At around 8:15 PM last night, I realized something that my life has been missing for the past few months ... Tyra Banks.  When she appeared on a cruise ship stage on "America's Next Top Model" last night in a ridiculously gaudy showgirl get-up intoning, "My models are over the ocean," it was like a piece of my heart had been restored.  Thank you, Tyra, for always providing me with a laugh after a long work day.

As for the models themselves, I am sort of disappointed that the girl from Walpole who is blind in one eye was eliminated. (How awesomely heinous was it that the cut girls were abandoned on Antigua, forced to watch their cruise ship pull away?) I think I might root for Heather, the girl with Asperger's Syndrome.  I can't wait until "Mama Tyra" starts counselling everyone.

I also watched the series premiere of "Gossip Girl," which was awesomely soapy (which means I loved it, natch).  The pilot was not as good as the pilot of "The O.C.,"  but I definitely think that this show has a lot of fun potential. And Blake Lively appears to be a batter actress than Mischa Barton.  I definitely need a frothy new show to fill the hour following "Top Model."

What did you think of last night's TV?

Hey, no one said that intelligence was a prerequisite for being on the panel of "The View." 

Is the world flat?

Did Elisabeth Hasselbeck negotiate her contract so that she is not forced to deliver ALL of the nonsensical comments? 

I experienced a strange moment in the office the other day when discussing upcoming fall TV with a couple of coworkers.  When a coworker mentioned the new show, “Moonlight,” I said, somewhat violently, “It’s about a vampire private detective in LA!  THAT’S ANGEL! THAT’S ANGEL!”  My coworkers reacted with a sort of stunned silence, as they may not have actually seen me that angry before.

While I am undoubtedly weird, I also do have to ask ... what is the deal with this show?  It has the exact same premise as my beloved and dearly departed “Angel.”  I feel sort of outraged by this.  I love vampires and hey, it may actually turn out to be good, but I’ll probably be unable to watch it, as it will make me seethe that it is on the air while “Angel” is not.

Thanks to Give Me My Remote, I found out that one of my favorites, Jason Dohring  appears on this series.  So, I’ll probably (grudgingly) watch it after all.  But I still miss "Angel."

With the recent release of Rob Zombie’s "Halloween," there has been a lot of talk about classic horror movies. Being an avid horror fan myself (it’s 44 days until the release of "Saw IV!") I feel the need to educate today’s teens about the classic horror movies that defined the genre for today’s filmmakers. Here are the top five classic horror movies everyone should see.

5. Halloween (1978) – The original John Carpenter classic introduced the world to Jamie Lee Curtis. Carpenter’s version was terrifying thanks to Michael Myers, the soulless killer with almost superhuman strength. The movie spawned many, many sequels as well as the Rob Zombie remake and a song by horror-rocker Wednesday 13 titled “Haddonfield.” Every true horror fan needs to see this movie for the simple fact that it set the stage for the morality factor in most modern horror movies – teens who drink, do drugs, and have premarital sex are the first to face the killer.

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – From the mind of horror master Wes Craven came Freddy Krueger, easily one of the scariest horror movie killers ever invented. Freddy kills people in their dreams and they die in real life. The movie introduced a very young Johnny Depp to the world (thank you, Wes Craven – we are forever grateful) and embedded the image of a red-sweatered, knife-handed Robert Englund in every young viewer’s mind. While its sequels are some of the most ridiculous movies ever made, the original terror Freddy instills is something every horror fan should experience.

3. Friday the 13^th (1980) – The infamous Camp Crystal Lake has killer on the loose, murdering promiscuous teens (harkening back to the "Halloween" morals). "Friday the 13^th" featured the work of special effects master Tom Savini and contains several of the most disgusting death scenes ever filmed - Kevin Bacon learns firsthand what happens to bad little camp counselors. While it also spawned many sequels (one in outer space!), the original and the first three sequels are really the only ones that matter. After all, Corey Feldman is in the fourth movie.

