It had to happen, but it's still sad. The weekly movie review show that Roger Ebert launched with the late Gene Siskel in 1975 is kaput.

Sure, Disney has tapped two guys who you probably never heard of to take over the "At the Movies" duties of Ebert (who's been off the show for about two years battling health issues) and Siskel's lightweight replacement, Richard Roeper, who couldn't reach a contract extension.

But, really, the show hasn't been the same since Siskel's death in 1999 (he's pictured here with Ebert). The show, born at a PBS station in Chicago, paired outspoken Sun-Times' film critic (Ebert) with his equally outspoken counterpart at The Tribune (Siskel). Their passion for film and depth of knowledge, combined with their spirited exchanges, was wonderful television as the show's title evolved from "Sneak Previews" to "Siskel & Ebert," reflecting their growing status with their famous thumbs-up or thumbs-down pronouncements. I loved watching them verbally spar over films or effusively praise them. I respected their opinions and couldn't wait to hear what they thought of the latest releases.

Together, they became arguably the two most famous film critics in the country. You can still watch their reviews by checking out the archives at this Web site ... for now, at least.

Yes, it's a wistful good-bye. As Siskel or Ebert use to say: "The balcony is closed."

Fans of the hit sitcom "The Golden Girls" are saddened by the passing Tuesday of Estelle Getty, the tiny actress who played Bea Arthur's acerbic but caring mother. I remember watching the show on Saturday nights and always looking forward to Getty's scenes as Sophia Petrillo. You never knew what she was going to let fly out of her mouth.

Most people will remember Getty, who would have turned 85 on Friday, for that Emmy Award-winning role (she's pictured here with the trophy in 1998). Even though she was about the same age as Arthur, Getty transformed into Sophia through a white wig, huge eyeglasses, frumpy clothes, an ever-present purse and wonderful comedic timing.

But here's a few other things you should know about Getty:

• She played Harvey Fierstein's mother in the original run of the Broadway hit and Tony Award-winning play"Torch Song Trilogy."
• She also played Cher's mother in the film "Mask."
• She started her career in Yiddish theater.
• She wrote a 1988 autobiography, "If I Knew Then What I Know Now ... So What."
• In a landmark for show biz lives, she was married for 57 years to businessman Arthur Gettleman, who died in 2004.
• There is an official Estelle Getty Web site.

You're No. 1 in your late night time slot for about a dozen years. You bring in millions of dollars in revenue to NBC. You're an amiable guy, not sharp-witted like your late night rival, but likable and consistently funny. You occasionally break real news, like when your buddy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, announced he was running for governor.

Yet it seems NBC can't wait, Jay Leno, to shove you out the door to make room for a younger, hipper model to host The Tonight Show. Worse, a lot of people don't seem to care that you're leaving.

I'll admit I'm more a fan of your rival, David Letterman. He's caustic but can be so deeply-in-the-moment, as in the days after 9-11. A lot of us thought he was the rightful heir to the Tonight job in 1992. Heck, even legendary Tonight host Johnny Carson (who's impending departure was bemoaned for months before it happened) clearly favored Letterman, appeared on his show and even secretly wrote jokes for Letterman monologues. Carson never once shared the Tonight stage with you.

I do, however, feel sorry for you. The NBC bosses finally announce that Conan O'Brien starts June 1 with nary an accolade tossed your way. I guess it's downsizing Hollywood style. But, I suspect you're already lining up your next TV gig. And, let's face it, you are a millionaire so-many-times over.

But let's see if we can drum up some love for you here.

Folks, who's the better late night host? Leno, Letterman or O'Brien? And why?

I'd been feeling some admiring regard for Sarah Jessica Parker. I totally backed her film version of "Sex and the City." I think she's an appealing actress and always seems like a genuine person in her media interviews.

I'm ready, however, to toss all that out the window now that I'm reading about her next idea. She thinks a "Project Runway" type of competition show centered on art will be a winner. We'll see if this really becomes a series on Bravo.

But what is she thinking? That art must be a shallow, I-know-what-I-like-when-I-see-it concoction requiring nothing more than a weekly premise and deadline pressure? That you can just label anything art and think the viewing public will buy it? That art is about as complicated as throwing together the ingredients of a Big Mac?

I know, I know. There will be people out there, for example, who think a lot of abstract art is a joke and over-rated and will applaud this type of endeavor. But that detracts from artists who seriously are trying to reflect the human experience or provide social commentary or just flat out mystify and amaze us through their artistic talent. This rant isn't about being snobby. It's about decrying another dumbing-down move that veils itself as educational but promises little in substance.

I can't wait to see how they describe Vincent Van Gogh: "Some Dutch guy who went cuckoo and cut off his ear. Oh, and yeah, he painted some sunflowers before he killed himself. They're mostly yellow and kinda cool."

I've no clue what the winner is supposed to get, but I bet it has more to do with "Sex and the City's" beloved Manolo Blahnik shoes than a trip to The Louvre.

The Gary Sinise lecture was bound to be a hit at the California State University Summer Arts program. He's a laudable stage actor, of character actor working roots, who's co-founder of one of the country's most prestigious theatre companies. He's also carved out a successful niche in the dog-eat-dog world of Hollywood and worked with some of the biggest names in the business, from Tom Hanks to Mel Gibson to Ron Howard.

If he's in Fresno, how could you not want to hear him talk about his experiences? The answer was obvious Sunday evening at Fresno State's John Wright Theatre. The venue was packed. The buzz was palpable. When Sinise walked on stage, he got a standing O (and at the end, too). The guy in front of me leaned forward in his seat and never sat back.

The setup was simple. Two chairs were placed toward the front of the stage. John Mayer, who teaches at CSU Stanislaus and has known Sinise for nearly 40 years, served as James Lipton for the evening. A short video offered highlights from Sinise's career, including clips from his Oscar-nominated turn as Lt. Dan in "Forrest Gump" (which, naturally, got the biggest cheers from the audience) and "Apollo 13." But it also showed scenes from Steppenwolf Theatre Company's landmark 1982 stage production of "True West," which Sinise also directed and co-starred in with John Malkovich, and from the company's adaptation of "The Grapes of Wrath" (which won a 1990 Tony Award for Best Play).

The video was a reminder of what an intense, compelling actor Sinise can be. And yet, the man who chatted for about an hour Sunday came across as modest and grateful for the career that he has enjoyed.

Continue reading "Summer Arts: Gary Sinise" »

The fascinating thing about well-known glass artist Therman Statom is the sheer boundary-pushing, escape-what's-traditional aspects of his work.

I've been intrigued with glass art since I attended and wrote a story about a Randy Strong workshop at Fresno State this spring, admiring the stamina, beauty and and awe-striking nature of blown glass. I've since dropped in at places such as The Sanders Gallery in Fig Garden Village, where glass art takes a prominent role, and Gallery 25, where Fresno State instructor Joseph Morel has displayed some of his pieces.

So I looked forward to Statom's lecture Thursday evening, as part of the California State University Summer Arts program in Fresno. About 70 people showed up at the Conley Lecture Hall, where Statom was going to use a huge screen to show photos of his art.

It's too bad we couldn't see an actual Statom piece but totally understandable. He can work on a gloriously large scale that combines glass and paint. While renowned Dale Chihuly creates fantastical and huge curvy explosions of glass, Statom's are linear and edgy and carry a sense of heft, an approach more in tune with abstract art.

We could only stare at the photos and hope to see his work in person some day, somewhere.

Continue reading "Summer Arts: Therman Statom" »

We at The Hive prefer not to slink into the messy world of politics. You know, the hot air/rhetoric galore/I'll promise you anything/flip flop/gotcha atmosphere we've been living with in this lively election year. But when JibJab releases a new video? That's an exception to the rule.

The Venice-based digital entertainment studio put itself on the viral map in 2004 with its humorous spoof of then presidential candidates George Bush and John Kerry vying for the highest office in the land by singing "This Land is Your Land." Since then, creators Evan and Gregg Spiridellis have conjured up some doozy animated fare that reminds politicians that they better have a sense of humor.

