Pop Culture Checklist

–Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly are teaming up for another movie. They will star in “Step Brothers.” Ferrell will play a 39-year-old who lives with his mother, and Reilly will play an unemployed 40-year-old who lives with his father. When their parents marry, they are forced to move in together. Its release date is July 25, 2008.

–Freddy will soon be in your nightmares again. The 1980’s horror film star, Freddy Krueger, could be on the big screen soon after the writer’s strike. “Nightmare on Elm Street” will be re-launched by Platinum Dunes production company. The first film was made by Wes Craven and released in 1984.

This time around, the production company wants to focus on Krueger’s backstory. The same company is prepping the re-launch of “Friday the 13th.” Krueger became a popular villain in the “Nightmare” series. Played by Robert Englund, Krueger terrorizes teens in their dreams.  

–Julia Roberts will produce and star in “Hothead Flowers,” based on a novel by Margot Berwin. She will play a recently divorced woman who is unhappy with her job and goes off on an adventure that takes her to unexpected places.

–Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Dorff and Jason Clarke have joined the cast of Michael Mann’s “Public Enemies.” Johnny Depp and Christian Bale star in the flick. Shooting begins March 10 in Chicago.

–Dennis Quaid and Channing Tatum joins the cast of “G.I. Joe.” Quaid will play General Hawk, a grizzled team leader, and Tatum will play Duke Hauser, a lead soldier.

–Michelle Williams’ new movie, “Blue Valentine,” has been put on hold as she copes with the death of Heath Ledger.

–the filmed version of the Hannah Montana concert will play in movie theaters Friday through Feb. 7. It’s called “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour.”

–A “Cloverfield” sequel is already in the works. Matt Reeves is in talks to direct the movie.  

–Disney plans to debut “Toy Story” in 3-D on Oct. 2, 2009, and “Toy Story 2″ on Feb. 12, 2010. It is in anticipation of the June 18, 2010 release of “Toy Story 3,” a 3-D film.

Movies arriving in theaters on Friday, Feb. 1:

-Over Her Dead Body

-The Eye

-Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour

-Strange Wilderness

DVD RELEASES…for Tuesday, Feb. 5

-Elizabeth: The Golden Age

-Descent

-The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

-The Apartment

-2 Days in Paris

-Across the Universe

-The Brave One

-Blonde and Blonder

-The Aristocats (Special Edition)

-Beauty and the Beast: Third Season

-The Best of Comedy Central Presents

-Blind Dating

-Legion of Super Heroes: Volume 2

-The Jane Austen Book Club

-Feast of Love

-Charlie & Lola: Volume 7 - This Is Actually My Party

-Brotherhood: Second Season

-Fierce People

-Go Diego Go!: Diego’s Magical Missions

-The Prince and the Pauper

-Midnight Express: 30th Anniversary Edition

-Imitation of Life: Two-Movie Special Edition

-Roxy Hunter and the Mystery of the Moody Ghost

-The Ten Commandments

-Perfect Strangers: First and Second Seasons

-When a Man Falls

-Tootsie: 25th Anniversary Edition

-Snow Buddies

-Soul Food: Third Season

-Third Watch: First Season

-You’ve Got Mail: Deluxe Edition

-Turok: Son of Stone  

Happy Thursday everyone! Once again, welcome to the Weekly Buzz, a segment that appears every Thursday. As always, it includes the latest pop culture news as well as many fun weekend activities happening locally and regionally.

SUPER BOWL LINEUP

First, and foremost, don’t forget about the Super Bowl on Sunday. The New England Patriots are going for a perfect season when they face the New York Giants. Daylong coverage will be available on Fox, who is airing the game.

Coverage begins at 9 a.m. Sunday with a special edition of Fox News. A special one-hour edition of Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace kicks off the day, followed by a two-hour live block of political and sports coverage with Shepard Smith, live from Glendale, Ariz., where the game is being played.

At noon, Fox will air the hour-long “Road to the Super Bowl,” narrated by Alec Baldwin. At 1 p.m., the network will air a half-hour “Inside the Rings” with Troy Aikman. At 1:30 p.m., Howie Long hosts his “Tough Guys” Super bowl edition.

