<![CDATA[Entertainment news from metro.us/boston]]> en-us <![CDATA[Pat LaFrieda makes 'High Steaks' TV]]>
Your great-grandfather, the first Pat LaFrieda, founded the company in 1922. Did you always  plan to work in the business?

Not really, no. I was a stockbroker on Wall Street, and I truly hated it. I went to my dad and said I'm considering working full-time at the company to grow it. You could tell he wasn't so happy about that. He said, "You're going to be rubbing pennies together!" At first I was getting up at 3 a.m. to prepare orders, then jumping in the van to make deliveries, then changing into a suit between lunch and dinner to solicit new clients.

Obviously, your dad has seen that it worked out. What is challenging about working with him?

Working in the family business is tough, and anyone who's had that experience would understand. My dad led the course for so many years, but we still have this tension between us about how to get something done. But the best part of my day is at 3:30 a.m. when he walks in that door -- I feel so much safer.

What's it like add the pressure of a reality TV show to the tight schedule?

We already work long days, and it's even tougher with a crew of sometimes 20 camera people following you. You're trying to get all your trucks out and restaurants supplied, but Big Brother is over your shoulder. One of the most gratifying things about this show is seeing my dad on TV. He's a guy who's always stood behind the scenes; it's our culture and the way we were brought up. My dad was always skeptical that people wouldn't care where the meat came from, and now that they do care it blows his mind.

Where does the meat come from?

We predominantly source our meat from Wichita, Kansas -- it's 100% Black Angus cattle. The harvesting facility was the only one built from the ground up by Temple Grandin [the animal rights activist] and that really comes out in the product.

What is your favorite meal?

My favorite type of meat is lamb, so I really like a boneless lamb loin with the belly of the lamb wrapped around the underside of the eye, rolled in a thick mustard and then rolled in breadcrumbs and roasted. That's my all-time favorite dish.

You work overnight in a 35-degree freezer, slicing and cutting. What's the most rewarding part of your job?
   
We're a small business, and I really like the fact that we have helped other small businesses flourish. My favorite restaurants are the small ones, where the chef/owner is still in the kitchen. Seeing the restaurants as busy as they are, even in this economy, and seeing their customers happy with the meals they eat --that's the most gratifying part of my job. ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143308--pat-lafrieda-makes-high-steaks-tv Wed, 16 May 2012 17:37:38 -0400 JULIA FURLAN, NEW YORK http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143308--pat-lafrieda-makes-high-steaks-tv <![CDATA[Catch the Dengue Fever]]>
"Wasn't there a big pop hit by a band called Fine Young Cannibals?" asks bassist Senon Williams. "What keeps us out of the pop charts is that we are playing challenging music, not the name of the band or title of our records. When you're playing psychedelic Cambodian pop mixed with jazz, African music and surf, then you're not exactly going to go Top 40."

This leg of the band's tour is a co-headliner with Syrian artist Omar Souleyman, forming an even more eclectic world music bill. Dengue Fever feel comfortable playing with indie rock, world folk or whatever, because, says Williams, it isn't musical style that matters, it's artistic commitment.

"It's definitely a labor of love what we've done," Williams says. "You've got to stick to what you love. Even pop music that I think is really good is done by someone with passion. Our passion just lies more in the bizarre."

Working out the Kinks


Among Dengue Fever's many fans is Kinks frontman Ray Davies, whom they met when they performed on British TV show "Later... with Jools Holland" a couple of years ago.

"We saw him after the show and chatted a little bit. A few months later he called us up asking us to be his backing band. Unfortunately, we had commitments."

Imagine playing "Waterloo Sunset" with its co-author.

"Oh, I love that song," exclaims Williams. "It was a shame, but he thought of us later and asked us to play at his Meltdown Festival. So it was OK."

Dengue Fever
with Omar Souleyman
June 3
The Paradise
967 Comm. Ave., Boston
$17-$19, 18+, 800-745-3000
www.livenation.com ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143305--catch-the-dengue-fever Wed, 16 May 2012 17:27:08 -0400 LINDA LABAN, BOSTON http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143305--catch-the-dengue-fever <![CDATA[Common Ground moves up to a higher ground]]>
The menu still reads casual, but under chef Marco Suarez (The Fireplace, Casablanca) much is made in-house, from a fabulous, light feta and eggplant dip to creamy strawberry ice cream. That, and small details like chunks of crisped bacon that top the deviled eggs (creating the perfect bar nibble), make huge differences.

