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Celebrity Birthdays - February 4, 2012
Feb 4th, 2012
Happy Birthday to: The original 'shock-rocker' Alice Cooper (1948) Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt (1982) Singer Gavin DeGraw (1977) Rapper Cam'ron (1976) Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia (197...
Feb 4th, 2012
Happy Birthday to: The original 'shock-rocker' Alice Cooper (1948) Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt (1982) Singer Gavin DeGraw (1977) Rapper Cam'ron (1976) Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia (197...
'Nikita' Recap: 'Clean Sweep' (2.13)
Feb 3rd, 2012
Nikita is back this week, and "Clean Sweep" was an episode worth the wait, because the show looks considerably different now.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Nikita is back this week, and "Clean Sweep" was an episode worth the wait, because the show looks considerably different now.
Still Alive And Kicking: A Conversation With Jim McCarty Of The Yardbirds
Feb 3rd, 2012
The Yardbirds. Yes, the very same seminal 60’s rock outfit that helped to spawn the careers of not one, not two, but three of the most legendary guitar players in history – Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck ...
Feb 3rd, 2012
The Yardbirds. Yes, the very same seminal 60’s rock outfit that helped to spawn the careers of not one, not two, but three of the most legendary guitar players in history – Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck ...
Adriana Lima Sizzles In Teleflora's Early Super Bowl Commercial (Watch All The Early Ads Here!)
Feb 3rd, 2012
Supermodel Adriana Lima is set to heat things up on Sunday in two new, and totally unrelated, Super Bowl commercials. The first, for online florist Teleflora, features the Victoria's Secret model ...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Supermodel Adriana Lima is set to heat things up on Sunday in two new, and totally unrelated, Super Bowl commercials. The first, for online florist Teleflora, features the Victoria's Secret model ...
Sister Sledge Fight For Digital Royalties
Feb 3rd, 2012
R&B group Sister Sledge have launched a court battle in a bid to secure lost revenue from their digital music sales. The We Are Family hit-makers have joined with Oscar-nominated actress/songwrit...
Feb 3rd, 2012
R&B group Sister Sledge have launched a court battle in a bid to secure lost revenue from their digital music sales. The We Are Family hit-makers have joined with Oscar-nominated actress/songwrit...
Tulisa Contostavlos Lands Book Deal
Feb 3rd, 2012
British singer Tulisa Contostavlos can now add author to her resume after signing a deal to write two novels, as well as her autobiography. The N-Dubz star, who sits on the panel of Britain's The...
Feb 3rd, 2012
British singer Tulisa Contostavlos can now add author to her resume after signing a deal to write two novels, as well as her autobiography. The N-Dubz star, who sits on the panel of Britain's The...
'Insidious' To Get the Sequel Treatment
Feb 3rd, 2012
Last year's horror hit, Insidious, will get a sequel sometime next year.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Last year's horror hit, Insidious, will get a sequel sometime next year.
NFL's Greatest Players: The 13 Best Football Stars In Movies
Feb 3rd, 2012
On Super Bowl Sunday, the best and baddest of the professional football world will lay it on the line for the biggest of prizes. But only a select few will go on to achieve an even greater glory: m...
Feb 3rd, 2012
On Super Bowl Sunday, the best and baddest of the professional football world will lay it on the line for the biggest of prizes. But only a select few will go on to achieve an even greater glory: m...
Nick Carter Dedicates Song To His Sister Leslie
Feb 3rd, 2012
Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter was overcome with emotion during a performance with the band on Thursday night as he dedicated a song to his late sister. Leslie Carter, 25, died suddenly on Tues...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter was overcome with emotion during a performance with the band on Thursday night as he dedicated a song to his late sister. Leslie Carter, 25, died suddenly on Tues...
Daniel Radcliffe Bets $5,000 On The Giants To Win Super Bowl
Feb 3rd, 2012
Daniel Radcliffe has made a $5,000 charity bet on the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl. The Harry Potter star is a huge New York Giants fan and he's so convinced his team will beat the New England ...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Daniel Radcliffe has made a $5,000 charity bet on the outcome of Sunday's Super Bowl. The Harry Potter star is a huge New York Giants fan and he's so convinced his team will beat the New England ...
'Munster's' Remake Gets a New Name
Feb 3rd, 2012
NBC's latest Bryan Fuller project, a remake of 60s sitcom The Munsters, is getting a new name, among other facelifts.
Feb 3rd, 2012
NBC's latest Bryan Fuller project, a remake of 60s sitcom The Munsters, is getting a new name, among other facelifts.
Christina Hendricks Encouraged Her Parents To Divorce
Feb 3rd, 2012
Actress Christina Hendricks was unfazed by her parents' divorce - and even encouraged them to split. The Mad Men star's mom Jackie and her father Robert experienced a rough patch when she was a t...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Actress Christina Hendricks was unfazed by her parents' divorce - and even encouraged them to split. The Mad Men star's mom Jackie and her father Robert experienced a rough patch when she was a t...
'Up All Night' Recap: 'Preschool Auction'
Feb 3rd, 2012
“Up All Night” continued its trend of casting great guest stars (Molly Shannon, Megan Mullally and, coming soon, The Fonz!) this week by bringing Dean Winters in to play Chris’s competitive brother...
Feb 3rd, 2012
“Up All Night” continued its trend of casting great guest stars (Molly Shannon, Megan Mullally and, coming soon, The Fonz!) this week by bringing Dean Winters in to play Chris’s competitive brother...
Lindsay Lohan Dating Henry Hopper?
Feb 3rd, 2012
It appears Lindsay Lohan could have a new man. She was spotted recently with the late Dennis Hopper's son, Henry Hopper.
Feb 3rd, 2012
It appears Lindsay Lohan could have a new man. She was spotted recently with the late Dennis Hopper's son, Henry Hopper.
Why Women Love Channing Tatum
Feb 3rd, 2012
Channing Tatum is the definition of eye candy. Just in time for Valentine's Day the gorgeous actor stars in the upcoming romantic film "The Vow" opposite Rachel McAdams (in theaters Feb. 10). He pl...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Channing Tatum is the definition of eye candy. Just in time for Valentine's Day the gorgeous actor stars in the upcoming romantic film "The Vow" opposite Rachel McAdams (in theaters Feb. 10). He pl...
Madonna Releases Football-Themed Video For New Single 'Gimme All Your Luvin'' (Watch It); Super Bowl Halftime Set List Leaked
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madonna's getting ready to take the stage at halftime of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday with her latest single, "Gimme All Your Luvin'." The Material Girl's new video features Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. as...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madonna's getting ready to take the stage at halftime of Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday with her latest single, "Gimme All Your Luvin'." The Material Girl's new video features Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. as...
Shiloh Fernandez Fights For His Soul In 'Evil Dead'
Feb 3rd, 2012
Shiloh Fernandez is about to get his soul swallowed, and not just by Hollywood. This time, it's evil.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Shiloh Fernandez is about to get his soul swallowed, and not just by Hollywood. This time, it's evil.
Hugh Grant Still On Board 'Bridget Jones's Baby'
Feb 3rd, 2012
Movie bosses have assured fans Hugh Grant is still on board for the third Bridget Jones movie, despite recent reports he had bowed out. It was rumored the British actor, who plays charming troubl...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Movie bosses have assured fans Hugh Grant is still on board for the third Bridget Jones movie, despite recent reports he had bowed out. It was rumored the British actor, who plays charming troubl...
'The Woman In Black' Joins Ranks Of Horrible Hammer Horror
Feb 3rd, 2012
Several years ago, when I saw the stage version of Susan Hill’s novel “The Woman in Black,” it pleasantly surprised me, as a truly frightening experience that stuck with me. Sadly I can’t say the ...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Several years ago, when I saw the stage version of Susan Hill’s novel “The Woman in Black,” it pleasantly surprised me, as a truly frightening experience that stuck with me. Sadly I can’t say the ...
'Tabatha Takes Over' Recap: Georgia Pits And Peaches
Feb 3rd, 2012
On the latest installment ‘Tabatha Takes Over,’ our favorite stylist takes us to the Deep South: Douglasville, GA. While the South is known for its hospitality and high tea with the Ladies, Tabatha...
Feb 3rd, 2012
On the latest installment ‘Tabatha Takes Over,’ our favorite stylist takes us to the Deep South: Douglasville, GA. While the South is known for its hospitality and high tea with the Ladies, Tabatha...
Rihanna Is Nearly Unrecognizable As A Blonde
Feb 3rd, 2012
Last night we spotted singer Rihanna leaving The Roxbury nightclub in Hollywood after hanging out with friends. It's difficult to tell it's her under the new hair color and sunglasses. What do you ...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Last night we spotted singer Rihanna leaving The Roxbury nightclub in Hollywood after hanging out with friends. It's difficult to tell it's her under the new hair color and sunglasses. What do you ...
'The Secret Circle' Recap: Medallion
Feb 3rd, 2012
Cassie is determined to activate her father’s medallion so she can protect the Circle from the witch hunters. Here are the top five events you need to know from this week’s ‘Secret Circle’ includin...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Cassie is determined to activate her father’s medallion so she can protect the Circle from the witch hunters. Here are the top five events you need to know from this week’s ‘Secret Circle’ includin...
Report: Beyoncé's $500 Million 'X Factor' Deal
Feb 3rd, 2012
Simon Cowell is a man who knows what he wants. And when it comes to The X Factor USA, what Cowell wants is Beyoncé.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Simon Cowell is a man who knows what he wants. And when it comes to The X Factor USA, what Cowell wants is Beyoncé.
Madonna Buys 50 Pizzas For Super Bowl Workers
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madonna showed her appreciation to crewmembers working on her upcoming Super Bowl performance by buying them pizza on Wednesday. The pop superstar will take to the stage for the half-time concert...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madonna showed her appreciation to crewmembers working on her upcoming Super Bowl performance by buying them pizza on Wednesday. The pop superstar will take to the stage for the half-time concert...
Forgotten Friday Flick - 'Split Image'
Feb 3rd, 2012
With so many older flicks hitting Blu-ray this week (although "The Piano" was sadly sans special features – damn you!) it felt like time to shed a little light on a hidden gem that hasn’t even made...
Feb 3rd, 2012
With so many older flicks hitting Blu-ray this week (although "The Piano" was sadly sans special features – damn you!) it felt like time to shed a little light on a hidden gem that hasn’t even made...
Q&A: Interrogating 'Nikita' Star Xander Berkeley
Feb 3rd, 2012
On Nikita, Xander Berkeley is calling the shots - but off-screen, I got him to answer a few of my questions about season two!
Feb 3rd, 2012
On Nikita, Xander Berkeley is calling the shots - but off-screen, I got him to answer a few of my questions about season two!
'American Idol' Makes Final Stop In St. Louis For Auditions
Feb 3rd, 2012
All right, kids. Here’s the skinny: It’s midnight on the West Coast. I just got back from a night of doing comedy shows (and celebrating said comedy shows) in Hollywood, and I’m all settled in to d...
Feb 3rd, 2012
All right, kids. Here’s the skinny: It’s midnight on the West Coast. I just got back from a night of doing comedy shows (and celebrating said comedy shows) in Hollywood, and I’m all settled in to d...
Gwen Stefani Actually Wore Braces As A Fashion Statement
Feb 3rd, 2012
Gwen Stefani has revealed the braces she wore on her teeth at the end of the 1990s were a fashion statement - she didn't need them to fix her teeth. The No Doubt singer admits she had always want...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Gwen Stefani has revealed the braces she wore on her teeth at the end of the 1990s were a fashion statement - she didn't need them to fix her teeth. The No Doubt singer admits she had always want...
Bald Is Beautiful For Willow Smith - See Her Shaved Head!
Feb 3rd, 2012
Celeb offspring Willow Smith made a bold new fashion statement - she shaved her head. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter showed off her new look in a pic on Twitter yesterday.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Celeb offspring Willow Smith made a bold new fashion statement - she shaved her head. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter showed off her new look in a pic on Twitter yesterday.
Paris Jackson Reveals Love Connection On Twitter?
Feb 3rd, 2012
Michael Jackson's teenage daughter Paris appears to have found love with aspiring rapper Romeo Hodges if their Twitter correspondence is anything to go by. After asking her followers to pray for ...
Feb 3rd, 2012
Michael Jackson's teenage daughter Paris appears to have found love with aspiring rapper Romeo Hodges if their Twitter correspondence is anything to go by. After asking her followers to pray for ...
Celebrities on Soap Operas Before They Were Famous
Sep 30th, 2011
Which of your favorite celebrities got their early start on soaps only to later make their way over to the big screen? We all fell in love with actor Josh ...Read Full Post
Sep 30th, 2011
Which of your favorite celebrities got their early start on soaps only to later make their way over to the big screen? We all fell in love with actor Josh ...Read Full Post
Why is LeAnn Rimes Still Talking About the Affair?
Sep 30th, 2011
What will it take to finally get country singer LeAnn Rimes to move on and stop talking about the scandalous affair that she and Eddie Cibrian carried on? It's not even like she was the one who was scorned in the whole thing. Why must she continually bring this topic up each and every time she makes an appearance or gives an interview? On The Ellen Degeneres Show this week, LeAnn felt the need to discuss the drama, yet again. Regarding the affair, she said it "could've been handled a lot better. But maybe we both didn't have the tools at the time to do it properly. But I've learned a lot. Obviously we all make choices that lead us into a different path, here and there, and you learn from those or you don't." She went on to say (as if to justify something), "It obviously brought us to the place where we are now. And we're happy, and we're married. I think we have both come to a really good place in our lives. And right now, I'm really at peace." That's all fine and good, but maybe if you're truly 'at peace' as you say, it's best to put it all behind you. For good. Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.
Sep 30th, 2011
What will it take to finally get country singer LeAnn Rimes to move on and stop talking about the scandalous affair that she and Eddie Cibrian carried on? It's not even like she was the one who was scorned in the whole thing. Why must she continually bring this topic up each and every time she makes an appearance or gives an interview? On The Ellen Degeneres Show this week, LeAnn felt the need to discuss the drama, yet again. Regarding the affair, she said it "could've been handled a lot better. But maybe we both didn't have the tools at the time to do it properly. But I've learned a lot. Obviously we all make choices that lead us into a different path, here and there, and you learn from those or you don't." She went on to say (as if to justify something), "It obviously brought us to the place where we are now. And we're happy, and we're married. I think we have both come to a really good place in our lives. And right now, I'm really at peace." That's all fine and good, but maybe if you're truly 'at peace' as you say, it's best to put it all behind you. For good. Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.
Celebrity Sisters in Hollywood
Sep 28th, 2011
From Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen to Paris Hilton and Nicky, there are so many famous siblings in Tinseltown. Which celebrity sisters have made a name for themselves in Hollywood and ...Read Full Post
Sep 28th, 2011
From Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen to Paris Hilton and Nicky, there are so many famous siblings in Tinseltown. Which celebrity sisters have made a name for themselves in Hollywood and ...Read Full Post
Do Your Favorite Celebrities Tweet on Twitter?
Sep 27th, 2011
Are your favorite celebrities tweeting on Twitter? You might be surprised to learn that everyone from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift is jumping on the Twitter bandwagon. Behaving like a ...Read Full Post
Sep 27th, 2011
Are your favorite celebrities tweeting on Twitter? You might be surprised to learn that everyone from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift is jumping on the Twitter bandwagon. Behaving like a ...Read Full Post
Jesse James and Kat Von D Split
Sep 22nd, 2011
Didn't we just read this headline a month ago? It looks like Jesse James and Kat Von D have decided to call it quits again. Is it for good this ...Read Full Post
Sep 22nd, 2011
Didn't we just read this headline a month ago? It looks like Jesse James and Kat Von D have decided to call it quits again. Is it for good this ...Read Full Post
Top 20 Most Expensive Celebrity Weddings
Sep 14th, 2011
When it comes to weddings in Hollywood, celebrities will spare no expense. If it means dropping six figures on things like food or even lighting, some stars are happy to shell out the cash. Wondering who threw the 20 most expensive celebrity weddings...Read Full Post
Sep 14th, 2011
When it comes to weddings in Hollywood, celebrities will spare no expense. If it means dropping six figures on things like food or even lighting, some stars are happy to shell out the cash. Wondering who threw the 20 most expensive celebrity weddings...Read Full Post
Who Has Madonna Dated, Married, and Divorced?
Sep 10th, 2011
Singer Madonna is best known for her amazing talent as a singer and dancer and has left an indelible mark on the history of music as we know it. However, ...Read Full Post
Sep 10th, 2011
Singer Madonna is best known for her amazing talent as a singer and dancer and has left an indelible mark on the history of music as we know it. However, ...Read Full Post
Reese Witherspoon Hit by Car in Santa Monica
Sep 8th, 2011
Actress Reese Witherspoon was hit by a car in Santa Monica while she was out jogging yesterday. Reese, 35, was struck by an elderly woman who was later cited by ...Read Full Post
Sep 8th, 2011
Actress Reese Witherspoon was hit by a car in Santa Monica while she was out jogging yesterday. Reese, 35, was struck by an elderly woman who was later cited by ...Read Full Post
Who Will Replace the Stars of The Talk?
Sep 2nd, 2011
The executives over at CBS are said to be scrambling at this moment to replace the celebrity hosts of The Talk. Rumor has it that moderator Julie Chen is behind all of the recent drama backstage. Sources tell the The NY Post that she even snapped at the other ladies saying, "My husband [CBS head honcho] Les Moonves can fire your asses any day." If there is any truth to the chatter, why would anyone want to put up with that kind of treatment? Supposedly thanks to Julie's demands, Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini have both received the boot with Sharon Osbourne leaving because she was asked to censor herself. Rumored temporary replacements include Kris Jenner (mom to the Kardashian clan) and Sheryl Underwood. Who will fill those permanent seats when the new season rolls around? Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Sep 2nd, 2011
The executives over at CBS are said to be scrambling at this moment to replace the celebrity hosts of The Talk. Rumor has it that moderator Julie Chen is behind all of the recent drama backstage. Sources tell the The NY Post that she even snapped at the other ladies saying, "My husband [CBS head honcho] Les Moonves can fire your asses any day." If there is any truth to the chatter, why would anyone want to put up with that kind of treatment? Supposedly thanks to Julie's demands, Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini have both received the boot with Sharon Osbourne leaving because she was asked to censor herself. Rumored temporary replacements include Kris Jenner (mom to the Kardashian clan) and Sheryl Underwood. Who will fill those permanent seats when the new season rolls around? Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Alyssa Milano Welcomes a Baby Boy
Aug 31st, 2011
Actress Alyssa Milano and her husband, agent David Bugliari, are the proud new parents of a baby boy. Alyssa, 38, gave birth to a son named Milo Thomas on the morning of August 30. The little man weighed in at 7 lbs. and measured 19 inches long. Happily married since the summer of 2009, this baby seemed like the perfect next step for the celebrity couple. Photo Credit: A.E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
Aug 31st, 2011
Actress Alyssa Milano and her husband, agent David Bugliari, are the proud new parents of a baby boy. Alyssa, 38, gave birth to a son named Milo Thomas on the morning of August 30. The little man weighed in at 7 lbs. and measured 19 inches long. Happily married since the summer of 2009, this baby seemed like the perfect next step for the celebrity couple. Photo Credit: A.E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.
Madonna And Nicki Minaj's Kiss: Where's The 'Luvin'?
Feb 3rd, 2012
Video directors Megaforce open up about working with Madge, Nicki and M.I.A. — and why the kiss didn't make the cut.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Rob Markman M.I.A., Madonna and Nicki Minaj in "Give Me All Your Luvin' " Photo: Interscope After fans heard that Madonna had enlisted Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for her single and video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'," it really felt like anything could happen with those three equally eccentric and visual artists all joining forces. What they ended up creating was an eye-catching clip full of masked cheerleaders, hot football players and lacy outfits (designed by Norma Kamali) that every fan of Madge's "Like a Virgin" era will go crazy over. The video feels distinctly Madonna — she is the star, after all — but Nicki's and M.I.A.'s presences are felt between the cheerleader chant and their equally funky verses. "[It was] quite intense but we had a lot of fun. ... It's like shooting three presidents or something like that," Clement Gallet, from video-directing team the Megaforce, told MTV News about the shoot. "I think everybody's a bit stressed. We had time to speak to discuss the idea, to do the fittings. So you have time to meet the people first. I think we maybe thought it would be harder to have these three famous women on set, and I think everything went quite well." While the trio's collaboration made headlines, so did a kiss Nicki tweeted about that she shared with Madonna on the New York set back in December. "That's funny, 'cause that's something we didn't really see," he added. "Basically, it was Nicki Minaj's birthday on the shoot, but we were — as always, as the directors — stressed about the next scene and whatever happens, that when the birthday cake arrived, we were already prepping the next scene and we didn't see what happened. And we learned about it on Twitter. So basically, we cannot tell you about the scene," he joked. Do you wish Nicki and Madonna's kiss had made it into the video? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna Nicki Minaj M.I.A.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Video directors Megaforce open up about working with Madge, Nicki and M.I.A. — and why the kiss didn't make the cut.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Rob Markman M.I.A., Madonna and Nicki Minaj in "Give Me All Your Luvin' " Photo: Interscope After fans heard that Madonna had enlisted Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for her single and video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'," it really felt like anything could happen with those three equally eccentric and visual artists all joining forces. What they ended up creating was an eye-catching clip full of masked cheerleaders, hot football players and lacy outfits (designed by Norma Kamali) that every fan of Madge's "Like a Virgin" era will go crazy over. The video feels distinctly Madonna — she is the star, after all — but Nicki's and M.I.A.'s presences are felt between the cheerleader chant and their equally funky verses. "[It was] quite intense but we had a lot of fun. ... It's like shooting three presidents or something like that," Clement Gallet, from video-directing team the Megaforce, told MTV News about the shoot. "I think everybody's a bit stressed. We had time to speak to discuss the idea, to do the fittings. So you have time to meet the people first. I think we maybe thought it would be harder to have these three famous women on set, and I think everything went quite well." While the trio's collaboration made headlines, so did a kiss Nicki tweeted about that she shared with Madonna on the New York set back in December. "That's funny, 'cause that's something we didn't really see," he added. "Basically, it was Nicki Minaj's birthday on the shoot, but we were — as always, as the directors — stressed about the next scene and whatever happens, that when the birthday cake arrived, we were already prepping the next scene and we didn't see what happened. And we learned about it on Twitter. So basically, we cannot tell you about the scene," he joked. Do you wish Nicki and Madonna's kiss had made it into the video? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna Nicki Minaj M.I.A.
Mac Miller Makes His Picks For Next Big Pittsburgh MCs
Feb 3rd, 2012
Miller took MTV News back to the 'Burgh and introduced us to some of his city's hottest up-and-coming talent.By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Yes, the world knows Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, but Pittsburgh has a wealth of hip-hop talent. With the Steel City's two breakout stars already accounted for, MTV News took a trip to the 'Burgh to see who's got next. "A lot of people are talented. There are just a million talented people out there," Miller told MTV News when he took us on a tour through his hometown in December. Acts like Boaz, Chevy Woods, B White and Mayo of the 58's, Jabari X and Varsity Squad have been repping Pittsburgh locally for some time now, and while Mac supports all the city's homegrown talent, if he had to pick one act to break out nationwide, it would be the Come Up, a.k.a. the duo of Vinny Radio and Franchise. "I brought them on tour and I plan on bringing them out on tour, so if it's up to me, they're gonna be the next people that come out the 'Burgh," Miller said. "But there's definitely a lot more people who could; it's not just Vinny and Fran." Mac Miller introduces Pittsburgh's hottest producers. The Come Up exist as a part of a larger hip-hop collective called the 58's, along with rappers B White and Mayo. That union exemplifies the type of unity that exists in Pittsburgh's rap scene. "It's a small city ... so pretty much we've all been familiar with each other for a long time," Franchise said. "Everybody in this city who's pretty much doing it legit, we've all been trying to get it and put the city on." Taylor Gang's Chevy Woods echoed a similar sentiment. "Everybody's hardworking, and it's not like a big music scene out there, so when you got somethin', you just go with it," he said. "Everybody sees the light that shines on [Wiz Khalifa] and Mac [Miller] and now it's trickling down to everybody else." Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh's up-and-coming artists. There is a pretty diverse group of rap characters that come out of Pittsburgh. Wiz is a hitmaker who dedicates a lot of his catalog to partying and getting high, while Mac embodies a youthful spirit. Boaz is street, and female MC Kellee Maize spits sociopolitical bars. "To be honest, I do think Boaz is right there on the cusp. I think I'm maybe close to the cusp too," Maize said, laughing. "I just bring that underground feel," Boaz said, describing his deeply rooted street sound. "I embrace the culture of that poverty line that I'm speaking about." For years, Time Bomb has been an epicenter for Pittsburgh hip-hop. More than just a clothing store, Time Bomb has become a place for local 'Burgh MCs to congregate and sling their mixtapes to hungry fans. The shop's owner, Brick, has seen many young artists walk through his doors, including Miller and Khalifa. When it comes to the future of Pittsburgh hip-hop, Brick is a wide-eyed optimist. "I think Mac and Wiz opened the door, but there's gonna be an army of producers, an army of rappers, and they're gonna be all different. People know: Pittsburgh, it is what it is, it's a hardworking town," he said. "I can name 100 people, because I want everyone to make it from here, you understand? This is Pittsburgh." Who do you believe will be the next rap act to emerge from Pittsburgh? Tell us in the comments! Take a look back at MTV News' Back to the 'Burgh with Mac Miller and see how we spotlighted the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Related Videos Back To The 'Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Mac Miller
Feb 3rd, 2012
Miller took MTV News back to the 'Burgh and introduced us to some of his city's hottest up-and-coming talent.By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Yes, the world knows Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, but Pittsburgh has a wealth of hip-hop talent. With the Steel City's two breakout stars already accounted for, MTV News took a trip to the 'Burgh to see who's got next. "A lot of people are talented. There are just a million talented people out there," Miller told MTV News when he took us on a tour through his hometown in December. Acts like Boaz, Chevy Woods, B White and Mayo of the 58's, Jabari X and Varsity Squad have been repping Pittsburgh locally for some time now, and while Mac supports all the city's homegrown talent, if he had to pick one act to break out nationwide, it would be the Come Up, a.k.a. the duo of Vinny Radio and Franchise. "I brought them on tour and I plan on bringing them out on tour, so if it's up to me, they're gonna be the next people that come out the 'Burgh," Miller said. "But there's definitely a lot more people who could; it's not just Vinny and Fran." Mac Miller introduces Pittsburgh's hottest producers. The Come Up exist as a part of a larger hip-hop collective called the 58's, along with rappers B White and Mayo. That union exemplifies the type of unity that exists in Pittsburgh's rap scene. "It's a small city ... so pretty much we've all been familiar with each other for a long time," Franchise said. "Everybody in this city who's pretty much doing it legit, we've all been trying to get it and put the city on." Taylor Gang's Chevy Woods echoed a similar sentiment. "Everybody's hardworking, and it's not like a big music scene out there, so when you got somethin', you just go with it," he said. "Everybody sees the light that shines on [Wiz Khalifa] and Mac [Miller] and now it's trickling down to everybody else." Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh's up-and-coming artists. There is a pretty diverse group of rap characters that come out of Pittsburgh. Wiz is a hitmaker who dedicates a lot of his catalog to partying and getting high, while Mac embodies a youthful spirit. Boaz is street, and female MC Kellee Maize spits sociopolitical bars. "To be honest, I do think Boaz is right there on the cusp. I think I'm maybe close to the cusp too," Maize said, laughing. "I just bring that underground feel," Boaz said, describing his deeply rooted street sound. "I embrace the culture of that poverty line that I'm speaking about." For years, Time Bomb has been an epicenter for Pittsburgh hip-hop. More than just a clothing store, Time Bomb has become a place for local 'Burgh MCs to congregate and sling their mixtapes to hungry fans. The shop's owner, Brick, has seen many young artists walk through his doors, including Miller and Khalifa. When it comes to the future of Pittsburgh hip-hop, Brick is a wide-eyed optimist. "I think Mac and Wiz opened the door, but there's gonna be an army of producers, an army of rappers, and they're gonna be all different. People know: Pittsburgh, it is what it is, it's a hardworking town," he said. "I can name 100 people, because I want everyone to make it from here, you understand? This is Pittsburgh." Who do you believe will be the next rap act to emerge from Pittsburgh? Tell us in the comments! Take a look back at MTV News' Back to the 'Burgh with Mac Miller and see how we spotlighted the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Related Videos Back To The 'Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Mac Miller
Master P's Daughter Cymphonique Miller Is Learning 'How to Rock'
Feb 3rd, 2012
Star of Nickelodeon's new show tells MTV News her dad was reluctant to let her enter 'this crazy business.' By Christina Garibaldi Cymphonique Miller Photo: MTV News Nickelodeon is getting ready to rock. On Saturday, the network will premiere its new show "How to Rock," starring rising teen star Cymphonique Miller. Miller is a familiar face at Nickelodeon, having guest starred on "True Jackson, VP" and "Big Time Rush," but this time she takes on the role as leading lady on the show, which is based on the book "How to Rock Braces and Glasses" by Meg Haston. Miller plays high school student Kasey Simon (think Rachel McAdams' character in "Mean Girls"), leader of the Perfs, the most popular girls in school. But Miller's character quickly finds herself kicked out of the "cool crowd" after she gets braces and glasses. But Kasey won't let the "make-under" get her down. She becomes friends with a new group of students and winds up as the lead singer of their new band, Gravity 5. "[It's] almost kind of like a battle of the bands, and the Perfs are sort of like the mean girls." Miller recently told MTV News. "It's like the Perfs are always planning some certain way to stop Gravity 5. You can see lots of crazy physical comedy and crazy stunts in the show, 'cause every week we do something totally silly and outrageous." Miller, who sings and co-wrote the show's theme song, "Only You Can Be You," is no stranger to the spotlight; her brother is actor/rapper Romeo, and her dad is hip-hop mogul Master P. Yet, that doesn't mean it was easy for Miller to persuade her dad to let her star in "How to Rock." She said he didn't want her to be involved in "this crazy business" until he realized how passionate she was about it. So he gave her his approval, on the condition that she keeps up her grades. "We put education first in our family, and Romeo is like my inspiration because he was not only doing film and everything, but he also went to college, he went to USC," Miller said. "They're always just constantly telling me to not get into this business for the wrong reasons like fame or money or else you will never be happy, so just do it because you love it." It seems like Miller certainly is loving what she is doing on "How to Rock" and hopes fans can relate to the show's positive message. "I hope that fans and the viewers can just take from the show is to find friends who love you for who you are, because it's all about friendship with this show," Miller said. "What they should learn is that at the end of the day, there's nothing more important than being yourself." "How to Rock" premieres Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon. Are you excited for "How to Rock"? Let us know in the comments.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Star of Nickelodeon's new show tells MTV News her dad was reluctant to let her enter 'this crazy business.' By Christina Garibaldi Cymphonique Miller Photo: MTV News Nickelodeon is getting ready to rock. On Saturday, the network will premiere its new show "How to Rock," starring rising teen star Cymphonique Miller. Miller is a familiar face at Nickelodeon, having guest starred on "True Jackson, VP" and "Big Time Rush," but this time she takes on the role as leading lady on the show, which is based on the book "How to Rock Braces and Glasses" by Meg Haston. Miller plays high school student Kasey Simon (think Rachel McAdams' character in "Mean Girls"), leader of the Perfs, the most popular girls in school. But Miller's character quickly finds herself kicked out of the "cool crowd" after she gets braces and glasses. But Kasey won't let the "make-under" get her down. She becomes friends with a new group of students and winds up as the lead singer of their new band, Gravity 5. "[It's] almost kind of like a battle of the bands, and the Perfs are sort of like the mean girls." Miller recently told MTV News. "It's like the Perfs are always planning some certain way to stop Gravity 5. You can see lots of crazy physical comedy and crazy stunts in the show, 'cause every week we do something totally silly and outrageous." Miller, who sings and co-wrote the show's theme song, "Only You Can Be You," is no stranger to the spotlight; her brother is actor/rapper Romeo, and her dad is hip-hop mogul Master P. Yet, that doesn't mean it was easy for Miller to persuade her dad to let her star in "How to Rock." She said he didn't want her to be involved in "this crazy business" until he realized how passionate she was about it. So he gave her his approval, on the condition that she keeps up her grades. "We put education first in our family, and Romeo is like my inspiration because he was not only doing film and everything, but he also went to college, he went to USC," Miller said. "They're always just constantly telling me to not get into this business for the wrong reasons like fame or money or else you will never be happy, so just do it because you love it." It seems like Miller certainly is loving what she is doing on "How to Rock" and hopes fans can relate to the show's positive message. "I hope that fans and the viewers can just take from the show is to find friends who love you for who you are, because it's all about friendship with this show," Miller said. "What they should learn is that at the end of the day, there's nothing more important than being yourself." "How to Rock" premieres Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon. Are you excited for "How to Rock"? Let us know in the comments.
