POPCANDY: Unwrapping pop cuture's hip and hidden treasures

Early Buzz: Bill Hader, new TV shows and more

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:01:18 GMT

WE'RE BACK!

First of all, let me apologize for what turned out to be unprecedented technical issues yesterday. Fingers crossed that we'll be OK for the next several hours, because we have a lot to discuss.

As a reminder, I'm still taking your pop-culture questions for the Candy Mailbag! E-mail them to popcandy@usatoday.com or tweet with the hashtag #CandyMailbag.

Headlines:

- We have a big feature...

Early Buzz: Vampire Weekend and more news

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:01:26 GMT

Happy Thursday to you! It's a gray day in Brooklyn, so I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

As a reminder, I'm still taking your pop-culture questions for the Candy Mailbag! E-mail them to popcandy@usatoday.com or tweet with the hashtag #CandyMailbag.

Headlines:

- Vampire Weekend's new record tops the Billboard chart (and deservedly so!).

- Todd Haynes has a new movie in the works.

- Here's the...

Early Buzz: Vampire Weekend, 'Don Jon,' more

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:01:26 GMT

Happy Thursday to you! It's a gray day in Brooklyn, so I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

As a reminder, I'm still taking your pop-culture questions for the Candy Mailbag! E-mail them to popcandy@usatoday.com or tweet with the hashtag #CandyMailbag.

Headlines:

- Vampire Weekend's new record tops the Billboard chart (and deservedly so!).

- Todd Haynes has a new movie in the works.

- Here's the...

'Steven Universe': Preview the next hit 'toon

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:01:23 GMT

Want to hear something crazy? Cartoon Network has never aired a series from a female creator.

Thankfully, that streak is about to be broken. Rebecca Sugar, known for her Emmy-nominated work on Adventure Time as a writer, songwriter and storyboard artist, will make (long overdue) history on the channel with a new 'toon called Steven Universe.

The show follows an excitable kid named Steven who somehow...

Peruse finalists of Amazon's Breakthrough Novel contest

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:01:21 GMT

I love how Amazon uses its power to help up-and-coming - and often cash-strapped - writers. This is the sixth year the site has held its Breakthrough Novel Awards (ABNAs), which gives one aspiring novelist a publishing contract and a $50,000 advance.

The five finalists have just been announced, so now it's up to Amazon users to vote for the winner. Head over to amazon.com/abna to start readin' and...

Hear it first: Stream Friend Roulette's new album

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:01:22 GMT

In January I premiered a song from Friend Roulette, a Brooklyn-based band that sounds more inspired by the streets of '60s Paris than the Big Apple.

Today I'm happy to offer an exclusive stream of the group's new album, I'm Sorry You Hit Your Head. Like the track Golden, these songs are gorgeous, layered and ideal for long springtime strolls.

The record goes on sale May 28, and you can pre-order it...

Photo project brings 'Twin Peaks' to any town

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:01:22 GMT

If you saw my recent list of favorite TV shows from the last 25 years, then you know I'm a huge Twin Peaks fan. I watched tons of TV when I was a kid, but Peaks was the first series that became an absolute obsession.

The fandom continues to this day, and I'm always excited to come across Peaks-related news or projects from former cast members. If you feel the same way about the David Lynch drama, I...

Readers love 'Arrested Development' because ...

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:01:20 GMT

For this week's contest, a dozen Pop Candy readers received gift cards from GrubHub. While they can be used anytime, I have a feeling they'll be redeemed this weekend during marathons of Arrested Development's new episodes.

Everyone who entered was required to finish this sentence:

I love Arrested Development because ...

Below are the winning entries. Stay tuned for more contests on Pop Candy!

"... of...

Seinfeld, Grimes highlight last night's Webby Awards

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:01:20 GMT

Last night the 17th Annual Webby Awards were presented in New York. And while the ceremony has always been known for limiting winners' acceptance speeches to five words, a few folks decided to break that rule this year.

Fred Armisen introduced Grimes, who was named Artist of the Year. The musician took the stage and awkwardly threw out a few extra words:

Frank Ocean, this year's winner for Person of...

Early Buzz: '80s metal, 'Arrested' Q&As and more

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:01:27 GMT

Good morning! We only have a few more days until the holiday weekend, so dust off that grill ...

I'm still taking questions for the Candy Mailbag, so please send them my way. Also, have you seen USA TODAY's Haiku Your View contest? You still have one more day to enter!

Some headlines:

- Salon offers "the definitive oral history of '80s metal."

- Watch the new She & Him video, directed by Zooey...

Clip: Billy Joel pops up on the History channel

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:01:18 GMT

The other night I was talking to a couple guys who work in entertainment and, for some reason, Billy Joel's name came up.

"A pleasure to work with," one said.

"Couldn't be cooler," said the other.

Now, when it comes to celebrities of Joel's caliber, you don't always hear rave reviews. It's a pleasure to find out an artist treats those working with him with friendliness and respect.

With that in mind,...

Video: Patton Oswalt's animated 'Star Wars' pitch

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:01:28 GMT

This clip has been making the rounds for a couple days, but for good reason: It's an animated version of Patton Oswalt's Star Wars filibuster from Parks and Recreation.

Yes, a dedicated fan named Isaac Moores has illustrated the eight-minute clip that incorporates the Star Wars universe, the Marvel universe and a lot of goofiness in between. Take a look:

And here's the original clip, which has...

