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Song of the Day: Who's Singing That iPod Nano Commercial?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:30:57 -0700

If you haven't seen the commercial for the new iPod Nano yet, you probably will soon (and probably over and over again, at that). And you might find yourself wondering, like I always seem to do these days with Apple ads, "Wow, who is singing that cute and catchy song?" Once upon a time, the Nano made Feist a star, and it feels like just yesterday I was downloading Yael Naim after seeing the MacBook Air ads airing between my favorite shows.

So who's the lucky band who will soon be getting lots of attention? Why, it's the Brooklyn-based trio Chairlift, whose song "Bruises" is upbeat and bubbly in the avant-pop tradition and overflows with adorable lyrics ("I tried to do headstands for you" - or is it "I tried to do handstands for you"? Either way, cute!). The song is on Chairlift's 2008 debut album, Does You Inspire You, and the trio will be opening for Yeasayer soon (see dates here).

You can listen to the full version of the song here and check out a live performance of the same tune if you read more.

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Link Time! 9/9

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:32:56 -0700

Apple has upgraded its iPod Nano, iPod Touch, and iTunes application. - geeksugar
Five reasons to look forward to ABC's The Unusuals - already! - TV Squad
On a scale of 1 to 10: What's the likelihood you'll see the just-announced Jessica Alba movie, An Invisible Sign of My Own? - Popwatch
The CW should take the diversity of America's Next Top Model and spread it to some other primetime shows. - Jezebel
Four - count 'em, four! - new Andrew Bird songs. - You Ain't No Picasso
JJ Abrams explains why there will be no William Shatner cameo in the new Star Trek movie. - Cinematical
A new Bob Dylan music video? Yup. - Stereogum

Singer to Watch: Who’s Singing That MacBook Commercial?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:30:22 -0800

I have a serious weakness for a pretty, quirky folk song a la Regina Spektor. When done well, songs out of this genre can feel so light and ethereal that you want to sprout wings and fly - or, buy a new laptop.

That’s at least what the folks over at Apple are hoping French-born Israeli singer Yael Naïm's song "New Soul" will inspire you to do, as they've featured it in their new MacBook Air TV spot. Computer or no, the commercial might send you racing to iTunes to get this song and others from Naïm into your library ASAP.

"New Soul," from her self-titled album with songs in French, English, and Hebrew, is incredibly infectious, yet personal. The album has been popular in France since its release in the Fall of last year, and I suspect Apple may have just launched her crossover career. Remind anyone of Feist and the Nano?

To watch Naïm's video for the MacBook tune, and a beautiful live performance covering Britney’s Toxic (seriously!), read more.

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Starbucks to Give Away Free Music

BuzzSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:31:07 -0700

For about a month this fall, Starbucks and Apple are teaming up to bring customers free music. Between October 2 and November 7, Starbucks customers can receive "Song of the Day" cards redeemable on iTunes for a complimentary song that has been selected by Starbucks Entertainment. According to Reuters, "Starbucks said it will give away 1.5 million downloads per day for a total of more than 50 million free songs. Customers will have until the end of the year to redeem the song on iTunes."

Also beginning October 2, many Starbucks cafes will provide free wi-fi access specifically for the iTunes store. So, theoretically you could purchase your coffee, grab your "Song of the Day" card, open up your laptop right there and download the music, all in one fell swoop. I think this could be pretty cool - especially if some lesser-known bands get the chance to have their songs included in the giveaway. What do you think about this? Will you be taking a "Song of the Day" card with your morning coffee come October? Also, do you think this will draw in customers who don't normally go to Starbucks?

Apple Wants TV Episodes to Cost 99 Cents on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:31:46 -0700

Here's something we didn't know earlier this week when we were talking about the spat between NBC and Apple's iTunes Music Store. According to Variety, Apple has been telling TV networks and studios that it would like to cut the price of episode downloads to 99 cents, essentially half of their current $1.99 price tag. That would make an episode of "The Office" cost the same as the latest Kanye single.

