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'American Idol' Finale Diary: Catching Up With Alex Wagner-Trugman

Posted 5/19/09 12:46 pm EST by in American Idol


Hours after , I caught up with "American Idol" season-eight semifinalist Alex Wagner-Trugman, who kindly offered to drive me around town aimlessly while we chatted. (I guess people in L.A. do that?) Alex got a ton of screen time early in the season and accumulated a bunch of fans (including "Juno" screenwriter Diablo Cody) with his deadpan humor and shockingly soulful vocals. (Sadly, his fanbase abandoned him when he delivered an ... um ... interesting take on Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues.") Since "Idol," he's been chilling with his high school girlfriend and making fun online videos in which he covers tunes for his fans, most recently Spencer Pratt's rap song.

I jumped at the chance to bum around town with Alex, hoping to get some scoop on the inner-workings of "Idol." And Alex delivered, gabbing about everything from what Kris Allen's wife is like in real life to what he thinks this year's "Idol" coronation song will sound like. (Spoiler alert: It involves unicorns.)

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'One Tree Hill' Finale: How We Would Have Said Goodbye To Leyton

Posted 5/19/09 12:00 pm EST by in Television


By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

If you haven't watched the season finale of "One Tree Hill" yet, stop reading this now. Seriously. The following post is packed with spoilers. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Umm ... that's it? That was the big Peyton/Lucas send-off? No deaths, no heartbreak and (gasp) no car crashes. What!?

Since news broke that Hilarie Burton and Chad Michael Murray — otherwise known as Peyton Sawyer and Lucas Scott — would be leaving "One Tree Hill" next season, I'd been mentally preparing for a heart-wrenching and emotionally draining season-six finale. You know, complete with the cliff-hangers, fights and shocking drama "OTH" finales are known for. Well, last night, that's not what fans got. Sure, I was blubbering like baby Sawyer by the first commercial break, but after 15 minutes, we found out that Peyton wasn't going to die (thankfully, since the show's body count was getting kind of ridiculous) and Nathan would get the chance to play in the NBA (finally!).

After those two heartwarming revelations, the episode went on to depict a world in which all the characters in our favorite fictional town live perfect lives — except for resident villain Dan. It all just seemed too perfect. Yes, the episode managed to tie up some loose ends — Brooke and Julian are back together, score! — but it left me with a few burning questions. Where was Skills? Why did "Laguna Beach" alum Stephen Colletti get so much (or any) screen time? And finally, did I miss something?

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'American Idol' Finale Diary: Jim's Trip Gets Off To An Awkward Start

Posted 5/19/09 9:38 am EST by in American Idol


What is it with me and indie rock superstars at airports? It seems I can't get on a plane without exposing myself as the biggest dork on the planet in front of the coolest people on the planet.

While waiting for my flight to LAX (en route to the "American Idol" finale!), I just bumped into Homer Steinweiss, the awesome drummer at Daptone Studios (you've heard his work on Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, as well as with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings). And I proceeded to act like a stalker. Poor dude just got off a plane and was headed toward the bathroom when I intercepted him.


Jim: Homer Steinweiss?! (Subtext: It's 6 a.m. and I'm sleep deprived and this is so exciting to me!)
Homer: Um ... yes. (Subtext: I swear I don't have any weed on me, officer.)
Jim: I'm a big fan. (I'm a huge idiot!)
Homer: Oh, hi! (Whew!)
Jim: I actually produced that Daptone Studio tour piece for MTV News back in the day! (Please like me!)
Homer: Oh, yeah, I thought you looked familiar. That piece turned out great! (I don't remember you, but I remember that kickass segment you cut.)
Jim: So ... where ya going? (Please be on my plane and please be sitting next to me, so I can get all the dirt on Winehouse.)
Homer: Uh ... to the bathroom. And then home. (STALKER ALERT.)
Jim: Have a good trip! (Massive fail.)
Homer: Bye! (Whew.)

