Monday, February 28, 2011
The 2011 Academy Awards Have Been Handed Out
Oscar Night Gets Mixed Reviews From Celebrities
At the Vanity Fair party, Stewie Griffin, Russell Brand, Jimmy Kimmel and others weigh in on their favorite moments.
By Kara Warner
Russell Brand at the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Steve Granitz/ Getty Images
After weeks of buildup, not-so-subtle campaigns by major studios, prognosticating by critics and award season pundits, etc, the 2011 class of Oscar winners were announced on Sunday night in a predictably lengthy and star-studded telecast.
While the big stories of the night always revolve around who/what won (answer: "The King's Speech," Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo), when MTV News hit up the extra-exclusive hot-ticket post-Oscar Vanity Fair bash, we found there was an equal amount of buzz about the performances of first-time hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, as well as reactions to the overall show itself. And the reviews of which were decidedly mixed.
"It was great!" "Glee" star Jane Lynch exclaimed. "I loved the opening number and thought James and Anne played off each other well."
"Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane's review, which we asked him to deliver in character Stewie Griffin wasn't quite as rosy.
"Let's see, I was disappointed that Hugh Jackman didn't sing that song," MacFarlane said in Stewie's haughty faux-British accent, recalling the moment in the show when Hathaway sang a song blaming Jackman for bailing on a supposed duet. "That was dreadful that he backed out on that poor girl like that. What a wicked man.
"Was that was what was supposed to happen? Was that for real? " MacFarlane continued, speaking as himself. "There was a lot of really uncomfortable moments, like things were kind of half-formed, you know?"
Awkward-moment master Russell Brand, who presented the award for best foreign language film with his "Arthur" co-star Helen Mirren, didn't seem to notice anything uncomfortable.
"It was wonderful," he said of the show. "I'm happy that 'The King's Speech' did well."
When asked what he thought were the funniest moments, whether intentional or not, Brand pleaded the fifth.
"I don't know. I don't judge other people because I'm spiritual," he quipped.
On the other hand, Jimmy Kimmel, who readily admitted that he prefers his awards shows full of weird moments or unplanned disasters, had no problem passing judgment on the 83rd annual telecast.
"I think Kirk Douglas was funny," he said, speaking of the 94-year-old actor's charming, but slightly drawn-out, presentation of the Best Supporting Actress trophy. "I guarantee he planned to do that."
Kimmel's pick for unintentional funny moment went to Best Supporting Actress winner Melissa Leo dropping an F-bomb mid-acceptance speech before taking Douglas' cane from him to steady herself as they walked away from the podium.
What was your favorite moment of the night? How did Anne Hathaway and James Franco do as hosts? Tell us in the comments!
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Related Videos Related PhotosUsher Says New 'Rev Pop' Project Is A 'Movement'
Singer teases his new project by pointing to past hits like 'Yeah!' and 'OMG.'
By James Montgomery
Usher
Photo: MTV News
With the success of songs like "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love," "Hot Tottie" and "OMG," Usher had himself a fairly massive 2010. But rather than rest on his laurels, he's looking to build on his big year, not with an album, but with a "movement."
It's something he's calling "Rev Pop" — or, simply, "Rev" — and though he's already teased his idea in a video with David Guetta (Akon is also involved), he has yet to speak in full about it. So when MTV News caught up with Ush before the 53rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the (Belvedere) RED launch party, we asked him about his next musical endeavor. And though he didn't reveal much, he did let it be known that "Rev" isn't exactly something new. In fact, he's been doing it for a while now.
"I'll give it to you this way: At a later date, I'll tell you more about Rev Pop, but if I were to give you a flash: I've done it before, I did it with 'Yeah!' " he said, "taking a cultural experience, and also worldwide recognition of a feeling, and putting the soul in the middle of it. Not allowing it to shift heavily to R&B genre, or pop. I did it again with 'OMG,' once again putting the soul in the middle of it, which was an electric-pop experience, with the soul.
"It's bringing those elements together to tell a story, that was born here," he said, gesturing toward his heart, "And that's what Rev Pop is. There's more, I mean, I could really elaborate, but that's just what I'm going to tell you right now. 'Rev' is what it's called ... the movement is called Rev."
Usher wouldn't say just when his fans would be getting their first taste of Rev, but whenever they do, it sounds like they're going to be impressed ... if not a little shocked.