Networks aren't so thrilled about this plan, though, worrying that it would cut into their revenue from the sale of episodes. (Apple's counterargument: People would download more shows, making up for the price cut.) According to Variety, the biggest fear is that cheaper single episodes would cut into the sales of DVD boxed sets, which are key moneymakers for the networks and studios. Would people still buy the "Heroes" boxed set for $39.99 when they could download the season's 23 episodes for just $22.77 instead?

Personally, I'd still buy the set; it would still come packed with commentaries, deleted scenes and extra features that I couldn't get on iTunes. In fact, 99 cent downloads would make me likely to spend more money on TV, downloading favorite single episodes and not feeling that I'd already spent too much money by the time the DVD set came around. But what about you? Are networks right to feel skittish? Or do you think the price-slashing would be a good move?

Will You Miss Getting NBC Shows on iTunes?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:30:00 -0700

One place NBC's new show "Chuck" won't be this fall is on your iPod. A dispute between NBC and Apple means that no episodes from NBC's new fall shows will end up being sold through the iTunes music store, and episodes from shows iTunes already carries, such as "The Office" and "Heroes," will be pulled at the end of the year. (NBC will now sell through Amazon Unbox.) Apple says NBC wanted $4.99 an episode; NBC says that's not true. Theoretically, the two sides are still negotiating, but if this holds, will you miss having the iTunes option for watching NBC shows?

John Krasinski: the Everyman Is Everywhere

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 07:38:43 -0700

John Krasinski's popularity has ballooned thanks to his role as Jim Halpert on "The Office," where he plays the everyman with a relaxed, boyish charm. Personally, I never used to think of him as "hot," but now I can't help it: His personality is so appealing on the show that he's become an unlikely sex symbol.

Lucky for me - and countless other ladies, no doubt - our beloved John is going to be pretty much everywhere for the next year. We couldn't escape him if we tried, but then again, why would we want to? To check out all of the projects he has in the works, read more

Currently, as we told you by way of Give Me My Remote, Krasinski is lending his voice to Apple commercials, as well as ads for Ask.com.
As of May 18, we'll also hear John's sweet voice as Sir Lancelot in the next Shrek movie, Shrek the Third.
Then, he'll play alongside Mandy Moore and Robin Williams in License to Wed, coming out July 4th.

He plays a straight-laced guy in the little pot-themed indie movie Smiley Face that showed at Sundance, which could be released in select theaters as early as July.
Come holiday season this year, he will star opposite George Clooney in Leatherheads, which Clooney is also directing. You can already see some sweet photos of the guys on the set. Oh, what a dreamy manfest that'll be.
Krasinski is also getting into directing: He co-wrote a screenplay based on David Foster Wallace's Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, and he will also star, though the release date is still unknown. Is there anything this guy can't do?!

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Buzz News Roundup, 2/5

BuzzSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 13:57:45 -0800

The Messengers tops a weak weekend at the box office, says Variety.
Legendary producer Rick Rubin is offered a job as Columbia Records co-chair, the New York Times reports.
Justin Timberlake signs on to host the Kids' Choice Awards, says NME.
Tim Gunn finally says he's staying on "Project Runway," New York Magazine reports.
Turner Broadcasting will owe $2 million for the Aqua Teen Hunger Force guerrilla marketing misfire, according to Variety.
Apple and the Beatles finally work out their trademark disputes, reports Billboard.
The CW reveals the newest contestants for "America's Next Top Model."
AMC Theatres will show all five Best Picture nominees on Feb. 24 for $30, the AP reports.
NME has the just-announced U.S. tour dates from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.
Joss Whedon is no longer working on Wonder Woman, Reuters reports.
Zap2it reports that Brooke Shields will co-star in NBC's pilot "Lipstick Jungle," based on a book by Candace Bushnell.
Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy is churning out a superhero film about The Flash, Reuters reports.

Calling All Short-Film Makers

BuzzSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:22:37 -0800

Over on our sister site, geeksugar, the tech world is all abuzz over the new iPod developments announced today by Steve Jobs, especially the new iPhone. In the spirit of all things Apple, I invite you to consider entering the 2007 iPod Film Festival.