This comes after I harassed two members of the band Grizzly Bear on my way to the 2007 Vegas VMAs. That was slightly more embarrassing, since I asked them if they were attending the awards, to which they responded, "Why in the hell would we be invited to the VMAs?" Good point, fellas. Except apparently I thought my question was valid, since I followed up with, "Oh, this year they have big artists collaborating with smaller indie bands, so I thought maybe you would be performing with Kanye or something." And then they shook my hand and left.

Seriously. I suck.

Gotta board the plane. Edie Falco is also on my flight. Here's hoping I don't bump into her, because clearly I'd ask her an inane question and come off like a creep. Yay, "Idol" finale!

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Wisin Y Yandel Announce First Four Tour Dates -- Exclusively on MTV Tr3s!

Posted 5/18/09 6:29 pm EST by in mtv tr3s, wisin y yandel


Wisin Y YandelWisin y Yandel have given MTV Tr3s' Blogamole the exclusive on the first four dates of their U.S. tour, "La Revolución"! Head on over if you want to find out where the dates — which Tr3s readers helped decide — will be! And while you're at it, check out the latest installment of the duo's guest blog on Blogamole, and stay tuned for more info on the tour!

Casey Affleck Wants Your Joaquin Phoenix Footage

Posted 5/18/09 5:08 pm EST by in Joaquin Phoenix, Legalese Of Terrifying Scope


Joaquin PhoenixAttention amateur concert videographers and collectors of trainwreck footage: Casey Affleck wants your handiwork for his upcoming film on actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix. And he's serious about it.

Perhaps in a knowing nod to the, uh, overwhelming amount of amateur Joaquin footage floating around on YouTube (most of it catastrophic in nature), Affleck -- who, along with a film crew, has been with his brother-in-law Phoenix throughout his bizarre ride through the world of hip hop -- has started JoaqDoc.com, a Web site that allows users to upload their own videos of Phoenix rapping on -- and subsequently off -- stage.

Of course, whether or not your footage ends up on Affleck's film seems to be entirely up to him ... but he wants you to be very clear -- via some rather impressive (and lengthy) legalese in the site's "Terms and Conditions" section -- that once you upload it, you might as well kiss it goodbye for all eternity:

"By posting any content, images, photos, video, sounds, profiles, works of authorship, or any other materials (collectively, 'Content') on the Website, you hereby grant to Flemmy [Affleck's production company], a non-exclusive, fully-paid and royalty-free, worldwide license (with the right to sublicensees) to use, copy, modify, adapt, translate, publicly perform, publicly display, store, reproduce, transmit, and distribute such Content in any and all media and by any means now known or hereafter devised that Flemmy, in its sole discretion, shall deem appropriate."

Dang, man ... who thought footage of a bearded dude in Grandma shades tumbling off a stage would warrant such wordy legal wrangling? Still, if you're not frightened away by all that, you can upload your Joaq clips right now. Just don't blame us when Phoenix and Affleck show up to claim your first-born son. Making films is serious business, baby!

Do You Know All There Is To Know About 'American Idol'?

Posted 5/18/09 3:35 pm EST by in American Idol


By Eric Ditzian

Sure, you probably watch "American Idol" each week, but how much do you really know about the show? Have you been watching since the first broadcast in 2002 and think you have total recall about every champion, near-winner and audition train wreck? Are you a newbie, but swear you know everything there is to know about Simon, Paula, Randy, Kara and Ryan?

With the Adam Lambert/ Kris Allen season-eight showdown coming up tomorrow night, the "Idol" experts at MTV News compiled the Ultimate "American Idol" Trivia Quiz to test the depth and breadth of your knowledge. We'll ask you to answer questions about the most popular and most notorious contestants of all time, the artists that have been covered on the show and tons of obscure "Idol" factoids that only a die-hard fan can hope to answer.