"Stay alive," he smiled, "Because you're definitely going to be in for a surprise."
Related ArtistsNicole Richie Nicole Scherzinger Nicollette Sheridan Nikki Cox
James Franco Tweeted, TwitPic'd During Oscars Hosting Gig
'127 Hours' star uploaded series of backstage videos, candid photos throughout broadcast.
By Gil Kaufman
James Franco backstage at the 2011 Oscars
Photo: James Franco
The Oscars were going for young and hip, and they definitely got it in co-hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway. In fact, Franco dragged the often staid 83rd annual Academy Awards right up to the present by tweeting about his hosting gig during the broadcast and uploading a series of backstage videos and candid photos to his followers.
He started off his day by posting a video of himself groggily waking up before getting ready for his big gig, then posting a series of photos of the hours leading up to the show and a video preview of his social media plans. "Hey there, it's James Franco. I am talking to you from my suite pretty close to the Kodak Theatre," he said, panning across his room. "You should look out for a few tweets during the show."
As the magic hour approached, the multi-hyphenate actor/artist/Ph.D. student uploaded photos showing him escorting his grandmother into the theater, getting his makeup on, frowning in a high school senior superlative Best Smile pic to remind himself to show his pearly whites during the broadcast and encouraging fans to follow him at the hashtag #OscarsRealTime.
What followed were clips of him entering the elevator on his way up to the stage, a video of his backstage walk to the holding area and, under the heading "these were my famous last words," a clip of him saying nervously, "It might be bad," as an offscreen voice asked him for any parting words to his fans before walking out to open the show.
Franco also posted a clip of him and Hathaway laughing while watching a video together during a commercial break early in their duties, a photo of him flipping off the camera while getting his Marilyn Monroe dress and makeup applied and a video of him waiting to take the stage in drag. Other postings included a video of him interviewing the Oscars head writer backstage during the show and a photo of him and Hathaway with Oprah Winfrey.
He was seemingly as busy behind the scenes as he was in front of them, as he found time to snap photos with Billy Crystal, take a pic of himself onstage, shoot video from the wings of Randy Newman's performance and film a clip of a commercial break bit of time filler during which Hathaway joked with the audience about taping PowerBars under the nominees' seats so they could keep their energy up during the show.
Given the volume of material Franco posted, it's a wonder he could even concentrate on his hosting duties. He also gave a video glimpse of Florence Welch getting ready to perform, another of him self-deprecatingly listening to the intro to the segment on his work in "127 Hours" and a clip of him getting a late-show hand massage from Hathaway. One photo showed him having a post-Oscars celebratory drink with the words "Goodbye LA" scrawled on the pic. This was followed by a shot outside his plane window with the caption, "It was fun! Have to get back to class!"
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
Related Videos Related PhotosHailee Steinfeld Has Met With 'Hunger Games' Director
'It's definitely something that we're taking one day at a time,' 'True Grit' star tells MTV News on Oscars red carpet.
By Aly Semigran, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Hailee Steinfeld attends the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Getty Images
Hailee Steinfeld arrived on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday night (February 27) a first-time nominee for her breakthrough performance in "True Grit" and could very well leave the evening as a Best Supporting Actress Oscar-winner.
Check out photos of Hailee Steinfeld on the red carpet.
But even on her big night, fans are buzzing about her possible future projects, and one in particular. MTV News caught up with Steinfeld, who was wearing a Marchesa gown, on the carpet (she told us she felt, "so honored and so blessed to be here") and had to ask whether she was still in the running for the big-screen adaptation of "The Hunger Games," based on the popular young-adult novel.
Steinfeld has been one of the names in consideration for the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen. The young actress told us she has "a lot of projects that we're looking at at the moment," but she also confirmed that she has met with "Hunger Games" director Gary Ross.
"It's definitely something that we're taking one day at a time and making sure that everything is in place," Steinfeld said of her possible casting as the film's heroine.
Whether or not the "Hunger Games" role goes to Steinfeld, she's quickly becoming one of the hottest commodities in Hollywood. And the 14-year-old has already selected her first post-"True Grit" project, a film called "Forgotten," based on Cat Patrick's upcoming book of the same name. Steinfeld will play a teen who loses her memory daily.
