President Obama Talks Snooki, Justin Bieber on 'The View'
President claims not to know who 'Jersey Shore' star is.
By Gil Kaufman
Barack Obama on "The View"
Photo: ABC
President Obama has made a lot of history in his first 18 months in office, but becoming the only sitting president to visit daytime talk show "The View" was probably not even on his radar. In a wide-ranging interview aired on Thursday (July 29) that spanned serious topics like racial tensions, the economy and the controversy over the firing of former USDA employee Shirley Sherrod, Obama also explained why he's not invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding and admitted that he's never heard of "Jersey Shore" star Snooki.
In his third appearance on the show, the president was asked what the hardest part of the past few months has been for him, given the multiple challenges of the Gulf oil spill, handling the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the continuing economic malaise.
"Obviously the country has gone through a tough stretch," he said, taking his seat on the show's famous couch between returning icon Barbara Walters and comedian Joy Behar. "When I was sworn in ... we were losing at that time 750,000 jobs per month, the economy was shrinking at a pace of about 6.5 percent — which is unheard of since the Great Depression — and so the last 20 months has been a nonstop effort to restart the economy, to stabilize the financial system, to make sure that we're creating jobs again instead of losing them, and in the midst of all that we've also had the oil spill, we've also had two wars, we've also had a pandemic, H1N1, that we had to manage, and a whole host of other issues.
"What has been gratifying is the fact that the economy now is starting to stabilize and grow again," he continued, "and what's been satisfying is seeing how resilient the American people are. As much as you said it's been tough for me, the truth is, it's not tough for me. ... You think about what the American people have gone through, losing jobs, seeing their home values go down, their 401Ks declining ... I don't spend a lot of time worrying about me. I spend a lot of time worrying about them."
But given the even harder question of why he agreed to appear on "The View" again in the wake of harsh criticism from the pundits on the right who slammed the decision as trivial in light of the serious issues facing the country, he joked, "We're trying to find a show that [first lady] Michelle actually watched. This is it right here."
While he's juggling so many major crises, the president still makes time to stay on top of what's going on outside the Beltway. He answered questions about fighting to hold on to his Blackberry — saying the 10 people who have his e-mail address are very careful not to send the "real juicy stuff" to it — but danced around a query about whether troubled actor Mel Gibson should undergo anger-management counseling. He quipped that he'd rather talk about the war in Afghanistan than the "Lethal Weapon" star's racist, sexist diatribes on the now-infamous recordings. "I haven't seen a Mel Gibson movie in a while," he answered, admitting that he was aware Lindsay Lohan was in jail, but couldn't recall how he found out.
Asked if "Jersey Shore" breakout star Snooki should run for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, the president admitted, "I don't know who Snooki is," revealing that he does occasionally use Twitter, but not on a regular basis. "Some 20-year-old is doing a lot of the tweeting [for me]," he explained.
As for the inevitable question about what's on his iPod, the president once again copped to being a Jay-Z fan, saying he has songs by Jigga and Frank Sinatra, as well as opera legend Maria Callas, but, alas, no Justin Bieber. "I do not have Justin Bieber," he said, adding, "I have met Justin Bieber. He came to sing at the White House ... he's a very nice young man."
With former first daughter Chelsea Clinton's wedding coming up this weekend, the president clarified that he was not invited, but that there were no hard feelings. "I am not going," he said. "It's tough enough having one president at a wedding — you don't want two presidents!"
Obama said that, as he expects to do for his daughters, Sasha and Malia — who, he added, thankfully have not had any boys calling on them at the White House yet — he suspects the former president and first lady are trying to keep Chelsea's wedding a family affair and not distract from her big day.
"Ya'll will not be invited to Malia and Sasha's weddings," he joked afterwards to the show's panel.
What did you think of President Obama's appearance on "The View"? Let us know in the comments below!
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 10:45 am
Eminem 'Wanted To Connect With Radio Audience' With Recovery, Manager Says
Reaction to album 'has been gratifying' to rapper, Paul Rosenberg says.
By Gil Kaufman
Eminem
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic
With a five-week chart run for Recovery that shows no signs of abating and sales of 2 million just over the horizon, Eminem has been on a winning streak lately. His hit duet with Rihanna on "Love the Way You Lie" has topped charts and given Slim Shady one of the biggest non-satirical crossover pop hits of his career, but according to longtime manager Paul Rosenberg, the path to success had plenty of obstacles.
Rosenberg spoke to HITS magazine and said the title of Recovery had a very literal meaning for the MC, who has openly spoken about his struggle with prescription drug addiction. After admitting that he made his 2004 album, Encore, in the throes of drug addiction and that last year's Relapse was part of the process of flushing the drugs out of his system, Recovery was about taking a step forward.
"Em was certainly gaining his footing after not being sober for awhile," Rosenberg said. "It took him a bit to get on stable ground and figure out what he wanted to do. After almost overdosing, everything looks and sounds different to you. He was really thrust back into the game and had to adjust."
Rosenberg sidestepped a question on whether he agreed with the rapper's assessment that Encore and Relapse weren't Eminem's finest work. "With respect to Relapse, we were just excited that he was focused and recording music again, that we could get the record out there and not make the fans wait any longer," he said. "And I think we accomplished that. He's a little hard on himself. Even at his worst, Eminem is still far better than most. He wants everything he does to be received on that level of excitement, wonderment and anticipation as his first couple of albums."
Saying Em was "really" smart in realizing what went wrong with those releases, Rosenberg said his star client has a clear understanding that his audience wants to connect emotionally to his music and realized he hadn't done that recently and needed to get back into that mode. "His mission was to create songs that would accomplish that. It's just good to see that when you make something great, people are still there for it. You can take a misstep, but you can still get back on track."
As for why Marshall deviated from his previous method of working with mentor Dr. Dre on Recovery, which only features one Dre production, Rosenberg said once the original plan to do a Relapse sequel was dropped, Em realized he'd turned a musical corner and wanted to keep moving in that direction.
"When Em started working with Dre on sessions for the second record in Hawaii, he turned a corner artistically," Rosenberg explained. "And at that point, he wanted to keep moving in that new direction. So it was an evolution. ... By the time Marshall started focusing on making a new album, Dre was already working on his own stuff. So we reached out to Just Blaze first, worked on several tracks with him, and that opened the door to the other producers — Boi-1da, DJ Khalil. Those three are the guts of the record. It was a natural progression, a matter of timing."
Not surprisingly, Rosenberg said Em is very happy with how his latest album has been received and the smash sales he's racked up so far. "He's really happy with it," he said of the rapper, who has come out of his shell a bit to promote the album with some viral videos and rare TV appearances. "He put a lot of work into it. He thought it was what people would be looking for, so the reaction has been gratifying. That his fans love it is the most important thing to him. Em feels he let people down because he didn't give what he felt he needed to give them. That's what drove him to make this album."
As for "Love the Way You Lie" giving Slim Shady his biggest crossover hit since the "8 Mile" smash "Lose Yourself," Rosenberg said the tune was an attempt to reach that elusive wider audience. "Em wanted to connect with a radio audience this time," he said. "He realized the last time that it didn't make it all the way like he wanted it to. He certainly had that in mind making this album." For now, Rosenberg said, there are no plans for a major tour and Em will stick to the two co-headlining gigs he's got booked with Jay-Z in New York and Detroit and an appearance at the Epicenter Festival in Fontana, California. "We don't have anything else booked," he said. "He loves performing, but he doesn't love traveling, so we try to figure out a way to make that work. We'd like to find ways he can perform without going to different cities."
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 10:23 am
James Cameron And Guillermo Del Toro To Collaborate On 3-D 'Mountains Of Madness'
Cameron will produce del Toro's adaptation of story of explorers who encounter alien creatures in Antarctica.
By Eric Ditzian
Guillermo Del Toro
Photo: Jerod Harris/ Getty Images
When we caught up with Guillermo del Toro at Comic-Con over the weekend, he was impressively tight-lipped about his new project following his departure from "The Hobbit" in May. The Mexican-born director has long had a desire to adapt H.P. Lovecraft's "At the Mountains of Madness" for the big screen, but he declined to announce plans to direct the project at the Con.
Now Deadline.com has the news that del Toro will in fact helm "Mountains of Madness," that James Cameron has come on-board as a producer and that they'll shoot the film with 3-D cameras. Cameron's presence on the project apparently convinced Universal to give del Toro a thumbs-up, and preproduction is expected to begin in the next few weeks, with an eye on a summer 2011 shoot.
Lovecraft's story follows a group of explorers who set off for Antarctica and discover alien creatures, mythical cities and a host of bizarre dangers. While del Toro wouldn't confirm his plans to direct at Comic-Con, he did go into detail about his work on the script with Matthew Robbins ("Mimic").
"We are rewriting slightly the screenplay we've had for 12 years," he told MTV News. "Matthew and I believe that a screenplay like that you have to tackle again every so often. We tackled it last about two years ago, [when] Matt and I felt like we needed to rewrite some stuff. Matt is my greatest writing partner because we keep updating anything we haven't shot, we keep saying, 'Let's do another rewrite.' So we're going to do another rewrite in the next couple months.'
"There [are] movies that have come out that have done things that are similar to some of the stuff we were trying," he further explained. "Thirteen years ago it was a big challenge, but right now what we're doing is keeping it alive."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: | 29 July 2010 | 9:07 am
'Jersey Shore' Cast Teases Season Two: 'More Drama, Make-ups, Breakups'
'Sit back and relax! You guys can see how to party!' the Situation says about new season in Miami premiering Thursday.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Garth Bardsley
The cast of "Jersey Shore"
Photo: MTV
The "Jersey Shore" cast got America fist-pumping last year when they launched their hit reality-TV series with more than a few drunken nights, brawls and hookups. But in season two, which kicks off Thursday, the castmembers tell MTV News they plan to beat dat beat even harder this time around — if that's even possible.
Their celebrity fans certainly want more fights and hot-tub sessions this season, and the "Shore" cast promises that in Miami that will definitely be the case.
"I am excited for people to see season two. It is 1,000 times more dramatic and just, overall, 1,000 times better than 'Jersey Shore' 1," an enthusiastic JWoww told MTV News. "More drama, make-ups, breakups, fights, and everyone became really close as a family, so it's just insane."
DJ Pauly D added, "If you like season one, you'll love season two."
The Situation offered his theory on why fans will fully embrace their antics this time around.
"You've seen season one, you know what happens there!" he said. "Season two is so much drama. There's so much more hookups, make-ups, breakups, the whole nine, and you guys are definitely going to love season two. Sit back and relax! You guys can see how to party!"
Sammi "Sweetheart" set the bar high for the revelry of season two. "Of course, 'Jersey Shore' wouldn't be 'Jersey Shore' without the drama, the fights and the hookups," she teased. "So there's that, plus more!"
What are you looking forward to most from the new season of "Jersey Shore"? Tell us in the comments!
Season two of "Jersey Shore" premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there!
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Source: | 29 July 2010 | 4:50 am
'Hills' Star Says She 'Could Fit In' With 'Jersey Shore' Cast
'I really like big hair also!' superfan Stephanie Pratt says of 'Shore,' which premieres second season tonight.
By Jocelyn Vena
Stephanie Pratt
Photo: Frazer Harrison/ Getty Images
It was only earlier this month that the world bid a fond farewell to "The Hills." But before the cast rode off into reality-TV history, they passed on some advice to the "Jersey Shore" cast, who are set to kick off their second season Thursday night (July 29). And like her co-stars, "Hills" gal Stephanie Pratt was such a fan she told us she'd love to "fit in" with the "Shore" gang. So MTV News decided to make it happen, giving her and rest of the West Coast crew a Jerseyfication.
When we caught up with Pratt recently, she gushed, "We met them! Lo and I met them at the MTV Movie Awards and Pauly D was definitely the nicest. [Snooki's] little too. She's really tiny!
"I used to watch it at Lo's house," Pratt revealed of her "JS" viewing habits. "I would go over to Lo's and if nothing was on, we'd go over to the TiVo, so I saw most of the episodes at her house and I really enjoyed it."
For Pratt, the show was an education in the ways of East Coasters. "I'm such a West Coast person, I didn't even know what lacrosse was," she said. "I'm just so clueless about the East Coast so Jersey's just like a whole other world to me."
So what were her biggest lessons?
"I realized there's no place like Jersey and they love long nails, fake tans and the gym and teasing their hair. I feel like I could do it," she added. "I really like big hair also! I think I could fit in there for a couple days!"
Do you think Stephanie would fit in with the "Jersey Shore" crew? Tell us in the comments!
Season two of "Jersey Shore" premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Be there!
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: | 29 July 2010 | 3:20 am
Lindsay Lohan Should Get Back To Work To Recover Successfully, Expert Says
NCADD's Robert J. Lindsey tells MTV News that working is an 'extremely important' part of her recovery process.
By Mawuse Ziegbe, with reporting by Garth Bardsley
Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Mark Ralston/ Getty Images
As Lindsay Lohan rides out her stint in jail, the troubled starlet is very likely mulling over her plans for the future. While her present circumstances may appear bleak, an addiction expert tells us that there is hope for the once-promising actress. Robert J. Lindsey, president and CEO of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) told MTV News that despite her personal and professional trials, the party-hardy star can bounce back.
"Without question, Lindsay can recover. We have seen over and over people whose lives have progressed to the point where they lose their job, they lose their family, they lose their physical health, they lose their freedom. But still, people can and do recover from their alcoholism and addiction," Lindsey said, adding that as an addict, Lohan may have a natural strong affinity for drugs and alcohol. However, she is not alone, and numbers suggest that she can overcome her issues.
"We estimate today there are 22 million people in this country over the age of 12 that are addicted to alcohol and other drugs. The good news is we also estimate that there may be as many as 15 million individuals and family members living in recovery. The good news is, absolutely, Lindsay can recover."
Following her prison bid, Lohan will report to rehab for 90 days, and Lindsey said that her experience in rehab should kick off a long process of recovery that Lohan will have to vigilantly maintain.
"That 90-day period is incredibly important as starting the recovery process. It is not the solution, it is the first step in the process," said Lindsey. "The next critical [step] is that when she leaves the facility ... what are you going to do to make sure that you're life's different? Are you going to need to find different friends, different support, ongoing therapy, ongoing involvement in 12-step groups, regular testing? All of those things can be very important steps in the process.
"Without question, anybody who's living with active alcoholism and addiction has to do a number of specific things to begin the process of recovery," Lindsey continued. "Number one is to safely stop their use of alcohol or other drugs. And then, begin to do the things that are necessary for their ongoing recovery. That's education and information.
That's getting connected to a support group that can help them. That's getting therapy for themselves and/or for their family that can help them and begin to make the changes that are gonna be needed and necessary to be able to maintain a lifestyle that's alcohol- and drug-free."
After spending years as a fixture on the international nightclub circuit and fending off ever-present hordes of paparazzi as her career declined due to a rash of box-office flops, Lohan has fallen victim to several of the pitfalls of fame. However, Lindsey asserts that getting back in the game could benefit the star.
"What we've learned over the years is that work is an extremely important part of someone's recovery. For all of us, we literally define ourselves in many cases by what we do. [If] somebody says, 'Who are you?' We tell them who we are and then we tell them what we do. For her, the opportunity to return back to work, to fulfill those responsibilities ... the things that are so rewarding to her, are extremely important in her recovery."
What are you looking forward to seeing Lindsay Lohan do when she leaves rehab? Let us know in the comments below.
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 3:17 am
Kid Cudi's Man On The Moon II LP Pushed To October
The rapper was originally slated to drop his sophomore effort on September 14.
By Mawuse Ziegbe
Kid Cudi
Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/ Getty Images
Kid Cudi fans will have to wait a little longer for fresh tunes: A rep for Universal Motown confirmed to MTV News that the Cleveland rapper's second album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager has been pushed back to October 25. Cudi was originally set to drop the album on September 14; the rep did not provide a reason for the release-date switch.
In addition to keeping fans waiting for the rapper's follow-up to his breakout debut, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, the move also shakes up the much-buzzed about G.O.O.D. Music Day. Members of the Kanye West-helmed G.O.O.D. Music family Big Sean, Consequence, Cudi and 'Ye himself were all set to drop their upcoming albums on September 14.
Rumored G.O.O.D. Music signee Pusha T of the Clipse also revealed that he's dropping his solo mixtape The Fear of God on the same day, a move that suggested the Virginia MC may have finally signed with the Yeezy collective. "A great day for music, but it's a 'good' day," Push recently told MTV News' Mixtape Daily about his mixtape's release date.
The album date switch-up is the latest change to the "Day N' Nite" star's upcoming effort. The sophomore set was initially envisioned as a collabo album featuring cuts with Snoop Dogg and Pharrell entitled Cudder.
Although Mr. Rager is still a few months away, the star has released a few new tracks, including "REVOFEV," the Kanye West collabo "Erase Me," and the Converse-sponsored summer jam, "All Summer" with Best Coast's Bethany Cosentino and Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij.
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 3:11 am
Alice In Chains, Mastodon Talk BlackDiamondSkye Tour, The 'Almond Joy' Of Hard Rock
'You get three great flavors on one tour,' Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell jokes.
By James Montgomery
When it was first announced back in April, the BlackDiamondSkye Tour — which brings together three titans of hard rock: Alice in Chains, Deftones and Mastodon — instantly became a must-see show of the fall. But now, with something like two months until the first date, it's starting take on another mantle too: It may very well be the most delicious tour in recent memory.
"You've got three bands that are pretty distinct, you know, and pretty unique in their own way, and who have worked really hard at throwing out some music. And we're gonna throw it all out together," Alice in Chains mastermind Jerry Cantrell told MTV News. "It's better than a Reese's. You know, Reese's, you get two great tastes together ... we're kind of like an Almond Joy. You get almonds, chocolate and coconut, so you get three great flavors on one tour."
"It's interesting you say that," Mastodon drummer Brann Dailor joked. "Because we are currently seeking sponsorship for the tour, and I think Almond Joy would be a great one."
Someone should get the folks from Hershey's on the phone, stat. And while the guys are joking, they do make a rather important point: BlackDiamondSkye may very well be the, uh, sweetest tour to come down the pike in a long time, at least for fans of hard rock. Three heavyweight acts with three really excellent back catalogs to draw from, all sharing one stage. It'll be epic, for sure ... as long as the fans of each band can co-exist.
"I don't think that's gonna be a problem," Cantrell smiled. "We all have a fanbase that's been loyal to the band, and I think that as much as we're all unique as groups, I think we have a lot of overlap too. We're all about good music — not just creating it, but being a fan of it, too — so, for me, I'm excited to finally see each of these bands play a full set. It's gonna be cool to check these guys out."
"And get in the pit too. That'll be great," Dailor cracked. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm going in there. I got my leather pants, and I don't need a shirt, so I'm ready."
Are you looking forward to seeing the BlackDiamondSkye Tour? Let us know in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 3:04 am
Eminem Is The 'Godfather Of The Hip-Hop Game,' G-Unit Members Say
Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks attribute Eminem's chart-topping success to his fan base.
By Shaheem Reid
Eminem
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
His reign at the top is not short like leprechauns, but long like scowling giants: Eminem is enjoying his fifth week with the top-selling album in the country. Wednesday, on the set of Lloyd Banks' "Any Girl" video, G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo said the key to Em's success is simple and obvious: He has a very loyal fanbase.
"Congratulations, man," Lloyd Banks said. "Damn! I don't even know what else to say. I know he's happy and I'm happy for him. It's big. He might do six weeks or seven weeks [at #1]. Em has a cult following and they ain't gonna turn their backs on him. He's gonna shine on the darkest day. I think he wasn't never afraid to bring people into his life, [but] at the same time you don't see Em. You don't see [him on] reality shows, you don't see him as much; you see him through his music. He brings you into his life. You know about his wife, his kids, his best friend. On that last album, he touched on a lot of those topics and other personal things he had going on, too. A lot of people can relate to it. I feel like his music is getting more and more powerful. The messages are bigger. With me touring and going all around, you actually see it. I just hope I get a record with him real soon."
"Eminem is like the godfather of the hip-hop game," Yayo said. "In a time like this, when records are not selling, he's the only one that is selling. You know, Drake and all the other ones [did well], but Em did [close to] 800,000 his first week, and he's #1 for the fifth week. It's incredible. I think he has a faithful fan base of people who have been following him for years. They're not going to stop following him and not stop listening to his music. Em said he didn't like his last album as much as this one. You can hear the difference. I like both of the albums. '3 a.m.' is one of my joints. But Eminem has followers that's gonna mess with him until the day he dies."
Are you one of Eminem's faithful? Sound off in the comments below!
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 2:08 am
Chace Crawford Says New 'Gossip Girl' Love Interest Is 'Conniving'
'She's obviously a raging, conniving mean girl,' Crawford, who plays Nate, says of Katie Cassidy's season-four character.
By Jocelyn Vena
Chace Crawford
Photo: Jim Spellman/ WireImage
Nate Archibald is about to find love on the next season of "Gossip Girl." And he's finding it with former "Melrose Place" star Katie Cassidy, who'll join the show this season to bring a little spice to Nate's love life. And according to Chace Crawford, who plays Nate, his new leading lady is a bit spicy offscreen too.
"Katie's great! I know Katie, so she just got in [and] she just started like three weeks ago and I think 10 or 12 episodes she's here for," Crawford told MTV News on Wednesday at the New York City premiere of his gritty drama "Twelve."
"She's obviously a raging, conniving mean girl at the end of it. She sort of does her thing," he added about Cassidy's story line. "They can't be straight-up but she's fun, her character."
Not only are fans excited to see Nate get some action this season, but they're also looking forward to seeing what kind of international antics the "Gossip Girl" crew gets into during their trip to Paris. Unfortunately for Nate (and Crawford for that matter) he didn't get to join in on the fun.
"I didn't get to go to Paris! I don't know [why]!" he said. "The girls are shoving each other around in fountains and [the rest of us] shoot in New York City, just all small- town New York City."
So, was Crawford a little jealous that Ed Westwick's Chuck Bass got to go to France? Well, he thinks Bass kind of deserved it after what he endured in the last season finale. "Of course he did! He got shot [on camera last season] and so he had a cane and the whole thing. Maybe they'll send us to Costa Rica," he said. "We'll see!"
MTV News recently caught up with Leighton Meester, who gave us a few more details about Crawford and Cassidy's onscreen romance, teasing that she might not be exactly who she seems.
"I think she's coming on the show, maybe, to cause a little bit of trouble," Meester said. "She might not say it, but I will. I think she's very much capable of that, at least in the show. I think [Nate's] a total playboy and needs to be single and I think [Katie's character] is a bad girl, so maybe they are good for each other, actually."
Are you looking forward to the new season of "Gossip Girl"? Tell us in the comments!
Related PhotosSource: | 29 July 2010 | 1:49 am
Kanye West's 'Power' Video Is 'Apocalyptic,' Director Says
Artist Marco Brambilla says the 'video work' expresses the 'very dark, personal conflict' in the song.
By Steven Roberts
Kanye West
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Ever since Kanye West joined Twitter on Wednesday, the world has essentially become a, let's say, wiser place. We've learned that his highly anticipated fourth album is no longer called Good Ass Job; that he jogs in Lanvin; how he had to adjust to small dogs and cigarettes when he started dating models; and all about how he bought a goblet in which to eat cereal. But it was through good old-fashioned print media (and print media websites) that we learned the details about the video for West's single "Power."
The New York Times' Dave Iztkoff spoke with the video's director, Marco Brambilla, who said the video had a very dark tone.
"It's kind of apocalyptic, in a very personal way," Brambilla said. "It had this very dark, personal conflict within it. Because of his own concept of celebrity and his own notoriety, he's keenly self-aware of all these things. And it all came out in the music."
Brambilla said that his "Power" piece is not exactly a music video, but "video work that's been commissioned by Kanye to accompany the music." In the "work," West stands imposingly with a heavy chain around his neck, according to the Times. 'Ye raps as the camera slowly zooms out in one continuous, unedited take, revealing him in a classical structure, surrounded by female attendants who are partly or entirely nude. Some kneel before him on all fours, others wear devil horns, and still others are suspended upside-down from the ceiling.
As a kicker, the Sword of Damocles hangs precariously over Yeezy's head, while an unseen executioner is preparing to strike him with a blade. The video is expected to hit West's site sometime next week.
According to the article, Brambilla caught West's eye with his video installation at the Standard New York called "Civilization," which creates a continuously scrolling depiction of heaven and hell. Brambilla said he normally shies away from collaboration, but he felt he and West might find common ground.
"Because my work's always been about alienation and seduction and the way contemporary cultures desensitize people," said Brambilla. "And he's experienced it first-hand."
Are you excited to see Kanye West's video "work" for "Power"? Let us know in the comments below!
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 1:43 am
Lindsay Lohan's Incarceration A 'Huge Problem' For Jail, Expert Says
Celebrity offenders are 'not a good situation,' Fox News legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle says.
By Gil Kaufman
Lindsay Lohan
Photo: Mark Ralston/ Getty Images
Though she was initially sentenced to 90 days in jail for probation violations, troubled actress Lindsay Lohan could be released from lockup within the week, after serving less than one-fifth of her original term.
That's pretty typical, according to Fox News legal analyst Kimberly Guilfoyle, who told MTV News that chronic overcrowding in the Los Angeles County jail system has turned it into a "revolving door" for high-profile, low-level offenders like Lohan, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.
"When you have a celebrity like Lindsay Lohan, it's a huge problem for the correctional officers," she said. "They don't want that. They're getting a lot of press and focus on their detention facility. It gets all the other inmates up in arms, their panties in a bunch, it's not a good situation."
That's why, she said, in addition to the overcrowding argument, jail officials in L.A. County often cite celebrity inmates — even President Obama knows about Lohan's incarceration — as a "security risk." The facility often has to go on lockdown whenever Lohan is moved around or is let out of her cell for meetings with her lawyer and family. "Because of that, they're going to want to get her out as soon as possible without giving the impression that she's receiving special treatment," Guilfoyle said.
The key for jail officials is to process high-profile inmates quickly and avoid the appearance of special treatment, while making sure that they serve enough time to make the judges in the case satisfied that the message has gotten through to them.
"Keep in mind, Lindsay had a 90-day jail sentence," she said, noting that the average person with that sentence in Los Angeles would be expected to do at least 22 or 23 days. "But for Lindsay, now they're saying two weeks total, so definitely she'd be getting it better than the rest."
At press time, Lohan's lawyer could not be reached for comment on when the "Mean Girls" actress might be released from jail.
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 1:29 am
Foxy Brown, Tony Yayo Speak About Sean Bell Settlement
Brown, a friend of Bell's fiancée, says she 'handled everything so gracefully.'
By Rahman Dukes
Sean Bell
Photo: Courtesy of the Bell family
Four years after a shooting left an unarmed Sean Bell dead (on the eve of his wedding) and two of his friends wounded following a tragic incident with New York City police, the city has agreed to pay $7 million dollars to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Bell's family and his friends.
According to The New York Times, in the early hours of November 25, 2006, five New York City police officers fired 50 shots into the car Bell — who was to be married that day — was driving outside a club in Queens, New York. The car reportedly struck a detective in the leg and hit a police van before the officers began firing. None of the three men in the car — Bell and his friends Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield — were armed, although the officers apparently believed at least one was.
In what's seen as the closing chapter in one of the most controversial police shootings in New York City history — three officers were acquitted of manslaughter and reckless-endangerment charges in 2008, a ruling many activists and rappers spoke out against — the families of the victims are looking to move past the tragedy.
As part of the settlement, Bell's two young daughters (whom he had with his fiancée, Nicole Paultre Bell) will receive $3.25 million; Guzman (who was shot 17 times) and Trent Benefield will receive $3 million and $900,000 respectively, according to Times.
Earlier this week, Foxy Brown — a close friend of Bell's fiancée — said Paultre Bell is a strong woman who remained in high spirits throughout the four-year ordeal.
"She just handled everything so gracefully," Brown said. "She just did everything with grace and class."
G-Unit member Tony Yayo, whose G-Unity foundation gave proceeds from a recent event to Bell's family, said the settlement is long overdue.
"I think it's a beautiful thing, but rest in peace to Sean Bell," Yayo said. "I mean, you have times now when a police officer can shoot you in your back, handcuffed on the floor, in a train station in front of everybody and get two years," Yayo said, referring to the Oscar Grant shooting in Oakland, California, in which found a transit officer was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter last month. "So Sean Bell's people deserve that money, definitely, and blessings to them."
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 1:19 am
'Scream 4' Stars Rory Culkin, Nico Tortorella On Working With Original 'Scream' Cast
Plus, Tortorella reveals onscreen romance with Emma Roberts' 'Scream 4' character.
By Jocelyn Vena
Rory Culkin
Photo: MTV News
It almost seems like when they were casting "Scream 4," they stole from the credits for the Joel Schumacher-directed gritty drug drama "Twelve." Three of the film's castmates, Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin and Nico Tortorella, will all have roles in the upcoming sequel in the "Scream" franchise. While Roberts couldn't make it to the premiere due to her "Scream 4" shooting schedule, MTV News did get some dish from Culkin and Tortorella.
"We're still shooting it. Not really allowed to talk about it. I signed a contract, seriously. I can't say anything and I'd hate to get sued," Culkin told MTV News at the New York City premiere of "Twelve." "I better keep quiet on this!"
"I was [a fan of the original]. I was the ghost-faced killer for Halloween in the third or fourth grade," he added. "Am I the killer this time around? ... I am under contract."
While Culkin decided to keep mum, his "Twelve" and "Scream 4" co-star dished a bit more, revealing that he and Roberts may get busy. "My name is Trevor, and Emma and I have a love interest throughout the whole movie, and I can't really give you too much more," Tortorella said, adding that being on-set with some of the original cast is very exciting. "I can't give you any information past that."
"Yeah, Courteney's there, Neve's there, David's there. You know, it's really like walking into a family, and they're just all accepting us with mad open arms," he explained. "They're all incredible people. It's been quite the trip. I had never seen the originals until after I auditioned for the first time. ... After watching them all, yeah, it's one of its own."
Other key players in the star-studded cast include Hayden Panettiere, who recently shared some details about the movie, Adam Brody, Anthony Anderson and Marley Shelton.
"Scream 4" is scheduled to open April 15, 2011.
Check out everything we've got on "Scream 4."
For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: | 29 July 2010 | 1:15 am
Korn Revive Golden Age Of Nu-Metal At Mayhem Festival
Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Lamb of God, more play raucous sets on New Jersey tour stop.
By Jeremy Kaplan
Korn's Jonathan Davis (file)
Photo: Kristian Dowling/ Getty Images
The temperature outside was 90 degrees (with 80 percent humidity) on Wednesday at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, but the heat didn't stop more than 15,000 fans from coming out to support some of the biggest names in heavy metal music. And just the event name alone — the Rockstar Mayhem Festival — pretty much summed up the Jersey tour stop.
Opening act His Name Was Yesterday set the energy level at "high" early in the afternoon, before the festival launched into the more melodic side of the lineup, featuring the likes of 3 Inches of Blood and newcomers In This Moment, a band fronted by a female (not a common sight in metal), who jumped over to the soundboard and had the circle pit go around her. Soon enough, the event turned into a bass-heavy, ear-pounding powerhouse as metalcore giants Norma Jean and Chimaira played the loudest sets of the day.
Fans were stunned when Shadows Fall played a remarkable cover of Ozzy Osbourne's cult classic "Bark at the Moon." Atreyu followed with a cover of their own, performing their now-standard rendition of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name."
By closing time of the second stages, concertgoer injuries seemed to be at an all-time high. Hatebreed, known for having enormous mosh pits during their shows, played a set that sent at least two attendees to the hospital with badly injured legs. But that's what happens when Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe comes onstage out of nowhere and orders hundreds of fans to engage in the "Wall of Death" — a warlike collision of people literally running into each other at full-force. Winds of Plague ended the second stage showing off their symphonic but heavy sound.
Sporting U.S. military uniforms, Five Finger Death Punch opened the main stage, and a wide range of metal influences was at the forefront of their performance. The Los Angeles metal group went back and forth from heavy and hard-hitting to melodic and operatic. Lamb of God finally scored their much-deserved spot as festival co-headliners and gave a blistering performance.
Veteran Rob Zombie's set was plenty theatrical with giant zombies and horror film clips decorating the stage. While he played his own classics, including "More Human Than Human" and "Thunder Kiss '65," guitarist John 5 (formerly of Marilyn Manson) gave a rendition of Jimi Hendrix's iconic Woodstock performance, playing the national anthem with his teeth and, inevitably, smashing his guitar to pieces.
As the Mayhem came to a close, Korn's set was outstanding enough even without their original drummer David Silveria and guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. They brought fans back to the golden age of nu-metal with classics like "Freak on a Leash" and "Falling Away From Me."
With the Mayhem Festival in its third consecutive year, organizers seem to be proving they have no intention of taking a hiatus from the heavy metal summer tour.
Were you at the Mayhem Festival? Share your own in reviews in the comments!
Related ArtistsSource: | 29 July 2010 | 1:00 am
'Tron Legacy' Star Jeff Bridges Explains How He Plays His Younger Self
'It's great to be able to play a character in a story at any age you want now,' veteran actor says about revisiting his 1982 role.
By Eric Ditzian, with additional reporting by Josh Horowitz
Jeff Bridges
Photo: MTV News
In March, when the "Tron Legacy" teaser trailer dropped online and showed us our first glimpse of a reverse-aged Jeff Bridges, director Joseph Kosinski revealed to MTV News that capturing this CGI-assisted footage was his greatest challenge.
"The hardest thing to do in visual effects is pull off a realistic human face," he explained.
But that was the task filmmakers took on when they set out to make a sequel to the 1982 original, in which Bridges starred as two characters: a software designer named Kevin Flynn who's sucked into a computer-generated gaming world, and a digital villain named Clu. With Clu playing a key role in "Legacy," Kosinski had to re-create the '80s-era Bridges to step into the Clu role once again. As he revealed to us, his reference point was the Bridges of the 1984 drama, "Against All Odds."
For Bridges himself, the opportunity to play, in essence, his younger self was not one he could pass up. "It was very exciting to be a part of that," he told us recently at Comic-Con. "That was one of the reasons that got me involved in 'Tron' in the first place, was to be a part of that cutting-edge technology. This one takes it to the nth degree."
To get the visual effects right, Bridges shimmied into a motion-capture suit and set to work. "Playing the young guy, we did a lot of work in a space called the Volume — you record motion-capture work," he said. "That was a completely unique experience for me. I had never done that. It's great to be able to play a character in a story at any age you want now. I can play my character when he's 4 years old."
Of course, there's always the chance that one day actors won't be needed at all, as filmmakers fully create their characters in a computer. "I go between worry and gratefulness. Maybe I'll be ready to do something else by that time," he laughed about the possibility. "There is going to be a time — it's probably already here — when they say, 'Let's get a combination of [co-star] Garrett [Hedlund] and Bridges and let's put a little Bela Lugosi in there. What the hell — let's see what happens!' "
Check out everything we've got on "Tron Legacy."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related PhotosSource: | 29 July 2010 | 12:15 am
50 Cent, Chace Crawford Late For 'Twelve' Premiere Due To President Obama
'We had to go all the way around to get here, but he's the president,' 50 said about Obama's visit, which blocked traffic.
By Jocelyn Vena
Chace Crawford at the "Twelve" premiere on Wednesday
Photo: Dario Cantatore/Getty Images
NEW YORK — Many screaming girls thronged the Landmark Sunshine Cinema to catch a glimpse of "Gossip Girl" star Chace Crawford at the premiere of his gritty drug drama "Twelve," but it was the NYPD who stopped traffic — to make way for President Obama's motorcade during his visit to New York on Wednesday. The ensuing confusion made it difficult for the cast of the flick to show up for their own premiere.
"We shut down the street for the premiere and for me," Crawford joked to MTV News. "I didn't want any traffic on Houston [Street] and then Obama just swooped in — figures! I mean, I called and invited him and texted him and he didn't want to come. It's just a mess!"
Crawford's co-star 50 Cent was impressed by the way that Obama could just shut down the entire neighborhood.
"It's interesting — the streets are blocked off for a few avenues," he said. "We had to go all the way around to get here, but he's the president."
Zoë Kravitz not only had to battle traffic to get to the premiere, but also the heat and humidity. "We were in traffic for the longest time and I was like, 'What's going on?' " she explained. "I almost got out and took the subway, and the only reason I didn't was because it was so hot my hair would have been out to here," she gestured.
And while the cast was excited to be at the premiere for the Joel Schumacher-directed flick, they know that at the end of the day, the big headline will be Obama's trip to New York.
"It's pretty ridiculous, huh?" Nico Tortorella said. "You're expecting this big ol' premiere and the president walks by and we can't compete! But it is what it is. Welcome to New York City!"
Check out everything we've got on "Twelve."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosSource: | 28 July 2010 | 11:44 pm
Ne-Yo 'Doesn't Know What To Do' With Songs He Wrote For Michael Jackson
'I can't sell them on to someone else, as that would be disrespectful,' the singer said.
By James Dinh
Ne-Yo
Photo: Getty Images
While producer Rodney Jerkins is expecting to begin work on an album of unreleased Michael Jackson music, Ne-Yo, on the other hand, isn't sure what to do with the material he wrote for the late King of Pop before MJ's death last year. The R&B singer/songwriter told Australia's Daily Telegraph that he was sending Jackson three or four drafts a week prior to his unexpected death. More than a year later, Ne-Yo now still stands at a crossroads as he contemplates what to do with the songs he created specifically for the one and only MJ.
"I can't sell them on to someone else, as that would be disrespectful, but I also think it might be disrespectful to bring them out myself. So I don't know, I'll sit on them and wait. It's definitely quality music but they were songs written absolutely for Michael Jackson."
According to the newspaper, Jackson hand-picked Ne-Yo as well as Black Eyed Peas producer Will.I.Am to work on his comeback album. It was only a matter of time before Ne-Yo was met face to face with his musical idol.
"I felt quite bad, as I'd allowed what the media had done to his name and image to have me thinking, 'OK, what's this about to be? Is this going to be weird?' " he recalled. "But he walked in a black suit and some sunglasses and was a genuine, nice guy. And it wasn't because he wanted something from me, he just had no reason other than to be a decent guy."
During their meeting, the duo talked about the current state of the music industry, something Ne-Yo says Jackson wasn't too pleased with. "He believed what was wrong with a lot of music today is that people aren't singing about anything. If it's not about a party or sex then it's about money, and there's not really much to that."
Ne-Yo, who has penned hits for Beyoncé and Rihanna as well as himself, explained that the entertainer wanted songs that were "melodic and meaningful." "Michael told me the melodies needed to be the ones you heard once and could sing back, and the lyrics needed to have meaning and depth," he said.
Unfortunately, Ne-Yo's submissions weren't recorded by Jackson, because the singer put his album on hold to rehearse for his This Is It concert series at London's 02 Arena before passing away.
But Ne-Yo has hope that one day he'll figure out what to do with the Jackson tracks. "Hopefully the songs will see the light of day, it just has to be the right way," he said.
What do you think Ne-Yo should do with the songs he created for Michael Jackson? Should he keep them locked up or let someone else give them a try? Let us know what you think below!
Related Photos Related ArtistsSource: | 28 July 2010 | 11:29 pm
'Thor' At Comic-Con: Everything You Need To Know
From Chris Hemsworth's preparation for the role to Thor's costume and hammers, here are the details we've learned so far.
By Eric Ditzian
"Thor" star Chris Hemsworth at Comic-Con 2010
Photo: Jerod Harris/ Getty Images
Almost a week after Marvel debuted the first footage from "Thor" at Comic-Con, the video has popped up online. Now it's not only the lucky nerds that swooped into San Diego last weekend who get to gawk over the incredibly cool footage, which includes Chris Hemsworth as Thor laying down the hurt on some S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, a close look at the mythical gods of gold-plated Asgard, and Thor swapping spit with the scientist played by Natalie Portman.
The Con simply delivered an embarrassment of "Thor" riches, and to help everyone get a handle on what was revealed, we've gathered all the available info right here. Read on for everything you need to know about "Thor" at Comic-Con.
How Hemsworth Prepared: Vikings and Mike Tyson
Early in 2009, the Australian-born Hemsworth was unknown on American shores. Then he wowed audiences with his turn as James Kirk's dad in "Star Trek" and won the hearts of Marvel execs, who gifted him with the role of Thor. How did Hemsworth prepare for the role? Not so much with comic book reading about Norse gods but with historical research about the Vikings.
"They live with this fearlessness, which for me was a lot of the angle I came at Thor with," he told us. "He does reckless sort of things, but his heart is in the right place. He believes it's right. He's not just a madman."
When it came to creating Thor's fighting style, Hemsworth at first turned to former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson. "Mike Tyson is very low to the ground, with a big open chest and big shoulder swings. Very sort of brutal but graceful at the same time," he explained. "As we shot stuff, we realized that it's virtually impossible to do that. The costume is pretty limiting with the movement, so there was a lot to work around."
Thor's Look: Armor, Hammers and Nakedness
As we saw in the Con footage, Thor is cast out of Asgard and lands on Earth, stripped of his armor and his all-powerful hammer. And without that hammer, Hemsworth admitted he felt more than a little vulnerable on set.
"You feel naked without it after holding it for a while," he laughed.
The actor went on to reveal that filmmakers employed various hammers depending on the needs of each scene. "There were a few different versions for different shots — the close-up one and the stunt one," he said. "The main one was very heavy, a beautifully polished, metal, wood, leather-looking thing. It was an impressive thing."
Equally impressive for the actor was Thor's costume, which had Hemsworth feeling nothing short of empowered. "I put the costume on for the first time and had the camera test and [co-star] Anthony Hopkins was there with me," he said. "We looked at each other and he said, 'God, there's no acting required here, is there?' "
Destroyer, Loki and Odin's Throne
Marvel's "Thor" effort at Comic-Con wasn't all about the central god, of course. Out on the floor was Odin's golden throne and the Destroyer armor in all its metallic glory. Hemsworth also gave us a sneak peek at Thor's battle with the nefarious Loki (Tom Hiddleston).
"We had a big rehearsal process with one particular fight scene we were doing and the whole time, Tom had his staff and his Loki helmet on with the horns," Hemsworth said. "He always wore it in rehearsals while he moved, so basically he's sweating and he can't hear anything because [the helmet] is extraordinarily heavy. He had this kind of crazy look in his eyes, and the whole time I was thinking, 'He's going to kill me!' He's swinging his staff and catching me in the legs and in the fingers and I kept thinking, 'He's going to hurt somebody.' "
Check out everything we've got on "Thor."
For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.
Related Videos- MTV Rough Cut: 'Thor'
- 2010 San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive Movie Videos
- MTV Rough Cut: Comic-Con 2010 Edition
- Comic-Con 2010: MTV Celebrity Interviews
- San Diego Comic-Con 2010 Costume Gallery
- San Diego Comic-Con 2010: Scenes From The Show
Source: | 28 July 2010 | 11:02 pm
Wiz Khalifa Will Be The Guest On MTV News' 'RapFix Live' Friday!
'Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010' will be the guest on our livestream, Friday at 1 p.m. ET!
By Jayson Rodriguez
Wiz Khalifa
Photo: Rostrum Records
Wiz Khalifa's already-good week just got a lot better.
The Pittsburgh rapper bested his fellow upstart MCs to earn MTV News' "Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010" nod during the "Sucker Free Summit" on Sunday, and now the Taylor Gang leader will be the next guest on "RapFix Live" this Friday at 1 p.m. ET.
"RapFix Live" is MTV News' new livestream show, where artists are interviewed live by Sway in the newsroom and viewers are able to ask questions via Twitter and uploaded videos. Fans can tweet @MTVNews with the hashtag #rapfixlive and Sway will dig through questions live during the chat; viewers can also upload their questions to Your.MTV.com.
The questions can range from the absurd to the serious.
Last week, Rick Ross was the premiere guest and the Miami rapper was gracious, humorous, and witty as he answered questions about surfing, among other things.
Ross also revealed during "RapFix Live" that he wants to work with Dr. Dre and Frankie Beverly on his next album and he described what it was like to work with Kanye West in Hawaii, where the two collaborated on his "Live Fast, Die Young."
"Make sure y'all turn in to 'RapFix Live,' I'mma be answering all your tweets live," Wiz said to MTV News over the weekend, relaying the message to his fans. "So slide through and keep it Taylor!"
Don't miss Wiz Khalifa on "RapFix Live" on MTV.com, Friday at 1 p.m. ET!
Related Videos Related ArtistsSource: | 28 July 2010 | 4:54 am