2. The Exorcist (1973) – One of those movies that just sticks with you long after you’ve seen it, "The Exorcist" has been recognized as one of the most disturbing movies of all time. The images of poor, possessed Regan MacNeil spewing vomit and twisting her head around were too much for 70s movie-goers; it has been reported that paramedics had to be called to movie theaters to tend to the many who fainted during the film, and one viewer even sued the studio after breaking his jaw when he fainted and hit the chair in front of him. According to IMDb, both Entertainment Weekly and Maxim voted this the Scariest Movie of All Time. Every fan of horror should see this film. You will never forget it.

1. Psycho (1960) – As the horror movie to launch all horror movies, "Psycho" creates vivid memories of showers and twisted momma’s boys. So vivid, in fact, that viewers clearly recall the red blood going down the drain, even though the movie was shot completely in black & white and the “blood” was actually Bosco chocolate syrup. "Psycho" is a staple in any horror fan’s collection. It defined the morality issues in horror films – Marion steals money and has premarital sex, therefore she’s the one that dies. Psycho also features two of the biggest plot twists in movie history – the main character dies less than halfway through the film, and Norman Bates is Mrs. Bates. Voted the #1 Most Thrilling movie by the AFI, and the seventh scariest movie of all time by Entertainment Weekly, "Psycho" should be first on your must-see list this Halloween.

Of course there 100s of other horror movies out there – gore-fests like Hostel, semi-spoofs like "Scream," and creature-features like "An American Werewolf in London" – but these are the five movies that will ensure your horror-movie-fan friends don’t laugh at you at the upcoming Halloween parties.

About the Guest Author: Christine Kayser is a movie fanatic and writer/editor for MovieSnobs.net, a movie news and review site. Her favorite movies include "The Wizard of Oz," "The Prestige," and the "Saw" horror series.

Ten years ago this week, Princess Diana was killed in a car crash and buried in the grounds of her family home in Northamptonshire, England.  Her death, which occurred in Paris as her driver was trying to allude the papparazzi, was a shocking incident to fans the world over.  Many had a strong affinity to Diana as she grew in front of the camera from a naive young bride to a troubled, yet kind-hearted woman of growing confidence.  Though most may remember Diana from her "fairytale" wedding to Prince Charles that ended in scandal and heartache, she should also be remembered for her philanthropy.  She provided a sympathetic face for the British crown.  Her active involvement in her sons' lives and demonstrative showings of affection for them was new for the royals.

She also had a seriously awesome sense of style that made me wish that I could wear hats unironically.

Last week, Princes William and Harry organized a memorial service to honor their mother.  The service was attended by figures such as Tony Blair and and Sir Elton John.  In July, the Princes held a concert to celebrate what would have been her 46th birthday.   

Even all of these years later, there is intrigue surrounding Diana's death.  In fact, an inquest into the deaths is schedule to begin on October 2.  Mohammed Al Fayed, the father of Dodi Al Fayed (who was killed alongside Diana) is claiming that the two were murdered in a conspiracy masterminded by Prince Philip and involving MI6. 

Princess Diana certainly meant a lot of things to a lot of people.  She was beautiful and kind, and yet also flawed.  I believe that it was truly her flaws that made her such a relatable figure.  Tony Blair referred to her as the "people's princess," and clearly, the moniker struck home with many.  She had a radiant quality and a remarkable charisma.

Some are guessing that Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton, may become the "next Diana."   She is already followed by a swarm of photographers whenever she leaves her London apartment, and is fashionable and elegant, just like Diana was.  Hopefully, if Kate and William get married, their story sees a happier ending than Diana's and Charles'.

When I was a kid, I looked forward to the Fall TV Preview issue of TV Guide like I looked forward to Christmas.  On the fateful day it arrived, I would bound out to the mailbox, grab the precious document, and pore over it for hours, reading about all of the new series that would soon enter my life.  I would even highlight, yes highlight, the shows I planned to watch on the schedule.

