Breaking News: The Wannabe Lo Bosworth Quits The Worst Show Ever

(image courtesy of http://s3.amazonaws.com and nachofoto.com)

P's and my own disdain for MTV's The City is no secret. Apparently filming for season two is underway in NYC sans one cast member. Whitney Port's season one "best friend," Erin Lucas is best friend no longer. She reports a, "falling out" to New York Magazine's The Cut. Details please? More importantly, if there's no Erin, can it be the first step to The City's demise? Please please please!

-M

Daria on DVD!

(photo courtesy of http://www.ioffer.com)

I don't know about anyone else, but I think it might be safe to say that Daria was the best show on MTV of all time. Period. The end. Yes, better than The Real World. Better than Made. Even better than TRL - and we know how much I love me some Justin Timberlake and *NSync.

Created in 1997, I was a mere 12 years old when Daria debuted. It defined my preteen and middle school years. I wanted to be witty and sarcastic like Daria Morgendorffer, have a crush on a bad boy like Trent and ditzily girly like Quinn Morgendorffer all at once. The show as a whole stayed in tune with 1990s and early 2000s pop culture and, as a whole, was somehow deep for a cartoon.

When the show ended in 2001/2002, I was in high school and my attention changed to other teenage geared shows. Still, Daria holds a special place in my television memory. Memories that can now be reignited in my mid-twenties with murmurs this week of Daria finally - finally - coming to DVD. It's so exciting I can hardly stand it. Now if I can only dig out my Daria-style wardrobe of Doc Martens and green blazers.

Or, rather. Okay. Some things can stay in the 1990s.

-M

The Best Years Of Our Lives

(photo courtesy of mtv.com)

No lie. I think I can vouch for P and I when I say that we are nostalgic for our college years. Afterall, it's when we met. We could cut class, watch Vh1 marathons of America's Next Top Model, order from our favorite Wings restaurant, and go out for drinks whenever we want (regardless of what night it was). Our schedules could be based around our needs - meaning sleep. No classes before 11am were always preferable. I mastered the ability to have four day weekends. We wrote papers in the library and made it fun. We only had to pay for the bare necessities (meaning food, clothing and various drinks - and of course by that I mean every flavor of Vitaminwater possible). Speaking of which, is it just me or are college campuses the guinea pigs for new flavors? I swear I bought the "Formula 50" flavor before it was approved by any FDA regulation.

But I digress...

Now that P and I are working women, joining the ranks of young professionals (for nearly a year now!), we have little time for such relaxation that college gave us. Sure, we don't miss the all-nighters, research papers and final exams (damn those bubble sheets!). But we do miss the former priorities. Dating. TV watching. Going to the occasional party.

Thanks to MTV, we can vicariously live this life again. College Life premiered last night - conveniently after The Hills. I am convinced that my life freshman (or sophomore, junior and senior year) would give more of a storyline (cheating boyfriends! breakups! roommates! trying to overcome dining hall food!), MTV has done well. By giving four college freshmen handheld cameras, we meet Jordan, Alex, Andrea and Kevin. Somehow I can relate a little bit to each one. Jordan deals with his racial identity on his college campus. Alex struggles with commitment issues. Andrea juggles an ex-boyfriend and Kevin parties too hard.

Come to think of it, maybe we shouldn't miss college as much as we do.

-M

Sidenote: Did anyone else catch Kevin's friend wearing a UMass Lacrosse t-shirt? Is there a UMass connection to College Life? If so, this is even more amazing. Info needed from anyone who has it!

The Hills Are Alive (with drama)

(image courtesy of: http://www.nydailynews.com & rollingstone.com)

Everyone's (especially mine and P's) favorite guilty pleasure, The Hills made it's return to MTV's Monday nights - and hallejuah that it's back so I don't have to suffer through episodes of The City anymore. While it might be LC's last season (tear!), the show is still as good as ever. In the hour of The Hills drama last night, viewers saw basically everything that was in the season 5 trailer. Spencer being a skeeze (typical) and hitting on a bartender (classy)! Spencer getting into a barfight! Heidi showing up at LC's birthday party! Heidi running home to Colorado! Now that I think of it, other than LC just being there in a few scenes, she's basically written out of major storylines. Regardless, her red lipstick looked fantastic on last night's show.