So, without further ado, the latest from the folks at JibJab:

Now that the glittery hoopla over "Sex and the City" has subsided, it was time for me, a 40-plus woman, to see the film.

A longtime gal pal and I finally caught it last week. Both of us were not diehard fans of the HBO series but familiar enough to know about the four main female characters and some generalities about the TV story. (I also couldn't help but notice that there were only four men in our theater audience, out of about 30 people, and that the guy closest to me was letting out some heavy "when is this going to be over" sighs about 90 minutes in.)

I had read some of the reviews, including Donald Munro's critique. Many were not complimentary, or were downright scathing, like this one from Manohla Dargis of The New York Times. (If you check rottentomatoes.com, it averaged a mediocre 51% approval rating among the nation's critics.) I sensed resentment that star Sarah Jessica Parker (aka Carrie Bradshaw) would dare revisit these characters since the series ended in 2004.

Now, having seen it, I question all the spite but understand it: This is a chick flick in the purest sense of the genre. I'm convinced only women, especially women of my age, will thoroughly enjoy it. And get it.

Continue reading ""Sex and the City: The Movie" from a female 40-plus perspective" »

If you're going to watch this evening's MLB Home Run Derby, keep an eye out for the viral "Grizzlies Ball Girl" shagging flies in the Yankee Stadium outfield.

It's true. She's the ball girl featured in the never-televised Gatorade ad that's so far snagged millions of Internet views and includes a tie-in to the Fresno Grizzlies.

My intrepid colleague Mike Oz was all over this one way before national shows like "Good Morning America" caught on, helping to push the "wow" video that shows the ball girl making an incredible Bruce Lee-like move to catch a fly. (For those who haven't seen it, it's a matter of is it real? Not real?)

And The Bee's Daniel Lyght wrote a story on how Fresno Grizzlies' pitcher Victor Santos is part of the commercial. Even The Los Angeles Times couldn't resist writing a story.

The folks at the Fresno Grizzlies today issued a release saying the young woman will be catching balls once the Home Run Derby starts at 4 o'clock today our time on ESPN. They also say the Gatorade ad now is expected to debut during the All-Star Game broadcast, on FOX (KMPH Channel 26), which starts at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Hey, it's cool that a Fresno-related pop culture moment continues but, since this is a grand slam-like big deal, can someone identify the young woman so that she gets some proper recognition?

Those of you lining up for the new Apple iPhone today may want to read this story posted just this morning by the Associated Press. Is it just a glitch, or a sign of iPhone Armegeddon?

OK, that's me exaggerating. Let's face it, people are going to gorge on these gadgets, no matter up. But say you bristle at being part of any gotta-have-it trend, yet still want something like the iPhone. This story from ABC News outlines four options.

Meanwhile, you can read about the local run-up to iPhone mania on my colleague Will Albritton's recent blogs.

One of Kerry Yo Nakagawa's proudest projects, the film "American Pastime," continues to draw attention. The 2007 film is mentioned as part of a PRI The World audio slide show about Nisei Baseball.

The four-minute segment, called "American Pastime: Baseball Behind Barbed Wire" on The World news radio network, includes comments by Fresnan Nakagawa, the associate producer of the 2007 movie. Nakagawa, who's been an actor, also is an author, filmmaker, historian and director of the Nisei Baseball Research Project.

Reporter Clark Boyd's story is about the role of baseball in the lives of Japanese Americans, particularly during their internment in relocation camps during World War II. But it also talks about the Japanese-Americans who served during the war, such as the of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. military history.

As we approach the All-Star break for Major League Baseball, this segment is a reminder of players and events in baseball's history that have yet to be fully known or appreciated.

Look, I'm not a big fan of ABC's "The Bachelor" or its spin-off, "The Bachelorette." They throw an object of desire in front of 25 contenders, expect love to bloom with somebody and hope a marriage proposal neatly wraps up the series in a matter of weeks. It perpetuates the shallow fantasy that lasting love is easily attained and, worse, puts it in the context of a competition.

But I tuned in for Monday's "Bachelorette" finale because DeAnna Pappas, so cruelly rejected by Brad Womack last year on "The Bachelor," gamely gave it another go. At times, she was like a CEO conducting job interviews, all serious and intense. But she also wore her heart on her sleeve, teared up a lot and, too often, kept saying she wasn't going to be like Brad and lead people on (which, inevitably, she did).

