My Baby's a Super Star

Soleil's latest "project" is now live on outworld.tv.

You can see her acting chops as she gets a bath in "The Ben Lerman Show" Episode 1. Ben's pretty good too.

And Kudos to Angela the Groomer on her Web TV debut as... Angela the Groomer.

I Didn't Ex-Specter That!

Arlen Specter has decided to make the move to the Democratic party. Is this because, as he has claimed, the Democratic party ideology is closer to his own (as the Republican party moves further to the right, and has become the party of "NO"), or is he just blowing with the wind?

I guess only time will tell, but it does provide the Democrats a filibuster proof 60 in the senate (assuming everyone votes along party lines).

What do you think? Is this a game changer, or just politics as usual?

Sound off in the comment section.

Real all about it here.

Get Your Grillz On!

I have been working diligently on the new Kentucky Grilled Chicken campaign. I encourage everyone to check out Unthinkfc.com and download the iPhone app. It's hilarious.

Thank You, Helen A. S. Popkin

I love Helen A. S, Popkin.

Her column on msnbc.com is always fun and topical. Recently, she has become my new favorite person ever after I noticed that her latest column is called (the name change is mine - due to the fact that every time I write about loathsome people their ads begin appearing on my blog) "OMG Smerez Smilton! Won't you please shut up!"

What I love most about Ms. Popkin is her keen insight into the realm of media. I could keep gushing, but I'd rather you get a taste yourself.

Check out today's column.

Here Comes the Sun...

As we creep (far too slowly) towards the Summer, I can feeling a looming shadow. Blockbusters.

I, myself, am not a fan of Summer Blockbusters, but there are definitely a few movies I can't wait to see.

Exhibit A: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

I am DYING to see this movie. Joey B and I went to see the last installment (HP and the Order of the Phoenix) in 3D at the IMAX. It was fun (I loved the huge screen but the 3D wasn't as much of a component as I had anticipated) but I don't think we'll go that route again. I'm not even embarrassed to admit it.

Exhibit B: Bruno

I resisted seeing Borat in the theaters because I thought there was way too much hype. But I will definitely be putting on my leather short shorts and checking out Bruno. The link above is too a very racy preview (for Mature Audiences only). You've been warned.

Exhibit C: X-Men Origins, Wolverine

I'm actually kind of on the fence about this one. The last X-Men movie I went to see in the theater kind of sucked. I'm going to wait to hear the buzz and maybe see it in it's second weekend. We'll see what Joey B has to say about that!

Besides the new HBO movie about the Beales, "Grey Gardens", these are pretty much the only movies I'm looking forward to seeing. What films are you excited about? Have your say in the comment section.

Art Thou Happy Now, Sirrah Ianovitch?

Pray forgive the length of mine absence from these pages. I have felt the estrangement most keenly. Pray, let thine eyes rest awhile on the script below and ye shall be most distracted with merriment!

Hast thou been patterning thy parlance to evoke the vernacular of William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare is being honored in Chicago and on the Web on the 445th anniversary of his birth.

Well, get thee to an Internet machine hastily, sirrah or mistress, for thou hast but two days from Tuesday to unleash thy inner bard.

Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago, Illinois, has declared Thursday as "Talk Like Shakespeare Day" to celebrate the 445th birthday of the man many consider the greatest playwright in the English language.

While the bard's actual birth date is not known for sure, many scholars think it was April 23, 1564.

In a proclamation issued last week, Daley encouraged city residents to "screw their courage to the sticking place and celebrate Shakespeare by vocal acclamation of his words."

There's no reason why the rest of the country cannot play along, peppering our conversation with -- as the mayor suggested -- phrases such as "prithee" and "fie!" or, if you're at work, "pass yonder stapler."

It isn't as difficult as it sounds. After all, Shakespeare single-handedly contributed more than 1,700 words and phrases to the English language -- everything from "foul play" to "monumental" to, of course, "all's well that ends well."

Don't Miss

• Talk Like Shakespeare: Unleash your inner Bard!
• Shakespearean Insults: Random Insult Generator
• Twitter.com: Shakespeare Says

But should you need some help, head over to talklikeshakespeare.org -- a Web site that the Chicago Shakespeare Theater unveiled Monday.

Here, visitors can share their "Shakespeariences" -- their first memory of Shakespeare or their favorite quotes; subscribe to a Twitter feed where the Bard of Avon will generously translate your 21st-century English into its 16th-century equivalent; or listen to the Q Brothers singing about the finer points of speaking Shakespearean. Did we mention it's a rap song?

The Web site also offers 10 quick pointers on how to talk like Bill. A sampling:

Don't waste time saying "it." Just use the letter "t" ('tis, 'twill, I'll do't).

To add weight to your opinions, try starting them with "methinks," "mayhaps," "in sooth" or "wherefore."

When in doubt, add the letters "eth" to the end of verbs (he runneth, he trippeth, he falleth).

Finally, if you're inclined to yell at the driver who cuts you off as you head to work, why settle for "idiot," when "thou rank white-livered canker-blossom" is so much more satisfying.

