High Res Entertainment

Digital film festival RESFEST kicks off the Toronto leg of it's 10th anniversary tour tonight (November 30) - throughout the programme there will be several offerings sure to interest the discriminating music fan.

Rock the Bells is a feature documentary about the Wu Tang Clan 2004 reunion concert while the Radiohead Retrospective presents videos from Thom Yorke et al spanning the course of a decade. There will also be a keynote address by Dougal Wilson, director of commercials as well as music videos for the likes of Dizzee Rascal (Dream), The Streets (Fit But You Know It) and British Sea Power (Remember Me).

Also likely worth a gander is the decidedly non-musical Vice Guide to Travel. Celebrity contributors (like Johnny Knoxville and David Cross) and regular correspondents from the innovative and often controversial Vice magazine make their way to various global destinations - such as Chernobyl and Beirut - not likely to be featured in your glossier travel mags. If this clip is anything to go by, one can expect gonzo reporting in keeping with typicalVice style.

RESFEST 2006 runs from November 30 through December 3 at Theatre D of the Royal Theatre (608 College).

Indie Minded

The current issue (2/12/06) of the NME includes the second of three free CDs in the Independent Thinking series.

All the artists featured on the disc are from UK-based, independent label Transgressive Records. Included are tracks from The Young Knives, Regina Spektor, Mystery Jets, Noisettes and The Subways. There's also a feature spread inside the mag the highlights the label and it's artists.

You can stream the entire CD here or pick up a physical copy with your purchase of the NME magazine - it's out now in the UK and will probably make it to North American shores in the next 1 or 2 weeks.

Mea Culpa

Though I did note in a post from earlier this week that Tom Waits would be appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday (November 27), I failed to mention that he's also be on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night (November 28). Actually, I just didn't know about his appearance until yesterday but that's besides the point.

Both the interview and performance were fantastic. Jon Stewart was especially cute because it was his 44th birthday and he's a Waits fan and so he was just all kinds of excited.

For those of you who missed it, you can go to the video section of the The Daily Show/Comedy Central website to watch clips of the show.

More Live Stuff

Oasis in their current form (from left to right) Gem Archer, Andy Bell, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher

While we're on the topic live performance, you can head on over to MSN for a whole whack of Oasis concert footage.

You can catch a full acoustic performance featuring Noel and Gem of the band, taped live last night at Le Cabaret Sauvage Parc de la Villette in Paris.

There are also a couple of extended clips from the recently released Oasis tour documentary which MSN mistakenly calls Stop The Clocks (that's the name of their new greatest hits album) but is actually entitled Lord Don't Slow Me Down.

And while we're on the topic of Noel Gallagher (who I have a huge crush on, bushy eyebrows and all), check out this month's issue of Exclaim! magazine. Noel is interviewed for the mag's regular Questionnaire feature, where he fields questions in his typical colourful, witty style.

Welcome Baby Phoenix

Congratulations go out to director Sofia Coppola and her boyfriend, Phoenix lead singer Thomas Mars who are celebrating the birth of their first child, a girl named Romy.

Reuters reports that the baby was born yesterday (November 28) in Paris.

Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars

First Airports, Now Talk Shows

Snoop and Jay Leno chat during a past interview

Rapper Snoop Dogg can't seem to avoid ending up in handcuffs no matter where he goes.

His most recent brush with the law happened just last night (November 28) as he was leaving the Burbank California studios of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno where he had just taped a performance. Burbank police arrested Snoop (born Calvin Broadus) and two members of his entourage after a search on their car produced drugs and a firearm. Snoop was booked, with bail set at $60 000.

This makes the fourth time in the past 12 months that Big Snoop Dogg has had some legal issues. Every other bust happened at an airport though so I guess this most recent incident marks some sort of improvement. Let's hope Snoop can make it to the end of the year without a fifth bust.

I wonder if Jay Leno will make mention of the arrest in his monologue tonight.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen, the latest musical project for Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz) has been quite active as of late.

They've already released one single, Herculean, with another, Kingdom of Doom, scheduled to come out mid-January, both of which you can listen to via the GBQ website. They've also got a slew of live shows coming up in the new year (most of which have already sold out) and a performance on Later with Jools Holland slated for December 8.

Gah! Sometimes, productive people really get on my nerves. I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet.

Backstreet's Back In Chicago

I can't believe I'm just getting around to blogging about this bit of news.

Kevin Richardson, formerly that relatively older fellow from the Backstreet Boys, is currently starring in the Toronto production of the musical Chicago as slick lawyer Billy Flynn.

By all accounts, he's doing a pretty good job and I can actually see the role as being a good fit for him. All that time performing intricate dance numbers in elaborate costumes while he was with BSB probably served him quite well as preparation for his current gig.

Chicago is running now until December 3 2006 at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.

The Return Of Bis

Sci-fi Steven, John Disco and Manda Rin

NME has some good news for fans of now defunct (de-what?) Scottish trio, Bis.

Glaswegian cuties Manda Rin, Sci-fi Steven and John Disco will reunite to play two shows next year (April 6 in Glasgow, April 7 in London) to mark the 10-year anniversary of their first release, Transistor Heroes.

Bis split in 2003 after the release of their third album. The members had reformed under the name data Panik but I'm not entirely sure of the current state of that project. The band seems to still be fairly active though it looks like Manda is about to embark on a (possibly temporary) solo career.

Two More Celeb Couples Bite The Dust

Pam & Kid (top) and Hilary & Joel in happier times

Seems that teen queen Hilary Duff and pop/punkster Joel Madden (Good Charlotte) have ended their relationship. The two had been officially dating since 2005 (when Duff turned 18) but were rumoured to be an item long before that. It's thought that the 8-year difference in their ages was the main cause for the split.

Then there's Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock (aka Robert Ritchie). Just a few months ago, these two were so in love that they expressed their wedded bliss in no less than four marriage ceremonies. However, the honeymoon is clearly over with both Anderson and Ritchie filing divorce papers within minutes of each other in a Los Angeles court this morning (interestingly, Pam gives the date of separation as November 21 while Kid lists it as November 26).

Now, I don't think anyone is truly shocked that Pammy and Kid didn't manage to stick it out for the long haul but I, for one, didn't think it would be over this soon. Apparently, neither did the editors of GQ magazine who just named the ill-fated couple Newlyweds of the Year in the current issue. Bad timing, indeed.

Teletunes Preview

Here are some of the musical performers scheduled to appear on late-night TV in the coming week. Note: * indicates an encore episode


MONDAY

• Tom Waits (pictured) - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI2)

TUESDAY

• Snoop Dogg - Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35pm - NBC, A-Channel)
• The Decemberists - David Letterman

WEDNESDAY

• My Morning Jacket - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (12:35am - NBC, A-Channel)
• Sparta - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35am - CBS, CH)

THURSDAY

• Jenny Lewis - Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)
• Matt Costa - Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35am - NBC)

FRIDAY

• Sarah McLachlan - Jay Leno
• The Rapture - Carson Daly

SATURDAY

• Tenacious D - Saturday Night Live (11:35pm - NBC, GlobalTV)

If you got some free time during the day on Thursday, check out The Ellen Degeneres Show for musical guest Snoop Dogg. Check local listings for airtimes.

49 And Counting

Tune in to The Passionate Eye tonight for the seventh installment in award-winning director Michael Apted's Up series.


