This has gone way too far

I generally have a problem with the fetishizing of celebrity pregnancy and babies. From the co-opting of the British slang "bump" to the "Is she pregnant?" articles to the rush to get the first pic of a newborn, it's all too unsettling for me.

Even US Weekly editor Janie Min admitted last year that "Pregnancy mania is running so high right now that often we get photos in from agencies and the captions from the agencies read, 'Is she pregnant or did she just have a big meal?' It's very Salem witch trials, but in a more positive way of course. We hunt down and find the next pregnant person."

I don't really see anything positive about this coverage. It reduces a celebrity mom to a sexual role only, discounting her actual career accomplishments. It sends a message that no matter how successful and talented you may be, your only real purpose in life is to procreate.

And when the first pictures of baby Shiloh Jolie-Pitt were published last week, this celebrity baby obsession reached a creepy critical mass.

Fan and gossip sites all over the Web published the photos (only to be quickly deleted when threatened with lawsuits) and fans chimed in on such weighty subjects as the "love in Angie's eyes as she gazes at Brad," etc. The most disturbing comments, though, had to do with Shiloh's facial features and speculation about whether or not she'd be "hot" when she got older.

Men said they couldn't wait to see how she looks in 15 to 20 years. There were comments about "sexy baby lips" and even the New York Post called her "the sexiest baby alive."

And now a site has gone way over the line and posted a countdown clock that ticks off every second until this poor baby turns 18. Now pedophiles everywhere can salivate over this newborn, picturing the day when she becomes "legal" and, presumably, fair game to the male American public.

Somehow, this kind of coverage needs to stop. Children are sexualized at too early an age as it is, and this kind of thinking is about as sick as it comes.

Where are they now? 'Dazed' edition

The new Criterion Collection of "Dazed and Confused" was released last week. I love this movie, and it added Rick Linklater to my fav director's list.

Every time I watch, I have to try and identify Austin landmarks, and I love Matthew McConaughey's pre-transplant hair , a young Mila Jovovich and Adam Goldberg, pre-fame Ben Affleck, and Parker Posey in one of her earliest roles.

One of Wooderson's quotes ("The older you get, the more rules they are going to try and get you to follow. You just gotta keep on livin', man. L-I-V-I-N. ") actually lives on, as McConaughey signs autographs with "JK Living" and named his production company JKL Productions.

So where are some of the less-known actors now?

* Wiley Wiggins (Mitch), works for Apple and makes videos on the side. <fader.com interview>

* Jason London (Pink), has been doing some TV and what looks like straight-to-video movies. "All I'm saying is that if I ever start referring to these as the best years of my life - remind me to kill myself."

* Rory Cochrane (Slater), will be in "A Scanner Darkly" (opening July 7) and was on a bunch of "CSI" episodes a couple of years ago. "George Washington was in a cult, and the cult was into aliens, man." "Did ya ever look at a dollar bill, man? There's some spooky shit goin' on there. And it's green too. "

* The very underrated Adam Goldberg (geeky Mike Newhouse) just did some TV guest stints on "Joey" and "My Name is Earl," and he's going to be on the big-screen in "Zodiac" with Jake Gyllenhaal. "Dominant male monkey motherfucker."

* Joey Lauren Adams (Simone), whom I hate because of her squeaky voice, is in "The Breakup" with Vaughniston. "I did it when I was a freshman, and you'll do it when you're seniors. but you're doing great. Now fry like bacon, you little freshman piggies. Fry! "

* And Mila (Michelle) is doing that "Resident Evil" thing

'Entourage' as documentary

The LA Times has a great piece about how "Entourage" is viewed in L.A. as less than a comedy and more a documentary piece about insider Hollywood.

"Still. What has agents, actors, producers and publicists hooked on the series, despite moderate viewership, is that it also is really about Hollywood — the real traffic snarls on PCH, real restaurants on Melrose, real Laker games and real relationships among agents, managers, publicists and actors. 'Everyone in Hollywood watches that show,' said Brent Bolthouse, the town's premier party promoter. 'Everyone in Hollywood can relate. It's all in there.' "

I love "Entourage," mostly because of the show's great depiction of male friendship and, of course, Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold, which is based on the "secretly pleased" real-life agent Ari Emanuel. It's interesting that everyone is crediting "Entourage" with the phrase "hug it out." I was watching some old episodes of "Friends," and they used the phrase a couple of times. Of course, it's Piven's addition of the "bitch" closer that makes absolutely makes the catchphrase.

Must see cat TV

Cats are the stars of a new reality TV show debuting Friday on Animal Planet, with live Web feeds launching today.

