BuzzSugar

Song of the Day: Charlotte Gainsbourg, "The Songs That We Sing"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:05:04 PDT

I first became an admirer of Charlotte Gainsbourg as an actress, after her subtly naive performance in the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Eyre (which I love, by the way). But it's no surprise that the actress is now turning to music: She is, after all, the spawn of legendary French singer/eccentric Serge Gainsbourg, with whom she recorded her first album, Charlotte For Ever, at the age of 13.

Now, Gainsbourg the singer is all grown-up, and her first adult solo album, 5:55, was just released in the U.S. this week. The album flicks at French tradition, with pianos and bells that call to mind gray Paris afternoons, while also feeling very modern. I particularly love this ethereal, romantic track "The Songs That We Sing," with its fluttering, insect-like strings. To listen,

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "The Spanish Teacher"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:01:05 PST

Glee goes Latin this week when guest star Ricky Martin stops by to shake it and teach Mr. Schue a thing about Spanish (which, despite being a Spanish teacher, he does not know). A couple more people find out about Finn and Rachel's engagement, though Mercedes and Sam are still far more unclear about their relationship. Sue also announces a highly frightening desire to be a mother while clawing at the chance to be a tenured teacher.

There are some fun numbers this week, but they couldn't distract from the fact that this episode is all over the place. A couple of the subplots are just plain ridiculous, but it's not totally without its highlights, so let's go over them after the jump.

The Muppets' Music Man Bret McKenzie on His Oscar Nod and Taking a Silly Job Seriously

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:50:41 PST

Bret McKenzie is up for an exceedingly rare honor this year, with his ballad "Man or Muppet" earning one of just two nominations in the Oscars' best song category. I caught up with The Muppets' musical supervisor today at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank to chat about the awards attention and the unique experience of penning music for Kermit and company. The New Zealand native talked about fighting the temptation to use the word "motherfrogger" in his songwriting and the roundabout way he came on board The Muppets project in the first place. Bret - who previously was best known as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords - also shared his hopes of bringing FOC to the big screen. Check out our conversation below:

PopSugar: It's got to be an honor to be nominated for an Oscar, but also in a year when the Academy only bothered to nominate two songs.
Bret McKenzie: They barely nominated anyone! When I found out, it sounded like there'd been a mistake, and yeah, it's a huge honor. It's great and it's really exciting, and I'm not complaining that there's only two nominees the year I'm nominated. I mean, this is the best chance I'll have of winning an Oscar, ever. It couldn't have been better, unless there was just one nomination, and then it would be a very dull ceremony . . . There's a lot of legendary musicians - tunesmiths - in that list of possible nominations. So it's all very surreal to think that I got in ahead of Elton John.

PS: And Madonna. Those two had a little rivalry going on.
BM: I know. I got nervous about what Elton John's husband was going to say about me. It's crazy, and it's great for The Muppets film, because we're all really proud of the film and it wasn't ever really going to get a best actor. Hey, Jason's good, that's not what I mean, but Kermit, Miss Piggy - they can't win these awards - and comedies don't generally get recognized at these awards ceremonies, so it's kind of cool. It's almost like the film as a whole is being recognized with this category.

For more from our chat with Bret, including what he says about his plans for a Flight of the Conchords film, coaching Jason Segel, and the pressure he felt on the project, just

