MTV Newsroom › Television

Things That Could Never Happen in Real Life That Happened on 'Gossip Girl'

Posted 5/13/08 12:36 pm EST by in Gossip Girl, Television


GossipGirl

Another installment on “Gossip Girl” from Rya, MTV News intern and former Upper East Sider:

Hi, guys. So, it's our second-to-last meeting. I feel like it's the last night of sleep-away camp, you know? I just want to stay up all night, and write on everybody's pillows, make out with the boy I had my eye on all summer (OK, that part never actually happened), and just revel in this really good, safe place. I don't want the morning to come, because in the morning (that's a metaphor for next Monday), it'll all be over (as in this season of “GG”). Anyway!

I guess we need to talk about last night’s episode, even though it was about as exciting as that song Lincoln Hawk (or whatever the name of Rufus's band was) played at that Rolling Stone 90's party. Let me just get that part out of the way right now, actually:

Lily, your young and wild days were spent photographing Hootie and the Blowfish Lite? Rufus's band (and the decade-old photo of him, which looked curiously like Pete Yorn) wasn't even ironically good/redeeming, and I'd rather be caught with a Kenny G cassette than anything of the Lincoln Hawk persuasion. That's the song that got you to re-evaluate your life with Bart Bass? Have you zero standards, Lil'?? And Rufus, I think I speak on behalf of the entire universe when I say WE GET IT. You are WITH IT. You can play more than three chords! Now put down that guitar, and find a new blonde to obsess over -- preferably one whose daughter isn't going all the way with your son.

But now for the weird stuff. Because for every handful of things on the show that are accurate, there are about 10 zillion more that are mostly wrong. My UES insider’s rundown, after the jump. Read More...

Tags

Has 'SNL''s Campaign Coverage Jumped the Shark?

Posted 5/12/08 5:23 pm EST by in Campaign '08, Television




Did you see the opener to this weekend’s edition of “SNL”? And were you as shocked as some of us here at MTV News to see Amy Poehler’s caricature of Hillary Clinton? As Clinton, Amy announces, "Sore loser, racist supporters, no ethical standards -- qualities Sen. Obama simply can't match!" Um, what?? Since when was this fair play with a presidential candidate? Did "SNL"'s campaign coverage just go from clever to completely biased?

As the clip made its way around the office, some of the MTV News crew jumped into the fray:

Liz: Um. I thought it was pretty over the top, to say the least.

Jim: Hmm...One might argue that “SNL”'s coverage jumped the shark from day one. The show's political coverage has been a disaster ever since Jon Stewart and “The Colbert Report” dominated airwaves.

John: It was only a matter of time before the Obamabots on the 8th floor of “30 Rock” showed their true colors, and dispensed with even an attempt at even-handed jabs.

James: I think the point of this is that Hillary basically has no way of winning the nomination, yet she continues to campaign -- and speak -- as if she's got it all wrapped up. She's delusional, as are her supporters, and they're painting her as such.

Joseph: The jokes were exaggerations on the perception that a) she'll do anything to win; b) she's playing up race with her race-baiting comments to USA Today last Thursday; and c) she's delusional to think that she has a shot even though all the empirical evidence speaks to the contrary.

What do you think? Has “SNL”’s political satire gone too far?

Tags , , , ,

Britney Spears Disappoints Media With Possibly Bright Future

Posted 5/12/08 1:30 pm EST by in Television


BritneyHIMYM

Britney Spears is returning to the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” tonight to reprise her role as Abby, a flaky office assistant.

In her first cameo, Britney's character developed a crush on Ted (Josh Radnor, above), who then began dating her boss. In this episode, Abby tries to get back at Ted by hooking up with his friend Barney (the inimitable Neil Patrick Harris).

In spite of reportedly mixed reactions from some of her castmates, Britney's first appearance was met with great reviews and 10.6 million viewers -- a big jump from the show’s usual 8.1 million. Let's see if people tune in again for her follow-up. The show's producers seem confident that they will: they've apparently signed up the (cough) "embattled" pop star for a third appearance, next season.

Did you catch Britney's TV comeback? Are you planning on tuning in again tonight?

Tags , ,

'Idol' In Iraq: The Soldier Behind the Series Visits MTV HQ

Posted 5/9/08 4:33 pm EST by in American Idol, Behind The Scenes, Idol In Iraq, iraq, MTV News, Television



This in from MTV News exec producer Jim Fraenkel:

For those of you who’ve been following our “Idol In Iraq” series here at Newsroom, here’s a little bit of backstory about Private First Class Nathan Puckett -- the 19-year-old soldier who made our weekly “Idol” installments happen.

