UPDATE: Since the King of Pop's passing, we thought we'd re-post everything we've done that's MJ related in the past...

You read that right....I have officially taken over for Michael Jackson in his classic video for "Thriller!" Check out my unbelievably good performance!

And you can do the same! Just log onto Mike's website here, then click on the link to insert yourself into the video. You'll need a digital camera and a few minutes to waste and never get back. The final product comes out a bit bizarre and extremely creepy...but when your taking about Michael Jackson....what did you really expect, people?!

Ever wanted to eat your business card? Us neither, but someone apparently did! Soon you can have anyone chow down on your name and contact info. Yum...

Meat cards might sound dirty, but they're actually business cards made out of beef jerky that you can dole out for a lasting (and filling!) first impression.

Now -- you can't send off to the butcher to get your name put on your meat. Meat Cards aren't fit for human consumption just yet, but they will be soon! Watch the company's progress at meatcards.com.

It was a night for the ages, as the brilliance of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. were channeled through celebrity mentor Jamie Foxx? No, I'm not making this up. It was an American Idol you had to see to believe, or you can watch my recap instead!

And when you're done there, don't forget to click on over to Curt Wagner's Show Patrol blog for RedEye. He live blogs every episode, and thinks I'm way to hard on Kara. So please, click over and tell him how wrong he is.

Results tonight, and I'll see you all right here next week.

The laughs aren't as big as they could have been - but I actually enjoyed the Upright Citizen Brigade's version of "Twilight" better than the original. Plus, the Whopper Jr. fits into the Kristen Stewart role quite nicely.

On second thought, I'm not sure it's a Whopper Jr., although it does have the poppyseed bun. Any thoughts?

Thank you all for entering. If you are a winner, you're passes to an advanced screening of "X:Men Origins: Wolverine" are already in the mail!

Didn't disco die a long time ago at Comiskey? Well, our American Idol contestants did their best to bring it back last night. Why? Who knows. But at least it gave America a chance to see what I would look like with an afro. My predictions on who's going home tonight are in my recap below. Enjoy!

And for photos of last night's performances, check out the Idol Gallery.

It's going to be the summer of hair for NBC. Access Hollywood says former American Idol finalist Sanjaya Malakar will be another contestant on "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here."

Joining Sanjaya will be former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, along with Geraldo Rivera, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and Spencer and Heidi from "The Hills." The show kicks off on NBC June 1st.

I was getting my Blago "dead-racoon-do" ready, but I might have to shake it into a Sanjaya mohawk. Here's a refresher in case you're new to Earth:

By now, you may have heard that former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has agreed to appear on NBC's competition show: 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here." (Pending a judge's approval, of course). This got us thinking. What other reality TV shows (existing or spin-off) would be a good fit for Blago?
Here's our Top Ten:

First up, Quentin Tarantino is one of my favorite directors, so when I found out that he was going to be a celebrity mentor on the show I couldn't believe it. Also, it made me feel a little less ashamed to be so obsessed with this particular TV program. Yeah, Quentin's a little nuts, but aren't we all sometimes? Speaking of crazy, watch my recap of last night's Top 7 performances....

And for more photo, check out last night's performance gallery.

Tuesday night's American Idol was as beautiful as a newborn baby - literally. You'll want to see my recap if you caught the show, and especially if you missed it. Who's in my bottom three? Who's going home? Who cares? Find out now!

And when you're done with that, be sure to check out my favorite Idol recapper on the web - RedEye's Curt Wagner, a.k.a. the Show Patrol. You can find his Top 8 Recap here.

Friend of Metromix TV Mike Sternoff thought it would be a good to travel the world in his bright blue Snuggie. We thought you should laugh like we did when watching the highlights of his quest.

Think you've seen or heard everything on an airplane? Well, behold the internet's newest sensation, courtesy Southwest Airlines.

You won't hear that on United. Hilarious.

Looks like everyone wanted a final spin on those gas-guzzling sports cars before the government takes them away. According to box office guru Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily, "Fast & Furious" is set to have the biggest April opener ever. The "new model, original parts" team delivered a ridiculous $30 million on Friday alone! Just for some perspective, the biggest movie to ever open in April before this was the Adam Sandler / Jack Nicholson comedy "Anger Management," which a measely $42 million. If DHD's estimates hold up, "F&F" will collect nearly $70 million this weekend.

You know what this means, look for less originality with your big studio blockbusters, and more retreads of all your old favorites (assuming you thought there was much originality left to begin with). A new "Beverly Hills Cop" is already in the works. The same goes for "Footloose" (although Zac Efron has apparently dropped out). Maybe we'll see another "Lethal Weapon?" If they reboot the "Back to the Future" franchise, I'm moving to Canada.

Your new Hollywood motto - from the Walmart bargain bin....to the big screen. Minus the everyday low prices, of course.

First off, this is NOT SAFE FOR WORK. It's probably not safe for anyone under the age of 18. But what I can say - I am incredibly excited to see this thing, Sacha Baron Cohen's follow up to "Borat." The trailer speaks for itself. Enjoy:

Get your shopping done, grab a bite to eat, and bump elbows with one of music's all-time legends. That could be your April 18th at the 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue. According to a press release, the public will get a chance to watch a "special Magnificent Mile arrival followed by an opportunity to see legendary music icon Frankie Valli and cast members from JERSEY BOYS share a special Italian feast."

The guys are going to be dining at Frankie's Scallopine & 5th Floor Pizzeria, also located inside the shops at 900 N. Michigan. Guests can make reservations now, they include Frankie’s four-course, “Four Seasons” menu at $19.63, with one Italian dish for every season of the year. All guests also receive a Jersey Boys gift.

I'm sure these reservations will go fast, you can make one by calling (312) 266-2500. I wouldn't expect Mr. Valli to be singing, however. Although I understand he's fairly good with a fork and spoon.

Greetings from paradise! That's right, I'm writing this recap from the sunny shores of Cancun, Mexico! This easily makes me the most devoted Idol recaper alive. Thanks for reading.

Tonight the contestants will be singing the hits of Motown. Last week I pegged the bottom two correctly, although America once again got it wrong by sending Alexis Grace home and hanging on to Michael Sarver. Who will be going home tonight? Here we go!

Just in case you're in the need for another fix of Lego-man hair, Blago is going to be seated in front of a microphone tomorrow.

The former governor will be the filling in for the Don Wade & Roma Morning Show on WLS starting at 7 a.m. We were wondering what Blago had planned to fill two hours of airtime.

Find out what we'll be listening for after the jump.

PODI founder/CEO Dave Curry was featured on this weekend's "metromix." He sells shoes with removable covers, so you can change the look and style of your feet in seconds. He's offering a deal for the first 200 people who order a new pair of PODI's after our CLTV airing. Details are at the end of the clip above. Enjoy!

It's straight out of "Minority Report." The West Loop nightspot Madpoison Ultra Lounge is finally ready to open its doors and unveil its futuristic touch screen ordering system. The bar features a few different stations with the technology - one large menu screen that is sure to attract a line, and a few private touchscreen tabletops in the VIP booths. Rhon Deguro is the architect behind the madness (he built the software in his garage after studying computer engineering at Northern Illinois University), and he gave me a sneak peek before Chicago gets its dirty little hands all over it! Watch the video.....after the jump!

U2 will be invading Soldier Field on September 12th, and they'll be setting up this ridiculous 360 degree stage. You can see an interactive version of it here. The one issue I have are the upper deck seats. If you land a ticket with one of those large beams right in your line of vision, you are out of luck. Hopefully they label those seats obstructed view. Otherwise it's pretty awesome, especially that outer ring where Bono can thrust his loins right into his fans' faces. Those tix will cost you extra!

