Bye bye Superman? Breaking News on SMALLVILLE

He Said She Said, HE SAID:

So what's this I hear about them killing off a major character on SMALLVILLE? It's true according to the witch of gossip over at E! Online.

Sources inside The CW reveal that one of 4 main castmembers - Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack or Kristin Kreuk - will be killed off in a secret plot twist by season's end. Who do you think it will be? I don't even watch this show and my money is on Chloe. No way they kill off Superman or Lex Luthor.

For those keeping score at home, YES I guess this makes me a TV dork. My secret it out.

another wasted night of LOST

I'm sorry - I've been a huge LOST fan ever since the first episode but even I'm beginning to lose my patience with this show. There needs to be more forward motion in terms of plot development. The flashback device is losing its luster. Seriously, what did last night's Kate flashback really reveal? That her Mom turned her in because she committed murder?!? No kiddin' sherlock. Kate, my advice would've been to phone ahead. You could've saved us the (unnecessary) drama and exposition.

Producers, please, I'm begging you. DO SOMETHING. ANYTHING. And do it quick. Because your beloved TV show aint the ratings darling it used to be. And in case you need some story suggestions, how 'bout explaining that igloo/Arctic scene from last season's cliffhanger and telling me where Rose has disappeared to. SERIOUSLY. I want some answers and I'm getting tired of waiting. And it's not the wait that's killing me. It's how tedious the entire LOST ride has gotten.

You've been warned.

It was a bad year for Russell Crowe - and it shows

So last night there I was standing in Blockbuster trying to pick out a movie for the weekend when Girlfriend called with a special request. She wanted to see the Russell Crowe flick, A Good Year.

Reading the back of the DVD box, I remembered why I was in no hurry to see it in theaters. Because it looked like a BAD MOVIE. Nevertheless, we rented it and watch the movie last night. Now that I have a good night's rest behind me, I can say with even greater confidence that A Good Year was a bad movie. Not just bad, but "THIS MOVIE SUCKED" kind of bad. Rent it yourself good readers and tell me yourself. On second thought, save yourself 2 hours and take my word for it.

All this movie really wanted to be was the guy's version of Under the Tuscan Sun. Had the film succeeded, I'm not even sure if that would be a good thing. Wasn't one flirty romantic comedy about Italy enough? Besides, Russell Crowe is nowhere near as hot as Diane Lane.

Russell Crowe is not very sympathetic in this movie and treats most other characters as discarded bottles of wine. Until of course he finds happiness in the vineyards of Italy. As my sister used to say when we were kids, GAG ME WITH A SPOON. Seriously, Russell, what were you thinking? Aside from the big paycheck I mean.

So dear readers, if you find yourself desperate for a movie and the only thing left to rent in Blockbuster or on Netflix is The Muppets Take Manhatten, do yourself a favor and rent the one with the dancing muppets. It's never a contest when Miss Piggy is on screen. I'm sorry Russell, but it's true for this 'Not Very Good Year.'

Even in the best of moods, I only give this movie a C-. Save your money.

Roll out the red carpet...

He Said, She Said...HE SAID:
It's time for the annual Hollywood American Idol - and I don't mean that little TV show on Fox. Nope, we're talking about the 79th Annual Academy Awards.

The red carpet rolls out in Hollywood Sunday night. So stop wasting time and fill out your Oscar ballots. Here's what you'll find on the He Said She Said ballot:

Best Picture: Letters from Iwo Jima
Best Actress: Kate Winslett for her role in Little Children
Best Actor: Leonard DiCaprio for his role in Blood Diamond

GIRLFRIEND and I are still arguing over our other choices, so we'll wait to post until we've reached consensus. What will be on YOUR Oscar ballots?

Speaking Baby Talk

HE SAID:
I was introduced to a whole new language this past week while visiting with my sister and new baby nephew. A few of my favorite new catchphrases include:

Boob Juice = breast milk
Liquid Gold = more breast milk (aka Boob Juice)
Oogie Aga = still trying to decipher this one
Poop = just as I remember it

Saying Uncle

HE SAID:
I'm still getting use to this whole Uncle thing. My sister gave birth to a baby boy a few months ago and it has taken me 3-4 months just to get used to the idea. It would help if my sister lived closer but she is several states away and I've only met my nephew a couple times. That all changed this weekend.

This weekend was my first real chance to hang out with the little fella, all 15 pounds of him. I still have to fight off my parents and visiting relatives whenever I hold the baby, but I was able to sneak away a few times to get some Uncle/Nephew alone time. Of course that didn't last long because you can only disappear with a baby for so long before someone notices. Nevertheless, it was a great time. I can't wait to spoil the little bugger.

I'm hesitant to say my nephew is the cutest baby ever because I always get so annoyed whenever anyone says it... but it's true. My new baby nephew IS the cutest baby you've never met. So you might as well get used to the idea.

snowy Chicago and tired puggles

HE SAID:
The snow just won’t stop falling. Gotta love Chicago winters.

It seems like it has snowed almost a foot in the last 2 days, but I’m sure it’s less. The dogs sure enjoy romping around in it though. Lucky for us the snow hit just hours after we returned from a short vacation in sunny California.