Nathan came to the attention of MTV News strictly by chance…through my Facebook account.

About three months ago, I received a friend request from Nathan. We had no friends in common, so after accepting, I asked why he’d reached out to me. He told me that I looked like someone who had been in “a military class” with him. “Looks like I’m wrong,” he concluded. “Anyways, how’s New York? I’ve never been. After I get out of Iraq, I’m probably gonna try to visit one of my friends up there.”

The two of us struck up a friendship online. Our stations in life, it seemed, couldn’t have been farther apart, geographically or otherwise: I was the executive producer of MTV News, while Nathan had enlisted in the Army “right out of high school.” But we soon discovered common ground… Read More...

Tags , , ,

'Idol' In Iraq: Sweet on Syesha, Saw Castro Elimination Coming

Posted 5/9/08 3:40 pm EST by in American Idol, Idol In Iraq, iraq, Television


IdolInIraq1

Editor’s Note: It’s crazy serious and difficult for the US Armed Forces in Iraq, but our soldiers still find time for a little fun and escape: just like many of you, they love their weekly dose of “American Idol.” We made friends on the Internet with some members of the Army’s 82nd Airborne division (Fort Bragg, what up!), who will be sending us their review of each “Idol” installment.

They get “Idol” a day later than we do, and their reports might not arrive until well after the show has aired (because, of course, things like communications blackouts do happen when you’re in the military taking care of URGENT BUSINESS). But you don’t mind because they are helping give you the freedom to watch “Idol” in the first place.

Our soldiers each week (L-R): PFC Joshua Miranda, 22 (Orlando, FL); PFC Nathan Puckett, 19 (Cynthiana, KY); SPC Cory Combs, 21 (Plymouth, MA); and SSG Steve Cody, 27 (Los Angeles, CA)


IdolInIraq2

So, not all of our soldier pals got to catch this week’s “Idol” performances (SSG Cody was the only one who did, and he only caught the last half of the episode), because they were off doing what our nation’s servicemen and women do -- real classified-type stuff. That means there isn’t a complete briefing from our Iraq-based “Idol” hounds this week. But even though he’s halfway around the globe, in one of the world’s most unstable countries, Cody still could tell that dread-head Jason Castro’s number was going to be the one called.

Surprisingly, SSG Cody didn’t even mention Paulagate in his report, but it does seem he’s got a little thing for dark horse Syesha Mercado -- but that’s something he’s got to work out himself.

SSG Cody’s impressions of this week’s “Idol,” after the jump. Read More...

Tags , , , , ,

'Idol' Quiz: Can You Name the Number 3's of Past Seasons?

Posted 5/8/08 5:16 pm EST by in American Idol, Music, Television


syesha

So last night the “American Idol” crew was whittled down to three. Ciao, Jason Castro! (Cue violins at John Norris’s house.)

Now we are left with David Cook, David Archuleta, and Syesha Mercado, and the competition is really heating up. Because it's great to be in the final three and all -- but how many of you remember the number three's of seasons past?

(Um, we've posted a photo of Syesha above because -- not to be too presumptuous -- let's just say that an office pool of the 29th floor would reveal that most of us are betting our paychecks a David vs. David showdown.)

Can you remember all the number three’s? It may not be as easy as you’d think. Check your answers after the jump. Read More...

Tags , , , , , , , , , ,

Plus-Sized Whitney Edges Closer to Making ‘Top Model’ History

Posted 5/8/08 12:53 pm EST by in ANTM, Fashion, Television


whitney2

After being in the bottom two twice in a row, Whitney (looking particularly rock & roll above) broke the curse last night and made it into this “ANTM” cycle’s final three. Don’t say we never told you so!

It’s ironic that a plus-sized beauty would triumph in a particularly food-averse episode -- the girls ganged up on Dominique behind her back, calling her out for eating candy and snacking at 2:30 in the morning (scandal!) -- but that’s just what happened. Continuing the corny themes inspired by the Roman backdrop, the girls were forced to “act” once again (gag), this time running down some steps with their (surprisingly short) Italian model “boyfriend” while being stalked by a paparazzo. Whatevs. Tyra, woman, those pseudo-concepts are so Cosmo/Allure/Seventeen -- i.e. not haute fashion! But what do you expect from a TV competition sponsored by Cover Girl? We wouldn’t be surprised if Oxy sponsored cycle 11…

Anyway, Whitney took some OK pics, as did the rest of the gang. Not an inspired/inspiring week. But what we came away with is the fact that, as the Blonde Bombshell herself put it, “America and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ are ready for a plus-size model to win the competition.” Yes, we are! Bring it!

So will Whitney take it all the way? It’s looking like a real possibility. What do you think…?

Tags , , ,

With Jason Castro Gone, 'Idol' Can Get Back to Being Polished, Scrubbed & Boring

Posted 5/8/08 11:46 am EST by in American Idol, Music, Television


JohnJCShirt

So that’s it, brother. You had to know it was coming after Tuesday night…

But let me say this about Tuesday: it may not have been your finest moment, but “I Shot the Sheriff” was a way more interesting choice from the Hall of Fame songbook than the umpteenth version of “Stand By Me” and “Proud Mary.” And for Simon to have suggested “you don’t touch that song”? Huh? As if anything is inviolable on “American Idol” -- please. A sanitized version of “Imagine” is OK, stripped of its atheist, socialist teeth, but a “karaoke” version of Marley’s fight-the-power anthem is not? Spare me the double standard.

Not that I am making excuses for the performance, JC -- not great. And then Dylan -- fine choice, I’d rather hear it than that old classic rock radio wheezer “Baba O’Riley.” But you can’t go up on the lyrics. You said you were “thinking too much” and not just letting it flow. Bad time for that to happen. We all know that you weren't the first one to do it this season, still…

And the outrage in the blogoverse about Jason’s eye-widening, his supposedly “flippant” reaction to the judges, his lack of appropriate remorse over his blown performances, his ever-present smile. WTF do you people think this is? It’s a singing contest! If you ask me, he took it as seriously as “American Idol” ought to be taken. So, let’s see -- when Simon told him to pack his bags, should he have had a “Brooke moment” and broken down? Should he have been shaken to the core? Please. He acknowledged that he “screwed up” two songs he knew and loved, and that’s it. No more penance is needed.

I have to believe at some point -- maybe between Mariah Carey week and Andrew Lloyd Webber week? -- this kid from Texas realized he was in a club that he didn’t really belong, or feel all that comfortable in. Oh well. So much for a little dose of realness in “Idol.” It was refreshing while it lasted.

Congrats, viewers. Now you’re back to the show just the way you like it: polished, scrubbed, respectful, and boring. A future Broadway star, another Daughtry and…(cough) I don’t even know what to call that study in arrested development.

Jason, sorry you got the boot. I doubt you really thought you were gonna win this thing, but thanks for a good run, some nice song choices, and exactly the right attitude. Good luck, dude. It will be a less interesting show without you.

Tags , ,

This Week's Installment of 'Idol In Iraq': What Happened?

Posted 5/6/08 5:02 pm EST by in American Idol, Idol In Iraq, Television


IdolInIraq

We here at MTV News want to let the "Idol" fans out there -- and specifically the "Idol In Iraq" fans -- know that we have not forgotten you. There will indeed be another installment of "Idol in Iraq"...it's just that, well, our friends in the Army’s 82nd Airborne division were a bit too caught up with the very serious business of serving our country this week to catch the last round of the show. They did, however, share with us that their unanimous reaction to Brooke White getting booted off was: S'about time!

No worries. Our friends will return later this week with their reactions to the competition as we near the final three. And what's more, PFC Nathan Puckett (Cynthiana, KY) recently visited with us in Times Square, so we're looking forward to posting some footage of that very soon. So check back with MTVNews.com for more.

Tags , ,

Things That Could Never Happen in Real Life That Happened on 'Gossip Girl'

Posted 5/6/08 12:35 pm EST by in Gossip Girl, Television


GGBlog

Another installment on “Gossip Girl” from Rya, MTV News intern and former Upper East Sider:

OK, before I start this post, I just have to do this: OMFG! OMFG! OMFG! *MAJOR SPOILER ALERT* Serena killed a guy. Or a girl. Whatever. In the parallel universe that is “Gossip Girl”’s Upper East Side, a person is no longer alive, and Serena (and, presumably, Georgina) is to blame. But we won’t know the details until next week.

So with that off my chest, let's get down to the business of this week’s episode. Because, you see, for every handful of things on the show that are accurate, there are about 10 zillion more that are mostly wrong. My UES insider’s rundown, after the jump. Read More...

Tags , ,

82838485868788899091