Next week brings The Hills at it's normal 10pm timeslot and MTV's new show, College Life at 10:30pm. A throwback to freshman year of college? Count me in, I always love to reminsce.

-M

The Hills for The Win!

(photo courtesy of ew.com)

While watching the worst show ever, I was happily surprised by the trailer for the next season of the best show ever. I nearly squealed at the sight of Lauren, Lo, Stephanie - and yes - even Spencer and Heidi on my television. I feel that I've watched Whitney Port's tired show so much that I forgot why I watch MTV reality television in the first place, and then they put me right back in my place by showing me this gem of a preview.

In college, P and I would rally up our friends and watch The Hills every week in the comfort of my dorm room (with the especially comfy futon that I kept for an extending time post-breakup with a guy). We'd tear into Ben & Jerry's ice cream, kettle corn and diet Coke with lemon as we gave our opinions on Spencer (looks like a gremlin, ew) and Audrina (why does it always look like she's reading a cue card?) and Lo (love her!).

While it won't quite be the same without P in the same country as I (tear!) I'm sure we'll dissect and tear apart every episode in front of you dear readers. Feel free to join in on the conversation!

-M

I'd Rather Be working Than Watch 'The City'

(image courtesy of nypost.com)

I felt the need to write my views on 'The City' after bumping into P's post on my Facebook feed. I, unlike with the recent Gossip Girl episode, agree 110% about P's views on The City. What I like and need to bring up though - that even worse than Whitney Port's voice on the show is (who I think is the she-devil herself), Olivia Palermo. I think so strongly about this fact, that I'm taking a time out from my neverending projects at work to vent this out to you, dear readers. I can't stand her attitude, her labeling (of herself!) as a 'social.' This doesn't make you cool Ms. Palermo, and your bad interviews with the Post doesn't help either. It makes you look dumb. So do your droopy eyes, while I'm on this topic.

With this, and Whitney's friend Erin (I mean, who IS SHE anyway? Gawker doesn't even know!) and the skeezeball guys that cheat on their girlfriends. Pop Culture Paradox proclaims 'The City' as the worst show ever. Don't tell me I haven't given it a shot. I've watched all the episodes. I tried to like it. I love 'The Hills.' I love LC, Audrina and Lo. I love them so much that I watch the dvds (regularly!). I just will not ever like this knockoff of such a good, mind numbing show. It's like having the knockoff (ew) Fendi bag while gawking at your best friends' real one. No thanks. It's a bad sign when the theme song is the best part of the episode. It's actually a shame. What a waste of a really good Pussycat Dolls song.

While I'm writing. I need to make a sidenote of two things, as time at work doesn't permit me to write a real newsflash post this afternoon.

Even the media loves this stupid '25 things' list trend on Facebook (for the record, my best friend at home A refuses to do it still. I gave in).

Oh no. How will Michael Phelps buy his weed now?

Miley Cyrus. My people hate you.

I don't even eat eggs and I'd so eat this.

Oops. Did I say two? I meant 4. Enjoy everyone, happy Friday -- AND

happy 21st birthday l! one of our dearest popcultureparadox readers!

-M

The City...the worst show ever?

Sooo...I just spent a better part of my day off watching a "The City" marathon...ick...what a terrible show...and not terrible in the 90210/Privileged/any other random teeny bopper show that I secretly love but acknowledge is poorly made sense...truly BAD TV...Tila Tequila/Bachelor bad...:P The appeal of Whitney in "The Hills" was her seemingly nonchalant attitude to the LA drama that followed LC/Heidi around and the fact that she seemed to have a good (and smart) head on her pretty little shoulders...her practical twist on high-end fashion was refreshing in a show filled with catwalk copycats...alas, how the mighty have fallen. Damn you MTV! I knew it was bad from the moment her nasaly voice started narrating the show during the premiere...then when her Australian boytoy was introduced...goodness, I honestly thought he had a speech impediment for the whole first episode...and eww is it just me or is he just another Justin-Bobby?! What an awful show...stay away from this MTV offering...!

