Posts Tagged ‘MTV’

Now that we’ve all come down from our Twitter high, let’s recap last night’s VMAs using more than 140 characters!

Not to specify names (ahem, my very own sister), but there are some hardcore anti-Lady Gaga people among us. Beware because the anti-Gaga faction has as much steam behind it as do her little Monsters. And after her VMA performance last night, the chasm has officially widened.

Whether you consider Gaga’s VMA, male alter-ego submersion to be ridiculous or genius, it was certainly engaging.

Jay-Z and Kanye West’s performance of single, “Otis,” was about as uneventful and uninteresting as its video. C-. But since I love Otis Redding, used to be slightly obsessed with Jay, and respect Kanye’s music, I’ll grade it a (reluctant) B. However, Jay-Z is X months away from being a new daddy and Beyonce’ is his baby’s mama, so okaaaay…I give it an A+.

Nicki Minaj has assumed lots of roles lately; Hip Hop’s newest Princess, YMCMB Sweetheart, and the music biz’s very own life-sized cartoon character. She’s got a shiny new Moon Man to decorate her colorful world since “Super Bass” snagged the award for Best Hip Hop Video.

I tip my pink-colored wig to Katy Perry and Kanye for winning Best Collaboration for “E.T.” This confirmed that I’m not the only one who gets upset when the radio plays the original version instead of the remix. Attention Radio Stations: It’s a remix for a reason. Play it.

Whenever I start making enough money to pay someone to sing my emotions to me, Adele is so hired. She brought the house down with nothing but a microphone, a piano accompaniment, and years of raw emotion. Simply dynamic.

Full of theatrics and several minutes of aerial acrobatics, Chris Brown’s set was one of the night’s most superb performances. But did anyone else find it curious that TLC’s “Scrubs” was the song the house band performed immediately after C Breezy performed?

By the way, Jessie J and her ensemble were a positively fantastic house band! Whenever I can afford to pay a live cover band to sing the soundtrack of my life, I’m ringing Jessie J, and I will demand she bring that white chair.

I will not apologize for having a crush on Russell Brand. He was very matter-of-fact but charming and compassionate when introducing Amy Winehouse’s tribute. “Valerie” is one of my fave Amy Winehouse songs, so kudos to Bruno Mars for his excellent rendition.

The competitors didn’t stand a chance against Katy Perry’s “Firework” in the Music Video of the Year category. And using YouTube view counts as my parameter, Perry won fair and square (Bruno Mars’ YouTube views of “Grenade” were a mere 202 million, about 27 million short of Perry’s).

Leave it to MTV to ice the cake with a MONSTER of a closer by Lil Wayne. His performance, complete with animal print skinny jeans and skater kid shoes, makes it clear that “Toonchies” is a rock star trapped in a rapper’s body. Although, according to Wayne, I’m not supposed to call him Toonchies. Wonder what happens since I did.

A lot of cool moments from this year’s VMAs. What were some of your faves? Comment below and be sure to check back often for more of the latest music news and reviews from Erica Renee Davis right here on Positively Celebrity!

It’s that time of year again!  MTV’s Video Music Awards, or VMAs, air Sunday night.  Previous hosts include Russel Brand, Chelsea Handler, Chris Rock and Ben Stiller, just to name a few.  This year, they’re being hosted by…no one?

My hunch is, they asked a few people, and it didn’t work out.  In a recent interview with Billboard, MTV Exec Amy Doyle said,  “It’s going down to the wire. Hosting is such a unique element…We’re really challenging ourselves to find the right person so that the show feels complete.”  Mmmm hmmmm.  No big deal, they’re having so many performers, who has time for a host?!

So far, MTV has announced the best of the best, and here there are:  Beyonce, Pitbull, Adele, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne and Young The Giant!

Not to mention, they’re handing out a few Moonmen here and there.  Personally, I’m hoping Adele wins a few of the SEVEN nominations she’s up for (get ‘em girl!), and I’m loving Foster The People’s “Pumped Up Kicks” for Best New Artist!  Don’t forget to get your vote in – head to MTV’s site here to cast your vote!

