Smallville: What Superhuman Power Would You Choose?

When you get a bunch of comic book enthusiasts together eventually the discussion must go to the question: which superpower would you want if you could only get one? I think it’s one of those safe topics because there’s really no right answer and you can’t really harm your friendship while discussing the relative merits of invisibility vs frost-touch. With the series finale of Smallville over, I’ve been thinking about the same question. Which of Clark Kent’s Superman abilities would you want?

Of course, there’s super strength and super speed, which Clark discovers early on in Season 1. But invulnerability, super healing, X-ray vision, heat vision, super-hearing, super-breath, and flight. But which would you choose out of the set. Especially, given Smallvile’s take on Superman, all of those abilities grow over time and with practice. Clark’s flight ability especially took the ten seasons to really develop and be used.

With all of these powers on the table it’s hard to know which one to take. While some are easy to give up (X-ray vision, do I really need that every day?) others seem to be linked together (invulnerability and super-healing). Do you need invulnerability to travel at super speed or flight? What if you run into something by accident?

I think if I were able to pick one of Clark’s super powers it’d be super healing. Mostly because it would cut down on a lot of pain. I’m pretty annoyed with pain in general so healing quickly would be a nice super power to have. So what power would you take (if you could)? And why?

Rewatch the entire series of Smallville and follow Clark’s superpowers grow from the Pilot when he discovers his super speed by running through the cornfield until Season 10 where he and Lois hover while dancing.


The ‘Smallville: The Complete Series’ DVD lets you experience the exciting journey Clark Kent embarks upon to realize his destiny! With over 24 hours of special features and 2 hours of never before seen footage, the complete series on DVD is the ultimate resource for the Smallville fan! http://amzn.to/mkjtv4

I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for Smallville.

PAINMAN ISSUE #2 – Reciprocity Review

PAINMAN is a “superhero” in Los Angeles who takes the pain that has been caused to the victim of a crime, and transfers it onto the villain. He is in pain all the time, due to his Fibromyalgia, but he uses this pain to make him stronger.

In this issue, PAINMAN comes to the rescue of some women being abducted for human trafficking. He must push through his own pain in order to scale the building and defeat the bad guys. Only then can he inflict the pain of the victims onto the villains. Not all pain is physical either.

PAINMAN is a great concept. There are some deep themes that I’m sure could be explored through a series of issues. Our hero makes judgment calls just like any superhero about what punishment the villain deserves. He also has the ability to take away others’ pain and keep it as his own. He must show mercy and also justice, but there has to be a balance.

The artwork is really amazing! I enjoyed always being able to see the scarring on PAINMAN’s face. He’s never just a faceless character like in some books. The illustrations are very detailed, and I’d love to have a couple of the shots as posters.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good superhero comic story, and I look forward to continuing to read this series myself.

To learn more about PAINMAN visit the official site at PAINMAN.com where you can read issue #2 and buy issue #1 (plus other merchandise) or on their Facebook page.

Maroon 5 Does it in 24 Hours…

Last week music history was made as fans from 139 countries across the world tuned in to watch and inspire Maroon 5 as they wrote and recorded a brand new track in just 24hrs at the Coca-Cola Music 24hr Session.

Today, “Is Anybody Out There”, the up-tempo track created at the session, is released for free download at www.cocacola.com/music. For the first 100,000 downloads, Coca-Cola will make a donation to support Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) in their work to provide access to safe drinking water  to communities in Africa.The band entered Metropolis studios in London at 5pm GMT on March 22 and worked around the clock to create the track using inspiration sent in by fans via the @Coca-Cola Twitter stream.

Over 350,000 views were logged on the live stream throughout the duration of the session as fans tuned in to watch the creative process unfold. Providing inspiration for the song, over 25,000 fans tweeted their thoughts and messages of support via @cocacola using #withMaroon5 to the band in the studio.

Commenting at the end of the 24hrs, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 said; “This has been an amazing and entirely unique experience. It was 24hrs of creativity, brought to you by Coca-Cola.  We’d like to thank all our fans for their Tweets of support, ideas and inspiration throughout a really productive and intense 24hrs.”

Pretty Little Liars Soundtrack

The first CD I ever owned that was truly mine was a soundtrack to a TV show: Due South. Music and film have been tied together before there was even sound. It’s almost impossible to tear away a visual story from the music aspect. I’ve never thought of my favorite shows without thinking about the music behind the scenes. Like the episode of Buffy where Angel shows up to her prom after saying he wouldn’t then “Wild Horses” by The Sundays plays. Or when “Back in Black” plays when the Winchesters resolve to hunt down the thing that killed their mother in Supernatural. Music is inevitably tied to those emotions.

