The week in Pop: My favorite things

Yes, I'm still alive! Sorry for today's delay, but here's my weekly roundup of pop-culture favorites. Peruse them, and please share your own:

Best TV show I saw: I'm going with Lost again! I'm a sucker for any episode featuring Desmond.
I also enjoyed: Battlestar Galactica, Damages, The Daily Show, Flight of the Conchords
You haven't seen: Last night I watched a couple episodes from the upcoming season of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and laughed to bits. (The new season starts Feb. 8.) Tonight I catch the live show, which should be an experience like no other.

Best movie I watched: I caught a screening of Coraline this week and was pleasantly surprised. Back when I lived in the Windy City, I loved visiting the miniatures room of the Art Institute of Chicago -- all of the tiny, handmade textiles just blew my mind. Coraline overflows with human handiwork, and the plot doesn't stray too far from the book. (My main problem is the addition of a boy character named Wybie. Did cool, independent Coraline really need an annoying sidekick? Harrumph.) Overall, I recommend it to viewers of all ages, though young girls may feel the most magic.
I also saw: Joaquin Phoenix made an indie film with Gwyneth Paltrow called Two Lovers before "retiring" to become a rap star. He plays an introvert who suddenly becomes caught between two women. It opens Feb. 13, and it's available on demand through some cable services. (I never quite fell for it.)

Also, I enjoyed the Dead Like Me direct-to-DVD flick (out Feb. 17) that continues the canceled Showtime series. Star Ellen Muth returns, and Lost's Henry Ian Cusick (speaking of Desmond!) plays the gang's new boss. If you were a fan of the show, add this to your rental queue; it feels like a super-sized episode and leaves the future open for more movies.

Best album I heard: I haven't been listening to one particular album this week, but Matt and Kim's song Daylight refuses to leave my head.
I'm also listening to: The new Ben Kweller record is more down-home than I expected. (He also appeared on Letterman this week.) I've also been listening to that new Loney Dear album, which has been getting some attention.

Best thing I read: Ha, the other day I finished reading Esther Pearl Watson's Unlovable on the subway. Her minicomics are the best -- the premise is that it follows an awkward adolescent girl's diary through the '80s -- so having a giant book of them just takes the cake.
I'm also reading: The January issue of The Comics Journal features a massive interview with Brian K. Vaughan. I have been saving it, because I am just that nerdy. I can't wait to enjoy it in one sitting.

So there you go. What have you been watching/hearing/doing all week? Let us know in the comments.

'Starship Troopers' gets serious

As a Starship Troopers fan, I was intrigued when I heard Casper Van Dien's character had returned ... to appear in a series of PSAs.

It sounds bizarre, but it's true: Van Dien stars in a couple new spots for Childhelp, an organization that works for the prevention and treatment of child abuse. As his Troopers character, Johnny Rico, he urges viewers to join the fight. (Favorite line: "I need you on this battlefield, trooper.")

See for yourself:

Wow. It hasn't been too long since Van Dien played Rico: He suited up for 2008's Starship Troopers 3: Marauder.

M.I.A. braces herself for baby, trophies

This week M.I.A. (aka Maya Arulpragasam) appeared on Tavis Smiley's program to talk about her Grammy nods and Oscar nomination for Slumdog Millionaire. She's due to give birth in a couple weeks, but she's in great spirits and looks lovely.

"I feel like people either love me or hate me, which is good, because that was the point of what I do," she says.

In this clip, she discusses the song Paper Planes. Go here to watch the entire interview, which runs about 12 minutes.

On a related note, Smiley welcomes Slumdog director Danny Boyle tonight. A clips is already available online.

Pop forum: Meet today's featured reader

Today's reader adores Wonder Woman, Dexter and Zooey Deschanel's singing voice. Learn more, say hello, and let me know if you'd like to be featured in this space!

