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Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Adam Lambert And The Woodie Awards: This Week's Deep Cuts
20 November 2009 3:04 PM, PST
Look, we all know what you're doing this weekend. You're not preparing for Thanksgiving, raking the last of your leaves before the snow arrives or indulging in this year's batch of Beaujolais Nouveau. Rather, you're going to be at your local cinema watching Taylor Lautner's perfectly-sculpted abdominal muscles in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon." And we can't blame you — it's a heck of a roller coaster ride through teenage angst and vampire mythology. But in between screenings (because you're obviously seeing it more than once), you should catch up on everything you missed this week here on the Newsroom blog.
» Last weekend saw a couple of cool-looking flash mobs in honor of Janet Jackson's Number Ones, and we had a first-person account from one of the dancers. (Be sure to catch Janet this Sunday on the American Music Awards, where she'll open the show.)
» MTV mourned the passing of comedian, »
- MTV News
50 Cent's Entourage And Marv Albert Butt Heads At 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'
20 November 2009 2:40 PM, PST
In perhaps one of the oddest moments of the week, 50 Cent's crew got tangled up with longtime basketball announcer Marv Albert backstage at "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Wednesday (November 18). 50 and Marv both appeared on the show that night, and according to the Los Angeles Times, Albert received a chilly reception from 50's entourage when he arrived at the studio. Apparently, they didn't recognize the venerable voice of the NBA, and they were under the impression he was trying to impose on 50's interview. So when the broadcaster entered the building, what went down? Punches were thrown, obscenities were spat out and things got quite hostile.
Although the details remain unclear, the 68-year-old Albert was in the middle of it all. Even when a Kimmel staffer identified Albert, 50's entourage remained unswayed. Somehow, Albert got out of there unscathed, remarking, "Did you see that? I thought they were kidding, »
- MTV News
Lady Gaga Gets A Tribute From 3Oh!3 At Woodie Awards
20 November 2009 2:03 PM, PST
At the taping of the 2009 mtvU Woodie Awards on Wednesday night (November 18), there were a handful of memorable moments that captured both the madcap energy of the show and the envelope-pushing nature of the artists involved. There was the near-nudity of Matt and Kim's backup singers, the curse-happy introduction Mary-Louise Parker gave for the Dead Weather and Asher Roth's stage dive. One of the most head-turning moments of the night came when Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte — otherwise known as 3Oh!3 — stepped onto the stage to present the Left Field Woodie (which ended up going to fiercely independent rapper Tech N9ne).
The pair were introduced and appeared on the stage at the Roseland Ballroom wearing two outfits that Lady Gaga wore at the Video Music Awards back in September. Foreman donned the strange white bird's nest outfit, while Motte was wrapped in that full-body red lace stocking (which he »
- Kyle Anderson
Adam Lambert Will Bring Dancers, Sexiness: The MTV News Quote Of The Day
20 November 2009 1:21 PM, PST
"It's gonna be sexy, I think. The wardrobe is amazing. I'm working with 10 dancers that I'm so impressed by. I was looking for a certain sensuality — five guys, five girls and they're all incredible."
-"American Idol" runner-up and For Your Entertainment mastermind Adam Lambert, telling MTV News about his upcoming performance on this Sunday night's American Music Awards broadcast, which marks the first time he'll sing in prime time since the "American Idol" finale in the spring. It'll be a big week for Lambert, as he will perform on Sunday and then drop his debut album on Monday, challenging a number of other high-profile artists (including Rihanna, Susan Boyle, Beyonc&233;, Lady Gaga and Shakira) to a Thanksgiving-week sales war. Lambert also talked about the band he brought together (the same group he just debuted online). "I auditioned a band a couple weeks ago that I've been working with, »
- MTV News
Miley Cyrus' Tour Bus Crash The Latest In A Sad Line Of Rock Tragedies
20 November 2009 12:50 PM, PST
Early this morning, one of Miley Cyrus' tour buses crashed in rural Virginia. The vehicle was carrying several members of Cyrus' production crew but not the singer herself. The driver of the bus is dead and one of the crew members was sent to the hospital.
There are all sorts of tragedies that are inherently tied to rock music (overdoses, car crashes, production accidents and the like), but there have been far too many incidents involving tour buses. It shouldn't be shocking, as they are unruly mammoths forced to push forward (usually in the middle of the night) over all manner of terrain for hours and hours at a time. They're difficult to handle and difficult for other drivers to deal with.
