The Spicy Iron Newsfeed: May 2011

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Chris Cornell Filling In For Robert Plant On Led Zeppelin Tour? That's News To Him

'I have not been approached to fill in for Robert Plant on the Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be,' singer says.
By Chris Harris

Chris Cornell
Photo: MTV News

Former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman Chris Cornell has spoken out for the first time about rumors that he's been asked to fill in for Robert Plant on a proposed Led Zeppelin reunion tour. The trek would feature original guitarist Jimmy Page, original bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham taking over on drums for his late father, John Bonham.

Cornell has been mentioned — along with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, White Stripes mastermind Jack White and Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy — as a potential Plant fill-in. Plant has already said that he wouldn't take part in the tour.

"I have not been approached so far to fill in for Robert Plant on the upcoming Zeppelin tour, but that isn't to say I won't be," Cornell told MTV News. "I've heard that from about 200 people now, and it might be one of those situations where it's just an online rumor or it might be true. But if you see anyone from Led Zeppelin around, let me know. I think I should actually fill in for Jimmy Page on the Robert Plant/ Alison Krauss tour."

Cornell's denial comes just a day after Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford confirmed reports that frontman Steven Tyler recently met with Zeppelin for an impromptu jam session. "They did it for fun," Whitford said during an appearance on the syndicated show "Todd N Tyler Radio Empire." "I actually think Jimmy wanted Steven to come over and play a little bit because I think he was trying to light a fire under Robert."

Rumors of a Zeppelin reunion tour have abounded since the iconic band played a single reunion set last year at London's O2 Arena. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider added fuel to the fire last month when he revealed that the group was thinking of touring, with or without Plant.

According to Snider, the rest of the band told Plant, " 'We're all rehearsed, we're ready to go. Here's a gazillion dollars on the table. If you don't do it, we're going out with this kid [Myles Kennedy].' "

"And he can sing the sh-- out of Zeppelin," Snider added. "They're going to hope that Robert, at the last minute, will go, 'OK,' and step in."

In a recent interview, Jones told BBC Radio Devon that a new singer was being sought to take over for Plant. "We are trying out a couple of singers," he said. "We want to do it. It's sounding great, and we want to get on and get out there."

But Jones insists that he, Page and Bonham aren't interested in finding a Plant clone. "It's got to be right," he said. "There's no point in just finding another Robert. You could get that out of a tribute band, but we don't want to be our own tribute band. There would be a record and a tour, but everyone has to be onboard."

Of course, even if Zeppelin were to approach him, Cornell might be too busy to take over vocals for the band. His upcoming Timbaland-produced solo LP, Scream, will be released within the next few months. Cornell told MTV News last month that some of his fans might consider Scream something of a departure, but he doesn't see it that way.

"It makes me happy that there's this perception that I have a group of fans that I'm now sort of throwing a curve at and what their reaction will be," he said. "But I've been in this situation so many times already. When I put out [1999's] Euphoria Morning, my main goal was to create an album that sounded like nothing I'd done in Soundgarden, and I did that. I also had that with Temple of the Dog, where I showed up with songs that weren't necessarily riff-based. And then, of course, the pairing of me and members of Rage Against the Machine had everyone sort of speculating about what that would sound like.

"It feels like I've done this so many times that when it's presented to me as being a departure, I feel that's a misconception," he added. "I feel like that's my theme at this point."

Summer Glau Sunny Mabrey Susan Ward Susie Castillo T.A.T.u.

Scotty McCreery's Hometown Enjoys Spotlight

Garner, North Carolina, rallies behind 'American Idol' season 10 finalist.
By Gil Kaufman

Scotty McCreery visits his hometown
Photo: Steve Exum/ Getty Images

Like Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery had been plugging away for years before getting his big break on "American Idol." Both of the teenage season 10 "Idol" finalists had charmed friends, neighbors and local townspeople with their precocious talent since they were old enough to hold a microphone.

The favorite to win it all, McCreery hails from the small town of Garner, North Carolina (population 27,000), and when he wasn't singing in his school's vocal ensemble or amassing a 10-1 pitching record for the Garner Magnet High School team during his starts on JV and as a junior, McCreery was busy winning local singing competitions like last summer's "Clayton Idol."

