"AT&T iPhone Hell" Kicks Ass!

Gotta love this amazing fake commercial made by this very talented guy named Pat Lee that absolutely slams AT&T and their horrible reception. He beat me to it!

I just came back from a trip to South Africa where the service was better than in certain sections of my own apartment! What the fuck? Do you want to know why it worked better and was extremely clear? It was a different fucking network. Sure, I got molested 50 cents per text message but damn at least the service was clear.

My iPhone 3G has been acting very weird since I returned from SA. I'm experiencing text and VM rushes. That means when I connect and I get all kinds of old texts and VM's all at once. Yep, that happened. But here's the icing on the cake. Yesterday, I found out that I hadn't received a voicemail in two weeks. Two FUCKING weeks. I called my VM from a different phone cause apparently you can't do it from the iPhone (which is totally lame) and I had messages on there that never showed up on the iPhone at all. Nice. I also called my iPhone and surprise, surprise! It never rang. It went straight to VM. No missed call or anything. Damn you all to hell!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot that when I got my latest bill AT&T had charged me a ton of money for data charges even after I got the international plan. They were cool about it though and reversed the charges immediately. So there is that. I'm not so sure that it makes up for the horribly crappy reception though.

The biggest problem I have right now is that even though I want the new iPhone 3GS really, really bad I cannot and won't sign a new 2 year contract. I just can't. Looking back on my cell phone history, I don't think I have ever thought like that before when it comes to contracts. Rumor has it that Apple will not renew the exclusivity deal with AT&T when it expires next year and if that happens I don't want to be stuck with them, I'll go to Verizon, Sprint or hell, even T-Mobile. AT&T makes a boatload of money by having an exclusive deal with Apple. Too bad they can't make that money by having good service.

When Apple finally ends this deal with AT&T and the iPhone is available on other carriers you will see such a mass exodus it will make your head explode. Just like the scene from "The Ten Commandments" when Charlton Heston led his people across the Red Sea. Unfortunately, AT&T is just as stubborn as Yul Brynner. Watch out or you'll be crushed under the sea!

-- Janaki Cedanna

You Too Can Become 'Mad Men'

Are you a Don or a Betty? How about Peggy or Roger? Now you can let your inner Joan bust out for all to see!

If you're like me you're probably tired of finding and cropping those old pics of yourself to post on Twitter, Facebook et al. Not into the Manga or South Park avatars? No worries, because now you can create your very own Mad Men look-alike avatar and the best part is that you get build your very own character from the ground up.

AMC has just launched a new promo website called MadMenYourself that allows you to design your own avatar with easy step-by-step menus and save them to your social networks, your desktop and even your iPhone. The only downside is that the site takes forever to load but once you get past that you can go crazy with various body types, hair, eyes and even accessories. One of the coolest parts is that you can then insert yourself into one of a dozen backgrounds such as the offices of Sterling Cooper, Don's office, the conference room (with the cool Maidenform/Playtex ad card, my favorite) and even a bedroom.

You then get the option to download the full image complete with the background for your desktop or a nice shot of just your full avatar (good for Facebook or for an iPhone background), or just your face (swell for Twitter). Here I am walking into Sterling Cooper wearing a cool hat and smoking a pipe, obviously the center of attention . . . You see how Joan is checking me out? Oh, yeah.

Anyway, all of the artwork was all done by illustrator extraordinaire Dyna Moe who does the official artwork of the show.

Of course this is in anticipation of the premiere of Mad Men on Sunday, August 16th on AMC so there is no telling how long it will be up. Design yours today before everyone gets one and we get sick of them . . .

While you're at it, you can check out my other avatar on the brand new Mad Men Fodder Twitter page!

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Story - You Too Can Become 'Mad Men'

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Entourage: One Car, Two Car, Red Car, Blue Car - Review

I have one thing to tell all the naysayers out there that say Entourage has lost it's edge or is not funny anymore, you are so wrong! Tonight's episode called "One Car, Two Car, Red Car, Blue Car" proves that the writing is as strong and funny as ever and that like it or not the boys are growing up. Get used to it.

This episode had all the earmarks of what the show is about, fast cars, fast women and fast talking. Even though the episode was centered around Turtle's life, the rise and fall of the Eric Murphy Group is just as prominent. The episode also features the classic return of form of Ari Gold in super agent mode. We missed you!