The pre-game show is from 2 to 6 p.m., co-hosted by Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. During the segment, Ryan Seacrest will interview celebrities as they arrive at the game on Fox’s red carpet outside the stadium.

Pre-game musical performances will be Paula Abdul, Alicia Keys, Jordin Sparks and a duet by Willie Nelson and Sara Evans. The halftime show will feature Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

The Super Bowl kicks off at approximately 6:17 p.m. on Fox. Go Patriots!!

LOCAL EVENTS

–”Key Ingredients - Michigan Foodways” exhibit opens Friday at the Old Mill Museum, 242 Toledo St., Dundee. It is a history of food in Michigan and the country, as well as a ton of cool programs. Check out yesterday’s (Wednesday) Evening News for a complete schedule of events.

–A Mardi Gras party will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Monroe.

–”Pride and Oppression: A Celebration of Black History Month” will be a special exhibit during February at Monroe County Historical Museum, 126 S. Monroe St. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturdays.

–A “Superheroes Training Camp” will be held at Ida Branch Library. Children can test their speed, strength and agility through a variety of activities. Participants will receive a Superhero certificate. Registration is required by calling 269-2191. It’s from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the library, 3014 Lewis Ave., Ida.

–St. Michael School, 502 W. Front St., will hold a Laua and Silent/Live Auction Saturday at the school. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by the live auction at 8:30 p.m. For details, call 241-3923.

REGIONAL EVENTS

–”Great! Scrapbook Events” will be held Friday through Sunday in Mt. Clemens. For details, call (800) 287-7711.

–The Toledo Ballet will perform at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Toledo Zoo.

–The Toledo Jazz Society will perform “Hip Hop Jazz with APB” at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Toledo Zoo.

–Comedian Brian Kiley will perform tonight, Friday and Saturday at Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 314 East Liberty, Ann Arbor. For details, call (734) 996-9080.

–A “Living History Fair” will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont, Ohio.

TELEVISION

–CBS has ordered 2 more editions of “Survivor” to air during the 2008-09 season. Also, Jeff Probst signed a new agreement to continue to host the reality show. “Survivor 16,” set in Micronesia, premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 7.

 –NBC has ordered a 2nd season of “Celebrity Apprentice.”

–Tyra Banks and CW are teaming up again for another reality show. She will host an untitled fashion magazine reality series about aspiring assistants looking to become assistant editors at a fashion magazine. CW ordered 8 episodes and will launch in late spring or summer.

–Marie Osmond is cashing in on her comeback thanks to Dancing with the Stars. She recently unveiled “Marie,” a new entertainment/lifestyle talk show. Program Partners will offer the hour-long TV series in syndication in fall, 2009.

–Flavor Flav will be back for “Flavor of Love 3,” the final season, on VH1. It premieres at 9 p.m. Feb. 11.

–Filmmaker Sam Raimi (SpiderMan director) is teaming with Disney-ABC Studios on a new first-run, live-action weekly series targeted for fall. The series, “Wizard’s First Rule,” is based on Terry Goodkind’s best-selling epic fantasy series “The Sword of Truth.” It follows the transformation of woodsman Richard Cypher into a magical leader who joins with a mysterious woman to stop a bloodthirsty tyrant. Production of 22 episodes is to begin in May.

–Judge Judy will return. The popular TV judge signed a new deal to remain on the daytime court show through 2011-12.

–The third season of Battlestar Galactica will be released on DVD March 18.

–NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is making his way to reality TV. “Dale Jr. — Shifting Gears,” is a five-part series to premiere Feb. 8 on ESPN2. It follows the driver as he moves from his late father’s company to Hendrick Motorsports.

–Sci Fi has ordered a pair of “Battlestar Galactica” specials to build up the show’s return in April. “Battlestar Galactica: Revisited” and “Battlestar Galactica: The Phenomenon” will air back-to-back at 10 p.m. Friday, March 28.

–The return of “Ghost Hunters” and “Destination Truth” also will return on Sci Fi. New shows begin March 5.

