Ke$ha, Chris Brown Heat Up The Us Hot Hollywood Party
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Jennifer Hudson Family Murder Details Emerge
New information about slaying of Hudson's mother, brother and nephew comes out just weeks before their alleged killer's trial starts.
By Gil Kaufman
Jennifer Hudson
Photo: MTV News
Just weeks before accused killer William Balfour is slated to stand trial, new details have emerged about his alleged role in the slaying of Oscar-winning singer Jennifer Hudson's family. Hudson has rarely spoken about the October 24, 2008, killings, which took the lives of her mother (Darnell Donerson), brother (Jason Hudson) and nephew (Julian King), but recent court filings by Cook County prosecutors obtained by the Chicago Tribune shed a bit more light on the days leading up to the murders.
At the time her career was peaking, Hudson made a point of calling or texting her mother at home in Chicago every day between 9 and 11 a.m., according to the paper. But when she didn't hear back by late in the morning of October 24, she texted and realized something was wrong when there was no response.
A few hours later, the bodies of her mother and brother were found in the family's Englewood home, followed three days later by the discovery of her young nephew's body in a stolen vehicle abandoned on the city's west side.
While Hudson has not spoken in detail about the killings or the alleged perpetrator William Balfour, the estranged husband of her sister Julia, when the trial kicks off in a few weeks, the singer's fame could bring intense media scrutiny to the proceedings. Prosecutors are working to include critical testimony from Julia — who was not with Balfour at the time of the killings — but they fear that a state law that considers communication between spouses confidential could create hurdles.
Prosecutors are hoping to block Julia from talking about conversations she had with her estranged husband to stop her from talking about repeated death threats Balfour allegedly made in the months after the couple separated in February 2008. Court filings also revealed that despite their split, the couple's sexual relationship continued until just days before the murders. Julia Hudson told police that Balfour had threatened her dozens of times, but that she never took the threats seriously because she didn't think he would act on them.
It's unclear if prosecutors will call Hudson to testify, but they have included her on the witness list for the trial, which is slated to begin on April 9.
Among the other revelations in the court filings:
» Hudson had known Balfour since childhood because their families lived just blocks away from each other and they attended the same elementary school.
» Police first interviewed Hudson at the Trump Tower hotel in downtown Chicago shortly after the slayings, at which point she revealed that there had been tensions between the families over the relationship between Julia and Balfour. Hudson said she'd heard that Balfour had fought with one of Julia's former boyfriends.
» Hudson also revealed that her family did not know about Julia's marriage to Balfour in late 2006 until several months after the wedding and that she had advised her sister against marrying Balfour because of concerns about his troubled background. She also said that Balfour had not treated her sister well, allegedly confronting Julia at her workplace one time and threatening to kill her because he thought she was having an affair with a co-worker.
» The singer also said that her brother, Jason, had stopped having friends over to the family home after Julia's house keys and his .45-caliber handgun were stolen. Hudson told investigators that Balfour was later heard around the neighborhood bragging about stealing the weapon. Police found a .45-caliber gun in the bushes not far from the body of Hudson's nephew and ballistics experts later connected the weapon to the three killings.
» After police discovered the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother, an amber alert was issued for 7-year-old Julian King. Hudson offered an undisclosed reward for any information leading to Julian's whereabouts, but no ransom demands were ever made and the reward money was not claimed.
» Two teenage neighbors told investigators that they heard gunshots coming from the direction of the Hudson home around 9 a.m. on the day of the killings. Neither called police because, they said, "gunfire is occasionally heard in the area." According to court filings, Balfour's cell phone records indicate he was near the Hudson home until shortly after 9 a.m. on the day of the murders.
» Balfour reportedly showed up at the Hudson home on the morning of the killings and appeared agitated, saying he'd been up all night drinking. He spotted balloons that Julia received from a new boyfriend for Sweetest Day, got angry and punched the balloons, according to police. When Julia left the house to go to work, Balfour remained behind outside.
Related ArtistsUsher - Hey Daddy (Daddy's Home)
- Artist: Usher
- Label: JLG
- Director: Chris Robinson
- Album: Hang on to a Dream: The Verve Recordings
Alessandra Ambrosio's Fashionable School Pick Up
Expectant model mom Alessandra Ambrosio was all smiles as she picked up her daughter, Anja Louise Ambr�sio Mazur, from school in Los Angeles on Tuesday (February 28).
The Victoria's Secret Angel looked gorgeous in a bump hugging white shirt, flowing long skirt and knee high black boots while little Anja was a mini fashionista herself in a leopard print shirt, black skinny jeans and bright pink backpack.
The supermodel seemed to be enjoying the day out she took to her Twitter page, writing, "Beautiful afternoon!!!"
The brunette bombshell is six months along with her second child with fiance, businessman Jamie Maazur.
The glowing mom-to-be has shown that pregnancy doesn't need to slow you down - as she's been keeping up with the pace of Hollywood while having attended the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on Sunday (February 26).
