Behind the Rivalry

If you're keeping score on the Alec Baldwin/John Krasinski baseball rivalry, here's a behind the scenes chat about their favorite teams.

Baseball Rivalry with Baldwin & Krasinski

I'm with Krasinski on this one. As Chris Rock said last week on Letterman, (and I'm paraphrasing because I can't remember the millionaire he mentioned - but you'll get the idea) "Rooting for the Yankees to win is like rooting for Bill Gates to win the lottery."

Lets Go Red Sox. Lets Go Mets.

Birthday Time...John Krasinski

He just hit his third decade today. A virtual happy birthday to a guy whose work I really enjoy.

Cast of The Office catch Jim and Pam Wedding Bug

First Jenna Fischer's engagement to her Texan screenplay writer boyfriend, now John Krasinski's next on the matrimony deck. There must be something in the craft services water - or acting like the proud groom on set all day has rubbed off. Krasinski and his girlfriend Emily Blunt are engaged. I'm sure Krasinski fans who favor the word "squee" are jumping for joy (or crying in their pillow).

Awesome news. Congrats to the man who plays one of my most favorite television characters, and is one terrifically funny guy.

Source: People Magazine

Away We Go...Trailer

What did John Krasinski during his summer break last year? He filmed a Sam Mendes film. At the time, it went under the working title Farlanders. Then it was called This Must Be The Place (a nice nod to a heart warming Talking Heads song). Now, the official title is Away We Go, a solid, sweet title if ever I heard one.

The film, written by Dave Eggers and his wife Vendela Vita, looks warm, funny, sentimental and worth a few dollars plunked down at the box office. It's about a couple in their thirties who are about to have their first child and decide to travel around the country to search for a place to live. It co-stars SNL's Maya Rudolph as the preggers girlfriend to her raffish boyfriend, played by Krasinski.

The film appears to transport John beyond the farcial comedies to which he's been associated. Mendes seems to have zoned in on the sensitivity and comedic timing that have made Krasinski compelling as Jim Halpert. Maya Rudolph, known more for sketch comedy and light fare, seems to take it down a notch, providing more warmth in her humor, appearing more human than cartoonish note required of her on SNL and Kath and Kim. At least that is what I've gleaned just by viewing the trailer.

This flick has a dark, indie feel to it. Krasinski always seemed better suited for independent work. Before The Office fame, he starred in indies such as Smiley Face and the very low budget, amateurish A New Wave - where he was the one shining factor in a very flawed film. Although John will most likely continue to work in those big ass Hollywood productions (he'll be in production on a Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin flick this summer), the grit of low fidelity movies feel like a comfortable fit. As for Rudolph (and to some extent - Krasinski himself - who played second fiddle to George Clooney and Robin Williams), this is her first time headlining a notable production, so it will be fun to see her step beyond the comedy box that put her on the map.

The film also stars Allison Janney, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeff Daniels, Catherine O'Hara and Jim "Hot Pockets" Gaffigan.

The trailer is out, using the music of the incredible Alexi Murdoch. I'm hoping his songs are used throughout this movie, and not just solely for promotional purpose.

John Krasinski to Star in Universal Comedy

This should be The Office/John Krasinski fan site, because the only thing that seems to interest me these days is the show and this guy. I like him, what can I say? He makes me smile. Give me Paul Rudd, Jon Hamm and Krasinski and call it a day. Then give me Jason O'Mara of Life on Mars and call it a night.

Universal Studios has just signed on John to co-star alongside Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin in an untitled comedy written and directed by Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Parent Trap). It will be produced by the very scary, and very famous Scott Rudin. Production will start this spring. Meanwhile, Away We Go, the Sam Mendes feature Krasinski filmed last summer with Maya Rudolph will be released sometime in June.

No word on any distributor or release date for his own directorial debut, Brief Encounters with Hideous Men, which had a look-see screening at Sundance last month. I can't wait to lay eyes on that one. He plays a total bastard, which will be fun to see.

Source: Variety

John Krasinski Premieres "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" at Sundance

With the entertainment industry's attention focused on the Inaugural activities in Washington D.C. this week, it was easy to forget that the Sundance Film Festival has been underway in Park City, UT. Although TVBlogster doesn't focus on film, it's hard not to discuss the medium when one of its favorite television stars, such as The Office's John Krasinski, makes his screenwriting and directorial debut in a passion project coveted since before the small screen made him big.

