30 Rock Cancelled, Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan, and Beyonce in Couture: This Week in Pop Culture

Culture

So, President Obama stole the spotlight ... again. And rumor has it Romney was a high school bully. But there was way more to this week than politicians showing their true colors. Let's look back at some of the biggest stories of the week in arts and entertainment. Honestly, if we don't take a moment to reflect, it'll be next week before we know it! 

TV 

So, we're smack in the middle of series finale season. New Girl, Two Broke Girls, The Office, and Parks and Recreation have all left for summer vacay leaving us all to suffer through some TV cliffhangers. To be straight with you, New Girl is the only one with lingering questions that will keep me up at night. Will Nick and Jess finally get together? Will Schmidt stop using hair chutney? 

In the most unfair news of the week, NBC announced they'll be shaking up their Thursday nights and will gently cancel their top smart-funny shows: 30 Rock, Community, and Parks and Recreation. All three shows will be coming back for shortened final seasons in the fall. But honestly, tragic. (note: since this article was written NBC has decided to keep Parks and Rec for another season ... woohoo!) 

Movies 

Some big movie releases this week mean there's finally more to see at the box office than just The Avengers. On Wednesday, the newest Tim Burton-Johnny Depp love-child was spawned: Dark Shadows -- an adaptation of a '60's sit-com about a vampire ... Spoiler alert: Johnny Depp is the vampire.  

Some movies to look forward to, there's early buzz about a Beetlejuice sequel (hi again Tim Burton!). Also, my 3-year-old self is giddy with the announcemet of a pending Clifford the Big Red Dog movie. 

Ok now, completely honestly. Are you more excited about this....

Or this? 

In other news, we will soon be greated with Hollywood's version of the Reagan family. Apparently a new film about a White House sevant, The Butler, will star Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan and Jane Fonda as Nancy Reagan. 

Imagine this guy ... 

Playing this guy... 

Literature

My book-worm-self is excited for two new novels this week. Personal fave Toni Morrison brings it home with Home, a new novel about a black Korean War veteran returning home (like the title!) to face racism and poverty. 

 

John Irving (think The Cider House Rules) released his newest novel, In One Person, about the life of a bisexual man named Billy. 

Finally, everyone raised a glass to honor the life of our favorite childhood author, Maurice Sendak. Even though Where the Wild Things Are gave me nightmares, I'll never forget the adventures of Max, or the lifesize poster of the book in a friend's college dorm room.  

Special Events  

 

The night that makes me want to spend $1 million on a dress also took place this week. On Monday, the world's biggest celebs climbed the red steps of the Met in haute couture. They were there to celebrate the opening of the Prada and Schiaparelli exhibition, and the media was there to celebrate the star's ensembles. If you, like me, can't wait to get to the exhibit, it will be running at the museum until August 19.

Now, after a busy week, let the wild rumpus of the weekend begin.