U2 has always been known for its mind-blowing arena setups. I remember being at the "All That You Can't Leave Behind" tour at the United Center (they used the heart-themed stage seen above). It looked fairly bare-bones, but hid some neat extras in the scaffolding.

Do you have a favorite U2 backdrop? Maybe the Pop Tour? Zooropa? Let us know, leave a comment!

The hour that will "change the lives" of 13 people. Gag me. Let's live blog tonight's American Idol Results Show!

All day people have been buzzing about these "new rules" the judges are going to announce tonight. We know they're kicking off two contestants, but they're promising something even bigger. Let's break it down - here we go!

An unlucky number. A new stage. An embarrasing entrance for the judges. And the music of Michael Jackson. It was the first big night of American Idol (did I mention they have a new stage?). The Top 13 faced off and sang the difficult tunes of M.J.

"Will he come and help the contestants?" my wife asked.

"I think there might be some kind of law against that," I answered.

My best, good, bad, and just plain ugly after the jump!

Through the course of the week we receive numerous emails from viewers asking all kinds of questions. We answer them all, but I thought it appropriate to post some of the questions on the blog, in case you might have been wondering some of the same things! Maybe you saw something on the program and you can't remember it's name, or maybe you just want to find a great place to eat this weekend. The Metromix Mailbag has your answers! Today's first question is about all you can eat candy!

Yesterday Billboard magazine broke the news that Soldier Field will once again be home to a concert, and it's a big one. The Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot says U2 will announce they are playing the stadium on September 12th. Because Soldier Field fits a lot of people, tickets will vary in price, from $30 all the way to $250. They'll go on sale later this month.

U2 will also be in town on Tuesday as part of a cross-country radio promotion for their new album No Line On The Horizon. They won't be performing, but the location of their top-secret appearance still remains, well, a secret. Rumors have indicated it could be at the Metro. Greg Kot is warning us not to "be surprised if you bump into Bono on Clark Street." And guess what street the Metro is on? Hmmmm.

But back to the Soldier Field show. I am excited about this one and hope I might get a chance to go. But did U2 really have to pick the home of my beloved Chicago Bears, right in the middle of their season? What will a mega-concert like that do to the natural turf? I mean, how good are Terrell Owens and T.J. Houshmandzadeh going to be when they can't even break the line of scrimmage without tearing a hamstring?

Watchmen is opening to huge crowds this weekend, which spurred a little discussion within the "metromix on CLTV" offices. What is the best superhero film of all time? I was up to the challenge. While it's too early to say if Watchmen can fit into my list, I have put together my pre-Watchmen Top 10 of the Best Superhero Movies of all time. We start with #10, after the jump......

Hey everybody, by now many of you have already bought your tickets to see Watchmen tonight at midnight. But for those of you who are still on the fence, check out my LeShock Value review!

I'm sorry y'all, but I'm coming down with a horrible cold and a raging fever, probably from the Watchmen screening I just sat through. Anyways, I will be back and STRONGER than ever next week, when if all goes well, my Emmy-nominated American Idol Video Recaps will return. *Cue Angelic Hum Sound.* See you then, *cough.*

I'm sure this guy was FURIOUS The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for Best Picture. But at least we got this fun interactive dance-off game featuring the scar-faced Joker and Gotham's Dark Knight. Enjoy Batman VS. The Joker - BBOY style!

Hey there everyone, Marcus Leshock here. I want you all to know that I do read/listen to your thoughts about "metromix" getting out to the suburbs more. We've tried to do that over the last few months, but we hardly EVER get out this far. If you happen to be in the Richmond area this weekend, you might want to check out this humorous play about communication in relationships - "Let The Games Begin."

It's the first-ever show by local company Theater Underground and it is directed by Northern Illinois University alum Tim Mosbach. Tim and I went to Gradaute School together at NIU, and assuming he hasn't changed too much, the show should be fantastic. I'm hoping to get out there and catch it myself.

For information about the schedule and getting your hands on some $8 tickets (Theater Underground is also calling for auditions for MANY new plays) CLICK HERE!

If you caught last weekend's edition of "metromix," you saw my latest assault on my GI system. In the latest Fast Food Review, I took on the new waffle sandwich at Dunkin Donuts and the Burger Shots at Burger King. Special thanks to Garrard McClendon for his first cameo appearance on the Fast Food Review.

Another famous Chicago Bull left us last night. Johnny "Red" Kerr was known by many as the first coach and legendary player of our basketball franchise. But for many people my age, "Red" will always be known as the fiery color commentator on the Bulls' television broadcasts. He was never afraid to be critical, and he was certainly never afraid to show off his enthusiasm. Kerr was not only one of the voices of the Bulls, but he was also a big voice of Chicago. He will be missed, and how wonderful that the franchise had a chance to honor him before he left us. While he'll certainly leave a legacy like the images in the clip above, it's the moments like these I'll always remember. Enjoy:

This is horrible news. Chicago Bull great Norm Van Lier has passed away at the age of 61. According to ChicagoBreakingNews.com, "Fire personnel responded to a request to check up on him at his apartment in the 1100 block of West Madison Street when he was found unresponsive, according to the Chicago Fire Department."

I can't say I ever truly knew Mr. Van Lier, but every time he entered the CLTV newsroom, you knew he was here. When CLTV contemplated taking Sports Page off the air, Norm was not happy. He was a frequent guest on the program and always dominated the airtime. I'll never forget when he made me march down to my programming director's office and demand that Sports Page come back.

"Who's going to host it," I asked him. "Me?"

He gave me a serious stare, then laughed. "No, I will. Now go give the message."

Norm Van Lier was always outspoken and honest - and one of the most magnetic people I've ever had the pleasure to be around. He told it like it was, whether you wanted to hear it or not. He will always be missed - both on-air and off.

Check out the director's cut of Nick Digilio and I's Oscar Night 2009 Recap! I know it's a day late, but as Homer Simpson once said, "It's still good! It's still good!" Enjoy:

Wow, flashy video alert! Chicago entertainment/restaurant guru Billy Dec is set to open his latest creation, Sunda. According to the YouTube description, the restaurant will feature "contemporary and progressive interpretations of traditional dishes from Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and the rest of the Southeast Asian Island region." The video breaks that all down, but still doesn't show us too much about what the place will look like. But if the video is meant to peak our interest - job well done.

This small behind-the-scenes clip shows Hugh Jackman rehearsing for the biggest night of his career. In case you're new, he's hosting the 81st Annual Academy Awards this Sunday night, and if his performance at the Tony's means anything, he should be great!

A clip from Hugh at the 2004 Tony's awards is after the jump.....

The American Idol live shows are finally here....with a TWIST! See if you can follow me here. The Top 36 have been broken down into three groups of 12. The highest vote of the men will move on. The highest vote of the women will move on. And one wild card will move on. That gives us 9 spots. The remaining contestants will compete in a Wild Card round, where the top 3 will move on, making our Top 12. Thanks for making Season 8 much easier to understand, American Idol.

It was the first LIVE broadcast of the season, and there were more than a few strange occurances, including Ryan Seacrest being barked at by a producer.

Ladies and gentlemen...we may already have a winner! It's the dreaded "herd the hopefuls into the slaugtering room night." The contestants were put to a final test. After performing in front of the judges one last time, all 72 singers were rounded up into four different rooms. Then, the judges gave the news as to who stays and who goes. There was a little bit of singing - just enough to put together my BEST, WORST, and final verdict.

