Seamus Heaney "Digging"

Celebrate St. George's Day... or Friday... or spring...or whatever your preference with a free Ricky Gervais/ Stephen Merchant Podcast

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/audio/2010/apr/23/ricky-gervais-podcast

The Humor of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant lives on in their new movie, "Cemetery Junction".

Already being called Berkshire's answer to 'Superbad,' Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's latest film is apparently a coming of age story; replete with dreams of shedding one's small town blues, following one's heart, and just generally trying not to make the same mistakes our miserable parents made. The film features Christian Cooke, Tom Hughes, Jack Doolan, and Felicity Jones. Ralph Fiennes stars as Jones's controlling father and Emily Watson plays her suffering mother. Matthew Goode stars as Jones's slimy suitor. Ricky Gervais also appears. The film was released April 14th in the UK, and early reviews call the film touching, but predictable. It's clear, who and what you're rooting for... but isn't that inherent in the very nature of a teen 'coming of age' film? The humor of Gervais and Merchant seems perfect for a teen film. They offer us gentle and juvenile, smart and silly comedy. If "The Office" is an accurate indicator, this film's laughs will come from all the awkwardly painful sometimes cringe-worthy moments that plague our transitioning teenage years (and for some of us even longer). This pair really understands how to mine and cultivate into comedy what others would just view as melancholy and sad. Early reviews aside, as one who hasn't actually seen the film yet, I bet one thing about this film is predictable; if it's the work of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant it is definitely worth seeing.

At the time of this writing, no U.S. release date has been announced.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh

Jay Leno on Oprah Today

By now, Conan O'Brien is officially no longer host of the legendary Tonight Show. He and his staff of 200 people have left the show amidst the controversy and ugliness of NBC's decision to move Jay Leno back to an 11:35 pm time slot. Anyone who saw Conan's last show knows that he ended the show emotionally with an upbeat message. Despite feeling unhappy about the current situation, Conan sentimentally reflected on his 20 years on NBC. He has appreciated his time on NBC and he was sure to note this. He also noted with appreciation, the creative outpouring of support from fans. He urged fans and supporters to refrain from being cynical (his least favorite trait) and instead stated, "If you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." We see amazing things in your future, Conan.

While Conan has addressed the late night tv debacle head on-- with aplomb, humor (sometimes biting), and grace, Leno has been suspiciously quiet, hardly commenting. Today, on Oprah, he'll have an hour to say whatever he wants to say about the situation. Now, it's no secret that Oprah is friends with Jay Leno, so don't expect a hard driving interview--instead, I would expect the opposite. Still, it will be interesting to hear how he presents his side of the story. I expect his answers to be like his comedy--tepid and empty. Like comedy, it's often about the delivery.

Golden Globes=Boring!

I hate to say it, but the Golden Globe awards were absolutely boring. I love the amazingly talented and hilarious Ricky Gervais, but even he couldn't breathe life into the show. What a weak group of movies! I was glad that Mad Men was recognized and that Alec Bladwin won for male lead in a comedy. I'm glad also that Glee was recognized--simply because I love Jane Lynch--in general. I'm also glad Michael C. Hall won and John Lithgow. "Dexter" is a great show. Get well soon Michael!

Conan O'Brien stands up to NBC Executives-- his future remains unclear

If you haven't heard already, the executives at NBC have decided they want to move Jay Leno back to late night tv. Ugh, Right? NBC apparently asked Conan O'Brien to accept a 12:05am time slot to accommodate this decision. Conan O'Brien declined. Not wanting to disrupt the Tonight Show legacy and not wanting to hurt Jimmy Fallon and the Late Show show by pushing it back to an even later time slot, Conan refused. His future remains to be seen. It's a real shame that NBC is treating Conan so poorly. They really didn't give Conan enough time and support to get his sea legs. It's a real shame, indeed. Conan is way funnier than Jay Leno--I'm sorry, but he is. Conan, we support you--and your hair.

