andPOP » tv

John Stamos Clears Up Warner Bros. BS

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:01:15 +0000

John Stamos finally went on record attributing his hilarious 2007 train wreck appearance on an Australian talk show to alcohol, US weekly reports.

“I was on sleeping pills and I was jet-lagged, but I was also just plastered. And I never said I wasn’t, but that whole Warner Bros. publicity machine got involved and said, ‘Just say he was jet-lagged,’” said Stamos.

Stamos slurred his words, made innappopriate jokes and even made a lewd gesture to the host with a glass head. He finished off the interview reading the host’s lines off the teleprompter while squeezing her beside him.

But Stamos wasn’t phased by the incident, and didn’t see why his publicists had to skew the story. “I said, ‘No, tell ‘em the truth! I was f****** drunk in Australia. Big deal.’”

Stargate Universe Takes An Edgier Turn With Louis Ferreira As Its Colonel

Ilan Mester — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:08:21 +0000

Louis Ferreira and I share more than one thing in common: we both speak Portuguese aside from English and both of us were not Sci-Fi kind of guys before Stargate Universe — the latest entity in the space-themed franchise, which premiers today at 9 p.m. exclusively on Space.

Ferreira’s resume includes an impressive amount of TV and film work. His characters range from The Donald himself in a Trump TV-movie, to lead roles in shows like “Trinity” and “Missing,” guest spots on “24” and “CSI Miami,” among tens of other TV series and films, including a a role in this year’s “Grey Gardens” with Drew Barrymore. Still, Sci-Fi remained unexplored territory for the actor (aside from a very short stint on “Star Trek”).

So how did he wind up on one of the most successful Sci-Fi franchises of all time? It’s actually quite a serendipitous story which Fereira (formerly known as Justin Louis) shared with andPOP.

Side story: when the Portuguese-born, Toronto-raised actor kicked off his career in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, Vancouver was a booming destination for film productions so he’d go there whenever work would dry up in Toronto. “I remember being in my twenties and being like, ‘If I could have the ultimate lifestyle, it would be the farm in Toronto, the apartment in New York’ and I said, ‘a boat!’ If you could live on a boat like “Miami Vice” you would want to do it in Vancouver,” shared the Gemini winner.

Fast forward a decade and Ferreira got himself an audition for the part of Colonel Everett Young in a new ‘Stargate’ series, but he wasn’t too sure if it was a role he’d want to take on. “I was like ‘Sci-Fi: I don’t know enough about it,’ and I operate in a very strange way in that I sometimes ask the universe for signs. Like, ‘am I supposed to do this?’ It’s a strange thing that I ask,” he admits.

Ferreira remembered his adolescent dream of owning a boat in Vancouver and put it out there, asking for a sign. Sure enough, days before his test, an old boat attached to a trailer showed up right in front of his house. He then said if the boat would stay there until his audition, that meant he should take part in the show. “The boat stayed there for not only the test, it stayed there for another month,” he said with awe. “I had no idea what happened, someone just dropped off this old boat in front of my house.”

Ironically enough, “Stargate: Universe” is filmed in Vancouver. Aside from that, there were two other factors that drew Ferreira into the project; one was that he admired the creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper and the fact that “Universe” is quite different from previous “Stargates” according to Ferreira, who says the new series is much darker and edgier. The other reason is that Emmy nominee Robert Carlyle was involved.

“I saw Robert Carlyle’s name attached to the project and I was like ‘oh boy, that’s an actor, he’s my kind of actor.’ Personally, I was like ‘I’m a big fan of his work’ and so those two things for me were the reason I was drawn to it,” said Ferreira.

He added that this time around, “Stargate” is much more grittier, realistic and ultimately “good drama that’s set against the sort of Sci-Fi backdrop.” “It seems to be the right sort of evolution if I could use that word for the franchise, and I think that it bridges the gap nicely,” he said. “I think there’s something there for all the old ‘Stargate’ fans…and then hopefully what it can do is bring all kinds of new viewers as well who might watch the ‘Houses’ or the ‘Fringes.’ ”

It’s worth noting that the effects in this one are fantastic. Ferreira revealed that the special effect guys behind “District 9” are involved in the series as well. He plays Colonel Everett Young, one of the lead roles in the new series.

“We start with Young on a sort of leading base but the bigger picture is that he’s made that decision that his relationship with his wife is sort of in jeopardy, and that’s where his heart is right now,” said Ferreira. “He doesn’t want to lose his wife and he knows he’s in trouble so his whole thing is to finish this last mission and get back home. So when this mishap, we’ll call it happens, the demons that are in there become part of it.”

The actor is still filming “Universe” through October and after that he plans on “sleeping.” “I really don’t have any plans but to just sort of love my family and then see what happens next.”

“Stargate Universe” airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on Space and today you can also catch Ferreira on the new Space show “InnerSpace” where he’ll be talking about the series.