Live-Blogging Love

I have gone through countless episodes of MTV's True Life and an episode of Paris Hilton's My New BFF in anxious anticipation for this documentary. First up, a hour of a "live" (aka, pre-taped where Brit-Brit might have snubbed her fans) countdown of Britney's best MTV moments. I'm so anxious to get this ball rolling, that the live blogging starts now...

8:59pm: Oooh. It's starting. Black and white medley of some of Brit's best video moments. I'm glued to my television with my extra butter Orville Redenbacher popcorn -- although, maybe Cheetos might be a more appropriate snack choice...

9pm: She's on screen! Holy boobies.

9:02pm: Me Against The Music. Maybe the start of her downfall mentally. But gosh, I love this song. Holy 90s clothing though. Are those brown pleather pants she's wearing? Ouch. Did we all really think that was cool? (The answer is yes.)

9:06pm: Who is this woman that's her 'friend?' Why don't I remember this "Total Britney Live" show that was on whenever this was? Aw. Brit's in happy tears. I miss good 'ol Britney back before the crazy.

9:10pm: PLEASE MTV. STOP THE DOCUMENTARY CLIPS AND PREVIEWS AND JUST AIR THE WHOLE DAMN THING. I'M SO SICK OF SEEING THE SAME 30 SECONDS OF IT OVER AND OVER.

9:13pm: Commercial break - and there's a Fantasy by Britney Spears commercial. For one, I own this perfume and I love love love it (even if it made my then-boyfriend almost gag from it's scent when I first got it for Christmas 2006). For two, I haven't seen a Britney Spears perfume ad in how long? Coincidence? I think not.

9:16pm: Holy jesus. Britney Spears dolls. I forgot about those. No wonder she went crazy. If there was a doll made of me circa age 16, I think I'd go nutty at some point...

9:16pm: Britney Spears & NSync at the 1999 VMAs. BEST PERFORMANCE EVER. I have this downloaded off of MxTube on my iPhone. I won't lie. Still one of my favies. Look at Justin Timberlake's hair. Rock that White boy 'fro. I wonder how awkward it is for her to see performances with her ex... I would imagine just as awkward as it'd be for me. Which means very.

9:19pm: OMG. I LOVED MTV'S DIARY SHOW. Oh my gosh. Where did all of MTV's good shows go? Why did they leave with my youthfulness? Anyway, I'm trying to do the math right now, but how old was Britney when this Diary was filmed? 20? Definitely no older than 21? Right? She looks so much older.

9:26pm: So cute at her reminiscing about the I'm A Slave For You VMA performance with the snake. I remember seeing this performance and deciding there and then that I wanted abs like hers. Maybe I can get more in shape and be her circa this performance for Halloween. Thoughts?

9:31pm: I thought this was such a good idea. Her little mini-surprise nightclub tour. I love seeing how nervous she is in these clips. It's kind of sad and relieving at the same time. Oh lord, I remember watching this and seeing those badass tattoo sleeves she wore and I just thought, WTF, WHY? Ick.

9:38pm: Oh! The Oops...I Did It Again VMA performance. I loved the jeweled outfit she rocked. I remember my mother being so appalled. I remember when the VMAs were good like this. Every year I tune into the VMAs, hoping that they'll magically become amazing again like these shows were. Brit. NSync. BSB. Oh, my childhood.

9:42pm: How are we already at the #2 moment? And how is it this years VMAs? I'm still shocked at her 'sweeping' the 2008 VMAs. What a publicity stunt. Piece of Me wasnt' even a good video.

9:44pm: Jesus. Another Britney Spears perfume ad. This one for Curious. I remember when my Mom got me Curious as a gift when I really wanted Fantasy. I never liked how Curious smelled kind of like an old lady.

9:46pm: Britney Spears perfume commercial #3 for the hour.

9:49pm: Number one moment. The Madonna kiss. Wow. Didn't see that one coming, now did we. I love how the kiss was such a huge deal that the fact that Christina Aguilera was in the performance too is completely overlooked. This performance sums up my high school career. I was so obsessed with it. Big LOL at Snoop Dogg giving the thumbs up in the audience when XTina belted out "Like a virgin."