read more! PS: What was the biggest unexpected challenge for you writing music for the film? I know you talked about one draft of a song where you referred to a Muppet as a piece of felt and were told you couldn't do that. BM: Yeah. Little piece of felt, and you couldn't say things like motherfrogger, even though it's very tempting. There were lots of hard parts to it. The Muppets can't sing certain notes. They can't sing too high or the voice changes and doesn't sound like the right character. There were so many weird things. I spent hours recording penguins and rats, and what's weird is that it's such a silly job, but you have to take it very seriously. So I would be in the studio for days, maybe a whole day recording penguins, and then I'm like, "I'm not happy with how the penguins are sounding! Where's penguin four?" You know, getting demanding. "We lost penguin track four! I can't hear the penguin!" PS: I was watching the movie again last night and watching Jason Segel's performance of "Man or Muppet." Did you coach him on any of his rockstar moves? Because he pretty much nailed it. BM: He nailed it. That's my favorite moment in the film. When he buckles down in the rain, that was one of my favorite shots. I was so proud of what James [Bobin, the director] and those guys achieved, because I wasn't there on set, I just saw them syncing the video, and I was like, "Wow, guys. You nailed it." What we did do in the studio, as Jason and I had a technique where I would sing a line, and he'd watch me through the window, and then he'd sing it back. So we did this thing where, I was really into the drama of it. So, I was like, "Am I a Muppppettt?" [balling his hands into fists] And he'd be like, OK, record. "Am I a Muppppettt!" So we kind of worked together to get that style. PS: Did it shatter some of your childhood illusions to have the guy that does Miss Piggy's voice come work with you [in the recording studio]? BM: Yeah. Well, it wasn't Frank Oz. The guy Eric, who does it now, yeah. That was strange. And the day that we recorded Kermit the Frog doing "Rainbow Connection" - I was sort of pinching myself, because that was probably one of the real moments for me where I realized that my world had really changed. That I'd come from New Zealand, I'd grown up with Kermit the Frog, and now I was in Hollywood in a studio recording Kermit the Frog. It felt like worlds had collided. PS: Was there pressure knowing there was already this great catalog of Muppet songs? To try to add to that or top it in some way? BM: I knew I wouldn't top "Rainbow Connection," but I was very intimidated, but the way I worked on the job was it actually started with me just writing one song, so I didn't feel the pressure of writing the whole movie. I think it would have been different if I'd been hired from the outset to do all the music. So I wrote one, then another, and gradually wrote more and more, so that helped. PS: What song did you write first? BM: The opening song. That's the one they needed, that's the one James asked me to write first. The script was probably on a second draft, and they were in preproduction, so I came in quite late. And the way they were doing it was, they got 100s of demos submitted from all sorts of songwriters, and surprisingly - even though they got some really great people to do demos - people weren't quite hitting the right tone. The Muppet tone. I'd just come off the Conchords tour and I had some time, and James asked if I was interested in doing that opening song, because he had a kind of specific thing he needed from that song. He needed it to be really Muppet-y, that song, and he had a great idea for the whole town joining in, it starting off small and becoming a big musical number, and that came together really well. PS: Is this experience maybe something you want to bring to a Flight of the Conchords movie? BM: Yeah, exactly. Having done this movie now, we're in a much better place to do a Conchords film, because James is more experienced - well, we're all more experienced. Not specifically, but James Bobin - well, we're all very keen to do another studio musical, because I really enjoyed being able to do comedy musical numbers on such a grand scale, and I think next time, I really think it will just get better and better. Because it's such a fun genre, and we've done like 50 songs for TV now, and now The Muppets movie, and I feel like we've accidentally sort of become musical comedy experts. PS: What do you imagine Bret and Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords are up to these days, in their universe? BM: In the Lower East Side? That's a good question. I reckon they probably got a regular gig now. Like, at a Chinese restaurant. Photo courtesy Disney

Pilot Scoop: Smash

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:04:40 PST

NBC is getting in on musical madness with new show Smash, a drama that follows the production of a musical about Marilyn Monroe and the two ingénues vying for the lead. With high production value and an ensemble cast that includes Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston, the show is a colorful, splashy, and tune-filled entrant into the midseason lineup. Before you check out tonight's premiere, check out my first impressions below.

