Media Morsels 8.27.10

• American Idiot in the Media
  During Broadway in Bryant Park, Playbill.com caught up with all the talented folks performing. Among them, of course, were some amazing Idiots. Watch Tony Vincent, Michael Esper, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Christina Sajous talk about keeping the performance fresh and the unique experience of performing live theatre.
  
  And, while I’m a little hesitant to share this because… well, you’ll see. Look who are Idiot fans.

• Bloody Bloody Box Office!
  The box office at the Jacobs Theatre on 45th street, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’s Broadway home, is now open for business. Lucky fans (like me!) had the chance to visit the box office on its opening day and purchase a Jackson for a Jackson: A ticket to the first preview on September 20 for only $20. How great is that?!? I wanted to see the first preview anyway so to get to go for “a Jackson” is a lovely bonus. Tickets are currently on sale through January 9, 2011, and can be purchased in person at the box office or online (or over the phone) via Telecharge.
  
  
• Marty McFly Headed to The Good Wife
  Deadline.com reported this week that beloved TV and film star Michael J. Fox will appear on the upcoming second season of The Good Wife. Fox will play an attorney battling Julianna Margulies’s Alicia in court.
  
  
• The Social Network
  Facebook in Sorkinese opens in about six weeks (on October 1), and the buzz is building. Recently, the New York Times reported conflicting accounts of what, in the movie, is fact and what is fiction. Meanwhile, the film’s producers are hoping it will be an award season contender, which isn’t surprising given its unparalleled writer, Aaron Sorkin, great director, David Fincher and cast, namely the appealing Jesse Eisenberg and JTims. Adding to the buzz is Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers who says “David Fincher’s Social Network is the 1st film I’ve given [four stars to] in 2010. It’s the movie of the year that also brilliantly defines the decade.” Well, of course it’s good, Peter. Aaron Sorkin wrote it!
  
  
• Glee Scoop
  Glee creator Ryan Murphy recently revealed that he’d like the McKinley High misfits to tackle the music of Prince (or whatever he’s called these days) and George Michael. I’m voting for some fabulous hip-swiveling version of Michael’s “Faith”. Meanwhile executive producer Brad Falchuk promises fans that, despite all the media hullabaloo over cameos, this second season will focus heavily on the interpersonal relationships of the glee club members. (Does that mean we won’t have to watch another episode of The Kristin Chenoweth Show? I like Chenoweth a lot but her last appearance on the show was all about her, which felt wrong for the show.)
  
  In other Glee news, the piano man himself, Billy Joel, recently gave Glee producers an all access pass to his catalogue, meaning Mr. Schuester might be looking for an “Uptown Girl” sometime this season!
  
  And as a little Glee bonus, check out these season two promo photos from Broadwayworld.com.
  
  
• Fall TV
  If the weather these last couple of days is any indication, fall is almost here, and that means season and series premieres! Check out this timeline from E! Online and mark your calendar for the premiere of your favorite shows. Some highlights (in premiere date order): It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – September 16; Boardwalk Empire – September 19; Glee – September 21; Modern Family – September 22; Community, 30 Rock and The Office – September 23; Bored to Death – Sept 26; and The Good Wife – September 28.
  
  Something else to note: When SNL returns (on September 25) for its 36th season (which will be hosted by Jane Lynch on October 9), the show will be minus one Will Forte. According to Zap2It.com, Forte has decided to leave the show, after eight seasons, to pursue other projects. I always found Forte to be funny, a good journeyman and thoroughly amusing as Greg Stink, the dimwitted ESPN-Classic commentator. Will you miss Will? Who are some of your favorite SNL players, past or present?
  
  
• Hockadoo!
  As you know from previous Media Morsels, every week Playbill.com presents their Cue & A, a fun questionnaire filled out by theatre folks. This week, Memphis leading lady Montego Glover (back from her early August vacation) answers the trivia questions. (The lovely Glover will also be appearing on the season premiere of The Good Wife this September. Be sure to tune in on September 28.)
  
  
• Side by Side by Susan Blackwell
  Reviewing the Drama readers may be familiar with Susan Blackwell and her web series, Side by Side by Susan Blackwell, in which the tart-tongued [title of show] star interviews/chats with theatre folks. In the season two premiere episode, Susan chats with theatre vet, Modern Family star and Emmy nominee Jesse Tyler Ferguson as he packs his bags for LA.
  
  
• Emmy Award Time!
  The Emmy Awards, hosted by funnyman Jimmy Fallon, will be presented this Sunday night on NBC. In preparation, Life magazine has an online pictorial of (what they consider) the best Emmy moments, 2000-today. (My favorite, of course is the second photo, the one in which Allison Janney is playfully sitting on Martin Sheen’s lap.) EW.com has their list of the 25 biggest Emmy snubs, starting off with Sports Night. And Playbill.com has a list of some presenters, including Matthew Morrison, Julianna Margulies, Will Arnett, Matthew Perry, Tina Fey and Joel McHale, who will probably wear an awesome tie. As with many award shows, the “top awards” (i.e., those that the most people are keen on tuning in for) will be presented during Sunday’s live broadcast while the other awards, here called the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, were handed out this past Saturday. (View the full list of winners here.) If you think about it, all the awards are creative arts awards; it’s not like someone is winning an Emmy for an algorithm… but this is how they do it. Some highlights from Saturday’s awards: HBO won 17 awards; Modern Family won Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series; oldie but greatie Betty White won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance as host of SNL; Neil Patrick Harris won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his appearance on Glee; and the Tony Awards broadcast (2009, hosted by NPH) won Outstanding Special Class Programs. Tune in to NBC this Sunday night to see who else is a winner! (Already a winner: George Clooney. The ridiculously handsome Oscar-winning actor, whose new movies opens on Wednesday, is receiving the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. That’s good for ratings, right?!?)