Office Antics

MTV News Does Not Give Enough Respect To Our On-Air Correspondents

Posted 5/28/08 2:18 pm EST by MTV News in Music, New Music Update, Office Antics, Video

John Norris is a well-loved on-air correspondent, great lover of indie rock, and longstanding key player in the MTV News team. But somehow, yesterday afternoon in the newsroom turned from e-chatter about the Teenagers’ new video into straight-up Norris-razzing. (We think John kind of ultimately prevailed...)

Joseph Patel: Teenagers new video

James Montgomery: Wow, I totally forgot about these guys. Oh, and I meant that not in some "pssssh im over it" kind of way. More like a "holy crap I was so into this A MONTH ago" kind of way.

Newsroom: I second that emotion. But I will "remember" them when I blog about this in about 2 minutes. Are blogs memory aids...?

John Norris: I am almost done logging the interview. Monty SAYS we can do the piece once he makes his leisurely way back from the Movie Awards.

James Montgomery: Dang, how long does it take you to log an interview? Two months?

John Norris: With all these interruptions, maybe three.

James Montgomery: (my response)

Jim Cantiello: John, done with that Jeff Buckley interview yet?

Joseph Patel: I'd just like to chime in and say it's incredibly refreshing that on-air talent is actually logging interviews.

James Montgomery: I'd just like to chime in and say I've been eating massive handfuls of the granola that you keep on your desk.

John Norris: Why thank you. Transcribing, actually, verbatim. Some of us are team players...

Tags John Norris, the-teenagers

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Only the Brutal Survive MTV News LA’s Burger & Beer Bash

Posted 5/21/08 4:56 pm EST by MTV News in MTV News, Office Antics

This in from MTV News producer Matt Elias, out in LA:

People often ask me if I would ever want to work in the NY office, and my answer is "No!" Because we get something that the New Yorkers never get: the annual Burger & Beer Bash.

Each year, we clear out the office parking lot and have two giant trucks from In-N-Out Burger roll up and give us all the burgers we can eat. Plus, BJ's provides us with kegs of tasty microbrews to wash it all down.

But the draw of the day is the burger-eating contest, where six lucky(?) contestants have six minutes to consume as many Double Doubles as possible -- that's 2 buns, 2 patties with cheese, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and spread.

While I opted to be a spectator this year, Carolina Elias (no relation) from Integrated Marketing bit the bullet, er burger, and entered the contest. She put together this awesome, “Rocky”-inspired video of her burger day of bliss.

Unfortunately, Carolina was knocked out by a dude who put down FIVE Double Doubles in six minutes. No word if he made it into work today.

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When Your Boss Watches You Watching 'American Idol'

Posted 5/14/08 5:49 pm EST by MTV News in American Idol, Office Antics, Television

So do you ever have that feeling that your boss is keeping tabs on you at all times? Like you leave work, you're at home sitting around in your sweatpants watching TV, and he's still watching you?

We thought this was kind of paranoid...until last night. Because lo and behold, while we were innocently watching Ryan Seacrest talk about whatever on "American Idol," who stared back at us but the Notorious B.G. -- Brian Graden, that is, President of Entertainment for MTV Networks Music Group (which is a really big title, for those who can't figure it out).

B.G. got some Marilu Henner-sized face time during last night’s finale-determining episode. While Emily Van Camp and Gavin DeGraw got paltry cutaways, Graden clocked in at 23 seconds by camping out behind Seacrest’s mark, just inches away from Syesha's dad.

So Bri, who’d ya vote for...?

Tags American Idol, Ryan-Seacrest, syesha

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Pop 'Queens' And Twirlers And Reporters - Oh My!

Posted 3/12/08 1:49 pm EST by jimf in Office Antics

Even after more than 15 years here, I’m still, every so often struck, by one of those, “How did my life get me here?!?” moments (in a good way!). This is one of them.

At around 11pm last night -- and just minutes after the David Archuleta debacle on "Idol," YouTube drag-sensation Britney Houston was standing just outside my office door where she was getting all Wade Robson on MTV News' a**. Britney was choreographing a gaggle of her Broadway-dancer friends, and our very own Jim Cantiello, who’s proving that he’s not only funny… but fearless as well.

Every now and then an Asian girl would come twirling into my office, beta-tape prop in hand, paying me absolutely no heed. Just a few feet away, cute boys were doing back-flips and entertaining themselves with their best John Norris imitations. A statuesque girl in a pink boa stood nearby looking pensive. Here at 1515 Broadway, high up on the 29th floor overlooking Times Square, we were shooting what we’re calling the very first MTV Newsical.

It’s a top secret pilot that the hipster behind this piece (Hi, CJ!) and your favorite 60-Second-Recapper have been developing for several weeks. Unfortunately, we can’t reveal much more than that right now. But keep clickin’ the Newsroom and we might just give you a sneak peak sometime soon! Below, a pic of some of the dancers and MTV News producer, Conor Bezane (in the green).