What it's about: The first episode charts the early development of the musical Marilyn, the brainchild of a few theater producers (including Messing and Huston). As the idea germinates, the showrunners have to make the difficult decision of who to cast as Marilyn Monroe: the seasoned, Ivy (Megan Hilty), who's also a dead-ringer for Marilyn, or inexperienced Karen (Katharine McPhee) who comes in at the last minute and knocks their socks off.
Where it works: Former American Idol contestant McPhee is an inspired choice here; we've all heard her sing, but it turns out that she can also act. She's charming and plucky as Karen, the girl who's a waitress by night so she can nurture her dream of making it big on Broadway. I also enjoyed seeing her home life with her supportive (and dashing) boyfriend played by Raza Jaffrey.
Where it doesn't: It's unclear how much of the musical the series will be. In the opener, we hear numbers from Marilyn and familiar tunes like "Beautiful" in auditions, but when Ivy and Karen break into song at the end of the hour, it doesn't feel that organic - or necessary.
When it's on: Mondays at 10 p.m. on NBC, starting Feb. 6
You might like this show if: You like Glee, but this show is even more appealing to theater fans.

See a preview for Smash and photos after the break.

Pirate Rock! Disney's Sharky and Bones Open Up About Pirate Culture, Jake, and Peter Pan

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:37:27 PST

Can you talk like a pirate? If your lil one is between 2 and 5 years old, chances are he'll know exactly what we're talking about!

Since its launch last February, Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates has become the top-ranking series among kids in that age group. The animated show - about a new crew of pirates who work together to outwit Captain Hook and Smee around Pirate Island - is about to embark on its second season with a prime-time special Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns (airing Feb. 13), where the little boy who won't grow up enlists the minipirates to help him find his lost shadow. As with the daily show, the special will feature original pirate rock songs written and sung by Sharky and Bones of The Never Land Pirate Band. I spoke with Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson, the men behind Sharky and Bones and the stars of the live-action music videos featured at the end of each episode, about the popularity of pirate culture and what it can teach tots today.

LilSugar: Obviously you two are well versed in little kids' obsessions with pirates. How did it start for you two?
Kevin Hendrickson (Bones): It started before our kids. Loren and I met maybe 12 years ago, and we both just had a love of pirates and the old Disney records we grew up listening to. We decided to make a pirate album for kids, even though we didn't have kids.
Loren Hoskins (Sharky): We were pirates before pirate was cool. We had an affinity for pirate and pirate culture and the old Disneyland rides - you know the old Pirates of the Caribbean attraction - and we combined all those into a rock album for kids of all ages. We say "for buccaneers of all ages" because we had a lot of fans that were not kids and a lot of fans that were kids and then families that were fans. We just decided to not be a children's band, but a band for all buccaneers!

LilSugar: It's been almost 60 years since Disney released Peter Pan, and unlike other Disney flicks, it hasn't received a rerelease or a 3D upgrade. Why do you think the pirate obsession remains so strong today?
Loren Hoskins (Sharky): I have always maintained that what pirates represent for play is all the best things about play. That's imagination, adventure, being bold-hearted, silly voices, and fun dress-up costumes. You put all that together and you get classic kid play. It's like pirates and dinosaurs. Dinosaurs were huge for a while, and I think for the same reason – you can just go "roaar," and play all these great games, and they were bold and adventurous and from exotic locations. Pirates are the same thing. They're one of those classic play building blocks

Keep reading for more of our talk about pirate rock and the show's educational value.

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "Yes/No"

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:41:04 PST

Glee is back from Winter hiatus and makes a big splash this week with a genuinely awesome episode. It's super cheesy and full of multiple dance numbers and guest stars, which is essentially the recipe for Glee success, and I'll admit it gave me goose bumps more than once.

Nearly everyone's emotions and relationships are challenged in this episode: Mercedes is torn between two guys, Will contemplates taking the next step with Emma, and Finn's got big ideas for his future with Rachel. I can't believe how much happened! To get all the details on "Yes/No," just keep reading.

Our Favorite 5 of YouTube's Top 2011 Videos

Kelly Schwarze — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:21:53 PST

It's hard to go a couple days (or hours) without a friend, parent, or co-worker directing you to the "most amazing video EVER" on YouTube. Following the world's video sharing trends closely, YouTube unveiled the Top 10 YouTube videos of 2011. We'll admit we've watched videos one through 10 multiple times, but have our own list of top five favorites. While "Friday" was catchy, it didn't make our cut, which you can check out below.