Whitney Houston And Michael Jackson's Deaths: Gone Too Soon
'You will always remember where you were ... when you heard the news,' Simon Cowell says, echoing the sentiments after Jackson's death.
By Tomika L. Anderson
Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston in 1988
Photo: WireImage
<P>Few people will forget where they were when they heard that the King of Pop, <a href="/news/articles/1614744/michael-jackson-dies-at-50.jhtml">Michael Jackson, had died</a> in June 2009. And now, the same can be said for 1980s and '90s <a href="/news/articles/1679029/whitney-houston-dead.jhtml">Queen of Pop Whitney Houston</a>. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:733106.id:1679030" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The beloved, long-suffering singer died Saturday inside a Beverly Hills hotel room, hours before she was expected to attend a <a href="/news/articles/1679046/whitney-houston-dies-grammys-clive-davis.jhtml">pre-Grammy Awards party thrown by her longtime mentor Clive Davis</a>. And while the official cause of death is yet unknown — what's been speculated so far is that <a href="/news/articles/1679049/whitney-houston-dies-details.jhtml">Houston may have drowned</a> in the bathtub after taking prescription drugs, including Xanax — given her very public struggle with substance abuse, depression and anxiety over the past decade, it's hard not to conclude that some drug- or alcohol-related accident may have been to blame. It's much like, most recently, British singer Amy Winehouse and the late, great Michael Jackson before her, who died after taking a fatal cocktail of propofol and two other drugs. Also like Jackson, Houston's sudden death — at the age of 48 — has stopped the world in its tracks, an enormous, one-of-a-kind musical flame forever extinguished. Even Jackson's brother, Jermaine — who was first introduced to Houston years ago by Clive Davis at the same Beverly Hills Hilton where the singer passed away — could not help but draw the comparison. In an interview with CNN overnight, he paid tribute to the two fallen musical giants. "They shared a lot of success in the late '80s and they were great friends," he said. "I'm happy and honored to have been a part of their lives." And oh, what lives they led: Like Jackson — who died at just 50 years old, after years of struggling with personal demons — Houston, too, had an intensely profound and everlasting impact on the world of entertainment. Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and countless other chart-topping entertainers have all name-checked her as their musical mentor, icon and inspiration: To date, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with more than 170 million albums, songs and videos sold. In her lifetime, Houston achieved what precious few of them have or ever will — stacking an astonishing 415 awards, including six Grammys, two Emmys, 22 American Music Awards, 30 <i>Billboard</i> Awards. Her voice, in its prime, was a national treasure. "X Factor" mastermind Simon Cowell may have summed it up the best: On "Piers Morgan Tonight," he said, "She was one of the greatest voices in our lifetime. Whitney was the number one singer that other singers want to emulate. People like that can't be manufactured. They've either got, it or they don't." He added, "You will always remember where you were and what you were doing when you heard the news." Like Michael before her, gone too soon. <center><embed src="http://media.mtvnservices.com/mgid:uma:video:mtv.com:733107/cp~id%3D1679030%26vid%3D733107%26uri%3Dmgid%3Auma%3Avideo%3Amtv.com%3A733107%26instance%3Dmtv" width="460" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" base="." flashVars=""></embed></center> <b>MTV News' Sway and James Montgomery will be live from the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/grammys/">Grammys</a> red carpet tonight starting at 5 p.m. ET to get reactions from music's biggest stars on the death of Whitney Houston. Watch reactions and remembrances at MTV.com.</b> <I>Share your condolences with Whitney's family and friends on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mtvnews/posts/381732435187118&rdquo" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page.</I></p>
Related Videos Related Photos Related ArtistsJohn Mayer Announces Spring Tour
His new album, Born and Raised, is also slated for the spring.
By Jocelyn Vena
John Mayer
Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
John Mayer announced he needed vocal surgery last fall, and now he's back and ready to hit the road.
On Monday (February 27), the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter announced plans for a spring tour, his first outing in nearly two years. The 18-date trek will kick off April 9 in Bloomington, Indiana, before wrapping up May 6 in Phoenix. The tour will be in support of his forthcoming new album, Born and Raised, which will be released sometime around the outing. The album's lead single, "Shadow Days," hits radio Monday.
The tour will help raise funds and awareness for the Northern California Institute of Research and Education, which "provides veterans with a healthy reintegration into civilian life." Mayer will auction off tickets to the shows to help raise money for the organization.
Born and Raised will feature production from Don Was, and Mayer will get some vocal and instrumental help from singers David Crosby and Graham Nash, keyboardist/pianist Chuck Leavell, bassist Sean Hurley and drummer Aaron Sterling. On tour, Mayer will be joined by guitarist and vocalist David Ryan Harris, guitarist Doug Pettibone and percussionist Michito Sanchez.
Previously, Mayer described the album as having "organic cowboy guitar sounds," adding that he had this very romantic thought when it came to the album's vibe: "What would it sound like if I wrote an album of cowboy songs on this guitar under the stars?"
