The Old Spice Guy Wants to be Luke Cage

If there's one thing Isaiah Mustafa knows, it's viral marketing. After hitting it big with the Old Spice campaign, he's launched his own in an attempt to be cast as the Marvel Comics hero, Luke Cage.

From Blastr:

In the ultimate fan-made video, a strange clip has emerged online disguised as a teaser for the promised Luke Cage/Power Man project to be directed by John Singleton. Tyrese Gibson has reportedly been attached to the film for the past year, but there have been no official announcements on final casting yet, so the lead prize is technically still up for grabs.

It's been no secret that the hunky Old Spice commercial actor has been campaigning hard for the movie, dressing up like Luke Cage for a photo shoot, and strutting around comic conventions in his best Luke Cage muscle t-shirt, studded belt and sly grimace. Now he's created a short promo video that mimics a polished trailer. Give that man an "A" for ambition.

Check out the trailer after the break.

Music Monday: Words I Never Said by Lupe Fiasco

I went to UCLA's Jazz Reggae Fest yesterday and had an absolute blast. I'm super sunburned, but it was worth it to see Lupe in concert again. I mainly went to see him, but was also looking forward to Talib Kweli. Unfortunately, Talib only played one song, as a part of someone else's set. He was prominently featured on the promotional materials, but only got a few minutes. I was very surprised he didn't get his own set, considering he was one of the bigger names. When he came on stage, most of the crowd got to their feet and rocked out to his song. I'm sure I wasn't the only one disappointed to see him go so quickly.

Lupe puts on such an energetic show and I'm just a big fan of his music. One of my favorite of his new tracks is Words I Never Said. Check out the official video after the break.

SNL Highlight Reel: Dance Dance Season 36

Season 36 was a very strong season for SNL, with great new featured players in Vanessa Bayer, Jay Pharoah, Taran Killam, and Paul Brittain. Each of them did a great job adding their own characters and impressions into the mix.

This season was particularly musical with a good amount of musical opening monologues and dance numbers within sketches. Live from New York, It's Saturday Night put together a great montage of these moments, watch the video after the break!

So You Think You Can Dance: Season 8 Controversy Already?!

With only one aired episode, there's already controversy over one of the auditions on So You Think You Can Dance. Hip hop duo Deon Lewsa Jr. and Damon Bellmon won their tickets to the Las Vegas round after a funny, personality-filled routine that allowed them both to shine.

However, it has come to light that this routine was originally performed by Les Twins, Laurent and Larry Bourgeoi. You can watch their performances side by side after the break.

Summer 2011 TV Premiere Dates

With the start of So You Think You Can Dance, the summer television season has officially begun! I'm most excited about SYTYCD, obviously, but also really want to check out the new TNT show Falling Skies. Steven Spielberg, aliens, Noah Wyle - that all sounds good to me! 


With Mad Men gone, what will you be watching these hot summer nights? 


Catch the full list of premiere dates for summer shows after the jump. 

Linkulous: Interactive Make-Up, Urban Outfitters Scandal, HuffPo Hatred, and more

Online Advertising Racks Up Record $7.3B First Quarter

Which would you prefer: $1 million or a hot body? - I'm thinking you should take the money, use some of it for a trainer and some cooking lessons, and then TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH ALL THAT MONEY!

Makeup Gets Interactive: Social Networks, Virtual Makeovers, and More - I wrote these words! Check out the virtual makeover and anti-aging tool.

Not cool Urban Outfitters, not cool. Terrible!

You Still Can't Sanction the Endzone - USC's appeal was denied. Well, fuck them; bowls are for salad.

HuffPo Employees Flee AOL After "Brutal" "Awful" "Worst Few Weeks"

I am your Grandma:

ABDC Season 6: Kanye West Challenge

The top three take the stage to Kanye West's tracks and have to attack a type of dance that relates to Kanye's constant evolution through dance styles. I guess Kanye's too busy with all that power to intro the songs since Season 5 winners are introducing the crews to their challenge. Also, instead of each of the crews getting a single Kanye song, they'll be dancing to a super master mix and all have to include The Dougie, Boogaloo, and Isolations.

Group Performance
Kanye West Song: All of the Lights feat. Rihanna
Awesome routine with some great use of the stage and interaction with the audience. It's just glaringly obvious that Iconic Boyz are being outdanced in these numbers though. If they win this show, I'm going to be pissed. This is supposed to be America's BEST Dance Crew, not America's CUTEST Dance Crew.