WQDR DJ Janie Carothers first heard of Scotty after he'd won "Clayton Idol," and the hometown morning show personality said the first time she heard him sing, she could tell he was something special. McCreery participated in the QDR "hometown tour" last summer, an annual event in McDonald's parking lots to raise money for the North Carolina Children's Hospital.

"It's a big deal, and when we went to Garner, we heard about this kid Scotty who wanted to sing in the parking lot," Carothers said. "He sang 'Ol' Red' by Blake Shelton and 'Your Man' by Josh Turner in a McDonald's parking lot before he went to school that day and you could just tell."

Nearly a year later, Garner has become ground zero for the McCreery phenomenon, with the entire town buzzing with excitement on performance and elimination days.

On "Idol" performance Wednesdays, QDR becomes "Scotty 94.7" to help rally the local population, which Carothers said has gone crazy for their hometown hero. "I honestly don't think he has a clue how big he's gotten," she said. "I think when people think of the South, they have certain judgments, and one of the things we're known for is our hospitality and our ability to rally together, and Garner has proven that. You walk down the streets and you can see people with stuff written on the back of cars, on storefronts, there's banners ... everyone is supporting him."

It also helps, she added, that Scotty is a good ol' country boy and all-American kid who plays baseball, sings in the praise choir in church and is just known as a sweet kid. He further enhanced his Southern gentleman cred last week when he won the coin toss for performance order in the finale and deferred to rival Lauren.

That squeaky-clean reputation is one of the reasons screen-printing business owner Paulette Disbrow turned her PKD printing shop into a virtual Scotty McCreery campaign headquarters over the past few months. With more than 1,000 people cramming into Garner Historic Auditorium every week for the past two months to cheer Scotty on, Disbrow has been supplying them with T-shirts, yard signs and buttons to help spread the word and keep the votes coming.

In keeping with Scotty's reputation as a good kid, all the money that comes in after expenses on all of Disbrow's items is going to charities of the singer's choice, including the youth mission group at his church, uniforms for his high school baseball team and cash for his high school chorus.

"He is exactly as he appears on TV," she said of the humble singer. "There's not a pretentious bone in his body. I was talking to him and his family when I did the original T-shirt design and I said, 'Do you understand where this could go and what happens if you get into the top five? You could go from being a hometown Garner boy to being famous.' And he was like, 'Aw shucks.' "

And Disbrow knows what she's talking about, since she printed the T-shirts for former "Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken when the nearby Raleigh, North Carolina, native made his run on season two.

Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams has joined the weekly viewing parties, which have swelled from a few dozen supporters to more than 2,000 over the past two months, and he's seen the town come together in a major way to support Scotty. "The majority of people here don't know him, but they know about him, and he's caused a bright spotlight to be on Garner, and ultimately he'll see it when he returns," Williams said.

He pointed to another small-town North Carolina "Idol" finalist, season five sixth-place finisher Kellie Pickler, whose hometown still sees traffic from fans who want to see the school or church she went to. "People will come looking for something to touch and feel to get a bit of Scotty McCreery, and in the process, they will stop and get a meal or a tank of gas, and in that regard, Scotty has helped contribute to the success of our local businesses."

In fact, Williams has already dubbed McCreery the "unofficial economic development coordinator" for the town while noting that the attention the singer has brought to the town of 27,000 is the most they've seen since the local high school won the state championship in 1987.

And the best part? "You can dig all day long and find no dirt on him," Williams said proudly, pointing out that the tabloids have descended looking for dish and left empty-handed. "He's a good Christian boy, who is talented and polite and energetic. We're proud of Scotty and proud of our town."

Don't miss a special edition of "Idol Party Live" Thursday at noon on MTV.com for analysis, finale red-carpet coverage and the last "Idol in 60 Seconds" of season 10. Get in the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #idolparty! In the meantime, get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664503/american-idol-scotty-mccreery-hometown.jhtml

Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi Ali Larter Alice Dodd Alicia Keys

Photos | Lady Gaga's 'Judas' Video: Decoded

Lady Gaga's 'Judas' Video: Decoded

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1663421

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Photos | Buddy Movies Justin Bieber And Ashton Kutcher Should Remake

Buddy Movies Justin Bieber And Ashton Kutcher Should Remake

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1661035

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'American Idol' Season 10's Other Winners And Losers

Simon Cowell and Jimmy Iovine didn't fare as well as Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Fox network, experts say.
By Gil Kaufman

"American Idol" Final 11
Photo: FOX

Though it has ruled the TV for much of the past decade, there were no guarantees that "American Idol" would lord the airwaves when season 10 kicked off in January. But with a champion about to be crowned in the battle of the country teens between Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery, we thought we'd convene a panel of experts to sift through this year's other winners and losers.

