While most us will behave like slob kebobs on Thanksgiving Day, Macy's is inviting customers to start shopping. A new commercial promoting Black Friday aired today, capturing the magic of seasonal greed and ruining everything that is good about Turkey Day. The retail giant enlisted Jessica Simpson , Thalia , Ryan Seacrest , Heidi Klum , Ariana Grande , Clinton Kelly and Martha Stewart to lure customers through their doors at 6pm Thanksgiving day. Donald Trump wasn't invited because Macy's fired him for calling Mexicans a bunch of criminals and rapists. Stewart and Seacrest lead the charge in the video, with Stewart first slapping the hand of a pilgrim who tried to sneak a treat. Kelly dressed an elf, Klum got carried by balloons gifted to her by a clown, Thalia shook her hips to the beat of a marching band, and Simpson cut a sales tag in half because Chicken of the Sea. “Only Macy’s could give America a parade on Thanksgiving and the biggest sale of the year on Black Friday,” Seacrest said from his stage in menswear. Stewart came over to tell Seacrest to lock it up because his schtick was too much. It was all so…hammy. Why can't they do something lovely like this ? Grab your coupons and get ready to stand in line for hours to save $6 on a microwave, because Macy's is making your holiday dreamz come true. Huzzah!
American Idol Season 14 Episode 3 takes auditions on the road! Literally! The Idol bus tour traveled the country, stopping off in 11 towns choosing contestants to audition for the judges in Kansas City, MO. Harry, Jennifer, and Keith are ready to hear them sing for a chance at stardom…right after Harry and Jennifer discuss her generous derriere. First up on the evening is Rontarius “Big Ron” Wilson enters the room singing a riff of J.Lo’s “Jenny From the Block.” He tells Jennifer she can call him Big Sexy before singing “Let’s Get It On” to her and completely ignoring the guys, who decide to go out for a burger in the middle of his audition and leave him singing. At this point, I feel like I would just watch an hour of Jennifer, Harry, and Keith hanging out. Big Ron gets a golden ticket and his mom lets out a few “Whooooos!” that would put Vicki Gunvalson to shame. Some kid named Ian gets the boot after “hitting” a high C. Ashley Lusk, 15, however doesn’t seem like she’s going to strike out. Neither does Josh Sanders, 26. And then there’s returning contestant Casey Thrasher from Tuscaloosa. He was sent home during Hollywood last year (when they decided to keep the guy who couldn’t sing with his eyes open). They all get golden tickets. Joey Cook plays the accordion. She’s got a dream of making the “squeeze box” mainstream. Hard sell on the accordion, but her voice has something really cool about it. She gets an easy yes with the great advice from Harry to pay attention to how close to being a novelty she is. Keith goes Super Australian since her name’s Joey. See? Let’s just let the judges be funny. Alexis Gomez didn’t plan to be a country girl since she didn’t ride horses. Because all people who sing country music ride horses. Especially Keith. She calls herself “hippie country” and auditions barefoot. Keith can see the talent in her but doesn’t think it’s fully realized. Harry calls it good but not spectacular. Keith says no. Jennifer gives her a yes. Harry breaks the tie with a yes. Anton Busnher’s favorite country singer is Keith Urban. (How many of the country hopefuls say that?) He sings one of Keith’s songs, which is always brave. Jennifer doesn’t seem to know what to think. Keith tears up a little. Harry totally loves him. Anton gets a golden ticket. We’ve seen a LOT of girls with guitars. Stephanie Gummelt is the latest of the bunch, and she decides to sing an original song. There’s something old school Jewel about her, plus she has a great personality. Very quirky. Jennifer likes her, Harry wants more breath behind her song and gives her a no. Jennifer and Keith give her yes votes and send her to Hollywood. Ashley Stehle is 15. She’s been singing her whole life, but both of her parents are deaf. Her father has only recently heard her sing for the first time thanks to a new hearing device. But she’s very off key for the whole audition and the judges have to let her down and send her home. Ellen Petersen comes in with a banjo. She’s from Branson, Keith’s wearing a Branson t-shirt. It’s basically perfect. AND she yodels. Who is she? Heidi? Yodeling, a banjo, and the accordion girl! They should be an act and go on the road! Ellen has some fun in her voice. She’s going to Hollywood. But first, Keith and Harry have to sing The Beverly Hillbillies theme song with her playing banjo. Jennifer has no idea what The Beverly Hillbillies is. I feel sad for her. Kohlton Pascal is from New York, but he’s homeless. He hitchhikes or plays guitar and raises money to buy a bus ticket. He left home at 16 and has only ever spent 3-4 days in the same place since then. He sings an original and I can’t say I think his future is in songwriting. And maybe it isn’t in singing either. Harry calls him terrific but says he wonders if Kohlton will get out of his comfort zone to win. Jennifer thought it was interesting but wonders if we’d still feel his soul down the road. Keith likes his talent but thinks he doesn’t have the look. Basically, they’re saying “this is going to be crazy hard and the machine will eat you alive.” They send him to Hollywood and he closes out the night. In all, 38 tickets were given out in Kansas City. But who cares about that when there are ribs to be eaten? Auditions continue tomorrow night in New York City and Adam Lambert steps in to judge for Keith.