The fish and chips have that wonderful fresh cod smell, the pressed portabella and mozzarella sandwich is luscious, and the golden beet and feta salad has a maple vinaigrette that doesn't drown the fresh leaves.

With Common Ground's familiar windows thrown open wide, merging bar with street life, or sitting on the rear patio, summer nights in Allston just got tastier.

If you go


Common Ground Bar & Grill
85 Harvard Ave., Allston
617-783-2071
www.commongroundallston.com ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143302--common-ground-moves-up-to-a-higher-ground Wed, 16 May 2012 17:20:51 -0400 BOSTON http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143302--common-ground-moves-up-to-a-higher-ground <![CDATA['Woody Sez' is a good way to enjoy the repertoire of a legendary folkie]]>
Though Guthrie's music is the centerpiece of "Woody," the show's narrative keeps it from feeling like a musical revue. Each of the 30-plus songs adds a new layer to the story, giving the audience an almost palpable sense of what life was like for the common Midwestern man during the Great Depression.

David M. Lutken attempts to capture Guthrie's essence with his Southern drawl and charming storytelling ability. At times, however, Woody feels more like Will Rogers than the drifting musician/activist wandering through life searching for hope among the seemingly endless tragedies that shaped him.

Once Lutken and company begin making music, any theatrical shortcoming is forgotten. Even if you're not a fan, you'll find yourself tapping your feet, singing along and wanting to share the joyful moment with your neighbors. 

The power of music to heal and provide hope fills the room as people sing at the "Jolly Banker," tell the tale of the "Sinking of the Reuben James," and, of course, joyfully proclaim "This Land Is Your Land."

Even if you have no interest in Woodie Guthrie, the extraordinary musicianship on display in this production is reason enough to see it. Lutken, Darcie Deaville, Helen Jean Russell and Andy Teirstein make music that will touch your soul with everything from a guitar to a set of spoons. And they do it with awe-inspiring joy.

Join in on the hootenanny


Every Thursday night, the cast of "Woody Sez" will lead hootenannies after the performance. All are invited to bring their own instruments and play along, sing or just sit and enjoy the music. Other post-show hootenannies are scheduled at select performances.

If you go

'Woody Sez'
Through May 26
American Repertory Theater
64 Brattle St., Cambridge
$25-$75, 617-547-8300
www.americanrepertorytheater.org

]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143295--woody-sez-is-a-good-way-to-enjoy-the-repertoire-of-a-legendary-folkie Wed, 16 May 2012 16:58:34 -0400 NICK DUSSAULT, BOSTON http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143295--woody-sez-is-a-good-way-to-enjoy-the-repertoire-of-a-legendary-folkie <![CDATA[Sources: Jennifer Lopez is quitting 'American Idol']]> E! is reporting that sources close to J.Lo told reporter Mark Malkin that she is planning on leaving the world-famous singing competition because she is "too busy."

Lopez's schedule certainly is a packed one — between filming for "Idol," shooting movies like "What to Expect When You're Expecting," raising twins, going through a divorce with estranged husband Marc Anthony, and dating younger backup dancer Casper Smart, she's one busy lady.

While Fox has yet to confirm the rumor that J.Lo is leaving "Idol," show executives are very aware that she's been wishy washy about continuing.

After she admitted she might not have a third season of "America Idol" in her, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe hoped to win her over.

"I know how much she loves doing the show and how much she cares for the kids," he told TMZ. "We want her back. I want her back."

Nice start, Nigel, but you're going to have to do better — this lady is used to the grovel, and we suspect she enjoys it.
]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143292--sources-jennifer-lopez-is-quitting-american-idol Wed, 16 May 2012 16:40:00 -0400 CASSANDRA GARRISON/MONICA WEYMOUTH, NEW YORK http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143292--sources-jennifer-lopez-is-quitting-american-idol <![CDATA[Strange Boys are afoot and they 'Live Music']]>
"We've never really listened to him," says Sambol. "Maybe it’s a Dylan thing. Both Tom and I trying a Bob job."