'Big Miracle' Is Heartwarming Fun Despite Chilly Temps, Stars Say
Feb 3rd, 2012
Drew Barrymore, John Krasinksi and Kristen Bell discuss their new film, which follows the rescue of three gray whales in Alaska.By Kara Warner John Krasinksi and Drew Barrymore in "Big Miracle" Photo: Universal Pictures If you're looking for a feel-good film to see this weekend, look no further than "Big Miracle," the story of the real-life rescue of three gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, in 1988. Incredibly, the effort became an international issue that involved a rare collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union and garnered worldwide media attention. MTV News recently caught up with the three stars of the film, Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski and Kristen Bell, who explained the multi-generational appeal and importance of the story and the cause presented in the film. "The whales have Twitter accounts," Krasinski joked when asked how the film might specifically appeal to MTV viewers. "So, streamlined information, done deal. Don't ask us, ask them. They'll talk all about it," he said with a smile. "It's a big movie that deals with participation, and with the election coming up and all these different things, and everybody is divided over this, that and the other, and everybody is angry about something. It's one of those moments where you get to say, 'I could just step in and lend my voice to something.' And it really helps, it makes you feel important and special that you're doing something. This movie sort of focuses on that completely, about how when you get a bunch of people together you can kind of do anything." Barrymore added that the film's setting in the late '80s provides for a unique look back at our media and political cultures at the time. "It's an interesting look back at how if things were a little different maybe we wouldn't exactly be where we are. But, it's not in a patronizing way, it's in a really interesting way," she said. "And it's amazing historically, like, you know, environmentally and politically. But, I think it's very true to what's going on now, that if people work together, whether it's protesting via Twitter for an important movement to change their country or to do something wonderful and important like saving whales. It's working together, so I think actually in 1987 when this takes place and what's going on right now today, they definitely have a connection." Kristen Bell also focused on the warm, fuzzy aspects of the film, particularly how its positive message compares to the continually multiplying "train wreck" elements involved in other films and TV. "I think it's a very positive story as opposed to many of the unendingly interesting train wrecks that are put on television or in films these days, which believe me, I'm not poo-pooing, but there's something very inspiring about a story where a bunch of different people come together for a common goal and actually accomplish it," Bell explained. "It's very, very inspiring, I think. And often times, news headlines or things that are written about in blogs, you know, reality television, it's not as inspiring as you want it to be, at least not for me. And it actually happened. It's historical, so you'll get smarter watching it. You'll also be inspired, so you'll be happier. What's the downfall? See the movie!" Are you planning on seeing "Big Miracle"? Leave your comment below.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Drew Barrymore, John Krasinksi and Kristen Bell discuss their new film, which follows the rescue of three gray whales in Alaska.By Kara Warner John Krasinksi and Drew Barrymore in "Big Miracle" Photo: Universal Pictures If you're looking for a feel-good film to see this weekend, look no further than "Big Miracle," the story of the real-life rescue of three gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, in 1988. Incredibly, the effort became an international issue that involved a rare collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union and garnered worldwide media attention. MTV News recently caught up with the three stars of the film, Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski and Kristen Bell, who explained the multi-generational appeal and importance of the story and the cause presented in the film. "The whales have Twitter accounts," Krasinski joked when asked how the film might specifically appeal to MTV viewers. "So, streamlined information, done deal. Don't ask us, ask them. They'll talk all about it," he said with a smile. "It's a big movie that deals with participation, and with the election coming up and all these different things, and everybody is divided over this, that and the other, and everybody is angry about something. It's one of those moments where you get to say, 'I could just step in and lend my voice to something.' And it really helps, it makes you feel important and special that you're doing something. This movie sort of focuses on that completely, about how when you get a bunch of people together you can kind of do anything." Barrymore added that the film's setting in the late '80s provides for a unique look back at our media and political cultures at the time. "It's an interesting look back at how if things were a little different maybe we wouldn't exactly be where we are. But, it's not in a patronizing way, it's in a really interesting way," she said. "And it's amazing historically, like, you know, environmentally and politically. But, I think it's very true to what's going on now, that if people work together, whether it's protesting via Twitter for an important movement to change their country or to do something wonderful and important like saving whales. It's working together, so I think actually in 1987 when this takes place and what's going on right now today, they definitely have a connection." Kristen Bell also focused on the warm, fuzzy aspects of the film, particularly how its positive message compares to the continually multiplying "train wreck" elements involved in other films and TV. "I think it's a very positive story as opposed to many of the unendingly interesting train wrecks that are put on television or in films these days, which believe me, I'm not poo-pooing, but there's something very inspiring about a story where a bunch of different people come together for a common goal and actually accomplish it," Bell explained. "It's very, very inspiring, I think. And often times, news headlines or things that are written about in blogs, you know, reality television, it's not as inspiring as you want it to be, at least not for me. And it actually happened. It's historical, so you'll get smarter watching it. You'll also be inspired, so you'll be happier. What's the downfall? See the movie!" Are you planning on seeing "Big Miracle"? Leave your comment below.
Rick Ross Has No Beef With Pill
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet,' Rick Ross tells MTV News of his former Maybach affiliate.By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Rick Ross Photo: MTV News God Forgives, I Don't may be the name of Rick Ross' upcoming LP, but the Bawse isn't as coldhearted as his album title may suggest. When it comes to former Maybach Music affiliate Pill, Rozay wishes the Atlanta MC all the best. "I'm a real dude and I'm a real boss and once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet; I'mma give you a pass anyway," Ross told MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway of Pill while at French Montana's "Shot Caller" remix video shoot in Miami on Sunday. In December, P-I-Double L took to Twitter to vent about his label situation with Warner Music Group, blaming WMG for his lack of radio and television support. Because of his prominent appearance on Maybach Music's Self Made Vol. 1 compilation, many believed that Pill was signed to Ross' label, but in an exclusive interview with MTV News in January, Pill revealed that he was never technically signed to Rozay and that his deal went strictly through MMG's parent company, Warner. "Pill's situation was a special situation because he was already signed to Warner before I did my label deal at Warner. So when I did do my deal, it was a business opportunity that was presented where Pill could run with the team for a year," Ross confirmed. "I took that opportunity. That year ran its course and it was pretty much up to Warner what decisions they wanted to make with Pill as an artist after that point. I think they made it." Pill told MTV News in January that he was working on getting a release from Warner and made it clear that he had no problems with anyone in MMG personally — though he did say that he and Ross didn't speak very often. "I ain't got nothing against none of them, nobody. It's just the situation don't work," Pill said matter-of-factly. "It's cool with us, I don't got nothing against Ross either. It's just I don't talk to him." Some believed that Pill's outspokenness would anger the Boss, but Rozay didn't take any of it to heart. "He made sure he reached out to me and called me and clarified," Ross said. "He expressed that in no way was he disrespecting the team or the brand, because it's a great opportunity and a great look." As far as why the "Trap Goin' Ham" rapper's situation didn't work out, Ross thought the young MC just needed a hit record and a little luck to build his momentum. He used the success of MMG's Meek Mill and Wale to exemplify his point. "Certain things happen for certain people at certain times and none of us could really predict that," he explained. "I couldn't predict that Meek Mill would bring 'Ima Boss' to me or we couldn't predict that Wale would bring 'That Way.' " Even though Pill and WMG are now going their separate ways, Ross is looking forward to seeing his former Maybach affiliate rack up a win. "Hopefully, in the future he'll bring him a hit record, and get him some paper and do his thing," he said. "I wish him much success." What do you hope to see from Pill in the future? Leave your comments below! Related Artists Rick Ross
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet,' Rick Ross tells MTV News of his former Maybach affiliate.By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Rick Ross Photo: MTV News God Forgives, I Don't may be the name of Rick Ross' upcoming LP, but the Bawse isn't as coldhearted as his album title may suggest. When it comes to former Maybach Music affiliate Pill, Rozay wishes the Atlanta MC all the best. "I'm a real dude and I'm a real boss and once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet; I'mma give you a pass anyway," Ross told MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway of Pill while at French Montana's "Shot Caller" remix video shoot in Miami on Sunday. In December, P-I-Double L took to Twitter to vent about his label situation with Warner Music Group, blaming WMG for his lack of radio and television support. Because of his prominent appearance on Maybach Music's Self Made Vol. 1 compilation, many believed that Pill was signed to Ross' label, but in an exclusive interview with MTV News in January, Pill revealed that he was never technically signed to Rozay and that his deal went strictly through MMG's parent company, Warner. "Pill's situation was a special situation because he was already signed to Warner before I did my label deal at Warner. So when I did do my deal, it was a business opportunity that was presented where Pill could run with the team for a year," Ross confirmed. "I took that opportunity. That year ran its course and it was pretty much up to Warner what decisions they wanted to make with Pill as an artist after that point. I think they made it." Pill told MTV News in January that he was working on getting a release from Warner and made it clear that he had no problems with anyone in MMG personally — though he did say that he and Ross didn't speak very often. "I ain't got nothing against none of them, nobody. It's just the situation don't work," Pill said matter-of-factly. "It's cool with us, I don't got nothing against Ross either. It's just I don't talk to him." Some believed that Pill's outspokenness would anger the Boss, but Rozay didn't take any of it to heart. "He made sure he reached out to me and called me and clarified," Ross said. "He expressed that in no way was he disrespecting the team or the brand, because it's a great opportunity and a great look." As far as why the "Trap Goin' Ham" rapper's situation didn't work out, Ross thought the young MC just needed a hit record and a little luck to build his momentum. He used the success of MMG's Meek Mill and Wale to exemplify his point. "Certain things happen for certain people at certain times and none of us could really predict that," he explained. "I couldn't predict that Meek Mill would bring 'Ima Boss' to me or we couldn't predict that Wale would bring 'That Way.' " Even though Pill and WMG are now going their separate ways, Ross is looking forward to seeing his former Maybach affiliate rack up a win. "Hopefully, in the future he'll bring him a hit record, and get him some paper and do his thing," he said. "I wish him much success." What do you hope to see from Pill in the future? Leave your comments below! Related Artists Rick Ross
Madonna's 'Give Me' Video: Five Key Nods To Her Past!
Feb 3rd, 2012
From 'Dick Tracy' to 'Like a Virgin,' MTV News spots the best winks to Queen of Pop's many reinventions in brand-new video.By John Mitchell Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope Madonna dropped her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video on Friday morning (February 3), and the eye-popping clip featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. has fans even more excited for the Queen of Pop's halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl. In the video, Madonna hits the streets flanked by Minaj, M.I.A. and a very protective football team for a tongue-in-cheek walk down memory lane. In scene after scene, the pop icon references her musical past. We combed through the cheeky clip for some of the best winks at Her Madgesty's numerous reinventions. Here are our top five: 1. Madonna Passes the Pom-Poms to Nicki, M.I.A. Some of the most famous images of pre-fame Madonna are of the Michigan native in her high school cheerleading uniform, so it seems fitting that in "Your Luvin', " there's what seems to be a symbolic passing of the pom-poms to Minaj and M.I.A. The video opens with Minaj and M.I.A. flying high at the top of a cheerleading formation on a suburban street, just the way Madonna Louise Ciccone might have as a cheerleader at Rochester Adams High School. 2. Getting a Lift — "Material Girl"-Style Not only does the uniformed football team guarding Madonna offer up umbrellas to shield her from raining sparks and throw down their letterman jackets to give her a makeshift red carpet to walk on, but the boys give the singer a lift in a move that feels straight out of her "Material Girl" video — but with a twist. As they help her to keep steady, viewers soon realize she's walking down the side of a building! 3. Dodging a "Dick Tracy" Gangster As the pop queen parades down an alleyway, an old-school car pulls up alongside her, and then someone rolls down a window and opens fire. The mysterious villain employs a weapon that looks just like the vintage Colt M1921 Thompson submachine guns used by the baddies in Madonna's hit flick "Dick Tracy." Luckily, the ever-vigilant team guarding her leaps in front of the fire. 4. Kissing Cheerleaders ... That Seems Familiar Madonna's never been shy about admitting she's kissed (many) girls — and liked it. But we think this little lingering look at two masked cheerleaders smooching is probably a direct reference to Madonna's infamous lip lock with Britney Spears at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. (For the record, that legendary moment made our list of Madonna's top five best MTV performances ever!) 5. Nicki and Madonna Have Blond Ambition Madonna climbs over a pile of football players and straight into a dream sequence that's a smorgasbord of references to Madonna's past. When she emerges from the huddle, gone are her long, flowing locks and black leather ensemble, and in their place is a short white lace dress and curly platinum-blond wig that recalls her Blond Ambition/"Vogue" era. The nod to her "Like a Virgin" years is underscored the second the camera cuts to Minaj, who sports a wedding dress that (minus a few ruffles) looks like it came straight from Madonna's 1984 VMA performance. And while Minaj isn't wearing Madonna's famed "boy toy" belt, she does make a reference to it, rapping, "You can be my boy toy." Are you luvin' Madonna's new video? Share your reviews on our Facebook page! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
From 'Dick Tracy' to 'Like a Virgin,' MTV News spots the best winks to Queen of Pop's many reinventions in brand-new video.By John Mitchell Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope Madonna dropped her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video on Friday morning (February 3), and the eye-popping clip featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. has fans even more excited for the Queen of Pop's halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl. In the video, Madonna hits the streets flanked by Minaj, M.I.A. and a very protective football team for a tongue-in-cheek walk down memory lane. In scene after scene, the pop icon references her musical past. We combed through the cheeky clip for some of the best winks at Her Madgesty's numerous reinventions. Here are our top five: 1. Madonna Passes the Pom-Poms to Nicki, M.I.A. Some of the most famous images of pre-fame Madonna are of the Michigan native in her high school cheerleading uniform, so it seems fitting that in "Your Luvin', " there's what seems to be a symbolic passing of the pom-poms to Minaj and M.I.A. The video opens with Minaj and M.I.A. flying high at the top of a cheerleading formation on a suburban street, just the way Madonna Louise Ciccone might have as a cheerleader at Rochester Adams High School. 2. Getting a Lift — "Material Girl"-Style Not only does the uniformed football team guarding Madonna offer up umbrellas to shield her from raining sparks and throw down their letterman jackets to give her a makeshift red carpet to walk on, but the boys give the singer a lift in a move that feels straight out of her "Material Girl" video — but with a twist. As they help her to keep steady, viewers soon realize she's walking down the side of a building! 3. Dodging a "Dick Tracy" Gangster As the pop queen parades down an alleyway, an old-school car pulls up alongside her, and then someone rolls down a window and opens fire. The mysterious villain employs a weapon that looks just like the vintage Colt M1921 Thompson submachine guns used by the baddies in Madonna's hit flick "Dick Tracy." Luckily, the ever-vigilant team guarding her leaps in front of the fire. 4. Kissing Cheerleaders ... That Seems Familiar Madonna's never been shy about admitting she's kissed (many) girls — and liked it. But we think this little lingering look at two masked cheerleaders smooching is probably a direct reference to Madonna's infamous lip lock with Britney Spears at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. (For the record, that legendary moment made our list of Madonna's top five best MTV performances ever!) 5. Nicki and Madonna Have Blond Ambition Madonna climbs over a pile of football players and straight into a dream sequence that's a smorgasbord of references to Madonna's past. When she emerges from the huddle, gone are her long, flowing locks and black leather ensemble, and in their place is a short white lace dress and curly platinum-blond wig that recalls her Blond Ambition/"Vogue" era. The nod to her "Like a Virgin" years is underscored the second the camera cuts to Minaj, who sports a wedding dress that (minus a few ruffles) looks like it came straight from Madonna's 1984 VMA performance. And while Minaj isn't wearing Madonna's famed "boy toy" belt, she does make a reference to it, rapping, "You can be my boy toy." Are you luvin' Madonna's new video? Share your reviews on our Facebook page! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
'The Voice' Welcomes Christina Milian To The 'Family'
Feb 3rd, 2012
'I'm kind of living through them all over again,' new social media correspondent tells MTV News of the contestants.By Kara Warner Christina Milian Photo: MTV News In addition to a brand-new crop of talent and potential future stars, NBC's hit singing competition "The Voice" has added a familiar face to its cast for season two: new social media correspondent Christina Milian. When MTV News caught up with the singer/actress recently, she explained how she got the gig and how excited she is for the show to premiere on Super Bowl Sunday. "I'm heavily involved on Twitter, have always been involved with my Internet fanbase and find that that's the best way to connect with the fans," Milian told us during a photo shoot for Hydrogen magazine. "I guess the people at NBC had their eye on me and they paid attention to it. I got a call one day and met up with everyone at NBC and the folks from 'The Voice,' and next thing you know, a week later, I'm signing a contract and the following week I'm working." Milian had nothing but praise for her "Voice" castmates and the experience working on the show thus far. "It's been fabulous. I've had fun working with the cast already," she said. "Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo, Carson Daly — it's an awesome super team they have, and from day one, they treated me like family." The "Dip It Low" singer said she loves that the show is about music and chasing your dreams and that she's enjoyed watching the coaches take time to work with and help their contestants. "This show is about music, it's about talent, and it's about this passion and this dream of becoming a star," Milian said. "Still to this day, every day that I wake up, I have that same dream, so to be involved with the show, [it's amazing] to watch what they incorporate and how the coaches act as advisers and mentors to the artists and really truthfully help them and push them and want them to be the best so they can win. "There have been so many moments where I've thought, 'That's me on that stage! I remember that time,' " she added of enjoying watching the contestants. "Or you see their family sitting on the side of the stage crying or excited or jumping up and down, just so happy for them to even be there, I've felt that before, so I'm kind of living through them all over again." Will you check out season two of "The Voice" when it returns Sunday? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Voice." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists Christina Milian
Feb 3rd, 2012
'I'm kind of living through them all over again,' new social media correspondent tells MTV News of the contestants.By Kara Warner Christina Milian Photo: MTV News In addition to a brand-new crop of talent and potential future stars, NBC's hit singing competition "The Voice" has added a familiar face to its cast for season two: new social media correspondent Christina Milian. When MTV News caught up with the singer/actress recently, she explained how she got the gig and how excited she is for the show to premiere on Super Bowl Sunday. "I'm heavily involved on Twitter, have always been involved with my Internet fanbase and find that that's the best way to connect with the fans," Milian told us during a photo shoot for Hydrogen magazine. "I guess the people at NBC had their eye on me and they paid attention to it. I got a call one day and met up with everyone at NBC and the folks from 'The Voice,' and next thing you know, a week later, I'm signing a contract and the following week I'm working." Milian had nothing but praise for her "Voice" castmates and the experience working on the show thus far. "It's been fabulous. I've had fun working with the cast already," she said. "Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo, Carson Daly — it's an awesome super team they have, and from day one, they treated me like family." The "Dip It Low" singer said she loves that the show is about music and chasing your dreams and that she's enjoyed watching the coaches take time to work with and help their contestants. "This show is about music, it's about talent, and it's about this passion and this dream of becoming a star," Milian said. "Still to this day, every day that I wake up, I have that same dream, so to be involved with the show, [it's amazing] to watch what they incorporate and how the coaches act as advisers and mentors to the artists and really truthfully help them and push them and want them to be the best so they can win. "There have been so many moments where I've thought, 'That's me on that stage! I remember that time,' " she added of enjoying watching the contestants. "Or you see their family sitting on the side of the stage crying or excited or jumping up and down, just so happy for them to even be there, I've felt that before, so I'm kind of living through them all over again." Will you check out season two of "The Voice" when it returns Sunday? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Voice." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists Christina Milian
Super Bowl Prop Bets: Wager On Madonna's Mic, More
Feb 3rd, 2012
Will Kelly Clarkson show her midriff? What will Madge wear at halftime? Pop-culture bets give football-phobes plenty to tune in for Sunday.By James Montgomery Madonna Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/ AFP/ Getty Images Not to get all general here, but when you get down to it, there are really only two types of people in the world: those who care about the Super Bowl and those who don't. The former will need absolutely zero incentive to tune into this Sunday's retribution-stoked Super Bowl XLVI, which pits the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in a rematch of one of the most epic Supes of all time, XLII, which saw — wait, if you're going to watch, you already know what happened in that first championship tilt (David Tyree, Plax Burress on the slant-and-go, 18-1, etc.), and suffice it to say, you're salivating with anticipation over the next chapter in this rivalry. For the latter, well, that last paragraph probably makes about as much sense as the fact that the New York Giants actually play their home games in New Jersey, and, as such, there's no way you're going to waste your Sunday watching what amounts to 240 minutes of commercials intermittently broken up by the occasional football play (unless you're anxiously awaiting the premiere of "The Voice," that is). But, really, you should reconsider that stance — mainly because of prop bets. For the uninitiated, props (short for "propositions") are bets placed on the occurrence — or non-occurrence — of events during a game that have little-to-no actual impact on the outcome of that game. Stuff like "Which color Gatorade will the winning team dump on its head coach" or "Number of times (insert name of famous athlete's girlfriend) will be shown during the TV telecast." They are supremely silly, not to mention incredibly suicidal, wagers, and not surprisingly — given that it's the biggest football game of the year — Las Vegas oddsmakers work overtime churning them out during the Super Bowl. Shoot, more often than not, most of those Super Bowl props have absolutely nothing to do with the game itself. There are not only odds on the length of Kelly Clarkson's national anthem performance, but what kind of outfit she'll be wearing while singing it. Which means that, whether you know who BenJarvus Green-Ellis is or not, there are still plenty of reasons to tune in to Sunday's big game. So in the hopes of inspiring you non-fans to watch, we've reached out to the online oddsmakers at to get their lines on some of the most outrageous Super Bowl prop bets. And in case you're wondering: Yes, there's a science to these kinds of things. "I sat down and watched six to seven videos of Kelly Clarkson singing the anthem at past sporting events, timing all of them," Bovada head oddsmaker Pat Morrow told MTV News. "Once that was done, I took some things into consideration: that she will be indoors, [that] it is the Super Bowl and people have tendency to take a little longer, and came up with 1 minute, 34 seconds. And I think we are bang-on, because we have had it up over a week and have taken a lot on both sides and have not had to move the number." See! So, without further ado, are some of our favorite music-centric prop bets. Oh, and we realize some of the numbers may confuse you, so just consider this: If you were to place $100 on a 2/1 bet, and win, you'd walk away with $200 (plus your $100 back). Conversely, that $100 on a 1/2 bet would net you just $50. If you were to bet $100 on a +200 line, it means you'd take home $200 in profit (plus your initial $100). A line of -200 means you'd need to bet $200 just to win $100 (the more probable the outcome, the more you have to put up to turn a profit; Vegas wasn't built on winners, after all). Oh, and an over/under bet is simply a wager on whether an event will go over or under the stated time. Confused? Of course you are. After all, prop bets aren't supposed to be about logic, they're supposed to be about insanity. So let's take a look at the lines! How long will it take Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem? Over/under: 1 minute, 34 seconds. What will Kelly Clarkson wear to sing the national anthem? » Super Bowl XLVI or official NFL shirt: 2/1 » Patriots jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Colts jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Giants jersey or shirt: 15/1 » Anything else: 1/3 Will Kelly Clarkson forget or omit at least one word of the national anthem? » Yes: 5/2 Will Kelly Clarkson's bare belly be showing when she sings the national anthem? » Yes: 3/1 What color will Madonna's hair be when she begins the Super Bowl halftime show? » Blonde: -400 » Any other color: +250 Will Madonna wear an NFL jersey or shirt at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +250 » No: -400 Will Madonna wear a hat at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +150 » No: -200 What will Madonna be using to start the Super Bowl halftime show? » Headset: -200 » Handheld microphone: +150 Share your own crazy prop-bet ideas in the comments! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
Will Kelly Clarkson show her midriff? What will Madge wear at halftime? Pop-culture bets give football-phobes plenty to tune in for Sunday.By James Montgomery Madonna Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/ AFP/ Getty Images Not to get all general here, but when you get down to it, there are really only two types of people in the world: those who care about the Super Bowl and those who don't. The former will need absolutely zero incentive to tune into this Sunday's retribution-stoked Super Bowl XLVI, which pits the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in a rematch of one of the most epic Supes of all time, XLII, which saw — wait, if you're going to watch, you already know what happened in that first championship tilt (David Tyree, Plax Burress on the slant-and-go, 18-1, etc.), and suffice it to say, you're salivating with anticipation over the next chapter in this rivalry. For the latter, well, that last paragraph probably makes about as much sense as the fact that the New York Giants actually play their home games in New Jersey, and, as such, there's no way you're going to waste your Sunday watching what amounts to 240 minutes of commercials intermittently broken up by the occasional football play (unless you're anxiously awaiting the premiere of "The Voice," that is). But, really, you should reconsider that stance — mainly because of prop bets. For the uninitiated, props (short for "propositions") are bets placed on the occurrence — or non-occurrence — of events during a game that have little-to-no actual impact on the outcome of that game. Stuff like "Which color Gatorade will the winning team dump on its head coach" or "Number of times (insert name of famous athlete's girlfriend) will be shown during the TV telecast." They are supremely silly, not to mention incredibly suicidal, wagers, and not surprisingly — given that it's the biggest football game of the year — Las Vegas oddsmakers work overtime churning them out during the Super Bowl. Shoot, more often than not, most of those Super Bowl props have absolutely nothing to do with the game itself. There are not only odds on the length of Kelly Clarkson's national anthem performance, but what kind of outfit she'll be wearing while singing it. Which means that, whether you know who BenJarvus Green-Ellis is or not, there are still plenty of reasons to tune in to Sunday's big game. So in the hopes of inspiring you non-fans to watch, we've reached out to the online oddsmakers at to get their lines on some of the most outrageous Super Bowl prop bets. And in case you're wondering: Yes, there's a science to these kinds of things. "I sat down and watched six to seven videos of Kelly Clarkson singing the anthem at past sporting events, timing all of them," Bovada head oddsmaker Pat Morrow told MTV News. "Once that was done, I took some things into consideration: that she will be indoors, [that] it is the Super Bowl and people have tendency to take a little longer, and came up with 1 minute, 34 seconds. And I think we are bang-on, because we have had it up over a week and have taken a lot on both sides and have not had to move the number." See! So, without further ado, are some of our favorite music-centric prop bets. Oh, and we realize some of the numbers may confuse you, so just consider this: If you were to place $100 on a 2/1 bet, and win, you'd walk away with $200 (plus your $100 back). Conversely, that $100 on a 1/2 bet would net you just $50. If you were to bet $100 on a +200 line, it means you'd take home $200 in profit (plus your initial $100). A line of -200 means you'd need to bet $200 just to win $100 (the more probable the outcome, the more you have to put up to turn a profit; Vegas wasn't built on winners, after all). Oh, and an over/under bet is simply a wager on whether an event will go over or under the stated time. Confused? Of course you are. After all, prop bets aren't supposed to be about logic, they're supposed to be about insanity. So let's take a look at the lines! How long will it take Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem? Over/under: 1 minute, 34 seconds. What will Kelly Clarkson wear to sing the national anthem? » Super Bowl XLVI or official NFL shirt: 2/1 » Patriots jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Colts jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Giants jersey or shirt: 15/1 » Anything else: 1/3 Will Kelly Clarkson forget or omit at least one word of the national anthem? » Yes: 5/2 Will Kelly Clarkson's bare belly be showing when she sings the national anthem? » Yes: 3/1 What color will Madonna's hair be when she begins the Super Bowl halftime show? » Blonde: -400 » Any other color: +250 Will Madonna wear an NFL jersey or shirt at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +250 » No: -400 Will Madonna wear a hat at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +150 » No: -200 What will Madonna be using to start the Super Bowl halftime show? » Headset: -200 » Handheld microphone: +150 Share your own crazy prop-bet ideas in the comments! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Madonna Fans Weigh In On 'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' Video
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madge's followers share love for her latest old-school clip, which she dropped Friday.By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope On Friday (February 3), Madonna dropped the highly anticipated video for her lead MDNA single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'." Directed by Megaforce, the clip is a feast for the eyes, specifically those who only have eyes for the Queen of Pop. Featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. in cheerleader uniforms, the clip is full of various references to her past work. It's funky, surreal and a touch tongue-in-cheek. Only a few hours into the premiere, her fans had already formed their opinion about the video. So, what are they thinking? "Congratulations, Madonna. Thank you for you are always beyond the edge," Fabio Pamplona wrote on Madonna's Facebook page. But, he wasn't the only Madge fan putting his two cents in on her site. "Great and funny video. The song didn't grow on me yet, but it's a fine pop gem, indeed, like the ones Martin [Solveig] usually does!" Alex Meyer added. "But, can't wait for hearing the tracks with William [Orbit]!" Jennifer Sargent-Ormston had quite a lengthy response to the video. "LOVE IT!!! It was fun! I also like your hair like that, both ways.. and I thought the old school touches of yourself was a smart idea - or maybe you did it naturally? Even the album cover is your old school ways, and I thought it was smart," she wrote. "I hope you do well with this album. I like that it's dance as well. People respond well to FUN! Good luck with the superbowl, just kick ass and don't be nervous - just do your 'thang'!" Charlie Richey added, "The vid is super fun and the song super catchy!" Fans have also been taking to several of Madge's biggest fan sites to praise the Queen's latest video offering. Giannis Mdna Haralabidis noted on Madonnarama, "OK MADONNA IS OFFICIALLY BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER." "Wow shes back and the fever is running through my veins," Richard Wilson wrote on Madonna Tribe's Facebook page. Meanwhile, another fan noted that visually the video couldn't have been more intriguing. "Well, she said different than what's going on in music today, and she did," Trace Jenkins said. "Art direction in the video is amazing." What did you think of the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madge's followers share love for her latest old-school clip, which she dropped Friday.By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope On Friday (February 3), Madonna dropped the highly anticipated video for her lead MDNA single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'." Directed by Megaforce, the clip is a feast for the eyes, specifically those who only have eyes for the Queen of Pop. Featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. in cheerleader uniforms, the clip is full of various references to her past work. It's funky, surreal and a touch tongue-in-cheek. Only a few hours into the premiere, her fans had already formed their opinion about the video. So, what are they thinking? "Congratulations, Madonna. Thank you for you are always beyond the edge," Fabio Pamplona wrote on Madonna's Facebook page. But, he wasn't the only Madge fan putting his two cents in on her site. "Great and funny video. The song didn't grow on me yet, but it's a fine pop gem, indeed, like the ones Martin [Solveig] usually does!" Alex Meyer added. "But, can't wait for hearing the tracks with William [Orbit]!" Jennifer Sargent-Ormston had quite a lengthy response to the video. "LOVE IT!!! It was fun! I also like your hair like that, both ways.. and I thought the old school touches of yourself was a smart idea - or maybe you did it naturally? Even the album cover is your old school ways, and I thought it was smart," she wrote. "I hope you do well with this album. I like that it's dance as well. People respond well to FUN! Good luck with the superbowl, just kick ass and don't be nervous - just do your 'thang'!" Charlie Richey added, "The vid is super fun and the song super catchy!" Fans have also been taking to several of Madge's biggest fan sites to praise the Queen's latest video offering. Giannis Mdna Haralabidis noted on Madonnarama, "OK MADONNA IS OFFICIALLY BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER." "Wow shes back and the fever is running through my veins," Richard Wilson wrote on Madonna Tribe's Facebook page. Meanwhile, another fan noted that visually the video couldn't have been more intriguing. "Well, she said different than what's going on in music today, and she did," Trace Jenkins said. "Art direction in the video is amazing." What did you think of the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Channing Tatum 'Nervous' To Host 'Saturday Night Live'
Feb 3rd, 2012
'They really set you up to succeed,' Tatum tells MTV News of 'SNL' cast.By Christina Garibaldi Channing Tatum Photo: Getty Images This year is shaping up to be a huge one for Channing Tatum. With five movies set for release in 2012 — the next being "The Vow" with Rachel McAdams on February 10 — it's makes sense that Tatum is about to reach a pretty big milestone in his career: hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the first time, alongside musical guest Bon Iver. MTV News caught up with star during rehearsals on the "SNL" set, where he seemed to be a little anxious taking on his newest role as host. "I'm more nervous then I could probably tell you," Channing admitted. "It happened so sort of constant and fast, you don't really get a chance to think about it all too much. Like, you go home, you think and think and think, then you pass out and your alarm goes off, and then you come and do it again." The "SNL" cast is trying to put Tatum's nerves at ease. "They take care of you so much, so they really set you up to succeed," he said. "Everyone is so at the top of their game as far as writing and acting, and this is a machine like I've never seen before. I wish movies ran this efficient; we would make them better." Tatum, who revealed that his favorite past "SNL" castmembers are Dan Aykroyd and Chris Kattan, got some unusual advice on what he should do Saturday night from onetime host Kelly Ripa. "She said to put Vaseline on my teeth because she said your mouth goes dry when you say your name and your lips are stuck to your teeth," Channing said. "If I can remember it, I'll do it, but maybe I'll Vaseline the lips instead of the teeth." Are you excited to see Channing Tatum host "Saturday Night Live"? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Vow." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Feb 3rd, 2012
'They really set you up to succeed,' Tatum tells MTV News of 'SNL' cast.By Christina Garibaldi Channing Tatum Photo: Getty Images This year is shaping up to be a huge one for Channing Tatum. With five movies set for release in 2012 — the next being "The Vow" with Rachel McAdams on February 10 — it's makes sense that Tatum is about to reach a pretty big milestone in his career: hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the first time, alongside musical guest Bon Iver. MTV News caught up with star during rehearsals on the "SNL" set, where he seemed to be a little anxious taking on his newest role as host. "I'm more nervous then I could probably tell you," Channing admitted. "It happened so sort of constant and fast, you don't really get a chance to think about it all too much. Like, you go home, you think and think and think, then you pass out and your alarm goes off, and then you come and do it again." The "SNL" cast is trying to put Tatum's nerves at ease. "They take care of you so much, so they really set you up to succeed," he said. "Everyone is so at the top of their game as far as writing and acting, and this is a machine like I've never seen before. I wish movies ran this efficient; we would make them better." Tatum, who revealed that his favorite past "SNL" castmembers are Dan Aykroyd and Chris Kattan, got some unusual advice on what he should do Saturday night from onetime host Kelly Ripa. "She said to put Vaseline on my teeth because she said your mouth goes dry when you say your name and your lips are stuck to your teeth," Channing said. "If I can remember it, I'll do it, but maybe I'll Vaseline the lips instead of the teeth." Are you excited to see Channing Tatum host "Saturday Night Live"? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Vow." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Madonna's 'W.E.': The Reviews Are In!
