Michael Jackson’s Doctor Charged
February 9, 2010 1:55 am by Aaron
Involuntary manslaughter were not the words on people’s lips as Conrad Murray, doctor to the late King of Pop, walked into his courtroom hearing yesterday. But the doctor was, indeed, charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson. He pleaded Not Guilty. Jackson’s family has expressed their infuriation over the untimeliness of the charges, some calling Murray out for killing their loved one.
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Anderson Cooper and the Jersey Shore…
February 6, 2010 3:28 pm by Aaron
I’ve loved Anderson Cooper for the majority of my life. Mix him and Jersey Shore and how can you go wrong? Well…I can think of a few choice ways, but here’s what the CNN reporter had to say about the “guido/guidette” cast:
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A Nomination For You…And For You…Oh And You, Too.
February 4, 2010 2:06 pm by Aaron
Oscar is being pushed past his limits this year. He must feel aggravated. Without much of a warning, he was woken up in the middle of what was probably a relaxing pre-awards season nap, stretched to the point of his golden skin shedding from the surface of his gleaming figure and left to stand under glaring stage lights—not a single tear shed in deep-rooted sympathy.
In what I see as a decision driven mainly by a desire for higher ratings, more profit and assuring nods from network affiliates, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last June that it would have 10 nominations for Best Picture instead of a modest 5. With the nominations out and the show itself coming up, this decision is looking more and more ridiculous.
Have you ever seen “For Your Consideration?” I’ve been posting clip after clip on my Facebook and talking to everyone and their pet beagle about it. It’s a film by comedic genius Christopher Guest (”Waiting for Guffman,” “A Mighty Wind,” “Best in Show”). The film/mockumentary focuses on a troupe of independent film actors who get wind of a possible Oscar nomination for one of the leading ladies, Marilyn Hack, who, you guessed it, is actually a terrible actress (not Catherine O’Hara who plays her, though—she’s a goddess). Look me in the eye and tell me that it would be just as surprising and rewarding for poor old Marilyn to find out her film was nomination among 9 OTHERS.
Not only does this bump in nominations tarnish the image and accomplishment of being nominated, but it makes the Academy look bad. And, not to mention, announcing 10 nominees just totally goes against the Oscar’s strict time policy. I’m hoping they direct the conductor to drown out the announcer if they take their precious time. Or the winner:
“I’d like to thank and congratulate the other 9 nominees individually…[and...cut]“
All I’m wondering now is who snubbed “Where The Wild Things Are.”
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$%#*!, a.k.a. Vampire Weekend’s ‘English’
February 2, 2010 1:14 am by Aaron
Ever since Ivy Leaguers Vampire Weekend released their new album, “Contra,” I’ve been sorely abusing each track in my playlist. Not in a bad way, though. For what I thought would be a much weaker sophomore effort by the group, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised.
And, of course, I’m still trying to decipher the lyrics of “California English” without Songlyrics.com…I think I’m doing well. Give their live performance a listen, if you have yet to. I must warn you, though, Auto tune is involved. A lot of it. But oh, how it is such a guilty pleasure of mine. If anything, the excessive use of the voice-altering music tech adds a giddy, upbeat sense to what would, otherwise, be a short, forgettable track. It made me laugh the first time I heard it and then I couldn’t stop listening!
I think the song sounds much better in this live video. I dare you to keep up.
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What Happened to Pop Music?
January 30, 2010 5:00 pm by Aaron
Photoshopped by yours truly.
Pop music isn’t for the faint of heart. Known as a genre that takes leaps and bounds into debauchery, fun, exploration and an excitement-driven lifestyle, the tunes of balladeers and discotheque-enthusiasts have meshed to create this music for the masses. It used to be distinctive. It used to be original. And it dared to invent. (JT, anyone?)
Now, each artist at the forefront of the pop genre seem to be riding on each others’ coat tails, only to realize that eventually, someone will have fall off the end, making way for a necessary replacement—most of the time drawing similarities to their predecessor. Leading the pack is, undoubtedly, the illustrious Stephanie Germanotta (am I allowed to call her that?). Needless to say, you all know her “real” name. Her voice may be uniquely akin to influences like David Bowie—who I could make serious money off of if I got a dollar each time she mentioned him—but her overall sound is nothing “new.” After countless listens I find myself craving something different.
Another prime example. Rihanna started off as a voice for Caribbean influence in pop. Her beats were simple and infectious and we all wanted to have a DJ as nice as the one in her debut music video. Two years later, she was a “Good Girl Gone Bad” which was, in essence, a mirror reflection of her drastic shift in style. Good…to, well, you get the idea. I could go on about so many artists known as today’s frontrunners of pop—don’t even get me started on Shakira and Beyoncé—but that would take a while. These artists all had something unique about them. And in a small twinkling of any eye, they changed into a regurgitation of each other, with mainly their physical, commercial image left to set them aside for mass production among different races and backgrounds.
It’s time for pop music to reinvent itself and find a new place on the music spectrum. Get the commercialism out and make commerical investors, talent scouts and big-wigs in the music industry beg to be a part of it.
Don’t let them rule it.
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Kanye + Vogue: A Match Made in Fashion Heaven?
