MTV News |
- 'Southland' Star Ben McKenzie Applauds Jay Leno's Prime-Time Exit
- Casey Johnson Laid To Rest
- 'American Idol' Preview: Matt Giraud, Experts Look Ahead
- Ryan Seacrest, Ellen DeGeneres, Others Congratulate Simon Cowell
- Lloyd Banks Expected To Be Released Tuesday, Lawyer Says
- Pee-wee Herman Reveals 'Playhouse' Secrets
| 'Southland' Star Ben McKenzie Applauds Jay Leno's Prime-Time Exit Posted: 12 Jan 2010 01:18 AM PST 'I'm glad it failed,' says the actor, whose show was canceled to make room for Leno's 10 p.m. talk show.
With the gritty cop drama "Southland," Ben McKenzie was able to put "O.C." bad boy Ryan Atwood behind him, tackling edgier story lines as rookie cop Ben Sherman. But soon after the first season aired, "Southland" was canceled by NBC to make room for Jay Leno's now-defunct prime-time talk show. Now that TNT has welcomed "Southland" with open arms, McKenzie isn't feeling too bad about NBC's failed experiment.
"Well, they went with Leno at 10 o'clock. I'm not sure how it worked out. From what I hear, apparently he won't be on at 10 anymore," McKenzie told MTV News when he stopped by to promote the TNT premiere of "Southland" on Tuesday (January 12). "And NBC is now in need of high-quality scripted dramas. I wish we could help them out, but we are now on TNT, so everything works out for a reason, I guess." McKenzie said his hard feelings are directed at the network, not Leno. "It's nothing personal with Jay Leno," he said. "It was a bit aggressive to put him on every night of the week at 10 o'clock, and it cost a lot of writers and actors and crew members their jobs, which I think is a bad thing for the creative community in general. ... For what — a talk show? "I think that I'm glad it failed — not personally against Jay, but just in general," he continued. "I'm glad it failed, and it'll be interesting to see what NBC comes up with. But that's not our problem. We're excited about being on TNT, and we're excited to finally make the show we always wanted to make, and it's a cool thing. You don't get a lot of second opportunities in life." The actor promises that with a new network there to support the show, it is bound to really step up its game and find a new audience, as well as bring along the original fans. "We're excited about TNT," McKenzie said. "I think it actually will work out better, because now that we're on cable, we can make the show that we want to make, and we don't have to censor ourselves as much. ... We can really delve into some darker, edgier stuff. If you thought it was edgy then, it will be more so. We're trying to do a realistic cop show like you're watching an episode of 'Cops.' We don't try to soften it too much." |
| Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:57 PM PST Private memorial service was attended by family and some friends, including Nicky Hilton.
Eight days after Casey Johnson was found dead in her Los Angeles home, the 30-year-old socialite was laid to rest, according to multiple reports. The great-great-granddaughter of the co-founder of pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, the heiress was buried at her family's burial plot in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The service was said to be a small, private one attended mostly by family members, though Nicky Hilton (godmother to Johnson's adopted daughter) was also present, according to People. Tila Tequila, who began a relationship with Johnson shortly before her death and has lately battled with Casey's family and friends, was not present. "Today was just a private, open-casket funeral for immediate family," a source told Us Weekly. According to E! Online, the Johnson family is still deciding whether to hold a public memorial service for Casey. Last week, a spokesman for the family said in a statement, "The Johnson family wishes to thank everyone who has expressed condolences and support during this trying time. Your thoughts and prayers are deeply appreciated." Johnson, who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8, was found in her home January 4. An autopsy last week found no evidence of foul play. A coroner ordered toxicology tests because the cause of death was inconclusive. Results of the tests are not expected for over a month. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'American Idol' Preview: Matt Giraud, Experts Look Ahead Posted: 12 Jan 2010 03:50 AM PST With Ellen DeGeneres on board and Simon Cowell on his way out, we take a look at what we can expect.
For the past couple of years, the producers of "American Idol" have gone out of their way to promise that this season they're going to focus on the drama onstage, not behind the judge's table. But, just like last year, when songwriter Kara DioGuardi joined the panel, the buzz on the eve of the show's ninth season is squarely on the judges. In particular, the focus is fully on Simon Cowell, who shocked fans on Monday when he announced that the upcoming season will be his last.
Cowell made the announcement on Monday, 24 hours before season nine was slated to kick off and it immediately shifted the focus to the acerbic Brit whose commentary has been the center of the show since day one. And while Cowell grabbed headlines, there are plenty of other judge-related subplots that will also vie for attention, including ones centered on Randy Jackson (how will he fare without fellow lifer Paula Abdul, Kara (can she make fans love her after a rocky first season?) and this year's new face, talk-show veteran Ellen DeGeneres. "When I first started on 'American Idol' they said, 'Don't go on the Internet and read people's comments,' but I did anyway and the comments from people who were really excited after seeing the first set of commercials were all about the judges — 'I can't wait to see Simon and Paula,' " said Matt Giraud, last season's fifth-place finisher who, like others we talked to, discussed the upcoming season before the news about Cowell broke. "People do tune in for the judges too. They make the show. If it was just singing and people voting, it wouldn't have half as many viewers." The first rounds of auditions will feature a rotating cast of celebrity judges filling in until DeGeneres suits up for the Hollywood rounds, which are scheduled to start airing on February 9. In the first of what promises to be a number of twists this season, the Hollywood rounds were pushed back several months and coincide with the rollout of the auditions shows, which has resulted in much less leaking of early contenders' names. Entertainment Weekly "Idol" expert Michael Slezak said it's hard to know how the chemistry between the judges will effect the season until the contestants are on stage getting feedback, but he thinks DioGuardi's tale is a cautionary one. "On some level, the producers must have thought Kara would be a good addition and we all saw how that worked out," he said. "It will be interesting to see how Ellen fits in, but the bar is set fairly low in terms of providing good, solid, coherent feedback, because Randy and Kara are not exactly doing that now." Slezak said there's an opening for DeGeneres to really connect with fans and fill a void that's been there since season one. "We've all gotten used to how easy it is to fast-forward through most of the judges' comments until we get to Simon," he said. "And that's not good for the long-term health of the show because it doesn't make it more entertaining. But if Ellen is good and sharp and if she's honest and tough — she doesn't have to be cruel — there's a potential for the show to be more enjoyable." And while the pre-season buzz always focuses on the judges, the talk always eventually shifts to the contestants, just as it did last year with the battle between Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert and dark-horse winner Kris Allen. "Ultimately, for the show to be successful, it has to be about the contestants," he said. "What separates 'Idol' from other shows is that the winners actually go on to do something." The other story line is whether "Idol," which has been the #1 show in prime time for five years running, can continue its winning ways and keep being at the center of the pop-culture conversation. A good sign, Slezak said, is that season eight was probably the buzziest in years thanks to the speculation about Lambert's sexuality, Gokey's compelling backstory and Allen's surprise, come-from-behind win. It hasn't hurt matters that rather than die out in July after the show has run its course, the buzz on "Idol" has continued almost unabated thanks to Lambert's high visibility and his talked-about American Music Awards performance. Even with the top-36 format jettisoned in favor of the more familiar top 24 finalists and more talk about focusing on the backstories of the contestants, MJ Santilli, Webmaster of the leading "Idol" blog, said she's still thinking about Abdul. "I got a bit fed up with Paula when she was jousting with Fox [over her contract], but I'm probably going to miss her when the show starts," she said. "I will miss her brother-sister relationship with Simon, but I think Ellen could turn out to be a really smart move and she could have really good things to say." Most importantly, MJ speculated, she will likely not be afraid to mix it up with Cowell and challenge him in a way that Kara and Randy do not. "She could cut him down in a second and won't hesitate to do that, which could be interesting to watch." With rumors out of Hollywood that this year's crop of female contestants is very strong, MJ said she's expecting a girl to win after an unprecedented two-year run by the boys. "It will be interesting to see if they go for the jokes again this year because there was so much cannon fodder last year with Tatiana, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos Related Artists |
| Ryan Seacrest, Ellen DeGeneres, Others Congratulate Simon Cowell Posted: 12 Jan 2010 06:22 AM PST Jordin Sparks, Kara DioGuardi and more comment on 'American Idol' departure.
Usually, when you quit a job, you pack your bobbleheads into a box and try to slip out the door as quietly as possible. But when your name is Simon Cowell and you're quitting America's most popular TV show, slipping out is not an option.
