POPCANDY: Unwrapping pop cuture's hip and hidden treasures

Stream it tonight: Andrew W.K.'s 'drumathon'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:01:28 GMT

Tonight marks the O Music Awards, a 24-hour awards show that includes live performances from more than 50 bands. (And you thought the Oscars were long!)

With Atlas Genius, The Features, Grouplove and Matt Nathanson on the bill, the show honors the best in music/technology and sounds pretty interesting - although I think I'm more likely to tune in to find out if Andrew W.K. can really play the drums...

Debbie Harry, Chris Stein share Blondie memories

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:01:35 GMT

Here's a treat for all the Blondie fans out there: A 90-minute interview with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein has just been posted, and it's absolutely delightful.

The chat, conducted as part of the Red Bull Music Academy, focuses on Blondie's early days and what it was like to perform in New York in the late '70s/early '80s.

I dig the multimedia aspects of the feature; for instance, Stein shows us...

A chat with ... 'Conversation' host Amanda de Cadenet

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:01:32 GMT

A few weeks ago I mentioned that The Conversation, Amanda de Cadenet's interview series, had evolved from a Lifetime show into a weekly Web series and online community.

De Cadenet launched the program as a way to get notable women talking about more than their looks and TV/movie projects, which often are the focus of mainstream interviews. So far, her guests have included Jane Fonda, Lady Gaga,...

'Breaking Bad' contest offers awesome fan rewards

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:01:30 GMT

The final episodes of Breaking Bad are upon us - they debut Aug. 11 - and we've been promised a big and bloody sendoff.

Yesterday Bryan Cranston participated in a Reddit AMA session in which he announced a great Bad contest from Omaze. It's sort of like this Samuel L. Jackson contest in that entries require a small charitable donation. (Proceeds go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited...

'Topics': Black, Showalter launch new podcast

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:01:34 GMT

Even though I listen to dozens of podcasts, there's always room for one more - especially when it features Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter.

Topics is the latest project from the comedians and State alums in which they try to be serious for once. (Black puts it simply: "We really get into some stuff.") If you dig their brand of satire and dry wit, you'll want to check it out.

Right now you...

Early Buzz: 'Veronica Mars,' 'Lego Movie' and more

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:01:36 GMT

Hey, how's it going this morning? Last night I watched an episode of Inside Amy Schumer and passed out around 9. I'm not ashamed.

As a reminder, this is your last day to vote in our Amazon contest. You have until 5 p.m. ET to pick your prize!

In the meantime, enjoy these headlines:

- Why on earth is someone remaking Plan 9 From Outer Space?

- Check out some pics from the Veronica Mars set.

- See the...

Fun app: Reel Estates maps pop-culture homes

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:01:25 GMT

Though I have a general idea of where Liz Lemon or the Flight of the Conchords guys lived in New York, I couldn't point you to their exact apartments.

Fortunately, there's now an app for that. Reel Estates offers a guide to hundreds of pop-culture homes, from the Brady Bunch house to Tony Soprano's place to the Jeffersons' deluxe apartment in the sky.

Granted, the app is especially handy if you live...

Cartoonist Ivan Brunetti wants to inspire you

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:01:19 GMT

If you read the New Yorker, you may recognize Ivan Brunetti's work from the covers of several issues. Personally, I was introduced to the cartoonist's stuff via Patton Oswalt - who, a few years later, recruited Brunetti to do the cover art for one of his comedy albums.

Last month Yale University Press published Brunetti's autobiography, Aesthetics: A Memoir. It's engaging and inspiring, and the...

Trailer: 'Plimpton!' profiles the esteemed writer

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:01:27 GMT

Was there anything George Plimpton couldn't do?

Plimpton served as a role model for other writers and editors, but he was also admired by athletes, actors and artists. He died 10 years ago, and I can't help but wonder what he'd think of the current state of journalism.

A new documentary, Plimpton!, profiles the former Paris Review editor and journalist. Known for completely immersing himself in his...

Cool stuff on DVD today: 'Rectify' and more

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:01:34 GMT

Want to spend a few hours indoors this week? Take a look at your best entertainment options:

Release o' the week: Rectify. I can't praise this Sundance Channel series enough, particularly for its ability to say so much with so few words - lead character Daniel Holden is not a talkative man - and to present the South in a non-stereotypical, non-campy way. The story focuses on a man who is released...

Love the Boss? Grab tix to this Springsteen doc

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:01:49 GMT

Do you remember your first Bruce Springsteen concert?

Chances are, it wasn't your last. As millions (including myself) can attest, The Boss puts on a spectacular show guaranteed to make even the most introverted or cynical person thrust his/her fist in the air and sing along.

A new documentary, Springsteen and I, celebrates the singer's 40-year career by compiling fans' stories and emotional...

Early Buzz: Superman, 'Masters of Sex' and more news

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:01:34 GMT

Morning, all! I hope you're feeling great - don't forget there's still time to enter this week's contest, in which you can win a pop-culture collectible from Amazon.

A few headlines to start the day:

- DC Comics has announced a new Superman/Wonder Woman series of comics. (It's about a romantic relationship between the two heroes.)

- The Disney Channel has picked up the Boy Meets World spinoff, Girl...

Thu Tran brings her food parties to MTV

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:01:26 GMT

I was a huge fan of IFC's experimental series Food Party - so huge, in fact, that it landed on my recent list of favorite TV series from the last 25 years.

