Pop Culture Checklist

Hello and welcome to the Weekly Buzz, a segment that runs every Thursday. It’s filled with many different weekend events as well as the latest pop culture news in TV, DVDs, Movies and more!

TV NEWS

–”Lost” returns with a new episode and NEW TIME SLOT tonight. It begins at 10 p.m., NOT 9.

–NBC is moving 30 Rock and Scrubs to new times on Thursdays. The shows will swap times. 30 Rock will now air at 9:30 p.m., while Scrubs will begin at 8:30.

–”Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” will return for a second season on Fox. The network picked up 13 new episodes.

–The Oprah Winfrey Show will be traveling to Las Vegas to visit with Cher and Tina Turner. The episode will be taped at Caesars Palace and feature interviews and performances. The show is slated to air May 8.

–Showtime has ordered a third season of The Tudors for 2009. The second season debuts Sunday.

–CNN and Larry King have agreed to a contract extension through 2010.

SHOWS RETURNING THIS WEEK

Tonight — Ugly Betty (ABC); Lost (ABC); Supernatural (CW); Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)

Friday — Moonlight (CBS)

Monday — House (Fox)

Tuesday — Shark (CBS); Women’s Murder Club (ABC)

TV PREMIERES

Tonight — Miami Ink (TLC)

Saturday — Robin Hood (BBC America); The Graham Norton Show (BBC America)

Monday — Wildfire (ABC Family)

Wednesday — Farmer Wants a Wife (CW)

TV FINALES

Friday — That Mitchell and Webb Look (BBC America); Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search (CMT); Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

Sunday — Big Brother 9 (CBS); Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union (Showtime)

Monday — Top Gear (BBC America); Flavor of Love (VH1); High School Confidential (WE)

Tuesday — The Universe (History); The Riches (FX)

Wednesday — Ghost Hunters (Sci Fi); Lewis Black’s Root of all Evil (Comedy Central)

MOVIE NEWS

–The “X-Files” movie title has been announced. It will be called “The X-Files: I Want To Believe.” It’s due out in theaters on July 25.

–Richard Gere will star opposite Hilary Swank in “Amelia,” a biopic about aviator Amelia Earhart. Shooting starts this month in Toronto, Nova Scotia and South Africa.

–Ashley Tisdale will be starring in the remake of the 1989 film “Teen Witch,” which is about an unpopular high school teen who learns she is a descendant from the witches of Salem and has inherited their powers.

MOVIES…arriving in theaters on Friday

-Baby Mama

-Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

-Deception

Limited release: A Plumm Summer; Deal; Tashan, and Standard Operating Procedure

DVD RELEASES…for Tuesday, April 29

-27 Dresses

-The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

-The Golden Compass

-Cheers: The Ninth Season

-Dead Man’s Bounty

-The Complete Toxic Avenger

-Bernard and Doris

-The Fall of the Roman Empire

-Diamond Dogs

LOCAL EVENTS

–”Celebrate Children” will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Frenchtown Square mall, 2121 N. Monroe St. It’s a free event.

–Earth Fair, in recognition of Earth Day, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary’s Park, located at the corner of W. Elm and Monroe Sts. It’s free and open to the public. Local businesses and groups will be presenting displays on environmentally-friendly topics.

–River Raisin Fur Trade Day will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Navarre-Anderson Trading Post and Martha Barker Country Store, 3775 N. Custer Rd. Re-enactors will present fur trade activities from 1790’s along the River Raisin. It’s free and open to the public.

–The 2nd annual Monroe’s Biggest Idol will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the La-Z-Boy Center at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd. Doors open at 6.

–The 33rd annual Automotive Swap Meet will be held by Lower Michigan Region, Vintage Chevrolet Club of America. It will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 3775 S. Custer Rd. Cost is $4 for those ages 14 and older.

REGIONAL EVENTS

–A Bridesmaid’s Ball will be held at 6 p.m. tonight at Bar Louie, 4105 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg, Ohio. Bring in your old bridesmaid dresses. It will be donated to Goodwill of Northwest Ohio for resale.

–Michigan International Spring Classic Car Show and Auction will be held at Rock Financial Showplace at the following times: 3-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. It’s located at 46100 Grand River Blvd., Novi.

–Detroit Soundz 2008 will perform at 6 p.m. Friday at Royal Oak Music Theater, 318 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak. All ages welcome. $10 in advance. $12 on day of the show.

–Chelsea will celebrate Earth Day Saturday at Chelsea Depot, 125 Jackson St., Chelsea. It’s a family-friendly, free event.