The Winners Fox Network: The most obvious winner, according to The Hollywood Reporter's music editor Shirley Halperin is the Fox network itself. Coming into a season of vast uncertainty following the departure of three-quarters of the judging panel, including anchor Simon Cowell, not to mention a ratings dip, the network had every reason to be concerned.

"The first big winner would have to be Fox, because everyone predicted complete doom for 'American Idol' season 10," Halperin said. "Not only are the [ratings] numbers stable, they're just as strong as last season and I have a feeling the finale will top last season."

Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez: Other winners, according to Richard Rushfield, author of "American Idol: The Untold Story," are new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. Surely the two music veterans have achieved exactly what they wanted with their unlikely new roles. For Tyler, the reinvention as America's wacky, loving uncle after four decades in the spotlight fronting hard-partying Aerosmith has not only helped his band move tons of back-catalog songs and albums, but also provided the perfect launching pad for his just-released memoir and debut solo single.

As for Lopez, whose reputation as an imperious diva whose music and movie careers had hit the skids, she has emerged as a less wacky, more loveable Paula Abdul type, whose exposure as a sensitive, caring career striver has helped garner her a smash hit single with "On the Floor" and decent returns on her new album, Love?.

"A year ago they were relatively irrelevant. Not a lot of people were talking or thinking about them," Entertainment Weekly Assistant Managing Editor Dalton Ross said about Lopez and Tyler. "And now both of them are in the spotlight, Steven's got a hit book, Jennifer's got a hit song and they're right back in the public consciousness."

Other winners: James Durbin: Rushfield called him a dark horse, a "weird, wacky" character who managed to go far on the show and make a lot of fans, with Ross predicting that the fourth-place finisher could end up on Broadway in a show like "Rock of Ages" or with some other career that's better than his bar band past.

Country music: Though there are plenty of other shows on networks like CMT that crown new 10-gallon royalty, Ross said you should "never underestimate the country voting bloc," who proved their power this year by putting both McCreery and Alaina in the finale.

Losers Simon Cowell: With "Idol" skating along just fine without him, seemingly on the cusp of crowning a champ who could become the first breakout star since ... well, the last country "Idol," Carrie Underwood, Ross suspected that Cowell is not too chipper these days. As he attempts to build up excitement for his fall "X Factor" launch, Cowell has seen NBC's "The Voice" become the new singing-show darling, and the critical and popular reception of his judging panel — consisting of former "Idol" foil Paula Abdul, little-known British singer Cheryl Cole and former music exec Antonio "L.A." Reid — has been tame at best, if not indifferent. "Everyone was really anticipating 'X Factor' coming, now 'Idol' has kept that audience ... and you look at 'The Voice,' ... it makes people a bit less excited for 'X Factor,' " Ross said.

The viewers: Halperin suggested that the American viewing public may be losing out, even if it's not the fault of "Idol" directly. "There's just too many singing shows coming at them," she said. "They have to divide their time between a lot of other entertaining programs."

Divas: "Idol" pushed a lot of big-voiced divas at viewers this year, but they failed to make an impact and fizzled out from early rounders Julie Zorrilla and Kendra Chantelle to top 13ers Pia Toscano, Haley Reinhart and Ashthon Jones.

Jimmy Iovine: Though you can argue that the savvy Iovine only helped his bottom line by ceaselessly promoting the Beats by Dre brand of headphones and microphones with heavy-handed product placement, as well as getting ample screen time for some of his artists (Lady Gaga, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and Sheryl Crow), Halperin wondered if maybe he was too invested in being a part of the "Idol" mix.

"It has yet to be determined what he will get out of this situation," Halperin said. "What I'm seeing is someone who has a record company to run and is spending half of his week working on contestants whose futures are unknown." In other words, the work for Iovine really begins when the show ends and he has to turn an as-yet-undetermined amount of his new protégés into stars. A few other potential losers:

Randy Jackson: The only remaining original "Idol" adjudicator was not only overshadowed by his new cohorts, but his signature catchphrases sounded even more hackneyed and irrelevant next to Tyler's cryptic quips and Lopez's sometimes useful, insightful career advice.