For more ammunition, you can consult the random Shakespearean insult generator on the British site william-shakespeare.org.uk. "Thou vain fly-bitten moldwarp!" and "Thou gorbellied clapper-clawed scurvy-knave!" are just a sample of the offerings

Tweet Tweet, Twiddle-e-Deet

Yes Kids,

I have finally broken down and joined Twitter. Now, you can follow my adventures in RageLand 140 characters at a time.

My username is SemperPeeps.

PETA, PAH-LEASE

I am a huge supporter of animal rights. I donate to organizations, both locally and nationally, who support the welfare of animals and educate the public. One organization that will never get a cent out of me is PETA.

For years I have found their tactics tacky. Their self-righteous campaigns strike me as hyperbolic and (frankly) boring. I'd rather go naked than wear fur? Yawn, Yawn, Yawn. And their lame publicity stunts, like the news on CNN this morning that they are encouraging musical group Pet Shop Boys to change their name. I don't question their motives, but (because I work in the industry) I know how much money that could be spent on animal welfare is going instead to media companies for billboards, magazines ads and posters. Especially in this economy, it's important to make every dollar count - which is why I steer clear of PETA while I'm steering clear of fur.

Kanye is a Gay Fish

In case you missed the latest South Park, here's a taste.

Even Kanye liked it, posting a blog saying that it's going to be a long road to convince people that he isn't a huge douche. But he gave props to the creators, saying the episode was "pretty funny" and saying that the writers and creators are probably really nice people in real life. Who is this guy and what did they do with Crazy Kanye???

Not Hillarious...

It looks like, for some GOD FORSAKEN reason, MTV will not be posting last night's season premiere of the hills until today at 3pm EST! What the hell. I can watch the after show right now, but I have to wait to watch the episode. WHY?!?!?

Why would they do this to me? Why am I being so melodramatic? [insert long pause, during which I stare off into space meaningfully]. I don't know.

The Hills are Alive - Season 5

They're Back. They're Back. Tonight, tonight, tonight!

I can't believe I take so much pleasure in the (fake) shenanigans and (pseudo) dramatics that afflict this un-scripted (scripted) show. But I do, i really, really do.

I have had lengthy discussions about the fact that, for a show where nothing EVER happens, it's riveting television. From the looks of the preview, however, it looks like at some point this season a 'roided up super-douche Spencer does take time out of his busy... um... schedule???? to kick his sister's (eye contact allergic) bf's ass. Real punches thrown. Though my sources tell me all is not as it appears.

According to legal documents filed by the punchee, the producers egged him into sending the texts that got him the "pratt-down", by assuring him that Spencer was in on the joke. Sounds about par. Legal disclaimer: This is all allegedly how it transpired - it's up to the courts to sort it out.

I, for one, would be happy to see Lauren and Heidi getting along again. For some strange reason, I find former friend feuds particularly upsetting. I was probably the only person in America who breathed a genuine sigh of relief when I heard that Paris and Nicole had patched things up. Seriously. I just want everyone to get along.

Looks like this could end up being the very last season of the hills, kids. So buckle up and enjoy the (not very interesting) ride. YEEHAW!

They're Different

It is with heavy heart that I am following today's shootings in Binghamton, NY. As details begin to come in, I think it's telling that the location of the shooting was an immigration services center.

Over the past 2 1/2 years I have watched as anti-immigrant sentiment in this country has grown exponentially. If it was scary to watch this disgusting scapegoating while the economy was still good, it is terrifying now that the economy has shed 2,000,000 jobs in 2009.

There is blood on the hands of the radical right-wing members of the Republican party. There is blood on the hands of every loud mouth on talk radio. And, sadly, there is blood on the floor of a center set up to help everyone achieve the American Dream.

Quitting is All the Rage

The new taxes on cigarettes launched this week and the New York Health Department took the opportunity to roll out a new campaign to encourage smokers to quit.

I have mixed feelings about the tax increase. On the one hand, the additional taxes would help to offset the cost of caring for smokers, especially those on social assistance. On the other hand, I think that cigarette addiction is very powerful and pervasive - addicts, by nature, will find ways to pay for their cigarettes, even if it means going without other necessities which would prove beneficial to their health. This is particularly true of poor and/or disadvantaged smokers.

I have been hearing all week about the new ads running in New York. One in particular has been deemed so disturbing (featuring a child separated from his mother in a crowded train station) that it has made national news.

I tried to find the individual ads on YouTube, but wasn't able to do so. Instead I found a report on the controversial ads. Feel free to weigh in, I would love to know what you think. As the saying goes, "Smoke 'em if you got 'em."

Let's Hug it Out!

I cannot believe that there has been so much fuss about Michelle Obama placing her hand on the Queen's back. Let's get some perspective, people.

1. The Queen placed her hand on Michelle's back first.

2. As a non-subject, Ms. Obama is not held to the same rules of protocol as a citizen of the UK or any of the commonwealth nations (Canada, Australia, Bermuda, etc) would be . Barring appearing to be very rude, MO isn't even required to curtsy to the Queen.

3. With all the problems in the world right now, this is what we have to focus on? Is it a prolonged April Fools joke? I hope so.

One of the Coolest Ads Ever

Hi Kids,

An email came acroos my desk this morning that contained a link to one of the coolest interactive ads I've ever seen. Just want to assure you all that this is 100% legit - check the date, this is no April Fools joke.

Check it out!