Feb 3rd, 2012
The magic of Madonna's parallel romantic storytelling appears to have been lost on critics.By Kara Warner Madonna directing "W.E." Photo: The Weinstein Co. In addition to her heavily hyped performance at Super Bowl XLVI this weekend, Madonna has been busy writing and directing her second movie, "W.E.," which follows the real-life love story of American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII during the '30s, as well as a parallel story of a fictional American woman set in 1998 who became obsessed with Simpson's story. The film has received some early awards-season love, including a Golden Globe win for Best Original Song and another Globe nomination for Best Original Score, but judging by its 17 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, the magic of the romance seems to have been lost on critics. Read on as we sift through the "W.E." reviews: The Parallel Storytelling "Madonna and co-screenwriter Alek Keshishian try to fuse the threads of two very different tales, set several eras apart, to provide elucidation on the nature of love. But there's not much illumination to be had. There is, however, plenty of pretentious folderol. Clothes, jewelry and expensive trinkets are fraught with superficial symbolism. The more intriguing of the two stories centers on the 1930s romance and marriage of chic American divorcée Wallis Simpson and Great Britain's King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry her. (The title stands for Wallis and Edward.) ... Jumping forward to 1998, the second story is about Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) and her fascination with Simpson. Married to a self-absorbed and abusive psychiatrist, Wally roams New York City in a state of gloomy reverie. She forges an unlikely bond with Evgeni (Oscar Isaac), a guard at Sotheby's, where she goes often to look at the royal paraphernalia about to be auctioned. The disparate strands of the two stories never make much sense the way they're braided together. Presumably, the more Wally learns about the sacrifices Wallis made, the more she is emboldened to follow her heart and leave her own unhappy marriage. Yet what she uncovers about the Duke and Duchess is not always pretty." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Madonna as Writer/Director "The upshot is that instead of a film about a love that conquered a king and nearly undid a kingdom, Madonna has come up with a female friendship movie, which would be fine if she weren't busy trying to prove her art-film bona fides. At her entertainer best, Madonna distilled ideas and emotions into solid pop gold, transmitting a worldview through songs, music videos and her shape-shifter persona. The movies, by contrast, have largely defeated her both as an actress and as a director. As a mystical female friendship movie, 'W.E.' has its pull, but it never coheres, shredded by its editing and its pretensions, like Mrs. Simpson dancing to the Sex Pistols with a woman in African tribal regalia because, I'm guessing, Madonna likes the way Sofia Coppola used New Order's music in 'Marie Antoinette.' " — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Chick-Flick Factor " 'W.E.' (which interlocks with 'The King's Speech' — Bertie pops up in a couple of scenes here just as David appeared in that one) is very much a woman's picture. The men, except the Sotheby's security guard, mainly serve as obstacles or targets. That viewpoint is daring and kind of refreshing; a recent study noted that some two-thirds of the dialogue in Hollywood movies is spoken by men (in my experience, that is a reversal of reality). In the Wallis portions, Madonna presents a frank, unashamed defense of gold-digging, though she does unconvincing penance for this in the Wally story, in which the bride proves lonely and bored in her Upper East Side castle. After more than 40 years of feminism, the gold-digging subtext remains as central to female fantasy as it is in Jane Austen novels, and it's implicit in most of those rom-coms in which, just by sheer coincidence, true love happens with the owner of a chain of bookstores, or the millionaire a gal meets while working the streets. If the woman virtuously chooses love over money, she gets the lucre anyway." — Kyle Smith, The New York Post The Final Word, Pro-Con Style "If anyone, Madonna certainly understands the crazy pull of celebrity obsession, and it's an intriguingly romantic premise she presents, interweaving Wally's story with the Duchess', often triggered by the modern woman's handling of certain artifacts belonging to the late, almost-Queen of England, who even begins to appear to her in hallucinations, to offer world-weary advice and/or disapproval. The director tells the Duchess' story with surprising verve, historical accuracy and style, a huge improvement over the nastily cartoonish way the couple was represented in the overrated 'The King's Speech' last year. There are a few clichéd missteps, as when Edward's mother, Queen Mary (Judy Parfitt), clucks, 'This is a pretty kettle of fish!' over her son's scandal, but, for the most part, the historical sequences have a thrilling élan, aided by the crack photography, art direction and especially Arianne Phillips' superbly accurate costume design for this most chic of fashion eras. Taking a cue, perhaps, from Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette,' Madonna has also effectively interpolated modern pop-rock music along with the usual Deco cocktail standards of the era." — David Noh, FilmJournal.com "You can't call 'W.E.' a total disaster; it's too pretty, too nonsensical and finally too insignificant for that. Rather, it's a heavily decorated and overly complicated exercise in female narcissism, which in its plotless meandering fashion seeks to draw a mystical connection between an unhappy Manhattan wife and Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the Baltimore socialite who married King Edward VIII. Riseborough gives a richly enjoyable performance as the prickly, strange and not especially beautiful American who pulled a king and emperor from his throne, and some of the 1930s scenes are pretty fun, after the fashion of outtakes from 'The King's Speech' turned into music videos or haute couture shoots. Madonna and co-writer Alek Keshishian (who directed 'Truth or Dare' way back in 1991) go right at the historical reputation of Wallis and Edward as Nazi sympathizers, and to the extent that 'W.E.' is an attempt to rehabilitate them at least it has a clear agenda." — Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com Check out everything we've got on "W.E." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
The magic of Madonna's parallel romantic storytelling appears to have been lost on critics.By Kara Warner Madonna directing "W.E." Photo: The Weinstein Co. In addition to her heavily hyped performance at Super Bowl XLVI this weekend, Madonna has been busy writing and directing her second movie, "W.E.," which follows the real-life love story of American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII during the '30s, as well as a parallel story of a fictional American woman set in 1998 who became obsessed with Simpson's story. The film has received some early awards-season love, including a Golden Globe win for Best Original Song and another Globe nomination for Best Original Score, but judging by its 17 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, the magic of the romance seems to have been lost on critics. Read on as we sift through the "W.E." reviews: The Parallel Storytelling "Madonna and co-screenwriter Alek Keshishian try to fuse the threads of two very different tales, set several eras apart, to provide elucidation on the nature of love. But there's not much illumination to be had. There is, however, plenty of pretentious folderol. Clothes, jewelry and expensive trinkets are fraught with superficial symbolism. The more intriguing of the two stories centers on the 1930s romance and marriage of chic American divorcée Wallis Simpson and Great Britain's King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry her. (The title stands for Wallis and Edward.) ... Jumping forward to 1998, the second story is about Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) and her fascination with Simpson. Married to a self-absorbed and abusive psychiatrist, Wally roams New York City in a state of gloomy reverie. She forges an unlikely bond with Evgeni (Oscar Isaac), a guard at Sotheby's, where she goes often to look at the royal paraphernalia about to be auctioned. The disparate strands of the two stories never make much sense the way they're braided together. Presumably, the more Wally learns about the sacrifices Wallis made, the more she is emboldened to follow her heart and leave her own unhappy marriage. Yet what she uncovers about the Duke and Duchess is not always pretty." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Madonna as Writer/Director "The upshot is that instead of a film about a love that conquered a king and nearly undid a kingdom, Madonna has come up with a female friendship movie, which would be fine if she weren't busy trying to prove her art-film bona fides. At her entertainer best, Madonna distilled ideas and emotions into solid pop gold, transmitting a worldview through songs, music videos and her shape-shifter persona. The movies, by contrast, have largely defeated her both as an actress and as a director. As a mystical female friendship movie, 'W.E.' has its pull, but it never coheres, shredded by its editing and its pretensions, like Mrs. Simpson dancing to the Sex Pistols with a woman in African tribal regalia because, I'm guessing, Madonna likes the way Sofia Coppola used New Order's music in 'Marie Antoinette.' " — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Chick-Flick Factor " 'W.E.' (which interlocks with 'The King's Speech' — Bertie pops up in a couple of scenes here just as David appeared in that one) is very much a woman's picture. The men, except the Sotheby's security guard, mainly serve as obstacles or targets. That viewpoint is daring and kind of refreshing; a recent study noted that some two-thirds of the dialogue in Hollywood movies is spoken by men (in my experience, that is a reversal of reality). In the Wallis portions, Madonna presents a frank, unashamed defense of gold-digging, though she does unconvincing penance for this in the Wally story, in which the bride proves lonely and bored in her Upper East Side castle. After more than 40 years of feminism, the gold-digging subtext remains as central to female fantasy as it is in Jane Austen novels, and it's implicit in most of those rom-coms in which, just by sheer coincidence, true love happens with the owner of a chain of bookstores, or the millionaire a gal meets while working the streets. If the woman virtuously chooses love over money, she gets the lucre anyway." — Kyle Smith, The New York Post The Final Word, Pro-Con Style "If anyone, Madonna certainly understands the crazy pull of celebrity obsession, and it's an intriguingly romantic premise she presents, interweaving Wally's story with the Duchess', often triggered by the modern woman's handling of certain artifacts belonging to the late, almost-Queen of England, who even begins to appear to her in hallucinations, to offer world-weary advice and/or disapproval. The director tells the Duchess' story with surprising verve, historical accuracy and style, a huge improvement over the nastily cartoonish way the couple was represented in the overrated 'The King's Speech' last year. There are a few clichéd missteps, as when Edward's mother, Queen Mary (Judy Parfitt), clucks, 'This is a pretty kettle of fish!' over her son's scandal, but, for the most part, the historical sequences have a thrilling élan, aided by the crack photography, art direction and especially Arianne Phillips' superbly accurate costume design for this most chic of fashion eras. Taking a cue, perhaps, from Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette,' Madonna has also effectively interpolated modern pop-rock music along with the usual Deco cocktail standards of the era." — David Noh, FilmJournal.com "You can't call 'W.E.' a total disaster; it's too pretty, too nonsensical and finally too insignificant for that. Rather, it's a heavily decorated and overly complicated exercise in female narcissism, which in its plotless meandering fashion seeks to draw a mystical connection between an unhappy Manhattan wife and Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the Baltimore socialite who married King Edward VIII. Riseborough gives a richly enjoyable performance as the prickly, strange and not especially beautiful American who pulled a king and emperor from his throne, and some of the 1930s scenes are pretty fun, after the fashion of outtakes from 'The King's Speech' turned into music videos or haute couture shoots. Madonna and co-writer Alek Keshishian (who directed 'Truth or Dare' way back in 1991) go right at the historical reputation of Wallis and Edward as Nazi sympathizers, and to the extent that 'W.E.' is an attempt to rehabilitate them at least it has a clear agenda." — Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com Check out everything we've got on "W.E." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Komen Foundation To Reverse On Planned Parenthood
Feb 3rd, 2012
Day after Decemberists withdrew support, breast cancer charity announces it has reinstated funding for PP health centers.By Gil Kaufman Much like Congress rethought its decision after the outpouring of public anger over the anti-piracy SOPA and PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) acts, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation had a change of heart on Friday (February 3) after intense criticism for its decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood initiatives. Komen, the organization behind the popular pink-ribbon campaign, announced on Tuesday that it would stop funding breast cancer prevention, screening and education at Planned Parenthood health centers — a decision Planned Parenthood claimed was in response to pressure from pro-life groups. Over the past five years, PP centers with Komen program funding have provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams out of the more than 4 million exams performed nationwide at PP health centers, as well as more than 6,400 mammogram referrals out of 70,000 total referrals, according to PP. Following the firestorm of controversy over the decision, the founder and CEO of the nation's largest breast-cancer advocacy group said on Friday that the group would work to change the criteria that sparked the outcry. "We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants," Nancy G. Brinker said in a statement. "We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives." Brinker went further, acknowledging that the original decision to pull funding was done for "political reasons, or specifically to penalize Planned Parenthood." In the wake of the public furor, Komen's director of community health programs resigned in protest over the decision. In addition, 26 U.S. senators had signed a letter this week asking Komen to reconsider its withdrawal decision. One of the leading artistic voices of dissent over the initial Komen withdrawal from Planned Parenthood were the Decemberists. The band had worked with Komen since the band's keyboardist, Jenny Conlee, had revealed her breast cancer diagnosis. When news broke on Tuesday that Komen had pulled funding for breast cancer examinations at PP, the Decemberists redirected the funds from their "Team Jenny" T-shirt to PP. On their website, they explained, "The Decemberists are deeply troubled by Komen for the Cure's recent decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, a vital resource in the battle against breast cancer. Providing cancer screenings to low income women is integral to the prevention and defeat of breast cancer and it is unconscionable that Komen should politicize this very important issue by bowing to the fear campaign being waged against PP by the right." On Friday, the band added an update to their initial posting, writing, "The Decemberists are pleased that Komen for the Cure reversed their decision."
Feb 3rd, 2012
Day after Decemberists withdrew support, breast cancer charity announces it has reinstated funding for PP health centers.By Gil Kaufman Much like Congress rethought its decision after the outpouring of public anger over the anti-piracy SOPA and PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) acts, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation had a change of heart on Friday (February 3) after intense criticism for its decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood initiatives. Komen, the organization behind the popular pink-ribbon campaign, announced on Tuesday that it would stop funding breast cancer prevention, screening and education at Planned Parenthood health centers — a decision Planned Parenthood claimed was in response to pressure from pro-life groups. Over the past five years, PP centers with Komen program funding have provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams out of the more than 4 million exams performed nationwide at PP health centers, as well as more than 6,400 mammogram referrals out of 70,000 total referrals, according to PP. Following the firestorm of controversy over the decision, the founder and CEO of the nation's largest breast-cancer advocacy group said on Friday that the group would work to change the criteria that sparked the outcry. "We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants," Nancy G. Brinker said in a statement. "We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives." Brinker went further, acknowledging that the original decision to pull funding was done for "political reasons, or specifically to penalize Planned Parenthood." In the wake of the public furor, Komen's director of community health programs resigned in protest over the decision. In addition, 26 U.S. senators had signed a letter this week asking Komen to reconsider its withdrawal decision. One of the leading artistic voices of dissent over the initial Komen withdrawal from Planned Parenthood were the Decemberists. The band had worked with Komen since the band's keyboardist, Jenny Conlee, had revealed her breast cancer diagnosis. When news broke on Tuesday that Komen had pulled funding for breast cancer examinations at PP, the Decemberists redirected the funds from their "Team Jenny" T-shirt to PP. On their website, they explained, "The Decemberists are deeply troubled by Komen for the Cure's recent decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, a vital resource in the battle against breast cancer. Providing cancer screenings to low income women is integral to the prevention and defeat of breast cancer and it is unconscionable that Komen should politicize this very important issue by bowing to the fear campaign being waged against PP by the right." On Friday, the band added an update to their initial posting, writing, "The Decemberists are pleased that Komen for the Cure reversed their decision."
All-American Rejects Go All Out For 'Beekeeper's Daughter' Video
Feb 3rd, 2012
Just-released clip has warring hipsters, a mariachi band ... and Wayne Newton.By James Montgomery All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter in the "Beekeeper's Daughter" music video It's been a while — like, almost three years — since the All-American Rejects have made a music video, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that, when they got the go-ahead to shoot a clip for "Beekeeper's Daughter" (the first single from their upcoming Kids in the Street album), they decided to go all out. "This was the first video where, when we got [the treatment], everyone said 'yes' and I said 'yes ... but could we please have some of this?' And I proceeded to sort of expel every fantastic idea I could think of," frontman Tyson Ritter explained. "From, like, a hipster fight — beards versus mustaches, a lot of plaid, had to be like 'West Side Story' — to some she-devils. Everything we could ever sort of think of for a video that was impractical is in this one. "And the whole thing is floating on a through-line of a man walking through his day, experiencing every random encounter from every random walk of life," he continued. "And at the very end, there's a big parade with Wayne Newton." And Ritter's not exaggerating either. Because the "Beekeeper's" video — which premiered Friday (February 3) — is most certainly jam-packed with every one of his notions and then some. It's a big, buzzy clip, brimming with dancing she-devils, cheerleaders, cops, ticker tape, a mariachi band and Mr. Newton (to name just a few). And while everything in the video elicits a thrill, it's Newton's cameo that takes the cake. "Yeah, I think [Tyson's] email ended with, 'Oh, and Wayne Newton.' And I thought that was to sum up that this video needs to have all kinds of outrageousness," guitarist Nick Wheeler laughed. "But two days before, we got this phone call: 'Hey, Wayne Newton's going to be in the video.' I have his business card in my wallet." Speaking of business, now that the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video has been released, there remains one rather sweet sponsorship deal AAR are very interested in securing — one that's a lot tougher to land than you'd imagine. "This song was dubbed 'Beekeeper's Daughter' because that was the brand of honey that we had in the cabin in the Sequoia Grove National Forest when we first wrote it," Wheeler said. "It's really just our desperate attempt at a honey sponsorship." "And those are not easy to get," Ritter laughed. "We still haven't gotten any of that honey." What do you think of the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists The All-American Rejects
Feb 3rd, 2012
Just-released clip has warring hipsters, a mariachi band ... and Wayne Newton.By James Montgomery All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter in the "Beekeeper's Daughter" music video It's been a while — like, almost three years — since the All-American Rejects have made a music video, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that, when they got the go-ahead to shoot a clip for "Beekeeper's Daughter" (the first single from their upcoming Kids in the Street album), they decided to go all out. "This was the first video where, when we got [the treatment], everyone said 'yes' and I said 'yes ... but could we please have some of this?' And I proceeded to sort of expel every fantastic idea I could think of," frontman Tyson Ritter explained. "From, like, a hipster fight — beards versus mustaches, a lot of plaid, had to be like 'West Side Story' — to some she-devils. Everything we could ever sort of think of for a video that was impractical is in this one. "And the whole thing is floating on a through-line of a man walking through his day, experiencing every random encounter from every random walk of life," he continued. "And at the very end, there's a big parade with Wayne Newton." And Ritter's not exaggerating either. Because the "Beekeeper's" video — which premiered Friday (February 3) — is most certainly jam-packed with every one of his notions and then some. It's a big, buzzy clip, brimming with dancing she-devils, cheerleaders, cops, ticker tape, a mariachi band and Mr. Newton (to name just a few). And while everything in the video elicits a thrill, it's Newton's cameo that takes the cake. "Yeah, I think [Tyson's] email ended with, 'Oh, and Wayne Newton.' And I thought that was to sum up that this video needs to have all kinds of outrageousness," guitarist Nick Wheeler laughed. "But two days before, we got this phone call: 'Hey, Wayne Newton's going to be in the video.' I have his business card in my wallet." Speaking of business, now that the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video has been released, there remains one rather sweet sponsorship deal AAR are very interested in securing — one that's a lot tougher to land than you'd imagine. "This song was dubbed 'Beekeeper's Daughter' because that was the brand of honey that we had in the cabin in the Sequoia Grove National Forest when we first wrote it," Wheeler said. "It's really just our desperate attempt at a honey sponsorship." "And those are not easy to get," Ritter laughed. "We still haven't gotten any of that honey." What do you think of the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists The All-American Rejects
'Smash' Star Katharine McPhee Talks Auditioning For Steven Spielberg
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all,' McPhee tells MTV News.By Christina Garibaldi Katharine McPhee Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images It's been a while since we've seen Katharine McPhee in the spotlight. Now all eyes are on her as the "American Idol" alum takes on the leading role as Karen Cartwright in the highly anticipated NBC musical drama "Smash." But the road to "Smash" hasn't been an easy one for McPhee. After coming in as runner-up in the 2006 season of "American Idol" and starring in "The House Bunny," McPhee has had a rough road on her career path. She was dropped from her record label in 2008 and struggled with getting other movie projects off the ground. But her determination paid off, which is something she could relate to when playing her character on "Smash." "My character, Karen, is the biggest dreamer of them all, she dreams big. Our show is about dreaming big," McPhee told MTV News at the New York premiere of "Smash." "She has a big heart, she has a lot of drive and she's very determined about what she wants in her career and what she wants out of it and how she's gonna go about doing it, and keeping a real strong moral code. I think she is a little green when you first meet her. She's not quite sure how things go and how things are worked in the business, [and] she learns a lot throughout the course of the first season." The show centers on the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. In the first episode, viewers will see McPhee's struggle with several auditions before getting a callback to compete against newcomer Megan Hilty's character for the part of Marilyn. But according to McPhee, her audition for the role of Karen was nothing like the one you will see during the premiere on Monday. "I did have to audition for this," McPhee said. "It was actually one of the more simple auditions I've been through. I auditioned, put myself on tape, flew to New York the next week, was testing for it. I waited two days for Mr. Spielberg to watch the tape and I got the part." Yes, that's right. McPhee had to audition for Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who is a producer on the series. So we had to ask: Who is more intimidating to audition for, Spielberg or former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell? "I would say neither," McPhee declared. "Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all. He's the most lovely, wonderful, gentle man." Are you excited for Monday's premiere of "Smash"? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Katharine McPhee
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all,' McPhee tells MTV News.By Christina Garibaldi Katharine McPhee Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images It's been a while since we've seen Katharine McPhee in the spotlight. Now all eyes are on her as the "American Idol" alum takes on the leading role as Karen Cartwright in the highly anticipated NBC musical drama "Smash." But the road to "Smash" hasn't been an easy one for McPhee. After coming in as runner-up in the 2006 season of "American Idol" and starring in "The House Bunny," McPhee has had a rough road on her career path. She was dropped from her record label in 2008 and struggled with getting other movie projects off the ground. But her determination paid off, which is something she could relate to when playing her character on "Smash." "My character, Karen, is the biggest dreamer of them all, she dreams big. Our show is about dreaming big," McPhee told MTV News at the New York premiere of "Smash." "She has a big heart, she has a lot of drive and she's very determined about what she wants in her career and what she wants out of it and how she's gonna go about doing it, and keeping a real strong moral code. I think she is a little green when you first meet her. She's not quite sure how things go and how things are worked in the business, [and] she learns a lot throughout the course of the first season." The show centers on the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. In the first episode, viewers will see McPhee's struggle with several auditions before getting a callback to compete against newcomer Megan Hilty's character for the part of Marilyn. But according to McPhee, her audition for the role of Karen was nothing like the one you will see during the premiere on Monday. "I did have to audition for this," McPhee said. "It was actually one of the more simple auditions I've been through. I auditioned, put myself on tape, flew to New York the next week, was testing for it. I waited two days for Mr. Spielberg to watch the tape and I got the part." Yes, that's right. McPhee had to audition for Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who is a producer on the series. So we had to ask: Who is more intimidating to audition for, Spielberg or former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell? "I would say neither," McPhee declared. "Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all. He's the most lovely, wonderful, gentle man." Are you excited for Monday's premiere of "Smash"? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Katharine McPhee
Wiz Khalifa Reveals O.N.I.F.C. Meaning
Feb 3rd, 2012
Title of sophomore album stands for 'Only N----a in First Class,' Wiz explains on 'Sway in the Morning.' By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wiz Khalifa Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Wiz Khalifa is riding high off of his success, but it isn't all good. On his sophomore album, O.N.I.F.C., Wiz will celebrate his victories, but he promises to give fans the other side, too. "It's the Only N-Word in First Class," Wiz said, breaking down the much-speculated upon acronym when he appeared on "Sway in the Morning" on Shade 45 on Friday (February 3). "It's inspired by Prodigy's H.N.I.C. When he dropped that, I felt like that sounded so strong." When broken down, the title of Prodigy's 2000 debut stands for "Head N---a in Charge," so for his Only N---a in First Class, Wiz took cues from the Mobb Deep MC. There is a clean version of the album, too: One Night in First Class. Still, for Wiz the explicit title has so much more meaning. "I was just talking about me being a young rich dude and being black," Wiz told Shade 45 hosts Sway and Devi Dev about his experience in airports. "It looks crazy to them when I walk up to them and show them my ticket or I'm going in priority seating, They're like 'You're sure?' " On one hand Khalifa is glad that he's made it; on the other, the racism that he's experienced has left a bad taste in the rapper's mouth. "It's a good feeling and then it's like a bad feeling because it's like, 'Damn, why do you feel like that about me,' " he said. Wiz Khalifa wants to motivate Pittsburgh artists with his success. Earlier in the interview, the Pittsburgh spitter told Sway how his next album will differ from his first. "When I did Rolling Papers, I was like, I'm gonna make these big songs, I'm gonna make these big records," he said. "What I did before when I made my music was I just went in there and made music and it was what I really liked and what I felt at the time. I kinda developed a pattern of what I was going towards and that's what I did on this album." No word on when O.N.I.F.C. will be released, but Wiz says it is pretty much done. He didn't confirm any guests, but he did reveal that he worked with at least one pretty accomplished producer. "I got production from Pharrell on there. I worked with a lot of different people on this one, but I kept the sound really consistent," he said. "I made sure everybody that I worked with and everything that I did, they all came to my world with it." Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on Sirius XM Radio's Shade 45, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET. Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
Feb 3rd, 2012
Title of sophomore album stands for 'Only N----a in First Class,' Wiz explains on 'Sway in the Morning.' By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wiz Khalifa Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Wiz Khalifa is riding high off of his success, but it isn't all good. On his sophomore album, O.N.I.F.C., Wiz will celebrate his victories, but he promises to give fans the other side, too. "It's the Only N-Word in First Class," Wiz said, breaking down the much-speculated upon acronym when he appeared on "Sway in the Morning" on Shade 45 on Friday (February 3). "It's inspired by Prodigy's H.N.I.C. When he dropped that, I felt like that sounded so strong." When broken down, the title of Prodigy's 2000 debut stands for "Head N---a in Charge," so for his Only N---a in First Class, Wiz took cues from the Mobb Deep MC. There is a clean version of the album, too: One Night in First Class. Still, for Wiz the explicit title has so much more meaning. "I was just talking about me being a young rich dude and being black," Wiz told Shade 45 hosts Sway and Devi Dev about his experience in airports. "It looks crazy to them when I walk up to them and show them my ticket or I'm going in priority seating, They're like 'You're sure?' " On one hand Khalifa is glad that he's made it; on the other, the racism that he's experienced has left a bad taste in the rapper's mouth. "It's a good feeling and then it's like a bad feeling because it's like, 'Damn, why do you feel like that about me,' " he said. Wiz Khalifa wants to motivate Pittsburgh artists with his success. Earlier in the interview, the Pittsburgh spitter told Sway how his next album will differ from his first. "When I did Rolling Papers, I was like, I'm gonna make these big songs, I'm gonna make these big records," he said. "What I did before when I made my music was I just went in there and made music and it was what I really liked and what I felt at the time. I kinda developed a pattern of what I was going towards and that's what I did on this album." No word on when O.N.I.F.C. will be released, but Wiz says it is pretty much done. He didn't confirm any guests, but he did reveal that he worked with at least one pretty accomplished producer. "I got production from Pharrell on there. I worked with a lot of different people on this one, but I kept the sound really consistent," he said. "I made sure everybody that I worked with and everything that I did, they all came to my world with it." Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on Sirius XM Radio's Shade 45, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET. Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
Madonna Releases 'Give Me,' Unveils MDNA Track List
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' debuts Friday (February 3) in multimedia event preceding Queen of Pop's Super Bowl halftime performance.By John Mitchell Madonna Photo: Getty Images Madonna debuted her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," on Friday (February 3) as part of a massive multimedia push ahead of her halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has also revealed the track list for her much-anticipated 12th studio album, MDNA. The Queen of Pop's single was rolled out across Clear Channel's many platforms, a promotional push that the company estimates will reach 150 million people around the world. In addition to radio, the song hit online venues like iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel's customized online radio service, and 1,600 digital billboards in the United States, France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Belgium, Finland and the United Kingdom, according to NPR. "This first-of-its-kind multimedia premiere with Madonna demonstrates the unequalled scope and strength of the entire Clear Channel platform," Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman said in a statement. The full-length Megaforce-directed video for the track also hit the Web Friday and features Her Madgesty and collaborators Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. taking to the streets in cheerleader-chic attire. "Luvin' " is a bouncy dance-pop track reminiscent of Madonna's Grammy-winning "Beautiful Stranger." Driven by glittery synths, marching band drums and claps, the song features guest raps from Minaj and M.I.A. and a deep nostalgia streak. With its simple, impossibly catchy chorus and "dance our lives away" message, the song, which was written and produced by Madonna and dance music master Martin Solveig, feels like classic Madonna re-imagined by the production dynamic that brought her widespread acclaim beginning with her 1998 electro-dance album Ray of Light. On her official website, Madonna revealed the track titles that will be featured on the deluxe edition of her new album, MDNA, which hits stores March 26 and features production work from Solveig and Light producer William Orbit. The deluxe edition will include 15 songs: » Girls Gone Wild » Gang Bang » I'm Addicted » Some Girls » I Don't Give A » Turn Up the Radio » Give Me All Your Luvin' » B-day Song » Superstar » I'm a Sinner » Masterpiece » Falling Free » Love Spent » I F---ed Up » Beautiful Killer Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' debuts Friday (February 3) in multimedia event preceding Queen of Pop's Super Bowl halftime performance.By John Mitchell Madonna Photo: Getty Images Madonna debuted her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," on Friday (February 3) as part of a massive multimedia push ahead of her halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has also revealed the track list for her much-anticipated 12th studio album, MDNA. The Queen of Pop's single was rolled out across Clear Channel's many platforms, a promotional push that the company estimates will reach 150 million people around the world. In addition to radio, the song hit online venues like iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel's customized online radio service, and 1,600 digital billboards in the United States, France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Belgium, Finland and the United Kingdom, according to NPR. "This first-of-its-kind multimedia premiere with Madonna demonstrates the unequalled scope and strength of the entire Clear Channel platform," Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman said in a statement. The full-length Megaforce-directed video for the track also hit the Web Friday and features Her Madgesty and collaborators Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. taking to the streets in cheerleader-chic attire. "Luvin' " is a bouncy dance-pop track reminiscent of Madonna's Grammy-winning "Beautiful Stranger." Driven by glittery synths, marching band drums and claps, the song features guest raps from Minaj and M.I.A. and a deep nostalgia streak. With its simple, impossibly catchy chorus and "dance our lives away" message, the song, which was written and produced by Madonna and dance music master Martin Solveig, feels like classic Madonna re-imagined by the production dynamic that brought her widespread acclaim beginning with her 1998 electro-dance album Ray of Light. On her official website, Madonna revealed the track titles that will be featured on the deluxe edition of her new album, MDNA, which hits stores March 26 and features production work from Solveig and Light producer William Orbit. The deluxe edition will include 15 songs: » Girls Gone Wild » Gang Bang » I'm Addicted » Some Girls » I Don't Give A » Turn Up the Radio » Give Me All Your Luvin' » B-day Song » Superstar » I'm a Sinner » Masterpiece » Falling Free » Love Spent » I F---ed Up » Beautiful Killer Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Adam Lambert Battles Himself In 'Better Than I Know Myself'
Feb 3rd, 2012
Bad-boy Lambert and nice-guy Lambert are at war with each in new clip.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino Adam Lambert Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images Adam Lambert dropped his new video for his first Trespassing single, "Better Than I Know Myself," on Friday (February 3). The video takes a look at the two sides of Lambert: a leather-wearing, liquor-swilling bad boy and a sweater-donning, tea-drinking homebody. During the video, the two personas seem to battle it out in different apartments connected by a clear wall and one oxygen supply. In the end, as the bad Lambert sets his apartment on fire, killing good-guy Lambert's air supply, the wall breaks down. The good seems to seep into his apartment as he rescues his better half. The video ends with one Lambert, walking down a sun-drenched street, seeming to be at peace with himself. "It's about the relationship you have with yourself between your dark and light side," Lambert, who will reportedly hit the road with Queen this summer, explained to MTV News. "It's about duality. It's about that balance and finding it and struggling to maintain it and what that means. It's an emotionally complicated video and I hope people are open-minded about it. I thought really hard and long about what was covered in it and what I was trying to say with it." The video does seem to nod to his "Whataya Want From Me" clip. "It's a cousin to that. ... There is something similar to 'Whataya Want From Me.' I think that domesticated version of myself is my idealistic better version of me," he explained. "It's the me I want to be in my right mind. It's the most happy, content, peaceful, wholesome version of myself." The clip was directed by Ray Kay (who also worked with Lambert on his "For Your Entertainment" video), and Lambert came up with the treatment with his "Whataya" director, Diane Martel. "I just think visually [Kay's] so great. He's so great. He creates great pictures," he said, adding a big "thank you" to Martel for her help. "It's a big collaboration of a lot of different ideas." Related Artists Adam Lambert
Feb 3rd, 2012
Bad-boy Lambert and nice-guy Lambert are at war with each in new clip.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino Adam Lambert Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images Adam Lambert dropped his new video for his first Trespassing single, "Better Than I Know Myself," on Friday (February 3). The video takes a look at the two sides of Lambert: a leather-wearing, liquor-swilling bad boy and a sweater-donning, tea-drinking homebody. During the video, the two personas seem to battle it out in different apartments connected by a clear wall and one oxygen supply. In the end, as the bad Lambert sets his apartment on fire, killing good-guy Lambert's air supply, the wall breaks down. The good seems to seep into his apartment as he rescues his better half. The video ends with one Lambert, walking down a sun-drenched street, seeming to be at peace with himself. "It's about the relationship you have with yourself between your dark and light side," Lambert, who will reportedly hit the road with Queen this summer, explained to MTV News. "It's about duality. It's about that balance and finding it and struggling to maintain it and what that means. It's an emotionally complicated video and I hope people are open-minded about it. I thought really hard and long about what was covered in it and what I was trying to say with it." The video does seem to nod to his "Whataya Want From Me" clip. "It's a cousin to that. ... There is something similar to 'Whataya Want From Me.' I think that domesticated version of myself is my idealistic better version of me," he explained. "It's the me I want to be in my right mind. It's the most happy, content, peaceful, wholesome version of myself." The clip was directed by Ray Kay (who also worked with Lambert on his "For Your Entertainment" video), and Lambert came up with the treatment with his "Whataya" director, Diane Martel. "I just think visually [Kay's] so great. He's so great. He creates great pictures," he said, adding a big "thank you" to Martel for her help. "It's a big collaboration of a lot of different ideas." Related Artists Adam Lambert
'Chronicle': The Reviews Are In!
