A wave of hate seem to issue forth when TBS announced its cancellation of "Lopez Tonight." Hey, not everybody is funny to everyone but at least Lopez was providing a funnier and better show for people who might otherwise turn to Leno. --- All this plus the weekend TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan more ›

Any fans of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" may have recently been intrigued by the mouth-watering Palestinian chicken dish featured in the July 24 episode. The chicken was so good, noted Larry David, that it could have ended the rift in the Middle East. As it was, throughout the episode the seemingly innocent piece of poultry found itself in the middle of fights, flings and covert liaisons. more ›

The 8th season of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" premieres tonight at 10pm. We had the chance to speak with Larry David, Susie Essman, and Cheryl Hines from the cast as well as fan and stellar comedian in his own right, Mike Birbiglia, at the NYC premiere event. more ›

Birthday boy Larry David will continue his cringeworthy legacy as Curb Your Enthusiasm goes reverse coastal for its 10-episode, 8th season set to debut on HBO on July 10. more ›

Very likely I'm in the minority opinion on this subject, but I think it's high time that Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio stopped working together. From my perspective, it's been diminishing returns since The Aviator. Shutter Island left me cold. Seven seasons in and Curb Your Enthusiasm has last none of its cruel charm for me. This most recent season was the best since the year the entire show was a meta-gloss for The Producers. I'll say it: I enjoy John Travolta when he plays a bad-ass. I know it goes against his occasionally, er, fey personality but the guy is just dynamite when he's beating people up. Thank God, Caddyshack is finally on blu-ray. Here's why. They should have bitten the bullet and hired Dirk Benedict for the new A-Team movie. more ›

The TV Junkie Plan: "How I Met Your Mother", "Jon & Kate Plus 8", Leno (The Governator + Gaga), Kimmel. more ›

Weekend Edition We're very much looking forward to Sunday's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" season finale. The "Seinfeld" reunion has been played perfectly - not overemphasized and very realistically positioned for the best comedic effect. A comedian on the circuit told me that "Curb" wasn't funny, and he's right that it's not funny in a stand-up comedy kind of way but it's sure as hell funny... more ›

This may be the twentieth time I've declared this in this space, but one more time can't hurt: watch Battlestar Galactica! It may not be the best show of the last ten years, but it's as good as any. How a floundering NBC never thought to scoop it up from its little Syfy sister and air it on the big network still astonishes me. Whatever Works isn't nearly as good as recent Woody Allen gems Vicky Cristina Barcelona or Cassandra's Dream, but it's good for a few laughs. Is Chris Hitchens the best damn debater on TV? Yep! Is three Monty Python DVDs in one week too much? Nope! Who would thought that The Big Lebowski would produce such an underground sensation? My money would have been on Raising Arizona or Miller's Crossing. more ›

What we effed up: Not Tivoing "Mad Men" so we're watching it later tonight. Not that you can spoil it for us since it will probably involve Don jumping in the sack with yet another woman, some new account or other work crisis, and Betty doing something risque. We're not saying that the show is predictable or boring because these are major plot points for almost any show and what makes "Mad Men" special is the style and delivery. Cheers. more ›

Weekend Edition The TV world (and other worlds) is abuzz with David Letterman's statement yesterday regarding his sexual relations with female employees and an associated extortion attempt. Whether or not Letterman engaged in these activities after marrying his longtime girlfriend in March, It makes us wonder what kind of release one has to sign if becoming an employee in the entertainment industry these days. more ›

After mostly being given up for dead as a legitimate box-office attraction, Sandra Bullock roared back to prominence this weekend as she carried The Proposal to a surprising box-office triumph ($34.1M). Last week's champ The Hangover had yet another powerhouse weekend ($26.8M/$152.9M) as did Pixar's wonderful Up ($21.3M/$224.1M). Sony probably had high hopes for Year One several months ago, but the pic disappointed in its debut ($20.2M). Lack of "funny-ness" and an abundance of "shitty-ness" seemed to be the culprits there. more ›

I thought Sandra Bullock was done doing romantic comedies. Oh wait, The Proposal probably isn't very funny. Speaking of not funny, Year One is getting savaged. Is it really possible that the extraordinary Michael Cera has finally given us a true dud? Say it ain't so! Woody Allen has enjoyed a resurgence since the beyond awful Hollywood Ending (okay, Scoop sucked, too). Looks like that trend continues with Whatever Works. What a great hook Woody has for older, male actors -- make a movie with me and you'll kiss pretty, young actresses! more ›

Larry David plays Boris Yellnikoff, the “Woody Allen character” in the director’s latest film, Whatever Works. We’re not so much introduced to Boris as we are identified by him as he looks past the fourth wall to tell moviegoers in the opening scene that, “This is not the ‘Feel Good Movie of the Year.’ So, if you’re one of those idiots who needs to feel good… ehh… go get yourself a foot massage.” But don’t take his word for it. more ›