It all started just over 42 years ago with 7 Up, a television documentary which featured 14 randomly selected 7-year olds from a cross-section of British society and interviewed them about their lives at the time and their desires for the future.


Every seven years since, the filmmakers have returned to document the progress of the subjects, comparing their lives to each other and to what they'd each predicted for their future selves in the original installment.

It's a fascinating series and a rather sobering testament to the fact that a person's true self can, more or less, be determined by the age of 7.

Part 1 of 49 Up airs tonight (November 26) at 10pm EST on CBC Newsworld. It concludes Monday (November 27) at 10pm EST.

To Be Fair, The Stones Did Have A Bit Of A Head Start

The Rolling Stones now hold the bragging rights to the top-grossing tour ever, having wrenched the title back from U2 who held it but for the briefest of moments.

Billboard reports that The Stones' A Bigger Bang tour has grossed an estimated $437 million (all figures US) since it's debut in the fall of 2005. That eclipses U2's Vertigo tour, which raked in approximately $333 million between March 2005 and March 2006. Prior to that, the Stones 1994/95 Voodoo Lounge tour had held the record with an estimated $320 million in grosses.

The dollar figures themselves are staggering enough, to be sure. Even more mindblowing is that The Stones can still manage to tour at all given that the current members range in age from 59 to 64 years.

U2 must feel like total pussies.

Viktor & Rolf & Rufus (& H&M)

Tonight's episode of Fashion Television turns the spotlight on Dutch design duo Viktor & Rolf.


First, we're treated to the Spring/Summer 2007 Womenswear runway show, which features a live performance by Canadian crooner Rufus Wainwright (near right). Next, we get a behind-the-scenes look at the duo's work on their highly anticipated, limited-edition clothing line for retail chain H&M.

Finally, FT shares some raw footage of the chaotic debut of the Viktor&Rolf for H&M collection (see publicity photo, far right) at the retailer's Toronto Eaton Centre flagship store. The video is just over 3 minutes in length and that's just about as long as it takes for the entire collection to sell out. Trust me - I was there and it was complete madness. Take particular note of the psycho-greedy-beeyotch who parks herself at the base of display rack with her body splayed over a huge mound of clothes. A true fashion victim.

Fashion Television airs Saturdays at 6:30pm on CityTV inToronto. Check your local listings for airtimes across the rest of the country.

"Best of" Not "The Best-est" According To Liam G.

With all the chaos going on the world, one can find a certain comfort and stability in the knowledge that Oasis bandmates and brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher will always find something to disagree on.

In this weekend's edition of The (UK) Sun, the two are revealed to be at odds over the tracklisting of the group's just released greatest hits package called Stop The Clocks.

At issue is the blatant omission of songs from the Brit group's 1997 release Be Here Now. Liam feels that Rockin' Chair and D'You Know What I Mean in particular were standout tracks that should have been included.

Noel counters that D'You Know What I Mean was initially included but was dropped at the last minute because it was "just too long. It upset the flow of the album."

Check out the rest of the really quite funny Sun interview (which features all the current Oasis bandmembers answering fan/reader questions) to find out (among other things) which member is Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story) reincarnated, the importance of good rock & roll hair and the probability of the band being portrayed on the musical stage or big screen in the future.

Stop The Clocks - Track Listing

Disc: 1
1. Rock 'N' Roll Star
2. Some Might Say
3. Talk Tonight
4. Lyla
5. Importance of Being Idle
6. Wonderwall
7. Slide Away
8. Cigarettes & Alcohol
9. Masterplan

Disc: 2
1. Live Forever
2. Acquiesce
3. Supersonic
4. Half the World Away
5. Go Let It Out
6. Songbird
7. Morning Glory
8. Champagne Supernova
9. Don't Look Back in Anger

Disc: 3
1. Fade Away [DVD][Live][*]
2. Champagne Supernova [DVD][Live][*]
3. Bonus Material [DVD][*]

Another Baby Seal

Leni, Heidi (pregnant with Johan) Seal and Henry

I'm sure most of you have heard by now but, just to reiterate, Heidi Klum gave birth to a baby boy this past Wednesday (November 22). It's her third child, the second with singer Seal.

I'm really only bothering to repeat the news here so that I have an excuse to print out the child's name in full. Please welcome into the world Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo. Love it! I'm not kidding either, I think that's a kick-ass name.

Little Johan joins older brother Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu (1 year) and eldest child Leni (2 years, Klum's daughter with Formula One manager Flavio Briatore) in this ever-expanding, happy brood.

Given the rate they're going, I'd put odds on Klum being with child again by the new year.

George Lends John's Piano For JFK Memorial

Lennon "peace piano"

Reuters has a rather odd story about a piano that once belonged to John Lennon (and is currently owned by George Michael) being used in yesterday's (November 22) memorial in Dallas, TX which marked the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

Somehow, the presence of the piano was supposed to represent the spirit of world peace that Kennedy and Lennon both shared and that Michael continues to support. Or something.

Honestly, I'm not really sure what it was all supposed to mean and, apparently, many people who attended the event were just as confused. No matter, I'm sure they all meant well.

Eye Is Looking Out For You

Last week NOW magazine provided a disc guide to help befuddled CD and DVD buyers with their holiday shopping. This week, Toronto's other eminent street mag, eye Weekly, weighs in with their own Holiday Record Guide.

Included are reviews of over 100 CDs and music DVDs, artists' picks and feature interviews with the likes of Tenacious D and (no joke) Hall & Oates who are happy to blather on to promote their respective holiday releases.

This week's NOW also provides a more general Holiday Gift Guide for those of you who actually know people whose life does not revolve around music.

Qui Est In, Qui Est Out

Though the NME is dropping a few hints about who made their 2006 Cool List, it's the kids at Stereogum who've got the lowdown on all 50 of the hipsters who made the grade this year.

In the #1 position is Beth Ditto (pictured, centre) of The Gossip, noteworthy as the first female ever to top the list. So powerful is she in her super-cool femaleness that she manages to knock last year's top dog, Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) all the way down to #32.

Other names of note on the list include both Meg and Jack White (The White Stripes), Albert Hammond Jr (The Strokes), Jay-Z, Mike Skinner (The Streets), Liam (but not Noel) Gallagher, Cat Power, Lupe Fiasco, Pete Doherty (WTF?!?), Brandon Flowers (No, seriously, WTF?!?), Lovefoxxx (CSS) and Carl Barat (Dirty Pretty Things).

Once again, NME provides no formula that explains their ranking system but they do speak to a few of the "listed" for their musings on why they were tipped for coolness.

Madge Does Prime Time

Tonight marks the North American network television premiere of Madonna's Confessions tour (8pm on NBC and MuchMoreMusic).


The concert was filmed earlier this year at London's Wembley Arena and will mostly feature songs from her most recent release, Confessions On A Dance Floor, but will also include classics from her 20+ year music career.

One thing the special will not include is the infamous (but really rather contrived) "Madonna on the cross" segment* that, once again, landed the pop icon in the type of controversy that she truly revels in.

We'll just have to be satisfied with watching Madge prance around in her cheesy aerobics gear and bad disco hair.

*I've actually only heard that NBC had nixed this segment, I'm not sure if MuchMoreMusic (known to be much more lenient) plans to follow suit.

