- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
- Director: Jake Sarfaty
- Album: Blackout
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=501686&vid=179677
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Britney Spears - Gimme More
The Speakmans make life fantastic
Celebrities including Kym Marsh and Kerry Katona have turned to the perky life coaches for help
Lost in Showbiz knows it may be difficult to believe, in a week where John Travolta's wife claimed their four-month-old baby could play the piano and Katie Price announced she'd already spent �37,000 this year on hairdressing, but occasionally it feels celebrities may be less intriguing than the people around them. It gazes upon the story that Mariah Carey has prepared for the imminent arrival of her forthcoming twins by hiring a psychiatrist for her Jack Russell terrier and thinks: let's hear a little bit more about the dog-shrink. What's his personal philosophy of canine psychology? Freudian? Jungian? Or the more straightforward "there seems to be one with (a) more money then sense and (b) a Jack Russell born every minute"?
So imagine the delight when Lost In Showbiz chanced upon Inspirational Life Coaches Nik and Eva Speakman, self-styled champions of the Life Is Fantastic philosophy and subject of four eye-popping pages of editorial in this week's OK! magazine. The accompanying photos of the couple seemed to give the lie to their Life Is Fantastic philosophy ? indeed, they almost immediately made LiS wonder if Life was actually Worth Living ? but who can argue with their success record? They have cured Kym Marsh of a fear of motorway driving by regressing her to her past after enticing her to drive around Lancashire in a DeLorean sports car like the one in Back To The Future. They claim to have re-programmed the brain of 2009 Apprentice contestant Ben Clarke ? he of the shrill Ulster accent and the scholarship to Sandhurst ? alas only to conquer his fear of spiders, rather than the potentially more useful function of stopping him being the kind of unspeakable div who goes on national television and says "to me, making money is better than sex", before slapping his buttocks in the apparent belief this presents an unmatchable inducement to purchase gym equipment. Nik cured a man of a phobia of urinals by making up a song about urinals and singing it to him: he's Urinal Ritchie! And they have treated Kerry Katona for bipolar disorder, by introducing unorthodox treatments that include "crazy games", "mad music', and dressing up as Father Christmas and manipulating a skeleton called Mr Bones. This was understandably a controversial move, but to the naysayers, Eva has the perfect riposte. "Back in the 50s, it was believed that it was impossible to run a mile in under four minutes. Then Sir Roger Bannister came along and did it. That year, a further five people did it as well and that was all because Roger proved it was possible. We are pioneers in what we do and we want to be like Roger Bannister."
By now, LiS wanted to be like Roger Bannister too, in the sense that it was gripped by the urge to run as fast as humanly possible to somewhere Nik and Eva weren't, but something about them exerted a curious fascination. Perhaps it was the news that they "energise all their employees by making them do the Is This the Way to Amarillo? dance in the car park every Monday morning". Perhaps it's their claim they wake up every day "feeling 20 out of 10" as a result of making a Wow List before bed. "It's a list of the Wow things, the great things in our life and ensures we go to bed happy and positive and wake up with a smile in the morning," chief among which is presumably "we live in a �2.45m mansion and own a fleet of supercars on the basis of dressing up like Father Christmas and singing songs about urinals."
LiS can only offer thanks that it hung around to get the benefit of the Speakmans' indispensable advice. It now firmly believes Life Is Fantastic, and refuses to countenance anything to the contrary, up to and including the news that the Speakmans also treated Big Brother's Nadia Almada, who subsequently tried to kill herself, having presumably forgotten to write her Wow List the night before.
"You need to make plans and things will come to you. One of our clients wanted to go up in a hot-air balloon but didn't know how to go about it. He wrote his goals down and then soon after ? apparently coincidentally ? he heard of a hot-air balloon session going on near where he lives." LiS notes the carping voices that suggest he could have saved a lot of time and, presumably, payments to the Speakmans by the simple expedient of typing "hot-air balloon" into Google and says: how dare you besmirch the incredible powers of the Life Is Fantastic philosophy?
"Don't diet. Diets are restrictive and make you food-obsessed." Instead, they told Kerry Katona to cut out all sugary and fatty foods six days a week. Again, LiS notes the carping voices claiming that sounds exactly like a diet to them, and says: perhaps you need a few minutes in the company of Mr Bones to cure your terrible negativity. To everyone else, it says: let the "mad music" and "crazy games" begin! Let's crack open the Santa costumes and start feeling 20 out of 10! Who's coming to the car park for an energising Is This the Way to Amarillo dance?
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/lostinshowbiz/2011/mar/24/speakmans-celebrities-kerry-katona
Gisele Bündchen Giuliana DePandi Giulianna Ramirez Grace Park
Justin Bieber's 'One Less Lonely Girl' Focus Of Royalty Lawsuit
Managers of the A-Rex songwriting team are looking for $200,000 they claim that they are owed from the hit song.
By Gil Kaufman
Justin Bieber
Photo: Christopher Polk/ Getty Images
Justin Bieber's hit anthem "One Less Lonely Girl" has a couple of music managers feeling a bit left out in the cold. Vance Tate and Thomas Oliveria, who represent the songwriting team A-Rex — composed of Sean Hamilton and Hyuk Shin — have filed a lawsuit seeking additional royalties from the tune, which appears on Bieber's hit 2008 debut, My World.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the managers claim that the A-Rex team created "Lonely Girl," which is credited on My World to Hamilton and Shin, along with Ezekiel Lewis, Bieber mentor Usher and Balewa Muhammad.
Tate and Oliveria allege that they are entitled to 10 percent of the publishing royalties tied to A-Rex's share of the song, an amount they peg at around $200,000. They are seeking damages for breach of contract, fraud, conversion and copyright infringement. A spokesperson for Bieber's label could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit at press time.
The suit not only names Hamilton and Shin, but also EMI Music Publishing and the L.A. Reid Music Publishing Company, which is connected to Bieber's former label boss, Antonio "L.A." Reid, who recently stepped down as chairman of Island Def Jam Records to be a judge on Simon Cowell's upcoming "X Factor" reality show.