The crew locked in for the finale is...

So You Think You Can Dance Season 8 Premieres Tonight!

YOU GUYS KNOW SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE PREMIERES TONIGHT, RIGHT?! Ok, good.

Auditions start tonight at 8pm on Fox and I'm so excited! Mary Murphy is back after missing last season and it seems like we're in for more All-Stars too. They won't announce the All-Stars until the Top 10 are revealed though, so we've got a week or two of speculating ahead of us.

Watch Mary Murphy tease the new season after the break, and don't forget to tune in to Fox at 8pm tonight!

Good Deal: THE GODFATHER - THE COPPOLA RESTORATION GIFTSET on Blu-Ray for $54.99

This great box set is marked down $70 on Amazon right now! Do I really need to explain why this is such a great movie and buy?

Un-aired SNL Sketch: Justin Timberlake makes fun of his acting career

Not only was this weekend's SNL one of the best in years, apparently they even had to cut quality material to make it fit the time constraints! I wish they had included this hilarious sketch of Justin Timberlake making fun of his switch to acting, and maybe cut out that tired Kristen Wiig "Secret Word" sketch.

Watch the unaired sketch below and keep an ear out for my favorite part: Timberlake referring to Beiber as akin to putting a wig on a chipmunk!

Music Monday: Girls Run the World by Beyonce

At last night's Billboard Music Awards, Beyonce was awarded the Billboard Millenium Award for topping the charts for the past 15 years. And she's only 29! Watch her amazing performance of Girls Run the World and the touching words from her colleagues and family after the break.

SNL Highlight: Bring it on Down to Liquorville

This is another one of Justin Timberlake's recurring sketches when he's on the show and for good reason! And this one is made all the better with Kristen Wiig's "Teabagging" Lady and Lady Gaga's Wine get up. Watch them get "Merlot-lo-lo-lo" after the break.

SNL Highlight: Justin Timberlake and Andy Sandberg know "The Golden Rule"

The Dick in a Box and Motherlover boys are back! And this time, they're in a three-way with Lady Gaga and obeying the Golden Rule. While I don't think this is as funny as their previous two efforts, it's still a funny sketch. I particularly love the Three's Company moments. Watch the video after the break.

SNL Highlight: Merryville Brothers' Tunnel of Love

I loved when this sketch first debuted during Jim Carrey's hosting gig and am glad they brought it back. While the first one was fantasitc on a very creepy level, this one is still funny. Watch the Merryville Brothers steal Nasim Pedra from Jason Sudeikis after the break.

SNL Highlight: Justin Timberlake's "Not Going to Sing Tonight" Monologue

Justin Timberlake has consistently done great hosting work on Saturday Night Live and last night was no exception! It was the first time he'd hosted and not also been the musical guest, so he just needed to stress that in his opening monologue. Check out the video after the break.

TV Upfronts: "Smash" takes on "Glee"

With the success of Glee, I'm surprised more upcoming shows don't feature musical numbers! There is one show that will directly take on the musical genre, and it's got some great talent behind it.

Smash stars Debra Messing (Will & Grace), Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean), and "introduces" Kat McPhee (American Idol contestant). Not only does it have some major talent on screen, it's also being produced by Steven Spielberg.

Catch the trailer and after the break.

ABDC Season 6: Nicki Minaj Challenge

As a big fan of Nicki Minaj, I have high hopes for this week! They'll also finally do a group performance. I wish they would do these more often, instead of just the first week and the Top 4.

Group Performance
Nicki Minah Song: Massive Attack
Great group number that let every crew shine! I especially loved that Iconic Boyz were hidden behind the shrubs in the beginning and then when they came out, tried to grab Oliva from IaMmE, but she slipped through their fingers.

The final four crews come from across the country, from LA to New Jersey, and Boston to Houston. I was mistaken last week in saying the West was out of the running; I don't know why I thought Street Kingdom was from either the South or the East? Oh well, just wanted to correct what I said last week. The West could still hold on to their reign, if Street Kingdom hangs on until the end.

