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Weird Al Yankovic’s ‘Born This Way’ Parody Video May Give You Nightmares

Posted 6/20/11 7:30 pm EST by in Lady Gaga


After a bit of he said, she said over whether or not Lady Gaga would give Weird Al Yankovic permission to parody her hit “Born This Way,” the video for his “Perform This Way” has surfaced and it’s, um, interesting. And by “interesting,” we mean disturbing. And by “disturbing” we mean “creepy as f**k!”

There’s really no other way to describe a video in which Weird Al’s face is (badly) digitally placed over the face of a model/dancer in Gaga-garb and various states of undress, shimmying around to Al’s parody tune.

We’d say more about it, but our skin is still crawling so we’re having trouble typing. Check out the video below to see why, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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Kara DioGuardi Judges My Songwriting

Posted 6/20/11 5:30 pm EST by in American Idol


Kara DioGuardi

Kara DioGuardi took a lot of lumps from American Idol fans during her two-year stint as “the fourth judge.” Hell, anyone who keeps up with my Idol coverage knows I’ve employed far too many Kara DioSaster puns.

Things are different in KaraLand now, though. She’s absolutely killing it as head judge on her latest TV endeavor, Bravo’s Platinum Hit, a reality competition where aspiring songwriters battle it out to become America’s Next Top Diane Warren. (New episodes premiere every Monday night. So much drama, and the songwriters are actually talented!) Plus, Kara escaped Idol with her sense of humor intact, joking openly in interviews about her less-than-stellar time on live TV.

Last week, Kara stopped by MTV News and I had about a zillion things to ask her. But I also wanted to give her the chance to critique me. I’ve made mortgage payments thanks to her Idol gaffes, so it’s only fair to allow her to get a few shots in at me. So I strapped on my songwriter cap and spent 20 minutes re-writing the lyrics to one of my musical “Glee-caps” in Kara’s honor. And then I performed it for her. To her face. And asked her opinion. Gulp.

What would one of the industry’s top songwriters think of my tune? Would she say the melody needs work? Or that my lyrics are cliché? How could I go on living if the person responsible for so many of my favorite karaoke jams hated my music?

Check out the video below to see her reaction. (Spoiler alert: she’s awesome.) Read More...

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Put Down The Bottle, Amy Winehouse! You’re The Comeback Everyone Wants To See

Posted 6/20/11 4:00 pm EST by in Amy Winehouse


Amy Winehouse

Like everyone else, when we saw the video of Amy Winehouse’s disastrous performance in Belgrade, Serbia, we were horrified. Just when things were starting to look up for the “Back to Black” singer, she managed to self-sabotage yet again, leading to canceled tour dates in Istanbul and Athens and buzz that her 12-date comeback tour may be scrapped entirely.

In video from the concert, Winehouse stumbles around the stage unable to remember the lyrics to her own songs. Barely able to stand, she brought a member of her band to the mic to sing “Valerie.” It was tragic.

The performance stands in marked contrast to one she put on just six days earlier at London’s 100 Club. According to sources at that show, “Amy was on fantastic form. She looked and sounded great. It was like one of her old performances.” The London show was her first live performance since a string of mostly well-received dates in Brazil earlier this year.

So what gives? Read on for our theory (and it’s just that – we blog, we do not know or treat Winehouse nor are we featured on Intervention). Read More...

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Drew Barrymore: Latest Actor-Turned-Music Video Director

Posted 6/20/11 3:30 pm EST by in Music, Video


By Zachary Swickey

L.A. surf-pop scenesters Best Coast are about to give their song “Our Deal” the video treatment, and frontwoman Bethany Cosentino has revealed in an interview with Rolling Stone that a gal pal of hers – none other than Drew Barrymore – will be directing the clip. The two met backstage at a show in L.A. and really hit it off.

“She’s the nicest, most down-to-Earth person I’ve ever met,” said Cosentino, who was clearly taken aback by Barrymore’s nonchalant character. “We were like, ‘How can we work together?’”

