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Blake Shelton And Adam Levine: Breaking Down Their Love

Posted 3/21/12 9:24 am EST by in Television, The Voice, Video


The world seems to be obsessed with the bromance friendship (that’s the term they prefer, it seems) between "The Voice" judges Adam Levine and Blake Shelton. We here at MTV News have been aware of it for some time, which is why when we caught up with Shelton at a recent event we asked him all about it.

So, imagine our my surprise when I headed over to People.com on Wednesday morning and read that my question had left such a stamp on Shelton’s life that he was still talking about it in interviews weeks later.

Here’s the direct quote from Shelton in People, making reference to this article I wrote a couple weeks back where he jokes about wanting to kiss Adam: "A few weeks ago somebody asked me, 'What about you and Adam's bromance. Is there anything to it?' And I sputtered off, 'Yeah, I'm going to make out with him.' The next thing you read is, 'Blake wants to kiss Adam.' Man, I can't believe how ... How honest I was. But it's fun. It's just like we're sitting around the bar, making jabs at each other."

Now, I find it totally flattering that Mr. Shelton would remember my question and our encounter with such accuracy when asked about it. And, perhaps, in the end, the romance is not with him and Adam, but with him and, well, someone else…

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Nick Jonas Set To Return To 'Smash'

Posted 3/13/12 10:10 am EST by in Jonas Brothers, Television, Video


Only weeks ago, Nick Jonas stopped by the MTV Newsroom and shared that he wanted to return to the NBC hit musical drama, "Smash." Well, it seems, his wish is now coming true.

Nick will tackle his bad boy character, Lyle West, once again when he appears on the May 14 season finale of the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He really stirred the pot when he first appeared last month, chewing scenery alongside screen legend Angelica Huston and now, it seems, he’ll get to flex his acting muscles one more time.

"He's a fun character," the Jonas Brother told MTV News in February about hoping to return to the show. "Lyle is very precocious and definitely a bit different than I am in reality. But there are a lot of similarities too: Lyle started off in musical theater [and so did I]. That's how he knows all the people involved in 'Marilyn' [the musical at the center of the show]. ... He's a fun character; I hope he can come back again."

"Smash" revolves around the drama of staging a splashy Broadway show. In real life, Nick currently stars in one, as the lead in "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying."

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Kelly Clarkson To Judge On Newest Reality Singing Competition

Posted 3/9/12 11:47 am EST by in American Idol, kelly-clarkson, Television, The Voice


Kelly Clarkson

By Zachary Swickey

You can add ABC to the list of stations attempting a vocal competition show. The new program, “Duets,” will premiere this summer and boasts Kelly Clarkson, Robin Thicke, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and living legend Lionel Richie as its judging panel.

We know what you’re thinking… seriously? Another singing reality show? However, to set themselves apart from the bunch – which now includes “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “The X Factor” and The CW’s upcoming “Star Next Door,” which has Queen Latifah and Gloria Estefan as judges – “Duets” will have the judges choosing two singers to be their duet partners each night. They will perform in front of a live studio audience each week on the show.

Of course, eventually one duet contestant will remain and the top prize is a coveted contract with Hollywood Records.

Clarkson said in a statement, "The simple fact that I get to go out and find two people that I believe in, sing with them every week, and help them accomplish their dream is an amazing thing that I can't wait to be a part of!"

The ratings for “American Idol” have been suffering more than ever, “The X Factor” has received lukewarm attention and “The Voice” is becoming the new favorite, so who knows what ABC is thinking getting into the singing reality show game. “America’s Got Talent” will also be returning this summer, and while not a predominantly singing competition, the addition of Howard Stern as guest judges is bound to give ratings one heck of a boost.

Be on the lookout for “Duets” to premiere on ABC sometime this summer.

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Jack White Makes Live Solo Debut On 'SNL'

Posted 3/5/12 10:39 am EST by in Music, Television


Everyone is still talking about Lindsay Lohan's performance on this weekend's "Saturday Night Live," but the show also marked Jack White's first live solo performance in support of his debut solo set Blunderbuss.