"The Hunger Games" is slated to hit theaters on March 23, 2012.
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
First Listen: Britney Spears Featuring will.i.am, ?Big Fat Bass? (30 Second Clip)
Britney Spears - Gimme More
- Artist: Britney Spears
- Label: Jive/Zomba Label Group
- Director: Jake Sarfaty
- Album: Blackout
Michael Jackson Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter
Conrad Murray's trial slated to start March 28.
By Gil Kaufman
Dr. Conrad Murray appears in court on Tuesday in Los Angeles, California
Photo: Irfan Khan-Pool/ Getty Images
Michael Jackson's former personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray entered a plea of not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of the pop star at his arraignment on Tuesday morning (January 25).
According to the Los Angeles Times, when asked by judge Michael Pastor how he pleaded to the charge, Murray said, "Your honor, I am an innocent man." When Pastor interrupted and asked Murray what his plea was, the cardiologist said, "Therefore, I plead not guilty."
The brief hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court ended with Pastor setting a March 28 date for the start of a trial in the case. Murray faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted, and the Times noted that he surprised the judge by invoking his right to a speedy trial, which meant the case would have to begin by late March. Pastor noted the rarity of a defendant asking to have a speedy trial, then set jury selection for the week of March 28 and said he was inclined to allow television coverage of the trial that the defense expects will last two months.
Lawyers for Murray have maintained his innocence all along, saying he did not do anything that "should have" caused the 50-year-old pop icon's death. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office determined that Jackson died of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol mixed with a cocktail of other sedatives.
Murray has admitted to administering propofol to Jackson in the hours before the singer's death, but the defense appears to be gearing up to claim that it was Jackson who administered the final, fatal dose of the drug after he woke in a panic from a fitful night of sleep.
During a preliminary hearing earlier this month to determine if there was enough evidence to hold Murray over for trial, the physician's attorneys said that there was evidence Jackson injected or drank a fatal amount of the drug when the doctor was not looking.
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James Franco And Anne Hathaway Dive Into 'Inception' For Oscar Hosting Tips
Academy Awards opener features Leonardo DiCaprio, Alec Baldwin in 'Inception'-themed tribute to year's best.
By Gil Kaufman
Anne Hathaway and James Franco host the 2011 Academy Awards
Photo: Getty Images
It's become a time-honored Oscar opening bit: inserting the show's host into the year's Best Picture nominees. Only this time, it was hosts, plural, and for only the second time since 1986, they were not stand-up comedians whose forte is getting easy laughs.
After more than a month of speculation about how James Franco and Anne Hathaway would open Sunday night's 83rd annual Academy Awards ceremony, the tension was broken with a quick-cut montage of iconic images from this year's 10 Best Picture nominees, followed by Franco, 32, and Hathaway, 28, being digitally inserted into one of the year's most mind-twisting nominees, "Inception."
Check out photos of the 2011 Academy Awards show.
Star Leonardo DiCaprio attempted to explain how the whole dream-hopping worked to the couple, with Hathaway saying, "So, we're going to go into Alec Baldwin's dreams and get some hosting tips," as an incredulous Franco huffed, "You're buying this. ... I'm not going anywhere until you can prove you can take us into people's dreams."
As the streets of Paris exploded around them, Franco still wouldn't buy in, using his best tough-guy stance and pressing DiCaprio, "Gimme some proof ... one shred of proof, Leo ... we're waitin'." The pair then ended up on a plane with DiCaprio and Baldwin, with the "30 Rock" star and 2010 Oscar co-host slugging down a juice box of Ambien to calm his nerves, but passing out before giving Hathaway the secret to hosting the show.
They were next transported to a courtroom, where Hathaway took issue with Franco's use of a driedel as his talisman to check whether he was in a dream (if you haven't seen "Inception," then you were just slightly more confused than those of us who had). They ended up in a yelling match with "The Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, telling the socially awkward billionaire that his brusque dismissal of their request for help had just cost him a few Facebook friends. "And tell the Winklevosses to stop giving me the stink eye," Franco added.
The "Inception" elevator took them to the sweaty gym in "The Fighter," where Hathaway donned her best round the way Boston girl accent to chat up Mark Wahlberg's Micky Ward about who is a bigger junkbag. After knocking Franco out, she hopped on a horse to face off against "True Grit" star Jeff Bridges, with Franco snuggling up behind her in a bearskin coat and Hathaway sporting not one but two eye patches.
