Arts Blog

Team Britney?

Mary Byatt — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

I’ll be the first to admit it – I love Britney Spears. It’s sick, I know. Yet I still check Perez Hilton daily just to find out what the latest mess my girl has got herself into. When I found out she’d lost custody of her kids – and to K-Fed, of all people – I immediately ran into the kitchen to inform everyone else of the news. They didn’t really care, aside from a few comments on how ashamed they’d be if they were only famous for once being married to Miss Britney. It was okay, though. I cared enough for everyone.

Musical Fandom Reaches New Proportions

Sam Arbesman — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, U.S. Repels British Invasion, the travails of British musicians in getting United States visas are chronicled; essentially it boils down to the fact that performers must show that they are "internationally recognized,” which is not as easy as it sounds. It is an interesting read and I recommend giving it a look. However, there is another part of it that merits attention. Near the end of the article, a fangirl, whose favorite band cancels a tour, responds that "I've never experienced anything more heartbreaking or cruel in my life."

Office vs. Grey's

Mary Byatt — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

So I know this is probably shallow and that there are much bigger issues my housemates and I should be concerned about. But on September 27th at 9 pm, there’s going to be a battle. Over our television. From all logical standpoints, it should be a great night. Season premieres of both The Office and Grey’s Anatomy? Brilliant. My long awaited cravings for both witty, intelligent comedy and melodramatic, girly theatrics will be satiated. I can watch The Office first and then turn to ABC for Grey’s just like last year… except I totally can’t. The hotshots over at NBC apparently decided it would be a fantastic idea to move Jim and Pam into the same timeslot as Meredith and McDreamy.

Music and Comedy go to Tinseltown

Sam Arbesman — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Comedians and musicians, when making the transition to acting, often play thinly veiled or exaggerated versions of themselves. In the music world, we have Will Smith, Frank Sinatra and Meat Loaf. I was told that a similar thing occurs in the Beatles’ movies, and this sounds eminently reasonable, despite having only seen the first five minutes of Yellow Submarine. In the realm of comedians, we have a large number of examples. Woody Allen is nebbish and neurotic, as are his characters. Seth Rogen is a laid-back, goofy guy, and so are his characters. Cliff Huxtable is nothing but a sweater-festooned Bill Cosby. Jerry Seinfeld is Jerry Seinfeld, and Larry David is Larry David.