Crushable » friends

The American Mustache Institute Is Real, Tells Us Their Favorite Celebrity Mustaches

Natalie Zutter — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:18:11 +0000

Remember yesterday’s Daily WTF, where I questioned the legitimacy of an advocacy group known as the American Mustache Institute? It turns out they’re not an Internet prank and are real, since they wrote us to say so. So of course we had to ask a) why exactly they stopped supporting presidential hopeful Herman Cain, and b) which celebrities’ lady ticklers they’re particularly fond of.

As we reported, AMI dropped Cain after visiting a Godfather’s Pizza and becoming disappointed with the lack of meat on meat-lovers’ pies. That, and the allegations that Cain’s signature mustache is a fake! When we asked how they determined such sensitive information, AMI chairman Dr. Aaron Perlut answered,

We’ve received reports from members of the Mustached American community working in and around the Cain camp that his labia sebucula (Latin for “lip sweater”) may in fact be a theater quality fake, and the overall body of work — from the potential faux, to the poor quality pizza, was just too much to endure.

But at the end of the day, Cain’s facial hair is small beans compared to the iconic ‘staches in pop culture. Speaking for the group, Perlut’s answers were more in the past 30 years as opposed to more recently, and ranged from well-known ones to unexpected choices:

In terms of celebrity mustaches, there are many wide ranging choices: from the obvious selections of Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds, to those nose accoutrements of Billy Dee Williams, Sam Elliot, and NHL hockey star George Parros.

In case the mental image of these ‘staches isn’t jarring your memory: Tom Selleck played Monica’s older boyfriend Richard onFriends, and of course Billy Dee Williams was Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars movies. But the list doesn’t stop with movies and sports. After all, how can you be taken seriously as a news leader (or news maker) with subpar facial hair?

Without question, the two most “influential” mustaches in history would be those of Walter Cronkite and Martin Luther King.

Cronkite’s mouth shading device influenced an entire decade of good looking newsmen in the 1970s. And because of Dr. King, when white America abandoned the mustache in the 1980s, Black America did not.

These guys are great, right? (You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.)

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

Friends Being on Nick at Nite Makes Us Feel Horribly Old

Natalie Zutter — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:07:32 +0000

Growing up, we watched Nick at Nite as a portal into the past: Block Party Summer featured such black-and-white classics as I Love Lucy and The Monkees. But do you know what the newest show to go into this weird retirement/syndication is? Friends! Yes, the sitcom that ended less than a decade ago, in 2004.

Nick at Nite has always been an indicator of age, so we’re pretty shaken up by the show we grew up with in high school and college suddenly being considered a golden oldie. Sure, in some ways it’s a relic of the ’90s, with people actually calling each other and meeting in coffee shops to discuss their love woes. But what does that say about us, who enjoyed it — are we equally outdated and unrealistic?

Here’s the lowdown: Everyone involved wants to “introduce” Friends to the younger generations by encouraging viewers to post about their favorite moments on social media — as if they don’t already know every joke and guest star already. Here’s Nickelodeon’s pitch from July:

The camaraderie and laugh-out-loud comedy of Friends make it a great addition to Nick at Nite’s roster. We’re excited to be offering a contemporary spin on this iconic series by encouraging fans to share their favorite Friends episodes on Facebook. Who doesn’t remember the first time Ross and Rachel kissed, Phoebe singing “Smelly Cat” or Joey and Chandler’s dueling recliners?

I finally got a DVR and have set it to a “series pass” for Friends, so I think I’m qualified to report that the show plays on at least three different channels, which makes it very likely that the Facebook-savvy kids don’t need any nudging to start watching the show.

We can’t help feel like this is part of some conspiracy to shorten the time that a TV show is modern and current; after all, the Friends actors are all still alive, unlike the stars of Green Acres or The Golden Girls. What’s the rush to crown stuff like One Tree Hill and Degrassi the new classics? They haven’t earned that right. To be honest, we’re not sure if Friends is so universally loved as to be honored like that; we still run into people who never “got” the show.