Sambol's demeanor in-person is one of quiet confidence and charm, but when it comes to playing live, he and his bandmates, which includes his brother Phil on bass, Greg Enlow on guitar and Mike La Franchi on drums, tear it up.

The latest Strange Boys album is called "Live Music," which is not to say it was recorded in concert, but that it rhymes with "give music," an appropriate code for the band and the exchange they have with their audience.

"If we're playing well and looking like we're having fun people usually loosen up and start to move around," says Sambol.

Crowds move around quite a bit at Strange Boys shows; certainly more than at a typical indie rock show. Sambol says of which cities are the dancingest, "Madrid dances, Paris moves, Fort Wayne Indiana gets way down." ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143278--strange-boys-are-afoot-and-they-live-music Wed, 16 May 2012 14:52:51 -0400 PAT HEALY http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143278--strange-boys-are-afoot-and-they-live-music <![CDATA[CBS makes room for another Sherlock, not much else on fall schedule]]>
CBS can tout itself as America's most watched broadcast network in overall viewership, so overhauling the lineup isn't necessary. Instead, the network is banking on the resurgent popularity of Sherlock Holmes with the crime drama "Elementary."

In recent years, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective has been adapted on the big screen as an action-adventure hero, played by Robert Downey Jr., while the BBC/PBS miniseries "Sherlock," starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a modern-day Holmes, boasts an extremely passionate fan base. CBS's addition to the Holmes canon finds the consulting detective solving crimes in present-day New York City, his loyal assistant, Dr. Joan Watson, by his side. Jonny Lee Miller (coincidentally, a costar of Cumberbatch's in the play "Frankenstein") plays Holmes while Lucy Liu stars as Watson. (Find out what Cumberbatch has to say about the other Sherlocks in our exclusive interview.)

Rounding out the roster of new CBS shows this fall are "Vegas," starring Dennis Quiad and Michael Chiklis as lawman and mobster in 1960s Las Vegas; "Made in Jersey," about a working class woman who uses her street smarts to get ahead at an NYC law firm; and the sitcom "Partners," starring Michael Urie and David Krumholtz as best friend roommates whose relationship is tested when one gets engaged.

New series slated for midseason are drama "Golden Boy," about the meteoric rise of a young NYC cop to police commissioner; comedy "Friend Me," about two Indiana transplants (Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Nicholas Braun) trying to figure out how to have a social life in Los Angeles; and reality guru Mark Burnett's "The Job," which give people the opportunity to interview for their dream jobs.

Returning series include "NCIS," "The Big Bang Theory," "Person of Interest," "2 Broke Girls," "60 Minutes," "The Amazing Race," "How I Met Your Mother," "Mike & Molly," "Hawaii Five-0," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Survivor," "Criminal Minds," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," Two and a Half Men," "CSI: NY," "Blue Bloods," "48 Hours Mystery," "The Mentalist," "The Good Wife." "Undercover Boss" will return midseason.

CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
2012-2013 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE
(N=New, NT=New Time, all times ET/PT)
 
MONDAY
8:00-8:30 PM  HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM  PARTNERS (N)
9:00-9:30 PM  2 BROKE GIRLS (NT)
9:30-10:00 PM  MIKE & MOLLY
10:00-11:00 PM  HAWAII FIVE-0
 
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM  NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM  NCIS: LOS ANGELES
10:00-11:00 PM  VEGAS (N)
 
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM  SURVIVOR
9:00-10:00 PM  CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM  CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
 
THURSDAY
8:00-8:30 PM  THE BIG BANG THEORY
8:30-9:00 PM  TWO AND A HALF MEN (NT)
9:00-10:00 PM  PERSON OF INTEREST
10:00-11:00 PM  ELEMENTARY (N)
 
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM  CSI: NY (NT)
9:00-10:00 PM  MADE IN JERSEY (N)
10:00-11:00 PM  BLUE BLOODS
 