Feb 3rd, 2012
Critics agree that the supernatural movie brings new life to the found-footage technique.By Kevin P. Sullivan Alex Russell in "Chronicle" Photo: 20th Century Fox With "Chronicle," found footage comes to the superhero genre. It's a fun and exciting take on a story you've probably heard before, and the critics agree. You can check out MTV's review over at the Splash Page. We've rounded up a mostly spoiler-free sampling of the reviews out there for your reading pleasure. Check out what the critics are saying about "Chronicle." The Story "Told mostly (we'll get to that in a bit) through the video-camera lens of a pasty Seattle high school loser named Andrew (Dane DeHaan), the film "documents'' the aftermath of his encounter with a mysteriously glowing space rock. Along with friends and fellow discoverers Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew realizes he can levitate objects and possesses super-human strength." — Ty Burr, Boston Globe The Leads "From the start, there's an undertow of cruelty to the teenagers' high jinks as they learn what they can do, as when they levitate a stuffed animal to frighten a child. Mr. Trank brings a light touch to these self-discovery scenes — the three are flexing fast-evolving muscles — as well as a creeping sense of menace. In this respect, Mr. DeHaan, whose vulnerability and physical awkwardness here can evoke the young Leonardo DiCaprio in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' is invaluable. Mr. Russell and Mr. Jordan are as likable as their characters, but it's Mr. DeHaan who pulls you uneasily in." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Writer and Director "Sometimes a movie arrives out of the blue that announces the arrival of considerable new talents. Josh Trank is 26, and this is his directing debut. Max Landis, also 26, has written a couple of shorts. His father is the director John Landis, but connections don't teach you how to write." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times The Found Footage "One of the cleverest conceits is the way in which shots are framed so that it really does seem as if we're seeing everything through Andrew's lens. Helped by the keen eye of cinematographer Matthew Jensen, mirrors — really, any shiny surface — help fill in the settings." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times The Final Word "Bolstered by the natural performances of a trio of little-known actors, the very watchable 'Chronicle' keeps us captive throughout." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Related Videos Talk Nerdy
Feb 3rd, 2012
Critics agree that the supernatural movie brings new life to the found-footage technique.By Kevin P. Sullivan Alex Russell in "Chronicle" Photo: 20th Century Fox With "Chronicle," found footage comes to the superhero genre. It's a fun and exciting take on a story you've probably heard before, and the critics agree. You can check out MTV's review over at the Splash Page. We've rounded up a mostly spoiler-free sampling of the reviews out there for your reading pleasure. Check out what the critics are saying about "Chronicle." The Story "Told mostly (we'll get to that in a bit) through the video-camera lens of a pasty Seattle high school loser named Andrew (Dane DeHaan), the film "documents'' the aftermath of his encounter with a mysteriously glowing space rock. Along with friends and fellow discoverers Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew realizes he can levitate objects and possesses super-human strength." — Ty Burr, Boston Globe The Leads "From the start, there's an undertow of cruelty to the teenagers' high jinks as they learn what they can do, as when they levitate a stuffed animal to frighten a child. Mr. Trank brings a light touch to these self-discovery scenes — the three are flexing fast-evolving muscles — as well as a creeping sense of menace. In this respect, Mr. DeHaan, whose vulnerability and physical awkwardness here can evoke the young Leonardo DiCaprio in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' is invaluable. Mr. Russell and Mr. Jordan are as likable as their characters, but it's Mr. DeHaan who pulls you uneasily in." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Writer and Director "Sometimes a movie arrives out of the blue that announces the arrival of considerable new talents. Josh Trank is 26, and this is his directing debut. Max Landis, also 26, has written a couple of shorts. His father is the director John Landis, but connections don't teach you how to write." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times The Found Footage "One of the cleverest conceits is the way in which shots are framed so that it really does seem as if we're seeing everything through Andrew's lens. Helped by the keen eye of cinematographer Matthew Jensen, mirrors — really, any shiny surface — help fill in the settings." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times The Final Word "Bolstered by the natural performances of a trio of little-known actors, the very watchable 'Chronicle' keeps us captive throughout." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Related Videos Talk Nerdy
'Fringe' Star Makes 'Angels' With Astrid
Feb 3rd, 2012
'It's personal, sweet and really sad at the same time,' actress Jasika Nicole tells MTV News of her upcoming 'Fringe' episode.By Josh Wigler Jasika Nicole on "Fringe" Photo: FOX There's a running gag on "Fringe" about good-natured FBI agent Astrid Farnsworth: Even though she spends almost all her screen time assisting and taking care of the delightfully delirious Walter Bishop, the kooky scientist can never quite remember her name. "Aspirin," he's called her, or "Asteroid" or any other number of "A" names. Sadly, fans can relate to Walter's repeated mistake. Sweet and mysterious though she may be, the alluring Astrid is relegated to supporting status so often that it's far too easy to forget her name. But that all changes with "Making Angels," the new episode of "Fringe" airing Friday (February 3). Forget Olivia, Walter and Peter — this one is all about Astrid. Actress Jasika Nicole, who plays Astrid on "Fringe," spoke with MTV News about both versions of her character taking center stage in "Making Angels," the challenges of merging two versions of the same person for the first time and much more. MTV: We've been waiting forever for the Astrid episode of "Fringe." What took so long? Jasika Nicole: I've been waiting so hard and long, just like the fans have! [Laughs.] I don't know why it took so long. It would be one thing if it seemed like Astrid didn't have a lot of fan support and people aren't interested, but I feel like fans have been begging to learn and see more of this character. I don't know for the life of me why it took so long. At the beginning of the season, I called ["Fringe" show-runners Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman] and said, "I want you guys to know that I'm so happy on this show, but I would really, really love to know if there's an Astrid episode coming up. It would really give me something to look forward to." They were super vague about it. And I assumed that whenever she did get her episode, it would be a situation where Astrid figures out [the episode's mystery] at the last minute, or everyone's on LSD and she has to go out and save the day. That would be an easy way out. But I'll tell you, I was really surprised with the episode. It's so beautiful. It's personal, it's sweet, and it's really sad at the same time. I don't know why it took so long. But I think all the support the episode has been getting is going to make them feel really crappy that they didn't do this sooner. [Laughs.] MTV: You've always been vocal about who Astrid is and what she's about. For the audience, though, we've had to piece things together: You get a bit of Astrid here and there, but she's not at the forefront the way Olivia and Peter are. When you got your episode, did Astrid measure up to your vision of her? How did the episode change your perspective on the character? Nicole: I think [the writers and I] were on the same page. But before with Astrid, we just got the CliffsNotes version of her. She's kind, thoughtful and a great caretaker. The other Astrid is very smart and she's a little bit vacant in terms of emotional relationships and isn't the best communicator. That was kind of it. You didn't know anything about her family, what it's like when she got home ... it was just overviews of these two characters. But this episode delves into them much more. You see to what extent this Astrid is a caretaker. She does something that's just really beautiful. She's such a sweet, caring, sincere woman. It made Astrid seem like a real person. Before, you see her taking care of Walter. She laugh at his jokes and there's this weird husband-wife, father-daughter thing going on. [Laughs.] But now we get to see her in relation to someone who is not Walter. It's the first time in the four seasons we've really seen her interact with another person and putting herself out there so much. The alternate Astrid has been a little one-note because you've only seen her at work, very focused on her job. She delivers her information and that's pretty much it. But the truth is, she has a life and she has a family. Something traumatic happens where she comes from in that universe, and she's so distraught and incapable of handling what's going on by herself, that she comes to this universe to seek out our Astrid. That's definitely a side of her you've never seen before. I always wanted to know what she's like in personal situations instead of professional ones. You get to see that. This episode is really about alt-Astrid. MTV: One of the beauties of "Fringe" is that we get multiple versions of the same character — even though they're literally the same person, they're very different in many ways. With the two Astrids coming face to face in this episode, how do those differences and similarities come into play? Nicole: What's interesting about having an alternate universe is trying to figure out where your paths went differently. What went on here that didn't go on there? Why aren't we the exact same person? With the Astrids, it's a little different because they're fundamentally different to the core — possibly at a genetic level, if you're of the theory [that alt-Astrid is on the autism spectrum]. That changes your relationships with your family members, which is something that's essential to the story of this episode. Not only are the two Astrids different, they're so different that they have different relationships with the people in their lives. They're the only constant. Everybody around them is different, but this connection that they have is the only solid thing that they have between them. That's going to help the alternate Astrid to figure out what's going on in her life in this crazy, tumultuous time. MTV: "Making Angels" isn't just the first Astrid-centric episode of "Fringe," it's also your first chance to get in on some of the fun your co-stars have been having: acting opposite yourself for pretty much the entire episode. On one hand, that's got to be pretty cool. On the other, it has to be pretty tricky, right? Nicole: You're right, it was a double-whammy. It's like you're sticking two days into one. You have to know exactly what you're going to do, you have to know so well how you're going to play those characters in the beginning of those scenes. It takes a lot of foresight. The emotional part is really tough, but then there's the technical stuff. You have to stand and make sure your outline is the same every time. There's a point where [the two Astrids] shake hands, and I could not for the life of me figure out how they were going to make it work. It's too big of a concept for me to grasp. But what was really cool is that they were able to merge the split screens on the monitors in video village, so they were watching it in real time. I'm doing it with my stand-in, but they're watching both Jasikas on the screen. At one point, we'd been doing this one scene for like eight hours or something. We were tired. It was a big scene with two Olivias in it, two Astrids, Walter and Peter. There's all this stuff going on. We ended up not being able to finish the green screen that night. We had to come back and finish the next day. But they only needed to stick me in the scene. There are four or five other characters in the scene, but they're just filming me in front of the green screen playing off of dialogue that we had recorded the day before. Because we had done it for eight hours, I knew it like the back of my hand. I smiled at imaginary jokes being pulled, I watched imaginary people walking in — it was just so surreal. It's like you're playing a pretend game while you're drunk by yourself, but there are people watching you do it! [Laughs.] Nothing about it makes sense, but the end result is phenomenal. The new episode of "Fringe," "Making Angels," airs Friday (February 3) at 9 p.m. ET. Check out everything we've got on "Fringe." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Feb 3rd, 2012
'It's personal, sweet and really sad at the same time,' actress Jasika Nicole tells MTV News of her upcoming 'Fringe' episode.By Josh Wigler Jasika Nicole on "Fringe" Photo: FOX There's a running gag on "Fringe" about good-natured FBI agent Astrid Farnsworth: Even though she spends almost all her screen time assisting and taking care of the delightfully delirious Walter Bishop, the kooky scientist can never quite remember her name. "Aspirin," he's called her, or "Asteroid" or any other number of "A" names. Sadly, fans can relate to Walter's repeated mistake. Sweet and mysterious though she may be, the alluring Astrid is relegated to supporting status so often that it's far too easy to forget her name. But that all changes with "Making Angels," the new episode of "Fringe" airing Friday (February 3). Forget Olivia, Walter and Peter — this one is all about Astrid. Actress Jasika Nicole, who plays Astrid on "Fringe," spoke with MTV News about both versions of her character taking center stage in "Making Angels," the challenges of merging two versions of the same person for the first time and much more. MTV: We've been waiting forever for the Astrid episode of "Fringe." What took so long? Jasika Nicole: I've been waiting so hard and long, just like the fans have! [Laughs.] I don't know why it took so long. It would be one thing if it seemed like Astrid didn't have a lot of fan support and people aren't interested, but I feel like fans have been begging to learn and see more of this character. I don't know for the life of me why it took so long. At the beginning of the season, I called ["Fringe" show-runners Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman] and said, "I want you guys to know that I'm so happy on this show, but I would really, really love to know if there's an Astrid episode coming up. It would really give me something to look forward to." They were super vague about it. And I assumed that whenever she did get her episode, it would be a situation where Astrid figures out [the episode's mystery] at the last minute, or everyone's on LSD and she has to go out and save the day. That would be an easy way out. But I'll tell you, I was really surprised with the episode. It's so beautiful. It's personal, it's sweet, and it's really sad at the same time. I don't know why it took so long. But I think all the support the episode has been getting is going to make them feel really crappy that they didn't do this sooner. [Laughs.] MTV: You've always been vocal about who Astrid is and what she's about. For the audience, though, we've had to piece things together: You get a bit of Astrid here and there, but she's not at the forefront the way Olivia and Peter are. When you got your episode, did Astrid measure up to your vision of her? How did the episode change your perspective on the character? Nicole: I think [the writers and I] were on the same page. But before with Astrid, we just got the CliffsNotes version of her. She's kind, thoughtful and a great caretaker. The other Astrid is very smart and she's a little bit vacant in terms of emotional relationships and isn't the best communicator. That was kind of it. You didn't know anything about her family, what it's like when she got home ... it was just overviews of these two characters. But this episode delves into them much more. You see to what extent this Astrid is a caretaker. She does something that's just really beautiful. She's such a sweet, caring, sincere woman. It made Astrid seem like a real person. Before, you see her taking care of Walter. She laugh at his jokes and there's this weird husband-wife, father-daughter thing going on. [Laughs.] But now we get to see her in relation to someone who is not Walter. It's the first time in the four seasons we've really seen her interact with another person and putting herself out there so much. The alternate Astrid has been a little one-note because you've only seen her at work, very focused on her job. She delivers her information and that's pretty much it. But the truth is, she has a life and she has a family. Something traumatic happens where she comes from in that universe, and she's so distraught and incapable of handling what's going on by herself, that she comes to this universe to seek out our Astrid. That's definitely a side of her you've never seen before. I always wanted to know what she's like in personal situations instead of professional ones. You get to see that. This episode is really about alt-Astrid. MTV: One of the beauties of "Fringe" is that we get multiple versions of the same character — even though they're literally the same person, they're very different in many ways. With the two Astrids coming face to face in this episode, how do those differences and similarities come into play? Nicole: What's interesting about having an alternate universe is trying to figure out where your paths went differently. What went on here that didn't go on there? Why aren't we the exact same person? With the Astrids, it's a little different because they're fundamentally different to the core — possibly at a genetic level, if you're of the theory [that alt-Astrid is on the autism spectrum]. That changes your relationships with your family members, which is something that's essential to the story of this episode. Not only are the two Astrids different, they're so different that they have different relationships with the people in their lives. They're the only constant. Everybody around them is different, but this connection that they have is the only solid thing that they have between them. That's going to help the alternate Astrid to figure out what's going on in her life in this crazy, tumultuous time. MTV: "Making Angels" isn't just the first Astrid-centric episode of "Fringe," it's also your first chance to get in on some of the fun your co-stars have been having: acting opposite yourself for pretty much the entire episode. On one hand, that's got to be pretty cool. On the other, it has to be pretty tricky, right? Nicole: You're right, it was a double-whammy. It's like you're sticking two days into one. You have to know exactly what you're going to do, you have to know so well how you're going to play those characters in the beginning of those scenes. It takes a lot of foresight. The emotional part is really tough, but then there's the technical stuff. You have to stand and make sure your outline is the same every time. There's a point where [the two Astrids] shake hands, and I could not for the life of me figure out how they were going to make it work. It's too big of a concept for me to grasp. But what was really cool is that they were able to merge the split screens on the monitors in video village, so they were watching it in real time. I'm doing it with my stand-in, but they're watching both Jasikas on the screen. At one point, we'd been doing this one scene for like eight hours or something. We were tired. It was a big scene with two Olivias in it, two Astrids, Walter and Peter. There's all this stuff going on. We ended up not being able to finish the green screen that night. We had to come back and finish the next day. But they only needed to stick me in the scene. There are four or five other characters in the scene, but they're just filming me in front of the green screen playing off of dialogue that we had recorded the day before. Because we had done it for eight hours, I knew it like the back of my hand. I smiled at imaginary jokes being pulled, I watched imaginary people walking in — it was just so surreal. It's like you're playing a pretend game while you're drunk by yourself, but there are people watching you do it! [Laughs.] Nothing about it makes sense, but the end result is phenomenal. The new episode of "Fringe," "Making Angels," airs Friday (February 3) at 9 p.m. ET. Check out everything we've got on "Fringe." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Madonna Goes Old-School In 'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' Video
Feb 3rd, 2012
Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. don cheerleader uniforms in clip, which revisits Madge's classics like 'Material Girl' and 'Like a Virgin.'By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope "Fans can make you famous, a contract can make you rich, the press can make you a superstar, but only luv can make you a player." And with that message, Madonna's funky, fun and surreal (and almost cartoony) "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video kicks off. To view five key moments from the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video, click here. With appearances from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., masked cheerleaders, beefy football players and old-school Madonna references a-plenty, the Megaforce-directed clip is fun and light-hearted, much like the bouncy pop anthem itself. The clip opens with Nicki and M.I.A. done up in cheerleader costumes chanting Madge's name. It then cuts to Madonna, clad in a trench coat and sunglasses, kicking down the door of her suburban home, pushing along a baby stroller. From there, the video takes many unusual turns: football players tackling street signs, Madonna abandoning her baby carriage to hang out with her cheerleader crew, shots of her done up in black lingerie and a giant cross (the first of many looks that reference the many looks Madonna has worn over the years) dancing in front of a brick wall. Sparks fall from the sky as she runs around the streets near her house, her football players protecting her with some giant umbrellas — creating an eye-catching visual. As she makes her way through town (which does little to not look like a movie set), they continue to be by her side and the video begins to play tricks on the viewers' eyes. They help her walk across a world turned sideways. It appears that they may have taken cues from her "Material Girl" video. Madonna looks like she's having an incredibly fun time throughout the visual — smiling and shimmying her way through this fictional, hyper-fantasy world. Watching the clip, one may wonder what doesn't happen in the video. Madonna, in a possible homage to her "Dick Tracy" days, gets shot at with old-school guns! She climbs up a giant pile of football players! She plays with a baby doll! (Yes, that happens!) As the song approaches its breakdown, Madonna fans everywhere will certainly begin to stand out hard. Carried by her football players into a new setup (some kind of club-like setting), Madonna becomes the "Like a Virgin" version of herself. Dressed in white lace, a curly bob and lots of diamonds, she clearly is paying homage to that infamous era. Her two rapper pals are also dressed in similar looks as they spit their rhymes over the Martin Solveig-produced track. There are also a few other Madonna refs in there: In addition to rolling around on her little stage (you know, like she did at the VMAs back in 1984), there are two girls kissing (she's also done that at the VMAs) and a bunch of Smirnoff vodka bottles (she recently partnered up with the alcohol brand). From there, Madonna stage-dives into layers upon layers of football players' hands and, at the end of it, gets caught by two of the players. The always-fierce Queen of Pop wraps up the video with a dance routine with all the characters along the way. When one of her masked cheerleaders bats the head off one of her football players, she catches the helmet and proudly displays it, surrounded by sparklers. The video ends with Madonna tossing her baby doll to the side as one final message flashes across the screen: "Touchdown!" "Give Me" is the lead single off her March album release, MDNA. What do you think of Madonna's "Give Me all Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. don cheerleader uniforms in clip, which revisits Madge's classics like 'Material Girl' and 'Like a Virgin.'By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope "Fans can make you famous, a contract can make you rich, the press can make you a superstar, but only luv can make you a player." And with that message, Madonna's funky, fun and surreal (and almost cartoony) "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video kicks off. To view five key moments from the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video, click here. With appearances from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., masked cheerleaders, beefy football players and old-school Madonna references a-plenty, the Megaforce-directed clip is fun and light-hearted, much like the bouncy pop anthem itself. The clip opens with Nicki and M.I.A. done up in cheerleader costumes chanting Madge's name. It then cuts to Madonna, clad in a trench coat and sunglasses, kicking down the door of her suburban home, pushing along a baby stroller. From there, the video takes many unusual turns: football players tackling street signs, Madonna abandoning her baby carriage to hang out with her cheerleader crew, shots of her done up in black lingerie and a giant cross (the first of many looks that reference the many looks Madonna has worn over the years) dancing in front of a brick wall. Sparks fall from the sky as she runs around the streets near her house, her football players protecting her with some giant umbrellas — creating an eye-catching visual. As she makes her way through town (which does little to not look like a movie set), they continue to be by her side and the video begins to play tricks on the viewers' eyes. They help her walk across a world turned sideways. It appears that they may have taken cues from her "Material Girl" video. Madonna looks like she's having an incredibly fun time throughout the visual — smiling and shimmying her way through this fictional, hyper-fantasy world. Watching the clip, one may wonder what doesn't happen in the video. Madonna, in a possible homage to her "Dick Tracy" days, gets shot at with old-school guns! She climbs up a giant pile of football players! She plays with a baby doll! (Yes, that happens!) As the song approaches its breakdown, Madonna fans everywhere will certainly begin to stand out hard. Carried by her football players into a new setup (some kind of club-like setting), Madonna becomes the "Like a Virgin" version of herself. Dressed in white lace, a curly bob and lots of diamonds, she clearly is paying homage to that infamous era. Her two rapper pals are also dressed in similar looks as they spit their rhymes over the Martin Solveig-produced track. There are also a few other Madonna refs in there: In addition to rolling around on her little stage (you know, like she did at the VMAs back in 1984), there are two girls kissing (she's also done that at the VMAs) and a bunch of Smirnoff vodka bottles (she recently partnered up with the alcohol brand). From there, Madonna stage-dives into layers upon layers of football players' hands and, at the end of it, gets caught by two of the players. The always-fierce Queen of Pop wraps up the video with a dance routine with all the characters along the way. When one of her masked cheerleaders bats the head off one of her football players, she catches the helmet and proudly displays it, surrounded by sparklers. The video ends with Madonna tossing her baby doll to the side as one final message flashes across the screen: "Touchdown!" "Give Me" is the lead single off her March album release, MDNA. What do you think of Madonna's "Give Me all Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Tom Brady vs. Eli Manning: Which Quarterback Has the Best Off-Field Style?
Feb 3rd, 2012
The football stars have a lot in common -- but who's most stylish?
Feb 3rd, 2012
The football stars have a lot in common -- but who's most stylish?
Susan Sarandon, Eva Amurri Star in New Neiman Marcus Campaign
Feb 3rd, 2012
The mother-daughter pair makes a statement in stunning designer gowns
Feb 3rd, 2012
The mother-daughter pair makes a statement in stunning designer gowns
Is Rihanna Channeling Taylor Momsen?
Feb 3rd, 2012
The singer premieres a platinum fringe that looks just like another celebrity bad girl, Taylor Momsen
Feb 3rd, 2012
The singer premieres a platinum fringe that looks just like another celebrity bad girl, Taylor Momsen
A-Listers’ Newest Designer Crush: Erdem
Feb 3rd, 2012
The London-based designer says that when it comes to dressing celebs, "I never think about what's sexy"
Feb 3rd, 2012
The London-based designer says that when it comes to dressing celebs, "I never think about what's sexy"
The Real Reason Reese Witherspoon Cut Bangs
Feb 3rd, 2012
The actress tells Graham Norton that her bangs cover up her new scar
Feb 3rd, 2012
The actress tells Graham Norton that her bangs cover up her new scar
Felicity Jones’s Dolce & Gabbana Lip Service
Feb 2nd, 2012
PHOTO: Check out the "Like Crazy" star's campaign for Dolce & Gabbana's "The Makeup" collection
Feb 2nd, 2012
PHOTO: Check out the "Like Crazy" star's campaign for Dolce & Gabbana's "The Makeup" collection
Banana Republic Goes Mad for ‘Mad Men’ — Again!
Feb 2nd, 2012
Jon Hamm, January Jones and more inspire a second capsule collection for spring
Feb 2nd, 2012
Jon Hamm, January Jones and more inspire a second capsule collection for spring
Vote in Our StyleWatch Vintage Shopping Polls
Feb 2nd, 2012
Tell us about your vintage shopping habits!
Feb 2nd, 2012
Tell us about your vintage shopping habits!
Blake Lively: Louboutin Handpicks My Shoes
Feb 2nd, 2012
The "Gossip Girl" star says she calls the designer for shoe guidance
Feb 2nd, 2012
The "Gossip Girl" star says she calls the designer for shoe guidance
Are You Loving Olivia Thirlby’s Hairstyle?
Feb 2nd, 2012
The actress channels Justin Bieber with her new swoosh
Feb 2nd, 2012
The actress channels Justin Bieber with her new swoosh
Drew Barrymore Dishes on Her ‘Fancy’ Engagement Ring
Feb 2nd, 2012
The actress glows when talking about fiance Will Kopelman and the 4-carat ring he selected
Feb 2nd, 2012
The actress glows when talking about fiance Will Kopelman and the 4-carat ring he selected
Emma Watson: I Am ‘Careful’ with Fashion
Feb 2nd, 2012
The "Harry Potter" star says she does not wear designer bags or sunglasses in her real life
Feb 2nd, 2012
The "Harry Potter" star says she does not wear designer bags or sunglasses in her real life
Mena Suvari Models Christian Siriano’s Spring Looks
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress serves as a muse for the designer's spring/summer 2012 video look book
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress serves as a muse for the designer's spring/summer 2012 video look book
Designer Katherine Hooker: Kate Isn’t Afraid to Say ‘No’
Feb 1st, 2012
The Duchess of Cambridge's frequent collaborator discusses what it's like to wardrobe royalty
Feb 1st, 2012
The Duchess of Cambridge's frequent collaborator discusses what it's like to wardrobe royalty
WATCH: Kate Walsh Joins the High Rollers with Billionaire Boyfriend Fragrance
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress releases her second set, Billionaire Boyfriend
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress releases her second set, Billionaire Boyfriend
Alberta Ferretti Is Macy’s Next Impulse Designer
Feb 1st, 2012
The Italian designer will debut a collection of dresses, separates and knits on April 17
Feb 1st, 2012
The Italian designer will debut a collection of dresses, separates and knits on April 17
Octavia Spencer ‘Triple-Spanxed’ for the SAGs
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress admits to wearing extra undergarments for Sunday's awards
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress admits to wearing extra undergarments for Sunday's awards
Gwyneth Paltrow Prefers Wrinkles to Botox
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress opens up about diet, health and fashion in the March issue of "Harper's Bazaar"
Feb 1st, 2012
The actress opens up about diet, health and fashion in the March issue of "Harper's Bazaar"
First Look: Nicole Scherzinger Bares (Almost) All for London Fog
Feb 1st, 2012
The singer shows off the winter 2012 offerings from the line
Feb 1st, 2012
The singer shows off the winter 2012 offerings from the line
Paulina Porizkova’s Old Skincare Regimen ‘Was a Nightmare’
Jan 31st, 2012
The model discusses her former regime -- and her partnership with Avon Anew
Jan 31st, 2012
The model discusses her former regime -- and her partnership with Avon Anew
Yandy And Chrissy Discuss Their Beef In This Clip From The Love And Hip Hop: Reality Check
Feb 3rd, 2012
By the end of this season of Love And Hip Hop, it was pretty clear that Yandy and Chrissy‘s relationship had gone sour and was all but non-existent. After their contentious fight in Miami, we were left worrying about Yandy on the off-chance that Chrissy might be coming for her. In this sneak from the [...]
Feb 3rd, 2012
By the end of this season of Love And Hip Hop, it was pretty clear that Yandy and Chrissy‘s relationship had gone sour and was all but non-existent. After their contentious fight in Miami, we were left worrying about Yandy on the off-chance that Chrissy might be coming for her. In this sneak from the [...]
VH1 Gossip Roundup For The Week Of 2/3/12: Kimbella Goes Anime, More Drama Between Jennifer And Evelyn
Feb 3rd, 2012
Kimbella gets the anime treatment from one talented Love And Hip Hop fan and we love it. [Electro Blood Z] Jennifer Williams reportedly filed charges against Nia Crooks, an assistant for Evelyn Lozada, after alleging that Crooks slapped her across the face during a shoot for Basketball Wives. [TMZ] If you love the Big Ang [...]
Feb 3rd, 2012
Kimbella gets the anime treatment from one talented Love And Hip Hop fan and we love it. [Electro Blood Z] Jennifer Williams reportedly filed charges against Nia Crooks, an assistant for Evelyn Lozada, after alleging that Crooks slapped her across the face during a shoot for Basketball Wives. [TMZ] If you love the Big Ang [...]
T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle Sneak Peek: Baby Talk
Feb 2nd, 2012
Tiny has baby fever, and she’s trying to get everyone, from her mom to her doctor to her husband to agree that it’s a good idea to expand their family. In this sneak peek from T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle , Tiny’s got a few obstacles in her way before she can get to [...]
Feb 2nd, 2012
Tiny has baby fever, and she’s trying to get everyone, from her mom to her doctor to her husband to agree that it’s a good idea to expand their family. In this sneak peek from T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle , Tiny’s got a few obstacles in her way before she can get to [...]
VH1 To Re-Air Soul Train: The Hippest Trip In America At 10 P.M. On Friday, February 3
Feb 2nd, 2012
Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius was found dead in his Los Angeles home yesterday of an apparent suicide. The news came as a huge shock to the legions of people that he had influenced, and as a way to celebrate the life of Don Cornelius and the impact that he had on popular [...]
Feb 2nd, 2012
Soul Train creator and host Don Cornelius was found dead in his Los Angeles home yesterday of an apparent suicide. The news came as a huge shock to the legions of people that he had influenced, and as a way to celebrate the life of Don Cornelius and the impact that he had on popular [...]
T.I. And Tiny Discuss Don Cornelius’ Legacy And Address Some Pregnancy Rumors On 106 And Park
Feb 2nd, 2012
T.I. and Tiny appeared on BET’s 106 And Park yesterday and talked about the devastating loss of Soul Train host Don Cornelius. Tip said that Cornelius’ legacy will live on and that “For me, it was about him creating a platform for us to see ourselves.” Tiny also appeared on Soul Train when she was [...]
Feb 2nd, 2012
T.I. and Tiny appeared on BET’s 106 And Park yesterday and talked about the devastating loss of Soul Train host Don Cornelius. Tip said that Cornelius’ legacy will live on and that “For me, it was about him creating a platform for us to see ourselves.” Tiny also appeared on Soul Train when she was [...]
Take A Sneak Peek At The Love And Hip Hop: Reality Check Special Promo
Feb 1st, 2012
It’s true that the upcoming episode of Love And Hip Hop will not be a typical reunion show. But it’s also true that what you’re going to see on Monday night’s show, dubbed the Love And Hip Hop: Reality Check, is better than any reunion special. You’ll get to see never before seen footage that [...]
Feb 1st, 2012
It’s true that the upcoming episode of Love And Hip Hop will not be a typical reunion show. But it’s also true that what you’re going to see on Monday night’s show, dubbed the Love And Hip Hop: Reality Check, is better than any reunion special. You’ll get to see never before seen footage that [...]
J’Adore Magazine Reality Issue Features Jennifer Williams On The Cover, And Interviews With Laura Govan And Carla Facciolo
Feb 1st, 2012
J’Adore Magazine’s reality TV issue has just arrived on newsstands, and wouldn’t you know it, Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams is gracing one of the covers. (The issue will have four separate covers, in addition to Williams, Giuliana Rancic, Ramona Singer and Brandon Beemer will also be featured.) What do you think of Jen’s goddess [...]
Feb 1st, 2012
J’Adore Magazine’s reality TV issue has just arrived on newsstands, and wouldn’t you know it, Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams is gracing one of the covers. (The issue will have four separate covers, in addition to Williams, Giuliana Rancic, Ramona Singer and Brandon Beemer will also be featured.) What do you think of Jen’s goddess [...]
Theophilus London Has A Thing For Royce Reed, But Calls Tami Roman A Gremlin
Feb 1st, 2012
Musician Theophilus London has some serious love for VH1. When our very own Janell Snowden spoke to him at Sundance last week, they talked about his favorite cast members from Love And Hip Hop and Basketball Wives, and it’s clear the man definitely plays favorites. While discussing Love And Hip Hop, he told Janell “Emily [...]
