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Idol Chatter

It was no Andrew Sullivan vs. Sam Harris, nor Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson, but last night’s “Nightline” debate (the first in an unpromising new series called “Face Off”) between Christians Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron and atheists Brian Sapient and “Kelly” did manage to prove something definitively: When it comes to debate forums, television…

Even in these trying times, there are many reasons why America is a great country. My favorite is that we are a land of constant reinvention–from personalities to politics, personas and platforms continue to evolve. The most recent case in point: Prince. The musician once known for lyrics so sexually explicit that Tipper Gore founded…

For anyone else like me who can’t seem to stop making fun of Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret” (OK, so I’ve been obsessively blogging about it–first about the DVD review, again about a New York Times feature, and yes, still another time about Oprah’s endorsement), or is still truly mystified that so many people are buying…

A few months ago, Idol Chatter brought you the news that Beliefnet contributer Rabbi Irwin Kula, president of CLAL–The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and an oft-sought voice on public culture and religion in the public square, was taking his wisdom to television. Now Kula is rabbinically rocking the radio airwaves, with co-host…

A new kind of heroic character trait has emerged on “24:” Brokenness.Brokenness happens far beyond issues of ethics, morals, or even heroism. It’s the occasion of a life event that almost none of us would ever ask for but that often shapes the rest of our lives. It’s rare to find it in an action…

One of the newest versions of an old TV series is off and running, and I think it shows signs of being the best its ever been–and the most faith-based as well. Like “American Idol,” the losers will dwindle towards the end. And like “American Idol,” they’ll make some bucks on tour. But unlike “American…

I must confess, like many devoted “Sopranos” viewers, I did not return to the show this season. It wasn’t Season Six’s much-reviled metaphysical and spiritual meanderings that deterred me, but the fact that HBO was offering up tastier fare, such as “Rome,” while making us endure yet another lengthy, memory-challenging “Sopranos” hiatus. So, when I…

Over the weekend, I logged onto one of my favorite websites, Go Fug Yourself, to get their take on the most important celebutante-related gossip of the weekend: Paris Hilton being sentenced to 45 days in jail. Sure enough, their top post began with the following: “Karma is a bitch. And so is Paris Hilton.” Oh,…

Time Magazine’s current issue focuses on the many actors who are moving somewhat out of (typical) character to play villains this summer, and reflects on some of the more memorable villains of all time. James Franco will probably be the most-seen villain of the summer, playing Harry Osborn in “Spider-Man 3.” Timothy Olyphant is the…

Ever since James Frey’s “A Million Little Pieces” debacle, with Oprah tearing up the author for fabricating large swaths of his “memoir” (not long after praising him in a show devoted to his book), the whole genre has been under fire. When exactly does a memoir cross the line into fiction? Is all memoir fiction,…
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