OK, so Martha Stewart will leave the clink and go straight into hosting a new “how-to” show on NBC. But before she’s free, CBS is launching a show of its own looking for a new Martha. And rocker Alanis Morissette celebrates the 10-year anniversary of her “Jagged Little Pill” album by doing an improv mockumentary.
Even without an Olympics or an election pending, with no John Kerry or Scott Peterson to kick around, there should be much in the entertainment/pop culture lexicon to set tongues a-wagging.
After all, we’ve still got Jacko, Robert Blake, Kobe’s civil suit and Harry Potter (again). Not to mention Batman, Willy Wonka and King Kong. And we’re probably in for a year of debate over whether the U.S. Constitution should be amended to allow the Governator to eventually become the Presidentinator.
So break out that crystal ball and fasten your seat belts. The new year is here, and it figures to be a bumpy ride. And who would have it otherwise?
Keeping it real
For the reality faithful, there will be more “The Simple Life” and “The Bachelorette” and “The Apprentice” and “Idol.” “Swans” and “Average Joes.” Sample them all, and you’re an honorary “Survivor” in our books. New to the mix this week: “The Will” on CBS, in which greedy would-be heirs compete for the monetary affections of a patriarch, and “Wickedly Perfect,” CBS’ quest to discover the next Martha Stewart.
Flick back
Nostalgists can anticipate Nora Ephron’s film version of “Bewitched,” with Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell, to be released in July. Not that there’s much suspense here, but we’ll finally get to see how Anakin Skywalker turned into You Know Who and whether Hayden Christensen can actually act when “Star Wars: Episode III–Revenge of the Sith” assaults the multiplexes in May. Terrence Malick will have a new movie (the Pocahontas story, “The New World,” to be released at Thanksgiving), and Batman (this time played by Christian Bale) will get new life in “Batman Begins” this summer. Peter Jackson will revive King Kong with erstwhile Gollum Andy Serkis providing the motion-capture inspiration for the ape. See it in theaters at Christmastime. For summer release, director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp reteam to remake “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
No longer undercover
It’s barely January, and we already have a performer as overexposed as Ben Affleck. Could it be a coincidence that the lady in question happens to be dating Ben Affleck? Between the overhyping of the new season of “Alias” (which begins Wednesday), the arrival of the “Daredevil” spinoff “Elektra” on the big screen (Jan. 14) and an all-new Bennifer (or is it Jennaffleck?), there appears to be no escaping Jennifer Garner. This may change in a hurry, however, if “Elektra’s” opening weekend is anything less than Elektra-fying.
On the road
OutKast plans a 2005 trek, while ’80s hair-metal merchants Motley Crue will pound out a few favorites on the road. Meanwhile, fans of a certain age are making travel plans to catch a reunion of Cream, the quintessential ’60s Brit blues-rock trio featuring guitarist Eric Clapton, singer-bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker with dates in May at London’s Royal Albert Hall. It will be the band’s first gig since 1968. And spring will see U2 returning to local stages, perhaps even on May 15–Bono’s birthday.
It’s outdated already?
You’ll have to search far and wide to find a home without TiVo, a DVD recorder or an LCD flat-screen TV. And if you find you simply can’t leave home without your favorite movies, pictures and songs, Microsoft has developed the aptly named Portable Media Center, which stores everything you could ever want to access and quite a bit of stuff that you don’t.
Take it to the jury
Michael Jackson allegedly engaged in lewd behavior with a young boy at Neverland Ranch. Robert Blake allegedly shot his wife outside a Studio City restaurant. A new year of trial-watching.
Warm up that iPod
Don’t know how long her marriage will last, but J.Lo will give us a new CD in 2005, as will Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Beck, Dr. Dre, Foo Fighters, Lauryn Hill, Moby, Nine Inch Nails, Oasis, 50 Cent, Audioslave, Backstreet Boys, Chemical Brothers, Tool, System of a Down, Weezer, Daft Punk and Damien Rice. Not enough? OK, Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Mariah Carey are also readying ’05 efforts. And (it had to happen) prepare for the debut album from the one and only Paris Hilton.
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Edited by Cara DiPasquale (cdipasquale@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
