Movie review: 'Morning Glory' - Los Angeles Times

In "Morning Glory," Rachel McAdams gives the kind of performance we go to the movies for. The rest of the film isn't always up to her level, but it does provide genial entertainment until it runs out of steam.

A "Broadcast News"-type saga of life behind the camera on a struggling national morning news show based in Manhattan, "Morning Glory" starts beautifully and, though it doesn't quite go the distance, it certainly has the credentials to do so.

The film's script is by Aline Brosh McKenna, who charted a similar young-woman-on-the-rise trajectory in "The Devil Wears Prada." The director is the under-appreciated Roger Michell, responsible for "Notting Hill," "Venus" and the best of the Jane Austen films, 1995's "Persuasion." And McAdams' costars, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton, are not in need of further introduction.

Though the film's advertising gives the impression that McAdams is one among equals, the reality is that this is her show. An actress who's brought the great gift of coming completely alive on screen to films like "The Notebook," "Wedding Crashers" and "The Time Traveler's Wife," she's never carried an entire film as completely and as easily as she does here.

McAdams plays Becky Fuller, a young woman of endless and effortless energy, liveliness and passion. Nothing but nothing gets her down for long, and her funny, endearing spirit is a breath of tonic air. While go-getter characters can be an irritant if not handled properly, McAdams has such a great take on Fuller that she is all but irresistible.

Fuller's great passion in life is being a morning news producer, a job that pretty much eats her alive. She is up at 1:30 a.m. to get to the station for "Good Morning, New Jersey," a situation she hopes will lead to her lifelong dream of working for "Today."

Instead of moving up, however, the workaholic Fuller is fired for budgetary reasons, but she then catches the eye of Jerry Barnes (a swell Jeff Goldblum), who runs a network called IBS. He is looking for an executive producer for "Daybreak," a morning show that is so perennially in last place that other networks mock it unmercifully. After telling Barnes that "'Daybreak'" needs what I need, someone to believe in them," she gets the job.

Though we soon see that Fuller is quite good at what she does, "Daybreak," which has had 14 executive producers in 11 years, turns out to be more of a challenge than even she anticipates.

The mainstay of the show is Colleen Peck, expertly played by Keaton. In classic morning show form, she is game for anything (at one point we see her wearing a fat suit and facing a sumo wrestler), but she is tired of being stuck in the cellar, of having to "pull the train up the hill with my teeth." Her advice to her new young boss: "Enjoy the pain, Gidget."

Adding to her problems, Fuller has to replace Peck's male co-host sooner than she anticipates. Then she gets a brainstorm. IBS has a world-class anchor under contract, the winner of 16 Emmys, eight Peabodys and a Pulitzer. That's right, the legendary Mike Pomeroy, a man Fuller reveres, is in the house.

Occasionally mistaken for Dan Rather, the egotistical Pomeroy turns out to be a real piece of work. Yes, he's won a ton of awards, but, as played with fine Mr. Cranky conviction by Ford, he's allowed that to go to his head. Not shy about reminding people that he "pulled Colin Powell from a burning jeep and put a cool washcloth on Mother Teresa's forehead during a cholera epidemic," Pomeroy has real contempt for morning news and is not afraid to show it.

So rather than be part of the team, Pomeroy makes life impossible for everybody, referring to Peck as "Miss Pacoima," rejecting typical morning news assignments and even refusing to say the word "fluffy" on the air.

Naturally, this makes Fuller crazy. And it also hurts a possible romance with Adam Bennett, a hunky newsmagazine producer played by Patrick Wilson (formerly of "Little Children" and now doing the best he can in the male version of the girlfriend role).

This is certainly an excellent setup, and it's aided by how accurate "Morning Glory" feels to the nuts and bolts realities of the a.m. TV world. But having gotten this far, the film proceeds to stumble and lose its way, giving itself up to formulaic plot elements that are not as engaging as the stuff that's come before.

McAdams' performance is worth the price of admission, but a resolution as satisfying as her work is not to be found.

kenneth.turan@latimes.com

View the original article here

15 'Did you see it?!' TV moments

Desperate Housewives recap: Fear Factor
It was yet another tragic night for Susan Delfino — and no, not only because of the peculiar Halloween costume she was wearing. (Since we're on that note, however, let's momentarily delay digging into her deeper issues and discuss Susan's unfortunate get-up: What, exactly, was she supposed to be? Raggedy Ann gone pink? A rouged-up Little Bo Peep? A barmaid from a bizarre, Germanic version of Candyland? What??!? Or perhaps it's more like whatever.) Either way, Susan had bigger troubles than trying to put together a coherent Halloween costume. —Tanner Stransky

Read the full recap.