Tags MTV-Newsical

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Polow Da Don Wants You To Know He's Still Da Don

Posted 3/11/08 11:25 am EST by MTV News in Office Antics

We in the Newsroom love it when artists holler at us about some stuff we read on our Blackberry. Like that rumor last night that producer Polow Da Don was robbed? Well, Polow reached out to his family (and, um, us), to clear the air. If you can sort through the profanities (edited out, because we're a family blog) and the misspellings, we think he's saying that he's still "da don." Oh, also, he wants you to know if you know where your dad is. SERIOUSLY. Here's his text to us:

Yall heard about the situation last night? "Haha" They thought they came to rob me, but I have heart and I have God shawty...Nah these crack head a** n**** I guess called themselves robbing me, but we
robbed them...... I wasn't scared I was mad. I was likes "these dumb a** weak a** n*****"..... N***** don't get it.... you gone have to shoot me because until then, I dont belive you. I am a MAN.... and 9 times out of
10 a n**** calling himself a Robba, a Thug or a Gangsta is a cover up for being too weak (weather it be physically, spiritually or mentally) to be a man. It's hard to learn how to be a MAN... Luckily my teacher stuck with me....Thanks Dad, I LOVE YOU!!!!!! Kids..."Do you know where your father
is right now?"

--Polow da Don!!!

Tags Polow-Da-Don

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Project Run-a-Way: One of Our Producers Spends A Night On The Town With Sweet P

Posted 3/6/08 1:37 pm EST by MTV News in Office Antics

When I started doing Project Runway recaps back in November, I never imagined in a million years that by the end of the season, I'd be sharing guacamole with Kevin, Jack and Sweet P. (Especially Kevin, who, um, I sort of mocked relentlessly all season long. Sorry, dude.)

But fairy tales can come true, folks.

It all started when Sweet P (also known as "My Favorite Person On The Planet") tracked me down on the interwebs to tell me she was a big fan of my "60-Second Recaps". Eventually, our casual emails and MySpace messages led to her inviting me as her date to the big Runway Finale Viewing Party. (This was a totally platonic invite, by the way. She's happily married. I'm happily married. No need to start any rumors, folks.)

Before we got our party on, Sweet P suggested we grab a quick bite to eat with fellow cast members Kevin and Jack. On our way to the restaurant, I got some awesome behind-the-scenes dirt (which I will never reveal) but also a warning that I shouldn't say anything catty at dinner because so and so is friends with so and so and this person is best friends with that person. "I would never!" I insist.

More after the jump.

Sway Brings You The News -- Hot Off Our Desks

Posted 3/5/08 5:20 pm EST by Jonathan Goldner in Office Antics

Here's a pic of Sway. In the Newsroom. Reading today's MTV News on Hillary Clinton's victories in the Texas and Ohio primaries. Producers Alex Mar and Matt Harper are there on the left behind the camera. Digital producer Rahman is looking on from the right. Handsome devil, that one!

Look for that story -- online and on air -- later today.

Tags sway, sway-calloway

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Kat De Luna is My Long-Lost Dominican Sister

Posted 3/3/08 3:31 pm EST by MTV News in Office Antics

From MTV News' Lisa Gonzalez:

The first time I met newcomer Kat De Luna was on the set of Omarion's "Cutt Off Time" video, where we formed an instant bond. I didn't know much about her, aside from the fact that she sung opera and that the Dominican flag, with its red, white and blue colors, were plastered all over that "Whine Up" video (much like in my hardcore Dominican cousin's blue Camry).

During our interview, she’d been giving me strange looks, which I attributed to the 5am call time and my general haziness from coming off an all-night edit session. Then she timidly asked the question behind the sideway glances: “Are you Dominican?”

I told her that I was in fact half-Dominican (and half-Puerto-Rican, if you care). “I knew it!” She kissed me on the cheek and gave me a hug, as if we were distant relatives who were meeting for the first time at a family reunion. She was like my long-lost Dominican little sister.

That was back in August. Cut to February, when I got the call that Kat was shooting a new video, for her next single, “Run the Show,” featuring Busta Rhymes and Don Omar. The video's going to be HOT! She had about seven outfit changes, and she dances her butt off. Busta kills it like always. The beat is sick and having Reggaeton star Don Omar rap on the Spanish version is a stroke of genius.

The song's due on the re-release of Kat's album, 9 Lives, due out later this Spring, and will also include a new version of "Am I Dreaming?" featuring Akon.

And solidifying the fact that Kat is mi hermana, we shared hair tips on set and a plate of rice and beans.

Tags Kat-De-Luna

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Kid Sister: Big Things!

Posted 2/29/08 1:12 pm EST by MTV News in Office Antics

Big moment in the halls of the Newsroom earlier this week. Kid Sister, the Chicago club rapper who is quickly becoming the hot thing in the music world, was in the building for her TRL debut.

That's a big deal, yo! A lot of artists traffic in that world of underground cool and don't get a chance to break out. And Kid Sister is getting her shot to become the face/sound of a long-bubbling movement of hipster hip-hop. Now, it helps that Kanye gave her the homie discount and showed up on her first single, "Pro Nails," but even without the hi-pro cameo, we think Kid Sister would be making moves.

More on Kid Sister's visit, a look at her first interview ever and a sneak peek at her next video after the jump.

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