The search continued in "The King's Speech," where they worked period costumes. But those were nothing compared to the ones they squeezed into for the "Black Swan" bit, where Franco was shoehorned into a skintight white leotard and his co-host a Thanksgiving turkey-inspired getup. "The dance of the brown duck," Hathaway intoned as she spun wildly, shedding feathers and quacking her way through a routine that horrified star Natalie Portman.
They finally found Baldwin again, who played some mind games with them before they jumped into the DeLorean time machine from "Back to the Future" and jetted into the present, winding up on the stage in their awards-show finest. Franco, holding a cell phone to record his moment in the sun, wore a classic tuxedo, while Hathaway emerged in an elegant white floor-length gown with beaded accents.
"Oh my gosh, you're all real," she marveled. "This is actually happening!" Lowering the collective age of presenters by 55 years from last year, first-time hosts Franco and Hathaway — the latter the youngest host in history and one of the only women to ever have the honor — quickly dispensed with any questions about why they were tapped for the gig. "Anne, I must say you look so beautiful and so hip," said Franco in his signature smiling deadpan manner. "Thank you, James," she replied. "You look very appealing to a younger demographic as well."
Both had promised they would not follow in the footsteps of comedian Ricky Gervais, who did a bombing run at the Golden Globes, strafing most of Hollywood with his acerbic wit. Instead they ended up making fun of themselves. Franco said it was an exciting night for both hosts since they were both nominated, but Hathaway quickly reminded him that unlike his Best Actor nod for "127 Hours," she was not noticed for her work in the romantic dramedy "Love and Other Drugs."
"You know, it used to be you get naked, you get nominated," she complained. "Not anymore, not anymore." She then explained to Franco what an honor it is to be nominated and how if he won, everyone would refer to him as "Academy Award winner James Franco." He had to think about that. "What do you mean everyone?" he said, confused after asking if the little golden man came with a cash prize as well. "Like even my mom? That would be weird if my mom called me 'Academy Award winner James Franco.' I've known her a long time."
Hathaway's mom reminded her from the audience to stand up straight because, you know, three-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg is in the house, while Franco's grandma was jacked to see "Marky Mark" Wahlberg in the crowd.
Both came off as relaxed and natural as they joked about the profusion of lesbians in this year's nominated films and quickly segued into the night's first award presentation by Tom Hanks for Best Art Direction.
Stick with MTV News on Oscar night and beyond for red-carpet fashion coverage, analysis of the winners, plus interviews, photos and more from your favorite Hollywood stars!
Related Photos
Sunday, February 27, 2011
SXSW: Todd Phillips, Paul Reubens, Duncan Jones Headlining Panels
Todd Phillips, Paul Reubens, Duncan Jones, James Gunn, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Ellen Page and Rainn Wilson are among the high-profile guests that will headline panels and events at the SXSW Film Conference and Festival in March.
'Sex And The City 2,' 'Last Airbender' Score Razzies
Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba also receive the dubious honor on Oscar weekend.
By Shawn Adler
Nicola Peltz as Katara in "The Last Airbender"
Photo: Paramount Pictures
Winning an award on Oscar weekend is generally a time for celebration, but for M. Night Shyamalan and the ladies of "Sex and the City 2," Saturday night's near clean sweep at the 31st Annual Golden Raspberries was likely to inspire anything but. What a twist.
Created to (dis)honor the very worst in cinema during the previous year, the Razzies bestowed their top prize to Shyamalan's "The Last Airbender." Based on the anime series "Avatar," "Airbender" took home five trophies, including Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screenplay, Worst Eye-Gouging Mis-Use of 3-D and Worst Supporting Actor for co-star Jackson Rathbone.
The wins were a breakthrough of sorts for the director once thought to be among the very best of his generation, as Shyamalan's previous film, "The Happening," was nominated for, but failed to win, Worst Picture and Worst Director at the 2008 Razzies.