–CBS is bringing back primetime editions of “The Price is Right.” Six hour-long shows will air at 8 p.m. Fridays, starting Feb. 22. That will shift “Ghost Whisperer” to the 9 p.m. slot, while “Moonlight” goes on hiatus.

TV PREMIERES

Tonight  

9 p.m. — Lost (ABC)

10 p.m. — Eli Stone (ABC)

Saturday

Flip This House (TLC)

Monday

New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)

Welcome to the Captain (CBS)

Paradise Hotel (My Network)

Thursday, Feb. 7

Survivor (CBS)

Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew (MTV)

Lipstick Jungle (NBC)

TV FINALES

Friday

Ugliest House on the Block (WE)

Saturday

Alien Abductions (WE)

Sunday

Life is Wild (CW)

Tuesday

House (Fox)

Wednesday

My Shocking Story (TLC)

Power of 10 (CBS)

CSI: New York (CBS)    

A new video game is in the works. It will be based on the “Saw” horror films and is expected to hit shelves in October, 2009, according to USA Today.

Brash Entertainment is developing the game, and is working closely with ‘Saw’ creators to make a game that has its own story line and fills in details in the films’ universe.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen ABC’s “Lost” on the air. In the May finale, viewers were left with a flash-forward scene with Jack and Kate safely off the island. But all was not well. A bearded and distraught Jack says, “We have to go back, Kate!”

Whaaat? Go back to an island where crazy people live with polar bears, black mist and secret hatches? Is he out of his mind? I guess we’ll see…

Much more happened in the finale, but it’s hard to remember all the important details since the last episode was 8 months ago! This is why ABC is running an enhanced version of “Lost’s” two-hour third season finale, “Through the Looking Glass” at 9 p.m. tonight. It will feature onscreen facts and the back story as a prelude to Thursday’s premiere.

Also, ABC is airing “Lost: Past, Present & Future” — a one-hour show recapping the first 3 seasons in preparation of the fourth. It will air at 8 p.m. Thursday.

And finally, the fourth season premiere will air at 9 p.m. Thursday. Due to the writer’s strike, the season was shortened to 8 episodes, but I’m sure all 8 will be mind-blowing!  

Feeling Lost? These links will help you get prepared for the premiere:

–Entertainment Weekly offers a cheat sheet that outlines all the information you need to know before the new season begins.

 –TV Guide offers profiles of all your favorite characters. Go here to check out the key players in the show.

–Also, Buddy TV has an exclusive interview with Jorge Garcia (Hurley). If you want to check it out, here it is.

MUSIC NEWS:

–Tom Petty is going on tour. He will be at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, on May 30, and at the Palace of Auburn Hills on May 31.

–Actress Scarlett Johansson’s new album arrives May 20. “Anywhere I Lay My Head” will be out May 20. It features 10 Tom Waits songs and one original track.

–Lenny Kravitz recently announced that his 8th studio album will be out Feb. 5. It’s his first release in three years.

–Gavin DeGraw’s self-titled album arrives April 15. He also will be heading out on a 10-city tour, beginning Feb. 26.

–In honor of Willie Nelson’s 75th birthday on April 30, Legacy Recordings will offer a series of special projects. The first is the April 1 release of “One Hell of a Ride,” a 4-disc, 100-song boxed set. On April 29, Legacy will issue “#1s,” a single-disc compilation of Nelson’s chart-topping pop and country hits. His new album, “Moment of Forever,” went on sale this past week.

–The Barenaked Ladies are putting out a kids album. “Snacktime” is due May 6 and includes 22 new songs.

The following is a list of album releases for Tuesday, Feb. 5:

-Lenny Kravitz, “It Is Time for A Love Revolution”

-Santana, “Multi-Dimensional Warrior (2 CDs)

-Sheryl Crow, “Detours”

-Alan Jackson, “Good Times”

-Kenny G, “Rhythm and Romance”

-K.D. Lang, “Watershed”

-Foxy Brown, “Brooklyn Don’s Diva”

-AZ, “Undeniable”

-Jack Johnson, “Sleeping Through The Static”

-Taylor Dayne, “Satisfied”

-They Might Be Giants, “Here Come The 123s” (Amazon.com exclusive)

-Shelby Lynne, “Just A Little Lovin’”

-Dolly Parton, “Backwoods Barbie”

-Bob Mould, “District Line”

-Hot Chip, “Made In The Dark”

-Sheek Louch, “Silverback Gorilla”

-Nada Surg, “Lucky”

-De Novo Dahl, “Move Every Muscle Make Every Sound”

-Jason Collett, “Here’s To Being Here”

-Soundtrack, “My Blueberry Nights” 

For the first time, more than 50 Beatles songs go up Wednesday at GuitarWorld.com.