Reader of the day: jaytini

Real name: Jonathan "jt" Taylor
Why I chose my screen name: Once, while being the only Borders Cafe employee cleaning up at the end of the shift, while my co-workers were sitting around not helping, I turned around and said "No, no worries, let the great and powerful Jaytini magically make the mess disappear," and it kind of stuck -- sans the "great and powerful" part.
Where I live: Alexandria, Va., but I will always be a New England boy at heart.
Occupation: Freelance graphic designer, wannabe arty dude.
Blog: http://eyedewstuff.blogspot.com/ (now maybe I will start updating for the new year!)

Three famous people I'd love to meet: Hitchcock, Julia Child and Rosalind Russell.

One famous person I've actually met: Lynda Carter! I worked for a special events company in D.C. and at the Kennedy Center Honors, a friend of mine shanghaied her on her way to the bathroom to meet me. I have always loved Wonder Woman, and when I met Lynda, I had tears in my eyes and couldn't speak. She was very gracious and posed for a picture with me, all while having to go to the restroom. Such a beautiful woman.

Early buzz: Coachella, 'Top Chef,' Rourke and more

Happy Friday! I'm sorry for my absence yesterday, but I'm back for a bit. This afternoon I have to leave for a couple hours to tape a television program. I'll share the details once it's done, but unless something goes awry, it should air soon. Cross your fingers for me -- I still haven't figured out what to wear.

A handful o' headlines:

- The Coachella lineup has been announced. Headliners include The Cure, Paul McCartney, My Bloody Valentine and Morrissey.

- The A.V. Club talks to Friday Night Lights' Taylor Kitsch. Yay.

- Here's an interview with the contestant who was eliminated from Top Chef this week.

- Our reviewer says the Renee Zellweger flick New in Town "may be one of the worst movies of any year."

- Star Wars: The Clone Wars will start airing on TNT Feb. 14.

- Mickey Rourke has found a new project.

- The live-action He-Man movie is in development.

- Former General Hospital star Genie Francis chats about her new TV movie (and GH) in this Q&A.

- I haven't been keeping up with American Idol this season, and this story makes me feel like I haven't missed much from these ridiculous judges.

- Here's a poem the late John Updike had written about his death.

- The deluxe edition of Morrissey's new album includes a conversation between the singer and comedian Russell Brand.

- What are the best Sundance movies of all time?

- In case you were wondering, there's nothing going on between Evan Rachel Wood and Mickey Rourke.

- Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book is headed to the big screen, with Neil Jordan directing.

- All week PopMatters has been posting special features to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown.

- Here's a quick rundown of musicians/bands who use Twitter.

- Another Narnia movie is being made after all. Do we care?

- Cracked.com has a list of "20 Baffling Foreign Movie Posters."

- And finally, you can never have too many bacon haikus.

'The State' reunites at SF Sketchfest

A few weeks ago I told you about an exciting cast reunion of MTV's sketch-comedy show, The State. Last weekend's SF Sketchfest marked the first time all 11 members of the group had performed together in more than 10 years. If you snagged a ticket, consider yourself lucky.

On Jan. 24, the gang performed an evening of all-new sketches at a small theater. The next day, Janeane Garofalo hosted a Q&A with the cast. Below are some photos from the events -- with any luck, we won't have to wait 10 more years for another reunion.

Click the pics for a closer look:

A Sketchfest organizer tells me the show wasn't exactly G-rated, but in this photo, Michael Ian Black (right) is dressed as Christopher Columbus and argues with David Wain's character about the salty name of one of his ships.

This sketch involved a sex-change operation and featured Tom Lennon (left), Kerri Kenney-Silver and Robert Ben Garant, now on Comedy Central's Reno 911!.

The show ended with an encore peformance of the classic State song, Porcupine Racetrack. The crowd gave them a standing ovation.

As for the Q&A/tribute, here's a cute photo of Black and Kenney-Silver.

And check out Michael Showalter (left) with fellow alum Ken Marino.

SF Sketchfest ends Saturday, so check it out if you're in the area. (Mad Men's Jon Hamm even stops by for three shows this weekend, along with funny folks like Bob Odenkirk, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Andy Richter.)