"Every new record I start, a new aesthetic comes in. I can't help it," he said about the project. "I think it's gonna be more organic, more natural lyrics and chords and artful simplicity."
Will you check out John Mayer on tour? Let us know in the comments!
Related Artists'Dancing with the Stars' Season 14 Cast Revealed!
Get ready to root for your favorites in the ballroom because the new cast of Dancing with the Stars has been announced! The season 14 slate, revealed on Good Morning America Tuesday morning -- features a wide variety of contestants, including Melissa Gilbert, Sherri Shepherd and Jaleel White.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Usher - Fed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
Fed Up (featuring Usher, Young Jeezy, Drake, Rick Ross)
- Artist: Usher
- Label: We The Best, E1 Music
- Director: Gil Green
- Album: American Patriot
Justin Bieber's Top 18 Moments Kicks Off!
Oh, Baby! Before Bieber celebrates his 18th birthday on Thursday, we're counting down his best moments so far starting with #18 to #14.
By Jocelyn Vena
Justin Bieber arrives at the 2011 VMAs
Photo: FilmMagic
<P>As <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a> gears up for his 18th birthday this week, we at MTV News decided we'd help our guy celebrate the milestone by looking back on <i>18</i> of his greatest moments so far. Whether he's dazzling us with killer performances, topping the box office <i>and</i> the <i>Billboard</i> charts or just dropping yet another memorable music video, the Biebs has kept us talking since he first rose to super fame way back in 2009. Of course, actually narrowing down all of those moments was no easy task. Our list had to include career successes as well as personal achievements, and the pop star has had no shortage of either. But we put our heads together for the Beliebers. We'll celebrate every day leading up to the final reveal on Justin's big day, Thursday, March 1. What will be the #1 moment? You'll have to keep it locked at MTVNews.com! </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:743868.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <big><b>18. The 2012 Oscars</b></big><br> No, "Never Say Never" wasn't nominated for an Oscar, but Justin still managed to snag a few headlines at this year's show. Bieber popped up in the show's <a href="/news/articles/1679954/oscars-2012-justin-bieber-opening.jhtml">opener with host Billy Crystal</a> in a sketch that paid homage to Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris." Dressed up in formal wear, Bieber shared what seemed to be longing glances with Crystal. The singer also showed his flair for comedy, giving more proof that he's a true triple threat. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:626820.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <big><b>17. Bieber's Love Life</b></big><br> Teen superstar <a href="/news/articles/1679812/oscar-couples-justin-bieber-selena-gomez.jhtml">Bieber dating Disney princess Selena Gomez</a> has sparked lots of headlines. Whether they're walking arm-in-arm down a red carpet or sharing some alone time at, yes, the <a href="/news/articles/1671535/justin-bieber-selena-gomez-staples-center-date.jhtml">Staples Center for a "Titanic"</a> screening, this twosome is pretty adorable. Selena has always been the mature one in this relationship — she turns 20 in July — so it might take some pressure off having Justin join in her adulthood. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:496216.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <big><b>16. Bieber's Bowling Party</b></big><br> Just as he was getting ready to drop his 2010 album <i>My World 2.0,</i> Nick Cannon <a href="/news/articles/1634559/justin-bieber-beats-nick-cannon-at-bowling-during-my-world-20-party.jhtml">challenged Justin to a bowling match</a>. MTV News was on hand at Lucky Strike in New York City as the Biebs tried to beat Cannon. Tons of adoring fans also showed up to cheer on the floppy-haired star. In the end, despite Nick's big pre-game talk, it was Bieber who won. And Beliebers can probably take credit for helping him to victory! </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:685409.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <big><b>15. Justin and his Johnson Hit 2011 VMAs</b></big><br> When <a href="/news/articles/1669881/vmas-justin-bieber-selena-gomez.jhtml">Bieber walked the VMA red carpet</a> last year, he brought along a very special date. No, not Selena, who was MTV's red-carpet co-host, but his pet snake, Johnson. (The metaphor was not lost on anyone.) Justin actually seemed to creep out his lady when he unveiled the creepy crawler, and we couldn't stop talking about it. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:667570.id:1680063" width="240" height="211"></div><p> <big><b>14. Someday Perfume Launch</b></big><br> Nobody launches a fragrance like Bieber: The Canadian singer took over Macy's Herald Square in NYC last June to debut his <a href="/news/articles/1666360/justin-bieber-someday-perfume.jhtml">first perfume, Someday</a>. The iconic department store was filled mostly with female fans hoping to get spritzed by the star, and we found out he cares a lot about how they smell. "I just think that what we decided to do — making the fragrance for females, not getting a cologne for males — I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm more concerned about how girls smell 'cause I'm a guy," Justin explained to MTV News. "And I know what smells good and I know what I like, so girls should know if [I like] it, then other guys are going to like it." <i>Share your birthday wishes for Justin and weigh in on the top 18 moments on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/mtvnews" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page!</i> <b>Stick with MTV News all week as we count down <a href="http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/bieber_justin/artist.jhtml">Justin Bieber</a>'s 18 greatest moments leading up to his 18th birthday. On Thursday, March 1 — the teen star's official big day — we will reveal the #1 greatest moment in his career so far. Plus, stay tuned for even more Bieber as we celebrate the milestone!</b></p>
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Kristin Cavallari's baby bump is growing -- and at an exponential rate!