9:52pm: I wonder if they'll show Justin's awkward reaction to the Brit/Madonna kiss...

9:53pm: Oh they did. How really awkward.

Okay. Coming up next - she introduces her own documentary. I wonder how this will be edited since everywhere online said how her manager basically just shooed her offstage at the end of the taping. Hrm. Anyway, watch the documentary. I want to give it undivided attention, so the live-blogging stops here (sorry to disappoint).

Have a great week everyone - I'll be back blogging after my vacation!

-M

It's like I checked into rehab, and baby you're my disease

Uh, hi. Yum. Please tell me you all have checked out the new Rihanna video for Rehab featuring my most favorite celebrity crush, J. Timberlake. The song is great - one of my favorites off of Good Girl Gone Bad since it came out. It's quality breakup (and maybe makeup and hook-back-up -- or maybe that was only in my case) music back in 2007. Regardless. We have Mr. Timberlake taking a (clothed, unforch) shower in the desert. In a hot black beater. We have him rolling around on a car with Rihanna -- which I don't mind, because I just superimpose my face on her body in my mind. It's a hot video. Mainly because he's hot. But I'll stop gushing. But watch the video - it turns up the temperature in my cubicle at least.

Sidenote: My mom claims that I have a celeb crush on Justin Timberlake because he has an uncanny resemblance to my boyfriend. Coincidence? Is my family making this resemblance in my mind? Did I score the ultimate jackpot of a boyfriend? Will my children be absolutely gorgeous and boy band stars one day? Please, refer to my Facebook (if you're friends with me that is. Heh. Heh. Heh. Sorry to everyone else), and give me your two cents.

-M

R.I.P. Total Request Live

Remember simpler times in all of our lives? Before there were obligations like work, graduating, figuring out your life. When the most important thing on our minds were which boy liked us in the 6th grade, and when I'd finally get kissed for the first time. Yeah, I remember those times. And I also remember the perfection of TRL on MTV. Every afternoon. After school. 4pm. During the summer when I'd have nothing to do but walk to the candy store that's 5 minutes down the street from my parent's place to get Slush Puppies and blue raspberry flavored Tootsie Rolls, TRL would air at 3pm. Meaning I would get my daily vote (obviously for whatever Britney video was out at the moment, or you know, any *NSync video, since Justin Timberlake was always swoon-worthy, even with that unfortunate horrible white boy 'fro phase he went through...) into 1800-DIAL-MTV by 2pm. Hurrah. 1998-2002 was a great era for MTV.

Well, sadly, like the rest of my childhood, TRL has also died. I can no longer take solace in watching screaming teenage girls declare their love for Justin Timberlake or gay guys in love with Britney Spears. Some, including myself, might argue that the show died when Carson Daly left to host his horrible late night show. No other host was quite as adorably cute as Carson. Swoon. Plus, then the hosts started to only play about .357 seconds of a video, which was just annoying. Anyway, for those who missed the "Total Finale Live" last night, here's some online clips to satisfy your pop music fix. Enjoy and long live 1999.

BSB performing 'I Want It That Way', courtesy of Dailymotion.
Travis Barker's interview, courtesy of YouTube.
The #1 most influential video (according to TRL), courtesy of ONTD.
Beyonce's performance, courtesy of Dailymotion.

-M

You say I'm crazy, I got your crazy

I cannot lie. I have been waiting for this comeback for years. Since before the shaved head incident, and the disaster-ridden interview with Matt Lauer on Dateline NBC. I have been waiting for Brit-Brit to get her act together, get her hair looking good, and be the pop princess I idolized throughout my middle and high school years. Thank god, it seems like she's back (and I knock on wood as I say this).

Over the past few days, temporarily freed from the everyday tasks of my job, I found the new video for Womanizer on YouTube. I missed the premiere which was, oddly enough, on 20/20 the other night, but figured it's for the better since YouTube gives the extended, "uncensored" video. A few observations I have...