Last week, Canadian singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk updated her MySpace blog to let fans know that her tour bus had run off the road (she blamed the »
- Kyle Anderson
Beyoncé, Asher Roth Helping To Bring Stage Diving Back
20 November 2009 11:41 AM, PST
When Beyoncé took the stage at the O2 Arena on Monday (November 16), she not only brought Kanye West and Jay-z on stage with her, but also busted out a big concert trope that seems to have gone by the wayside but may be making a comeback. In the middle of "Halo," she ran directly at the crowd and hurled herself onto the outstretched hands of the mass of fans in a stage dive.
Stage diving used to be a common occurrence during the alt-rock era, which saw frontmen like Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain channeled the spirit of Iggy Pop and constantly tossed themselves at the swirling crowds at their shows. But at some point around the turn of the century, stage diving got a bad name. It's possible that Fred Durst sunk the whole concept, as he famously used a piece of the security fence to surf across the »
- Kyle Anderson
Kris Allen Helps Me Eat A Cake
20 November 2009 10:45 AM, PST
A week ago, a group of David Archuleta fans surprised me (and my co-workers) with a stream of goodies, from flowers to gourmet cupcakes to Kenny G Christmas albums.
Kris Allen fans decided to take a page from "Teen Witch" and play "Top That," metaphorically speaking. The result was a delicious early birthday cake that read "Happy Birthday Jim! #KrimForever."
Since Krim (the nickname Kris Allen gave our little tag team) was about to have another playdate in the form of an interview, I figured I should wait for Mr. Allen's arrival before I dug in. This caused a lot of angry sighs from my mooching co-workers (who now act way too entitled when it comes to tasty treats from "Idol" fans, if you ask me).
After Kris spoke about his fantastic new CD (in stores now), it was time to indulge! Now if only we had silverware.
Watch »
- Jim Cantiello
Spotted: Jennifer Lopez Readies For An Ama Rumble
20 November 2009 10:02 AM, PST
Every day a multitude of stars wanders through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.
The American Music Awards are rarely a high-profile event, but that changes this weekend. Sunday night's show features a handful of high-profile performances by Janet Jackson (who will open the show with an eight-minute presentation), Adam Lambert, Rihanna, Jay-z, Shakira, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and Eminem (among others). Jennifer Lopez will also be performing (she'll roll out her new single "Louboutins" from her forthcoming new album Love?), and she spent yesterday on stage in Los Angeles rehearsing for the show. Based on the photos, the Lopez performance features a guest appearance by Michael Buffer (the "Let's get ready to rumble!" guy »
- MTV News
The 'New Moon' Playlist: Death Cab For Cutie, AC/DC And Duran Duran Howl For You
20 November 2009 9:35 AM, PST
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is out in theaters now, and is already breaking records and attracting all sorts of fervor about the ending, whether it's better than the first film and what the possibilities are for "Eclipse" (which is set to release in June of 2010 but is already being buzzed about in the "Twilight" fan community). The "New Moon" soundtrack has also been tearing up the Billboard album chart, selling half a million copies in only five weeks of release on the back of Death Cab for Cutie's excellent, moody new single "Meet Me on the Equinox." The rock-centric soundtrack also features tunes by Muse, Thom Yorke, the Killers, Ok Go, Editors, Band of Skulls and Grizzly Bear. It's an excellent batch of songs that compliments the film about as well as a soundtrack can, making it the perfect companion piece.
But here in the MTV Newsroom, we »
- Kyle Anderson
Kris Allen Reveals Why He Changed His Twitter Name
20 November 2009 8:39 AM, PST
November 4, 2009. A date that will forever live in infamy — at least for "American Idol" winner Kris Allen's 100,000 Twitter followers. That's the fateful day when Kris' Twitter name changed from the endearingly sassy "@KrisAllen4Real" to the simple, direct "@krisallen."
When Kris Allen (for real) stopped by earlier this week to chat about his major label debut (in stores now), I wanted to get to the bottom of Kris' online switcheroo. Is he fake now? Is it some elaborate "Paul is Dead"-esque hoax that will reveal itself in trippy songs and future album covers? Does his online persona feel like a five character weight has been lifted from his shoulders?
What follows is a funny discussion of why "4Real" existed in the first place, an analysis of the "other" Kris Allen rocking out in cyberspace and a glorious gifting ceremony in which MTV News gives Kris a little token »
- Jim Cantiello
Want An Autograph From Adam Lambert, Kris Allen Or Allison Iraheta? Enter MTV News' New Contest!
