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What to Download: New Music Today

BuzzSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:38:24 -0800

T.G.I. Tuesday! I've already sorted through the big DVD releases of the day, but now I have new songs to revive your iPod, Just take a look at these three albums. (And if you want to see your own music reviews featured on Buzz, submit them in the Music Review Group in the community!)

Music mash-up: Seems like everyone is releasing a holiday album lately - remember Bob Dylan's? Now, Tori Amos is trying her hand at the genre with Midwinter Graces. It's a big risk for Amos, who puts her own spin on classic carols. Traditionalists might cry foul when she mashes up "What Child Is This" and "The First Nowell" for "What Child, Nowell" or re-purposes "Silent Night" into a love song, but at least Amos is thinking outside of the box. The quieter songs work best, thanks to Amos's ethereal voice. I recommend "Emmanuel" or "Winter's Carol."

All over the place: Wale references Kanye West in the first track on his big studio debut Attention: Deficit, and the mention is fitting. Wale seems like a Kanye in the making, mixing in sparkly, bragadocious tracks with songs that raise controversial social issues (like "Shades," which tackles racism). He also brings in a long list of collaborators, including Lady Gaga (on the already-released "Chillin'") and Mark Ronson. As a result, the album jumps around like, as the title hints, a kid with ADD. You may recognize Wale from this year's VMAs, and he's undoubtedly one to watch. For now, download "Pretty Girls" and "Diary," which samples from one of my favorite films, Amelie.

See one more release when you read more.

A classic formula: Bon Jovi fans really love Bon Jovi, and on the band's newest release, The Circle, the rockers aren't afraid to deliver exactly what their followers want - even if it feels recycled. "Working For the Man" should appeal to those who enjoy pumping their fists along to songs like "Living on a Prayer," and "When We Were Beautiful" almost feels like a U2 copycat. The guys cover the regular themes there - love, leadership, the highway of life, etc. - so there are no big surprises. Still, as far as guilty pleasure Bon Jovi goes, it doesn't disappoint.

Buzz News Roundup, 6/30

BuzzSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:34:21 -0700

American Idol's Kristy Lee Cook has signed a recording deal with Arista Nashville, USA Today reports.
According to the Futon Critic, AMC has enlisted Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel to star in a six-part miniseries remake of the TV show The Prisoner.
Variety reports that The Real World producers Bunim-Murray could be tapped to run Project Runway when the show moves to Lifetime.
Ne-Yo has bumped Coldplay out of the No. 1 spot on the UK singles chart, Billboard reports.
The Wackness and the documentary Man on Wire were audience favorites at this year's Los Angeles Film Festival, Variety writes.
Neal McDonough is the latest actor to join Desperate Housewives as a possible love interest for Edie, Zap2it reports.
Billboard announces that Bon Jovi will play a free show in Central Park on July 12.
Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane and Google are teaming up for an Internet-only animated series that will be released this Fall, writes the New York Times.

Photo courtesy of Fox

Buzz News Roundup, 6/27

BuzzSugar — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:00:22 -0700

Just when we thought it was gone, "According to Jim" is back from the dead for 18 more episodes, TV Guide reports.
Reuters is reporting on a remake of Hitchcock's 1927 movie The Lodger, this time as an "urban thriller set in Los Angeles" and directed by documentarian David Ondaatje.
Blood Diamond's Djimon Houndsou has been cast in the drama Get Some about an underground fight club, Variety reports.
Zap2It reports that Molly Shannon has signed on for a Lifetime original movie titled More of Me about a woman so busy she splits into three people.
Billboard tells us that for the first time since 1988, Bon Jovi takes the No. 1 spot on The Billboard 200.
Lots of casting news: Zap2it reports that Oliver Platt and Lauren Hutton will guest-star on "Nip/Tuck," and the Hollywood Reporter says Portia De Rossi will join them. The Hollywood Reporter also says Sofia Myles is the new female lead in "Moonlight," while DW Moffett is the new star of the CW's "Life is Wild."
NME gets word that Lily Allen has started working on her second album in New York.
I'm not sure if we really needed another online video site, but MySpace will launch one this week anyway, the New York Times reports.
Slate wonders: Did Die Hard spawn the greatest one-liner in movie history?

TV Tonight: The Return of "MTV Unplugged"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:25:13 -0700

MTV's occasional "Unplugged" series is back - big time.

The series, which features rock stars performing in a more stripped-down style, returns tonight with Bon Jovi, the act most often credited with starting the series in the first place after an acoustic performance at the 1989 Video Music Awards. In all, three different versions of the set will air: one tonight on MTV, one Saturday on VH1 and one Sunday on CMT. Bon Jovi is expected to draw heavily from its new country-tinged album, Lost Highway, though each of the three versions of the performance will be tailored to the particular channel's audience.

Upcoming "Unplugged" concerts this summer include The Police, Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige and John Mayer. Though air dates for those shows haven't been announced, The Police are reportedly filming their special in mid-July in Miami.

