ABOUT TEST PATTERN

Don't touch that dial: Test Pattern tunes into television, movie, music and pop culture links, as well as gossip and idle chat from around the Web.

Every week, msnbc.com entertainment producers Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, Denise Hazlick, Paige Newman, Kurt Schlosser and Anna Chan weigh in on topics ranging from TV commercials to movie hype to the latest celebrity blunder. We're not ashamed to admit our love for bad TV or reveal what's on our iPods, and invite you to join the conversation via your comments.



Welcome back, Tim Gunn! 'Runway' returns

Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009 11:05 AM by Paige Newman
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Wow, have I ever been missing “Project Runway.” Heck, I even watched Bravo’s pale imitation, “The Fashion Show,” which mostly just made me realize how much Tim Gunn adds to “Runway.” Kelly Rowland, you’re no Gunn. CONTINUED >>

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Vote for best and worst ads

Posted: Monday, August 17, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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We've been hashing out commercials for two months now, and it's time for a vote. The contest isn't over, and the vote isn't the final word on who will take this year's best and worst ad honors, but it'll definitely help narrow things down. CONTINUED >>

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Shows we want to see on DVD

Posted: Thursday, August 13, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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Finally, "thirtysomething" is coming to DVD. What about other shows that have long been off the air, yet aren't available for home viewing? CONTINUED >>

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Vintage ads: Coke singers, Bud tribute

Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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We've been rehashing and reviewing the crop of current commercials, but let's do the time warp. Thanks to You Tube, it's easier than ever to watch old commercials, and it can be a blast. CONTINUED >>

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Bueller, Bueller? John Hughes quotes

Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2009 3:00 PM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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Bueller, Bueller? Demented and sad, but social? John Hughes, gone too soon at age 59, wrote some of the most marvelous lines in movies. CONTINUED >>

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Digger's baaaack: Toenail monster returns

Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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He's baaaack. The little monster who manhandles a cartoon toenail like he's sliding up a garage door has a new ad. CONTINUED >>

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Streep just keeps getting better

Posted: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 6:00 AM by Paige Newman
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When it comes to great acting, Meryl Streep breaks the gender divide. While Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have arguably damaged their legendary reputations with shoddy movie choices, Streep has remained consistently excellent. And she can do it all: drama, of course, comedy and even with last year’s “Mamma Mia!” musicals. CONTINUED >>

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Celebs in ads: Do you trust Ozzy?

Posted: Monday, August 03, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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Companies love to sign up a big star to promote their products. Yet so many of the celeb-product pairings are ridiculous. CONTINUED >>

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Reruns, schmeruns: Watch TV on DVD

Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2009 6:00 AM by Gael Fashingbauer Cooper
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I'd argue that many television shows are best watched on DVD. It's how I got caught up on such gems as "The Shield," "The Wire," "Gilmore Girls," "House" and "My Name Is Earl." CONTINUED >>

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Ready to abandon 'Entourage'

Posted: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6:00 AM by Paige Newman
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Sometimes when a TV show starts to go bad, I just can’t look away. It’s a mystery that demands to be solved. What went wrong? How did a show that was once fresh and new grow tired and clichéd? “Entourage,” I’m talking to you. CONTINUED >>

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