TV Upfronts: "The Secret Circle" may bewitch me

Huge surprise this year: The CW may have and the best slate of new shows out of all the networks. While they didn't pick up the most shows (I believe that goes to ABC with 13 new shows) all their scripted drama pick-ups seem right up my alley. I'll be doing a series of TV Uprfronts posts now that they've wrapped up in NYC, so stay tuned for more!

The Secret Circle will air after The Vampire Diaries, and makes for a perfect time slot companion. Both are based on books by young adult novelist L.J. Smith and created by Executive Producer Kevin Williamson (also known for Dawson's Creek and the SCREAM franchise).

Read the full show synopsis and catch a few clips after the break.

Good Deal: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN Trilogy on Blu-Ray/DVD for $13.49 each

Over the weekend, I rewatched all of the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films to brush up before the fourth film comes out on Friday. While I'm sure you don't need to rewatch them to enjoy or even understand the fourth, I had a fun day marathoning through them.

And now Amazon is having a deal where you can buy the Blu-Ray/DVD combo packs for only $13.99 each!

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL





By far the best film of the bunch! This is my favorite of Disney's live-action films. Swash-buckling adventure, a whole lot of fun, and the iconic performance by Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow - this is a must-buy!






PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST




My main beef with this film is that it's not a complete story. It was fun and had adventure and sword fights and betrayal and love, but it was all so obviously leading to the third that it never feels complete. Sequels are still supposed to be movies in their own right, and that's where this fails.






PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END




This movie is a mess. It's so weird and tonally different from the first two that you'd never guess they were made at the same time and by the same crew as the second film. I'm only including this one here for the sake of those completists who need all or nothing when it comes to franchises. Just so weird.

Music Monday: Hair by Lady Gaga

I was a huge huge HUGE fan of The Fame and The Fame Monster, but I just haven't been hooked on any of Lady Gaga's new songs of her sophomore effort. I keep trying and listening to the tracks over and over again, in hopes something will click and I'll start loving it. Hasn't happened yet. Check out her latest track, Hair, after the break.

SNL Highlight: "The Ambiguously Gay Duo" get fleshy

This week's SNL felt very short to me. There were only about 5 or 6 sketches and some very long musical performances and breaks. Ed Helms hosted, but was hardly in the episode at all!

But even with the apparent abbreviated run, there was one sketch that stood out and is among the funniest from this season: THE AMBIGUOUSLY GAY DUO! I loved the cartoons from the older episodes so it was a surprise to see it make a comeback. And then it did a wholly unexpected turn - it went live-action with appearances from Jon Hamm, Jimmy Fallon, Steve Carell, and Stephen Colbert! Watch the hilarious sketch after the break.

Linkulous: Bridesmaids, Twitter-Only Reporters, Chuck Season 5, and more

Bridal Beauty: Bridesmaids Do's and Don'ts

4 decades after women entered the U.S. workforce en masse, they still make 77¢ for every dollar earned by men

Will We See Twitter-Only Reporters Soon?

REVOLUTION: Series With Female Leads Penned By Women Dominate Early Orders 

Shut up about my body, Glenn Beck

Panel Debates Social Media's Impact on Hollywood at THR Business Managers Event 

Photo: NBC Renews Chuck for Fifth Season 

I love the 90s: Flashback Video

Born in the late '80s, I grew up in the 90s and loved nearly everything mentioned in this video. It's like the entirety of VH1's I Love The 90s, condensed down into a 4 minute video. Relive your childhood by watching the video after the break!

ABDC Season 6: Justin Bieber Challenge

This week is probably going to be torturous for many of the fans. Seriously, who associates Justin Bieber with hip hop dancing? I know he’s Usher’s protégé, but come on.

With only 5 crews left, it’s getting harder and harder to pick out which crew will be in the bottom. The first group to be safe is either Instant Noodles or Iconic Boyz. Are you kidding me? Iconic Boyz are safe andInstant Noodles are in danger of going home. I guess it’s appropriate that the teen boys are the first to dance to the “teen dream” Bieber.

Crew: Iconic Boyz
Justin Bieber Song: Baby featuring Ludachris
Background: They have to incorporate basketball moves into their routine, since he played basketball in his movie NEVER SAY NEVER. They won’t have a ball on stage, so they’ll have to mime together to get the imagery across.
Routine: I love that their master mix included D-Trix’s commentary on how they’re “all like a bunch of dancing Justin Biebers.” Oh snap, did I just enjoy their routine? That was my favorite of their routines yet. They did a great job incorporating basketball movements, but JC thought it was all really easy choreography. He wants them to step up their game since that didn’t show off that they’re supposed to be among the best. Lil Mama got what they were going for and thinks they’re growing. D-Trix didn’t agree with JC this week, and turned his insult back on him. “Don’t be a crackhead, man.” He loved the progression in their movements and the story of the game they told. He’s got Bieber Fever, but this week D-Trix caught Iconic Fever.