So after getting a New Year’s Eve kiss from Miley Cyrus , now here’s Ryan Seacrest hanging out with a bunch of ridiculously hot bikini babes in St. Barts. (And surprise, he’s barely even paying attention to them.) Anyway, apparently being Seacrest’s beard is more than a one-woman job these days. Life just isn’t fair sometimes. Photos: PacificCoastNews
Chris Brown visited On Air with Ryan Seacrest for the first time today, weighing in on a number of hot topics … notably Rihanna, J. Lo and that valet dustup. Though often criticized, the always-controversial 23-year-old sounded as sincere, genuine and thoughtful as we’ve ever heard him in this sit-down. Here’s what the R&B star had to say about … Chris Brown Interview Part 1 Rihanna, and winning her back : “I just tried my best to be the best man I could be over the years and just show her how remorseful and sorry I was.” “That time was probably the worst part of my life and being that she’s been and she is a wonderful person I’m eternally grateful and thankful.” On not blaming his age and immaturity for what happened back in 2009: “I could put that on my age but that would just be making an excuse.” “I think for me that at age 18-19 I was capable of writing and producing songs, so I’m also capable of making the right choices. So I think it’s a learning process.” “At that young age I can tell you I was arrogant and definitely hotheaded. Everybody has a temper, but for me it was not knowing how to control it when I thought I had the world in my hands.” On winning back fans : “People are entitled to their opinions. I can’t go around blaming. It’s all about my responsibility and me growing up as a man.” “So I think now that I’m becoming older, and trying to mature in this life under the public eye, I have to focus on doing the right thing and being more of a humble individual.” Chris Brown Interview Part 2 On the greatest lesson he learned in life : “That you can lose it all. And I’m not saying fame or stardom because that’s not what it’s about.” “I’m talking about dignity [and] integrity. You know, you lose yourself in a way.” On collaborating with Jennifer Lopez : “I’m trying to get her on my album, I have a couple songs that would be incredible for her to feature on.” “But as for now, I’m just in the studio writing for her album and collaborating on new stuff and trying to give her some party music and fun stuff.” On that fight with a valet parking guy : “Okay so I can elaborate on the situation. By all means, I’m a great tipper. Ten dollars is not a problem.” “[It] was five dollar parking at the place…but before we went in, I gave the man $100 dollars. We had two cars. It’s five dollar parking. Okay, do the math.” “So when we came out he was like, ‘You know what? We need $20 for each car.’ And I said, ‘Sir, I just gave you $100.’ So he was like, ‘No, no we need $10.’” “So he was just trying to get more money. I was like, ‘no,’ so by that time it was a situation.” [laughs] “I’ve got to just shut up and be like, ‘Security go get the keys! I’ll be by the car.’” Are you on Team Breezy? Yes! He’s come a long way! Team Breezy! No! He’s still not very nice. View Poll »
As breathlessly reported by Variety’s Jeff Sneider via Twitter : “Ladies and gentlemen, The Master primed for limited release on Sept. 14, will expand the following weekend!” The Weinstein Co. will release early in prime awards season moving the pic up from an October release, rolling the Philip Seymour Hoffman-starrer wide on September 21. The bad news for Austin, Texas film geeks: The timing seems to contradict speculation that Anderson’s hotly anticipated pic might debut at Fantastic Fest, which runs September 20-27, though it may still screen there post-limited release. A Venice , late Toronto , or Telluride premiere is likely. [ Variety ]