Food Party creator Thu Tran created a world unlike any other with her homemade puppets, eccentric food obsessions and offbeat sensibility.

Today I was thrilled to see that Tran has a show on MTV Other, MTV's new site for "alternative"...

Oddball Fest brings back beloved comedy acts

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:01:41 GMT

Five seconds after I heard about the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival, I had to ask myself, Could this be a joke?

After all, Oddball marks the return of two comedy acts we haven't seen in some time: Dave Chappelle and Flight of the Conchords.

The summer festival, which is very real and is presented by Funny or Die, marks Chappelle's return to touring after leaving his massively popular Comedy...

Moby, Questlove, others endure puzzling 'Experience'

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:01:26 GMT

What on earth is The Being Experience?

People have been speculating about Jennifer Elster's mysterious multimedia project for a long time - in fact, it's been nearly three years since "clues" began popping up online.

Here's what we do know: Several notable folks participated in the project, including Moby, Questlove, Alan Cumming, Rufus Wainwright, Terrence Howard, Temple Grandin, Debra Winger, Dave...

Giveaway: Win your dream collectible from Amazon

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:01:48 GMT

Ever dreamed of owning an autographed pic of Don Rickles? (I have.) Or how about a signed photo of Kenny Baker inside his R2-D2 costume?

Well, I'm here to make your dreams come true. This week's giveaway is a great one: One lucky Pop Candy reader, chosen at random, will win the item of his/her choosing from Amazon.com's Entertainment Collectibles store.

You may recall that I wrote about the store...

Video: U2's acoustic version of 'Bloody Sunday'

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:01:27 GMT

Have you seen the new U2 video?

OK, so the song isn't new, but it's a classic: Bono and the guys invaded a New York City rooftop recently to record/shoot an acoustic version of Sunday Bloody Sunday for the ONE campaign. It's just as good as you'd expect:

The video was made in partnership with agit8, an initiative for which artists have recorded protest songs to emphasize the importance of music in...

First look: Logo launches a soap -- on Vine

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:01:27 GMT

The popularity of Vine has led many users to experiment with the format, whether it's by holding a six-second film festival or posting an entire feature film on the service.

Today Logo goes a step further by launching a 22-episode scripted soap opera on Vine. Yep, each episode of The Vines of Sauvignon Blanc is only six econds long - which means you can watch the whole thing in the span of a...

What did you think of the 'True Blood' premiere?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:01:28 GMT

Note: This post discusses last night's episode of True Blood, so you may want to skip it if you haven't watched!

One of my favorite signs of summer is the start of a new season of True Blood.

Though last season had its low points (i.e. Terry's Iraq subplot, Sam and Luna's shifter romance), I loved the finale, in which Bill drank the blood of Lilith and was resurrected as, well, "Billith."

Last...

Early Buzz: Gene Wilder, Scorsese's latest and more

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:01:27 GMT

Good morning, friends! I hope you had an excellent Father's Day weekend - I know my husband enjoyed his first one.

How about some headlines?

- Preview HBO's new detective drama starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.

- Kim Deal has left the Pixies.

- Note that Gene Wilder didn't enjoyTim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

- Tom Petty talks about his new tour.

- Watch the fun and...

IFC plans fact-filled 'Stooges' marathons

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:01:22 GMT

My brother was a big Three Stooges fan when he was little, so I watched many hours of Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp when I was a kid.

Even though it's been more than 60 years since the Stooges made their television debut, their legacy lives on. Tomorrow IFC kicks off weekly Three Stooges marathons that are enhanced with fun facts about the comedians.

Created in partnership with Mental Floss, you can...

New trailer: 'Salinger' explores the life of the writer

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:01:20 GMT

Why did J.D. Salinger stop publishing after 1965?

This question is, and will remain, one of the greatest literary mysteries. Despite penning Catcher in the Rye, Nine Stories and other works that moved millions, the author spent the last half of his life living reclusively.

A new documentary examines the questions surrounding Salinger's life and career. Directed by Shane Salerno, Salinger features...

Video: Learn the history of the Black Flag logo

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:01:18 GMT

I think it's a given that one of the best band logos of all time belongs to Black Flag.

Those four black bars have become synonymous with punk over the last three decades. Created by artist Raymond Pettibon, brother of Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn, the logo has inspired countless other bands and established the guys as a group with artistic as well as musical sensibilities.

This week the Museum of...

Not at Bonnaroo? Watch the webcast

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:01:23 GMT

Bonnaroo kicked off yesterday, and while I have much respect for those brave enough to camp out in a Tennessee field, I'm pretty happy I'm not there.

However, I would like to see a bunch of the bands performing. Today the music fest's webcast kicks off, promising live sets from Paul McCartney, the Wu-Tang Clan, Wilco, Beach House and many more.

Head over to bonnaroo.com to see the full schedule (and...

Exclusive: Danica Novgorodoff previews her new book

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:01:19 GMT

If you haven't read any of Danica Novgorodoff's books, you're missing out on some of the best graphic novels of the last few years.

I was introduced to the writer/artist's work with 2006's A Late Freeze, which won the annual Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics. She followed that with 2008's A Slow Storm, a full-length, beautifully drawn graphic novel about a female firefighter; and 2009's...