CBS made this show from a Twitter account? What accounts will they use for show ideas next?

CBS’ new sitcom $#*! My Dad Says starring William Shatner is based on the Twitter account of Justin Halpern, who lives with his 89-year-old father. The show’s premiere brought in 12.5 million viewers last week.

Maybe that’s why CBS is planning another TV show based on a Twitter account, @shhdontellsteve. That one is about a guy writing about what his roommate does and is currently being made into a pilot called “Don’t Tell Steve”.

Now I’m not too familiar with that second Twitter account, but if CBS is so intent on making shows from Twitter accounts, I might as well share a list that the network’s execs can use for future pilot ideas:

1) @WolfBlitzerCNN – Come on, Things Wolf Blitzer Says is sure to be a hit. Watch out William Shatner, Wolfie’s gunning for you!

2) @JohnCMayer – A show about a musician who connects with viewers through Twitter? That could be cool. Oh wait, just like John Mayer’s Twitter account, this show has also been cancelled.

3) @PerezHilton – Sure Perez Hilton initially got famous by drawing penises on photos of Lindsay Lohan and then blogging them, but a show about a gossip blogger becoming famous for his celebrity news tweeting would be cool.

4) @50Cent – I guess its not totally surprising that rapper 50 Cent employs no filter while he tweets, but between all the retweets of half-naked, booty-showing photos of fans he retweets, plus gems like the following, I would actually watch this show: “This b*tch is a super freak for real @beautydiorxz yal want some p*ssy follow this b*tch she crazy as hell look at her page.”

5) @KBurkhardtSNY – Kevin Burkhardt is the New York Mets’ on-field reporter who happens to tweet in the same way that he reports on the baseball team  — in a timely, relevant, and totally original manner. I’d love to see a show about an on-the-field reporter who covers baseball from unique angles and eventually earns his way into the broadcast booth.

6) @MollieWestie – Mollie the Westie is just one of thousands of Dogs Who Twitter. And let’s not forget cats who tweet, like @sockington who loves writing about his kibble! How about a show called Paws to Tweet, CBS?

7) @LilPecan – Speaking of pets with twitter accounts, Lil Pecan is a self-described “social media guinea pig” from Boston with over 3,500 followers, that is often snarky while defending the fact that her human doesn’t write her account, like some other animals. A talking-and-typing guinea pig right there on your television?!? Instant ratings!

8) @ev & @biz – Evan Williams and Biz Stone are the creators of Twitter. Could you imagine a show about the guys responsible for the newest way the world communicates these days? Hey, they made a movie about Facebook…

9) @AplusK – Ashton Kutcher helped put Twitter on the map with his competition to 1,000,000 followers against CNN and his straightforward tweeting. How about a show that focuses on  a celebrity’s struggle with what to share and what to keep private and how it affects his family? Sort of part-reality, part-entertainment? I’m sure MTV has a time slot or two open still.

10) @YOU! – Maybe you are the next tweeter that would make a good subject for a show because you use Twitter in a unique way that is also entertaining. Hell, if I’d follow you, why wouldn’t I also wanna watch a show about you too? At least CBS thinks I should…

What other tweeters/tweeple do you think CBS should consider for their own TV shows based on their twitter accounts? Share in the comments below!

This past year has been both amazing and exhilarating. We’ve traveled and we’ve spent time together at home. We’ve both seen new places and met new people that have made our lives better. We’ve learned just how great helping each other feels. We’ve enjoyed being in sync and seen more than enough signs of “446″ together.

We’ve tweeted, blogged, and dailyboothed. We’ve used thousands and thousands of cellphone minutes.

She’s inspired me to express myself again in word and photographs. We created a baseball blog together about our favorite MLB teams, the Dodgers and the Mets.

We’ve shared new foods together and enjoyed new experiences. We both loved going to the movies and listening to music together. We’ve decided on and then watched our television shows together.

We’ve shared our love of dinosaurs and history together. We’ve traded baseball stats and players our teams have shared.

We’ve heard our song, You & Me by Dave Matthews Band, many many times, just about everywhere:

And we’ve laughed, cried, joked, debated, discussed, lived, and loved together more than either of us every have before.

And all of that is exactly why our relationship works so well and why she means so much to me.

I’m looking forward to what the next years will bring! Love you, sweetie! <#

Overall the show was pretty good, a lot of funny jokes from host Aziz Ansari (“Parks and Rec”) and some typical MTV-ish moments, like Sandra Bullock’s kiss with Scarlett Johansson, but the real moment of the night was Tom Cruise’s attempt at remaining relevant.

He was back as his alter-ego Les Grossman, dancing around the stage like a lunatic, and then eventually with Jennifer Lopez for some reason.

Man, Tom Cruise has really let himself go…

Oh well, Katie Holmes didn’t seem to mind. She really enjoyed Tom’s moves…

Broadway is all about telling a story.