A music video directed by Barrymore seemed like the logical solution, as the actress made her directorial debut two years ago with the roller derby romp Whip It, starring Ellen Page and current hot commodity Kristen Wiig. Barrymore is not the only celeb attached to the video either; it will include appearances from iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove, Chloe Moretz of Kick Ass and Let Me In fame, and comedian/rapper Donald Glover of Community. Cosentino assures the video has a “very cool concept,” which was concocted by Barrymore.

While this will mark Barrymore’s first music video, actors lensing music clips is far from a new trend. Let’s take a look at some of the more memorable and obscure music videos that were helmed by actors.

Heath Ledger

Before his tragic passing, Ledger had high aspirations of being a serious director. He helmed the video for “Morning Yearning” for pal Ben Harper off his 2004 double album, Both Sides of the Gun. An animated (yet, disturbing) video that Ledger had conceived for Modest Mouse’s “King Rat” was eventually completed after the star’s passing, but he was still given the credit. Most interesting is the video Ledger directed for Nick Drake’s “Black Eyed Dog.” Ledger, who was fascinated with the British singer-songwriter, also stars in the clip, which has only been screened twice in full and never been released to the public.

Read on for more. Read More...

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MuchMusic Video Awards Rundown: Justin, Selena, Gaga And More!

Posted 6/20/11 3:00 pm EST by in Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez


Lady Gaga

By Danielle Genet

The world let out a big sigh last night when Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber appeared on stage together last night at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada. However, unlike their big smooch at the 2011 Billboard Awards, the couple toned down their PDA and shook hands while Bieber teased to Selena,“Nice to meet you. You’re very beautiful. Maybe we can go out some time.” Beiber kept up the joke, later tweeting, “and to that young lady @selenagomez - great job and it was a pleasure meeting u.”

Bieber picked up two awards last night. He and Drake split the Best International Video of the Year by a Canadian prize for “Somebody to Love” featuring Usher and “Find Your Love,” respectively, and picked up the award for the fan-voted Ur Fave New Artist for “Somebody to Love (remix).” Biebs graciously thanked his fans on Twitter, leaving them with this message “Dont forget where you come from ... and always show love to home. I LOVE CANADA!!! THANK YOU. GREAT NIGHT.”

Those in attendance were also treated to not one, but two performances by Lady Gaga, who opened and closed the show. Gomez, co-host of the show, introduced Gaga as the “Queen of Pop – Mother Monster” before Gaga stormed the stage to perform renditions of “The Edge of Glory” (re-enacting her music video, Gaga danced on a balcony and fire escape set) and “Born This Way” (the hatching theme returned in the form of a cocoon, along with three different outfits, original music video choreography and a blood soaked finale). In between performances, Gaga took to the stage to accept awards for International Video of the Year – Artist for “Judas,” as well as the fan choice Ur Fave International Video for “Born This Way.”

Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne didn’t go unnoticed either, accidently dropping the F-bomb during her performance of “What the Hell.” Read More...

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Ryan Dunn Fans Respond In Shock To His Death On Twitter

Posted 6/20/11 11:58 am EST by in Uncategorized


'Jackass' star Ryan Dunn's death comes as a shock to all of us in the MTV Newsroom and it has struck a chord with his legion of fans on our Twitter account as well. As we learn more about the details, we are struck by the shock and appreciation Dunn's fans feel today. Some examples of heartfelt tweets we've seen are below:

React with our fans to Ryan's passing on our Facebook page

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Britney Spears And The Case Of Never Releasing Your Album’s Best Song As A Single

Posted 6/20/11 11:26 am EST by in Britney Spears


Britney Spears

Britney Spears is enjoying a career high at the moment. Her recently launched tour is playing packed houses and enjoying good reviews, her Femme Fatale album became her sixth to debut at No. 1 and the single “Till the World Ends” is arguably her biggest hit since “Toxic” – sure, she’s charted higher with “Womanizer,” “Circus” and “Hold It Against Me,” but name a recent Spears song that has garnered as much long-term buzz, radio play and critical acclaim as “Ends.”

So things are going well. But as a longtime Spears fan, we firmly believe they could be going even better. Why? Because she has somehow forgotten to release the best songs from her last four albums as singles. That’s why.