20 November 2009 7:00 AM, PST
Attention all Kradison fans! Want your favorite Season 8 "Idol" star's autograph? MTV News and Elle magazine can hook you up!
In honor of the December issue of Elle — which features a three-page spread starring Kris Allen, Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta — MTV News is holding a contest to find the #1 fan for each contestant. How can you show your level of fandom?
Easy! Pick up a copy of Elle, read Joey Zee's "A to Zee" column about each contestant's sense of style and do your best to replicate your fave's fashion in your own photo!
Are you gaga for Glambert? Flat-iron your hair, bust out the eyeliner and squeeze into your tightest leather pants. Are you a Krisbert? Rock the plaid and unbutton your shirt to dangerous depths. Or is Allison Iraheta your #1? You'll need a fiery red mane and an aura of general awesomeness.
Keep in mind we're not »
- Jim Cantiello
'New Moon' Finally Arrives, Excitement For 'Eclipse' Begins: Wake-Up Video
20 November 2009 6:00 AM, PST
Right now, this very second, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" is playing at a theater near you. Perhaps you're going to see it tonight. Perhaps you're taking the afternoon off to see it. Perhaps you're a true devotee and you've seen it already. Twice. No matter what your level of enthusiasm is, one thing is for certain: The story of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan has captured the imaginations of millions, and the hunger for the continuation of the films is real. It's telling that one of the most searched-for items on the Internet this morning had to do with the release date of "Eclipse," the already-completed third film in the "Twilight" series (for those curious, it's June 30, 2010, so feel free to get in line now).
The anticipation over "New Moon" has hit a fever pitch this week, with stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner making the rounds »
- Kyle Anderson
Adrienne Bailon Reveals Her Favorite Picks At The Lodge, MTV's Cafeteria
19 November 2009 2:30 PM, PST
By Rya Backer
Being an MTV employee has its perks: Access to concerts, meeting famous people you like, spending your day just yards away from Tim Kash. But the greatest gift MTV has given its workers is a large room on the seventh floor with a balcony the length of half a city block. It may look like little more than a cafeteria, but it's called the Lodge, and sometimes it's like a second home.
For those at 1515 Broadway, the Lodge has become the place to eat in midtown Manhattan. The staff is friendly, there's an amazing mac and cheese station, and most importantly, they have a wing bar every Friday which has made me gain approximately 40 pounds solely because of my blue cheese dressing intake.
So when my co-worker Steven and I hit the red carpet for the grand opening of the American Eagle store across the street from our building in Times Square, »
- MTV News
Vampire Weekend's 'Cousins' Video: The Key Scene
19 November 2009 1:45 PM, PST
Picking out a key scene from "Cousins," the just-premiered-today video from Vampire Weekend, is something of a mistake. After all, the spastic new clip is all about kinetic energy. The entirety of its three minutes takes place in an alley and features frontman Ezra Koenig rolling backwards and forwards on a track set up in the middle of the street. The clip mixes in a lot of low-fi cuts and funny visual gags, but one thing stays the same: It never stops moving. It's a perfect marriage of visuals to music, as the tune is a prototypical Vampire Weekend workout, full of spastic guitar twitches and rhythms that keep threatening to run away from the track entirely.
However, there is one shot that perfectly melds together just about everything that is brilliant about Vampire Weekend. During the second verse, Koenig is dressed in a tuxedo, and he holds a martini »
- Kyle Anderson
Robert Pattinson Will Bite You, Nearly Quit Acting: The MTV News Quote Of The Day
19 November 2009 1:29 PM, PST
"There are some mothers, and then also there are a couple more guys from this sequel. There was a guy, maybe a 230-pound guy who was at the premiere, kind of maybe Hispanic looking, and he was asking me to bite him as well. And so I did, and the surprising thing was, I kind of liked it afterwards. And I've been out to dinner with him a couple of times."
-Cheeky "New Moon" star Robert Pattinson, who joked around about biting people with veteran host David Letterman on Wednesday night's episode of "The Late Show with David Letterman." Pattinson has been on a whirlwind press tour to promote the second film in the "Twilight" series, which opens with a handful of sold-out shows Thursday at midnight and goes wide Friday. Though he plays a brooding undead loverman in the movies, Pattinson himself has been keeping it loose with various interviewers. »
- MTV News
Jay Sean Unveils Debut Album With A 'Pep Rally'
19 November 2009 12:33 PM, PST
By Akshay Bhansali
Yesterday, I joined a lucky band of music industry folks at the Universal Republic Records office in New York to get a first listen of songs from All or Nothing, British R&B artist Jay Sean's debut album (which hits stores this Monday, November 23). It soon became clear that the motive for the occasion was less a listening session and more a show of gratitude to the legions of the Jay Sean fans that have spent six years helping him get to where he is today.