I may not be quite the television nerd now that I was then, but I still feel that rush of excitement over new programs.  You never know what will become the next "Ugly Betty,” right?

New Shows I Am Most Looking Forward To:

Gossip Girl – From the creator of “The O.C.,” Josh Schwartz, this CW series will follow the privileged lives of teens at a Manhattan prep school.  Narrated by “Veronica Mars’s” Kristen Bell and starring “The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants’s” Blake Lively, I am already quite fond of the cast.  And there is little I enjoy more than living vicariously through rich teenagers with scandalous lives.  Bring it on!

Chuck – Josh Schwartz is a busy man.  He is also an executive producer of this NBC series about a computer geek who becomes a secret agent.  Not only does this sound like a load of fun (especially for those of us who work at Internet companies), but it co-stars "Firefly’s" Adam Baldwin.  I relish any chance to see Adam Baldwin on TV.

Pushing Daisies – This ABC show is definitely getting a lot of buzz.  It is created by Bryan Fuller, the genius behind the little-watched “Dead Like Me,” and focuses on a piemaker who has the ability to touch the dead to make them live again.  The previews make this show look quirky and interesting.

Dirty Sexy Money – Costarring Peter Krause and Donald Sutherland, this ABC drama about a rich family looks to be campy fun in the vein of "Dynasty."  Early buzz on this one is excellent, and I definitely need more soaps in my life.

I am also eagerly anticipating some returning series that I’ve been missing all summer, like "Ugly Betty" (which is apparently featuring ... James Van Der Beek next season), "House," "The Office," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Heroes."

 I’m so glad I no longer have to rely on socializing to entertain myself!

I don’t really believe in guilty pleasures.  If you like something, why should you feel guilty about it?  That said, I do occasionally indulge in pleasures that might be classified as more embarassing than not. Here are just a few:

Laughing at celebrity outfits – I am willing to concede that I have had my share of fashion mishaps, but my picture is not being constantly splashed all over the pages of In Style. Celebrities should know better.

The Baby-Sitters Club – I stopped fervently reading this series in junior high, but part of me really, reallys wants to slip on a trenchcoat and fedora, bolt into a Barnes & Noble, and purchase all of the books I missed after I became “too mature” to follow the exploits of eighth graders and their sitting charges.  However, note that I have no shame about buying and reading Sweet Valley High books. (What? )

Center Stage – The story of Jennie Garth-lookalike ballerina, Jody Sawyer, and her delicious ballet school love triangle.  If I don’t watch this movie at least once a year, well … it’s a bad year.  The tagline of this film is, “Life doesn’t hold tryouts.”  Doesn’t that say it all?

Share your guilty pleasures in the comments!

With “Superbad” leading the pack at the box office and “High School Musical 2” breaking television ratings records, high school is definitely a hot topic in entertainment lately.  I thought this might be a good time to look back at my own favorite high school movies.

The Breakfast Club – Because each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.  This is the quintessential high school movie.  John Hughes’ masterpiece is both hilarious, touching, and real.   The movie turns high school stereotypes on their heads, and shows the hidden depths of each of its characters.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off – In my opinion – and I’m sure the opinion of many others, this is Matthew Broderick’s best role.  Ferris Bueller is so charming and charismatic that you can’t help but love him, even while he is scamming you.  And besides, doesn’t everyone want to play hooky and sing “Twist & Shout” on a parade float?

Back to the Future – I love this movie.  Robert Zemeckis takes the high concept, sci-fi idea of time travel and creates a brilliantly simply romantic comedy.  There are so many lovely scenes that it is impossible to choose a favorite (although I am partial to “You are … my density”).  Michael J. Fox, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson, and Christopher Lloyd all deliver iconic performances.