SATURDAY
8:00-9:00 PM  CRIMETIME SATURDAY
9:00-10:00 PM  CRIMETIME SATURDAY
10:00-11:00 PM  48 HOURS MYSTERY
 
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM  60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM  THE AMAZING RACE
9:00-10:00 PM  THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM  THE MENTALIST (NT) ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143270--cbs-makes-room-for-another-sherlock-not-much-else-on-fall-schedule Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:21 -0400 AMBER M RAY, NEW YORK http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143270--cbs-makes-room-for-another-sherlock-not-much-else-on-fall-schedule <![CDATA[Wednesday gossip roundup: John Mayer wants you to forgive him for all that racist stuff]]> John Travolta of sexual assault during a private massage has dropped out of the lawsuit, according to People magazine. The lawyer handling the complaints, Okorie Okorocha, parted ways with his first client after the man reportedly dropped lied about  the date of his interaction with Travolta — who wasn't in L.A. when the accuser claims he was, according to the actor's attorney. "Let's just say we had difference in opinion of how to handle the case and decided to part ways," Okorocha says. His second unidentified client is still seeking $2 million in damages from Travolta.

Tom Cruise has gotten over his couch-jumping period, but he's not mad at other people for dwelling on his past moments of erratic behavior. "Do I make mistakes? Yeah. I don't care who you are, life has challenges," Cruise tells Playboy magazine. "I remember as a kid I wanted an adventurous life, and I've gotten it. So if someone judges me harshly, it's OK. I don't even judge them harshly for doing it."

John Mayer wants everyone to know he's done a lot of growing up in his two years out of the spotlight. "I lost my head for a little while. I lost touch and I didn't want to ask for directions," Mayer tells Ellen DeGeneres during a visit to her talk show. "I did a couple really dumb interviews and it woke me up." The singer, who famously shot his mouth off about famous ex-girlfriends and racial issues, insists he's calmed in the intervening time off. "I think back then I would of said, 'Give me two weeks' or like, 'Let me get out and do Ellen and let me explain myself," Mayer says. "It was like no, idiot. Go away. Be 33 and 34 instead of 28 for the fourth year."

Lady Gaga has been denied a permit to perform in the city of Jakarta, according to E! News. The singer was reportedly banned from Indonesia all together after an outpouring of criticism from Islamic activists, but a spokesperson for the Indonesian national police would only confirm that she would not be allowed to go ahead with her scheduled show on June 3. Officials pulled the permit out of fear that they would not be able to control protesters at the event. Lady Gaga's rep has yet to comment.  

Following the lead of Barack Obama, Jay-Z has voiced his support for gay marriage. "I have always thought of it as something that is still holding the country back," the rapper, who has been married to Beyonce Knowles for four years, tells CNN. "What people do in their own homes is their business, and you can choose to love whoever you love. That's their business. It is no different than discriminating against blacks. It's discrimination, plain and simple."

Miley Cyrus has opened her heart and her home to yet another dog, Mary-Jane, bringing her total to five pups at home. But that means the singer is breaking the law. "You are allowed three dogs and three cats in the City of Los Angeles unless you have a kennel permit," a rep for Los Angeles Animal Services tells Hollyscoop. The violation can lead to hefty fines and even jail time. But Cyrus may be able to avoid trouble if she can keep her neighbors happy: "We often do not know if a person has more pets unless the neighbors report them to the Department, which happens if the reporting party feels that the animals are not getting proper care or if they are creating a nuisance," the rep for Animal Services says.
]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143229--wednesday-gossip-roundup-john-mayer-wants-you-to-forgive-him-for-all-that-racist-stuff Wed, 16 May 2012 11:14:03 -0400 METRO WORLD NEWS, HOLLYWOOD http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143229--wednesday-gossip-roundup-john-mayer-wants-you-to-forgive-him-for-all-that-racist-stuff <![CDATA['Smash' recap: Episode 15, 'Bombshell']]>
Julia and Tom are making last-minute finishing touches to the script, then dash through the audience that's gathering for the show to hand off the pages to ... who is it, don't keep us in suspense! Oh wait, we will be kept in suspense. Before we can see who's Marilyn Monroe, we get a title card directing us to 12 hours earlier. At that time, the production/creative team is still bickering about who to cast. The ensemble is gathered together anxiously, awaiting the verdict.

