MTV Newsroom ›

It's the day leading up to the MTV Movie Awards, and right now feels like the calm before the storm. I'm sitting here on the side of the red carpet, which is currently empty, except for the crew who are getting ready to rehearse the big preshow. It's amazing to witness the transformation. In just a few hours from now, this carpet will be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest celebs in the world: Megan Fox, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Shia LaBeouf and, of course, Brüno (Sacha Baron Cohen's newest character). Tonight is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

Inside, the producers of the main show are hard at work putting the finishing touches to tonight's big performances by Kings of Leon and Eminem, not to mention our host, Andy Samberg, who I promise you will have everyone in stitches.

Late last night, Eminem took to the stage for his rehearsal, and even though he's been away for four years, there's no doubt EMINEM IS BACK! I don't want to spoil it for you, but expect a really special performance and a little bit extra. That's all I'll say.
Read more...

Tags red carpet

We found another famous car here at the Universal lot. Actually, it’s more of a van. I had heard rumours from the team that the Mystery Machine — complete with a real-life Scooby Doo and a guy dressed as Shaggy — had been driving around, so we had to track it down.

Along with digital producer Brian, we headed back to the famous-car graveyard that we had found the day before where the “Back to the Future” DeLorean and the Trans Am from “Smokey and the Bandit” are slowly rusting away. And there it was: the green-and-orange VW wagon with the words “The Mystery Machine” sprawled across it. Read more...

Tags scooby doo, Tim-Kash

By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

If you know anything about Rose McGowan, it's probably that the actress used to date over-the-top rocker Marilyn Manson or that she's notorious for bad-girl, vixen-esque acting roles.

So when we ran into the star at the Burberry event celebrating the opening of the British company's new headquarters in New York and asked her who her Hollywood crush is, we kind of expected McGowan to say something that made more sense — like Johnny Depp. Or Adam Lambert even — someone with at least a little bit of edge or controversy. But no.

Instead, we got an answer no one was expecting: Cary Grant (also random) and — wait for it — Zac Efron.

Yes, Disney's boy wonder and generally squeaky-clean teen heartthrob is Rose McGowan's celebrity crush. Read more...

Tags Burberry event, Rose McGowan, Zac Efron

There are just two days left before the big night on Sunday when the MTV Movie Awards take over the Universal Studios lot here in Universal City, California.

The team of lighting technicians, engineers, stage designers and riggers all worked overtime and well into the night to create what is, in my opinion, the best-looking stage we've ever had here at the Movie Awards. From the massive, sweeping staircase that the presenters and performers walk down to the two giant robots onstage and the massive screens and thousands of lights, it looks amazing — and it's not even finished yet!

Andy Samberg just walked onstage to start rehearsing so I couldn't help but stick around for his opening lines. If his opening monologue is anything to go by, he's going to be very, very, very funny! Read more...

Tags Movie Awards, mtv-movie-awards, Tim-Kash

By Eric Ditzian

With all this gossip about Susan Boyle's purported meltdown and speculation that she almost quit the show and is now holed up in a safe house away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, it's easy to forget one little thing: She hasn't won anything yet.

The "Britain's Got Talent" finale isn't set to take place until tomorrow night, at which point nine other contestants will be singing, dancing and otherwise competing with Boyle for the crown and the chance to perform in front of the queen. With that in mind, MTV News took a look at the remaining field to give our take on who's favored to triumph:

Susan Boyle
Who else in the competition has become a household name? Who else has been trailed relentlessly by tabloid hounds? Who else was granted an audience with Her Holiness Oprah Winfrey? Of course, all this exposure could lead to a Boyle backlash. And there's no doubting that Susan's performance of "Memory" last weekend was, at least initially, shaky. But come on — front-runners always win, right Adam Lambert? Maybe not. Still, all Boyle needs to do is step out onto the stage and do what she does best, what made her a household name to begin with: sing.

Chances for Victory: 4.5 out of 5

Read more...

By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

Ask any reporter who's had to cover a red-carpet event and they'll all probably tell you the same thing: Most of the time, it ain't glamorous.

They'll tell you to be prepared to check your shame at the door and get ready to throw some 'bows in order to keep your spot on the carpet. Well, at least that's the advice I got from seasoned MTV News vets, hip-hop editor Shaheem Reid and writer Eric Ditzian when I went to them for tips on covering last night's Burberry event in New York City — and they weren't kidding.

Last night Micaela Rogers, our rock-star production manager who's just learning to become a shooter, and myself, news intern and reporter-in-training, packed up our gear and headed to the New York Palace Hotel for a red-carpet event featuring some big names like Orlando Bloom, Claire Danes and Blake Lively.

Read more...

By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

Susan Boyle may be having a rough time dealing with her instant fame lately, but we've got something that is sure to cheer up everyone's favorite Scottish sweetheart. Harry Connick Jr is the latest celeb to catch Susan Boyle fever. Yes, the jazz crooner (or Grace's husband on "Will & Grace," if you prefer) told MTV News that he's a fan of the "Britain's Got Talent" contestant.

When we caught up with Connick last night at an event honoring British brand Burberry, the star told us he's watched the instant Internet star online.

"I just heard her sing that one song," he said. "Somebody sent me a link to her on YouTube singing it, and she was great."

Connick confessed that he hasn't been keeping up with Boyle's every move like the rest of America (and, of course, Britain), but he seemed pretty impressed.

Read more...

By Eric Ditzian

Susan! Susan, are you OK? Everyone seems so worried about you. The Associated Press tells me that "Britain and the YouTube-watching world is fretting over the pressure being piled" on you and your lovely voice. "God knows how poor Susan is feeling," wrote "Britain's Got Talent" judge Piers Morgan in a fit of high-horse condescension. Now I hear you've been shunted off to a "safe house" just days before you're set to take the stage for your final performance.

But I'm not worried about Susan Boyle. I know the Scottish singer is going to be fine. Why? Because I'm not buying any of this Susan Boyle meltdown mumbo-jumbo. Tabloid reports of an expletive-laced tirade need to be taken with a grain of salt. Folks like Morgan who purport to speak on her behalf need to be ignored. And wouldn't you hole up in a safe, quiet space before the biggest night of your life? All this noise surrounding Boyle is just par for the celebrity course, whether we're talking about overnight sensations or longtime Hollywood starlets.

Read more...

Hi, Twilighters! Today, I had the great pleasure of spending the day at the home of "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke. She has a beautiful place a stone's throw away from the world-famous Venice Beach, and we paid her a visit to talk about her film's seven nominations at the MTV Movie Awards and relive the first time Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson met.

It was a great day of filming, and believe me: "Twilight" fans are not going to want to miss any of this!

We talked about the first "chemistry screen test" between Kristen and Rob. Kristen had to act out a scene with five different potential Edwards, one after another, with Catherine deciding that Robert was "the one" the first time the two kissed — which, as all Twilighters know, happened in Catherine's bedroom. Read more...

Tags catherine hardwicke, Movie Awards, mtv-movie-awards, Tim-Kash, twilight

I was always told that it's good to cry, because it helps to release a lot of built-up emotions. It makes it even more gratifying when you cry because you're laughing so hard.

That happened today when I talked to Andy Samberg as he prepares for his hosting gig for the MTV Movie Awards. We met up at the back of the Gibson Amphitheatre on the Universal Studios lot. This is the area where the limos pick up the stars when the show is over. There is also a patio where the stars come to mingle and do press when the festivities end. Read more...

Tags sway