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men is an adaptation of David Foster Wallaces' book of short confessional essays that focus on variable elements of the male psyche. With it's dark undertones, humorous musings, and sexual themes, it packed a punch for the aspiring Krasinski upon his first reading several years ago while majoring in playwriting at Brown University, when he was asked to participate in a staged chapter from the book. It was a moment that changed his artistic direction, propelling him to gain the film rights in an act of tenacious bravery and persistency reasonable to any young, stubborn artist: he simply wore down Wallace's agent until she gave in. Considering John was not the famous person he is today, it was a personal triumph. Wallace himself was bemused by the enthusiasm Krasinski displayed, and was intrigued by how he developed a new character in the screenplay, in the form of a therapist spurned by her long time boyfriend (played by Krasinski himself), fleshing out the book's unknown entity to which the male subjects were speaking. Tragically, Wallace would not live to see this film come to fruition, having taken his own life in September 2008.

Brief Interviews was filmed in 2007, and stars, among others, Julianne Nicholson, Christopher Meloni, Will Arnett, Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard and Rashida Jones. It has gained some positive to mixed buzz amongst critics who've attended screenings at Sundance. Here are links to commentaries and interviews with John Krasinski:


nytimes.com (The Carpetbagger)
filmschoolrejects.com
cinematical.com
theenvelope.latimes.com
indiewire.com (Has an interesting Q&A)
festival.sundance.org (Info on the film and screenings - if you're lucky to be at the festival)
moviesblog.mtv.com
moviemaker.com (Interview w/Cinematographer John Bailey)
saltlaketribute.com
theplaylist.com (Interesting early insight on the film and Ben Gibbard - originally posted in 2007)
EW.com (nice three part interview with John)

Happy Birthday John Krasinski

It's come down to this. No one is reading this blog. I know. It's just me writing stuff pretending I have readership. I can live in my own world of delusion.

I like this guy. I happen to know it's his birthday today. Although no one will see this, especially the subject himself, I wanted to throw out a universal shout to John Krasinski, six foot three, lanky-man, floppy hair actor who plays Jim Halpert on "The Office". He's also portrayed the heartbreaking yet funny Gideon in "A New Wave", major nerd Brethen in "Smiley Face", and the very sweet, deceitful yet tormented Carter Rutherford in "Leatherheads". (He was also in a movie with Robin Williams that I pretend never happened). "This Must Be The Place", the summer project he starred in with Maya Rudolph, helmed by Dave Eggers and Sam Mendes, promises to be amazing.

Krasinski's film adaptation of David Foster Wallace's book "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men", written and directed by John himself, has me waiting with baited breath for it's mythical, mystical release.

In my opinion, Krasinski has portrayed the most compelling character on television. Jim Halpert is the everyman to which John breathes the right dose of heartbreak and humor. This talent lends itself to other roles. John turns 29 years old today, but he's an actor spiritually older than his years.

Ok, enough. He's cool. He's funny. He also has great taste in music, and I'm a sucker for a guy with a good CD collection and a love for Indie bands.

Happy Birthday.

The 60th Annual Emmy Awards: It Ended on Time

I just want to shout it. Tina! Tina! Tina! She’s the Mary Richards of television today, “This generation’s Elaine May,” as Alec Baldwin boasted. The lady brought them in. One for Best Writing for a Comedy, another for Best Acting in a Comedy, and another she shares with the crew for Best Comedy. Alright, so my “Office” people didn’t get it this year, but that’s ok. It was “30 Rock’s” night. The show has been mind blowing funny, incredibly well cast, guest stars galore who know how to blend well into a storyline. Oh, how I love “30 Rock”. NBC was the first company I worked for while in college and after graduation. Watching Tina Fey lead a cast of characters in an SNL-type television workplace sitcom is like visiting memories – if my memories had dialogue of funny written well by award winning writers.

If only the Emmy Awards ceremony wasn’t such a drag. Perhaps the look on John Krasinski’s face at the pre-ceremony red carpet tipped me off to what these actors go through. After being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest, Krasinski turned away with a faint look of dread, as if he were saying, “It’s hot as hell out here. I’m in a suit. Now I have to go into a theater and watch a crap festival of boredom when I could be home playing Madden or listening to Cold War Kids.” It was as if he was making run for it, away from the awkward Seacrest, whose interviews are about a scintillating as wads of wet paper balls hitting a wall.