Critic Michael Riedel calls from the "Post" for Eileen. She says he'll be the first to know who the new Marilyn will be, but everything will be fine. She doesn't convince anyone, including the overly excited Ellis, who's eavesdropping as per usual. Never change, Ellis. Karen annoyingly answers a call from her "fiance," dropping that news in front of her peers like one would drop her hanky in front of a handsome man to passively get his attention in those old-timey flicks. Ivy's mom also calls to harass her so we can see Bernadette Peters' alter ego again. You know what? Bernadette Peters would have an alter ego who is just another version of herself. Never change, Bernadette.

Derek's rifling through a woman's clothing rack and thinking of the times either Karen or Ivy has performed in those outfits. Much like with Eileen's beau who thought Rebecca was good because she was "hot," Derek seems to cast sheerly based on sex appeal. In the end, we see Karen show up in that wretched purple shift with the Peter Pan collar, and then Derek announces to everyone that Karen will be playing Marilyn as of that night. That pretty much guarantees she will not be playing Marilyn by the episode's end. You can't fool us, "Smash."

... wow, it's a shiny, new SMASH! Still no official exclamation point, though.

Julia tells Karen that she can ask for help if she needs it because everyone wants her to succeed. In the background, Tom's face disagrees intensely. Maybe Tom and Julia should have exercised their ridiculous contractual powers of voting in cast members? We still want to see the paperwork on that one.

Karen calls Dev to tell him the good news; she invites him to see her perform. Tom and Julia get to work on that new song they need in a matter of hours. Julia shows Tom some lyrics and he says, "Not so much, honey." She crumples it up and starts again.

Ellis storms up to Eileen and makes a case for Ivy being Marilyn. Eileen humors him, but says he doesn't get a vote. He does get to pick up some Starbucks. Then Ellis admits that he poisoned Rebecca Duvall. He explains that peanuts grind right up! He needs an evil villain laugh, because he's already got the over-explainy-monologue-that-ends-up-thwarting-the-bad-guy part down. He says he's not an assistant, he's a producer. Eileen corrects him: He's fired. She kicks him out of the theater. Might want to get a restraining order while you're at it, Eileen. Dude just nearly killed someone, and now you're gonna piss him off?

Karen and Swift are practicing "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" but Karen forgets the blocking, has the wrong lyrics and needs a costume fitting. Drama! The lights go out (again), and Swift confronts Julia in the dark. He says he thought he came back because she needed him, but she doesn't have to run away from him. She says she's not, she's running away from herself. Swift says that he told his wife about their affair and she left, taking their 3-year-old. Of course Frank walks in and sees Julia trying to comfort Swift. He walks out angrily.

Julia chases Frank out. He says he just can't trust her. She says they can just count on the good outweighing the mistakes. Leo shows up with lunch, looking more bloated than ever. They say ridiculous things about love and vinegar and how life is better when they're all together. Rebecca's pathetic death scene from last week had more emotional depth than this dialogue.

Inside, Eileen's worried they skipped "Howl" but LINDA SPEAKS! and says that it's a matter of the costume not fitting. Um, just rehearse without the dress? Probably practice is more important than costuming at this point. We also aren't convinced that Rebecca's size is that much different than Karen's. Tom strolls up and says he needs to talk to Derek, but Derek assures him that he needs to finish that song first.

Tom bitches to Julia instead, who indulges this rant about how Ivy's better, even though she's heard it 800 times. True friendship! Julia mutters to herself that the good stuff in is better than the bad, like a crazy lady.

At rehearsal, Karen goes through "I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl" while Ivy glares from the wings and imagines herself doing it instead - back at Nick Jonas' birthday party. And she's doing it better, because who are we kidding? Do they ever use the same set twice in this show, by the way? Not that there's too much going on with the sets anyway; "Bombshell" is no "Ghost."

Derek is very pleased with Karen's performance. Ivy wants to know why she wasn't picked. He says he just sees Karen as Marilyn. "She just has something that you don't." Ouch. Ivy thanks him for his honesty and walks off in tears. Dev asks her where Karen's engagement ring is, and Ivy lies that she didn't find it. Maybe she threw it in the trash next to Karen's sunglasses? Just to prove to us that she's lying, in case we didn't already know, "Smash" shows us Ivy gazing at Karen's big, fat diamond in the green room.

