MTV News |
- T.I. Tells Larry King 'Depression And Paranoia' Led To His Arrest
- Cam'ron And Vado Talk <i>Boss Of All Bosses 2.5,</i> 'Speakin Tongues'
- Queen Latifah Recalls Being The Teacher's Kid, On 'When I Was 17'
- 'Robin Hood': Ye Olde Bait-And-Switch, By Kurt Loder
- 'Letters To Juliet' Star Amanda Seyfried Loves Playing 'In Love'
- 'Robin Hood' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know
- Diddy Paid A Quiet Visit To See Lil Wayne In Prison
- 'Eclipse' Stars Dish On Fame, Robots And Beef Patties On 'Oprah'
- 'American Idol' Castoff Michael Lynche: 'America's A Fickle Creature'
- Katy Perry's 'California Gurls' Is A Nod To ... Big Star?
- Lil Wayne Could Serve More Time Because Of MP3 Player In His Cell
- Metric's Emily Haines Tried To 'Embody' Bella For 'Eclipse' Song
- Channing Tatum Is 'All Good' With Wife Kissing Christina Aguilera In 'Not Myself Tonight'
- Edward Norton Uses Social Networking To 'Do Something' With Crowdrise
- 'Machete' Star Don Johnson Talks Robert De Niro, Reinvention
- Mary J. Blige To Star In Nina Simone Biopic
- Muse's Single From The 'Eclipse' Soundtrack -- Catch a Sneak Peek Here!
- Stone Temple Pilots Roar Back With 'Between the Lines' Video
- Greyson Chance Performs 'Paparazzi,' Chats With Lady Gaga On 'Ellen'
- 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds: Songs From The Rerun Cinema
| T.I. Tells Larry King 'Depression And Paranoia' Led To His Arrest Posted: 13 May 2010 07:55 AM PDT 'My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger,' he says of his attempt to illegally purchase firearms.
Larry King is sometimes criticized for conducting softball or fluff interviews, but for Thursday night's (May 13) sit-down with rapper T.I. — his first in-depth interview since leaving prison — King kept his questions hard-hitting and pointed. Clifford "T.I." Harris was sentenced to one year and one day of prison last year following his arrest in October 2007 for attempting to illegally purchase firearms. The rapper was subsequently released to a halfway house in December to serve out the remainder of his sentence before his ultimate release at the end of March. King got right to the point and asked T.I. why he attempted the purchase of firearms in the first place. "It came from an attempt that was made on my life," he said. "My best friend [Philant Johnson] had died in my arms. It caused a state of depression and paranoia. My judgment was jaded, and I felt my life was in danger. ... At the time, when I felt the need to have these things, I never took into consideration the legalities; I only took into consideration the protection of my life and family." King pressed Tip on whether he has truly put the "trouble" behind him. T.I. insisted that he is a "gangster no more," he absolutely does not own a weapon and he is looking toward the future and to evolve. "In having time to sit and reflect, if you take the time and use it to your advantage, you see [that], even though all those rounds were fired that night, you didn't have a firearm and you're still here," he said. "Obviously, the firearms aren't what's keeping you alive. I had to take that into consideration. I had to apply it to the way I live my daily life." Throughout the interview, T.I. was calm and composed and answered all of King's questions without pause — save for when the CNN vet asked if he had ever shot a gun at anyone. T.I. called out the Fifth Amendment before answering that he had shot a gun "at a range." Regardless, anything having to do with drugs or guns was referred to as "my past." T.I. seemed genuinely focused on his future, working with at-risk youth and mentioned his love for his six children and "special lady" Tameka. He also reiterated his personal responsibility in moving on from the events that led to his incarceration. "The main thing I can do to protect myself in the future is to understand my position," he said. "I can't put myself in an environment where it will require me to have a handgun. I just stay places where I can be cool. I have security now. ... I take full responsibility for everything that happened to me. I'm a full believer that your life is what you make it. Society doesn't owe you anything." Did you watch T.I.'s appearance on "Larry King"? What did you think of his answers? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Cam'ron And Vado Talk <i>Boss Of All Bosses 2.5,</i> 'Speakin Tongues' Posted: 14 May 2010 04:14 AM PDT 'The song is about partying, living the Harlem life,' Vado tells Mixtape Daily of his breakthrough single.
Don't Sleep: Necessary Notables Headliners: Cam'ron and Vado Co-Starring: DJ Drama Mixtape: Boss of All Bosses 2.5 Songs We Can't Stop Playing: "Speakin Tongues," "I Don't Believe N---as" (featuring Fabolous) and "Amberlamps" Essential Info: If you haven't heard Vado's "Speakin Tongues" yet, find the MP3 on the Net or go to the club tonight. The record is going to be a summer anthem. The Cam'ron-assisted cut could be the young Harlem spitter's breakthrough single. "I don't know what nobody thought," Cam laughed last weekend in Atlanta when asked about the song. "It's me. This is what I do for a living. But shout to Vado. It's his record. He got the beat and all that. I was like, 'Nah, we gotta put that out immediately.' " "The song is about partying, living the Harlem life. Ballin'. You already know," Vado added. Everyone is talking about that long-awaited Diplomats reunion, which Cam and Jim Jones are still trying to work out now, but Killa isn't waiting. He's still focused on his new clique. "Let me break it down: We're the U.N. That's the name of the team," Cam described. "The U.N. is 'Us Now.' We got an album coming out in August that's gonna be stupid. Vado's solo joint, look towards December [for that one]. But I want everybody to be focused on that U.N. album, 'cause when that comes out, it's gonna be bananas. Stupid. This August. ['Speakin Tongues'], this is the first single off of it." As of now, the U.N. is officially just Killa and Vado; they have three other artists who are down with them but not signed. Cam and company have 10 videos coming to the Web in the next several days, including "Ooh Baby" "Large in the Streets" and "Stop It Five." Vado is going to put out his solo mixtape with DJ Drama, Slime Flu, soon, and that brings us the business at hand: Boss of All Bosses 2.5. "At first, it was like the lost tapes. Tracks that were throwaways, then we added more flavor to it," Vado explained. "What happened with the 2.5," Cam clarified, "we gave Drama maybe 25 songs [for Boss of All Bosses 2]. He was like, 'You might as well come back with 2.5 in two weeks.' But we were doing so much new music, we might as well call it 4.8. It's crazy. It's about 20 songs." Other Heat This Week » French Montana - Mac & Cheese 2 For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines or follow the Mixtape Daily team on Twitter: @shaheemreid and @mongosladenyc. |
| Queen Latifah Recalls Being The Teacher's Kid, On 'When I Was 17' Posted: 14 May 2010 04:14 AM PDT 'This may sound like a bad thing to a lot of people, but thank God my mother was the cool teacher,' she says.
Before she was Queen Latifah, she was Dana Owens, a burgeoning female MC. Back then, everyone's favorite hip-hop multi-hyphenate found herself in a position that would have made most students curl up and cry. "When I was 17, I attended the same high school my mother taught at," Queen Latifah reveals during the next episode of MTV's new show "When I Was 17," which airs Saturday at 11 a.m. and also features Drake and Olympic softball player Jennie Finch. "Now this may sound like a bad thing to a lot of people, but thank God my mother was the cool teacher that everyone liked." The rapper-turned-Oscar-nominated actress isn't telling a tall tale, according to manager Sha-Kim Compere, who was a fellow classmate. "You would gravitate to her because of her free spirit," he said of Latifah's mother, an Irvington High School teacher in New Jersey. "She was one of the friendliest people." Well, apparently, like mother like daughter, because Latifah explains that in high school, she was voted most comical and most popular by her peers. "I was that girl," she says. "That's how the people voted, and I have to honor the request of the people." Long live the Queen. "When I Was 17" — this week featuring Drake, Queen Latifah and Jennie Finch — airs Saturday at 11 a.m. on MTV. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Robin Hood': Ye Olde Bait-And-Switch, By Kurt Loder Posted: 13 May 2010 12:05 AM PDT Russell Crowe in search of Sherwood Forest.
Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood" is brilliant, in a way. Faced with the fact that filmmakers have been cranking out pictures about the scalawag of Sherwood Forest for more than a hundred years now, the director and his writers must have pondered at length how to put a unique spin on the oft-told tale. Their brainstorm: Don't tell it. Scott's movie, very oddily, is actually a prequel — a sort of origin story for a better Robin Hood movie that doesn't exist. Maybe brilliant isn't the word. So Robin Hood fans hoping for some of the dash and wit of the classic films that starred Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn should set their expectation meters to Off. The simple pleasure of a few acrobatic hours with Robin and his Merry Men — and the Sheriff of Nottingham, chubby Friar Tuck, evil Prince John and the lovely Maid Marion — is not forthcoming. True, there is a Sheriff of Nottingham loitering around the edges of the action; and also some men called Little John, Will Scarlet and Allan A'Dayle, although they're not very merry. Mark Addy's mead-sipping Friar Tuck is a fairly lively character, but Prince John, played here by Oscar Isaac, is an unthreatening buffoon, and Marion, played by Cate Blanchett, is hardly the elegant beauty of lore — at one point we get a closeup of her washing clots of mud off her bare feet. Russell Crowe, in his fifth collaboration with Scott, dispenses with Robin's traditional tights and feathered cap, which is not a great loss; but he also dispenses with the character's traditional high spirits, which is. In fact, the Robin cobbled together by writers Brian Helgeland, Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris isn't even the jaunty rogue nobleman of earlier versions of the story; here, he's just a glum yeoman called Robin Longstride, a loyal archer in the service of good King Richard the Lionheart (Danny Huston). As the movie opens, in 1199, Richard and his weary men are returning from the latest Crusade in the Holy Lands. They're plundering their way through France en route to England, where Richard's conniving brother, Prince John, has his eye on the royal crown. John is planning to dump his current princess and marry sultry young Isabella of Angoulême (Léa Seydoux), niece of the French King Philip (Jonathan Zaccai); then, with the help of his devious henchman, the half-French Godfrey (Mark Strong in a villainous black cloak), John will terminate his hated sibling, creating an agreeable vacancy on the English throne. Across the Channel, King Philip is salivating over this scenario, too — with the weakling John in charge, the French monarch feels he will have no trouble invading England and bending it to his imperial will. Much research has gone into getting all this medieval backstory right (or somewhat right). But the heavy scholarship turns the movie into what seems like a very long history lesson in a loud, dark and unusually muddy lecture hall. The endless battles, skirmishes and castle-stormings, accompanied by the usual arrow swams, head-axings an boiling-oil downpours, are nothing we haven't seen before. (Although in one seaside battle, with enemy ships crashing up onto the beach and much slaughter in the water, we half-expect Tom Hanks to come wandering through in search of Private Spielberg.) Even more familiar are the inevitable roistering peasants, with their campfire rabbit roasts and sloshy revels. ("More wine!") And while some of the dialogue is newly minted, that's not always a good thing. ("An English princess shut out of her husband's bedroom by a piece of French pastry?") In the midst of one bloody fray, Robin is beseeched by a dying knight to take his sword and return it to the knight's father in faraway Nottingham. ("I've heard of Nottingham," says Crowe, as if dimly recalling a more enjoyable movie.) The father is the ancient Sir Walter Loxley (Max von Sydow), and he implores Robin, upon his arrival, to remain at the family castle and impersonate his dead son (surely the servants won't notice). This also entails moving Robin into the bedchamber of the son's now-widowed wife, Marion. At this juncture we get the priceless scene in which Robin, preparing to turn in on their first night together, but still encased in battle gear, says to her, "I'll need some help with the chainmail." Crowe and Blanchett are too good for these roles. Crowe is heavily morose throughout the film, and Blanchett is photographed in unflattering ways that subvert her angular beauty. And the emotionally anemic script doesn't allow them to work up a romantic glow — a serious shortcoming in a story set in the age of chivalry. After two hours and 20 minutes of watching charmless characters slogging about in grim, mucky conflict, we're more than ready to celebrate the rolling of the end-credits. But then we get a final scene in which the Sheriff of Nottingham asks for a nail to hang a wanted poster on a tree — and an arrow comes flying in to do the job for him. This, of course, is where the traditional Robin Hood story begins. And as this misbegotten prologue demonstrates, there's a very clear reason for that. Check out everything we've got on "Robin Hood." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Letters To Juliet' Star Amanda Seyfried Loves Playing 'In Love' Posted: 14 May 2010 04:14 AM PDT Moviegoers are 'gonna see love happen,' actress tells MTV News of the film.
Amanda Seyfried loves a good love story. But while the "Letters to Juliet" star connected to the romance in the film, she was also moved by the Italian countryside that provides the setting. "They're gonna see some aesthetically inspiring stuff. It's a beautiful city. It's it's own character in the movie," Seyfried told MTV News of the Verona, Italy, setting. "They're gonna see love happen." In the flick, Sophie (Seyfried) travels to Verona, where she finds a letter written a half-century earlier by a woman named Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and convinces the older woman to come in search of her long-lost love, Lorenzo. "It's a romantic movie. It's a fairytale kind of love and, you know what? It's really hard not to be inspired by watching two people love each other over the span of 50 years," she said. "And keep that flame alive inside of their bodies. It's crazy what love can do for you or for anybody. As an actor and as an audience member, I love playing 'in love,' and I love watching it." Seyfried said that unattached or recently single moviegoers who might be scared off by all the relationship stuff should still come out for the flick. "I love being in love, obviously, but we're not all so lucky to be in love," she added. "It's nice to get it in little pieces in movies or TV or in songs ... in paintings." Comparing herself to her character, Sophie, the actress admitted to being a hard-core romantic. "I'd fly anywhere for somebody if I loved them," she explained. "There are no boundaries. There are some things I wouldn't do. I wouldn't kill for love, for sure, but I would do anything positive for love. I would do it." Do you believe in the kind of everlasting love depicted in "Letters to Juliet"? Tell us in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "Letters to Juliet." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'Robin Hood' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Posted: 14 May 2010 04:14 AM PDT We take you inside Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe's reinvention of the folk hero.
Their collaborations have taken them across the globe and through the fabric of time, from ancient Rome to French wine country to the drug-filled streets of '70s-era New York to the hidden world of government espionage. Back and forth, back and forth Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott have gone with "Gladiator," "A Good Year," "American Gangster" and "Body of Lies." For their fifth movie together, they're headed back in time again — way back to the 12th century. It's in this time period — a moment during which England was undergoing often violent social, political and economic upheaval — that they choose to set "Robin Hood," a sort of origin story of the folkloric champion of the common man. MTV News has been following this project from its origins as well, bringing you development updates, casting news, trailers, clips and interviews with the cast and crew. Now that the film is due in theaters on Friday (May 14), we bring you everything you need to know about "Robin Hood" with another edition of MTV News' big-screen cheat sheet. From 'Nottingham' to the 'Hood' A year later, the project took a wacky turn, when Scott told MTV News that Crowe would be playing both the Sheriff of Nottingham and Robin Hood. But wait! Months later Grazer told us that Crowe would play a version of Robin who takes over the identity of Nottingham after he dies early in the film. But ... but ... wait! By February 2009, the project had shifted again. It was now called "Robin Hood" and would tell its story strictly from that title character's point of view. Got it? Crowe is Robin and he faces off against Nottingham, just as the folklore tells us. Populating Sherwood Forest Filming kicked off in late March 2009, and by the end of the year, the first trailer popped up online. It was filled with plenty of creepily dark forests, an eerie soundtrack and a sneak peek at some truly badass action scenes. The scope of the movie was clearly enormous. A second trailer — showcasing more action and a heady dose of storytelling — dropped online in March. We also found out the film would open the 63rd Cannes Film Festival. Meet Your New Folk Hero The director and actor also sat down with MTV News to take us inside the process of creating their fresh take on the well-known Robin Hood story. "I just wouldn't have done it if it were a conventional take," Crowe told us. "There's no need for anyone in the world to see that series of clichés again." That was exactly Scott's feeling as well. "I never liked the green tights," he said. "I didn't like the feather in the hat. It didn't work for me. Even as a kid, it was not my idea of Robin Hood.... Kevin Costner's [1991 version] was fun, leaning more heavily on the clowning of Robin Hood," Scott explained. "On this one, I wanted to go more real, because I really believe he existed. The ones to date always treated Robin Hood like a myth, part of a fairy story." Check out everything we've got on "Robin Hood." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| Diddy Paid A Quiet Visit To See Lil Wayne In Prison Posted: 13 May 2010 05:10 AM PDT 'No one knew [he was here] until it was time for him to leave,' our Rikers Island source says.
Lil Wayne has been behind bars for almost two months now, and he's managed to make headlines as if he never went away. The rapper made waves earlier this week for having headphones, a charger and a watch that doubles as an MP3 player in his jail cell, according to a source at Rikers Island who spoke to MTV News. And last week, Diddy visited the Cash Money Records superstar in jail. But according to the same Rikers source, the Bad Boy mogul made more noise in the papers than at the prison facility. "No one knew [he was here] until it was time for him to leave," the source told MTV News. "You know, also, a lot of the time people don't want to seem like they're stargazers, the officers." Diddy has yet to comment about his Lil Wayne visit. The rapper has picked up a job while at the Eric M. Taylor correctional facility, but with his recent infraction, he may be stripped of his duties as suicide-prevention aide. Prior to his violation, the Rikers Island source said Lil Wayne has blended in with the rest of the prison population. "It's just day-to-day business, nothing different than anything else," the source said of the New Orleans MC's activities. "You got to understand, this is a different type of atmosphere. It's not like the prisons where you go upstate, to Sing Sing or places like that. This is a medium-security [population], not maximum security." Are you awaiting Lil Wayne's release? Let us know in the comments. Related Artists |
| 'Eclipse' Stars Dish On Fame, Robots And Beef Patties On 'Oprah' Posted: 13 May 2010 02:54 AM PDT 'It's almost like you live in two different worlds,' Taylor Lautner says of balancing real life with celebrity.
Among the hot topics when the "Eclipse" cast stopped by "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Thursday (May 13) was Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's rumored romance, Taylor Lautner's love life and Pattinson's onetime desire to be a rapper. The trio also dished on their overwhelming fame. "This means a lot to you guys, and it's the same deal for me," Stewart told the Twilighter-filled audience. "I understand that your words have weight, and I mince them when I know everybody's waiting for them. ... Most people's favorite book is not a part of their lives. It's never going to happen again." "We've been sort of central to the whole thing since the beginning," Pattinson added. "It started, really, when no one knew anything about it. I still, to this day, can't really connect to the craziness, and it's a great position to be in. You walk in a room and everybody's screaming, and it's not really about you, so it never really goes to your head. You can kind of participate in it." Regarding his position on the Time 100 Most Influential People list, he joked, "It's completely ridiculous. A few years ago, I wouldn't be able to influence my dog to walk!" The "Eclipse" crew let loose on the show, especially when Lautner was talking about bulking up to play Jacob. "I basically ate a lot, as much as I could," he said. "If I was busy or if I was on set or I was in L.A. in meetings, I would have to carry around this little miniature cooler. I would carry around, like, beef patties. ... It's so weird," he laughed. "I'll be, like, talking to somebody, and all of a sudden, I'll just be like: 'Can you hold on one second? I've got to eat a beef patty.' " When co-star Dakota Fanning stopped by, she revealed what girls in her little sister's school are up to these days. "My sister is 12, and she and her best friend are obsessed with everything ['Twilight']," Dakota said of fellow actress Elle. "They have the cutouts of Rob and Taylor. They're actually making a robot at school, and they named it 'Rob-ot Pattinson.' " The cast knows how much the films mean to the fans, and they said they are still trying to figure out how to balance their real lives with fame. "It's almost like you live in two different worlds," Lautner said. "You go into that world, and then you completely vanish, and you go back to your regular life." What did you think of the "Eclipse" episode of "Oprah"? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Videos Related Photos |
| 'American Idol' Castoff Michael Lynche: 'America's A Fickle Creature' Posted: 12 May 2010 11:41 PM PDT 'Every week to me is 'sing for your life,' because nothing is guaranteed for you on the show,' Lynche says.
"American Idol" voters eliminated Michael Lynche back in the top nine, but the judges swooped in to save the burly R&B crooner. Then a funny thing happened: Big Mike lasted five more weeks, apparently winning over a few more voters after his near-exit. His run ended, however, after a Movie Night performance of Michael Jackson's "Free Willy" anthem "Will You Be There." We caught up with the 26-year-old dad to talk about the judges' save and his Hollywood Week dilemma. Q: What was your mind-set before the elimination announcement? Were you expecting to go home, or were you surprised? Michael Lynche: Not surprised and not expected. I just think America's a fickle creature, and she's shown that as the competition has gone on. You just never know. I think that I was consistent every week and always gave my heart when I sang. The only thing with giving your heart is, it can get broken. But if it gets received well, it can be something really magical and special, and it was that on a couple of weeks. I think the way the wind blows the votes, you just never know. It's really up in the air. Q: What was it like when the judges decided to use their save on you? Were you surprised? Lynche: I felt like, going into the season, that I liked that concept of "sing for your life." And really, every week to me is "sing for your life," because nothing is guaranteed for you on the show. I never wanted to take anything for granted, and when I got to that point, and it was literally "sing for your life and the life of your family and your future, here's your one chance," I felt like I could do that. I thought that I could stand tall in that moment. And when it got down to Andrew [Garcia] and I, I wanted it to be me in that moment, because I didn't necessarily want him to go through that; he's a good buddy of mine. And I just felt strong enough and prepared enough to take that moment on. And it worked out, so I wasn't surprised that they saved me, just extremely grateful to still be around. Q: This is the second year for the judges' save. While you made it weeks longer than last year's savee, Matt Giraud, you still didn't make the top three. Do you think the save is necessary or just delaying the inevitable? Lynche: It's two-sided. It's really one of my favorite parts of the show, that people get to pick their champion. But it also depends on who's voting. As far as the save goes, it really speaks to your work ethic and your professionalism and what the judges see of you behind [the scenes], not just on the stage for that little minute-thirty that the audience and that America sees. The judges get to see a bit more of us and what your reputation is around set and around the crew. I think it just speaks to who you are as a professional for them to take that chance on you, to save you, to say to America: "Think about this again, because this person really has shown us to be a professional and to be somebody worth taking a look at." Q: Viewers fell in love with you and your family during Hollywood Week when your wife gave birth to your baby girl. Now that you don't have a chance to win the show anymore, do you still think it was vital to give "Idol" a go instead of being home then? Lynche: I don't think you can ever say anything is worth missing the birth of your child. Only time will let those wounds heal. But this definitely gives my family a good chance in the future and gives my daughter a better chance that I did it and took that sacrifice. Me, personally, of course I didn't want to miss it and of course I would choose that over, but it wasn't a choice. This was what I needed to do for the family at this time, and I'm definitely looking forward to spending more time [with them]. Q: Randy gave you a big hug after you were eliminated. What did he say to you? Lynche: He was just pointing out that Daughtry got #4 and that I've got a chance to be special if I just keep going, and it's not a bad place to be, where I am. Were you sad to see Big Mike go? Will you follow his post-"Idol" career? Let us know in the comments! 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 |
| Katy Perry's 'California Gurls' Is A Nod To ... Big Star? Posted: 13 May 2010 04:15 AM PDT Her manager suggested the spelling variation as a reference to Big Star's 'September Gurls.'
You might not realize it, what with the redonkulously catchy chorus, the Snoop cameo or the lyrical mentions of Daisy Dukes-wearing beach babes who will melt your popsicle, but Katy Perry's brand-new "California Gurls," the summer-ready first single from her upcoming Teenage Dream album, is actually a tribute to power-pop pioneers Big Star. Well, sort of. See, as Perry recently told Entertainment Weekly, she named the tune after Big Star's 1974 song "September Gurls," from their seminal Radio City album. And she did so — well, because her manager is a longtime Star fanatic. "My manager, Bradford, he's from Mississippi, and he's a huge Big Star fan," Perry told EW. "And with the death of one of their members, I had just written that song, and he's like, 'Katy, just for me, will you please title it 'California Gurls,' with a 'u'? People won't even know!' I don't know the whole catalog of Big Star, but I did it because Bradford is one of my best friends, and I thought it was cool, and you know, the kids like those variations." In March, Big Star frontman Alex Chilton died of a heart attack and was remembered days later by his friends, contemporaries and surviving band members at a South by Southwest tribute concert in Austin, Texas. A spokesperson for Perry's label, Capitol, confirmed the Big Star story to MTV News. Her Teenage Dream album hits stores August 24. No word if it will include a song named after "The Ballad of El Goodo." What do you think of Katy's new single? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| Lil Wayne Could Serve More Time Because Of MP3 Player In His Cell Posted: 13 May 2010 01:23 AM PDT 'You lose some 'good time,' ' a source at Rikers Island says of contraband found in Wayne's cell.
A source at Rikers Island confirmed reports that Lil Wayne was busted Monday for having headphones, a charger and a watch that doubles as an MP3 player in his jail cell. The offense isn't extremely serious, but it could mean more prison time for Wayne. "You just get an infraction, a violation," the source told MTV News. "You lose some 'good time.' "It depends on the severity of the infraction," the source added about what other type of trouble Weezy could get into. "Level one is the worst. Then you have [level] two or three. [This infraction] could be a level one. He has to go on trial, and based on evidence, they'll make their determination." As for how Wayne obtained the items, the source said that despite the level of security in the jail, contraband materials are sometimes smuggled in during the inmates' visiting time. "There's a lot of ways it can happen," the source said. "Through a visit, or it could be through someone else. In the visiting area the barrier between an inmate and the visitor is a small table — that's about it. It could happen between when you first come in and [the visitor] gives you a hug." According to the source, Wayne would have to go to a trial before a captain and a correction officer within 48 hours of the incident, noting that as of Thursday (May 13), he wasn't aware whether the trial had taken place. The source also clarified that the contraband was found in a bag of potato chips and not aluminum foil, as had been reported. "They sell specific items in the commissary and if you have anything other than that, then that's not a good look." Our source also confirmed that Wayne has a job as a suicide-prevention aide, which entails staying up at night to keep an eye on at-risk inmates. "He checks each cell or area to see if each guy is alive. There are three shifts," our source said. "I think his shift is at night, like 11 [p.m.] to 7 [a.m.] or 12 to 8." That job is now in jeopardy due to the infraction. In 2007, Lil Wayne was arrested for attempted gun possession following his first headlining performance in Manhattan at the Beacon Theatre. New York is among the toughest states in the country when it comes to gun-possession laws. In other states, Lil Wayne could have gotten off with a misdemeanor rap and probation. However, in New York, only law-enforcement officials and those affiliated with authorities are permitted to carry firearms. The rapper was sentenced to a year in prison in March. Related Artists |
| Metric's Emily Haines Tried To 'Embody' Bella For 'Eclipse' Song Posted: 13 May 2010 03:00 AM PDT 'It was really cool to feel the emotions of someone else,' frontwoman says of connecting to Kristen Stewart's character.
It's not exactly breaking news when the folks behind the wildly successful "Twilight" soundtracks tap indie acts to appear on their albums — at least not after last year's "New Moon" 'track featured contributions from the likes of Bon Iver, Lykke Li and Grizzly Bear. But on Wednesday, as MySpace Music unveiled the list of bands that would appear on the upcoming "Eclipse" album, a few names stood out from the fold; chief among them was Metric. Over the years, the Canadian quartet — led by frontwoman Emily Haines — have forged a reputation for being fiercely independent, making their own path and, as much as possible, shying away from the limelight, to the point that, to be honest, appearing on a major motion-picture soundtrack didn't seem to be anywhere on their list of priorities. Haines didn't debate that point when she sat down with MTV News to discuss her band's involvement with "Eclipse." The idea seemed impossible to her until, she said, a famed composer gave her a call. "I have to say it was unlike any experience I've ever had. ... I got a phone call from Howard Shore, who is, in my opinion, the best, heavyweight film composer out there. He did the scores for the 'Lord of the Rings' and, more importantly to me, he did all the David Cronenberg films: 'The Fly,' 'Naked Lunch.' He's an amazing, brilliant musician," Haines said. "[He] calls me and says, 'I want to write with you ... I want you to write with me, for the song at the end of the movie, the penultimate moment, where the whole score culminates in this incredible scene.' And I was like, 'OK.' " From there, Haines — working off a copy of the "Eclipse" script — got to work writing a song based on the experiences of Bella Swan. And much like her involvement in the project, writing a song through someone else's eyes was something she never dreamed she'd be doing. "I had to ... really try to embody the voice of Bella, which I've never done. I've always been interested in that — writing for film — and it was really cool to feel the emotions of someone else, and then try to express it in a way that's consistent with Stephenie [Meyer]'s books," she said. "It was so interesting for me. And [Shore] had also written the [chord] progressions, and we had to work within his melodic ideas, but still make it us. ... He really wanted it to be Metric. So it's, like, Metric and Howard Shore, writing this moment. And when you see the movie, you'll hear that the melodies from the song we wrote are part of the score. ... I can't believe my luck, and it was really cool to work with him." While writing Metric's contribution to the "Eclipse" soundtrack — a song titled, appropriately enough, "Eclipse (All Yours)" — Haines connected not just with the character of Bella, but the actress who plays her, Kristen Stewart. In doing so, she discovered a newfound depth and respect for both the actress and the series' author. "Well, it was definitely unusual. ... With this, it was really feeling this character, and I really like Kristen Stewart. I think she's got such a great energy around her, and the character is such a good representation of a real girl," Haines said. "I think a lot of times young women get characterized as shallow or silly, and we all have to deal with, in popular culture, these terrifying Barbies. And I think Kristen Stewart as an actress, and the character that Stephenie created in these books is a really interesting, real character." So while hearing all about the song's creation is nice, we're sure the "Twilight" fans of the world are really dying to know whether Haines got to see "Eclipse" (hitting theaters June 30). Well, if she did, she's not saying. And it's probably for the best. "I feel like if I comment on that, it's kind of the equivalent of when you say something about Scientology: Someone's going to come and get me," she laughed. "I'm not revealing anything, to anyone, about anything, ever." Were you surprised to hear that Metric will contribute to the "Eclipse" soundtrack? Let us know in the comments! Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Artists |
| Channing Tatum Is 'All Good' With Wife Kissing Christina Aguilera In 'Not Myself Tonight' Posted: 12 May 2010 10:59 PM PDT 'I'm proud' actor says of wife Jenna Dewan's steamy appearance in the clip.
Christina Aguilera got back to ger "Dirrty" roots in her latest "Not Myself Tonight" video, which included taking a bunch of dancers on her sexy ride. One of those lucky people was Jenna Dewan, star of "Step Up" and wife of heartthrob Channing Tatum. In the clip, Dewan spends part of the time with her hands bound, gets felt up by Aguilera and shares a lip-lock with the pop singer. And, if you think that any of it made Tatum feel uncomfortable, you are very wrong. It seems the Hype Williams-directed romp gets two thumbs from the star. "Oh yeah, man! I'm proud! I'm like, 'Yeah!' It's good for me," Tatum told MTV News. "I did know it was coming, of course — she's not going to keep it a secret from me. I'd be like, 'Really? Why'd you keep that from me?' " Aside from his wife's steamy interludes with Aguilera, Tatum thinks the entire video is quite, well, sexy. "I mean, it's all good for me," he said. "I think the video's hot and good and sexy and all that." Tatum even has his own sexy video past — he once appeared shirtless in Ricky Martin's Atlantis-themed video for "She Bangs." "I don't even remember 'She Bangs,' " he laughed. "It was one of those [things] we did it in, like, a weekend. It was crazy three days at the Atlantis resort. It was like, 500 girls and four guys. It was insane. My life wasn't so bad." What do you think of Christina Aguilera's latest video? Let us know in the comments below! Related Photos Related Artists |
| Edward Norton Uses Social Networking To 'Do Something' With Crowdrise Posted: 13 May 2010 04:36 AM PDT Edward Norton Hopes To 'Do Something' With Crowdrise
Edward Norton isn't cut from the typical Hollywood actor cloth. The often stoic, socially conscious actor has used his celebrity for good for years. This week Norton launched yet another charitable-minded effort, Crowdrise, which brings the "power of crowd-sourcing and the fun of social networking to fundraising and volunteerism." Following the success of his Maasai Marathon fundraising website for last year's New York City Marathon, Norton and his partners, online retailers/ tech experts Robert and Jeffrey Wolfe, were approached by a variety of individuals and organizations asking for help in creating online campaigns. "We found ourselves talking and saying we could just build this out to a really user-friendly, open-source site and just share it [with everyone]," he told MTV News. "We could basically take the work we did and engineer a website where anybody can kind of plug in their own identity, their own cause and do this themselves. And we got kind of excited about that idea because we just thought even more than raising money ourselves, wouldn't it be awesome if we made it really, really easy for other people?" Norton confessed that before the Marathon campaign he'd stayed away from Facebook and Twitter, but that afterward he saw the potential of using social networking for good. "It was the first I got a taste of the fact that the idea that you could maybe actually use that stuff for some substantive things, not just for social chatter," he said. "And the marathon campaign was like a confirmation of that to me. So in a way Crowdrise was our attempt to make a social networking that is motivating people to act and actually do something, but with all the fun of social networking. So I think it's pretty hip; it's pretty fun." Speaking of social networking, Norton is a relatively new Twitter user but follows an eclectic mix of people — Tony Robbins and Sasha Grey, for example. "I've never even met Tony," Norton admitted of that particular connection. "But we have a mutual friend and when I was doing the Boston marathon campaign my friend said, 'You know, Tony would really like this and probably twitter about it and he has, like, a million and a half followers.' So I e-mailed him and he was really really generous about it. ... Sasha, let's see, my friends, the guys who wrote 'Rounders' wrote 'The Girlfriend Experience.' And so when I did the Boston marathon they said, 'Hey, you know, we know Sasha and she's got followers on her thing,' and so same thing [as with Robbins]." Not that he wants to get crazy with pulling in more followers, but Norton said he'd like to fill his ranks on Twitter like Justin Bieber, CNN, and other popular accounts. "I can only dream of having Ashton Kutcher's millions of followers. Or who else, Puffy —l Puffy's got a lot. Russell Simmons has got a lot." Norton also made sure to point out to the "MTV crowd" that he and his Crowdrise team have made their website easy to use, with a little fun built in. "If you go to the homepage ... the second paragraph there, it says, 'You can go here to see how Crowdrise works,' and then, you see it says, 'Go here if you want to see an even more beautiful picture of a napkin.' Awesome, right? Do you know that — this is totally not me making a joke — we've gotten thousands of pictures of napkins sent in to us. You have no idea how many people have sent us their pictures of a napkin." The Academy Award-nominated actor has also recruited a slew of other famous faces to get involved by putting up their own pages on the site: Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Kristen Bell and Will Ferrell. "I think this site is the most fun that you can have making a difference without, you know, taking illegal substances," Norton said. That, and the slogan on the homepage reads: "If you don't give back no one will like you." What do you think of Edward Norton's Crowdrise idea? Let us know in the comments below! For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| 'Machete' Star Don Johnson Talks Robert De Niro, Reinvention Posted: 13 May 2010 07:11 AM PDT 'I don't have to be a slave to the former Don Johnson image,' he tells MTV News.
Any day is a good day to chat with Don Johnson -- especially when it involves discussing his role in Robert Rodriguez's upcoming star-studded blood-fest "Machete." MTV recently caught up with Johnson to discuss his upcoming projects, watching "Miami Vice" and "Nash Bridges" in syndication and a possible "new era" of Don Johnson acting. MTV: So first off, let's start with the trailer that everyone was talking about this weekend. It's a great trailer and the greatest moment in the trailer is clearly the "Introducing Don Johnson" moment. Don Johnson: [Laughs.] Yeah, that was a fun one. [I was] sort of a late addition to the cast and by the time I got there, all the specialized credits like "with" and "and" and "featuring" and all that other stuff were taken. I think [Robert] De Niro got "and" and Lindsay [Lohan] got "with" or who knows. So we were kicking it around and my manager said, "How about 'introducing'?" and we laughed. So they ran it by Robert and Robert cracked up. He said, "Absolutely, let's go with that." MTV: It's an awesome moment. What did you think when you saw the trailer? Johnson: Well, you know, to me it looks just like great fun, in the vein of the old exploitation pictures like Roger Korman and all of those guys. Robert and I were texting each other a couple of days ago when it came out and I was telling him how fun the trailer looked and I said, "And timely" and he said, "Yeah, like exploitation of your ripped-from-the-headlines stuff." MTV: Absolutely. Johnson: It's fun and working with De Niro was, we've been friends for 25 or 30 years and it was a thrill to get to work with him. MTV: And it looks like he's having some fun with the part too, as is with most of the cast. This is the kind of film where you can just sort of let it hang out. Johnson: That's exactly right -- we're all eating the scenery right and left. MTV: So most of your scenes are with De Niro? Johnson: All of my scenes were with De Niro, I think, except for one -- and then I think I'm on the phone with him. [Laughs.] MTV: Did you know [director Robert] Rodriguez before this? Johnson: Oh yeah, I knew him from Cheech, so he was in San Francisco one time and I cast up to visit Cheech and I said, "Well, while you're here I'm going to put you to work." So I put him in "Nash Bridges" as the commercial filmmaker. And he literally shot some footage of a salsa party in my apartment, in Nash's apartment with Cheech. He shot it on digital-8 and we used his footage in the show and we just had a great time. He's a wonderful, wonderful filmmaker and a great friend. MTV: What can you say about the character you're playing in "Machete"? Johnson: Well, he's a gun-toting vigilante; it was just a great hoot for me to get to play someone who is so diametrically opposed to my being. And, you know, all of the characters are drawn very broadly and, you know, it's fun. Like you said, Robert's kind of, "Let's roar with it." MTV: So we were talking about the introduction in the credits -- does it feel like a reintroduction for you? Do you feel like this is marking another stage of your career? Johnson: I think that we all end up reinventing ourselves all the time. And with me, I've got a comedy coming up this summer with Adam Sandler's company called "Born to Be a Star" which I play a porn director named Miles Deep. And I've just finished a pilot for ABC that is a half-hour sitcom. So, at any rate, in answer to your question, I don't know. The focus on comedy is a little different. And it's kind of a fun time for me because I don't have to be a slave to the former Don Johnson image or any of that. I can kind of wing it and do what I was trained to do. MTV: How was working with Sandler and company? Johnson: Oh my God, those guys are the greatest. ... When we were making the picture I would text Sandler and Nick Swardson back and forth and I would sign off as "Your deepness." What a blast. It was so much fun and I got to create this character who was a complete wild man and it should be fun. MTV: It sounds like with "Machete" and "Born to Be a Star" you have to have a sense of humor about yourself. Do you feel you've always had a sense of humor about yourself? Johnson: No, I think it was quite the opposite. I think I've developed a sense of humor after I got rid of that fame disease. And the joy of doing the work and working these days is so much greater. I'm having a lot of fun with it. MTV: "Miami Vice" seems to be on the air more and more and "Nash Bridges" is probably also in syndication. What runs through your mind on either of the shows at this point? Johnson: You know they're on, they're both on simultaneously in syndication in 130 countries around the world and it's a real sense of accomplishment. I love it, but by the same token, I don't watch them. MTV: What did you make of Michael Mann's big-screen "Miami Vice" interpretation? Was that an odd feeling to sort of see his new take on it? Johnson: I didn't see it all the way through; I saw bits and pieces and what I saw you accurately put it, it was Michael's interpretation of it. And Michael, you know, look this a longer conversation than a sound bite on that. I think that Michael is an enormously talented director and he went out to make a new version of an iconic television show. I think that's a challenge in any way you look at it, because you're never going to please everybody and those images are so heavily engraved in everybody's consciousness. I didn't run into a lot of people that were ... it was apples and oranges you know -- it was kind of sort of the same thing but not. Check out everything we've got on "Machete." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more -- updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. |
| Mary J. Blige To Star In Nina Simone Biopic Posted: 13 May 2010 04:15 AM PDT Film focuses on Simone's relationship later in life with her assistant.
Fresh off her role in Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All by Myself," Mary J. Blige has signed on to play legendary crooner Nina Simone in a biopic of her life. According to Variety, the film — currently titled "Nina" — focuses on Simone's relationship later in life with her assistant Clifton Henderson, who will be played by David Oyelowo ("The Last King of Scotland"). Although this will be the first major leading role for the Grammy winner, Blige has been flexing her acting muscles since 1998, when she played Ola Mae on "The Jamie Foxx Show." Since that appearance, Blige has guest-starred in episodes of "The Ghost Whisperer" and "Strong Medicine," and her other film credits include "Prison" and "Angel: One More Road to Cross." Musically, Blige is a fitting choice to play Simone, who was known as "The High Priestess of Soul." She certainly has the chops to take on the singer/songwriter's sultry lower register on jazzy songs like "My Baby Just Cares for Me" and "I Put a Spell on You." If the film does stay focused on the storied singer's later life, it will be interesting to see how far the filmmakers delve into Simone's emotional and mental struggles with multiple-personality disorder and schizophrenia. "Nina" is set to begin shooting in September in France. The script is penned and directed by Cynthia Mort, who wrote "The Brave One." For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com. Related Artists |
| Muse's Single From The 'Eclipse' Soundtrack -- Catch a Sneak Peek Here! Posted: 13 May 2010 08:19 AM PDT Take an exclusive look at the video for 'Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever).'
When it was announced last week that Muse had been tapped to release the first single off the hotly anticipated "Eclipse" soundtrack, fans of Stephenie Meyers' vamp-o-riffic series rejoiced. Not only did Muse's music play an integral part in the creation of the "Twilight" books, but they've now managed to land a song on each of the three film soundtracks — there's something to be said for continuity, after all. And now that they can actually hear a snippet of that first single — a track called "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)" — and catch a glimpse of the rather dramatic video, well, we expect them to rejoice even harder. Perhaps even spontaneously combust. The song itself doesn't stray very far from Muse's wheelhouse, which is to say that it sounds epic, spacey and positively majestic, full of crashing drums, doomy piano stabs and fleet-fingered guitars that spiral heavenward. Frontman Matthew Bellamy sings for the rafters, belting out couplets like "Love is forever/ And we'll die, we'll die together" — which seem to capture the forbidden love between Bella and Edward quite nicely, don't they? The video itself is a fairly low-key affair, just the band rocking out on a wide-open stage, while a series of screens flash between colors dramatically, bathing them in various hues. Oh, and as is somewhat fitting for an epic track like this, there's gratuitous use of slow-motion, too, which only helps capture the sheer bombast of the performance. "Neutron Star Collision" will hit radio on May 17, and the "Eclipse" soundtrack is due on June 8. But you probably already knew that by now — and, really, why are you still reading this? Check out an exclusive sneak peek of both the song and the video right here, right now! Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com. Related Photos Related Artists |
| Stone Temple Pilots Roar Back With 'Between the Lines' Video Posted: 13 May 2010 01:39 AM PDT Druggy clip has 'an off point of view,' Scott Weiland tells MTV News.
As anyone who caught Stone Temple Pilots' recent run of shows can attest — which kicked off with a thunderous set at South by Southwest in March — after more than five years on the shelf, the alt-rock demigods certainly haven't lost a step. But if you weren't lucky enough to catch the first string of shows, don't fret: Next week, STP will launch the second leg of their U.S. tour, which runs through June 5. (They'll spend the summer darting across Europe, before returning to the stage in August.) On May 25, the band's self-titled sixth album is due — their first since 2001's Shangri-La Dee Da — and it features the snarling first single "Between the Lines." Chances are, you've heard it, since it sits at #1 on Billboard's rock chart. And now, there's a video to go with it, a burner directed by Christopher Sims, who has helmed clips for the likes of Staind and Jimmy Eat World. And yes, it stands as further proof that STP are back. MTV News was on the set of the video, shot last month in Los Angeles. Much like the song, it's a sweaty, claustrophobic affair, documenting frontman Scott Weiland's past history of drug use. Portions of it were shot in gloriously blurry, swirly first-person, much like another debauched, druggy classic. "It's sort of like an off point of view, similar to [the Prodigy's] 'Smack My Bitch Up,' " Weiland told MTV News. "[It] was one of the coolest videos that came out in the last 15 years." But while the video does recall clips from the past, what's most notable about it is how much it feels like classic STP. Weiland, the DeLeo brothers and drummer Eric Kretz flail and hammer with artful abandon, and the song, with its chain-saw guitars and Weiland's trademark gruff yowl, sounds like it could've been lifted from any of their previous albums. It's a welcome return, to be certain, one that's indebted to the past, yet deeply rooted in Weiland's personal travails — something he's not shying away from this time out. "The verse is sort of an 'I Am the Walrus' kind of thing, where it's a bunch of stuff that phonetically sounds good," he said alluding to the Beatles song. "And then you get to the meat of the idea in the chorus ... it's a reference to my ex. It's a real rock-and-roll song that has our own individuality." How does the "Between the Lines" video compare to the Prodigy's '97 clip? Share your take in the comments! Related Artists |
| Greyson Chance Performs 'Paparazzi,' Chats With Lady Gaga On 'Ellen' Posted: 13 May 2010 02:35 AM PDT 'Stay away from girls and be focused,' Gaga tells the YouTube sensation via phone.
Meet the newest YouTube sensation: Greyson Chance. Thanks to his performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" nearing 9 million views (one of those being Ellen DeGeneres), Chance is an overnight celebrity and found himself taking his first-ever plane ride to meet the comedienne on her daytime talk show Thursday (May 13). "I was sitting in math class when I got a text from my mom: 'Call me ASAP,' " Chance told DeGeneres of hearing the news he was wanted on the show. "This was my first flight, so I was really scared. ... I'm still taking it all in." Of his newfound fame, the sweet-faced Bieber look-alike coyly admitted that girls at his school have started paying more attention to him: "Let's just say I've gotten a couple of numbers and made some new friends." In addition to covering Gaga, the aspiring songwriter has written two original songs called "Broken Hearts" and "Stars," which are also posted on YouTube. " 'Stars' is about a wife who dies of cancer, and she goes into the stars and her husband shortly after goes into the stars with her," he said. "I just kind of felt it. 'Broken Hearts' I lived. [It's] about two girls in particular. ... I tried to make some pretty powerful hints into it, but I'm not going to say their names, of course." Regarding the now-famous "Paparazzi" cover, the 12-year-old said the song choice was a natural one, given that his number-one inspiration is Lady Gaga. "I love how she's so different, and she takes her individuality and her amazing talent and makes great songs that are catchy and that make you want to dance and maybe throw out some Ellen moves you have. I just love her individuality, the way she can harness that with her talent." Then Ellen surprised Chance by introducing Gaga herself, who was waiting on the phone line. "Hi, Greyson!" Gaga said. "Hi, Miss Gaga!" Chance stammered, his surprised smile a mile wide. Ellen then asked Gaga if she'd seen Greyson's video. "I did," she said. "You're so sweet and so talented, and I was so excited that you covered 'Paparazzi,' and everyone loves you so much. Keep following your dreams and work really hard and stay away from girls and be focused." Gaga then said her goodbyes and wished him luck on his live "Paparazzi" performance on "Ellen," which he did just after hanging up with Lady G. We're thinking this won't be the last we see of Greyson Chance. He's scheduled to perform in his hometown's summer production of "Oliver!" pending any upcoming record deals, of course. What do you think of Greyson Chance? Could he become as famous as Gaga? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists |
| 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds: Songs From The Rerun Cinema Posted: 13 May 2010 06:20 AM PDT Jamie Foxx's mentoring and Big Mike's elimination gave us deja vu all over again.
The theme of this week's "American Idol" was supposed to be Songs From the Cinema, but the real theme was déjà vu. Jamie Foxx returned as a guest mentor and reused several of the same tactics he did last season — heavy flirtation and putting his face inches away from gravelly voiced crooners. This year, however, Foxx brought custom T-shirts to the proceedings, doling out a shirt that said "ARTIST" to singers he thought earned it and "CONTESTANT" to Big Mike Lynche because he forgot the words during rehearsal. If a recording contract and six figures isn't enough of an incentive to win "Idol," Foxx was hoping oversize novelty shirts would do the trick. Similar to last year's movie night, most of the songs were painfully uncool. Mid-'90s Bryan Adams, Kenny Loggins, "Free Willy" and Seal abounded, and similar to last year, the performance that garnered the most excitement in the room was a cover of "Falling Slowly" from "Once." (Ironic, since it's now been performed "Twice" in two years.) In addition to solos, the top four paired off for duets. Crystal and Lee combined forces, much to the delight of the judges, who could focus all their energy on overpimping their faves in one fell swoop. And that left Big Mike Lynche and Casey James to collaborate, also to the delight of the judges, who were shocked that the duet didn't crash and burn. On Wednesday night's results show the déjà vu theme continued, with Fantasia and Daughtry returning home to the Mother Ship. And season six mentor Bon Jovi performed their latest single, "Not 'Blaze of Glory' So Stop Requesting That." In the end, Michael Lynche was sent packing his (probably) gigantic suitcase for the second time this season. Have we mentioned déjà vu? 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 Related Artists |
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