‘My Little Pony’ Comic Reaches One Million Milestone

Originally published on The Flickcast.  3 October 2013.

It is time to face the facts: My Little Pony is a worldwide phenomenon. The My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comic from IDW has now sold over 1 million copies in less than one year. The first issue is also the best-selling comic in IDW’s history.

“We have a great relationship with Hasbro, one we’ve always been very proud of, so selling a million copies is a really big deal, but to be able to celebrate the achievement with Hasbro makes it even sweeter, ” said Ted Adams, IDW CEO & Publisher.

In celebration of the milestone, Hasbro and IDW are producing a rare variant cover for issue #12 of the comic, which is due out this month. Only 12 copies of the cover will be available to win through contests and charity auctions.

“We’re excited to be celebrating this important milestone with IDW,” said Michael Kelly, Hasbro’s Director of Global Publishing. “They’ve understood what My Little Pony is all about from the start, which is proven by the fact that their comics appeal to fans of all ages, including young girls who traditionally haven’t had many comics directed toward them.  Also, we love the fact that we can commemorate this special event by benefiting others in need of the magic of friendship.”

The My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic animated series is created by Hasbro Studios and is currently airing on The Hub TV Network in the United States and can be seen globally in over 170 countries.

‘Doctor Who’ 50th Anniversary Episode Will Air Simultaneously Worldwide

Originally published on The Flickcast.  2 October 2013.

Doctor Who’s 50th Anniversary will truly be celebrated worldwide. BBC America has announced that the special episode, “The Day of the Doctor,” will air simultaneously across the globe in at least 75 countries and spanning six continents.

“Few TV shows can still lay claim to being appointment viewing but Doctor Who takes this to another level,” Tim Davie, CEO of BBC Worldwide, said. “In its 50th Anniversary year we wanted to create a truly international event for Doctor Who fans in as many countries as possible and the simultaneous broadcast and cinema screening of the special across so many countries will make for a fitting birthday tribute to our Time Lord.”

The list of countries airing the special at the same time as the UK include the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and many more. Additional countries are expected to be added over the next month. BBC America is also set to announce soon select 3D screenings of the special episode in U.S. theaters.

“The Doctor has always been a time traveller – now he’s travelling time zones,” Steven Moffat, Showrunner for Doctor Who and Executive Producer of the 50th Anniversary episode, adds. “On the 23rd of November, it won’t be the bad guys conquering the Earth – everywhere it will be ‘The Day of the Doctor!’”

“The Day of the Doctor” stars the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith), companion Clara (Jenna Coleman), the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant), his companion Rose (Billie Piper) and John Hurt. The special will air on November 23^rd.

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Uncovers The Meaning Of 0-8-4 This Week

Originally published on PopWrapped.  2 October 2013.

Hello Agents! Let’s dive into this week’s mission, I mean, episode.

We begin with the S.H.I.E.L.D. jet soaring peacefully through the air. A woman’s voice comes on to ask if everything is a-okay. Just as Agent Coulson says it’s going to be “blue skies from here on out” the side of the plane bursts open. Inside, our favorite agent is hanging on for dear life while the blue sky tries to pull him out of the plane. Oh please. If Loki can’t kill Coulson, what makes the air think it stands a chance?

Flashback to before the plane problems. Skye is unloading her precious van and boarding said plane. She looks skeptical but Agent Ward just looks pissed. He’s whining to Coulson about Skye joining the team but Coulson is defending his decision. He points out that she did break into their database. Twice.

“She doesn’t think like us,” Ward counters. “Exactly,” Coulson replies.

FitzSimmons is also on the fence about Skye but they’re at least more cheerful about it as they show her to her bunk. There she encounters a grouchy Ward who pushes the plane’s emergency preparedness pamphlet at her. Then Coulson slides up to talk once more about the magical place known as Tahiti and how he got the plane as a gift for almost dying before the Battle of New York. Also, he’s still adorable, asking Skye to use a coaster for her water bottle on his fancy plane.

But back to the mission. Coulson explains that a 0-8-4 means that they don’t know what it means. “An object of unknown origin.” The last one was…Thor’s hammer. And we all know what happened on the way to that.

TV RECAP: ‘Once Upon a Time’ – Ep. 301: ‘Heart of the Truest Believer’

Originally published on The Flickcast.  1 October 2013.