On to the recap and review . . .

It's Turtles 30th birthday and now more than ever he feels like a kept man. He's going through a serious mid-life crisis and a phone call from his mother makes it worse. She gives him some serious grief over his sneaker appearance on the red carpet with Jamie-Lynn and yells at him for not being in control of his life. So what happens? Vince buys him a $240k Ferrari California and Jamie-Lynn buys him a Porsche Boxster. Even E buys him a Rolex watch which makes him feel even more like a loser.

Sensing that Turtle feels depressed about turning 30 with nothing to show for it, Vince takes him and the guys Ferrari racing at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana each with their own Ferrari. To rub salt in the wound Vince wins the race and Turtle comes in last which is odd for the only guy to make his living from driving. Hmmm. When Vince gives him the Ferrari as a present you can see the pain on his face. He doesn't want another Vince handout but accepts it anyway (who wouldn't?).

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Review - Entourage: One Car, Two Car, Red Car, Blue Car - Review

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AMC's 'Mad Men' Returns in August!

With the 3rd season premiere of AMC's Mad Men on Sunday, August 16th looming large, what can we expect this season? 16 Emmy Nominations for starters.

Welcome to the premiere posting of the new Mad Men Fodder blog page. I will be posting weekly reviews and recaps of the critically acclaimed AMC show as well as news and thoughts on this ground breaking show (better late than never, right?)

The 2009 Primetime Emmy Award nominations were announced last week and the show snagged 16 nominations which is the most of any drama series on television. The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will be televised on Sunday, September 20th at 8PM on CBS and is hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

Congratulations to creator Matthew Weiner, Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Elizabeth Moss and all the cast and crew of Mad Men! I was extremely happy with all the noms but definitely thought January Jones, Christina Hendricks and Vincent Kartheiser were very deserving as well. Oh well, maybe next year?

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Story . . .AMC's 'Mad Men' Returns in August!

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HBO's 'Entourage' Gets It's Own Hotel

"I'll take the Entourage bungalow please. Umm, does it come with women too?!"

This could very well be what someone asks as they check into a special Entourage "Themed" 3-story Bungalow at the W Hotels nationwide from July 27 through Sept. 27th, created by Civic Entertainment Group.

MediaPost News has reported that HBO has reached this innovative cross-marketing promotion with the W Hotels to offer a special "Entourage Package" at it's newest hotel in Miami's South Beach area as well as it's 30 other properties nationwide.

Guests that book the specially themed South Beach 3-story Bungalow (for up to 4 guests) get the following branded "A" list type amenities with the room which is considered luxurious even for the W standards (and sounds incredibly awesome):

* Limousine transportation to/from airport
* A personal driver
* WOW Cabana at WET, including beverage and food
* Complimentary dinner at Soleà, the hotel's high-end restaurant.
* VIP access and bottle service at WALL, the hotel's exclusive nightclub.
* Courtside Coronas and reservation at Swoosh, W South Beach's basketball court
* Bliss bag of goodies
* Private Yacht Excursion Cruise with full crew, lunch and limo to arrive in style
* 2 Entourage Bungalow branded Jet Skis
* Golf foursome at Diplomat Golf Course

The bungalow also features . . .

* Free alcohol!! Courtesy of Grey Goose and Heineken and you even get Sony Playstation3 consoles (it's not clear if you get to keep them). Don't they know the guys switched over to a Wii?
(The Grey Goose should make Chelsea Handler a very happy girl . . .)

Don't worry if you can't make it to South Beach! If you book the "Entourage Package" at any of the other 30 W hotels across the country you will get a slimmed down package (probably cheaper):

* A luxury suite.
* A free bottle of champagne.
* The DVD set of "Entourage's" most recent (fifth) season.
All guests will also have free access to a special "HBO Entourage Channel," exclusive to W hotels, which makes the show available to guests on demand, along with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews for the upcoming sixth season.

Vinnie Chase himself, Adrian Grenier will be at the South Beach location on July 23rd to launch the national campaign and unveil the bungalow to the unsuspecting public. Chris Spadaccini, vice president of advertising and promotions at HBO, says the Entourage Bungalow is "an innovative way to give "Entourage" fans access to the lifestyle depicted in the series."