Ke$ha Calls Bob Dylan Cover 'An Emotional Purging'
Pop singer sings 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right' for Amnesty International anniversary album.
By Jocelyn Vena
Ke$ha
Photo: Getty Images
<P>It's hard to associate <a href="/music/artist/_kesha_/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a> with songs about anything other than hot guys, body glitter and partying. But she's defying her usual topics of interest for human rights organization Amnesty International. The singer is one of the many musicians on the org's <i>Chimes of Freedom</i> compilation of Bob Dylan's music, out January 24. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:720838" width="240" height="211"></div><p> When MTV News spoke with K-Dollar Sign last week about her <a href="/news/articles/1676172/kesha-sleazy-remix.jhtml">all-star remix of "Sleazy,"</a> she also opened up about switching gears vocally and emotionally for her version of Dylan's classic "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." "I mean, I think it's pretty well known that he's one of, if not my most, favorite artists of all time and ... one of the most amazing lyricists as well — the original storyteller," she explained. "So I love Bob Dylan and this was just, like, a dream. When they asked me to do a cover, I was just, like, salivating and going through all my records. It was so fun. It was the best homework assignment you could possibly have." K's version of Dylan's song is a slow-burning, heartbreaking ode to the already heartbreaking classic, where she channels Dylan through lyrics like "Still I wish there was somethin' you would do or say/ To try and make me change my mind and stay/ We never did too much talkin' anyway/ So don't think twice, it's all right." </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:642810" width="240" height="211"></div><p> Ke$ha had originally intended to record another Dylan track, but when she heard that someone else had their sights set on it, she settled on "Don't Think Twice," prompting a catharsis she could never have imagined. "This song was kind of an accident. I sat down and this is the first take that I ever sang," she recalled. "I just sat down on my bed for the first time after months of being on tour and I just started crying, and it was kind of like an emotional purging, and you can hear it on the record." In addition to Ke$ha and her contribution, the album will feature 75 other Dylan classics recorded by nearly 80 artists including Adele, Miley Cyrus, "Glee" star Darren Criss, My Chemical Romance, Evan Rachel Wood and Sugarland. The album pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International.</p>
Related Videos Related ArtistsMonday, February 27, 2012
Taylor Kitsch Brings Exclusive 'John Carter' Clip To 'MTV First'
Tune in to MTV at 7:56 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, to see the sneak peek, and then watch Kitsch answer your questions on MTV.com.
By Kara Warner
Taylor Kitsch in "John Carter"
Photo: Disney
Taylor Kitsch is making a major leap from small-screen sports hero Tim Riggins in "Friday Night Lights," to potential blockbuster action-movie star via three big-budget films: Disney's sci-fi fantasy "John Carter," "Battleship" and crime thriller "Savages." And just before he officially catapults to superstar status, he's answering your questions.
On Thursday, March 1, Kitsch will sit down with MTV News' Josh Horowitz to present a clip from his upcoming action adventure during "MTV First: John Carter." At 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV, Kitsch will introduce the clip, followed by a 30-minute interview that will continue on MTV.com, where Kitsch will answer more of your questions.
To get your question answered, all you have to do is send it via Twitter, using @MTVNews and the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskKitsch.
"MTV First" will give you a chance to see a never-before-seen clip from "John Carter," eight days before it hits theaters on March 9.
Set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars), "John Carter" is the story of a war-weary former military captain (Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars, where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions among the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins).
"There's kind of that stigma with big movies that it's just action," Kitsch told MTV News."But with this, it's really just the core of this guy and his journey of reinventing himself and finding himself again."
"John Carter" is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic novel "John Carter of Mars." The film will be released on March 9 in digital 3-D and IMAX 3-D.
Catch Taylor Kitsch Thursday, March 1, on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, when he'll debut an exclusive, never-before-seen clip from "John Carter." Then head over to MTV.com for our 30-minute chat with Rudd and Aniston.
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Taylor Kitsch Brings Exclusive 'John Carter' Clip To 'MTV First'
Tune in to MTV at 7:56 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, to see the sneak peek, and then watch Kitsch answer your questions on MTV.com.
By Kara Warner
Taylor Kitsch in "John Carter"
Photo: Disney
Taylor Kitsch is making a major leap from small-screen sports hero Tim Riggins in "Friday Night Lights," to potential blockbuster action-movie star via three big-budget films: Disney's sci-fi fantasy "John Carter," "Battleship" and crime thriller "Savages." And just before he officially catapults to superstar status, he's answering your questions.