Another Bieber song, "Pray," meanwhile, is included on a just-released all-star charity benefit album Songs for Japan, proceeds from which will aid the victims of the earthquake/tsunami disaster in Japan. The Bieber track appears alongside tunes from Lady Gaga, Eminem, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Madonna, the Kings of Leon and Katy Perry.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660842/justin-bieber-one-less-lonely-girl.jhtml
Robert Plant And Alison Krauss Win Grammy Album Of The Year
Raising Sand, from Led Zeppelin vet and bluegrass superstar, wins five Grammys on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery with MTV News staff
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant accept the award for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
"I'm bewildered," Robert Plant said onstage as he accepted the Grammy Album of the Year award with Alison Krauss on Sunday night. "In the old days we would have called this selling out, but it's a good way to spend a Sunday."
He was probably one of the few who were surprised, because Raising Sand, which won five trophies at Sunday night's show, is in many ways the perfect Grammy album. It features two respected veterans, a critically lauded producer, some sandpaper-and-velvet vocals and a baker's dozen of time-tested standards.
You're probably familiar with Robert Plant from his Led Zeppelin days, and you might be aware of producer T-Bone Burnett's work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (it won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2002). And if you don't know who Alison Krauss is, she possesses a haunting set of pipes and is one of the meanest fiddle players in the world. Oh, and she's won 21 Grammys, more than any other female artist and the seventh-most in history.
Really, she's the key to Sand's success, and not just because of her voice (or her fiddle playing). She and Plant first met in 2004, at a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to legendary bluesman Leadbelly, and the former Zeppelin man was amazed by her knowledge of American Roots music — so much so that they began kicking around the idea of recording an album together. Three years later, Sand was released.
And while Plant possesses the more famous voice, the album's finest moments radiate from Krauss. Whether she's getting bluesy on Little Milton's "Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson" or entwining with Plant's husky voice on songs like "Please Read the Letter" and Roly Salley's winsome "Killing the Blues," she more than carries her end of the bargain.
And perhaps that's also due to producer Burnett, who handpicked the 13 songs the duo cover on Sand. His arrangements are sparse — giving the two voices ample room to breathe — yet dense, warm and crackling at the same time. It's a testament to his work that he's often given just as much billing as Plant and Krauss on the project ... and it's certainly justified.
To date, Sand has sold more than 1 million copies, heaped tons of acclaim and actually earned a Grammy last year — "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" took home the award for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.
One expert was surprised not by the album's success, but by the fact that it's actually quite a good album.
"At first, the album seemed like a vanity project. ... Two names, clearly a one-off record, didn't have to be any good, you know?" New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica said. "Led Zeppelin fans would buy it because of Robert Plant, Alison Krauss would get a check. But it actually turned out to be a really thoughtful, really good record. So when you combine all that with the fact that the Grammys love to lionize one of their own, I could really see it taking home some awards."
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1604582/plantkrauss-win-album-year-grammy.jhtml
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Usher 'Got A Good Laugh' From Fan Kicking Him In The Face
'It looked worse than it actually was,' the 'OMG' singer laughs about accidental blow during concert serenade.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Usher
Photo: Jordan Strauss/ Getty Images
Usher's club-rattling jam "OMG" may "kill it every night" according to tourmate Miguel, but when the Atlanta crooner hit Madison Square Garden earlier this week, he was almost taken out by a clumsy fan.
When the singer touched down in New York on Monday, he indulged a super amped fan's fantasy by pulling her onstage for an intimate flirty serenade of "Trading Places." As Usher and the concertgoer got cozy on a recliner, she swiveled around to face the crooner — knocking him squarely in his mug with her foot. She began apologizing profusely as Usher briefly paused to collect himself. But the superstar took the strike in stride, quipping, "We play rough in the bed. We kick each other in the face and all type of good stuff."
Although Usher brushed off the blow, the moment did make an impression on him.
"In all my years, this is one of the most interesting experiences. I got a kick out of it!" he told Us Weekly. The singer assured fans that the knock wasn't that bad. "It looked worse than it actually was. My audience and I got a good laugh."
As for the fan, the "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" star maintained everything is all good on that front too. "Wherever you are baby, don't feel bad," Usher said. "No hard feelings."
As Miguel has noted, Usher isn't one dwell on drama, whether it's cranking out another hit album or weathering an unexpected hit from a fan.
"He's such a tremendous example of perseverance and determination," Miguel recently told MTV News. "I was there throughout this album, so I've seen the adversity that he's had to overcome perception-wise."
What do you think of Usher's response to getting knocked in the head by a fan? Tell us in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654395/usher-got-good-laugh-from-fan-kicking-him-face.jhtml
Will Ferrell Joining 'The Office' Full-Time?
Producers of The Office (NBC, Thursday, 9 p.m. ET) have been tight-lipped about who will replace the bumbling but weirdly lovable Michael Scott (Steve Carell) next year. It's just so hard to imagine: Who else is idiotic enough to drink out of that "World's Greatest Boss" mug -- the one you just know Michael bought himself?
Turns out it might just be that other master of idiotic behavior, Will Ferrell! While we've known for weeks that Ferrell will be doing a four-episode "guest arc" on the show starting April 14, no one really thought the Hollywood A-lister would want to take over for Carell full-time. Actually, though, Ferrell recently told Us Weekly that it's "looking good" for him to step into the job on a permanent basis.
While remaining vague, Ferrell told Entertainment Weekly pretty much the same thing. "Yes, I'm taking over," Ferrel said. "My character's name is Deangelo Vickers, he loves the American Southwest, and he's just kind of in his own way going to step into Michael Scott's shoes and try to fill them. I'm friends with Steve and a fan of the show, and I just selfishly wanted to do one episode with him, and they pitched multiple ones, and I said, 'That'd be great.'" When EW asked if that meant his stint on the show was going to be permanent, he responded, "Yeah, a regular full-time gig."
While an insider tells EW that Ferrell "might have been joking, but time will tell" the decision for Will to tackle a full-time TV gig wouldn't be so far-fetched. Ferrell has three little boys (two of whom are now school-aged) with his wife, Viveca Paulin. A sitcom job would allow him to cut back on the traveling that's often required for films and spend more time with his family. Plus, Will is certainly not strapped for money right now. According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, he's worth $80 million.
If Ferrell does step into Michael's shoes, there's no doubt he'll be able to keep up the malapropisms -- executing them with his own blundering spin, of course!