"Sex and the City 2" managed to score three gold spray-painted statuettes, including wins for Worst Sequel, Worst Screen Ensemble and Worst Actress, which was presented to all four of the flick's stars — Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Also winning at the satirical awards show were Aston Kutcher, who took home the Worst Actor prize for his performances in both "Killers" and "Valentine's Day," and Jessica Alba, winner of Worst Supporting Actress for her turns in four films — "The Killer Inside Me," "Little Fockers," "Machete" and "Valentine's Day."
Don't miss MTV News' "2011 Oscars Live" where we're chatting with your favorite Hollywood stars live from the red carpet, and stick with us all Oscar night for winners, interviews, photos and more!
Michael Jackson Estate Rakes In $310 Million To Date
Singer left behind more than $400 million in debt.
Michael Jackson
Photo: Time Life Pictures/DMI/Time Life Pictures/Getty Im
Between album sales, movie profits, licensing arrangements and lucrative deals for Cirque du Soleil shows, the estate of late King of Pop Michael Jackson has raked in more than $300 million since the singer's shocking death in June 2009.
According to TMZ, legal documents released on Thursday reveal that executors of MJ's estate have managed to make a major dent in the more than $400 million in debt that Jackson owed at the time of his death.
The first accounting from the executors shows that they have already spent around $159 million paying back various debts, income taxes and other expenses, which include providing support for the pop star's mother, Katherine Jackson, as well as his three young children.
"Although there remain unresolved creditor claims, pending litigation and additional challenging business, tax and legal issues, and the estate is not yet in a condition to be closed, the executors have made substantial progress in reducing the estate's debt," the documents state, according to a Reuters report. Two of Jackson's longtime confidants, attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain, were named as administrators in a will sign by the pop icon.
In addition to paying to make "substantial improvements" to the Jackson family's Havenhurst estate in Encino, California, the executors also spent an undetermined amount of money on "last illness and funeral and memorial service expenses." Those costs included a $900,000 payment to the Forest Lawn Memorial cemetery where Jackson is buried and $35,000 on expenses described as "costume for memorial."
TMZ reported that not only did the famously cash-strapped Jackson have more than $400 million in debt, but his estate also owed more than $40 million to concert promoter AEG tied to the scuttled This Is It Tour, for which MJ was rehearsing when he died unexpectedly. They've also paid $27.2 million in taxes and $4 million in mortgage payments on Jackson's properties.
Despite the solid sales of the Michael album and millions of units of the singer's back catalog being sold, as well as the box office of the "This Is It" movie and DVD sales, the estate is not nearly out of the woods. TMZ noted that the administrators have received more than 65 creditors' claims, some of which are subject to "extremely high" interest rates, and there are several outstanding lawsuits against the estate in several countries.
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Tom Cruise opens a Sina weibo account
According to Sina news, Tom Cruise is the latest celebrity to join the microblog crazy, opening his own Sina Weibo account yesterday, February 23.
?We?re having fun talking to you and our new friends at http://t.sina.com.cn. It?s the Chinese Twitter, but with a lot more functionality,? tweeted Tom Cruise, announcing the move to his Twitter following.
Cruise's new account has become a big news, blanketing the Chinese Internet less than two hours after his first post.
TRAILER: 'Hall Pass' Red Band - Stupid, Filthy, Funny
Jay A. Fernandez "Hall Pass," the latest Farrelly Bros. comedy, comes out next Friday. Here's the new red band trailer from New Line.
Maggie Gyllenhaal Majandra Delfino Malia Jones Malin Akerman
Shanghai International Literary Festival tickets go on sale
Starting in 2003, with a martini, a book and a dream, the Shanghai International Literary Festival has grown from a small-scale event to the leading English-language literary series in China.
- More on CNNGo: Shanghai's most literary locales
Lady Gaga Confirms There Are Two 'Born This Way' Videos
Proceeds from 'stripped-down' clip and song will go to 'anti-bully charity,' she tells Gayle King.
By Jocelyn Vena
Lady Gaga
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage
Lady Gaga sat down with Oprah Winfrey's bestie, Gayle King, to discuss her forthcoming Nick Knight-directed videos for her chart-topping single "Born This Way," from her May album of the same name.
"I do have some exciting news about the new single. I've been so excited about [the fans'] reaction and seeing the fans be so excited during the show every time we play 'Born This Way,' it's been really amazing," she told King. "I've made two music videos for the song."
