Re: Tim Gunn--I Told You So

When Bravo was intimating months ago that they may go ahead on the next season of Project Runway without Tim Gunn, I said they were full of crap--they were bluffing and playing hardball with Gunn. Turns out, I was right.

Gunn announced that though he's leaving Parsons School of Design to work at Liz Claiborne, he's definitley in for the next season of Runway. My guess is that Bravo knew they couldn't fuck with a winning combination. Gunn is the heart of the show and his wit is priceless--just look at the difference between how well he does his job and how bloody awful that cutie Todd Oldham is on Top Design.

I honestly believe Runway would lose mega amounts of viewers if Gunn left. And even though Top Chef is doing well in the ratings, Bravo can't afford to lose Runway, the little show that could. It keeps building steam.

So, hurrah for Tim and hurrah for us! I can't wait.

Joss Whedon Says Adieu to Paradise Island

It sounded fun, didn't it? Buffyverse creator Joss Whedon signing on to develop and direct the new Wonder Woman film for Warner Brothers. Imagine what he could do with the mythology of Wonder Woman and Paradise Island. Think about the sharp quips Diana Prince could make as she deflected bullets with her magic bracelets.

But alas...it was not meant to be. Joss announced on Friday that he's left the film after more than a year of developing and writing a script (for which he reportedly received at least $2 million). My guess is that his Wonder Woman was a little too edgy, or he wanted to take too much creative license with the character's mythology.

Good news is--maybe this will free him up to work on more television goodness. I know he's doing another movie and two comic book series, but we can hope.

Mama Mia Fiasco

It slipped by my radar, but Variety reported last month that Meryl Streep will be playing the lead role in the movie adaption of the ABBA Broadway musical Mama Mia! While I think Streep has an amazing range, from Out of Africa to The Devil Wears Prada, I just can't see her in this. I wouldn't be surprised if she proved me wrong, but when I think about Streep singing "The Winner Takes it All," the emotional heart of the musical, I just get scared. I mean, can she even sing? Has anyone heard her sing?

Sadly, I've heard reports that Cher was up for the role initially. And this could have been just the kind of nutso, cool role she would have either completely made her own or just sunken into complete disaster. Either way, I think I would have loved it.

But my friends, the true indication that this movie is probably headed to flopsville is that it's produced by the no-talent Tom Hanks. Terribly Tommy has already cast his wife Rita Wilson and there is speculation that he's going to cast Bruce Willis as well.

Eh, I guess Rita could do this kind of fluffy stuff, though I'd rather see pretty much anybody else. Rita is like Tom--she's just kind of there as an actress, albeit 1000 times less annoying. But then you think about casting Bruce Willis? In a musical based on the music of ABBA? What-the-fuck?

We'll have to wait and see, but I'm hoping this is all one big early April Fool's Day joke. If not, we're in for a smorgasbord from Hell.