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/will-ferrell-joining-office-full-time/1-a-335996
Britney Spears' Ex Husband Keven Federline To Be A Father Again
Britney Spears' ex is certainly one fertile so and so.
According to reports, Kevin Federline is going to be a father for the fifth time.
Watch our video to get all the gossip.
Source: http://skyliving.sky.com/news-gossip/kevs-done-it-again
Emma Stone Emma Watson Emmanuelle Chriqui Emmanuelle Vaugier
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
'Sucker Punch': The Reviews Are In!
'... the ride Snyder takes you on is so vividly conceived, so deliriously bizarre and wonderful,' writes Rene Rodriguez of the Miami Herald.
By Eric Ditzian
Abbie Cornish in "Sucker Punch"
Photo: Warner Bros.
We'll say this about Zack Snyder: The guy knows how to stir up passion in moviegoers, whether those intense feelings skew toward the aggressively negative or the bow-down-before-a-cinematic-god positive. Just take a peek at reviews for the director's adaptation of "Watchmen" in 2009.
A similar disparity in critical assessments surrounds Snyder's latest offering, the fantastical battle royale called "Sucker Punch." Some reviewers are passionately defending the film and calling out the haters for simply failing to understand what the director was trying to accomplish. Many more, however, are accusing Snyder of being the one who failed to deliver.
Will you love it? Hate it? Have you somehow never even heard of it? Check out what the critics are saying and decide for yourself.
The Story
"The story centers on Babydoll (Emily Browning), an orphan falsely accused of murdering her little sister and imprisoned inside an asylum where she is scheduled for a lobotomy. Before the procedure can be completed, Babydoll disappears into an alternate reality that exists entirely in her mind. There, she and four fellow inmates (Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens and Jamie Chung) are performers in a bordello managed by the theatrical Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and run by the cruel pimp Blue (Miami's Oscar Isaac). In order to escape — the cathouse and the mental institution — the girls must first fight off winged dragons, zombies, giant ninja robots and android aliens and collect five talismans. No, Sucker Punch doesn't make any sense. But none of that matters, because the ride Snyder takes you on is so vividly conceived, so deliriously bizarre and wonderful." — Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
Storytelling Shortcomings
"The film abdicates so many basic responsibilities of coherent storytelling, even coherent stupid-action-movie storytelling, director/ co-writer/ co-producer Zack Snyder must have known in preproduction that his greasy collection of near-rape fantasies and violent revenge scenarios disguised as a female-empowerment fairy tale wasn't going to satisfy anyone but himself. Well, himself, plus ardent fans of Japanese-schoolgirl manga comics. ... You will be unprepared for a film packing this much confusing crud into a little less than two hours of solitary confinement, which feels more like dog hours, i.e., 14." — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
The Visuals
"Loaded with all kinds of visions of the fantastic and high-octane excitement, it's a visceral feast that utilizes Snyder's signature techniques with all the velocity of a fire-breathing dragon ... But 'Sucker Punch' is not just style over substance. That's an argument the film is sure to be met with, as well, but there is just as much bubbling up under 'Sucker Punch's' CG surface than there is in its sepia-toned skies. Filled with themes of empowerment, escapism, and changing the course of the typical narrative, the film rides high in its jet-propelled mech warrior, and it has much to tell us when it's done doing loopty loops around our brain." — Jeremy Kirk, FirstShowing.net
The Influences
"You could go to see 'Sucker Punch' this weekend — a lot of people probably will, and a few may even admit as much back at the office on Monday — or you could try to make it yourself, which might be more fun, though not necessarily cheaper. Here's what you will need: a bunch of video-game platforms; DVDs of 'Shutter Island,' 'Kill Bill,' 'Burlesque' and 'Shrek'; some back issues of Maxim; a large bag of crystal meth; and around $100 million. Your imagination will take care of the rest." — A.O. Scott, The New York Times
The Final Word
"Some will see the worst sort of objectification in its Victoria's Secret-esque femme front line that also includes the scantily clad corps of Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens and Jamie Chung. Others will argue that 'Sucker Punch's' sexy guerrillas represent female empowerment, to say nothing of the benefits of diet and exercise. I'd suggest the film is a wonderfully wild provocation — an imperfect, overlong, intemperate and utterly absorbing romp through the id that I wouldn't have missed for the world." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times
Check out everything we've got on "Sucker Punch."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660690/sucker-punch-reviews.jhtml
Parties & Events In Pictures
Michelle Williams is taking pride of place among the A-list this week.
Come and see who she's mingling with.
Source: http://skyliving.sky.com/news-gossip/parties-events-37
Is Jessica Simpson Planning to Elope?
Jessica Simpson may be over the moon about her recent engagement to Eric Johnson, but that doesn't mean she's prepping for a big wedding extravaganza anytime soon.
"No date has been set," Simpson told Women's Wear Daily. "We've both been married before. We're enjoying our commitment to each other. We want to take our time."
Though the fashionista, 30, says she will take on the project of creating her own wedding dress, she's not spending too much time on any other details right now.
"I will be part of designing my own wedding gown," she said. "We might elope if it gets to that point."
Johnson, 33, popped the question to Simpson in November, just six months after they met through mutual pals.
"He was out with some of my friends, and I was at home. One of my friends said, 'You should come back to Jessica’s house.' He came to the door and said, 'This is Eric Johnson,' and I said, 'Who?' And he said he was coming to hang out."
The rest is history.
"I haven't let him leave the house," she joked. "We got engaged at the house. It's one of those rare stories."
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/jessica-simpson-planning-elope/1-a-335873
Justin Bieber - Eenie Meenie
- Artist: Justin Bieber
- Label: Epic, Beluga Heights
- Director: Ray Kay
- Album: My World 2.0
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3187077&vid=512194
Natalie Zea Natasha Bedingfield Natassia Malthe Nelly Furtado
Monday, March 28, 2011
Charlie Sheen's $100 Million Lawsuit Gets Early Court Date
Looking to speed up what can sometimes be a drawn-out process, Charlie Sheen's legal team went to court earlier today (March 28) in Santa Monica, CA.
The former ?Two and a Half Men? actor?s lead attorney, Marty Singer, headed into the courtroom and asked Judge Goodman for an order to shorten the usual time it takes to reach a decision.
