In case you were too busy getting ready for the holidays or trying to avoid a fiscal cliff the last few weeks, here are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed.
— Movies —
The Atlantic featured production storyboards from 15 beloved films.
What if there were an animated series called “Clockwork Orange Babies“? Here’s what the promo posters would look like.
The “Honest Trailer” for The Dark Knight Rises was released. Even though I liked the movie, the “Honest Trailer” is funny and captures a number of plot issues. (Thanks @PopcornJunkies.)
Dan Aykroyd on Ghostbusters 3 in Esquire. (Thanks @ravenval.)
Clerks III will be Kevin Smith’s last movie.
— Music —
The 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are Albert King, Donna Summer, Heart, Public Enemy, Randy Newman, and Rush.
E Online wrote about the 5 Biggest Snubs and Surprises of the 2013 Grammy Nominations.
Eddie Van Halen remembered how he came to work on Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It.’
Q&A: Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham Revealed Lingering Tensions in Fleetwood Mac.
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke will release his new album February 25.
A new book tells the story of the band the Smiths.
Popdose chose its Best Pop And Rock Albums of 2012
Read about the Monkee Magic of Micky Dolenz at Popdose.
Actor James Franco has released a music video.
Watch a video of Moses vs. Santa, Featuring Snoop Dogg.
A couple broke up and then decided to sing about it.
Kinky Friedman on Folk Music, Politics, Mass Murder, and His Bipolar Tour. (from No Depression)
Beck is trying to revive the days of singing ‘round the piano.
The A.V. Club wrote about how Townes Van Zandt’s song “Lungs” veers from platonic epistemology to magical realism. I can’t explain what that means. You’ll have to read the article.
And then there is the strange new John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John holiday song video.
Here is a list of the best (and best-worst) of new Christmas music.
— Television —
Check out an interview with Martin Short about his upcoming return to Saturday Night Live as host.
The original 1966 Batmobile is going up for auction.
The Walking Dead took top honors at the Spike VGAs.
David Chase talked about The Sopranos and that maddening finale.
By chance, Newt Gingrich happened into a guest appearance on Parks and Recreation.
Vanity Fair features an oral history of the awesome one-season series Freaks & Geeks.
— Other Pop Culture News —
Stephen Colbert is not going to be appointed to the Senate. But actress Ashley Judd may run for the U.S. Senate.
Star Trek‘s George Takei is coming to Riverdale in Archie Comics’ Kevin Keller books.
The Pope (@pontifex) is joining Twitter.
Finally, the “IKEA Monkey” — a little monkey in a coat found outside an IKEA — became in Internet sensation and started a meme.
What is your favorite recent pop culture story? Leave your two cents in the comments.
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