Longtime "Idol" fans: If you aren't a fan of country music, you're out of luck this year thanks to Wednesday night's showdown between the first country-strong top two in show history. With pop and R&B mostly shunted to the side in the top five in favor of James Durbin's warmed-over metal and Haley Reinhart's pop blues, fans of straight-ahead ear candy were left on the sidelines of this year's competition.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664472/american-idol-winners-losers.jhtml

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Ke$ha Is Channeling 'Sexiness' Of '70s Rock For New Album

Glitter-heavy pop star tells MTV News she's going for 'balls-out, irreverent rock and roll.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias

Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News

Ke$ha's already got the face paint down pat, and, during recent live sets, she's even taken to guzzling blood out of a human heart, so it should come as no surprise that, on her upcoming album, the pop star is taking things back to the most theatrical era of rock: the prop-heavy, arena-spanning heyday of the 1970s.

Ke$h revealed her plans over the weekend in Los Angeles, on the red carpet of KIIS FM's annual Wango Tango concert, where she told MTV News that the follow-up to her breakout Animal album (and, we suppose, Cannibal too) would be heavy on hard riffs and light on pretty much everything else.

"The next album ... I've been working on writing on the road, but as far as a sound, I just know it's gonna be balls-out, irreverent rock and roll," she said. "I've been pretty much in this '70s rock and roll kick and I just want to capture some of the true essence of what rock and roll is, and that's just irreverence and sexiness and fun and not giving a f---, so we'll definitely put a bit of rock and roll in it."

So, does that mean that fans can expect the likes of Alice Cooper or Peter Frampton to show up on her new album? Perhaps. Because while Ke$ha's new album is still a ways off, she's already begun calling in favors, hoping to line up a killer collabo for the new disc.

"I'm trying, trust me," she laughed. "I really would love to connect with one of my idols, I mean, that's my dream. I'm working on it."

What do you think of Ke$ha going rock for her next album? Tell us in the comments!

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Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Selena Gomez And Many More At Wango Tango 2011

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663946/kesha-new-album.jhtml

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'Lost' One Year Later: Why The Series Ended On The Perfect Note

by Brian Phares
There are two types of people in this world: those who liked the "Lost" finale and those who didn?t. I happen to be one of the brave few who not only appreciated the ending of one of the most seminal shows in television history, but thought it was perfect. Yes, perfect.

My question to [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/05/23/lost-one-year-later-series-finale-review/

Jennifer Sky Jenny McCarthy Jessica Alba Jessica Biel Jessica Cauffiel

Monday, May 23, 2011

Ke$ha - Blow

Blow

Artist: Ke$ha
Label: RCA
Director: Chris Maars

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=3213641&vid=628103

Eva Green Eva Longoria Eva Mendes Evangeline Lilly Eve

Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says

The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery

Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.

Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.

"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."

And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.

"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."

And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.

"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."

Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!

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Britney Spears Appears On Harper's Bazaar Cover

'I'm like everybody else,' singer says in the magazine.
By Jocelyn Vena

Britney Spears on the cover of <i>Harper's Bazaar</i>
Photo: Harper's Bazaar

She appeared pregnant and nude on the cover back in 2006, but now Britney Spears just looks happy and healthy in a low-cut white dress on the cover of Harper's Bazaar. In the latest issue of the magazine, now being previewed online, the singer opens up about her life.

"I'm pretty normal, you know? Like I said, the type of day I love is just like everybody else's. I'm like everybody else," she says in the issue. When asked about her music videos, she recalls fondness for a clip from 2001. " 'Overprotected.' I just think it says a lot. It was directed so well, it was really colorful and the dancing was amazing," she says of the splashy clip.

Spears seems content with the way fans have been reacting to her Femme Fatale album, which dropped in March. "I've worked so hard on this album, so it's really refreshing," she said. "I feel like I'm drinking a tall glass of homemade sweet tea on a really hot, beautiful day."

Spears also talked about getting in shape for her highly anticipated summer tour. "I love to dance, so it's very exciting," she said. "The tour rehearsals have been going really well. I think it will be my best show yet."

In addition to the cover shot, another image from the magazine has hit the Web. It features Spears smiling in front of a wall painted with graffiti wearing a flowing, black star-print dress.