So I cheer her selection of Jesse the professional snowboarder. (OK, he doesn't have a great job, but they can sign up for another reality show.) Jesse is fun. He made sure they were friends first (as much as you can do that in a few weeks). And, then he really fell for her. I loved that he was all nervous and nearly heaved on the sidewalk on the way to get the ring.

Let's face it. You knew she wasn't going to pick account executive Jason, who was like "Mr. Safe," after she dumped real estate attorney Jeremy, "Mr. Perfect," just days before.

On the after-show, the cute couple announced they will wed next May ... Of course, given this show's history of failed relationships, what are the odds that really happens?

July 4th, the big American holiday. Lots of traditional fireworks glittering around the city in the evening, setting off colorful sparkles and booms and shrill whistles. On such an evening as this, why would anyone be indoors?

Just ask those who caught the Friday concert of gospel music performed by James Hall and choir as part of the California State University Summer Arts program in Fresno.

Why go? Two words: Vocal fireworks.

Gospel music, of course, has the power to reach into the depths of a soul and wring strength from struggle or rev ecstasy from glory. Its rhythms and harmonies, especially through a choir, remind us of the potency of unity. Gospel may be an expressive, spiritual search for God and goodness and answers to life's low moments, but -- musically -- it's also an art form of its own.

The concert, staged in the Fresno State Music Building's Concert Hall, was facilitated by CSUF professor Thomas Whit Ellis. Organizers said it was a "first of its kind" for the Summer Arts program, one that took two years to pull together. It was well worth the effort.

Continue reading "Summer Arts: Concert with James Hall and company" »

Yes, Idol lovers, winner David Cook is as nice and modestly grateful and earnest as he seems on television.

Cook and the rest of the "American Idol" Top 10 are in Fresno today for just the third concert on their long, jam-packed summer tour. Just hours before the 7 p.m. show, five of them meet with the local media at the Save Mart Center: Cook, Brooke White, Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado and Ramiele Malubay.

All five are friendly and talkative, trying to explain this chaotic Idol bubble they live in as they do one-on-one interviews with different media members. As you might expect, White is the effervescent presence here: Big smile. Engaging and charming. She leans in, looks you directly in the eye and chats as if you two have been chums for years.

And Cook, of course, is this season's king who wears the crown (though, today, it's a porkpie hat). With these kind of media events, you never know which of the 10 will be made available. But my Fresno group is lucky: We each get a few minutes with the rocker dude.

All five regularly use the words "fun" and "exciting" to describe the tour and the concerts. They readily admit they're not getting much sleep ... but who can sleep when there are about 50 more shows to do and so many people who adore you right now?

If you're going to tonight's concert, tell me what you thought and send me a review.

In the meantime, here's some insight from these five Idol performers before they took the stage Thursday:

Continue reading "American Idol: Pre-show chatter; send us your reviews of tonight's show" »

Here's what caught my eyes and ears this week:

• Rush Limbaugh fans can keep calling their idol for eight more years.
• Peter Cook is learning the hard way what it's like when a nasty celeb divorce airs in public.
• The Sun in the UK is reporting that twins were born ... to a 70-year-old woman. That's right. 70!
• Anyone who enjoys magazines should note the passing of editor extraordinaire Clay Felker.
• USA Today has an update on the much-anticipated film "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." However, it somehow missed the "Trainspotting" reference from this story in The Telegraph in the U.K. Hmm, not sure what to make of this. I just hope it doesn't involve Severus Snape.

Happy July 4th everyone!

I had no idea that Jason Castro had his share of "Dreadheads" around here until I wrote a story about him and fellow "American Idol" finalist Brooke White. Some folks out there just love this guy.

To help AI fans wait out the hours until the Top 10 finalists perform Thursday at the Save Mart Center, I'm sharing some AI news:

• Auditions soon will be underway for Season 8, including a July 17 stop in San Francisco.
• We know Ruben Studdard just got married, but did you know this about Season 5's Paris Bennett?
• Want to know how the AI female finalists are doing right before tour time? Check out Richard Rushfield's story in The Los Angeles Times.
• Beatboxer and Season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis is out of luck.
• Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks, with no hit records, takes a stab at Broadway.

