Oliver Stone’s new movie “W.,” the story of George W. Bush, has been getting a lot of attention–good and bad–before its release.  Nobody really knows what to make of the movie.  Some believe it’s a satire, some a comedy, and others a life story.  Stone maintains that it’s a life story, highlighting the flaws and patterns of Bush, his family and his administration.  The only problem is, it’s very hard to tell what the intention really is.  Obviously President Bush has a reputation for mixing up his syntax and pioneering his own make-shift words, but one must wonder how much of this movie is based on the research of Bush’s real words and phrases, or speculation and creativity on the part of Stone and his screen writers. Moreover, I’m sure the impersonations–no matter how real or melodramatic–are hilarious in and of themselves.

One critic who feels this supposed unbiased depiction of President Bush is flawed is Jeb Bush, the younger brother of George W.  He said he thought the themes in the movie are a load of “hooey.” Others believe the depiction is just a harmless, entertaining glimpse of Bush.

Though Stone has a stacked resumé of films about presidents, this is the first one about a sitting president.  This is extremely unique because we are actually living and experiencing many of the things that are depicted in the movie right now.  We still see the same people on the news, and we still deal with the same crises.  I believe that the timing factor will give this movie the publicity and notoreity it needs to be successful, simply because people are curious right now to see how Bush is being portrayed, and how his legacy will look.

I find it kind of ironic that “Family Guy” airs on FOX.  The sitcom is probably the most far-left show on television, and everybody knows the far-right stereotype of FOX.  In the past, “Family Guy” has made fun of FOX’s stereotype in many episodes.  FOX even cancelled “Family Guy” for two seasons a few years ago.  However, when “Family Guy” DVD sales skyrocketed, FOX came crawling back.

The funny thing is, despite the bad blood between the conservative network and the liberal producer, FOX and Seth McFarlane recently came to quite an agreement.  FOX offered McFarlane a massive contract through 2012 that makes him the highest-paid television producer of the time.  From a publicity standpoint, I think this helps FOX.  Maybe this will finally help them drop the stereotype of the most conservative network.  And maybe some liberals will start indulging in a little “FOX News” along with their daily dose of CNN.

Whether or not you think Sarah Palin murdered Joe Biden in the debate this past Thursday night, or vice versa, it doesn’t matter.  Most people tend the think the debate was close enough to keep most people on the same party side they were before, and to leave undecided voters still…undecided.  However, there is one key difference in the vice presidential candidates:  Publicity.

How many articles have you read on Joe Biden?  I think I read one or two when he was first chosen as Obama’s running mate.  Now, how many articles have you read on Sarah Palin.  Too many for me to count.  Anyway, that isn’t even the point.  The point is, Sarah Palin is making it big online!

The comedy show Saturday Night Live, with the help of comedian Tina Fey, is currently in the process of making it’s third Sarah Palin spoof.  The first two–one of Palin speaking aside Democrat Hillary Clinton, and the other of Palin’s interview with Katie Couric–have together attracted over 1 millions views on “YouTube.”  The third one, which is set to be a spoof on the vice presidential debate, is already collecting buzz online.

The fact is, people love Sarah Palin’s accent and old-timey speech patterns.  Whether or not she will be a good vice president, this publicity is helping her candidacy immensely.  Every American knows who Sarah Palin is, and unless she crashes and burns sometime between now and November 4th, I believe this publicity is a huge boost for the McCain campaign.  What do you think?

The British comedian, most well-known for his role as Ali G, in “Da Ali G Show,” is currently in the process of making a series of reality comedy movies.  Cohen, 36, plays the role of several different characters on “Da Ali G Show.”  Because of the great success of the show, Cohen decided to make separate movies for his most popular characters.  His first movie, “Ali G Indahouse,” featured Cohen mostly playing character of “Ali G,” an awkward talk-show host who brings people with radically different beliefs to his talk-show in order to ask them ridiculous questions and make them mad.  Later, he came out with huge hit comedy “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.”  In this one, he played the character of “Borat,” a racist reporter from Kazakhstan who tours America asking people ridiculous questions that usually spurt their anger.