The chords, lyrics and many of the solos from songs by The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Elvis, Garth Brooks and Sheryl Crow will be LEGALLY available online at tabs.guitarworld.com.

According to USA Today, Guitar World magazine made a deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for the tablatures. Users can view song tabs free with an ad or pay .99 cents to $2.49 to copy and download.

“Meet the Spartans,” a spoof of the movie “300,” narrowly defeated “Rambo” at the box office this past weekend.

It took in $18.7 million, followed by “Rambo” with $18.2 million.

‘Spartans’ was popular among teens and young adults, who made about 75 percent of the audience. “Rambo” was popular with older men.

Top 10 Box Office:

1. Meet the Spartans, $18.7 million

2. Rambo, $18.2 million

3. 27 Dresses, $13.6 million

4. Cloverfield, $11.2 million

5. Untraceable, $11.2 million

6. Juno, $10.3 million

7. The Bucket List, $10.2 million

8. There Will Be Blood, $4.9 million

9. National Treasure: Book of Secrets, $4.7 million

10. Mad Money, $4.6 million 

It was nice to see the red carpet back at the Screen Actor’s Guild awards last night.

Here is a list of winners:

MOVIES

Cast: No Country for Old Men

Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, “There Will Be Blood”

Actress: Julie Christie, “Away From Her”

Supporting actor: Javier Bardem, “No Country for Old Men”

Supporting actress: Ruby Dee, “American Gangster”

TELEVISION

Comedy series cast: The Office

Actor in a comedy series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”

Actress in a comedy series: Tina Fey, “30 Rock”

Drama series cast: The Sopranos

Actor in a drama series: James Gandolfini, “The Sopranos”

Actress in a drama seies: Edie Falco, “The Sopranos”

Actor in a movie or miniseries: Kevin Kline, “As You Like It”

Actress in a movie or miniseries: Queen Latifah, “Life Support”   

Wow, Brad Pitt looks hot in these new pair of pants!

Check him out here in a new Japanese ad campaign for Edwin jeans.

You can thank me later 

Welcome once again to the Weekly Buzz, a segment that is posted every Thursday. It includes local and regional events happening this weekend, as well as the latest pop culture news.

TV NEWS

–Paige Davis returns to “Trading Spaces” at 10 p.m. Saturday on TLC.

–Ringo Starr will perform four songs from his new album on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” tonight on CBS.

–”Tracey Ulman’s State of the Union” will premiere in March in Showtime. It’s a new comedy, and will begin airing at 10 p.m. March 30.

–Paris Hilton will be a guest on the “Late Show with David Letterman” on Friday, Feb. 1.

–The Sci Fi Channel will begin airing “Jericho” on Feb. 11.

–”Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List” and “Tori & Dean: Inn Love” have been renewed.

 –NBC is in negotiations with Selma Blair to star opposite Molly Shannon in a comedy called “Kath and Kim.” It’s based on the hit Australian series “Kath & Kim” and focuses on the dysfunctional relationship between a mother and daughter.

–The producer of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is teaming with IMG to create “The World’s Strongest Celebrity,” a spinoff of the World’s Strongest Man competition. I would love to see a celebrity trying to pull a car - I hope this happens!

The following is a list of TV premieres:

Tonight

-Pros vs. Joes (Spike)

Friday

-Gone Country (CMT)

Saturday

-Miss America: Reality Check (TLC)

-Torchwood (BBC America)

Sunday

-Screen Actors Guild Awards (TNT)

Monday

-In Treatment (HBO)

Tuesday

-Millionaire Matchmaker (Bravo)

Thursday, Jan. 31

-Lost (ABC)

-Eli Stone (ABC)

MUSIC NEWS

–George Michael, 44, will write his autobiography. He will cover both his personal and professional life. It will be released in fall, 2009.

