Newsroom Sound Off: Is Bumping Ann Curry From The 'Today' Anchor Spot The Right Choice?

Posted 6/21/12 12:30 pm EST by in Television

Ann Curry

The big news today is that Ann Curry may be on her way out at "Today," only a year after she became the co-host of NBC's morning juggernaut.

Curry has been on "Today" for 17 years, acting principally as news anchor before assuming the coveted anchor chair beside Matt Lauer when Meredith Vieira exited the show last year. She's also appeared across multiple NBC News properties, from anchoring "Dateline NBC" and filling in on the "NBC Nightly News" to acting as a major international news correspondent.

She has, however, encountered a number at obstacles at "Today." Her talent as a serious news reporter has, ironically, been a point of criticism – she's not easygoing enough to co-host a morning show, which requires a balance of both serious and silly – and some have even blamed her for "Today's" faltering ratings. The show has long been the #1 show in morning television, but was beat in the ratings for several weeks this spring by "Good Morning America." The two shows continue to be consistently neck-and-neck in the ratings.

Word is that Curry is in negotiations with the network to assume a different role within NBC News and has herself long been struggling with leaving "Today." The top contenders to take the job after Curry are, reportedly, Savannah Guthrie and current news anchor Natalie Morales.

But is NBC making the right decision? Here in the MTV Newsroom, we are avid watchers of "Today," so this morning there were plenty of opinions flying around. Below, three staffers sound off on Curry's potential "Today" departure and whether she was really right for the co-hosting role in the first place.

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Taylor Swift And B.o.B. Battle Blood-Thirsty Flies And Uncooperative Canines On The Set Of 'Both of Us'

Posted 6/21/12 11:30 am EST by in Taylor Swift

By Meredith Goldberg-Morse

Who knew shooting a music video in the Nashville countryside could be so … dangerous?

B.o.B. and Taylor Swift are fighting off all sorts of threatening wildlife on the set of their video for "Both of Us," the newest single off B.o.B.’s latest record Strange Clouds.

"There are bugs crawling on people, there are bugs trying to bite people," says Taylor, describing the hazardous shooting conditions. "There was one point, I looked over, and on B.o.B.’s shoulder is this giant spider…it was just hanging out there, just ready to kill him, and I saved his life by pointing it out."

>> B.o.B And Taylor Swift Go South For 'Both Of Us' Video

Heroics aside, we can’t wait to get a look at the finished product, which B.o.B describes as "bigger than just B.o.B. and Taylor Swift. This is about all walks of life, all classes of society. It’s about everybody, really."

Check out a behind-the-scenes featurette below:

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Jessica Stroup Fills Us In On Seth MacFarlane's Raunchy Directorial Debut 'Ted' And The Next Season of '90210'

Posted 6/21/12 10:51 am EST by in Interviews, Movies

Jessica Stroup

By Zachary Swickey

Actress Jessica Stroup is best known for playing Erin Silver on “90210” – The CW’s revitalization of '90s fave “Beverly Hills, 90210 – and being a modern day scream queen after starring in a string of horror flicks: “Prom Night,” “Vampire Bats” and “The Hills Have Eyes 2.” Stroup's latest role, however, comes in a comedy and it's a high-profile one at that – "Family Guy" Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s feature directorial debut, "Ted," hitting theaters June 29.

The kind folks at AXE Hair have partnered with the film and hooked MTV News up with Stroup for a quick phone chat about her new role, the R-rated nature of the flick and what’s goin’ on in the 90210.

So tell us about your character in 'Ted.' You're Mila's co-worker/gal-pal in the movie, correct?

Yes. Well, there’s a lot of underlying storyline with my character. It was more about the fact that Seth MacFarlane is one of my best friends and I knew he was coming up with this idea for this project and I just wanted to be involved however I could. So, I got to go up to Boston for a month and watch them film and got to play a little part. It’s definitely one of the funniest scripts and movies I’ve seen in a while.

What was it like working with Kunis and the rest of the hilarious cast (Mark Wahlberg, Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton, Giovanni Ribisi)?

Mila is just such a normal, down-to-earth, chill, cool girl and we were already friends. So it was a good experience to hang out with her in her downtime. But watching Seth, Mark, Patrick, Joel and Giovanni was inspiring you know? You get around kind of a boy’s club and you’re dancing around getting let in or whatever, but I got really close with a lot of the writers and with Seth being a good friend, he would just let me sit behind him and watch him at work. I had to do everything I could to contain my laughter and not get kicked off the set.

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Two Years Later, Glamberts Remain A Fan Army To Beat

Posted 6/20/12 6:30 pm EST by in awards, Music, Video

The third cycle of the O Music Awards, MTV’s show that honors the achievements in digital music and web culture, are just around the corner (June 27 at 7:30 EST to be exact), so if you haven’t cast your vote for Best Artist with a Cameraphone, Best Online Concert Experience, Best Web-Born Artist or Most Adorable Viral Star, among many others, you should get to votin' already!

One of the most exciting categories for we pop culture savants in the MTV Newsroom is Fan Army FTW. You see, we deal with fan armies all the time. In my time here at MTV, I've been both embraced and scorned by Little Monsters, gotten yelled at by the Rihanna Navy and felt the love of the Beehive. It's always an eye-opening experience and serves as an eternal reminder of just how dedicated a fan can be to the star they love.

>> Fan Army Manifestos: Adam Lambert's "Glamberts"

One of the chief fan armies out there are the Glamberts, a varied bunch who lavish nothing but love on pop star Adam Lambert. Our pals at the O Music Awards blog have put together a fantastic "Fan Army Manifesto" on the Glamberts that you just have to watch to see the impact the platinum-selling "American Idol" runner-up has had on their lives. Check it out:

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Of course, here at MTV News, we've been on the Glambert beat for years. Back in the summer of 2010, we caught up with some of Lamberts biggest fans on a scorching summer day as they lined up more than 24 hours before the pop star's show at the Nokia Theatre in advance of his "Glam Nation Tour" stop at the venue.

>> Rabid Adam Lambert Fans Line Up 24 Hours Before New York Show

If the two videos make one thing clear, it's that Lambert's fans remain as dedicated as ever.

Don't forget to vote for Fan Army FTW over at the O Music Awards site and check out our chat with Lambert's fans, after the jump. Read More...

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Is Olly Murs The Next Brit to Break? Four Other Pop Stars Who Paved the Way (Poll)

Posted 6/20/12 5:13 pm EST by in Adele, listicle, Music, Newsroom Poll

By Meredith Goldberg-Morse

Looks like the recent trend of British pop stars invading our radios, record stores and television screens won’t be ending any time soon — popular English singer-songwriter Olly Murs will release his debut album In Case You Didn’t Know in the U.S. on September 25. Murs’ has already won over our cousins across the pond with his catchy tunes (and perhaps a little assistance from his not-exactly-unappealing physical appearance), already boasting two platinum records and three #1 singles in the UK.

The former soccer player (or footballer, if you want to get sophisticated) had dreams of going pro, but a neck injury forced him to watch games from the pub rather than the field. A few successful Stevie Wonder covers on the pub’s karaoke machine led Murs to audition for the sixth season of the original UK "The X Factor." The runner-up is currently assisting One Direction on their North American tour.

Not bad for a second-choice career, huh?

Murs, who recently released his debut single “Heart Skips a Beat” (below) featuring Chiddy Bang in the U.S., isn’t the only Brit currently captivating American listeners. Check out the other British performers we’re most glad landed on American soil, and vote in our poll below for your favorite!

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Justin Bieber's 7 Cutest MTV Moments (Video)

Posted 6/20/12 4:15 pm EST by in Justin Bieber, Video

By Cory Midgarden

Coming down from the release of his new album Believe and his MTV News special “Bieber Live,” Justin Bieber fans were treated to quite an array of memorable and, dare we say, cute moments throughout yesterday’s celebrations. From his acoustic performance of “Die in Your Arms” to his impromptu photos with our Times Square audience, the 18-year-old had fans of all ages in the palm of his hand.

Just when you thought your Bieber Fever had finally broke, we here at MTV News dug up some archival footage that will definitely take your temperature back through the roof.

Check out Justin's cutest MTV moments:

Get More: Justin Bieber, Music News

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The Wanted Target Christina Aguilera Again In The Latest Round In Their Diva Beef

Posted 6/20/12 3:13 pm EST by in Christina Aguilera, Fighting

Christina Aguilera

Bryant Gilmore

Known for her platinum pipes as well as her ability to get down and "dirty," Christina Aguilera has had a number of high-profile feuds over the years with everyone from Eminem to, recently, her fellow "The Voice" coach Adam Levine.

If that wasn’t enough to occupy her time, Aguilera continues to find herself in a feud with Brit-Irish sensations The Wanted. During their appearance on the hit show "The Voice" back in April, the guys felt a bit unloved by Xtina, claiming that she was a "total b**ch" and “rude.” Aguilera has yet to fire back against The Wanted, but that might not be too far off given their latest swipe at the multi-Grammy winner.

During the Backstage Invasion segment from New York 92.3 One Night Stand following the band's concert at NYC's Best Buy Theater, host Sarah Lee asked Tom Parker about his referring to Christina as a “b**ch.” Parker, at first, apologized for it claiming, that he meant, “loudmouth” not “b**ch,” before taking back said apology. Lee then asked the guys to play a game with her. She held up poster board with “Beautiful," "Bitch" and "Britney" written on it and gave the band cut-out images of Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Christina. After pinning J.Lo to "beautiful" and Spears to "Britney," Tom Parker showed his affection for the "Beautiful" songstress by taking her head and placing it on his junk and then rubbing it on his butt, claiming that she belongs "up his arse."

(Ed note: Classy.)

Watch:

The Wanted, Eminem and Levine are not the only ones that Christina has fought with over the years. She’s also had it out with the ladies, including Kelly Osbourne, Mariah Carey (who you should never cross) and "Burlesque" co-star Julianne Hough.

When she’s not feuding, the inarguably talented singer is reportedly in the studio, working on her follow-up to her ill-received 2010 album Bionic. The set is due out later this year, and she is reportedly working with British super-producers Xenomania, who are responsible for some of the biggest hits to come out of the UK from groups like Sugababes, Girls Aloud and The Saturdays.

Whether the next thing we hear from camp Aguilera is a song or a sound bite, you can bet we will be waiting to see how this feud plays out.

Looking to see how all the divas really feel about each other, read on for one of our favorite super cut montages ever! Read More...

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Lily Allen Confirms Work On New Album

Posted 6/20/12 1:06 pm EST by in Lily-Allen, Music, Tweet Beat

Lily Allen

So shut the f**k up about it, OK?!

It's been rumored for a while, as we previously reported, but today (June 20) Lily Allen confirmed what fans of the British pop doll have been longing to hear – that she's coming out of "retirement" and is in the studio working on a follow-up her 2009 hit It's Not Me, It's You.

As people are wont to do these days, the news was broken via tweet. Responding to a tweet from Popjustice regarding Kate Nash's return to music, which read, "It's better than no music at all isn't it. ISN'T IT LILY," Allen – whose Twitter handle is @lilyrosecooper – hit back, tweeting, "You will be pleased to know that I am currently in the f**king studio with @GregKurstin so SHUT UP PETER!"

(The "Peter" in question is Popjustice editor Peter Robinson.)

Allen "retired" from the music in 2010 to focus on fashion with her store, Lucy in Disguise, and later her family life with husband Sam Cooper and their first child, Ethel, born in November 2011. The "Smile" singer had said she was swearing off recording new material of her own, though she's recently been has penning songs for the upcoming "Bridget Jones' Diary" musical set to premiere in London's famed West End later this year.

In April, she was spotted at RAK Studios in St John's Wood, London, though she didn't comment at that time. Kurstin has worked with Allen before – he co-wrote and produced her 2008 hit "The Fear" – and is on something of a roll right now, having co-written and produced Kelly Clarkson's mega-smash "Stronger."

She followed up the announcement of her studio sessions with Kurstin with a bit of insight into exactly what she's up to, tweeting, "No big deal really, I'm just throwing s**t at the wall and seeing if anything sticks."

As longtime fans anxious for new searing pop ditties from the affable Allen, we certainly hope something does!

Check out Allen's last collaboration with Kurstin, "The Fear," below!

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Fiona Apple Reveals Battle With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Posted 6/20/12 12:20 pm EST by in Music

Fiona Apple

By Zachary Swickey

The charming Fiona Apple finally dropped her first album in seven years yesterday – ahem, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipping Cords will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do, which is ten tracks of honest perfection (reviews so far have been wildly positive). Despite her widespread appeal, the reclusive singer admits to a history of coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

“I had really bad obsessive-compulsive disorder,” Apple tells Elle (via Yahoo). “At its worst, I was compelled to leave my house at three o'clock in the morning and go out in the alley because I just knew that the paper-towel roll I threw in the recycling bin was uncomfortable, like it was lying the wrong way, and I would be down in the garbage."

While Apple says she’s doing better now, she still has issues with OCD that keep her from travelling very much: "I'll be going to [Los Angeles venue] Largo to see my friends ... [and] I'll start freaking out, and it won't stop until I'm actually there."

Similarly, she told Pitchfork earlier this month, "I still don't know how to drive. I don't go anywhere, really, except for Largo. My brother drives me. I walk around my neighborhood but I don't go anywhere, nor do I want to."

Clearly, Apple is quite the emotional person. She said as much during a rare chat with Jimmy Fallon earlier this week. Fallon recounted opening up a concert for Apple with a comedy routine. He became concerned during her performance when she had an emotional breakdown and couldn’t stop crying. She seemed to laugh off the incident to Fallon, saying she’s simply a “human being” and became “overwhelmed” during her concert.

Check out their chat below:

Related:
>> Fiona Apple Reveals New Idler Wheel Track ' Werewolf'
>> Fiona Apple Details Awesome Extras In Deluxe Edition Of Her First Album In Seven Years, The Idler Wheel
>> Whoops! NME Runs Picture Of Alanis Morissette With Review Of Fiona Apple's New Album
>> Fiona Apple's The Idler Wheel: Uneasy Listening

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Thrice Tell Us What It's Like to Say Goodbye

Posted 6/20/12 11:45 am EST by in Bands We Like

By Zachary Swickey

LOS ANGELES – After nearly 15 years together, California-based rockers Thrice said goodbye to their fans after a string of 8 sold-out California tour dates ending their much lengthier farewell tour. The group of friends can boast that they retained all original members throughout their career, and are only “breaking up” due to facts of life – like two members having homes full of children they have to leave on every tour.

Singer Dustin Kensrue has already mentioned that he will truly settle down and become the music director at church based out of Orange County. With the band saying goodbye, we wanted to chat with Thrice about what the future holds and how it feels to be closing such an important chapter in their history. MTV News sat down with drummer Riley Breckenridge on one of their final dates Saturday at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, where the group covered their vast catalog with a lengthy set list, which was created using fan’s votes on the band’s website, that left the mourning crowd wanting more.

I think one thing people are unsure about is whether this is a “break up” or indefinite hiatus? It’s being dubbed a “farewell tour,” but in recent interviews you seem optimistic that you’ll at the very least make more music and play a few shows again someday?

Riley: It’s hard to say for me because the decision is not mine. I understand the reasoning and I’m respectful of it, but I don’t know where we’re going to be at. I think we all definitely want to make music together again and play live again. I don’t know to what extent we would ever tour in the future, but you never know what’s going to happen. We might get offered some crazy gig someday. So it’s "farewell for now" and we’ll just see what happens. I sincerely hope to make music and tour with these guys again someday.

Do you personally plan on taking a break too from music? Or do you already have new projects lined up?

Riley: Ed [Breckenridge, Riley’s brother and bassist of Thrice] and I are going to work on some music together. It’s too early to tell what it’s going to end up being like, but we’re excited to get home and write and jam with each other and friends and just kind of see what happens from there. It’ll be easier now that we don’t feel like we’re cheating on Thrice or anything. I’m open to other opportunities. It’s weird after doing this for the last 14 years and always being whole-heartedly devoted to one thing, you never know what other opportunities are out there. So we’ll see what comes up.

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