So it was no surprise how much I enjoyed the Pretty Little Liars soundtrack. If you don’t know the ABC teen drama the series follows the lives of four beautiful girls living in the town of Rosewood; they’re carrying a heavy secret about a friend who disappeared a year ago while trying to figure out who they are. The CD is a great collection of songs for fans and people who haven’t watched the show yet and it enhances the TV show — this isn’t your teen rock pop collection, it’s a smart collection of fantastic songs and artists you should know.

Before I get to the songs though, I have to say how great the CD was itself. Using the iconic promo picture of four main characters with muddy arms, legs and faces sets up the music perfectly. I also loved the shout out to the fans on the CD insert (what did they say? You’ll have to pick up the CD and see for yourself). It’s always great when TV shows recognize their fans as being the reason they’re still on the air.

The show’s theme song “Secret” by the Pierces is haunting, beautiful and is the perfect theme song for Pretty Little Liars. It starts off with the lyrics:

Got a secret, can you keep it?

Swear this one you’ll save,

better lock it, in your pocket,

taking this one to the grave………

Another great song on the track is Andrew Belle’s “All those Pretty Lights” (Andrew Belle’s music has also been on  hit TV shows including Grey’s Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries and One Tree Hill ).

Catch Pretty Little Liars Mondays 8/7c on ABC Family, and visit iTunes to preview songs and pick up a copy of the album here: http://bit.ly/e2S527 .

“I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote the Pretty Little Liars Soundtrack.”

Two Ways to Win Big from California Blooms

California Blooms, the premiere retailer of eco-friendly, boutique-grown California roses, is offering two exciting opportunities to win BIG for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day.

Starting February 1 – February 7, California Blooms has partnered with Soap Opera Digest, America’s #1 Soap magazine, to offer three lucky fans the chance to win roses from one of their favorite soap stars. Winners will receive a bouquet of two dozen stunning California Blooms roses along with a personal note from some of daytime’s biggest stars including – Kyle Lowder (CBS’s “Bold and the Beautiful”), Eric Martsolf (NBC’s “Days of our Lives”) or Scott Reeves (ABC’s “General Hospital”).

To enter, e-mail tellus@soapoperaweekly.com and put “Roses” in the subject line by Feb. 7, 2011. Please include your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth and the color roses you would like. Visit www.soapoperadigest.com/blooms_giveaway.html for complete information.

Also, now through February 10, you can win a Year of Wine & Roses for your Valentine, while also supporting the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation by bidding on this fantastic online auction at Charity Buzz.com. Every month for a year, your valentine will receive a fresh, beautiful bouquet of 18 roses as well as a bottle of wine from Napa Valley’s Darms Lane Wine; perfect for romantic dinners all year round!

California Blooms roses are available in one-dozen, 18 rose or two-dozen rose bouquets starting at $39 as well as an optional vase (additional $8). Orders can be placed online at www.CaliforniaBlooms.com or via your iPhone/iPad with the FREE California Blooms App available at http://www.itunes.com/app/californiablooms.

Last Day to order for Valentine’s Day is Thursday, February 10.

O Magazine Discusses “What Was Your Big Break?”

A story in the February issue of O Magazine profiles Meredith Vieira, Suze Orman, Tom Colicchio, Ellen DeGeneres, Barbara Walters and Holly Robinson Peete – they each share the opportunity that made their careers and changed their lives.

Here’s some of the stories:

Barbara Walters:
“I was a writer for the Today show when the so-called “Today Girl” was Maureen O’Sullivan, mother of Mia Farrow. She was a well regarded actress, but she couldn’t handle Today— the time cues, the hours. NBC needed a replacement for just 13 weeks, somebody they didn’t have to pay much—and there I was. And there I stayed for 13 years. Can you imagine? My whole career is made.”

Holly Robinson:
“When I auditioned for 21 Jump Street, I was fresh out of college, nervous, and broke. I drove an old Honda with bad brakes that made a horrible screeching sound, like Fred Flintstone at a stop sign. After the audition, just as I was starting my little Honda, the21 Jump Street producers walked into the parking lot. They heard that awful noise, looked at my car, looked at me, and I swear they thought, We have to give her the part because she’s got to get those brakes fixed! That afternoon I found out the role was mine.”