The rocker hit the famed stage at Rockefeller Center's Studio 8H to perform Blunderbuss's lead single "Love Interruption" and the new track "Sixteen Saltines" (above). White performed the "Interruption" with an all female band and switched it up for the later, bringing out a new group of musicians – this time all male.

We're definitely digging "Saltines." The track's rock-heavy vibe, which saw White trashing around the 'SNL' stage, feels like vintage white Stripes. White hits the road for his first set of live dates as a solo artist next week.

Check out White's performance of "Love Interruption" below and let us know in the comments if you are feeling the music Renaissance man's new material. Read More...

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Katy Perry To Guest Star On Fox's 'Raising Hope'

Posted 2/23/12 3:08 pm EST by in Katy Perry, Television


Katy Perry

By Elizabeth Lancaster

Katy Perry will grace the small screen once again with an upcoming guest appearance on Fox’s charming comedy "Raising Hope" on March 6.

In a show already filled with loveable and quirky comedy, we can only imagine that Katy’s guest role will up the ante. Claiming to be "Rikki," Sabrina’s (Shannon Woodward) best friend from a past life AND a prison guard, we hope the guest spot will provide many hilarious and informative flashbacks from Sabrina’s pre-Jimmy life.

Katy is no stranger to television, having appeared on "How I Met Your Mother" in 2011 and several other shows. Even in her stage performances and red carpet appearances, she generally tends to bring the theatrics, demanding attention and winning the crowd. We expect this performance to be no different. We are, however, excited to see the dynamic between Sabrina and Rikki since Sabrina often steals the show with her dry-but-adorable humor, which is exactly the edge we would imagine Katy Perry would give any character she plays.

At the end of the day, the more Katy the better – especially on an episode titled “Single White Female Role Model”! We have many questions: Did Rikki know Jimmy’s baby mama? Will Katy sport her blue hair?

Guess we will have to tune in and find out!

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'Parks And Recreation' Star Nick Offerman Channels His Inner Ron Swanson At LA Standup Gig

Posted 2/21/12 8:47 am EST by in comedy, Television


By Zachary Swickey

LOS ANGELES – Anyone who is familiar with good comedy television knows the name Ron Swanson – the character portrayed by Nick Offerman on the hit show “Parks and Recreation,” who notably has the manliest mustache seen on television.

Offerman is by far one of the show’s highlights and he shares quite a few similarities with his onscreen persona. For example, Swanson is a carpenter on the program and Offerman has his very own online woodshop where you can buy a handcrafted redwood table from the burly man himself.

Luckily, this weekend I got to catch Offerman’s set (dubbed – “Nick Offerman: American Ham”) at the very wonderful Largo, which only seats 280 people and has a strict no cell phones policy. Offerman inexplicably walked onstage shirtless – exposing his obviously hairy chest – and clothed himself with a T-shirt, beanie and hoodie as he started the show. The actor’s “theme” for the evening was giving out his “tips for prosperity,” which once again showed just how similar he is to his television personality.

Read More...

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Why Janet Jackson Is Perfect For 'The X Factor'

Posted 2/17/12 10:21 am EST by in Janet-Jackson, Television, the x factor


Janet Jackson

After a slightly uncomfortable interview with Anderson Cooper on his daytime talk show, where she hesitated when asked if she would be joining "The X Factor" only to turn around and say that while she wasn't a judge on Simon Cowell's primetime reality singing competition right now "that’s all I really think I should say," speculation is rampant that Janet Jackson has been approached to join the show.

And if the rumors are true, we're all for it! Jackson would be a great addition to the FOX competition and would bring the industry expertise and attitude necessary to add a little spark to the flailing program.

One of the things that has worked so effectively for "The Voice" is the fact that its judges/mentors are all still active as artists. As we noted in our recap of this week's episode, it's kind of interesting and exciting to watch the judges battle it out for team members using the other's status and activity in the industry. When Christina Aguilera contended that she could pay more attention to a contestant because she wasn't currently touring, Blake Shelton countered that while he was indeed on the road, he'd taken his season one "Voice" finalist Dia Frampton with him … something he could likely offer his top contestant this season as well.