On Thursday, March 1, Kitsch will sit down with MTV News' Josh Horowitz to present a clip from his upcoming action adventure during "MTV First: John Carter." At 7:56 p.m. ET on MTV, Kitsch will introduce the clip, followed by a 30-minute interview that will continue on MTV.com, where Kitsch will answer more of your questions.
To get your question answered, all you have to do is send it via Twitter, using @MTVNews and the hashtag #MTVFirst or #AskKitsch.
"MTV First" will give you a chance to see a never-before-seen clip from "John Carter," eight days before it hits theaters on March 9.
Set on the mysterious and exotic planet of Barsoom (Mars), "John Carter" is the story of a war-weary former military captain (Kitsch), who is inexplicably transported to Mars, where he becomes reluctantly embroiled in a conflict of epic proportions among the inhabitants of the planet, including Tars Tarkas (Willem Dafoe) and the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris (Lynn Collins).
"There's kind of that stigma with big movies that it's just action," Kitsch told MTV News."But with this, it's really just the core of this guy and his journey of reinventing himself and finding himself again."
"John Carter" is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' classic novel "John Carter of Mars." The film will be released on March 9 in digital 3-D and IMAX 3-D.
Catch Taylor Kitsch Thursday, March 1, on MTV at 7:56 p.m. ET, when he'll debut an exclusive, never-before-seen clip from "John Carter." Then head over to MTV.com for our 30-minute chat with Rudd and Aniston.
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Billy Crystal's Top Five Oscar Jokes
Nine-time host pokes fun at Jonah Hill and Christian Bale and gets a kiss from George Clooney.
By Ryan J. Downey
Billy Crystal performs at the 84th annual Academy Awards
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
There were jokes about old relatives, bar mitzvahs and other tried-and-true familiar shticks from the only comedian to host the Oscars nearly as many times as Bob Hope, but Billy Crystal came armed with a surprising amount of some Ricky Gervais-style bite, too.
The veteran comedic actor's ninth turn as host of the Academy Awards followed a string of headline-making turmoil behind the scenes. Crystal was drafted to replace Eddie Murphy, who walked after producer Brett Ratner (who had directed Murphy in "Tower Heist") abruptly left the show following his use of a homophobic slur at a Q&A. Producer Brian Grazer eventually stepped in.
The show began with two Crystal staples: a montage of clips from the Best Picture nominees featuring the former "Saturday Night Live" castmember and a musical number that jokingly referenced several folks seated in the audience. They were moments that were as rewarding, if predictable, as the sweep "The Artist" made of several major categories on Sunday.
A few months ago, somewhat controversial Golden Globes host Gervais tweeted a picture of him and his Academy Awards counterpart together and wrote, "Just told Billy Crystal he'd better not use any of my holocaust or pedophile material at The Oscars. He agreed (true)." And while the opening sketch did include a Hitler reference and blackface (in the form of the comedian's well-established Sammy Davis Jr. impression), Crystal mostly kept it tame, recruiting Justin Bieber, George Clooney and Tom Cruise for cameos.
Here are the top five Billy Crystal jokes from the 84th Academy Awards, as we saw them:
5. In the montage, Crystal awakes to find himself in a hospital scene from "The Descendants" being kissed by Clooney. Later in the show, he looked at Clooney's girlfriend, Stacy Keibler, and quipped: "You're a lucky girl. He's a very good kisser."
4. Before Christian Bale took the stage, Crystal began: "A 'Dark Knight,' an 'American Psycho,' a charismatic crack addict. You'll get to choose one on Super Tuesday." It was a swipe at the Republican presidential nominees, sure, but Crystal soon zeroed in more closely on the next presenter, referencing that infamous viral rant from 2009. "Academy Award winner — and be careful if you're in his eyeline — Christian Bale."
3. During the song, Crystal brought up Jonah Hill's tremendous post-"Moneyball" reduction in physical size. "It's great you shed weight," he sang to the actor. "But I think you should know, there's cupcakes after the show."
2. In recent weeks, news hit that the Kodak Theater would be changing its name, due to the longtime sponsor's recent financial troubles. "We're here at the beautiful Chapter 11 Theater," Crystal said, in one of many related jokes.
1. Much like Gervais' digs at the Globes, the Oscars themselves were the host's biggest target: "Nothing takes the sting out of these tough economic times like watching a bunch of millionaires giving golden statues to each other," he smiled.
What was your favorite Billy Crystal Oscar joke? Leave your comment below!
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Keep it locked at MTV.com all night and beyond for updates on the night's big winners and the best red-carpet fashion. Join the live conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.
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Usher - OMG
- Artist: Usher
- Label: LaFace Records, JLG
- Director: Anthony Mandler
- Album: Mental Sports Mixes
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Oscar Winners 2012: Who's Won So Far?