View the original article here

Pissed-Off Olbermann Thanks Viewers And Pundits, Blasts MSNBC Suits - San Francisco Chronicle

Article:Pissed-Off Olbermann Thanks Viewers And Pundits, Blasts:/g/a/2010/11/09/businessinsider-olbermanns-back-and-hes-pissed-thanks-viewers-and-pundits-blasts-msnbc-suits-2010-11.DTL

Keith Olbermann has finally emerged from the fallout shelter he has been hiding in since he was "suspended indefinitely without pay" last week.

And he's pissed.

In a "STATEMENT TO THE VIEWERS OF COUNTDOWN," Olbermann thanks his fans and pundits for supporting him.  And he implicitly blasts the network suits who suspended him for violating an "inconsistently enforced" rule that he knew nothing about.

As we noted last week, MSNBC still has some explaining to do about why the rule that cost Olbermann a few days of pay even exists. 

Specifically, why does it make MSNBC better than FOX News because all political donations by MSNBC staffers are "approved by management"?  Wouldn't it just be better if donations were either 1) prohibited or 2) disclosed?

Here's Olbermann's statement:

A STATEMENT TO THE VIEWERS OF COUNTDOWN
by Keith Olbermann

I want to sincerely thank you for the honor of your extraordinary and
ground-rattling support. Your efforts have been integral to the remedying of
these recent events, and the results should remind us of the power of
individuals spontaneously acting together to correct injustices great or small. I
would also like to acknowledge with respect the many commentators and
reporters, including those with whom my politics do not overlap, for their
support.

I also wish to apologize to you viewers for having precipitated such anxiety
and unnecessary drama. You should know that I mistakenly violated an
inconsistently applied rule – which I previously knew nothing about – that
pertains to the process by which such political contributions are approved by
NBC. Certainly this mistake merited a form of public acknowledgment and/or
internal warning, and an on-air discussion about the merits of limitations on
such campaign contributions by all employees of news organizations. Instead,
after my representative was assured that no suspension was contemplated, I
was suspended without a hearing, and learned of that suspension through the
media.

You should also know that I did not attempt to keep any of these political
contributions secret; I knew they would be known to you and the rest of the
public. I did not make them through a relative, friend, corporation, PAC, or
any other intermediary, and I did not blame them on some kind of convenient
'mistake' by their recipients. When a website contacted NBC about one of the
donations, I immediately volunteered that there were in fact three of them; and
contrary to much of the subsequent reporting, I immediately volunteered to
explain all this, on-air and off, in the fashion MSNBC desired.
I genuinely look forward to rejoining you on Countdown on Tuesday, to
begin the repayment of your latest display of support and loyalty - support and
loyalty that is truly mutual.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

Supes' 8-3 decision means free goodies may be nothing but happy memories at Golden Arches in S.F.

Comments & Replies (0)

Mick LaSalle says film's look at TV news is undercut by one-note comic acting from McAdams, Ford.

Comments & Replies (0)

Projectile launched off SoCal coast last night was caught on video, but the military claims no knowledge.

Comments & Replies (0)

Designed by architect Charlie Lazor and built in 2009, this two-story home sits on a private .6-acre...

Search Real Estate »

Sam Germana, a lawyer who bought his first Fiat in 1982, still has fond memories of la dolce vita behind the wheel of his Italian import.

Search Cars »

View the original article here

Bristol's Parents Pay For Friends and Family to Attend Dancing with the Stars - People Magazine

Sarah Palin in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom

It's a long and expensive flight from Alaska to Los Angeles, but Bristol Palin has had a steady cheering section in the ballroom for Dancing With the Stars. How? Her parents, Sarah and Todd Palin, have been treating family and friends to plane tickets.

"I'm sending friends and family to L.A. to watch Dancing with the Stars on Mondays," the former Alaska governor, author and soon-to-be reality star tells PEOPLE. "And that's been a nice thing to do. Bristol is down there without a team. She doesn't have a publicist, she doesn't have handlers ... We love to be able to do that without anybody else having to worry about it. We'll send 'em down."