In fact by, one member Sean's camp declared, "This is a pep rally!" For what? To help Jay Sean score a #1 album.
Jay Sean's co-manager and producer Jeremy Skaller talked through the intimate details of how Sean came to be signed by Cash Money and how the songs came to be. Probably one of the more touching stories he »
- MTV News
Hayley Williams Plays 'Left 4 Dead 2,' Sees 'A Christmas Carol' During Tour Break
19 November 2009 11:25 AM, PST
Last week, Paramore wrapped up a triumphant North American tour at the Palladium in Hollywood, California. This Sunday, they launch a European tour that will begin in Finland and will take them across the continent (including a show at London's Wembley Arena). That left a little over one week to decompress and catch up on whatever the group might have missed while they were on the road. For frontwoman Hayley Williams, that meant indulging in a handful of video games, television shows and movies that kept her occupied and helped her unwind between tour dates.
Williams has been keeping her fans abreast of her taste via her Twitter. On November 17, she wrote, "Can't stop playing 'Left 4 Dead 2,'" referencing the cricitally acclaimed zombie-hunting video game for XBox 360. "Still haven't come across the clown zombie as pictured on the back cover. He is my worst nightmare."
Two days earlier, she indulged in some cinema. »
- Kyle Anderson
Dear Adam Lambert: I Do Not Want To Tickle You
19 November 2009 10:43 AM, PST
Dear Adam Lambert,
I am so sorry about last night. My co-worker, Larry Carroll, asked if you were ticklish on the Us Weekly "Hot Hollywood" red carpet. And then things got awkward. It's all my fault.
Here's what happened.
Yesterday afternoon, my boss emailed me to say that you and Kris Allen were scheduled to walk the Us Weekly red carpet event, and that I should send Larry some questions. Given that you and I are scheduled for a sit-down interview next week (can't wait, by the way!) I didn't want to give Larry all my questions, so I jokingly emailed, "Ask Adam if he's ticklish. I'm just kidding. Don't really ask that."
Well, Larry apparently took me seriously, because he opened his interview by saying "Jim Cantiello wants to know if you're ticklish."
"That's a little creepy, Jim," you said. "I think it's a private fantasy of his. I'm unaware of it. »
- Jim Cantiello
David Cross, 3Oh!3 Set Ugly Sweater Trend At The 2009 mtvU Woodie Awards
19 November 2009 9:17 AM, PST
Last night's taping of the 2009 mtvU Woodie Awards (which went down at Roseland Ballroom in New York City) featured a handful of excellent performances, a few dozen very welcome stage divers, some almost nude people and a bunch of potty language that will certainly have to be edited for when the show airs at 10 p.m. on December 4 on MTV. One thing that certainly sets the Woodies apart from other award shows is the fashion. Because the Woodies celebrate college music and independent scenes on the fringe, it's a pretty casual affair. Comparatively speaking, it makes the Video Music Awards look like a black tie affair. Certain guests — like Mary-Louise Parker (who introduced the Dead Weather) and Zooey Deschanel (who presented the award for Breaking Woodie to Never Shout Never) — couldn't help but look glamorous, but for the most part everybody kept their threads dorm-friendly.
This was especially true of »
- Kyle Anderson
Jay-z Scores His First Chart-Topper With 'Empire State Of Mind'
19 November 2009 8:40 AM, PST
Considering how many chart-topping albums he has had and the number of smash singles he has released, it's amazing to think that Jay-z has never had a song top the Billboard Hot 100, the definitive pop songs chart. That changed this morning, as his "Empire State of Mind" took the top spot in its tenth week of release. The track, which of course features a memorable hook care of Alicia Keys, picked up a ton of radio airplay in the wake of the New York Yankees' World Series win (the team ended up adopting it as a victory anthem). Meanwhile, "Run This Town," the first single from The Blueprint 3, remains in the top 20.
While it does mark the first time Jigga has had one of his own songs at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, it's not the first time his name has been associated with the top spot. He has »
- Kyle Anderson
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