Idol Chatter: July 2008 Archives

When the San Diego Comic-Con started in 1979, it was 400 comic enthusiasts gathered in a small section of a local hotel. Three decades later, it's a major pop culture fixture, numbering over 125,000 attendees and filling the San Diego Convention Center to the brim. Think of it as Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with superheroes instead of sweets, "Star Wars" aficionados instead of Oompa Loompas. A world of pure imagination, indeed.

Look out, Dr. Drew. I am going to start my own celeb rehab series, but it won't be to help stars overcome their substance abuse addictions. My rehab is going to focus on actors who need help to break their addictions to other people. And I don't want my first guest to be Britney or Lindsay. I want Tony-winning, Emmy-nominated "Pushing Daisies" actress Kristin Chenoweth.

First of all, let me make it clear I am a huge, huge fan of Chenoweth's. Which is why I was unhappy when according to two different reports on the web Aaron Sorkin announced last week at an ABC press party that he has reunited for the umpteenth time with Chenoweth, making them the latest Hollywood power couple. Theirs has become a legendary tumultuous relationship in Hollywood that has been on-again, off-again for the past few years. Of course, the relationship might not be so legendary if Sorkin hadn't decided to divulge intimate details of their relationship vicariously through the character of Harriet Hayes on his defunct show "Studio 60."

At the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, the networks trot out their new and returning shows for the press. Days of Q & A are followed by nights of working parties.

Edyta Sliwinska and Alec Mazo of "Dancing with the Stars" led a cha-cha lesson. Everyone from Hugh Laurie to the cast of "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" played on the Santa Monica pier for the FOX party. AMC drama "Mad Men" opened up its set for the critics to visit a working show. ABC, NBC, and CBS hosted parties, which created the odd experience of having 90210 alum turned reality star Tori Spelling in the same room as White House reporter David Gregory.

The Internet sensation Stuff White People Like has just been released in book form. The items listed on the satirical website receive more detailed treatment, but surely, amidst the affection for organic food (#6), yoga (#15), and public radio (#44), there should be an entry for Coldplay. Their earnest, arena rock turns most people (except cold-hearted critics) into swooning romantics. Thanks to a sharp, techno savvy friend, I scored tickets to the opening night of Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" tour. Even amidst multi-cultural Los Angeles, there was ample proof that Coldplay remains stuff that 16,000 (mostly) white people love.

How interesting that Coldplay drove their devoted fans to the Forum in Inglewood rather than the swankier Staples Center. How utterly democratic to attend a concert sans luxury boxes. It was in keeping with "Viva la Vida"'s French Revolution themes of liberty, justice, and equality (for those willing to shell out more than $100 for a ticket including service charges). Since the L.A. Lakers left the Forum, it has become home to Faithful Central Bible Church. Bishop Kenneth Ulmer and his congregation see their new home as an opportunity to extend hospitality to rock stars and their fans. They were gracious hosts, directing traffic with a smile.

Just beyond the storied pool at the Beverly Hills Hilton, the television networks are busy parading their new shows to the nation's TV critics. Diverse luminaries from Benjamin Braff to Ludacris to Spike Lee, mill around in the halls and answer press questions, while newsman Bob Woodruff and rocker Tommy Lee check in via satellite.

George Foreman, legendary boxer, creator of grills, husband, and the father of ten children, discussed his new TV Land reality show "Family Foreman." George and his handsome sons George III and George IV were genial as they talked about the prospect of opening their lives to the camera.

"They couldn't follow us into the restroom, and they couldn't see how much [George Sr.] weighed on the scale, but besides that, they got to see everything," laughed George III. That includes George Sr.'s work as a minister, which he views as one of his most important roles.

"For over 31 years now, I've been a preacher, a minister at the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's what I really do. I moonlight as a grill salesman to feed all these kids, but in reality that's what I do...preach."

Preaching isn't a part time job for Foreman. "I preach about three times a week in Houston, Wednesday, Saturday, and twice on Sunday. [At a] non-denominational church. I'm the best floor-mopper around."

Foreman encourages his children to find their own faith, "As your kids grow older, you've got to make sure they know, 'Look I'm a preacher and you're not.' So I spell it out in the show that my faith is my faith. Whatever faith they have, I don't know yet. But they're having fun with their lives. Let them figure it out as they grow."

I was looking forward to last Friday's "Hellboy" sequel for a number of reasons: 1. Guillermo del Toro directing (I'm a sucker for fantasy flicks and I don't know a single person who didn't enjoy "Pan's Labyrinth"); 2. More Abe...

First and foremost, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is *categorically* a movie for the kids. "Journey" has no interest in being taken seriously or leaving behind a single droplet of memorable dialogue. It is only concerned with having...