This is the statement that Conan issued:

People of Earth:

In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.

Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.

But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.

Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.

So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.

There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.

Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.

Yours,

Conan

"The Book Group"

Last night was a good night for me. I tumbled into bed in the typical fashion one would expect from a swinging, single, cosmopolitan, New York City gal. With a bladder full of Nighttime Theraflu, I knocked off a couple chapters from European footballer George Best's autobiography, popped in a French language instruction tape, and engaged to drift off to sleep. Instead, I found myself roaring with laughter and thumping my pillow. I said "thumping". Instead of crying into my pillow like one normally does--(RIGHT? who's with me?), my loyal pillow was the lucky recipient of hearty guffaws and punches brought on by the memory of one the scenes from my new favorite not-so-new show: "The Book Group". "The Book Group" originally aired for two seasons in 2002-2003, on Channel 4 in the UK, but is now showing here, in America, on the Ovation Channel. Now, I don't know how, but some people hate the Ovation channel, so they may be skeptical of the show. How can a person hate a channel that follows fledgling actors pursuing their dreams, or features shows that set out to decipher the mysteries behind the world's most famous paintings? HOW, I challenge you?! I digress. "The Book Group," which was written and directed by Annie Griffin and stars Anne Dudek, is a show about an American woman, who upon recently moving to Glasgow starts a book club ostensibly to make friends. A motley crew of folks show up at the first meeting and hilarity ensues. The show had me laughing out loud. Oh, yeah. I was doing a whole lot of lol'ing, people--all night long.

"The Book Group" airs Monday nights at 8pm ET on Ovation TV channel (channel 83 Time Warner Cable of NYC).

Happy New Year!

It’s a new year and a new day. We at “the charades” resolve to write posts far more frequently and diligently than last year. As a wise woman once said, “For realsies!”

Last Night for Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Tune in tonight to see Conan O'Brien's last night hosting his late night show before taking over the helm of The Tonight Show. Not only will Conan O'Brien no longer be on "late night," but he's also leaving our home of New York City. We'll miss you! It will be interesting to see O'Brien make the transition to an earlier time slot and an audience used to Jay Leno's style. We're sure that Conan will do a bang- up job, as only he can. We love Conan's self-deprecating, silly-smart antics. Keep up the good work, Good Man. If you need some help on the West Coast holler!

Jenna Fischer, Will Arnett, and Steve Carell 2009 SAG Award intros

For the most part the SAG Awards were fairly boring (though, no more boring than any other awards show). The highlight of the show was probably the beginning of the show, when various actors introduced themselves as... actors. You gotta love Will Arnett!

HOORAY!

We Love You Amy!

Last night was Amy Poehler's last night on Saturday Night Live. She's amazing. She's an American hero. Saturday Night Live won't be the same without her (well, obviously!). We'll miss her so. But never fear folks! She will be back on tv with her own sitcom. Yay!!!

Happy St. Andrew's Day

Oi! I haven't written you in... yonks! Happy St. Andrew's Day!

You, Me, and Peggy Lee

A few years ago, while eating lunch with a friend of mine and her boyfriend, I learned something interesting. They told me that they had devised a little game between them, where they would name a friend and then decide what era (besides the present) that friend seemed to fit. They decided that I would have been quite at home during the 1940's. When I pressed them for a reason, if I remember correctly, it was because they could imagine me doing some kind of grand musical stage productions of some sort. Weird, huh? Then again, it's no accident that this site is called "the charades." Well, clearly it's not the 1940's, but if you want to know what I and other New Yorkers would have been wearing in the 1940's (and 30's) then consider attending a lecture on the subject December 9th at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Rebecca Arnold will be discussing and signing her book, "The American Look." Reservations are required. Check out the F.I.T. Museum website and look up Special Programs. See you there!

Congratulations, America! We Won!!

Barack Obama wins!!!! History is made!! Yay! Let's get this country back on track!!