Taylor SwiftI think Taylor Swift owes MTV News a thank-you note. Let me explain why.

MTV News likes to make celebrity dreams come true. And we'd like to think that because we put it out there in November that Taylor wanted to do a cameo on "CSI," CBS executives talked to "CSI" exec producer Carol Mendelsohn, who just cast Swift for an episode on the show.

Perhaps a CBS exec had a Google Alert on "CSI" (or on Taylor Swift, you never know) and was directed to our article. Or, perhaps the suits at CBS are avid MTV News readers. Read More...

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Jocelyn VenaLive from New York, it's my first time at "Saturday Night Live"!

Earlier this week, I got the offer from Taylor Swift's publicist to stop by the "SNL" rehearsals to interview Ms. Swift, as well as the show's host, Mr. Doogie Howser himself, Neil Patrick Harris. What was I going to do, say no?

So, I rolled up to 30 Rock with my crew and embarked on the exciting chance to check out the famous studio for myself. As I said yesterday, the studio was smaller than I expected. It's unimaginable how they turn a pretty sparse room into weekly TV magic. Although, it was cool to see the music stage, as well as the stage that they do the monologue in front of.


Jocelyn Vena

Not to get all Hollywood on you here, but I've met Taylor Swift on several occasions, and it seems like every time we meet up, I have a new hairstyle (for those keeping track, I now have bangs) and she is a bigger superstar than the time before. And I never mind when she gives me one of her famous hugs.
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Taylor SwiftWhen we caught wind that MTV favorite Taylor Swift was going to be the show's musical guest, we jumped at the opportunity to stop by rehearsals and get a first-hand look at what happens just days before the show goes live. It also didn't hurt that the show's host is Neil Patrick Harris.

It was interesting being in the "Saturday Night Live" studio at 30 Rock — it's much smaller than it appears live from New York every Saturday night. But you get the sense that comedy magic is brewing in that room. We arrived just as Taylor was finishing up her soundcheck, but we had the opportunity to catch a bunch of other fantastic moments.

We got a little peek at one of the sketches set to possibly air on Saturday — Neil plays David Frost and spoofs the film "Frost/Nixon" by interviewing other famous people of the '70s.  It was really funny, so hopefully it will make it to air.  We also had the opportunity to meet one of the newer castmembers, Bobby Moynihan, who, needless to say, made us chuckle a few times.
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Jocelyn VenaWe here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So, this week we gave everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You'll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.

By Jocelyn Vena, Writer

Let's face it, 2008 was the year of the pop artist. And, since I am the resident pop expert around these parts, I decided to make my top 10 list all about the greatest pop albums to hit the charts in the last 12 months.

10. Pink, Funhouse: Her tough-girl attitude paid off with this album. She performed her single, "So What," at the VMAs and soon after, it was everywhere. Read More...

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BeyonceHey there, Beyoncé.We here at MTV News have a theory you might be interested in hearing.

Your music is great, don't get us wrong. We can't stop bopping to "Single Ladies" here in the newsroom. But we suspect that the album-buying public can't get past the fact that you come across as, well, boring. Even though you cooked up this crazy, metal-glove-wearing alter ego Sasha Fierce, people still don't know how relate to you, and perhaps your record sales are being affected.

This isn't a problem for Taylor Swift and Britney Spears, who live their lives constantly in the media. We know everything about them. Where they shop, what kid of coffee they like (Fraps, y'all), whom they date, what happens on their dates ... Read More...

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It used to be that the Grammy nominations were a relatively staid affair, one held very early in the morning in a nondescript banquet hall of a hotel in New York or Los Angeles. A group of musicians — usually a rock band, a pop tart, some country songbird and always Jimmy Jam and/or Terry Lewis — were herded onto a platform, thrust before microphones and forced to read off the names of nominees. Someone would inevitably make a joke about being hung over. Barely awake reporters and cameramen watched listlessly. There was usually also coffee and Danishes for everyone.

But this year, things are different. In an attempt to spice up the nominations, the Grammy brain trust has decided to throw a giant concert, where acts like Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, the Foo Fighters, B.B. King and John Mayer will perform and (presumably) also announce the nominees. It's been dubbed "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" (note the use of double exclamation points to convey excitement). It will take place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on CBS from 9 to 10 p.m. Wednesday.

There will probably not be any coffee or Danishes served. Read More...

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Suge KnightOh, Joe Jonas — you've got it so tough.

All week long, that bitter, horrible, blond wench Taylor Swift's been dragging your good name through the press, making you look like a two-timing jerk, and that's just not right. I feel bad for you, man. You met Camilla Belle while shooting the video for "Lovebug," and sparks flew. It's not your fault the heart wants what the heart wants — and that gorgeous girl you were dating should be more understanding of that.

I read your MySpace blog, and I get it, man. You just wanted different things — and a different girlfriend — and Swift should just accept that and move on already. I believe you when you say you didn't cheat on Taylor; I'm sure you waited at least a day after the breakup before making time with Camilla. Swift, quite frankly, should thank you for your loyalty, because lesser men wouldn't have waited like you did.

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Taylor SwiftHow can I tell Taylor Swift is one of music's biggest artists? Not by record sales — although her self-titled debut has sold more than 3.5 million copies — and not by the company she's kept, because dating Joe Jonas isn't a firm indicator that you've achieved fame. It just isn't.

Me? I can tell Swift's a megastar because of who she rolls with.
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