George Clooney is vlogging — that’s video blogging for those not hip to interweb lingo — and despite the fact that he’s doing it to raise awareness of the situation in Chad, the quick dispatches are actually kinda funny, including this one here, where George laments how his hairdo, expensive as it is, should have survived the trip to Chad. Enjoy.
The reviews today haven’t been overwhelmingly positive, but I have to say, I really kind of enjoyed the premiere episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. I think he did a good job with the monologue, and I appreciated all the goofy humor of the first third of the show (maybe it’s because I was watching that part in the morning, when I was still half asleep). Sure, Jimmy’s gotta work on his interviewing skills so he’s as comfortable with someone like Justin Timberlake as he is with someone like “Bob” De Niro, but I’ll keep tuning in because I like Jimmy Fallon and this show looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun.
For a taste of what Jimmy has going on, here’s my favorite part of the episode: where Jimmy and the Roots (his awesome house band) “slow jam” a news story about opposition to Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan. Enjoy!
Forget that this video is entirely en Francais. Just watch Emma Thompson cringe and then rush on stage — in the middle of an awards ceremony!! — to try and help the totally clueless and very nervous French actress Julie Ferrier with her dress.
Sean Penn looks amused too, and there’s certainly a nervous, um, tittering coming from the audience.
Alright. It’s still early in the season, and quite frankly, I’m not impressed with too many contestants in the so-called Top 36, but I think I’m going to go out on a limb now and predict that when all the votes are cast, Kris Allen will be our next American Idol. Don’t hold me to this. It’s just that of the 24 people who’ve sung these past two weeks, Kris, with his performance of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror,” was the one who impressed me the most. I’m actually glad he made it to the finals. Kris has a great voice and I really enjoy the way he feels the music when he sings. The kid’s got stage presence. No, he wasn’t perfect Wednesday night (the song ends better than it begins), but I think Kris will only get better from here. Will this be the year the Martin Pick actually wins? After all, it didn’t work for Haley Scarnato or Elliott Yamin. Let’s see how far this guy can go.
Any time I talk about my job these days it’s hard not to feel like I’m rubbing it in, especially since it’s so tough out there for so many people (I know it well, having spent the better part of the past year looking for a new gig). So as you might imagine, I’m a little hesitant to post a link to the story WBZ Channel 4 here in Boston aired about my company tonight — but I’m going to do it anyway because it’s really great. I’m just so happy and proud (and lucky) that I can’t help sharing this with y’all. And hey, before you get bitter, look at it this way: Getting a new job often comes down to who you know (that’s partly how I got this one), and I’m more than happy to be a man on the inside if you need some help. Of course, if you’re not in the market for a new job in Boston, well, then maybe you’ll just enjoy watching the video and looking for the quick glimpses of me. I’m the goofy-looking guy in the big conference room wearing glasses and a navy blue gingham shirt. At around the 1:03 mark there’s a great shot of my back, and at other points you’ll see me from the front and side. Here’s that link again. Enjoy.
The Amazing Race returned last night for its 14th (!!) season. Even after all these years, the show remains new and exciting every season because while teams will make similar mistakes, they never go to the same exact cities or do the same exact stunts. Case in point: Last night, in Interlaken, Switzerland, the teams had to walk up a steep, slippery hill, where they had to grab four 50-pound slabs of cheese per team, and then they had to bring them down the hill on a carrying device. Suffice it to say, it wasn’t so easy. You can watch for yourself right here:
(If you want to watch the full episode, just click here. It’s worth it.)
Ten teams remain (including one with the show’s first deaf contestant). The show airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. on CBS, and next week the teams really get creamed in Germany. One season, I’m hoping you may even see me racing. I mean, hell, if one of the stunts is doing a 70-story bungee jump, then I am so there. The world is waiting for me.
What If Barack Obama starred in his own Washington, D.C.–set version of The Hills or The City? Watch this and see for yourself what some folks at Newsweek have cooked up. There’s nothing staged about it.