After months of build-up, countless red carpets and hours spent answering two big questions ("Do you have your acceptance speech prepared?" and "Who are you wearing?"), George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Octavia Spencer and the rest of this year's awards-season all-stars are packed into the venue formerly known as the Kodak Theatre to hear host Billy Crystal crack jokes -- and, of course, to find out who will take home the hardware at the 84th Academy Awards.
Christina Aguilera Christina Applegate Christina DaRe Christina Milian
Melissa McCarthy's Big Night at the 2012 Oscars
Gearing up for the grandest of all Tinseltown events, Melissa McCarthy was spotted arriving at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday evening (February 26).
The ?Bridesmaids? actress brought her jovial ways to the Kodak Theatre red carpet as she mingled with the slew of celebs on-hand while dressed in a fabulous Marina Rinaldi ensemble.
During the course of the night, Miss McCarthy is set to take the stage to hand out one of the coveted trophies while other presenters include Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz.
Melissa also finds herself in the running for Best Actress in a Supporting Role honors, while the 2012 Academy Awards will be hosted by Billy Crystal and are set to broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, February 26th beginning at 7p/4e.
Stranger Danger
My sister recently had a talk with my four-year-old nephew Jack about strangers. Here's how it went:
SISTER: Now, Jack, if a stranger says, "Come here, I want to show you something," what do you do?
JACK: I turn around and run!
SISTER: If a stranger says, "Come here, I want to give you some candy," what do you do?
JACK: I turn around and run!
SISTER: If a stranger says, "Come here, I want to show you my puppy," what do you do?
JACK: Oh, I love puppies...
'Jersey Couture' Sisters Give Their "Likes or Yikes?" to Red Carpet Fashion
Plus, Britney Spears could join 'X-Factor' and some positive news for Lindsay Lohan! Chime in on the week's hottest entertainment stories at ivillage.com/likesoryikes
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Ke$ha Is Channeling 'Sexiness' Of '70s Rock For New Album
Glitter-heavy pop star tells MTV News she's going for 'balls-out, irreverent rock and roll.'
By James Montgomery, with reporting by Matt Elias
Ke$ha
Photo: MTV News
<P><P><P><a href="/music/artist/_kesha_/artist.jhtml">Ke$ha</a>'s already got the face paint down pat, and, during recent live sets, she's even taken to <a href="http://www.popeater.com/2011/03/17/kesha-drinks-blood-during-performance" target="_blank">guzzling blood</a> out of a human heart, so it should come as no surprise that, on her upcoming album, the pop star is taking things back to the most <i>theatrical</i> era of rock: the prop-heavy, arena-spanning heyday of the 1970s. Ke$h revealed her plans over the weekend in Los Angeles, on the red carpet of KIIS FM's annual <a href="/news/articles/1663909/wango-tango-britney-spears-kesha.jhtml">Wango Tango</a> concert, where she told MTV News that the follow-up to her breakout <i>Animal</i> album (and, we suppose, <a href="/news/articles/1652714/kehas-cannibal-a-cheat-sheet.jhtml"><i>Cannibal</i></a> too) would be heavy on hard riffs and light on pretty much <i>everything</i> else. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:652875" width="240" height="211"></div><p> "The next album ... I've been working on writing on the road, but as far as a sound, I just know it's gonna be balls-out, irreverent rock and roll," she said. "I've been pretty much in this '70s rock and roll kick and I just want to capture some of the true essence of what rock and roll is, and that's just irreverence and sexiness and fun and not giving a f---, so we'll definitely put a bit of rock and roll in it." So, does that mean that fans can expect the likes of Alice Cooper or Peter Frampton to show up on her new album? Perhaps. Because while Ke$ha's new album is still a ways off, she's already begun calling in favors, hoping to line up a killer collabo for the new disc. "I'm trying, trust me," she laughed. "I really would love to connect with one of my idols, I mean, that's my dream. I'm working on it." <i>What do you think of Ke$ha going rock for her next album? Tell us in the comments!</i></p></p></p>
Related Photos Related ArtistsKe$ha - Take It Off
- Artist: Ke$ha
- Label: RCA
- Director: Paul Hunter, Dori Oskowitz
- Album: King of the Blues Guitar
Oscars 2012: All-Time Most Controversial Winners
From 'Shakespeare in Love' to 'Crash,' a look back at the Academy Awards' most memorable upsets.
By Kevin P. Sullivan
Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes in "Shakespeare in Love"
Photo: Miramax
Not every Academy Awards winner is met with praise and cinematic glory. Some past winners have come as surprises and even major disappointments to the audience, and among these, a handful will go down in history as outright injustices.
Though a surprise victory on Oscar night can be thrilling, it can also deeply upset the viewers at home who've picked their favorites. As we gear up for the 2012 Oscars, here's a look back at some of the most controversial wins in Academy Awards history.
"How Green Was My Valley" Upsets "Citizen Kane" (Best Picture)
Even though "Citizen Kane" has been touted as the greatest American movie of all time by the American Film Institute, back in 1942, it couldn't even win the Academy Award as the year's Best Picture. John Ford's tale of a family struggling to make ends meet in a Welsh mining town beat Orson Welles' masterpiece to take the honors and become the foremost example of Oscar injustice.
