Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have some 'splaining to do
12/5/2008"...as human beings we are capable of making sense of situations based on the thinnest slice of experience."
Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink and The Tipping Point.
THOSE CRAZY KIDS: Reality TV show actors/characters/real people/whatever they are, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag from The Hills snuck off and got married and he's sticking up for himself. Margaritas and $8 rings were involved, but only a cynic would think this won't last forever and ever. Her mom is not happy, though. She gives it six months. (RL)
THE GRAMMIES, BLAH, BLAH: Is there any awards show more thorougly dissed and dogged than the Grammies? Every year it's the same thing: weird nominee selections and plenty of criticism. Even this year's show to announce the nominations was smacked down. (RL)
DVD PICK OF THE WEEK: For your consideration ... Lathe of Heaven. Based on the Ursula K. Le Guin novel, Lathe of Heaven is the tale of George Orr, a man whose dreams alter reality. Starring Bruce Davison (he played the anti-mutant senator in the original X-Men movie) as Orr and Kevin Conway as the psychiatrist who attempts to control his dreams, Lathe of Heaven was a 1980 made-for-PBS production, which meant a brainy sci-fi movie made on a frugal budget. This works to the film's favor, though, as it isn't crammed with outdated effects, just bad haircuts. The movie is creepy and memorable, and certainly worth a viewing. Lathe of Heaven was remade in 2002 with a better-known cast -- including James Caan -- but stick to the superior original version. (KB)
AND THE WINNER IS...: In the contest between pop stars with overinflated egos, a penchant for public temper tantrums, and the occasional freak out, Kanye West has convincingly smacked down Guns N Roses among CD buyers. Meanwhile Taylor Swift -- who by all accounts does not have an overinflated ego, a penchant for temper tantrums or the occasional freak out -- is getting ready for her 19th birthday party. The Thin Slices staff eagerly awaits our invitation.
GIVE A GUY A BREAK: Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy is one of those dudes people work themselves into a frothy hatred over that's completely out of line with reality. Details magazine headlined its feature on him, "Is it time to stop hating Pete Wentz." Yes, we at Thin Slices say: stop hating him.
HE HAS A PLAN: Everyone needs a reason to get up in the morning. Brad Pitt: upper-lip hair. And, "It's political." Go out and vote. World leaders say "get in line little man."
MORE MEMORY: Wiki's master list of Christmas Specials allows us to organize memory lane. From Invader Zim to John Denver and the Muppets to Grey's Anatomy. Jingle Bells. (KC)
SEARCH FOR INTELLIGENCE: Britney Spears more interesting than Barack Obama?? Yes, Yahoo declares. Just so that we're clear on which pop tart, yes, this pop tart. (KC)
TO THE ER: Is Parminder Nagra expecting her first child? The ER star is linked to photographer beau, James Stenson. (KC)
TUMULTUOUS II: Will Whitney Houston and ex-hubby Bobby Brown hitch up for round two? Whitney has a new disc, needs the tumult. (KC)
FLOATER: Trace Adkins joined Varsity Fanclub, Miley Cyrus, David Archuletta, Darius Rucker for Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Adkins floated through "You're Gonna Miss This" with family in tow. It was just last week that The Blade's Brian Dugger spoke with Adkins about the new disc and "All I Ask For Anymore." (KC)
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