Eileen says that number was great, but it was also the only one Karen got right. She wants to talk about putting Ivy in at least temporarily, but Derek ignores her. Well listen, you don't ignore ANJELICA HUSTON. She says she's got $7 million in this production and she wants to have a conversation right now. That's a much better argument than the writers' teamwork voting contract. Of course Karen's standing right there and overhears Eileen screaming that she's not right for the part.

Ivy does the right thing and gives Karen the ring, but she also tells her how she got it. She compares Dev to Joe DiMaggio (not in a million years, lady). Karen chooses not to believe Ivy, and Ivy asks why she'd lie about something like that. Well, to upset Karen before she's supposed to go onstage? Which is exactly why you're doing it that way and right now? We believe Ivy has a good heart and also wants Karen to know the truth, but the way she's doing it is definitely calculating, so she can't be let totally off the hook.

Karen confronts Dev with the ring and he fesses up, which is big of him, but Karen's understandably upset. Linda speaks AGAIN! and tells Karen she needs to get back onstage, and Karen leaves mid-talk. Eileen says she appreciates Karen's hard work, but Karen doesn't buy it. Then Eileen's ex-husband randomly shows up, so let's expect some flying drinks soon!

Backstage, Tom wants to know why they're in this crazy business. Sam says it's beautiful and brings them joy. He kisses Tom and tells him to get back to work. We love Sam, but we're ready for him to get hit by a bus or something that isn't completely chipper, righteous and boring.

Eileen talks to her hubby while fixing herself a drink. UH-OH. He wants to know if their daughter helped fund the show, and Eileen says she doesn't use Mahatma Katie (we just saw that actress being equally plain in "The Columnist," by the way, so it's not all Theresa Rebeck's fault). Eileen says to go away. He says he bought a ticket, so he'll be back tonight. Eileen drinks her drink instead of throwing it! Hey, at least that one is free.

Julia and Tom bicker because he wants to add a gospel element and Julia wants to do something less literal and simpler. Julia starts to cry because Karen's not going to be good enough for their precious musical. Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but it's not that good of a musical. Karen actually misses her cue and Linda says she walked out. THREE LINES!

Julia throws up, and she says the last time she threw up she was pregnant with Leo. How very selfish of Julia to get knocked up when there are perfectly decent homeless babies in China!

Nick Jonas takes a break from "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" to bring Eileen back her Degas, even though this show is never going to reap a lick of profit, so that sort of undermines their entire agreement. Eileen complains that the show lost its star and her assistant went psycho. Lyle says Ivy was a spectacular Marilyn. TEAM IVY!

In the dressing room, Dennis is saying that Ivy would have never run away from the part. Well, she did totally fall down and run away from "Heaven On Earth," but why let a little precedent get in the way of your leading lady butt-kissing?

Dev is in an alley where Derek decides to look for Karen in case she took a break to go dumpster diving. The director says to the fiance, we kid you not, "She's mine now."

Derek locates Karen hiding behind some costume racks and although everyone's been looking everywhere, he acts like she was easy to find. Karen says she can't do it and she doesn't want to do it. But Derek is very good at telling women how they feel and what they should think. He says, "Art isn't therapy. We aren't here to work out our personal problems. We're here to take those problems and completely exploit them." She tells him to knock it off. She says her whole life is completely ruined. Aside from having supportive parents, an amazing apartment and the role of a lifetime? Poor baby, one little thing goes wrong with your boyfriend and you shut down? Shut up, please. She doesn't shut up; says Derek doesn't understand love. She really says that. Can Ellis please bring this girl some peanuts? Derek says Karen understands love and Marilyn understood love, and now Karen fully understands her character's heartbreak. So ... yay?

The creative team has just asked Ivy to fill in. And then Derek walks up with Karen, all ready to start after that uplifting speech. They start getting ready to rehearse the new ending, even though the lyrics aren't done. We learn that one of the other dancers is named Bobby, so we thought we should mention it.