As previously reported, Sheen filed a public $100 million lawsuit against Warner Bros and ?Two and a Half Men? co-creator, Chuck Lorre, over his firing from the CBS sitcom - with Charlie making it clear that he wants it to be a public trial.
While WB and Lorre prefer a more detailed, private battle, Judge Goodman granted Singer his request and moved up the hearing date to April 19 (the original date was May 25).
Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay Veronika Vaeková
Elizabeth Taylor's Jewelry Collection Going to Auction?
Elizabeth Taylor was known for her violet eyes -- and her eye for jewelry. During her lifetime, Taylor, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79, collected an estimated $150 million worth of rare jewels. Now, sources tell People that the actress's jewelry collection is expected to be auctioned by Christie's "sometime in the future." Christie's has not confirmed the auction, so we don't know which pieces will be up for bidding -- but Taylor owned many a famous bauble that any collector would kill for. Here are a few of her favorite things...
- A diamond tiara given to her by third husband Mike Todd. A young Taylor liked to wear it when she went swimming.
- The Krupp Diamond, Elizabeth's favorite piece of jewelry: a 33-carat gem given to her by the love of her life, on-again-off-again husband Richard Burton. She had it mounted on a ring and wore it frequently throughout her life.
- An enormous Bulgari diamond-and-emerald necklace, also given to her by Burton.
- The giant La Peregrina Pearl, formerly owned by Spanish royalty.
- A sapphire engagement ring from second husband Michael Wilding.
Taylor was extremely knowledgeable about her museum-quality jewelry collection, which she documented in her 2002 book My Love Affair With Jewelry. One of Taylor's most famous jewels won't make it to Christie's, however: The Taylor-Burton Diamond, a 69-carat gem considered one of the world's most perfect diamonds, was sold in 1978, with the partial proceeds going to build a hospital in Botswana. The proceeds for the upcoming auction are rumored to be destined for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and amFAR.
Though collectors will be thrilled if the actress' jewels go up for auction, another group of Taylor devotees may not be so happy: her family. According to Popeater, Taylor's heirs are already beginning to feud over her substantial fortune of up to $1 billion, accumulated largely from Taylor's business dealings (like her fragrance and jewelry lines).
"Elizabeth... made arrangements to split the rest of her fortune between her four children and other charities that she cared so much about," a close friend tells the website. "But what is causing all the problems is not the money she made during her life, but rather what should happen to the millions she is going to make after her death."
In other words, the profits from future Elizabeth Taylor merchandise, film re-releases and product sales are still up for grabs -- and her children, business managers and favorite charities are all looking for their share. Even if it's only her family fighting over money, that could still be a big argument: Taylor is survived by four children, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Source: http://www.ivillage.com/elizabeth-taylors-jewelry-collection-going-auction/1-a-335767
Luján Fernández Magdalena Wróbel Maggie Grace Maggie Gyllenhaal
Celebrity And Industry Beauty News On Sky Living
Is Dakota Fanning the new face of Marc Jacobs' fragrance?
That's the gossip doing the rounds on the beauty scene.
Read all the latest industry news from our beauty insider.
Source: http://skyliving.sky.com/latest-on-hair-beauty/beauty-insider-4
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Beyonce To Star In Clint Eastwood's 'A Star Is Born' Remake
Movie will be directed and produced by the Oscar winner.
By Kara Warner
Beyoncé
Photo: Paul Warner/ WireImage
Beyoncé Knowles is headed back to the big screen and into the familiar territory of playing an aspiring singer-turned-superstar. According to Deadline, Knowles will star in a remake of "A Star Is Born," to be directed and produced by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood for Warner Bros.
The remake will be the fourth telling of the "A Star Is Born" tale, the most memorable in recent years being the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson as star-crossed lovers of sorts. It is also worth mentioning that the producers of that film, Billy Gerber and Jon Peters, are also attached to this new project. It is said to be a full-on musical with production set to begin sometime in the fall.
Naturally, the plot details are under wraps, but the original story revolves around an aspiring singer who meets and falls in love with a troubled, failing former star who helps get the young ingénue her big break in the business.
No announcements have been made with regard to the male lead, but the report mentioned that major names like Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Hamm have been floated around.
It's definitely an interesting step for Knowles but not necessarily a surprise, given the fact that the majority of her film roles have been as singers ("Cadillac Records," "Dreamgirls," "The Fighting Temptations"). While many thought "Dreamgirls" would bring awards recognition for Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson's supporting role ended up garnering the most attention. With Oscar fave Eastwood at the helm of this new project, Knowles could be in line for some hardware yet.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656365/beyonce-star-clint-eastwoods-star-born-remake.jhtml
Usher - Fed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
Fed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
- Artist: Usher
- Label: We The Best, E1 Music
- Director: Gil Green
Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=461562
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones Unveil Supergroup
Them Crooked Vultures make their debut with a post-Lollapalooza set.
By James Montgomery
Dave Grohl (file)
Photo: Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images
Officially, Lollapalooza ended Sunday night in Chicago's Grant Park, with dueling sets from the Killers and Jane's Addiction. Unofficially, it ended very early Monday morning, across town at venerable rock club the Metro, with a surprise show by Them Crooked Vultures.
To the unfamiliar, the Vultures might seem like an odd choice to close out Lolla weekend ... until you realize that they're made up of Foo Fighters frontman/ former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, Queens of the Stone Age mastermind Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin legend John Paul Jones. And their gig at the Metro was their world premiere.
According to some reports, the Vultures actually turned down Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell's request to replace the Beastie Boys as headliners at the festival, opting to debut in front of some 1,100 super-psyched fans at the Metro, rather than 75,000 in Grant Park (tickets for the gig were announced via Foo Fighter/ QOTSA fan clubs). Meaning that, in a lot of ways, this was the most sought-after ticket in town.
Taking the stage just after midnight, the Vultures — Grohl on drums (of course), Homme on guitar and vocals, Jones on bass and keys and frequent QOTSA contributor Alain Johannes on guitar — ripped through 12 songs in 80 minutes, all taken from their upcoming debut, which may or may not be called Never Deserved the Future, and may or may not be hitting stores on October 23 (early "promo" videos touting both those facts were revealed over the weekend to be hoaxes perpetrated by QOTSA fans).
