Movies
Do you think Judd Apatow ever gets any sleep? Does he just stay up all night, sit at his computer, write and giggle to himself, taking the occasional respite to count his profits from his comedy mill? Well, here we go again. “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is the latest, although Apatow is a producer on this one, with star Jason Segel penning the screenplay. Segel plays Peter Bretter, a musician who gets dumped by blonde TV hottie Ms. Marshall (Kirsten Bell). But when he goes to Oahu to rest and allow his ripped-out heart to mend, he discovers she’s there with her rocker boyfriend. Laughs ensue. Actually, this is one of the best reviewed comedies in years, which means more money — and more sleepless nights — for Apatow. (Universal Pictures, opens Friday)
Television
I don’t recall that the competition to be editor-in-chief of my high-school newspaper was especially fierce. The debate for the top job went something like this: “I don’t want it. You take it.” “I’m not doing it. You do it.” Back and forth, until one sucker got saddled with the task. Not so at Cypress Bay High School. There the students are a lot more energized and idealistic. They have dreams of someday working at one of America’s great newspapers, where they will be either bought out or laid off. This week, with the premiere of “The Paper,” MTV takes a look at these kids as they battle it out for the honor of becoming top editor of The Circuit. Hmmm. Reality show producers finally discover the newspaper business. You knew they’d hit bottom eventually. Just kidding. A little gallows humor. (MTV, Monday, 10:30 p.m.)
Music
No job is safe. These days it is not uncommon for a chairman of the board to be ousted because stockholders are unhappy with his performance. He is sent packing, along with a multi-million-dollar golden parachute. But there is one chairman of the board who never had to worry about his title. That would be Mr. Frank Sinatra. He had the job not just for life, but for all eternity. And he’s still at it, almost 10 years after his death. “At the Movies” is a collection of 20 classic songs from 15 pictures. Some of the highlights include “The Lady Is a Tramp” and “I Could Write a Book” from “Pal Joey” and “(Love Is) the Tender Trap” from “The Tender Trap.” The anniversary of his passing is May 14. “From Here to Eternity” might be a good place to start in remembrance. (Capitol)
DVD
You know those life-sized blowup sex dolls? I’m not suggesting you know in the sense that you have one. But you’ve probably seen them in one of those magazines at work. You know the magazines I’m talking about. Anyway, imagine a guy who not only has one, but who brings it around town and treats it like an actual girlfriend. Such is the premise of “Lars and the Real Girl,” an unusual but charming comedy written by Nancy Oliver (“Six Feet Under”), starring Ryan Gosling as the man with the inflatable dream girl. “Lars” is out on DVD this week with only a mere dab of extras that includes a deleted scene and a featurette called “The Real Story of Lars and the Real Girl.” (MGM Home Video)
Books
Bin Laden is a name that stirs a reaction. If, for instance, your name is bin Laden and you show your ID at the airport, you might be directed by security to a “lounge” for a chat and a cavity search. But of course, there are other bin Ladens in the world besides the tall, bearded dirt bag currently huddled in a cave somewhere. “The Bin Ladens” by Pulitzer Prize winner Steve Coll is an examination of the clan with the now-notorious moniker, focusing on patriarch Mohamed as he built a construction empire in Saudi Arabia that eventually extended to holdings in the U.S. He eventually fathered at least 54 children by numerous wives, but only one is known the world over. Coll contrasts the rise of the legitimate bin Laden empire with the growing religious fanaticism of son Osama. The result is a revealing look at the cultures of Saudi Arabia and America, worlds apart but intertwined through commerce, ambition and tragedy. (Penguin Press)