Day 5 of the Writer's Strike was by far the most powerful. After being spread at various lots and productions throughout Los Angeles, all 3000+ members united in front of Fox Studios for a rally and march greater than any seen in the week old strike. They brought some help as well, with a mini performance from Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello who sang a "union song" and was then joined by RATM... more ›

Sure, two members of Rage Against the Machine helped the writers rage, but this photo essay will focus more on the thousands of people who showed up to march, and the churros. Yes, churros of support were rolled into the Nakatomi Plaza for anyone who needed some churro love. And if people-watching is your thing, the Avenue of the Stars lived up to its name this morning. After the jump, a nice photo essay... more ›

All your favorite writers of all your favorite shows gathered this morning around brunch at Fox Plaza to celebrate the first week of their strike. Some of the fellas from Rage Against the Machine showed up and played, Jesse Jackson pressed the flesh, and Tom Arnold heard there would be free food so he came too. Of course your pals LAist were there, so expect more team coverage from insiders, actual striking writers, and... more ›

This weekend is one of those weekends where--if you love movies--you'll be hard-pressed to choose which one (or two) to see. Most will probably settle on American Gangster, and I don't see anything wrong with that. Couple two powerhouse actors (Denzel & Crowe) with a reliable director (Ridley), add a compelling story that has slipped through the cracks for years and you have what looks to be a great, studio picture. If, like the... more ›

A lotta hungover people in Boston today, no doubt - and with that drama, who the eff was watching the GOP debate? I don't really care about that much this week other than the Damages finale tomorrow night, but first things first. Late night's a bust with almost 100% repeats tonight. Did you catch last night's Curb Your Enthusiasm? Hilarious that Larry David's fictional wife is also leaving him - brilliant too. 8:00pm Chuck NBC... more ›

Though its title suggests exceedingly humble aspirations, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With really is an unexpected little gem. Curb Your Enthusiasm's Jeff Garlin writes, directs, produces and stars (whew!) as the Marty-esque James, an overweight, under-employed, 39 year-old actor who still lives with his mother. His biggest concerns in life appear to be extolling the virtues of rice pudding to a convenience store clerk, keeping a great parking space near Wrigley Field... more ›

HBO is kicking off the season with a slew of offerings, so for those of you moneybags who pay for premium TV, enjoy: 9:00pm Tell Me You Love Me HBO - This new sex drama, purportedly featuring actual X-rated penetration, is rapidly approaching overhyped status. Despite the hot and heavy action, supposedly it's very depressing but because of the sex I'm sure it will last at least a season. Now if only those poor Geico... more ›

Now we're very confused. On Tuesday we reported that the Jewish Journal had written that the former Seinfeld star Michael Richards was not a member of the tribe. But this afternoon we read in Gothamist that the actor's newly hired PR man says that Richards is indeed Jewish. All of this stems from a new allegation that Richards once went on an anti-Semetic tirade on some audience members at The Improv in April. "He is... more ›

More SAG Awards liveblogging. Watch out, Dakota is coming. more ›

With all the talk of the downfall of the Los Angeles Times in recent weeks and even some previous discussion about what truly is the paper of record for most locals, we laughed out loud when one of the key plot points of this week's Curb Your Enthusiasm centered around the theft of Larry David's morning edition of the Times...the New York Times. more ›

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With HBO's summer fare off the air, we've had a hole in our Sunday TV viewing. That all changes this Sunday when Larry David, Cheryl Hines and the rest of the wacky LA characters in their lives return for the 5th season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. more ›

LA Observed reports this morning about the huge blog v. blog argument currently going on between LA Weekly columnist Marc Cooper and Weekly freelancer Nikki Finke in regards to her recent attack on Arianna Huffington's brand new celebrity/political-centric blog, Huffington Post. more ›

After much discussion and publicity for Arianna Huffington's foray into celebrity group blogging, The Huffington Post launched this morning. It'll be interesting to see how timely the blog stays. Initial posts by the well known names cover well treaded topics like gay marriage and the death of Hunter S. Thompson. We will always appreciate any opportunity Harry Shearer has to take a closer look at the oddities and inaccuracies of news media and Laurie and Larry David talking hybrids and environment should prove interesting but As far as their day one content? Exclusives are great; Mike Nichols rambling a bit about a metaphor? Not so much. more ›

Have you ever been in the mood for a cashew? A plain old cashew, nothing fancy, or over the top. Chances are, you have been. As any mixed nut assortment can attest, the cashew is the most sought after nut, edging out all others in the battle for top nut. Not even the pecan nor the Brazil nut can compete. How many times have you ever picked through a huge can of mixed nuts, searching for an elusive cashew? Odds are you had to settle for something less. Something...not quite a cashew. You have probably even seen the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode where Larry David chastises David Schwimmer because his father's snack company skimps on the cashews in their "Raisins and Cashews" package. Everyone wants the cashew. more ›

Juan Catalan, the man who was exonerated by Larry David's stock footage, is suing the city for malicious prosecution. The man was falsely imprisoned for 5 months - LAist thinks he's got a case. [LAO] more ›