It was time to celebrate THE BEST in music, which I guess means EVERYONE, at the 51st annual Grammy Awards! As usual the Recording Industry gave out a trillion awards tonight for all kinds of different categories. Ryan Seacrest and company tried to keep it all straight with note cards on the red carpet. But the awards only mean so much, there were plenty of bizarre/exciting moments to remember. My thoughts on the show and a complete list of winners after the jump!

Let's hope that "Terminator" DP doesn't end up taking a trip to the video store anytime soon!

After all of this "Christian Bale" freakout stuff broke this week, I remembered the one time I got to speak with him. He was in town shooting "The Dark Knight" and we had a harmless interview about "3:10 to Yuma." He was a great sport when I made that reference to "American Psycho," but there was one strange exchange when I first walked in the room.

Mike Kara runs an internet radio show from the Woodridge Public Library called "Eye on the Community." Over the years he's had many different types of personalities on his show - WGN-TV's Tom Skilling, band members from American English, and now me!

Mike and I talked for about a half an hour about how I ended up at CLTV, how we put together "metromix on CLTV" every week, and more behind-the-scenes insights on the show.

So if you're a "metromix" junkie, you'll want to take a listen. Direct downloadable links are right after the jump!

"American Idol" producers figured something out - group work sucks. Welcome to Hollywood Group Night, easily the biggest drama to go down every season. We get to see how our favorite (or not so favorite) contestants react when they have to rely on each other. It was a night of music, meltdowns, and plenty of teases about meltdowns coming up later. Let the catfight begin and the excuses fly with my BEST, WORST, and FINAL VERDICT!

"This will no doubt be the most important day or your life." - Simon Cowell to the contestants on the opening of Hollywood Week.

Easy there Margaret Thatcher. It's a reality show singing contest, not the Battle of the Bulge. But getting serious, Hollywood Week is my favorite portion of "American Idol," and I was excited to see all the changes. They let the contestants sing whatever they wanted acapella. They gave them voice coaches and stylists. And they even brought Barry Manilow back from whatever planet he was on, to help them become as weird as possible.

My BEST, WORST, and FINAL VERDICT after the jump!

Marcus Leshock here. Jennifer Hudson sang the National Anthem at Super Bowl XLIII, and she blew the sails off the pirate ship at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. After her performance, I found myself in a conversation about where it ranked in the history books. After a little perusing around the internets, I have compiled my list of the Top 10 Star Spangled Banner performances of all time - from sporting events to concerts. We start with number 10.....

Hey all, Marcus Leshock here. The trailer to the first Rod Blagojevich (spoof) film "Keep Love In Your Heart" was such a big success, I couldn't resist creating a follow up. And since our former Governor seems to be so fond of old cowboy movies, I figured the guy should have something go his way. So here it is, the online premiere of Govnor-ROD-o: The Rod Blagojevich Western!

In case you missed "Keep Love In Your Heart," the original Blagojevich film, the trailer is right after the jump!

Tonight's "American Idol" pitted New York against Puerto Rico. It's your regular "West Side Story," but with a crazy rocker in retro hipster sunglasses. Only in Ah-meer-ee-kah!

Now I have to mention how stupid I am. I completely forgot "American Idol" was on tonight, something more than one of you readers pointed out after my "see you next week" line on Wednesday. You have my deepest apology....but keep reading for my BEST, WORST, OBAMA, and FINAL VERDICT!

All season long, “American Idol” has showcased stories of hope, inspiration, and vomit-inducing upliftness. No, it’s not a word. Tonight, that would all change, because “American Idol” took the show to Jacksonville. That’s right – there would be no OBAMA AWARD winner for “hope and inspiration” tonight. Instead, we got more weird moments with the judges, a few GREAT auditions, and the rebirth of the flat top. Let’s get to my breakdown of THE GOOD, THE BAD, and my FINAL VERDICT.

The Academy Award nominations were announced this morning and "Benjamin Button's" Taraji P. Henson was among them. Marcus talked with her in December about her role and the possibility of an Oscar.

More Oscar interviews and some MARCUS feedback after the jump!

Howdy, y’all! “American Idol” went down to Lou-uhl-ville, Kentucky and found a few good singers, some strange birds, and apparently a guy in a port-a-potty. So before you ask why I wasn’t watching “Lost,” let’s get to my BEST, WORST, OBAMA AWARD WINNER, and FINAL VERDICT!

Welcome to your Inauguration Night American Idol Recap! This season, “Idol” producers promised us “change we can believe in,” meaning they were going to show us more “good” talent and stop promoting the train wrecks. Well, let’s hope our new Commander-In-Chief is a little bit better with his word. On the one-hour San Francisco audition night spectacular, “American Idol” breezed through a few yellow tickets, and spent most of the time on the biggest freaks in flower town.

Keep reading for my BEST, WORST, and the winner of the coveted OBAMA Award!

The album "No Line on the Horizon" drops on March 3rd, and if U2's new single "Get on your Boots" is any indication, it's going to be a bit different:

It's got a great riff but I'm not sure the song is all that great. I will admit that it's in my head now, for whatever that's worth. Will it be a mega-hit like "Vertigo" or "Beautiful Day?" I doubt it.....but as more time passes, I think I like it better than both of those songs.

What do you all think?

Bet that headline got your attention! Oprah Winfrey had Kate Winslet on her show to praise her new film "The Reader." Fresh off of a Golden Globe win for her acting, Oprah found another reason to praise Winslet....

How's that for an Oscar campaign? This fall - see the breasts that will have everyone talking! Oprah Winfrey raves - "Her breasts do what real breasts do. The best performance from a set of mammaries since my work in The Color Purple!"

If Episode 1 of Season 8 is any indication, it’s time we replace the term “jump the shark” with “add a judge.” “American Idol” finally pulled back the curtain on Kara “Khemistry Killing” Dioguardi. Watching the episode, I felt I was witnessing history. Analysts will someday look back at this tape as the day “Idol” finally threw on the waterskis and let her rip! The show spent WAY too much time introducing another unnecessary voice, another person to suck valuable time away from Simon Cowell.

It was also the first post-Obama “Idol,” packed full of buzzwords like “hope,” “courage,” and “strength.” This year will feature young chicks in bikinis, right next to 16 year olds who create charities for seniors. Seriously, do you want proof that we’re not in another Great Depression? A 16 year old with enough time and financial support to create her own charity also has time to audition for “American Idol.”

My full breakdown is right after the jump....

Hey there everyone! Highlights from my night on Nick Digilio's show are airing on CLTV News this evening, but if you just can't wait or want to hear more, you can download my ENTIRE performance from WGN Radio 720 AM! Just click here and download the four mp3's I'm featured in! The Globes were fun, can't wait till Oscar time!

Video Courtesy: NBC

Well it's only a matter of time before all the corruption, intrigue and hairstyles of the Blagojevich Scandal comes to the big screen. Or maybe just to Lifetime or Law & Order. But as long as we're dreaming big, we're going to cast the Blagojevich arrest and subsequent fall out like we're Steven Spielberg - no one turns him down, not even the dead or those made of felt and cloth.

Part 1: The Illinois First Family.
We figure John Travolta has the jaw line and hair mass that could be styled into Rod's recognizable 'do. And we're bringing back Alley Sheedy - particularly her bangs-in-the-face hairstyle, to play Patti.

Once again, I will be a guest on the Nick Digilio Show this Sunday evening, following what is sure to be another stellar Golden Globe Awards extravaganza! We'll break down the award show after it's over. Find out what we liked, didn't like, hated, and hated more! If that's not reason enough, take a look at Nick and I recapping LAST year's show:

Man was I wrong about "Atonement." Tune into WGN Radio 720 AM this Sunday night for more great predictions like that one. Nick's show starts at 10 p.m. Then, tune into CLTV News on Monday evening to see the video.

