Senin, 31 Januari 2011

MTV News

MTV News


Britney Spears' Choreographer Calls 'Hold It Against Me' Director 'Genius'

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 03:50 AM PST

Brian Friedman describes working with Jonas Åkerlund on video.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias


Britney Spears
Photo: Eric Charbonneau/Le Studio/Wireimage

Jonas Åkerlund certainly has the resume to pull off an epic clip for Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me." Having already directed spectacles like Lady Gaga's "Telephone," Madonna's "Ray of Light" and Pink's "Sober," Åkerlund is known for creating sexy, controversial and sleek pop videos. So, working with Spears was a natural fit, said her choreographer, Brian Friedman.

"[When] Jonas and I got on the phone for the first time, I was actually jumping on a plane somewhere, so the conversation was very brief, but I am a huge Jonas Åkerlund fan," Friedman dished to MTV News. "Anything that he does is magical. His eye for art is insane, so I was excited to work with someone who loves art so much and it's not just a job, it's not technical; it really is a string aesthetic to what he does."

When Friedman and Åkerlund finally did get the chance to hash it out, the conversation was about how to ensure the video would be focused on what Spears is known for: her tight and sexy dance moves.

"So with that said, I had a meeting with him at his house. We went through the video from top to bottom, and I gave him as much input from the dance side, 'cause it's a dance video, as I could to try to help bring his story to life," he recalled. "And the collaboration was incredible."

Friedman said Åkerlund completely understood his and Spears' ideas on the project, and the results, he said, are no less than stellar.

"I really feel like bringing two artists together in a way like that — where the director really loves the dance and understands the art of the dance and doesn't try to cover it up and water it down — is the best way to go," he said. "He was genius for me with dance."

Are you excited to see Britney's upcoming video? Tell us below!

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'Skins' Stars Preview 'Chris' Episode

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 03:50 AM PST

Monday's show will explore another side to the resident party boy.
By Jocelyn Vena, with additional reporting by Adam Murphy


Jesse Carere (Chris)
Photo: MTV

We've gotten to know Tony. We've gotten to know Tea. And this week, fans will get up close and personal with Chris on "Skins."

While Chris appears to be just a party boy who seeks out every opportunity for a good time, there might be more to him than meets the eye.

"I do like Chris — I love Stanley, I think he's really relatable, and Tony and Tea are really cool — but there's something about Chris for me. He's just the best," Sofia Black D'Elia gushed to MTV News. "He's such a heartbreaking character. You just feel for him so much, because he never stops smiling, and out of every character on the show, he has the most reason to not smile."

Without giving too much away, a sequence of events on Monday's (January 28) episode should show fans that Chris isn't some one-dimensional character. "He just can't not be happy," Black D'Elia said. "He just loves life. He'll do anything to get the most out of it. As long as he's having an incredible time, he's OK. He has so much heart, and Jesse [Carere] does such an unbelievable job in that role."

"Chris is just a lot of fun," added James Newman, who plays Tony. "Chris is one of those characters that doesn't really change too much. I think a lot of stuff will happen to him, and you'll see him react, but at the end of the day, Chris is Chris, and that's kind of the beauty of him. He's always going to have fun."

Who is your favorite "Skins" character so far? Let us know in the comments!

Don't miss "Skins," airing Mondays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

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SAG Awards Continue Christian Bale, Natalie Portman Winning Streak

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 08:14 AM PST

'The Fighter' star Melissa Leo and 'The King's Speech' actor Colin Firth also rack up awards.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Christian Bale onstage at the 2011 SAG Awards
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Hollywood awards season continues to trek along, and on Sunday night (January 30), the performers honored their leading lights at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. In an evening of few upsets, 2011 awards-season darlings like Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Colin Firth and Melissa Leo continued to cement their status as names to watch along the road to Oscar.

Bale was joined onstage by real-life inspiration Dicky Eklund when he scored Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for "The Fighter." Bale also dished out advice to aspiring actors, saying that it helps that he finds people fascinating, but added, "Bumping into Mark Wahlberg ain't bad."

Natalie Portman extended her awards-show winning streak by nabbing Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for "Black Swan." Swathing her budding baby bump in a white Azzaro gown, the former child star expressed gratitude for being able to finish her education and shouted out her parents for instilling in her that she "can never be an a--hole."

Colin Firth also sprinkled some heartfelt humor into his speech when he accepted the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. "The King's Speech" actor joked about once hoping his SAG card would land him "female attention" and entry into nightclubs and, after sizing up the A-list talent in the room, thanked security for letting him into the building.

When Leo nabbed Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for her role in the "The Fighter," she hugged her co-star and fellow nominee Amy Adams and gleefully bolted toward the stage in a glittery gown, which she briefly tripped on as she reached for the award. The actress aptly took the win to pump up the importance of the guild, saying, "Unions make this country great, because it gives a voice to the working people."