Tonight Melissa went to see the musical Mary Poppins at a theater in the area that is what I can only assume California’s answer to Broadway.

While I’m sure seeing the touring productions of Broadway shows are an experience in themselves, I’ve always enjoyed (and only known) the Broadway version of, well, Broadway musicals. And I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve ever been to.

Being a native New Yorker, I’ve been fortunate enough to see many Broadway productions from The Lion King to Wicked,  from Ragtime to Phantom of the Opera, and from Les Miserables to RENT.

And while I usually have seen shows with friends, my family, or on a school class trip, I always wanted to keep seeing more.

Because while some people seemingly don’t “get” the whole Broadway thing, live theater draws me in because its all about telling a story. And the creative forces behind Broadway have found literally thousands of ways to tell a story.

A scene from the Broadway production of RENT.

Its similar to the way I am captivated by movies. I don’t just go for the popcorn, you know. (In fact, I recently gave up movie theater popcorn altogether, but that’s a story for another time.)

Its all about the story — finding about a certain character’s motivations, gleaming a lesson or two from character’s struggles to apply to my own life, watching how different colors or designs can move a story along.

Some people are content to get all of this out of books, but let’s face it, these days its all about the visual.

And there is nothing but colors and motivations and lessons on Broadway these days.

Anyway, I’m just happy to have found someone to go with me now who enjoys the storytelling as much as I do. Broadway, here we come!

And I proudly present them to you in what I’d like to call Anthony’s Holiday Movie Picks – Part 4:

Everybody's Fine

Everybody’s Fine

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Kate Beckinsale, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell | Premieres: December 4, 2009

Robert DeNiro plays a father who seeks to reconnect with his grown children after the death of his

PROS: It’s like Meet the Fockers with a an actual moral to the story and without Ben Stiller.

CONS: If the holidays don’t bring back great family memories, than this film is not for you.

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams | Premieres: December 25, 2009

A mystery-adventure film about the detective who always seemed to rely a little too heavily on his assistant Watson. This version has a good bit of action thrown in as well.

PROS: Downey Jr. as Sherlock and Jude Law as Watson

CONS: Hard to improve upon the original story of Sherlock Holmes

Invictus

Invictus

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon | Premieres: December 11, 2009

Based on a true story, this movie is the story of how South African president Nelson Mandela and the captain of the country’s rugby team came together to unite the country after apartheid. Directed by Clint Eastwood.

PROS: Getting to see Morgan Freeman in the role you know he was meant to play.

CONS: Matt Damon trying to make us believe his South African accent.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Starring: Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell | Premieres: December 25, 2009

A fantastical adventure starring Heath Ledger in his final starring performance about a traveling theater troupe who must deal with the consequences of making a deal with the devil.

PROS: Heath Ledger, Think Big Fish fantasy but with a point

CONS: Hard to believe Heath Ledger can make a bigger impression than his Joker role in Dark Knight

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So many movies, so little time, right? Well thanks for checking out some more of my holiday movie picks.

If you get a chance, let me know in the comments which movies you see and what you think about them!

[If you missed Part 1, it's right here. And Part 2 is here.]

Brothers

Brothers

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman | Premieres: December 4, 2009

A compelling and timely story based on Susanne Bier’s 2004 book about a soldier (Tobey Maguire) thought to be dead who comes home to discover his brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) has entered into a relationship with his wife (Natalie Portman).

PROS: Interesting twist on a soldier’s homecoming, Tobey Maguire going nuts, Natalie Portman!

CONS: Nothing I can think of…

The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog

Starring: Anika Noni Rose, John Goodman, David Keith | Premieres: November 25, 2009

When the directors of Aladdin and the Little Mermaid join forces, you know you’re in for an animated classic.

PROS: A family-friendly flick for those who want to skip Twilight mania

CONS: With all the 3D animated films out now, traditional 2D animation just seems boring

Armored

Armored

Starring: Matt Dillon, Jean Reno, Laurence Fishburne | Premieres: December 4, 2009

An action-packed crime thriller about an armored car heist that is seemingly foolproof.

PROS: Star powered action film

CONS: None, unless you happen to be anti-gun and anti-explosion

Up In The Air

Up In The Air

Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman | Premieres: December 4, 2009

George Clooney stars in the story of a corporate downsizer attempting to reach 10,000 frequent flyer miles.

PROS: Sure to be hilariously dramatic

CONS: George Clooney overload… nah, just kidding

================================================================

Thanks for reading my Holiday Movie Picks guide. If you guys leave some positive feedback in the comments, I’ll be sure to continue this feature in the future here at CityCynic.com.

[If you missed Part 1, it's right here.]