Another Drummer Down

Last week, it was Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong who was sidelined with a collapsed lung that forced the band to cancel the rest of their current tour.

Now, the NME reports that The Zutons have had to cancel tonight's (November 21) gig in Brighton UK because their drummer, Sean Payne (pictured, far right), has been diagnosed with a viral infection.

The band are currently taking a wait-and-see attitude to determine whether Payne might be well enough for their scheduled Thursday (November 23) gig in Manchester.

In the meantime, tickets bought for the cancelled show can be refunded at point of purchase.

American Music Bores

The 2006 American Music Awards air tonight at 8pm on ABC and CTV.

Um, yeah. I'm totally not interested and don't plan to watch although I will keep my eyes and ears open for any reports on any Kanye West/sore loser temper tantrums. Really, it's the only thing that would make this annual snorefest remotely newsworthy.

Sweet and Live

Pitchfork Media has some photographs (including the above, all taken by Leo Stefansson) of The Sugarcubes' one-off reunion concert held this past Friday (November 17) inReykjavikk, Iceland.

The photos look great though, I must admit, it took me awhile to see them clearly through the haze of green envy that was clouding my vision.

If I can find a proper review of the concert I'll post it in the comments section.

Jigga's 24-Hour Jaunt

Rapper Jay-Z staged a series of seven concerts over a 24-hour period this past weekend to promote his comeback album, Kingdom Come, scheduled to be released tomorrow (November 21).

The 30-minute concerts were held in the U.S. cities of Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, New York, Las Angeles and Las Vegas. The first concert began at 6am (WTF?!?), Saturday in Atlanta while the last began at 3am (much more reasonable) Sunday in Las Vegas.

The Associated Press (via the Toronto Star) has a very good article detailing the on-stage and behind-the-scenes highlights of the cross-country trek.

Teletunes

The following are some of the musical artists scheduled to appear on late night TV in the coming week. Note: * indicates an encore episode.

MONDAY

• Chris Cornell - Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35pm - NBC, A-Channel)
• DJ Shadow & Q-Tip - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI2)
• Diddy (panel guest and performer) - Jimmy Kimmel Live* (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)
• Fiona Apple - Last Call with Carson Daly* (1:35am - NBC)
  

TUESDAY

• Jerry Lee Lewis & Kid Rock (?!?) - Jay Leno
• Robyn Hitchcock - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (12:35am - NBC, A-Channel)

WEDNESDAY

• Jay-Z - Jimmy Kimmel
• Lupe Fiasco (pictured) & Jill Scott - David Letterman
• Billy Talent - Conan O'Brien
• Ice T (panel guest) - Carson Daly

THURSDAY

• Regina Spektor - Jimmy Kimmel
• Brand New Heavies - Conan O'Brien

FRIDAY

• Fat Joe - Carson Daly

SATURDAY

• Beck - Saturday Night Live* (11:35pm - NBC, GlobalTV)

For those of you with a little free time during the day this week, check in with The Ellen Degeneres Show for Jay-Z (Tuesday) and Justin Timberlake* (Thursday). Check your local listings for air times.

Goldfrapp Hits The Target

U.S. department store Target recently started airing a holiday ad which includes an accompanying theme tune that might be familiar to some.

The chilly electronica melody and icy cool vocals are from the song Fly Me Away by UK duo Goldfrapp (pictured) off their latest release Supernature.

Though the retail giant and relatively unknown dance act would seem to make strange bedfellows, it's likely the union was mutually beneficial for both parties. Goldfrapp get a nice chunk of change and increased exposure in North America while Target manages to ramp up it's cool factor while providing a low-key alternative to the notoriously flashy and celebrity-heavy Gap holiday ads.

In other Goldfrapp news, a recent post on their MySpace blog reveals that they've filmed an appearance on the HBO series The L Word. In the episode (which will air sometime in 2007) the band performs as themselves at Planet, the nightclub/lounge run by the character of Kit played by Pam Grier.

Jack & Meg Strap On Tutus

OK, not exactly. But The White Stripes are making the grande jetee into the world of ballet. Last night (November 17) marked the premiere of Chroma, an original production staged by The Royal Ballet as part of their 2006/7 season.

Chroma, which is one of a trio of ballets - the other two being The Four Temperaments and Danse A Grande Vitesse - presented as a single performance, features music written by The White Stripes and Joby Talbot (formerly of The Divine Comedy) and arranged by Talbot.

I'm not entirely clear on the concept behind Chroma. According to the synopsis, choreographer Wayne McGregor "will pair his intense interest in our perceptions of the experience of space and movement with the first stage designs from the minimalist architect and designer John Pawson, famous for his starkly elegant use of light and space". It probably makes sense when you see it.

Chroma runs until November 29 2006 at The Royal Opera House in London (UK).

Adrian Mole & The Very Catchy Theme Song

I'm currently reading Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction, the sixth book in British author Sue Townsend's Adrian Mole series. This installment continues to follow the hapless and somewhat pretentious yet surprisingly endearing Adrian Mole as he struggles to cope with being a single father in his mid-30s, drowning in debt, grappling with romantic relationships and worrying about the impending war in Iraq. It's all documented in his ever-present diary with painstaking detail and unintentional (on his part) hilarity.

When the first two books in the series - The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 and The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole - were released in the 1980s, they were widely popular and catapulted Townsend to celebrity author status that would certainly have been on par with J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series. In fact, much like Harry Potter, the Adrian Mole books inspired spin-offs into other media including a play and a TV show.

The 12 episode British television series based on those first two books aired from 1985 to 1987 and I was an avid fan.* So much so that, even as I'm reading the most recent book, I find myself singing (or, when I can't recall the words, humming) the show's theme song. I finally had to go ahead and google the lyrics just to give myself a little peace of mind - a reprint appears below.

For those of you with fond memories of Adrian Mole, please enjoy this bit of musical nostalgia. For those who are unfamiliar, might I suggest seeking out the books and TV series. To everyone, I'd also highly recommend two other Townsend penned novels, The Queen & I and Number 10.

ADRIAN MOLE TELEVISION SERIES THEME

I'm Profoundly In Love With Pandora composed by Ian Dury

My mother's heart and soul
Have gone halfway up the pole
My father's on the dole
This is taking its toll
My friend Bert is much too old
And his dog's beyond control
Though it sometimes seems they're droll
It's a nuisance on the whole

I'm profoundly in love with Pandora
My poem has an intellectual theme
The tenderness with which I adore her
Goes all bouncy in my dreams

Yesterday my chin was clear
Now a new spot has appeared
Barry Kent had cost me dear
Till my Grandma interfered
The BBC know I'm sincere
In making writing my career
Wish my mum would come back here
Lots of ups and downs this year

I'm profoundly in love with Pandora
She's got knee-socks and treacle-coloured hair
The tenderness with which I adore her
Is something fine and rare

But, my father's in a mess
And there's a great deal of stress
At our house and my major concern
Is that things might return to normal
So get rid of that creep
And come back to sleep
In our house we both miss you mum
So hurry up and come back home

My mother's heart and soul
Have gone halfway up the pole

Though it sometimes seems they're droll
It's a nuisance on the whole

Yesterday my chin was clear
Now a new spot has appeared
Profoundly in love with Pandora

Wish my mum would come back here
Lots of ups and downs this year

I'm profoundly in love with Pandora
Things aren't always what they seem
The tenderness with which I adore her
Is indeed a love supreme

*There was another series, based on Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years, that aired in 2001 but I've never seen it.