Feb 1st, 2012
Musician Theophilus London has some serious love for VH1. When our very own Janell Snowden spoke to him at Sundance last week, they talked about his favorite cast members from Love And Hip Hop and Basketball Wives, and it’s clear the man definitely plays favorites. While discussing Love And Hip Hop, he told Janell “Emily [...]
Behind The Scenes At Evelyn Lozada’s Maxim Photo Shoot
Jan 31st, 2012
The photos of Evelyn Lozada‘s steamy photo shoot for Maxim.com came out last week, and for those of you who are curious how a shoot like that goes down, we’ve got a video documenting the whole thing. You’ve got to love a woman who can rock her heels, amazing engagement ring, and not much else. [...]
Jan 31st, 2012
The photos of Evelyn Lozada‘s steamy photo shoot for Maxim.com came out last week, and for those of you who are curious how a shoot like that goes down, we’ve got a video documenting the whole thing. You’ve got to love a woman who can rock her heels, amazing engagement ring, and not much else. [...]
Carla Facciolo Talks About How She Met The Rest Of The Mob Wives In This Big Morning Buzz Live Clip
Jan 31st, 2012
Have you ever wondered how all the Mob Wives met each other in real life? Carla Facciolo made an appearance on VH1′s Big Morning Buzz Live today to answer that very question. Carla and Renee‘s relationship is the longest (a fact you’d know if you watch the show regularly), clocking in at twenty seven years [...]
Jan 31st, 2012
Have you ever wondered how all the Mob Wives met each other in real life? Carla Facciolo made an appearance on VH1′s Big Morning Buzz Live today to answer that very question. Carla and Renee‘s relationship is the longest (a fact you’d know if you watch the show regularly), clocking in at twenty seven years [...]
Listen To An Exclusive Audio Clip From Karen Gravano’s New Book, Mob Daughter, And Learn How You Can Win A Free Copy
Jan 31st, 2012
Mob Wives star Karen Gravano‘s upcoming book Mob Daughter: The Mafia, Sammy The Bull Gravano, And Me will be released on February 14, but if you’re interested in hearing an exclusive audio clip, we’ve got one. Gravano and her book publishers have generously given us this excerpt from the book, which Karen narrates. Having read [...]
Jan 31st, 2012
T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle – Episode 8 – Snarling And Growling
Jan 30th, 2012
It’s Christmas at the Harris home which means it’s time to trim the tree (sort of), give out toys, and dress as trolls. Typical holiday stuff. The entire family congregates in the White Room to decorate for Christmas. (To refresh your memory, the rules of the White Room are as follows: No Juice. No Shoes. [...]
Jan 30th, 2012
It’s Christmas at the Harris home which means it’s time to trim the tree (sort of), give out toys, and dress as trolls. Typical holiday stuff. The entire family congregates in the White Room to decorate for Christmas. (To refresh your memory, the rules of the White Room are as follows: No Juice. No Shoes. [...]
Love And Hip Hop Star Olivia Releases Her “Walk Away” Video
Jan 30th, 2012
Right before this season of Love And Hip Hop wrapped, we saw Olivia finally get her musical vision on track. The seeds for her song “Walk Away” were planted early in the season and she worked hard all season long to create a single that wasn’t just some studio-driven, corporate schlock, and we totally applaud [...]
Jan 30th, 2012
Right before this season of Love And Hip Hop wrapped, we saw Olivia finally get her musical vision on track. The seeds for her song “Walk Away” were planted early in the season and she worked hard all season long to create a single that wasn’t just some studio-driven, corporate schlock, and we totally applaud [...]
The Ladies Get Ready To Rumble In This Brand New Basketball Wives 4 Promo
Jan 30th, 2012
Basketball Wives. Season four. February 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. All the ladies are back, and just like everything else in Miami, the heat is on. In this brand new promo, the drama dial is cranked all the way up, but something tells me Shaunie and her starter pistol aren’t going to be able to [...]
Jan 30th, 2012
Basketball Wives. Season four. February 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. All the ladies are back, and just like everything else in Miami, the heat is on. In this brand new promo, the drama dial is cranked all the way up, but something tells me Shaunie and her starter pistol aren’t going to be able to [...]
Tickets Are On Sale Now For Royce Reed’s Off-Broadway Show
Jan 30th, 2012
Over the past few years, Royce Reed has made it clear that she will not be pigeonholed as “just” a reality star. As one of the original castmembers of Basketball Wives, she’s struck out on her own to author a book series (College Girls), run a dance company, and work on her acting career, and [...]
Jan 30th, 2012
Over the past few years, Royce Reed has made it clear that she will not be pigeonholed as “just” a reality star. As one of the original castmembers of Basketball Wives, she’s struck out on her own to author a book series (College Girls), run a dance company, and work on her acting career, and [...]
Basketball Wives 4 The Glamour Shots Are In: What Do You Think?
Jan 30th, 2012
Back in December, we went to Miami to get an up-close look at what goes on during a Basketball Wives photo shoot. We showed you some behind-the-scenes photos, some early previews of the sexy looks the ladies were photographed in, and a short video of our time with them, and now all the gorgeous photos [...]
Jan 30th, 2012
Back in December, we went to Miami to get an up-close look at what goes on during a Basketball Wives photo shoot. We showed you some behind-the-scenes photos, some early previews of the sexy looks the ladies were photographed in, and a short video of our time with them, and now all the gorgeous photos [...]
Baseball Wives – Episode 8 – Kicked Off The Island
Jan 29th, 2012
For the first half of this recap of Baseball Wives, allow me to redirect you to my recap of Basketball Wives L.A. when the ladies go to Hawaii. It is the same exact situation, the same drama, and the same Survivor-”Kicked off the island” metaphor. Just do a mental search-and-replace, filling Brooke‘s name in wherever [...]
Jan 29th, 2012
For the first half of this recap of Baseball Wives, allow me to redirect you to my recap of Basketball Wives L.A. when the ladies go to Hawaii. It is the same exact situation, the same drama, and the same Survivor-”Kicked off the island” metaphor. Just do a mental search-and-replace, filling Brooke‘s name in wherever [...]
The Best Quotes From The Debut Episode Of Mob Wives: The Sitdown
Jan 29th, 2012
Tonight was the first ever episode of Mob Wives: The Sitdown, and Renee, Drita, and Big Ang joined host Carrie Keagan to rehash tonight’s Mob Wives episode. The ladies got into all their drama and we have our favorite quotable moments from the show below. More important than that though, let’s discuss the awesome on-camera [...]
Jan 29th, 2012
Tonight was the first ever episode of Mob Wives: The Sitdown, and Renee, Drita, and Big Ang joined host Carrie Keagan to rehash tonight’s Mob Wives episode. The ladies got into all their drama and we have our favorite quotable moments from the show below. More important than that though, let’s discuss the awesome on-camera [...]
Mob Wives Bonus Clip: “Going To A Big Ang Party, You Have No Idea What’s Going To Go Down”
Jan 29th, 2012
This week’s episode of Mob Wives ran dreadfully low on Big Ang content, so we’re posting this bonus clip of Drita attending a “Big Ang Party” to make up for it. Can we point out that the puppy Big Ang’s boyfriend promised to buy her has arrived?? In this deleted scene, Big Ang talks about [...]
Jan 29th, 2012
Mob Wives – Episode 5 – Four Sides To Every Story
Jan 29th, 2012
There’s an old saying that goes “There are three sides to every story: yours, mine, and the truth.” On Mob Wives, that saying should actually be “There are four sides to every story: the version Karen tells Ramona, the version Carla tells to Drita, and the two versions they both tell Renee. The truth is [...]
Jan 29th, 2012
There’s an old saying that goes “There are three sides to every story: yours, mine, and the truth.” On Mob Wives, that saying should actually be “There are four sides to every story: the version Karen tells Ramona, the version Carla tells to Drita, and the two versions they both tell Renee. The truth is [...]
Renee Graziano Rushed To Hospital After Reportedly Suffering A Panic Attack [UPDATED]
Jan 28th, 2012
Mob Wives star Renee Graziano, whose father Anthony is in federal custody and was charged yesterday with racketeering and extortion, was admitted to the emergency room late yesterday for what appears to be a panic attack. Renee reportedly had trouble breathing and collapsed yesterday and received treatment at a New York City hospital. Our thoughts [...]
Jan 28th, 2012
Mob Wives star Renee Graziano, whose father Anthony is in federal custody and was charged yesterday with racketeering and extortion, was admitted to the emergency room late yesterday for what appears to be a panic attack. Renee reportedly had trouble breathing and collapsed yesterday and received treatment at a New York City hospital. Our thoughts [...]
Evelyn Lozada On The Real Reasons She’s Upset With Jennifer Williams (The Saga Continues)
Jan 27th, 2012
There’s a bit of a Basketball Wives saga going down this week. It started when Jennifer Williams made comments in an interview the other day saying that Evelyn Lozada “hates the fact that I’m really good friends with NeNe [Leakes], and she hates the fact that me and Mashonda are good friends.” Yesterday, Evelyn rebutted [...]
Jan 27th, 2012
There’s a bit of a Basketball Wives saga going down this week. It started when Jennifer Williams made comments in an interview the other day saying that Evelyn Lozada “hates the fact that I’m really good friends with NeNe [Leakes], and she hates the fact that me and Mashonda are good friends.” Yesterday, Evelyn rebutted [...]
Renee Graziano Reacts To Her Father Anthony Graziano’s Arrest Today
Jan 27th, 2012
Anthony Graziano, father to Mob Wives star Renee and show creator Jennifer, was arrested today, according to a report in the New York Post. Graziano was one of several high-ranking members of the Bonanno crime family to be charged with racketeering and extortion in a raid that occurred this morning. The Post reports: “The massive [...]
Jan 27th, 2012
Anthony Graziano, father to Mob Wives star Renee and show creator Jennifer, was arrested today, according to a report in the New York Post. Graziano was one of several high-ranking members of the Bonanno crime family to be charged with racketeering and extortion in a raid that occurred this morning. The Post reports: “The massive [...]
VH1 Gossip Roundup For The Week Of 1/27/12: Olivia Talks To The Breakfast Club, More Fans Get Big Ang Tattoos
Jan 27th, 2012
Olivia and Rich Dollaz appeared on Power 105 this week where Olivia talks about her loyalty to Chrissy and Yandy, and Rich gets relentlessly made fun of for the tears he shed on the show. [Power 105] Chad Ochocinco live-tweeted the State Of The Union address and Politico thought it was pretty funny stuff. [Politico] [...]
Jan 27th, 2012
Olivia and Rich Dollaz appeared on Power 105 this week where Olivia talks about her loyalty to Chrissy and Yandy, and Rich gets relentlessly made fun of for the tears he shed on the show. [Power 105] Chad Ochocinco live-tweeted the State Of The Union address and Politico thought it was pretty funny stuff. [Politico] [...]
A Twitter War Erupts Between Basketball Wives Stars Jennifer And Evelyn
Jan 26th, 2012
Even though season four of Basketball Wives doesn’t start for three more weeks (February 20, y’all), there’s already drama brewing. As we mentioned yesterday, Jennifer Williams and Evelyn Lozada‘s friendship will be put to the test on the show this season, and Jennifer had a theory about why Evelyn feels a certain way about her. [...]
Jan 26th, 2012
Even though season four of Basketball Wives doesn’t start for three more weeks (February 20, y’all), there’s already drama brewing. As we mentioned yesterday, Jennifer Williams and Evelyn Lozada‘s friendship will be put to the test on the show this season, and Jennifer had a theory about why Evelyn feels a certain way about her. [...]
Here’s Another Early Clip From The TRL Decade, In Which Britney Spears Accepts A Very Nice Compliment About Her Behind
Jan 26th, 2012
We’ve already shown you a clip from the upcoming VH1 Roc Docs special The TRL Decade in which Carson Daly talks about the time a teenage Lady Gaga tried to visit him in the TRL studio. In yet another teaser from the documentary, airing Sunday night, January 29 at 9:30pm ET/PT, we bring you one [...]
Jan 26th, 2012
We’ve already shown you a clip from the upcoming VH1 Roc Docs special The TRL Decade in which Carson Daly talks about the time a teenage Lady Gaga tried to visit him in the TRL studio. In yet another teaser from the documentary, airing Sunday night, January 29 at 9:30pm ET/PT, we bring you one [...]
Renee Gets In The Middle Of Things In This Sneak Peek From Mob Wives Episode 5
Jan 26th, 2012
Tempers flare once again on the upcoming episode of Mob Wives. (What? No!) While Renee attempts to stay neutral and referee this war between Team Karen and Team Drita, Ramona goes off the deep end and trash talks Drita to the point where Renee tells her “You’re starting trouble…I’ll be honest with you, I think [...]
Jan 26th, 2012
Tempers flare once again on the upcoming episode of Mob Wives. (What? No!) While Renee attempts to stay neutral and referee this war between Team Karen and Team Drita, Ramona goes off the deep end and trash talks Drita to the point where Renee tells her “You’re starting trouble…I’ll be honest with you, I think [...]
Remembering The TRL Decade: A Photo Time Capsule
Jan 26th, 2012
It’s easy to forget that TRL was more than a show where tweens would make their parents drag them to Times Square on a pilgrimage to run their vocals ragged, screaming for their favorite stars. TRL was a defining show for MTV, popular music and kids of a certain generation. It’s also easy to forget [...]
Jan 26th, 2012
It’s easy to forget that TRL was more than a show where tweens would make their parents drag them to Times Square on a pilgrimage to run their vocals ragged, screaming for their favorite stars. TRL was a defining show for MTV, popular music and kids of a certain generation. It’s also easy to forget [...]
T.O. Speaks: The Football Star Talks To GQ About His Legal Issues And His Falling Out With Mo And Kita
Jan 25th, 2012
We haven’t heard much from Terrell Owens since his show ended this past summer, although there have been a few reports of health scares and legal woes that have cropped up here and there. T.O. spoke to GQ recently to clear up all the rumors and reports we’ve heard, in addition to answering questions about [...]
Jan 25th, 2012
We haven’t heard much from Terrell Owens since his show ended this past summer, although there have been a few reports of health scares and legal woes that have cropped up here and there. T.O. spoke to GQ recently to clear up all the rumors and reports we’ve heard, in addition to answering questions about [...]
T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle Sneak Peek: The Reason For The Season
Jan 25th, 2012
Christmas at T.I.‘s house is a little overwhelming, at least on the decorating front. But T.I. knows just the way to make his kids appreciate the holidays. In this sneak from the upcoming episode of T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle, T.I. shows the family the meaning of giving back when he drafts the family [...]
Jan 25th, 2012
Christmas at T.I.‘s house is a little overwhelming, at least on the decorating front. But T.I. knows just the way to make his kids appreciate the holidays. In this sneak from the upcoming episode of T.I. And Tiny: The Family Hustle, T.I. shows the family the meaning of giving back when he drafts the family [...]
THE HUNGER GAMES l 50 Day Celebration!
Feb 4th, 2012
Today marked another milestone in the countdown to the release of THE HUNGER GAMES. With 50 days to go until audiences everywhere are able to see the film in theaters on March 23, 2012!
Feb 4th, 2012
Today marked another milestone in the countdown to the release of THE HUNGER GAMES. With 50 days to go until audiences everywhere are able to see the film in theaters on March 23, 2012!
The Vampire Diaries: Season 3, Episode 13 :: Bringing Out the Dead
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on The Vampire Diaries (Season 3, Episode 13), Bonnie unlocks the hidden coffin and Stefan and Damon reunite. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Bringing Out the Dead”, which aired February 2, 2012, to discover what you missed.
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on The Vampire Diaries (Season 3, Episode 13), Bonnie unlocks the hidden coffin and Stefan and Damon reunite. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Bringing Out the Dead”, which aired February 2, 2012, to discover what you missed.
Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure Q&A - New Toys!
Feb 4th, 2012
New Skylanders have arrived, as well as a new adventure pack containing a whole new level! Read on for more details.
Feb 4th, 2012
New Skylanders have arrived, as well as a new adventure pack containing a whole new level! Read on for more details.
The Secret Circle: Season 1, Episode 13: Medallion
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on The Secret Circle (Season 1, Episode 13) Cassie enlists the help of a powerful psychic to help her unlock the power of the Blackwell medallion. Read the Kidzworld Recap of "Medallion" which aired February 2, 2012, to discover what you missed!
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on The Secret Circle (Season 1, Episode 13) Cassie enlists the help of a powerful psychic to help her unlock the power of the Blackwell medallion. Read the Kidzworld Recap of "Medallion" which aired February 2, 2012, to discover what you missed!
How to Rock’s TV Premiere
Feb 4th, 2012
Nickelodeon’s brand new show How to Rock premieres February 4, 2012. Kidzworld has all the details!
Feb 4th, 2012
Nickelodeon’s brand new show How to Rock premieres February 4, 2012. Kidzworld has all the details!
The Meanings of Flowers
Feb 4th, 2012
Valentine's Day flowers say more than just "I love you". Learn the meanings of 20 different types of flowers and show someone how you really feel!
Feb 4th, 2012
Valentine's Day flowers say more than just "I love you". Learn the meanings of 20 different types of flowers and show someone how you really feel!
American Idol: Season 11, Week 3 :: Audition #6 & #7
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on American Idol (Season 11, Episode 6), the judges head to Portland, Oregon. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Audition #6” which aired on February 1, 2012, to discover what you missed.
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on American Idol (Season 11, Episode 6), the judges head to Portland, Oregon. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Audition #6” which aired on February 1, 2012, to discover what you missed.
Lady and the Tramp on Blu-Ray
Feb 4th, 2012
Fall in love this Valentine’s Day with Lady and the Tramp, which is released on Blu-Ray and DVD February 7.
Feb 4th, 2012
Fall in love this Valentine’s Day with Lady and the Tramp, which is released on Blu-Ray and DVD February 7.
Madden NFL 12 Predicts Giants to Win the Super Bowl
Feb 4th, 2012
Super Bowl XLVI is going down this weekend but EA Sports has already picked a winner.
Feb 4th, 2012
Super Bowl XLVI is going down this weekend but EA Sports has already picked a winner.
Seventeen Magazine: Mirror Mirror Sweepstakes
Feb 4th, 2012
Enter for a chance to Win a Trip for You and a Guest to the Los Angeles Premiere of Mirror Mirror and a Meet-and-Greet with Seventeen Cover Star Lily Collins!
Feb 4th, 2012
Enter for a chance to Win a Trip for You and a Guest to the Los Angeles Premiere of Mirror Mirror and a Meet-and-Greet with Seventeen Cover Star Lily Collins!
90210: Season 4, Episode 15 :: Trust, Truth and Traffic
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on 90210 (Season 4, Episode 15), Dixon gets arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Trust, Truth and Traffic,” which aired on January 31, 2012, to discover what you missed.
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on 90210 (Season 4, Episode 15), Dixon gets arrested for a crime he didn’t commit. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Trust, Truth and Traffic,” which aired on January 31, 2012, to discover what you missed.
February Sports Preview
Feb 4th, 2012
It’s February and the Super Bowl is upon us, but don’t let the hype get to you. Basketball, hockey and soccer are also heating up this month.
Feb 4th, 2012
It’s February and the Super Bowl is upon us, but don’t let the hype get to you. Basketball, hockey and soccer are also heating up this month.
Book Review: This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel
Feb 4th, 2012
Award-winning author Kenneth Oppel creates a spellbinding prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Check out Kidzworld’s book review of This Dark Endeavour.
Feb 4th, 2012
Award-winning author Kenneth Oppel creates a spellbinding prequel to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Check out Kidzworld’s book review of This Dark Endeavour.
Glee: Season 3, Episode 11 :: Michael
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on Glee (Season 3, Episode 11), New Directions does a tribute to Michael Jackson. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Michael”, which aired January 31 2011, to find out what happened!
Feb 4th, 2012
This week on Glee (Season 3, Episode 11), New Directions does a tribute to Michael Jackson. Read Kidzworld’s recap of “Michael”, which aired January 31 2011, to find out what happened!
February 2012 Horoscopes
Feb 4th, 2012
February is the month of love. Find out what lies ahead in Kidzworld’s horoscopes
Feb 4th, 2012
February is the month of love. Find out what lies ahead in Kidzworld’s horoscopes
Disney’s Treasure Buddies
Feb 4th, 2012
Disney invites you to travel across the globe in an all-new, treasure-hunting adventure with the Buddies!
Feb 4th, 2012
Disney invites you to travel across the globe in an all-new, treasure-hunting adventure with the Buddies!
Top 10 Valentine's Gifts For Your Girlfriend
Feb 4th, 2012
If you have a special someone (or you’re a secret admirer), Valentine’s Day means a chance to prove your love. But don’t get stressed because you have to impress, just show your cutie that you care with a gift that will send Cupid’s arrow straight through her heart.
Feb 4th, 2012
If you have a special someone (or you’re a secret admirer), Valentine’s Day means a chance to prove your love. But don’t get stressed because you have to impress, just show your cutie that you care with a gift that will send Cupid’s arrow straight through her heart.
Dear Dish-It: I’m the Middle Kid
Feb 4th, 2012
Jay asks: “I’m the middle child in my family and my siblings pick on me constantly. They toss me in the pool, put nail polish on me when I’m sleeping and cause mayhem around the house – and I get the blame. How can I stand up to them?”
Feb 4th, 2012
Jay asks: “I’m the middle child in my family and my siblings pick on me constantly. They toss me in the pool, put nail polish on me when I’m sleeping and cause mayhem around the house – and I get the blame. How can I stand up to them?”
February Holidays
Feb 4th, 2012
Check out the cool holidays you should be celebrating during February. Not only is Valentine's Day this month, but it's also Groundhog Day and Canadian Heritage Day!
Feb 4th, 2012
Check out the cool holidays you should be celebrating during February. Not only is Valentine's Day this month, but it's also Groundhog Day and Canadian Heritage Day!
Kristen Bell’s “Big Miracle”
Feb 4th, 2012
Kristen Bell tells Kidzworld all about playing a TV reporter in the “Save-the-Whales” movie.
Feb 4th, 2012
Kristen Bell tells Kidzworld all about playing a TV reporter in the “Save-the-Whales” movie.
History of the Sandwich
Feb 4th, 2012
Whether it’s a pb&j at a picnic or a foot long sub for supper, sandwiches are a simple, savoury (and portable) option for any meal of the day, but do you know how they were invented? Delve between the bread slices to find out the story of this delicious dish!
Feb 4th, 2012
Whether it’s a pb&j at a picnic or a foot long sub for supper, sandwiches are a simple, savoury (and portable) option for any meal of the day, but do you know how they were invented? Delve between the bread slices to find out the story of this delicious dish!
“Hunger Games” Tidbits from “Peeta”: Josh Hutcherson
Feb 4th, 2012
Kidzworld gets the scoop from Josh Hutcherson while in Hawaii for the “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” press day.
Feb 4th, 2012
Kidzworld gets the scoop from Josh Hutcherson while in Hawaii for the “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” press day.
Top 10 Viral Videos
Feb 4th, 2012
Viral videos… what can they do for you? They can turn you from a small town boy to a worldwide teen idol singing with Usher, they can make your cat famous, and they can make millions of people laugh over and over again. Here are Kidzworld’s top 10 Viral Videos.
Feb 4th, 2012
Viral videos… what can they do for you? They can turn you from a small town boy to a worldwide teen idol singing with Usher, they can make your cat famous, and they can make millions of people laugh over and over again. Here are Kidzworld’s top 10 Viral Videos.
Kidzworld Kitchen: Super Bowl Snack Time
Feb 4th, 2012
Jazz up your Super Bowl party with these fun and easy snack ideas. Kidzworld has the recipes!
Feb 4th, 2012
Jazz up your Super Bowl party with these fun and easy snack ideas. Kidzworld has the recipes!
Winter Nail Polish Trends
Feb 4th, 2012
Painting your nails isn’t just fun, it’s fashionable. If you need a “helping hand” to figure out what this season’s nail trends are, we’ve got the breakdown on what hot this winter.
Feb 4th, 2012
Painting your nails isn’t just fun, it’s fashionable. If you need a “helping hand” to figure out what this season’s nail trends are, we’ve got the breakdown on what hot this winter.
PSP Vita: Launch Games and Details
Feb 4th, 2012
The next generation portable arrives in North America in February! Read on for all the latest news and details of the PSP Vita launch!
Feb 4th, 2012
The next generation portable arrives in North America in February! Read on for all the latest news and details of the PSP Vita launch!
All About Mayan Culture
Feb 4th, 2012
The ancient Mayans are renowned among historians and archaeologists as being an incredibly advanced culture that excelled at mathematics, astronomy and arts, and with their star-based calendar predicting the end of the world this year, many people are giving this ancient culture a second look. Find out more about Mayan culture!
Feb 4th, 2012
The ancient Mayans are renowned among historians and archaeologists as being an incredibly advanced culture that excelled at mathematics, astronomy and arts, and with their star-based calendar predicting the end of the world this year, many people are giving this ancient culture a second look. Find out more about Mayan culture!
Sports Moments in Black History
Feb 4th, 2012
February is Black History Month so Kidzworld's Sports Zone is saluting some of America's greatest African American athletes. Check out this look at Jessie Owens, Jackie Robinson and other great sports pioneers.
Feb 4th, 2012
February is Black History Month so Kidzworld's Sports Zone is saluting some of America's greatest African American athletes. Check out this look at Jessie Owens, Jackie Robinson and other great sports pioneers.
Black History Month
Feb 4th, 2012
February is Black History Month, a time to remember the African Americans who made countless contributions to help shape the country we live in today.
Feb 4th, 2012
February is Black History Month, a time to remember the African Americans who made countless contributions to help shape the country we live in today.
Black History Month: Field Trips
Feb 4th, 2012
February is Black History Month. One cool thing to do is go on a field trip to commemorate the contributions made by African Americans to the United States!
Feb 4th, 2012
February is Black History Month. One cool thing to do is go on a field trip to commemorate the contributions made by African Americans to the United States!
Super Bowl Fun Facts & Trivia
Feb 4th, 2012
The Super Bowl is one of the most beloved events in the USA. A lot of hype comes every year for this day filled with barbecues, funny TV commercials and of course a football game. Let’s take a look at some of the fun facts and trivia that you should know about before you go to a Super Bowl party!
Feb 4th, 2012
The Super Bowl is one of the most beloved events in the USA. A lot of hype comes every year for this day filled with barbecues, funny TV commercials and of course a football game. Let’s take a look at some of the fun facts and trivia that you should know about before you go to a Super Bowl party!
Valentine's Day Gifts For Your Girl
Feb 4th, 2012
Steer clear of heart-shaped chocolates and red and pink teddy bears and let Kidzworld suggest some smart Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Girl.
Feb 4th, 2012
Steer clear of heart-shaped chocolates and red and pink teddy bears and let Kidzworld suggest some smart Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Girl.
Valentine's Day Gifts For Your Guy
Feb 4th, 2012
Your guy has eclectic taste—sports, movies, travel, music—you know him better than anyone but finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift is never easy. Let Kidzworld help you out with some smart gift ideas that work for almost any guy
Feb 4th, 2012
Your guy has eclectic taste—sports, movies, travel, music—you know him better than anyone but finding the perfect Valentine’s Day gift is never easy. Let Kidzworld help you out with some smart gift ideas that work for almost any guy
Homemade Valentine's Day Gifts
Feb 4th, 2012
Valentine’s Day is a great time to show your loved one how you feel, but what do you do if you're broke? Don't worry, Kidzworld's got you covered with the Top 10 Homemade Valentine's Day Gifts!
Feb 4th, 2012
Valentine’s Day is a great time to show your loved one how you feel, but what do you do if you're broke? Don't worry, Kidzworld's got you covered with the Top 10 Homemade Valentine's Day Gifts!
Madonna And Nicki Minaj's Kiss: Where's The 'Luvin'?
Feb 3rd, 2012
Video directors Megaforce open up about working with Madge, Nicki and M.I.A. — and why the kiss didn't make the cut.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Rob Markman M.I.A., Madonna and Nicki Minaj in "Give Me All Your Luvin' " Photo: Interscope After fans heard that Madonna had enlisted Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for her single and video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'," it really felt like anything could happen with those three equally eccentric and visual artists all joining forces. What they ended up creating was an eye-catching clip full of masked cheerleaders, hot football players and lacy outfits (designed by Norma Kamali) that every fan of Madge's "Like a Virgin" era will go crazy over. The video feels distinctly Madonna — she is the star, after all — but Nicki's and M.I.A.'s presences are felt between the cheerleader chant and their equally funky verses. "[It was] quite intense but we had a lot of fun. ... It's like shooting three presidents or something like that," Clement Gallet, from video-directing team the Megaforce, told MTV News about the shoot. "I think everybody's a bit stressed. We had time to speak to discuss the idea, to do the fittings. So you have time to meet the people first. I think we maybe thought it would be harder to have these three famous women on set, and I think everything went quite well." While the trio's collaboration made headlines, so did a kiss Nicki tweeted about that she shared with Madonna on the New York set back in December. "That's funny, 'cause that's something we didn't really see," he added. "Basically, it was Nicki Minaj's birthday on the shoot, but we were — as always, as the directors — stressed about the next scene and whatever happens, that when the birthday cake arrived, we were already prepping the next scene and we didn't see what happened. And we learned about it on Twitter. So basically, we cannot tell you about the scene," he joked. Do you wish Nicki and Madonna's kiss had made it into the video? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna Nicki Minaj M.I.A.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Video directors Megaforce open up about working with Madge, Nicki and M.I.A. — and why the kiss didn't make the cut.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Rob Markman M.I.A., Madonna and Nicki Minaj in "Give Me All Your Luvin' " Photo: Interscope After fans heard that Madonna had enlisted Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. for her single and video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'," it really felt like anything could happen with those three equally eccentric and visual artists all joining forces. What they ended up creating was an eye-catching clip full of masked cheerleaders, hot football players and lacy outfits (designed by Norma Kamali) that every fan of Madge's "Like a Virgin" era will go crazy over. The video feels distinctly Madonna — she is the star, after all — but Nicki's and M.I.A.'s presences are felt between the cheerleader chant and their equally funky verses. "[It was] quite intense but we had a lot of fun. ... It's like shooting three presidents or something like that," Clement Gallet, from video-directing team the Megaforce, told MTV News about the shoot. "I think everybody's a bit stressed. We had time to speak to discuss the idea, to do the fittings. So you have time to meet the people first. I think we maybe thought it would be harder to have these three famous women on set, and I think everything went quite well." While the trio's collaboration made headlines, so did a kiss Nicki tweeted about that she shared with Madonna on the New York set back in December. "That's funny, 'cause that's something we didn't really see," he added. "Basically, it was Nicki Minaj's birthday on the shoot, but we were — as always, as the directors — stressed about the next scene and whatever happens, that when the birthday cake arrived, we were already prepping the next scene and we didn't see what happened. And we learned about it on Twitter. So basically, we cannot tell you about the scene," he joked. Do you wish Nicki and Madonna's kiss had made it into the video? Let us know in the comments! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna Nicki Minaj M.I.A.