–Earth Day Festival will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Leslie Science and Nature Center in Ann Arbor. Activities, entertainment, nature walk and presentations will be held at the free event. It’s located at 1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor.

–The 32nd annual Quilt Fair and Workshops will be held Tuesday through May 4 at the Sauder Village Inn, 22611 State Route 2 in Archbold, Ohio.  

Okay, I was on the brink of NEVER watching American Idol ever again after Michael Johns got the boot a couple weeks ago. But now, after last night’s elimination, I think I am finally there.

That’s right. I’m done with American Idol. I can no longer watch it, and I truly mean it this time!!!

How did Carly Smithson get kicked off last night when Brooke, Jason or Syesha should have easily gone home? What’s even worse, the winner is going to be someone who ALREADY HAS A MUSIC CAREER!!! He (David Cooke) already has a record out, people!

I’m sorry. I can’t take it anymore!!!!!

Marlee Matlin, the Oscar-winning actress, was sent home on Dancing with the Stars last night.

She was the first hearing-impaired contestant on the ABC show. Her professional partner, Fabian, choreographed routines so he could guide her with touch or visual cues.

Mario joined her in the bottom two. So, who do you think is next to go?

Drew Lane will not be returning to WRIF (101.1) morning show, better known as the “Drew and Mike Show” for so many years.

It’s been reported that WRIF will make the official announcement sometime this afternoon. Speculation and rumors have been swirling for months since he took a hiatus last September.

The show will continue with host Mike Clark along with Mike  Wolters, Marc Fellhauer and Trudi Daniels.

What do you think of the news? How do you like the Drew-less format? Let me know what you think! 

American Idol has slipped 7 percent in viewership since last year and is down among children, according to the L.A. Times.

It is the seventh season — are you growing tired of the show, too? I think they jumped-the-shark when they allowed contestants who already have record deals. What happened to the show being about undiscovered artists? Hasn’t that been the big draw? I think that’s why the show is going downhill. What do you think?

Speaking of contestants who already have a music career…contestant David Cook’s 2006 CD “Analog Heart” was the No. 1 download album all weekend on Amazon’s MP3 service. It beat Mariah Carey’s “E=MC2.”

Does he really deserve to win Idol? He already HAS a career people!!

Andrew Lloyd Webber will be the mentor tonight on American Idol.

The broadcast will feature footage of the composer’s guidance as they perform his songs on the set of “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular” at the Venetian Hotel in Vegas.

The results show, slated for Wednesday night, will feature Webber performing live with the contestants.

A martial arts film, starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, was tops at the box office this weekend.

“The Forbidden Kingdom” debuted at No. 1 with $20.9 million.

The comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” opened in second place with $17.3 million. “Prom Night,” last week’s No. 1, fell to third with $9.1 million.

Al Pacino’s thriller, “88 Minutes,” was a dud with $6.8 million. It’s no surprise since it received horrible reviews.

TOP 10 BOX OFFICE

1. The Forbidden Kingdom, $20.9 million

2. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, $17.3 million

3. Prom Night, $9.1 million

4. 88 Minutes, $6.8 million

5. Nim’s Island, $5.7 million

6. 21, $5.5 million

7. Street Kings, $4 million

8. Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!, $3.5 million

9. Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, $3.1 million

10. Leatherheads, $3 million 

Hello everyone! Due to vacation plans, you are getting the Weekly Buzz a day early. Enjoy!

TV NEWS

–Lost and Grey’s Anatomy are expanding its seasons. Both shows will have 2-hour finales. The ‘Lost’ finale airs at 9 p.m. May 29 on ABC, while ‘Greys’ airs at 9 p.m. May 22 on ABC. 

–ESPN’s “The Contender” won’t be back. If it does come back, it will be on another network.

–Flavor Fav is starring in a new sitcom that starts tonight at 8 p.m. on MyNetworkTV.