Bernadette shows up to congratulate Ivy, but Ivy informs her that she wasn't picked, and then she cries. "I'm just in the chorus, mom. You should just go home." Well, still, she might want to see you? Just a thought. Bernadette stands there, upset – what happened to her being a big, mean Mommy Dearest? Tell Ivy to suck it up and go steal every scene, like she always does.

Side note #1: If Ivy were just suddenly asked to fill in, how would the costumes fit her?
Side note #2: Isn't Ivy now the understudy, hence one broken kneecap away from reaching her dream?

We're back to the opening moments, with Julia and Tom rushing the final pages to Karen. She opens with "Let Me Be Your Star" and runs through some of the other numbers we've seen this season. Backstage, Ivy continues to sulk. Karen does the final dying scene, but instead of flopping to her death, she sings some simple lyrics as a reprise to "Secondhand White Baby Grand." Then Swift sings a reprise to "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." Derek tells Karen that no matter what happens, she should never doubt that she's a star. And then he decides that he does understand love after all. Good to know, Derek.

Karen comes back onstage in gold to sing a summary of the story she's been telling for the past two hours, ostensibly. "When you see someone's hurt and might need a hand, don't forget me. / When you sing happy birthday to someone you love or see diamonds you wish were all free, don't forget me." Were we in danger of forgetting Marilyn Monroe? Just wondering. That's the moral of this whole story, really? Dev smiles proudly from the audience. We also see Julia and Tom, Nick and Eileen sharing content glances. At the very least, something interesting is happening backstage – to wit, Ivy takes a handful of pills to off herself. Well, at least someone's committed to her part. Method acting!

And that's that! "Smash" has somehow been renewed for Season 2, so we'll see the fallout of all these breakups, pregnancies and potential suicides (yeah right) just as soon as we've had enough time to forget this show ever existed. Look, we're masochists so we'll come back for more of this – but on one condition: more Ellis.

SMASH! ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143210--smash-recap-episode-15-bombshell Wed, 16 May 2012 01:33:55 -0400 T. MICHELLE MURPHY, NEW YORK http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143210--smash-recap-episode-15-bombshell <![CDATA[The Word: Jay-Z has Obama’s back on gay marriage]]>
But, that said, everything sounds so much cooler when it's delivered with a little Jay-Z swagger. This guy should consider running for office -- or calling us:

"I've always thought of [opposition to gay marriage] as something that was still holding the country back. What people do in their own homes is their business."

Of course it is. I bet your home is lovely. It seems like it would smell really nice and have good snacks. Swoon.

"It's really not about votes, it's about people. Whether it costs [Obama] votes or not, I think it's the right thing to do as a human being."

We're humans! We love being human. Go humans.

"You can choose to love whoever you love."

Like you, for instance. I mean, if Beyonce's cool with it.  She's probably not. Forget this part happened.

Crazy doesn't come cheap


Demi Lovato may get to sit at the same table as Britney Spears on "The X Factor," but she won't be taking home the same paycheck. While Spears signed a $15 million deal, Lovato will be earning a little more than $1 million for judging Season 2 of the singing competition, reports TMZ. Take note, Demi: Sometimes taking a year off to fall out of limos covered in Cheetos dust pays -- big time.

It's official:?We're afraid of Tom Cruise


We don't know what to make of the June cover of W magazine: We get that it's a joke and Tom Cruise is in character for his upcoming heavy-metal musical "Rock of Ages," but we suspect he thinks he looks seriously hot here.

Inside, the actor talks about where he learned his "Risky Business" dance moves: "My mother worked, my sisters were out, and I'd turn the music up. I learned how to dance watching 'Soul Train.' I noticed that if a guy could dance, he'd get a lot of attention and girls would want to dance with him. I worked very hard at imitating those moves."

Now if only he worked very hard at imitating how humans act. Oh -- like you were fooling anyone with those eyes, Tom. ]]> http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143197--the-word-jay-z-has-obama-s-back-on-gay-marriage Tue, 15 May 2012 20:53:18 -0400 MONICA WEYMOUTH, PHILADELPHIA http://www.metro.us/boston/entertainment/article/1143197--the-word-jay-z-has-obama-s-back-on-gay-marriage