If Friends is Nick at Nite programming, it makes us reevaluate if we’ve become the “adults” we’re expected to be now that a show that we loved in our adolescence is archived. Apparently Friends has “grown up,” but it’s too soon to say if we’ve become responsible and mature enough to match it.

Yesterday NPR published a response that touches upon our same shock but also puts things in perspective: The author, Linda Holmes, is in her 40s and got into Friends when she graduated from college, whereas we’re in our 20s and 30s now. Linda also points out that Nick at Nite has also aired shows from roughly the same era, like Mad About You and even the very recent Everybody Hates Chris.

It would seem that this programming choice is more about Nickelodeon and its other channels broadening their spheres of influence, as opposed to carbon dating iconic TV shows. But we’re still going to be agonizing over gray hairs and wrinkles — we’ll just do it while watching Friends on yet another channel.

Friends starts its Nick at Nite run tonight at 8 p.m. Each night this week there’ll be a 10-hour “best of Friends” marathon from 8 p.m.-6 a.m.; after that, it’ll air weeknights 10 p.m.-11 p.m. EST.

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

The 7 Best Instances of Doppelganger Sex

Natalie Zutter — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 18:33:21 +0000

The current arc on All My Children (what? I was watching One Tree Hll reruns on SoapNet!) has Susan Lucci playing Erica Kane and her devious double, with the evil twin recently sleeping with Erica’s man. This is by no means the first time that fiendish doppelgangers have seduced their lookalikes’ men, because screwing the boyfriend/lover/husband is the best way to screw over your goody-two-shoes double.

Faith/Buffy – Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Who Are You”

This is one of my favorite episodes of the entire series, where Faith (Eliza Dushku) switches bodies with Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and sends her opponent to jail (in Faith’s body) while she goes out to enjoy Sunnydale. Surprisingly, no one is able to discern that this isn’t the real Buffy, despite her dark lipstick, penchant for leather, and open mockery of Willow and Tara’s relationship. (This could be because Faith’s behavior is close to the moments of darkness Buffy’s experienced over the years.)

Faith is fascinated with playing the good girl, especially where it comes to Buffy’s relationships: In a great scene she details for Spike how hot the sex between the two of them would be, only to retract her offer by saying, “It would be wrong.” That doesn’t stop her, however, from going after Buffy’s boyfriend Riley. This scene gets me every time; she wants him to basically tear Buffy apart, and he wants to make love to her — something that Faith could never be comfortable with. (If you have a Hulu Plus membership, you can watch the episode here.)

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

Digitally Inserting Ads into Sitcom Reruns Is Really Creepy

Natalie Zutter — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:27:48 +0000

If modern product placement isn’t bad enough, for the past few years networks have been getting extra money by digitally inserting new products into old reruns — in many cases, episodes set before the product was even invented! Consumerist spotted an especially egregious one: In this How I Met Your Mother repeat, behind Robin you can see a stack of books and a magazine with an ad for Kevin James‘ new comedy Zookeeper. There aren’t even any books in the original shot!

This kind of retroactive product placement feels creepily invasive, because it’s not as if the creators or stars of the shows ever had any say in what was getting advertised. At least with 30 Rock and the “Sassy Gay Friend” videos, the participants mock the necessary evil of shilling. The Daily What even linked to an article by Michelle M. Brown, a professor at the College of San Mateo: She details similar examples from the last ten years, like a box of Oreos ending up on the kitchen table in Friends and the Pepsi logo superimposed on a soccer field.

It’s not just advertising. I’ve never been comfortable with current network executives tinkering with reruns, like when Friends episodes shot before 2001 show the New York skyline but are suddenly missing the World Trade Center. Even if the producers were striving for sensitivity, it seems wrong to ignore the fact that the buildings stood in an episode dated 1997. They’re a part of history; to erase them is offensive.

Sure, when you step away it’s clear that TV shows are products — but they’re also entertainment, and they create a world. To start inserting anachronisms or changing the reality those stories are based in takes away that fictional world’s purpose.