Mac Miller Makes His Picks For Next Big Pittsburgh MCs
Feb 3rd, 2012
Miller took MTV News back to the 'Burgh and introduced us to some of his city's hottest up-and-coming talent.By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Yes, the world knows Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, but Pittsburgh has a wealth of hip-hop talent. With the Steel City's two breakout stars already accounted for, MTV News took a trip to the 'Burgh to see who's got next. "A lot of people are talented. There are just a million talented people out there," Miller told MTV News when he took us on a tour through his hometown in December. Acts like Boaz, Chevy Woods, B White and Mayo of the 58's, Jabari X and Varsity Squad have been repping Pittsburgh locally for some time now, and while Mac supports all the city's homegrown talent, if he had to pick one act to break out nationwide, it would be the Come Up, a.k.a. the duo of Vinny Radio and Franchise. "I brought them on tour and I plan on bringing them out on tour, so if it's up to me, they're gonna be the next people that come out the 'Burgh," Miller said. "But there's definitely a lot more people who could; it's not just Vinny and Fran." Mac Miller introduces Pittsburgh's hottest producers. The Come Up exist as a part of a larger hip-hop collective called the 58's, along with rappers B White and Mayo. That union exemplifies the type of unity that exists in Pittsburgh's rap scene. "It's a small city ... so pretty much we've all been familiar with each other for a long time," Franchise said. "Everybody in this city who's pretty much doing it legit, we've all been trying to get it and put the city on." Taylor Gang's Chevy Woods echoed a similar sentiment. "Everybody's hardworking, and it's not like a big music scene out there, so when you got somethin', you just go with it," he said. "Everybody sees the light that shines on [Wiz Khalifa] and Mac [Miller] and now it's trickling down to everybody else." Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh's up-and-coming artists. There is a pretty diverse group of rap characters that come out of Pittsburgh. Wiz is a hitmaker who dedicates a lot of his catalog to partying and getting high, while Mac embodies a youthful spirit. Boaz is street, and female MC Kellee Maize spits sociopolitical bars. "To be honest, I do think Boaz is right there on the cusp. I think I'm maybe close to the cusp too," Maize said, laughing. "I just bring that underground feel," Boaz said, describing his deeply rooted street sound. "I embrace the culture of that poverty line that I'm speaking about." For years, Time Bomb has been an epicenter for Pittsburgh hip-hop. More than just a clothing store, Time Bomb has become a place for local 'Burgh MCs to congregate and sling their mixtapes to hungry fans. The shop's owner, Brick, has seen many young artists walk through his doors, including Miller and Khalifa. When it comes to the future of Pittsburgh hip-hop, Brick is a wide-eyed optimist. "I think Mac and Wiz opened the door, but there's gonna be an army of producers, an army of rappers, and they're gonna be all different. People know: Pittsburgh, it is what it is, it's a hardworking town," he said. "I can name 100 people, because I want everyone to make it from here, you understand? This is Pittsburgh." Who do you believe will be the next rap act to emerge from Pittsburgh? Tell us in the comments! Take a look back at MTV News' Back to the 'Burgh with Mac Miller and see how we spotlighted the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Related Videos Back To The 'Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Mac Miller
Feb 3rd, 2012
Miller took MTV News back to the 'Burgh and introduced us to some of his city's hottest up-and-coming talent.By Rob Markman Mac Miller Photo: MTV News Yes, the world knows Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, but Pittsburgh has a wealth of hip-hop talent. With the Steel City's two breakout stars already accounted for, MTV News took a trip to the 'Burgh to see who's got next. "A lot of people are talented. There are just a million talented people out there," Miller told MTV News when he took us on a tour through his hometown in December. Acts like Boaz, Chevy Woods, B White and Mayo of the 58's, Jabari X and Varsity Squad have been repping Pittsburgh locally for some time now, and while Mac supports all the city's homegrown talent, if he had to pick one act to break out nationwide, it would be the Come Up, a.k.a. the duo of Vinny Radio and Franchise. "I brought them on tour and I plan on bringing them out on tour, so if it's up to me, they're gonna be the next people that come out the 'Burgh," Miller said. "But there's definitely a lot more people who could; it's not just Vinny and Fran." Mac Miller introduces Pittsburgh's hottest producers. The Come Up exist as a part of a larger hip-hop collective called the 58's, along with rappers B White and Mayo. That union exemplifies the type of unity that exists in Pittsburgh's rap scene. "It's a small city ... so pretty much we've all been familiar with each other for a long time," Franchise said. "Everybody in this city who's pretty much doing it legit, we've all been trying to get it and put the city on." Taylor Gang's Chevy Woods echoed a similar sentiment. "Everybody's hardworking, and it's not like a big music scene out there, so when you got somethin', you just go with it," he said. "Everybody sees the light that shines on [Wiz Khalifa] and Mac [Miller] and now it's trickling down to everybody else." Wiz Khalifa motivates Pittsburgh's up-and-coming artists. There is a pretty diverse group of rap characters that come out of Pittsburgh. Wiz is a hitmaker who dedicates a lot of his catalog to partying and getting high, while Mac embodies a youthful spirit. Boaz is street, and female MC Kellee Maize spits sociopolitical bars. "To be honest, I do think Boaz is right there on the cusp. I think I'm maybe close to the cusp too," Maize said, laughing. "I just bring that underground feel," Boaz said, describing his deeply rooted street sound. "I embrace the culture of that poverty line that I'm speaking about." For years, Time Bomb has been an epicenter for Pittsburgh hip-hop. More than just a clothing store, Time Bomb has become a place for local 'Burgh MCs to congregate and sling their mixtapes to hungry fans. The shop's owner, Brick, has seen many young artists walk through his doors, including Miller and Khalifa. When it comes to the future of Pittsburgh hip-hop, Brick is a wide-eyed optimist. "I think Mac and Wiz opened the door, but there's gonna be an army of producers, an army of rappers, and they're gonna be all different. People know: Pittsburgh, it is what it is, it's a hardworking town," he said. "I can name 100 people, because I want everyone to make it from here, you understand? This is Pittsburgh." Who do you believe will be the next rap act to emerge from Pittsburgh? Tell us in the comments! Take a look back at MTV News' Back to the 'Burgh with Mac Miller and see how we spotlighted the city's vibrant hip-hop scene. Related Videos Back To The 'Burgh With Mac Miller And Wiz Khalifa Related Artists Mac Miller
Master P's Daughter Cymphonique Miller Is Learning 'How to Rock'
Feb 3rd, 2012
Star of Nickelodeon's new show tells MTV News her dad was reluctant to let her enter 'this crazy business.' By Christina Garibaldi Cymphonique Miller Photo: MTV News Nickelodeon is getting ready to rock. On Saturday, the network will premiere its new show "How to Rock," starring rising teen star Cymphonique Miller. Miller is a familiar face at Nickelodeon, having guest starred on "True Jackson, VP" and "Big Time Rush," but this time she takes on the role as leading lady on the show, which is based on the book "How to Rock Braces and Glasses" by Meg Haston. Miller plays high school student Kasey Simon (think Rachel McAdams' character in "Mean Girls"), leader of the Perfs, the most popular girls in school. But Miller's character quickly finds herself kicked out of the "cool crowd" after she gets braces and glasses. But Kasey won't let the "make-under" get her down. She becomes friends with a new group of students and winds up as the lead singer of their new band, Gravity 5. "[It's] almost kind of like a battle of the bands, and the Perfs are sort of like the mean girls." Miller recently told MTV News. "It's like the Perfs are always planning some certain way to stop Gravity 5. You can see lots of crazy physical comedy and crazy stunts in the show, 'cause every week we do something totally silly and outrageous." Miller, who sings and co-wrote the show's theme song, "Only You Can Be You," is no stranger to the spotlight; her brother is actor/rapper Romeo, and her dad is hip-hop mogul Master P. Yet, that doesn't mean it was easy for Miller to persuade her dad to let her star in "How to Rock." She said he didn't want her to be involved in "this crazy business" until he realized how passionate she was about it. So he gave her his approval, on the condition that she keeps up her grades. "We put education first in our family, and Romeo is like my inspiration because he was not only doing film and everything, but he also went to college, he went to USC," Miller said. "They're always just constantly telling me to not get into this business for the wrong reasons like fame or money or else you will never be happy, so just do it because you love it." It seems like Miller certainly is loving what she is doing on "How to Rock" and hopes fans can relate to the show's positive message. "I hope that fans and the viewers can just take from the show is to find friends who love you for who you are, because it's all about friendship with this show," Miller said. "What they should learn is that at the end of the day, there's nothing more important than being yourself." "How to Rock" premieres Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon. Are you excited for "How to Rock"? Let us know in the comments.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Star of Nickelodeon's new show tells MTV News her dad was reluctant to let her enter 'this crazy business.' By Christina Garibaldi Cymphonique Miller Photo: MTV News Nickelodeon is getting ready to rock. On Saturday, the network will premiere its new show "How to Rock," starring rising teen star Cymphonique Miller. Miller is a familiar face at Nickelodeon, having guest starred on "True Jackson, VP" and "Big Time Rush," but this time she takes on the role as leading lady on the show, which is based on the book "How to Rock Braces and Glasses" by Meg Haston. Miller plays high school student Kasey Simon (think Rachel McAdams' character in "Mean Girls"), leader of the Perfs, the most popular girls in school. But Miller's character quickly finds herself kicked out of the "cool crowd" after she gets braces and glasses. But Kasey won't let the "make-under" get her down. She becomes friends with a new group of students and winds up as the lead singer of their new band, Gravity 5. "[It's] almost kind of like a battle of the bands, and the Perfs are sort of like the mean girls." Miller recently told MTV News. "It's like the Perfs are always planning some certain way to stop Gravity 5. You can see lots of crazy physical comedy and crazy stunts in the show, 'cause every week we do something totally silly and outrageous." Miller, who sings and co-wrote the show's theme song, "Only You Can Be You," is no stranger to the spotlight; her brother is actor/rapper Romeo, and her dad is hip-hop mogul Master P. Yet, that doesn't mean it was easy for Miller to persuade her dad to let her star in "How to Rock." She said he didn't want her to be involved in "this crazy business" until he realized how passionate she was about it. So he gave her his approval, on the condition that she keeps up her grades. "We put education first in our family, and Romeo is like my inspiration because he was not only doing film and everything, but he also went to college, he went to USC," Miller said. "They're always just constantly telling me to not get into this business for the wrong reasons like fame or money or else you will never be happy, so just do it because you love it." It seems like Miller certainly is loving what she is doing on "How to Rock" and hopes fans can relate to the show's positive message. "I hope that fans and the viewers can just take from the show is to find friends who love you for who you are, because it's all about friendship with this show," Miller said. "What they should learn is that at the end of the day, there's nothing more important than being yourself." "How to Rock" premieres Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon. Are you excited for "How to Rock"? Let us know in the comments.
'Big Miracle' Is Heartwarming Fun Despite Chilly Temps, Stars Say
Feb 3rd, 2012
Drew Barrymore, John Krasinksi and Kristen Bell discuss their new film, which follows the rescue of three gray whales in Alaska.By Kara Warner John Krasinksi and Drew Barrymore in "Big Miracle" Photo: Universal Pictures If you're looking for a feel-good film to see this weekend, look no further than "Big Miracle," the story of the real-life rescue of three gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, in 1988. Incredibly, the effort became an international issue that involved a rare collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union and garnered worldwide media attention. MTV News recently caught up with the three stars of the film, Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski and Kristen Bell, who explained the multi-generational appeal and importance of the story and the cause presented in the film. "The whales have Twitter accounts," Krasinski joked when asked how the film might specifically appeal to MTV viewers. "So, streamlined information, done deal. Don't ask us, ask them. They'll talk all about it," he said with a smile. "It's a big movie that deals with participation, and with the election coming up and all these different things, and everybody is divided over this, that and the other, and everybody is angry about something. It's one of those moments where you get to say, 'I could just step in and lend my voice to something.' And it really helps, it makes you feel important and special that you're doing something. This movie sort of focuses on that completely, about how when you get a bunch of people together you can kind of do anything." Barrymore added that the film's setting in the late '80s provides for a unique look back at our media and political cultures at the time. "It's an interesting look back at how if things were a little different maybe we wouldn't exactly be where we are. But, it's not in a patronizing way, it's in a really interesting way," she said. "And it's amazing historically, like, you know, environmentally and politically. But, I think it's very true to what's going on now, that if people work together, whether it's protesting via Twitter for an important movement to change their country or to do something wonderful and important like saving whales. It's working together, so I think actually in 1987 when this takes place and what's going on right now today, they definitely have a connection." Kristen Bell also focused on the warm, fuzzy aspects of the film, particularly how its positive message compares to the continually multiplying "train wreck" elements involved in other films and TV. "I think it's a very positive story as opposed to many of the unendingly interesting train wrecks that are put on television or in films these days, which believe me, I'm not poo-pooing, but there's something very inspiring about a story where a bunch of different people come together for a common goal and actually accomplish it," Bell explained. "It's very, very inspiring, I think. And often times, news headlines or things that are written about in blogs, you know, reality television, it's not as inspiring as you want it to be, at least not for me. And it actually happened. It's historical, so you'll get smarter watching it. You'll also be inspired, so you'll be happier. What's the downfall? See the movie!" Are you planning on seeing "Big Miracle"? Leave your comment below.
Feb 3rd, 2012
Drew Barrymore, John Krasinksi and Kristen Bell discuss their new film, which follows the rescue of three gray whales in Alaska.By Kara Warner John Krasinksi and Drew Barrymore in "Big Miracle" Photo: Universal Pictures If you're looking for a feel-good film to see this weekend, look no further than "Big Miracle," the story of the real-life rescue of three gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska, in 1988. Incredibly, the effort became an international issue that involved a rare collaboration between the United States and the Soviet Union and garnered worldwide media attention. MTV News recently caught up with the three stars of the film, Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski and Kristen Bell, who explained the multi-generational appeal and importance of the story and the cause presented in the film. "The whales have Twitter accounts," Krasinski joked when asked how the film might specifically appeal to MTV viewers. "So, streamlined information, done deal. Don't ask us, ask them. They'll talk all about it," he said with a smile. "It's a big movie that deals with participation, and with the election coming up and all these different things, and everybody is divided over this, that and the other, and everybody is angry about something. It's one of those moments where you get to say, 'I could just step in and lend my voice to something.' And it really helps, it makes you feel important and special that you're doing something. This movie sort of focuses on that completely, about how when you get a bunch of people together you can kind of do anything." Barrymore added that the film's setting in the late '80s provides for a unique look back at our media and political cultures at the time. "It's an interesting look back at how if things were a little different maybe we wouldn't exactly be where we are. But, it's not in a patronizing way, it's in a really interesting way," she said. "And it's amazing historically, like, you know, environmentally and politically. But, I think it's very true to what's going on now, that if people work together, whether it's protesting via Twitter for an important movement to change their country or to do something wonderful and important like saving whales. It's working together, so I think actually in 1987 when this takes place and what's going on right now today, they definitely have a connection." Kristen Bell also focused on the warm, fuzzy aspects of the film, particularly how its positive message compares to the continually multiplying "train wreck" elements involved in other films and TV. "I think it's a very positive story as opposed to many of the unendingly interesting train wrecks that are put on television or in films these days, which believe me, I'm not poo-pooing, but there's something very inspiring about a story where a bunch of different people come together for a common goal and actually accomplish it," Bell explained. "It's very, very inspiring, I think. And often times, news headlines or things that are written about in blogs, you know, reality television, it's not as inspiring as you want it to be, at least not for me. And it actually happened. It's historical, so you'll get smarter watching it. You'll also be inspired, so you'll be happier. What's the downfall? See the movie!" Are you planning on seeing "Big Miracle"? Leave your comment below.
Rick Ross Has No Beef With Pill
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet,' Rick Ross tells MTV News of his former Maybach affiliate.By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Rick Ross Photo: MTV News God Forgives, I Don't may be the name of Rick Ross' upcoming LP, but the Bawse isn't as coldhearted as his album title may suggest. When it comes to former Maybach Music affiliate Pill, Rozay wishes the Atlanta MC all the best. "I'm a real dude and I'm a real boss and once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet; I'mma give you a pass anyway," Ross told MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway of Pill while at French Montana's "Shot Caller" remix video shoot in Miami on Sunday. In December, P-I-Double L took to Twitter to vent about his label situation with Warner Music Group, blaming WMG for his lack of radio and television support. Because of his prominent appearance on Maybach Music's Self Made Vol. 1 compilation, many believed that Pill was signed to Ross' label, but in an exclusive interview with MTV News in January, Pill revealed that he was never technically signed to Rozay and that his deal went strictly through MMG's parent company, Warner. "Pill's situation was a special situation because he was already signed to Warner before I did my label deal at Warner. So when I did do my deal, it was a business opportunity that was presented where Pill could run with the team for a year," Ross confirmed. "I took that opportunity. That year ran its course and it was pretty much up to Warner what decisions they wanted to make with Pill as an artist after that point. I think they made it." Pill told MTV News in January that he was working on getting a release from Warner and made it clear that he had no problems with anyone in MMG personally — though he did say that he and Ross didn't speak very often. "I ain't got nothing against none of them, nobody. It's just the situation don't work," Pill said matter-of-factly. "It's cool with us, I don't got nothing against Ross either. It's just I don't talk to him." Some believed that Pill's outspokenness would anger the Boss, but Rozay didn't take any of it to heart. "He made sure he reached out to me and called me and clarified," Ross said. "He expressed that in no way was he disrespecting the team or the brand, because it's a great opportunity and a great look." As far as why the "Trap Goin' Ham" rapper's situation didn't work out, Ross thought the young MC just needed a hit record and a little luck to build his momentum. He used the success of MMG's Meek Mill and Wale to exemplify his point. "Certain things happen for certain people at certain times and none of us could really predict that," he explained. "I couldn't predict that Meek Mill would bring 'Ima Boss' to me or we couldn't predict that Wale would bring 'That Way.' " Even though Pill and WMG are now going their separate ways, Ross is looking forward to seeing his former Maybach affiliate rack up a win. "Hopefully, in the future he'll bring him a hit record, and get him some paper and do his thing," he said. "I wish him much success." What do you hope to see from Pill in the future? Leave your comments below! Related Artists Rick Ross
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet,' Rick Ross tells MTV News of his former Maybach affiliate.By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Rick Ross Photo: MTV News God Forgives, I Don't may be the name of Rick Ross' upcoming LP, but the Bawse isn't as coldhearted as his album title may suggest. When it comes to former Maybach Music affiliate Pill, Rozay wishes the Atlanta MC all the best. "I'm a real dude and I'm a real boss and once you rep the MMG flag, I'll never step on your feet; I'mma give you a pass anyway," Ross told MTV News correspondent Sway Calloway of Pill while at French Montana's "Shot Caller" remix video shoot in Miami on Sunday. In December, P-I-Double L took to Twitter to vent about his label situation with Warner Music Group, blaming WMG for his lack of radio and television support. Because of his prominent appearance on Maybach Music's Self Made Vol. 1 compilation, many believed that Pill was signed to Ross' label, but in an exclusive interview with MTV News in January, Pill revealed that he was never technically signed to Rozay and that his deal went strictly through MMG's parent company, Warner. "Pill's situation was a special situation because he was already signed to Warner before I did my label deal at Warner. So when I did do my deal, it was a business opportunity that was presented where Pill could run with the team for a year," Ross confirmed. "I took that opportunity. That year ran its course and it was pretty much up to Warner what decisions they wanted to make with Pill as an artist after that point. I think they made it." Pill told MTV News in January that he was working on getting a release from Warner and made it clear that he had no problems with anyone in MMG personally — though he did say that he and Ross didn't speak very often. "I ain't got nothing against none of them, nobody. It's just the situation don't work," Pill said matter-of-factly. "It's cool with us, I don't got nothing against Ross either. It's just I don't talk to him." Some believed that Pill's outspokenness would anger the Boss, but Rozay didn't take any of it to heart. "He made sure he reached out to me and called me and clarified," Ross said. "He expressed that in no way was he disrespecting the team or the brand, because it's a great opportunity and a great look." As far as why the "Trap Goin' Ham" rapper's situation didn't work out, Ross thought the young MC just needed a hit record and a little luck to build his momentum. He used the success of MMG's Meek Mill and Wale to exemplify his point. "Certain things happen for certain people at certain times and none of us could really predict that," he explained. "I couldn't predict that Meek Mill would bring 'Ima Boss' to me or we couldn't predict that Wale would bring 'That Way.' " Even though Pill and WMG are now going their separate ways, Ross is looking forward to seeing his former Maybach affiliate rack up a win. "Hopefully, in the future he'll bring him a hit record, and get him some paper and do his thing," he said. "I wish him much success." What do you hope to see from Pill in the future? Leave your comments below! Related Artists Rick Ross
Madonna's 'Give Me' Video: Five Key Nods To Her Past!
Feb 3rd, 2012
From 'Dick Tracy' to 'Like a Virgin,' MTV News spots the best winks to Queen of Pop's many reinventions in brand-new video.By John Mitchell Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope Madonna dropped her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video on Friday morning (February 3), and the eye-popping clip featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. has fans even more excited for the Queen of Pop's halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl. In the video, Madonna hits the streets flanked by Minaj, M.I.A. and a very protective football team for a tongue-in-cheek walk down memory lane. In scene after scene, the pop icon references her musical past. We combed through the cheeky clip for some of the best winks at Her Madgesty's numerous reinventions. Here are our top five: 1. Madonna Passes the Pom-Poms to Nicki, M.I.A. Some of the most famous images of pre-fame Madonna are of the Michigan native in her high school cheerleading uniform, so it seems fitting that in "Your Luvin', " there's what seems to be a symbolic passing of the pom-poms to Minaj and M.I.A. The video opens with Minaj and M.I.A. flying high at the top of a cheerleading formation on a suburban street, just the way Madonna Louise Ciccone might have as a cheerleader at Rochester Adams High School. 2. Getting a Lift — "Material Girl"-Style Not only does the uniformed football team guarding Madonna offer up umbrellas to shield her from raining sparks and throw down their letterman jackets to give her a makeshift red carpet to walk on, but the boys give the singer a lift in a move that feels straight out of her "Material Girl" video — but with a twist. As they help her to keep steady, viewers soon realize she's walking down the side of a building! 3. Dodging a "Dick Tracy" Gangster As the pop queen parades down an alleyway, an old-school car pulls up alongside her, and then someone rolls down a window and opens fire. The mysterious villain employs a weapon that looks just like the vintage Colt M1921 Thompson submachine guns used by the baddies in Madonna's hit flick "Dick Tracy." Luckily, the ever-vigilant team guarding her leaps in front of the fire. 4. Kissing Cheerleaders ... That Seems Familiar Madonna's never been shy about admitting she's kissed (many) girls — and liked it. But we think this little lingering look at two masked cheerleaders smooching is probably a direct reference to Madonna's infamous lip lock with Britney Spears at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. (For the record, that legendary moment made our list of Madonna's top five best MTV performances ever!) 5. Nicki and Madonna Have Blond Ambition Madonna climbs over a pile of football players and straight into a dream sequence that's a smorgasbord of references to Madonna's past. When she emerges from the huddle, gone are her long, flowing locks and black leather ensemble, and in their place is a short white lace dress and curly platinum-blond wig that recalls her Blond Ambition/"Vogue" era. The nod to her "Like a Virgin" years is underscored the second the camera cuts to Minaj, who sports a wedding dress that (minus a few ruffles) looks like it came straight from Madonna's 1984 VMA performance. And while Minaj isn't wearing Madonna's famed "boy toy" belt, she does make a reference to it, rapping, "You can be my boy toy." Are you luvin' Madonna's new video? Share your reviews on our Facebook page! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
From 'Dick Tracy' to 'Like a Virgin,' MTV News spots the best winks to Queen of Pop's many reinventions in brand-new video.By John Mitchell Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope Madonna dropped her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video on Friday morning (February 3), and the eye-popping clip featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. has fans even more excited for the Queen of Pop's halftime performance at Sunday's Super Bowl. In the video, Madonna hits the streets flanked by Minaj, M.I.A. and a very protective football team for a tongue-in-cheek walk down memory lane. In scene after scene, the pop icon references her musical past. We combed through the cheeky clip for some of the best winks at Her Madgesty's numerous reinventions. Here are our top five: 1. Madonna Passes the Pom-Poms to Nicki, M.I.A. Some of the most famous images of pre-fame Madonna are of the Michigan native in her high school cheerleading uniform, so it seems fitting that in "Your Luvin', " there's what seems to be a symbolic passing of the pom-poms to Minaj and M.I.A. The video opens with Minaj and M.I.A. flying high at the top of a cheerleading formation on a suburban street, just the way Madonna Louise Ciccone might have as a cheerleader at Rochester Adams High School. 2. Getting a Lift — "Material Girl"-Style Not only does the uniformed football team guarding Madonna offer up umbrellas to shield her from raining sparks and throw down their letterman jackets to give her a makeshift red carpet to walk on, but the boys give the singer a lift in a move that feels straight out of her "Material Girl" video — but with a twist. As they help her to keep steady, viewers soon realize she's walking down the side of a building! 3. Dodging a "Dick Tracy" Gangster As the pop queen parades down an alleyway, an old-school car pulls up alongside her, and then someone rolls down a window and opens fire. The mysterious villain employs a weapon that looks just like the vintage Colt M1921 Thompson submachine guns used by the baddies in Madonna's hit flick "Dick Tracy." Luckily, the ever-vigilant team guarding her leaps in front of the fire. 4. Kissing Cheerleaders ... That Seems Familiar Madonna's never been shy about admitting she's kissed (many) girls — and liked it. But we think this little lingering look at two masked cheerleaders smooching is probably a direct reference to Madonna's infamous lip lock with Britney Spears at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. (For the record, that legendary moment made our list of Madonna's top five best MTV performances ever!) 5. Nicki and Madonna Have Blond Ambition Madonna climbs over a pile of football players and straight into a dream sequence that's a smorgasbord of references to Madonna's past. When she emerges from the huddle, gone are her long, flowing locks and black leather ensemble, and in their place is a short white lace dress and curly platinum-blond wig that recalls her Blond Ambition/"Vogue" era. The nod to her "Like a Virgin" years is underscored the second the camera cuts to Minaj, who sports a wedding dress that (minus a few ruffles) looks like it came straight from Madonna's 1984 VMA performance. And while Minaj isn't wearing Madonna's famed "boy toy" belt, she does make a reference to it, rapping, "You can be my boy toy." Are you luvin' Madonna's new video? Share your reviews on our Facebook page! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
'The Voice' Welcomes Christina Milian To The 'Family'
Feb 3rd, 2012
'I'm kind of living through them all over again,' new social media correspondent tells MTV News of the contestants.By Kara Warner Christina Milian Photo: MTV News In addition to a brand-new crop of talent and potential future stars, NBC's hit singing competition "The Voice" has added a familiar face to its cast for season two: new social media correspondent Christina Milian. When MTV News caught up with the singer/actress recently, she explained how she got the gig and how excited she is for the show to premiere on Super Bowl Sunday. "I'm heavily involved on Twitter, have always been involved with my Internet fanbase and find that that's the best way to connect with the fans," Milian told us during a photo shoot for Hydrogen magazine. "I guess the people at NBC had their eye on me and they paid attention to it. I got a call one day and met up with everyone at NBC and the folks from 'The Voice,' and next thing you know, a week later, I'm signing a contract and the following week I'm working." Milian had nothing but praise for her "Voice" castmates and the experience working on the show thus far. "It's been fabulous. I've had fun working with the cast already," she said. "Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo, Carson Daly — it's an awesome super team they have, and from day one, they treated me like family." The "Dip It Low" singer said she loves that the show is about music and chasing your dreams and that she's enjoyed watching the coaches take time to work with and help their contestants. "This show is about music, it's about talent, and it's about this passion and this dream of becoming a star," Milian said. "Still to this day, every day that I wake up, I have that same dream, so to be involved with the show, [it's amazing] to watch what they incorporate and how the coaches act as advisers and mentors to the artists and really truthfully help them and push them and want them to be the best so they can win. "There have been so many moments where I've thought, 'That's me on that stage! I remember that time,' " she added of enjoying watching the contestants. "Or you see their family sitting on the side of the stage crying or excited or jumping up and down, just so happy for them to even be there, I've felt that before, so I'm kind of living through them all over again." Will you check out season two of "The Voice" when it returns Sunday? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Voice." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists Christina Milian
Feb 3rd, 2012
'I'm kind of living through them all over again,' new social media correspondent tells MTV News of the contestants.By Kara Warner Christina Milian Photo: MTV News In addition to a brand-new crop of talent and potential future stars, NBC's hit singing competition "The Voice" has added a familiar face to its cast for season two: new social media correspondent Christina Milian. When MTV News caught up with the singer/actress recently, she explained how she got the gig and how excited she is for the show to premiere on Super Bowl Sunday. "I'm heavily involved on Twitter, have always been involved with my Internet fanbase and find that that's the best way to connect with the fans," Milian told us during a photo shoot for Hydrogen magazine. "I guess the people at NBC had their eye on me and they paid attention to it. I got a call one day and met up with everyone at NBC and the folks from 'The Voice,' and next thing you know, a week later, I'm signing a contract and the following week I'm working." Milian had nothing but praise for her "Voice" castmates and the experience working on the show thus far. "It's been fabulous. I've had fun working with the cast already," she said. "Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Cee Lo, Carson Daly — it's an awesome super team they have, and from day one, they treated me like family." The "Dip It Low" singer said she loves that the show is about music and chasing your dreams and that she's enjoyed watching the coaches take time to work with and help their contestants. "This show is about music, it's about talent, and it's about this passion and this dream of becoming a star," Milian said. "Still to this day, every day that I wake up, I have that same dream, so to be involved with the show, [it's amazing] to watch what they incorporate and how the coaches act as advisers and mentors to the artists and really truthfully help them and push them and want them to be the best so they can win. "There have been so many moments where I've thought, 'That's me on that stage! I remember that time,' " she added of enjoying watching the contestants. "Or you see their family sitting on the side of the stage crying or excited or jumping up and down, just so happy for them to even be there, I've felt that before, so I'm kind of living through them all over again." Will you check out season two of "The Voice" when it returns Sunday? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Voice." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists Christina Milian
Super Bowl Prop Bets: Wager On Madonna's Mic, More
Feb 3rd, 2012
Will Kelly Clarkson show her midriff? What will Madge wear at halftime? Pop-culture bets give football-phobes plenty to tune in for Sunday.By James Montgomery Madonna Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/ AFP/ Getty Images Not to get all general here, but when you get down to it, there are really only two types of people in the world: those who care about the Super Bowl and those who don't. The former will need absolutely zero incentive to tune into this Sunday's retribution-stoked Super Bowl XLVI, which pits the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in a rematch of one of the most epic Supes of all time, XLII, which saw — wait, if you're going to watch, you already know what happened in that first championship tilt (David Tyree, Plax Burress on the slant-and-go, 18-1, etc.), and suffice it to say, you're salivating with anticipation over the next chapter in this rivalry. For the latter, well, that last paragraph probably makes about as much sense as the fact that the New York Giants actually play their home games in New Jersey, and, as such, there's no way you're going to waste your Sunday watching what amounts to 240 minutes of commercials intermittently broken up by the occasional football play (unless you're anxiously awaiting the premiere of "The Voice," that is). But, really, you should reconsider that stance — mainly because of prop bets. For the uninitiated, props (short for "propositions") are bets placed on the occurrence — or non-occurrence — of events during a game that have little-to-no actual impact on the outcome of that game. Stuff like "Which color Gatorade will the winning team dump on its head coach" or "Number of times (insert name of famous athlete's girlfriend) will be shown during the TV telecast." They are supremely silly, not to mention incredibly suicidal, wagers, and not surprisingly — given that it's the biggest football game of the year — Las Vegas oddsmakers work overtime churning them out during the Super Bowl. Shoot, more often than not, most of those Super Bowl props have absolutely nothing to do with the game itself. There are not only odds on the length of Kelly Clarkson's national anthem performance, but what kind of outfit she'll be wearing while singing it. Which means that, whether you know who BenJarvus Green-Ellis is or not, there are still plenty of reasons to tune in to Sunday's big game. So in the hopes of inspiring you non-fans to watch, we've reached out to the online oddsmakers at to get their lines on some of the most outrageous Super Bowl prop bets. And in case you're wondering: Yes, there's a science to these kinds of things. "I sat down and watched six to seven videos of Kelly Clarkson singing the anthem at past sporting events, timing all of them," Bovada head oddsmaker Pat Morrow told MTV News. "Once that was done, I took some things into consideration: that she will be indoors, [that] it is the Super Bowl and people have tendency to take a little longer, and came up with 1 minute, 34 seconds. And I think we are bang-on, because we have had it up over a week and have taken a lot on both sides and have not had to move the number." See! So, without further ado, are some of our favorite music-centric prop bets. Oh, and we realize some of the numbers may confuse you, so just consider this: If you were to place $100 on a 2/1 bet, and win, you'd walk away with $200 (plus your $100 back). Conversely, that $100 on a 1/2 bet would net you just $50. If you were to bet $100 on a +200 line, it means you'd take home $200 in profit (plus your initial $100). A line of -200 means you'd need to bet $200 just to win $100 (the more probable the outcome, the more you have to put up to turn a profit; Vegas wasn't built on winners, after all). Oh, and an over/under bet is simply a wager on whether an event will go over or under the stated time. Confused? Of course you are. After all, prop bets aren't supposed to be about logic, they're supposed to be about insanity. So let's take a look at the lines! How long will it take Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem? Over/under: 1 minute, 34 seconds. What will Kelly Clarkson wear to sing the national anthem? » Super Bowl XLVI or official NFL shirt: 2/1 » Patriots jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Colts jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Giants jersey or shirt: 15/1 » Anything else: 1/3 Will Kelly Clarkson forget or omit at least one word of the national anthem? » Yes: 5/2 Will Kelly Clarkson's bare belly be showing when she sings the national anthem? » Yes: 3/1 What color will Madonna's hair be when she begins the Super Bowl halftime show? » Blonde: -400 » Any other color: +250 Will Madonna wear an NFL jersey or shirt at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +250 » No: -400 Will Madonna wear a hat at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +150 » No: -200 What will Madonna be using to start the Super Bowl halftime show? » Headset: -200 » Handheld microphone: +150 Share your own crazy prop-bet ideas in the comments! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
Will Kelly Clarkson show her midriff? What will Madge wear at halftime? Pop-culture bets give football-phobes plenty to tune in for Sunday.By James Montgomery Madonna Photo: Daniel Mihailescu/ AFP/ Getty Images Not to get all general here, but when you get down to it, there are really only two types of people in the world: those who care about the Super Bowl and those who don't. The former will need absolutely zero incentive to tune into this Sunday's retribution-stoked Super Bowl XLVI, which pits the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in a rematch of one of the most epic Supes of all time, XLII, which saw — wait, if you're going to watch, you already know what happened in that first championship tilt (David Tyree, Plax Burress on the slant-and-go, 18-1, etc.), and suffice it to say, you're salivating with anticipation over the next chapter in this rivalry. For the latter, well, that last paragraph probably makes about as much sense as the fact that the New York Giants actually play their home games in New Jersey, and, as such, there's no way you're going to waste your Sunday watching what amounts to 240 minutes of commercials intermittently broken up by the occasional football play (unless you're anxiously awaiting the premiere of "The Voice," that is). But, really, you should reconsider that stance — mainly because of prop bets. For the uninitiated, props (short for "propositions") are bets placed on the occurrence — or non-occurrence — of events during a game that have little-to-no actual impact on the outcome of that game. Stuff like "Which color Gatorade will the winning team dump on its head coach" or "Number of times (insert name of famous athlete's girlfriend) will be shown during the TV telecast." They are supremely silly, not to mention incredibly suicidal, wagers, and not surprisingly — given that it's the biggest football game of the year — Las Vegas oddsmakers work overtime churning them out during the Super Bowl. Shoot, more often than not, most of those Super Bowl props have absolutely nothing to do with the game itself. There are not only odds on the length of Kelly Clarkson's national anthem performance, but what kind of outfit she'll be wearing while singing it. Which means that, whether you know who BenJarvus Green-Ellis is or not, there are still plenty of reasons to tune in to Sunday's big game. So in the hopes of inspiring you non-fans to watch, we've reached out to the online oddsmakers at to get their lines on some of the most outrageous Super Bowl prop bets. And in case you're wondering: Yes, there's a science to these kinds of things. "I sat down and watched six to seven videos of Kelly Clarkson singing the anthem at past sporting events, timing all of them," Bovada head oddsmaker Pat Morrow told MTV News. "Once that was done, I took some things into consideration: that she will be indoors, [that] it is the Super Bowl and people have tendency to take a little longer, and came up with 1 minute, 34 seconds. And I think we are bang-on, because we have had it up over a week and have taken a lot on both sides and have not had to move the number." See! So, without further ado, are some of our favorite music-centric prop bets. Oh, and we realize some of the numbers may confuse you, so just consider this: If you were to place $100 on a 2/1 bet, and win, you'd walk away with $200 (plus your $100 back). Conversely, that $100 on a 1/2 bet would net you just $50. If you were to bet $100 on a +200 line, it means you'd take home $200 in profit (plus your initial $100). A line of -200 means you'd need to bet $200 just to win $100 (the more probable the outcome, the more you have to put up to turn a profit; Vegas wasn't built on winners, after all). Oh, and an over/under bet is simply a wager on whether an event will go over or under the stated time. Confused? Of course you are. After all, prop bets aren't supposed to be about logic, they're supposed to be about insanity. So let's take a look at the lines! How long will it take Kelly Clarkson to sing the National Anthem? Over/under: 1 minute, 34 seconds. What will Kelly Clarkson wear to sing the national anthem? » Super Bowl XLVI or official NFL shirt: 2/1 » Patriots jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Colts jersey or shirt: 12/1 » Giants jersey or shirt: 15/1 » Anything else: 1/3 Will Kelly Clarkson forget or omit at least one word of the national anthem? » Yes: 5/2 Will Kelly Clarkson's bare belly be showing when she sings the national anthem? » Yes: 3/1 What color will Madonna's hair be when she begins the Super Bowl halftime show? » Blonde: -400 » Any other color: +250 Will Madonna wear an NFL jersey or shirt at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +250 » No: -400 Will Madonna wear a hat at any point during the Super Bowl halftime show? » Yes: +150 » No: -200 What will Madonna be using to start the Super Bowl halftime show? » Headset: -200 » Handheld microphone: +150 Share your own crazy prop-bet ideas in the comments! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Madonna Fans Weigh In On 'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' Video
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madge's followers share love for her latest old-school clip, which she dropped Friday.By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope On Friday (February 3), Madonna dropped the highly anticipated video for her lead MDNA single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'." Directed by Megaforce, the clip is a feast for the eyes, specifically those who only have eyes for the Queen of Pop. Featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. in cheerleader uniforms, the clip is full of various references to her past work. It's funky, surreal and a touch tongue-in-cheek. Only a few hours into the premiere, her fans had already formed their opinion about the video. So, what are they thinking? "Congratulations, Madonna. Thank you for you are always beyond the edge," Fabio Pamplona wrote on Madonna's Facebook page. But, he wasn't the only Madge fan putting his two cents in on her site. "Great and funny video. The song didn't grow on me yet, but it's a fine pop gem, indeed, like the ones Martin [Solveig] usually does!" Alex Meyer added. "But, can't wait for hearing the tracks with William [Orbit]!" Jennifer Sargent-Ormston had quite a lengthy response to the video. "LOVE IT!!! It was fun! I also like your hair like that, both ways.. and I thought the old school touches of yourself was a smart idea - or maybe you did it naturally? Even the album cover is your old school ways, and I thought it was smart," she wrote. "I hope you do well with this album. I like that it's dance as well. People respond well to FUN! Good luck with the superbowl, just kick ass and don't be nervous - just do your 'thang'!" Charlie Richey added, "The vid is super fun and the song super catchy!" Fans have also been taking to several of Madge's biggest fan sites to praise the Queen's latest video offering. Giannis Mdna Haralabidis noted on Madonnarama, "OK MADONNA IS OFFICIALLY BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER." "Wow shes back and the fever is running through my veins," Richard Wilson wrote on Madonna Tribe's Facebook page. Meanwhile, another fan noted that visually the video couldn't have been more intriguing. "Well, she said different than what's going on in music today, and she did," Trace Jenkins said. "Art direction in the video is amazing." What did you think of the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
Madge's followers share love for her latest old-school clip, which she dropped Friday.By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope On Friday (February 3), Madonna dropped the highly anticipated video for her lead MDNA single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'." Directed by Megaforce, the clip is a feast for the eyes, specifically those who only have eyes for the Queen of Pop. Featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. in cheerleader uniforms, the clip is full of various references to her past work. It's funky, surreal and a touch tongue-in-cheek. Only a few hours into the premiere, her fans had already formed their opinion about the video. So, what are they thinking? "Congratulations, Madonna. Thank you for you are always beyond the edge," Fabio Pamplona wrote on Madonna's Facebook page. But, he wasn't the only Madge fan putting his two cents in on her site. "Great and funny video. The song didn't grow on me yet, but it's a fine pop gem, indeed, like the ones Martin [Solveig] usually does!" Alex Meyer added. "But, can't wait for hearing the tracks with William [Orbit]!" Jennifer Sargent-Ormston had quite a lengthy response to the video. "LOVE IT!!! It was fun! I also like your hair like that, both ways.. and I thought the old school touches of yourself was a smart idea - or maybe you did it naturally? Even the album cover is your old school ways, and I thought it was smart," she wrote. "I hope you do well with this album. I like that it's dance as well. People respond well to FUN! Good luck with the superbowl, just kick ass and don't be nervous - just do your 'thang'!" Charlie Richey added, "The vid is super fun and the song super catchy!" Fans have also been taking to several of Madge's biggest fan sites to praise the Queen's latest video offering. Giannis Mdna Haralabidis noted on Madonnarama, "OK MADONNA IS OFFICIALLY BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER." "Wow shes back and the fever is running through my veins," Richard Wilson wrote on Madonna Tribe's Facebook page. Meanwhile, another fan noted that visually the video couldn't have been more intriguing. "Well, she said different than what's going on in music today, and she did," Trace Jenkins said. "Art direction in the video is amazing." What did you think of the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Channing Tatum 'Nervous' To Host 'Saturday Night Live'
Feb 3rd, 2012
'They really set you up to succeed,' Tatum tells MTV News of 'SNL' cast.By Christina Garibaldi Channing Tatum Photo: Getty Images This year is shaping up to be a huge one for Channing Tatum. With five movies set for release in 2012 — the next being "The Vow" with Rachel McAdams on February 10 — it's makes sense that Tatum is about to reach a pretty big milestone in his career: hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the first time, alongside musical guest Bon Iver. MTV News caught up with star during rehearsals on the "SNL" set, where he seemed to be a little anxious taking on his newest role as host. "I'm more nervous then I could probably tell you," Channing admitted. "It happened so sort of constant and fast, you don't really get a chance to think about it all too much. Like, you go home, you think and think and think, then you pass out and your alarm goes off, and then you come and do it again." The "SNL" cast is trying to put Tatum's nerves at ease. "They take care of you so much, so they really set you up to succeed," he said. "Everyone is so at the top of their game as far as writing and acting, and this is a machine like I've never seen before. I wish movies ran this efficient; we would make them better." Tatum, who revealed that his favorite past "SNL" castmembers are Dan Aykroyd and Chris Kattan, got some unusual advice on what he should do Saturday night from onetime host Kelly Ripa. "She said to put Vaseline on my teeth because she said your mouth goes dry when you say your name and your lips are stuck to your teeth," Channing said. "If I can remember it, I'll do it, but maybe I'll Vaseline the lips instead of the teeth." Are you excited to see Channing Tatum host "Saturday Night Live"? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Vow." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Feb 3rd, 2012
'They really set you up to succeed,' Tatum tells MTV News of 'SNL' cast.By Christina Garibaldi Channing Tatum Photo: Getty Images This year is shaping up to be a huge one for Channing Tatum. With five movies set for release in 2012 — the next being "The Vow" with Rachel McAdams on February 10 — it's makes sense that Tatum is about to reach a pretty big milestone in his career: hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the first time, alongside musical guest Bon Iver. MTV News caught up with star during rehearsals on the "SNL" set, where he seemed to be a little anxious taking on his newest role as host. "I'm more nervous then I could probably tell you," Channing admitted. "It happened so sort of constant and fast, you don't really get a chance to think about it all too much. Like, you go home, you think and think and think, then you pass out and your alarm goes off, and then you come and do it again." The "SNL" cast is trying to put Tatum's nerves at ease. "They take care of you so much, so they really set you up to succeed," he said. "Everyone is so at the top of their game as far as writing and acting, and this is a machine like I've never seen before. I wish movies ran this efficient; we would make them better." Tatum, who revealed that his favorite past "SNL" castmembers are Dan Aykroyd and Chris Kattan, got some unusual advice on what he should do Saturday night from onetime host Kelly Ripa. "She said to put Vaseline on my teeth because she said your mouth goes dry when you say your name and your lips are stuck to your teeth," Channing said. "If I can remember it, I'll do it, but maybe I'll Vaseline the lips instead of the teeth." Are you excited to see Channing Tatum host "Saturday Night Live"? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Vow." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Madonna's 'W.E.': The Reviews Are In!