This is not the first Entourage themed promotion dreamt up by by Civic Entertainment Group. Last year, they created the Entourage Air promotion with Virgin Airlines.

HBO and W Hotels will also be promoting this on Facebook in conjunction with the current "Make a Friend Famous" contest in which the winner gets their face on a Hollywood billboard and lots of other free stuff.

How much will living the life of a famous Hollywood "A" lister cost, you ask? A quick check of the rates for a two night stay at the 3-story South Beach Bungalow in August will run you $5,650 big ones. I guess that's cheap for a Hollywood wannabe, right? I couldn't find out if it comes with any women . . .

So hurry on down to Miami and book the Entourage Bungalow right now! If you go just make sure you use the special code VINCE when registering. You can drink some Grey Goose in my honor and score me some swag, right?

-- Janaki Cedanna

HBO's 'Entourage' Gets It's Own Hotel

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'Entourage' vs. Seth Rogen Feud Heats Up!

Turns out that Seth Rogen can't take a joke.

In response to the Sunday, July 19th episode of HBO's Entourage titled "Amongst Friends" where Turtle calls Rogen's "ugliness...oddly fascinating" among other things, Rogen went on the attack. He lashed out at Entourage creator Doug Ellin by calling him an "*sshole" and a "moron." And the feud is on!!!

For those who did not see last weeks episode . . .
WARNING! ***SPOILERS BELOW***

The episode had a running gag with Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) obsessing over how a guy that looks like Seth Rogen could get such a hot woman like Katherine Heigl in Knocked Up to marry him. The show opened with a very funny debate in which he talked about how Rogen is ugly and disgusting. He went to ask everyone he could if they thought Rogen was good looking. At the end of the show the joke was brought up again as he asked all the women in the room including his character's (and real life) girlfriend Jamie-Lynn Sigler if they would actually sleep with him. All the women showed utter disgust except Drama's date who said she slept with him when she was drunk. I thought it was pretty funny but apparently Rogen didn't.

It seems like creator Doug Ellin and producer Mark Wahlberg don't like Rogen very much with Wahlberg recently calling him misogynistic. Now this episode drops which could very well be the most personal and direct attack in the history of the show and the feud intensifies.

According to MovieLine, Rogen responded in an interview this week by telling E!'s Daily 10 show the following:

"Yeah, those guys are *ssholes. I actually ran into Matt...Kevin Dillon in a Starbucks. And he's like 'you know, I've got to kind of apologize because apparently the guy who created our show doesn't like you so much.' And I said 'well I have reason to believe because I think [showrunner] Doug Ellin is a moron from all I can understand so it makes sense he doesn't like me.' And I've kind of said some disparaging things about the show. Although in our defense, [producer] Mark Wahlberg called us misogynistic in an interview, so I think they kind of started that...It's on. Luckily I never have and never plan on watching Entourage."

Now, I don't like the fact that he dissed multiple Emmy nominated Kevin Dillon especially after Dillon went up to him and apologized for the shows content. That's just classless.

While I don't claim to have an insider's view into the real reason Seth Rogen was the butt of several jokes, here are my thoughts.

As I wrote in my episode review . . . at initial glance the Seth Rogen gag may appear to be a dated reference but in reality it's a brilliant plot device. Turtle's character is very insecure with women (and his looks) especially after been totally ignored (except by hookers) his entire life. He is now dating a beautiful Hollywood actress in the show, so of course he's is looking for any evidence that he can find to pull this off even if it's from a stupid movie like Knocked Up. In a case of life imitating art, Jerry Ferrara is in fact in a very serious relationship with Jamie-Lynn in real life and I'm sure he's faced those same insecurities (and jokes) as well. This will be explored more in depth in next weeks episode.

I defy any man in America to tell me that when Knocked Up came out they didn't think (or scream out loud) that there was absolutely no way that a hottie like Heigl would marry a guy like Rogen. He should be happy that there is a thing in movies called "Suspension of Disbelief". Only in Hollywood could a schlub like Rogen ever score with a girl like that. End of story. Turtle identifies himself with Rogen plain and simple and is waiting for the other shoe to drop in his what he believes is a "too good to be true" relationship with the former Meadow Soprano.