Sarah, Todd, their daughters Piper and Willow and even Bristol's grandmother, Sally Heath, have all made the trip to be the ballroom to watch Bristol perform the cha cha, the Viennese waltz, the quickstep and the Argentine tango. Family attorney and friend Tom Van Flein and his daughters also got to go and watch.

"That has been a big gift for so many," says Heath, adding that they stay at a motel across the street from the studio, "so that nobody has to drive us around."

Palin spoke to PEOPLE ahead of the Sunday debut (9 p.m. ET) of TLC's new series, Sarah Palin's Alaska, by producer Mark Burnett.

Although Palin won't say how much she's been paid for the show – or how much she's earned for other moneymaking ventures like her bestselling memoir and a new book, America By Heart, out later this month – she did say she has been able to splurge on a few items for her family. Those include an airport hangar and workshop for Todd, apartments for Bristol and her older brother Track, a home studio for Palin's FOX News appearances – and those plane tickets to Los Angeles.

"So materially speaking, that's about it in terms of luxury," Palin said. "Airplane hangar, and going to watch Dancing With the Stars. So far."

As for how Piper, 9, and Willow, 16, manage to be in the ballroom on school nights, Palin says, "We work with the school to bring their schoolwork with us."

For more from PEOPLE's at-home interview with Sarah and Todd Palin – including an in-depth look inside their 22-year marriage – pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

View the original article here

O'Brien Tops Rivals In Late-Night Return - Wall Street Journal

O'Brien's Debut Outdraws Leno, Letterman - WSJ.com More BigCharts Virtual Stock Exchange WSJ Asia WSJ Europe WSJ Portuguese WSJ Spanish WSJ Chinese WSJ Japanese WSJ Radio Financial News WSJ Lifestyle Brands WSJwine SEARCH Thursday, August 5, 2010 As of 8:39 PM EDT | The Wall Street Journal Business Welcome, Logout My Account My Journal Help Message Center ( new)
U.S. Edition Home ? More

WSJ.com is available in the following editions and languages:

U.S. Asia India China Japan Europe Americas en Español em Português Register for FREE Register for FREE Thank you for registering.

We sent an email to:

Please click on the link inside the email to complete your registration

Please register to gain free access to WSJ tools.

An account already exists for the email address entered.

Forgot your username or password?

This service is temporary unavailable due to system maintenance. Please try again later.

The username entered is already associated with
another account. Please enter a different username

The email address you have entered is already in use.
Please re-enter the email address.

First Name Last Name Email (your email address will be your login)Confirm Email Create a Password Confirm Password Company Size (Optional) Please make a selection 1-99 100-499500-9991,000-2,4992,500-4,9995,000-9,99910,000-14,99915,000-24,99925,000+Not Applicable

From time to time, we will send you e-mail announcements on new features and special offers from The Wall Street Journal Online.

Create a profile for me in the Journal Community

Why Register?

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

As a registered user of The Wall Street Journal Online, you will be able to:

Setup and manage your portfolio

Personalize your own news page

Receive and manage newsletters

Login/Register to set your edition Today's Paper Video Blogs Journal Community

Log In Log In Login Password Log in Your login is either a username or an email address.

Keep me logged in. Forgot your password?

World » More

World » More

Loading… U.S. » More

U.S. » More

Loading… New York » More

New York » More

Loading… Business » More

Business » More

Loading… Markets » More

Markets » More

Loading… Tech » More

Tech » More

Loading… Personal Finance » More

Personal Finance » More

Loading… Life & Culture » More

Life & Culture » More

Loading… Opinion » More

Opinion » More

Loading… Careers » More

Careers » More

Loading… Real Estate » More

Real Estate » More

Loading… Small Business » More

Small Business » More

Loading… Asia Europe Earnings Economy Health Law Autos Management Media & Marketing Energy   More Industries   Accounting Advertising Airlines Banking Chemicals Computer Hardware Computer Software Consumer Products Defense & Aerospace Broadcasting & Entertainment Financial Services & Insurance Food & Tobacco Hospitality Industrial Goods & Services Media Agencies Paper & Forest Products Pharmaceutical & Biotech Real Estate Retail Semiconductors Transportation Close

Dow Jones Reprints: This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers, use the Order Reprints tool at the bottom of any article or visitwww.djreprints.com

See a sample reprint in PDF format.Order a reprint of this article nowBUSINESSNOVEMBER 10, 2010O'Brien Tops Rivals In Late-Night Return ArticleVideoStock QuotesCommentsmore in Business »BY SAM SCHECHNER

About 4.2 million people tuned in to watch Conan O'Brien's return to late-night television Monday, making it the most-watched late-night talk show Monday, according to Nielsen Co. data provided by several TV networks.