The songs, with appropriately Homme-ian titles like "Scumbag Blues," "Mind Eraser (No Chaser)," "Caligulove" and "Interlude w/Ludes," sounded pretty much how you'd expect, given the band's pedigree. They rocked, hard — Chicago Tribune critic Greg Kot described them as "fresh, invigorating and just plain nasty" — delving off into psychedelic, reverb-filled excursions and exploring proggy territory, "both of the old-school Yes variety, and the more modern Tool flavor," according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Jim DeRogatis.
It's not known if Monday's Metro performance was a one-off event for the Vultures — there have been whispers of a full-blown tour, but a spokesperson for Homme had not responded to MTV News' request for comment at press time. Nor was it clear whether or not they'll have an album out in October.
Early Monday, a Crooked Vultures Twitter account, which had previously posted links to the band's official-looking Web site and the Metro's online ticketing site — posted a link to what appears to be the group's first bit of official merchandise: a Deserve the Future T-shirt. Cost: $30.
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsBeyonce To Star In Clint Eastwood's 'A Star Is Born' Remake
Movie will be directed and produced by the Oscar winner.
By Kara Warner
Beyoncé
Photo: Paul Warner/ WireImage
Beyoncé Knowles is headed back to the big screen and into the familiar territory of playing an aspiring singer-turned-superstar. According to Deadline, Knowles will star in a remake of "A Star Is Born," to be directed and produced by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood for Warner Bros.
The remake will be the fourth telling of the "A Star Is Born" tale, the most memorable in recent years being the 1976 version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson as star-crossed lovers of sorts. It is also worth mentioning that the producers of that film, Billy Gerber and Jon Peters, are also attached to this new project. It is said to be a full-on musical with production set to begin sometime in the fall.
Naturally, the plot details are under wraps, but the original story revolves around an aspiring singer who meets and falls in love with a troubled, failing former star who helps get the young ingénue her big break in the business.
No announcements have been made with regard to the male lead, but the report mentioned that major names like Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Hamm have been floated around.
It's definitely an interesting step for Knowles but not necessarily a surprise, given the fact that the majority of her film roles have been as singers ("Cadillac Records," "Dreamgirls," "The Fighting Temptations"). While many thought "Dreamgirls" would bring awards recognition for Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson's supporting role ended up garnering the most attention. With Oscar fave Eastwood at the helm of this new project, Knowles could be in line for some hardware yet.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656365/beyonce-star-clint-eastwoods-star-born-remake.jhtml
Friday, March 25, 2011
Selena Gomez Says Justin Bieber 'Understands' Her
'He's been in my life for so long,' Gomez said on 'Late Show With David Letterman.'
By Jocelyn Vena
Selena Gomez on the "Late Show With David Letterman" Wednesday night
Photo: CBS
When Selena Gomez stopped by "Late Show" to chat about her latest single, "Who Says," David Letterman couldn't resist bringing up Justin Bieber's name. And while she wasn't too forthcoming with details, she did give some insight into why she cares so much for her boyfriend.
"Oh, that's cute," she said when showed a picture of the teens at the Vanity Fair Oscar party last month. "It was like a little prom night, wasn't it? Looked like it."
Letterman then wondered how long she and Bieber have known one another. She said, "Almost, like, two years now." Letterman pressed further, asking how they met. "Actually, his manager called my mom, who's my manager," she explained, before Letterman joked, "I heard he was your paperboy."
"I'm blushing!" she said.
"Are you dating or not dating?" Letterman asked again, and Selena danced around the answer. "He's been in my life for so long, and it's just nice to have someone that understands what you're going through."
"This is not my first rodeo, you can talk to me about these things," Letterman quipped as she laughed. Then he promised not to go any further in his Bieber-related questioning.
Both stars have been as quiet as possible about the true nature of their relationship, though they have been spotted out on dates together. Earlier this month, Gomez was by Bieber's side as he celebrated his 17th birthday. And while on tour abroad, Bieber tweeted a message to her, noting how much he missed her.
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660075/selena-gomez-late-show-david-letterman.jhtml
Justin Bieber Causes Fan Frenzy In Liverpool, England
Police confirm to MTV News that fans are gathered outside the star's hotel.
By Jocelyn Vena
Fans outside Justin Bieber's hotel in Liverpool
Photo: Mercury Press/PacificCoastNews.com
Justin Bieber is in Liverpool, England, on Thursday (March 10) for his world tour, and his fans are very happy about it, which might explain why they've gathered in an abundance outside his hotel room.
A rep for the Merseyside Police department confirmed to MTV News that there are "large number of fans" outside Bieber's hotel, though she "wouldn't say it's a riot situation, yet." Funny enough, this is all going down at the Hard Days Night Hotel, named after the movie that chronicled the Beatles' encounters with mobs of fans.
"Merseyside Police has been called to North John Street in Liverpool City Centre to ensure control of a crowd that has gathered outside the Hard Days Night Hotel. North John Street has been closed to traffic and police would urge the public to avoid the area if possible," a statement sent to MTV News reads. "Officers are working with the management of the hotel and with Justin Bieber's security team to ensure his safety, the safety of other guests and of the crowd."
According to TMZ, in order to keep the peace, Bieber's camp is following police orders. And though the gossip site said arrests could be made if anyone in his camp tried to elicit further response from the fans by going on the balcony, the police said, "Merseyside Police has at no time threatened to arrest Justin Bieber or members of his management team."
Bieber himself was the first to expose the craziness online when he posted a photo of his fans, gathered in droves outside his hotel. "This is crazy. There are like thousands of people out there. love everybody but gonna try and get some sleep. please dont scream. Lol," he tweeted and later reiterated, "THIS IS CRAZY!"
This is hardly the first time Bieber has had his fans in a frenzy. He caused quit a stir during a trip to the mall in Kitchener, Ontario, on Boxing Day in December. Prior to that he had to shut down an appearance at a Long Island area mall in late 2009, followed by a canceled in-store signing in Paris in February 2010. He caused Bieber Fever in Australia and New Zealand last April and had fans all worked up in September, when he stopped by an Edmonton, Alberta, Hooters for some grub.