Not only has Spears been readying her summer tour, she has also been preparing to shoot her next music video, for the song "I Wanna Go." Spears will be working with Chris Marrs Piliero (Ke$ha, the Black Eyed Peas) on the clip, which is filming later this month in Los Angeles. The track is the third single off her album, following "Hold It Against Me" and "Till the World Ends."

While she's always moving forward to the next project, Spears did take the time to reflect on one very important onstage kiss with Madonna at the VMAs nearly eight years ago. "I actually saw her a couple of weeks ago at a party," Britney recalled. "I guess she's really taught me to stay true to myself. That seems like a simple thing to say, but she taught me through action, not just by saying it. There are so many people around you that have opinions, but you just have to listen to your instincts."

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663914/britney-spears-harpers-bazaar.jhtml

Katherine Heigl Katie Cassidy Katie Holmes Katy Perry Keira Knightley

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Usher - Spotlight

Spotlight

Artist: Usher
Label: Warner Bros. Records, Asylum, Mizay Ent
Director: Benny Boom
Album: The State vs. Radric Davis

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=454171

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Photos | 2010 Grammy Award Performers

2010 Grammy Award Performers

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Photos | 2010 Grammy Award Performers

2010 Grammy Award Performers

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Britney Spears Will Reportedly Perform With Rihanna AND Nicki Minaj At The 2011 ?Billboard Music Awards?

According to a new report going around this weekend, Britney Spears will perform not once but TWICE at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, NV tomorrow. It is being reported that she will perform her remix of S&M with Rihanna (to open the show) and then again later in the show with Nicki [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/pinkisthenewblog/~3/xiXbDMOzL4E/

Lorri Bagley Lucy Liu Luján Fernández Magdalena Wróbel Maggie Grace

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Michael Jackson - Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

Artist: Michael Jackson
Label: Epic
Director: Bill Dicicco
Album: Dangerous

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1102&vid=208381

Malin Akerman Mandy Moore Maria Bello Maria Menounos Maria Sharapova

Fergie's Hot Night at Haze Nightclub

Always one to pump up the party, Stacy ?Fergie? Ferguson stepped out for hosting duties at Haze nightclub at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas last night (May 20).

The 36-year-old looked absolutely stunning as she walked the red carpet, wearing a super-sexy, formfitting black dress and pair of black strappy heels.

Fergie's husband, actor Josh Duhamel, recently dished about the duo's unsuccessful try at a romantic trip to celebrate their second wedding anniversary, telling Ellen DeGeneres, "We go to La Paz in Mexico, this beautiful resort, really private. She was like, 'Oh this is the most romantic thing you?ve ever done. I can't believe this.'"

However the happy vacation was quickly thrown of track by a sudden sickness, as Josh told, "About three hours later she's vomiting all over the place. She got sick for like a day and a half. I was like 'Happy Anniversary, babe. I?m going to surf.'"

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/fergie/fergies-hot-night-haze-nightclub-507643

Whitney Port Willa Ford Xenia Seeberg Yamila Diaz Yvonne Strzechowski

Katie Couric Signs Off CBS Evening News

Katie Couric's final night behind the CBS Evening News anchor desk unfolded like most others. For the majority of Thursday's show, there was no mention that her historic role -- as the first woman to (solely) anchor a national news show -- was coming to an end. That is, until the last five minutes.

Watch the video below to see Couric, 54, sign off for the last time, with a five-minute retrospective of her five-year stint at CBS thrown in for good measure.

"It's been an extraordinary privilege to sit in this chair, and a real honor to work with so many talented people at CBS News," Couric said in introducing the five-minute highlight reel. And when it was over, she said her last goodbye from the anchor chair. "And to all of you watching, thank you so much for coming along with me on this incredible journey," she concluded. "That's the CBS Evening News for tonight. I'm Katie Couric. Goodnight."

Watching the clips of her war-zone interviews, her investigative reporting and the tough questions she threw at high-ranking political leaders, it's discouraging to recall that ratings plummeted during Couric's time at CBS. Despite high-profile interviews with people like Valerie Plame, Alex Rodriquez and President Barack Obama, as well as that infamous interview with Sarah Palin, she never attracted the viewership she enjoyed while on Today.