The latest single from Femme Fatale, “I Wanna Go,” is set to make its video debut on Wednesday. It’s a great track, there’s no doubt, and frankly, we were happily surprised she went with it over the will.i.am.-produced “Big Fat Bass” or the Bloodshy song “How I Roll.” But why not the trippy, beautiful Euro-synth dance jam “Trip To Your Heart”?

For a look at more non-single Britney greatness, read on. Read More...

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Justin Bieber, Usher Throw Scooter Braun A Birthday Bash

Posted 6/20/11 9:08 am EST by in Justin Bieber, Usher


Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun

Justin Bieber, Usher and Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine came out to party together on Saturday night. And just what occasion were they celebrating? Well, they were all on hand as Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, celebrated turning the big 3-0. The par-tay took place in Los Angeles, where Braun was roasted by his pals, including the night's MC, Usher.

Other attendees included Asher Roth, Kim Kardashian, Mary J Blige, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Jaden Smith, Wilmer Valderrama and Rita Wilson. Those who couldn't make the party but recorded well-wishes for the music mogul included Will Smith, Diddy, Ludacris and Keri Hilson.

Not only was there food and revelry, but there were also some A-list performances from The Dan Band, Usher and, yes, Bieber, who played drums and performed "Baby," as well as "Never Say Never" with Jaden.

But who turned up for the night's big surprise? Read More...

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Exclusive Video: Dirty South To Release 'Strictly Dirty South' Double Disc Compilation

Posted 6/17/11 5:00 pm EST by in dance, Exclusives


By Sam Hendrick

On an otherwise hot and sunny Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas, an abnormal cold front made its way into the mix, leaving Tao Beach party-goers to seek shelter in their cabanas. Chilly, half naked bodies snuggled up under towels leaving the super posh party spot looking more like a ski lodge than one of the hottest poolside destinations in Sin City.

It was uncertain where the day would go from there but those in attendance were eagerly awaiting the upcoming set by Dragan Roganovi?, better known by his DJ moniker Dirty South. In a seemingly divine act straight from the pages of the biblical texts, the moment Dirty South hit the decks, the clouds parted, the wind subsided and the sun finally came out. Over the next two hours, Dragan’s killer set heated the bikini-clad crowd up to a proper Las Vegas temperature.

It’s safe to say this was one of our favorite sets of the weekend, and if it’s anything like his upcoming Strictly Rhythm compilation Strictly Dirty South, we’ll definitely be picking up a copy. After his set, Dragan was kind enough to sit down and chat in depth about Strictly Dirty South and what to expect.

Read More...

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Noted Comic Shaq: A Man Of Many (Large) Hats

Posted 6/17/11 3:00 pm EST by in comedy, Miscellaneous


Shaq

By Zachary Swickey

Looks like Shaquille O’Neal is taking a post-retirement cue from Larry King by embarking on his first ever comedy tour. While O’Neal – along with Cedric the Entertainer – has spearheaded a few Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam television specials since 2009, this will find the retiree taking hand-picked comedians – Aries Spears, Corey Holcomb, Tommy Davidson, Capone, Gary Own, and Tony Roberts – out on the road for the first time.

The tour kicks off September 9 in Memphis, Tenn., and runs through mid-November. There are also plans to film the gigs for the upcoming reality show All-Star Comedy Jam Backstage Pass. Think he’s bitten off more than he can chew? You might be surprised to read about all of the “hats” he has donned over the years.

Rapper

Younger fans of O’Neal may be unaware of his musical past, but the dude has five albums under his belt. His first two went platinum, while the third went gold. It seems his rapping aspirations are behind him, as it’s been over ten years since he’s released new music. In hindsight, his music holds up about as well as a Limp Bizkit record (that is, not very well), but just check out the absolutely insane A-list talent he worked with over the years: Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Notorious B.I.G., Michael Jackson, Method Man, Redman, RZA, Ludacris, Mobb Deep and Warren G.

Video Game Star

Forget O’Neal’s appearances in multiple different basketball games for nearly every gaming system, nothing compares to his starring role in his own video game. In October 1994, Shaq Fu was released for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo consoles and features the baller stumbling into another dimension, where he must battle an evil mummy (yes, seriously). He was also a special unlockable character in several different games: Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2, Delta Force: Black Hawk Down and UFC 2010 Undisputed.

Read on for more. Read More...

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