Casino Royale Raises The Stakes

RATING: 10/10

REVIEW:

I saw the new James Bond film Casino Royale last night and, I have to say, it was everything I was hoping for and more.

Though I'm a huge Daniel Craig fan (not sure if you've noticed), I still had my doubts about the film. I've never really been into the whole James Bond phenomenon - the Sean Connery ones were entertaining enough but I've little patience for any of them since. With each new film came an increasingly unfortunate amount of (unintentional?) camp that just put me right off the whole business. I tried to watch the last Pierce Brosnan installment (Die Another Day)and was bored into unconsciousness within about half an hour (and I like Pierce Brosnan).

No such problem with Casino Royale. I was caught up in the action and suspense from the the first frame and didn't unclench my stomach until the final credits rolled.

The opening chase sequence is breathtaking with Craig's Bond pursuing a baddie (Sebastian Foucan) up and down the sides of buildings and along construction cranes in a style known as parkour (free running) of which Foucan is a champion. I'm pretty sure Brosnan's Bond wouldn't have been scaling walls at top speed - at least not without some technical gadget helping him along.

I really liked the idea of the post-9/11 villain Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) who's not so much interested in world domination as he is helping terrorists whose blood-money will fund his big stakes gambling habit. His weeping-blood eye creeped me right out.

I had been prepared to be a bit impatient at the long running time (almost 2 1/2 hours) and the central poker plot line but neither was much an issue for me. The poker scenes, while somewhat predictable (we all know when the big hand is coming and what the outcome will be), are handled quite well. They're brief enough to be bearable, even to a poker neophyte like myself (smart choice to have Giancarlo Giannini's character Mathis narrate the game play) and are broken up by some intense action sequences.

Plus, the climactic poker game is not, as I'd believed, the finale of the movie. There's quite a bit after that including more action sequences and some crucial plot development in the form of the relationship between Bond and accountant/Bond girl Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). These two characters do some terrific verbal sparring in their early scenes together, very reminiscent of classic on-screen couples like Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

The film also does a fantastic job of setting up a lot of the "Bond-isms" that have long been synonymous with the character and franchise. We discover how the, initially, rough-around-the-edges spy develops an affinity for the finer things in life, like well made martinis, Aston Martins and tailored suits. We also learn the probable reason for Bond's chauvinistic treatment of women. And, there's even a Moneypenny reference thrown in for good measure.

Judi Dench's no nonsense spy boss character M is here, alternately encouraging Bond's natural abilities and knocking her wayward protegé down a peg when his inflated ego and rampant foolhardiness threaten to interfere with the job at hand.

But it's all held together by Craig, who can not only kick ass and take names with the best of them but also seems to have no problem getting his kit off for whatever situation a scene might demand.

Bravo and encore.

Dead Man Acting

This past weekend, I was watching an episode from the first season of Weeds when I realized something that I hadn't before.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (pictured), the actor who played Judah Botwin, the character whose death sparks the drug-dealing career of his on-screen widow Nancy Botwin (Mary Louise Parker), is the same actor who played hunky yet doomed heart patient Denis Duquette on Grey's Anatomy.

Yes, I know I'm probably the last one to notice.

Anyway, it just struck me as sort of odd that Morgan was cast as these two (supposedly) beloved characters who is yanked from the bosom of his near and dear under very tragic circumstances. Plus, in both cases his character's death is due to a bad ticker.

Methinks Mr. Morgan might want to have a chat with his agent about the abundance of short term roles he's getting. I'm just saying.

New Bond Blows Them Away

The reviews are in and they're looking pretty damn good.

Rotten Tomatoes currently has Casino Royale ranked as 92% fresh with 38 reviews from various media outlets posted so far. Many applaud the grittier, back-to-basics turn that Royale takes with the 40+ year old film franchise.

Of course, much of the praise and credit for the film's success is being heaped on the new, raw James Bond, Daniel Craig. He's being hailed as the best Bond since Sean Connery and a welcome return to the tough-guy spy portrayed in the original Ian Fleming novels.

I'll be seeing Casino Royale tonight and I'm very excited. I'll post my review tomorrow.

Put Down That Michael Bolton CD And Just Listen For A Minute

If you're one of those people who still consider giving gift cards an unforgivable sin but can't tell your Black Eyed Peas from your Black Keys, help has arrived. The latest edition (November 16 - 22) of Toronto weekly NOW magazine features it's annual CD and DVD guide. It's chock full of enough suggestions to help you shop for the more pop culture minded giftees on your list.

Over 150 titles are reviewed and there are even several mini sections that spotlight discs for very specific demographics ie "people who think the hate hiphop".

Hopefully, you'll get some ideas to make the next shopping days until Christmas a little less stressful. Yeah, that's right - 37 shopping days. Giddy up!

He Said, She Said

Many of Daniel Craig's detractors point to his supposed unattractiveness as one of the main reasons that he would not make a suitable James Bond. I'm not sure how anybody in their right mind could look at the above photo and not find Craig incredibly sexy but there it is. Granted, he's not the standard, pretty-boy that tends to dominate pop culture these days but he's definitely got an alluring, "man's man" quality that recalls the classic leading men of the silver screen.

Oddly enough, I've found that most of the people who found fault with Craig's unconventional (for Bond) looks were other men. A lot of guys feel that his tougher, grittier persona went against the more suave, polished Bond of their big screen fantasies.

Now, before the less secure men out there get all wound up, let me just clarify that I'm not saying all male Bond fans are gay. It's just that many men see the womanizing, Aston Martin-driving, cool gadget-owning, always-ready-with-the-perfect-verbal-comeback Bond as an icon, perhaps even a role-model for their own aspirations to be the ultimate "smooth operator". Presented with an alternative ie a hands-on, plain-speaking, "basic" Bond, they see their hero as a more attainable but less appealing figure.

So that you can get the male perspective of what I'm talking about, check out this article by Chris Atchison in yesterday's Metro News (Toronto edition) which further explains the relationship male fans have with the legendary spy.

Anyway, enough with the men - back to the ladies. In recent interviews, new Bond girls Eva Green and Caterina Murina both praise Craig's inherent sexiness.

Murino gave the following review of love scenes with Craig: "I would award him nine-and-a-half out of ten for technique. His kiss suggests he is a wonderful lover. Gentle, but not too gentle. Passionate, but not too passionate."

Green went on to say,"He is capable of being trashy and sexy and that is an attractive combination. Is he a good kisser? He certainly passed the test."

My favorite quote has to come from the revered Dame Judi Dench who, as far as know, didn't share any intimate scenes with Craig but still managed to make this rather generous comment about a certain aspect of his, um, physicality: "It's an absolute monster!"

Love it!

Of course, all these women could be exaggerating for the sake of Casino Royale's success but I doubt it , especially with Dench. The woman's an Oscar winner and probably wouldn't hesitate to kick a co-star to the curb if he/she really deserved it.

I think most of the naysayers, regardless of gender, are starting to come around. Once the film hits theatres this Friday (November 17), there will be a lot more people who'll appreciate the strong sexuality that Daniel Craig brings to the Bond franchise.