Also in Friday afternoon’s round-up of news briefs, Israel’s celebrated doc The Flat is headed to the U.S. as is Sundance doc A Place at the Table . Oscar-winning writer Dustin Lance Black gets a new gig writing a disaster movie for Universal and R.I.P. Lupe Ontiveros. Israel’s The Flat Headed to the U.S. A winner at the Jerusalem and Tribeca film festivals, Arnon Goldfinger’s doc The Flat will head to North America via Sundance Selects which picked up the title. The film centers on the director’s experience clearing out his deceased grandmother’s apartment in Tel Aviv, a home she shared with her husband for decades since immigrating from Nazi Germany. Sifting through her belongings, he discovers a treasure-trove of photos, letters, files and objects that reflect three generations of Germans both Jewish and non-Jewish. Sundance Selects will reelase the film October 19th. Doc A Place at the Table Heads Stateside Magnolia Pictures picked up the documentary from Participant Media, the folks behind An Inconvenient Truth and Food, Inc (the latter which Magnolia released). The Sundance debut featuring Jeff Bridges and Tom Colicchio (then called Finding North ) takes on the food issue from a new angle, shining a light on the 30% of American families—more than 49 million people—that don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Magnolia plans a release in the first quarter of 2013. Around the ‘net… Star-studded Audience for Olympics Opening Monarchs, presidents, prime ministers, other royals and a venerable who’s who will be joined by the likes of David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Hugh Bonneville ( Downtown Abbey ) along with U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama at the opening of the Olympics Friday. The show, a 27 million pound ($42 million) spectacular titled “Isles of Wonder,” will end with a performance by Paul McCartney, A.P. reports . Ryan Seacrest & Paramount Team for Food Fight Pic The comedy is loosely based on celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and his reality series Food Revolution Seacrest will produce the project based on a gourmet food truck operator who is sentenced to work at a school, revolutionizing the lunch program, THR reports . Milk Writer Dustin Lance Black Set for Earthquake The Oscar-winner will write the big scale disaster Earthquake for Universal and producer JJ Abrams. The feature will apparently not be a remake of the 1974 film that starred Charlton Heston of the same title, Deadline reports . R.I.P. Lupe Ontiveros The actress who starred in Selena and As Good as It Gets died Thursday at 69. The actress appeared in both film and television over four decades, Deadline reports .
Ryan Seacrest was spotted leaving Mezze Restaurant in a hurry to catch “1” hour of sleep! Ryan is known in Hollywood as one of Hollywood’s most busy entertainment moguls! Have a good night Ryan Seacrest! “Like” us on Facebook @ facebook.com
Kim Kardashian may know how to make money but no one ever said she was the smartest cookie of the bunch. Ryan Seacrest chopped it up with Kim on his radio show about when she and Kris would start making babies. Here’s the flow of convo: Ryan Seacrest:Kris said when you first met, he saw you being the mother of his kids. When will he see that? Kim K: I think we want to figure out where he’s gonna play and where he’s gonna live. Ryan Seacrest: What if he signed with the Oklahoma Thunder? What would you do? Kim K: Is that a real team? Khloe, have you heard of that team?… *crickets* Kim K: I would go to Oklahoma City … we’re not going to live a separate life. SMH… Grant it, Oklahoma is not that big of a deal but Kevin Durant is! At least she would move there… Is Oklahoma exciting?!?
Twelve gents enter, but only five will move on to the next stage of American Idol ‘s gladiatorial fairytale. We watched last night’s 12-pack of hopefuls and picked the best, worst, and most confusing performances. How do your rankings compare? Join us for our list, from worst to first.