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson | Premieres: November 20, 2009

The second movie of the ultra-popular Twilight series focuses on a forbidden werewolf love instead of the previous movie’s forbidden vampire love in the small town of Forks, Washington, but teenagers and most other “Twi-hards” are sure to love it.

PROS: A love story you can really sink your teeth into, Vampire/Werewolf drama, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

CONS: Where is all of this going anyhow?, Heavy on the teen angst and forbidden love

Planet 51

Planet 51

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel | Premieres: November 20, 2009

Unlike a certain other holiday animated feature film sequel starring 3 chipmunks, Planet 51 is actually based on an original story about what happens when a human is the alien.

PROS: Original story, family-friendly alternative to Twilight

CONS: Let’s just hope The Rock and Jessica Biel are better voice actors than movie actors…

Bad Lieutenant

Bad Lieutenant

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes | Premieres: November 20, 2009

Nicholas Cage plays a bad cop in the streets of post-Katrina New Orleans

PROS: Nicholas Cage movies have great action scenes

CONS: Katrina victims might not particularly enjoy the setting

Broken Embraces

Broken Embraces

Starring: Penelope Cruz | Premieres: November 25, 2009

A scintillating tale of an enigmatic woman who leads her two romantic interests down a road of jealousy and ultimately heart break.

PROS: Penelope Cruz… need I say more?

CONS: Hardly an uplifting holiday flick

The Road

The Road

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee | Premieres: November 25, 2009

Viggo Mortensen plays a father trying to help his family survive a post-apocalyptic world against all odds. Early word is that Mortensen’s performance in this film is Oscar-worthy.

PROS: Viggo Mortensen playing a character that will do anything to survive

CONS: Same type plot we’ve seen before in Children Among Men, Zombieland, etc.

==============================================================

Hope I’ve helped you find some movies you want to see. Be sure pick up some delicious popcorn along the way — makes every movie better!

Check out Part 3 of my Holiday Movie Picks tomorrow.

So as a public service to you guys, and to help me remember what’s coming out the next month or two, I put together my Holiday Movie Picks for you.

Disney's A Christmas Carol in 3D

Disney’s A Christmas Carol in 3D

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey, Jim Carrey | Premieres: Now Playing

Charles Dickens’ holiday classic – now with Jim Carrey in 3D! Finally a way to improve on a story made into about a million movies over the years.

PROS: Jim Carrey, 3D, movie with a moral

CONS: The animation: While an amazing technological feat, the characters still looks too plastic for many people’s tastes.

2012

2012

Starring: John Cusack, Amanda Peet | Premieres: Now Playing

This is the disaster movie to end all disaster movies. Directed by “the destroyer” Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Armageddon), this film shows how the world and it’s leaders might react to the end of the world planet. It’s non-stop action and definitely worth the $11 ticket.

PROS: Special effects, Danny Glover as US President, John Cusack’s acting

CONS: Two weak special effects scenes (out of 30+), unnecessary giraffe/elephant helicopter transport scene

Precious

Precious

Starring: Gaboure Sidibe, Paula Patton | Premieres: Now Playing

This Sundance award winner is about the tough life of an abused 16-year-old. Some critics have called it the most important movie of the year. Gaboure Sidibe’s performance has earned rave reviews.

PROS: Gaboure Sidibe, A movie that really makes you really feel for the characters

CONS: It’s hard to take Mo’Nique seriously since she’s so funny

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman | Premieres: Now Playing

Based on a book by Roald Dahl (“James and the Giant Peach”), foxes voiced by George Clooney and Meryl Streep act out this family-friendly story in stop-motion animation.

PROS: Family friendly, George Clooney literally as a fox, another Roald Dahl classic

CONS: Nothing!

===============================================================

More to come! Be sure to check out Part 2 tomorrow.

Happy Holidays! And Happy Moviegoing!

Friday the 13th

Another Friday the 13th and another day full of superstition-filled odd occurrences.

While I was taking a lunch break at work, the bottle of sweet tea I was holding suddenly fell out of my hand and smashed to the floor, spraying iced tea and shattered glass everywhere.

Maybe I was just stressed out at work and holding the bottle in a funny way, but who knows…

And something about it being Friday the 13th and it being all rainy and misty out caused practically every single driver on my way home to drive erratically. It was like the were trying to cause accidents on purpose.

Actually a 1993 study done in the UK found an increase in car accidents on Friday the 13th:

While consistently fewer people chose to drive their cars on Friday the 13th, the number of hospital admissions due to vehicular accidents was significantly higher than on “normal” Fridays. Their conclusion:

“Friday 13th is unlucky for some. The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52 percent. Staying at home is recommended.”

Now I’m not superstitious (mostly). My favorite number is 13. I walk under ladders if there doesn’t happen to be any other place to walk. And I’ve thrown salt over my shoulder a couple of times, but that’s because of excess salt buildup due to salt shaker malfunctions only.