SHOW RETURNING THIS WEEK

Tonight (Wednesday) — ‘Til Death (Fox); Back to You (Fox)

Thursday — Smallville (CW)

Sunday — Brothers & Sisters (ABC)

Monday — Gossip Girl (CW)

Tuesday — Reaper (CW)

Wednesday, April 23 — Law & Order (NBC)

Thursday, April 24 — Ugly Betty (ABC); Supernatural (CW); Grey’s Anatomy (ABC); Lost (ABC)

TV PREMIERES

Thursday — Doctor Who (Sci Fi)

Sunday — Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (Style); Code Monkeys (G4); The Block (G4)

Monday — X-Terminators (Discovery)

Tuesday — Alaska Experiment (Discovery)

Thursday, April 24 — Miami Ink (TLC)

TV FINALES

Tonight (Wednesday) — Eli Stone (ABC)

Thursday – The Return of Jezebel James (Fox)

Friday — Canterbury’s Law (Fox); Your Mama Don’t Dance (Lifetime)

Saturday — Trading Spaces (TLC); Torchwood (BBC)

Sunday — Oprah’s Big Give (ABC)

Monday — America’s Prom Queen (ABC Family)

Wednesday, April 23 – South Park (Comedy Central); Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (CW)

WEEKEND EVENTS

–Summerfield-Petersburg Branch Library will host 75 years of Petersburg’s history from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

–The Sugarloaf Art Fair will be held Friday through Sunday at Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River Blvd., Novi. Over 300 exhibitors, craft demonstrations, specialty foods and live entertainment. It’s from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

–Ann Arbor Antiques Market will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, Ann Arbor.

–The Toledo Zoo is hosting a “Party for the Planet!” in honor of Earth Day. It will be held Saturday at the zoo, located on Anthony Wayne Trail in Toledo. A complete schedule of events can be found at www.toledozoo.org. Click on “Zoo Events.”

–A Spring Astrology/Psychic Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Clawson-Troy Elks Lodge, 1451 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy.

–The Wolverine Knife Collectors Show and Michigan Antique Arms Collectors Show are two shows that will be held at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

–Bringin’ Back the 80’s festival will be Friday and Saturday at Harvey Kern Pavilion in Heritage Park in Frankenmuth. For details, call 989-652-8008 or visit www.80sfest.org.

–The National Trout Festival will be this weekend in Kalkaska. Call 800-487-6880 for details.

WHO’S ON LATE NIGHT TV?

Tonight (Wednesday)

David Letterman — Uma Thurman, Graham Rahal, the Gossip

Jay Leno — Charles Barkley, the Young@Heart Chorus

Jimmy Kimmel — Minnie Driver, Milo Ventimiglia, Danity Kane  

Late Late Show — Jackie Chan, Cobie Smulders, Bell X1

Conan O’Brien — Dane Cook, Emily Mortimer, Slash (REPEAT)

Thursday

David Letterman — Kelly Ripa, Dr. John Holdren, Black Keys

Jay Leno — Ewan McGregor, John Cho and Kal Penn, Seether 

Jimmy Kimmel — Dax Shepard, Jesse Ventura, John Mulaney   

Late Late Show — Henry Winkler, Jason Aldean 

Conan O’Brien – Matt Lauer, Ryan Reynolds, A Simple Plan (REPEAT)

Friday

David Letterman — Amy Poehler, Jason Segel, Jordan Zevon

Jay Leno – Jason Taylor, Flogging Molly  

Jimmy Kimmel – Charles Barkley, Judd Apatow, Lyrics Born   

Late Late Show — Kristen Bell, Oliver Hudson, Liam Finn  

Conan O’Brien – Martin Short, Boston Celtic Ray Alleen, the Kooks (REPEAT)

DVDs coming Tuesday, April 22…

-Charlie Wilson’s War

-Cloverfield

-Friday Night Lights: Second Season

-Laverne & Shirley: Fourth Season

-The Savages

-Trailer Park Boys: The Movie

MOVIES arriving in theaters on Friday, April 18…

-Forgetting Sarah Marshall

-88 Minutes

-Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

-The Forbidden Kingdom

Limited release: Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?, Kiss the Bride, The First Saturday in May, The Life Before Her Eyes, Pathology, The Tiger’s Tail, Zombie Strippers

Here’s a breakdown of CBS’ summer schedule:

–Million Dollar Password. It will air at 8 p.m. Sundays starting June 1. It’s hosted by Regis Philbin.

–Greatest American Dogs will air at 8 p.m. Thursday starting July 10. It’s a competition series.

–Jingles, the latest Mark Burnett production, airs at 9 p.m. Sundays starting July 27. It asks contestants to come up with songs for products, sports teams and other targets.

–Big Brother returns for its 10th season on July 13. It will air at 8 p.m Sundays, 9 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

–Swingtown, a new drama, is about swinging couples in the 1970s. It airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays starting June 5.

–Flashpoint, a Canadian rescue-team drama, premieres at 10 p.m. Friday, July 11.  

No shock here: Priscilla Presley was voted off Dancing with the Stars last night.

Who’s next to go? I’m not sure…the competition is heating up!