Trailer Park Boys On The Red Carpet

Jordan Bortolotti — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:42:58 +0000

When you think of a red carpet The Trailer Park Boys don’t exactly come to mind, but that’s where we met them. The boys from Sunnyvale are back for the second major movie release and Jordan caught up with them at the Toronto debut. Also stay tuned for an in depth interview with J-Roc and Mike Clattenburg coming soon!

The Real World Cancun Threesome

Jordan Bortolotti — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:16:22 +0000

Well we were able to speak with two of the cast members who were in a threesome on the newest season of The Real World in Cancun. Jonna who is a drop dead gorgeous girl from Arizona (and who also had a boyfriend at the time) and Pat from good old Canada. We talked about the latest season, their “threesome” and their current relationship status. Yes this is what we call groundbreaking reporting. Also checkout MTV as it reairs at 10PM EST on Sunday!

Contest: Sick Puppies Tri-Polar Giveaway – Win a Samsung TV

andPOP Staff — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:05:28 +0000

In celebration of their new release, Tri-Polar, Sick Puppies and andPOP are giving you a chance to win a 32” Flat Screen TV and 8.0 megapixel camera phone, brought to you by Samsung Mobile™, Rock Prophecies and Virgin Records!

Three lucky runner-ups will get Samsung Bluetooth headset.

Sick Puppies don’t do things halfway, not when they’re playing live in front of their rabid fans, nor when they tackled Tri-Polar, their second major label album for RMR/ Virgin/EMI and follow-up to Dressed Up As Life.

When the Australian band decided to break through in the U.S., founding members, vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Shimon Moore and his high school classmate, bassist Emma Anzai, simply picked up and moved lock, stock and guitar amps to L.A., advertised for a drummer on Craig’s List, and were soon joined by Orange County native Mark Goodwin. After getting signed and putting out their debut, the trio made their own video independently to accompanying the first single, “All the Same,” shot in a Sydney shopping mall in which fellow Aussie Juan Mann held up a hand-written placard offering passersby “Free Hugs.” The clip attracted over 43 million views on YouTube alone, and spawned a world-wide phenomenon.

Three years later, Sick Puppies are back with a new album and producing team from Dressed Up As Life, Rock Mafia’s Antonina Armato and Tim James. Together they’ve created a sound that reflects the past four whirlwind years spent in the rock and roll fast lane, on the grueling tour grind, honing their chops until they were a finely tuned powerhouse ready to let loose with the anger, frustration and triumphs built up from all that road work.

Listen to their hit song You’re Going Down.

To enter the contest, click here. Contest ends August 24th.

Teenage Triple Threat Mishon Sets Eyes On The Prize

Emma Renda — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:40:44 +0000

It’s not unusual for an actor to release an album, or a musician to star in movies and television. What’s rare is to do both before the age of 16. (And to be a pretty hot dancer, to boot.)

Mishon just became legal to drive in the United States, but he has already starred in three seasons of ABC’s Lincoln Heights and is releasing his second LP, The Yearbook, this fall.

With a two singles circulating the airwaves, “Excuse Me, Mama” and “Just a Kiss,” attention is flying fast and heavy at the budding triple threat. Mishon was taken under the wing of producer extraordinaire Vincent Herbert, who signed the young R&B singer to his new label Streamline Records, a joint venture with Interscope. Herbert, known for working with major pop stars such as Lady GaGa, Destiny’s Child and Toni Braxton, produced The Yearbook alongside Mishon.

“It’s reassuring to know that someone like that is behind you,” Mishon says. “It’s great being around him, he works hard.”

Mishon is no stranger to hard work himself. He has been living the abstract life of a teen pop star since he was 9, when he was picked up by Dynasty Records, which released his first album, Still Mishon, in 2004.

But before Mishon had the chance to settle into his career as a musician, he was cast in a lead role on ABC’s Lincoln Heights. After three seasons playing the kid brother to the leading character, Mishon signed on for another two seasons and is currently on set filming in Los Angeles, incidentally his hometown.

Although television was his first big break into the mainstream, Mishon’s focus lies in music.

“I definitely realized singing first,” Mishon says. “I’ve been singing ever since I was a baby, actually. I’ve been moulding my craft ever since [singing to Dynasty]. It’s been a blessing to have the experience I’ve had so far.”

Citing influences such as Michael Jackson and Usher, Mishon’s calling card has become his R&B ballads like “Excuse Me, Mama.”

“That song was basically about being chivalrous,” Mishon says of the song that details a young guy in a shopping mall swooning over a beautiful girl. Instead of approaching her directly, Mishon sings about being a gentleman and asking her mother’s permission. “Like I could say, ‘Excuse me, mama. Hey, you’re daughter is fine, can I get her number?’”

The song was written by Dwight Watson a.k.a. King Pin, an up-and-coming writer in the biz, according to Mishon. But Mishon has also written songs about his personal experiences, such as another ballad “Sidelines,” which he performed on Lincoln Heights as part of their prom episode.

“It speaks about me liking a girl and she knows it, but she has me on the sideline just waiting for her,” Mishon says. So what happened? “We got together but we broke up like a week later,” he says, with a laugh.

