The Lycos 50 Blog: News from the Pop Culture Fast Lane
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Halloween Costumes
What are you going to be this year? One of our Lycos 50 denizens - Paris in her jail garb, Britney in a pink wig, or a pouty Angelina Jolie? Do you like to go scary or take your cues from pop culture?
I always enjoy hearing about Halloween costumes ... and hearing about cool costumes always gives me inspiration to work with for future years. So let's hear about some of your past and present favorite costumes.
As for myself, I was quite proud of my Bjork-inspired swan dress last Halloween. This year, I am planning on being Ugly Betty. However, I fear that the "Betty" aspect of the costume might not come across and I will just look like a girl whose clothes do not match.
With the World Series (which is up 100%) starting this week, its certainly an exciting time to be in Boston. The whole city comes together to root for their team. And its certainly started off promisingly ... the Red Sox crushed the Rockies by a score of 13 - 1 last night!
The atmosphere around Fenway Park has been absolutely electric, and there are cops everywhere making sure things don't get too out of control. (I stepped outside and it was sort of like being in a military state.)
Much like their arch-rivals, the Yankees, it seems that everyone either adores or despises the Red Sox and their fans. Where do you stand on Red Sox Nation?
Lycos Cinema Horror Showcase
It is almost Halloween, the perfect time of year to curl up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a scary movie. Well, now you don't even have to leave the computer for a frightfest. Check out Lycos Cinema's Horror Showcase. Horror classics like "Night of the Living Dead," "Nosferatu," and "Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde" are available for your viewing anytime - all for free. Watch and chat with a few friends to get in the mood for Halloween.
With Lance Bass appearing on this week's Movers & Shakers list, I started reminiscing about *NSYNC and that golden age of teenybopper music in the late '90s/early 2000's. Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC were all in their primes (before this current phase of custody battles and appearances on "Dancing with the Stars")
Here are my personal favorites of the 90's teenybopper songs:
"Autumn Goodbye," Britney Spears - The little-known B-side to the "Baby, One More Time" single was a gem.
"Genie in a Bottle," Christina Aguilera - "My body's saying let's go..."
"I Want it That Way," Backstreet Boys - Sure, it makes no sense, but its still awesome.
"Bye Bye Bye," *NSYNC - The video's also a keeper.
"Summer Girls," LFO - Who doesn't like girls who wear Abercrombie & Fitch?
What are your faves?
And where do you fall on the BSB vs. *NSYNC debate?
Well, he's funny, smart, and handsome, and I could definitely think of worse people to serve as leaders of the free world.
Occasional Mover & ShakerStephen Colbert announced his candidacy for president of the United States on "The Colbert Report" last night. He said that he is running under both the Democratic and Republican parties, meaning he could lose twice (or win twice). Hey, at least we'd get an entertaining State of the Union address for a change.
Any other media figures you'd like to see run for president?
"The Office" is my favorite sitcom on TV, and there are few people in entertainment I find funnier than Steve Carell (who has in the past appeared on our weekly list of Movers & Shakers). From October 26-28, fans of the show can head to Scranton, Pennsylvania to take part in events like a character lookalike contest and the Office Olympics. So cool!
Even though it did not make our list of top new fall TV searches, I think I found my favorite new show of the season ... "Pushing Daisies." The pilot for this ABC series was one of the best I've seen in awhile. Though I've read criticism from some that thought it was too whimsical, I thought that it was charming. I loved the bright visuals, endearing characters, and quirky dialogue.
The story centers around a piemaker named Ned who realized as a child that he can bring things back to life with a touch ... and kill them again. When he meets a private investigator (snarkily played by Chi McBride), he begins using his power to solve murders. In the pilot, Ned brings his childhood crush, Chuck (played by an effervescent Anna Friel) back to life. He, of course, cannot let her die again, but obviously cannot touch her again or she will die.
I found everything about this show to be delightful, especially Lee Pace as Ned. As has often been mentioned about this show, I felt as if I was watching a Tim Burton movie, particularly "Big Fish." I just hope that the show can sustain that charming fantasy it created so vividly in its pilot.
In honor of the recent Lycos 50 list of the top fall TV searches, I was thinking about my lifetime of love affairs with different TV characters. Sure, we all may find some TV actors attractive in different ways, but there is something special about a real TV Boyfriend. TV Boyfriends are those (fictional) guys that a girl just wants to hug and bake for. Here are mine ...
Dylan McKay, "Beverly Hills 90210" - So brooding and always so, so cool.
Fox Mulder, "The X-Files" - Is there anyone as dreamy as Agent Mulder with his quest for the truth and wide-eyed belief in all things paranormal?
Angel, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" - This character really came into his own on "Angel," where his goofy side was more often seen.
Ryan Atwood, "The O.C." - Most girls seem to prefer Seth, but I liked the kid from Chino.
Pacey Witter, "Dawson's Creek" - How could anyone choose square-headed Dawson over cute, quick-witted Pacey?
Jim Halpert, "The Office" - From his organizing an Office Olympics to his longing looks at Pam, Jim is everyone's favorite office crush.
Logan Echolls, "Veronica Mars" - Sure, he organized bum fights (never a good thing), but he just seemed so damaged.
Michael Bluth, "Arrested Development" - The lone voice of sanity in the Bluth clan, Michael was smart and responsible and had really nice hair.
Jack Bauer, "24" - OK, maybe a little emotionally unavailable what with the dead wife and super secretive CTU job, but still seems like a good guy to have around.
Captain Mal Reynolds, "Firefly" - Another great anti-hero, Mal was both rakishly handsome and occasionally quite funny.
Who are your TV boyfriends and girlfriends? Everyone has a few (or clearly 10, if you are me).
At a dinner party that I attended the other night, a friend of mine brought along some fancy cupcakes she'd purchased at a trendy new cupcake store that had opened in nearby Davis Square called Kickass Cupcakes. These are cupcakes for those who are truly serious about cupcakes; in fact, they come deep-fried or soaked in rum. They were absolutely delicious.
This got me thinking about how trendy these little cakes have become in New York and LA; clearly the craze is now moving to Boston. Beantown cupcake fans can even buy cupcake apparel at Johnny Cupcakes.
New York and LA are in a constant and neverending war over who truly gives birth to new trends. New York may be able to lay claim to this one; the West Village is the home of the Magnolia Bakery, which was featured on an episode of "Sex and the City" in which Carrie decadently enjoyed a cupcake.
Los Angeles features several cupcake bakeries where lines can often be seen reaching around the block. My personal favorite is Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. The red velvet is to die for.
Celebrities are not immune to the power of cupcakes. Barbra Streisand sent Sprinkles cupcakes to Oprah Winfrey, who adored them. Teri Hatcher, Katie Holmes, and Tyra Banks also count themselves amongst fans. Cupcakes are also becoming a popular alternative to traditional wedding cake.
Its funny to think that a staple of our second grade birthday parties have become a the Big Thing with celebs, but who can deny that cupcakes are adorable and yummy?
"Right before I went in, I was like, what if I don't wake up? Oh, this is scary. Then I thought, I don't care. If I don't wake up, it's worth it. I just wanted it so badly."