Cool stuff on DVD today: 'Side Effects' and more

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:01:21 GMT

Bummed that all of your favorite shows have wrapped 'til fall? Peruse today's list of new offerings:

Release o' the week: Side Effects. As I've mentioned, I really enjoyed this Steven Soderbergh drama. The stellar cast includes Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum.

- True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season. Just when you thought the action in Bon Temps couldn't get any...

Video: Watch PBS' Mel Brooks documentary

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:01:21 GMT

Last night, PBS' American Masters aired Mel Brooks: Make a Noise, an excellent documentary that chronicles the comedy legend's career.

If you're a fan of Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs and other Brooks creations, the movie is a must-see. Several of his famous friends are interviewed as well, including Carl Reiner, Cloris Leachman, Buck Henry, Rob Reiner, Tracey Ullman and Joan...

Early Buzz: MacFarlane, Bateman and more

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:01:20 GMT

Morning, all - in light of yesterday's tragedy in Oklahoma, I'd just like to send some thoughts to that part of the country. Note that you can also send a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to the number 90999.

Now for a few headlines:

- Ray Manzarek, former keyboardist for The Doors, has died.

- Torchwood's John Barrowman will host an upcoming ABC reality show.

- Seth MacFarlanewon't host the Oscars...

Site o' the day: Guide to running 'Arrested' gags

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:01:16 GMT

The other day I asked a colleague what movies he'd seen lately. His reply: "I'm actually re-watching every episode of Arrested Development."

I've seen every Arrested ep multiple times, but he made me think I should look at the comedy once again. Now, after viewing this amazing guide to the series' running gags, I'm convinced I need to have a pre-marathon marathon.

The mini-site, compiled by NPR,...

I love this book: 'Daily Rituals'

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:01:20 GMT

Even though I hate waking up early, I've come to realize that I'm sharpest and most productive before 10 or 11 a.m.

After reading Mason Currey's excellent new book, Daily Rituals: How Artists Work (Knopf), it appears I'm not alone. from Auden to van Gogh, most creative people he profiles rose early and got to work. Many of them also took long walks, went to bed early and relied on coffee to get...

Don't forget: It's YouTube Comedy Week

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:02:07 GMT

YouTube already does a good job of dominating our free time, but this week it really wants us to slack off at work by kicking off YouTube Comedy Week.

The impressive lineup of participating artists includes Sarah Silverman, Vince Vaughn, Conan O'Brien, Rainn Wilson, Tim and Eric, Seth Rogen and The Lonely Island. Last night the week kicked off with The Big Live Comedy Show, which featured many of...

Do You Remember: Nostalgia site launches today

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:01:18 GMT

Though we make fun of our parents and grandparents for talking about the "good old days," I admit I'll always have a fondness for the music, movies and other pop culture I grew up with in the '80s.

Many of us like to reminisce via Facebook, Twitter and other channels, but I haven't seen a social media site dedicated solely to nostalgia. Today a new site, Do You Remember, aims to be the first by...

Contest: Win a GrubHub gift for your 'Arrested' weekend

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:01:21 GMT

The final countdown is on: We have less than a week until Arrested Development returns!

I'm guessing many of you guys plan to stay indoors Sunday to marathon as many episodes as possible. With this in mind, the folks at GrubHub want to help by offering $10 gift cards to a dozen Pop Candy readers.

GrubHub is an online food delivery service available in more than 500 cities. More than 20,000...

Early Buzz: 'Anchorman 2,' 'SNL' and more

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:01:24 GMT

Hey there! How was your weekend? Mine was pretty relaxing but, sadly, did not involve a trip to the movie theater. Don't spoil Star Trek for me!

Some headlines:

- Watch a new trailer for Anchorman 2.

- Watch a teaser for the film Clear History, which stars Larry David, Jon Hamm and many other folks you love.

- The weekend belonged to Kanye West, who performed on Saturday Night Live and premiered a...

Video: Charlie Rose goes one-on-one with Bono

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:01:18 GMT

Last night Bono did an hourlong sit-down interview with Charlie Rose. The two spent more time discussing the singer's humanitarian efforts than his music career, but it's still a pretty revealing and intelligent exchange.

The full episode has just been posted on YouTube and charlierose.com. Rose doesn't hold back at all, even starting the chat by telling him bluntly, "You have to have a bit of a...

Talk back: Did you see the 'Office' finale?

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:01:50 GMT

Note: This post discusses last night's series finale of The Office. You may wanna skip it if you haven't watched yet!

So long, Dunder Mifflin.

Last night The Office said farewell after nine seasons - and, considering how many characters wound up leaving the workplace, it looks like there's really no turning back.

Personally, I'd give the super-sized episode a "B." I liked that it gave us closure: Jim...

Early Buzz: Old-school 'Trek,' Johnny Depp and more

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:01:27 GMT

Whew, what a Friday! I'm sorry for this morning's delay, but I woke up to some rather serious technical issues. Thanks to IT genie Marc for solving them.

Here are your belated, beloved headlines:

- A scissor-shaped fossil has been named in honor of Johnny Depp.

- This list ranks all of the Star Trek movies.

- And this list ranks the Star Trek villains.

- And this list ranks the best Star Trek episodes!

...

'Big Bang' contest offers a trip to Comic-Con

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:01:16 GMT

Sometimes when I get home from work, I just want to relax in front of the TV (with a delicious beverage) and laugh. What do I often turn to? Big Bang Theory reruns.

I know I'm not alone; I mean, my parents watch Big Bang, too. And for the next two weeks, I think a lot of viewers will be paying attention to the show when a contest offers one fan a trip to Comic-Con in San Diego.

Starting May 20, Hot...