Alec Baldwin and Betty White gave the first statuette of the evening to Steve Buscemi for his portrayal of a gleefully corrupt Prohibition-era politician on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." The star looked visibly touched during his first SAG win, and shouted out "Empire" director Martin Scorsese, imploring the legendary film architect -- who has recently fallen ill -- to "please come back." The entire "Empire" cast later headed back onstage when they took home Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

"Desperate Housewives" siren Eva Longoria, rocking a silvery Georges Hobeika gown with a plunging neckline, and "Glee" jock Cory Monteith handed over the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series trophy to Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife." Accepting her second consecutive SAG win for the role, she thanked the Teamsters for digging everyone out of the snow on the show's set.

Amy Poehler introduced the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series category by saying she likes her actors, and her sandwiches, "real," "warm" and "heavy on the meat." Baldwin walked away with the meaty win for his fifth consecutive "30 Rock" win.

First-time SAG winner Betty White looked genuinely surprised when she accepted the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series award and received a standing ovation. After speaking about how she was "so lucky to be 89" and still working, she tossed in some cheeky humor by briefly fondling the nude statuette's backside and wrapping her fingers around its groin area.

One of the few actors in the room able to boast more experience than White was 94-year-old Oscar-winning legend Ernest Borgnine, who accepted the SAG Life Achievement Award following an introduction from his "McHale's Navy" co-star Tim Conway and fellow "Red" actor Morgan Freeman. The guild also saluted late stars like Leslie Nielsen, Lynn Redgrave and Lena Horne in the "In Memoriam" segment.

The event also lauded actors who have made a big impact within the short span of a television commercial with a montage that celebrated everyone from the bubbly chick in the Progressive insurance ads to Clara Peller's inescapable Wendy's catchphrase "Where's the beef?"

All the A-listers in "The King's Speech" were honored with the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, but Geoffrey Rush took the opportunity to spotlight some of the cast's younger actors, pointing out the brief performance of a stammering student.

Other winners included Claire Danes for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for "Temple Grandin"; "You Don't Know Jack" star Al Pacino for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries; and the cast of "Modern Family" for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. While many of the 2011 awards-season champions like Portman, Bale and Leo were honored, other fan and critical favorites like "The Social Network" and "Glee" went home empty-handed.

What did you think of this year's SAG Awards? Let us know in the comments!

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

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SAG Awards Red-Carpet Fashion: Lea Michele, Kim Kardashian Stand Out

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 06:34 AM PST

Natalie Portman goes subdued while 'Black Swan' co-star Mila Kunis follows jewel-tone trend.
By Aly Semigran


Lea Michele on the 2011 SAG Awards red carpet
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

With the Academy Awards just a few weeks away, many celebrities attending the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards — the last big hurrah before the Oscars — made sure to show off their finest duds on the red carpet.

Some of the famous females making their appearance on the 2011 SAG red carpet went with deep, plunging necklines, including Christina Hendricks ("Mad Men"), Eva Longoria ("Desperate Housewives") and Lea Michele ("Glee"). "Modern Family" star and Best Ensemble nominee Julie Bowen put a new spin on the look, sporting a deep-cut black pantsuit.

Jewel tones were also en vogue, as stars like "Modern Family's" Sofia Vergara and "Mad Men's" Cara Buono stunned in sapphire dresses, while winner Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife"), Mila Kunis ("Black Swan") and Tina Fey ("30 Rock") rocked striking reds. Elsewhere on the red carpet, Kim Kardashian picked a plum number with a cutout in the bodice.

With so many younger nominees attending the SAGs this year, age-appropriate frocks were evident on the likes of "Modern Family" girls Sarah Hyland and Ariel Winter. "True Grit" star Hailee Steinfeld looked lovely in a colorful striped number, as "Winter's Bone" actress Jennifer Lawrence turned out in a hot-pink dress.

Other notable subdued looks included Natalie Portman, who showed off her baby bump in an exquisite strapless white dress with a subtle sparkly neckline, and nominee Helena Bonham Carter, who looked positively conservative in a black-and-white number (paired with pearls, no less.)

As for the men on the SAG red carpet, standards (including Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Renner and Chris Colfer, among others) made way for stylish alternatives. Presenter LL Cool J (who, like Geoffrey Rush, donned a cap) and "Glee" nominee Cory Monteith looked sharp in all-black getups, while Taye Diggs and "The Social Network" star Armie Hammer went old-school by wearing bowties with their classic tuxedos.

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

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David Arquette Checks Out Of Rehab

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 05:00 AM PST

'Scream 4' star spent a month undergoing treatment for alcohol-related issues and depression.
By Gil Kaufman


David Arquette
Photo: John Shearer/ Getty Images

David Arquette has completed a nearly one-month stay in a rehab facility. The "Scream 4" star, who checked into a facility on January 2 to deal with what was described at the time as alcohol abuse and "other issues," including depression, separated from his wife of 11 years, Courteney Cox Arquette, in October.

A spokesperson for Arquette confirmed to US Weekly that the star had completed his treatment program and left the facility on Sunday. "He is very committed to his sobriety and a changed person because of his experience," an unnamed source told the magazine. "He realizes now how out of control things got and doesn't want that to happen again ... He plans on going to meetings everyday and is completely focused on what he has learned."

A source also reportedly told Radar Online that Arquette had dissolved his business partnership with pal Jeff Beacher. The pair had operated a wild nightclub event called Beacher's Madhouse at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where Arquette was spotted partying in the weeks leading up to his trip to the Betty Ford Center.

"David remains a big fan of the Beacher's Madhouse Show and the Roosevelt Hotel, [but] he is concentrating on his health and well-being right now," the unnamed rep told the website.

Though he is estranged from his wife, David received messages of support from her when he entered rehab. At the time, Cox Arquette told People magazine, "I really admire David and his choice to take charge and better his life. I love and support him."

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Jesse Eisenberg Was 'Great' On 'SNL,' 'Social Network' Co-Star Says

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 09:01 AM PST

Armie Hammer tells MTV News at the SAG Awards it was 'funny' to see Eisenberg onstage with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg.
By Ryan J. Downey, with reporting by Kara Warner


Armie Hammer
Photo: Lester Cohen/ Getty Images

Oscar front-runner "The Social Network" didn't exactly paint the most flattering picture of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, but the young billionaire proved he can take a joke when he turned up alongside Jesse Eisenberg on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend.

Facebook's CEO wasn't the only one who watched Eisenberg host "SNL."

"I saw the whole episode! I thought it was great!" exclaimed "Social Network" co-star Armie Hammer when MTV News caught up with him at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (January 30). Thanks to director David Fincher and some subtle special effects, Hammer portrayed both Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the athletic Harvard twins who hired Zuckerberg to create a social-networking site and later sued him for millions. "It was so funny to see [Jesse] and Mark [together]."

Hammer was at the Director's Guild Awards on Saturday when he received a picture to his phone of the pair standing onstage together in Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the famous location where "SNL" has taped since 1975. Hammer said he did a double-take.

"I was like, 'What the hell?' " he recalled with a broad smile. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh! It's the two of them!' "

Zuckerberg has expressed reservations about some aspects of the movie, which won the award for Best Drama at the Golden Globes earlier this month. The movie also nabbed awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Composer (Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor with Atticus Ross) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Aaron Sorkin) at the 16th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

Fincher, Sorkin and the cast have acknowledged that the movie is a somewhat fictionalized account of the rise of the omnipresent website: a true-life tale that severed friendships and has been the subject of many lawsuits between former co-workers who claim they were unfairly stiffed of their piece of the pie.

The Academy Awards has 10 Best Picture nominees: "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The Kids Are All Right," "The King's Speech," "127 Hours," "Toy Story 3," "True Grit," "Winter's Bone" and "The Social Network." Most pundits predict a hotly contested race between "the Facebook movie" and "The King's Speech," which took the best film ensemble at the Screen Actors Guild Awards as well as the best actor prize for its lead, Colin Firth.

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

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Natalie Portman Says She's 'Grateful' For SAG As She Wins Best Actress

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 07:50 AM PST

'Black Swan' star praises Screen Actors Guild in acceptance speech.
By Ryan J. Downey


Natalie Portman wins Best Actress
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Natalie Portman managed to work both an expletive and a "Professional" comment into her speech as she accepted her latest award for "Black Swan."

"I've been working since I was 11 years old, and SAG has taken care of me," Portman said Sunday (January 30) as she accepted the statue for best female lead at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium. The Israeli-born Portman's first major role was opposite Jean Reno in director Luc Besson's "The Professional."

"They made sure that I wasn't working too long and made sure that I got my education while I was working. I'm so grateful to have this union protecting me every day," she said.

Portman thanked her castmates, director Darren Aronofsky ("who I love so much"), her ballet trainer and her parents, "who always taught me to work my hardest and never be an a--hole."

Before exiting the stage, the radiantly pregnant actress gave a shout-out to her fiancé, "Black Swan" choreographer Benjamin Millepied, with a demure smile.

Portman's win for the psycho-sexual drama follows her victory at the Golden Globes earlier this month. Portman is also nominated for best actress at the Academy Awards, set for February 27.

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

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'The Office' Stars 'Excited' For Will Ferrell's Guest Spot

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 09:07 AM PST

'I think I gotta take some improv classes or something,' Rainn Wilson tells MTV News of funnyman's four-episode arc.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Kara Warner


Rainn Wilson
Photo: Jeff Vespa/ Getty Images

Steve Carell will be ditching his role as clueless branch manager Michael Scott on "The Office" soon, but not without a laugh-fest assisted by funnyman Will Ferrell. And the actors who play Scott's Dunder Mifflin underlings are amped for the "Anchorman" star's appearance.

Last week, producers announced that Ferrell would appear in four episodes of the NBC comedy as a fellow branch manager who is just as nutty as Scott. When MTV News caught up with Angela Kinsey, who plays tightly wound accountant Angela Martin, and Rainn Wilson, who portrays paper salesman/ beet farmer Dwight Schrute, on the SAG Awards red carpet Sunday night (January 30), the duo said they were looking forward to some Ferrell/Carell comedic mayhem.

"I am so excited about Will Ferrell," Kinsey exclaimed. "What if I was like, 'Nah, boo.' No, I'm totally excited. Him and Steve are friends in real life, and I think we're just about to have a lot of fun. I can't wait."

Wilson said he needed to sharpen his comedic skills if he is going to spar onscreen with the "Megamind" star.

"I think I gotta take some improv classes or something like that. I gotta hone up. He's a master, so I can't wait. I can't wait," Wilson said.

As far as how Ferrell and Wilson's characters would interact in Scranton, Wilson said the eccentric Dwight probably wouldn't extend his hero worship of Michael Scott to his newly arrived counterpart.

"I think Dwight will probably butt heads and not like him at all, which will make it a lot of fun," he said.

Executive producer Paul Lieberstein, who also appears on the show as Scott's HR-rep rival Toby Flenderson, quipped that the show would provide a boost to Ferrell's already high profile.

"We found Steve Carell when he was nothing but a movie star and we turned him into a television star," he said. "We are proud to continue 'The Office's' tradition of discovering famous talent, and we hope that once America gets a good look at Will, they'll see what we see: Tremendous raw sexuality."

Are you looking forward to catching Will Ferrell on "The Office"? Let us know in the comments!

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Christian Bale Accepts SAG Award With 'Fighter' Alter Ego Dicky Eklund

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 07:42 AM PST

'Thank you for living the life and thank you for letting me play you,' Bale tells Eklund onstage.
By Aly Semigran


Dicky Eklund amd Christian Bale
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Christian Bale continued his awards-season domination Sunday night (January 30) at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, as he emerged victorious in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his work in "The Fighter."

While heading to the podium to accept a statue has been nothing new for Bale over the past few weeks, things were a little different this time as the real-life Dicky Eklund joined him onstage in an unexpected moment. ("Fighter" star/producer Mark Wahlberg revealed moments later that he encouraged Eklund to go up if Bale won.)

After Bale reached the mic to thank voters, Eklund appeared and put his arm around the actor and embraced him with a handshake and a hug. "Dicky! All right!" a surprised Bale said. "This is the original quacker right here!" Eklund, wearing a black tux and a blue bow tie, congratulated Bale and told him, "Good job, Christian."

Bale reciprocated the feelings and told Eklund, "Thank you, mate. Thank you for living the life and thank you for letting me play you." To which Eklund, referring to a song by the Heavy that is featured in "The Fighter," asked, "How you like me now?" Before Eklund exited the stage, Bale responded with a smile, "I like you now."

The actor continued with his speech by thanking his fellow actors, particularly those who worked with him on the film.

"I love acting, I love what we do," Bale said of his profession. "It's so bloody silly at times, isn't it? It's like playing dress-up, and other times it is so meaningful. I just enjoy that so much. We get to walk in other people's shoes," adding, "Life without empathy is no fun at all."

Bale went on to talk to about how young actors often approach him to ask how he broke into the business, to which he told the SAG audience, "I never have any answers whatsoever."

But he said what keeps him motivated as an actor in such a tough industry is, "I find people endlessly fascinating. As long as you can do that, each project seems like something new." Still, he noted that any actor should be so lucky to work with his "Fighter" co-star. "Bumping into Mark Wahlberg ain't bad."

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

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'Glee' Co-Star Says Matthew Morrison Compares Debut To Justin Timberlake

Posted: 31 Jan 2011 09:30 AM PST

Jenna Ushkowitz says her castmate also calls it 'symphonic-sounding.'
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Kara Warner


Matthew Morrison
Photo: Getty Images

Justin Timberlake might have been attending the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards as an acting nominee (along with his "The Social Network" ensemble), but it looks like he might also have some competition in his other field: Music.

"Glee" star Matthew Morrison is getting ready to turn out his debut solo record and said he might be poised to give Timberlake a run for his money.

Jenna Ushkowitz, who was nominated along with her "Glee" co-stars for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, revealed to MTV News she's already had a listen to Morrison's latest effort.

Ushkowitz saw Morrison perform a few of his new songs at The Grove in Los Angeles over the weekend, saying, "He was amazing.

"We're really proud of him," she said on behalf of her fellow "Glee"-mates, adding, "His music is really great."

While Ushkowitz said she thought Morrison "made his own sound," her onscreen teacher had his own definition of it: "He says it's a little bit of Justin Timberlake ... [and] symphonic-sounding."

It wasn't the only time JT's name came out of the lips of "Glee" stars on the SAG red carpet. Heather Morris told MTV News, "I think his music might be coming to our show." After coyly hinting that "maybe" Timberlake's tunes would be featured, she then indulged fans with the news that, "It's a mash-up."

Meanwhile, "Glee" actor/dancer Harry Shum Jr. made a plea to Timberlake to come back to the musical forefront. Shum echoed many fans when he said, "It's been awhile since we've seen Justin Timberlake with his music videos, so please, come back Justin. We wanna see some new stuff!"

Still, Shum promises that while Timberlake weighs his options, "Glee" can tide his fans over by paying homage to "Justin moves and Justin songs" on their show.

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SAG Awards 2011 Winners List

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 07:58 AM PST

'The King's Speech,' 'The Fighter' and 'Boardwalk Empire' rack up trophies.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Colin Firth poses with his two Screen Actors Guild awards
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The 17th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards were handed out Sunday night (January 30), and awards-season favorites "The King's Speech" and "The Fighter" continued to nab hardware. The ceremony, which only focuses on acting achievements, was dominated by "Speech" and "The Fighter," which won two awards each. On the television side, HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" ran the night, also garnering two trophies. While Golden Globe and Critics' Choice winner Natalie Portman continued to collect statuettes for her "Black Swan" role, other hits like "The Social Network" and "Glee" were shut out.

Check out the full list:

Theatrical Motion Pictures
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
"The King's Speech"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth, "The King's Speech"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale, "The Fighter"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo, "The Fighter"

Primetime Television
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
"Boardwalk Empire"

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
"Modern Family"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Betty White, "Hot In Cleveland"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin"

SAG Honors for Stunt Ensembles
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
"Inception"

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
"True Blood"

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Meet The New Superman: Henry Cavill

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 05:22 AM PST

British actor known for 'The Tudors' was once attached to McG-helmed reboot.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Henry Cavill
Photo: Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic

He'll be flying into movie theaters in 2012, but who exactly is the newest Superman, Henry Cavill? The latest screen star to don the famed crimson cape has gained fame as a castmember of Showtime's period romp "The Tudors," and will hit the big screen in the upcoming Greek mythology epic "War of the Gods." But before he was tapped to play the iconic superhero, he was super close to portraying everyone from Twilight's Edward Cullen to James Bond to, ironically, Superman in another filmmaker's vision of the superhero.

He was up for Superman before
British screen star Cavill has been making a name for himself stateside as Sir Charles Brandon on the saucy historical drama "The Tudors," but he's come close to portraying Superman before.

MTV News caught up with Cavill back in 2009, and the then 25-year-old star told us he was set to zip through the sky as the Man of Steel in director McG's ("Terminator Salvation") take on the American icon. However, a shuffling of filmmakers resulted in Cavill getting dropped from the project, which eventually became the 2006 flick "Superman Returns."

"I was attached to the McG 'Superman' movie," Cavill told MTV News "Then Bryan Singer came on and took the helm and he made his movie.

"[The McG and Singer versions] were two different movies," Cavill explained. "So it wasn't so much of a sting because it was like, 'Oh, I got [the role],' and then the movie just didn't happen."

He also reportedly missed out on "Batman" ... and "The Green Lantern"
Cavill was rumored to be on the shortlist of leading men up to vanquish Gotham-area baddies in Christopher Nolan's "Batman" franchise, a role which eventually went to fellow Brit Christian Bale. Ryan Reynolds also reportedly beat out Cavill for the "Green Lantern" series.

He lost Edward Cullen to Robert Pattinson
Thanks to RPattz, Cavill missed out on one of the biggest movie franchises in recent years, "Twilight," even though he had some strong support in his corner. "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer once said that Cavill was her dream choice, but Mother Nature thwarted the casting.

"The only actor I've ever seen who I think could come close to pulling off Edward Cullen is Henry Cavill. Henry was Albert, the young son in 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' Can you see it? I know I can!" Meyer blogged in 2007. However, after some delays in development, Meyer conceded that Cavill had aged out of "Twilight" territory. "The most disappointing thing for me is losing my perfect Edward."

"By the time the movie came around, I didn't look right for the character," Cavill explained to MTV News in 2009, adding, "No one even called me or my agent."

... And he was almost James Bond
The actor also auditioned for the role of 007 in "Casino Royale," but instead Daniel Craig knocked back shaken martinis and coolly took out henchmen as the world's first blond Bond.

He may not have played Bond, but he does drive the character's famed car
In a 2009 interview with JustJared.com, Cavill opened up about his biggest splurge, which he said was an Aston Martin — the same sleek, high-end ride that's been associated with Bond.

"It was one of those things that just ended up happening, like, 'Right, okay, just treat yourself," he said. The star also dished that he enjoys video games like World of Warcraft and shows like "Dexter."

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Betty White Calls SAG Award Win 'The Biggest Surprise'

Posted: 30 Jan 2011 07:10 AM PST

'Hot in Cleveland' star wins for outstanding female in a comedy series.
By Aly Semigran


Betty White onstage during the 2011 SAG Awards
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Screen Actors Guild most certainly still has nothing but love for Betty White. Last year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient took to the podium once again, this time for outstanding female in a comedy series for her work in "Hot in Cleveland."

A stunned-looking White — who bested the likes of odds-on favorites like Jane Lynch ("Glee"), Tina Fey ("30 Rock") and Sofia Vergara ("Modern Family") — received a standing ovation from her peers as she made her way to the stage, stopping to give a peck on the cheek to this year's Lifetime recipient, Ernest Borgnine.

Presenter Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") assisted White up the steps to the stage, to which she joked, "They had to get the old broad up those stairs and that's not easy!

"I cannot believe this," the always-crowd-pleasing White told the audience.

The first-time SAG nominee — who has enjoyed a major Hollywood comeback over the past few years thanks to "Cleveland," a "Saturday Night Live" hosting gig and the 2009 comedy "The Proposal" — said of her win Sunday night, "This [is] the biggest surprise I've ever had in this business."

White said she felt very lucky and happy to still be working at the age of 89. When the audience cheered her on, White quickly cracked back, "You didn't applaud when I turned 40!"

She then turned the focus of her speech to her "Cleveland" co-stars Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli and Wendie Malick: "We can't wait to go to work every day," she said.

White, who wore a charming blue dress and sequined jacket, said of the ensemble cast, "It sounds like a cliché to say we're family. We're more than family. We fell in love on the first day we worked together, and it's still like that."

Then, in true Betty White fashion, the actress playfully groped the back of her SAG award and cried "Ooh" while feeling up the nude male statue. She then gripped the statue from the front, garnering laughs throughout the auditorium as she concluded her speech by stating, "On top of everything else, I cannot say 'Thank you' enough."

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

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Nicki Minaj, Mark Zuckerberg Shake Up 'Saturday Night Live'

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 11:32 PM PST

Facebook founder meets onscreen alter egos Jesse Eisenberg and Andy Samberg, while Minaj rocks the stage and hilarious sketches.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Nicki Minaj Performs "Moment 4 Life" on "SNL"
Photo: NBC

Jesse Eisenberg just scored an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Facebook wunderkind Mark Zuckerberg, and on "Saturday Night Live" he got the chance to share the screen with his real-life inspiration.

After Eisenberg prattled on about how confident he is in comparison to the characters he often plays, Andy Samberg crashed "The Social Network" star's opening monologue as a bratty version of Zuckerberg. The two compared their Zuckerberg styles — Eisenberg speaks in short sentences, while Samberg just wears a sweatshirt and says "I'm Mark Zuckerberg" — while the real social media whiz chopped it up backstage with "SNL" executive producer Lorne Michaels. Eventually, the 26-year-old billionaire took the stage, and when it was revealed that Eisenberg and Zuckerberg have never met, Samberg quipped "Awkward!" and ran off. Zuckerberg then called the Oscar-nominated tale of the origins of Facebook "interesting," and Eisenberg graciously let the Internet entrepreneur introduce the show.

Eisenberg assumed a number of alter egos on Saturday's broadcast, like the horny adolescent who rubbed balloons on his partner's private parts during a demonstration of static electricity on "Mr. Wizard's World." The "Network" actor also turned up as a hapless contestant on VH1's "Don't Forget the Lyrics" who blurts out whatever's on his mind, like belting "one extra testicle" instead singing Robert Palmer's "A Bad Case of Lovin' You."

The star also turned up in a sketch reminiscent of his "Network" performance, as a college student who gets roped into a television interview with a surly, geriatric reporter who easily loses his train of thought and continuously slams his mic into Eisenberg's face.

Eisenberg also appeared as a castmember of MTV's "Skins" who is reduced to hawking fried chicken and used cars by reciting clumsy product-placement lines, and paired with Samberg once again for an ad for "El Shrinko," a product that reduces man bits to a size the ladies like — or so they say.

Eisenberg also joined forces with musical guest Nicki Minaj for the "Bride of Blackenstein" sketch. Minaj played a bootylicious but mouthy creation of a groovy evil genius while Eisenberg hobbled along as the hunchbacked flunky.

Minaj also rocked a digital short as a geeky voyeur with an affinity for eyeing folks during inappropriate times like, say, a funeral, and even showed viewers how to do the Peeping Tom-approved dance "The Creep."

In addition to showing off her funny side, the Trinidadian-born MC also treated viewers to two theatrical stage performances. Minaj first played "Right Thru Me," taking the stage in a voluminous mauve ball gown made of frilly tiers as pink-tinted fog enveloped the set. The star topped off the dress with a two-toned version of the Gumby-shaped wig that captivated fans when she recently hit London. Perhaps it was the gigantic gown, but Minaj stayed put for most of the song. However, she did keep the energy up by dipping in and out of her animated voices.

Minaj ditched the princess look for a funky colorful bodysuit for "Moment 4 Life." She also swapped out her Gumby wig for the towering, streaky hairpiece from her "Bride of Blackenstein" sketch, and added thigh-high magenta boots. This time, Minaj took advantage of the stage, energetically strutting around. The MC crouched and gyrated throughout the set as she showed off her singing skills, and wrapped up the performance with a dramatic pose and sneer — the type of out-of-nowhere zaniness her fans have come to crave.

"I mean, to be raised in New York, and to always hear about 'SNL,' " Minaj told MTV News last week. "I never had the honor of getting a pinkie toe in the building, now [I'm] here and it feels incredible."

What did you think of "SNL" this week? Let us know in the comments!

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Nicki Minaj Gets 'Creepy' And Shows Booty Power On 'Saturday Night Live'

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:11 PM PST

MC plays geeky voyeur and curvy 'Bride of Blackenstein' on late-night sketch show debut.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Nicki Minaj performs in an "SNL" digital short on Jan. 29
Photo: NBC

If fans were expecting hip-hop sexpot Nicki Minaj to vamp it up in her first "Saturday Night Live" skit, they definitely got an unexpected eyeful of the rap diva being, well, super creepy.

Minaj popped up in an Andy Samberg-helmed digital short, dressed as a socially awkward, throwback nerd -- big glasses, blonde ponytail and cardigan -- for the ode of voyeurism "Do the Creep."

Legendary filmmaker and kitsch enthusiast John Waters introduced the song via an old-school television screen, and Samberg, sporting a snug suit, spectacles and skinny mustache reminiscent of Waters' signature facial fuzz, led a trio of similarly dressed crooners. The crew celebrated inappropriate peeping moments, belting, "When a fine PYT walks in front of your tree, do the creep," and crooned about watching their parents get it on.

Nicki showed up midway through the jam in her dork garb and spit about watching guys in a locker room take it all off, rhyming that while she was "ogling ... little did they know that they were modeling." Nicki later showed off a penchant for necrophilia by trying to make out with a corpse at a funeral, and then instructed viewers on how to do properly "creep," singing, "Get your knees flexing and your arms t-rexing."

Minaj did show off her voluptuous side when she popped up in a fake blaxpoitation flick, "Bride of Blackenstein," alongside Jay Pharoah as an evil scientist, Kenan Thompson as Frankenstein and host Jesse Eisenberg as the hunchbacked assistant. When the doctor unveiled his creation, she captivated the fellas with her rotund behind, as Eisenberg quipped "That's why you had me fill those basketballs with Jell-O!" But she quickly made it clear that she has an attitude to match her assets, batting away Frankenstein's advances with "You think you can just walk up on me and get some of this?" After she officially staked her claim to the castle and insisted her new man stay at home, the townspeople stormed the dungeon but were quickly diverted by a wiggle of Minaj's mega-booty.

When Minaj recently spoke to MTV News about her "SNL" appearance, the native New Yorker admitted she was amped to appear on the iconic sketch show.

"Being a part of 'Saturday Night Live' feels absolutely incredible. I still don't even believe it's true, I'm not even going to believe it's really happening until — well, I'm going to DVR it, because I can't watch it, because I'll be on it," she said. "But until I see it back on DVR, I'm not even going to believe I was really on the show. This is epic, this is monumental, this is historic stuff."

What did you think of Nicki Minaj's "SNL" sketches? Let us know in the comments!

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Lil Wayne 'Like Kobe Bryant' On <i>Carter IV,</i> David Banner Says

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 08:45 AM PST

'He's highly focused and very sharp right now,' MC tells XXL of Weezy.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Lil Wayne
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

Lil Wayne is working on the highly anticipated Tha Carter IV, and according to his pals, he's going for greatness.

David Banner, who put his production touch on Weezy's Carter III cut "La La," recently gave an update to XXL about Wayne's progress on his ninth studio album, and compared the MC's drive to that of one of the NBA's most successful players.

"Wayne is like Kobe Bryant right now," said Banner, who Young Money authority Mack Maine said will contribute to Carter IV. "You know, as Kobe gets older all he cares about is championships. Wayne is in that zone."

Wayne is certainly making up for lost time since his eight-month prison bid. The New Orleans hitmaker has lent his crackly flow to the remix to protégée Nicki Minaj's "Roman's Revenge," appeared in Cash Money boss Birdman's "Fire Flame" remix video and popped up on DJ Khaled's star-packed cut "Welcome to My Hood." Wayne's lead single from the project, "6 Foot 7 Foot," has already been heating up airwaves, and producer Bangladesh — who also crafted his 2008 smash "A Milli" — said the Cory Gunz-assisted record showcases Wayne's lyrical acuity.

"The overall wittiness is everything I was saying about 'A Milli' when it came to be," Bang explained to MTV News in December. "He freestyled 'A Milli,' and before it was big and before we knew what it was gonna do, we all had our opinions of it. A lot of people loved it, but me being the creator of the art, I didn't see the vision that he had. I think he attacked it as a mixtape. And that was the genius of what he did and it became the biggest thing. The way he approached this one, was everything that I wanted him to do on 'A Milli.' I think he's really focusing on every, every line. It's like he's writing. It's different. It's a whole 'nother level of cleverness to it."

What do you think Carter IV will sound like? Sound off in the comments!

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'The Rite' Captures Friday Box Office

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 06:10 AM PST

Thriller makes $5.3 million.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Anthony Hopkins and Marta Gastini in "The Rite"
Photo: Warner Bros.

It appears that audiences are still down to get freaked out by a creepy performance from Anthony Hopkins.

The Oscar-winning actor's latest skin-crawling, onscreen turn, "The Rite," topped the Friday box office. The film, which is based on real-life events and stars Hopkins as an unconventional exorcist, debuted with $5.3 million. When MTV News sat down with Sir Hopkins recently, the veteran star admitted he has a gift for freaking out fans.

"I know how to do those parts," he said. "Not because I'm scary, but because I know how to scare people. ... It's a question of being quiet and not overplaying it," he explained. "You let the script and the audiences do the work for you. You don't have to play evil."

Behind "The Rite" is last week's box-office winner, "No Strings Attached. Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman's portrayal of "sex friends" who shrug off the possibility of a relationship in favor of casual lovin,' scored $4.3 million. Friday's earnings kick the film's total haul to just over $30 million.

Jason Statham's latest firepower-heavy flick ,"The Mechanic," came in third place. The tale of an assassin looking to avenge the killing of his mentor with the help of his son (Ben Foster), debuted with $3.6 million.

"The Green Hornet" took the fourth-place spot at the Friday box office. Moviegoers coughed up $2.9 million to catch Seth Rogen as the classic masked superhero duke it out with Los Angeles-area baddies. The figure kicks the film's total estimated tally to $70 million.

"The King's Speech," the dramatization of the UK's King George VI's struggle to overcome his stammer with the help of an eccentric speech therapist, rounded out the top five. The film, which recently picked up 12 Academy Award nominations, scored $2.8 million. The movie's total estimated haul now stands at around $63 million.

Check out everything we've got on "The Rite," "No Strings Attached" and "The Mechanic."

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

Bruno Mars To Take Plea Deal In Drug Case

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 04:58 AM PST

Grammy-nominated singer will pay a fine and complete community service to get charge dismissed.
By Mawuse Ziegbe


Bruno Mars
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

Bruno Mars is set to take a plea deal in a drug possession case he picked up after getting caught with cocaine in Las Vegas in September, according to The Associated Press.

The "Just the Way You Are" crooner will pay a fine of $2,000 and complete drug counseling and 200 hours of community service. As long as Mars, born Peter Hernandez, does not get into any other scrapes for a year, his record will be conviction-free. Clark County District Attorney David Roger and Mars' lawyers David Chesnoff and Blair Berk said the singer is due in court in Las Vegas on February 4 so he can waive an evidentiary hearing to later plead guilty and be sentenced in state court.

"Bruno is very appreciative he is being given this opportunity as a first offender not to suffer any conviction and instead to have his charge dismissed," Berk told the AP. "He is taking all of this quite seriously."

Mars ran into trouble last fall at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel when a bathroom attendant noticed Mars with a "baggy of white powder substance." The singer tested positive for cocaine at the time of his arrest, and reportedly said he "did a foolish thing and has never used drugs before."

Putting the cocaine bust behind him isn't the only good thing coming up for Mars. The singer/songwriter is up for seven Grammy nominations, and will hit the stage at the big show. After the nominations were announced in December, MTV News caught up with Mars and his writing and production crew, the Smeezingtons, — who have put their touch on hits like Cee Lo's "F--- You" and B.o.B's "Nothin' on You" — and he said he was amped for the nods.

"But the fact [is] that we worked so hard this year. In a little tiny shack studio, we'd have B.o.B in there [writing] 'Nothin' on You' with us, Cee Lo writing 'F--- You' with us. The fact that it's being acknowledged by the Grammys is incredible," he said. "It's really making us feel like we did something. We're being acknowledged by the biggest."

The Grammys will air live on February 13.

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SAG Awards Set Designer Says Show's Vibe Will Be 'Elegant'

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 07:41 AM PST

Joe Stewart tells MTV News that Sunday night's festivities will look 'beautiful.'
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Kelly Marino


Joe Stewart
Photo: MTV News

At Sunday night's SAG Awards, Hollywood's best and brightest will be lauded by their peers. And it's up to the show's production designer, Joe Stewart, to make sure that this year's winners collect their hardware in a venue that is as spiffy as humanly possible.

Stewart spoke to MTV News on Friday while preparations at the Shrine were well underway, and broke down the glamorous atmosphere of the production.

"This year, what we wanted to do was have a beautiful, elegant environment," he said. "The vibe of this show is always pretty elegant — because first of all, I mean, you're at an awards show; the attendees and the recipients are always wearing gowns and tuxedos. It's a black-tie event, so you always have to have a set that ... people can settle into and look good. So this set is supposed to be a sort of swell interior where ladies in gowns can look at home."

Setting up a venue worthy of a televised, A-list trophy handout takes planning, and Stewart said that putting the look of the event together took months.

"We prepare for this show in advance quite a while. I think that we started working on this in October, maybe even September with the preliminary conceptual ideas to get us going," he said. "It's a committee, we all have to get together, find time and meet and sooner or later we come to a consensus and start the work."

Outfitting the legendary event space with a glitzy look appropriate enough for SAG nominees like Natalie Portman and Nicole Kidman to sashay into is no easy task. However, Stewart pointed out that the space not only has to appear super glam, but the room also has to be transformed into a top-tier set able to accommodate a live coast-to-coast broadcast of the ceremony.

"Always, the challenging part of this is the space," he said. "There's a transformation that happens in this space. We completely black it out and then rig it, and the rigging you can see above head is how we hang everything up. And we basically take a room that isn't supposed to be a television studio or a theater and turn it into a glamorous event. But it has to function and have all the whistles and bells that a television studio would have and catering an event."

After months of planning, Stewart's job will finally wrap up Sunday when the show airs. While he admitted that handing over his handiwork to the stage managers makes him "pace backstage," Stewart revealed the special way he gets to indulge in the excitement of the evening.

"I get a little place backstage and I can see and congratulate winners, and I really enjoy doing that," he smiled. "When they come off the stage it's fabulous."

Stick with MTV News for SAG Awards coverage throughout the weekend and from the red carpet on Sunday night!

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