The ShowBuzz Weekly Forecast
Some people might say that it's a slow week in the way of entertainment, but that's just because they don't watch much TV.
It's not only the reality shows and midseason replacements that are keeping things humming; there's also a great big juicy awards show on tonight: The Golden Globes.
If you don't like awards shows, that's all right. Some people don't like lima beans and other people love them. But you've got to admit this about the Golden Globes: It's fun to look at all the gowns, which never happens with lima beans.
MOVIES
If you pick up hitchhikers, here's a movie that is bound to help break you of the habit: "The Hitcher". Wouldn't you know that a young couple (Sean Bean and Sophia Bush) driving cross-country pick up a guy who turns out to be a serial killer.
In limited release, we have "The Italian," a Russian orphan gets some good news: a well-to-do Italian couple wants to adopt him. But the child has his own ideas about parenting and goes off to track down his birth mother.
TV
OK. It used to be a lot more fun when it was broadcast on cable and more big stars got a little tipsy and said more than they should have during their speeches. But a good time is still to be had tonight (Monday, Jan. 15) by watching "The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards" (8 p.m., NBC). After all, this is the awards show that recognizes both movies and TV so you get more gown for your gaze. Also, everyone probably will be talking about it at work on Tuesday and you don't want to feel left out, do you?
Like many 17-year-old girls, Shadya Zoabi listens to music and hangs out with her chums. In addition, she's a Muslim Arab living in Israel; a feminist in a male-dominated culture; and a karate world champion. "I'm different," she notes, a fact borne out in the one-hour portrait, "Shadya," airing on PBS' "Independent Lens" 10 p.m. Tuesday (check local listings). It's a coming-of-age film about a young Muslim woman intent on succeeding on her terms even as she stays committed to her Muslim community in Israel.
Photos: Getting Ready For The Globes
Always silly and inventive, "Scrubs" outdoes itself with this week's episode of the NBC comedy: a full-blown musical set at Sacred Heart Hospital. A woman arrives at Sacred Heart complaining of hearing nonstop music and (funny thing!) while trying to determine the cause of this strange affliction, the "Scrubs" cast does seem to be in constant song. The sassy songs were written by the Tony-winning composers of Broadway's "Avenue Q," Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Stephanie D'Abruzzo, an original "Avenue Q" cast member, guest stars as the music-beset patient. Appointment time for "Scrubs: My Musical": 9 p.m. Thursday.
MUSIC
It's hard to believe Frank Sinatra has been gone for nearly nine years; he passed away May 14, 1998. But the recording industry is still finding different ways to package that voice. The latest is "Romance: Songs From the Heart". This collection features love songs Sinatra recorded between 1953 and 1961, and true aficionados will note a previously unreleased version of "Nice 'n' Easy."
America, the group that brought us such hits as "Horse With No Name" and "Sister Golden Hair," is back with a double CD, "Here and Now," that includes a slew of new songs as well as the old favorites.
BOOKS
"From Midnight to Dawn: The Last Tracks of the Underground Railroad" by Jacqueline L. Tobin with Hettie Jones offers another look at the people who ran the escape routes for slaves and those who took that way to freedom.
From Martin Amis, there is "House of Meetings." As described by Publishers Weekly: "A unnamed former gulag inmate in Amis's disappointing latest is now a rich, 84-year-old expatriate Russian taking a tour of the former gulags in 2004. The narrator chronicles his current and past experiences in a book-length letter to his American 'stepdaughter,' Venus."
THEATER
Off-Broadway, at the Cherry Lane Theatre, "Dutchman" has its first preview performance Tuesday, Jan. 16. It's about a white woman who seduces a naive young black man on a train. Playing the male lead is Dule Hill, and if you are a fan of "The West Wing," you will immediately recognize the name. Hill played Charlie Young, personal aide to President Josiah Bartlet, on the hit TV series.
Also off-Broadway, the world premiere of Alan Ball's new play, "All That I Will Ever Be," is offering its first preview Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the New York Theatre Workshop. At the center of the plot are two young men living together in L.A., one of them a Middle Eastern immigrant.
DVDs
"Employee of the Month" is out, a star vehicle for Jessica Simpson, who lately has either been laying low or overshadowed by her equally famous sister, Ashlee. Dane Cook plays the young man who wants nothing more than to be with Jessica's character, Amy.
One of the best things about DVDs is how they help you keep up with your favorite TV series, and how they out you in charge of reruns. "The King of Queens: The Complete Seventh Season" is just out, and not only do you get series regulars Kevin James, Leah Rimini and Jerry Stiller, but guest appearances from Burt Reynolds, Lou Ferrigno, Hal Linden and Anne Meara (who is Stiller's real-life wife).