The other day I was watching the notoriously cranky Harrison Ford give a brief interview to some second-string entertainment reporter for a local television station, and I started to muse over what movie stars have to do in a normal work day. I mean, one tends to think of them spending their time looking glamorous (a full-time job in itself), swanning around sets, and then back home for a quick roll in their piles of cash before bed. And, okay, yes, this is probably not too far off the mark, but there’s also the issue of press junkets, or sitting in rooms all day answering (or asking) the same questions and trying to make it sound like you’re just as enthusiastic each and every time.. Anyway, concerned that I was being too hard on poor Hollywood, I endeavoured to do a little research on press junkets, and discovered that there is a definite junket etiquette, television journalists think they’re big fancy-pants, and, most shocking, someone actually still cares what Madeline Stowe has to say about anything.

So am I filled with a new appreciation for our hard-working, famous actors? Not really.. but I promise not to make Harrison Ford / Callista Flockhart jokes for at least twenty minutes.

Fans of entertainment-related humour should check out the entire Mr. Hollywood archive.

Book Alert: Stephen Fry has published his fourth novel, an update on The Count of Monte Cristo entitled Revenge. Those wanting to brush up on Fry and his literary leanings might enjoy this small collection of Oscar Wilde extracts as read by Fry, and an essay by the man himself on the wonders of PG Wodehouse.

Okay, so usually I’m not that interested in the Emmys, but, Jiminy Cricket on a pogostick, CSI for best drama? Yes, yes, yes, I know I’ve gone on about my “love to hate” relationship with the show, but I had finally just come to terms with the fact that everyone seems to watch the blasted thing, and then this happens. Curse you Jerry Bruckheimer! Curse your oily hide!

A brief interview with Dennis Hwang, the Google Logo Designer (aka. the coolest job ever known to mankind).

Zombies on the web — no, not a look at camgirl sites, but a nice overview of zombies in movies, religion, and philosophy. Most of the fantastic links listed at the bottom of the page have moved on to the great 404 page in the sky (which is a shame, because I really, really wanted to read about “Zombie Prom: a musical”), but worth a look nonetheless.

While we’re on the topic, I feel it’s my duty to promote zombie awareness in the community, which is why nine out of ten zombie enthusiasts recommend the Zombie Alert for all your anti-flesh-eating needs. Of course, a good defense means a good offense, so you should also familiarize yourself with this very sensible guide, titled Zombies: What you should know. (Don’t forget to read the disclaimer at the end of the guide, which amongst other things warns that “zombies appear to be entirely without religious affiliation.” Shock!)

Pi Land: your home for Pi-related goodies on the Web, including a trivia quiz that makes my head hurt just reading the questions. Perhaps a little more accessible is this relentlessly clever reworking of Poe’s The Raven as a mnemonic device to help remember the first seven hundred and forty decimals of Pi… assuming you’re in to that sort of thing.

Why did Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart start dating? Because she needs some class, and he needs some as– errr, never mind. Lost track of time. As you were.

Hi. It’s me. So, I went to the Warped Tour here on Friday in an attempt to disprove the hypothesis that I am too old to par-tay. The good news is that I can indeed still rock and roll all night and hold down a job every day, but on the other hand I did discover an important secondary lesson, which is: “You’re never too old to forget sunscreen.. you total goober.” Anyway, since my list of activities for the day now include sitting very still, whimpering, and trying to convince Mr. Pith and Vinegar to stop calling me “Lobster Girl”, I figured I may as well crank this website up. Let’s assume it’s going to be updated once a week, and then any other updates will be special bonus ones, okay? Deal.

“So, Jess,” I can hear you thinking, “aside from going to Vegas, what have you been up to these last few weeks?” Well, since you asked, nosy but cherished reader, I have been, ummm, helping to feed starving children, and, er, saving abused puppies, and, ummm — okay, okay.. I’ve been sitting around watching Big Brother 3 Internet feeds. Are you happy now!? Anyway, if there’s anything sadder than watching Big Brother feeds, it’s finding BB in-joke websites, which is why it’s my distinct shame to present Banish Josh, and Big Gardner, “the summer series that follows a group of plants and inanimate objects sharing a yard equipped with one camera and no microphones.” Take that, CBS!
(PS: Marcellas and Amy all the way, baby!)

Are you a mad scientist without an plot? Are you looking for a quick way to strut your evil stuff and tell your boss to shove it? Hellooo, collection of Haitian plant toxins that allegedly zombify people. Plus, from a link off that page I discovered this list of black plants for your gothic garden, conclusively proving that just because you get fresh air and exercise, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not full of inky black despair.

From the Internet wasteland that is Geocities come two exciting celebrity websites: Is Britney Spears twins? (Answer: I don’t know, but I do know a society of drooling young men who are willing to find out), and A History of John Travolta in Pictures (aka. Worst. Hair. Ever.)

I guess Eminem must be back in a big way, because all of a sudden angry fans are flocking to this entry of mine about Slim Shady dolls from over a year ago. Anyway, if you have a comment that doesn’t involve the size and/or existance of male genetalia, come join the fray.