Hosted by The Flux, an online community for makers of indie shorts, the contest recognizes ten-minute or shorter films that can be played on an iPod. Prizes include Apple iPods for the winner of each category and an Apple Mac Mini for the grand prize. If you have a movie that fits into one of the festival categories, you might just win the contest and some recognition. For the details, read more

Here are the eligible categories, as outlined on the Flux web site:

INDIE FILM: Any film you've made on your own, or at least without a big studio's help. Of course if you did make a big studio short, you would be doing a: something unheard of, and b: probably don't need to win an iPod anyhow.

STUDENT FILM: If your film was made as part of any class and/or for credit at any high-school or college, this is the category for you.

THE KITCHEN SINK: This is the category for everything else: music videos, funny skits, etc. But please no skateboard crashes, and no mentos and Diet Coke videos.

Entries must be postmarked by March 18, and it's free to enter, so what's stopping you?

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The Office, "Shareholder Meeting": Best Lines of the Night

BuzzSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0800

Looks like The Office is trying for a little economic relevance. While it sort of knocks you over the head this week - e.g. showing the Dow Jones sign - you can't blame the writers for making the story timely. Michael travels to New York for a shareholders meeting with Dwight, Andy, and Oscar in tow, but instead of being honored for his work at the branch, he steps into what's essentially a sounding board for grievances.

Lots of great quotes in this episode, so let's recap some of my favorites, shall we? (Don't worry, I've included Michael's big speech.)

"Recyclops will drown you in your over-watered lawns."-Dwight
Obviously the writers had to plug NBC's Green Week like the rest of the network, but The Office's is one of the most creative. I especially enjoyed Jim's side story about how Recyclops's fictional planet was attacked and he "vowed to destroy the planet he once loved." Oh, and his nemesis Polluticorn, which is actually a Power Rangers reference. They could've made the entire episode about Recyclops, and I would've been happy - if for nothing else, just to see Dwight rock that weird eye headband.

For more quips from the evening, including a deleted limo scene, read more.

Dwight: "Oh, I'm sorry were you raised in a household with no consequences?"
Woman in line: "It'll just be a second."
Dwight: "Oh, if onlys and justs were candies and nuts, then every day would be Erntedankfest."
Dwight lays into the woman in the microphone line when she wants to use the bathroom, but his special comeback phrase really made me laugh. I plan on reciting it myself at least once this week. (By the way, I googled "Erntedankfest" and it's Germany's Thanksgiving. Dwight taught me something!)

Pam: "Well, I can't really imagine you yelling at anyone."
Jim: "Oh, I yell, you've heard me yell."
Pam: "Oh, okay. I've heard you exclaim, like the time you said, Hey look, we parked over here."
Jim: "Well that was apple picking day. There's no need to yell that day. You know, I was just excited to find the car. Perfect end to a perfect day."
Aw, Jim. You try so hard to be tough. But you've got to admit that putting Ryan in the closet is genius. Not only does it teach the guy a lesson, but I'm considering it payback for all of those weird getups that Ryan's been wearing recently. (Remember the fedora?!)

"We're gonna come back with a plan for you, it's a 45-day plan, 45 days to get us back on track, 45 points. It's a 45-day, 45 point, one point per day, we get the 45 points. We are back in business. And you can take that to the bank. And limo lady, we are going completely carbon neutral! I love you New York!"-Michael
Best. Speech. Ever. God forbid anyone ever give Michael Scott a mic - serves them right. Oh, and speaking of limos, check out this funny deleted scene of the boys in their ride.

"I just want to say that I believe that there are options out there. A take-a-number option like they have in a deli. What about line varieties? Like an express line for quick comments of ten words or less that could move much more efficiently. What about ropes along the lines that you can hold on to?"-Dwight
I was always welcome a ridiculous Dwight rant, and this was one of his better ones.

Alright, so your turn! What'd you think of the episode? The whole situation has me questioning what's going to happen to Michael in next week's episode. The guy destroys the shareholders meeting, his CEO is annoyed, and then he runs off with the limo - are there going to be repercussions?

If you're a Dunder Mifflin fanatic, head on over to The Office! group in the BuzzSugar Community!

Photo and videos courtesy of NBC