Feb 3rd, 2012
The magic of Madonna's parallel romantic storytelling appears to have been lost on critics.By Kara Warner Madonna directing "W.E." Photo: The Weinstein Co. In addition to her heavily hyped performance at Super Bowl XLVI this weekend, Madonna has been busy writing and directing her second movie, "W.E.," which follows the real-life love story of American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII during the '30s, as well as a parallel story of a fictional American woman set in 1998 who became obsessed with Simpson's story. The film has received some early awards-season love, including a Golden Globe win for Best Original Song and another Globe nomination for Best Original Score, but judging by its 17 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, the magic of the romance seems to have been lost on critics. Read on as we sift through the "W.E." reviews: The Parallel Storytelling "Madonna and co-screenwriter Alek Keshishian try to fuse the threads of two very different tales, set several eras apart, to provide elucidation on the nature of love. But there's not much illumination to be had. There is, however, plenty of pretentious folderol. Clothes, jewelry and expensive trinkets are fraught with superficial symbolism. The more intriguing of the two stories centers on the 1930s romance and marriage of chic American divorcée Wallis Simpson and Great Britain's King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry her. (The title stands for Wallis and Edward.) ... Jumping forward to 1998, the second story is about Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) and her fascination with Simpson. Married to a self-absorbed and abusive psychiatrist, Wally roams New York City in a state of gloomy reverie. She forges an unlikely bond with Evgeni (Oscar Isaac), a guard at Sotheby's, where she goes often to look at the royal paraphernalia about to be auctioned. The disparate strands of the two stories never make much sense the way they're braided together. Presumably, the more Wally learns about the sacrifices Wallis made, the more she is emboldened to follow her heart and leave her own unhappy marriage. Yet what she uncovers about the Duke and Duchess is not always pretty." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Madonna as Writer/Director "The upshot is that instead of a film about a love that conquered a king and nearly undid a kingdom, Madonna has come up with a female friendship movie, which would be fine if she weren't busy trying to prove her art-film bona fides. At her entertainer best, Madonna distilled ideas and emotions into solid pop gold, transmitting a worldview through songs, music videos and her shape-shifter persona. The movies, by contrast, have largely defeated her both as an actress and as a director. As a mystical female friendship movie, 'W.E.' has its pull, but it never coheres, shredded by its editing and its pretensions, like Mrs. Simpson dancing to the Sex Pistols with a woman in African tribal regalia because, I'm guessing, Madonna likes the way Sofia Coppola used New Order's music in 'Marie Antoinette.' " — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Chick-Flick Factor " 'W.E.' (which interlocks with 'The King's Speech' — Bertie pops up in a couple of scenes here just as David appeared in that one) is very much a woman's picture. The men, except the Sotheby's security guard, mainly serve as obstacles or targets. That viewpoint is daring and kind of refreshing; a recent study noted that some two-thirds of the dialogue in Hollywood movies is spoken by men (in my experience, that is a reversal of reality). In the Wallis portions, Madonna presents a frank, unashamed defense of gold-digging, though she does unconvincing penance for this in the Wally story, in which the bride proves lonely and bored in her Upper East Side castle. After more than 40 years of feminism, the gold-digging subtext remains as central to female fantasy as it is in Jane Austen novels, and it's implicit in most of those rom-coms in which, just by sheer coincidence, true love happens with the owner of a chain of bookstores, or the millionaire a gal meets while working the streets. If the woman virtuously chooses love over money, she gets the lucre anyway." — Kyle Smith, The New York Post The Final Word, Pro-Con Style "If anyone, Madonna certainly understands the crazy pull of celebrity obsession, and it's an intriguingly romantic premise she presents, interweaving Wally's story with the Duchess', often triggered by the modern woman's handling of certain artifacts belonging to the late, almost-Queen of England, who even begins to appear to her in hallucinations, to offer world-weary advice and/or disapproval. The director tells the Duchess' story with surprising verve, historical accuracy and style, a huge improvement over the nastily cartoonish way the couple was represented in the overrated 'The King's Speech' last year. There are a few clichéd missteps, as when Edward's mother, Queen Mary (Judy Parfitt), clucks, 'This is a pretty kettle of fish!' over her son's scandal, but, for the most part, the historical sequences have a thrilling élan, aided by the crack photography, art direction and especially Arianne Phillips' superbly accurate costume design for this most chic of fashion eras. Taking a cue, perhaps, from Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette,' Madonna has also effectively interpolated modern pop-rock music along with the usual Deco cocktail standards of the era." — David Noh, FilmJournal.com "You can't call 'W.E.' a total disaster; it's too pretty, too nonsensical and finally too insignificant for that. Rather, it's a heavily decorated and overly complicated exercise in female narcissism, which in its plotless meandering fashion seeks to draw a mystical connection between an unhappy Manhattan wife and Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the Baltimore socialite who married King Edward VIII. Riseborough gives a richly enjoyable performance as the prickly, strange and not especially beautiful American who pulled a king and emperor from his throne, and some of the 1930s scenes are pretty fun, after the fashion of outtakes from 'The King's Speech' turned into music videos or haute couture shoots. Madonna and co-writer Alek Keshishian (who directed 'Truth or Dare' way back in 1991) go right at the historical reputation of Wallis and Edward as Nazi sympathizers, and to the extent that 'W.E.' is an attempt to rehabilitate them at least it has a clear agenda." — Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com Check out everything we've got on "W.E." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
The magic of Madonna's parallel romantic storytelling appears to have been lost on critics.By Kara Warner Madonna directing "W.E." Photo: The Weinstein Co. In addition to her heavily hyped performance at Super Bowl XLVI this weekend, Madonna has been busy writing and directing her second movie, "W.E.," which follows the real-life love story of American divorcée Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII during the '30s, as well as a parallel story of a fictional American woman set in 1998 who became obsessed with Simpson's story. The film has received some early awards-season love, including a Golden Globe win for Best Original Song and another Globe nomination for Best Original Score, but judging by its 17 percent fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, the magic of the romance seems to have been lost on critics. Read on as we sift through the "W.E." reviews: The Parallel Storytelling "Madonna and co-screenwriter Alek Keshishian try to fuse the threads of two very different tales, set several eras apart, to provide elucidation on the nature of love. But there's not much illumination to be had. There is, however, plenty of pretentious folderol. Clothes, jewelry and expensive trinkets are fraught with superficial symbolism. The more intriguing of the two stories centers on the 1930s romance and marriage of chic American divorcée Wallis Simpson and Great Britain's King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne to marry her. (The title stands for Wallis and Edward.) ... Jumping forward to 1998, the second story is about Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) and her fascination with Simpson. Married to a self-absorbed and abusive psychiatrist, Wally roams New York City in a state of gloomy reverie. She forges an unlikely bond with Evgeni (Oscar Isaac), a guard at Sotheby's, where she goes often to look at the royal paraphernalia about to be auctioned. The disparate strands of the two stories never make much sense the way they're braided together. Presumably, the more Wally learns about the sacrifices Wallis made, the more she is emboldened to follow her heart and leave her own unhappy marriage. Yet what she uncovers about the Duke and Duchess is not always pretty." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Madonna as Writer/Director "The upshot is that instead of a film about a love that conquered a king and nearly undid a kingdom, Madonna has come up with a female friendship movie, which would be fine if she weren't busy trying to prove her art-film bona fides. At her entertainer best, Madonna distilled ideas and emotions into solid pop gold, transmitting a worldview through songs, music videos and her shape-shifter persona. The movies, by contrast, have largely defeated her both as an actress and as a director. As a mystical female friendship movie, 'W.E.' has its pull, but it never coheres, shredded by its editing and its pretensions, like Mrs. Simpson dancing to the Sex Pistols with a woman in African tribal regalia because, I'm guessing, Madonna likes the way Sofia Coppola used New Order's music in 'Marie Antoinette.' " — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Chick-Flick Factor " 'W.E.' (which interlocks with 'The King's Speech' — Bertie pops up in a couple of scenes here just as David appeared in that one) is very much a woman's picture. The men, except the Sotheby's security guard, mainly serve as obstacles or targets. That viewpoint is daring and kind of refreshing; a recent study noted that some two-thirds of the dialogue in Hollywood movies is spoken by men (in my experience, that is a reversal of reality). In the Wallis portions, Madonna presents a frank, unashamed defense of gold-digging, though she does unconvincing penance for this in the Wally story, in which the bride proves lonely and bored in her Upper East Side castle. After more than 40 years of feminism, the gold-digging subtext remains as central to female fantasy as it is in Jane Austen novels, and it's implicit in most of those rom-coms in which, just by sheer coincidence, true love happens with the owner of a chain of bookstores, or the millionaire a gal meets while working the streets. If the woman virtuously chooses love over money, she gets the lucre anyway." — Kyle Smith, The New York Post The Final Word, Pro-Con Style "If anyone, Madonna certainly understands the crazy pull of celebrity obsession, and it's an intriguingly romantic premise she presents, interweaving Wally's story with the Duchess', often triggered by the modern woman's handling of certain artifacts belonging to the late, almost-Queen of England, who even begins to appear to her in hallucinations, to offer world-weary advice and/or disapproval. The director tells the Duchess' story with surprising verve, historical accuracy and style, a huge improvement over the nastily cartoonish way the couple was represented in the overrated 'The King's Speech' last year. There are a few clichéd missteps, as when Edward's mother, Queen Mary (Judy Parfitt), clucks, 'This is a pretty kettle of fish!' over her son's scandal, but, for the most part, the historical sequences have a thrilling élan, aided by the crack photography, art direction and especially Arianne Phillips' superbly accurate costume design for this most chic of fashion eras. Taking a cue, perhaps, from Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette,' Madonna has also effectively interpolated modern pop-rock music along with the usual Deco cocktail standards of the era." — David Noh, FilmJournal.com "You can't call 'W.E.' a total disaster; it's too pretty, too nonsensical and finally too insignificant for that. Rather, it's a heavily decorated and overly complicated exercise in female narcissism, which in its plotless meandering fashion seeks to draw a mystical connection between an unhappy Manhattan wife and Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough), the Baltimore socialite who married King Edward VIII. Riseborough gives a richly enjoyable performance as the prickly, strange and not especially beautiful American who pulled a king and emperor from his throne, and some of the 1930s scenes are pretty fun, after the fashion of outtakes from 'The King's Speech' turned into music videos or haute couture shoots. Madonna and co-writer Alek Keshishian (who directed 'Truth or Dare' way back in 1991) go right at the historical reputation of Wallis and Edward as Nazi sympathizers, and to the extent that 'W.E.' is an attempt to rehabilitate them at least it has a clear agenda." — Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com Check out everything we've got on "W.E." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: Madonna Related Artists Madonna
Komen Foundation To Reverse On Planned Parenthood
Feb 3rd, 2012
Day after Decemberists withdrew support, breast cancer charity announces it has reinstated funding for PP health centers.By Gil Kaufman Much like Congress rethought its decision after the outpouring of public anger over the anti-piracy SOPA and PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) acts, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation had a change of heart on Friday (February 3) after intense criticism for its decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood initiatives. Komen, the organization behind the popular pink-ribbon campaign, announced on Tuesday that it would stop funding breast cancer prevention, screening and education at Planned Parenthood health centers — a decision Planned Parenthood claimed was in response to pressure from pro-life groups. Over the past five years, PP centers with Komen program funding have provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams out of the more than 4 million exams performed nationwide at PP health centers, as well as more than 6,400 mammogram referrals out of 70,000 total referrals, according to PP. Following the firestorm of controversy over the decision, the founder and CEO of the nation's largest breast-cancer advocacy group said on Friday that the group would work to change the criteria that sparked the outcry. "We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants," Nancy G. Brinker said in a statement. "We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives." Brinker went further, acknowledging that the original decision to pull funding was done for "political reasons, or specifically to penalize Planned Parenthood." In the wake of the public furor, Komen's director of community health programs resigned in protest over the decision. In addition, 26 U.S. senators had signed a letter this week asking Komen to reconsider its withdrawal decision. One of the leading artistic voices of dissent over the initial Komen withdrawal from Planned Parenthood were the Decemberists. The band had worked with Komen since the band's keyboardist, Jenny Conlee, had revealed her breast cancer diagnosis. When news broke on Tuesday that Komen had pulled funding for breast cancer examinations at PP, the Decemberists redirected the funds from their "Team Jenny" T-shirt to PP. On their website, they explained, "The Decemberists are deeply troubled by Komen for the Cure's recent decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, a vital resource in the battle against breast cancer. Providing cancer screenings to low income women is integral to the prevention and defeat of breast cancer and it is unconscionable that Komen should politicize this very important issue by bowing to the fear campaign being waged against PP by the right." On Friday, the band added an update to their initial posting, writing, "The Decemberists are pleased that Komen for the Cure reversed their decision."
Feb 3rd, 2012
Day after Decemberists withdrew support, breast cancer charity announces it has reinstated funding for PP health centers.By Gil Kaufman Much like Congress rethought its decision after the outpouring of public anger over the anti-piracy SOPA and PIPA (Personal Information Protection Act) acts, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation had a change of heart on Friday (February 3) after intense criticism for its decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood initiatives. Komen, the organization behind the popular pink-ribbon campaign, announced on Tuesday that it would stop funding breast cancer prevention, screening and education at Planned Parenthood health centers — a decision Planned Parenthood claimed was in response to pressure from pro-life groups. Over the past five years, PP centers with Komen program funding have provided nearly 170,000 clinical breast exams out of the more than 4 million exams performed nationwide at PP health centers, as well as more than 6,400 mammogram referrals out of 70,000 total referrals, according to PP. Following the firestorm of controversy over the decision, the founder and CEO of the nation's largest breast-cancer advocacy group said on Friday that the group would work to change the criteria that sparked the outcry. "We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants," Nancy G. Brinker said in a statement. "We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives." Brinker went further, acknowledging that the original decision to pull funding was done for "political reasons, or specifically to penalize Planned Parenthood." In the wake of the public furor, Komen's director of community health programs resigned in protest over the decision. In addition, 26 U.S. senators had signed a letter this week asking Komen to reconsider its withdrawal decision. One of the leading artistic voices of dissent over the initial Komen withdrawal from Planned Parenthood were the Decemberists. The band had worked with Komen since the band's keyboardist, Jenny Conlee, had revealed her breast cancer diagnosis. When news broke on Tuesday that Komen had pulled funding for breast cancer examinations at PP, the Decemberists redirected the funds from their "Team Jenny" T-shirt to PP. On their website, they explained, "The Decemberists are deeply troubled by Komen for the Cure's recent decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, a vital resource in the battle against breast cancer. Providing cancer screenings to low income women is integral to the prevention and defeat of breast cancer and it is unconscionable that Komen should politicize this very important issue by bowing to the fear campaign being waged against PP by the right." On Friday, the band added an update to their initial posting, writing, "The Decemberists are pleased that Komen for the Cure reversed their decision."