–Gypsy punk rock band “Gogol Bordello” will perform at Royal Oak Music Theatre on March 3. Tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. Friday. For details, go to www.romtlive.com or call (248) 399-2980.

–Stay & Play Social Club, with special guest Killer Flamingos, will perform Friday at Royal Oak Music Theatre. The Chasers will take stage on Saturday.

–Cafe Classics have a lot of entertainment lined up this weekend. Crashing Like Waves performs tonight, while Louie Barnett & Friends take stage on Friday. Velvet Sky performs on Saturday. Cafe Classics is located at 29 S. Monroe St.

 The following is a list of albums to be released on Tuesday, Jan. 29:

-Simple Plan, “Simple Plan”

-Willie Nelson, “A Moment of Forever”

-Various artists, “Randy Jackson presents The American Music Club”   

-Motel, “17″

-Sam Phillips, “Don’t Do Anything”

-Various artists, “Hannah Montana 2: Non-Stop Dance Party”

-Sarah Brightman, “Symphony”

-Blind Boys of Alabama, “Down in New Orleans”

-The Mars Volta, “The Bedlam in Goliath”

-Chris Walla, “Field Manual”

-Bullet For My Valentine, “Scream Aim Fire”

-Pat Metheny Trio, “Day Trip”

-Vampire Weekend, “Vampire Weekend”

-Louis XIV, “Slick Dogs and Ponies”

-Joe Jackson, “Rain”

-The Helio Sequence, “Keep Your Eyes Ahead”

-Dub Trio, “Another Sound is Dying”

MOVIE NEWS

–Heath Ledger died while filming “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” Due to his untimely death, crew members of the fantasy adventure movie were sent home, according to Us Weekly. No word yet from the production company on the fate of the film.

–The new “Bond” movie finally has an official title: “Quantum of Solace.” The movie open Nov. 7.

The following movies open this weekend:

-Rambo

-Untraceable

-Meet the Spartans

-How She Move

DVD NEWS

The following movies arrive on DVD on Tuesday, Jan. 29:

-Feel the Noise

-Daddy Day Camp

-The Comebacks

-Lake Placid 2

-Charm School

-King of California

-Bordertown

-The Nines

-Damages: First Season

-Hannah Montana: One in a Million

-Curb Your Enthusiasm: Sixth Season

LOCAL EVENTS

–A winter movie night is being held at 6 p.m. tonight at Dorsch Memorial Branch Library, 18 E. First St. The “Narnia” movie will be shown. Questions, call 241-7878.

–The 5th annual Winter Retreat Scrapbook Fundraiser for Monroe’s American Red Cross will be held from 6 to midnight Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. The Red Cross is at 1645 N. Dixie Hwy.

–The annual commemmoration of the Battle of the River Raisin will be Saturday. The wreath-laying ceremony is at 2:30 p.m. at the Battlefield Center, 1403 E. Elm Ave.

–Concordia Arborsong Choir and Lutheran High School South Handbell Choir will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, 3589 Heiss Rd.

–Duane Malinowski and the Polka Jamboree will perform from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Lynn C. Weeman Post 514, American Legion hall, 11601 Lewis Ave., Temperance. Doors open at 2 p.m. Admission is $7.50 each.

REGIONAL EVENTS

–Zehnder’s Snow Fest is being held through Monday in Frankenmuth. It includes snow/ice sculpting, live entertainment, fireworks, petting zoo, and children’s activities.

–International 500 Snowmobile Race is being held from Monday through Feb. 2 in Sault Ste. Marie. For details, call (800) 647-2858.

–A one-hour original New York musical of “Max & Ruby” begins at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Toledo Zoo’s indoor theater. For more information, call (419) 242-3490. Tickets are limited.

–The Maumee Valley Historical Society Annual Antique Show and Sale is being held this weekend. It’s from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St., Maumee, Ohio.