If you aren't a regular commenter on the blog of Newark Star-Ledger television critic Alan Sepinwall, then you probably haven't realized that Chuck, of all series, has become one of the most polarizing shows on television. The perennial bubble-dweller (where it dwells once again) is well into its third season, and yet lead couple Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) are still playing a game of will-they-or-won't-they-or-what-other-obstacle-can-they-throw-in-their-way. And you thought the courtship of Jim and Pam was drawn out.
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· Who did not see this coming? After the Hallmark Channel inked a deal with Martha Stewart to give the home guru seven hours of air time a day, Crown Media, the network that owns both the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel, is now considering forking over an entire one of its networks to Stewart. If that is the case, the syndicated talk host would be following in the footsteps of Oprah Winfrey, whose highly anticipated OWN will replace the Discovery Health channel in January. Please broadcasters, just spare us the Rachael Ray Network. [NYP]
Jon Heder parachutes out of a Gary Sanchez production, Fox plans to keep Punking viewers , and more TV Bites after the jump.
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· Want to feel old? How's this: The Charlie Sheen actioner Navy SEALS turns 20 this year. Want to feel older? Go ahead and feel nostalgic for that upon hearing the news that Walden Media is developing a graphic-novel adaptation called SEAL, about a team of elite underwater soldiers "investigating a mysterious submarine drowning in the Persian Gulf, as well as battling forces in the underwater kingdom of Atlantis." On the bright side, this means Parisot can't muck with the Slap Shot remake he'd been attached to a while back, so fast track away, fellas. [LAT]
A Lost player gets off the island, DreamWorks Animation gets some more unfortunate news, and more Hollywood Ink after the jump.
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I caught the documentary Best Worst Movie last year around the time it debuted at ShoWest. While I dispute the claim that Troll 2 is "the best worst movie" I agree it's a lot of fun and right up there with the best-worst of 'em. Best Worst Movie takes us behind the scenes on this misbegotten horror flick, introduces us to the personalities who made it, and to the fans who've turned it into a cult over the past two decades. Now the trailer's doing the rounds, which, if nothing else will will see Troll 2 added to a lot of stoners' Netflix cues in time for the Easter weekend. Trailer after the jump, while screening dates are at the official site.
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Just as you can count on Christopher Walken to do some sort of dance in most of his films, and for John Cusack to suffer some kinda hideous relationship blow-out, so too can you rely on Jason Statham to be lumbered with a name that in real life causes young children to be bullied as mercilessly as red-headed step-children. Upcoming 1980s action throwback The Expendables continues the fine tradition, with The Stath going by the name "Lee Christmas." Orright, compared wiff 'is ovva character monikers, it's a bit pissweak even if you've nevva blown tha froff off a couple down the rubbity with anyone answering to that surname. Another nine -- all dumber -- after the jump.
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Warren Beatty has his very first brush with his favorite place on Earth! Plus, a madman delays the Oscars... for the love of a movie star... who then goes on to win an Oscar... in the very same movie that denies Beatty a statuette. If you can link 'em all together, you might be able to win at Jeopardy. And that's in the mix, too. As is Lauren Bacall's hit Broadway gay bar experience. Same day, different years. Confused? You won't be once you make the jump.
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· This elementary school retelling of Scarface is definitely not real. Does. Not. Matter. Is anyone else inspired to write an uplifting novel called Like Popcorn For Coke? Video after the jump: [Film Drunk via Vulture]
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Betty Draper's deceased dad may still haunt AMC's Mad Men, but the network has opted to explore actually undead people in the form of Walking Dead, the comic book about post-apocalyptic zombies and a group of human survivors. AMC will re-imagine the books in October as a six-episode serial in fall with up-and-comer Jon Bernthal announced as a cast hire. But does Walking Dead offer anything to make it a companion series to AMC's other ventures? You'd be surprised.
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Have you ever found yourself watching a Desperate Housewives rerun while wondering, "Why can't I ask Teri Hatcher for advice on the affair I'm having with my neighborhood plumber?" Well, now you can thanks to a new project launched by ABC's parent company Walt Disney Co. called "A Chick's Guide to Life." The actress (and a panel of experts) will offer real life housewives "solutions to the needs and obligations of today's modern woman" on the website GetHatched.com. [AP]
Amid all the warnings and concerns about 3D circulating in the medical community, parents may find a recent press release especially chilling. It appeared just prior to Friday's opening of How to Train Your Dragon, but its value resonates far beyond any single film or event. In a nutshell, moms and dads: Is your child physically equipped to join the 3D revolution?
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Movieline just heard from Israel Luna, the director of the suddenly-hot Tribeca fest entry Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives, a "transploitation" revenge thriller attacked by GLAAD last week. Said the organization then: "The film, its title and its marketing misrepresent the lives of transgender women and use grotesque, exploitative depictions of violence against transgender women in ways that make light of the horrific brutality they all too often face." Luna took issue with that description, though as he told Movieline today, the criticism has convinced him to change the film's trailer:
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The deal has been in the works for nigh on a year, so really, the consummation of Legendary Pictures' deal to reboot/remake/recycle Godzilla is less news than an opportunity to 1) launch a casting rumor that Taylor Lautner is attached to star, 2) preemptively bitch about Hollywood being out of ideas, 3) randomly daydream that Kathryn Bigelow might want to direct it as a dark, dystopic sci-fi drama, and/or 4) bash Roland Emmerich's 1998 adaptation. What did I forget? Anyway, this is happening. [Deadline]
So Jamie Foxx has this routine. Not like a joke or performance routine, but an actual schedule by which the Oscar-winner embroils himself in some outrageous Internet controversy, takes a few days to let it bleed out around said Internet, and then goes on The Tonight Show, where he'll place the whole imbroglio in some vague mea-culpa context before issuing an apology. The cycle renews itself every six months or so, from his Miley Cyrus gonorrhea debacle last April to the dissemination of his nude photo last October, and so naturally it's time for a new pseudo-scandal. Right on schedule -- thanks in part to Howard Stern -- it's arrived in all its massively NSFW, ignominious glory.
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It's an epidemic! Ever since Chloe Sevigny apologized for the last season of Big Love, making amends in the most backhanded way possible has become de rigueur in Hollywood. We already brought you J.D. Shapiro's apology for Battlefield Earth and James Cameron's apology/victory lap for Avatar -- now, let us hand you an apology for the 2006 CG film Monster House, in which its screenwriter Dan Harmon calls Steven Spielberg a moron.
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· In the wake of his big episode last week, Lost fans can now buy their very own Richard Alpert bobblehead. The eyeliner is already included.
· Might Rachel Weisz play the villainess in the next Bond movie, directed by her ex-flame Sam Mendes?
· Demi Moore tweeted her displeasure with Kim Kardashian using the phrase "big pimpin": "No disrespect...but a pimp and pimping is nothing more than a slave owner!"
· Magnolia has picked up the rights to the Kevin Kline/Paul Dano/Katie Holmes comedy The Extra Man.
· The NYDN says that Will Smith is meddling in Jada Pinkett Smith's show HawthoRNe. Honestly, it could use it.