"Conan," on Time Warner Inc.'s TBS, outperformed late-night heavyweights Jay Leno and David Letterman in the ratings and drew many viewers away from his cable competition.

Hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on Viacom Inc.'s Comedy Central network saw their audiences among viewers between 18 and 49 years old shrink by more than 20% on Monday from their year-to-date average, according to Nielsen data supplied by the ...

Email Printer Friendly Order Reprints Share:

facebook

Twitter

Digg

StumbleUpon

Viadeo

Orkut

Yahoo! Buzz

Fark

Reddit

LinkedIn

del.icio.us

MySpace

 

Copyright 2010 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit

www.djreprints.com

Back To Back ToMSN Money HomepageMSN Money InvestingMost Popular ReadEmailedVideoCommentedSearches1.Sarah Palin Takes Aim at Fed2.Fed Global Backlash Grows3.GOP May Yet Have Upper Hand in Senate4.Opinion: Palin's Dollar, Zoellick's Gold5.Opinion: California: The Lindsay Lohan of States1.Opinion: California: The Lindsay Lohan of States2.Science Behind Our Love of Ice Cream3.Training for Ironman Triathlons at Age 704.The Perfect Stimulus: Bad Management5.Managing Hidden Heart Disease1.News Hub: Palin Takes on Bernanke on QE22.Triathlons Keep 70-Year-Old Neurosurgeon Young 3.What They Know: Websites Move to Curb Cookies4.Opinion Journal: ACLU vs. Pro-choice Democrats5.Musharraf: Pakistanis Won't Support India U.N. Bid1.Opinion: California: The Lindsay Lohan of States673 comments2.Sarah Palin Takes Aim at Fed436 comments3.Battles Loom Over Tax Breaks, Spending Cuts393 comments4.Opinion: How Medicare Killed the Family Doctor303 comments5.Fed Global Backlash Grows264 comments 1. Facebook 2. economy 3. Apple 4. Mad Men 5. China Most Read Articles Feed Most Emailed Feed Most Popular Video Feed Most Commented FeedMost Popular Feeds Editors' Picks

Subscriber Content Read Preview

O'Brien's Debut Outdraws Leno, LettermanRafter, McEnroe, Ivanisevic, Cash: Champions DownunderWarhol, Rothko on the Auction BlockPalin Responds to Real Time Economics and We RespondConan O'Brien's TBS Show Debuts: How'd He Do?Few N.J. Voters Want Christie in White HouseA Yanqui Who Knows Cuban BaseballThe $84 Million Spec HousePractice Squad Is Revolving Door of DreamersFriendship a Casualty of Political RiftGOP May Yet Have Upper Hand in SenateIreland's Next Blow: Mortgages Save This ? More

Article ExcerptO'Brien Tops Rivals In Late-Night Return BY SAM SCHECHNER

About 4.2 million people tuned in to watch Conan O'Brien's return to late-night television Monday, making it the most-watched late-night talk show Monday, according to Nielsen Co. data provided by several TV networks.

"Conan," on Time Warner Inc.'s TBS, outperformed late-night heavyweights Jay Leno and David Letterman in the ratings and drew many viewers away from his cable competition.

Hosts Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert on Viacom Inc.'s Comedy Central network saw their audiences among viewers between 18 and 49 years old shrink by more than 20% on Monday from their year-to-date average, according to Nielsen data supplied by the ...

Continue reading article with pop up player More Video
Loading... Market Data Center Footnotes*

Real-time U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only; comprehensive U.S. stock quotes reflect trading in all markets and are delayed at least 15 minutes. All quote volume is comprehensive and reflects trading in all markets, delayed at least 15 minutes. International stock quotes are delayed as per exchange requirements.