Hey Oncers, it’s finally that time again. Let’s get started.

We begin with a flashback to Henry’s birth, which is emotional and painful (for viewers and for Emma). At least Jennifer Morrison has plenty of experience with this kind of thing. Emma doesn’t even want to hold baby Henry but just wait 11 years Chosen One and you’ll be falling through a magic portal on board a pirate ship to rescue your son from Peter Pan.

That’s where we pick up in present day, with the Jolly Roger splashing into Neverland waters. Meanwhile the boy in question lands in the sand with Greg and Tamara in tow. Henry tells the annoying duo that both of his moms and all of his extended family are coming to find him. Greg and Tamara are unimpressed, which makes sense since this same top notch family were unable to prevent them from easily taking the kid in the first place.

They try to phone the home office but their communicator is chock full of sand. Henry switches tactics and plants seeds of doubt regarding this mysterious “home office.” Greg doesn’t take the bait but Tamara isn’t so sure. Her suspicions are confirmed when they run into the Lost Boys, who apparently are the home office.

Tina Fey Takes On HBO’s Girls On Saturday Night Live’s Hilariously Awesome Sketch

Originally published on PopWrapped.  29 September 2013.

Photo courtesy of NBC.

Remember back when Tina Fey and Amy Poehler expertly hosted the Golden Globes. Then Girls creator Lena Dunham won the titular award? Then she thanked Tina and Amy for helping her “get through middle school,” something the two hosts later good-naturedly teased her about? Well Tina Fey has taken things a step further and funnier.

In her latest hosting gig on Saturday Night Live, Fey starred with a few new cast members in one of the best SNL parody sketches yet. In a promo for the new season of HBO’s show Girls, we were introduced to Blerta (Fey) who joins the cast of twentysomethings. Fey’s deadpan delivery of Blerta’s one liners and harsh truths found a perfect home with the other “girls.”

Plus new SNL cast member Noel Wells does a pretty dead-on Dunham impression as Hannah.

Check out the clip below:

Arcade Fire Brings Awesome And Bizarre To Saturday Night Live

Originally published on PopWrapped.  29 September 2013.

Photo courtesy of NBC.

NBC’s late night Saturday line up belonged to Arcade Fire and they came through in their own bizarre and awesome way.

Beginning on the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, the rock band was not only the featured musical guest but also popped up in a sketch and debuted two songs from their album Reflektor. Following SNL, a 30-minute concert special, Here Comes the Night, included even more songs off of Reflektor, which will be released October 29th.

Starting off the night, front man and woman, Win Butler and Regine Chassagne (also husband and wife), appeared in the sketch, “New Cast Member or Arcade Fire.” The Canadian rockers showed their humorous side as host Tina Fey had to separate the band members from the new SNL cast.

Then, just after midnight, Arcade Fire took to the stage to do what they do best. Amidst costumes of all black then all white, raccoon-like makeup on Butler, and Chassagne emerging in a glass cage, the indie rock gods debuted “Reflektor” and “Afterlife.”

The first song had a sweet disco beat and alternating vocals and languages between husband and wife. In contrast, “Afterlife” sounds more like the band’s usual releases but in all the right ways. I defy anyone not to tap their foot or nod their head along with the beat.

Here Comes the Night followed straight after SNL and not only included more from Reflektor. It also had cameos from a wide range of celebrities. James Franco, Ben Stiller, Bono, Rainn Wilson, Michael Buble, Bill Hader, and more all popped up for a moment or more. And still Arcade Fire continued to bring their signature indie music to our eager ears. “Here Comes the Night,” “We Exist,” and “Normal Person” were all solid songs off of the album.

In short, if you weren’t planning to check out Reflektor before last night, chances are now you will be. I definitely am.

Guinness Beer Takes Advertising To An Emotional Level With Latest Commercial

Originally published on PopWrapped.  25 September 2013.

These days it takes a lot to make viewers watch an entire ad. Guinness’ latest commercial, however, will have you glued to the screen.

Part of their “Made of More” campaign, Guinness has constructed a heartwarming commercial that rightfully and wisely waits until the last moment to mention the product. Instead it focuses on the group of young men playing a vigorous game of wheelchair basketball. The Cinema Orchestra’s “To Build a Home” plays poignantly and perfectly in the background. Then the ad’s twist sent a surge of emotion through me.

For a commercial about beer, it is particularly powerful.

See the ad below: