Emmy Nominee Jon Hamm Recalls Pre-'Mad Men' Elevator Ride With Jay-Z

Posted 7/19/12 1:00 pm EST by in Television

Jon Hamm

By Elizabeth Lancaster (@lizzydl)

While talking to the A.V. Club about his new-to-DVD "Friends With Kids," "Mad Men" Emmy nominee Jon Hamm participated in the site's "Random Rules" segment, which asks stars what songs are on their iTunes shuffle. “What More Can I Say” by Jay-Z randomly came on Hamm’s iPod and the world is lucky it did because he went on to tell an unexpected anecdote about a time long before the suits and cigarettes of "Mad Men," when he and Jay-Z rode in an elevator together. As hard as it is to believe that an elevator could hold these two bigger than life stars, this was at a time that was both pre-"Mad Men" and pre-Beyoncé.

>> 2012 Emmy Nominations Full List

"I was in New York City and going down an elevator when the elevator stopped, and Jay-Z got on. This was a long time ago. It was pre-Beyoncé. And definitely pre-'Mad Men'. It’s weird, because he’s a big dude, too. He’s a fairly tall guy, and it’s kind of like, 'Hey, wow, I know you.' And I think I was probably super nervous and nerdy and said something like, 'I’m a big fan of your work.' And he was very polite," Hamm explained. "And then we rode the elevator down the rest of the way, and then he got out and walked to the curb and got in a powder blue Bentley. And I walked to the corner and got on the subway."

He also mentioned this is not the ONLY time that this has happened!

Two out of the three times he has met Jay-Z have been in elevators. This visual is too good to be true, and we are lobbying for Jay to be brought onto "Mad Men" for an elevator scene with Don Draper. "Mad Men" has 17 fresh Emmy nominations under its belt as of this morning, leading the drama category contenders.

The only thing that might jazz fans of the show up more might be a Jay-Z cameo for season 6!

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Justin Bieber Uses Twitter To Shine Spotlight On Aspiring Singer Madison Beer

Posted 7/19/12 11:45 am EST by in Justin Bieber, The Interweb, Tweet Beat

Justin Bieber

By Zachary Swickey

Pop star Justin Bieber is a force to be reckoned with on Twitter, and now he's harnassed the power of his 25 million-strong social media fanbase to change the life of an aspiring young singer he feels is a star in the making.

Bieber has given 13-year-old Madison Beer the same ringing endorsement he bestowed upon Cary Rae Jepsen … and we all know how that turned out! The pop superstar first showed his enthusiasm for Beer’s talent on Tuesday (July 17) when he tweeted a link to a YouYube video of her cover the Etta James’ classic “At Last.”

“wow. 13 years old! she can sing. great job. #futurestar,” he wrote along with the link.

That kind of endorsement from Bieber is all it takes to become a trending topic, which happened for Beer less than 24 hours later and increased views for the video to 222,243 at the time of this writing.

“@justinbieber OMGOGMFHAHDBSBAWHEBSBSHHWEHHDXHSHHAFBBAGEEHYBT I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING. I AM CRYING,” an elated Beer wrote to her nearly 20,000 Twitter followers.

Biebs kept showing the love too – he later sent Beer’s mash-up of Jepsen’s hit "Call Me Maybe" and his own single “Boyfriend” to Jepsen herself, and did the same with Beers' cover of a Bruno Mars hit as well.

“haha. @carlyraejepsen watch this. pretty funny. reminds me of my old videos. #MashUpFReakOUT,” Justin wrote. He continued, “this is just how i started. i love it. @brunomars u gotta see one. She is great. #STAR."

It appears Bieber is becoming quite the talent scout as Beer is now reportedly in talks to sign with the singer's manager Scooter Braun, who discovered him on YouTube and now also represents Jepsen.

Jepsen was a little unknown 26-year-old Canadian singer, before Bieber helped make her a sensation. Bieber called her single "Call Me Maybe" “possibly the catchiest song I’ve ever heard.” The song has gone on to become one of the biggest hits of the year.

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Kris Humphries Shades Kanye West On Twitter

Posted 7/18/12 5:14 pm EST by in Kanye West

We're about to say something we thought we'd never say. Tell it, Kris Humphries!

After signing a reported two-year, $24 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets, basketballer and, more famously, Kim Kardashian's ex-husband Kris Humphries took to Twitter to get a little something off his chest that's probably been burning him for months … since Kanye West dropped his single "Cold," in which he professed his love for Kardashian and took a low shot at Humphries, rapping, "Lucky I ain’t have Jay drop him from the team."

Jay, of course, is Jay-Z, who co-owns Nets and happens to be a very close personal friend and professional collaborator of West's.

Humphries shot West's lyric back at him after re-upping with the team, writing, "I'm up at Brooklyn! @S_C_ 'lucky I didn't have Jay drop me from the team' lol!"

(@S_C_ is Jay-Z's Twitter handle.)

At the time of "Cold's" release, according to our pals at MTV RapFix, many fans and hip-hop bloggers thought West had taken things one step too far with the lyric. Some thought West, one of the most acclaimed hip-hop stars in the game, was above taking petty shots and threatening a man's livelihood over his (new at the time) girlfriend's personal problems.

It seems, however, that Humphries got the last laugh.

>> For more, visit MTV RapFix.

What do you think of Kris Humphries' long-awaited response to Kanye's diss? Let us know in the comments below!

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Beyonce Fan Straps On A Snuggie For Epic 'Countdown' Recreation

Posted 7/18/12 3:01 pm EST by in Beyonce, The Interweb

Beyonce

Fan-made recreations of big budget pop music videos are a tricky business. Want an even trickier one? Recreating a Beyonce video without upsetting her notoriously devout fans. But we think we know one young boy who may have pulled it off.

While recreating professional-level sets, photography and hair and makeup is darn near impossible, the stars of viral videos make up for it with sass and, usually, a hook that sets them apart from both the other imitators and the stars themselves.

For one big Beyonce fan, the hook comes in his astounding ability to edit his recreation of "Countdown" almost exactly as it was done by the video's director … but the sass is all in the Snuggie.

That's right, YouTube user KKPalmer1000's interpretation of Beyonce's Adria Petty co-directed clip is essential a shot-for-shot remake of the original that manages to remarkably mimic its color-blocked style and rapid fire cuts, while, inexplicably (though no one's arguing it's hella funny), including the maligned-but-very popular piece of loungewear.

Check it out:

What do you think, Beyhive? Pretty good, huh? This kid's moves are fierce!

Check out Queen Bey's "Countdown" video, minus all the Snuggie stuff, after the jump. And let us know what you think of the video in the comments below. Read More...

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Michael Jackson's Family Accuses Executors Of Forging Will In Angry Letter

Posted 7/18/12 1:00 pm EST by in Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson

By Zachary Swickey

The Jackson family is accusing the executors of Michael Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain, of forging his will and have fired off an irate five-page letter demanding their immediate resignation.

A copy of the letter was obtained by Celebuzz and outlines the complaints of MJ’s siblings, stating, ''At the time we couldn't possibly fathom what is so obvious to us now: that the Will, without question, it's Fake, Flawed and Fraudulent."

The letter continues and is rather blunt with the accusations: ''Since the passing of Michael, our beloved brother, you have failed to perform your duties as executors of his estate, but what you have not failed at is taking advantage of a grieving mother, father and a grieving family."

The Jackson write that they have proof that Michael never signed the alleged will. ''The Will that you presented did not have our brother's signature on it, nor did it have a signature page attached to it." When the family questioned Branca about the missing signature page, he supposedly replied, “It was on its way, and you were having just a little problem finding it.”

The Jacksons also state they have verifiable proof that Michael was not even in Los Angeles on July 7, 2002, the date the will was allegedly signed by Jackson.

''Our brother told us, in no uncertain terms and without hesitation in the months prior to his death, that he despised both of you and that he did not want either of you to have anything to do with his life or estate for that matter," the Jackson family boldly claims.

Branca and McClain have since responded to the letter, and seem to suggest the Jacksons are merely upset that they were excluded from the will, saying, “We are saddened that false and defamatory accusations grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories are now being made by certain members of Michael's family whom he chose to leave out of his will.”

Interestingly, Branca and McClain’s attorney Howard Weitzman even suggests that the accusations have already failed in court. “Any doubts about the validity of Michael's will and his selection of executors were thoroughly and completely debunked two years ago when a challenge was rejected by the Los Angeles Superior Court, the California Court of Appeals, and finally, the California Supreme Court,” he told RadarOnline.

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Singer Jasmine Villegas Tackles Domestic Violence In Video For New Single, 'Didn't Mean It'

Posted 7/18/12 11:55 am EST by in Music, Video

Looking to raise awareness for a very important and personal subject, pop singer Jasmine Villegas is highlighting the epidemic of domestic violence in the video for her latest single, "Didn't Mean It."

Villegas is best known for playing Justin Bieber's love interest in his "Baby" video, the 18-year-old singer talked to our pals over at MTV Buzzworthy about why she chose to tackle such a serious topic.

"This topic is very important to me because it's something I experienced firsthand for over a year in a bad relationship. Fortunately for me, I was able to get out relatively early, and now I want to let other women know that you don't have to feel ashamed or embarrassed about getting help," Villegas said. "I believe every woman is beautiful and sometimes we get caught up in situations or relationships that make us lose sight of how beautiful and precious we really are."

The video opens with a particularly unsettling moment, as the actor playing Villegas boyfriend pushes her to the floor drags her screaming across the room. Later, though, she takes matters into her own hands and sneaks out of the house to protect herself and end the cycle of abuse.

Watch:

Get More: Jasmine Villegas, Didn't Mean It, Music, More Music Videos

>> For more on Villegas and "Didn't Mean It," visit MTV Buzzworthy.

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Justin Bieber Vs. Justin Timberlake: The Inevitable 'Boyfriend'/'Girlfriend' Mashup Video Arrives

Posted 7/17/12 5:56 pm EST by in Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake

Our pals at MTV Buzzworthy have dug up a gem.

Ever since Justin Bieber dropped the video for his hit single "Boyfriend," people have been commenting on the clip's similarities to a video featuring another famous Justin – NSYNC's "Girlfriend." The videos share a similar look and feel, in addition to lots of muscle car showboating, plenty of choreographed dancing and more than a few pretty girls.

The tonal and stylistic similarities between the two are purely coincidental, of course. During "MTV First: Justin Bieber," Biebs told MTV News that he hasn't seen NSYNC's video, though he admitted to being influenced by Timberlake, saying, "He was young, and he did it, and he was really amazing and had such amazing music. I can't say that I would be upset when someone compares me to him."

"Girlfriend" marked a point in the NSYNC guys' careers where they were transitioning from boys into men, and for Bieber, "Boyfriend" represents the same move toward a more mature look and sound. "I think it's super cool," Bieber told MTV News of his "Boyfriend" video. "I wanted to do something a little bit more mature.

Check it out:

Want more? Visit MTV Buzzworthy.

What do you think of the similarities between "Boyfriend" and "Girlfriend"? Let us know in the comments below!

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Real Estate Porn: Kelly Clarkson's Texas Ranch Edition

Posted 7/17/12 5:26 pm EST by in kelly-clarkson

We never get tired of staring at the homes of the rich and famous. Last week it was Mariah Carey's rotating beach palaces, and now it's "Stronger" diva Kelly Clarkson's Mansfield, Texas, ranch.

Clarkson is selling the four bedroom, six bathroom estate for a mere $1.495 million. It's a bargain, really, because you'll also be getting a gym, theater, man-made pond and lap and diving pools all on 14 fabulous acres just 25 minutes away from where the singer grew up.

Check it out:

The singer purchased the house in 2002 not long after she won "American Idol." The years since "Idol" have treated the down-home Clarkson pretty well … maybe she's looking for a real estate upgrade?

Kelly's recent #1 single "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" has the distinction of being the top-selling single ever by any "American Idol" contestant. She is also the second biggest-selling "Idol," after Carrie Underwood, in terms of cumulative album sales. The country star has sold 13.2 million copies of her four albums, while Clarkson has moved 11.65 million copies of her five records.

Clarkson and Underwood's individual sales, however, far exceed those of any other "Idol" contestant. Season five's Chris Daughtry and season two's Clay Aiken are the only other "Idol's" who can claim career sales of more than five million in the U.S.

What do you think of Kelly's crib? Let us know in the comments below!

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No Doubt’s ‘Settle Down’ Video: The Key Scene

Posted 7/17/12 3:07 pm EST by in no doubt, The Key Scene

“Settle Down,” No Doubt fans! Yes, we know you’re stoked about the just released new music video for the band’s lead single off Push and Shove. We know you’re stoked about it because, well, we are too.

The clip, directed by longtime No Doubt collaborator Sophie Muller, is colorful and visually as bombastic as the song is sonically. It perfectly complements Diplo’s swaggerfied track, which pays homage to the band’s work on Rock Steady. In a sea of quirky images, there’s one moment in the clip that stands as the video’s key scene thanks to the heart at the core of it.

What fans will love seeing most is the moment when all four No Doubt members step out of their trucks and share in an embrace (00:42). It all happens as the Bollywood-inspired intro of the song transitions from strings to thumping drums, courtesy of the band’s beatmaster Adrian Young. What’s interesting to note is that not only is the foursome joyous to share in that momentous hug, but they are all sporting bleached out locks. Band solidarity!

It’s clear that after a long hiatus, this long-teased reunion album is full of the energy that catapulted the band to A-list rock star status. And that hug really says it all. They are as happy to be together as we are for them to be together again. They are reunited and it feels so good. And you know what? We have no plans to settle down our excitement anytime soon.

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Garbage Singer Shirley Manson Contacts Police After Receiving Online Death Threats

Posted 7/17/12 12:34 pm EST by in Music, Tweet Beat

Shirley Manson

By Zachary Swickey

Alt-rockers Garbage returned this year with their first album in seven years, Not Your Kind of People. While we couldn’t be more excited that the group has returned to the scene, it’s brought some creepers out of hiding … one of whom has reportedly been targeting frontwoman Shirley Manson with online death threats.

The singer has been subjected to a barrage of abusive messages from a Twitter user named @Gunn2urhead, according to The Daily Beast, accusing her of (among other things) being a witch and cheating on her husband. It’s clear why Manson felt her life was in danger. All told, the band received 735 tweets for the user, most of which were directed at Manson. Manson’s manager Paul Kremen alerted the LAPD to the cyberstalking, and they have since issued a search warrant to Twitter requesting information about the account.

As one would expect, the messages are full of crazy. Take for example, “EVERY NIGHT AND DAY SHE’S MESSING WITH ME!!!” or how about, “WHY DO HURT ME TO LET ME KNO UR HERE.”

The warrant states: "[Manson] stated that she is in great fear for her and her family's safety due to the nature of the threats, the sheer volume of them and the 'crazy' sounding messages being posted towards her. She stated she has never had anything like this on this level occur to her and she is very frightened and wants the threats to be investigated fully."

The mysterious @Gunn2urhead handle has been silent since June 21. Police, however, are still investigating the incident and hope to bring charges against the user once he’s been found.

Garbage re-entered the musical spotlight when they dropped their fifth studio album in May after seven long years. The album is their first since ‘05’s Bleed Like Me and was released on the band’s self-started label, Stunvolume.

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