1.) P and I both agree that the video is Toxic version 2.0. Even the guy in the video (the womanizer, I assume), looks to be the same actor. Maybe the only way to truly get back into the swing of Brit's hayday is to actually go back in time. If the video seems oddly remincient of 2003 or so, then so can our memories -- to a time before Kevin Federline, babies, acting like white trash -- you get the jist.

2.) Also with the look of the video, Britney's look has somehow reverted back to 2003. How she can somehow look as good as she did four years ago, I do not know. The hair. The makeup. The body (has anyone else seen those sauna scenes?!). I can't even work off 5 freakin' pounds. Some people have all the luck.

3.) Britney with a black haired bob < href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596736/20081009/spears_britney.jhtml">this in late November. An exclusive documentary? Britney finally talking about everything? Finally, the television special I've been waiting for. Let's hope she bashes her mother's tell-all book (I know I would).

-M

Staged Reality?

Now now, I'm not insulting anyone's intelligence. We're all aware of certain "reality" shows that aren't so much reality. When it comes to The Hills, I don't mind. But there is a crop of reality shows on MTV that I watch on these days off that I have, and, well, I'm confused as to how I could even possibly see these shows as real. I mention my most laughable, unrealistic, favorites here.

Parental Control. I would like to see any set of parents willing to sit down with a heinous boyfriend that they despise. I would like to see any boyfriend that's a total jackass (that's believeable) that's willing to sit down and watch me date, kiss (and probably do other stuff) with two other guys (not so believeable). I'd also like to see a slew of teenagers who all, somehow, break the news of choosing one of three partners in the exact same scripted fashion. Yes, complete with even the same dramatic sigh before saying the last eliminated name. Oh boy. What coincedence. Even it's participants admit it's staged. Whatever happened to NDA's???

The Ex-Factor. I will not lie. I am completely and totally sucked into this show. I dont know how anyone watching it can actually believe that these two couples ever thought that this was an actual 'resort' they were going to, or that we're supposed to believe that this ever-smiling woman that always brings bad news ("So, your partners are going pole dancing today as an afternoon activity!") is an actual resort worker. I also don't know how we are to believe that this resort never has anyone else around, actually has dinners set up on cheap patio furniture in the middle of an infinity pool, or actually somehow has such survillance for this spying on the ex'es. Regardless, the idea of this is absolutely killer. What would I do if I was with my ex for a weekend (and didn't think I was being spied on)? What would my boyfriend do with his ex? What would I do with the guy I'd be in the room with if I just saw my boyfriend cheat on me with his ex? Yeah -- I think the reality might be better than MTV's staged setup on this one. But wait, if this is staged - then was Temptation Island staged? I feel as though my entire television past as a child was all a sham. It's like realizing that the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny all don't exist. Who else brings me my Mini Eggs every Easter Sunday?!

Finally, the show I can't figure out if it's real or not. The new Dr. Drew hosted, Sex With Mom & Dad. I can't imagine: 1.) being on this show, 2.) telling the story of my sex life to my parents, 3.) my parents EVER reacting this calmly to such news -- we all can think of how my old-fashioned, conservative parents took the news when they found out I was having sex. Period. All of a sudden, these parents aren't about to strangle their kids when they find out that they have a million and one partners? Had sex in the back of their Jetta? Has an admitted 'hatred towards women?' How about the girl who is 19, is having sex with her boyfriend (no biggie) but has not used protection. First, is this girl stupid? Even the worst public school sex education show at least a condom? Doesn't it? Even Sarah Palin now endorses contraception -- although, she might not be the best expert of talking to your kids about sex...

Maybe the parents of today's teenagers have a much more relaxed mindset than my sixty-something year old parents, but I would not even want to think of my daddy's reaction if I had to play the 'What turns you on?' game with them on national television (as it is I got nervous talking about making out in elevators knowing P's mom reads the blog! [Sorry for any offense, by the way!]). No thank you, no. Although, I do give this show some major props for, staged or not, promoting such conversations within families. It can do some (or rather, most,) families some good, and might make talking about sex a bit more productive than it has been in the past. I know that I sure hope for more openness when it comes to my hypothetical children and I.

-M