MTV has also announced there will be a special tribute to Amy Winehouse, on top of an already announced tribute to Britney Spears, who will be in attendance.  Countless other celebs will be in the house as presenters…can you handle it?!?

So who are you looking forward to seeing perform on the VMAs?  Who do you think will give us a legendary, memorable performance?  Leave us a comment right here on Positively Celebrity and let us know!

Long gone are the days when summer meant the whole television community went on hiatus, only to return to film their first episodes for fall in August.  In the new landscape of gotta-have-it-now society, cable execs took note and used the broadcast networks’ sleepy, re-run filled summers to get ahead.  And hey, it worked so well, the networks even had to jump on the bandwagon!

Most of your favorite scripted shows’ sound stages are still dark for summer, but non-scripted shows (code for reality) are popping off!  Here are my summertime favorites I’ve been loving, (or am looking forward to!)

The Bachelorette (ABC):

Never have I ever felt so bad for a Bachelorette!  First, the poor girl is getting played by Bentley on the most public stage possible (and no one in the production crew tells her), so she’s going on and on about this jerk for weeks!  Then again, it makes great television.  After such a bumpy ride, I’m rooting for her happy ending with my fave, JP!

Nail Files (TV Guide):

What do you get when you cross a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader with a non-drinking Snooki?  Katie Cazorla of Nail Files. The blonde and busty owner of The Painted Nail in L.A. is super lovable as we watch her try to expand her business beyond the pedi chair.  At any moment Katie is clapping excitedly, crying over business drama, or spazzing out over the latest celebrity to walk into her salon.  You gotta root for this girl!

The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo):

Re-casting this show was the best thing to ever happen.  Adding Teresa’s younger, more attractive sister-in-law and meddling cousin has made for some of the best drama I have ever seen; too good to have been scripted!  The focus is on Teresa as she tries to mend her relationship with her brother, best his wife, keep her husband in line and not crack under the media spotlight while going to court for bankruptcy proceedings.  We can see why she’s a little mouthy this season.

Giuliana & Bill (Style Network):

Taking a breather from all of the heartbreaking infertility of last season, G & B have agreed to have “The Year of Fun!”  Going on vacay in Italy and drinking wine top their list of things they couldn’t do if they had a baby.  In the first episode Bill has agreed to sell the dream house they just built in Chicago, and re-locate to L.A. to spend more with his wife.  Adventures await!

Jersey Shore (MTV):

Our favorite guidos and guidettes are flying off to Italy, but don’t think the language barrier will stop them from all of the same old, same old.  The just-released trailer shows the gang hooking up (with each other, and some randoms, of course), fighting (Sam, Ron and Situation sound familiar?), and Snooki is drunk and crying.  I can’t get enough of a good thing.  The new season starts Thursday, August 4 at 10p.m.

The Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo):

Okay, so this next show doesn’t premiere until right after Labor Day, but since @BravoAndy has been promoting it all summer, I can’t stop thinking about it!  This season looks juicy; frail little Zoe is pregnant, and I’m super curious how she was able to keep up with the pace of her career and sustain a pregnancy (while being so non-maternal).  One of her employees asks in a not-so-delicate way which method she will use to deliver, and Rachel replies, “I was kinda hoping he would just appear.”  See what I mean?  The new season begins Tuesday, September 6 at 10p.m.

What shows have had you glued to the tube this summer?  Leave us a reply in the comments section below!

These new artists will be rocking our music worlds this year! Check them out!

PIA TOSCANO

I have a confession. I haven’t watched an American Idol episode in its entirety this season. So when my Facebook news feed was filled with statuses that read, “Pia’s gone…unbelievable!” and “Won’t be watching now that Pia’s off!,” I had to figure out why this chic was such a big deal. Thanks to YouTube and her slew of talk show appearances, I, too, fell under the trance of make-up artist turned Idol outcast turned the next-big-thing-since-Jennifer Hudson, Pia Toscano.

She has the vocal strength of a young Whitney, classic beauty comparable to Carrie Underwood, and the sophistication of a Miss America contestant (not to be confused with Miss USA…fyi).

The spotlight was already shining brightly on Pia because of her talent, and now that she’s media’s new obsession, Pia can bank on — well, laughing all the way to the bank – as her music career goes from 0 to 160. Rumor mill has it that Interscope is courting Pia and that she’ll release her debut single soon. Idol who?

CRIS CAB

Move over, Biebs. There’s a new, barely-legal heart throb taking over the music scene. And his name is too bad he’s still in high school Cris Cab.

Infusing hip hop, reggae, and pop, the Miami native has famed producer, Pharrell, in his corner as he works on his debut album.

In his video for recent release, “Good Girls,” Cab looks like he could be John Mayer’s long lost little bro, and his tone, voice inflections, and lyrics are eerily similar to those of Wyclef Jean.

Looking forward to Cris Cab’s takeover!

INTERCEPT

Their song, “Rest of My Days,” is featured on the popular Jam Party video game.  They’ve played Austin’s Red Gorilla Fest 3 consecutive years. Their inboxes are flooded with fan mail requesting Skype lessons to learn how to play their music. And despite thriving success, the four hotties that make up indie rock band, Intercept, are 4 of the most humble musicians ever!

I had the honor of crashing one of their studio sessions, and the quality of their songs in person sounds as perfect it does on the radio or on television. The group - Christian Knudsen (Lead Vocals / Rhythm Guitar), Jeff Knudsen (Lead Guitar), Jason Weiner (Drums) and Phil Romo (Bass) – has an extremely busy summer ahead as their tour includes shows in Nevada and throughout southern and northern California.

Intercept’s music has also been featured on ESPN, MTV’s The Real World, and the Ghost Whisperer. And in a time when mediocre music dominates airwaves, it’s the kind of music you pray to hear when you turn on your radio. Stay updated on Intercept news by following their pages – Facebook.com/intercepttheband, @Intercept1 on Twitter, and http://www.mspace.com/interceptmusic.

For all you fans who just can’t get enough of “Jersey Shore”…there is more fist pumping in your near future! The entire cast has signed on to do season 4 of “Jersey Shore”, and will begin filming in Italy come May.

Despite rumors that MTV couldn’t obtain permits to film abroad, sources tell E! the main reason was that production just wasn’t ready to go. According to sources, “They didn’t have a house. They were going to shoot in one city, and then that didn’t work out. So now they’re scouting another city. MTV wasn’t as ready as they should have been.”

As for reports that there were contractual disputes, while it is unclear how much each cast member will make per episode (some sources say it could be up to 100k per episode), sources do say everyone is “very pleased with the outcome.”

When in limbo…why not do a spin-off? Just when you thought you’ve seen all the fist-pumping, techno dancing, gorilla juicehead tanning, grenade throwing chaos you can handle, well it turns out there’s still more! In addition to signing on for season 4, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, and Paul “Pauly D” Delvecchio have gotten the green light for two new MTV spin-off shows.

MTV executive vice president of programming, Chris Linn, released a statement saying, “The “Jersey Shore” cast is at the center of the show’s success, and Nicole, Pauly D and Jenni have become household names as a result of their unique, sometimes outrageous and often hilarious personalities. We’re excited to put the spotlight on their lives away from the shore as they pursue their individual passions, careers and relationships.”

Snooki and Jenni’s series will focus on the typical “life and love” scenarios, while Pauly D will show his business side, which follows his life as a DJ.

Both shows begin production later this year and are coming to a TV near you in 2012.

What do you think, will you GTL with Snooki, JWoww, and Pauly D or are you all “Shored” out?

I’ve got the scoop on your favorite reality divas who are back, bigger and better(?) than ever!  And P.S. – some of their new endeavors don’t include TV!

One of my fave E! darlings Kendra Wilkinson is putting on her dancing shoes and heading over to the alphabet network (ABC).  Kendra will pair with Louis Van Amstel for season 12 of Dancing With the Stars.

An early favorite, Kendra has already sustained a few injuries; including losing a toenail in her practice sessions before the show has even aired!  Kendra confesses to having no dance experience, but we’ve seen her moves on her reality shows and we know she’s got what it takes to nab the disco ball trophy.  Catch Kendra’s debut  on Monday, March 21 at 8/7c.

Another E! reality star, Khloé Kardashian, is super excited for the start of her own Kardashians spin-off, Khloé & Lamar.  The show follows the newlywed and her husband, LA Laker Lamar Odom, but the trailer doesn’t give much away; except for the fact that they may be trying to conceive! Khloé posted the promo pic (above) to her website yesterday, and added “I’m dying with anticipation!” 

Meggywood told you about the show back when it was just an unconfirmed rumor, but now we’re getting close to the show premiere on April 10th at 10/9c on E!

Another “Super New Series” will premiere right after Khloe & Lamar on the same night; The Dance Scene with choreographer Laurieann Gibson, formerly of Diddy’s (or is it Diddy Dirty Money?) Making The Band on MTV.   Since then she’s choreographed for major acts like Katy Perry, Keri Hilson, and Lady Gaga, just to name a few.  The trailer doesn’t give too much away, other than showing Laurieann hollering at a bunch of pretty and talented dancers.  Possibly auditioning them to back-up dance for her big stars?  We’ll see!

Aubrey O’Day, (someone who knows Laurieann very well and also was on Making The Band on MTV), has landed on her feet with her own new show on Oxygen.  All About Aubrey began airing on March 7th, and follows Aubrey’s run at trying to make a comeback (after being fired from Dannity Kane by Diddy) with the help of friends and industry heavyweights.  I caught a few minutes of the show and only saw that Aubrey had dyed her dogs pink and purple, and can’t stop eating junk food.  The show can be seen Mondays at 10/9c.

Another MTV reality alum may have had her new project scrapped by MTV, but she’s still working hard!  Lauren Conrad released the images for her new clothing line, Paper Crown, in February.  MTV had been shooting LC’s progress in designing the line, but dropped the project when they thought it was too “high brow” for audiences, and lead to rumors that Whitney Port blamed Lauren for the cancellation of her MTV reality show The City, (about desinging Whitney’s clothing line).

Paper Crown’s website describes the line as “a collection for those who like to play dress up in a grown up world.”  It inlcudes maxi dresses, one-shoulder dresses, and leather shorts; all staple trends for Spring ’11.

Lauren’s The Hills co-star Audrina Patridge is filming her own reality show, Audrina, to air on VH1 in April.  It will focus on her desire to take her career to the next level, while staying grounded with her down-to-earth family.   VH1 has not announced a premiere date yet.

From The Hills to The City, another MTV alum is still in the spotlight despite her old reality show being cancelled.  Olivia is modeling for Tibi in the photo above, and you can click here to see even more amazing pics of Olivia, who styled her own shoot!  Yup, she brought her own accessories to show off her chic street style.  She also told Elle in late 2010 that she is working on her own reality show that follows her while she (surprise!) designs a clothing line.  Still waiting on deets for that show.

Well there you have it!  All of your fave reality divas are back; who are you excited to see again?  Leave a comment and let me know!

This post also appears on Meggywood…click here to visit!

Britney. Britney. Britney.

Last night, Ms. Spears debuted video to hit single, “Hold It Against Me,” on MTV and on Vevo.

I’m fascinated by how Brit’s star power can still attract 1 million plus video views in merely 20 hours and equally intrigued that “Hold It Against Me’s” sole purpose is to advertise for Sony, Plenty of Fish online dating, and Make Up Forever cosmetics.

As we speak, Make Up Forever is flying off Sephora shelves, Best Buy sold out of Sony flat screens, and a couple just got engaged after discovering true love on Plentyoffish.com. The dancers should demand residuals for appearing in this 4:29 commercial.

The starlet’s better videos from earlier in her career are looping in the background but are unsuccessful at masking a blaring truth; Brit and “Hold It” don’t hold a candle to vintage, before-she-shaved-her-head, Ms. Spears.

With videos like “Slave 4 U…”

…and “Boys…”

…Britney set the bar for excellence so high.

Then again, the girl is almost 30, so if she falls a bit short of her glory days, you can’t hold that against her.

How do you feel about Britney’s new video?

When it comes to my television watching habits, I proudly fashion myself a sports, news, and of course, music junkie. But occasionally – and I do mean, almost never – I succumb to doing to my mind what eating empty calories does to my diet.

I watch reality television.

And at the top of that guilty pleasures list are Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney and Khloe’ Take Miami. Kourtney and Kim Take New York and the rumored Khloe’ and Lamar Odom spinoff are pending additions.

Kudos to Kris Jenner for being an over zealous stage mom a marketing genius.

Yes. I’m slightly obsessed with the Kardashians. Yes. 90% of Kris Jenner’s ideas are brilliant. But the idea to have Kim Kardashian embark on the path of a singing career?

Hmmmmm…

The rumors of an upcoming, Kim K. music project have been floating around for several weeks. The buzz has been supported by paparazzo snapshots of Kim and Kanye West leaving a Culver City, CA recording studio and by twitpics and hints from Kimmy herself. At the NYE party the celebutante hosted at TAO nightclub in Vegas, she revealed one of her songs, “Turn It Up.”

Reality star turned songstress. That story sounds familiar.

Remember Paris Hilton’s brief singing encounter?  Apparently, the heiress decided that starring in “The Simple Life” wasn’t “hot” enough and recorded her first album named – what else – Paris.

Lead single,  “Stars Are Blind,” ranks high on the cheese meter, but in Paris’s defense, the single actually reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart back in 2006.

And if this was Rihanna rolling around in the sand in a skimpy bikini and singing the exact same song, I guarantee it would spend 52 weeks at #1.

Attention: All “Real Housewives of Atlanta” addicts (I’m included in this group but am excluded from judgment because I’m from Georgia). You have abhorred and adored Kim Zolciak’s flirtation with the music industry, but unfortunately, ”Tardy For The Party,” never made it to the Billboard charts party.

However, all the comedy surrounding the beginnings of Zolciak’s singing debut made the reality star one of the most recognized Housewives.

Okay. So maybe “Jersey Shore’s” Pauly D dreamt of conquering the music industry as a DJ long before any of us knew what GTL meant. I’m just not convinced that being a “guido” will be as cool in 2011 as it was in 2010.

From the sounds of Pauly D’s ”Beat dat Beat,”  David Guetta need not lose any sleep worrying about the competition.

Judging from other reality stars’ experiences with dabbling in music, it doesn’t seem that a chart-topping music career is in Kim K’s future.

Then again, maybe Kim Kardashian has some trick tucked away in one of her cinch-waist belts that has thus far gone unused by her reality star cohorts. Afterall, everything the Kardashians do – except for their fraudulent holiday debit card and their Bebe clothing line – results in big bucks.

I cannot wait to get a good listen to her first single and to the album when it arrives.

But whether or not we appreciate Kim’s musical abilities, I promise that we all will be watching closely as she transitions from reality tv to MTV.

Kanye, once again, has held captive our attention.  And this time, no one got offended.

Since its premiere last week on MTV, Kanye West’s artistically intriguing music video for “Power” has fascinated the music and entertainment worlds. Amidst images depicting religious undertones and others making references to Greek mythology, stands a motionless – yet intimidating - Kanye.

As he does in all his art, director, Marco Brambilla, creates a brilliant masterpiece with “Power.” The video is so engaging, in fact, that you have to remind yourself to listen to the lyrics.  “No one man should have all that power,” chants Kanye.  Speaking of power… this is the same man who basically drop kicked America’s sweetheart on national tv during her big moment less than a year ago but whose one-week-old video has more than 6 million hits on YouTube.

failed romantic relationships,

and his becoming the VMA villain. In the full version of the song, he admits he “just needed time alone with my own thoughts.”  With the past several years he has had, a water cooler, conversation piece like “Power” is exactly what the PR team ordered.

Now that we’ve all been teased with Kanye’s 90 intense seconds of artistic genius, we can all look forward to his performance at next month’s MTV VMAs.

Yep, guys, MTV has welcomed him back to their stage.

Now, how’s that for power?

Check out the latest music news and more from Erica Renee Davis right here at Positively Celebrity!