Gaga then went on to confirm that portions of the proceeds from the sale of the "stripped-down" version of the song, which will get its own video (further details about that clip were not known at press time), will go to charity. "So there's one that's coming out on Monday," she explained. "But then I'm actually putting together another video, which is a more stripped-down version of the song that will be released on iTunes and also released as an audio file. A portion of the money raised selling the song is actually going to go towards an anti-bully charity."
Mum has been the word on what the videos will actually be like. Though Gaga, in a recent radio interview, noted that the visual is about "the birth of a new race within the race of humanity. The birth of a new race that doesn't bear any prejudices. I think the most important thing is that I continue to grow, and I knew when I put [out] 'BTW' it would be a transitional moment, because it doesn't sound like [my previous singles]."
What are you expecting from the "Born This Way" videos? Let us know in the comments!
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Ke$ha - Your Love Is My Drug
- Artist: Ke$ha
- Label: RCA
- Director: Honey
Minki van der Westhuizen Miranda Kerr Mischa Barton Missi Pyle
NBA All-Stars LeBron James, Dwight Howard, More Talk Hoops, Hip-Hop
'They say all rappers want to be basketball players, [and] all basketball players want to be rappers,' says wife of Carmelo Anthony, La La Vazquez.
By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Rahman Dukes
LeBron James
Photo: MTV News
Hip-hop and sports are practically kindred spirits, especially when it comes to basketball. At this year's NBA All-Star Weekend, a number of hoop stars, and the wife of one player in particular, wholeheartedly agreed with this observation.
"They always say all rappers want to be basketball players, [and] all basketball players want to be rappers," La La Vazquez, wife of New York Knick Carmelo Anthony and ex-MTV VJ, told MTV News.
Over the years, a number of NBA players have actually become rappers on the side. Besides four championships — three with the Los Angeles Lakers, one with the Miami Heat — Shaquille O'Neal also managed to release four albums. The first, 1993's Shaq Diesel, went platinum and the third, 1996's You Can't Stop the Reign, featured a pair of verses from the Notorious B.I.G. on its title track. More recently, L.A. Laker Ron Artest has embarked on a rap career, while his teammate Kobe Bryant once kicked rhymes on R&B singer Brian McKnight's "Hold Me."
Not every player necessarily has rap dreams to go along with their hoop dreams, though.
"Every player except me wants to be a rapper," said Dwight Howard of the NBA's Orlando Magic. "I don't want to do the rap thing."
Howard did add though about his fellow NBA stars, "We love music. We love hip-hop and we support it."
LeBron James, who is famously and charitably good friends with Jay-Z, mentioned how basketball players are frequently name-checked in song. For example, on Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind," the MC rhymes, "Jesus paying LeBron, I'm paying Dwyane Wade."
This synergy between players and rappers ultimately boils down to mutual respect.
"We all came from nothing," Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett told us. "The appreciation factor for each other, the fact you gotta grind and work hard to get where you at, it's similar. It's a very similar industry."
Garnett's teammate and fellow All-Star Rajon Rondo added, "We respect those guys the way they respect us. It kind of goes hand in hand. Rappers love to come see us play. We love to see them perform."
What do you think of the ongoing love between hip-hop and hoops? Sound off in the comments!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Michael Jackson - Hold My Hand
- Artist: Michael Jackson
- Label: Columbia Records/SMG
- Album: Michael
Charlies Angels Charlize Theron Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke
Links for 2007-10-16 [del.icio.us]
- Kim Kardashian playboy nude photo leaked
BREAKING NEWS! A photo of Kim Kardashian?s playboy photoshoot has been leaked. The photoshoot wasn?t supposed to appear to viewers until December. It is rumored that this will be the biggest playboy spread ever?..
Beyoncé - Halo
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Label: Columbia, Music World Music
- Director: Philip Andelman
- Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
'Hall Pass' Stars Recall Best And Worst Pickup Lines
Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis and Jenna Fischer quip about some memorable dating experiences with MTV News.
By Kara Warner
Jason Sudeikis and Owen Wilson in "Hall Pass"
Photo: New Line Cinema
Those who have seen the trailer for Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis' new comedy, "Hall Pass," know that in the Farrelly brothers-directed film, the duo embark upon a series of zany misadventures after obtaining "hall passes" — basically a one-week vacation/break from their marriages — from their wives. During this marital hiatus, the boys do everything they can to pick up women, oftentimes using the most outlandish and ridiculous of pickup lines.
When MTV News caught up with Wilson, Sudeikis and fellow co-star Jenna Fischer recently during the film's press day, we asked them to share their go-to lines, as well as a few they've used with success.
"Hi, I'm Jason Sudeikis," Wilson quipped, which prompted a witty exchange between him and the "Saturday Night Live" star.
"Aw, that's very nice of you," Sudeikis said. "Does that work for you?"
"Yeah!" Wilson exclaimed, laughing.
And then Sudeikis focused a bit, seeming to put some thought into the question, only to make room for more for Wilson laughter and more back-and-forth banter between the two.
"My most successful one is, 'How much do you cost?' " Sudeikis joked. "And you have to use that specifically."
"Hold that for Valentine's Day," Wilson advised, even though Sudeikis clearly wasn't paying attention and went on with reciting bad pickup techniques.
" 'Are those real?' " Sudeikis said. " 'Your eyes. I'm talking about your dreams.' "
" 'Are they realistic?' " Wilson added.
Fine, fine. If they won't take the question seriously then we won't. Next up, a few of the best and worst pickup lines the fellow castmembers have heard over the years.
"Usually women will insult me," Sudeikis explained. " 'I don't see why you're so great.' And then, for some reason, I find that completely alluring."
"Ok, I'm going to win you over!" Wilson added. "Ok, sit right here. Settle in for the next hour or three — here we go," he joked.
Following with the theme of insults as pickup lines, Jenna Fischer recalled a particular unsettling experience.
"I had this guy come up to me at a bar when I was much younger and he had said, 'I bet I can guess your weight and if I do, can I get a kiss?' And I thought to myself, 'What?! No! What woman wants to talk about her weight? What if you're wrong? What if you're right? I don't care, anyway,' " she said. "The idea that you just approached me with the most objectified vision of me, you whittled me down to a number, was so offensive."
Needless to say, Fischer was not particularly receptive to that line.
"He did not get a kiss," she added.
Check out everything we've got on "Hall Pass."
For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.
Airlines will increase flights to international destinations from Mumbai
Thanks to the worldwide economic downturn, a number of air carriers cancelled service in and out of Mumbai in 2008 and 2009.
Austrian Airlines, for instance, shut down its direct service between Mumbai-Vienna.
Due to lack of runway space, in August 2010 the Indian government suspended granting permission for new international flights to and from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
This year, however, the situation may be improving for those seeking international flights in and out of Mumbai. A number of airlines are set to inaugurate service to and from Mumbai to destinations as far away as Muscat and Male.
Michael Jackson Doctor Pleads Not Guilty To Involuntary Manslaughter
Conrad Murray's trial slated to start March 28.
By Gil Kaufman
Dr. Conrad Murray appears in court on Tuesday in Los Angeles, California
Photo: Irfan Khan-Pool/ Getty Images
Michael Jackson's former personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray entered a plea of not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of the pop star at his arraignment on Tuesday morning (January 25).
According to the Los Angeles Times, when asked by judge Michael Pastor how he pleaded to the charge, Murray said, "Your honor, I am an innocent man." When Pastor interrupted and asked Murray what his plea was, the cardiologist said, "Therefore, I plead not guilty."
The brief hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court ended with Pastor setting a March 28 date for the start of a trial in the case. Murray faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted, and the Times noted that he surprised the judge by invoking his right to a speedy trial, which meant the case would have to begin by late March. Pastor noted the rarity of a defendant asking to have a speedy trial, then set jury selection for the week of March 28 and said he was inclined to allow television coverage of the trial that the defense expects will last two months.
Lawyers for Murray have maintained his innocence all along, saying he did not do anything that "should have" caused the 50-year-old pop icon's death. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office determined that Jackson died of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol mixed with a cocktail of other sedatives.
Murray has admitted to administering propofol to Jackson in the hours before the singer's death, but the defense appears to be gearing up to claim that it was Jackson who administered the final, fatal dose of the drug after he woke in a panic from a fitful night of sleep.
During a preliminary hearing earlier this month to determine if there was enough evidence to hold Murray over for trial, the physician's attorneys said that there was evidence Jackson injected or drank a fatal amount of the drug when the doctor was not looking.
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