Now, Cohen is at it again.  This time, he is playing the part of Bruno, a gay Austrian fashion show presenter who asks provocative questions in order to embarrass his interviewees, or display their ignorance for common knowledge.  The genius tactic that Cohen uses to promote his movies is…reality.  The stunts and scenes in his movie are mostly real and unscripted, so when he does real-life ridiculous things, he often gains media attention.  Just Thursday, Cohen was “removed” from the stage and taken to the police station after “jumping onto stage and strutting along the catwalk in character” at a Prada fashion show.  If you Google Cohen’s name right now, 142 article related to this stunt show up.  And of course, the video is already on “YouTube.”  THAT is publicity.  The next day, Cohen sparked publicity again for bursting into a dressing room uninvited at the same event.

Stay tuned for more outrageous publicity stunts from Cohen, as they are sure to be entertaining and plentiful.  Also, gear up for the new movie “Bruno: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Males Visibly Uncomfortable in the Presence of a Gay Foreigner in a Mesh T-Shirt,” set to release in the summer of 2009.

Actor David Duchovny’s career hasn’t changed much since he entered the entertainment industry as Fox Mulder–a young FBI agent whose sister was abducted by aliens–in the hit sci-fi series “The X-Files.” The only difference is he now chases women instead of aliens.  In “Californication,” Duchovny, now 48, plays Hank Moody, a one time best-selling author who gives up writing and a stable relationship to relive the single life.  Throughout the show, he develops an addiction to sex and must try to balance the four main aspects of his life: his addiction, his daughter, his ex-girlfriend and his career.  It seems pretty simple until the irony.

Last month, the married actor checked himself into rehab for sex addiction.  I guess all those mock love scenes finally took their toll.  The good news for Duchovny is that his wife, Téa Leoni, thinks that her husbands sex addiction is “very exciting.”  From a publicity standpoint, it can’t hurt.  It would be like Michael Jordan playing the role of a basketball star, only to find out that he really is a basketball star.  As a matter of fact, today Duchovny landed a role with Demi Moore on a new show called “The Joneses.” This is also a little ironic, because the show is actually about the perfect family.

I don’t know how Duchovny’s recent publicity will affect “The Joneses,” but so far, it hasn’t seemed to affect his career.  The exciting news is, we will see if it affects the success of “Californication” when the second season premiers on September 28th, 2008.

It’s no secret that “LOST” is one of the most popular shows on television right now.  But why?  Is it because of the compelling storytelling by the recently strike-stricken writers?  Definitely not for “LOST” co-star Alan Dale, who recently said that he “got sick of following it” when, in the third season, “it went through a lull in scripts.”  Perhaps it’s the mind-boggling, thought-provoking twists that occur no less than every 12 minutes during the show?  Maybe for some, but not me.

It’s the addiction.  Make no mistake, these writers are masters of creating mental addiction within their viewer’s minds.  This little component keeps the buzz going for “LOST.”  I don’t know about you, but I enter a state of mental anguish every time an episode ends.  And when a season ends, I’m devastated.  This is because “LOST” episodes offer no closure.  Without closure, one can’t be satisfied.  As a result, people tune in every episode hoping that maybe for some awe-inspiring reason, the writers of “LOST” decided to grace it’s viewers with a little closure.  And when they can’t be watching it, they’re talking about it.

I’ve been mentally repressed with “LOST” withdraw ever since the ending of season 4.  That being said, you’ve got to give it to them.  J.J. Abrams knows the game.  The people in charge of keeping “LOST” popular know how to keep the show buzzing.  Whether it be a new twist, another character killed off the show or a character brought back to life, “LOST” always seems to be catching buzz–at least during the season.

The main difference between “LOST” and comedy shows like “Family Guy” or “The Office,” is if you miss a “Family Guy” episode you can tune in next week and it will be just as funny.  But missing a “LOST” is like missing a night’s sleep; all you can think about the next day is sleep, and when you finally indulge in a 12 hour slumber, you’re still tired when you wake up!

We all have different opinions on why “LOST” is so groundbreaking, but only one thing is for sure.  Nobody knows what to expect when “LOST” returns for season 5 on February 4, 2009.