The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio
The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio |
| Posted: 01 Jun 2011 02:43 AM PDT EVER notice the sheer number of TV shows focused on young people these days? You're not the only one. It's hard not to be drawn into the fictional world of the young and the restless when it's just so darn entertaining. But there's more to the current crop of shows than the pretty faces, journey of self-discovery and tales of love and angst. For instance, Gossip Girl has characters that are always so gorgeously dressed, so much so that checking out what they are wearing is as much fun as tuning in for the latest drama. Glee, on the other hand, features a lovable cast of underdogs who express how they feel through music from a catalogue of songs, ranging from show tunes to Top 40 hits. With that in mind, Galaxie magazine takes a look at the top teen-centric shows on TV now in the June 1-15 issue, and that list includes The Vampire Diaries, 90210, Pretty Little Liars and iCarly. The cover story also has interviews with Big Time Rush, Lea Michele and Victoria Justice, all talking about their shows Big Time Rush, Glee and Victorious, respectively. The latest issue of Galaxie also sees Maroon 5 revelling in having their songs featured on Glee, Switchfoot finding it strange to fall under the rock gospel category of music and Johnny Depp revealing that Penelope Cruz taught him the raunchiest Spanish words. And as usual, Galaxie rounds up the juiciest goss from the East and the West and gives you the low-down on the latest movie and music releases. Galaxie, which is owned by Star Publications (M) Bhd, also has a presence online at galaxieblog.com.my, which is packed with celebrity news and views. For even more updates on the magazine, its blog and the entertainment world, follow Galaxie on Twitter (twitter.com/galaxiemag) and visit its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GalaxieMagazine). – Evelyn Teo Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Posted: 01 Jun 2011 02:42 AM PDT House MD follows a new direction in Season Seven, which proves to be a bitter pill to swallow. HOOK-ups on television are hard to pull off. Take Moonlighting and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman for example – these are two shows that absolutely thrived on the sexual tension between the two leads. The minute the couple was allowed to unearth their true feelings for each other, however, everything that sizzled about them just fizzled out. In the end, it was the shows that suffered. In the new season of House MD, the writers seem to be attempting to allow the love story between House and Cuddy to develop. After six long seasons of shameless flirting between Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) and Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), the series' sixth season ended with Cuddy confessing her love for House and wanting to find out if a relationship with the grumpy fellow was possible. No doubt, the relationship has been a long time coming. Especially when you factor in that these two characters first met each other more than 20 years ago as medical students. The "relationship" was never too obvious save for when the uncaring House showed his jealous streak when Cuddy dated another man (Season Four) or when House began hallucinating about a sexual relationship with her (Season Five). So, it makes sense that the writers want to pursue the relationship. At the same time, this new direction provides a chance for the title character go on an uncharted path. The series explores what happens when a cantakerous man starts floating on cloud nine – does he change his miserable ways or does he bungle the chance to be happy just because it's not in his DNA makeup? Many viewers – even those in the so-called Huddy camp (as fans have dubbed the couple) – found the way the season opener was set up nauseauting. First and foremost, that episode – titled What Now? – plays out like something a teenager may have cooked up. Did the writers actually visit the online fanfic sites to get some ideas on how the fans would want the issue to be tackled? Watching House and Cuddy all over each other for an hour was not pretty, to say the least. What's worse is that, in later episodes, we see some of the things House commits in the name of love (or in spite of it) and – in my opinion – all his actions have just made him a lesser character. In the past, even when the series showcased some dull episodes, House always managed to be surprising and entertaining. This season, he may have his moments, but the character is more irritating than anything else, and pathetic and undignified. Maybe this is a sign that the series has run its course? After all, when you don't like the main guy so much, I think it's time to let the series go. House's love life aside, things are not any better with his team members – they are being relegated to playing the same parts over and over. It has always been my contention that the series was just wasting Jesse Spencer's character, Chase. This Aussie doctor grew up with a religious background and has daddy issues (like House). So why not make use of the character more instead of just making him the object of House's insults? Spencer has proven to be quite adept at delivering funny lines, and we appreciate it, but it's almost like the character is never allowed to grow. Yes, despite the fact we have seen Chase go through life-changing experiences – he was directly responsible for the death of a patient and his marriage to Cameron ended – it all seemed artificial. It seems the subplots and the supporting cast are obviously just there to allow House to administer his medicine to his benefit or amusement. Even Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) seems one-dimensional this season. As for Foreman (Omar Epps) and Thirteen (Olivia Wilde), they have never intrigued me much. Ditto Taub (Peter Jacobson) and his storyline surrounding his marriage. Here's the only good thing about the show's seventh year – the temporary exit of Thirteen and the introduction of Martha M. Masters (Amber Tamblyn). Masters is a student with zero experience in the field, but that doesn't stop her from having opinions and (unfortunately) an impractical view of how the real world works. For example, she feels it's better to tell the truth every time even if that would cause more harm than good. Naturally, this puts her at odds with House, who has held onto the belief that everyone lies. Both Laurie and Tamblyn are capable actors who make the most of their characters' traits, turning each scene featuring the two into a searing match-off. The scenes between the two also happen to be very funny and, at times, touching. It is at these moments that the writing shines through. The dynamic between these two characters allows the series to explore right and wrong in an interesting manner. Although House is the one who ends up being right concerning a patient, Masters usually makes valid points as well. In that way, it is nice to see House being challenged by someone so young (and, frankly, quite naive). Thanks to his interaction with Masters, the House we love makes brief appearances every now and then, before he turns into the puppy-eyed doctor in love who seems to have replaced him. So, while House MD remains somewhat watchable – largely thanks to Laurie, Tamblyn and more than a few clever moments – the series is not as engaging as it used to be. Before anyone had the chance to say: "Can somebody do something stet, before the series is declared completely dead?", news broke two weeks ago that Edelstein is not returning for the series' Season Eight (and apparently its final season). Sorry to see her go, but it does provide the show a good opportunity for resuscitation. House MD is aired on AXN, Tuesday to Thursday at 10:55pm. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| Posted: 30 May 2011 04:42 PM PDT Rachel Allen inspires one to cook with her easy-to-prepare dishes which are wholesome and flavourful. HAD a dash of inspiration suddenly not flavoured celebrity chef Rachel Allen's ambitions at the age of 18, the world might very well be walking around in her shoes (literally) rather than salivating over her recipes. Many fans of the Irish cooking queen may not know that when she was debating what to do with her future, Rachel seriously considered taking up shoe-designing. Luckily for foodies everywhere, Rachel decided to turn her passion towards cooking instead. During an interview at the World Gourmet Summit (WGS) 2011 held in Singapore recently, Rachel admitted that it took her a while to realise her calling as a chef. "It's funny, I always knew I loved cooking and baking, I always knew I loved food, and I always knew I loved being creative. But you know sometimes, something's right in front of you, and you don't realise it. (Back then), I was thinking, what should I do, should I design shoes? And suddenly I realised, oh, food! Why don't I try that?" Her decision led her to the internationally-reputed Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland, where she trained under the tutelage of her future mother-in-law, Irish celebrity chef Darina Allen. Currently residing in County Cork, Ireland, with her husband and three children, 39-year-old Rachel first became known to television audiences in 2004 through the show Rachel's Favourite Food, which was broadcast in Ireland, Australia and Italy, among others. This was followed by several more TV shows as well as best-selling books on cooking. In Asia, Allen is best known for her BBC Lifestyle show, Rachel Allen: Home Cooking, which premiered last year. Currently, she can be seen on the channel in Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties. It was at Ballymaloe that Rachel acquired a whole new way of looking at cooking, a philosophy that she continues to espouse today: that good ingredients, simply prepared, will give great results. "I remember one of the earliest lessons I had with my now mother-in-law. There I was, completely enthusiastic to learn about cooking, and she told us all to get down and do composting!" Rachel recalled with a laugh. "I was completely shocked. I was thinking, 'This woman's mad!' But then, I got it. That is where good food starts, and is the source of all good produce, which is what makes a dish taste great," she said. Her recipes are all about showcasing the tastes of high-quality produce, Rachel explained. "If the produce is already good, you don't need to do much to it. Some lovely fresh herbs perhaps, and you'll have a special dish already." Her focus on flavourful simplicity is perhaps part of the reason why she is fast gaining popularity among her viewers. Known for her home-style cooking, Rachel prides herself on teaching recipes that are not only delicious but also easy to learn and reproduce at home. Coupled with her friendly, down-to-earth demeanour, this makes learning from her shows or books feel almost like swapping recipes with a friend. Her aim, she said, is to provide people who lead busy lives with the tools they need to cook and eat good food. "I don't see myself as a celebrity chef, I see myself as a teacher, and I'm definitely not afraid to cook very simple food. The biggest compliment people have paid me is to say, 'I couldn't cook before, and I cooked your food and now I cook for my family or friends.' I really like that!" she enthused. "I remember so well that feeling when I realised suddenly that I could cook. It was really exciting, and I would love it if I could pass that on. It's the most important thing you can do for yourself, and it's a skill everyone should have." At the Rachel Allen Celebrity Dinner organised in Conrad Centennial Singapore as part of the WGS, where guests were treated to a sit-down dinner prepared by the chef herself, her penchant for quality produce and fuss-free cooking was on full display. From a salad nicoise chockfull of fresh, ripe tomatoes, free-range eggs and creamy potatoes, to the deliciously crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth roast pork belly in fennel and garlic rub, to the bread and butter pudding laced with apples and blackberries, the dishes of the night were simple yet bursting with flavour. "I wanted to showcase very simple dishes, but let the main ingredients speak for themselves. For instance, the pork, which was simply enhanced by the fennel and garlic, or the salad, which gets its flavours from the lovely freshness of the ingredients," she said. To those who lack confidence in their ability to whip up a dish, Rachel simply had this to say: "Yes, you can! Think about what you enjoy eating, and start from there. If you try to cook something that you don't really like for someone else, your heart and soul is not going to be in it." Rachel Allen's Dinner Parties airs on BBC Lifestyle (Channel 140 on HyppTV by UniFi) every Friday at 8pm. Full Feed Generated by Get Full RSS, sponsored by USA Best Price. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan