Yesterday, Ellen DeGeneres presented one of her "Read Letter Day" segments, where she reads and responds to fan mail. One of the letters was from a girl from Connecticut who lamented the fact that she missed the episode featuring Justin Bieber's performance. "That's why I keep guests around just in case," she said. The host stood up from her chair and found Bieber lying on the ground behind her reading an issue of O magazine.
Bieber was greeted with rapturous cheers from the audience and gave a shout-out to the fan from Connecticut. After announcing the release of his album My World yesterday, Ellen mentioned that Bieber was on Usher's label and that it was only appropriate that Usher was there too.
The curtain on the "Ellen" stage parted and revealed Usher, who danced in and hugged DeGeneres. The R&B superstar told the story about how he found Bieber and revealed that what sold him was Justin's rendition of "U Got It Bad."
DeGeneres then raised the stakes. "You guys should dance a tiny, tiny bit," she said. "Yeah!" kicked in on the PA and the pair both started busting out moves, including Usher's strange sideways moonwalk that Bieber aped perfectly. They closed out the show by reminding everybody about Bieber's golden ticket promotion, which will give winners a chance for a private concert from Bieber and the opportunity to be in one of his videos.
The first week of November is almost behind us, and while the march toward the holidays is already on, that doesn't mean the music world took any time off. In fact, the next few weeks should be quite exciting, with oodles of new music, video and tour news coming at a rapid pace. The MTV Newsroom team will be all over everything as soon as it breaks, but for now, catch yourself up on everything that you might have missed.
» Some samples of Adam Lambert's new album hit the Web, and Jim Cantiello broke down every second of them.
» The Weezer Snuggie (or "The Wuggie") is pretty incredible, though even frontman Rivers Cuomo has no idea why.
» Both Chris Brown and Rihanna talked extensively about the assault back in February. Brown sat down with Sway to talk about the aftermath while Rihanna spoke to ABC about expectations and the future.
» Justin Bieber had a busy week: He dropped a new single, announced his golden ticket contest and impressed Ellen DeGeneres during his guest spot on her talk show.
» The Bieber performance was part of a busy week for Ellen, who also spent time scaring the heck out of Taylor Swift.
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Ellen DeGeneres spent most of the month of October pranking staffers and celebs on her show, so when Taylor Swift stopped by last Thursday (October 29), she probably should have been expecting something. But based on video evidence, the country star was caught completely off guard by the newest "American Idol" judge.
Swift followed in the footsteps of Katie Couric, Mario Lopez, Lauren Graham and David Spade, who all got a little scare from Ellen. DeGeneres showed the audience Swift's prank on Friday's episode of the show, and in the grand scheme of everyone who got pranked, Taylor definitely was the biggest scaredy cat.
The pranks all followed the same sort of formula: Ellen sent stars off to a green room where she told them there was a picture of the pair hanging up in the bathroom. Just as the celeb walked into the bathroom, Ellen popped out from behind a door to give them a fright. For the most part, people just kind of did a quick scream and laughed it off, but Taylor got truly frightened.
She got so scared of Ellen's prank that she screamed very loudly and fell to the floor. After a few seconds she composed herself, started laughing hysterically with Ellen and shared a hug with the talk show host. Ellen said it best: "Oh my god! That was the best one yet!"
It's been nearly two months since Paula Abdul announced that she would not be returning to her judges' chair on "American Idol," and though she made quite a splash as the host of "VH1 Divas" last week (complete with a tongue-in-cheek look at her "Idol" replacement Ellen DeGeneres), she still doesn't have a full-time gig to replace her "Idol" job. Though there were rumors that she would be added to the adjudicators' table on "So You Think You Can Dance," it appears as though that offer was only as a guest. Now comes the rumor that Fox may be importing "X-Factor" — another performance-based British import created and produced by "American Idol" main man Simon Cowell — for the U.S. and the top judge position may be going to Abdul herself.
Abdul has always been the charming second banana on "American Idol," but even with DeGeneres' big personality, it will always be Cowell's show. Does Paula have the chops to take the lead on a show of her own? The most recent season of "Idol" saw her definitely step her game up, and some of her rosy insight actually worked as constructive criticism (as opposed to previous seasons, where she basically hugged everybody who walked through the door). But if you think about it, do you actually know what Paula looks for in a performer? Cowell's worldview is pretty clear (as is Randy Jackson's, though to a lesser extent), but Paula's criteria isn't entirely clear. Obviously, the opportunity to anchor her own program would give her the chance to share those thoughts, but at the moment we don't really know what we'd be getting.
But let's assume that Abdul does take over "X-Factor." The question then becomes: Who do you add to the team? It's unlikely that MC Skat Kat will become a fixture on the show, so after that we're out of ideas. Got any bright ones? Drop some knowledge in the comments below or head over to Your.MTV.com to make your voice heard.
Last night's "VH1 Divas" show featured a number of show-stopping performances (especially its collaborations, with Miley Cyrus teaming up with Sheryl Crow and Leona Lewis singing with Cyndi Lauper on "True Colors"), but the show was clearly stolen by host Paula Abdul. In her first high-profile television appearance since her exit from "American Idol," Abdul came out and performed a medley of some of her biggest hits, including "Straight Up," "Cold Hearted Snake" and "Forever Your Girl." She also grabbed headlines by dressing up like Ellen DeGeneres, her replacement at the judges' table on "Idol."
But it was Abdul's resurrection of MC Skat Kat that totally stole the show. During the medley, Paula busted into her hit "Opposites Attract" and welcomed a video-assisted Skat Kat out of retirement to produce his vocal lines and re-create their iconic video.