Nobody has your award season (un)covered like CLTV!

That's right - Chipotle will be doling out FREE BURRITOS this Thursday, January 8th, at their brand new Logan Square location. You can get yours anytime between 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Once again, here are the details:

WHAT: Free Chipotle Burritos!
WHERE: Chipotle in Logan Square, 2717 N. Elston Ave.
WHEN: Thursday, January 8th.
WHY: Because they're free and delicious!

After the jump you'll find the official Chipotle press release featuring all kinds of nice phrases like "sustainable sources" and "food with integrity." All I can say is be prepared to wait. I went to the opening of the Gurnee location and waited in line for almost 30 minutes, maybe because people in Gurnee were new to this large, wrapped tortilla "burrito" concept. That's a joke. See you all in Logan Square this Thursday!

Marcus Leshock here. Many of you might have seen me on the WGN Morning News this A.M., or heard me on WGN Radio 720 AM with Dean Richards last Sunday talking New Year's Eve ideas. I've compiled a list of not only what we talked about, but some of my other picks for things to do while ringing in 2009! Don't forget to check out the incredible planner on metromix.com for even more ideas. Well, here we go:

DINNERS:

Dinner at Lockwood at the Palmer House Hilton
17 E. Monroe

Lockwood is a beautiful, still relatively new restaurant inside the renovated Palmer House Hilton. The restaurant was designed to blend in with the hotel's majestic history, yet still be contemporary enough to not be outdated. Needless to say, it's upscale alright, and the food is fantastic. On New Year's Eve, chef Phillip Foss will be offering a $95 pre-fixe menu from 8-11 p.m. Selections include a foie gras slider and kumamoto oysters. For $150, enjoy a wine pairing with each course.

Dinner and drinks at Chaise Lounge in Wicker Park
1840 W North Ave

Much more casual than Lockwood, but still pretty glam, Chaise Lounge is a great little place to hang out. Oh, and the food is top-notch as well. For $120 on NYE, customers will be treated to a three course meal featuring the spots eclectic American dishes.....and an open bar. It all starts at 8 p.m., but make sure to call in advance for reservations - you won't be able to eat without one.

Keep reading for more ideas.....

I'll be a guest this Sunday on the Dean Richards show on WGN Radio 720 AM. We're going to talk about great last minute New Year's Eve ideas, as well as our favorite celebrity/entertainment moments of 2008. I'm sure we'll reminisce about the joy we both felt when staring into Rob Pattinson's eyes, and things of that nature. So tune in this Sunday, 12/28, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

This is a little video we threw together to show you how human we really are at CLTV. Hope you have a safe and happy holiday. Thanks for a great 2008!

All it takes is one twinkling light and I'm busting out the red-and-white stockings! But for those a little more Bah Humbug -- you can borrow a few of my favorite ways to get in the spirit of the season...

1. Millenium Park
B-Y-O-S (Bring Your Own Skates) and take a free spin around the glistening rink -- or rent a pair for only $10 to twirl under the city skyline.

More festive fun after the jump...

The Chicago Film Critics announced their annual awards on WGN-TV this morning, naming Disney-Pixar's WALL-E the Best Picture of 2008. The movie tore up the awards, becoming the first animated film to take home Best Picture, kind of a surprise considering it didn't have the most nominations. It won for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Animated Film. WALL-E could pull off the upset and land an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, but it's still a long shot.

Find out how everyone else did, including Danny Boyle's SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT, after the jump....

This morning the CFCA announced their nominees in all categories. The big winners with 6 nominations are "The Dark Knight," no surprise considering the critical outpouring for the film all year, and Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire," a recent indie coming on strong. CFCA President and Daily Herald Film Critic Dann Gire, the Sun-Times' Richard Roeper, and WGN's Dean Richards will announce the winners of this year's awards on Thursday, December 18, on WGN-TV. They'll announce in three chunks, at 6:50 a.m., 7:50 a.m., and 8:50 a.m.

To see the full list of nominees, head to the Chicago Film Critics Association website.

I will be announcing my TOP 10 this Friday, so keep your eyes peeled here for that!

We recently had the chance to check out one of Chicagoland's most storied grocers, Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets. They have been serving the area for the last 50 years and their guy Loreto Labarbera let us into his kitchen where he makes the freshest pizza's around. You might learn a thing or two.

On the net: http://caputomarkets.com

Yes, it's well known in the industry that studios and agencies lobby their butts off to land these Golden Globe nominations. But they happen to be a major award show that lots of people watch, so let's break down this morning's announcement just a little bit.

The 5 films earning the most nominations include "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (5), "Doubt" (5), "Frost/Nixon" (5), "The Reader" (4), "Revolutionary Road" (4). A little surprised that "Slumdog Millionaire" didn't get more noms, but as stated earlier, it's an indie film, which makes it harder to get a Globe nomination.

I find it hilarious that Kate Winslett is considered a "Supporting Actress" for her work in "The Reader." She's obviously the female LEAD and carries the film. They clearly didn't want her competing with her own tremendous LEAD performance in "Revolutionary Road." The marketing clearly has paid off.

The big surprise comes in the Supporting Actor category. Heath Ledger should win for "The Dark Knight," but how about Robert Downey Jr. AND Tom Cruise both landing noms for their work in "Tropic Thunder?" Wow!

All of the other, more predictable nominations can be found after the jump. Make sure to tune into WGN-TV next Thursday (Dec. 18). Dean Richards will be announcing the winners of the Chicago Film Critics Awards. For the first time, I am a voting member. Should be exciting!

You read that right. Crushpad, a west coast winery, is offering a new wine - the price of which fluctuates with the stock market! Here's their hilarious trailer:

Just like you, the folks over at Crushpad have watched as their 401K's have been getting hammered over the past few months. So they decided to offer a Bailout Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon for just $39....but it could be even cheaper than that. Keep reading for more details.....

You got it dude! Or cut....it....out! However you feel about the TGIF 90's sitcom "Full House," it has certainly sealed its fate as a 90's pop culture icon. Rumors are flying all over the web about a possible "remake" of the show that would involve much of the original cast! Keep reading for more info...

The snow is falling. It's colder than, well, you know. You're getting back into the holiday mood. Time to break out the ol' DVDs and dust off some Christmas classics. I've compiled my list of the Top 10 Christmas movies of all time. Some are traditional, some are for kids, and there's at least one you would NEVER air in front of a child. Let the debate begin as we start with number 10 on my list - AFTER THE JUMP!

I was on the air with Sean Lewis tonight, breaking down all of the Oscar movies that will be opening this month. In case you missed a few dates, below you'll find a brief rundown of what we talked about.

You read that headline right, the caped crusader has been killed. The Daily Sun has a report about the latest comic storyline for Batman. Despite all of the fancy gizmos, bulletproof armor, and space-age weaponry, Bruce Wayne meets his maker. So who kills off the Dark Knight? You'll have to keep reading....

We don't normally embed video from other TV outlets on this blog, but if I didn't do it here, you'd never believe me. Due to the economic downturn, a restaurant in Japan has hired monkeys to fill in for the wait staff! And that's not a punchline, we're talking ACTUAL monkeys! And get this - the health department says it's sanitary, as long as the monkeys wear clothes! What fun is that?

What do you tip a monkey? 10%? Maybe a banana or two? If only the monkeys were on the menu, then we'd really be in business!

There were a few things I knew about Edward Cullen.

