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Friedman, apparently, needs more pampering than an upper east side mistress. Did he really have to see WOTW that bad? This sort of logic gives me a headache. It also makes me wonder. What sort of person wants to kick off a vacation with such a dumb and depressing film? Roger just, has several anger issues, that he needs to work out with a trained professional. Instead of trying to take out Dreamworks with silly article after article.

David -- I think you're awesome. You bring shrewd analysis to the industry and I've been reading your column for years because of that.

I've gotta say, though, that these name-calling attacks on Roger Friedman, whether he deserves them or not, is the height of unprofessionalism. It's beneath you.

Hm...the first thing I noticed is that Roger Friedman is not a very good writer. I mean, I wouldn't consider myself Shakespeare, but the writing in that article and the Bill Murray one is horrendous...like junior high school English level. Is this guy really taken seriously in the industry? How did he get a job at Fox?

I commented on RF's WOTW failure obsession about a week ago in one of the chat streams and no one responded. Hopefully this means no one cares about his awful, one sided journalism and he'll go away.

I've wondered from time to time if the political right has some sort of problem with Dreamworks. There's Friedman at Fox News, and Matt Drudge seems to take every opportunity to revel in their problems and mistakes.

I'm not trying to start a debate on politics, it's mostly just an observation. Anybody have any insight?

dave u should know this. the weinstein brothers told him to.

To answer ED's question. Friedman writes in the acceptable FOX NEWS style. IF you put on FOX NEWS, listen to the commentators, and then read Friedman's articles the same way as the horrible commentators (professional wise) on that network. It will become rather apparent, that Roger has a job there for a reason.

I'll give you Drudge, but Friedman (Fox News or not) is hardly in the pocket of the Conservative Right. One need only look at his apparent love affair with Harvey "F9/11" Weinstein.

A more accurate statement would have been "I've wondered from time to time if incredibly huge assholes have some sort of problem with Dreamworks."

Ian,
How is Dave name calling? He is just calling out this guys lazy writing and reporting. He is doing what a good journalist must do.

I did call him a penguin.

yeah that was funny.. made me laugh

If Friedman is in "March of the Penguins," that would traumatize children.

I'm with you, EDouglas. It's bad enough that Friedman is such a little sycophantic bitch...but his writing is God awful.

Unfortunately, I doubt anyone gives a shit enough to ever *really* call him out on his agenda. Anyone who reads and takes RF seriously is an idiot and anyone who cares about film writing knows the guy is a troll. He's a classic example of falling between the cracks. Keep on him, Dave. I'd love to see him go down. Well go down job-wise, not so much on someone other than Miramax.

Roger may be the worst gossip writer on the web. He is obsessed with Michael Jackson. Enough!

In the odd role of defender... I don't think Roger is a right winger. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) I do think that it is funny that he claims to be part of a "legitimate news organization" as a way of distinguishing himself from others.

Just because someone works for FOx doesn't mean they're a right winger. Maybe because Fox actually tells both sides people have a hard time with it since they're so used to the Liberal Mainstream Media. It is a shock to the system to see fair coverage.

Well, here we go again.

Here goes what again? Roger Friedman must love all this talk about him here since no one else talks about him. Anywhere.

I find it amusing that every time an Island-basher wants to shovel more dirt on the movie, the budget gets inflated another $10 million.

Friedman is an absolute stooge. His atrociously written blather would be more at home on a geekboy message board. Frankly, I think Fox should be embarrassed by his ineptitude.

Solid research skills, too. DreamWorks actually bankrolled three Woody Allen films, not two. (He forgot about "Jade Scorpion," apparently because research is for losers.)

And it's a very cool flick and all, but exactly how is "Galaxy Quest" a "prestige title"?

I do appreciate when a columnist will inject some personality into his or her material, but listening to this bitch grind his axe because he wasn't given a special screening ... it's the antithesis of quality journalism. Friedman should see if AICN needs a new writer.

Friedman, McWeeny and Harry together again!

maybe friedman is really "robogeek", or "quint".

Galaxy Quest is only a prestige title for hardcore Tim Allen fans.

I love Galaxy Quest and it did much better in home entertainment than would be expected for its gross.

It did alright at the box office and on video. It isn't a bad movie. But they could have gotten more out of the "fading star trek, convention nerds" thing.