January 29, 2010 5:00 pm by Aaron
The Louis Vitton Don is back on the media radar after lying low post-Taylor Swift fiasco. He’s been spending his time cruising through Paris Fashion Week this week along with his girlfriend, Amber Rose, and got to meet some renowned designers while at it. PETA isn’t a happy camper, though, as West and Rose have both been called out for their fur-centric outfits.
West also got to rub elbows with Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine (and the main subject of the recent film, “The September Issue”—which I loved). I wonder if Anna made any remarks about West and Rose’s recent fashion choices? Or…if she made any remarks to Kanye at all? Then again, she is wearing fur in this photo, so maybe they had something to relate to.
Kanye had some choice words for the bloggers who bashed him and his boo, though. And, of course, it WAS ALL IN CAPS…
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Oh, Elaine Stritch.
January 26, 2010 1:10 am by Aaron
When I first heard about Elaine Stritch, I was terrified. I was terrified and slightly confused. I was terrified, slightly confused and, all the while, enamored. Here was a woman who for all it was worth, spent the majority of her life struggling with alcoholism, but became a matriarch, if you will, of the Broadway stage. Commanding the scores of Stephen Sondheim with a vehement delicacy, Stritch became one of my favorite veteran actresses once I was introduced to Sondheim’s 1970 musical “Company,” a loose collection of vignettes centered on 35-year old Bobby, a bachelor looking for a reason to love and marry.
In “Company,” Stritch originated the role of the classy, brassy Joanne, a wine glass-wielding 50-something who is basically my personal hero. And after sporadic returns to the stage, she is yet again back to performing in New York City.
Not on Broadway this time, though.
Her one-woman biographical show “Elaine at Liberty” was a huge success in the early 2000s, incorporating Sondheim’s music into her personal story of struggle and success. Her newest endeavor puts her back in the realm of Sondheim as she is performing some of his most beloved numbers at the Café Carlyle on the Upper East Side through next week.
Oh, and lest we forget her stints on “30 Rock” as mommy dearest to Jack (Alec Baldwin). These scenes are like heaven to me. The magic begins at 1:38.
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CoCo’s Last Stand
January 23, 2010 1:25 pm by Aaron
NBC talk show host Conan O’Brien gave his final monologue and last show last night at 10:00pm 12:50am (whenever) and closed his epic run as one of the funniest men on late-night television just the way I would expect: with no hurt feelings and dashingly good hair. With a settlement as hefty as his and a legacy even more impressive, I won’t be surprised if we see Conan back on the air with some other network (ahem, Fox) in the future.
Reports show, however, that even though the last show was hyped up and anticipated/dreaded by many O’Brien fans, it didn’t top Jay Leno’s “last show” when he was the host of Late Night. I feel like I may have contributed as well because, like most hypocritical Conan fans, I didn’t even tune in.
So what’s in the future for King CoCo? Well, O’Brien is pretty sure it involves nudity. Here’s his final opening monologue.
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Idina…Is Coming!
January 21, 2010 8:36 pm by Aaron
Lea Michele’s tweet says it all. It’s official! “Wicked” star Idina Menzel is currently filming and will be on an episode of the hit Fox series, “Glee.”
I’m still trying to wrap my head around what she could possibly play on the show. Biological mother to Rachel? Rival Glee Club coach? Herself? ELPHABA? Maybe she’ll give Kurt some lessons on how to really hit that high note at the end of “Defying Gravity.” Even though, technically, he blew the note purposefully. Regardless, the possibilities are endless and nobody…in all of Oz…no wizard—wait. Sorry. That went in the wrong direction.
January 22, 2010 | UPDATE: Idina is playing the head coach of the rival Glee Club “Vocal Adrenaline” and is signed off for most of the episodes in the second season.
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Wyclef Jean’s ‘Mistakes’
January 19, 2010 2:35 am by Aaron
“Have I made mistakes? Yes. Did I use Yéle money for personal gains? Absolutely not. The books are open. We have a clean bill of health from an auditor.”
Haitian-born multi-platinum singer Wyclef Jean faced accusations last weekend that part of the money received from his now-famous “YELE” texting Haiti relief fund went to the singer himself. His response and audit investigation cleared his name and the star continues to push for evacuation and rescue in his native land. His intentions seem pure, his actions just and Jean’s attitude toward his efforts in the country strike with a fervor that is hard to come by nowadays. However, the accusations, nonetheless, make the charitable, NOW-generation-friendly program seem a bit sketchy.
Though I normally see relief efforts as disorganized, non-stop clap-fests from the big wigs above, sitting comfortably in their plush velvet seats while they applaud announcement after announcement that “100% of funds of … will go to xyz,” it’s hard to not notice the particular dissidence in celebrities taking their own stands aside from national organizations, giving donors and supporters a more “at ease” feeling when they click through on their Web sites to send much-needed aid…but who’s to say which is more “reputable?” The American Red Cross or a George Clooney Telethon?
With estimates of rebuilding taking 10 years in Haiti, prospects just remind me and my peers that we need to give something to help…Lest we forget we have citizens on our own shores STILL begging for help.
Feed for All That Jazz