But wait there may be more to this escalating feud. Our friends at Cinematical uncovered an old interview Rogen gave to E! Online in which he claims he pitched an Entourage "like" show to HBO years ago and was ignored:

"I just remember feeling really bitter. We thought the stuff we were writing was funny... and it just seemed crazy that no one else liked it. You start to question your own sanity. Like, 'Our HBO pilot isn't funny, but Entourage is?'"

I don't know what he's been smoking but everyone knows that Entourage is based on Mark Wahlberg and his real life entourage as he was climbing his way to the Hollywood "A" list. This is a well documented fact.

So far there hasn't been any response from either Doug Ellin or Mark Wahlberg on Rogen's latest comments. But I would pay real money to see Rogen say any of the above to Wahlberg's face. Let's just say that would be a real bad day in the life of Seth Rogen.

Here's a quote from Turtle:
Turtle: His ugliness is oddly fascinating. Especially in Blu-ray. It just pisses me off.
Drama: Why would you be pissed off? I'm the one who was too good-looking to even get an audition for the role.

Do any of the readers of Entourage Fodder have any thoughts about this? Is Doug Ellin a moron? Is Seth Rogen bitter? Was he justified? Were the jokes funny?

Feel free to leave comments and tell me what you think. I will keep you up to date on any further developments and regardless of what happens this could turn out to be one blazing hot summer!!

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Story: Entourage vs. Seth Rogen Feud Heats Up!

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South Africa Adventure - Part 1

This is the first post about my recent documentary film trip to the beautiful Western Cape of South Africa. The picture above is the view of Pinnacle Point from a cliff face. Awesome isn't it?

The doc is about archeology and upon returning I have over 100 hours of footage and 12,000 still pictures. Make sure you click on the links in the upper right portion of my blog to see my ever evolving SA galleries on MobileMe.

South Africa is an amazing country. First off it's the most developed and advanced on the continent of Africa, secondly the people are so friendly. I stayed in Rheebok which is a suburb of Mosselbaai (Mossel Bay) and was there nearly a month. I was in the southern hemisphere once again in my life but this time I was farther down under than Australia! In fact, the damn South Pole was about 3,000 km away. Wow.

I worked 7 days a week and did all of the shooting by myself! I had some help but I prefer to focus on the positive . . . I shot this on a Panasonic HVX 200 I borrowed from a friend. I wanted to shoot on the new JVC GY-HM700 but JVC wouldn't step up to the plate and play ball like Bogen Imaging did. No matter as the HVX shoots time lapse and is easier to carry, not

like the JVC.

I was very excited about this project and to actually go to South Africa. I began to formulate all kinds of pre-production plans but it was difficult since I didn't know what to expect when I got there.

I knew I had to pin down the project director and obtain unrestricted access all while battling the elements and oh yeah, I had to carry all the equipment everywhere!

After a long ass flight from Phoenix to Atlanta direct to Johannesburg I was ready to tour the locations. Problem was that I didn't know where anything was and the directions given were I'm sad to say, crappy. I also had to drive everywhere and even though it's on the left hand side of the road I mastered it in only a couple of days. Problem was that when there are road signs they are English going one way and the other they were in Afrikaans. That contributed to my confusion ( That and always turning the wipers on instead of the turn signals! Hey I can't help it that everything was backwards.)

The Pinnacle Point site was at the same time remote and not remote. On top of the caves on the beach where the site is located sits a multi-million dollar golf resort.

Yes, that's right a frakkin golf resort. In order to get down to the caves we had to park near the main leasing office across from the casino (I'm so not joking), take a shuttle to the clubhouse and then trek down, I shit you not a mile of stairs winding down the mountain to the beach and then hike across rocks and up the trail. Needless to say it was VERY painful. Anything for the art, right? After getting totally lost the first day I spent the next few days familiarizing myself with roads, people and locations. I had to get a game plan together quickly. The first two days of shooting were very successful as I shot Stone Tool Knapping segments and was introduced to the slogan "Four seasons in a day at Mossel Bay" especially in the winter time. It was sunny one moment, rainy the next. Constantly. Continuity all shot to hell. I managed to get great stuff even if the wind was whipping through which didn't help my audio . . .

Stay tuned to part 2 coming up in the next few days.