SNL Highlight: The Lonely Island's "Jack Sparrow" with Michael Bolton

I'm a little behind on my TV since I was in Chicago for the past few days, so you may have already seen this. But in case you missed it, I finally got a chance to catch one of the most talked about sketches from the latest SNL and it's hilarious. And since The Lonely Island's Turtleneck & Chain is out today, what better time to post it? Listen to the catchy song after the break.

Good Deal: Free Coffee Bean Ice Blended!

It's almost summer, so enjoy a free, refreshing Coffee Bean Ice Blended drink in one of their new flavors! I know I'll be checking out the Mocha Mint Chip today when I need my mid-afternoon caffeine fix.

Linkulous: Fast Five, Gangster Movies, Mr. Rogers, Oreo Stuffed Cookies, and more

Why I Love Mr. Rogers

Gangster Movies I'll Always Drop Everything to Watch

This is perhaps the best farewell in the history of blogging. 

Fast forward: Why a movie about car thieves is the most progressive force in American cinema

Once More, With Feeling: Joss Whedon Revisits ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’

Sh*t My Students Write Tumblr Is Hilarious, Sad

More than 1/3rd of adults ages 19 to 29 live with their parents due to economy/few job prospects

Project Bake | Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Above: The baby photobombed himself!

Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon hit the Jersey Floor

Tina Fey is killing it this week and she hasn't even hosted SNL yet! 30 Rock's finale was hilarious and then she stopped by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to hit up the Jersey Floor.

The Jersey Floor is this magical place where you start in normal clothing, but you exit the elevator with huge hair, orange skin, and Ed Hardy shirts. Watch the club scene after the break.

ABDC Season 6: Rihanna Challenge

This week the crews take on the songs of Rihanna's top hits, and even get the help of her personal VMA Show choreographer, Demitri Scott, to make sure they include dance hall moves that have caribbean roots and that island feel.

The first crew to be safe this week is Instant Noodles, which was a surprise to me! I definitely don't consider them in the top half of the crews.

Crew: Instant Noodles
Rihanna Song: Hard
Background: They had to include a "head top" move into their routine, which is a jump down to the ground into a head stand with some booty shaking.
Routine: Lil Mama thought they could have brought more dance hall style to the performance, but loved when they did a crotch grab and then switched to the other leg. She thought it had that reggae swagger. D-Trix thought that this was their best performance yet. He pointed out the air freezes and the baby mills, but especially loved that they broke out of their mold and did some booty popping on their heads. JC thought it was clever the way they transitioned from dance hall to b-boy moves. Overall, I thought it was good but this crew has yet to blow me away. We've seen such great b-boy crews on the show before and they are just not living up to that precedent.

Tina Fey is "swearing for two" on SNL this weekend

Tina Fey is one of my favorite cast members from SNL's history, so whenever she makes a host or guest appearance, you know it'll be a great episode. Check out the promos for her episode this Saturday, where she'll be swearing for two and a whole lot more.

Good Deal: The SCREAM Trilogy on Blu-Ray for $9.49 each

When SCRE4M came out last month, I re-watched all the SCREAM films in preparation and it was a blast from the past. The first film is a new-classic horror film, being a commentary on horror film tropes while simultaneously joining the ranks of the films it critiques. The follow ups never live up to how smart it is and sometimes drown in their own desire to be just as creative, but they are still fun to watch in their own right.

You can buy them all on Blu-Ray from Amazon now for only $9.49 each below.

SCREAM















SCREAM 2















SCREAM 3

Ambitions of a Kid by R.A.K.

I've posted about R.A.K. (Random Ass Kids) before, but as a refresher it's my younger brother's rap group. They've upped the production quality and fine-tuned their lyrics a bit more on their latest track. Check out "Ambitions of a Kid" after the break.

Music Monday: America, F*ck Yeah!

In honor of Osama Bin Laden's death and this victory for America, today's Music Monday goes patriotic!