Obviously, on that show, she covered a broader spectrum of stories, many of them fluffy ones. Her decision to join CBS Evening News, and focus on serious and hard-hitting news, cost her scores of viewers. The show's executive producer, Rick Kaplan, recognized that stories like the Afghanistan war aren't ratings-grabbers, but covering such issues was important and worth the effort. And despite the hit her reputation took, Couric clearly jumped in with both feet. She proved she could be a serious journalist, and hold her own in a position previously occupied only by men. Sadly, her good work wasn't rewarded with ratings.

But Couric's career is hardly over. While reporter Scott Pelley will take over her anchor spot, rumor has it that Couric close to signing a deal with ABC for an afternoon talk show -- one that might even reunite her with her former Today co-anchor Matt Lauer. Stay tuned for more news on this front...

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/watch-katie-couric-signs-cbs-evening-news/1-a-351623

Krista Allen Kristanna Loken Kristen Bell Kristin Cavallari Kristin Kreuk

Usher - Lil Freak

Lil Freak

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler
Album: Raymond V. Raymond

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=497563

Julia Stiles Julianne Hough Julie Benz Julie Berry K. D. Aubert

Friday, May 20, 2011

Lars Von Trier Condemned By Cannes Over Nazi Remarks

Director of 'Melancholia,' starring Kirsten Dunst, apologizes for sympathetic comments about Adolf Hitler made on Wednesday.
By Gil Kaufman

Lars Von Trier
Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/ Getty Images

Just a day after making controversial remarks in which he claimed to be a Nazi and appeared to sympathize with reviled Third Reich leader Adolf Hitler, Danish director Lars von Trier has been condemned by the Cannes Film Festival and banned from the annual European awards fest.

After getting mostly positive reviews for his new Kirsten Dunst-starring film, "Melancholia," the provocative director earned strong condemnation for a rambling, offensive press conference on Wednesday in which he made odd remarks about his thoughts on Hitler, Israel and being a Nazi.

"The Festival de Cannes provides artists from around the world with an exceptional forum to present their works and defend freedom of expression and creation. The festival's Board of Directors, which held an extraordinary meeting this Thursday, 19 May 2011, profoundly regrets that this forum has been used by Lars von Trier to express comments that are unacceptable, intolerable and contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that preside over the very existence of the festival," read a statement from the festival released on Thursday (May 19).

"The Board of Directors firmly condemns these comments and declares Lars von Trier a persona non grata at the Festival de Cannes, with effect immediately."

The unprecedented move of banning the director, whose Björk-starring "Dancer in the Dark" took the festival's top prize in 2000, did not, however, appear to mean that Von Trier's movie was being booted from contention. According to The Associated Press, the statement did not specify whether "Melancholia" had been pulled from competition for prizes, which will be handed out at Sunday's closing ceremony.

"The only thing I can tell you is that I thought I was a Jew for a long time and was very happy being a Jew ... but it turned out that I was not a Jew. If I'd been a Jew, then I would be a second-wave Jew, a kind of a new-wave Jew, but anyway, I really wanted to be a Jew and then I found out that I was really a Nazi, because my family is German," Von Trier said to a stunned audience on Wednesday, with Dunst sitting silently by his side. "And that also gave me some pleasure. So, I, what can I say? I understand Hitler. I think he did some wrong things but I can see him sitting in his bunker. I'm saying that I think I understand the man. He is not what we could call a good guy, but yeah, I understand much about him and I sympathize with him."

He later claimed to be joking, but the damage had been done.

Von Trier released a tepid apology a short time later, saying he was sorry if he "hurt someone" with his remarks and said he is not anti-Semitic or racially prejudiced and is not, in fact, a Nazi.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1664187/lars-von-trier-adolf-hitler-nazi-cannes.jhtml

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So a Lady and Her Monkey Walk Into a Petsmart...

I went to Petsmart yesterday to get some things for little Mary Margaret, and while I was pulling into the parking lot, I passed a lady getting out of her car with a monkey on her shoulders.

Of course I came to a screeching halt because there was a lady getting our of her car WITH A MONKEY ON HER SHOULDERS, and that's just something you don't see every day.

I proceeded to take a photo...

...but then thought it would be better to capture the craziness on video, so here it is:

Lady and Her Monkey Go to Petsmart from Karyn Bosnak on Vimeo.

When I told Mark about the lady and her monkey and showed him my movie, he said, "You really are crazy." I was like, "I'm crazy? THE MONKEY WAS WEARING A DIAPER AND PEARLS."