2. I was madly in love with him.

It doesn't take much for "Twilight's" Bella to make that leap. You know, the one where she finds out the love of her life sucks the blood out of living creatures - and decides to spend alone-time with him anyway? And despite being face to face with the vile nature of vampirism, she comes to the conclusion that it might be the way to go. Oh, the humanity!

Cooking a turkey this Thanksgiving? In need of a little help? Well look no further! I cornered Mary Klingman, the Butterball Turkey Talk Line Lady, in hopes of providing me with some insight to cooking the perfect bird. Hilarity and knowledge ensued:

Remember, don't hesitate to give the Butterball folks a call this Thanksgiving at 1-800-Butterball!

Now I know what it was like to introduce Elvis. Or maybe The Beatles make a better analogy. Last night I had the pleasure in "moderating" a question and answer session with "Twilight" star Rob Pattinson at the Orland Square Mall. Hundreds of screaming/crying fans packed the mall to get an in-person look at the actor. The Chicago Tribune took some amazing photos. See them here.

Before leaving for the mall, there was a lively discussion in our office about who this guy was, and why people are so crazed about him. After speaking with the fans, it's clear that it has as much to do with the character as it does with the actor. "Twilight's" Edward has become a mythical figure for teenage girls. He's a supermodel with superpowers, ready to fight off the bad guys, while still being a little bad himself (he's a vampire, in case you're new to the party).

Tonight I'll be moderating a Q&A with the star of the upcoming movie "Twilight," Robert Pattinson! We'll be at the Orland Square Mall tonight between 6-8 p.m. He'll be signing autographs from 6-7:30 p.m. Then, you'll get chance to ask Rob anything you want.

Hundreds of fans stormed the mall late last night trying to get tickets for the autograph session. Those are SOLD OUT. But you can still see Rob at the Q&A, which I will try my best to moderate in an orderly fashion.

I'm excited and terrified at the same time.

Come out and say hello. I'll see you in Orland Park at 6!

Hello all! In case you don't have much to do tomorrow, I'm going to be a "celebrity bowler" in Chicago Blackhawk Brent Seabrook's first "ICE" bowling event! It's all going down at 10pin Bowling Lounge (330 N. State St. in Chicago) from 1:30 to 4:30 P.M.

I will be paired with a team of Hawks fans and we will hit the bowling lanes! I come from a family of bowlers, actually. My uncle Jim hits the senior professional circuit from time to time. Unfortunately, I lack most of his skills.

It's all for a great cause to benefit the Inner City Educaiton Program. Even if you don't have the cash to purchase lane time, you can still pay between $25-$50 and come out and watch! You also get access to Hawks players for pictures/autographs. We're talking Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell and more! So come on out to 10pin and don't forget to say hello! The full press release is pasted below:

Hey all. I cut this little video together using the reaction footage I shot on election night. Seeing so many people emotional involved with our political system was a pretty moving experience.

Anyhow, I hope your Election 2008 withdrawl isn't too rough. And don't worry, there are plenty of moose to hunt up there in ANWAR, so you-know-who should be just fine!

So if you saw either of my two videos from the Fifty/50 or Moonshine, I never made it to House of Blues like I promised. Instead, I stuck around Moonshine to witness Chicago's reaction to Barack Obama becoming the next President of the United States. I was able to capture on video the first emotions pouring out of everyday Chicagoans. This meant something to everyone there - black, white, asian, latino, it didn't matter. To be there to see it all, and to even deliver the news to some who hadn't heard yet, was an amazing experience. One I will never forget.

Tomorrow I'm coming into the office to record another video blog with more of my thoughts from tonight. Right now I'm eager to hit the web to find out what happened in the other races. Of course, if you were watching CLTV, you don't need to worry about that.

Whether you voted for Barack Obama or John McCain, or any of the other fine candidates on the ballot, let's hope that American took another step forward today. And let's all get ready for Palin 2012 to be unveiled tomorrow! YOU BETCHA!

The Chicago International Film Festival held a "surprise screening" at the Music Box tonight. No hints were given as to what the movie would be - you just buy a ticket, and you're stuck with what starts playing. So, fun-loving moviegoers purchased their seats, hoping to see one of the year's most anticipated new films. And the surprise movie WAS......

Guy Ritchie's "RockNRolla?" Ugh. Let me add to the collective groan echoing throughout the theater. As I was sitting there awaiting the movie's start, people around me were speculating as to what they were about to see.

One man was crossing his fingers for J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek." Another was hoping the next "Harry Potter" film would be getting another Chicago test screening. Heck, one guy even hoped that it would be one of the two previews we saw before the main title (Vince Vaughn's "Four Christmases" and the "Watchmen" graphic novel flick). But nope, we got "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels 3." If I could understand half of the dialogue in the movie, I'd tell you how much I liked it.

OK, so maybe the movie wasn't THAT bad, but it definitely wasn't what I was looking forward to seeing. I do hope that the CIFF continues this practice, however. It was good fun until the curtain opened!

I met Jennifer Hudson in 2006. She held a press junket in Chicago to promote her upcoming film "Dreamgirls," where she would hopefully make a big enough splash to jumpstart an acting career. After screening the film, I was pretty much sold that she would win every major award out there, and that her life would change forever.

Who knew that just two years later, now an Academy Award winning actress and full blown pop star celebrating her debut album, her life would change again. Last Friday when we got the news that Jennifer's mother had been killed in an apparent domestic shooting, we were shocked. But to hear that she also lost her brother, and now possibly her nephew? Well, we are left speechless.

These are tough times in Chicago. As the news broke over the weekend, popular news websites like The Drudge Report had headlines calling Chicago the "murder capital of the U.S." It's hard to argue, right now we're beating both New York and Los Angeles in homicide numbers. We have to remember that however tragic the blow to Jennifer Hudson may be, there are many others in our city who are mourning as well. Let's hope that something good can happen here. Maybe the conversation will create such demand, that we will finally figure out some way to stop this. We have to stop killing each other, and we have to do it now.

After the jump you'll find my story with Jennifer Hudson before "Dreamgirls" opened in 2006. She is one of Hollywood's best success stories, and despite these recent events, she still remains the symbol that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Halloween is always a good time to break out the ol' horror films. Last year we hit the streets to find out your favorites. I posted the video on YouTube - nearly 50,000 people have watched it, and more than 220 viewers left text comments with their picks. The demand was there, so I hit the streets and made a sequel. What is the best scary movie of all time - PART 2!!!!!....

In case you missed last year's segment, you can find it right after the jump....

After two years of campaigning, it looks like this is what passes for breaking election news. Barack Obama has indeed sneezed on a reporter, allegedly not on purpose. I was unable to confirm a rumor that Mr. Obama's sneeze can cure cancer. One thing we know is true - this fortunate news reporter will now live three years longer after being blessed by "The One."

And remember, don't forget to vote early!

I'm trying a new segment here on the blog called SIGN OF THE WEEK. I love places that get creative with their signage, and since I pass so many on a daily basis, I figured I'd share them. If you know a local place that has a good one, let me know in the comments! My first entry comes courtesy Weiche's Inn at Rt. 83 and Hwy. 60 in Ivanhoe. Maybe not the "classiest" sign, but if there were ever a time to use censored profanity, the 2008 Chicago Cubs season is it:

Because it's all going down at Noon today...which is in, like, 45 minutes! To celebrate their one year anniversary, the Jersey Boys will give away nearly 4,000 pieces of Home Run Inn pizza at various downtown between 12-1 p.m. today. The locations are as follows:

Bank of America Theatre (18 W.Monroe St.)

Couch Place – James M. Nederlander Way (State St. between Lake and Randolph), Pioneer Court (401 N Michigan Ave)

Illinois Center Plaza (111 E. Wacker)

Cast members will be handing out the slices....be sure to tell them that "metromix TV" sent you there.