Source

Young Talent and Legends Honored at the CMT Awards

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:42:40 -0700

The 2007 CMT Awards are country music's version of the MTV Video Music Awards: The winners are chosen by fans, and the ceremony is more about the spectacle than the actual winners. At last night's awards ceremony, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy and held in Nashville, Carrie Underwood beat out the Dixie Chicks to win Video of the Year, and the "American Idol" winner also took home the award for Best Female Video. I was probably most excited to see legendary singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson on stage to accept the Johnny Cash Visionary Award.

The show also included performances from big Nashville names - including Hank Williams Jr. and Martina McBride - as well as one very non-Nashville name: Bon Jovi. The band was there to show off its new single, "(You Want To) Make a Memory," from the upcoming album the band recorded in Nashville. To see the full list of winners, read more

Video of the Year: "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
Male Video: "You Save Me," Kenny Chesney
Female Video: "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood
Duo Video: "Want To," Sugarland
Group Video: "What Hurts the Most," Rascal Flatts
Breakthrough Video: "Tim McGraw," Taylor Swift
Wide Open Country Video: "Love You," Jack Ingram
Video Director: Roman White, "Before He Cheats" (Carrie Underwood)
Johnny Cash Visionary Award: Kris Kristofferson

Source

Buzz News Roundup, 3/19

BuzzSugar — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:22:18 -0700

The AP reports that The Amityville Horror and Cool Hand Luke director Stuart Rosenberg has died at age 79.
Forgot to watch Simon Cowell on "60 Minutes"? CBS has posted video of the interview.
NME wraps up the highlights from South By Southwest.
With three movies in the works, Jackie Earle Haley is officially making a comeback, says the Hollywood Reporter.
Meanwhile, Bon Jovi is returning with a new album, Billboard reports.
More bad news for "Veronica Mars"? Co-star Julie Gonzalo has been cast in a new ABC pilot, Zap2it reports.
Things are looking up for "30 Rock," according to Broadcasting & Cable.
New York artists are suing NBC over the painting-the-future concept in "Heroes," Reuters reports.
Ricky Gervais says "Extras" will end after two seasons, according to Variety.
Ryan Adams will guest on Minnie Driver's second album, says NME.
Phil Spector's murder trial will be televised, according to the AP.
Variety says "The Real World" creators Bunim-Murray have set their sights on documentary films.

Source

American Idol Live Chat Tonight

PopSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 19:57:23 -0700

It's our favorite day of the week. First we had 80's trivia and now we have live chat during American Idol!!! Last week AI was sweet and kept all 6 contestants in the running but this week 2 will be booted off. It's Jon Bon Jovi night!!! Just click here at 8pm to join in on the fun!

Image courtesy of FOX

What to TiVo: Friday

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:50:59 -0800

ABC has Shrek the Third, and is new with 20/20
CBS is new with Ghost Whisperer, Medium, and NUMB3RS
FOX has repeats of House and Bones
NBC is new with Law & Order and Dateline NBC
The CW is new with Smallville and has a repeat of America's Next Top Model
MTV has repeats of Southpark and Nitro Circus, and has Grindhouse Presents: Death Proof
TLC is new with Say Yes to the Dress and Happily Ever Faster
E! is new with The Soup
USA is new with Monk and White Collar
VH1 has repeats of For the Love of Ray Jay 2 and I Want to Work for Diddy 2
Late-night highlights include Kellan Lutz on The Jay Leno Show on NBC; Viggo Mortensen on The Late Show With David Letterman on CBS; Eva Mendes and Bon Jovi on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien on NBC; Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Death Cab for Cutie on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC; Neil Patrick Harris and David Gray on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on CBS; and Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC

What to TiVo: Saturday

BuzzSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:50:09 -0700

ABC has College Football
CBS has repeats of Three Rivers and 48 Hours Mystery
FOX is new with Cops and America's Most Wanted
NBC has repeats of Mercy, Trauma, and Law & Order: SVU
ABC Family has The Goonies
E! has Chasing Amy and repeats of The Girls Next Door and The Soup
Comedy Central has American Pie
MTV is new with Made and has a repeat of My Super Psycho Sweet 16
Showtime has a repeat of Dexter and is new with the rockumentary Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful
Late-night highlights include Megan Fox and U2 on a repeat of Saturday Night Live on NBC

Adam Shankman to Direct Rock of Ages Movie Musical

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:30:28 -0700

Sometimes I forget that So You Think You Can Dance's Adam Shankman is also heavily involved in the movie biz - he directed 2007's remake Hairspray and recently produced 17 Again. Now the booty shakin' judge just scored a deal to direct and choreograph another movie musical, the Broadway hit Rock of Ages.

The stage show debuted in 2006 and revolves around the hits of '80s glam/hair/metal rock bands. It boosted the career of former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, but he may not be reprising his role: Shankman remarked, "I'm thinking big, and absolutely am going to attempt to cast with movie stars. Now that musicals are working again, actors are much more open to it."

I've never seen the show, but I just read the listing of songs (think Journey and Bon Jovi) and now I'm dying to see it on stage and on the big screen. If you've seen it, what big names could you see starring?