September 2009 Archives

By now you've probably heard that TLC's "Jon and Kate Plus 8" is being turned into "Kate Plus 8," as Jon is out of not only the marriage but, beginning in November, he'll be out of the show itself.

Idol Chatter's Ellen Leventry has followed this story for awhile now and recently posted her latest update.

Further, CNN is among the outlets reporting that Jon may have even wanted to get fired. As for me, I think the Gosselin story is a tragedy that's being portrayed as reality, when in fact there's a tragedy much deeper that isn't being identified in the enough media.

While the producers are talking about the "family" evolving, the truth is that the family is falling apart. Who gets to stand up and say that anymore? In a faith-based culture--or at least in a culture pretending to be one--shouldn't somebody call for the producers to shut down the show, use some funds for childcare, and free Kate and Jon up to restore their marriage? Now that would be some reality TV worth watching! And it would be inspiring!

Idol Chatter hangs out at the intersection of faith and culture, and such is the exact location of the current film "Couples Retreat." This has enough laughs to get you through, enough awkward moments to make you squirm, enough drama to sustain your interest and enough text on the topic to send spiritually minded people towards exactly what we need after a movie: some great conversation about stuff that matters!

Marriage is a solemn institution in our country that runs the risk of being downgraded to an ebbing tradition. Not enough churches really stimulate authentic conversations about what's really going on in a marriage, and typical marriage retreats are full of speakers and music but not necessarily the kind of deep and frank candor required to get to the core of real issues. "Couples Retreat" leaves no room for hiding.

Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Faizon Love and Kristen Bell are among the stars in this yarn directed by Peter Billingsley ("Ironman," "The Break-Up," "Elf"). There're also some great cameos (including Jean Reno). The plot involves four couples who head for a tropical resort for a vacation. What three of the couples don't know is that the resort's purpose is for marriage restoration and the therapy sessions are not optional!

The odds of me looking forward to the latest vampire book/movie/ TV show would be handicapped as about 100-1 at best, so imagine my surprise when I discovered that there actually is one vampire story I might fall in love with, the original iTunes series " I Kissed a Vampire." It showcases "High School Musical" alumni Lucas Grabeel and Drew Seeley and features teen angst mixed with a healthy dose of song and dance. Sure, it was ony a matter of time before someone tried to cash in on the whole "Twilight" hype by creating a musical mockumentary that spoofs all things teen vampire related, but this series looks to not only feature plenty of cheese but also a little edge - like a "Glee" for the vampire world.

Three new and very different movies have one thing in common -- they all ask their characters and their audiences to think about the nature of God and faith. This week we have a perky romantic comedy with Ricky Gervais and Jennifer Garner called "The Invention of Lying." As the title suggests, it is about a world in which everyone tells the literal, concrete truth all the time. And then one man figures out that he can lie, and that since no one else is aware that lies even exist, he can pretty much get away with everything. Since no one lies, everyone is completely gullible. So much is clear from the trailers. But Entertainment Weekly reports that there is a more controversial element to the film and that one of the "lies" the Gervais character comes up with is the idea of God.

Gervais has responded to concerns from bloggers.

1. No one has seen the film.

2. Even if the film suggests there is no God, it is a fictional world. One of my favourite films is 'It's a wonderful life' and at no time am I offended by the suggestion in this wonderful work of fiction that there is a God.

3. If the film was not set in a fictional world and suggested there is no God then that's fine too, as it is anyone's right not to believe in God.

4. By suggesting there is no God you are not singling out Christianity.

5. Not believing in God cannot be blasphemous. Blasphemy is acknowledging a God to insult or offend etc.

Back in July, I wrote my own "Dear John" letter to Jon Gosselin, explaining that it really was him when it came to my decision to side with "Team Kate." And now TLC, the cable channel that spawned the whole "Jon & Kate Plus 8" phenomenon, has written their own version of a Dear John letter, the pink slip. Ok, so the producers haven't officially fired Gosselin, but he will appear less frequently on the show; think of him as a special guest star.

Redubbed "Kate Plus 8" beginning with the November 2 episode, the series' focus now will be on Kate's life as a single mother raising multiples. "Given the recent changes in the family dynamics, it only makes sense for us to refresh and recalibrate the program to keep pace with the family," Eileen O'Neill, president and general manager of TLC, told Reuters. Call me a cynic, but maybe it just makes sense to refresh and recalibrate the program given the recent change in the *ratings dynamics*.