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'Project Runway' Makes Kenley Cry -- But Not Enough

Posted 10/9/08 12:04 pm EST by in Project Runway

KenleyI don't know what celebrating Yom Kippur entails, but apparently recapping "Project Runway" isn't part of it, which is why I'm your humble substitute for Rya Backer today. Rya could probably use a break anyway, what with her severe Stella withdrawal (symptoms: mood swings, the shakes, incessant grommet-hammering).

Just as Rya immediately latched onto the leatha goddess, I've been rooting for Leanne since the very first episode. I've always been one to back whatever reality-TV contestant I felt was most like me, which means that goodwill for quiet wallflower types emanates from my living room. So, of course, I think Leanne and I could hang out — exchanging awkward smiles without speaking, listening to nonthreatening indie rock (do you think she likes the Shins?) and creeping around pretending we were spies. And when that got old, we could venture out for some eco-friendly recreation.
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Nine Ways 'So You Think You Can Dance' Is Better Than 'American Idol'

Posted 8/6/08 4:11 pm EST by in American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance

Katee Shean and Joshua AllenYesterday, we told you that "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is leaving the singing competition to focus on his other show, "So You Think You Can Dance." I only wonder why he didn't do it sooner. I've never been a fan of "AI," but I can't get enough of the summer dance show, which is airing its season-four finale tonight and tomorrow on Fox. Here are nine reasons why the dancers put the singers to shame.

No theme nights — A bad theme can ruin an entire episode. "SYTYCD" fans can rest assured that if (God forbid) "Music of the Night" pops up in a routine, it'll be the only Andrew Lloyd Webber song they hear all night.

Wider range of music — The dance show makes its share of musical missteps (using "AI" contestants' tracks in the name of cross promotion, allowing a certain choreographer to indulge in her baffling Celine Dion obsession, thinking that kids might better appreciate a foxtrot or jive if the Brian Setzer Orchestra is involved), but it also acknowledges artists too small for mainstream radio. Millions of people have heard tracks by Hot Chip, Junior Boys and Mirah thanks to routines on the show. On a related note, don't get me started on the way "Idol" turns a blind eye to hip-hop.
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Willie Mae Rock Camp Inspires Future Joan Jetts, Bjorks And Spinderellas

Posted 7/11/08 5:12 pm EST by in Concerts, Music

Yesterday, a group of us headed to Brooklyn to watch more than 80 girls wail on guitar, terrorize the drums and scream their rock-lovin' hearts out. And when I say "girls," I don't just mean "females." We're talking 8- to 18-year-olds who've spent the week at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls.

The camp, now in its fourth year, takes over an empty high school, fills the classrooms with instruments (drum kits, bass guitars — even turntables!) and lets its campers go wild. In addition to giving the girls the confidence needed to rock out, counselors also teach workshops like songwriting, self-defense and T-shirt silk-screening.

The girls will show off their new skills Saturday at a special concert at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. We'll show you footage from that and our rock-filled day at camp in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, check out more photos of LOL — just one of the young bands ready to rock your face off — after the jump.

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Who Is 'Miss Rap Supreme' Winner Rece Steele's Rhyme-Spitting Mom?

Posted 6/10/08 3:26 pm EST by in MTV News, Music

Sway

The "Miss Rap Supreme" finale aired last night and, in addition to a handful of special guests — Missy Elliott! Will.i.am! The criminally underused Roxanne Shanté! — we got a pretty decent showdown between the show's top three.

Ms. Cherry got the boot after dissing Rece Steele's mom during a rhyme battle but failing to close, while Byata impressed "legend" and "genius" will.i.am (really cheapening some words there) with a hip-pop hook. But it was Bronx rapper Steele who walked away with the crown, the cash and a tone-deaf serenade from Kool Keith.

Cherry's slam and a couple of references to Steele being "a second-generation MC" got us wondering: "Who's Rece's mama?"

The show gave us a brief glimpse of L.A. Star, but here's a little extra info. The L.A. stands for Lisa Ali; Ms. Star, like her daughter, is a proud New Yorker. In 1990, she released her first and only album, Poetess, and shot a video for the single, "Fade to Black," which you can watch after the jump. And I could be wrong, but that looks like a lil' Rece about 30 seconds in. ... Read More...

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How Well Do You Know Your 'Sex And The City' Feet?