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

STD Week: TV/Movie Characters Who Get Tricked Into Acting in Herpes Commercials

Natalie Zutter — Tue, 24 May 2011 18:29:14 +0000

You know what’s funny? Having STDs. Or at least, that’s what TV and movie writers think, because there are at least three instances where a character has unknowingly become the face of genital herpes or another cringe-inducing condition, by starring in a commercial for STD medication. Whether the characters were trying to earn a quick buck or incurred the wrath of an angry female, the experience forever tarnishes their image… and it gets the laughs.

Joey Tribbiani, Friends

Poor Joey (Matt LeBlanc): His first modeling gig has him acting as the face of the city’s free clinic — but they fail to tell him that it’s for a venereal disease. The worst part, his mug is plastered all over New York City: In the subway, in cafe windows, and even in Times Square. (The video won’t embed, but you can watch it on YouTube.)

Sam Winchester, Supernatural

In the season 5 episode “Changing Channels,” a being called the Trickster — who is revealed to be a fallen angel — traps Sam and Dean in a series of TV shows, which gave the show the chance to parody medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy, procedurals like CSI: Miami, family-friendly sitcoms, and uplifting STD commercials like the one above. The writers went for accuracy with this one, including the couple slow-dancing and the yoga girl contorting her body into poses while smiling serenely. The fact that Sam (Jared Padalecki) has to play along in order to figure out where the Trickster is, makes it even more hilarious.

John Tucker, John Tucker Must Die

Don’t piss off three high school girls, because even if they’re in different cliques — overachieving reporter, vegan slut, and stupid cheerleader — they’ll band together to bring about your downfall. While still tricking John (Jesse Metcalfe) into thinking she’s OK with the break-up, Beth (Sophia Bush) convinces him to do a modeling shoot in the woods. John is so trusting that he doesn’t ask what she’ll do with the photos — which is why they surprise him at a genital herpes ad in the local movie theater. But since he’s the big man on the high-school campus, the ad actually improves his image.

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

7 Notable TV Crossovers

Natalie Zutter — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:27:47 +0000

When we interviewed Liz Gillies at the Victorious press junket, she mentioned that her show would be doing a crossover with Nickelodeon’s other big earner, iCarly, called iParty with Victorious: “It’s wild and fun, and there’s a really cool guest star.” With the special airing on June 11, Nick just released a behind-the-scenes video of stars Miranda Cosgrove and Victoria Justice, plus their respective casts, performing a mash-up of their theme songs. Yep, they take the idea of a TV crossover very seriously. Oh, and Kenan Thompson is gonna be on it.

The TV crossover is a tried-and-true way for networks to amp up viewership and get fans of one show interested in a similar one. It could be by fabricating situations (some more convincing than others) on scripted shows, or bringing in beloved actors onto one of the network’s competition shows. Plus, if you’re a fan of both parties, there’s a kind of novelty to seeing your favorite characters/actors interact with one another. Read on for examples from ABC, NBC, Nickelodeon, and The CW.

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

Food Tube: Happy Chip & Dip Day!

Natalie Zutter — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:09:46 +0000

While today you have free reign to squeal over furry little puppies, Gothamist points out that it’s also Chip & Dip Day. What better way to celebrate than with another installment of Food Tube, where I find TV shows that reference the food of the moment, with handy recipes. It’s surprising how many series had episodes referencing this handy snack; I tried to make the recipes match up as much as possible while still giving you enough variety of the “chips + dip” equation. (Thanks to my Facebook friends who helped brainstorm these episodes!)

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

Adventures in Netflix: Borderline Offensive and Just Plain Odd Movie Genres

Lilit Marcus — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:53:12 +0000

Netflix has always excelled at giving you recommendations based on movies you’ve watched in the past. But based on some of their recent movie descriptions, I’m starting to wonder exactly who is in charge of naming movie genres over there.

