Nothing unites a diverse group of people quite like reminiscing over last week’s episode of “Pretty Little Liars,” trash-talking what celebrity was cast in the newest film adaptation of a popular series of books, or wondering if anyone really understands what Honey Boo Boo is trying to say.
My name is Abbie Dorwart, and I am here to rehash the ten latest and greatest happenings in the entertainment world. If it happens in the realm of television, movies, or celebrities, I’m here to gape, gasp, and giggle with you. So let’s kick off with the first top ten list!
1. The Fifty Shades casting has been announced.
Seriously, no one predicted this. Internet gossip had Ian Somerhalder or Alex Pettyfer slated to play the role of the very mysterious, very wealthy Christian Grey. Charlie Hunnam, the British actor from “Sons of Anarchy,” and “Pacific Rim,” has been cast to play the BDSM-obsessed megalomaniac. Actress/model Dakota Johnson, daughter of Melanie Griffith (wife of Antonio Banderas), is set to play Anastasia Steele, the wide-eyed college student who quite literally stumbles into Christian Grey’s life and turns it upside down. Now unless you’re a “Sons of Anarchy,” fan or pay attention to MANGO jeans’ ads, you’ve probably never heard of either of these two. That’s okay! Actors are supposed to surprise you by changing themselves to fit a role, right? Personally, I don’t even plan to see the movie in theaters… I’ll watch it privately at home where no one can see me blush.
2. James Franco was roasted on Comedy Central.
It was pretty funny, too. I loved Sarah Silverman. She holds her own with all the male comedians; they are all pretty funny but seem to remain convinced that making 10 fifth-grade caliber jokes in a row about body parts are always hilarious. Eight comedians all took turns making fun of each other and then turning on Franco (who looked yummy as always). The best joke of the night? Nick Kroll making fun of Franco’s habit of squinting his eyes by saying, “If at any point tonight James Franco fully opens his eyes, there will be six more weeks of summer.”
3. Miley Cyrus thinks her VMA performance will make history.
Yeah; I know we’re all tired of hearing and talking about Miley Cyrus. But this is somewhat interesting. Cyrus was interviewed by MTV for a documentary being made about her (yikes!). She references Madonna and Britney Spears saying that people are looking for VMA performances to make history. Cyrus said before going on stage that she and Robin Thicke said to each other, “You know we’re about to make history right now.” Somehow I can’t quite picture her living up to Madonna and Britney’s legacies.
4. Jon Stewart has returned to “The Daily Show.”
After taking a hiatus this past summer to direct the movie “Rosewater,” Stewart returned to his show last week, and it was glorious. Although John Oliver was a great fill-in, it’s not quite the same without Stewart. “Rosewater” is set to be released in 2014. It is based on the memoir, “Then They Came for Me,” by Maziar Bahari, an Iranian-Canadian journalist who chronicled his imprisonment by the Iranian government in 2009.
5. J-Lo is headed back to “American Idol,” and a new judge is joining her.
That’s right! For those of you who still watch “American Idol,” Jennifer Lopez will be return as a judge on the new season. Although she has an album, fragrance, and movie coming out this year, Lopez will return along with Keith Urban. Joining the two will be triple-threat Harry Connick, Jr., a singer, piano-player, and actor. The three artists will form the judge’s panel. But what about Randy? Don’t worry. Randy Jackson will still be around acting as a mentor to the blossoming singers.
6. The end has been announced for “True Blood.”
The super-sexy HBO drama is facing the end. HBO made the announcement on Tuesday, saying the show would end after seven seasons. The last ten episodes will air in the summer of 2014. The Southern vampire drama has won two Emmy awards since its first season aired in 2008.
7. The “Downton Abbey” season four trailer has been released.
I had to include this. As a die-hard fan of the show I am unable to wait until it airs in the U.S. in January and usually watch it online as it airs in the U.K. The trailer for the fourth season was released and even though it’s not very long, it sucked me right back into Downton world. The first episode is certainly going to have us reliving the emotions of last season’s traumatic finale. If you wait to watch it on PBS in January, don’t worry. I’ll keep my mouth shut this fall, but I can’t say the same for the rest of the Internet.
8. Khloé Kardashian’s husband, Lamar Odom, was arrested for a DUI.
In case you didn’t hear about this, Odom was arrested last Friday for driving while under the influence. Kardashian took to Twitter to voice her grievances as the story made its Internet rounds. Neither has said anything publicly about the incident. However, rumors have been circulating that the two have hit a rocky patch in their marriage. A Kardashian marriage that may not last, anyone surprised?
9. The name of the news Transformers movie has been released.
Michael Bay’s next movie in the saga, set to be released June 27, 2014, is called “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” Mark Wahlberg will be starring in this chapter of the summer-blockbuster series.
10. A&E has cancelled the crime drama “The Glades.”
Disclaimer: I loved this show and was heartbroken to hear it would not be coming back next summer for a fifth season. Although the season finale had a reported 3.4 million viewers, which is pretty good for A&E, it was not enough to keep it afloat for another year. Unfortunately, the season finale ended with a cliffhanger, which means loose ends, unresolved drama, and heartbreak all around! Oh well; I can only cross my fingers for some kind of T.V.-movie follow-up.