Reaction to Cowell's announcement on Monday that he was leaving "American Idol" after this season has created a Twitterstorm of comments from his co-stars and former "Idol" contestants. Just moments after the announcement on the eve of season nine's debut, host Ryan Seacrest tweeted, "This is Simon's last season on 'Idol.' He's working on U.S. version of 'X Factor'! He is one of the most brilliant people in our biz! Congrats." A short while later, Seacrest, who is interviewing Cowell on his radio show on Tuesday (January 12), promised to ask the acerbic Brit if he's going to bring former "Idol" judge Paula Abdul along with him to "The X Factor" when it launches in the fall of 2011. "Simon just called from the car," he wrote a short time later. "We are going to have fun this season. ... He said Randy's reaction was ...'Yo, yo, YO' and a heartfelt 'dawg.' " While Abdul did not directly respond to the news, she did drop a cryptic hint on her Twitter feed: "Hey Guys! I'm not ignoring all of your tweets regarding me, 'X Factor' and Simon leaving 'AI.' I look forward to being able to answer all your questions very soon!" Ellen DeGeneres, meanwhile, spoke about the news while taping Tuesday's episode of her talk show. "He announced he's leaving on my first day," she said in a video posted on her site. "I'm trying not to take it personally. He wanted a change and I wish him all the luck in the world hosting 'The Tonight Show.' " Judge Kara DioGuardi told Los Angeles' 104.3 MyFM that she had no idea about the announcement until just before it happened. "He's so important to the show," she said. "I think I was a fan before I was on the show, and he will be really missed." Season-six winner Jordin Sparks expressed her disappointment about the news, writing, "It's sad because a lot of people watch because of him, but it was bound to happen eventually. And I may even miss him a little. :)" In a testament to Cowell's influence, none of the former contestants who've commented so far have had any unkind words for the judge (who often has plenty of them). "Of course, it is sad to see Simon Cowell leave 'American Idol,' " season-seven third-place finisher Syesha Mercado told "Idol" fan site AInow.org. "He is one of the reasons why 'American Idol' has become so successful. While on the show, I always valued Simon's opinion. It was honest and as a contestant that is something you have to appreciate. There will always be a special spot in my heart for Simon. During my time on 'Idol,' he was always kind to me." Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Lloyd Banks Expected To Be Released Tuesday, Lawyer Says Posted: 11 Jan 2010 06:37 AM PST G-Unit rapper was arrested in Canada over the weekend on assault and robbery charges.
Lloyd Banks' lawyer said the rapper should be headed home to America on Tuesday. Since Saturday morning, Banks has been held in a Kitchener, Ontario, jail on assault and robbery charges after an incident involving a local promoter Friday night. Authorities say Banks and three others assaulted the promoter after the G-Unit member performed at Club NV in nearby Brantford late Friday night. There will be a bail hearing Tuesday; bail is $50,000 for Banks and $25,000 for the other men involved. "There has been an agreement between the prosecution and defense for his release and the release for each of the individuals," Patrick Ducharme, Banks' legal counsel in Canada, told MTV News on Monday (January 11). "I expect for him to be released tomorrow morning. It's just a question of posting some bail, which I'm going to do. I'm going up there tonight with the money, and they'll be released sometime tomorrow morning." On Monday, audio was posted online of a man purported to be the victim, Chris Hines, talking about the incident. "We got into a confrontation, and of course, they assaulted me, they kept me there for a little while, assaulted me for a few minutes, like 20 minutes, 30 minutes," he told the interviewer. "They had me there for quite some time." When contacted by MTV News, Hines declined to comment or to confirm that the audio was him, although Ducharme confirmed the victim's name. Banks' dealings with the court are far from over. Ducharme said he expects to enter a not-guilty plea on Banks' behalf in three to four weeks, with a trial in the future. "The case probably will proceed on the basis that it will be put over for three to four weeks for me to receive what is called the 'prosecutors disclosure.' That's all the information that supposedly supports the charges. Then three to four weeks after I've had the chance to review that disclosure, I would be prepared to set the date for the trial or preliminary hearing, depending on some procedural matters. The case will proceed trough the courts. If it stays in the lower courts, it takes about a year and a few months to resolve. If it goes to the higher courts, it could be as along as a year and a half to bring the matter to court." At the time of our interview, Ducharme said he still had not met Banks face to face but described the G-Unit rapper as being in good spirits. "He's just fine," the attorney said. "I have not met him personally. I've talked to him on the phone. He seems like he's a very respectful, sensitive, thoughtful, intelligent man." Banks — whose real name is Christopher Lloyd — was arrested over the weekend shortly after a show late Friday night. Police told MTV News that Hines, a show promoter/ booking agent, alleged that Banks, Nicklas Sloane, Shawn McGee and Tyrell Cooper held him in his hotel room against his will, assaulted and robbed him. All four men were arrested at the hotel in Kitchener while the promoter was taken to the hospital with unspecified, non-life-threatening injuries. Related Artists |
| Pee-wee Herman Reveals 'Playhouse' Secrets Posted: 11 Jan 2010 11:48 PM PST The host reminisces about his foil ball, Magic Screen, a messy fruit salad divorce and more.
