So … Conan O’Brien started his new gig as host of The Tonight Show this week and a few folks noticed something … familiar about the backdrop background of his newly designed set. After careful consideration (and genius side-by-side comparison), it seems pretty obvious that Conan’s new background came straight from the Mushroom Kingdom of the Super Mario Brothers video game:

From Gizmodo: Conan’s new Tonight Show set sure is nice, but the guys at Serious Lunch noticed that his new monologue backdrop looks pretty familiar. As in Mushroom Kingdom familiar. Chen and I are in disagreement as to whether or not this is intentional. I say it’s a coincidence, but he’s convinced that Mario was a definite inspiration for this background.

OMG … of course this background was inspired (to say the least) from the Super Mario Brothers video game. There is no way in hell that the indenticalness of the background to the layout of the video game can be mere coincidence:

LMAO! I bet Conan had no idea … but, yep, seem pretty clear to me. What do y’all think?

[Source via Source]

Jude Law took to the West End stage in London, England last night to begin his run in the new theatrical production of the immortal bard William Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet. Here is a Gollum-esque promo pic released from the play along with portions of very favorable reviews of his performance in the production:

Jude Law defied critics last night with a stunning performance of Hamlet. The Oscar-nominated actor was greeted with a rapturous applause after his powerful portrayal of the troubled Danish prince in the Wyndham’s Theatre production of the Shakespearean tragedy. Seven years after a mixed response to his run as Dr Faustus at the Young Vic, Jude showed off the full extent of his acting skills in the powerful, emotional production. Starring alongside Jude in the Michael Grandage production is Penelope Wilton as Hamlet’s mother Gretrude, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ophelia, Kevin R McNally as Claudius and Alex Waldman as Laertes. His performance as Hamlet comes several months after Doctor Who David Tennant gave a strikingly different take on the distressed Dane. Reviews of Jude’s performance have been mostly positive, with only the Independent describing his as “fine” while frequently comparing him to Tennant. The Guardian’s Michael Billington wrote: “What exactly does Law bring to Hamlet? Principally, a sense of moody solitude and moral disgust… Law’s Hamlet has the right inwardness and self-awareness.” Evening Standard’s Henry Hitching said: “As the scholar-soldier-prince, Law’s performance is detailed and powerful. He brings a rumpled charisma to the role: his Hamlet is both disgusted and dangerous.” The Telegraph’s Charles Spencer writes: “There are a few rough edges, moments when Law seems to be skating on the surface of the role rather than digging deep, but this is already a deeply moving, lucidly spoken Hamlet which I’m sure will grow even stronger in the course of the run.” The Times’ Benedict Nightgale: “His verse-speaking is immaculate and his charisma comes powering out from below the pock-marked columns, black walls and towering gates of Christopher Oram’s grim set.” Speaking ahead of the opening night, Jude admitted he felt an empathy with Hamlet after being let down in his life. He said: “I’m a lot more cynical now than I was. I used to have optimism and the belief that people would usually do the right thing, and that has been somewhat tainted by experience, which I think mirrors Hamlet’s journey. He’s let down by people.”

I don’t immediately always think first of Jude Law as an amazing actor but I have to admit that I’ve pretty much loved him in everything he’s done. He’s one of those solid actors that always puts on a believable performance every single time. I am very excited to see him as Dr. Watson in the forthcoming film Sherlock Holmes (alongside Robert Downey, Jr.’s Holmes) but I’m totally intrigued by this notion of Law as Hamlet. While Macbeth is my favorite Shakespeare play, I really enjoy Hamlet as well. I’d love to be able to see Jude Law in this production. Perhaps if it does really well, it will eventually make its way to Broadway. In any event, I’m happy to know that Jude’s performance in London is being met with such great reviews. See, he’s not just a pretty face after all.

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Jason Mraz, the politically-minded musician and marijuana rights advocate, has posted a new blog on his personal website asking that all y’all out there consider using recycled products when purchasing toilet paper to use in your homes, schools, offices, etc. Mraz carefully and in great detail explains how the world’s use of 2-ply toilet tissue is having an adverse effect on our environment and he offers solutions to help YOU make more eco-friendly decisions when making t.p. purchasing choices. I understand the idea to share this wealth of information came to Jason while he was camping in Costa Rica … which is also from whence this photo of the nekkid singer doing his biz in the lake most likely comes from:

Recent News from our friends at the Natural Resource Defense Council (The NRDC) say that Americans’ addiction to two-ply, super soft toilet paper is causing greater harm to our environment than our gas guzzling cars. No shit. How is that so? In order to produce all that perfectly plush paper, companies must harvest tons of virgin trees, which the reaping of means less oxygen for the atmosphere to offset or all the carbon that seems to be frying us here on the surface. So our asses are in trouble. The US is the country that consumes the most forests specifically to fulfill the demand of Charmen Assficiandos far and wide. If you travel abroad, you may find discomfort in the thin one-ply offered up pretty much everywhere else. But that’s because most other countries are more careful about their resourceful trees and/or use recycled and post-consumer paper in the manufacturing of toilet tissue. Click HERE to learn what post-consumer means. I remember visiting India and being astounded to find there wasn’t any paper. Talk about saving trees and not clogging the septic! Instead, there was a water hose next to the toilet and it was recommend you use your hand (which is why you always shake hands and eat meals with your right (and only your right).) So I’m writing this today to invite you to buy only recycled or large percentage post consumer paper for your household, school or office. If you aren’t the one buying it, then encourage your janitorial staff to consider it. The paper isn’t nearly as soft, but it’s just as durable. Click HERE for the Tissue Shopper’s Guide provided by the NRDC. It was while camping in Costa Rica last week that I realized I needed to share this with you. When it came to the limited supply of tissue brought to the jungle, one has to be selective on how and when to use. My friend was amazed at how little paper was actually required for the job. And it has nothing to do with my raw diet, because quite honestly, I’ve been swimming in deeper waters lately, introducing my stomach to rich and indulgently devilish foods. (How dare I!) … Forgive me for being anal about this. I just thought I’d share the news and suggest an eco-friendly solution to one of nature’s biggest pains in the ass. For more helpful blogs like this one, intended to enhance your life and the lives of others around you, check out SuperForest.Org. It’s my personal favorite.

Pura Vida!
-Jason

Well … there you have it. I, personally, had no idea that the use of toilet paper in the Western World caused such a shitstorm for the environment … tho, it does make sense. I have to say, the idea of using recycled (ie. scratchy) toilet paper does not sound all that appealing, in the long run it does make more sense to make little sacrifices where we can. You’ve gotta love that Jason Mraz is always putting out useful information about subjects that he feels so strongly about. I’m also fond for his affinity for sharing such revealing photos … tho, let’s try and not think about what he’s prolly doing in that lake, shall we? Click HERE to read the entire text of Jason’s post which offers a few Toilet Tissue Tips. We can save the planet, one wipe at a time.

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Yesterday we saw pics of Alyson Hannigan and hubby Alexis Denisof taking their precious newborn baby girl Satyana out for her first party … and today we get to see pics of Aly and Satyana doing a bit of shopping together in West Hollywood, CA:

I believe this is the first time we’ve gotten to see the little princess outside of her baby stroller since Aly debuted the first pic of her on her official Twitter profile back in April. I can’t be entirely sure but from the look of the big pink wall behind her, it looks like Aly and Satyana were shopping at Paul Smith on Melrose Ave. Mother and daughter look so great … I love seeing them out and about :)

[Photo credit: X17]

BritneySpears.com has shared a couple of the cutest videos from The Circus starring Britney Spears Tour that we have or will ever see. Captured during rehearsals for the start of the second leg of Britney Spears’s tour in Europe (which kicked off in London last night), Britney’s young sons Sean Preston and Jayden James were filmed dancing up a storm to her hit songs Toxic and Baby … One More Time. Here are a few screencaps from both performances:

Not since Cruz Beckham got up on stage during the Spice Girls Reunion Tour to breakdance for the audience back in 2008 have we seen little celeb kids busting a move like this. Because there are two of them, I think the advantage goes to Britney’s sons Sean P. and JJ. Prepare yourselves — after the jump, check out both videos of Britney’s boys dancing up a storm to her hit singles …

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Last night was our low key evening … we spent the later part of the afternoon just lounging around before we met up and took my parents out for a group dinner at Andiamo in Dearborn, MI. Here are a couple pics from dinner:

And that was pretty much that … after dinner, we all went home and spent the rest of the evening with a big bucket of Red Vines and the TV in Sarah’s room. Yeah, it wasn’t all that thrilling but it was really nice nonetheless.

Tonight, Sarah and Mark are hosting a small get together of some of our friends so that we can hang out, cheer on the Detroit Red Wings in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final and celebrate David’s and my last night here in Detroit. It’s gonna be really fun seeing everyone … but where has the time gone? We’re already off to LA tomorrow ;(

• Brangelina would like you to know that the report from the National Enquirer that insists that they are breaking-up is “not true”.
• Peace the Spork Out, David Carradine
• While Whitney Houston is announcing the release of her new album, ex-hubby Bobby Brown is announcing the birth of his new son, Cassius, his 5th child from his third babymama.
• A drunken Ashlee Simpson gets into a verbal altercation with a sober Michelle Trachtenberg over Pete Wentz.
• Megan Fox is all for the legalization of marijuana.
• Not even Clay Aiken’s own charity wants anything to do with him.
• Elder British men strip for their pensions.
• Same-sex marriage is legal in the world of Sims 3.
• China continues to insists that nothing at all happened on this day in Tiananmen Square.
• Brüno does Marie Claire magazine.
• Lily Allen lets a nip slip during her recent music video shoot.
• Tila Tequila hits the beach, obvs trying to prove that she is not pregs.
• Christina Ricci calls off engagement to her friendly giant.
• That’s a big bag you’ve got there, Jessica Simpson
• Halle Berry films a new Revlon commercial.
• Angelina Jolie is 34, Noah Wyle is 38, Scott Wolf is 41, El DeBarge is 48 and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas is 65 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today.
• Angelina Jolie tops the Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the Most Powerful Celebrities, Oprah Winfrey falls to #2.
• Paris Hilton’s My New Dubai BFF
• I’ll see your Lady Gaga and raise you one Fischerspooner.
• Polka music is no longer eligible for Grammy Awards.