Once you get past Queen Latifah's sllloooooooooowwwwwww intro, this is great stuff. Is it just me, or does anybody else think the Joe Biden stuff was the best part of the bit? Nevertheless, SNL is once again proving its worth during election season.

"We better hope they don't get swept," I said.

"They're not going to get swept," producer Matt Knutson answered.

We laughed that conversation off during the taping of this weekend's edition of "metormix - let's eat." We taped the show in Wrigleyville in honor of the Cubs winning the division and taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The show aired first on Thursday night, but replayed all weekend long. And boy, don't I feel like an idiot.

That's right folks! Right now on Ebay you have the opportunity to bid on this 3' X 2' portrait of Barack Obama, made entirely with Legos! What's next - Sarah Palin out of an erector set?

The "Legobama" was created by Andy Mullady, who in a strange twist of fate, owns the men's boutique Revolver that provides my clothing on "metromix." He tells me that it took him quite a while to make the portrait and hundreds of dollars in legos....which is probably why the minimum bid on Ebay is set at $2,000. So save the "change" for the election....this legobama will cost you some paper! More pix of his creation after the jump....

Yes, I know. It was reported by Fox Sports about a month ago, but Bob Costas just "officially" announced that Bruce Springstein will be the halftime act at this year's NFL Super Bowl on NBC. It all goes down when the Chicago Bears face the New York Jets in Tampa on February 1st, 2009.

The phone rings at Rosebud Prime Steakhouse in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. The manager answers. On the line is a man asking if he can bring his own bottle of wine to the restaurant. The manager insists Rosebud has its own fine wine list, bringing your own won't be necessary. The man describes his wine and the vintage year and the manager's eyes open wide. That's a great bottle of wine - see you soon.

In walks Mr. Paul Newman. Rosebud manager David Flom told me this story when we went to Rosebud to feature it in our Best Chicago Steakhouse segment. Apparently Paul Newman loved to travel and sample America's best burgers. After reading about Rosebud in the paper, in he walked, ate, thanked, and left.

So by now you've probably heard about the curse of 'Soul Men.' Within the past months, stars Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes have passed away. Now the trailer is out featuring the voice-over work of the legendary Don LaFontaine - who ALSO died recently. If I were Sam Jackson I'd be a little worried right now. But something tells me he's not too concerned. I mean, have you seen the guy's wallet? It's the one that says.....

In case you missed tonight's show, or just wanted to see my take on celebrity news one more time, here is this week's Hollywood Jolt! Who knew that a Republican convention could be so much fun, my friends!

Figures, David Duchovny checks into SEX REHAB the day after I finish editing my Hollywood Jolt segment. Thanks for thinking of me David and I hope you get better soon! Enjoy the Jolt, my warped version of celebrity news!

If you watched this week's episode of "Let's Eat," you saw me visit Al Capone's Hideaway in St. Charles and make a fool of myself with a bottle of Tommy Gun Vodka. I have actually visited Al's a few times in the past, just a short jog down the road from NIU in DeKalb. The place is packed full of history, has great eats, and some of the finest service around. More, including hours, pricing, and address, after the jump.

In the what will they think of next category, donut dynamo Krispy Kreme is making grass flip-flops for its employees. They questioned 1,000 of their employees in the UK and 53% of them feel their stress levels are high because of a lack of contact with nature.

Here's the official comment:

There’s currently a lot of uncertainty in the city so what better way to escape the concrete jungle than by slipping on a pair of grass flip-flops and walking around in your own mobile meadow.

The sandals take three weeks to grow and each has over 5,000 blades of the green stuff. The shelf life of the sandals is four months... Or the first torrential downpour, whichever comes first.

Full Story

It's the 14th year for the event, now going on at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. This weekend on CLTV News you'll get a sneak peak of some interviews I conducted with two up-and-coming Chicago filmmakers - David Muhammed and Christopher Nolen. No, not "The Dark Knight" Christopher Nolan. A strange coincidence of the name, but this Nolen doesn't mind the comparison one bit.

David's film "The Opposite of Life" tells the story of two pregnant women contemplating abortion. You can see it Sunday August 17th at 5 p.m., and Tuesday August 19th at 6:15 p.m. Click here for more information and tickets.

Christopher's film "Subtle Seduction" is showing Friday August 15th at 8:15 p.m. and Tuesday August 19th at 8:30 p.m. Click here for more information and tickets.

So if you wanted to make the ultimate double feature, head out on August 19th and watch both films back to back. These guys worked their hearts out on these projects, so be sure to head out and show your support! "The Dark Knight's" made enough money already, give the other Chris Nolen some love!

Those of you excited to see "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" this Thanksgiving are going to have to be patient. Warner Bros. announced they will push back the movie's release date - to July 17, 2009. The full press release from the studio is pasted at the bottom of this post.

"Harry" would have been a killer for Warners this fall, but pushing the movie back to the now dubbed "Dark Knight" slot might be the smartest thing for the studio to do. That gives them a guaranteed tentpole release next summer, with the two-part climax "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" to follow down the road. A good strategy, but not good news for excited fans. The trailer is after the jump.....

Comedian and Chicago-native Bernie Mac passed away this morning at the young age of 50, from complications due to pneumonia. Bernie was an unbelievable comic talent. This morning I thought about his television sitcom, "The Bernie Mac Show." Bernie had this uncanny way of making discipline funny. There's something inherently humorous about watching a 6'3", bulking mass of a man shiver when dealing with yelling rugrats. It was such a joy to watch.

Also, Bernie was the quintessential Chicago guy. He managed to take his Chicago attitude to a global scale, never selling out his city, and never becoming a sausage-eating cartoon character. In so many ways, Bernie Mac was Chicago. Just a regular guy with a lot to say, and never afraid to say it. He recently performed a standup act at a Barack Obama appearance, and in typical Bernie fashion, organizers had to apologize for the content in his act. He wasn't going to dumb down or clean up for anybody. Why? Because he was Bernie Mac - a funny guy from a tough neighborhood. He didn't back down from anybody.

And he certainly didn't back down from me. We had a brief discussion at the Chicago premiere for "Ocean's 13." When I asked him a tongue-in-cheek question about keeping Chicago a secret, mostly to keep people like George Clooney and Matt Damon out of here, he responded with a smile.

"We've got four seasons," Bernie answered. "The winter will run them people out."

Classic Bernie - you will be missed my friend. Here's the clip:

You might recognize him as the guy who sings the hook on Lupe Fiasco's "Superstar," but Matthew has certainly made his own mark on the music biz. While studying at Columbia College, both painting and music, he got in touch with Lupe. Between their partnership and the grassroots following he gathered playing Chicago coffee shops, he's now an internationally known musician. Check out our entire interview with Matthew on this Friday's "metromix" at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. For now, here he is performing "Days Like This" in Millenium Park...

Loves it?

I have to admit, this is actually a pretty funny video. Paris is responding to the recent ad from the presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, who called Barack Obama one of the biggest celebrities in the world, and used still photos of Paris and Britney Spears to rub in the point. Now, Paris is throwing her hat in the ring.....and comparing McCain to old folks like The Golden Girls, Yoda, and even Col. Sanders! God Bless America!

Here it is, the uncut video from my Dance for Babies performance at the March of Dimes benefit last Thursday. The event raised nearly $25,000 to help save babies everywhere, and it was SO much fun. After about 15 lessons with the brilliant Simona Palmova from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Buffalo Grove, I was able to hold my own in the competition. My two one-minute routines are right after the jump....