-- Janaki Cedanna

Entourage: Amongst Friends - Review

One week after roaring back with the highest ratings Entourage has received in two years, once again I'm impressed with the entertainment value of this show. This episode had an impressive film premiere, great banter, hot girls, a Seth Rogen obsession and even had the beginning of a love triangle for the main character. No, it's not Vince . . . Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to get some of The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection 1971 Vintage scotch whiskey that Ari was drinking last week. But I digress . . .

Forget all your preconceptions, this show is centered around little ole Eric Murphy. The second episode of the sixth season of Entourage, aptly entitled Amongst Friends is a pretty good barometer of the direction the show is heading.

As Vince and the boys get ready to attend the premiere of Gatsby all of them are scrounging around for dates, except Turtle who appears to have a rock solid relationship with Jamie-Lynn Sigler. I just can't imagine she will stick around for long if Turtle, aka Sal, doesn't get his act together and come up with a solid life plan, right?

-- Janaki Cedanna

Click Here for Full Entourage: Amongst Friends - Review

Entourage gets 4 Emmy Nominations!

First a hit fictional TV show and new bar owner and then this. Things are finally turning around for Drama! Maybe Ari will finally give him some respect? Doubtful.

It was announced today that the hit HBO show Entourage was nominated for four 2009 Primetime Emmy Awards including Kevin Dillon as the show's only acting nom for his role as Johnny Drama and best comedy show. The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards will be televised on Sunday, September 20th at 8PM on CBS and is hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.

This years Emmy nom was Dillon's third in a row. The previous two years he lost out to fellow cast member Jeremy Piven but this year may be his best shot since the Pivster wasn't even nominated. Seems like he's still being punished for that whole Broadway mercury poisoning fiasco.

Specifically, the show was nominated for the following:

- Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series • Tree Trippers
- Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series
(Half-Hour) And Animation

I think the only win will be Kevin Dillon as he's up against Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock). He's due, plain and simple.

In the newly expanded category, Entourage is up against Family Guy, Flight of the Conchords, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, 30 Rock and Weeds. All I have to say is that the show is way overdue for some recognition especially since season 5 was the best one yet.

Once again HBO leads all networks with a whopping 99 nominations with NBC a distant 2nd with 67. If Piven or the other snubbed HBO show, True Blood had received their expected noms then the network would have had a record 100 nominations.

Does anyone else think that this is Kevin Dillon's year? Who else was snubbed that you think deserves a nomination? Will there be a VICTORY!!??

-- Janaki Cedanna

Entourage gets 4 Emmy Noms!

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Entourage: Drive - Review

The wait is finally over and the boys of Entourage came roaring back for the sixth season premiere tonight on HBO. This episode had it all: classic Johnny Drama lines, the guys giving E a hard time, Ari treating Lloyd like his lap dog and some Vinnie sexual escapades. Throw in some great naturalistic dialogue and superb editing and this season looks like one hell of a ride. Buckle up because Vince has a drivers license!

Creator Doug Ellin is one smart guy. He knows that the fans are split right down the middle with half of them longing for the days when the guys were carefree and talking smack all the time and the other half looking for character growth and development. So what does he do? He gives us both without it feeling forced. This show has always been about friendship and it was put on ample display without being sappy. And he managed to give some screen time to every single character in the shows arsenal. Nicely done Doug.

The episode didn't have any crazy surprises and in fact not much happened at all but it did have a solid story with great banter. I was actually pretty surprised how laid back everything was. It seemed more like a mid season episode instead of a premiere of a show that hasn't had a new episode in 8 months!! Not that I'm complaining at all.

Entourage: Drive - Review

-- Janaki Cedanna

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Entourage Premieres Tonight!

Hold on to your daughters because Vince and the boys are back for an all new sixth season of Entourage tonight at 10:30 EST on HBO. The season is again 12 episodes long which seems to now be the standard.

Part of the fun of Entourage is the slew of celebrity cameos that interact with our favorite Hollywood fictional characters and this season does not disappoint. TV Guide reports that Matt Damon does more than just bump into Vince at some fancy party but actually influences him to do something he is not prepared to do by bumping into him at the airport! Playing himself, Damon guilts Vince into donating money to charity and the word is that it's extremely funny. Damon appears on the October 4th season finale.

Entourage Premieres Tonight!

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-- Janaki Cedanna