"Ordinary People" Upsets "Raging Bull" (Best Picture)
It upsets people when the film they feel is the best of year doesn't win the top prize on Oscar night, but when the supposed film of the decade doesn't win in its respective year, that's a thing of controversy. Martin Scorsese's gem about troubled boxer Jake LaMotta earned Robert De Niro an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1981, but Robert Redford's family drama took the top honor. "Ordinary People" has since gone down in history as the film that stole the Oscar from the best movie of the 1980s.
Marisa Tomei Wins for "My Cousin Vinny" (Best Supporting Actress)
One of the most famous Oscar controversies in recent years came at the 1993 ceremony, when Jack Palance presented the award for Best Supporting Actress to Marisa Tomei. Many theorized Palance had misread the card, mistakenly giving the Oscar to Tomei. In the years since, the actress has gone on to earn two additional Academy Awards nominations.
"Shakespeare in Love" Upsets "Saving Private Ryan" (Best Picture)
The film that ushered in the era of Miramax domination in the awards scene, "Shakespeare in Love," stole away Oscar glory from the one pegged as the odds-on favorite. Steven Spielberg's sprawling World War II epic was heavily favored heading into the 1999 Academy Awards, and even though Spielberg took home the award for directing, many still hold onto the disappointment from the top category.
"Crash" Upsets "Brokeback Mountain" (Best Picture)
One of the best examples of the power of Best Picture backlash, the 2006 Academy Awards saw the tides turn away from Ang Lee's tragic love story "Brokeback Mountain" and toward Paul Haggis' "Crash" in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. If you need to better understand the shock that occurred, go back and watch Jack Nicholson announce "Crash" as the winner, throw his hands up and say, "Wow."
The MTV Movies team has the 2012 Oscars covered! Stick with us for everything you need to know leading up to the awards show, and on Sunday, February 26, tune into MTV.com at 5 p.m. ET for our two-and-a-half-hour red-carpet live stream and updates on the night's big winners. To join the live conversation, tweet @MTVNews with the hashtag #Oscars.
Related Videos Related PhotosBobbi Kristina Brown Is Doing a Little Better Each Day
Bobbi Kristina Brown is finally back home in Atlanta after grieving her mother's death in Los Angeles and then attending her funeral in New Jersey. With Whitney Houston laid to rest, her seemingly inconsolable daughter is slowly becoming more functional.
Britney Spears Hosts As Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, More Bring Wango Tango To L.A.
Pitbull, Matthew Morrison, Selena Gomez, Far East Movement and others filled the Staples Center on Saturday night.
By Matt Elias
britney Spears hosts KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2011 on Saturday
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
<P><b>LOS ANGELES</b> — <a href="/music/artist/spears_britney/artist.jhtml">Britney Spears</a> makes headlines at concerts, even when she's not performing. That's probably why Los Angeles radio station KIIS FM tapped the pop princess to guest-host their annual Wango Tango music festival along with Ryan Seacrest on Saturday night at the Staples Center. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="vid:652696" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The bill was a balance of pop and hip-hop, with acts like Ke$ha, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Selena Gomez, "Glee" 's Matthew Morrison, Lupe Fiasco, T-Pain, Jason Derülo, Far East Movement, New Boyz, Cobra Starship and newcomer Cody Simpson. Backstage, the media room went into a frenzy when Spears arrived in a red, geometric-print dress and a beaming smile. Owning her "femme fatale" moniker, Spears worked the carpet for a few moments while all of the cameras in the room were pointing at her. It was the second red carpet appearance by Brit this week, after her Beverly Hills benefit on Wednesday night for <a href="/news/articles/1663732/britney-spears-st-bernard-project.jhtml">the St. Bernard Project</a>. <a href="/photos/keha-britney-spears-selena-gomez-and-many-more-at-wango-tango-2011/1663910/6129255/photo.jhtml"><b>Check out photos from Wango Tango 2011.</b></a> Spears' <i>Femme Fatale</i> collaborator <a href="/news/articles/1639312/justin-bieber-usher-ignite-crowd-at-kiis-fms-wango-tango.jhtml">Ke$ha, who was returning to the festival</a> for the second time, said that an onstage collab between to the two would have to require one thing. "That would have to include me finding her and attacking her," Ke$ha told MTV News, with the best intentions. "I'm planning on pouncing her." While that never happened, at least not onstage, Ke$ha delivered on her promise of a set heavy on her glitter gun. And she assured us she knew the dos and don'ts of handling that kind of firepower. "Do not spray yourself in the face with it," she said. "Do spray everybody else with it. That's pretty much it." While Joe Jonas wasn't performing at the show, he took a break from recording his solo debut to catch up with almost everyone backstage. "I didn't see Britney backstage, just said 'hello' to a couple of my friends," Jonas said. "Backstage is always [full of] people, especially having it at the Staples Center this time, I think compared to all the way out in the desert, it changes everything." Also happy to have Wango Tango in Los Angeles were locals Far East Movement. "Man, we grew up literally a few blocks away from here, and you can only imagine basketball games being played here," Kev Nish said. "So to come in here as performers, to be able to do our songs in this arena is a little crazy. We used to pass out CDs a few blocks [away], so we're very thankful. And the lineup is nuts, so we're extremely excited to be a part of this lineup." <i>Were you at Wango Tango? Share your experience in the comments below!</i></p>
Related Photos Related ArtistsHGTV, LA and Dining Room Tables
I've been watching a lot of HGTV since coming to LA. My favorite shows are House Hunters and House Hunters International. There's also another show I like to watch called For Rent, but only because it makes me angry.