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659619/justin-bieber-causes-fan-frenzy-liverpool-england.jhtml
Keri Hilson's Sexy New Video With Chris Brown Debuts
In the 'One Night Stand' clip, the two singers have a steamy encounter and trade dance moves in an industrial garage.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Keri Hilson
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ WireImage
Keri Hilson needed a fix in her "One Night Stand" video and Chris Brown was eager to be her mechanic. The blond-haired singers exchange steamy glances in the Collin Tilly-directed clip and, after finding each other, they join forces — Neo and Trinity style — for a dancing breakdown.
The video begins with Hilson lying down and Brown on top of her as the F.A.M.E. star caressing her and they clasp hands. The camera then quickly cuts to images of Hilson straddling her younger co-star.
As the song's first verse starts, however, the pair are in separate scenes: Hilson, sporting a black fur coat, is standing in the middle of a dark and smoky street, while Brown, in overalls and a tank top, is underneath a car in an auto garage.
"Tell me how you like it, baby/ Do you want it fast or slow?" Hilson sings.
"I'll give it to you all night," Brown chimes in with an ad-lib.
Midway through the clip, the two intertwine at an industrial warehouse in matching black outfits and sunglasses.
"You should stay another night with me," they both sing. "A one night stand is all I need." A tag-team dance then ensues.
After both singers pirouette and dip and dive, Brown towers over Hilson and swings his arms over her as she ducks. She then raises up and swings her arms over Brown, who leans back to avoid Hilson's movements in slowed-down "bullet time" action.
The "Pretty Girl Rock" star has always been an ardent Brown supporter. This past December, three months before the "Good Morning America" incident, Hilson told MTV News that the embattled singer had matured since his controversial altercation with Rihanna in 2009.
"People are already putting [Brown] back in their good graces, 'cause they see his remorse," Hilson said. "And I know people are saying, 'Is he really a man? You have him on your album.' I mean, yeah. To me, a man is someone, you don't go backwards in life. You learn from your mistakes, and you don't do it again. You show remorse, and you move on. You move forward onto bigger and better things. That's a man trait."
What do you think of Hilson's sexy new video with Brown? Share your opinions in the comments.
Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660687/keri-hilsons-sexy-new-video-with-chris-brown-debuts.jhtml
Smiley Culture, Jeff Buckley ? why the death of a star can leave you in tears
It's a weird and uncomfortable feeling for a journalist when a musician you have interviewed has died
When news of Smiley Culture's death during a police raid broke on Tuesday, I was as shocked as anybody. He'd only had two hits in the 80s, but his singles Police Officer and Cockney Translation pioneered a cheeky, narrative street style that reverberates through pop today. They were great, great singles and the manner of his death was shocking. But something else troubled me about his passing. Just months ago, I'd been speaking to Smiley on the phone.
For a journalist, it's a weird and uncomfortable feeling when someone you've interviewed has died. On the one hand, an interview is a short, transient, sometimes even formal process. I must have had Smiley on the phone for all of 20 minutes. But sometimes, even in short encounters like that one, artists tell you things about themselves and open up emotionally. When they subsequently die, especially in such shocking circumstances as Smiley, it's hard not to feel a personal connection, even grief.
The one that really got me was World of Twist's singer Tony Ogden, who passed away in 2006 and whose music and death affected me so much I felt compelled to go to his funeral. Although they never made it big, the Manchester band played one of the best gigs I saw in the 1990s, at Leeds Warehouse. Sons of the Stage (currently being played live by Beady Eye) is one of my favourite singles of all time, and only months before his death Ogden had been reminiscing on the phone. He sent me a CD of his new music and I promised to give him an opinion, but somehow lost his number. He left me messages ? always beginning, "Dave, it's Tony O," ? but never left a return number. I tried to get a message to him through his old record company, to no avail. When he died, my girlfriend found me in floods of tears. The death of someone I never even met had affected me terribly. I felt I'd let him down.
It's no easier when you've met them personally. In 1994, I interviewed Jeff Buckley for what must have been hours. There was a different connection to normal because we'd both lost fathers when we were very young, and, as a new artist, he'd never been interviewed about this before and opened up for ages. I saw him a few times after that and while it would be an exaggeration to say we were friends, I still remember how he ruffled my hair in affection before a gig in Dublin. He's been dead for 14 years ? after plunging into the Mississippi river ? but barely a week passes in which I don't think about him in some way.
When stars you've interviewed die, the chances are they haven't passed away happily at the end of a long life with a pint of beer in their hand. They have probably died young, often in shocking circumstances. I remember Lush's drummer Chris Acland as a cheery, easy-going guy who could talk for hours about punk rock, which doesn't square at all with his 1996 suicide. Similarly, the Michael Hutchence I spent a memorable night drinking with in 1994 just doesn't square with the troubled character who, just three years later, would die a strange and lonely death.
I suppose this tells me that whatever people tell a journalist about their deepest feelings and however much you think you've bonded, you never really know them, and it's naive to feel you do. Meanwhile, their music and articles about them continue to keep them in your memory. When I spoke to a chatty and amusing Smiley Culture last summer, I never expected to be penning his obituary this year. It feels like a bad dream you suddenly expect to wake up from. I'd love to be able to pick up the phone again and ask: "Smiley, you came across like a really happy-go-lucky guy. This week, what the hell happened?"
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/mar/17/smiley-culture-jeff-buckley-death-star
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Usher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement'
Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like 'Yeah!' and 'OMG.'
By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: MTV News
With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."
It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now.
"I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.
"It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev."
Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked.
"Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise."
Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658043/usher-rev-pop.jhtml
Vanessa Hudgens says she?s still single after Efron split?
[Images: X17online Words: Staff Writer]
Recently it was rumoured that Vanessa Hudgens was secretly dating someone called Josh Hutcherson.
Recently it was rumoured that Vanessa Hudgens was secretly dating someone called Josh Hutcherson.
But in a new interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Vanessa ? who was at the premiere of her latest film Sucker Punch in LA last night - dismissed those claims saying:
?Aww, I love him. We just did a movie together and we had the best time? she added: ?I?m single!?
So it was just a brief fling then? Or are we reading too much into what she said? Anyway, despite her recent break-up from Zac Efron, Vanessa says she?s managed to stay friends with her ex:
?We?re good. After being in a relationship with someone that long, you stay friends.?