You'll have 10 seconds to respond to each of our 20 questions. Will you get a resounding "yes" from the MTV News judges' panel? Click over to the MTV Arcade to find out if you have what it takes to be the Ultimate "American Idol" Trivia Quiz Master.

Kanye West's Ultimate Compliment For Mr Hudson? Naming A Shoe After Him

Posted 5/18/09 1:26 pm EST by in Kanye West


By Steven Roberts

When Kanye West told Mixtape Monday last November that his new artist Mr Hudson could be bigger than him, I'm pretty sure most of you were like, "Who is Mr Hudson?" When we caught up with the duo on the set of Hudson's "Supernova" video, Kanye continued with the compliments, comparing Hudson to Jim Morrison and Michael Jackson, among others.

"I believe that Mr Hudson has the potential to be bigger than me," Kanye told MTV News. "It's certain artists that ... I said that when Rihanna was opening up for me. It's certain people that have the potential to take it even further."

Hudson seemed flattered but joked that he was annoyed by the pressure of the compliment. Kanye apologized, realizing the gravity of his statement. Hudson pointed out that most people don't even know who he is. They do, however, know that he has a Louis Vuitton shoe named after him. Read More...

Our Five Favorite Season-Eight 'American Idol' Performances

Posted 5/18/09 1:25 pm EST by in American Idol


Adam LambertBy Rya Backer

Have you taken a look in the mirror recently and asked yourself, "What will become of me on Tuesday and Wednesday nights starting next week?" Well, so have we, but we're padding our "American Idol" withdrawal with a good dose of reflection.

Today, we're looking at season eight's top performances, and with a group of pipes from the likes of Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta and Megan Joy (OK, maybe not Megan Joy), there were so many numbers to choose from.

Here are our top five performances — feel free to disagree below!

5. Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta's "Slow Ride"
If for nothing else, their hug at the end was so heartwarming. Read More...

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Calling All Adam Lambert And Kris Allen Fans: We Need You!

Posted 5/18/09 1:17 pm EST by in American Idol, Video


Are you a self-described Glambert?

Do you frequently use the phrase "Kick Awesome?"

Well, then you're exactly the kind of person we're looking for.

On Wednesday night, in what many are calling the most compelling finale in the show's history, "American Idol" will crown a new champion: either flashy, flame-piped Adam Lambert or soulful everyman Kris Allen. It's a battle of contrasting styles and techniques -- vocal pyromania vs. straight-to-the-heart songsmanship -- and we're waiting with baited breath to see who comes out on top.

And we're pretty you're going to be, too ... So here's what we're looking to do. On Wednesday night, as the results are read by Ryan Seacrest live on air, we want you to turn your cameras on yourselves ... we're looking for your instant reactions. The thrill of victory. The agony of defeat. Tears, screams, blood ... the more fanatic (and, in the case of the Glamberts out there, dramatic) the better. We'll collect the best and feature them right here on our Newsroom Blog.

Interested? We knew you'd be. After the jump, find out how you can submit your footage. Read More...

Zootopia Gives Our Intern A Chance To Grill Jesse McCartney And The All American Rejects

Posted 5/18/09 11:27 am EST by in Concerts


By Kathleen Newman-Bremang

While an all-star amalgamation of pop, rock and hip-hop acts rocked it out onstage at Z100's Zootopia concert on Saturday, in my opinion, the best stuff went down backstage.

The MTV News crew packed into a pretty old-school rental car and headed to the Izod Center in New Jersey for the annual event, which featured appearances by the Kelly Clarkson, Black Eyed Peas, Flo Rida, the All American Rejects and Ciara to name a few.

When we arrived backstage at the press tent, I was fully prepared to take on my normal internly duties: help set up our equipment and discreetly stare at the bevy of celebs on the lineup. Little did I know, I'd be asked to do much more.

Tim Kash was busy gearing up for his one-on-one interviews with Kelly Clarkson and Sean Paul (more on those later), while our resident pop writer Jocelyn Vena was focusing on covering the actual concert. Read More...

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