On this weekend's episode of Let's Eat, I introduced you to a new social club that began right here in Chicago - "Man B Que." It's basically a group of guys (no women, sorry) who get together once a month to share grilling tips and recipes. They meet all year round but summer is definitely their peak season. If you want to see how you can join Man B Que, or start your own chapter, visit their website www.manbque.com.

The best thing about ManBQue? There are no secrets! Every recipe is open to share and just below I have a few for you. The unbelievably good Original Linus Burger and the Famous Steak Curtains.

Wow. Just wow. I know everybody and their mother has written about this show by now, but I had to throw my two cents in. I finally gathered a few moments to sit down in the tent here at Lolla and reflect on last night's Radiohead show. There was one unbelievable moment (probably the best concert moment I've been a part of to this point).....and a few irritations. But overall, it was everything it was built up to be. Just phenomenal. Keep reading!

That's right folks! Last night, I tore up the dance floor for the March of Dimes! It was all part of their Dancing for Babies charity event, raising money to help the March of Dimes' great cause. Below you'll see a few highlights from my performances - one tango, one cha cha.

Here's the first look at Oliver Stone's much anticipated film about our Commander in Chief, George W. Bush. We see the President taking part in a beer bong, being escorted to a prison cell, and a lanky James Cromwell lecturing his son - "You're a Bush. Act like one!" I know it's too early to judge, but you'd think Cromwell would try harder to sound less like Cromwell, and more like Bush Sr.

The big question remains - with "change" filling the political airwaves these days, do people really want to see a film about a man they've been watching for the past 8 years?

You may have seen these local guys on this weekend's "metromix." The Giving Tree Band is so much more than just your regular bluegrass band. In fact, they wouldn't consider themselves to be bluegrass much at all. But the music simply speaks for itself. We caught up with them right as they were wrapping up production on their first ever carbon neutral album. Here's an exclusive performance of the song "Teaspoon of Sugar." More on the band here. Enjoy the show!

I met Cory Wright downtown Chicago a few weeks back. He's a local playwright, looking to get his career going. Last weekend, he kicked off his big debut at the Black Ensemble Theater. The show is called "The Golden Boy," and it's part of the Black Ensemble's first Late Night Play Series. You can see it tomorrow at 11 p.m.

Cory grew up in Country Club Hills, graduated from DePaul University, and also acts and dances. He got involved with the Black Ensemble through their Black Playwrights Initiative, which happens on the first Monday of every month. I've actually seen a few shows at the Black Ensemble Theatre (4520 North Beacon), and if you haven't been, it's always very impressive. You can check out everything they're up to here. And don't forget to go out and see Cory's work this weekend, the show only runs until August 9th!

I hope you all liked my new celebrity/entertainment news segment 'The Jolt,' which debuted this weekend! As usual on this program, there was just too much Jolt-y goodness to squeeze into one episode, so I put together a director's cut for ya. Enjoy!

Happy Saturday morning, everyone. I hope you enjoyed your 'Dark Knight' screenings yesterday. But while we're talking movies, this weekend on the show WGN Radio's Nick Digilio and I are breaking down the lineup at the Chicago Outdoor Film Fest, and having some fun during the process. Here's the Director's Cut of our conversation, with some extras that couldn't make the show! For more on Nick, click here. And for the full Grant Park Outdoor Film Fest lineup, click here.

Chicago filmmaker Jerry Vasilatos is a huge fan of the Batman series. Like many of you out there, he's super pumped about 'The Dark Knight,' which opens this Friday. And today, Jerry is premiering his new short film to the world. 'The Dark Knight Project' was filmed over a long weekend here in Chicago, and it's meant to bridge the gap between 'Batman Begins' and the upcoming 'The Dark Knight.' The film premiered online today and you can watch it here. Enjoy!

The fine folks over at ChicagoTribune.com have given us a doozy of a new feature. They've created an online searchable database where you can look up the results of any restaurant health inspection done in the city of Chicago! Simply click here, then type in the name and address of your favorite (or maybe not-so-favorite) spot to see how they've fared!

UPDATE: A comment came in from reader EF who notes that the City of Chicago has had a feature like this one their website for some time. You can access it here:

http://webapps.cityofchicago.org/health/inspection.jsp

Thanks for the tip EF!

Bon Appetit!

Hello all! Just giving a heads up that I will be a guest on the Nick Digilio Show this Sunday night. Nick's on from 10p.m. - 2 a.m. We'll break down the Outdoor Film Festival lineup in Grant Park, which begins this Tuesday. I'm sure many other fun entertainment topics will arise while I'm in studio. Then, stay tuned to the cltv.com/metromix blog and next Friday's "metromix" for video highlights!

I first saw Mer at Northern Illinois University a few years ago. After growing up in the suburbs and attending NIU, Mer left DeKalb to pursue a full time gig in music. Today, he packs the biggest venues in Chicago, including the Cubbie Bear, the Double Door, the House of Blues, Schuba's, etc. He also about to embark on a European tour. We had Mer perform some acoustic versions of his original songs for tonight's "metromix" weekend. The above song is called "Here," and tune in tonight to hear more about Mer.

If you know of a local musician we should feature on the show, be sure to let us know!

Apparentley someone is capitalizing on Chuck Norris lore by modifying Super Mario Bros. By pasting a Texas Ranger sized head on Mario's body. By watching the mock-up we think it's a pretty stupid game, because you can't kill Chuck Norris.

The only way that could happen is if Chuck fought himself. Which we all know would cause time to stand still.

Wow. So I’ve seen it. Seen it in IMAX. It’s been a few days now and it’s starting to sink in. ‘The Dark Knight’ is a good movie. No, it’s a GREAT movie. For days leading up to the film I read countless reviews that picked apart the movies final half-hour.

‘It’s too long.’

‘The movie went places it shouldn’t have gone.’

Those statements are probably correct, but there was one factor that washed away all of the film’s imperfections. It’s Heath Ledger’s Joker. Keep reading for more details…

Happy Monday everyone. Hope you were OK waking up after the long 4th of July weekend. I had this video sent to me in an email. It's an old one, but a great one. Perhaps the best card trick I've ever seen. It's from Japanese television, but you don't need any words to explain what's going on. Enjoy!

How naughty, yet true. I actually liked the latest installment of Dr. Jones, but the more and more I think about it, it was a pretty dumb movie. One of the more ridiculous scenes, the now-infamous Tarzan sequence, no doubt influenced our friends over at Black20.com when they were putting this video together. We'll leave the debate as to whether Indy has finally "Nuked the Fridge" to another blog post. But for now, enjoy the Swingin' Lifestyle of everyone's favorite junior!

Like to Golf? Like to pretend you like to Golf? I'm really sorry for passing this on to our audience. Ever since it was forwarded to me in an email, I've been horribly addicted to it. So as you sit there on the last day before your vacation from work, looking for something to pass the time until the bell rings, enjoy this curse to humanity from The Social Golfer. Click here, but don't say I didn't warn you!

So it doesn't COMPLETELY reveal Two Face, but it's pretty darn close. In case you don't want to watch and be totally suprised, the clip shows a scene where a man in a bar is approached by a now disfigured Harvey Dent. You only see Dent from behind, but his face is clearly mangled. 'The Dark Knight' opens in 17 days.

Two-Face Clip From The Dark Knight! from TELL on Vimeo.

Here it is. We've been speculating for some time, but the first reactions to "The Dark Knight" are streaming out onto the internet. This morning I woke up to a blog entry from KTLA's Sam Rubin, who screened the flick last night, and he says of Ledger....