That may not last forever though!
FIND US ON >> Facebook... Bebo... MySpace... Twitter...Source: http://www.mrpaparazzi.com//blog/index.aspx?postID=14527
Justin Bieber Tweets Selena Gomez Message, Drake Lyrics
"I miss you," the Biebs posted to Gomez while on tour in Europe over the weekend.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez hit Twitter over the weekend and the world let out a collective, "Awwww!"
The Biebs, who recently took his act to Europe for his tour, seemed like he was missing his lady love and was not afraid to show it. On Sunday, he tweeted this simple message for Gomez: "I miss you."
Selena didn't let the post go unnoticed, as she very publicly responded to her beau's online note just hours later. "I miss all of y'all," she wrote.
When he wasn't busy flirting with his lady on Twitter, Bieber was busy tweeting a series of lyrical snippets from Drake songs after posting a note that read, "favorite drizzy lines." He also solicited fans' favorite lines from the Canadian MC's tracks.
Among the Drake tracks Bieber tweeted quotes from were "Successful," "Shut It Down," "The Resistance" and "Over."
"I want it all thats y I strive 4 it, Diss me and you'll never hear a reply 4 it," he wrote. "This lost boy got fly without Peter Pan and my delivery just got me buzzing like the pizza man ... You feel the hours pass until you find somethin' I feel like when she moves, the time doesn't ... That's word to the millions that they puttin' up I'm tryna be better than good enough ... I could teach you how to speak my language; [Rosetta] Stone I swear this life is like the sweetest thing I've ever known."
In addition, Bieber took time to thank his fans for all their support and also shared his latest plans for his look. After causing a stir recently when he cut his hair, Justin revealed that he intended to undergo another hair-related style change. "Im not shaving for a month so you all can see my mustache... im pumped," he shared.
What do you think about Justin's latest series of tweets? Tell us in the comments.
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659319/justin-bieber-selena-gomez-twitter.jhtml
Portia de Rossi Rachael Leigh Cook Rachel Bilson Rachel Blanchard
Biog Zachary Levi
IN REAL LIFE….
Full Name: Zachary Levi Pugh.
Born: 29/09/80, Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA.
Source: http://skyliving.sky.com/chuck/biog-zachary-levi
Vanessa Marcil Vanessa Minnillo Vanessa Simmons Veronica Kay
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
2011 MTV Movie Awards Voting Begins Today!
Starting Tuesday, fans can choose the nominees for Best Kiss, Best Line and more.
By Eric Ditzian
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"
Photo: Summit
The power of the Golden Popcorn is once again yours! Starting today, we're asking you to cast your votes and select the nominees for the 2011 MTV Movie Awards in 13 categories ranging from the familiar (Best Movie, Best Kiss) to the brand-new (Best Line from a Movie).
Can "Eclipse" reprise the success of "Twilight" (seven nods) and "New Moon" (five nods) before it? Will Biggest Badass star go to Robert Downey Jr.'s sardonic, super-suited hero in "Iron Man 2," to Angelina Jolie for her acrobatic brawling in "Salt," or someone else entirely? Which star's unforgettable line — Liam Neeson's plea to release the Kraken? Justin Timberlake's insistence that only a billion dollars is truly cool? — will be the first to take home this award? For a third-straight year, it's up to you!
Here's how it'll work: Starting Tuesday (March 22) and running through April 5, you can log onto MovieAwards.MTV.com to nominate your favorite movies, stars and crazy cinematic moments. Once the final nominees are announced, head back to the site to vote for the winners from May 3 through June 4. Voting for Best Movie, however, will remain open throughout the live ceremony on June 5 — meaning you'll have a chance to affect the night's biggest prize until the very last minute.
"MTV's viewers are die-hard film buffs, and we love to see how they wield that dedication when voting for the MTV Movie Awards," said Stephen Friedman, general manager of MTV. "This year's show will once again reward movie buffs with previews of the year's most anticipated movies and one-of-a-kind moments that become pop-culture history."
The 20th Annual MTV Movie Awards will air live on Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET from the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California.
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related VideosSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660408/mtv-movie-awards-2011.jhtml
Thandie Newton The Avatars of Second Life The Pussycat Dolls Thora Birch
Bridalplasty Season 1: Ep 7 Mother in Lord Help Us
Mother In Lord Help Us.
The remaining contestants must team up with their mother-in-laws to take part in a photo shoot on Venice Beach, armed only with a Polaroid camera.
Watch episode seven of Bridalplasty on Sky Player.
Source: http://skyliving.sky.com/bridalplasty/bridalplasty-s1-ep-7
Linkin Park? U2? Ke$ha? Behind MTV's Musical March Madness Selection
With the tipoff of our tournament set for Monday, Bigger Than the Sound breaks down your favorite band's chances of busting the bracket.
By James Montgomery
Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington
Photo: Frank Hoensch/ Getty Images
Last year, when we launched the inaugural Musical March Madness tournament, we did it largely on a whim.
As I wrote when I revealed my original (handwritten) bracket, the basic idea was to combine my love of college basketball, gambling and rock music (and superfluous lists) into one magical event, and it really didn't matter that I hadn't figured out how bands would advance in the tournament or even what they'd get for winning. All I knew was that it seemed like a fun idea (especially since I didn't have anything else to write my column about that week) and that somewhere, there had to be someone who cared about these seemingly disparate things nearly as much as I did.
As it turned out, there were a lot of people who cared, and when it was all said and done — thanks to the efforts of a whole lot of folks, including Newsroom blog editor Kyle Anderson, who basically decided "You know what? People should vote on this!" — not only was Musical March Madness a certified success, but we somehow even managed to get an actual trophy to present to the winners, Coheed and Cambria, too. So, really, everybody won.
Of course, given the success of the original MMM, attention quickly shifted to the 2011 tournament. Last year, I basically just threw together a list of 64 bands (65, actually; who could forget the epic Against Me!/ Creed play-in battle?). For the 2011 tournament, however, I did research, monitored album sales and basically became a Selection Committee of one. And, yes, it took way longer than I ever could have imagined.
