the end of the day Cameron is my priority. I want to do what's politically correct, but also what's best for my client. You weigh your odds there. It was scary. Had he said no, I would have had to move on. The worst he could say is no."

New studio? Upgrade! And more staff?

"We actually have two studios now. One for the digital side of my business (The Zoe Report). We're growing Rachel Zoe Inc. And Jordan (the intern) and Marisa (Zoe's assistant). Poor Marisa is so innocent, she's the golden child of the group. She helps balance it out. Brad provides a lot of comic relief, when I'm having a really tense moment, Brad makes me laugh at it all."

It appears Brad and Taylor are getting along better. When they moved the desks downstairs, they banded together as brats. It was funny to see that banter.

"They are, but trust me they still have their moments. And they banter, for better or for worse."

When they talk about you, how does it make you feel?

"Brad isn't really built that way. It's more important to me that they get along with one another than they get pleasure out of making fun of me or patronizing me. If they weren't doing their jobs the way they do, they wouldn't be there. I wouldn't put up with it. We all know where we stand with one another. I compare it to a real family. You take abuse and you make up as if nothing ever happened. Or we don't even make up and just move on. They are so loyal."

It seems this season is going to get heavy with Taylor questioning her loyalty.

"Oh yeah. She'll be doing all season what she did last night. She's bored to tears, but she's not going to complain. But you do see a lighter side of Taylor. She's not programmed that way. I prefer she is who she is on camera, and not pretending to be something she's not. She has a heart of gold, I promise you that." Photo courtesy of Bravo

Robert and Kristen Are Reunited at Comic-Con!

PopSugarUK — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:00:00 -0700

After spending time apart in recent months filming different movies, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were reunited yesterday! They were joined by costar Taylor Lautner for the New Moon press conference at Comic-Con in San Diego. Robert has been hard at work on Remember Me in New York, so he had to fly from coast to coast and get in to Twilight mode: check out exclusive footage of Rob at JFK over at our new daily show, PopSugar Rush. Our US editors got to attend the press conference in person and saw two new clips from the film - so jealous! The actors chatted about their characters and the fan response, and Rob said he'd consider comedic roles, but added: "I don't know if I'm particularly funny. One of my legs is shorter than the other one, so it makes everything look awkward. I can look like an idiot, but I don't know if I can be witty." For a self-proclaimed awkward idiot, Rob's not doing too badly!

Tons more pictures of Rob, Kristen and Taylor, so just read more.

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New Moon Takes Comic-Con by Storm

PopSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:49:08 -0700

After waiting in line for three hours, we finally made it into the New Moon panel at Comic-Con! It was definitely worth the wait, and Rob, Kristen, Taylor, and Ashley were rewarded with plenty of screams and shrieks from their waiting fans. We got to check out two new clips from the movie - in the first, Kristen's character Bella rides a motorcycle for the first time (though she assured us she didn't do her own stunts). The second was the big moment you've all been waiting for - that's right, the shirtless Pattinson scene in Italy! Believe us, you will not be disappointed. Rob was adorable as he showed off a wide range of facial expressions when answering questions from fans, while Taylor seemed to eat up all the attention. Here are a few other highlights from the Q&A:

Rob on how shooting New Moon was different from Twilight: "It was different doing this because of the aesthetic which Kris shows. Edward's whole character is obviously about restraint. I found it difficult to incorporate movement into the character. In New Moon, a lot of the shots are set up for as little movement as possible which helped. It was always camera movements that drove scenes . . . and now I'm making it sound like I just stood there."
Taylor on whether or not he's like Jacob: "I'm more like Jacob's pretransformation side. Because that's before he goes wacko. I hope I'm more friendly and outgoing than this dark disturbed person, this monster. Actually, I don't think he's a monster."

To read lots more from Rob about playing Edward and whether or not he'll ever take on comedy just read more.