He was terrific in Penguins. Why does he even write for a living when he looks so good on screen?

Galaxy Quest was alright, but it wasn't nearly as funny as it should have been. The convention stuff was definitely the highlight of the film.

Mark, the convention kids help save the cast of Galaxy Quest. What more did you want from the film? Did you want the film to bash the convention kids? I have never understood the "anti-nerd" sentiment of this chat.

Nor can understand Bruce and his ranting about FOX News. If he believes that. Give him some Kool-Aid. His blood sugar might be a bit low.

Martin, not Mark, and my bad on calling you out Mark. On something you did not post.

Excuse me. Im apparently confused. Carry on. Nothing to see here.

FYI, Friedman has been known to brag he's the most liberal person at Fox News.

That's like bragging about being the least retarded person in the Special Olympics.

aw, Null. that wasn't nice. Spec Olympics kids can't help themselves.

Friedman however can, even though he clearly is resistant to getting "help".

Dave,

Maybe, so as not to insult wondrous wildlife like Penguins, you should maybe call Roger etc something else = something without feelings to illustrate how you feel.

some eg. Snowdrift, puddle, stick, rock.

Roger Friedman doesn't have feelings. Look at all the potshots he takes at every celebrity who doesn't say hi to him or any exec that doesn't get him into screenings. He deserves it.

Friedman raved about "Fahrenheit 911," so if nothing else he can't be accused of being a Rupert Murdoch stooge.

As David has pointed out repeatedly over the years however, Friedman is definitely a stooge for Miramax, and of late has inexplicably positioned himself as Michael Jackson's #1 defender (does he expect to inherit J. Randy Tarraborelli's crown or something?) Though I'm flabbergasted if Dave is correct in that Friedman is slamming this picture just because he didn't get a screening all his own. It can't be that simple. Can it? (I noticed when MCN stopped linking to Friedman and wondered if it was sheer professional exasperation or something more personal, but on the personal side, I really don't find Friedman's allegiances all that easy to parse except for the obvious debt he seems to feel to the Weinsteins. Strange, strange man.)

Apropos of whatever, I too loved "Galaxy Quest," and think that the marvelously deadpan director of it, Dean Parisot, is both underrated and underused. I first noticed his name when he was principal director and also a producer on the great short-lived Fox series "Bakersfield P.D.," and you could absolutely tell the difference between an episode he directed and one another had, not that the others were inept; Ken Kwapis, lately of "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" fame, helmed some good episodes too. (Parisot also directed the pilot for another great and gone-too-soon cop comedy, the Denis Leary vehicle "The Job.")

He may be crying himself to sleep every night with the fact that there is no Miramax for him. Feel his pain.

uh JoeFitz...I meant the PENGUIN'S FEELINGS could be hurt by Friedman/penguin juxtaposition...

Geez.

The Penguins just declared war on you for that.

An asshole is an asshole - and if that's the level of journalism that Friedman conducts, well the label has already been said twice.

Anyone who saw this week's brilliant episode of Entourage caught a nice glimpse of what a spoiled little bitch some of these whores can be when they don't get that way. Although it kinda sucks that the character wound up getting a foursome from the Pussy Patrol, but they absolutely nailed what these jackasses can be like. The character (played by Rainn Wilson) was clearly more AICN or CHUD, but the point is taken. Hopefully next time Turtle will indeed crack him in the face or Ari has him run out of town.

Only then can we all yell along with Johnny Drama - "VICTORY!!!"

Please don't use "brilliant" and "Entourage" in the same sentence. The show is shallow as a kiddie pool, content only to rattle off in-the-know references and yet people praise it as witty and brilliant? Not from the creator who gave us "Kissing a Fool," folks.

Who cares if it's the same guy who was involved with Kissing a Fool? That automatically means that he could never do any quality work? Entourage is an excellent show. It may be shallow, but it's extremely well-written and does an outstanding job depicting male behavior. The cast is stellar, especially Piven, and it's highly entertaining.

Entourage is a great show. Not brilliant but a funny show. Its all we can ask for on tv now. The Office is brilliant. Seinfeld brilliant. Simpsons brilliant. Entourage is good.

when did kissing a fool become howard the duck? relax

Comedies just aren't what they used to be. Even 10 yrs ago.