That's not something Paula Abdul or Nicole Scherzinger could offer. Abdul hasn't released an album since 1995 (her discography contains only three records total) and Scherzinger can't even seem to get her own solo debut released in the U.S., having seen its release pushed back several times when single after single went nowhere. Who are they to critique the voices and careers of fledgling singers? We like Abdul as much as the next guy, but her daffy shenanigans don't really bring anything to the table other than something fun for viewers to point at and talk about the next day. Read More...

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'The Voice' Closes In On 'American Idol'

Posted 2/16/12 4:09 pm EST by in Television, The Voice


The Voice

We're a little biased here, but here goes: "American Idol" is dead and "The Voice" killed it! We're kidding! But NBC's reality singing competition is putting up quite a fight against "Idol," matching FOX's long-running hit in the key 18-49 demographic and coming within spitting distance of the once untouchable juggernaut in overall ratings.

Monday's episode of "The Voice" earned 16.3 million viewers and a 6.0 rating in the key demo, the same 18-49 rating earned last night by "Idol," which pulled in 18.6 million total viewers.

When it comes to the younger half of the key demo, "The Voice" is actually winning, according to USA Today.

While "Idol's" ratings have stabilized, it's been a brutal season for the once undisputed top show on TV. The season 11 debut in January attracted 21.6 million viewers, down 27 percent from last year in ratings and 18 percent in total viewership. It was the biggest year-to-year fall in the history of the franchise.

Meanwhile, guided by an expert promotional campaign and a key season two debut after the Super Bowl, "The Voice" has proven to be a bright spot on the otherwise bleak spring TV season. A minor hit when it debuted last year, "The Voice" broke some non-sporting event ratings records with its post-Super Bowl debut, attracting 37.6 million viewers for a 16.3 in the key demo. Even without its Super lead-in, the show has proven far stronger than many expected, settling in to a major season-over-season gain.

Are you watching "The Voice" – WE ARE – or are you a longtime "Idol" devotee? Let us know in the comments.

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How I Spent My Valentine's Day On The Set Of '2 Broke Girls'

Posted 2/16/12 10:32 am EST by in Television


2 Broke Girls

By Zachary Swickey

While many folks were spending bookoo cash on their loved ones this Valentine’s Day, I – as a new resident of Los Angeles – found myself heading to Gate 3 of the Warner Bros. lot to attempt to watch my first live taping of a television show. I was quite excited to witness some behind-the-scenes production – not to mention the taping was for the smash-hit TV show “2 Broke Girls,” which I’ve been an avid fan of since day one.

As I approached Warner, it was a matter of controlled chaos. The “Ellen” fan section was the largest, most boisterous and damn, did they all look excited! I then headed toward my lengthy line, though I soon discover I hopped in the “Big Bang Theory” section by accident – the two lines had seemingly intersected like a real-life version of the cell-phone “Snake” game. After two swift hours, we were eventually led into the studio, where the set was hidden behind large black drapes.

Most live-tapings include a comic that hangs in the crowd to keep them entertained and this one was no different. I wish I had caught the gentleman’s name, because he was easily funny enough to be in the show himself and even gave me a heart-shaped marshmallow Peep to nibble on. Read More...

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Who Covered Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' Better? 'Glee' Or The Grammys

Posted 2/15/12 11:06 am EST by in Music, Newsroom Poll, Television, whitney-houston


Jennifer Hudson

On last night's Valentine's episode of "Glee," Mercedes (Amber Riley) sang one of the biggest and best love songs ever, "I Will Always Love You," after her conscience forced her to walk away from Sam (Chord Overstreet). It was a high point in the episode and Twitter immediately lit up with praise…

…Much like it did Sunday night when Jennifer Hudson performed the Dolly Parton-penned ballad as a tribute to the late Whitney Houston on the Grammy Awards.

There's no doubt both performers nailed the song, but their interpretations were a little different – Hudson took a bit more ownership of the track, singing in a lower register, while Riley's delivery and the song's arrangement were nearly identical to Houston's.

With two performances of Houston's signature song in one week, it's hard not to compare the two. But which one was your favorite. Vote in our poll below.

Related:
>>> "Glee" Recap: "Heart"

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