We put the dogs up in a kennel. We like to call it “Doggie Camp” because they spend the entire time running around and playing with other dogs. At night, the dogs sleep slumber party style on top of each other. And then it’s right back to running around and playing in the morning.

Usually when we pick up the dogs, they literally pass out in our arms while we’re still in the car driving home. All that time playing (and with little sleep) makes for a tired puppy.

This was only the 2nd time our youngest puggle has ever stayed at the kennel and she wasn’t quite sure how to react when we arrived to take them home. Por puggle cried all the way home in the car.

I wonder if she was disappointed that we hadn’t gone away for good. Either that or she really had to pee.

The latest viral sensation - SLOTHS!

HE SAID:
Who woulda thunk it? Saturday Night Live can be funny again. For those of you who missed it, here is the latest viral sensation from The Not Ready for Primetime Players in NYC.

Courtesy of SNL, I give you "Sloths!"



He Said, She Said Guide to Relationships

He Said She Said Guide... to Super Bowl XLI

Super Bowl weekend has finally arrived. Got big plans for Sunday? We want to hear about your favorite Super Bowl moments leading up to and during the game.

If you find yourself at a party, remember the He Said, She Said rules of game etiquette.

How YOU Can Liven up the Party as a Guest:
* Find out what team the host is rooting for and wear the opposing team's jersey
* Bring no beer, chips or food - but be sure to take any leftovers home with you
* Ask everyone to "shhhh" when the NFL Refs are introduced
* Encourage voting to determine best and worst looking cheerleader
* Turn off the TV during commercials

Living in a Wi-Fi society

He Said, She Said...HE SAID:

We live in a democratic society, so I say free Wi-Fi internet access for everyone. If Microsoft is willing to pay for free Wi-Fi in Portland, Oregon then why not Chicago? Even Google is getting into the act and paying for Wi-Fi in San Francisco. Read about Microsoft’s heroics here and Google’s efforts here.

Monday's have become television heaven

HE SAID:
I flipped through my TiVo last night and was struck by how Monday’s have now become the new “Must See TV” – at least in my household. Thankfully, GIRLFRIEND and I have similar tastes and so we don’t argue (much) over the remote control. The Monday TV lineup in the He Said She Said household includes:

i'll be up til 3am watching all my shows
1) 24
2) How I Met Your Mother
3) Heroes
4) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
5) Daily Show
6) Prison Break
7) What About Brian
8) Battlestar Galactica (didn't get a chance to watch it last night)

Why must the network suits schedule so many great TV shows on the same night? We’ll be up until the wee hours of the morning watching it all.

BEAR Down for Super Bowl XLI

HE SAID:
The Chicago Bears were victorious over the New Orleans Saints in today's NFC Championship Game. Final score: Good Guys 39, Saints 14.

And so the march to the Super Bowl begins. Their opponent in the Super Bowl will be the Indianapolis Colts. Frankly, I'm relieved the Bears will be facing the Colts instead of the New England Patriots.

Had the Patriots won, everyone would be talking about their previous Super Bowl match up in 1985 when the Chicago Bears defeated the Pats 46-10 in Super Bowl XX. I could care less. Get over it New England. You lost in '85 and you lost last night.

So I'm a little bitter about the Patriots. Is it that obvious? To put it simply, there isn't a team I despise more than the New England Patriots. I'm originally from St. Louis and I still haven't gotten over the St. Louis RAMS loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Rams lost that game on a New England field goal as time expired.

I was so devastated I called in sick to work for a week. Five years later and it still stings.

Time to BEAR down Chicago. The only team left standing is the Colts.

HE SAID SHE SAID Super Bowl XXLI prediction:
Chicago Bears 24, Indianapolis Colts 21

Who do YOU think will win?

Chicago Bears moment of truth

HE SAID:
With less than 24 hours to go before kickoff, there are a number of questions on the minds of Chicago Bears fans.

1) Do the Bears have enough left in the tank to beat the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game?

2) Which Rex Grossman will show up for the game? The Rex from the first 4 weeks of the season, or Scary Rex from the last half of the season?

3) How much will it snow?

Here's the official HE SAID, SHE SAID prediction: Bears 24, Saints 17

Who do YOU think is going to win?

Netflix vs. Blockbuster

HE SAID:
Today Netflix announced they would be offering movie downloads for free online. Read about it here. That’s a nice little differentiator from the beast named Blockbuster. Nevertheless, I must admit I prefer Blockbuster. And this is coming from one of the earliest Netflix adopters and fanatics.

Over time Blockbuster has developed an identical program and today offers a superior product. They have found a way to leverage empty Blockbuster stores sandwiched between McDonald’s restaurants lining American street corners. Drop the DVD off at a store and walk out with a new movie. By the time you get home, Blockbuster has shipped the next movie in your queue. My math may be a bit fuzzy, but that adds up to double the DVDs in my book. Hands down the best advantage Blockbuster has over Netflix.