Speaking of balls and Seacrest, the hilarity that never was continued to die when the first thing he said to Steve Carell was “Two words…Enlarged balls.” Nice attempt to be funny, Ryan. There is a story behind this. The day the WGA strike began back in October, Carell supposedly called in sick, claiming his ailment was “enlarged balls”. This story isn’t really true, and the comment was actually uttered by someone else, but boy our Ryan was all over it with his witty repartee, making Carell squirm, while his lovely funny lady wife Nancy looked at Seacrest as if his hair was about to explode.

As for the lackluster three hours of show, I think what got me were the hosts composed of the buffet of bland served up by Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandell and Jeff Probst. Why must we have reality television rubbed in our faces during a night filled with television that ranks in quality and genre? The evening flowed with the usual bit of forced humor and conviviality, carefully tip toeing around, the election, Sarah Palin, the financial crisis, Sarah Pain, the war and Sarah Palin. The feeling of watching glittering gowns and shiny tuxes trapped at the Nokia Theater, breathing in the proceedings on tender hooks was odd and coma inducing at the same time. There were no cute opening dance numbers at which to snark, no funny comedy clips. Remember when Conan O’Brien hosted the Emmys in 2006? He started the ceremony with a VT of him sitting on a private jet, sipping champagne and ready to embark on his journey from New York to Los Angeles to host the awards. Suddenly, his plane crashed, and he immediately found himself in an episode of “Lost”, which lead him to the set of “The Office”, “House” and “24”. It was clever, refreshing, and funny. To fans of these programs, it was a kick to see their favorite characters interact with Conan as he surrealistically became part of their story. When he landed on stage at the Emmy’s, he had just taken a journey around the dial (or remote), and began his master of ceremonies duties. Last night’s litany of hosts winged it onstage, tele-promter-less, mulling around in flop sweat, while William Shatner came on stage to help Bergeron rip off Klum’s fake tuxedo. Meanwhile, back in the fun pit known as the audience, men’s collars pinched, and women held their breath under the tight girth of their dresses. I sipped a martini in my pajamas.

The Emmy awards seem to be a hodgepodge of well deserved wins, understandable loses, and confusing selections. “30 Rock” deservedly swept the awards this year. Their show has been consistently well written, gut wrenchingly funny, and pitch perfect in tone and pace. Tina Fey’s wins in writing, best actress and best comedy were highly deserved. This fan of The Office was saddened by the fact the show wasn’t on it’s game this year. “30 Rock” has indeed usurped the crew at Dunder Mifflin for tops in laughs and writing.

Awards for “John Adams” was not a surprised. The mini-series was highly acclaimed, with stellar performances from Giamatti and Linney. “Recount” garnered some prizes. Although the writing and performances were riveting, the idea of living out that horrendous moment in election history made it difficult for me to past into the second hour of the film. Still, what I did see was wonderful, even if the memories were too jarring to continue.

As much as I adored Bryan Cranston in “Malcolm in the Middle”, where he should have won the lion’s share of Emmys (and apparently didn’t), his win for best actor in a drama for his performance in “Breaking Bad” was definitely a surprise. Perhaps it’s because “Mad Men” has gained a cult following is the critic’s darling of the year. As a fan of the show myself, it was disappointing not to see Jon Hamm win the best actor award. Kudos definitely go to Cranston, even though I am in the category of fans who think that Hamm got robbed.

Why “Entourage” continues to be nominated in the Best Comedy category astonishes me. Everyone knows the show hasn’t been a comedy for about two years now. The snubbing of “Flight of the Conchords” continues to confound. Perhaps the Emmy voters like to stick to what they know. Maybe people from New Zealand singing funny, melodic song scares them? Jeremy Piven beating out Patrick Neal Harris and Rainn Wilson for Actor in a Comedy Series makes me believe that someone is paying off someone somewhere. Wilson continues to make the character of Dwight a compelling, funny element in “The Office”. Harris always brings out a quirky, intelligent humor in his role as Barney Stinson in “How I Met Your Mother”. This award was up for grabs between them. Having to watch raving, formulaic fits of anger from Ari Gold as per Mr. Piven doesn’t really feel like something worthy of anymore Emmys. He’s already got the prize. Let someone else carry that heavy thing home.