Moral: Never Let Your Trousers Out Your Sight

The Toronto Star has an update on the court case involving U2 and a former stylist.

The Irish rock band had filed suit against Lola Cashman, who was with them during their 1987 Joshua Tree tour, claiming that she had taken, without permission, several personal items belonging to lead singer Bono. These items included a Stetson hat, a sweatshirt and a pair of trousers.

Cash claims the items were meant as a gift to her, handed over by Bono himself as he danced around backstage in his underwear following a concert.

The judge refuted her claims and ordered all the items be returned to the band.

Um, yeah.

I think Ms. Cashman needs a little refresher on what actually constitutes a gift. A gift is usually in new, unused condition, presented wrapped in decorative paper or, perhaps, a festive gift bag. A gift is rarely, if ever, freshly removed from the givers body, drenched in perspiration from a just-ended 2 hour rock concert.

Though Bono may have, indeed, been dancing around in his underwear when he handed over the items he probably only wanted her to have them cleaned. You know, because she was their stylist, and that's part of what they do.

Frosting On The Cake

I don't go to the movies very much. Aside from the Toronto International Film Festival and the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series, there's not a lot that gets me inside cineplex these days. I'm a DVD renter and, as such tend to be little out of date when it comes to what's going on in the film industry.

When Daniel Craig was announced as the new James Bond last year I, like many others, didn't really know who he was. However, over the next few months I became much more familiar with the actor and his work. Specifically, It was during one mini movie marathon that I finally took real notice of (and developed a rather serious lust for) Mr. Craig.

I'd been particularly ambitious and rented three DVDs at once - Enduring Love, Layer Cake and Alfie (2004). It wasn't until I got them home and properly read all the synopses that I learned Craig was the star of both Enduring Love and Layer Cake. By an odd coincidence, it turned out that Sienna Miller was his co-star in Layer Cake and also appeared in the Alfie remake but this post isn't about her so let's move on.

I won't get too much into Enduring Love though I would definitely recommend this extremely well done, if highly disturbing, film. Craig is his usual dark, brooding and intense (though rather bookish) self while Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) is represented in a whole new, incredibly freakish, light.

But it's Layer Cake where, I believe, Craig makes his pre-Bond star turn. In the film, he plays a stylish, morally ambiguous drug dealer who's forced to become much more involved in the violent aspect of his chosen profession when one of his less than reliable contacts pisses off the wrong person. I would wager that it's this role, as the unnamed, charming anti-hero, that led Bond producers to select Craig for Casino Royale. There's even a particularly clever scene which has the actor striking some very Bond-like poses as he handles a gun for the first time.

By the time I'd finished watching both films I was completely enamoured with Craig and wanted to know what else he'd been in. I was quite surprised when I googled him and realized just how accomplished an actor he is and how many other films I'd seen him. Among them was The Jacket (also starring Adrian Brody and Keira Knightly) which I'd just rented the month before - I hadn't at all connected him to that film due to his characters weak personality, darker hair and American accent.

And that's really what impressed me about him. He was so good at playing these three completely different roles that it was easy to believe he actually was three different actors. I have no doubt that this strength as a character actor will make him a brilliant Bond.

Dang JT! Take A Break Already!

Justin Timberlake is a very busy boy these days. He's preparing to embark on a world tour in the new year to support his latest hit album Future Sex/Love Sounds. Just last month, he and childhood friend Trace Ayala debuted their clothing line William Rast. Now comes word that he's planning to collaborate with one of pop music's great 80s icons.

BBC News is reporting that Duran Duran (above with Timberlake and Cat Deely at the 2004 Brit Awards) have confirmed Timberlake's participation in writing and production on a least one of the tracks from their upcoming album. They are also working with one of Timberlake's creative partners, producer extraordinaire Timbaland.

No word on whether Timberlake would eventually make any further contribution to the album which has a vague release date of mid-2007.

Music To Spy By

The latest James Bond film Casino Royale hits theatres this Friday (November 17). Normally, a new Bond movie wouldn't even register on my radar - I didn't mind the Sean Connery ones but I've pretty much had no patience for any of them since. However, I've actually been anxiously awaiting this film's release as I'm quite a fan of Daniel Craig (pictured above as the first blond Bond) - I think he's a great actor and, oh yeah, freakin' hot.

So that I'll have an excuse to post many pictures of him, I'll be including a Daniel Craig/James Bond-related post for everyday up to and including Friday. Let's begin.

Being chosen to record a James Bond theme is considered a privilege for many musicians. Performers as diverse as Paul McCartney & Wings, Miss Shirley Bassey, Garbage, Duran Duran and Tina Turner have all had the honour of contributing to this film's history. This go round, the honour falls to Chris Cornell (Audioslave).

When I first learned that Cornell (formerly of Soundgarden) had been chosen, I have to say, I wasn't completely on board. However, once I heard the track (called You Know My Name - click here for a preview) I liked it right away. I think it's a great combination of a classic, old-school Bond theme and the rougher, edgier tone that I think Casino Royale wants to convey.

Tomorrow: Expansion of the "Daniel Craig is freakin' hot" theme.

Chan and Fred Get Chummy

Today's Greater Toronto Area municipal elections (congrats to David Miller, Hazel McCallion et al) made my day kind of hectic so I'm afraid you're in for another rather lazy post.

Pitchfork Media has a pretty cool interview with Chan "Cat Power" Marshall and Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen. The two indulge in some bawdy humour, do a bit of celebrity- spotting in a hotel lobby, discuss Chan's budding career as a Chanel model and Fred's other life as a rock and roll drummer. Plus, there are a few cute photos.

Enjoy!

Music Inside The Box

Here are some of the musical performers hitting late night TV in the coming week. Note: * indicates an encore episode.

MONDAY

• OK Go - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35am - CBS, CH)

TUESDAY

• Tenacious D (Jack Black of Tenacious D will also be a panel guest to promote the movie Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny) - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS and OMNI2)
• Radio 4 - Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35am - NBC)

WEDNESDAY

• John Legend - Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)
• Tenacious D (pictured) - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (12:35am - NBC, A-Channel)
• Xzibit - Carson Daly
  

THURSDAY

• Lindsey Buckingham - Craig Ferguson

FRIDAY

• Ricky Martin (shaking his bon-bon as performer and panel guest) - Jimmy Kimmel
• Ice T (panel guest) - Craig Ferguson
• Damien Rice** - Conan O'Brien
  

SATURDAY

• Chris "Ludacris" Bridges (host and musical guest) - Saturday Night Live (11:35pm - NBC, GlobalTV)

If you find yourself at home during the day on Wednesday, you can catch John Legend on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Check your local listings for showtimes.

**I was reluctant to include this notice. Let's just be clear that Please Do Come Closer will not be held responsible for any "cuttings", prolonged weeping or other manifestations of despair during or following what is sure to be another dirge-like, suicide-inducing Rice performance.

Karl Hearts Lily?

If London's The Guardian is to be believed, chart-topper and MySpace queen Lily Allen is Karl Lagerfeld's new muse at the house of Chanel.

According to an unnamed "fashion source" (so you just know it's for reals),"Lily burst on to the scene as the Queen of Chav* with her trainers and huge gold earrings. So it's hilarious she has been asked to work with Chanel. Nothing has been set in stone but Karl believes she has come up with a look that will define 2007."

