andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Seth Meyers, head writer for NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, said he was pleased with the fresh material provided by President Barack Obama, reports CBC.

“I was here for the eight years of the Bush era,” said Meyers, who joined the cast in 2001 after doing improvisational theatre in Chicago. “While it started fun, it got a little redundant for a lot of comedians. Anything new is great for us. That being said, you need to get to know someone before you can poke fun at them and we’re getting to know Obama more. The trickiest thing with Obama is he has a great sense of humour, he’s so self-aware and he may beat comedians to the punchline.”

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SIMPLY THE BEST

There comes a time each year where entertainment pundits everywhere reflect on the past 12 months of pop culture. We dissect the highs and lows, we place celebs on their respective naughty and nice lists and we relish the chance to give you our dissertation on the year’s hits and misses.

So basically, I’ve been waiting for this since New Year’s Day, ‘08.

It was a big year. Some monumental shit went down in 2008. America christened its first black president (holler!), Beijing brought sexy back to the Olympics (yeah!) and Canada proved its political system is just as screwed up- if not more- as anywhere else in the world (say what?). But this isn’t about politics; it’s about good ol’ fashioned fun.

It’s about celebrating the best movies, music, celebrity couples and Hollywood gossip.

So without further ado, here are my picks for the BEST of 2008.

5. RDJ

Robert Downey Jr. had a comeback of epic proportions this year. It was unexpected, it was career reviving and it was just plain kick-ass. Not only did Iron Man remind us that blockbuster movies can still be GOOD but it also provided the perfect vehicle to allow Sir RDJ to reintroduce himself. He went on to paint his face black and take on a role that could have seriously offended a whole lot of people but instead, he made us laugh hysterically. He’s nominated for a Golden Globe in ’09 and he’s also set to star in a Sherlock Holmes remake helmed by Guy Ritchie. Looks like this comeback is a keeper.

4. High School Musical 3

Obviously. If you frequent the Prerogative, you know I love High School Musical. So, when the franchise finally made the leap from TV movie to big-screen blockbuster, let’s just say it was a highlight. 2008 proved to be a good year for my boyfriend, Zac Efron- who would be number one on this list if I could think of a legitimate reason he should be, other than his obvious sexiness. Anyway, HSM 3 provided some good, wholesome fun for the entire family and reminded everyone that the year belonged to the tweens. They dictated the tabloid headlines, the top spots at the box office and the hits on the music charts. HSM’s soundtrack broke records and sold millions. To all the haters: It’s a classic people, BOW DOWN.

3. Brad and Angelina

Hollywood’s reigning royalty. The King and Queen of Tinseltown. The best of the best celebrity couples. Why? Because they know how to use the paparazzi in their favour. They know how to work their images. And best of all, they’ve got talent. 2008 showcased all of the above for the Sexiest Couple Alive. They welcomed twins, Knox and Vivienne, and sold the first pictures of the babies to People Magazine for an obscene amount of money. The media frenzy surrounding the twins ruled headlines in ’08 and solidified Brangelina as the couple everyone cares about. Career-wise, they both starred in movies that have Oscar-potential and did well at the box office. Oh yeah, and they refrained from talking about Brad’s ex, WhatsHerName, because no one cares.

2. Tina Fey/Sarah Palin

So I know I said this isn’t about politics but Tina Fey’s dead-on impersonation of that Alaskan governor we all loved to hate (or just hated) needs its much-deserved props. It was the best thing to happen to SNL this year. Heck, the best thing to happen to television, period. After Fey got people to notice her hilarity, 30 Rock got the attention it deserves and Sarah Palin got the ridicule that she deserved. Ya’ know?

1. Dark Knight

Do I need to elaborate? It was the best movie of the year, hands down. Christian Bale is the man. Comic book movies must forever bow down to the Dark Knight. Christopher Nolan is the best director in Hollywood. Heath Ledger blew us all away with his portrayal of the Joker. His death resonated so much more with the world because we realized the potential lost, the talent untapped. I just hope these rumours of Eddie Murphy playing the Riddler in the next one are false. Please, please don’t ruin this one- I still haven’t recovered from the massive letdown that was Quantum of Solace.

Honourable Mentions

Rhianna and Chris Brown – Beyonce and Jay Z who?

Gossip Girl – The Upper East Side will never be the same again.

Kings of Leon – Best album of the year.

Tina Fey has had a big year and now she has a title to show for it — the Associated Press’s Entertainer of the Year.

The comedian was chosen by AP members as the top entertainer of 2008 in terms of cultural and entertainment impact.

“Tina Fey is such an obvious choice,” said Sharon Eberson, entertainment editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “She gave us funny when we really needed it and, in a year when women in politics were making huge strides, Fey stood out in the world of entertainment.”

Nabbing the runner-up spot was Robert Downey Jr., who had two box-office hits in the form of “Iron Man” and “Tropic Thunder,” while the late Heath Ledger got the third-most votes with his performance as the Joker in “The Dark Knight.”

Fey topped the list for a busy year that included her first starring role on the big screen in “Baby Mama.”

In September, she won three Emmys for “30 Rock” — which she produces, stars and write for — including best comedy series, best lead actress and best writing in a comedy series.

And of course, she won laughs and huge ratings for her impersonation of Sarah Palin on her former show, “Saturday Night Live.”

“She simultaneously entertained us with her wit and put a mirror up to the nation during the election and made us think about what was going on,” said Scott Shive, assistant features editor at the Lexington Herald-Leader. “She is the epitome of the smart kid coming out on top for once.”

The accolades keep coming — Fey was recently nominated for both a Golden Globe and a SAG Award.

Last year’s AP Entertainer of the Year title went to Stephen Colbert.

Even though she’s busy giving out cars like they’re breath mints, being attacked by Tom Cruise on a couch and being the queen of daytime, Oprah Winfrey is still making time to appear on primetime this fall.

Oprah Winfrey is in final talks to appear as a guest star on Tina Fey’s hit show, 30 Rock, reports E!

Oprah would make her 30 Rock debut on Nov. 6 and has already been written into the second episode script.

Winfrey will be playing herself appearing in scenes opposite Tina Fey’s character, Liz Lemon.

Oprah will be joined by other guest stars this fall including the friendly, Jennifer Aniston, who will appear in the third episode. Will Arnett will also reprise his Emmy-nominated role, Devin Banks for the season premiere.

The Oprah Winfrey Show will begin its 23rd season on Monday, September 8.

Comedic heavyweights Steve Carell and Tina Fey are joining forces for the upcoming movie “Date Night.”

According to Variety, Carell and Fey have been cast in the 20th Century Fox comedy as a married couple whose routine date night turns into something much more than just a dinner and movie.

The film will be directed by Shawn Levy, whose credits include “Cheaper by the Dozen” and “Night at the Museum,” as well as the latter’s upcoming sequel.

“I wanted to do a relatable, grounded character comedy about marriage and the lengths we go to preserve the spark,” Levy told Daily Variety.

“Tina and Steve are smart and relatable, and the tone of their comedy perfectly fits this film.”

Carell is known for starring turns in “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and “The Office,” while Fey is an “SNL” alumni and writer-star on “30 Rock.”

“Date Night” will begin shooting next year, when the two stars are on hiatus from their respective TV shows.