Posted 5/2/08 4:49 pm EST by in Movies

satc.jpgThe MTV News crew recently had a chance to sit down with the stars of "Sex and the City: The Movie," and boy, was it, um, fabulicious? Cosmo...tastic? OK, here's the deal: I don't know anything about "Sex and the City" (I've dated guys that own more makeup than I do). But from what I gather, shoes are very important in the "SATC" universe. So check out the photos after the jump and match the feet to the actresses. The stylish boots on the right belong to the lovely Kim Stolz, but can you figure out who's on the left? In the weeks leading up to the movie, we'll have the answers, plus more pertinent information, like things that were actually said during the interviews. Read More...

'Grand Theft Auto IV' Vs. 'Iron Man': The Newsroom Showdown

Posted 5/2/08 3:29 pm EST by in Uncategorized

gtaironman.jpgWith all the talk about "GTA IV" keeping people from leaving their homes long enough to see "Iron Man," I thought I'd conduct an informal poll of some of the country's savviest relatively young people: MTV News staffers. A quick survey found that six people are settling in for a weekend of gaming, three are headed to the movies and two will somehow squeeze in both. But what are the majority of us — 13 people — doing this weekend? Neither! (Guys, I think this means we're the reason the economy is tanking.) After the jump, we justify our weekend plans. Read More...

Paris Hilton Reveals The Secret Of Her Music Career

Posted 3/17/08 4:02 pm EST by in Paris Hilton

paris.jpgA recent MTV News interview conducted by Yasmine Richard turned up this fascinating bite.

Paris Hilton: Actually I just put a recording studio in my new house, so I've been working a lot in there and, um, next I want to do a dance album. I love Bob Sinclair, I love that kind of dance-music vibe, and I'm part of the club scene a little bit, so I think doing a dance album is my next move.

MTV News: So do you write your own music or do you collaborate or how does that work?

Hilton: I write my own music.

I'm not saying she couldn't have penned the tunes on Paris (some of which I've been known to defend against unfair ridicule). I'm just not 100 percent convinced she did.

Madonna, Justin Timberlake Look Sweet In Hard Candy Pics

Posted 3/14/08 5:42 pm EST by in Justin Timberlake, Madonna

hardcandy.jpgWhen it came time to choose cover art for her upcoming album Hard Candy (due April 29), Madonna went for a literal interpretation. The newly revealed photo shows the Hall-of-Famer looking tough in over-the-knee boots and a wrestling belt, with a background of pink peppermint swirls.

Like sugar, Madonna is addictive, so we've got more three more pics to satisfy your sweet tooth after the jump, including the Justin Timberlake-adorned cover art for the album's first single, "4 Minutes to Save the World."

In related news, Warner Bros. confirmed that "4 Minutes" will be used in the upcoming film remake of "Get Smart." What is it with Madonna and spy spoofs? Read More...

Top 10 Reasons To Value Your Privacy

Posted 3/14/08 10:46 am EST by in Lists

"Kristen," the high-priced prostitute involved in Eliot Spitzer's resignation, is the latest civilian to remind us what those "private" settings on Internet profile sites are for. Once her real name got out, Ashley Alexandra Dupre (OK, it's a stage name) became a lot more popular, as proven by a spike in MySpace page views. Luckily for Dupre, she has a music career to develop, but others weren't so fortunate. Check out this list of people who should've kept the personal info to themselves.

10. A substitute teacher in New Jersey was fired for accepting friend requests from students on the MySpace page for his band, Ian of Fire. Fortunately, he had an internship at a record label to fall back on.

9. A California middle school student faced expulsion after posting graphic, anti-Semitic threats against a classmate. Meanwhile, 20 of his classmates were suspended for ... looking at the page.

8. This sheriff's deputy was let go after the department's Youth Internet Crimes Unit found his MySpace page, which listed his favorite things as "female breasts, swimming naked and drinking heavily and often."

7. Maybe this Texas art teacher shouldn't have posted topless photos of herself on Flickr. Still, if I were a parent I'd be more concerned about her colleague, who told students about the site in order to get her in trouble.

6. A 27-year-old woman was denied her education degree and teaching certificate because of a Halloween photo on her MySpace page that allegedly promoted "underage drinking." Because nothing says, "Hey kids, drinking is cool," like a pirate drinking out of a plastic Mr. Goodbar cup. Read More...

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