Unlikely as it may seem, this report may not be complete BS. Lagerfeld is forever going on about how he likes to incorporate street and youth culture into Chanel. Plus, I recall the whole doorknocker earrings and bright, colourful clothing look being used at Chanel in the 90s - and we all know how Kaiser Karl loves to dip into the archives.

I suppose we shall see.

*Think trailer trash.

How Do Solve A Problem Like Gwen Stefani?

Watching Gwen Stefani videos often makes my head hurt. They're usually pretty cool but there's so much visual stimuli I tend to feel like I've somehow become trapped in a clown's acid trip.

It's more of the same with the clip for her new single Wind It Up, off her upcoming album The Sweet Escape. In it, Gwen goes all Sound of Music on our asses, dressing as a mini-skirted nun, yodeling and playing nanny to a gaggle of trombone-playing Harajuku girls (and a handful of guys) dressed as Austrian schoolchildren. Apparently, she's moved on from her Fiddler On The Roof (see Rich Girl) phase.

You can view the clip in full on Stefani's website which also has details on the new album. As well, if you're staying in tonight, you can catch Gwen and her crew in Harajuku Lovers Live on MuchMusic (9pm and 12am EST).

Party On Pause Due To Health Scare

UK band Bloc Party have had to cancel some shows on their current US tour (with Panic! At The Disco) after drummer Matt Tong (pictured, far right) suffered a collapsed lung and was hospitalized following a performance in Atlanta on November 9.

The BP website posted a message stating that, as of yesterday (November 10) Tong was in "comfortable condition and not in any danger, he will however be staying in hospital for at least the next three days for observation".

The band have pulled out of dates in North Carolina, Virginia and New York - they hope to resume touring when Tong is given the all clear.

Music Profiling

Last year at around this time, movie-goers were preparing for the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. As part of the promotion for the film, two of it's actors - Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) - participated in Apple iTunes' Celebrity Playlist series. Stars of music, film, sport etc are asked to select a handful of songs they've downloaded to iTunes and give a brief explanation for the inclusion of each song.

Grint's and Radcliffe's respective lists were interesting to compare for a couple of reasons. The songs themselves provided an obvious glimpse into each lad's musical tastes. However, the way each actor described their selections proved to be quite revealing of their different personalities.

Radcliffe's list had a left of centre feel, with his selections running the gamut from the old-school punk of the Buzzcocks to modern alternative (do the kids still call it that?) from Antony & the Johnsons. The way Radcliffe describes his picks, you get the feeling he takes his musical enjoyment quite seriously. Examples:

Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - Arcade Fire: "The first song on their spectacular album. I find it very uplifting but very haunting at the same time. "

Gouge Away - Pixies: "Biblical imagery, half whispered vocals and an incredible chorus. This song and Where is My Mind? are my favourite Pixies songs."

Grint, on the other hand, is a young man with relatively populist tastes. His list includes more standard teenager-friendly fare from the likes of Usher, Dr. Dre feat. Eminem, The Streets and Green Day. He's also quite plain-spoken when it comes to describing his picks. Examples:

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana: "Kurt Cobain - I thought he was cool."

I Am Not Your Broom - They Might Be Giants: "Cool track."

Stand Up Tall - Dizzee Rascal: "Nice lyrics."

Sucker Train Blues - Velvet Revolver: "I went to the concert."


I think if these two were ever to attend a party together, Radcliffe would be the one entrenched in a heated debate over whether Pete Doherty's musical genius was best exemplified with The Libertines or Babyshambles and Grint would be the one all the other guests went to for "the good sh*t".*

Radcliffe can next be seen treading the boards of the London stage in the play Equus - previews begin in February 2007. Grint can now be seen in the film Driving Lessons which opened in limited release today at the Carlton Cinemas in Toronto. The two can next be seen together in Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix which opens in July 2007.

*Please Do Come Closer would like to firmly state that we are in no way suggesting that Rupert Grint is a user or supplier of illegal, illicit substances. Even though his musical taste and haircut kind of give that impression.

The Showgirl Comes Home

They might as well declare tomorrow (November 11) a national holiday in Australia as the nation prepares for the triumphant return of one of it's favourite daughters, Kylie Minogue.

Kylie will kick off the 20 date down under leg of her highly anticipated Showgirl Homecoming Tour at the Sydney Entertainment Centre (the first of three nights at that venue), more than a year and a half after she had to postpone the tour due to having to undergo treatment for breast cancer.

Now that she's in recovery, Kylie's going full steam with a number of activities. Not only is she touring, but she also recently released a children's book and, just this past week, launched a perfume called Darling.

In January 2007, Kylie heads to the UK for 4 shows including two sold out nights at London's Wembley Arena. So far, no North American dates have been scheduled for this tour.

World Thriller

Today I'm really tired and kinda busy so I'm giving you two sorta half-assed posts.

First, we have news that Michael Jackson will perform his 80's hit Thriller live at the World Music Awards next week.

While it will definitely be cool to see the classic tune come to life on stage, it's quite disturbing to note that Jackson can now perform the "zombie dance" without benefit of stage makeup.

Canadian Songbird Honoured

See above post re: tired/busy/half-assed.

Canadian folk icon Joni Mitchell is among the 2007 inductees to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Mitchell has been a constant fixture in popular music since the 1960's, with songs like Big Yellow Taxi and A Case of You revered as classics. She is one of the most influential artists of her generation, counting a wide variety of performers ie Prince, Mandy Moore, Sloan, Maynard James Keenan (Tool) and Janet Jackson among her many admirers.

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame 4th Annual Gala takes place on January 28, 2007 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Best. Diet. Ever.

Britney Spears had tongues wagging on Monday night when she made a "surprise" guest appearance on Late Night with David Letterman looking a lot like her old self (see picture above). She was sporting a smart, bobbed haircut and looking remarkably trim considering she'd only given birth (to second son, Jayden James) less than two months ago.

Well, as of yesterday it became quite clear what had been the main factor in her full-body makeover. She dumped 175 lbs of useless weight aka Kevin Federline.

TMZ broke the news that Spears had filed for divorce from Federline, her husband of just over two years, citing "irreconcilable differences". She is seeking custody of both of the couple's children - their oldest child, Sean Preston, turned a year old in September.

Spears seems to be following in the footsteps of Whitney Houston, who recently dumped her own useless, money-grubbing, soul-sucking husband, Bobby Brown. Since the announcement of those divorce precedings, Houston has been stepping out on the town, looking like her glamourous, diva-self of yore and is, reportedly, seeking treatment for her substance abuse.

At least Spears didn't waste as much time with Federline as Houston did with Brown ( that union lasted an astonishing 14 years), nor did she develop any nasty little crack cocaine habits in the process.

Country Drama

I think it's always sort of assumed that country stars are the kinder, gentler beings of the music industry as a whole, certainly much less trouble than their counterparts in rock, pop and hip-hop/r&b. Well, as Monday night's Country Music Awards proved, controversy can sport many different accoutrements including cowboy boots, a ten-gallon hat and mile-high hair.

A good deal of the talk during the ceremony was dominated by who showed up vs who didn't. Sara Evans performed for the first time since her the salacious details of her divorce began grabbing headlines last month. Keith Urban (aka Mr. Nicole Kidman) won Male Vocalist of the Year but was unable to attend due to his current stint in rehab for substance abuse.