Rob on whether or not playing Edward has changed him: "At the end of the day, it's just a part, you're going to do it. You're walking down the street . . . this is a really bad analogy . . . you step on a little stone, you don't know where it's going and you're trying not to drown afterwards. That was really terrible wasn't it?"
Kristen on how Bella changed from Twilight to New Moon: "I don't think you really truly know yourself until you get to a point as low as this. She's so sort of righteous in the first one. Now you believe that she knows what she wants. And I feel like in the third one, she's content and happy and can rest easy. In this one, it was a larger scale for me - I played an insane person."
Rob on whether or not he'd like to do more comedic roles like How to Be: "Why not? But I don't know if I'm particularly funny. One of my legs is shorter than the other one, so it makes everything look awkward. I can look like an idiot, but I don't know if I can be witty."
Taylor on filming in Portland vs. Vancouver: "Both are cold and wet. I mean they're beautiful, but it's just not fun not wearing any clothes there."

Chelsea Handler Dishes With TrèsSugar

TresSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

"TrèsSugar: Describe your ideal man.
Chelsea Handler: Someone who gets the joke.
TrèsSugar: Do you think you’ll ever find him?
Chelsea Handler: Probably not."

Comedian, writer, talk show host - triple threat Chelsea Handler does it all. The host of Chelsea Lately on E! Entertainment agreed to answer our burning questions on everything from whether or not she’s a feminist to what her weirdest wedding moment was. To check out the exclusive TrèsSugar interview, read more

TrèsSugar: Hi, Chelsea! I busted a gut reading My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands and I think Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea might be one of the most brilliant titles for a book ever. I love how you seem like the rare woman - gorgeous, and not trading on that but rather on your wit and subverting “proper” female behavior. Thanks for answering our questions!
Chelsea Handler: Well, thank you very much.

TS (I realize I kinda ambushed her here!): Are you a feminist?
CH: I feel like focusing on the idea of feminism is saying that we haven't achieved it yet. I believe in behaving at a level and having people meet you at a level that says: I'm a very highly functioning woman.

TS: Christopher Hitchens infamously said that only women who are fat, unattractive, Jewish or lesbian can be funny. How would you respond to him if you could?
CH: Well, I am half-Jewish, so he must have been right.

TS: Do you think humor for women is a defense mechanism, a survival skill? In your case, why did you think you became so funny?
CH: I think people are born the way they are born, and circumstances either add or take away from who you are deep down. I love to laugh, and in turn, love when I can make other people laugh.

TS: What in your past laid the groundwork for the way you see the world?
CH: Probably my father's 10 used cars that were in our driveway my entire life. I would say it was the opposite of rose-colored glasses.

TS: Who are your comic influences and heroes?
CH: I never intended on being a comedian, so it would be dishonest to say that I was
really influenced by anyone other than the idea of expressing my opinions. My brothers, sisters, and parents were definitely the biggest influences in my life.

TS: What’s a typical Chelsea Friday night?
CH: Dinner with friends usually at my house and a plethora of cocktails before, during, and after.

TS: Describe your ideal man. Do you think you’ll ever find him?
CH: Someone who gets the joke. Probably not.

TS: What was the weirdest wedding you ever went to?
CH: The one where the bride was smoking a cigarette in her wedding gown. That was pretty magnificent.

TS: What’s your biggest deal breaker in relationships?
CH:I usually don't break up with guys, I wait for them to break up with me.

TS: What’s your biggest piece of advice to today’s woman?

CH: Be ambitious for not only yourself, but also for the people around you, be generous, and be forthright. Karma is real, and it will reward you if you are doing the same for others.

TrèsSugar: Thanks, Chelsea!

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Sugardaddy Ben Stiller Keeps the Laughs Coming

LilSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:00:32 -0700

Some moms recognize Ben Stiller's voice in an instant as their children are fans of the Madagascar series and have the DVDs playing in constant rotation. The actor's more grown-up flicks tend to air after the youngsters have been tucked into bed so their parents can enjoy some comic relief.

The Hollywood funny man has spent most of his life entertaining audiences. His first television appearance was with his famous parents – comedic legends Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara – at the age of six. After several years on stage and then behind the camera – he directed and had roles in Reality Bites and The Cable Guy – Stiller became a box office star with There's Something About Mary and Meet the Parents. He now spends most of his time starring in feature films and cartoons like Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian, which opens this weekend.

Stiller, and his wife of nine years, actress Christine Taylor, have two children - Ella, 7, and Quinlin, 3, - and are big supporters of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. Even in life's most serious situations, this sugardaddy keeps people laughing.

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