So, with the 2011 Musical March Madness set to tip off Monday — when we reveal our full bracket of 64 bands and launch voting in first-round matchups — I decided to pull back the curtain on that selection process. Some teams have all but locked up their spots in the 2011 tournament, while others still have some work to do. In the spirit of all things bracketological, here's my up-to-the-minute look at where your favorite bands stand for this year's MMM:
The #1 Seeds
The biggest bands in the land. Last year, I gave out #1's to Nickelback, Coldplay, Blink-182 and the Kings of Leon. Somewhat surprisingly, three-quarters of them ended up losing in the opening round of the tournament (only Blink survived, making it to the round of 32 before losing to 30 Seconds to Mars). Obviously, I overestimated the popularity of some of those acts, which means that, in 2011, to be a #1 seed, you have to have proven yourself as not only a rock-solid commodity, but an actual threat to win the championship too. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to have an album either in stores or coming soon. So here are my latest contenders for top seeds:
» Foo Fighters
» 30 Seconds to Mars
» Linkin Park
» My Chemical Romance
» Arcade Fire
» Vampire Weekend
» Muse
» The Black Keys
» Blink-182
» Radiohead
» Coldplay
» Mumford & Sons
The Foos have a hotly anticipated album coming down the pipeline, as does Coldplay. Are expectations enough to make them #1's? Or will the committee recognize the breakout success of the Black Keys, Muse and Mumford? Does a #1 album and a shocking Grammy win earn the Arcade Fire a top seed? Linkin Park and MCR both scuffed a bit with their latest albums, but does that matter, especially since they're both legacy acts with loyal fanbases (and, in the case of My Chem, are tournament-tested)? And will the committee ignore the fact that, by most accounts, Radiohead's latest was a bit of a letdown or that Blink-182 may never actually release their new album? As you can see, there are still plenty of questions left to be answered.
The Old Guard
Legacy acts with something left in the tank. In 2010, time-tested faves like Slipknot, the White Stripes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, Pearl Jam, U2 and the Dave Matthews Band all got invites to the big dance based largely on reputation alone (just think of them as the Dukes or Kansases of MMM). Of course, nearly all of them got knocked off in the first round, which means that this time around, reputation isn't going to be enough to punch their tickets. Shoot, some of these acts aren't even around anymore, which means that some deck-shuffling is in order. Here are the established acts that are still fighting for their tournament lives:
» Green Day
» Dave Matthews Band
» U2
» Red Hot Chili Peppers
» Rage Against the Machine
» Kid Rock
» Pearl Jam
» R.E.M.
Some (like the Chili Peppers and U2) have announced new albums this year, while others (like DMB) are planning to take 2011 off entirely. Still, whatever their status may be, the old guard remain forces at the cash registers and on radio, even if their latest albums didn't exactly light the world on fire. And ignoring that entirely just isn't possible. So how does the committee decide which make the field of 64? Good question. I'm still trying to figure out the answer.
The New Blood
Upset-minded young guns. The 2010 MMM featured up-and-coming acts like the Young Veins, 3OH!3, Owl City and MGMT. One year later, none of them are even on the radar. Picking new bands for MMM is always a challenge, though in 2011, there seem to be a handful who have all but secured their spots in the tournament, thanks to their breakout successes. I'm talking about the likes of:
» Mumford & Sons
» Florence and the Machine
» The Black Keys
» Cage the Elephant
» Sleigh Bells
» Adele
If the tournament started today, all of the above have been in (and some may even earn high seeds). But do any of them have enough to actually win the tournament? We'll just have to wait and see.
The Bracket Busters
Bands with solid, if not spectacular, résumés (weak out-of-conference schedules, etc.). Last year, this included eventual champs Coheed and Cambria, Final Four acts like Tokio Hotel, Elite Eight bands like Panic! at the Disco and Owl City, and even Patrick Stump, who rumbled all the way to the Sweet 16. In other words, the 2011 champion could very well come from this group. Here's my list of under-the-radar threats:
» Panic! (once again)
» Weezer
» The Decemberists
» Cake
» Paramore
» Avril Lavigne
» Crystal Bowersox
» Adam Lambert
» Death Cab for Cutie
» All Time Low
Two of the above — Cake and the Decemberists — have recent #1 debuts under their belts, while others have new albums on the horizon (DCFC, ATL, Avril). Others, like Bowersox and Lambert (who made the Sweet 16 last year), command insane fanbases, which make them dangerous on any day. Lavigne and ATL still have some work to do, but I'd consider all of the acts I just mentioned as safe for now.
The Bubble Bands
On-the-verge acts that need a little help to make it in. Maybe they win their conference championship, or maybe they PayPal the selection committee some cash, but these are the bands on the brink. In 2010, that included Panic! (no new album or single), the Gaslight Anthem (up-and-comers just learning to play together) and Coheed (largely ignored by mainstream radio). Most of those bands managed to do quite well in the tournament, while others, like Hollywood Undead, Lil Wayne, Them Crooked Vultures and the National, all flamed out in the tournament's opening round. Somewhat fittingly, it's a real feast-or-famine type of thing. Here's my updated list of bubble bands:
» Cobra Starship
» Ke$ha
» Tokio Hotel
» MGMT
» Train
» Adele
» Bret Michaels
» Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
» Taylor Swift
Right off the bat, neither Ke$ha nor Swift really rock (though Ke$h does use Jack Daniels as mouthwash), which makes them long shots. Tokio Hotel have done next to nothing since last year's tournament, but was their success enough to earn them a spot this year? Bret Michaels is basically indestructible at this point, so I'd consider him a lock. Cobra Starship are largely dormant but command a big enough fanbase to warrant consideration. MGMT's last album stiffed in spectacular fashion, which places them squarely on the soapy surface of the bubble.
So, will your favorite band make the cut for the 2011 Musical March Madness tournament? As you can see, the Selection Committee still has plenty of work to do — which means that, between now and Monday, I'll be burning the midnight oil, busting out the brackets and then re-busting them once again. It'll be a chore, but I bet it will be worth it. And I hope you'll be along for the ride. Your band needs you, after all.
MTV's 2011 Musical March Madness Tournament begins Monday, March 14, when we reveal the full field of 64 bands that will battle for the championship. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite act makes the cut, it'll be up to you to guide them to glory. You can rally the troops on Twitter using the hashtag #MMM — but get ready, it's gonna be a war.
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659479/musical-march-madness.jhtml
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