By Robert Rossi, Assoc. Culture Editor -

The first week of March Madness is the most exciting sporting event of the year. There are limitless possibilities, and millions of Americans fill out their own picks each year, watching excitedly and then disappointingly as their dreams of a perfect bracket vanish in a sea of upsets.   Continue Reading

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger -

Whenever American Idol season roles around, I find myself anxiously awaiting new interpretations of classic tunes, new and old. David Cook was the first contestant to truly revolutionize this contestant mentality, giving us lite-rock versions of pop confections such as Mariah’s “Always Be My Baby” and MJ’s “Billie Jean.” Season 9 has provided a few instant memories, my favorite being Didi Benami’s take on the Fleetwood Mac gem “Rhiannon,” but that performance is easily toppled with the horrible nightmares that were Todrick’s Hall’s “Since U Been Gone” and Jon Park’s painful “Gravity.”

It’s those last failed attempts that have caused me to look to consult my iPod for some comfort and find the best covers ever recorded. I have compiled a list of the five best covers of all time, and five newer ones I particularly enjoy.

5 Best Covers of All Time

All Along the Watchower – Jimi Hendrix, originally Bob Dylan – It’s hard to top Bob Dylan, who is one of the greatest songwriters and musicians of the twentieth century. Dylan started his career as a songwriter, giving his legendary material to folk artists like Joan Baez and Peter, Paul, and Mary, only to later eclipse their popularity. Not the case with this transcendent Jimi Hendrix guitar aria. The dips and bends of Jimi’s Fender Strat add a trippy feel to Dylan’s original acoustic guitar and harmonica work, and the changes equal classic rock, psychedelic paradise.

Respect – Aretha Franklin, originally Otis Redding – Otis Redding is a soul star in his own rite, crooning such classics as “Sittin on the Dock of the Bay” and “Try a Little Tenderness,” but who in America remembers that he was the originator of the would-be female power anthem of “Respect?” No one, because once Aretha owned the song, it was hers forever, and we realized that what we wanted, baby she had it.

Twist and Shout - The Beatles, originally The Isley Brothers – The Isley Brothers were obsessed with shouting, first with the toga party ditty “Shout” that put them on the map. But “Twist and Shout” barely made a dent in the music industry until it was recorded by The Beatles. John Hughes was an obvious fan of the cover, using it in his iconic parade scene in the 80s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor, originally Prince – Prince isn’t exactly known for his ballads. It’s no wonder, then, that his recording of this ode to loss got lost in the mix of his experimental days with The Family funk band. Luckily for all of us women out there who have needed the perfect song to deal with a broken heart, Sinead O’Connor transformed the song into a the three-hankie weeper in 1990 with a decidedly softer, more emotional feel.

Mad World – Gary Jules, originally Tears for Fears – I am a sucker for 80s music. I love the synthesizers and perfectly syncopated drum machines. But even I have to admit the tune “Mad World” is better suited for Gary Jules’ simplistic vibe than the 80s cheese of Tears for Fears. Jules’ voice cuts right through your soul and makes you ponder what a very strange world we live in.

5 of the New and Improved

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, originally Judy Garland – Many people have tried to emulate or improve upon Judy Garland’s seminal Wizard of Oz classic, and very, very few have succeeded. Sometimes the key to a successful cover is to completely switch up the melody, and this unknown Hawaiian singer did just that to beautiful perfection. The ukelele and soaring falsetto make this cover, in a word, stunning.

Poker Face – Chris Daughtry and Lady Gaga tie – “Poker Face” was EVERYWHERE a year ago. Every bar, every party, every pre-game. How could one possibly improve upon that kind of saturation? Well, Chris Daughtry decided to strip down the techno vibe and opt for a simple acoustic guitar. Lady Gaga herself stuck with a piano and major melisma. They’re both so fantastic, it would be torture to choose. And this is my blog, so I didn’t.

Crazy - Ray LaMontagne, originally Gnarls Barkley – Gnarls Barkley’s claim to fame is this song and this song only – well, aside from the Star Wars getups they performed the song in at the MTV Movie Rewards. Ray LaMontagne isn’t all that well-known for his blue-eyed soul on songs like “Trouble.” Put these two moderately famous entities together, and you have one banging cover that includes nothing but Ray’s guitar and voice.

Message in a Bottle – John Mayer, originally The Police – In case you haven’t noticed, my favorite covers are usually the stripped down versions of popular rock and pop songs. So despite the fact that I’ve previously told my readers I hate liking John Mayer’s music, I couldn’t leave out his cover of The Police classic in which he trades in Andy Summers frantic riff for a lonely, haunting acoustic guitar.

Umbrella – Mandy Moore, originally Rihanna – In keeping with the theme of this list, I am probably committing blasphemy in many minds by including Mandy Moore’s coverage of the Rihanna mega hit, but I can’t help it. I love the slowed down piano and Moore’s aching crooning. Perhaps not a chart-topper, but fabulous in its own rite.

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger – (Photo courtesy of fanpop.com)

This week in pop culture, as always, there were hits and misses. What was strange, however, was the idea that many of the same players or circumstances showed up in both categories. It was as if people saw how Sandra Bullock could possibly win a Razzie and Oscar in the same year and thought, “Wow. I should do that in one week!” Here are the specific examples to illustrate my abstract point:

Robert Pattinson’s Publicity Tour

I have no clue what to expect from RPatz’s new movie, Remember Me, other than the knowledge that he and costar Emilie DeRavin may or may not have dated because of their intense chemistry and that the Twilight hunk may or may not be half-naked at some point during the film. Why is this? Oh yeah, it’s because Pattinson has done nothing but giggle like a little school girl during his talk show interviews.

“What’s it like to be an international sex symbol, Robert?” Giggles. “What was it like to try and break out of your role as a sexy vampire?” Chuckles. “Why are you unable to answer any questions without laughing?” Chortles. This was the case for almost every single interview, and none worse than Rob’s visit to The Daily Show. Watch the show on Hulu (before Viacom removes Jon Stewart’s work from the World Wide Web, that is) and try to prove me wrong. I’ll save you the trouble, you can’t.

HOWEVER, Pattinson showed the world, for once, that he doesn’t take himself too seriously with a stellar turn on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy has an inane yet hilarious bit that involves him being Robert Pattinson (complete with crazy hair piece), sitting in a tree, and complaining about fame. The real life Edward Cullen joined in on the fun by getting up in a tree with his impersonator. The result? An instant classic Late Night moment:

(http://www.hulu.com/watch/131346/late-night-with-jimmy-fallon-robert-pattinson-is-double-bothered)

Parenthood Casting

If you’ve read this blog before, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that I was majorly excited about the debut of Parenthood Tuesday night on NBC, and the resulting return of Lauren Graham to primetime. Let me tell you, she did not disappoint. Graham brought the same wit and charm to the NBC skein as she did to Gilmore Girls, only this time she’s adding a layer of complex emotions relating to her character’s general penchant for screwing up. Just as Death Cab for Cutie originally purported, I will follow Graham into the dark. (Photo courtesy of zap2it.com)

Luckily enough, I’ll also get to watch the brilliant Peter Krause in the dark of Parenthood. The Six Feet Under alum was woefully miscast in the ABC dud Dirty Sexy Money after his star-making turn in the HBO series, so it is a relief seeing him stretch his acting chops around the role of a father dealing with a son that isn’t just eccentric, but probably suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome. He and Monica Potter will tug your heart strings as they try to wrap their brain around the impossibilities of their son’s condition.

HOWEVER, why, oh why, did the casting team of Parenthood decide it was a great idea to round out the Braverman siblings with … wait for it … Dax Shepard. Dax Shepard. Really? The guy who got his start in Ashton Kutcher’s Punk’d? The guy who played Amy Poehler’s hick husband in Baby Mama? I’m not sure how it happened, but I’m fairly confident it shouldn’t have.

Spring Rom-com Trailers

Summertime is blockbuster season, autumn is the time for Oscar contenders, and spring is … a dumping ground for bad romantic comedies. Good romantic comedies are hard to come by these days, but this spring seems to have brought an inordinate amount of duds. Leap Year with Amy Adams? Epic critical and box office failure. Valentine’s Day? Marketing genius brought a sizable holiday profit, but critics blasted the 840 big-named celebrities who signed on to the project to receive a big pay-day for 10 minutes of work.

The next projected bomb, at least by Blair standards, judging solely on the trailer? The Bounty Hunter, starring Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler. Why does Jennifer continue to do these movies? Did The Break Up teach her nothing? Did the success of Marley and Me teach her nothing? And don’t even get me started on Butler’s chosen follow-up to the disaster that was The Ugly Truth. His film choices seem to scream that he’s the good-looking actor version of Geico’s Caveman commercials.

HOWEVER, a possible sleeper rom-com hit could come out of J Lo’s return to film in The Back-up Plan, co-starring TV poison but all-around Australian cutie Alex O’Loughlin. If J Lo’s above average turn on SNL taught us anything, it’s that she’s itching for a comeback. Could this be the movie? Decide for yourself, but I know I laughed at least once during this trailer:

By Daniel Monan, Culture Editor -

The Magicians, by Lev Grossman, is many things. It is a blatant parody of the Harry Potter and Narnia series. Yet, while other books have attempted to hop on the boy-wizard-bandwagon (to say nothing of the growing hoard of teen vampire rip-offs) it uses its associations with the previously mentioned series to its advantage, ultimately becoming something wholly different than anything seen before. Basic plot similarities aside, The Magicians possesses a dark and brooding quality that, while sometimes bordering on angst, neither J.K. Rowling nor C.S. Lewis would ever attempt. For this reason and many others, this is no children’s story. It is a remarkable book to be valued for its flaws as well as for its triumphs, and is certainly well worth a look.

The Magicians tells the story of Quinton, a disaffected teen looking for meaning in life. Quinton has spent his childhood reading and rereading a series of books set in “Fillory,” a magical land visited by a group of English schoolchildren, and an undisguised allusion to the Narnia books. He dreams of the kind of contentment it seems only magic can achieve. Predictably, Quinton soon learns that magic is real and that he has been accepted into the premiere school for magicians.

Grossman makes no attempt to hide the similarities to Harry Potter and makes ruthless use of those expectations. The Magicians is a novel written for those who grew up on Harry Potter and Narnia, not a copy of the same. Brilliant, often arrogant, and always insecure, Quinton is not Harry, nor are his friends the steadfast companions Harry has at Hogwarts. One would be hard pressed to say any of the characters are particularly likable, but they are undeniably entertaining. The lack of effort put into making them pleasant goes a long way towards making them believable characters.

Unlike other hero-protagonists with their inborn importance, Quinton is not a “chosen one.” He has no destiny or direction, and this becomes the chief focus of the novel. He and his friends occupy their time with the standard college pursuits of alcohol, sex, drug-use and occasional studying, throughout which Quinton faces a subtle but near constant existential crisis as he realizes magic gives no more meaning to his life than life in the ordinary world.

Eventually, it is revealed that Fillory, the Narnia-esque world from the stories of his youth, is a real place. Desperate for an escape from his despondent state, Quinton leaps at the chance to go. He and his friends embark on a sort of “quest to find a quest,” seeking some adventure that will end the despondency they feel. This journey will cost them more than any of them realize.

As said before, Grossman borrows shamelessly from the themes of Harry Potter and Narnia to complete his novel, but none of this is a bad thing. It is easy to believe in Quinton, terribly envious of the ready-made destinies and purposes that are so common in books. The success of The Magicians hinges on Grossman’s subtle but constant argument that, despite all of the hardships characters in stories face, none can compete with the apathy inherent in magically having every¬thing one could possibly want.

Putting aside the plot similarities, the writing of The Magicians is clean and precise, with a wonderful economy to the detail and description of the surrounding world. There are several indications that Grossman still has maturing to do as a writer. For example, he introduces secondary characters who vanish never to be seen again and there are points where the pace drags a bit, but none of this particularly hinders the book’s purpose from realization. Without revealing too much, the ending is not one that everyone will enjoy but still feels right in the context of the book. It is at the end where Grossman’s rather cynical philosophy comes out most strongly, forcing the reader to be paradoxically satisfied with a certain level of dissatisfaction.