Highlight of the night was Ricky Gervais threatening Steve Carell to fork over his Emmy award, won last year for his work on "Extras". For two years straight, we've had the antics of Carell, Colbert, Stewart and Gervais stirring the cauldron of boring with some spicy fun. Why can't these guys be the hosts of next year's Emmy award ceremony?

The cast of “Mad Men” are delectable to behold. Jon Hamm, John Slattery (another actor who lost out last night) and the boys of Sterling Cooper are maddening in their handsomeness. The women are beautiful. January Jones is such a pleasure to see, Elizabeth Moss is stunningly adorable, and Christina Hendricks is a vision of lusciousness. They do not make women like that in Hollywood anymore – all curves and bumps. Bless her. But all shallow beauty aside, “Mad Men” came home the winners of Best Drama, making history as the first cable show to win best drama anywhere this side of “The Sopranos”. It was a satisfying end to an otherwise less than surprising and entertaining evening. As speeches were rushed and drowned out in "shut the fuck up" music, and presenters raced to get their comments pronounced in time, the show clocked in just under three hours. So, I guess that in itself is an accomplishment. Apparently it was the lowest rated Emmy Awards ever. Word to the Academy...get better hosts. Perhaps Gervais and Carell will be free?

In Memoriam: Roger King:

We lost some great people: Bernie Brillstein, George Carlin, Charleton Heston; however, one person’s face flashed across the screen during the tear jerking stream of goodbyes that gave me pause. Roger King passed away in December 2007. I was his assistant from 1993 to 1996. I remember reading about his death in Variety the Monday after the weekend he passed away. The expression has been used before, but it serves a purpose: It felt like a giant Redwood had fallen somewhere. He was a formidable man. Full of vinegar one minute, a playful good ‘ol boy the next. He was the gruff executive who came from the school of hard knocks, brought up by a family who found success after working hard and paving paths in the world of syndication where no one paved them before. His voice boomed through the halls of King World. “Debi, any messages?” I can still hear him. To be honest, I never got that close to Roger as a boss or friend. He kept some people at a distance, and I always felt he trusted very few. It was a trait I understood and respected. Roger died of a massive stroke. I remember thinking, “Man, even when he gets sick, he doesn’t do it half assed. He does it big time.” May he be placing his bets at the Baccarat table in that big casino in the sky.

Spread the Love of Jim and Pam

The long overdue on-air promotion for the new season of "The Office" aired last night , and has the Office blogosphere up in arms at the beauty of the thing. Season Five premieres on September 25th at 9am with an hour long episode entitled "Weight Loss". It will be the first time we actually see summertime for the Dunder Mifflin-ites. The crew in Scranton embark on some crazy branch competition on who drops the most pounds. (Do I smell a "The Biggest Loser" tie in?). As per the promo, it appears Team Scott will be doing some yoga under the instruction of Ms. Flax. She also seems to be Michael's BFF as seen in a sympatico hip hop sign off "a-wicka-wicka-wicka". Oh, Holly. How I love you. You make Michael human. Please stay. Tell Jan to take her lab baby and move out of town.

Pam will be away at Pratt, and we'll see eight weeks of this in the first episode (in between what I presume are eight commercial breaks). There has been some controversy on whether or not an internship is involved here. Paul Leiberstein has used the word "internship" while describing Pam's time in New York which freaks out every fan to kingdom come. An internship isn't going to classes at Pratt, it's going out on the field and working for school credit. So, if there is an "internship", does that mean Pam stays in New York longer than originally planned? I will be one pissed off bunny if that's the case.

But no matter. The promo flashed our couple embracing. Jim lunges in, Pam gets swept off her feet. A talking head shot seems to deliberately show Pam's hands so we fans get the cryptic signal that there is no ring, and therefore the engagement we are hitching our hopes on has not yet happened. But seeing Pam in her dorm room, in Jim's embrace, as his photo rests lovingly on the desk that holds her art supplies, and doofus glasses and printer and notes from Halpert filled with encouragement, it is heart warming. But New York is going to open her mind up to so many things. Why would should go back to Dunder Mifflin as a receptionist? We have two weeks to ponder this. Two weeks!