Although Mishon’s music personality is laden with charm and suave, his social life is a low-key one. Because of his packed schedule, Mishon is home-schooled by his mother, Shontay. The closest he ever got to the typical high school experience is on the set of Lincoln Heights, and though his career is something he would never sacrifice, he admits it isn’t easy to live at such an accelerated pace.

His closest friends are his parents, his summers are spent on tour or on set, and instead of going to his own prom, he is hiring himself out in a contest on his website for one lucky lady to win him as a date to their prom.

“I felt like prom is just a big thing for a lot of people,” Mishon says of the contest, which also includes a full shopping spree for the winner.

Increasing his visibility as the release date for The Yearbook approaches is paramount for the fledgling star, hence the contest and the blog and the Twitter account. Plans for a tour later this year are in the works, although no concrete details have been announced. Mishon is even a veteran on tour, as he hit the road last summer with BET’s Black College Tour with Chamillionaire.

“That was crazy, a lot of screaming girls,” Mishon says. “Being on stage and hearing people sing my songs, like ‘Excuse Me,’ the whole song all the way through, is pretty life-changing.”

His next tour will only mean bigger audiences and, well, more screaming girls if things keep up the way they’re going.

“I think over the past five or six years I’ve had ups and downs but I think that this time I’m really gonna do it,” Mishon says. “Like I say, I’ve got Interscope behind me working hard. It’s all about focus. As long as you stay focussed, you’ll reach your goal.

“I love music, I love to dance. It’s just in my heart, and if you love something, why not pursue it?”

A John Mayer Variety Show?

Ilan Mester — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:37:42 +0000

Nina Tassler, CBS president, has confirmed that John Mayer’s variety show has been given the green light, “It’ll be a music variety sketch show, and it’s being developed now—it was his idea, we didn’t reach out to him,” Tassler told reporters.

Although the show will start off as a special planned for later this season, there’s a possibility for the show to be picked up as a full series.

“I love him, he is so multitalented, he has a great personality, really smart, loves television, and is very funny and has a great sense of humor about himself,” Tassler said of Mayer to E! Online.

The musician told E! at the Grammy Nominations Ceremony the reason why he wants his very own variety show, “I want to return talent to television…I want a show that rewards true talent.”

Sony Canada releases new 52

andPOP Staff — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:14:28 +0000

Sony Canada yesterday unveiled its new 52″ BRAVIA flat-panel LCD high definition television, featuring 240Hz high frame rate technology. The television will be available in select Sony Style retail stories and other dealers across the country.

The television incorporates Sony’s new Motionflow 240Hz technology, which allows for a exceptionally clear and detailed image with nature motion. The technology also quadruples the frame rate of conventional LCD TVs.

Other image improvements include Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), which gives a contrast ratio of 50,000:1 and BRAVIA Engine 2, Sony’s digital video processor that transforms all incoming signals to match the TV’s 1080p resolution.

The television is also compatible with the BRAVIA Internet Video Link module that attaches to the back of the product. The Internet Video Link service streams on-demand entertainment including movies, TV programs, YouTube videos and other content not found on network or cable/satellite TV. Finally, the television features Digital Media Port compatibility, which gives access to video and music from portable media devices like Walkman and iPod players.

This television retails for approximately $4,199.99.

Heidi And Spencer To Appear On ‘How I Met Your Mother’

Ilan Mester — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:56:51 +0000

U.S. Magazine has reported that Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt will be filming scenes for “How I Met Your Mother” this week. The episode is set to air in January.

The couple “will be playing magazine-cover versions of themselves as Marshall [played by 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' star Jason Segel] desperately searches for a place to ‘read a magazine’ while at the office. Montag and Pratt will taunt and tease Marshall from the confines of his current copy of ‘Them Weekly’.” According to a statement from CBC.

The reality stars aren’t the first to make guest appearances on the show. Britney Spears appeared in two episodes last season with the role of Abby, a receptionist who falls in love with Ted Mosby, played by Josh Radnor.

Sony Canada Introduces New TV and Monitor

andPOP Staff — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:45:30 +0000

Earlier this week, Sony Canada introduced its new Bravia LCD TV. The Bravia features 240Hz high frame rate technology that delivers high quality motion detail, and feature an extremely thin design measuring just 9.9mm, or about the thickness of a CD jewel case.

The new motion technology feature, called Motionflow, allows images to be delivered in great detail and crispness with natural motion. Other picture enhancements include Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), which helps deliver a contrast ratio of 50,000:1, and Bravia Engine 2, Sony’s digital video processor that enhances all incoming cable or satellite signals to match the TV’s 1080p resolution.

Sony will also be releasing its 40-inch diagonal 1920 x 1080p KLV-40ZX1M flat panel LCD monitor. This monitor will also be only 9.9mm deep and weigh approximately 26 pounds. The monitor will also feature a wide colour gamut LED backlight and Sony’s Motionflow technology.

Both of these models will be available by the Holiday season in Canada.