LOS ANGELES — Dust off your bicycle, put on a bow tie and pull those platform shoes out of deep storage, because an icon of late-'80s entertainment is returning triumphantly to the scene. That's right, kids, the one and only Pee-wee Herman is bringing his unique child/adult humor hybrid back to where it all began: the Los Angeles stage. In a series of high-profile shows downtown, the "Pee-wee's Playhouse" host is coming back with all of his old friends. And, if all goes well, he's possibly laying the groundwork for a Hollywood return.
On the eve of the January 12 premiere of "The Pee-wee Herman Show," one die-hard fan (me) sat down with an in-character Pee-wee to talk about the show. Sure enough, while catching up with old-school burning questions about the fates of Dottie, Jambi and Magic Screen, we found ourselves living as large as Marge. MTV: First off, Pee-wee, we have to get the important stuff out of the way. What is today's secret word? Pee-wee Herman: The secret word of today is F-U-N. Fun! MTV: That's a good word. So, tell us about the show. Herman: Wait, I forgot what the secret word was. MTV: Fun? Herman: AHHHHHHH!!!! MTV: That's awesome. Tell us about the show here in L.A. at Club Nokia. Herman: Well, the basic plot of the show is Pee-wee Herman, played by myself, wishes that he could fly; that's the plot. I wish I could fly, which is kind of taken from real life. It's a case of art imitating life. MTV: Magic Screen is a part of the stage show, and we remember that in the late '80s, she could play music and videos for you whenever you asked for them. Was Magic Screen the original iPod? Herman: You know, I never thought about it like that! Well, I'm a trendsetter, so it makes sense. MTV: Absolutely. Unfortunately, with your iPod you can't play connect the dots. Also, Jambi the Genie is going to be here, and we all remember that you need to ask, "Mecca lecca hi, mecca hiney ho?" when you ask him for a wish. What does that phrase mean, translated into English? Herman: It is translatable but, you know, not on MTV. MTV: Well, we also remember that Miss Yvonne had a little bit of a crush on you, but in "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," Dottie seemed to be the love of your life. There was even a time when you were married briefly to a bowl of fruit salad. Herman: Yes. We kept it out of the press, but that ended in a messy divorce. MTV: Did it really? Did the fruit salad take you to the cleaners? Herman: Oh, there was coconut everywhere. MTV: So tragic! Who holds the key to your heart at this point? Herman: Really, I can't say. I really don't want to play favorites and mention anybody here. Then everyone starts getting into a big fight — hair-pulling, you know? MTV: Well, I loved the show, and there's one thing I definitely want to ask you ... Herman: Really? Why don't you marry it? MTV: I would love to marry the show! Can we arrange a little ceremony, maybe you could officiate? Herman: Maybe, yeah, when I get my preacher's license in the mail. Not! MTV: What's your bicycle from "Adventure" up to these days? Did you take it to get here today? Herman: Are you kidding? I had a driver and a car. MTV: Well, I hope the car at least had some cool Pee-wee embellishments to it, like the bike did. Herman: No, it didn't, no. It was just a Buick Lacrosse. MTV: Do you still eat Mr.T cereal for breakfast? Herman: No, they don't make it anymore, I don't think. MTV: When I was a kid, I also had a foil ball. I had to stop it, though, because it started to reek of tuna and whatever else I had eaten with foil before I put it in the ball. Herman: You didn't get the memo about washing the foil? The kids probably used to say it was your stink ball. MTV: Yeah, pretty much. My mom made me throw it out. How big is your foil ball these days? Herman: That's kind of personal. I'm glad you asked that question, because the foil ball is the biggest improvement in the show from the original show. The foil ball is about [waist high] in the original show, and I'm not going to say how big it is now; I'd like people to come and see for themselves. But let's just say: It's big. MTV: There's an actor going around Hollywood named Paul Reubens. He's been in "Mystery Men" and "Blow," and some people think he might be related to you or ripping off your act. Have you ever met this guy? Herman: I don't know what you're talking about. MTV: The resemblance is uncanny. Herman: Poor guy. I mean, lucky guy! MTV: I heard there are going to be references to some modern things in the stage show. What has come on the scene in the last couple years that you're eager to give us your thoughts on? Herman: Well, we have a Paypal reference and ShamWow; some modern people's songs. I can't really say who, because they all cost a lot of money, and we haven't paid the money yet. MTV: It all went into the foil ball budget. Herman: Yeah, the aluminum foil budget alone for this show was staggering. MTV: Well, good luck with the show, Pee-wee. We're really excited to see it, and hope it's going to be a lot of fun. Herman: AHHHHHHH!!!! Related Videos |
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