"His work, as The Joker, will absolutely be nominated for an Oscar, and at this point in the year, Ledger is also a hands-down favorite to win it posthumously."

So it looks like the glimpses we've gotten from the trailer are indicative of what will play out during the film. Rubin also calls "The Dark Knight" one of the best superhero movies ever. Rolling Stone gives the movie 3 1/2 out of 4 Stars. Early fan reviews are pouring out all over the place, raving about how the movie absolutely lives up to the hype. So let me just throw this out there. Could we actually be seeing a little robot named Wall-E battling with Batman for Best Picture? And imagine Jack Nicholson's reaction when Ledger wins the Oscar? He'd have to be up there presenting it, right?

Anyhow, I see the film on July 8th in IMAX, and I couldn't be more stoked. If any of you have seen it, I'd love to hear your reaction as well. Let the madness begin! Read Rubin's blog post about the film here.

As heard on tonight's "metromix minute," I talked about metromix.com's "A Taste of New on the Scene." For just $10 you can sample dishes from some of the hottest new restaurants around town. It's going down Monday night 6-8:30 p.m. at Sam's Wine and Spirits in the South Loop. Get all of the information you need from our trusty mothership, here.

OK, so I'm no Tom Cruise, but I now have my own cocktail. If you caught this weekend's "metromix," you saw the World's Fastest Bartender "Bobby G" Gleason, who now works for DeKuyper Liquors, whip up a signature cocktail for the program. It sure is fruity (not sure what he's trying to say with that). Anyways, here's the recipe.....

That's right! I'll be dancing with the stars of Chicago media this July, and you can come out to watch! I'm one of the contestants in the March of Dimes "Dance for Babies" night. I'll be dancing two dances with a professional on July 31st at Galleria Marchetti. I'll be competing against "The Bachelorette's" Jennnifer Schefft, Heidrick & Struggles' Jane Marcus, Zoraida Sambolin of NBC, Fox's Amy Freeze, and Dr. Laura Streicher of the Sun Times.

Tickets are $75 bucks and it all goes to a great cause, The March of Dimes. So sign up and cheer me on! I'll need it...especially being the only guy in the competition. Conveniently, they left that out of the pitch when they asked me to do it. But I'm in to win, and I'm certain I will. Click here to for tickets.

Marcus Leshock here. If you caught the Brian Noonan Show on WGN Radio this morning, you may have heard my appearance. We talked about all of the festivals and events going on this weekend and beyond. So much to do in a Chicago summer, so little time. Keep reading to get all of the information about the things we talked about!

It’s one of those unexpected moments in life, where something just randomly happens and takes a while to sink in. Amidst all of the hoopla surrounding the ridiculous R. Kelly trial, news broke that NBC’s Tim Russert had died of a heart attack, while doing what he does best, prepping another edition of “Meet the Press.”

For fans of political talk shows, “Meet the Press” is one of the lone surviving sane programs on air. So much political talk on television has disintegrated into mindless claptrap. Guests are brought on with opposing viewpoints. They end up screaming and yelling at one another until the host butts in and puts his or (rarely) her point on the issue at hand......

We checked out Kuma's Corner on tonight's show. The place is absolutely jammed packed on a nightly basis. We spent most of the night trying to stay out of the way there. They pump almost 150 burgers an hour out of their tiny 6X16 kitchen. The burgers are all different, absolutely delicious. They have the Slayer Burger (an outrageous dish of fries topped with a 1/2 pound of ground beef, Chili, Cherry Peppers, Andouille, Onions, Jack Cheese, and of course, Anger). There's also the Judas Priest (Bacon, Bleu Cheese Dressing with Apples, Walnuts, and dried cranberries). But I can only speak for the burger I had....

Wah, the TV show that put me on the map isn't paying attention to me anymore, wah!!!! The AP is reporting that Katherine Heigl did not submit her name for an Emmy nomination because "I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination."

She goes on in the article to pretty much throw the show's writers and creators under the bus. She says that she wants to "maintain the integrity of the academy organization" by making sure she doesn't get a nomination. In other words (mine), I'd like an excuse for not being nominated this year.

Katherine's character has definitely hit the back-burner a little bit on the show, but after years of hearing Izzie Stevens wine about EVERYTHING, it's been a little bit of a relief. You can read the entire story here.

Happy Wednesday morning everyone. Don't ask how I ran into this clip, but it made me laugh. Enjoy...

Be sure to tune in for Metromix Weekend this Saturday & Sunday. We're giving away tickets to Chicago Magazine's pick-up parade, Summer Lovin'. It's happening June 20th at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The annual event gives you the chance to meet the magazine's hottest singles from 2008! Plus our very own Jackie Tranchida is hosting the event, so you can meet her too. Bonus!

Marcus Leshock here. Because the World Series-bound Chicago Cubs are playing on CLTV tomorrow night, "metromix" will air its weekly Let's Eat food show tonight! We'll give you an inside look at Chicago's Green City Market, a great place to get fresh produce every week. Also, we'll sample the "Island Fusion" meats on a stick at Skewerz in Wicker Park. And don't forget about Tribune Food Critic Phil Vettel! He'll give his review of Chef Amaury's in Aurora.

To get you really HUNGRY for tonight's show, check out this new invention that was featured on the Onion News Network. See you tonight!

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

Marcus Leshock here. I have to give big props to the folks over at Tri-Cities Crossfit. This Monday is Memorial Day...in honor of that they'll be hosting a charity fundraiser, raising money to buy cooling vests for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. If you're new to Crossfit, it's an internet-based workout that's sweeping the country. Earlier this year I checked out Chicago's Crossfit branch, here's the story....

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Tri-Cities Crossfit is located in St. Charles....run by first-class trainers Mark Reinke and Jason Homesly. All of the details about their fundraiser this Monday can be found after the jump....

Marcus Leshock here. If you're looking for something to do last minute tonight, check out the Annoyance Theatre's free video night! They showcase (mostly) funny shorts by filmmakers all over the city, and yes, it's free of charge. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. And as a special bonus tonight, my good friends over at Hombre Films will be premiering their new comedy short film "Wheelchair Werewolf." You might remember a while back on "metromix," we premiered their last short "Time Gun." Here's the video....

More Hombre can be found at their website here. And check out the Annoyance Theatre's site for info on all of their events here.

Marcus Leshock here with my last American Idol recap of the year. It was David versus David. Cook versus Archuleta. A bloody battle until the beginning of "Hell's Kitchen." Who would come out on top? A David? The audience? Me? Find out, here's my recap for ChicagoLive.com.....

It's been fun putting these together all year, and thanks for your viewership and feedback. Also, if you ever have the chance to work with confetti, I highly recommend against it. I'm still picking it out of my hair, and I have a date with a high powered vacuum a little bit later today.

Remember to check out my past American Idol recaps in the archive section of ChicagoLive here.

And for even more American Idol madness, check out the RedEye's American Idol blog Vital Idol. Find it here.

It's one of my favorite comedy shows in town, and we covered it right here on "metromix." "Don't Spit the Water" is an improv show that takes average folks from the audience and brings them on stage. Then, they fill your mouth with water, and the various comedians try to make you laugh so hard - you spit a mouthful of water all over the place!

The "Don't Spit" crew has been invited out to Hollywood to perform on the Comedy Central stage. Now this doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be seeing "Don't Spit" on Comedy Central anytime soon. But they are playing on the development stage and Com Central suits will be watching to see if there might be a future for these guys on the network. I wish them the best, these guys are hilarious!

For ticket information for their regular shows in Chicago (Saturdays, 10pm, Playground Theatre. I'm told they won't be changing at all), head to their website. It's www.dontspitthewater.com.