Suze Orman:
“My biggest break in life was losing all my money. I was working at a bakery in Berkeley, and my customers pooled $50,000 so I could open my own restaurant. I invested it at Merrill Lynch, where it was mismanaged; in four months, it was gone. I was devastated, but I had to rise to the occasion. So I learned all about finance and investing, went to Merrill Lynch’s training program, and became an executive there. Every loss leads you to a gain, and every no takes you hat much closer to a yes.”

Check out the full story in February issue of O Magazine.
Also check out OWN’s “Your OWN Show” that airs Fridays at 9 pm.

Dress Like Your Favorite White Collar Character with Gilt.com (1/19 at 12pm EST)

USA, the #1 cable network, has partnered with Gilt Groupe (www.gilt.com), the exclusive online shopping destination, to celebrate the return of WHITE COLLAR on Tuesday, January 18 at 10/9c.  This first time partnership brings WHITE COLLAR fans and Gilt members together to shop customized sales for both women and men, inspired by the classic style and sensibility of WHITE COLLAR’S Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer), Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) and Elizabeth Burke (Tiffani Thiessen).  The sales are pegged to begin following the first new episode of WHITE COLLAR, it was announced today by Alexandra Shapiro, USA’s senior vice president, brand marketing and digital.

“Both Gilt Groupe and WHITE COLLAR embody a refined concept of style, so we’re excited to partner with them to launch new episodes of the show,” said Shapiro.  “Through this relationship, we can showcase the series’ iconic fashion and provide another platform for fans to engage with the WHITE COLLAR experience.”

The WHITE COLLAR Gilt limited-time event will be curated by the show’s season one and season two costume designer, Stephanie Maslansky, and will take place at Gilt.com/whitecollar on Wednesday, January 19, beginning at 12pmET and will last for 36 hours.  This sale will consist of four distinct sales.  There will be three sales that will consist of clothing and accessories inspired by the show’s popular characters.  One sale will be experiential through Gilt City, paying homage to New York City, where the show is based, where Gilt members and WHITE COLLAR fans will have the opportunity to dine at restaurants, visit bars and other NYC hotspots that encompass the WHITE COLLAR lifestyle.   Lastly, USA and Gilt are also giving away a limited quantity of free Brooks Brothers men and women’s white-collar shirts at noon ET on January 19.

“As television shows continue to inspire and influence consumers’ fashion and lifestyle purchases, Gilt is excited to partner with WHITE COLLAR and USA Network to create a unique shopping experience inspired by the characters of this popular show,” said Carl Sparks, president, Gilt Groupe.  “In partnering with Brooks Brothers and the show’s costume designer from season one and two, we’ve created a unique opportunity for the five million-plus viewers of WHITE COLLAR to act on the fashion and lifestyle inspirations in the show.”

The collaboration marks the first time Gilt Groupe has ever partnered with a television series.  As part of the promotion, WHITE COLLAR will be featured in Gilt MAN’s blog, the Gilt MANual: The Daily Guide to Permanent Style, through editorial content that will describe the style and vision behind each character.

Top-rated USA series WHITE COLLAR stars Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay as an unlikely duo of con artist and FBI agent working together to put away infamous and elusive criminals.  Shot entirely in and around New York City, the series also stars Willie Garson, Tiffani Thiessen, Marsha Thomason and Sharif Atkins.  WHITE COLLAR was created and is executive produced by Jeff Eastin and comes from Fox Television Studios.  Jeff King and Mark Goffman are co-executive producers.

For gallery and episodic photos of WHITE COLLAR, as well as all USA projects, please log on to the NBC Universal Media Village at http://www.nbcumv.com/.  For show information, including bios, episodes, synopses and loglines, and clips and promos, please log-on tohttp://www.usanetwork.com/press/whitecollar, password: characters.

Gilt Groupe is an innovative e-commerce company offering highly coveted products and experiences at insider prices. Each day, Gilt offers its members a new, curated selection of merchandise, including apparel, accessories and lifestyle products for women, men and children, home entertaining and decor, along with luxury travel packages and fantastic offers on local services and experiences. Most sales start at noon ET and last only 36 hours, making Gilt.com an addictive destination for aspirational shoppers from coast to coast.