Videoprevious next PM Report: Commodities are Hot and Volatile8:05 Raising the Red Flag On China's Takeovers in U.S.3:16 digits: Ellison: SAP Owes Oracle $4 Billion7:38 Question of the Day Most Recommended CommentsComments CommentersCommenters 1. “Obama is this: A narcissist with a...;” - David Pearlman 360 Recommendations 2. “I continually hear comments like...;” - Eric Nelson 122 Recommendations 3. “Obama certainly had a history but...;” - Donald Bistrow 116 Recommendations 4. “Taking the La Lohan analogy...;” - David Pearlman 115 Recommendations 5. “Clever enough to try to appeal to...;” - Carol Sandor 110 Recommendations Peter Venetoklis 885 Recommendations David Pearlman 830 Recommendations Greg Liautaud 768 Recommendations Jack Davidson 740 Recommendations jean balloon 665 Recommendations More in BusinessDanone in Talks Over Water UnitJunk-Bond Sellers Find Risk Too HighJustices Voice Support for Class Actions Over ContractsAMD to Start Shipping 'Fusion' ChipsPlayboy Posts Wider Loss null Email Newsletters and Alerts

The latest news and analysis delivered to your in-box. Check the boxes below to sign up.

WSJ.com Email Features News Alert In Today's Paper This Week's Most Popular Management NewsSubmit The email address null is already associated with another account. Please enter a different email address:

Enter Your Email

Sign UpNew! To sign up for Keyword or Symbol Alerts click here.To view or change all of your email settings, visit the Email Setup Center.

Thank you !
You will receive in your inbox.

To view or change all of your email settings, visit the Email Setup Center. null Email Newsletters and Alerts

The latest news and analysis delivered to your in-box. Check the boxes below to sign up.

WSJ.com Email Features This Week's Most Popular On the Editorial PageSubmit The email address null is already associated with another account. Please enter a different email address:

Enter Your Email

Sign UpManage Email Preferences

Thank you !
You will receive in your inbox.

Manage Email Preferences Answer a Question Journal Community Answers allows you to tap the knowledge of Community members. Answer a question below or ask a question.

Michael Koerner asks… Q: Why do some many people think Bernanke is doing such a great job? Please fill out the answer field.

The language you used does not comply with community standards. Please re-enter.

Enter your answer Answer Editors' Picks

Subscriber Content Read Preview

O'Brien's Debut Outdraws Leno, LettermanRafter, McEnroe, Ivanisevic, Cash: Champions DownunderWarhol, Rothko on the Auction BlockPalin Responds to Real Time Economics and We RespondConan O'Brien's TBS Show Debuts: How'd He Do?Few N.J. Voters Want Christie in White HouseA Yanqui Who Knows Cuban BaseballThe $84 Million Spec HousePractice Squad Is Revolving Door of DreamersFriendship a Casualty of Political RiftGOP May Yet Have Upper Hand in SenateIreland's Next Blow: Mortgages WSJ Web Slice CONTENT LINKS TO ACTUAL PAGE CONTAINING WEB SLICE FUNCTIONALITY. 15back to top WSJ.com Account:My AccountSubscriber Billing InfoCreate an Account:Register for FreeSubscribe to WSJ.comSign up for WSJ ProfessionalHelp & Information Center:HelpCustomer ServiceContact UsNew on WSJ.comTour the new JournalAbout:News LicensingAdvertisingAdvertise LocallyConferencesAbout Dow JonesPrivacy Policy - UpdatedSubscriber Agreement & Terms of Use - UpdatedCopyright PolicyJobs at WSJ.comFuture Leadership ProgramWSJ.com:Site MapHomeWorldU.S.New YorkBusinessMarketsMarket DataTechPersonal FinanceLife & CultureOpinionAutosCareersReal EstateSmall BusinessStudent JournalCorrectionsTools & Formats:Today's PaperVideo CenterGraphicsColumnsBlogsTopicsGuidesAlertsNewslettersMobileiPadPodcastsRSS FeedsJournal Community- Message CenterWSJ on TwitterWSJ on FacebookWSJ on FoursquareMy JournalPortfolioDigital NetworkWSJ.comMarketwatch.comBarrons.comSmartMoney.comAllThingsD.comFINS: Finance, IT jobs, Sales jobsBigCharts.comVirtual Stock ExchangeProfessorJournal.comWSJ U.S. EditionWSJ Asia EditionWSJ Europe EditionWSJ India PageForeign language editions:WSJ ChineseWSJ JapaneseWSJ PortugueseWSJ SpanishACAP EnabledCopyright ©2010 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here