Abdul's performance was frothy fun, but the actual "diva" moments all came care of "American Idol" alumnae, with Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson both tearing the house down with the sort of classic torch songs that defines divadom. Ironically, the best vocal performance of the night might have come from the least recognizable participant in last night's show, as Adele busted out a stunning version of "Hometown Glory" that left the crowd absolutely blown away. She came back later (with special guest India.Arie) for a reggae-inflected rendition of "Video" that similarly brought the live crowd to its feet. Considering Adele wasn't even mentioned in yesterday's Oh Snap! Poll, she certainly re-established herself as a true diva last night.
Ellen DeGeneres was just announced as Paula Abdul's replacement on "American Idol" starting next season, and I'm excited yet nervous for the choice.
Adding an "Idol" superfan to the panel is a fun idea. I think many of us assumed producers would find a washed-up pop star from a past decade to replace Paula. But going with the diehard fanatic is an interesting twist that threw me for a loop. Congrats to "Idol" for still having tricks up its sleeve.
But three things concern me with their choice of Ellen.
First, Ellen posted a video on her daytime chat show's Web site in which she promises to take the role of the viewer. She said, "I'm the people's point of view 'cause I am just like you. I sit at home and I watch it. I'm not looking at that in a critical way from [a] music producer's mind. I'm looking at it as a person who's going to buy the music and relate to that person. So hopefully I'll be the voice of what we're all doing at home."
But let's be honest. Nine times out of 10, the home viewer is the harshest critic of them all. Admit it: You've sad things about these singers that would make Simon Cowell blush. We rag on contestants left and right. If anything, us "Idol" geeks have been upset that the judges haven't been hard enough on certain contestants. (I know I was harshest on Danny Gokey because I didn't think he received enough criticism from the panel.) This video statement from Ellen worries me because I find it disingenuous and not representative of who she actually is. She's a zillionaire celeb who is likely too afraid to piss anyone off. She'll be more like the "Idol" cheerleader than you or I would ever be. If you're gonna claim to be "the armchair critic," Ellen, you better be prepared to really go there. Join the party. Come to the dark side.
Secondly, Ellen guest-judged this past summer on "So You Think You Can Dance" and her appearance was frustrating to say the least. Read more...
Raise your hand if you watched last night's "So You Think You Can Dance." Put down the tissues first. The show featured a breathtaking tribute to breast cancer, choreographed by Tyce Diorio, that left all the studio audience and all four judges (including guest judge Ellen DeGeneres) in tears.
"So You Think You Can Dance" usually offers one "serious issue" dance per season. Last year, choreographer Jean-Marc Généreux dedicated a Viennese waltz to his daughter, Francesca, who suffers from Rett Syndrome. In 2007, Mia Michaels created a contemporary routine about her recently-deceased father. Both of those numbers left me a little cold. I appreciated that the choreographers dug deep to express themselves, but in both cases, I found the routines to border on schmaltz-town.
You could imagine my trepidation when the pre-performance taped package rolled, and Tyce very solemnly announced that the dance was about breast cancer — specifically a friend of his who is currently dealing with it. And I must admit I rolled my eyes when Melissa was costumed in a nightgown and a pink head scarf. But as soon as the dancers movement began I was sucked in. By the end, I was a blubbering mess.
Tyce Diorio (who is also in charge of Katie Holmes' big dance number in tonight's results show) crafted a stunning routine that told the story of a woman struggling with breast cancer and a partner who was trying his best to support her. Melissa (the 29-year-old ballerina who I'm always worried is gonna break a hip) and Ade (one of my faves) nailed all the complicated choreography, including several insane leaps, jumps and falls. The amount of trust Melissa had for her partner was inspiring, and it added another layer of poignancy in the piece.
Sheesh, I'm rambling and rambling. If you haven't seen the dance, then by all means watch it.
And then let us know: When is the last time you wept while watching reality TV? And do you think this dance will change the results of the show? (We still think Janette's gonna take it all.)
"I guess it's a good rumor, but I don't think it's true. I don't really know. I never asked her, but then when I recommended Ellen, that's where she got the idea."
-Director Brett Ratner — who took the helm for Mariah Carey's video for "Obessed" — on whether or not the song is directed at Eminem. Ratner suggested Ellen Degeneres play the part of the photo assistant before Carey decided to play all of the roles herself.
By Erica Anderson and Gil Kaufman
The “We Are One” Obama inaugural celebration — featuring Bruce Springsteen, U2, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Usher and many more — just wrapped up. We had reporters in the crowd for the whole thing — check out what they saw and heard!
Erica, 1:30 p.m.: The space around the reflecting pool is gradually filling up. Despite the chilling wind, spirits are high. People are doing the wave. The number of people gathered here seems to rival the iconic scenes of the Civil Rights March in August 1963.
The significance isn't lost on the young attendees.
Will, a 21-year-old from Massachusetts, called it a historic day.
"It's crazy to believe some of the people who took part in that march 45 years ago are here to witness this, [the inauguration of] our first black president."
"This is monumentous," Elliott, a college student in D.C., added.
There's about an hour to go before the performances kick off, and people just keep rolling in.
Erica, 2:25 p.m.: The entire crowd is doing the wave to pass the time. Everyone seems to be buzzing for Beyoncé. Read more...
Lately, there's been a mess of speculation that Mariah Carey and hubby Nick Cannon are expecting a little bundle of joy. And Mariah's appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which airs today, is only raising the alert level on the baby-bump watch.
When asked by the talk-show host if she is pregnant, the singer gave this response, "No, that's OK [to ask]," E! Online reported. So, the wily Ellen instead offered the pop star a glass, saying, “You don’t have to answer that. Let’s just toast with champagne.”
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