10 Things I Hate About You – This is my favorite of the wave of teen movies that came out in the late 90s.  It is no wonder that Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger matured into highly respected actors.  Their characters in this retelling of “Taming of the Shrew” are prickly and complicated, yet you can’t help but root for them.

Sixteen Candles – This is another one of John Hughes’ best movies from the 1980s and Molly Ringwald’s most endearing roles. She is immensely relatable to any high school girl as she navigates the affections of the nerdiest boy in school and her crush on uber-popular, Jake Ryan.

Pretty in Pink – My list may be a touch John Hughes heavy, but with good reason.  John Hughes is the master.  This is another one of his classics.  A wrong-side-of-the-tracks girl falls for a rich boy, while her long-time friend, Duckie, nurses a crush on her.  How can you not love Duckie?

Clueless – Not only is this a favorite high school movie, but it is also a quintessential Los Angeles flick.  Like “10 Things,” “Clueless” is a retelling of a classic work of literature, in this case Jane Austen’s Emma.  It is utterly charming.  Paul Rudd and Alicia Silverstone have an adorable chemistry, and it is a witty satire of the lives of privileged, Beverly Hills teens.

Mean Girls – Many people ask me why I still love Lindsay Lohan, despite all of her recent problems.  Well, my answer is, “Mean Girls.”  Lohan is extremely likable as Cady Heron, and this movie is edgy and biting.  Tina Fey’s script is spot-on at capturing the way teenagers communicate in 2004, and Rachel McAdams is perfect as Queen of the Plastics, Regina George.

Scream – I went into this movie expecting to be terrified, and yes, was terrified, but also laughed my head off.  Scream is a post-modern riff on slasher movies, but also contains genuine scares and is actually solidly plotted.  Kevin Williamson, the writer of “Scream,” is also well-known for creating “Dawson’s Creek,” a show that similarly featured characters trading smart, self-reflexive quips.    

Rebel Without a Cause – This, of course, is one of the first movies to treat teen characters as complex figures, and the very reason why movies like “The Breakfast Club” could be made 30 years later.  If you haven’t seen it, go. Rent it now. James Dean is revelatory.

Other lists of favorite high school movies that I enjoyed:

Movie Snobs

Entertainment Weekly 

Some interesting/weird/revolting news from the television world today ...

Ryan Seacrest is hosting the 59th Annual Emmy Awards.  Remember the first season of "American Idol" when no one really thought that Ryan Seacrest was any better or worse than Brian Dunkleman?  How far our little Ryan has come.

CBS has revealed the 16 new castaways for "Survivor: China."  This will mark the first full-fledged American television production to take place in China. 

Star Jones has returned to TV with her new Court TV show.  Her first guest was Isaiah Washington. Yeah, I'm not going to watch it either.

Brace yourselves: K-Fed is going to guest star on "One Tree Hill."

In better news, Kristen Bell is joining the cast of "Heroes."  A lovely actress on a great show!

I know that one day, I will probably look back over the course of my life and realize that I wasted a lot of time on completely frivolous things.  I will say, "Self, when you were spending all that time reading In Style Magazine, you could have been concentrating on solving the problem of world hunger."  And I will probably feel sort of unfulfilled and disappointed in myself.

However, that time has not arrived yet, and thus, I am incredibly excited about the return of The Hills, which returns to MTV on August 13.  Finally, some answers!  Did Whitney get the job?  Do Lauren and Heidi ever become friends again? Does Heidi ever realize that Spencer is a total wanker?  (I know she doesn't due to the pictures of the two of them frolicking on the beach with Heidi's, ahem, new assets plastered all over magazines all summer long.)

I don't know what it is about following the lives of these over-privileged 21 year olds so compelling, although some of it is probably the fantasy element.  No, I don't want to trade lives with Lauren Conrad, but the thought of being 21, gorgeous, and in possession of a seemingly endless amount of cash to burn on frivolities like the hippest restaurants and clubs has a certain appeal. 

Though the girl needs to develop better taste in men. Stat.