However, poop-disturber of the night has to be Faith Hill who, supposedly, pulled a Kanye West upon hearing that American Idol alum Carrie Underwood had beaten her out for Female Vocalist of the Year. As the winner's name is being announced, Hill (who was standing backstage at the time) is shown throwing her hands in the air, screaming "What?!" and stomping away in disgust. Hill later claimed she was joking and, in a statement the next day said "“The idea I would act disrespectful toward a fellow musician is unimaginable to me. Carrie is a talented and deserving Female Vocalist of the Year.”

You know, when I first saw an abbreviated replay of Hill's reaction I though for sure she was being a very sore loser. However, having seen an expanded version of the clip a few times since, it seems quite clear that Hill is just having a laugh, albeit a poorly executed and ill-timed one (she must have taken lessons from John Kerry). The full clip shows Hill smiling right after Underwood's name is announced and later, as she "storms off", she's still grinning.

In any case, Hill apparently spoke to Underwood later in the evening and everything seems hunky-dory between the two. A rep for Underwood said she didn't take the incident seriously either.

Fernando 2.0

I'm sure there are a lot of you out there who are fans of the ABBA classic Fernando but, though I get a kick out of it too, I think it's about time someone took another crack at setting that name to music.

Enter Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins who, on their 2006 album Rabbit Fur Coat, transform the Latin lover into a modern, boot-stomping, whisky-loving party boy.

Click here for an mp3 of the ladies performing the song on a recent episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Heroin Free (?) Chic

You know, as I much as I think that Pete Doherty is a complete waster, I am continually fascinated/surprised/impressed by his constant state of activity.

Aside from trying to keep his musical career on track, juggling court appearances and stints in rehab and (reportedly) preparing for his marriage to Kate Moss, the troubled Babyshambles singer is now delving into the world of fashion.

He'll be collaborating with hip UK clothing line Gio-Goi for their Spring/Summer 2007 collection. Gio-Goi is a favourite among stylish rock & roll crowd, with members of Oasis and Gorillaz being known to sport their wares.

The G-G website states that the Doherty swag will be available beginning December 7 at a secret location, though NME.com reveals it to be Selfriges in London before going nationwide in January.

50 Buddies Up With DeNiro

The Hollywood Reporter has news that rapper 50 Cent (born Curtis Jackson) is in final negotiations to share the big screen with acting legend Robert DeNiro.

The two are set to co-star in the post-Hurricane Katrina thriller New Orleans. DeNiro would play a veteran police officer who teams up with 50's newbie-cop character in order to solve the murder of the former's partner. Filming is scheduled to begin in February.

This role would mark the rapper's third big screen appearance. His first was the universally panned Get Rich or Die Tryin', an autobiographical piece which presented 50 with the overwhelming challenge of playing himself (reportedly, with little success). His next will be the war flick Home of the Brave, due for release in January.

You Had A Bad Day

The Flaming Lips UK tour didn't get off to the best of starts.

NME.com reports that prior to the Saturday (November 4) gig, a number of personal items belonging to the wife of lead singer Wayne Coyne (pictured) were stolen from the band's dressing room. During the band's set, Coyne made a number of appeals for the return of the items which included a digital camera and a laptop computer.

If that wasn't enough drama for one day, the set had to be stopped at one point when an female audience member suffered a (possibly epileptic) seizure and had to be removed from the venue. The reaction was likely caused by the frenetic light show that accompanied the performance of The W.A.N.D. No word on the girl's condition but here's hoping everything's OK.

And here's hoping there's no more bad news to report for the rest of the Lips' tour.

Watch and Listen

Here are some of the performers scheduled to appear on late night TV in the coming week. Note: * denotes an encore episode.

MONDAY

• Anita Baker - Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)

TUESDAY

• OK Go - Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35pm - NBC, A-Channel)
• Rod Stewart (panel guest and musical performer) - Jimmy Kimmel

WEDNESDAY

• Tony Bennett - Jay Leno
• Diddy (panel guest and musical performer) - Jimmy Kimmel
• Regina Spektor - Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35am - NBC)

THURSDAY

• Rocco DeLuca & the Burden (Actor Kiefer Sutherland, who also runs the band's record label, will be a panel guest and will discuss the tour documentary I Trust You To Kill Me which features the band and himself) - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI)
• Wolfmother - Carson Daly

FRIDAY

• Elvis Costello & Roseanne Cash, Daniel Craig (not a musical performer, but a super-sexy man and totally worth tuning in for) - Letterman
• Nick and Aaron Carter (panel guests only, promoting their reality TV show House of Carter) - Jimmy Kimmel
• Pet Shop Boys - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35am - CBS, CH)
• G. Love - Carson Daly

SATURDAY

• Christina Aguilera - Saturday Night Live (11:35pm - NBC, GlobalTV)

If you're playing hooky from school/work later in the week, check out The Ellen Degeneres Show. On Thursday Ellen welcomes Diddy as her musical guest and on Friday it's Janet Jackson. Check your local listings for stations and airtimes.

The Streets' Marathon Dreams Hit A Roadblock

The Streets' main man Mike Skinner was forced to pull out of today's New York City Marathon due to an injury he suffered earlier in the week.

A message posted on his MySpace page on Thursday said "I can't f*****g believe it. I've torn a muscle and I can't run in New York this weekend. Typical...Been training for months and the first time I hurt myself is a week before the race!"

I'm guessing many of you are just as surprised as I was upon discovering that Skinner was even considering running a marathon but, apparently, it's all quite true. The confessed former drug addict has been quite serious about his health and well being since kicking the junk . Participating in the marathon was one his fitness goals.

Too bad about the injury but good on him for trying and better luck next time.

Reading Is Fundamental - Part 1

There's hardly been a more controversial pop culture figure over the last 15 years than Courtney Love. Now, she's decided to let the general public take a closer look at how she became the often reviled but rarely dull person we see now.

Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love (researched and edited by Ava Stander), uses Love's personal affects like photos, journal entries, poetry and letters to help document her life thus far. There will also be comments by Love herself, written to the side of and even over the submissions included in the book.

Dirty Blonde promises to take the reader though many of Love's stages and faces including: troubled youngster; famed-obsessed punk rocker; one half of popular music's iconic grunge couple; Hollywood starlet; drug-addled social pariah; and, finally, recovering addict and single mother attempting to make her musical comeback.

MTV News reports that the book will include many intimate musings At one point, she finally accepts that (late husband) Kurt Cobain's March 4 1994 Rohypnol and champagne overdose was, indeed, a suicide attempt. Shortly after his death in April of that same year, she recalls a bittersweet memory of one of their last days together, spending time as a couple and with their infant daughter Frances Bean, discussing the quality and importance of life.

Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love is available in bookstores and online now.

Reading Is Fundamental - Part 2

Though she once claimed to have never read a book in her entire life*, Mrs. Victoria "Posh" Beckham thinks we could all do with a bit more literature in our day-to-day. Well, at least a bit of "skimming-and-flipping" anyway.

She's just come out with That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything In Between, a how-to guide that purports to help any woman, despite her income, become a style icon. Quote "Whether you've got £20 to spend in Top Shop or £2,000 to spend at Gucci, looking good isn't about money, it's about style, and style never goes out of fashion."