The Magicians is Grossman’s third book, making him still a relatively early arrival to the writing scene. Hopefully, his next work will overcome some of the issues that affect The Magicians, but until then, The Magicians is still very much worth the time of anyone who has ever been left cold by the too-perfect fantasy worlds they visited in their youth.

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger – (Photo courtesy of deceiver.com)

If pop culture were made of ice cream, here are the three flavors I’d be ordering this week:

Favorite Song I Want to Hate: Heartbreak Warfare by John Mayer

Last week John Mayer made waves in a Playboy interview in which he called Jessica Simpson “sexual napalm,” using the dreaded n-word, and comparing his genitalia to God knows what. John Mayer’s place in pop culture was already precarious, being a known Casanova and tabloid fixture. I don’t want to like him. But when he releases albums like Continuum that are practically flawless from top to bottom, it’s tough to remember why I’m supposed to dislike him.

Mayer’s new single, “Heartbreak Warfare,” hearkens back to the genius of Continuum with sonic guitar riffs and its warrior of love theme, far preferable to his first Battle Studies single, “Who Says,” whose mission was to constantly remind us of his womanizing ways. On VH1’s Storytellers, Johnny told us that this single was his lame attempt to match the wall of sound that is U2’s classic, “Bad.” It’s tough to match the partnership of Bono and The Edge (though you can definitely hear the similarities), but I think Mayer’s shortcomings gave him an original song that fit into his catalogue quite nicely.

Favorite Guest Star Casting: Bristol Palin on Secret Life of the American Teenager

There have been many awesome guest stars announced as of late: Carrie Underwood on How I Met Your Mother, J. Lo on HIMYM, Neil Patrick Harris on Glee, yadda yadda yadda. But this one takes the cake. It’s like Bristol went to Jon Stewart, Joel McHale, and David Letterman and said, “I want to try my hand at acting. What show do you think I should guest star on?” I mean seriously, does she know that the only thing the public knows about her is that she’s a teen mother? Does she have a publicist? Or does she simply buy in to the “any publicity is good publicity” school of thought?

Palin is going to play fellow teen mother (what a stretch!) in Amy’s teen mother support group. I can’t wait to see what McHale will have to say about the cameo on The Soup the subsequent Friday.

Favorite Olympic Stud: Seth Wescott

Some people like to watch the Olympics for the feats of sheer athleticism and startling displays of heroics. I enjoy those things thoroughly, but not as much as I enjoy scoping out the eye candy, and boy do the Vancouver Winter Olympics have a lot of that. From the goofy bro that is Shaun White to the smooth confidence of Apolo Anton Ohno, there’s a lot to indulge in. But my personal fav is a bit under the radar: double gold medalist and snowboard cross champ Seth Wescott. He may not be the best looking fellow on the American team, but what he lacks in overt attractiveness he makes up for in laid-back charm. And a killer smile. In the words of Vera Farmiga in Up in the Air, “A nice smily might just do it.”

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger – (Photo courtesy of americanidol.com)

When I came to college freshman year, I thought it was part of my mission to become “cultured.” I didn’t exactly know what this would entail – probably something along the lines of discussing the works of Nietzche in a coffee shop – but I did know what it wouldn’t include, and that was watching American Idol. The Ryan Seacrest-hosted series represented culture for the masses, something many people look down upon. I assumed no one in college would watch something that intellectuals scoffed at. I was partially right. I didn’t meet anyone that owned up to their love of the singing competition.

But then Gilmore Girls, my more prominent Tuesday night love, went on hiatus … and I was subsequently sucked back into my role as an “Idoloonie” (term coined by EW’s Michael Slezak) as soon as I heard Chris Daughtry. And the funny thing was, as soon as I started watching again, casual fans, die-hards, and AI virgins alike started coming out of the woodwork to watch with me. Because there’s a reason between 20 and 30 million Americans watch this reality show every week, and it’s not the reality part. It’s the fantasy of being plucked from obscurity and shot to fame in a few short months.