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

Food Tube: Fat Tuesday’s Best TV Gluttons

Natalie Zutter — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:01:22 +0000

I like TV, and I like food. Occasionally, I will write about both. With recipes!

So I realized this morning that today is Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday — the day before Lent begins, where you get to stuff your face without reproach because you’ll be giving up those vices for the next 40 days. And when it comes to religious observances, art imitates life quite a bit. You’d be surprised at how many TV shows use food frenzy as a plot device, whether it’s slapstick with characters fighting over something tasty, or food as a destructive force.

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable

5 Tips for Dealing with a Horrible Roommate Situation

Hannah Rose — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:19:11 +0000

Once upon a time, a group of college friends found themselves trapped in a terrible roommate situation.

The friends had decided to move in with a lesser-known acquaintance, not knowing how joyless and bossy she was. (We’ll call the acquaintance PG – Psycho Girl.) The girls had no way out of the lease, as they had already signed it and there was no chance in hell of PG allowing them to find sublets for all their rooms and move the hell out of there. So, they went with it. It was a difficult year, but they really made the best of it. It was a pretty explosive living situation but they (ok fine, I) soon discovered that the situation could even be fun. And so, here are 5 tips for dealing with a horrible dorm/roommate situation:

1. Come drunk to house meetings… or any occasion in which your horrible roommate will be in attendance

PG was a huge fan of house meetings. There were 5 girls living in our house and she would make 18 flyers and post them everywhere: on each cabinet, descending down each stair, etc. The weird thing was, as much effort as PG put into controlling the house, she was failing all of her classes. In the beginning, the roommates (or shall we call them the allied powers?) all had knots in their stomachs at the meetings, wondering what she could possibly yell at them about. Then, we realized a way to make the situation better for ourselves would be to come drunk to house meetings. Giddy, we would text one another all day, excited for the house meeting. We’d get a bottle of wine and start early, the anticipation climbing like a roller coaster. When we heard PG unlatch her bedroom door and meet them in the kitchen, it was like teetering at the very top of the roller coaster. One particular meeting focused on PG berating a roommate about buying the wrong-ply paper towels. Now, imagine hearing PG put on an entire dog and pony show because she felt the paper towels you were buying weren’t thick enough. Now, imagine being drunk. I think you can see our joy.

2. Claim your territory

PG and her sorority cronies would come over and try to stretch out all over the house, forcing the rest of the roommates to retreat to their rooms. PG wanted the house scrubbed and polished by the time she got home, but yet when her friends came over, they did things like wax one another’s arms at the kitchen table. So, the roommates knew what they had to do. When they came home from class at 3 or 4 p.m., they’d hurry to stretch out on the couches in the living room, therefore claiming the room and TV. Plus, it helped that the TV didn’t belong to PG. Booyah, PG.

3. Get excited by the little, crazy things the horrible roommate does every day

Just like the house meetings, the roommates began to look forward to the daily notes PG would leave out for them. PG liked to embarrass us, especially when boyfriends, friends, or family were involved. She would see that one of the roommates had a friend from home visiting and then leave a note on the bathroom door accusing this person of using too much hand soap when she washed her hands. At first, the roommates were embarrassed, but then they learned to look forward to them as much as the house meetings! It was a bonus that PG was not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, and therefore her spelling and grammar was comically terrible.

4. Embarrass horrible roommate in front of friends and family

That’s right. If your roommate embarrasses you, embarrass him or her right back. When PG had her friends over, the roommates would do things like walk downstairs in ridiculous outfits or accuse PG of eating their leftovers out of the garbage. Anything for a laugh…

5. Realize the situation isn’t permanent

Although it’ll feel like it’s forever, soon you’ll be out of the house and will never have to see or talk to the horrible roommate again. My roommates definitely made the best of the situation while they were trapped there, but it never felt so good as the day we moved out, and deleted PG from our phones, Facebooks, and address books. Still, the roommates remember the good times, with just the slightest, almost imperceptible flinch when someone mentions paper towels.

So just look forward to that day!

Related posts:

Post from: Crushable