After investing the better part of a quarter billion dollars into the effort, Will Ferrell’s new film, Land of the Lost, opened to sparsely populated theaters and sneering critics, netting less than twenty million over its first weekend. Everyone has a flop once in a while, but this makes about four in a row for the star of Anchorman which were either limp at the box office or flat out flops. Chris Nashawaty...

From the life is stranger than fiction files.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney has pitchforked himself into the headlines with his recent controversial pronouncements, considered pearls of wisdom by conservatives and a song and dance by liberals (and polls show by many moderates, centrists and many independents as well). So, to exchange the favor, here’s a song about Cheney, “The Sound Of Cheney,” along with some others also “updating”...

This is one subject which, even more than its important value in analyzing our cultural and political shift, should remind the readers of TMV exactly how much your authors here lay it all on the line for you. We provide live reporting of breaking events when possible, varied analysis from the full spectrum of opinions, and as with today’s column, we risk exposing ourselves to all manner of hazards and...

Forget all the big political and economic stories and mysteries, the real mystery now raging is: did Sacha Baron Cohen REALLY surprise rapper Eminem when he landed on him at the MTV Movie Awards? You watch and you decide. But…not to spoil your fun: a report now says it was staged. Cohen, the comedian whose mockumentary “Borat” was groundbreaking, made a grand entrance at the awards in his...

The news this past week has simply been too dark and depressing for words, so this morning let us take a moment out for something lighter. I’m not only a film buff when it comes to the big studio offerings from Hollywood (both past and present) but I’ve also developed an affinity for independent films. (or “indies”) That’s why I’m very much looking forward to the month of...

From time to time we all need to have a good laugh, especially in times like these. One of my favorites programs (or perhaps I should say programmes) is the absolutely brilliant BBC series Yes Minister and it’s successor, Yes Prime Minister. For those not familiar with the programs, they follow the trials of a UK government minister named James Hacker as he works hard to accomplish change and reform....

Everyone Should See Torturing Democracy by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship In all the recent debate over torture, many of our Beltway pundits and politicians have twisted themselves into verbal contortions to avoid using the word at all. During his speech to the conservative American Enterprise Institute last week – immediately on the heels of President Obama’s address at the National Archives –...

With Jay Leno heading wrapping up his time at the Tonight Show I have been watching more of the program than I normally do. Generally my viewing of late night TV is limited to when they have a good guest or to watch the opening monologues. But in that viewing I have noted a distinct difference between Leno and Letterman, which I think can be traced, at least in part, to their backgrounds. While neither man has...

You wouldn’t think Michigan is one of the hardest-hit states in terms of unemployment and economic meltdown by viewing their television ads promoting tourism. These are among the best, slickest and most professional ads seen on the tube in markets where they are shown. The cost to produce these ads must run in the millions of dollars whether they are paid out of local taxpayers pockets or a benevolent...

TMV Editor’s note: This week’s American Idol extravaganza stirred up strong, highly emotional feelings on the part of each singer’s supporters. Here in San Diego, there was a huge rally for San Diego contender Adam Lambert that was used in televising the final show, as the producers cut to shots of his hometown crowd. A local singer elicited the same response as a local sports team. Go to...

Polimom watches very little television, and when I do, it’s almost always as something to do with someone else. Dear Husband and I, for instance, set aside fall Sundays for the NFL, while springtime Tuesday and Wednesday evenings are family time with American Idol — and since I’m writing this in May, you can easily guess what I’m fixin’ to talk about: the culture wars. (What? ...

I’m a huge CSI Miami fan (for years I wanted to live in Miami, but wound up in San Diego when I accepted a job in 1982 as a reporter for the recent sold and seriously downsized San Diego Union). I’m also now in the entertainment biz and love studying acting and comedy technique. Which raises a question: is David Caruso’s way of delivering some lines on CSI Miami, and putting on his sunglasses...

What’s So Funny about Washington? by Michael Winship A joke is a sometime thing, as wide as a church door or as delicate as a rose. The right or wrong word, too many or too few, their placement or emphasis can determine whether it’s a total dud or fall down funny; the difference, as Mark Twain said, between the lightning bug and lightning. Too much explanation or thought can whip a...

This may be the coolest picture ever. During the 0.8 seconds that the shuttle and the Hubble passed by the sun, a guy managed to take this photo   More images at the link http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/090515-sts125-sts125-solar-transit.html

This is amazing.

This show is just plain brilliant

In internet time this is old news. But the irony that earlier on the very day that the NY Assembly voted a bill to legalize gay marriage still more photos of Carrie Prejean were revealed makes it too hard to resist. That last batch — taken when “Carrie was the ripe ol’ LEGAL age of 20″ — came after she was the featured event in a press conference held by The Donald in the city...

Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

As an entertainer who performs for audiences of all ages all over the country I LOVE to watch and study performers who show pizazz, have wonderful stage presence, timing, and who can pull off a boffo comedy routine and song. Which brings us to British performer Eric Storm’s gem on You Tube. To younger readers:If you’ve never heard of a “counterpoint” song here is a perfect example. This...

A film that got positive reviews from 95% of the critics hardly needs any help from me. But I thought it was notable that a few prominent critics disliked what they saw. Now, it’s never much of a surprise when Anthony Lane of the New Yorker turns up his nose at popular fare. But I could’ve told you that Star Trek wasn’t the work of Jean-Luc Godard (not to be confused with Jean-Luc Picard). More...

A personal note. Everywhere I turn, I see people that are hurting or stressed out due to loss or uncertainty about the economy. No, I’m not excluded from that. But here in San Diego, some 192 people who passionately dedicated their lives to working on the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper were told within a day of the paper’s ownership change on Monday that their jobs will end in 60 days. I had subscribed...

The Republican Party Could Be Hamstrung By Bush For Generations: That’s the view…backed up by solid original research, numbers, and charts …of Nate Silver. Silver notes what some of us have sensed: that the popularity of a President during many young people’s formative years influences how they vote…for years. Here’s a small part of what he writes: It’s become common...

Actress comedian Wanda Sykes’ comedy routine at the White House Correspondent’s dinner is sure to generate a slew of controversy — as have other comedians’ monologues there in recent years. In her comedy routine, she spiced up a mix of jokes anyone could laugh at with some jokes aimed at Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and former Vice President Dick Cheney that led to some conservative commentators...

Earlier this week I put up a post in which the introductory historical note was better received than the subject of the post itself. It occured to me therefore that it might be a good idea for me to make a series of posts on various historical tidbits. Being both a student of history and a fan of the ‘what if’ genre I think it might be of interest to some of our readers. Frequency will of course...