Anyway, all of my preceding words are necessary to the understanding of my Idol worship and the reason behind dedicating this blog post to the analysis of our newly minted Top 24. In order to do that, I’ve decided to rip a page out of our high school yearbooks and use superlatives to highlight the Season 9 crop of talent.

Most Likely to Succeed: Andrew Garcia

Why the AI producers decided to cap Hollywood week with a cliffhanger that tried to convince us that Andrew Garcia might not get into the Top 24 is beyond me. Let’s be honest: during week one of the Hollywood auditions, Andrew Garcia wasn’t just in the Top 24, he was easily in the Top 2. As soon as the consummately cool father lent his criminally smooth vocals to departed judge Paula’s smash “Straight Up,” changing it from an 80s confection into an acoustic jam, Idol chatter could talk of no one else. His group was one of the few successes of group day, and his sincere cover of Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” was robbed of more screen time. If Garcia can keep bringing the heat with his own unique take of popular songs, I just don’t see what’s stopping him from going into the Final Five.

Best Blonde: Didi Benami

This was a tough category, Didi, so give yourself a pat on the back. It’s hard to remember if any of the Top 12 girls AREN’T blonde, so it’s a great sign that you stood out – so much so that the producers decided to let us know you went through on the first day of semifinal announcements! And you deserved it. I wasn’t sure about you during your first audition because you seemed like one of those girls who cried at the drop of a hat. I hate those girls. But when you channeled that nervous energy into the Kara DioGuardi penned “Terrified,” not only did you demonstrate your potential as a singer/songwriter, you also showed that Kara can actually write music that belongs in the 21st century (unlike poor Kris Allen’s stale “No Boundaries”). That’s no small feat.

Most Likely to Crash in the Semis: Haeley Vaughn

Vaughn seemed like a great idea at first with the judges intimating, “She could be the Black Taylor Swift!” I agreed with them at first. But then I heard Haeley butcher Gwen Stefani’s “Sweet Escape” (which I already hated) and Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” (which I love). I hope Haeley can pull it together since this season is lacking in both African-American singers and country enthusiasts, but I just don’t see it happening.

Most Likely to be Seduced by Kara: Casey James

It all started when Casey auditioned in Denver and Kara practically forced him to take his shirt off before she let him through to Hollywood. Was it embarrassing? Yes. Did he deserve to go to Hollywood no matter what? Absolutely. Casey came alive in Hollywood. He got the chance to show us what he really does: down home blues. His cover of the standard “I Don’t Need No Doctor” showed a grittiness not usually seen on the Idol stage. It also brought out a side of Kara only previously reserved for Season 8’s Matt Giraud … only worse. Kara has commented on his hottness, whether she likes his hair up or down, the color of his eyes, basically anything objectifying. It all culminated in a hug upon his invitation to the Top 24 – a hug which Kara enjoyed way too much.

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger -

I hate being a cliche, I really do, but I’d be lying through my slightly disproportioned front teeth if I said I watch the Super Bowl for the football. I am the woman who tunes in to watch the commercials. I am the entertainment junkie, music enthusiast that gets inordinately excited by the halftime show. Do I know who Peyton Manning is? Sure, he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, nay football history. Continue Reading

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger -

There’s something everyone should know about me, the entertainment blogger: I am, and forever will be, a fervent fan of Gilmore Girls. In my mind, there has never been a show that has blended genuine emotion and true wit like Amy Sherman-Palladino’s brainchild. Continue Reading

If pop culture were made of ice cream, here are the three flavors I’d be ordering this week:

Favorite casting of a 90s has-been: Freddie Prinze, Jr. in 24 Continue Reading

By Blair Thill, Gavel Blogger – (Photo Courtesy of The Brooks Files)

Is there anyone else out there in TV land that would like to quit? Any other shows that NBC would like to cancel? I’m giving you one last chance. Because frankly I’m exhausted. This week has been a hailstorm of behind-the-scenes drama for the television industry. Continue Reading