I mean, for real, let's put this into perspective.

Anywho, here's another photo of the lady and her monkey at the checkout counter:

I realize I now have one cat and two dogs, but at least I don't walk around with a monkey on my shoulders. (Yet.)

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/4/21/so-a-lady-and-her-monkey-walk-into-a-petsmart.html

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Johnny Depp Explains Lack Of 'Pirates' Love Story For Jack Sparrow

'It would mess up the legend,' he tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner

Johnny Depp
Photo: MTV News

It seems like just yesterday that the devilish and charming Captain Jack Sparrow and his merry band of misfits were wreaking havoc upon the open seas in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." Lucky for fans of the hugely successful franchise, Johnny Depp is back in Sparrow's pirate garb this weekend in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

When MTV News caught up with Depp recently, we got to talking about one element missing from Captain Jack's unique existence: long-term relationships with any of the bevy of beautiful women that seem to constantly surround him, like "Stranger Tides" leading lady Penélope Cruz.

"I think if we did a scenario where it was Captain Jack really falling in love, it would most likely be a silent film. I think he would go completely catatonic and be unable to speak," Depp said. "He would probably sit there and quiver for an hour and a half."

Depp said a real relationship would "mess up the myth" of Jack Sparrow. "It would mess up the legend," he said. "Which I think is always working for it, to leave the legend behind."

Sparrow's apparent commitment phobia and other unexplained issues aside, Depp said having Cruz as his onscreen love interest/ sparring partner was a gift.

"[She's] one of the greatest gifts you could get," he said of Cruz. "She's so fiery and has such spirit and such talent. Also, besides that, she's a great friend," he added. "She's so funny and so capable of anything. You toss her a curve ball, or she tosses you one, she's ready for anything, and that's a really great and inspiring experience."

Check out everything we've got on "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Britney Spears Has Created 'Her Own Genre,' Dr. Luke Says

Femme Fatale producer tells MTV News the pop star defies categorization because she's 'forward-thinking.'
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias

Britney Spears
Photo: Max Morse/Getty Images

Since Britney Spears emerged on the scene nearly a decade and a half ago, she's run the gamut of pop music: from sugary bubble-gum to dirty, sexy dance tracks. In that respect, her longtime collaborator and Femme Fatale producer Dr. Luke says that the superstar has in many respects become bigger than pop. In fact, he says it's hard to confine her to just one genre.

"I feel like Britney kind of has her own genre: If you look at songs like 'Toxic' and 'Piece of Me' and 'Oops! ... I Did It Again,' they all were sort of influential and led the way," he told MTV News on Thursday (April 28) at the ASCAP Pop Music Awards.

So when the pair sat down to work on her latest release, Dr. Luke said her pop-music shape-shifting was very much on his mind. "She wanted to keep on with that and do stuff that was forward-thinking," he continued. "So we put some dubstep stuff in there, in bridges; snuck it in different places and I hope it ended up good. I hope you like it."

It seems every time Spears drops a new album, it's declared her comeback record. But Dr. Luke noted that Brit has really never gone anywhere. "Where'd she go? I don't know. I didn't know she ever disappeared, really," he said. "She's always been selling out concerts and records, so I don't know that she ever disappeared."

So what do Spears and Luke have up their sleeve now? "Not yet ... give me a second to breathe, come up for air!" he told us.

Plus, even with Femme Fatale already in stores, it seems like the pair are always finding ways to update the songs. Take, for example, the recent remix of "Till the World Ends," which features Ke$ha (the track's songwriter) and Nicki Minaj.

"Well, we already had Ke$ha on the song 'cause she co-wrote the song ... and she sounded really good on it," Dr. Luke explained. "And then Nicki got on the Femme Fatale Tour so we put Nicki on it and it just sounded amazing. She killed it."

Which version of "Till the World Ends" do you prefer? Tell us in the comments!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662892/britney-spears-dr-luke.jhtml

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Mary Margaret

Please help welcome Mary Margaret, the new addition to the family!

She is a rescue. I'll tell you her whole story tomorrow!

Source: http://www.prettyinthecity.com/blog/2011/4/18/mary-margaret.html

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Usher - There Goes My Baby

There Goes My Baby

Artist: Usher
Label: LaFace Records, JLG
Director: Anthony Mandler

Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=1270&vid=544989

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Tuesday, May 17, 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."

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