How can you not like Entourage? You people are really hard to please. Whats wrong with it? Piven gives a great performance on that show. He earned that nomination.

The Kevin Dillon character is great. Who knew he was better than his brother?

Entourage might be the best sitcom on right now. What else is there? King of Queens? Charlie Sheens show which I don't even remember the name of?

Nice try Bruce. We all know that you never miss an episode (new or repeat) of Two and a Half Men. With Sheen and Jon Cryer, the laughs never stop. Best comedic duo ever.

That's the name. Only seen a few. Big Charlie fan though. And Cryer was at his best in Hiding Out.

Poor Charlie. He must be quite nostalgic for the '80s. Sheds a tear whenever he's flipping channels and comes across VH1.

Charlie Sheen on a top sitcom. I never thought I'd see the day. Didn't think he'd last past 30 though either.

Sheen has the chops. A lot more money coming to him than the B movies he was doing.

"Entourage" is the best show on TV not named "The Sopranos."

You forgot Rescue Me, Nip Tuck, Lost, 24, The Shield, and The Wire. Then you might be able to toss in Entourage.

Sorry: Best show on TV right now is "House."

Second best: "Keith Olbermann's Countdown."

I've seen a few episodes of House, but I can't get into it. Does nothing for me. Sanchez, I like your list. I am a huge fan of The Wire, Lost, Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck. One of these days I'm going to make time for The Shield and 24.

By the way, I hope we can avoid a huge political fight, but I'm curious. Has anyone seen Over There yet? Is it good?

Other than a fleeting mention of Abu Ghraib, the first episode of "Over There" was noticeably non-political (unless you consider shockingly explicit violence on TV political). Overall, I thought it was pretty good, not great, yet better than most series' pilot episodes, and I intend to stick with it for a while to see how it progresses.

Speaking of great TV series, I for one am sorry to see "Six Feet Under" wrapping up its run. Like most of HBO's series, it's a show that really rewarded loyal viewers' patience. This past Sunday's episode was truly stunning (in every sense of the word) from beginning to end.

I love that show as well Chester. I don't have HBO so I'll have to wait a while to see this last season.

Six Feet Under started out great. But after season one? It has become the most boring, overrated show on tv.

Agree to disagree.

That is a show where nothing happens and every single character is depressing. You can't honestly say the past two season were even semi interesting. The only good episode has been the David kidnapped one. That is it. It isn't fun tv to watch every character mope and complain that life sucks.

Sorry man, but I like it. I'm not trying to just disagree with you for fun. It's one of my favorite shows.

You have to be a lover of all things depressing and morose to sit thru Six Feet Under. Even the writers and actors can't sit thru it.

The actors and writers don't even watch it? That's interesting. I don't find it all that depressing.

What do you find exciting about the show? Not one character is fun or exciting. They barely even concentrated on the funeral business. Alan Ball really started reading his own press clippings.

I used to watch that show all the time. Thought it was great. Then it became painful to watch. The anguish and the depression and the terrible story lines. It's like having a root canal.

I didn't think it would bother people so much that someone still likes this show. I find the characters compelling, the writing good and the acting great.

You can like what you want. Just don't see how you can like a show that is so depressing and nothing happens. You can waste your time on much better.

There are some great shows on FX, but as far as the basic channels go, I don't think there are a lot of shows that would be a better way to waste time. Lost is great, and I'm sure 24 is good (though I have yet to see it), but there's not a whole lot of quality on the major networks.

let me see. its a show about a depressing fmaily that runs a funeral home and they all hate each other. no one interacts with each other. they stick to their partners. no one has other friends. nothing goes on to further plots. there is never any action. and this show is good to watch,why?

To each his own. But there are about 30 shows on television right now better than this schlock. The acting isn't even that good anymore. It peaked in season 1. I wouldn't recommend anything after that.

Because I like it bob. That's why. I'm sorry that you have such a big problem with that. I'm sure you'll live.

if i did have to bet what show u would love this would be at the top of my list. u never surprise me stella.

It wouldn't even make a top 5 list of good HBO shows right now. It is a waste of a really good premise and really good actors.

Easy to say now after you already know I like it bob. But I could care less if it doesn't surprise you. I don't pick what shows I like based upon whether or not you will approve.

What a waste of a thread talking about this dead and buried show.

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