Nyan Cat - Coffee break? Try a Nyan Cat break whenever a moment of zen is needed throughout the day. How many of the 56 million views made it through the whole video of the pop-tart cat, the meme that launched a thousand parodies, crafts, and costumes?
Talking Twin Babies - We may not know what they're saying, but these twin babies are in the midst of a heated discussion that'll likely go on the rest of their lives. Over 56 million views attempted to debunk their baby talk.
Cat Mom Hugs Baby Kitten - Imagine a world where everyone watched this video of a mother cat pulling her restless sleeping kitten into a hug daily. It would be rather sweet and cuddly; 39 million viewers agree.

Two more YouTube faves after the break.

2012 Golden Globe Nominations: Snap Judgments

Shannon Vestal — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:28:42 PST

Congrats to all of this year's Golden Globe nominees! Now that we've had the chance to digest all the nods, it's time to analyze the nominations and both sing the praises and decry the snubs from this year's list of honorees. Check out our snap judgments of the Golden Globe nominations, both good and bad, below.

One huge yay for the movies and actors we're happy got recognized: 50/50, Midnight in Paris, Jonah Hill, Charlize Theron, Kristen Wiig, Albert Brooks, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Owen Wilson.
The Hollywood Foreign Press seems to have as big a crush on Ryan Gosling as everyone else does; the actor scored two best actor nods: one in the drama category for The Ides of March and one in the comedy category for Crazy, Stupid, Love. We're all about the Gosling love, but we're wondering why he was passed up for Drive, a stronger, more interesting (if quieter) role for him.
Speaking of Gosling, the best actor in a drama category might as well just be retitled the Handsome Men's Club. With Gosling, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, and Leonardo DiCaprio, we're not sure if this is an acting competition or a measure of who's better looking. Not that we're complaining.
As if we needed any other confirmation that new TV has been fantastic, the Golden Globes nominations really drive the point home, recognizing tons of new series like Homeland, Game of Thrones, Episodes, New Girl, and more.
Some SAG snubs that the Golden Globes made right were the nominations for Michael Fassbender for Shame and Rooney Mara for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Now, to see the snubs and other nominations we're not so psyched about, just keep reading.

Buzz Blabber: Top Model Fans Are Glad Angelea Didn't Win

BuzzSugar — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:30:00 PST

This week, the stories that got buzz readers talking the most were the America's Next Top Model finale and its winner twist, a refreshingly good episode of Glee and the adorable trailer for romantic comedy The Five-Year Engagement. See the spirited comments below!

Viewers are glad Angelea didn't win America's Next Top Model

"I'm so glad Angelea was disqualified. All she did was cry on the show and when she wasn't doing that she was hating on everyone else. I'm so glad that Lisa won!! She was my favorite from the start." - awesomepants
"I always threaten it, but if Angelea would've won, I couldn't have watched the show ever again. I didn't think Lisa should've won either. She's a great personality, but Allison was the better model." - likethedirection
"Neither yes nor no. I wasn't so much Team Lisa as I was Team Anyone But Angelea. Lisa works hard and clearly knows a lot about modeling, so I'm not opposed to her win, but I liked Allison a lot as well." - smartblonde

See what else got you talking after the jump.

Glee-ful Highlights From Episode "Hold On to Sixteen"

Becky Kirsch — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:59:28 PST

Trouty Mouth is back in town, and just in time for Sectionals on Glee this week. The showdowns are abundant, as the Troubletones and New Directions square off for top honors, and Quinn and Shelby have yet another faceoff about Beth's future.

Not only is it good to see Sam again (though I didn't think I'd be seeing so much of him), the episode also nicely ties up some loose ends that should make fans happy before the imminent Winter hiatus. Let's break down the high notes and low notes when you