All-American Rejects Go All Out For 'Beekeeper's Daughter' Video
Feb 3rd, 2012
Just-released clip has warring hipsters, a mariachi band ... and Wayne Newton.By James Montgomery All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter in the "Beekeeper's Daughter" music video It's been a while — like, almost three years — since the All-American Rejects have made a music video, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that, when they got the go-ahead to shoot a clip for "Beekeeper's Daughter" (the first single from their upcoming Kids in the Street album), they decided to go all out. "This was the first video where, when we got [the treatment], everyone said 'yes' and I said 'yes ... but could we please have some of this?' And I proceeded to sort of expel every fantastic idea I could think of," frontman Tyson Ritter explained. "From, like, a hipster fight — beards versus mustaches, a lot of plaid, had to be like 'West Side Story' — to some she-devils. Everything we could ever sort of think of for a video that was impractical is in this one. "And the whole thing is floating on a through-line of a man walking through his day, experiencing every random encounter from every random walk of life," he continued. "And at the very end, there's a big parade with Wayne Newton." And Ritter's not exaggerating either. Because the "Beekeeper's" video — which premiered Friday (February 3) — is most certainly jam-packed with every one of his notions and then some. It's a big, buzzy clip, brimming with dancing she-devils, cheerleaders, cops, ticker tape, a mariachi band and Mr. Newton (to name just a few). And while everything in the video elicits a thrill, it's Newton's cameo that takes the cake. "Yeah, I think [Tyson's] email ended with, 'Oh, and Wayne Newton.' And I thought that was to sum up that this video needs to have all kinds of outrageousness," guitarist Nick Wheeler laughed. "But two days before, we got this phone call: 'Hey, Wayne Newton's going to be in the video.' I have his business card in my wallet." Speaking of business, now that the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video has been released, there remains one rather sweet sponsorship deal AAR are very interested in securing — one that's a lot tougher to land than you'd imagine. "This song was dubbed 'Beekeeper's Daughter' because that was the brand of honey that we had in the cabin in the Sequoia Grove National Forest when we first wrote it," Wheeler said. "It's really just our desperate attempt at a honey sponsorship." "And those are not easy to get," Ritter laughed. "We still haven't gotten any of that honey." What do you think of the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists The All-American Rejects
Feb 3rd, 2012
Just-released clip has warring hipsters, a mariachi band ... and Wayne Newton.By James Montgomery All-American Rejects' Tyson Ritter in the "Beekeeper's Daughter" music video It's been a while — like, almost three years — since the All-American Rejects have made a music video, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that, when they got the go-ahead to shoot a clip for "Beekeeper's Daughter" (the first single from their upcoming Kids in the Street album), they decided to go all out. "This was the first video where, when we got [the treatment], everyone said 'yes' and I said 'yes ... but could we please have some of this?' And I proceeded to sort of expel every fantastic idea I could think of," frontman Tyson Ritter explained. "From, like, a hipster fight — beards versus mustaches, a lot of plaid, had to be like 'West Side Story' — to some she-devils. Everything we could ever sort of think of for a video that was impractical is in this one. "And the whole thing is floating on a through-line of a man walking through his day, experiencing every random encounter from every random walk of life," he continued. "And at the very end, there's a big parade with Wayne Newton." And Ritter's not exaggerating either. Because the "Beekeeper's" video — which premiered Friday (February 3) — is most certainly jam-packed with every one of his notions and then some. It's a big, buzzy clip, brimming with dancing she-devils, cheerleaders, cops, ticker tape, a mariachi band and Mr. Newton (to name just a few). And while everything in the video elicits a thrill, it's Newton's cameo that takes the cake. "Yeah, I think [Tyson's] email ended with, 'Oh, and Wayne Newton.' And I thought that was to sum up that this video needs to have all kinds of outrageousness," guitarist Nick Wheeler laughed. "But two days before, we got this phone call: 'Hey, Wayne Newton's going to be in the video.' I have his business card in my wallet." Speaking of business, now that the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video has been released, there remains one rather sweet sponsorship deal AAR are very interested in securing — one that's a lot tougher to land than you'd imagine. "This song was dubbed 'Beekeeper's Daughter' because that was the brand of honey that we had in the cabin in the Sequoia Grove National Forest when we first wrote it," Wheeler said. "It's really just our desperate attempt at a honey sponsorship." "And those are not easy to get," Ritter laughed. "We still haven't gotten any of that honey." What do you think of the "Beekeeper's Daughter" video? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Artists The All-American Rejects
'Smash' Star Katharine McPhee Talks Auditioning For Steven Spielberg
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all,' McPhee tells MTV News.By Christina Garibaldi Katharine McPhee Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images It's been a while since we've seen Katharine McPhee in the spotlight. Now all eyes are on her as the "American Idol" alum takes on the leading role as Karen Cartwright in the highly anticipated NBC musical drama "Smash." But the road to "Smash" hasn't been an easy one for McPhee. After coming in as runner-up in the 2006 season of "American Idol" and starring in "The House Bunny," McPhee has had a rough road on her career path. She was dropped from her record label in 2008 and struggled with getting other movie projects off the ground. But her determination paid off, which is something she could relate to when playing her character on "Smash." "My character, Karen, is the biggest dreamer of them all, she dreams big. Our show is about dreaming big," McPhee told MTV News at the New York premiere of "Smash." "She has a big heart, she has a lot of drive and she's very determined about what she wants in her career and what she wants out of it and how she's gonna go about doing it, and keeping a real strong moral code. I think she is a little green when you first meet her. She's not quite sure how things go and how things are worked in the business, [and] she learns a lot throughout the course of the first season." The show centers on the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. In the first episode, viewers will see McPhee's struggle with several auditions before getting a callback to compete against newcomer Megan Hilty's character for the part of Marilyn. But according to McPhee, her audition for the role of Karen was nothing like the one you will see during the premiere on Monday. "I did have to audition for this," McPhee said. "It was actually one of the more simple auditions I've been through. I auditioned, put myself on tape, flew to New York the next week, was testing for it. I waited two days for Mr. Spielberg to watch the tape and I got the part." Yes, that's right. McPhee had to audition for Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who is a producer on the series. So we had to ask: Who is more intimidating to audition for, Spielberg or former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell? "I would say neither," McPhee declared. "Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all. He's the most lovely, wonderful, gentle man." Are you excited for Monday's premiere of "Smash"? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Katharine McPhee
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all,' McPhee tells MTV News.By Christina Garibaldi Katharine McPhee Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images It's been a while since we've seen Katharine McPhee in the spotlight. Now all eyes are on her as the "American Idol" alum takes on the leading role as Karen Cartwright in the highly anticipated NBC musical drama "Smash." But the road to "Smash" hasn't been an easy one for McPhee. After coming in as runner-up in the 2006 season of "American Idol" and starring in "The House Bunny," McPhee has had a rough road on her career path. She was dropped from her record label in 2008 and struggled with getting other movie projects off the ground. But her determination paid off, which is something she could relate to when playing her character on "Smash." "My character, Karen, is the biggest dreamer of them all, she dreams big. Our show is about dreaming big," McPhee told MTV News at the New York premiere of "Smash." "She has a big heart, she has a lot of drive and she's very determined about what she wants in her career and what she wants out of it and how she's gonna go about doing it, and keeping a real strong moral code. I think she is a little green when you first meet her. She's not quite sure how things go and how things are worked in the business, [and] she learns a lot throughout the course of the first season." The show centers on the making of a Broadway musical based on the life of Marilyn Monroe. In the first episode, viewers will see McPhee's struggle with several auditions before getting a callback to compete against newcomer Megan Hilty's character for the part of Marilyn. But according to McPhee, her audition for the role of Karen was nothing like the one you will see during the premiere on Monday. "I did have to audition for this," McPhee said. "It was actually one of the more simple auditions I've been through. I auditioned, put myself on tape, flew to New York the next week, was testing for it. I waited two days for Mr. Spielberg to watch the tape and I got the part." Yes, that's right. McPhee had to audition for Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg, who is a producer on the series. So we had to ask: Who is more intimidating to audition for, Spielberg or former "Idol" judge Simon Cowell? "I would say neither," McPhee declared. "Mr. Spielberg, when you meet him, he is not intimidating at all. He's the most lovely, wonderful, gentle man." Are you excited for Monday's premiere of "Smash"? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists Katharine McPhee
Wiz Khalifa Reveals O.N.I.F.C. Meaning
Feb 3rd, 2012
Title of sophomore album stands for 'Only N----a in First Class,' Wiz explains on 'Sway in the Morning.' By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wiz Khalifa Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Wiz Khalifa is riding high off of his success, but it isn't all good. On his sophomore album, O.N.I.F.C., Wiz will celebrate his victories, but he promises to give fans the other side, too. "It's the Only N-Word in First Class," Wiz said, breaking down the much-speculated upon acronym when he appeared on "Sway in the Morning" on Shade 45 on Friday (February 3). "It's inspired by Prodigy's H.N.I.C. When he dropped that, I felt like that sounded so strong." When broken down, the title of Prodigy's 2000 debut stands for "Head N---a in Charge," so for his Only N---a in First Class, Wiz took cues from the Mobb Deep MC. There is a clean version of the album, too: One Night in First Class. Still, for Wiz the explicit title has so much more meaning. "I was just talking about me being a young rich dude and being black," Wiz told Shade 45 hosts Sway and Devi Dev about his experience in airports. "It looks crazy to them when I walk up to them and show them my ticket or I'm going in priority seating, They're like 'You're sure?' " On one hand Khalifa is glad that he's made it; on the other, the racism that he's experienced has left a bad taste in the rapper's mouth. "It's a good feeling and then it's like a bad feeling because it's like, 'Damn, why do you feel like that about me,' " he said. Wiz Khalifa wants to motivate Pittsburgh artists with his success. Earlier in the interview, the Pittsburgh spitter told Sway how his next album will differ from his first. "When I did Rolling Papers, I was like, I'm gonna make these big songs, I'm gonna make these big records," he said. "What I did before when I made my music was I just went in there and made music and it was what I really liked and what I felt at the time. I kinda developed a pattern of what I was going towards and that's what I did on this album." No word on when O.N.I.F.C. will be released, but Wiz says it is pretty much done. He didn't confirm any guests, but he did reveal that he worked with at least one pretty accomplished producer. "I got production from Pharrell on there. I worked with a lot of different people on this one, but I kept the sound really consistent," he said. "I made sure everybody that I worked with and everything that I did, they all came to my world with it." Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on Sirius XM Radio's Shade 45, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET. Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
Feb 3rd, 2012
Title of sophomore album stands for 'Only N----a in First Class,' Wiz explains on 'Sway in the Morning.' By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway Wiz Khalifa Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images Wiz Khalifa is riding high off of his success, but it isn't all good. On his sophomore album, O.N.I.F.C., Wiz will celebrate his victories, but he promises to give fans the other side, too. "It's the Only N-Word in First Class," Wiz said, breaking down the much-speculated upon acronym when he appeared on "Sway in the Morning" on Shade 45 on Friday (February 3). "It's inspired by Prodigy's H.N.I.C. When he dropped that, I felt like that sounded so strong." When broken down, the title of Prodigy's 2000 debut stands for "Head N---a in Charge," so for his Only N---a in First Class, Wiz took cues from the Mobb Deep MC. There is a clean version of the album, too: One Night in First Class. Still, for Wiz the explicit title has so much more meaning. "I was just talking about me being a young rich dude and being black," Wiz told Shade 45 hosts Sway and Devi Dev about his experience in airports. "It looks crazy to them when I walk up to them and show them my ticket or I'm going in priority seating, They're like 'You're sure?' " On one hand Khalifa is glad that he's made it; on the other, the racism that he's experienced has left a bad taste in the rapper's mouth. "It's a good feeling and then it's like a bad feeling because it's like, 'Damn, why do you feel like that about me,' " he said. Wiz Khalifa wants to motivate Pittsburgh artists with his success. Earlier in the interview, the Pittsburgh spitter told Sway how his next album will differ from his first. "When I did Rolling Papers, I was like, I'm gonna make these big songs, I'm gonna make these big records," he said. "What I did before when I made my music was I just went in there and made music and it was what I really liked and what I felt at the time. I kinda developed a pattern of what I was going towards and that's what I did on this album." No word on when O.N.I.F.C. will be released, but Wiz says it is pretty much done. He didn't confirm any guests, but he did reveal that he worked with at least one pretty accomplished producer. "I got production from Pharrell on there. I worked with a lot of different people on this one, but I kept the sound really consistent," he said. "I made sure everybody that I worked with and everything that I did, they all came to my world with it." Catch MTV News' Sway Calloway on "Sway in the Morning," on Sirius XM Radio's Shade 45, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon ET. Related Artists Wiz Khalifa
Madonna Releases 'Give Me,' Unveils MDNA Track List
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' debuts Friday (February 3) in multimedia event preceding Queen of Pop's Super Bowl halftime performance.By John Mitchell Madonna Photo: Getty Images Madonna debuted her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," on Friday (February 3) as part of a massive multimedia push ahead of her halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has also revealed the track list for her much-anticipated 12th studio album, MDNA. The Queen of Pop's single was rolled out across Clear Channel's many platforms, a promotional push that the company estimates will reach 150 million people around the world. In addition to radio, the song hit online venues like iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel's customized online radio service, and 1,600 digital billboards in the United States, France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Belgium, Finland and the United Kingdom, according to NPR. "This first-of-its-kind multimedia premiere with Madonna demonstrates the unequalled scope and strength of the entire Clear Channel platform," Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman said in a statement. The full-length Megaforce-directed video for the track also hit the Web Friday and features Her Madgesty and collaborators Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. taking to the streets in cheerleader-chic attire. "Luvin' " is a bouncy dance-pop track reminiscent of Madonna's Grammy-winning "Beautiful Stranger." Driven by glittery synths, marching band drums and claps, the song features guest raps from Minaj and M.I.A. and a deep nostalgia streak. With its simple, impossibly catchy chorus and "dance our lives away" message, the song, which was written and produced by Madonna and dance music master Martin Solveig, feels like classic Madonna re-imagined by the production dynamic that brought her widespread acclaim beginning with her 1998 electro-dance album Ray of Light. On her official website, Madonna revealed the track titles that will be featured on the deluxe edition of her new album, MDNA, which hits stores March 26 and features production work from Solveig and Light producer William Orbit. The deluxe edition will include 15 songs: » Girls Gone Wild » Gang Bang » I'm Addicted » Some Girls » I Don't Give A » Turn Up the Radio » Give Me All Your Luvin' » B-day Song » Superstar » I'm a Sinner » Masterpiece » Falling Free » Love Spent » I F---ed Up » Beautiful Killer Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' debuts Friday (February 3) in multimedia event preceding Queen of Pop's Super Bowl halftime performance.By John Mitchell Madonna Photo: Getty Images Madonna debuted her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin'," on Friday (February 3) as part of a massive multimedia push ahead of her halftime performance at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, and has also revealed the track list for her much-anticipated 12th studio album, MDNA. The Queen of Pop's single was rolled out across Clear Channel's many platforms, a promotional push that the company estimates will reach 150 million people around the world. In addition to radio, the song hit online venues like iHeartRadio.com, Clear Channel's customized online radio service, and 1,600 digital billboards in the United States, France, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Singapore, Belgium, Finland and the United Kingdom, according to NPR. "This first-of-its-kind multimedia premiere with Madonna demonstrates the unequalled scope and strength of the entire Clear Channel platform," Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman said in a statement. The full-length Megaforce-directed video for the track also hit the Web Friday and features Her Madgesty and collaborators Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. taking to the streets in cheerleader-chic attire. "Luvin' " is a bouncy dance-pop track reminiscent of Madonna's Grammy-winning "Beautiful Stranger." Driven by glittery synths, marching band drums and claps, the song features guest raps from Minaj and M.I.A. and a deep nostalgia streak. With its simple, impossibly catchy chorus and "dance our lives away" message, the song, which was written and produced by Madonna and dance music master Martin Solveig, feels like classic Madonna re-imagined by the production dynamic that brought her widespread acclaim beginning with her 1998 electro-dance album Ray of Light. On her official website, Madonna revealed the track titles that will be featured on the deluxe edition of her new album, MDNA, which hits stores March 26 and features production work from Solveig and Light producer William Orbit. The deluxe edition will include 15 songs: » Girls Gone Wild » Gang Bang » I'm Addicted » Some Girls » I Don't Give A » Turn Up the Radio » Give Me All Your Luvin' » B-day Song » Superstar » I'm a Sinner » Masterpiece » Falling Free » Love Spent » I F---ed Up » Beautiful Killer Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Adam Lambert Battles Himself In 'Better Than I Know Myself'
Feb 3rd, 2012
Bad-boy Lambert and nice-guy Lambert are at war with each in new clip.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino Adam Lambert Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images Adam Lambert dropped his new video for his first Trespassing single, "Better Than I Know Myself," on Friday (February 3). The video takes a look at the two sides of Lambert: a leather-wearing, liquor-swilling bad boy and a sweater-donning, tea-drinking homebody. During the video, the two personas seem to battle it out in different apartments connected by a clear wall and one oxygen supply. In the end, as the bad Lambert sets his apartment on fire, killing good-guy Lambert's air supply, the wall breaks down. The good seems to seep into his apartment as he rescues his better half. The video ends with one Lambert, walking down a sun-drenched street, seeming to be at peace with himself. "It's about the relationship you have with yourself between your dark and light side," Lambert, who will reportedly hit the road with Queen this summer, explained to MTV News. "It's about duality. It's about that balance and finding it and struggling to maintain it and what that means. It's an emotionally complicated video and I hope people are open-minded about it. I thought really hard and long about what was covered in it and what I was trying to say with it." The video does seem to nod to his "Whataya Want From Me" clip. "It's a cousin to that. ... There is something similar to 'Whataya Want From Me.' I think that domesticated version of myself is my idealistic better version of me," he explained. "It's the me I want to be in my right mind. It's the most happy, content, peaceful, wholesome version of myself." The clip was directed by Ray Kay (who also worked with Lambert on his "For Your Entertainment" video), and Lambert came up with the treatment with his "Whataya" director, Diane Martel. "I just think visually [Kay's] so great. He's so great. He creates great pictures," he said, adding a big "thank you" to Martel for her help. "It's a big collaboration of a lot of different ideas." Related Artists Adam Lambert
Feb 3rd, 2012
Bad-boy Lambert and nice-guy Lambert are at war with each in new clip.By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Kelly Marino Adam Lambert Photo: Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images Adam Lambert dropped his new video for his first Trespassing single, "Better Than I Know Myself," on Friday (February 3). The video takes a look at the two sides of Lambert: a leather-wearing, liquor-swilling bad boy and a sweater-donning, tea-drinking homebody. During the video, the two personas seem to battle it out in different apartments connected by a clear wall and one oxygen supply. In the end, as the bad Lambert sets his apartment on fire, killing good-guy Lambert's air supply, the wall breaks down. The good seems to seep into his apartment as he rescues his better half. The video ends with one Lambert, walking down a sun-drenched street, seeming to be at peace with himself. "It's about the relationship you have with yourself between your dark and light side," Lambert, who will reportedly hit the road with Queen this summer, explained to MTV News. "It's about duality. It's about that balance and finding it and struggling to maintain it and what that means. It's an emotionally complicated video and I hope people are open-minded about it. I thought really hard and long about what was covered in it and what I was trying to say with it." The video does seem to nod to his "Whataya Want From Me" clip. "It's a cousin to that. ... There is something similar to 'Whataya Want From Me.' I think that domesticated version of myself is my idealistic better version of me," he explained. "It's the me I want to be in my right mind. It's the most happy, content, peaceful, wholesome version of myself." The clip was directed by Ray Kay (who also worked with Lambert on his "For Your Entertainment" video), and Lambert came up with the treatment with his "Whataya" director, Diane Martel. "I just think visually [Kay's] so great. He's so great. He creates great pictures," he said, adding a big "thank you" to Martel for her help. "It's a big collaboration of a lot of different ideas." Related Artists Adam Lambert
'Chronicle': The Reviews Are In!
Feb 3rd, 2012
Critics agree that the supernatural movie brings new life to the found-footage technique.By Kevin P. Sullivan Alex Russell in "Chronicle" Photo: 20th Century Fox With "Chronicle," found footage comes to the superhero genre. It's a fun and exciting take on a story you've probably heard before, and the critics agree. You can check out MTV's review over at the Splash Page. We've rounded up a mostly spoiler-free sampling of the reviews out there for your reading pleasure. Check out what the critics are saying about "Chronicle." The Story "Told mostly (we'll get to that in a bit) through the video-camera lens of a pasty Seattle high school loser named Andrew (Dane DeHaan), the film "documents'' the aftermath of his encounter with a mysteriously glowing space rock. Along with friends and fellow discoverers Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew realizes he can levitate objects and possesses super-human strength." — Ty Burr, Boston Globe The Leads "From the start, there's an undertow of cruelty to the teenagers' high jinks as they learn what they can do, as when they levitate a stuffed animal to frighten a child. Mr. Trank brings a light touch to these self-discovery scenes — the three are flexing fast-evolving muscles — as well as a creeping sense of menace. In this respect, Mr. DeHaan, whose vulnerability and physical awkwardness here can evoke the young Leonardo DiCaprio in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' is invaluable. Mr. Russell and Mr. Jordan are as likable as their characters, but it's Mr. DeHaan who pulls you uneasily in." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Writer and Director "Sometimes a movie arrives out of the blue that announces the arrival of considerable new talents. Josh Trank is 26, and this is his directing debut. Max Landis, also 26, has written a couple of shorts. His father is the director John Landis, but connections don't teach you how to write." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times The Found Footage "One of the cleverest conceits is the way in which shots are framed so that it really does seem as if we're seeing everything through Andrew's lens. Helped by the keen eye of cinematographer Matthew Jensen, mirrors — really, any shiny surface — help fill in the settings." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times The Final Word "Bolstered by the natural performances of a trio of little-known actors, the very watchable 'Chronicle' keeps us captive throughout." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Related Videos Talk Nerdy
Feb 3rd, 2012
Critics agree that the supernatural movie brings new life to the found-footage technique.By Kevin P. Sullivan Alex Russell in "Chronicle" Photo: 20th Century Fox With "Chronicle," found footage comes to the superhero genre. It's a fun and exciting take on a story you've probably heard before, and the critics agree. You can check out MTV's review over at the Splash Page. We've rounded up a mostly spoiler-free sampling of the reviews out there for your reading pleasure. Check out what the critics are saying about "Chronicle." The Story "Told mostly (we'll get to that in a bit) through the video-camera lens of a pasty Seattle high school loser named Andrew (Dane DeHaan), the film "documents'' the aftermath of his encounter with a mysteriously glowing space rock. Along with friends and fellow discoverers Matt (Alex Russell) and Steve (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew realizes he can levitate objects and possesses super-human strength." — Ty Burr, Boston Globe The Leads "From the start, there's an undertow of cruelty to the teenagers' high jinks as they learn what they can do, as when they levitate a stuffed animal to frighten a child. Mr. Trank brings a light touch to these self-discovery scenes — the three are flexing fast-evolving muscles — as well as a creeping sense of menace. In this respect, Mr. DeHaan, whose vulnerability and physical awkwardness here can evoke the young Leonardo DiCaprio in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' is invaluable. Mr. Russell and Mr. Jordan are as likable as their characters, but it's Mr. DeHaan who pulls you uneasily in." — Manohla Dargis, The New York Times The Writer and Director "Sometimes a movie arrives out of the blue that announces the arrival of considerable new talents. Josh Trank is 26, and this is his directing debut. Max Landis, also 26, has written a couple of shorts. His father is the director John Landis, but connections don't teach you how to write." — Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times The Found Footage "One of the cleverest conceits is the way in which shots are framed so that it really does seem as if we're seeing everything through Andrew's lens. Helped by the keen eye of cinematographer Matthew Jensen, mirrors — really, any shiny surface — help fill in the settings." — Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times The Final Word "Bolstered by the natural performances of a trio of little-known actors, the very watchable 'Chronicle' keeps us captive throughout." — Claudia Puig, USA Today Related Videos Talk Nerdy
'Fringe' Star Makes 'Angels' With Astrid
Feb 3rd, 2012
'It's personal, sweet and really sad at the same time,' actress Jasika Nicole tells MTV News of her upcoming 'Fringe' episode.By Josh Wigler Jasika Nicole on "Fringe" Photo: FOX There's a running gag on "Fringe" about good-natured FBI agent Astrid Farnsworth: Even though she spends almost all her screen time assisting and taking care of the delightfully delirious Walter Bishop, the kooky scientist can never quite remember her name. "Aspirin," he's called her, or "Asteroid" or any other number of "A" names. Sadly, fans can relate to Walter's repeated mistake. Sweet and mysterious though she may be, the alluring Astrid is relegated to supporting status so often that it's far too easy to forget her name. But that all changes with "Making Angels," the new episode of "Fringe" airing Friday (February 3). Forget Olivia, Walter and Peter — this one is all about Astrid. Actress Jasika Nicole, who plays Astrid on "Fringe," spoke with MTV News about both versions of her character taking center stage in "Making Angels," the challenges of merging two versions of the same person for the first time and much more. MTV: We've been waiting forever for the Astrid episode of "Fringe." What took so long? Jasika Nicole: I've been waiting so hard and long, just like the fans have! [Laughs.] I don't know why it took so long. It would be one thing if it seemed like Astrid didn't have a lot of fan support and people aren't interested, but I feel like fans have been begging to learn and see more of this character. I don't know for the life of me why it took so long. At the beginning of the season, I called ["Fringe" show-runners Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman] and said, "I want you guys to know that I'm so happy on this show, but I would really, really love to know if there's an Astrid episode coming up. It would really give me something to look forward to." They were super vague about it. And I assumed that whenever she did get her episode, it would be a situation where Astrid figures out [the episode's mystery] at the last minute, or everyone's on LSD and she has to go out and save the day. That would be an easy way out. But I'll tell you, I was really surprised with the episode. It's so beautiful. It's personal, it's sweet, and it's really sad at the same time. I don't know why it took so long. But I think all the support the episode has been getting is going to make them feel really crappy that they didn't do this sooner. [Laughs.] MTV: You've always been vocal about who Astrid is and what she's about. For the audience, though, we've had to piece things together: You get a bit of Astrid here and there, but she's not at the forefront the way Olivia and Peter are. When you got your episode, did Astrid measure up to your vision of her? How did the episode change your perspective on the character? Nicole: I think [the writers and I] were on the same page. But before with Astrid, we just got the CliffsNotes version of her. She's kind, thoughtful and a great caretaker. The other Astrid is very smart and she's a little bit vacant in terms of emotional relationships and isn't the best communicator. That was kind of it. You didn't know anything about her family, what it's like when she got home ... it was just overviews of these two characters. But this episode delves into them much more. You see to what extent this Astrid is a caretaker. She does something that's just really beautiful. She's such a sweet, caring, sincere woman. It made Astrid seem like a real person. Before, you see her taking care of Walter. She laugh at his jokes and there's this weird husband-wife, father-daughter thing going on. [Laughs.] But now we get to see her in relation to someone who is not Walter. It's the first time in the four seasons we've really seen her interact with another person and putting herself out there so much. The alternate Astrid has been a little one-note because you've only seen her at work, very focused on her job. She delivers her information and that's pretty much it. But the truth is, she has a life and she has a family. Something traumatic happens where she comes from in that universe, and she's so distraught and incapable of handling what's going on by herself, that she comes to this universe to seek out our Astrid. That's definitely a side of her you've never seen before. I always wanted to know what she's like in personal situations instead of professional ones. You get to see that. This episode is really about alt-Astrid. MTV: One of the beauties of "Fringe" is that we get multiple versions of the same character — even though they're literally the same person, they're very different in many ways. With the two Astrids coming face to face in this episode, how do those differences and similarities come into play? Nicole: What's interesting about having an alternate universe is trying to figure out where your paths went differently. What went on here that didn't go on there? Why aren't we the exact same person? With the Astrids, it's a little different because they're fundamentally different to the core — possibly at a genetic level, if you're of the theory [that alt-Astrid is on the autism spectrum]. That changes your relationships with your family members, which is something that's essential to the story of this episode. Not only are the two Astrids different, they're so different that they have different relationships with the people in their lives. They're the only constant. Everybody around them is different, but this connection that they have is the only solid thing that they have between them. That's going to help the alternate Astrid to figure out what's going on in her life in this crazy, tumultuous time. MTV: "Making Angels" isn't just the first Astrid-centric episode of "Fringe," it's also your first chance to get in on some of the fun your co-stars have been having: acting opposite yourself for pretty much the entire episode. On one hand, that's got to be pretty cool. On the other, it has to be pretty tricky, right? Nicole: You're right, it was a double-whammy. It's like you're sticking two days into one. You have to know exactly what you're going to do, you have to know so well how you're going to play those characters in the beginning of those scenes. It takes a lot of foresight. The emotional part is really tough, but then there's the technical stuff. You have to stand and make sure your outline is the same every time. There's a point where [the two Astrids] shake hands, and I could not for the life of me figure out how they were going to make it work. It's too big of a concept for me to grasp. But what was really cool is that they were able to merge the split screens on the monitors in video village, so they were watching it in real time. I'm doing it with my stand-in, but they're watching both Jasikas on the screen. At one point, we'd been doing this one scene for like eight hours or something. We were tired. It was a big scene with two Olivias in it, two Astrids, Walter and Peter. There's all this stuff going on. We ended up not being able to finish the green screen that night. We had to come back and finish the next day. But they only needed to stick me in the scene. There are four or five other characters in the scene, but they're just filming me in front of the green screen playing off of dialogue that we had recorded the day before. Because we had done it for eight hours, I knew it like the back of my hand. I smiled at imaginary jokes being pulled, I watched imaginary people walking in — it was just so surreal. It's like you're playing a pretend game while you're drunk by yourself, but there are people watching you do it! [Laughs.] Nothing about it makes sense, but the end result is phenomenal. The new episode of "Fringe," "Making Angels," airs Friday (February 3) at 9 p.m. ET. Check out everything we've got on "Fringe." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Feb 3rd, 2012
'It's personal, sweet and really sad at the same time,' actress Jasika Nicole tells MTV News of her upcoming 'Fringe' episode.By Josh Wigler Jasika Nicole on "Fringe" Photo: FOX There's a running gag on "Fringe" about good-natured FBI agent Astrid Farnsworth: Even though she spends almost all her screen time assisting and taking care of the delightfully delirious Walter Bishop, the kooky scientist can never quite remember her name. "Aspirin," he's called her, or "Asteroid" or any other number of "A" names. Sadly, fans can relate to Walter's repeated mistake. Sweet and mysterious though she may be, the alluring Astrid is relegated to supporting status so often that it's far too easy to forget her name. But that all changes with "Making Angels," the new episode of "Fringe" airing Friday (February 3). Forget Olivia, Walter and Peter — this one is all about Astrid. Actress Jasika Nicole, who plays Astrid on "Fringe," spoke with MTV News about both versions of her character taking center stage in "Making Angels," the challenges of merging two versions of the same person for the first time and much more. MTV: We've been waiting forever for the Astrid episode of "Fringe." What took so long? Jasika Nicole: I've been waiting so hard and long, just like the fans have! [Laughs.] I don't know why it took so long. It would be one thing if it seemed like Astrid didn't have a lot of fan support and people aren't interested, but I feel like fans have been begging to learn and see more of this character. I don't know for the life of me why it took so long. At the beginning of the season, I called ["Fringe" show-runners Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman] and said, "I want you guys to know that I'm so happy on this show, but I would really, really love to know if there's an Astrid episode coming up. It would really give me something to look forward to." They were super vague about it. And I assumed that whenever she did get her episode, it would be a situation where Astrid figures out [the episode's mystery] at the last minute, or everyone's on LSD and she has to go out and save the day. That would be an easy way out. But I'll tell you, I was really surprised with the episode. It's so beautiful. It's personal, it's sweet, and it's really sad at the same time. I don't know why it took so long. But I think all the support the episode has been getting is going to make them feel really crappy that they didn't do this sooner. [Laughs.] MTV: You've always been vocal about who Astrid is and what she's about. For the audience, though, we've had to piece things together: You get a bit of Astrid here and there, but she's not at the forefront the way Olivia and Peter are. When you got your episode, did Astrid measure up to your vision of her? How did the episode change your perspective on the character? Nicole: I think [the writers and I] were on the same page. But before with Astrid, we just got the CliffsNotes version of her. She's kind, thoughtful and a great caretaker. The other Astrid is very smart and she's a little bit vacant in terms of emotional relationships and isn't the best communicator. That was kind of it. You didn't know anything about her family, what it's like when she got home ... it was just overviews of these two characters. But this episode delves into them much more. You see to what extent this Astrid is a caretaker. She does something that's just really beautiful. She's such a sweet, caring, sincere woman. It made Astrid seem like a real person. Before, you see her taking care of Walter. She laugh at his jokes and there's this weird husband-wife, father-daughter thing going on. [Laughs.] But now we get to see her in relation to someone who is not Walter. It's the first time in the four seasons we've really seen her interact with another person and putting herself out there so much. The alternate Astrid has been a little one-note because you've only seen her at work, very focused on her job. She delivers her information and that's pretty much it. But the truth is, she has a life and she has a family. Something traumatic happens where she comes from in that universe, and she's so distraught and incapable of handling what's going on by herself, that she comes to this universe to seek out our Astrid. That's definitely a side of her you've never seen before. I always wanted to know what she's like in personal situations instead of professional ones. You get to see that. This episode is really about alt-Astrid. MTV: One of the beauties of "Fringe" is that we get multiple versions of the same character — even though they're literally the same person, they're very different in many ways. With the two Astrids coming face to face in this episode, how do those differences and similarities come into play? Nicole: What's interesting about having an alternate universe is trying to figure out where your paths went differently. What went on here that didn't go on there? Why aren't we the exact same person? With the Astrids, it's a little different because they're fundamentally different to the core — possibly at a genetic level, if you're of the theory [that alt-Astrid is on the autism spectrum]. That changes your relationships with your family members, which is something that's essential to the story of this episode. Not only are the two Astrids different, they're so different that they have different relationships with the people in their lives. They're the only constant. Everybody around them is different, but this connection that they have is the only solid thing that they have between them. That's going to help the alternate Astrid to figure out what's going on in her life in this crazy, tumultuous time. MTV: "Making Angels" isn't just the first Astrid-centric episode of "Fringe," it's also your first chance to get in on some of the fun your co-stars have been having: acting opposite yourself for pretty much the entire episode. On one hand, that's got to be pretty cool. On the other, it has to be pretty tricky, right? Nicole: You're right, it was a double-whammy. It's like you're sticking two days into one. You have to know exactly what you're going to do, you have to know so well how you're going to play those characters in the beginning of those scenes. It takes a lot of foresight. The emotional part is really tough, but then there's the technical stuff. You have to stand and make sure your outline is the same every time. There's a point where [the two Astrids] shake hands, and I could not for the life of me figure out how they were going to make it work. It's too big of a concept for me to grasp. But what was really cool is that they were able to merge the split screens on the monitors in video village, so they were watching it in real time. I'm doing it with my stand-in, but they're watching both Jasikas on the screen. At one point, we'd been doing this one scene for like eight hours or something. We were tired. It was a big scene with two Olivias in it, two Astrids, Walter and Peter. There's all this stuff going on. We ended up not being able to finish the green screen that night. We had to come back and finish the next day. But they only needed to stick me in the scene. There are four or five other characters in the scene, but they're just filming me in front of the green screen playing off of dialogue that we had recorded the day before. Because we had done it for eight hours, I knew it like the back of my hand. I smiled at imaginary jokes being pulled, I watched imaginary people walking in — it was just so surreal. It's like you're playing a pretend game while you're drunk by yourself, but there are people watching you do it! [Laughs.] Nothing about it makes sense, but the end result is phenomenal. The new episode of "Fringe," "Making Angels," airs Friday (February 3) at 9 p.m. ET. Check out everything we've got on "Fringe." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Madonna Goes Old-School In 'Give Me All Your Luvin' ' Video
Feb 3rd, 2012
Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. don cheerleader uniforms in clip, which revisits Madge's classics like 'Material Girl' and 'Like a Virgin.'By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope "Fans can make you famous, a contract can make you rich, the press can make you a superstar, but only luv can make you a player." And with that message, Madonna's funky, fun and surreal (and almost cartoony) "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video kicks off. To view five key moments from the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video, click here. With appearances from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., masked cheerleaders, beefy football players and old-school Madonna references a-plenty, the Megaforce-directed clip is fun and light-hearted, much like the bouncy pop anthem itself. The clip opens with Nicki and M.I.A. done up in cheerleader costumes chanting Madge's name. It then cuts to Madonna, clad in a trench coat and sunglasses, kicking down the door of her suburban home, pushing along a baby stroller. From there, the video takes many unusual turns: football players tackling street signs, Madonna abandoning her baby carriage to hang out with her cheerleader crew, shots of her done up in black lingerie and a giant cross (the first of many looks that reference the many looks Madonna has worn over the years) dancing in front of a brick wall. Sparks fall from the sky as she runs around the streets near her house, her football players protecting her with some giant umbrellas — creating an eye-catching visual. As she makes her way through town (which does little to not look like a movie set), they continue to be by her side and the video begins to play tricks on the viewers' eyes. They help her walk across a world turned sideways. It appears that they may have taken cues from her "Material Girl" video. Madonna looks like she's having an incredibly fun time throughout the visual — smiling and shimmying her way through this fictional, hyper-fantasy world. Watching the clip, one may wonder what doesn't happen in the video. Madonna, in a possible homage to her "Dick Tracy" days, gets shot at with old-school guns! She climbs up a giant pile of football players! She plays with a baby doll! (Yes, that happens!) As the song approaches its breakdown, Madonna fans everywhere will certainly begin to stand out hard. Carried by her football players into a new setup (some kind of club-like setting), Madonna becomes the "Like a Virgin" version of herself. Dressed in white lace, a curly bob and lots of diamonds, she clearly is paying homage to that infamous era. Her two rapper pals are also dressed in similar looks as they spit their rhymes over the Martin Solveig-produced track. There are also a few other Madonna refs in there: In addition to rolling around on her little stage (you know, like she did at the VMAs back in 1984), there are two girls kissing (she's also done that at the VMAs) and a bunch of Smirnoff vodka bottles (she recently partnered up with the alcohol brand). From there, Madonna stage-dives into layers upon layers of football players' hands and, at the end of it, gets caught by two of the players. The always-fierce Queen of Pop wraps up the video with a dance routine with all the characters along the way. When one of her masked cheerleaders bats the head off one of her football players, she catches the helmet and proudly displays it, surrounded by sparklers. The video ends with Madonna tossing her baby doll to the side as one final message flashes across the screen: "Touchdown!" "Give Me" is the lead single off her March album release, MDNA. What do you think of Madonna's "Give Me all Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
Feb 3rd, 2012
Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. don cheerleader uniforms in clip, which revisits Madge's classics like 'Material Girl' and 'Like a Virgin.'By Jocelyn Vena Madonna in her "Give Me All Your Luvin' " music video Photo: Interscope "Fans can make you famous, a contract can make you rich, the press can make you a superstar, but only luv can make you a player." And with that message, Madonna's funky, fun and surreal (and almost cartoony) "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video kicks off. To view five key moments from the "Give Me All Your Luvin' " video, click here. With appearances from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., masked cheerleaders, beefy football players and old-school Madonna references a-plenty, the Megaforce-directed clip is fun and light-hearted, much like the bouncy pop anthem itself. The clip opens with Nicki and M.I.A. done up in cheerleader costumes chanting Madge's name. It then cuts to Madonna, clad in a trench coat and sunglasses, kicking down the door of her suburban home, pushing along a baby stroller. From there, the video takes many unusual turns: football players tackling street signs, Madonna abandoning her baby carriage to hang out with her cheerleader crew, shots of her done up in black lingerie and a giant cross (the first of many looks that reference the many looks Madonna has worn over the years) dancing in front of a brick wall. Sparks fall from the sky as she runs around the streets near her house, her football players protecting her with some giant umbrellas — creating an eye-catching visual. As she makes her way through town (which does little to not look like a movie set), they continue to be by her side and the video begins to play tricks on the viewers' eyes. They help her walk across a world turned sideways. It appears that they may have taken cues from her "Material Girl" video. Madonna looks like she's having an incredibly fun time throughout the visual — smiling and shimmying her way through this fictional, hyper-fantasy world. Watching the clip, one may wonder what doesn't happen in the video. Madonna, in a possible homage to her "Dick Tracy" days, gets shot at with old-school guns! She climbs up a giant pile of football players! She plays with a baby doll! (Yes, that happens!) As the song approaches its breakdown, Madonna fans everywhere will certainly begin to stand out hard. Carried by her football players into a new setup (some kind of club-like setting), Madonna becomes the "Like a Virgin" version of herself. Dressed in white lace, a curly bob and lots of diamonds, she clearly is paying homage to that infamous era. Her two rapper pals are also dressed in similar looks as they spit their rhymes over the Martin Solveig-produced track. There are also a few other Madonna refs in there: In addition to rolling around on her little stage (you know, like she did at the VMAs back in 1984), there are two girls kissing (she's also done that at the VMAs) and a bunch of Smirnoff vodka bottles (she recently partnered up with the alcohol brand). From there, Madonna stage-dives into layers upon layers of football players' hands and, at the end of it, gets caught by two of the players. The always-fierce Queen of Pop wraps up the video with a dance routine with all the characters along the way. When one of her masked cheerleaders bats the head off one of her football players, she catches the helmet and proudly displays it, surrounded by sparklers. The video ends with Madonna tossing her baby doll to the side as one final message flashes across the screen: "Touchdown!" "Give Me" is the lead single off her March album release, MDNA. What do you think of Madonna's "Give Me all Your Luvin' " video? Leave your comment below! Related Photos Five Key Moments In Madonna's 'Give Me All Your Luvin' Music Video Related Artists Madonna
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