USA Network is the #1 network in all of basic cable and is seen in over 102 million U.S. homes.  A division of NBC Universal, USA is the cable television leader in original series and home to the best in blockbuster theatrical films, acquired television series and entertainment events. The award-winning USA website is located atwww.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

The Visitors Have Returned…


(Editor’s Note: This post contains spoilers for Season 2 of V)

V has returned in all of it’s lizard loving glory. The intense season finale from last season only propelled the recent season two opening episode to a stunning hour of television. Anna, having promised to leave at the end of last season, causes red, blood-looking rain to fall on the unwitting populace in a show of her anger over the 5th Column destroying her nest of warrior eggs.

Tensions from the first season continue including the palpable conflict between Anna and Erica as the play at being friends, but it’s easy to see both characters are at opposite sides of the Vs and humans. This is probably the most fascinating conflict to watch especially considering the double meaning in most of the or conversations.

Another fascinating plot idea is the lack of emotions the visitors have and the longer they hang around humans the more emotions they start to process. This was evident in the character of Ryan, who poses as a human and falls in love. This idea is carried into season two when Anna’s emotions cause problems both internally on the visitor ships, but also externally in her plot.

I highly encourage you to pick up season one on DVD at http://bit.ly/e6ABTG.

If you missed this season if V on ABC you can catch up on ABC’s website at http://abc.go.com/shows/v/index
And, of course, dont forget to watch V tuesdays at 9/8c on ABC.

SyFy and Hollywood Treasure Offer Auction for a Trip for 2 to ComicCon

Iconic pieces and once-in-a-lifetime experiences representing several of Syfy’s hit original series are available for bid in an online auction accompanying Syfy’s new reality series, Hollywood Treasure, which continues with all new back-to-back episodes Wednesdays at 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Net auction proceeds will go towards national non-profit KaBOOM!, which is dedicated to saving play.

This week Syfy fans can go to www.syfy.com/hollywoodtreasure and bid to win a trip for two to the world famous Comic Con event in San Diego, including tickets to Syfy’s annual party, the hottest ticket in town. The package is available for bid through Tuesday, November 9.

Hollywood Treasure is a weekly reality series that delves into the intricate world of showbiz and pop culture memorabilia collecting, including science fiction and fantasy props and costumes. The series follows Joe Maddalena, owner of Profiles in History and the world’s largest auctioneer of original movie, television and pop culture collectibles.

In an all-new episode of Hollywood Treasure airing Wednesday, November 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, Joe Maddalena travels to England to meet with Harvey Stephens, the child actor who played Damien in one of the most iconic horror movies of all time, The Omen. Harvey shows Joe his original costume and famed prop used during prominent scenes from the film. Joe wants the items for auction but is Harvey willing to let go of these pieces from his childhood? In another all-new episode airing at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, Joe is back in Los Angeles and sets his sight on finding the famed yellow brick road from The Wizard of Oz. One of the last surviving principle cast members from the show, an original lollipop kid, Jerry Martin, makes a surprise visit.

Say Hellogoodbye to likeZebra.com

likeZEBRA.com will be spotlighting indie sensation Hellogoodbye as their featured Artist of the Week beginning November 9, 2010. In an effort to grow the indie community and inspire underground musicians, likeZEBRA.com features a new artist each week. As Artist of the Week, Hellogoodbye will be giving away a band hoodie, tote bag, and an autographed CD of their new album, “Would it Kill You,” exclusively to a likeZEBRA fan.

On a mission to reignite the independent music movement, likeZEBRA provides fans with access to the hottest indie tunes. The site’s comprehensive platform also provides independent and unsigned artists with valuable music promotion tools to assist them in connecting with fans, distributing music, booking shows, and getting paid to play. Supplied with virtually every tool needed to thrive in the music business, likeZEBRA artists are getting their music heard without having to sacrifice creative control.

“More bands are opting out of their major labels and making the switch to indie. Hellogoodbye is a great example of a band thriving without a major label. They’ve found success and freedom in the indie community, making them a perfect fit for likeZEBRA’s Artist of the Week,” says Jon Taggart, Director of A&R of likeZEBRA. “As technology evolves, it continues to make a huge impact on the music industry. Artists must provide fans with digital access to their music to stay relevant, and likeZEBRA provides indie artists with the crucial tools to get their music heard.”

Excited to celebrate Hellogoodbye as its Artist of the Week, likeZEBRA will be providing fans with the chance to win exclusive band merchandise, including Hellogoodbye’s new release. Other indie bands and artists who are interested in being featured as likeZEBRA’s Artist of the Week can create a free artist profile at www.likezebra.com. Hello, indie music revolution; goodbye major record labels.