Despite the fact that I think our dear Vix has become way too over-styled as of late (she used to look fresh and sweet), I'm still very curious to learn the type of advice she sees fit to dole out. Specifically, I'd like tips on how to land a hottie like David Beckham. I realize that has nothing to do with fashion but that's what I want to know.

That Extra Half an Inch: Hair, Heels and Everything in Between is available in bookstores and online now.

*She later recanted and said she meant she had never finished a book in her entire life due her hectic schedule. Yeah, that sounds about right. I mean, it's tough for the average 7-year old to get a little "Me time" to curl up with a good page-turner.

Noel Wants To Be Your Friend

Oasis' singer chief songwriter, Noel Gallagher (far right), will be playing a special acoustic show at Toronto's Danforth Music Hall next Tuesday (November 7) just prior to the November 21 release of the "best of" compilation Stop The Clocks. He'll also be promoting the new Oasis tour documentary Lord Don't Slow Me Down.

Billed as Noel Gallagher & Friends, the event will also include Oasis bandmate Gem Archer (far left) as well as other promised guests yet to be announced.

Unfortunately, if you're hearing about this gig for the first time and you were hoping to go, you're pretty much out of luck - tickets are long gone.

Somebody Please Get This Man A Pacifier

Poor Kanye West.

Nobody ever properly recognizes his mind-blowing artistic genius and that makes him really, really mad. So mad that he'll interrupt an acceptance speech during a live award show telecast just to let everyone know what an obvious travesty it is that he wasn't given that particular award.

This incident actually occurred last night during the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards in Copenhagen. West, who'd won the Best Hip Hop award earlier in the evening for his Touch The Sky video, became upset when the award for Video of the Year went to We Are your Friends by Justice vs Simian. He grabbed the mic from the winners and went into a rant about how his video was the best because it "cost a million dollars, Pamela Anderson was in it. I was jumping across canyons.'' He went on to say "If I don't win, the awards show loses credibility."

Funny that he isn't so concerned about losing his own credibility for (once again) whining about not being honoured as he feels he should be. He threw a tantrum when lost out to Gretchen Wilson for Best New Artist at the 2005 American Music Awards and openly criticized Vibe magazine when they deigned to give his Late Registration album only 4 stars (out of 5).

To be fair, West is just the latest in a line of poor sports. In 1994, the Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch (dressed as his alter ego, video director Nathaniel Hornblower) stormed the stage at the MTV Video Music Awards when the Beastie's clip for Sabotage lost out to REM's Everybody Hurts. At the VMAs in 2000, Tim Commerford of Rage Against the Machine climbed a stage set to protest his band losing an award to Limp Bizkit. More recently, in 2004, 50 Cent crashed the stage when he was beat out for the Best New Artist Grammy Award by Evanescence.

However, while those were all one off incidents, West has become just as well known for his repeated outrageous ego trips as he is for his musical output. And at least the Hornblower episode was kind of inventive.

As for Touch the Sky, though it is quite funny and clever, it's not even his best video let alone the best by any artist in the last 12 months. I mean, c'mon, it's not like he really jumped the canyon in a rocket.

Staples Centre

As you've probably ascertained there was only one post yesterday (November 2). Well, I'm counting this post as the second one - we'll just say that I'm going by Pacific Standard Time. There will be two regular posts later today.

The reason I'm so tardy is that I've just come from the sparsely attended but enthusiastically appreciated concert by Stuart Staples (pictured) at the Mod Club. Two things to note here.

1. The tour should probably be renamed "Tindersticks Present The Songs Of Stuart Staples" as it was pretty much Staples' regular bandmates backing him up on his solo material.
   
2. This marks the second time I've attended a Tindersticks concert that ended at a reasonable time (in this case, it was an early show that ended before 10pm) but have still not returned home until well after midnight due to spending time socializing with the band.

Of course, it's not like I have a problem with item #2. The bandmembers are all lovely lads and my friend Stephanie and I enjoyed the drinks and conversation we shared with them. OK, to be realistic, I enjoyed myself but Stephanie was ecstatic - Tindersticks are one of her favourite bands (if not her very favourite).


Anyway, on behalf of Stephanie and myself, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for a lovely evening. Shout outs (tee hee) to Stuart, Neil, Bearded Guy and French Guy (sorry, I never did get your names) as well as Shauna (aka Petal Girl), Lars, Tiffany, Jason and Lisa (at Arthur's on College).


Good night. I'm off to bed.

Eurotrash

There are only a handful of award shows that I still enjoy watching and The MTV Europe Music Awards is one among the few.

I think the primary reason for it's success is the organizers ability to combine a delightful bit of sleaze with a healthy amount of camp and the refusal to take things too seriously. In my opinion, this puts them about equal in quality to the MTV Movie Awards with both trailing behind the almighty Brit Awards.

The 2006 MTV EMAs takes place in Copenhagen today and is hosted by Justin "The Trouser Snake" Timberlake (pictured) with performances by Snoop Dogg among others.

The show is sreaming live right now at MTV.ca - sorry for the late notice, I forgot about the time difference. There's nothing on the MTV Canada website about when the show might air on the actual network but, as soon as I get the info I'll post it in the comments section.

Animated André

With his colourful wardrobe and outrageous stage manner, one could say that Outkast's André 3000 (real name, André Benjamin) has always seemed a little like a cartoon character. Come this Friday (November 3), TV viewers will actually get to see him as an inked being when his animated program Class of 3000 premieres on the Cartoon Network.

In 3000, André (who also serves as executive producer) voices the character of Sunny Bridges, a hip-hop artist who also occasionally teaches at Atlanta's Westley School of Performing Arts. Other voice cast members include Tom Kenney (SpongeBob SquarePants), Phil Lamarr (Samurai Jack) and Jennifer Hale (The Powerpuff Girls).

According to an article in the NME, André is hoping that some of his famous friends will take some time to stop by the classroom. Outkast partner Big Boi, Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg are a few of the guests who may appear and perform songs on the show.

So far, 3000 is only scheduled to air in the US - no word yet on whether Canada's Teletoon will pick it up as well.

CMJ in NYC

The 2006 edition of the CMJ Music Marathon kicked off in New York City yesterday and continues until Saturday (November 4).

Though it is billed as a music marathon, there's actually a bit more to it as the event divided into three main areas.

There are, of course, the showcase performances which, this year include appearances by Albert Hammond Jr, The Knife, Tokyo Police Club, CSS, Mew, Madlib, Mary Timony, The Slits, Prince Paul and Hot Chip.

There are also the panel discussions with this years guest speakers including George Clinton, Chuck D, Nina Persson (The Cardigans), Janeane Garofalo, Chris Stein (Blondie), Steve Earle and Roger O'Donnell (The Cure).

Finally, there are the film screenings and the selections this go round are certain to please both the music lover and celluloid fanatic. There's a new Oasis documentary entitled Lord Don't Slow Me Down, the new Tenacious D mockumentary The Pick of Death, the bratty boys at Vice magazine present the remarkably sober Vice Guide to Travel and, just for the hell of it, the new Borat movie gets thrown into the mix as well.

Not like there's ever a lack of things to do in NYC, but the CMJ MM 2006 will certainly make things that much more hectic in The Big Apple over the next few days.