"Meow Mix House" features ten cats that are up for adoption. They live in a tricked out cat pad in a storefront on Madison Ave. in New York. The kitties will "compete" for titles such as loudest purr, the biggest sleeper, and the one who catches the most toy mice.

This mix of "Big Brother" and "American Idol" format offers views a chance to vote off a cat contestant each week. (Each former contestant will be adopted into a permanent home.) The winner of the show will get a job with sponsor Meow Mix.

I watched the webcam for a bit this morning, and it switches cameras to get a good view of all areas of the kitty condo. The living room has a leopard print couch with fluffy pillows, the dining room has chairs to sit on, with bowls of food on a lucite table. There's some sort of kitchen and a "porch", which is basically a wooden floor with some sleeping pads.

The cats are pretty active, which is good for producers, who have to cobble a show together each week, and they seem to be very interested with the crowd gathered outside the window. This show seems custom-made for morning TV, so I hope "GMA" or "The Today Show" will showcase the losers each week with a long interview and discussion of future television plans.

I can't wait to see this

YouTube preview for Thursday's "Dateline," when Matt Lauer interviews Britney.

Chicks stay No. 1

The Dixie Chicks stayed on top last week, selling another 271,000 copies of "Taking the Long Way," to make a total of almost 800,000 sold. And even though they're having trouble selling concert tickets in a couple of markets (Houston, Memphis, OK City), that's not too surprising, considering that none of the Houston radio stations even play the Chicks anymore.

But the ladies say that reports they are canceling the tour are false, and it's interesting that none of the media reports that I read mentioned that not only did the album hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, but it also was No. 1 on the Country charts both weeks as well.

Yay, summer TV!

My secret boyfriend Tom Everett Scott -- the reason I've seen "That Thing You Do" eleventy-million times -- stars in tonight's premiere of "Saved" on TNT.

The story's about a paramedic's angsty life, his work, and his daddy issues. Not something I would normally watch (especially because most of the reviews describe it as "Rescue Me Lite.") But aside from my aforementioned love for the lead, it's up against a re-run of "CSI Miami", hockey and "How to Get a Guy." So, it's either turn off the TV tonight, or spend an hour with Guy Patterson.

Yo Soy Boricua

Rosie Perez and Jimmy Smits have been all over the airwaves today, visiting "The View" and "Talk of the Nation," to talk up Perez's directorial debut, "Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'que Tu Lo Sepas!" (I'm Boricua, Just So You Know).

The documentary, narrated by Smits, takes a look at Perez's Puerto Rican family and the history of the U.S. commonwealth. But it also brings to light issues that most Americans know little of -- such as the history between Puerto Rico and the U.S., forced sterilization and birth control testing, the issue of statehood vs. independence from the U.S. and more.

I listened to "Talk of the Nation" today and was surprised to hear the depth of topics that are explored in this film. Perez and Smits debated the issue of statehood, talk about World War 2 and how the Puerto Ricans were segregated into the "black" or "white" armies, and discuss the issues of racism even within the Puerto Rican population. Perez is adorable, as always, and Smits played off her enthusiasm well.

The show airs tonight on IFC at 9 p.m. EST, with 2 repeats tomorrow and again on June 27.

Muppets to headline "Late Night Buffet"

TBS is diving into late-night scripted shows, à la its corporate sister Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim."

The first show ordered is produced by Jim Henson Co. and consists of a talk show run by puppets who have human guests. Sort of a 21st century "Muppet Show," which is awesome.

Apparently, Brian Henson is creating entirely new characters for the show, with a host, sidekick, band leader and pet monkeys. (I hope the monkeys play instruments. Every talk show should have monkeys.) Henson and Co. will do the puppetry and improvise as they go.

TBS is ordering seven more pilots, aiming to create a block of programming that will build upon the female-skewed lead of their "Sex and the City" reruns. Most of these scripts are thought to be of the sketch comedy/improv variety, which could either be really awesome (see "The Daily Show") or really terrible (see "Whose Line is it Anyway?).

Blogger bedamned

I stopped blogging last week because of all the blogger issues. Let's hope this week is better.

I never thought I'd feel sorry for MJ

This video shows Michael Jackson on a Japanese TV show. I expected it to be prime mocking material, but I ended up just feeling sorry for him. The hosts are obviously in awe of being in the same room with him, but the language barrier, and the translating back and forth, leaves long pauses and everyone just ends up looking awkward and uncomfortable.

This pic makes me laugh

(left to right) A.J. Calloway, Mariah, Diddy, L.A. Reid

A.J. is horrified to discover that he missed the part on the invitation that said, "Dress code: Sunglasses mandatory."