Photos by Tommy Lau

The 'Lost' shindigs continue

Since the weather got a little nasty here, I enjoyed last night's Lost from my living room. Several of you continue to celebrate Season 5 with elaborate viewing parties. Here are a few photos, and feel free to send more my way:

Last night Jake M. and friends enjoyed "a dinner of fresh Reyes family sandwiches." Um, yum? He adds, "Before this, I'd never had caviar -- my only experience with it was watching Tom Hanks scrape caviar off his tongue in Big. Anyway, it definitely wasn't as bad as Mr. Hanks made it seem. With a kaiser roll, fresh salami, cheese, mayo, romaine lettuce and caviar, these sandwiches hit the spot."

Shanessa M. sent a whole page of photos from her elaborate Lost premiere party. "We had an Oceanic 6 flash-forward theme," she says. Here's one friend dressed as Penny, a character we saw again last night ...

... And here's a young attendee who looks very happy to be dressed as the island.

Drop me a line to share info about your own parties -- or if you know of a Lost-related event in the New York area!

Pop forum: Talk amongst yourselves

Today's reader sends a pic of herself with a sci-fi star and reveals a passion for The Princess Bride. Read on, then say hi:

Reader of the day: Katy H.

Real name: Katy
Where I live: Huber Heights, Ohio (the largest community of brick houses in the U.S., or so the highway sign says)
Occupation: Currently unemployed as I just had my second child. Former retail slave.
Website: www.fangirlmomma.com

One famous person I've actually met: I met several when I went to DragonCon 2008 including John DeLancie (Star Trek's Q), Micheal Shanks, Chris Judge (Stargate) and Aaron Douglas (BSG), but Paul McGillion (Stargate: Atlantis) was the best. When I went to have my friend take the picture (shown here), she accidentally turned off the camera! He laughed and just hugged me tighter while we waited for her to get organized. It was very awesome, and he was a great individual.

My earliest pop-culture memory: My entire kindergarten class went to see E.T. in the theater.

Early buzz: 'Mother' news, new series, 'Watchmen,' more

Good morning! Did you dream about Lost last night? Feel free to join the discussion today, which is already buzzing with Daniel Faraday theories.

Unfortunately, I have an appointment that will take me away from this blog for most of the day. I'll post what I can before I leave, starting with these headlines:

- Paul McCartney appeared on The Colbert Report last night.

- Six Feet Under's Frances Conroy will play Barney's mom on How I Met Your Mother.

- Speaking of Mother, Cobie Smulders says the show is already shooting the season finale because half the cast is pregnant.

- You can watch the season premiere of Showtime's Secret Diary of a Call Girl on YouTube.

- My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way discusses how Watchmen changed his life.

- Lost's Nestor Carbonell swears he does not wear eyeliner.

- NBC is developing a series based on the movie Parenthood.

- In this Q&A, director Zack Snyder talks Watchmen and his "geekiest phase."

- The House defeated a bill to delay the switch to digital TV, so it's still set for Feb. 17.

- RollingStone.com has a sneak preview of the new record from the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach.

- In this feature, Blossom's Mayim Bialik discusses some roles throughout her career (including Beaches).

- The guy who wrote Notorious is now working on a screenplay about Run-DMC.

- Here's a Q&A with Elizabeth Banks, who stars in The Uninvited.

- NBC's Lost in the '80s series will star Billy Campbell.

- Slate looks at Wendy and Lucy and other "great new movies about America's poor."

- Rachael Ray is throwing another party at South by Southwest this year.

- Transformers' old Soundwave was so much better than the new Soundwave.

- And finally, here's a fun game of "Guess the Lego Movie Star." (Thanks, Tim T.)

Let's talk 'Lost': Jan. 28 episode

The wacky web of Widmore! Shocking declarations of love! A newfound appreciation for Latin!

I can't believe another season of Lost is underway -- it's almost too good to be true. Let's discuss this week's bombastic episode in the comments, though don't forget these basic rules before you post:

1. Be respectful of others.

2. Try not to repeat previous comments.

3. If you post a spoiler about an upcoming episode, please warn us first.

OK, here we go again. Check ABC.com Thursday morning to watch the ep online, and stay tuned for a roundup of the top 10 comments on this blog.