Having wasted far too many of my young years in the advertising industry, it seems all I ever remember are the terrible ads. I can’t help but cheer whenever a great one enters the mix. And that’s exactly what Blockbuster has. A fantastic TV advertising campaign centered around a great message.

Ride the wave and rent some DVDs. The rest of the world is catching on.

Da Bears fans

HE SAID:
Always classy those Chicago Bears fans.

GIRLFRIEND and I spent the day at Soldier Field watching the Bears defeat the Seattle Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship game. Two most memorable moments while I froze my little toochas off in the cold.

1) Rex Grossman finally completing a big pass to set up the winning field goal in OT.

2) Mr. RANDOM DRUNK GUY pissing in the sink right next to me as I was washing my hands in the bathroom.

I guess you can change the stadium, but not the Bears fan. Gotta love Chicago. Go Bears!

Painted paw prints

HE SAID:
I arrived home after an afternoon at the bars watching football to find GIRLFRIEND standing over 2 buckets of paint and the dogs chasing each other round and round a ladder. Without speaking a word, I was handed a brush and given instructions.

Since it was so much fun the first time, GIRLFRIEND found us some more walls to paint. I'm still not sure what to make of the odd green color, but I trust GIRLFRIEND's sense of style. And so we began painting (again).

The walls weren't the only thing to be covered in paint. The dogs eventually found their way into the paint and left paw prints trailing throughout the apartment. I have to admit, it was cute... until we had to clean it up. Then definitely not so cute.

Choking on paint fumes

HE SAID:
The paint arrived along with GIRLFRIEND and her parents. No pink, yellow or depressing dark color. But no blue either. Instead we’re going with taupe. I’m not even sure what color Taupe is supposed to be. (I must have missed that day in art class). If I had to describe it to friends I’d say it was greenish gray. Could be worse, I suppose. I’m just not sure how it’ll look on our bedroom walls.

I’m anxious to get this whole painting adventure over and done with. You stick 4 people in a cramped room hopped up on paint fumes with 2 dogs barking in the other room and chances are a fight will break out. Here’s hoping I come out on top.

Hand me a paint brush

HE SAID:

Today we’re painting. And GIRLFRIEND has assigned each of us a specific task. Her Mom and I are in charge of touching up the fringes. Personally, I was hoping to handle the paint roller but that gig went to her Dad. They left me with the dogs and went to the hardware store to pick out a paint color. I’m not real picky and have no preference when it comes to the color. As long as it isn’t pink, yellow or some depressing dark color. Blue would be nice. That’s what I told GIRLFRIEND. My guess is she’ll come back with something other than blue.

Crowded house

HE SAID:

This weekend GIRLFRIEND’s parents in town visiting. They’re staying both nights with us at our place, so alone time and personal space will be limited. Nevertheless, I’ll try my best to sneak in a few blogs if possible.

An American Girl Haunting

HE SAID:

I have a confession to make. I am terrified of American Girl Place. I'm not proud of this, but admitting my fear is the first step towards recovery. For all my remaining years, I will never set foot inside another American Girl Place. I am convinced it's an evil place to brainwash young girls and their Moms.

My story begins over the summer. I went to meet GIRLFRIEND and some of her family friends who were visiting in town. Among them was a 7 year old girl I'll refer to as "BratGirl." BratGirl is the very definition of your typical American spoiled, obnoxious, whiny little girl.

No matter what you bought her, BratGirl always wanted more. She would pout and whine in high-pitched voice I'm convinced only dogs and myself could hear. Worse still, BratGirl always seemed to get what she wanted. There'd be moments when I could take no more and wished a runaway stroller would fling itself at her... and she'd be promptly rewarded with an ice cream. It seemed the louder she whined, the more she was rewarded. I blame BratGirl for my introduction to American Girl.

I was supposed to meet GIRLFRIEND, her friends and the visiting BratGirl there on a random Sunday morning. I walked the short distance and stood outside the entrance glancing up at the big sign. It wasn't far from my work and just down the street from the Chicago El stop. But I had never noticed this store before. I must have walked by it every day on my way to work. "Strange," I thought as I stood outside stuck in my head. The doors spilled open and dozens of Daughters and Moms knocked me aside. That should have been a sign to stay away.

The front entrance was huge and the walls were lined with customized dolls of every ethnicity and every era (Wild Wild West doll, Geisha doll, Hippie 60s doll, caveman doll, etc.) lining the walls. I scanned the crowd and realized GIRLFRIEND wasn't here. Damn. I had to go deeper inside this strange place.

So I took the elevator upstairs. Apparently, one floor can't hold all the dolls in the world. As my eyes adjusted, I noticed that many Daughters in the store were dressed exactly as their Moms. That would be odd under normal circumstances, but what sent a shiver down my spine was that each girl carried a doll... dressed in identical clothes. In some instances, you had Moms, Daughters and Dolls all dressed alike. I kid you not. And best (or worst) of all, there was a sit-down bar where you could take hair braiding lessons. There I found Daughters braiding their dolls hair while their Moms stood behind braiding their daughter's hair.

I stood there for a long while mesmerized by this Americanized craziness. Once I came to my senses, I fled. Goodbye BratGirl. Here's hoping you never visit us again.