entertainmentdissected

My apologies for “slacking” on the blog this month- it’s the end of the year and that usually brings some chaos and such (plus, losing someone this year who was most dear to me has made this time of year especially difficult). So don’t fear that lack of entertainment goings-on is to blame for the non-entries.

This past week, Eartha Kitt passed away- perhaps best known as one of the ladies who purred her way to havoc as Catwoman on the campy Batmanseries of the 60’s (Julie Newmar also portrayed the villainess in the series, while Lee Meriwether pulled duty in the big screen spin-off), she also appeared in numerous films and on stage. Aside from Batman, another of Kitt’s signature works was her 1953 recording of “Santa Baby,” which Madonna brought to modern prominence on 1987’s Special Olympics charity album, A Very Special Christmas. After expressing anti-war sentiments in 1968, Kitt experienced a U.S. backlash and concentrated on working overseas.

Meanwhile, Oscar ballots are in the mail. Nominations will be announced January 22- will The Dark Knighttakes its rightful place as a Best Picture contender? The on-screen reunion of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet likely will land their Revolutionary Road in that category. Frost/Nixon and Brad Pitt’s The Curious Case of Benajmin Buttonappear as likely nominees, with no clear favorites for the remaining two spots left open, which could leave room for Batman and Company. But, don’t gasp if Oscar leaves the super-hero dazzler out of the running, given it hasn’t shown too much past love for the genre.

On the music charts, Taylor Swift’s Fearlessis holding tight to the top of the Billboard 200, selling around 330,000 units in the pre-Christmas-week frame. The album should sail past the 2 million mark this week, making it one of just three 2008 releases to scan more than 2 million copies in the USA (the other two being Lil’ Wayne and Coldplay). On the Hot 100 singles chart, Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” continues to hold the top spot; her “If I Were a Boy” also occupies the No. 10 position. In fact, Beyonce, T.I. and Britney Spears each have two tracks in the top 10- so no doubt you’re seeing a lot of double when scrolling the top 10 this week.

The big television event coming in the new year undoubtedly is the start of American Idol’s eighth season. Despite recent comments chastising Idol producers for allowing a crazed, now-deceased fan (thanks to a suicide) access to her during fifth-season tryouts, Paula Abdul will remain as one of four judges this season (the original three now joined by Karo DioGuardi, who producers insist is not an Abdul replacement).

Adding a fourth judge is just one change producers are making to Idolthis season. Other changes include: decreasing the number of audition episodes (thereby lessening the exposure on the vocally challenged) while increasing the number of pre-semifinal Hollywood-round showings; having 36 contestants for the semifinal round (up from 24); reinstituting the wild card round, allowing eliminated contestants the opportunity to snare a spot in the top 12; and, axing charity telethon “Idol Gives Back,” which saw a major ratings decline this year.

On that note, much thanks for the patience, and check back more often for some in-depth dissections, interspersed with some notable entertainment buzz and news. Hope you had a nice holiday and have an even better new year.- JR

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