My story on new art exhibits for July was already in The Bee this morning, when Donald Munro gave me another show that you can catch on Thursday, ArtHop night for downtown Fresno and the Tower District.

A rep for Corridor 2122, at 2122 Mono St., gave Donald some info on an eight-member show called "Liberty." The details say that it examines the idea and reality of liberty in today's society: "Some of the work explores Liberty from the personal level and some from the political, but all the work tries to ask questions about an idea that is fundamental to our society and is most often taken for granted."

Sounds like an intriguing show and right in time for the Fourth of July. The gallery also is open noon-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

ArtHop receptions typically run 5-8 p.m. ... and don't forget that the third Thursday of each month is ArtHop for venues in Clovis and other areas of Fresno.

I know. If you're like me, you're thinking "Didn't they learn anything from the writers' strike? The one that dragged on for 100 days and cost jobs and millions and millions of dollars? The one that totally messed up the TV season?"

For those who thrive on entertainment, you should know that the actors' contracts expire at midnight -- with no resolution in sight. It could mean the "S" word re-enters the La-La Land lexicon for another go-around. Before you start criticizing big-cashed stars and studio heads for being greedy (and, yes, there's plenty of that) don't forget that crippled productions throw barely-making-it actors and other industry workers out of jobs, too.

It also means that you can expect more dreadful reality sludge, like "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" and "Wipeout."

I won't regurgitate all the details, but, if you want to know what's happening, read these links: Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily (in fact, if you really want to keep up on this ugly fight, bookmark this blog), a Los Angeles Times' story on the Tom Hanks vs. Jack Nicholson factions, this one from the Associated Press and this one from Variety.

And, if you don't want to know, I don't blame you. Why not read a good book instead?

My husband and I were not going to miss the FSU Bulldog baseball team's go-for-broke game Wednesday. We managed to squeeze into the World Sports Cafe, where fans were screaming and cheering their lungs out. It was a beautiful moment of unity.

The team's historic 6-1 victory over those other Bulldogs from Georgia was uplifting for a university that needed some good news instead of dismal developments, the aspects of which my colleague Bill McEwen excellently covered in his column this morning.

And you just had to watch in awe as these young men -- exuding the joy of boys playing the best sport of all on a summer's evening -- were relentless but handled the pressure with a fun-loving approach. One of my favorite moments had to be after Georgia player Matt Cerione lost his bat swinging for a pitch. It flew into the Fresno State dugout. What do the FSU guys do during this super-tense contest? They duck each time Cerione takes the next three pitches. Hilarious.

Before the game, I raised the topic of just how historic this College World Series win would be. I threw in a comparison to other underdog-to-champion moments, like the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey squad's "Miracle On Ice" win over the Russian team.

A moment of hubris? Check out what they're saying across the country:

Continue reading "Fresno State Bulldogs Baseball: The wonder of it all" »

That's a point that will be debated if the Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team wins the College World Series today in Omaha. Seriously. If unranked FSU pulls this off, you could compare this to other stellar moments in underdog history. How about the U.S. Olympic hockey team's "Miracle on Ice" defeat of the Russians in 1980? Am I over the top? We'll see.

At least this might catch the attention of my colleague Donald Munro, who blogged about how not everyone is enamored or following the team's exploits. (Come on, Donald, can you now give them a little bit of love?) Even if you're not a baseball fan, you have to appreciate just how huge this kind of effort is, in any kind of competition or event.

To get you ready for today's big game, you can read The Bee's excellent coverage. But what's the rest of the country saying? Check out these stories on ESPN.com and SportsIllustrated.com and and MLB.com. And here's what The Atlanta-Constitution Journal, covering its Georgia Bulldogs, wrote about the Fresno Bulldogs' romp Tuesday over their home team.

The game starts at 4 p.m. on ESPN TV and local radio stations KMJ-580, KCBL-1340 and KEZL-1400.

Go Dogs!