When it comes to apartments/homes, I think living in New York for the past eleven years has made me bitter because there was this whiny broad on For Rent a few nights ago who was looking at a huge place—A HUGE PLACE—and was like, "There's no place for a dining room table..."
B*TCH, YOU'RE LUCKY TO GET A KITCHEN IN NEW YORK.
I hated her.
Now there's some stupid lady on House Hunters who wants a townhouse with a fireplace that she can turn on with a light switch. IT HAS TO BE A LIGHT SWITCH because she doesn't want to bend down and flip a switch on the floor.
WHO DO THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE?
Anyway, I know my LA update is WAY overdue (and truth be told I wrote a long one last week but for some reason it didn't save so I lost the whole thing and I was so angry that I just said, "Ah, f*ck it," and closed the computer instead of rewriting) but to give you a quick update, I AM SO HAPPY HERE. I MEAN, I'M REALLY, REALLY HAPPY. And I think living here and watching HGTV—both of these things combined—has made me realize that New York was just beating me down. I mean, the fireplace lady—yes, she's an idiot. But there's nothing wrong with wanting a dining room table. Why did I get so mad at that lady?
Since being here, at least once a day I ask myself why I have lived in New York for so long. (It's like I had Stockholm Syndrome or something.) CALIFORNIA IS AWESOME. It's like the promised land. It's sunny all the time and there are birds and flowers everywhere. I have space out here. I have a sofa on the patio out here. I HAVE A SOFA OUTSIDE. I haven't seen one rat since I've been here. But hummingbirds? THEY ZIP BY MY HEAD EVERY DAY. I am so happy.
I'm supposed to go back to New York in November, but truth be told, I'm not sure I will.
'Punk'd' Taps Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus For Comeback
MTV's legendary hidden-camera show will re-launch with rotating cast of guest hosts on March 29 at 10 p.m. ET.
By Gil Kaufman
"Punk'd" Logo
Photo: MTV
<P>One of MTV's most beloved series, <a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/punkd/series.jhtml">"Punk'd,"</a> is gearing up for a fresh round of hidden-camera celebrity gotchas when it re-launches next month with a whole new look and feel. </p><div class="player-placeholder right" id="id:1676743" width="240" height="211"></div><p> The prank show from mastermind/ executive producer Ashton Kutcher, which originally aired from 2003 to 2007, will hit the air at 10 p.m. ET on March 29 as part of a new hour-long block of original programming that will also include a "Jersey Shore" spin-off show entitled, "The Pauly D Project." <b><big><a href="http://www.mtv.com/photos/15-most-memorable-punkd-moments/1678766/6886007/photo.jhtml">Check out the 15 most memorable moments from the original "Punk'd" show here.</a></big></b> While Kutcher enjoyed taking down his pals and unsuspecting celebrities last time, the 2.0 version of <a href="/news/articles/1676255/punkd-returning-2012.jhtml">"Punk'd" will feature a rotating cast</a> of celebrity hosts each week. Among those lined up to fill the "Two and a Half Men" star's shoes are: Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Kellan Lutz, Hayden Panettiere, Bam Margera and "Punk'd" alum Dax Shepard, among others. They will prank their fellow Hollywood pals, including Khloé Kardashian Odom, "Teen Wolf" star Tyler Posey, Demi Lovato and many more. Not only will the celebrity hosts take the punking to a new and unnecessarily complex level, but for the first time in series history, viewers will also get a behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to pull off these elaborate pranks. During its initial run, "Punk'd" pulled some all-time classic gags on such unsuspecting targets, one of which occurred in the series premiere, when a then-22-year-old Justin Timberlake broke down in tears when he thought government agents were seizing his home because of $900,000 in unpaid taxes. Other classic bits included one in which Beyoncé is tricked into believing that she caused a giant Christmas tree to topple over on some presents intended for a group of underprivileged children, ruining their holiday. <b>Catch "Punk'd" when it returns on Thursday, March 29 at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.</b> <b>For more on the <a href="http://remotecontrol.mtv.com/">return of MTV's "Punk'd"</a> check out the <a href="http://remotecontrol.mtv.com/">Remote Control blog.</a></b></p>
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