Uh oh, this 13th is a Friday...

But just thinking about a Friday that happens to be the 13th of the month adds a certain amount of mystery to that day.

And to think it’s all based on a pretty terrible horror movie franchise.

Well, actually it’s not. The fear of Friday the 13th, paraskevidekatriaphobia to be precise (or is it friggatriskaidekaphobia?), is based on ages-old folklore deeming the day unlucky:

The fear of Friday the 13th stems from two separate fears — the fear of the number 13 and the fear of Fridays. Both fears have deep roots in Western culture, most notably in Christian theology.

Thirteen is significant to Christians because it is the number of people who were present at the Last Supper (Jesus and his 12 apostles). Judas, the apostle w­ho betrayed Jesus, was the 13th member of the party to arrive. [...]

On a Friday the 13th in 1306, King Philip of France arrested the revered Knights Templar and began torturing them, marking the occasion as a day of evil. [...]

In British tradition, Friday was the conventional day for public hangings, and there were supposedly 13 steps leading up to the noose.

Not to mention that BOTH Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were born on June 13, 1986 — a Friday. Coincidence — or pure evil? Now that IS scary!

Okay, so several bad things happened involving the number 13 and a Friday. But how many people really suffer symptoms from a fear of Friday the 13th? Millions actually, and it has a real financial impact:

17 million to 21 million Americans will suffer symptoms of paraskevidekatriaphobia ranging from nervous giggles to pull-the-covers-over-your-head terror. He also estimates that US businesses will lose $ 750 million today because some people refuse to shop, travel or take risks on Friday the 13th.

So maybe there is something to Friday the 13th… namely that millions of people are taught that the day is bad luck and that they irrationally act on those fears and end up trying to run you off the road.

Beware Friday the 13th… at least while you’re driving.

RELATED: Check out an interesting 13 Facts About Friday the 13th.

Please don't stare at these goats.

“Hey buddy, wanna see Jupiter? Jupiter — the planet?”

This is definitely not one of the usual questions I hear when walking out of the movie theater parking lot on a chilly November night.

Familiar would be, “Didn’t you just love that movie?” or “Hey, wanna get ice cream?”

So yeah, I was having what turned out to be a strange Saturday.

It all started waking up this morning.

I arose from sleeping to hear someone talking about pancakes. Getting pancakes to be exact.

This got me pretty excited, as groggy as I was, because I happen to love pancakes. My favorite place to get pancakes is iHop, and I quietly hoped that what I had just overheard would lead to the aforementioned International House.

But alas, I was most discouraged to find McDonald’s hotcakes waiting for me in the kitchen.

I have a longtime, if shaky, boycott of all things McDonald’s. This includes every food item there. Well, except their delicious Sweet Tea and McFlurry’s.

Anyway, in addition to the Mickey D’s boycott, I just happened to hate the fake, plastic tasting faux pancakes they make there.

So not the best of mornings. And that pretty much set up my day of strangeness.

George Clooney in Men Who Stare at Goats

The rest of the morning and afternoon, I caught up on a couple of things on my computer while feeling like I was in a strange mood.

Then when my father wanted to go see a movie, we decided on The Box cause, “oooh it’s a scary one,” according to Dad.

Of course, much like the hotcakes kerfluffle earlier in the day, that didn’t exactly work out as planned because my sister wanted to go with us to get dinner, causing us to miss the movie.

Since the next movie wasn’t for three hours, my dad and I decided to see the new George Clooney movie entitled Men Who Stare at Goats.

Now, putting Brother Where Art Tho aside, I figured that a movie with Clooney couldn’t be that bad.

So we went in and sat through an hour and a half of a movie equally as strange as my mood for the day.

It was apparently based on a true story, but a true story that made entirely no sense. And then Clooney’s character killed a goat with just his mind. And then they all took LSD and liberated Iraqi terrorists and, yes, goats from the military base.

What the hell that movie was about is beyond me, and I would have regretted going if there weren’t a couple of laughs along the way. Strange, so strange.

At least Brother Where Art Thou had some catchy (and twangy) singing in it.

So anyway, back to leaving the theater.

"Hey buddy, wanna see Jupiter?"

“Hey buddy, wanna see Jupiter? Jupiter — the planet?”

My dad and I looked at the guy standing there in a winter jacket next to a two-foot wide and 4-foot long telescope on a swiveling stand.

He also had an empty 5-gallon size water jug with some coins in it that was labeled,“See the planet,” as he questioned movie-goers if they wanted to see the Red Giant.

We kept walking to our car and my father turned to me and said, “Wow, what a strange day… first that movie and now this guy!”

I agreed and then noticed a vanity plate on a car we were walking past.

“JUPITER1″ it read.

See, I told you my day was really strange.

I just wish I had thought of the Uranus comeback before we were halfway home…